Great morning, everyone. Ogbonna Hagins. I'm the unseated member of City Council. Ogbonna Hagins, O-g-b-o-n-n-a. This resolution in regards to the gun violence prevention, this is more aspirin for a brain tumor, more aspirin for brain tumor. The same way that you wouldn't give someone with a brain tumor an aspirin, why are we giving these aspirin solutions for gun violence. Your study, the Roadmap to Safer Communities -- and you're on your phone while I'm talking to you so you're not paying attention, Councilman. Councilman, you're on your phone and you're not listening to me. Councilman. Councilman, you're not listening to me. You're disrespecting me. That's what the slave masters did during slavery when Black people were trying get attention. Pay attention to what your constituents are saying. Now -(Sergeant-at-Arms approached Witness.)
I am but he's ignoring -- I'm talking to the Councilmembers and they're not paying any attention to me. So now, the study said that in order to eliminate gun violence, there needs to be large scale investments in the areas that have been decimated by crime, violence, unemployment. Your study said that. And your study also said that this City is structurally racist as we saw with the example of the Councilman who's still on his phone. So, listen, the structural racism bill that I gave you, I expect this body in the next seven days to meet collectively to go over this legislation that I spent my time with my team to answer the question of the Roadmap to Safer Communities. You said it needed large scale investments. You said it was structurally racist, Council President. What's up? Y'all not addressing structural racism? Not even addressing structural racism is structurally racist. Ogbonna Hagins, your unseated Councilmember. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Hi. Can everyone hear me? My name is Breighton Golphin and I'm speaking in support of the resolution for Trans Day of Visibility, so I want to say thank you for Council for that. But I also hope that this is not the first step in making sure that we are better protected in the City. Now, I'm very fully aware that we do have an emergency order declaring Philadelphia a sanctuary city when it comes to our health care, but what we really need is a bill because the folks in this state outside of Pennsylvania, they're not playing around. They're looking to revoke our health care at any moment on the state level, so I hope even though we do have this emergency order and even though I highly doubt that Cherelle Parker's going to take that away, a bill would be of more precedence. I also wanted to highlight what has happened recently as it relates to, like, fund -- like funding no longer like -- I am sorry. I'm tongue-tied. Our city no longer funding safe needle exchanges. A narrative that was completely ripped from this is that it's not just folks who are struggling with addictions that depend on safe needle exchange. It's folks in the trans community as well. (Applause.)
When we get hormones and I'm saying this as someone that is on HRT. When we get hormones, we either get gel or a patch or a needle. Sometimes we are not provided needles because certain nonprofits run out or certain pharmacies don't have them. So where do we go to? We go to these places such as Prevention Point or Savage Sisters Recovery or who else that is offering it. Just understand that if you get rid of safe injection sites -I mean, not safe injection sites, safe needle exchanges from our city, HIV, Hepatitis and all these illnesses will increase, but also a lot of us will not have access for HRT because how are we supposed to inject ourselves with our (inaudible). So I just wanted to say and highlight that. And also, I would like for the City to officially call a ceasefire. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Chair call the next person for public comment.
Good morning. My name is Charlotte Gillum and I am the proud principal of Lewis Elkin Elementary. Good morning, Council President.
It is an honor to be recognized today as part of the resolution during Women's History Month, to recognize the work that my colleagues and I do as school leaders in the Kensington community. Councilwoman Lozada is a true friend of Elkin and a true friend of Kensington. The District and the City began the Kensington collaborative that we like to call the Opioid Task Force back in 2017 and it has been an honor to be a part of that work. I am proud over the last seven years I now see light at the end of this arduous tunnel. I have two stories, two quick stories. Based off of the work that I do as a Kensington school leader, it just happened on Monday, a 4th grade girl coming to my office crying because her teacher said that she was being very disrespectful. Through her tears she shared that she is tired and scared because she has to walk to school in disguise because there are people out to hurt her to send a message to her brother. We know that happens all of the time. She's a 4th grader. I have another story about children who see domestic issues at home, things that they should not even witness on T.V., let alone in the kitchen of their own home, and as a result have to then come into school to learn. I think I'm in front of people who have influence over budget. And if that is you, I encourage any time that you have anything before you with mental health supports for our schools and our children, please stand behind that. If you have also some information and influence over safe passages, please stand behind that. Thank you, everyone. Good morning. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next person, public comment.
Erica green. (Witness approached podium.) Ms. GREEN: Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Erica Green, and I am so proud to be here today. This morning I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, a woman of a tenacious spirit who is laser-focused. She has vision, integrity, intellect, fortitude and a compassionate heart to serve the children and families in Kensington and in the School District of Philadelphia. I am truly humbled as a school leader to be here for Women's History Month. I am a proud Philadelphia native and it brings me great joy to be honored by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada with the other women who serve in the School District of Philadelphia or in another capacity with the Archdiocese because we're all doing this work for young people. And I just want to say that these women serve in very difficult roles in the heart of the open air drug market in Kensington, which can no longer be ignored. When I stand here for children of Conwell and in Kensington, I stand for all children in Philadelphia. We need to do what is right, just and fair for kids in the words of Dr. Constance E. Clayton. Every day when we get up, we need to serve children. We need to champion for children, and it cannot be just words. We see a living testimony of them standing here representing their school Russell Byers Charter. So it's a remarkable time to be a woman in Philadelphia with the first female Mayor Cherelle Parker and seven females serving on City Council. So, Councilmember Lozada, I say that my heart beams with pride, and may you always be blessed for the true heart you have for children and of service. You are a woman of your word and you are a woman of action. Thank you, Councilman President Johnson and the Members today. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Good morning, Mr. President and all of the members of City Council. I am very appreciative of this opportunity to address you all. My name is Awilda Aguila Balbuena and I'm in my 14th year as the principal of Gloria Casarez Elementary School located on the corner of G and Ontario, which has proudly been named after a very fearless advocate for all of those living in Kensington, the homeless and the LGBTQ+ community. I'm certain her voice was heard in these same walls as the first ever Director of the LGBTQ+ office here at City Hall under Mayor Nutter. So here I am having my voice heard during Women's History Month. I had not planned to speak here today, but whenever given an opportunity and given a platform to speak on behalf of my school community also known as my second family, I am honored to do so. Our ask is, this is coming from my school community, we ask that you see us, that you show us we matter and help us to feel like we belong to this big city. I am extending an invitation to all of you to come walk the streets, the same paths my students have to walk to get to school each day. And come meet my families, take a tour of my building. But most importantly, come speak to our students. They know what they need. And we sit in little conference rooms and the adults are talking, but we're not listening to our kids. Please come on out. You're invited at any given time. Don't call. Just ring the doorbell, show your ID and you're always welcome at Gloria Casarez Elementary School. Thank you. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Good morning, Council. I just want to say that Dr. Minnie Johnson has been a great inspiration and she truly deserves her street being named after her, Woodland Avenue. She has been such a blessing to the community and to myself and my business and anyone that she touches. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
Good morning, President, and good morning, Council. My name is Francis Harrison. I am the oldest daughter of Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson. And I'm just honored today for you guys and (inaudible). But what I want to do is just give you a glimpse of what it was like as a child growing up with her. And as a child, you don't understand why Mom would go into the freezer when we didn't have much to feed other people. You don't understand why she would tell us to share our clothes and share our toys with others. And so, for someone who felt like we had little, we didn't really understand we had much and someone was less fortunate than what we had. And so, during those times it was hard for me, my brothers and my sisters to wrap around the fact that she would just go shopping and then take food out the freezer and make a bag for someone else. It just never dawned on us how important it was to love our neighbor and take care of those who were less fortunate. Today I just want to stand here for my siblings. My mother is 84 years old and she is yet still serving the community. (Applause.)
Thank you. My brother Roland Bolds who is the President of Concerned Parents, Inc.; my sister Kimberly Ichert; my brother Michael Singletary and my brother who actually just passed away, he would have been 50 on March 18th, Barry Bolds, we had the honor to help her serve the community. And for that, I am a better person. I know how to give from the heart and impeccable work ethic and have standards and integrity. And if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we won't do harm to them because you won't hurt yourself. God bless you all. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
You're welcome. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Welcome, Mr. Benjamin. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President, President Johnson, to the members of City Council, to those in attendance. Today I'm privileged to be here in acknowledgment of Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson. I thought about it real -and I came to the conclusion that there can be a privilege attached to memories. Today there are memories attached to knowing Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson. Those memories are associated and go back as far as when I was a much younger person having to go (inaudible) Avenue with my sister and Minnie was my babysitter. Now, of course I was an old baby, okay, but Minnie was my babysitter. I also want to just have in that memory of those individuals like Dr. Johnson who were warriors for the community. And having had an opportunity to experience grassroots politics and grassroots community organizing, I had the opportunity to watch people like Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson from the grassroots level and it was an awesome experience. And just in final thought, I just wanted to say how humbled I am in being able to stand here in acknowledgment of Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson as the Ward leader of the 51st Ward realizing that it was the work efforts of people like Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson and of course our Councilwoman here that made it possible for us to get in where we were locked out of as young Black boys at that time. So I'm honored to be a Ward leader and I'm honored to able to acknowledge Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson. And I tell you, I just want to give you a clap if nobody else does because this is your day. Thank you. God bless you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Any other comments, any 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING other -
Thank you very much. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Will the Clerk please the title of Resolution No. 240194.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to allocate full funding for Governor Shapiro's proposed Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the anti-violence initiatives that the office would coordinate to address the epidemic of gun violence across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 240194.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240194 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240195.
A resolution also naming the 5400 block of 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Woodland Avenue as "Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson Way" to honor the life and legacy of community service of Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson to the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Kath - sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240195.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240195 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240196.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 809, 827, 830, 843, 847, 849, 851, 865, 867 North 40th Street; 1105, 1115 North 41st Street; 607 and 625 North 53rd Street; 3927, 3946, 3948 Folsom Street in the 3rd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, and further 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 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.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240196.
Thank you, Council President. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240196 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240200.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 61, 65, 77, 23, 24, 44, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 67, 73, 78, 89, 93 and 106 East Ashmead Street; 18, 34, 61 and 87 Collom Street; 69, 71, 89, 91, 93 and 95 East Wister Street in the 8th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple to such properties pursuant 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240200.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240200 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240010-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-5900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Prohibition on Certain Gambling Machines and Skills Games," to add additional prohibitions and provide for remedies, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all Members 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240008.
An ordinance establishing parking violations of Anslie Street and Vaux Street and Conrad Street; Calumet Street and Dobson Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240009.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Gross Street and Arch Street; Dewey Street and Market Street; Arch Street to North 57th Street; North 61st Street between Arch Street and Race Street; North 57th Street and Market Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
And, Council President Johnson. 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240011.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Pechin Street, Green Lane and Markle Street; Umbria and Lemonte Street; Manayunk Avenue to Hermit Street; Seville Street to Terrace Street; Salaignac Street and Pechin Street; Rector and Pechin Street; Fountaine Street and Smick Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll. 3/21/24 - STATED - 2ND READING