COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 12, 2025 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 ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, CHIEF CLERK
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. I'm asking for all members to please take your seats. I'm asking for all visitors to please retire to the seats outside the rails. And before proceeding, I will ask all those present to please set your cell phones on silent and/or vibrate. Most importantly, I'm asking for you to take all sideboard conversations out of the City Council chambers. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Mitchell, Assistant Pastor of Triumph Baptist Church. She is here today as guests of the Majority Whip Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. I'll ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests and visitors rise.)
Please bow your heads, close your eyes and open your hearts. God, our Father and creator, Jesus Christ, our Son and Redeemer, Holy Ghost, our God and counselor, we give you praise and thanksgiving for being in your holy presence and being on one accord at this solemn moment. This prayer is one of faith and it comes through human lips that are at times ones of doubt. We are relying on your goodness and believing all of your there is no layaway plan on your grace and mercy, for they are new and fresh. Every day we ask that you honor and bless us as only you can, our souls are anchored in you. Oh Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay and you are our potter, and we are all at the work of your hand. Forgive our foolish race, recall us in our right mind and breathe through the hearts of our desire. We come on the behalf of the Athens of America, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, the birthplace of American democracy within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We know and acknowledge that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. So this intercession for neighborhoods and communities, parks and rivers, colleges and universities, malls, office buildings, businesses, restaurants, banks, post offices, libraries, hospitals, schools and churches, mosques and synagogues, temples, corporations and stadiums, theaters and museums, SEPTA and Amtrak, the Philadelphia International Airport, bus lines and taxi cabs, Uber and Lyft, the police department, the fire department, first responders, the sanitation and street departments. We pray for her honor, the Mayor Cherelle Parker in Philadelphia, City Council. Heavenly Father, we pause for prayer, not just to do all of the talking but to also listen to you at this very moment. Wickedness, evil and indiscriminate acts of violence are still at work. We ask for your truth and justice to prevail. Use the members of City Council as instruments of your glory and grace. Give them the strength and stamina to face stress and pressure when it appears. Infuse them with insight and fortitude to expect the unexpected and develop ethical behavior to demonstrate true patriotism. We lift them up to you as well as their families and loved ones. Keep their homes safe and secure. Oh, that you would bless them indeed, enlarge their territory and keep your hand upon them. We pray for them to have tough minds and tender hearts, to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. take the heat when it is not their fault and attacks will be up close and personal. We realize that they control and divide resources and face challenges and prioritize decisions. Lord God, they represent people, some who trust them and some who do not. We pray for calmness of spirit and clarity of thought and speech. So we ask for an enduring anointing to be poured out on each and every one of them. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will hear their land. We want to hear from you, Lord. We want you to hear from us. Bow down thine ear and pray. We want you to forgive our sin. We want you to heal our land. Move by your spirit. Move like you've never moved before. Let judgment run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream. We want your blessings. Bless us in spite of us. We need your peace. We need your power. We need your presence. Come by here, Lord, come on by here.
Somebody's praying, Lord, come on by here. We thank you, and we pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen, Amen and Amen. )
The next order of the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2025. The Chair recognizes Majority Deputy Whip Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2025 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2025 stand approved. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence. And the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. It's an interesting one. On behalf of the Minority, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE RICHARDSON: Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the Minority, on behalf of Councilmember -- a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember O'Rourke.
Thank you very much. Leave is granted. The Chair now recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's 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 published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called 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 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 seconded that the legislative matters stated by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our great city and we certainly invite you to come again. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Council President. During the welcome I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge very special guests that we have in chambers today. They are here in support of the my colleague Councilmember Cindy Bass with your support, Council President. On behalf of Traci Powell, we have with us, Commissioner Crystal Jacob-Shipman, Tiffany Wilson, Jimmy Williams, Elizabeth Paris, Courtney Richardson, Kevin Harden and Traci's mom Andrea Powell. You all may remember Traci as one of our real estate divas here in the city of Philadelphia, but she was born and bred in the city from the great 8th Council District and she is one and was one of our stars in the Philadelphia community. She worked with us in Council and worked with many organizations across the city to help many individuals achieve first-time homeownership and miss her, her knowledge. We will miss her infectious smile. We will miss just how much fun she had while doing the work that she loved. And I know that her family and friends will miss her most. So I ask that they stand and be acknowledged and they will speak later during public comment. (Applause.)
In addition to that, Council President, on behalf of Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., my District Councilmember and proud alum of Overbrook High School, together we are welcoming the young people from Overbrook High School's Panther Peace Core. The program was founded in 2008 by Overbrook High School Burley, who was actually one of my students when I was a teacher at Overbrook High School. And the Panther Peace Core has transformed into a prominent student-led organization dedicated to promoting peace, preventing violence and providing vital services for their peers. And so, we want to welcome them to chambers this morning on behalf of Councilmember Jones and I. They've been here all morning. They had breakfast in Council, and I am just so proud to welcome them with Councilmember Jones.
Let's give our young people a round of applause please. (Applause.)
And finally, Council President, I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge someone we all know and love, someone who has worked with all of us here in Council. She is an institution, she is our boss and she is someone who loves and cares for each one of our offices and makes sure that we are okay behind the scenes. You know, we're in the front of this work but it takes a village behind the scenes to help us move with our day-to-day operation. We happen to share a birthday, we have the same birthday and a lot of love. And so, I'd like to recognize on the occasion of her retirement from Council on your behalf, Council President, on behalf of all the members, Dd Inge who is here today with her daughter Hope, who joined us from North so much for being here. We love you. We are going to miss you, and we appreciate every single thing you've done on our behalf. Please stand. (Applause.)
Yeah, Dd. I love me some Ms. Dd, beautiful soul. I also want to acknowledge the CEO and founder, there will be a resolution introduced by Majority Whip Councilman Isaiah Thomas, acknowledging Miskeen clothing line. We have today, the CEO and founder, Mr. Ibn Anderson. And most of you may or may not know, Miskeen was one of the foremost clothing lines that contributed to the fashion culture of Philadelphia. Before Milano, before Nivelo, before Bellargo and all the other new clothing lines, there was Miskeen fashion line that put the city of Philadelphia on the map, not only just nationally, but internationally. So I just want to acknowledge and say the CEO and founder of Miskeen Clothing line, Ibn Anderson, can you just please stand. (Applause.)
As there are no presentations today, the next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeantat-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Would the Chief Clerk please read the messages from the communications in her possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 250293, not for approval; Bill No. 250334, 250493, 250494, 250523 approval with amendments, 250524 approval with amendments, 250536 not for approval, 250537 approval with request for further community engagement, 250538 approval with request for further community engagement, 250569, 250570 and 250576. I am pleased to advise you that on June 11, 2025 I signed were passed by Council at its session on May 29, 2025: Bill Nos. 250266, 250267, 250325, 250327, 250367, 250368, 250369, 250370, 250374, 250377, 250381 and 250382. And I'm submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable body the proposed ordinance: An ordinance amending Section 12-701, of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes" to authorize a bicycle lane and removal of a travel lane around City Hall, under certain terms and conditions. And pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 250197 and Bill No. 250198. There are no further communications in my possession, Council President.
Thank you very much. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer two bills on your behalf and two resolutions on your behalf, one privileged and one non-privileged.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by adopting the 2021 edition of the "International Energy Conservation Code" and the "International Residential Code- Part IV Energy Conservation" as published by the International Code Council, with previously adopted amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by adopting the 2021 edition of the "International Plumbing Code" as published by the International Code Council, including introduction of new amendments and maintenance of previously adopted amendments to the 2018 International Plumbing Code, as adopted under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution thanking Dd Inge for her many years of distinguished service to the City of Philadelphia and congratulating her on the occasion of her retirement.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Applause.)
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject Senate Bill 527, which would repeal the Sterling Act and have a devastating impact on the City of Philadelphia's fiscal stability, therefore financially crippling public services and regional leadership.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Majority Whip Councilman Isaiah Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. Today I have two bills and two resolutions. Thank you, Council President -- actually, I'm sorry. One resolution on your behalf as well. So thank you, Council President.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," by creating a tax credit to encourage certain merchants to utilize the services of Philadelphia-based performing artists, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
A separate bill -- okay. And an ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new chapter, entitled "Minimum Training for Security Officers."
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring the founders of Miskeen Originals for their contributions to Philadelphia's fashion scene.
This resolution will placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the creation of the Philly is a Music City Task Force by the Committee of Legislative Oversight to develop and maintain the cultural and economic impact of music in Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues. No new bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues and the public. I have two privileged resolutions. And if I could recognize somebody.
Absolutely. Would the Chief Clerk please read the privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring Philadelphia Bar Association Executive Director Harvey Hurdle for his Years of Service with and Retirement from the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Thank you. I wanted to recognize Harvey Hurdle and ask him to stand for a minute. He for his many years of service has transformed the Philadelphia Bar Association into the legal powerhouse that it is now, and also has been a tremendous leader in the LGBTQ+ community for so many years. So congratulations on your retirement. We know you're not going very far. Thank you very much.
Let's give him a round of applause everyone please. (Applause.)
The great work that you have done. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's landmark marriage equality ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, and honoring the lead plaintiff James "Jim" Obergefell and the 29 other plaintiffs who bravely stood up for their fundamental right to marry.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau -- I'm sorry. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I offer one non-privileged resolution.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2847 Boudinot Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer two bills and two non-privileged resolutions.
Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by North Street, Broad Street, Wallace Street and 15th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes" to authorize a bicycle lane and removal of a travel lane around City Hall, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the 1500 block of Girard Avenue as "Alphonso Deal Way."
A non-privileged resolution repealing Resolution No. 250586 (adopted May 29, 2025) which also named the 1500 block of Girard Avenue as "Alphonso Deal Way."
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that we ask for suspension of the rules to allow for the passage of this resolution today. (Duly seconded.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the 1500 block of Girard Avenue as "Alphonso Deal Way."
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.
Good afternoon, Council President. I have nada today.
Thank you very much, sir. Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.
Morning, Mr. President. I have two bills and one non-privileged resolution on your behalf.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions. Could y'all keep it down just a little bit to my left please. Chief Clerk, please resume.
An ordinance proposing an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide sustainable and consistent funding to mass transit throughout the Commonwealth, including to SEPTA; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of anamendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled Referenda Approved by the Voters," by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide sustainable and consistent funding to mass transit throughout the Commonwealth, including to SEPTA.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar.
(Inaudible). COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 19 ("Finance, Taxes and Collections") of The Philadelphia Code to add a new chapter creating the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Program as an automated savings program for certain employees in the City of Philadelphia, to establish the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board, and to establish the Retirement Savings Administrative Fund, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Chief Clerk, please resume -- Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla. Hey, Mark.
I offer two bills and one non-privileged resolution and to be recognized in the resolution. Thank you.
Thank you very much, sir. Will the Chief Clerk please read the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance authorizing a dumpster enclosure encroachment at 782-84 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19147, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing a streetery in the right-of-way adjacent to 782-84 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19147, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the United States Congress to facilitate the immediate release of FY25 Historic Preservation Fund funding.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the consideration for the non-privileged resolution just read into the record from the Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. It has been moved and properly seconded that all those in favor of the motion -- that this resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Traci Noel Powell and celebrating her boundless spirit, tireless work and profound impact on the lives of countless others.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. Today I have one bill, one non-privileged resolution and one privileged resolution on your behalf.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Economic Opportunity Plans" to add two additional business community members to the Economic Opportunity Review Committee, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution amending and restating Resolution 120184 to appoint two additional business community members to the Economic Opportunity Review Committee.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council.
And a privileged resolution thanking Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and his family for their generous $50 million donation to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine to establish the Lurie Autism Institute, an organization centered on accelerating autism research.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The next order of business is reports from committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Deputy Whip Cindy from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
To the Committee on Rules to which were referred the following bill: Bill No. 250333, an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Zoning Code of Philadelphia -- the Zoning Code of the Philadelphia Code, Sections 14-409 entitled "SP-CIV, Civic, Educational, and Medical (Special Purpose) District," and amending Title 14-602 entitled "Use Tables," by allowing Religious Assembly uses in certain Special Purpose districts, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Rules, Council President.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bill just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bill just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from the committees with the suspension of the rules have been deemed to have a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar: Nos. 250609, 250617, 250619, 250620, 250629, 250630, 250631, 250634 and 250637. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson. All in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries and we will consider the resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Majority Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars: Nos. 250291, 250293, 250334, 250431, 250432, 250436-A, 241024, 250103, 250569, 250570, 250571, 250483, 250484-A, 250526, 250537, 250538, 250328, 250384, 250425, 250427, 250430, 250437, 250439, 250488, 250488, 250489, 250490, 250494, 250532, 250535, 250536, 240671, 241082 and 250379. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider 2ND READING the bills just read by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries and we will consider the bill Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up any additional bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and 2ND READING resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 250539, 250618, 250621, 250195, 250196, 250197, 250198, 250199, 250200, 250201, 250202, 250210, 250211, 250212, 250523, 250524, 250525, 250174, 250332, 250528, 250529, 250530, 250566, 250567, 250568, 241057, 250044-A, 250331 and 250231-A. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 250214, 250303 and 250373. 250530 is being amended.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider the public comment as follows: The 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 yet already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hasson at the table outside the rails on my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters will each have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Today due to the extensive public comment sign-up sheet, the time limit will be one minute. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the one-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see the 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 one minute has 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 subject matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
May we have Crystal Jacobs-Shipman, Kevin Harden, Courtney Richardson, Eileen Anderson. May Camari Ellis, Jimmy Williams, Elizabeth Paris and Bonita Cummings also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Is that the great Kevin Harden, Esquire? Welcome to City Council today, Mr. Harden. We welcome you, sir.
Always a pleasure to see you and welcome back to City Council. Please proceed.
All right. Thank you, Council President, for allowing us the opportunity to join you to join you, Councilmember Cindy Bass, Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, your esteemed colleagues all in support of the resolution honoring the legacy and impact of Traci Powell. I'm representing both her mother Andrea Richardson Powell, who is here, and our colleagues, our friends circle of more than 30 years. I'd like to ask all of her friends, family, sorority sisters, the AKAs that are in the house, members of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, to please stand. Traci's sudden passing on May 22nd leaves a void in the lives of countless families in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties who were perhaps in the market for a small piece of the American dream. As the owner of her own brokerage firm and real estate agency under the Realty One umbrella, Traci utilized her expertise in the industry as a realtor for close to 25 years, ensuring that homeownership was attainable for anyone who was ready to take on that responsibility. She worked hard to make deals that were affordable for singles and families alike, as she understood the value in being a homeowner and all the doors and possibilities available to those looking to use leverage by owning a property. The irony of this resolution being introduced on today is not lost on me, considering City Council's passing of the budget and the Mayor's unprecedented investment and commitments to making homeownership for Philadelphia residents a reality. Traci would indeed be pleased. In life, we were enormously proud of Traci. In death, we are blessed to celebrate her tremendous legacy of wealth building for marginalized and in marginalized communities. Traci was undoubtedly an influencer. She not only spoke for the culture but helped to shape it, one who contributed meaningful to much needed conversations around generational wealth, one who helped others to grow in their abilities and one who fostered connections among people from all walks of life. She was the ultimate collaborator and could be quoted on her last session on the Black Wealth Project podcast as saying, We have to do better, a better job of building community. Since we've been in this country, we've been taught a Western civilization way of living that's not in our DNA. We barter, we do community, we use each other's strengths, we trade. We put people in positions that have their strengths and the ones that have weaknesses we pair them up. We have to do a better job of working within our community to find people with the strengths, with the credentials. And if they don't have the credentials and they're more blue collar, we can put them in spaces to do labor, because we have the expertise and excellence in labor. We have expertise in contracts and relationships and we also have expertise in people who just know how to structure stuff. " We will miss her insight, her energy, her cheerful spirit, her extreme thoughtfulness, kindness and care for others. I will miss her randomly popping up at my house to take our kids to (inaudible) and Ritas or the phone calls that she says, Commish, somebody missed a block of trash in area 2b and the Grays Ferry Homes Association will be coming for you. On tomorrow, Traci, a lover of the arts, Fashion Week, and the Met Gala will be memorialized at Philly's very own Met. Doors open at 9:00, the Ivy Beyond the Wall service at 9:30. Funeral style memorial at 10:00. All are welcome to attend.
In closing, allow me to paraphrase the words of Maya Angelou, It's not what people say or what they do, but how you make them feel. Traci Powell was a doer, but it's all the ways in which she made each of us feel, be seen or heard that will be remembered most. Thank you. )
May it please this Honorable Council. I think this is my first time speaking before City Council, so I think it speaks to the impact that Traci Powell's had on my life. I'd like to thank Council President Kenyatta Johnson and the sponsors of this resolution, the Honorable Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson and the Honorable Majority Deputy Whip, Councilmember Cindy Bass. Many of those gathered here today may have known Traci Powell. If you never had the opportunity to meet her, I apologize that you did not, that you missed the opportunity to have your life improved upon by someone who grew to be family to me. Traci was a butterfly. She was vibrant, vivacious, colorful, graceful and transformative. And in the end, like the presence of a butterfly that decides to rest for a moment on the tip of your finger, on the tip of your nose, her presence was fleeted. We got to experience her. We got to see her beauty and then she was gone. Some of you are very familiar with parts of my personal story. I see so many friends here on council that know about my transformation after losing both of my parents and being shot five times, Traci was a part of my story, and I wanted to make sure that I was here to put it on the historical record that a significant contributing factor to my own success and the success of hundreds of Philadelphia families and some of the individuals, even in this room on this Council, was the result of the efforts of Traci Powell. She was an example for all of us in the basic tenets of servant leadership. She had friendship, she had love, she had ambition. And for the members of Council here who I know are frequently the tow truck that gets called, and we always wonder who do you call when you need to tow the tow truck. I want to tell you all that it's very important that you remember the 3 Ps of Traci P. One is that she was present. Second is that she was proximate. And I'm going to break a rule because it'll be more memorable, she was unpretentious which starts with a U, but it's still one of the P's of Traci P. I'm preaching to the choir when it comes to being present, proximate and unpretentious, but she was omnipresent in our communities. She built trust. And you all understand that to build trust you have to show up. That's Rule No. 1. You got to show up. You have to be present. She always showed up with her hallmark energy, joyful spirit and thoughtfulness. Traci sparkled in every room she showed up in. The thing about proximity and the difference between presence and proximity is presence is just being there. Anyone could be in this room right now, but proximity is that warmth that you offer to someone so that you can build that deep, substantive relationship. Proximity is knowing your friends' kids' names. Proximity is breaking bread over dinner. Proximity is making sure that, you know, I got $2 left. Well, let's go -- we used to call it a bum box growing up in West Philly. You would get a dollar rice and gravy from Danny Wok. That was the sort of person that Traci was. If you didn't have the money, the time, the treasure, she would give her last to you. Your wounds were her wounds. She could feel your anxiety and step in. She could sense your needs and fears and offer stability, trust and support. My favorite Traci story is I grew up in a Muslim household. I don't identify. I'm not a particularly religious person. But when my daughter was first born, like some families we had some family hegemony, and my daughter was staying with me, and we had a split living arrangement.
And I called Traci and she said, Well, what are you doing for Christmas? I said, Well, Traci, I don't really celebrate Christmas. She said, Well, Sasha does. And she showed up at my house and decorated the entire house. I mean, she had tree lights. She was up there with a -- and mind you, Traci was about 5'1". So for her being up on my house putting up Christmas lights was something very significant. I'll close on this. The last time I saw Traci was at my home for a celebration of a personal accomplishment. Many of you were also there, and she bought me a compass. That was her gift to me on the occasion of me making partner at my law firm. And this morning I was looking for some inspiration and some guidance and really just to make sense of all of this, like many of her family and friends are, and I picked up the compass to look at it and it has an inscription that tells me to remember my morals and remember the things that got me where I am today, are the same character traits that I should maintain as I proceed forward, which I think all of us understand you have to be true to yourself. And I'll close on this, the compass -- and I mean, compasses work one way. It points to north. But when I picked up the compass, Council President, it pointed to me. And when I say that with the expression that you have to remember that you have to be present, proximate and unpretentious with yourself as leaders. I ask that you all take care of yourself so that you can continue serving our communities and having the same impact Traci Powell had on me. Thank you. )
Good eve -- good afternoon or good morning, Council. My name is Courtney Richardson. I had the honor of serving as the President of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia. Traci Noel Powell was not only a proud supporter of Barristers', but we shared a bond through America's premier Greek letter organization for African American women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Black Wealth Project. But above all, Traci was my friend. Traci was my tow truck. When I needed to rehab my childhood home in the 8th Councilmanic District, Traci gave me her resources to do so. Traci represented everything that is right with Philadelphia, building community, modeling collective responsibility and uplifting others. A real estate powerhouse for over two decades, her accolades were many, including from this very body, but her impact reached beyond, far beyond her career. She was a hope dealer. Her words and presence reminded people of just who they were, but who God created them to be. As an educator in generational wealth, she inspired like the best of our schools have to offer. And we all wanted more time, especially her beloved mother Ms. Andrea. But we are deeply grateful for the 44 beautiful years she gave to this city. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Camari Ellis. Thank you all for having me to speak on behalf of my good friend Traci. All right. So thank you all for allowing me to speak on behalf of my good friend Traci Powell. Traci and I were both co-founders of the Black Wealth Project, which was all about reaching underserved communities and helping them understand the importance of real estate and overall financial literacy. But the sum of Traci, she was our angel. Philadelphia lost one of their greatest angels this week or this month. When I think about Traci, there's a couple of things that come to mind. She always put people over money even though she was a real estate broker. She always put community first no matter what. And so for me, I always strive to live by those things and I think those are lessons we can all live and pass on as we go forward. Thank you all for having us. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Jimmy Williams. I'm also a member of the Black Wealth Project, but Traci was a lifelong friend of mine. I've known Traci over 35-plus years. We went to Ivy Leaf Middle School together, for those who remember Ivy Leaf and that kind of shaped us to be who we were, but it's very difficult for me. But the one thing I want to say is this: Dr. King said, everybody can be of service, everybody can be great because everybody can serve. And I think about that quote when it comes to Traci because she is always of service. On our last conversation we were on the phone for two hours, and she just calls me out of the blue and says, how can we get more of our Black real estate professionals to work together, I need to figure that out. She said, I'm going to figure that out. So we're talking. And then within the same conversation she says, I want to challenge you. She says, Philadelphia is a place with so much talent, what can we do to keep our talent in Philadelphia, right. So these are the things that she would think about day-in and day-out. She was always of service. I mean, always of service. Last thing I want to say is this: A couple months ago Traci and I went to see Sinners, the movie Sinners that came out. And we leave the theater and I'm talking about how much I love the movie. And she says, How can we use this to serve the community? I said, The movie? She says, We need to rent the theater out, this has to be a way -- everything was about serving the community and serving Philadelphia. So it makes sense that you guys honor her here today, and I wouldn't miss this for the world. My prayers are with her mother. We love Traci and she was one of one. She's going to be sorely missed. But thank you guys. (Applause.)
Good morning and thank you all. My name is Elizabeth Parris. I am the other half of real estate. I'm a loan officer with Cardinal Financial. And why that's important, Traci and I met 10 years ago through a client. And it wasn't just through working together that identified this as someone that I knew we were going to be involved in our lives forever. It was the budding friendship and the passion and the dedication to our community that we each held that we became thick as thieves very quickly. I've only been a loan officer for 10 years. Traci has been a realtor for well over 20 and we matched wits for days. And so, something that stood out to me in our relationship and growing as friends and becoming family in a way, is that Traci managed to find herself not only as a support but as the orchestrator, as the motivator, collaborating and assisting in so many ways. So I want to say this: As one of our mutual colleagues, Mark Brown could not be here. He's in California on his way to be here for her memorial tomorrow. Please remember that Traci was the embodiment of be the change you want to see in the world. I ask that everyone who knew Traci honor her by following the path she laid, lighting the way for others. The legacy she leaves is one of impact, integrity, community building and purpose. The City of Philadelphia has lost a hero and gained an angel. Thank you.
We have Ibn Anderson, Bonita Cummings. May Jeremy Blatstein, Collin KawanHemler, Peter Ahn and Mo Rushdy also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Ibn Anderson, and I am the President of Miskeen Originals, a brand that was incorporated here in Philadelphia on 10/24/1999. On behalf of the entire Miskeen Originals family, I want to extend our deepest thanks to City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and the entire Philadelphia City Council for this incredible resolution. The recognition today means the world to us, not just as a brand but as a movement born right here in Philadelphia. Miskeen Originals was always more than clothing. It is wearable art, a voice for the unheard and a symbol of creative rebellion. As we relaunched the brand in 2025, we're bringing that same spirit into a new era, combining hand-painted fashion with cutting edge technology like AI and block chain and re-engage in our community through art, education and entrepreneurship. We were built by the city and we're building again. With your support, we believe Miskeen can again inspire the world from right here in Philly. Thank you for believing in us and thank you for helping us to do what Miskeen has always done, make art and fashion, make an impact and make history. Thanks again.
Greetings, Councilmembers. My name is Bonita Cummings, Strawberry Mansion Community Concern RCO offering testimony on 250568. I rise today not just as a community advocate, but to speak directly to you as parents and as Philadelphia concerned about the future of your own children. Bill No. 250568 burdens your own families. This bill allows developers to convert every vacant parcel into multi-family units appraised at 600,000 to over 1 million per building, not for community benefit but for investor portfolios. But here is the truth: Those inflated values raised assessments and property taxes are nearby single family homes, including those owned by our seniors, many of whom were lifelong public servants, teachers, nurses, transit workers. These elders often do not qualify for the low-income or senior tax relief because they earn modest pensions. That means their property taxes go up. Their children inherit debt, not wealth. And in many cases, the family is forced to exit or lose the home entirely. The bill is intergenerational harm disguised as housing policy. You are voting to make your own children poor before they turn 15 by loading the city with debt and approving housing models that destroy protections meant to stabilize our neighborhoods. Let us also be clear, ignoring community input, bypassing zoning law and excluding our RCOs isn't just bad policy, it's a Title 6 civil rights violation. This bill exposes the City to federal challenges for discriminating against Black and Brown neighborhoods under the false banner of affordable housing. I urge you protect the people, not the developers. Reject or amend Bill No. 250568 so that it does not rewrite our rights or jeopardize our future. A community like Strawberry Mansion, though not rich in income, is rich in amenities, open space, history and cultural legacy. Under Bill No. 250568, neighborhoods like ours will remain permanently marginalized because this bill removes our ability to shape what happens to our land. Without zoning protections and community input, we will never become the next Fairmount, Spring garden or Northwest. This bill ensures that decisions are made without us, over us and against us. This is not housing justice. This is generational harm. Thank you for not taking my voice today and allowing me to speak. (Applause.)
We're talking about housing, housing, housing. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. But if we're talking about housing, it's a $800 million bold plan of the MOVE Initiative -H.O.M.E. Initiative, sorry. It's a great plan. But we just heard from the one person, RCO, from Jay Young's auntie who's holding up 57 fully-funded affordable units. Each and every one of you are stopping that. It is completely unacceptable that you're allowing one person to stop 57 affordable units. The tax credits expire at the end of June. You are using taxpayer dollars to sue to stop housing from being billed. It needs to stop. It is so unacceptable, and you can't say you're for affordable housing if you support this appeal. So I encourage you to every one of you if you really care about affordable housing, to vote no. The last thing we're talking about is SEPTA. Raise your hand if you rode SEPTA this year, this year. Yeah, we got this. Okay, yeah. Okay, Councilwoman Bass, look at that. SEPTA is crucial for cities. Everybody relies on it. Ride the ride. Fund SEPTA. Grow Philly to 2 millie. Thank you.
We have Collin Kawan-Hemler, Peter Ahn, Mo Rushdy. May Jana Julian, Kate Perez, Taneal Walker, Daniel Eisenberg and Tess Fieler also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Collin KawanHemler. I am a library assistant at Kingsessing Library. I'm a member of District Council 33 and I urge Council to vote no against Resolutions 250196, 250197 because it's astonishing to me that the Free Library of Philadelphia is receiving no increase in funding either in operating costs or capital costs. Flat funding is not going to fix all the issues we have. District Councilmembers, I want you to listen closely to this list. 13 branches yesterday were closed yesterday due to staffing or cooling issues. Our HVAC systems are broken, that is Bustleton, Durham, Santore, Falls Schuylkill, (inaudible), Lillian Marrero, Ramonita, Rodriguez, South Philly, Donnatuci, Walnut Street West and Welsh Road, we're all closed. And material pickup services are not adequate, full services. We are so much to the communities. We are child care. We are printing services. We are internet services. And when the branch itself is closed because we cannot safely open because the temperature is way too high, people lose out. Children in the community lose out. We need more funding for programming, for basic essentials like garbage bags. They are hard to come by and nobody has answers. HVAC again, security, we need higher wages. Okay. District Council 33 is the lowest paid city workers. Municipal guards deserve so much more. Okay. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, members of the City Council. Today I'm testifying as a Germantown resident in opposition to the proposed budget. It seems like the big money would organize people --
Please state your name for the record. Please state your name -
Peter Ahn. It seems like the big money would organize people conveniently and fast, but big money does not organize. They purchase. The wealthy collaborate together while dividing the middle class and the vulnerable by lifting people up from the middle, upper economic strata. We need to lift from the bottom. A theologian, Dorothee Sollo once quoted, Berthold Brecht, a German playwright, there are many ways to kill. We can thrust a knife into somebody's belly or let him starve to death. We can withhold medication or treatment of an illness or we can force someone to live in substandard housing. We can simply work someone to death or drive into suicide or send them to war. Very little of this is forbidden in our country. Let's add or we can cut budget that supports mobile crisis responder units or we can weaponize law enforcement and respond with lethal force by traumatizing and catastrophizing conflict and mental health crisis or we can cut taxes from large corporations like Comcast and Aramark or by giving landlords, developers and lobbyists no transparency or accountability. I oppose this Philly version of the big, beautiful budget proposal. (Applause.)
Mo Rushdy. Council President, Councilmembers, Madam Chair, thank you for your transparency. To our Mayor, thank you for having the courage and energy to conduct all these town halls, last of them yesterday finishing at 9:00 p.m. to transpire the enormous vision that you have. I'm here to testify on behalf of 250214, '530, '195, '212, '525, and '524. Everyone wants the city growing, a growing tax base, businesses opening up in the city and the city's vulnerable having resources to not only help them survive, but help them thrive. I look at the $800 million bond, which when leveraged, will create $2 billion to $3 billion worth of projects, repair projects, small and big. That in itself will bring over $6 billion to $8 billion of economic impacts to the city of Philadelphia, more tax collections, job creation. This bond program is itself a growth tool for our city. Codifying tax reductions has never been done before. Many don't talk about this very important fact. This is big. This is huge. We are an old city. We are a city that has neighborhoods with little resources and an aging housing stock. Fixing these aging housing stock ensures that people can stay in their neighborhoods. We need safe homes and we need affordable housing. That needs resources. This budget and the H.O.M.E. program not only deals with programs that uses this tremendous bond, but the legislative packages that we saw that makes building homes easier, makes the process streamlined. In the time where building permits are largely, sharply down from two years ago, these legislative packages are crucial to see more building. We are looking forward to more packages in the fall and subsequent sessions removing red tape and getting housing production on steroids, as our great Mayor would say. We are taking steps in the right direction to achieve that. We need to see a diverse workforce. We need to stop middle class Black flight from our city by providing options like Turn the Key while providing a path for creation of the largest generational wealth production in the history of our city. Picture that, $250,000 in equity for each of 2,000 to 3,000 homes. That's close to $1 billion in primarily Black and Brown people's generational wealth in this great city. At the end, I just want to say that we succeed with pragmatic solutions. And when everyone looks at the big picture and not just what's good from their own perspective, the Mayor and Council President just did that. Thank you very much. (Background interruption.)
Okay, okay, okay. Let's be respectful so we can hear everyone. We need to hear everyone speak. We need to hear everyone speak, so please let's be respectful of everyone. Please state your name for the record and proceed.
Hi. My name is Daniel Eisenberg. I serve as the Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mayfair in District No. 6. I also serve as the Dean of the Northeast Northwest Conference of Lutheran Churches in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Senate of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I do all that stuff. And I am a volunteer organizer with POWER Interfaith. And I stand in opposition to Bill 250199, in particular the plan to repeal the BIRT tax. We just had a town hall for the first time that we hosted, and Councilmember Driscoll was present and we had a very good meeting. And at that meeting, we heard a lot of stories of folks that are struggling, folks who are living in their cars. I shared a story of a parishioner who had a seizure because he's been rationing his seizure medication. We also host Feast of Justice, which feeds over 5 -- excuse me, whoa, that went quick -- 550 families every month and they have less resources to do more. They're struggling, having to turn people away which is heartbreaking. My fear is that if we don't slow down on these tax cuts, that burden of making up that revenue, if it is made up, will fall on the people that are already struggling like the people I love and serve. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Chairwoman Bass. Thank you so much for presiding today. I respectfully request a leave of absence for the remainder of today's session. I've missed a lot of graduations that I've been wanting to go to, and they have me speaking today so I have to go to a few of them. But I just wanted -- I had to come back and actually had to be here and vote proudly for the Mayor's bills and budget that she's doing for housing and also for our budget. So I'd like to be recorded as voting yes on all the remaining bills and resolutions, including the Mayor's budget and housing bill. And no on Bill 250044-A.
Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Hi. Tess Fieler, District 1. I'm testifying opposed to Bill 250199. I'm representing POWER Interfaith, Arch Street United Methodist Church, our nonprofit the Center Philadelphia, which is a daytime drop-in center for our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors as well as the RCO Center City organized for responsible development. I've spoken to dozens of people in these organizations and we are all deeply concerned that if the BIRT tax and wage taxes are cut, the burden will fall on already skyrocketing property taxes, leading to further displacement and added strain on our already strained homeowners and renters. And I especially think of the strain it will put on the unhoused and unsheltered people and the service providers who serve them, considering our drop-in center has had to due to capacity, turn away 514 guests from March to May, three months, and that's just our agency. So we're asking City Council to please slow down and consider the impacts of the BIRT tax cuts and not pass any cuts. And if passed, we ask Council to think seriously about a plan to replace our lost revenue. Thank you. (Applause.)
Ma'am, can we get you to return to the podium? We need your name for the record. We need you to state your name for the record.
Thank you so much. Ms. Perez, please state your name for the record and proceed.
Kate Perez. It's day 102 of the Israeli Occupation's complete blockade against Palestine (inaudible) and distributing aid distribution of murdered civilians en masse. The IOF released their own drone footage of targeted strikes against children. City bonds must have the stipulation that they cannot invest into apartheid states and explicitly cannot invest into companies operating within states maintaining illegal occupations. Solidarity to the thousands of people in (inaudible) Egypt today on the road to Rafah with aid, even though Israel consistently bombs, kidnaps, drops chemicals on and leaves aid workers in Palestine. We can't allow weapons to leave our docks and pretend to be uninvolved. On Tuesday, PPD violently arrested citizens protesting the disgusting ICE kidnapping of five people that morning, videos of PPD actually kneeling on their necks. ICE announced that they're going to increase mass deportations with the backing of the armed National Guard. Don't give the cops more money to hurt us. We should be having nonstop emergency meetings for sanctuary city status, announce sanctuary city and an arms embargo against Israel. Free Palestine. (Applause.)
May we also have Kaanan Raja, Queen Judith Robinson, Carrie Rathmann, Antoine Lewis, Megan Malkemes, Kareem Sweeps, Park Frost and Karen Joslin also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Taneal Walker. Good morning, everyone. My name is Taneal Walker, a proud resident of the 8th District, Cindy Bass's District, a devoted member at First United Methodist Church of Germantown. I'm here today to share my reality. I faced housing insecurity, from homelessness on the streets with my son to barely keeping a roof over our heads. I now pay 1500 a month, a price most people can't afford. Despite working 80 to 100 hours a week is exhausting, 12- to 16-hour shifts. I'm left scrambling just to cover bills and support my family. I stand before you today not as a victim, but as a voice, a call for change. Affordable housing should be a right, a safe, stable haven for every family. Let my story be a (inaudible) for action so that no one else has to endure this struggle. Thank you for allowing me to share my testimony. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Kaanan Raja and I am here on behalf of Children First and our health team. I want to first thank Councilmember Ahmad and this body for taking action on this youth vaping crisis. We support the Vape Free Futures Act because this bill (inaudible) the harms of vaping. According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, in 2024 38% of Philadelphian youth reported trying e-cigarettes and 19% currently use them. Rates are highest amongst Black and Latino youth in underserved neighborhoods, deepening existing health disparities. This crisis is not abstract for me. It is personal. While working in high schools as a public health intern, I facilitated health education sessions. Nearly every kid in my class admitted that they had tried vaping. Many believed e-cigarettes are safer and less addictive than cigarettes, and most were completely unaware that vapes contain even higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes. These kids were misinformed. Thankfully, we know what can lessen vaping in kids. Graphic warning labels and targeted education have helped drive an 86% decrease in youth tobacco use from 1997 to 2021. This bill's warning sign requirement builds on this evidence-based intervention. Moreover, it channels 50% of the fines back into youth vaping prevention and education programs. Councilmembers, the Vape Free Futures act protects our kids from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction and it sends a clear message: Philadelphia is committed to a vape-free future and it's committed to protecting its youth from the harms of nicotine addiction. Thank you for considering this critical legislation. We urge you to vote yes. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Carrie Rathmann. Thank you for having me testify today. I'm here to testify on Bill 250566 and '568. So I'm here to represent Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, where we build and preserve affordable homes for low-income homeowners. We're also proud members of the Philadelphia Coalition for affordable communities. (Applause.)
So we do this work throughout the city, maintaining homeownership and creating homeownership for low-income families, moving us to a city where everyone has a safe, stable and decent place to live. We also have a specific focus on advancing Black homeownership because we know that's the way to bridge generational wealth gaps. City Council's housing investments have a powerful impact, and we urge you to adopt the bold H.O.M.E. Plan that builds, restores and preserves affordable housing for those most vulnerable. We support the main vision, but we have to say we urge you to cap the support at those making no more than 80% AMI, and we'd like to see more details about the plan. We also urge stronger focus on the programs that will substantially expand the supply of affordable housing by creating new units that are accessible to low-income families and households, and also preserving naturally occurring affordable housing that's already serving folks. This includes rental and homeownership opportunities. We know that prioritizing these strategies will ensure the public investment have a lasting effect on housing. We have other recommendations, but they've been in the record already. Thank you.
Good morning, Council. My name is Meg Malkemes and I'm a member of POWER Interfaith who lives, works and worships in North Philly, testifying against Bill No. 250119 and the proposed elimination of the BIRT tax, which if passed would result in a loss of $2 billion in tax revenue over the next decade. And as an employee of a federally qualified health center in North Philly where the majority of patients are insured by Medicaid, we're terrified at how federal tax cuts will devastate our community. As someone who relies on SEPTA, I'm afraid of how impending SEPTA cuts will disrupt my ability to work as an organizer. I'm worried for the people I organize with who do not know how they will continue to afford rent. And I'm here today because I'm afraid of how eliminating taxes on big businesses like Comcast and Aramark, this city's third largest source of tax revenue will make these crises worse. You don't need to be a tax expert to understand that the loss of this funding can only either mean a decrease in the resources we already do not have enough of or an increase in the price of property taxes we already cannot afford. It pains me to think of the schools that could be built, the parks that could be played in, the students that could be fed, the libraries that could be open if these funds were left untouched. And it concerns me. I think that in a moment when our city needs it needs to be protected from a corporate agenda at the federal level, we've been offered a budget that'll make this even more catastrophic. I urge every member of Council to slow down on these proposed tax cuts or find a new source of tax revenue so we can get the resources we need without everyday people having to pay the cost. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have Antoine Lewis, Kareem Sweeps, Park Frost, Karen Joslin. May Dawn Harris, Janet White, Reverend Michael Kane, Debbie Robinson and Rosetta Calloway also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council -- City Council, the great City Council. Good morning, residents. My name is Kareem Sweeps. I am a resident of Hunting Park, 43rd Ward, a committee man for my division, 25th Division, also a representative of POWER Interfaith. I am here today to basically to -- I do support the bill -- the bill, sorry, 250199, but I do not support the $700 million tax cut. And the reason is because the core problem is that this tax cut, this proposed tax cut, basically appears to power (inaudible) short term political gain. Also, it boosts up big businesses. It do not represent any residential essential services. It actually reduces residential services, some that I need, some that everyone else needs like SEPTA. The thing is beeping. Am I done -- yeah, and that's it.
Good morning. My name is Antoine Lewis. I'm a member of One PA, an election captain. We're pleased -- my bad.
We are pleased that City Council and the Mayor has allocated 800 million towards our city's housing crisis. There are too many underserved residents in our neighborhoods that are being forced out of their communities by raising housing costs. If we are going to address the crisis of gentrification, we have to get the details of the housing plan right. Low-income home repair programs are critical. Let's preserve our neighborhoods. The proposed budget for the H.O.M.E. Initiative actually reduces funding for home repair programs. If there is not enough help for me, how are we helping residents of Philadelphia. Follow the money. Confront the power. (Applause.)