My name is Dawn Harris and I'm the broker and owner of Keys & Deeds Realty. We proudly serve homebuyers and sellers across Philadelphia. I would like to quickly say that I'm sending love to the family of Traci Powell who is well-respected in the community and of course, a fellow broker. I'm here to speak today on behalf of the many residents of the city, especially those we haven't had yet the honor to serve who are working hard every day to achieve one of the most fundamental goals in life, and that is homeownership. We are well aware of the financial pressures facing today's buyers. Home prices are up. Interest rates are up. Interest premiums -- I'm sorry, insurance premiums are up. And now, a proposed increase to the city's transfer tax would push things even further out of reach. I want to be clear that I've examined this proposal from many different angles, looking for a way that this increase might be absorbed or mitigated by buyers or sellers. And unfortunately, there's no clean pivot here. Some buyers don't have the flexibility to raise their purchase price in order to increase the seller assist to accommodate such an increase. And so, we're raising numbers just to chase the same outcome. But in doing so, we risk stopping the deal altogether. This proposed tax increase may seem small on paper, but its ripple effect is real. It can delay dreams, disqualify buyers and in some cases, stop a home purchase from happening altogether. Is my mic ready to go on -- I'll close in saying this: That I'm urging you to reconsider and let's not penalize the very people we should be empowering, whether they are buying their first home or selling the only one they've ever known. Let's keep the door to homeownership open for all Philadelphians. (Applause.)
We have Janet White, Reverend Michael Kane, Debbie Robinson, Rosetta Calloway. May Emaleigh Doley, Janet White, Loretta Payne, Mark Clincy and Susanne Stone also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Janet White and I'm asking you to vote yes on Bill 250331. I am a member of Philly Thrive and a resident of District 8, Cindy Bass. I'm also a former mother of five daughters, 20 grandchildren and three great-grands and a former nursing home health aide. I lived in Magnolia Mews Germantown and I moved in the apartment 2018. Over the past seven years, I experienced multiple instances of poor maintenance, unsafe conditions. When I moved in there, cracks, windowsills, ants, roaches, everything. I even had rodents running around apartments, also had water damages. Finally, after not having heat for an entire winter and after putting in multiple maintenance requests, I was fed up. I was fed up. And after four years of living like this, I called L&I. The next thing you know eviction process and everything. Thank you -- I have a lot to say, but thank you for allowing me to share my story, and I hope that you will do the right thing and support low-income residents for over corporate landlords and developers. We need you to vote yes today and to fund the entire Antidisplacement Fund and Built to Last and the H.O.M.E. program and thank you very much. (Applause.)
My name is Michael Kane. I'm the Pastor of Old First Reformed United Church of Christ at 4th and Race and the Co-chair of POWER Interfaith. We're here today -- thank you. We're here today to talk against Bill 250199, getting rid of the business tax. I spent the last three months talking to about 35 of the homeless and food insecure people we serve each week and they agree with me that if individuals pay tax in Philly, businesses should pay tax. We're really worried. What are we going to do without 700,000 -- $700 million worth of income when income revenue from D.C. is drying up. Finally, to use my own example, I'm a pastor of a church in Councilman Squilla's District, but I live in Councilman Young's District. Currently, my taxes went up from $4000 to $10,000 a year. I'm not homeless, but I'm not the richest person in this city either. Currently my house is valued for taxes at more than I could sell it for. We need to figure out how to fund this city, fund homeless services, fund services for all of us so that the businesses don't do well and all of us else suffer. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Carol Ford and I speak on behalf of my friend Debbie Rogers. We are members of Philly Thrive. I am commenting on Bill 250331, and I am a renter of District 2 and a member of Philly Thrive. I remember growing up in a house that was not visible. It has so much mold that it caused me and my siblings to have asthma. No one would help my single mother make the repairs. We need every -- even though she was trying to get support and live a decent place. Now, 50 years later my friend Mary's mother is still facing the same challenges. She can literally see the sky through her roof. There is too much money in the city of Philadelphia to be living like this with people helping the city grow and we make money for (inaudible). We put you in office because you have told us that you will help us. We want you to do the right thing. Please vote yes on Bill 250331 to establish an anti-displacement fund and help make sure that people live in safety on their own. The city needs to be about us and not the big landlords and development. The current bill does not affect what we need. I hope the city will fund bill to (inaudible) the anti-displacement funding and the H.O.M.E. placement fund. Imagine that your family is going through this right now and how would you feel. Would you want to help them. You can help them by voting yes today and provide more funding moving forward. And also, seniors are having a hard time too. Please help the seniors too that's going through this too, and myself and my family are going through this too, the same thing. So make sure you help us with this bill and please vote yes for 250331. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have Rosetta Calloway, Emaleigh Doley, Janet White, Loretta Payne, Mark Clincy, Susanne Stone. May Seneca Grant, Melissa Mont, Aurora Howell, Robert Vance and Gregory Allen also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
My name is Rosetta Calloway. I'm here to talk about 25011, please vote against. I'm a member of the Church of Provision of Grace World Mission Church. And spreading the rumor of this bill is something that's very important. I noticed that people always have good news. And when they have good news, they go out and spread the good news. Ms. Cindy Bass, I went out and voted for you because you're in my District and I heard the good news about you. But the news about this bill, who has heard about it? Not many. Everyone I go to and talk about this bill, this $700 billion that are being taken away from the city of Philadelphia because there's no longer taxes for big companies. Are you kidding? We are the little man. We need the tax money. It's so many things in the city that needs to be fixed, and who is fixing them? We had the money. How is the money going to be replaced? We would like to know that. But at this time, I want to close with -it's a saying. When good news is spread around, people are happy and cheerful to learn of it. But when you take news and slide it under the table and want to pass it by, what kind of news is that, Rosetta Calloway Powell. (Applause.)
My name is Melissa Mont. I am a mother, a grandmother and I've lived in Philadelphia since 2007. I'm here to urge you to vote on the Right to Relocation, Bill 250331. I spent years in a dangerous, pest-infested apartment where the walls leaked sewage and rodents ran free. I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and now live with chronic heart and lung conditions. I did not choose this. It happened because my landlord ignored every single warning sign and the system allowed it. This is why right to relocation matters. It gives renters like me a way out when landlords fail to meet basic health and safety standards. But one bill isn't enough. We need to see Mayor Parker's H.O.M.E. Plan include funding for relocation and for the repairs that help struggling homeowners stay in their homes. Displacement isn't just a renter's issue, it affects entire neighborhoods. We also need to be clear, renters need the full package of protections. This is just one piece of the Safe and Healthy Homes Act. We will be back in the fall to fight for the other two bills and we will not stop until they pass. (Applause.)
And while you enjoy your summer with your families, I want you to see me. I want you to picture my face when you sit down for a meal or watch your grandchildren play, because people like me aren't getting that time. We're living with physical and emotional consequences of landlords who put profit over people and a system that allowed them to do so for far too long. Vote yes. We are not going away, and we need your leadership now. Thank you. (Applause.)
Please state your name again for the record. Please have her state her name again for the record.
My name is Mark Clincy and I am commenting on Bill 250331. I am Philly Thrive and a resident of District 2. I am a renter on a fixed income. We need all Philadelphians, not just some, not just a few, but all Philadelphians to have a safe and healthy home. We will no longer be the silent majority anymore, as you see we are speaking out. We need you to vote yes today in order to establish an anti-displacement fund for renters to be able to move out of unlivable conditions. We need more protections for renters against retaliation and against displacement. Please put your low-income senior and disabled constituents over the profit of corporate landlords and developers. This year's budget doesn't reflect these buyers, but you have an opportunity to correct that this fall. We need 10 million for Built to Last and 5 million for the Anti-displacement Fund and the H.O.M.E. Initiative. We are sharing our voices and we need you to listen. Don't be the blind leading the blind. We need you to step up and do your job because we are doing ours. Thank you.
We have Seneca Graham, Aurora Howell, Robert Vance, Gregory Allen. May Lynn Landes, Sierra Freeman, Sherry Brown, Abraham Pardo and Jacob Zychick also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, City Council. Thanks for letting us speak today. My name is Susanne Stone and I am the principal of Stone Sherick Consulting Group. I am honored to testify today in strong support of Bill No. 250568, the H.O.M.E. Initiative. This bold and unprecedented investment represents a critical step forward in addressing Philadelphia's deepening housing crisis. At Stone Sherick, we work with developers all across the city to preserve and develop new affordable housing. We have seen firsthand the transformative nature that a small city investment can make. We leverage hundreds of millions of private dollars to build deeply, deeply affordable housing for the city's most vulnerable. I look forward to working in partnership with the Mayor, City Council and both nonprofit and for-profit developers to rise to this occasion. I urge you to vote yes on the H.O.M.E. Initiative. Thanks for your time and your leadership. (Applause.)
My name is Emaleigh Doley. Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I am the Deputy Director of Neighborhood Gardens Trust, and I'm a proud resident of Germantown in the 8th District, but I'm here today to advocate for another community and voice my support for Resolution No. 250609 in District 3. This bill involves the transfer of land to Neighborhood Gardens Trust for the permanent preservation of Summer, Winter Community Garden in Powelton Village. This site is home to an active, well-loved garden making an impact and cultivating community in Powelton and nearby Mantua and Drexel University, all since 1976 which is older than me. The land beneath this well-loved garden was in jeopardy of being lost to development, and we want to thank and applaud Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and her office for working with the community and NGT in navigating this complicated land and preservation process. Protecting community gardens is part of Neighborhood Preservation, and we look forward to working with all the other members of City Council to preserve longtime community gardens in your districts. These are places where people can grow food, flowers and community, and they deserve our protection and investment into the future. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council. My name is Seneca Grant, and I would like to say thank you to Councilmembers for hearing all of our testimonies today, Madam Chair of the Housing Committee for our hearing that we had before, and especially the honorable Nicolas O'Rourke, who was our bill sponsor. Thank you, sir, you are forever in our debt and we will continue to have you in our thoughts and prayers with your family. Again, my name is Seneca Grant. I'm a resident of Bentley Manor, an Odin property in West Oak Lane. I've been living there since November 2023. I'm a born and raised Philadelphian and I'll bring it here my entire life through my family and myself. Last November L&I came and failed the two Odin Properties in a cluster here, Mount West and Bentley Manor, and marked my building as unsafe. They failed them for having the wrong kind of fire doors and a lot of other issues, including the bricks and the facades, amongst other things, like infestation. And that inspection helped, but because they started doing the work to make the repairs, but what if the conditions had been worse and the building marked unsafe for human habitation? Me, my neighbors would have nowhere to go. That is why I'm urging you and pleading with you to vote yes on Bill 250331, the Right to Relocation, because renters need this. It will set up an antidisplacement to prevent Philadelphians from losing housing in their building if their building is condemned. But a program needs to be funded as well, which is why we hope to see funding from the Mayor's H.O.M.E. Plan for the antidisplacement fund for renters as well as the repair program. Repair programs are to prevent homeowners from being displaced as well, repair programs like Built to Last. Renters need all three pieces of legislation that we are a part of the Healthy Homes Act, and we look to meet with you guys again in November to further these processes. Thank you very much.
Good morning. I am Dr. Gregory J. Allen, President and CEO of Overbrook West Neighbors, a nonprofit community development corporation founded in 2018 to serve the Overbrook neighborhood in which I grew up and currently live. I want to share my gratitude for all of City Council and its work to support the mission of Philadelphia's neighborhoods, business corridors and CDCs, with special appreciation for my 4th District Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson. Congratulations to the students and staff of Overbrook High School who were represented here today. This morning I offer public comment in support of the budget bills for the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and the Commerce Department. We have done lots of quality-of-life issues in Overbrook, naturally this means we did lots of clean-ups, lots and lots of clean-ups. And none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Director Carroll Williams and his team the Streets Department, now the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and acting Commerce Department Commissioner Karen Fegley before and now they've always come through for Overbrook, our neighborhood streets, including alleyways, driveways and business corridors are cleaner than ever. Finally, with their support, the Lancaster Avenue Business corridor is prepared to develop strategic planning and targeted investment from the City and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is for these reasons and so many more I share my unreserved support of the Office of Clean and Green Initiative budget bills. With their continued support, we will be able to continue our mission of keeping Overbrook safe, clean and organized. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Sherry Brown and I'm here to oppose Bill 250631. I have lived in Strawberry Mansion for 69 years. And it is appalling that out of the 57 units that Penn Rose is scheduled to start construction on in a one- to two-block area, Councilman Young is focused on one single pocket stretch. A couple months ago over 400 people came together at Wayland Temple Baptist Church and testified in favor of the rebuild project at the Cecil B. Moore Library. At the end of that meeting, Senator Street and Representative Harris both stood up and said that the people had spoken. Yet, Councilman Young, you swore to support and serve your constituents, but have chosen to continue to be disrespectful and ignore us. It has been one year since rebuild was approved and that the ribbon should have been cut at the groundbreaking ceremony. It is unknown how the federal tariffs will affect the cost of materials and constructions for this renovation. But what we do know is that we cannot afford to wait another year or six months, or Councilman Young, is this what you are counting on or do you want the money to run out? Okay. We implore you to sign the notice to proceed so that the Administration can begin to rebuild renovation by putting the project to bid. It's time to do the right thing, and we would like for you to do the right thing right now. Thank you. (Applause.)
Sierra Freeman. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Sierra Freeman. I'm here as the lead organizer for Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition or BSNC Philly or just BSNC, as a member organization with Alliance for Just Philadelphia, an advocate for the work that the Citywide Friends Of are doing, and I'm here to speak on Bill No. 250196. I also want to take a moment to offer healing energy to Traci Powell's family and healing energy to Traci Powell as she travels to the ancestral row. You may be wondering why a member of a neighborhood group is here making testimony on behalf of the budget and with neighborhood concerns. Frankly, initially I would be too. You see, all neighborhoods are connected to wards and all wards are connected to a district. All districts are connected to this entire city of Philadelphia. My neighborhood, the 29th ward, 5th District, and the City of Philadelphia needs your help and support today with the campaign to Save the Cecil B. Moore Library. We've done all that we can to see that this library is renovated immediately and becomes the beautiful 21st Century third space we know that it can be. Amongst those things that we've done include a town hall where we've had nearly 400 people attend. They also include a number of different petitions and surveys and canvassing that we've done. Our first survey, 159 responses, 46 build a new library if we have the money, 130 renovate now. Survey No. 2, 80% Brewerytown residents, 425 responses, 330 renovate now, 85 renovate now seek more funding. Our after-town hall survey, 59.1% live in the neighborhoods that the library serves, 52.7 live in 19121, the same zip code as the library. 92.5 want to see the Rebuild project begin ASAP. So we are here asking you, Councilman Young, to sign the notice to proceed so that we can move forward with the Cecil B. Moore Library renovation. I also want to say we need safe, healthy homes. We need these large corporations to pay BIRT taxes. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
We have Aurora Howell, Robert Vance. We have Aurora Howell, Robert Vance, Lynn Landes, Abraham Pardo, Jacob Zychick. May Ogbonna Hagins, Khalif Alexander, Robin Hynicka, General Muti Ajamu-Osagboro and Karen Abney make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Yes. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Abraham Reyes Pardo. I am the VicePresident of Housing at the Urban League of Philadelphia. I'm here to commence in support of Bill 250568. The bill doesn't only allow for the continuity of housing programs that serve very specific and critical purposes, but it does it in a very particular moment in history. Private-sector led firsttime homebuyer programs are disappearing. Tangled titles continue to disproportionately afflict the lives of Black and Brown families. Naturallyoccurring affordable housing is scarce. Housing insecurity due to market speculation continues to afflict the lives of many renters and a housing stock that isn't getting any younger. I wish this process was fueled by good intentions, but without a sizable intentional infuse of funding and the City leading the path, thousands of families will be at risk of being either displaced or homeless. Thank you.
Jacob Zychick on behalf of the American Heart Association. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment on the prevalence of electronic cigarettes and youth vaping in our city. The American Heart Association is deeply concerned about the prevalence of e-cigarette use by the kids of Philadelphia. 38% of youths have tried and 19 currently use vaping products. Each year the tobacco industry sells over $300 million worth of their deadly products in our city. 74% of e-cigarette sales are flavored products, and research has shown that most teens start using these tobacco flavored products. These products are appealing to young people and many mistakenly believe that they are less harmful. The American Heart Association would like to reiterate that there's no such thing as a safe tobacco product. We would like to thank Councilmember Ahmad for championing these efforts in Bill 250213. That would strengthen penalties for retailers that sell these harmful products to youth and ensure that 50% of all those fines collected would be allocated to youth e-cigarette prevention and education programs in our city. Thank you, Councilmember Ahmad, and thank you everyone in Philadelphia City Council.
Good morning. Ogbonna Hagins, President of Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen. As you consider the revised fiveyear financial plan, let it be known that while you find millions for everything else in this city, you've deliberately left the American Freedmen out of your budget and out of your consciousness. The Reparations Task Force is now default and its silence speaks volumes. Philadelphia wants nothing to do with reparations. You create agencies for every group but not for the Descendants of the Emancipated. Even Juneteenth, now a holiday, has been reduced to a hollow performance with no structural repair. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen, my organization, has been doing the real agency work, educating, organizing and uplifting the city's Freedmen community for the past three years with no support. If you're passing a financial plan, then include us, the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen, at the very least, subsidize the work we are already doing on your behalf. And I don't appreciate the person who introduced this task force when I speak, she walks out, Gauthier. Ogbonna Hagins. Over and out. (Applause.)
So good morning, everyone. My name is Khalif Alexander. I am here as an organizer for Juneteenth. I decided to speak about the City of Philadelphia's five-year plan. And I looked at the plan and I believe that there needs to be additional revisions. One of those revisions is this, we're looking at the lack of adequate funding to specifically harm communities. That harmed community is Black Americans or, as my buddy just previously stated, the Emancipated, the descendants, the Freedmen. Now, when we're looking at that, right, we're discussing housing today. I seen a fellow from a community development corporation. And one of the things that we proposed over a year and some is the development of an Office for Freedmen Affairs that focuses on these initiatives, housing. It focuses on a genealogy. It focuses on community development. But you know one thing that we haven't talked about Juneteenth. There's organizations receiving lots of funding for Juneteenth and they are a historically Juneteenth organization like mine. My organization has been around for six or seven years and we're looking at the lack of adequate funding. Well, if we had this office, then we would have proper funding to grassroots Juneteenth organizations who do communitybased work to enhance the spirit. What do you call that? You call that a cultural celebration. You call that lineage specificity. You call that cooperative economics. These are the things that we focus on. So I thank you and hope you all have a good day. (Applause.)
We have Robin Hynicka, General Muti AjamuOsagboro, Karen Abney. May Aliya Chandy, Abiya Thomas, Dawud Bey, Linnea Bond and Teresa Howell also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Councilmember Bass and Councilmembers, thank you for this opportunity to speak. I speak against Bill 250199. My name is Robin Hynicka. I'm the Pastor of the Arch Street United Methodist Church in the 1st District where Councilman Squilla is our District person, but 32-year resident of the great Council District, 7th Council District where Councilmember Lozada is our Councilperson. I live on the 4200 block of Paul Street in the Frankford neighborhood. My own property taxes went from $900 to $3,000 in this latest round. While I have the privilege to be able to pay that, many of my neighbors do not. I am severely concerned about them, but today I stand also as a member of POWER Interfaith speaking in relationship to the business tax reduction. Ask these questions before you vote. What if the first test of any economic policy were this. Does it reduce poverty and create racial equity? What happens when we invest in tax cuts for corporations and businesses rather than investing in schools, libraries, affordable housing and the untapped genius of youth? Can a city truly flourish if a quarter of its people remain cut off from economic opportunity? And then why repeat tax strategies that after 20 years have failed to lift our neighbors out of poverty? And whose future are we really funding when over 80% of the jobs that these tax cuts purport to create will go to folks outside of the city or newcomers, not our underserved, underemployed and unemployed neighbors. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Let him cook, let him cook. And the church say Amen. I'm here to -- my name is General Muti Ajamu Osagboro. General is my title, Muti Ajamu-Osagboro is my name. I'm here to oppose 250528, not so much on the merits as once again, the language. The language is just cryptic. The average Jane and John Q Public cannot read it. They don't know what's going on in the city and they need to know what's going on, because it has to do with our future, the fiscal budget. And it's talking about what we're going to do in the future all the way up to 2031. So I think this is extremely important. I found this sign -even though I'm from the great state of North Philadelphia, city of Richard Allen, I actually live in Germantown now. And this sign I found on the ground -- on the fence, taped to the fence. And it says, Notice, pesticide application. Do you know what Roundup is, Councilwoman bass?
Okay. Well, in our community in Germantown they're spraying the foliage with Roundup, which is a cancer-causing agent. Why is the City of Philadelphia, why is the Mayor's office allowing them to spray cancer-causing agents on our foliage where we have to live and breathe and our children play and our animals walk? That's going to create cancer clusters. Those people, which are predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, are going to get cancer, are going to have to pay the hospital bills, then going to die and then the developer is going to come in and take their homes. This is about gentrification. And so, this is nonsense. This is genocide. I want to thank you for your time and we have to do something about this. We have to stop this immediately. Thank you very much and you have an absolutely magnificent day.
So I do want to state for the record that in 2020, Council, my office we introduced the HOPS bill to stop spraying toxic chemicals on city property. And just this past week, Councilman Jim Harrity revised that conversation with the Administration and to come up with a plan because it had not been executed by the Administration yet. So thank you, Councilman Harrity.
Yes. So Councilman Harrity just had a hearing this week to talk about that with the Administration to get action on it.
I am Aliya Chandy, a City College for Municipal Employment program graduate from the computer support specialist pathway as a young adult. This program really helped me to start a career. Along with the theoretical classes, they also provided soft skill classes and paid internship with the City, which really helped me to understand what it's really like to work with the City. I met a lot of great people and I loved it. All above, this program is completely free, no stress and we do get stipends too. I would definitely recommend CCME program for the individuals who are looking to start their career or change their career. I really want to thank Mayor Parker, the City Council and CCP for creating this program and the economic opportunity provided by this program to the residents. Thank you.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Abiya Thomas. I'm a student at the Community College of Philadelphia and currently enrolled in the City College for Municipal Employment, healthcare pathway. As a CCME student, I'm beyond grateful for the Mayor's initiative and City Council's support in expanding access for economic opportunities for us with this first-in-thenation workplace model. Having a parent currently working in our city's health care center, I've seen and heard so much about the importance of reinvesting in our city and working towards our future and CCME is already making that kind of impact with each step in my journey. And with the support of an incredible team, I'm excited and confident in my application of municipal health care and making a meaningful impact in my community just like my mom. Thank you.
I first want to say thank you to the Housing Committee. We appreciate your consideration of all the bills in the Safe Healthy Homes Act, your unanimous decision to pass the Right to Relocation bill and your commitment to funding proactive inspections. We're here today to make sure the Right to Relocation bill is passed into law and to make sure that it is fully funded through the Mayor's H.O.M.E. Plan so that it is not just an empty promise. Please remember these are people like us who are disabled, low income, that are being taken advantage of by these egregious corporate landlords. Yes, we're renters but we want safe, healthy homes just like I'm sure everyone in City Council has. Yes, we're renters but we want to build community too, and we want to be treated like you would treat your own family. And we're screaming we need your help, will you help us. We hope you pass this Right to Relocation bill today and that you pass and fully fund all of the Safe and Healthy Home Acts this fall to give renters the protections they desperately need. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have Dawud Bey, Linnea Bond. May Sam Lew, Jasmine Henderson, Harvey Hirdle, Trina Benjamin, Asya Richardson and Vaniah Foat also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Linnea Bond. It's okay. Everyone says it wrong. I was here the other day to hear Isaiah Thomas emphasize we're in the middle of so many crises, SEPTA, housing, violence. Why are we then cutting taxes for big businesses that can most afford to pay for the basic infrastructure we all depend on? Specifically, I agree with the many people who have reminded us that repairs of old housing stock are essential, which is why I'm worried that the $800 million H.O.M.E. Initiative doesn't provide enough funding for repairs for the people who most need it. In addition, we need the three bills in the Safe Healthy Homes Act. It was heartbreaking to see only one move forward last week. I'm a renter lucky with a great landlord, but I live next door to a landlord with multiple violations. No one should live in those conditions. But it should also be mentioned that no one, no homeowner, landlord or renter wants to share a wall with a landlord who has mold and illegal furnace and gas leaks that they tell their tenants to ignore. Thank you. These are protections for all of us. (Applause.)
My name is Dawud Bey. Good afternoon. First and foremost, I want to thank the members of the Philadelphia City Council for your tireless work and dedication to moving this city forward, especially thank you to Council President Kenyatta Johnson for his leadership and his deep commitment to the communities we all serve. I also want to recognize each and every Councilmember for creating this space to have this important conversation. I'm here standing in full support of Mayor Cherelle Parker's Home -Homeownership Opportunity Made Easy Initiative. This is not just a program. It is a lifeline for working families, for aspiring homeowners and for neighborhoods that have waited far too long to see meaningful investment. Homeownership is one of the most powerful tools we have to create generational wealth, stabilize communities and restore pride in our blocks. It is more than just brick and mortars. It's about giving people the dignity of a key to their own home and the power to shape their own futures. But we must also talk about the urgency of this moment. Every small landlord, every developer and every contractor should be paying attention. This housing crisis is real. The construction industry is facing a workforce shortage, long-time landlords are walking away because they feel unprotected, developers are slowing down due to delays and small contractors are struggling to keep pace. We don't have the luxury of waiting. We need jobs. We need jobs. We need jobs. We need apprenticeships. We need pathways for young people to enter trades. We need policies to protect individuals who are doing the work, those who are investing their time, resources and lives and rebuilding this city from the ground up. I am proud to be doing that work through the Fine Print Construction and the Dawud Bey Junior Training Academy, and I stand ready to work with all of you to ensure that this initiative succeed. The future of Philadelphia is dependent upon them. Let's get it done. Thank you.
Good afternoon. My name is Asya Richardson. I'm here to advocate for Bill 250196, Fiscal Year 2026 budget again. My name is Asia Richardson. I am the proud owner of Indian Princess Hair, a luxury hair extension brand specializing in premium, unprocessed, chemicalfree Indian hair. I want to begin and express my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Parker for your bold vision and unwavering commitment to making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in America with access to economic opportunity for all. I also want to thank the members of City Council and the dedicated employees of the City of Philadelphia for your continued service and leadership. I'm excited for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the five-year plan for the City of Philadelphia. Mayor Parker's One Philly 2.0 budget includes proposed funding to expand the Department of Commerce. Mayor's Business Action Team, which has been so supportive to my business. As a solo entrepreneur, navigating the challenges of a growing business can feel very overwhelming, but the support of the Mayor's Business Action Team and the financial support programs for the Department of Commerce, Indian Princess Hair has been able to take major steps forward and grow. With more funding from the One Philly 2.0 budget, one of the meaningful outcomes is that the Department of Commerce will be able to expand the Business Navigation Unit within the Mayor's Business Action Team, which are specialists who help individual businesses resolve complex challenges and navigating city regulations, including licensing and permits. This funding will support the Mayor's Business Action Team in providing personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia, while hosting successful monthly workshops. I have gained so much knowledge from attending these monthly events and reaching out for help. Their dedication to supporting small businesses like mine is not just appreciated, it's a transformative experience. Thank you to the Parker Administration for your commitment to creating a business-friendly government that delivers efficient customer service experiences and makes it easier to navigate city permit and licensing processes. Thank you.
My name is Vaniah Foat. So good afternoon, everyone. My name is Vaniah Foat, and I'm one of the proud owners of Cathryn's Cake Salon, where all of our cake items are made with love and made from scratch. And it's from the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. I am grateful to be in business and doing business in Philadelphia for almost five years. I am pleased to support Bill No. 250196, the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 FY26 budget and five-year plan for the City of Philadelphia, Mayor Parker's One Philly 2.0 budget includes proposed major funding that will help the Department of Commerce expand multiple initiatives, including increased funding to local business service organizations to provide direct classroom and one-on-one consulting to assist Philadelphia micro business owners and entrepreneurs, increase funding for businesses through our program like Philadelphia Business Lending Network Incentive Grant, Storefront Improvement Program, Small Business Catalyst Fund and Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan Program. I know firsthand the positive impact from the Department of Commerce. I am one of the proud recipients of Instore Program and also the Storefront Improvement Program, which has helped my business as far as beautification and also growth. I'm a full supporter of the expansion of these programs through Mayor Parker's One Philly 2.0 budget to help businesses access funding, personalized assistance and grow their businesses. Thank you to the Parker Administration for your commitment to enhancing access to economic opportunity for entrepreneurs across the city. As One Philly, a United City, we can continue to help everyone achieve their dreams with a great quality of life. Thank you.
Hello, everyone. My name is Trina Benjamin. Greetings to you, Council President. So my name is Trina Warrell Benjamin and I am the owner of TWB Cleaning Contractors and we provide commercial cleaning, public space, cleaning, landscaping and pressure washing. And I'm here today to speak on a Bill 250196, particularly for the TCB Green and Clean and the Commerce Department. When I started TWB over a decade ago, I was commissioned to help the vulnerable population of Philadelphia, the unemployed, the underemployed and the returning citizens and retirees, because contrary -- hello. Contrary to popular belief, we have residents in our city that have worked 20 and 30 years. And once they retire, they cannot afford to pay their rent and they can't afford to pay for medication. And through the TCB program, we were able to employ those individuals. So with this program, it's not only about clean and green but it's about the investment of the people in the city of Philadelphia. When you invest in people, when you invest in neighborhoods, you have a vibrant and economic community. So today, like I said, we are in favor of Bill 250916. We appreciate the opportunity to speak in front of you today. Thank you so much.
My name is Sam Lew and I'm with the Abolitionist Law Center and Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, and I'm in here in opposition to this proposed budget which is an attack on working-class Philadelphians. In 2015 the jail budget was $240 million with 8000 people incarcerated. Today that population has dropped by more than half to 1300, yet the budget has increased by nearly 30%. Why are we still pouring money into the jails, a place where pregnant moms are in solitary confinement, where 21-year-old Rashawn Chambers died because he did not get insulin and where incarcerated people are paid just $2 a day to run this jail. Instead we need lifesaving services like healthy homes and mobile crisis. Mobile crisis teams are not fully funded and never have been. People in mental health crises are left waiting for an hour or more. Teams like this could have saved Aaron Rainey, a 36-year-old father who voluntarily agreed to seek treatment. Instead he was killed by the police. That is unconscionable. And now, you're Councilmember Squilla's Bill 25027300 {sic} on the consent calendar with no community input. This bill installs algorithmic surveillance and audio detection under the guise of stopping loud cars, but it's a Trojan horse for mass surveillance that threatens our privacy and freedom. I oppose this budget. I oppose this bill. Pull it. Vote no, fund care, not tops. Tax the rich and healthy homes for all. (Applause.)
Council President, there are no further names for public comment.
That concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider today's Consent Resolution Agenda. I will ask that the Clerk read the all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the titles of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Resolution 250609, a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the University City Unit 5 Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 3223-3233 Race Street and 213 North Street, and 215-217 North Thirty-third Street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Neighborhood Gardens Trust and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. Resolution 250617, a resolution renaming 5th Street between Huntingdon and Somerset Street to "Jesse Malpica Bermudez Way" to honor the life and legacy of Jesse Malpica Bermudez and cultural icon, advocate and champion of Latin music and community empowerment in Philadelphia. And Resolution 250619, a resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass SB 71 renaming the Center the "Chief Justice Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., Judicial Center." 250620, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 2002 North 20th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. And 250629, a resolution approving the appointment of Michael J. Hill to the Veterans Advisory Commission. And Resolution 250630, resolution recognizing the appointment of Mack Duncan to the Veterans Advisory Commission. 250631, a resolution approving the appointment of Frank W. McKelvey to the Veterans Resolution 250634, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 2118 East Monmouth Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. And Resolution 250637, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 666 and 674 Union St; 3842, 3844, 3851, and 3855 Aspen St; 747 N 39th St; 3902 and 3906 Brown St located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: The ayes have it and each of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's bills on the Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection, without debate the bill be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 250291, amending Section 14-533 of The Philadelphia Code ("/MIN, Mixed Overlay District") to exempt from certain requirements of that Section residential development under programs designed to create affordable homeownership, which programs mandate deed restrictions and agreements establishing ongoing affordability requirements, all under certain terms and conditions. 250293, an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising the One Year Rule which limits the filing of permit applications that are substantially similar to a prior application with respect to which an appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment has been denied or dismissed; and making related changes; all under certain terms and conditions. 250334, an ordinance amending Section 14-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Historic Preservation, requiring notification to City Councilmembers of historical designations in the City of Philadelphia. 250431, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roy Street, 11th Street, Allegheny Avenue and Germantown Avenue. 250432, an ordinance amending Section 14-529 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/VDO, Fifth District Overlay District" by removing exceptions for minimum residential lot area and floor area, height, and dwelling unit density bonus eligibility, all under certain terms and conditions. 250436-A, an ordinance amending Chapter 14-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Regulations," and Chapter 14-700, entitled "Development Standards," to establish use requirements for above-ground garages owned by a public entity and new development standards applicable to certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 10th Street, Chestnut Street, 11th Street and Ludlow Street, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. A. and Republic First Bank as authorized financial which the City Treasurer may deposit funds, all under certain terms and conditions. 250103, an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority for coordination of a guaranteed energy savings contract for implementation and evaluation of energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy, water, wastewater, or other consumption or operating costs at specified City properties, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250569, an ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2654 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, under certain terms and conditions. 250570, an ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 2101 East York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125, under certain terms and conditions. 250571, an ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "NonCompetitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," to modify exceptions and provide for reporting and recordkeeping in connection with invocation of such exceptions, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No.
250483, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the property Cobbs Creek, 75th Street (extended), Buist Avenue, and 78th Street and owned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Philadelphia Land Bank, or the Philadelphia Housing and Development Corporation, all under certain terms and conditions. 250484-A, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the property known as 1822-1830 West Cayuga Street, all under certain terms and conditions. 250526, an ordinance renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center to the "Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center" to honor the life and legacy of Margaret "Marge" Tartaglione, a pioneering public leader in Philadelphia's politics. 250537, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 4368, 4370, 4372, 4374 Germantown Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions. 250538, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927 Cayuga Street, all under certain terms and conditions. 250328, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 226 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bristol Street from 2nd Street to Hunting Park Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. 250384, an ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Winona Street, from Laurens Street to Morris Street, eastbound. 250425, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230, by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Cresson Street from Ridge Avenue to Osborn Street, under certain terms and conditions. 250427, an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Anchor Street Street and Large street; Kennedy Street between Penn Street and Saul Street; Salem Street between Torresdale Avenue and Womwrath Street; Franklin Street between Cayuga Street and Wingohocking Street; N. 8th Street between Wingohocking Street and Cayuga Street; N. 7th Street between Butler Street and Pike Street; Bristol Street between Marshall Street and N. 7th Street; Bristol Street between N. 6th Street and Marshall Street; Mascher Street between Montgomery Avenue and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. 250430, an ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 123 and abandonment of a certain right-of-way reserved for water main purposes located north of Montgomery Avenue and extending from Broad Street to 15th Street, terms and conditions. 250437, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by relocating certain portions of the curb lines of Ludlow Street from 10th Street to 11th Street, under certain terms and conditions.
250439, an ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to prohibit the stopping, standing, or parking of a motor vehicle on a public street or as otherwise prohibited for purposes of short dumping and authorization of enforcement through a camera-based enforcement system, and designating penalties and impoundment, all under certain terms and conditions. 250488, an ordinance in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 4248 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, under certain terms and conditions. 250489, an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize a bicycle lane on South 59th Street from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue, and the removal of a travel lane within the same limits, all under certain terms and conditions. 250490, an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize a bicycle lane on Port Royal Avenue from Ridge Avenue to Henry Avenue, and removal of a parking lane within the same limits, all under certain terms and conditions. 250494, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 126 by relocating the easterly houseline of Dover Street and the westerly houseline of Newkirk Street, each from York Street to Cumberland Street, thereby widening said Dover and Newkirk Streets, under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of the widened portions of said Dover and Newkirk Streets. 250532, an ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets" by changing the boundaries of a permissible location on North 22nd Street, all under certain terms and conditions. 250535, an ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to add provisions related to vehicle parking in front of a fire hydrant, to provide for the removal or immobilization of such vehicles and for other penalties, and to make related technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions. 250536, an ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 762 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, under certain terms and conditions. 240671, an ordinance amending Title 15 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks and Recreation," to add new Chapter 15-800, entitled "Events Permits," to encourage applicants for event to establish contingency measures, all under certain terms and conditions. 241082, an ordinance amending Title 15 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks and Recreation," by adding a new Section 15-606 and new Section 15-706 to establish animal-free areas and provide for the management of animals in parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers and to provide for penalties and enforcement, all under certain terms and conditions. 250379, an ordinance amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 877), approved September 16, 1994, by amending an exhibit thereto, in order to increase the limit of the amount of funding any entity may receive in any fiscal year from the Philadelphia Activities Fund.
These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk shall call the roll. And upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, will indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. The Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Councilmember Phillips was aye. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
Aye on all bills. Majority of all the members having voted on the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolution on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage calendars. Will the Clerk please -the Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Chief Clerk, aye on all bills. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250539.
A resolution affirming the appointment of Ryan McAdams to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250539.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250539 be adopted. 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250618.
A resolution condemning the Trump Administration for cutting federal funding to Job Corps programs and shuttering Job Corps facilities and centers across the US.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING a motion regarding Resolution No. 250618.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250618 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING 250621.
A resolution authorizing Councilmember Young's appeal, on behalf of and as representative of City Council, of the decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with respect to 2500 N. 31st Street.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250621.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250621 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 25019 -Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Council President, can I be noted as nay on 250621. Thank you.
Yes. For the record, 250621 Councilmember Rue Landau, nay. Would the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250195.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Wage and Net Profits Tax," by revising certain tax rates, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different things, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Councilmember Phillips was aye. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
Aye. The ayes are 14. 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING The nays -- the ayes, Phillips, yes. The ayes are 15. The nays are 0. Majority --
The nays are 1. I'm sorry. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250196.
An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
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.
6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Phillips was aye. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
Aye. The ayes are 15. The nays are 1. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title -(Background interruption.)
All right. All right. All right. Excuse me. Y'all had a chance to talk through public comment. Let us conduct our 6/12/25 - STATED - 2ND READING business and then go from there. Just respect the institution. That's all. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250197.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is should a bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Councilmember Phillips was aye. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.