COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 21, 2024 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK F. SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, INTERIM CHIEF CLERK
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will now come to order. Members will please take your seats. Visitors will please retire to their seats outside the rails. Before proceeding, I will ask all those present to please set your cell phone to silent or vibrate. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Neil Bond of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is here today as a guest of Councilmember Phillips. I will ask all Members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests and visitors rise.)
So this is very interesting. I've never been fascinating. Gwen and I have been Lutheran Pastors in Philadelphia 7-and-a-half years in West Philly, 36 years now in West Oakland Lane, husband and wife team. Let's pray. Perhaps, Creator God, the night was restful or maybe it was long or maybe it was exciting or maybe it was tiring, but here we are with a morning that is brand new. And that means that we are alive today, this new day. We are functioning today. We can for the most part move, think, speak, listen, breathe, show up at City Council. Many of us had a roof over our head and a pillow under our head, clothes on our back and in the closet shoes on our feet, food to eat. Safety I pray, friends or family and many other blessings. to count more than we need. Oh God, we didn't die last night. Did we assume that this would happen that way. Did we take it for granted. Are we humbled by the miracle of another day, another heartbeat. Are we grateful for the gifts, the blessings, the fresh opportunities. Do we recognize our connectedness to one another, one Philadelphia, one United States, one world, one single humanity created and valued and not just animals. Dear God, we pray that we might truly be alive today, not just look alive, not just go through the motions or be busy. We pray that we might be humble and grateful, connected and strong and willing and loving as we honor you with how we live our life this day. We want to use this day honor you with our being and our doing. Give us the right mind and heart and spirit.
And Holy, Mighty, Merciful and Loving God, thank you for your watchful presence with us even here this morning in this session of our City Council. Thank you for this gathering of women and men, elected officers who work to serve and guide the functioning of the City of Philadelphia. Lord, the many needs of the people and the many meetings, the finances, decisions, reports, et cetera, can make this job mindboggling and feel overwhelming. So, oh God, use the talents, skills, wisdom, knowledge and life experience of our Councilmembers and their staffs as respond to their duties and to the needs and cries of the people. Help them to have hearts of compassion for those who suffer. It seems, Lord, that the light that shines forth from that kind of focus and effort can rise to bless all of us if we will allow it. Give them courage in making tough decisions. When differences of opinions arise, keep us all respectful, not demonizing one another and finding ways to help us to find ways to keep listening to one another.
Let your generous and sacrificial love for us be the model for how we try to live with each other. Pour your wisdom, your understanding and strength on Council President Mayor Cherelle Parker as she works with Council to hold our city together and to see us thrive. Bless Councilmember Anthony Phillips who represents the District that I live in, but bless each Councilmember represented here and their work on your behalf to serve the people of their Districts. Keep us on the battlefield for justice, for righteousness and peace, fighting not with guns and knives or slanderous words but with the Spirit's power of kindness, generosity and love. Dear God, it's in your strong, yet tender name we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks you for your invocation. Council will now be at (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 14, 2024. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 14, 2024 be approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 14th of 2024 stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is the request for a leave of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. There are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. There are no reports for absence today.
Thank you. The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's Council session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and as required by law subsequently on or an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, bills on First Reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or recalled from the Mayor, amendments to bills recalled from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly the legislative matters stated by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. At this moment, the Chair will dispense from the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in the chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate you taking schedule to join us as we attend the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. We also have in our balcony young students from Russell Byers Charter School. Let's give them a real big round of applause. (Applause.)
Most importantly, they are the Student Council. And so, let's all make sure we are on good behavior today. (Applause.)
As there are no presentations today, we will now address the next order of business which is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read Mayor and any other communications in her possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I'm submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable Body the following proposed ordinance: Authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work required to provide public sewer service in the 600 and 700 blocks of Hendren Street, under certain terms and conditions. A resolution approving the redevelopment contract for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the 44th and Aspen Urban Renewal Area and street address as 644 and 646 North 40th Street, a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area identified by house numbers and street addresses as 827 North 40th Street, 843, 847, 849 and 851, 865 and 867 North 40th Street, and a portion of the Sarah Allen Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 818 and 830 North 40th Street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with North 40th Street LP and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. And the Mayor's pleased to advise us that on March 20, 2024, she signed the following bills which were passed at its session on March 7, 2024, Bill No. 240007 and Bill No. 240065. There are no further communications in my possession, Council President.
Thank you. The messages will be in the Journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.
Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, Council President Johnson and also the viewing public. I have no bills or resolutions for introduction today. Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer one privileged resolution proudly on your behalf.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the privileged resolution.
A resolution honoring Super Bowl Champion Fletcher Cox on the occasion of his retirement from the National Football League and recognizing Fletcher's historic career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Good morning, Council President. Today I have three bills and one non-privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bills and the non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the 44th and Aspen Renewal Area identified by house number and street address at 644 and 646 North 40th Street, a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area identified by house numbers and street address as 827, 843, 847, 849, 851, 865 and 867 North 40th Street, and a portion of the Sarah Allen Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses at 818 and 830 North 40th Street, and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with North 40th Street LP and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Green Street and North 40th Street, North 41st Street and Spring Garden Street, North 41st Street and Powelton Avenue, North 32nd Street and Haverford Avenue, Brandywine Street and North 36th Street; and An ordinance au --
And an ordinance authorizing Rekhaben Patel, owner and operator of the newsstand at the northwest corner of 30th and Market Streets to construct, use and maintain conduits in, under and across the northwest corner of 30th and Market Streets for the purpose of supplying electrical service to said newsstand, under certain terms and conditions; and
An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Hazel Avenue and South 55th Street, Cedar Avenue and South 51st Street, Cedar Avenue and South 55th Street, Hazel Avenue and South 46th Street, Hazel Avenue and South 47th Street, Hazel Avenue and South 48th Street, St. Bernard Street and Pine Street, St. Bernard Street and Spruce Street.
The following three bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. Today I have one resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week, the Lincoln University Lions for winning the 2024 CIAA Food Lion Men's Basketball Tournament Championship.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A resolution honoring Dr. Kahlila Johnson, Principal of Overbrook High School, for her years of dedicated service to the students of West Philadelphia and further commemorating the story of Overbrook High School's success.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Council President, can you skip me for one second. Thank you.
Sure. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Good morning. Thank you, Council President. Today I offer two bills and two resolutions, one privileged and one non-privileged.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read titles of the bills and resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring our Women's History Month Heroes, Principals Sherri Arabia, Charlotte Gillum, Awilda Balbuena, Diana Garcia, Regina Tanghe, Momma Tameka Bowman, Momma Marika Meekens and Erica Green. These are eight women in leadership who are dedicated to serving the children of the School District of Philadelphia investing in a better Philadelphia for all.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution, authorizing the participation of Philadelphia and the 2024 cohort of the Pennsylvania Blueprint Communities Program.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration of our next session of Council.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land, located with an area bounded by Somerset Street, Orkney Street, Cumberland Street and 5th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Allegheny Avenue, American Street, Lippincott Street, 2nd Street, Gurney Street, Indiana Avenue, 3rd Street, Gurney Street, Clearfield Street and 5th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Good morning, Mr. President. I want to say hello to the students from Russell Byers. I represent that area so this is who your Councilperson is for your school. I have three bills and one resolution to introduce.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the three bills and one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title --
Fee simple title to 2903 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 2907, 2925 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in the 5th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Parrish Street between North 16th Street and North 17th Street, Perkiomen Street between Vineyard Street and North 19th Street, Gratz Street between Jefferson Street and Harlan Street, Cambridge Street between North 30th Street to a dead-end, Jefferson Street between North 18th Street and North 19th Street, Newkirk Street between Thompson Street and Stiles Street, Brown Street between North 16th Street and 15th Street, Seybert Street between North 24th Street and North 25th Street, Flora Street between North 29th Street and North 30th Street, Olive Street between Shirley Street and North 19th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Watt Street between Cambria Street and Rush Street, Camac Street between Cambria Street and Glenwood Avenue, Cambria Street between North 13th to North 12th Street, Silver Street between North 13th Street and Broad Street, Rush Street between North 12th Street and North 13th Street, North 12th Street between Cambria Street and Somerset Street, Marvine Street between Susquehanna Avenue and Diamond Street, Thompson Street between North 27th Street and North 28th Street, Montgomery Avenue between Uber Street and North 20th Street, North 19th Street between Montgomery Street and Berks Street.
This will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Bailey Street between Poplar Street and Parrish Street, North 20th Street between Oxford Street and Jefferson Street, North 27th Street between Girard Avenue and Thompson Street, Folsom Street between North 18th Street and North 19th Street, Uber Street between Parrish Street and Poplar Street, North 19th Street between Master Street and Jefferson Street, Harold Street between North 22nd and North 23rd Street.
This will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. Today I have one non-privileged resolution and one privileged resolution that I'm co-introducing with Councilmember Brooks.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution calling on President Biden and Congress to prioritize a permanent reauthorization and funding of the Bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program, ACP.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a privileged resolution recognizing March 31, 2024 as Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia, a day to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of transgender people and to lift up the joy, triumphs and pride that transgender people experience and bring into our communities.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Good morning, Council President. I have three privileged resolutions to introduce today.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the privileged resolutions.
A resolution honoring the life, work and dedication to teaching of JoAnn Seaver whose decades of community activism and constant presence as a teacher, tutor and mentor for students, particularly students learning to read has enriched and nourished the minds of young people across Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Applause.)
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the life, work and accomplishments of Mercedes Reyes, whose aspiring energy and insistence on creating safety, dignity, justice and support for domestic workers in Philadelphia has protected and enriched the lives of people across the country. (Applause.)
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And commending the work and life of Eva Gladstein whose tireless efforts to make our City more just and our City government more efficient have improved the lives of all Philadelphians. (Applause.)
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Birthday Boy Councilmember Jim Harrity. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A resolution recognizing and honoring Officer Tony Long, Sr. on the occasion of his retirement from the Philadelphia Police Department, commending his commitment to law enforcement after 37 years of employment with the City of Philadelphia and 33 years as a Philadelphia Police Officer.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
If anyone here has their phone on ring, could you please put your phones on silent. Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Jim Harrity.
Hey, Council President. I just wanted to have Tony Long and his family stand up. They're here in the gallery. Tony, could you stand up?
Let's give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
Very fine officer he is. I know Officer Long. Good job. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas Nic O'Rourke.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions to introduce today.
The Chair recognizes Birthday Boy Councilmember Mike Driscoll. (Applause.)
Morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brian O'Neill.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance to end the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Red Lion Road, the Montgomery County Line, the Bucks County Line and Roosevelt Boulevard.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill and one privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bill and the privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work required to provide public sewer service in the 600 and 700 blocks of Hendren Street, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring former Philadelphia Flyers All-Star Wayne Simmonds, who after playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs will retire as a Flyer after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the team.
placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions to offer.
The next order of business is reports from Committees. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for the report of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of Commerce and Economic Development reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to which was referred Bill No. 240019, entitled adopting an amendment to Section V of the Articles of Incorporation of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development by increasing the Authority's term of existence to a date 50 years from the date of approval of Articles of Amendment by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returned the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. And the Committee of Commerce and Economic Development Bill No. 240087, entitled amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses," by adding a new section regulating the operation of establishments providing tax preparation services and providing for remedies, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill today for Nos. 240019 and 240087. They were just read into the record by the Chief
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of this day of Bill Nos. 240019 and 240087. All those in favor of the motion will significant by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Bill Nos. 240019 and 240087 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the 2ND READING Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from the Committee with the suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a First Reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Katherine Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for today: Nos. 240194, 240195, 240196, 240200, 240020-A, 240066, 240010-A,, 240008, 240009, 240011, 240089-A and 240013-A.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hassan at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up street. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Today's time limit will be two minutes based upon the volume of individuals who will be commenting on public comment today. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not done so already. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same manner. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Would the Honorable Jannie Blackwell please take the microphone. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning to Mr. President and all members of Council. As always, I thank God for the privilege of being here with all of you. I want to say thank you to Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson for all her years of service in Southwest Philadelphia and our City. She still continues to give block parties, serve food, do all the community services, help businesses that all of us, especially we from the old school know and enjoy. All I can say to her is we love you, we appreciate you and we thank you for years of service. Now, Mr. President, I'd like to take advantage of another opportunity. You know, I came here with Lucien Blackwell during Rizzo days. I'm talking January '76, so I've been around a little while. I am as at home here as I am anywhere. And I would be remiss if I didn't say to Tony Long and his lovely wife, we love you, we thank you. I am so grateful that you're being honored for all your years of service. (Applause.)
And we love Tony. To know him is to love him. And for all that he's done, I think we all consider him a friend as much as we do our wonderful officer. So God bless him and his lovely wife. Thank you all, Members, and thank you for allowing me to mention two issues. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Jasper Liem speaking on Trans Visibility. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Jasper Liem. I use they and he pronouns interchangeably. I am the first Transgender Executive Director at the Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia's only independent LGBTQ program. For 30 years, the Attic has provided support for trans and gender nonconforming youth in this City, particularly those of color. Even in this fine city of Philadelphia, our trans community has endured inequities of being marginalized, often unseen until our community siblings are taken in acts of violence. Trans Day of Visibility is just one day, but we have been here fighting for our lives every day. It reminds us that we are visible, not just for being transgender but also for being people whose stories extend in every direction. I'm proudly trans and I am proudly Chinese Indonesian and I am proudly someone who has survived the inequities of our city because I was extremely lucky and because of this City's harm reduction effort, our public health and the protections that our city has provided us have saved my life. Because beyond Trans Day of Visibility, we must remember that One Philly means all of us in every part of who we are, every skin tone, every socioeconomic class and every gender. I commend our City for its efforts and I look forward to continuing our protections. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Ester Sentasil on Trans Visibility. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Ester Sentasil. I am a 15-year-old transgender girl living here in Philadelphia and I go by she/her pronouns. As we are awaiting Transgender Day of Visibility on Sunday, it's important to celebrate the lives of trans people and accomplishments that they present to the world. However, it is also a good thing to understand the struggles that transgender lives face on a daily basis. According to the Human Rights Campaign, over 220 antitrans and nonbinary bills have been introduced in state legislative, which is an astronomical record. Not only this, but 321 transgender or gender diverse lives have been killed from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 according to Transgender Year App. Every single day people under the transgender umbrella get bullied, mocked, hate-crimed, killed, denied resources that help them live and more. This can lead to many mental health issues, which can induce self-harm urges and suicidal thoughts. As a trans person myself, I have dealt with a lot of transphobia on the Internet and in person. I have people call me slurs, belittle me and make me think of myself as a smaller person because of my identity. I go out on these sidewalks that people commute with while having a feeling like I have all eyes around me because of how I dress, act, talk and more, while hoping I can just get to my destination safely while being myself. I question because of this and I ask myself what if they're right about me and what if they're right about what they say I am. Well, the answer is I'm not. Just because I'm not afraid to express myself as who I want to be does not mean that I'm following people's wishes. It's because it was never about other people and it was about me. I grew up thinking that there was something wrong with me but by the years going on the love that I received from people, it helped me learn that I'm more than just my identity. With this I would like for everyone to always give people in the transgender community kindness as well as everyone else in the LGBTQIA community. With all the stigma and hate against people in the world, even just a compliment could really make someone's day. Please tell your transgender friends and family that you love them and that you see them. This is Transgender Day of Visibility. Protect transgender youth and adults. Thank you. (Applause.)
Kate Rivera on Affordability Program. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Kate Rivera. I'm the Executive Director of the Technology Learning Collaborative. And I'm speaking today in favor of the resolution introduced by Councilmember Landau in favor of the Affordability Connectivity Program. The Technology Learning Collaborative or TLC is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to advance digital equity in the Philadelphia area. Quality, reliable and affordable Internet is essential for participation in today's society, providing access to education, employment, housing, benefits, health information, social connection and so much more. The ACP has been a critical tool to advance digital equity, connecting nearly 200,000 Philadelphia households to affordable Internet. If ACP is not funded, these households will be at risk of losing service. They'll be forced to make difficult budgeting decisions between Internet and other necessities such as food. We know the burden of poor connectivity falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations. Philadelphia's 2021 Home Internet Assessment found that 29 percent of low-income households, 33 percent of seniors and 33 percent of Spanish-speaking households lacked home broadband. We describe digital equity as a three-legged stool. So in addition to Internet access, the other pieces are a device appropriate to individuals' needs and the digital skills necessary to achieve their goals. Philadelphia has made significant strides towards achieving digital equity and has been recognized as a visionary trailblazer nationally for this work. But there is much more to do. So I thank Councilmember Landau for introducing this resolution. I also want to thank Councilmember Squilla for his work on digital equity as a member of the City's Digital Literacy Alliance. And I urge all Councilmembers to consider how we can do more to make sure residents are not disconnected if ACP ends, and to work toward making Philadelphia a more digitally inclusive community. Thank you.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Scott Thompson. Good morning. Drivers hiding their license plates from the police and traffic cameras is a bill, so I strongly support Bill 240089 that prohibits license plate-flipping devices, and I thank the Council for its action on this. I think this bill is a great start, but it doesn't go nearly far enough. The Council should expand on this bill to include all the other ways that drivers illegally hide their license plates which are much more common than the flipping devices but equally egregious. This includes things like putting a dark tinted cover over the plate, using a sticker or badge to cover up some of the letters on the plate, covering it with an obvious fake or expired temporary tag or just taking a hammer and scraping the paint off. Cars with obscured plates are everywhere in Philly. And this is not some small ticky-tack offense like an inspection is a few days expired. These drivers are very intentionally going out of their way to hide their identity from the cops so they can speed through our neighborhoods and run red lights and avoid paying tolls. I'm excited about the new speed cameras that Council is considering. But unless we put a stop to this, drivers will just slap a tinted cover on their plate and keep on speeding. New York City recently did an audit and found that $100 million per year of speeding camera fines are being evaded by drivers who obscure their license plates. Again, this is not a senior citizen running late to a doctor's appointment. These are repeat offenders defacing their cars so they can essentially opt out of following the traffic laws that the rest of us do. And unfortunately, cars with covered plates are often used in much more serious crimes like hit-and-runs and shootings, including the recent horrific shooting at the SEPTA stop a few weeks ago. When so many drivers are covering up their plates, it makes it really easy for the bad guys to do it too. Mayor Parker pledged to make Philly the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in America, but every car with an obscured plate on the streets is a billboard that says crime and disorder are tolerated here, and seeing these drivers get away with it makes regular people feel like a schmuck for following the rules. That's not the Philly I want my kids to grow up in. It won't fix everything, but some additional action to enforce this will send a strong message. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes the legendary outstanding leader Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Thank y'all for having me. I am so blessed. I am extremely blessed that I am being considered for this honor. I'm a little weak right now, but I just want to let you know that my heart is full. I am so grateful to the City of Philadelphia and for Jannie Blackwell, who has worked very hard to accomplish this for me. It's really moving for me because it's something that I have -- this is not what I do. This is who I am and I really believe in my heart that if everyone followed God's mandates and just fed the hungry, housed the homeless, go visit the sick, take care of the widows and the orphans, if you do any part of that, you will be successful in life and all the things that one day receiving an award for doing what God has asked us to do is not going to happen. It's going to be happening -- we're going to be so full of the City of Philadelphia and the world just doing the things that we've been asked to do, and it's not going to be a need for everyone to be honored for it. Everybody is going to be doing it. Thank you, Kenyatta. Thank you, Council. Thank you, Jannie. Thank you all for everything that you have done to make sure that my last days doing what I have to do for God is successful. Thank you. (Applause.)
Congratulations. Dr. Moore, Dr. Moore, I just want to say thank you for investing in me as a young man in shaping and helping me become the person who I am today. Congratulations. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Last week when I was here three officials blocked the door to the fourth floor. They said it was closed to the public and there'd be no public speaking. I waited upstairs and when you called for public comment to speak, you knew I was there, you knew I was coming and you voted to hear me speak this week. I think I should be allowed my full two minutes this time to talk about Palestine. You have not once made time for it. I have ignored --
Ms. Perez, could we just speak to what's on the actual bill, if you don't mind?
I've tried to meet with you, President. I've tried to meet with you. I've tried to meet with you. Everyone's ignoring Palestine. The least you can do is listen to her message as this child begs for her life on Instagram.
Thank you. Could the Clerk please call the next person for public comment. Could the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
We have to do better. This is a forum and we have to follow our protocol of who and how people speak to things, but we need to create a forum where we privately listen to what she has to say. It is the month of Ramadan. (Applause.)
And I'm a team player. I really am. I try to be. But when there is something egregious that is happening, we at this body -- I don't want to fight the Middle East War here in City Council, but doggone it we have to be fair. She comes every week, tries to be heard and we shut her down. That's got to stop or I will introduce a bill to allow her to speak. We can do it privately or we can do it real public. It is up to this body, but we will not ignore it not another week. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
Just for the record, right, for any bill that comes in front of Council, right, it's part of our rules, right. And all due respect, in terms of speaking on issues that's germane to the topic that's on the floor, right, it's part of the rules. And that's how that process always been, rather it's on this topic or any other topic. Now, however if individual Councilmembers want to have a specific conversation with the young lady or anyone else who comes to speak on an issue that's not on the Calendar, they have the right to do so. In all due respect, if individuals want to introduce legislation as it relates to a topic that a Member wants to speak on, they have the right to do so as well. All we're doing is not shutting individuals down by speaking on what's introduced based upon the rules for the record. That's it. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.
Listen, I just want to say for the record that our Council President has been really doing well, a great job, not only getting us started on time but making sure that people's voices are heard. Council President Johnson has done a tremendous job with not only making sure that Philadelphia City Councilmembers are not just within the halls of City Council, but they're in neighborhoods and bringing us resources so that we can have town halls as well as other endeavors so that neighbors can hear us. So I want the entire City of Philadelphia to know that public comment is important not only to me and the rest of the City Councilmembers but to this Council President. So with that being said, I want to be very clear that if anyone wants to have a private conversation with me, I'm open to it. My doors are always open. I'm in neighborhoods on a daily basis. And I also want to let us know that it's very important for us to understand that we are a collective here, we're a team and what we understand as public comment is something that we all really, really care about. And I know my Council President cares about it as well. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. Per the rules of Council, your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. With that, Mr. President, I call for the orders of the day.
Usually when they say with all due respect, the disrespect is coming.
When you call for the orders of the day, it's not debate. When you call for the orders of the day, it's no debate. So that's with all due respect, Councilmember Jones.
Because she is -- according to the rules, she's calling for the orders of the day, right. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Hi. I'm Nicole Kligerman. I'm with the National Domestic Workers Alliance. I'm going to read in Spanish the resolution put forward by Councilmember Brooks and Council President Johnson. (Spanish translation). (Applause.)
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes at Safestreetsphilly.org but also of lynnlandes.org. And because the subject has turned to public comments, I do want to say that my attorney George Bochetto has sent you a letter about your violations of the Sunshine Act and we do intend to take you to court if these are not corrected. You are not allowed under the Sunshine Act to limit comments to agenda items only. You are also not allowed to add bills and resolutions at the beginning that are not already on the agenda so that we can make informed comments. I just want to say that. And you can find it on my website later on today, that letter that was sent to all of you, at lynnlandes.com. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Sandra Speight, and I'm here on the ACP resolution. ACP is set to end the end of April, and it is a very important factor in Internet reception. I'm a senior and just to get television, you have to have Internet Wi-Fi. And as a senior, you're on a fixed income and this is a much needed bill. And Congress is going to try to end it by the end of April. And I am asking everyone to please get behind this bill and try to make them understand that seniors and people that are on fixed incomes really need it. And I want to thank you very much. (Applause.)
You're welcome. Thank you. Will the Chair call the next speaker.
Hello, City Council. My name's Jeremy Blatstein. Should I drop my website or my Twitter handle @phlmayor, do you want -- no. I'm talking in regards to two bills that are disposing of land from the Philadelphia Land Bank today. They're great. It's good. Housing coming out of -- I mean, lots coming out of the Land Bank for housing is a good thing. Streamlining that process needs to improve. What I want to talk about today is the Turn the Key program. Most of you in this room voted for it. The education surrounding Turn the Key has been lacking. I don't believe that it should just fall on the developers to educate the public about Turn the Key and who this program was intended to help. As lots are moved for Turn the Key, the sale price can be $280,000. There's a $75,000 second mortgage that comes along with that, that drops the sale price down to about $200,000, right, 205,000. There's some other money that is given out by the banks, $5,000 to $10,000 that drops that price even further down. The average AMI of the people buying these homes, of the 100 that have been sold so far is 57 percent AMI. That is insane and is the point of this program. And to try to then say, well, can we get it down lower. Unfortunately, no. Without other public subsidy, the program won't work. So if you want to say, okay, you want to make these sale prices $200,000 but you don't want to have any other subsidy, it makes it very difficult. And if you want to help minority developers get involved in development, trying to put that on them is also insane. The margins are already close. So if you want these people to be successful, support the $280,000 sale price and build some homes. Thank you. (Applause.)