Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 10, 2020 10:35 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Thank you, and good morning, everybody. It's good to be back. We're going to start now. We have established a quorum. I understand that the state law currently requires that the following announcement be made at the beginning of every remote Council session: Due to the current public health emergency, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, Inquirer, and Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and it can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. Mr. Decker will please call the roll to take attendance, and members can say maybe a couple of words to make sure that your name and your visual is Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Decker, call the roll.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues. Very glad to be back, and looking forward to today's business. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. It's so good to see everyone's faces and just to be back in session.
Good morning, everyone. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm excited to be back in session today.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. So happy to see all of you and be back in session. Thank you so much.
Good morning, colleagues. I'm glad to be back in City Hall. I see, Council President, you are a man of the people, sitting with Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 the Chambers, which is great to see. You come off the podium, so...
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm looking forward to the session.
Good morning, Council President, and good morning to all of our great colleagues in City Council.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, Council colleagues. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, viewing audience.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Present. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 morning, colleagues. Great to see everyone.
Good morning, everyone. I want to thank the viewing audience for their patience as we learn to live in this new normal. Thank you for your patience.
Good morning, President and colleagues. Happy to be here at this session. Looking forward to another great term here in Council.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Happy to be back. And good morning to the listening public.
Good morning. Present, and thank you. And a quorum of the Council is present. Council will now come to order. Despite the great need, there will be no invocation today. We will, however, observe a very brief moment of silent prayer for our city, its leaders, and its citizens during the current public health crisis. Can we now please observe a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 25th, 2020, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, June 25th, 2020 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 25th, 2020 stand approved. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that Journal is approved. And our next order of business Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. And our next order of business is communications, and the Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on June 26 and July 1, 2020, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council on June 18, 2020, except Bill No. 200298, which was re-called and passed by Council on June 25, 2020; and that on June 26, July 1, July 13, July 27, August 24, and September 9, 2020, I signed all of the bills that were passed Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 25, 2020, except Bill No. 200363, which I am returning without my signature. And I respectfully request and submit for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution confirming the reappointment of Michael H. Reed, Esquire, as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2025; and A resolution confirming the reappointment of JoAnn A. Epps, Esquire, as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2024; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1906 North 24th Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1308 through 1314, 1318 and 1336 through 1344 South Capitol Street, 2025 through 2029, 2031, 2033 through 2035 and 2038 Reed Street, 1400, 1402, 1410, 1413, 1415, 1419, 1421, 1426, 1428, 1430 and 1440 South Taylor Street and 2024 Wharton Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1824 East Huntingdon Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2451 through 2453 Frankford Avenue; and Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2514 Coral Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2103 East Hagert Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Appreciate it. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. Just by way of reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to a committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. So I want to thank you very much in advance for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, can you please read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Councilwoman Parker offers an ordinance amending Chapter 10-2200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hate Crimes," to provide for penalties for criminal conduct involving misuse of the 911 emergency response system motivated by hatred toward certain characteristics of other persons; and An ordinance amending Section 9-1130 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Unlawful Credit Screening Practices in Employment," by revising restrictions.
Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Those two bills will be referred to committee.
And a resolution proclaiming the week of September 14, 2020 as "Census Week" in Philadelphia. Councilwoman Parker is introducing that on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to be recognized to speak on that resolution in particular.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Please proceed. I know there's a little special that we all -- you all can -
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me a special exception to speak now on the Census Week resolution immediately after its introduction. At this time, I will ask my colleagues to please put on their Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 census-themed masks. Please put on your census-themed masks. Council President Clarke, when he noted that he wanted this resolution introduced proclaiming, officially proclaiming, next week, the week of September the 14th, as Census Week in Philadelphia, I was extremely pleased. In reality, we know that between now and the deadline at the end of September -- and we want to be clear about this -- we need every week, every day, every hour, every second to be focused on the census. I know lots of people are talking about the election and voting, but equally important is our participation in the census. For a very brief background for the public, the census is the once-a-decade population and housing count of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the island areas as required by the U.S. Constitution. The results of the census Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 actually determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts and to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds each year. Philly Counts 2020 is our city's effort to support the next U.S. Census. Philly Counts, along with the Philadelphia Regional Office of the bureau and partners, have been working tirelessly to get all Philadelphians to fill out the census. We've got to give a shout-out to all members of Council who have also been working in their respective districts and all over the City to encourage participation. While some areas of Philadelphia have filled out the 2020 census at rates similar to the 2010 census, listen, some of our neighborhoods are still behind. We want to leave you Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 with this for the benefit of the public: According to our research, there are very real implications for our city if we don't get enough Philadelphians to fill out this census. In the 2020 count, if just one person is missed -- and you should quantify this and know this -- our city could face a loss of $21,000 in federal funding over the next decade if an undercount occurs. The City's capacity to meet the needs of all of our residents in areas that are important to us will be seriously impacted. So join the members of City Council in making being counted a priority. Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership and Council's leadership in promoting that all of us need to be counted. PHL counts. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Council Lady. Folks, please, please be Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 counted. This is all about the money. Thank you.
Councilwoman Parker introduces on her own behalf a resolution recognizing September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia, and affirming the need for suicide prevention awareness and robust mental health services.
Thank you. That will be on the next session of Council.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a resolution permanently recognizing the third week in August as Solar Week in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That will be on our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to conduct hearings exploring the benefits of the School District of Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 mandating conflict resolution training at all curriculum levels; and A resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct hearings to investigate challenges and solutions to street litter and waste disposal systems in the wake of COVID-19 in the City of Philadelphia; and A resolution calling on the Philadelphia Postmaster to meet with Congressman Dwight Evans and the Philadelphia Congressional delegation to discuss the alleged removal of sorting machines from Philadelphia area post offices which would cause delays in the processing of Census forms and mail-in ballots.
Mr. Decker, that last one, is that calling for a hearing or just a meeting?
Okay. So the two prior resolutions Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 calling for a hearing will be on today's Calendar. The last resolution will be on next week's Calendar.
The resolution calling for a hearing, there are two resolutions calling for a hearing, Mr. President.
Councilwoman Gym offers an ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for temporary eviction relief, and making certain technical changes.
And a privileged resolution authorizing City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to hold Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 hearings on the role and responsibilities of the Philadelphia Landlord-Tenant Officer position; the policies and procedures it manages in the eviction process, particularly around writs of service; and clarifying oversight, ethics, and public accountability for the Landlord-Tenant Office.
And a resolution honoring the award-winning Philadelphia Public School Notebook for its enduring legacy and commitment to education justice, to independent journalism, and to centering and uplifting citizen voices through more than a quarter century of public school advocacy, upon its transition to new management under Chalkbeat.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 United States of Representatives to pass House Resolution 7947, also known as the "Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act," providing substantial and additional aid to older foster youth and kinship families and preventing mandatory "aging out" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. President, one of these resolutions authorized a hearing. Does that also go on next week's Calendar?
No. The authorization for a hearing should be on this week's Calendar. That's my mistake. I apologize.
Councilman Henon offers an ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Tulbut Street, from Torresdale Avenue eastbound to the end of the roadway.
Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Referred to committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Buckius Street, the Delaware River, Orthodox Street (extended), and Richmond Street.
Councilman Jones offers a privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety and the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings to review and examine the perpetrators of the last 100 shootings in Philadelphia, as well as exploring the source of the guns used to commit violent crimes and the role of the criminal justice system in the offender's life.
And a privileged Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 resolution recognizing the 12th Annual Block Captain Boot Camp, which will be held virtually for the first time ever on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
And a privileged resolution supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 5 through October 9, 2020 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to the minority business community.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Dana Jenkins, Principal of Roxborough High School, on the occasion of her retirement, after twenty years of dedication and service to the School District of Philadelphia. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Councilman Johnson offers on behalf of Council President Clarke an ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Building Construction and Occupancy Code," and Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding disclosure requirements with respect to certain applications, permits, and notices.
Councilman Johnson offers on his own behalf an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Bartram Avenue, the Delaware Expressway, Enterprise Avenue, and Island Avenue.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Councilman Johnson also offers a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1308 through 1314 South Capitol Street, 1318 South Capitol Street, 1336 through 1344 South Capitol Street, 2025 through 2029 Reed Street, 2031 Reed Street, 2033 through 2035 Reed Street, 2038 Reed Street, 1400 South Taylor Street, 1402 South Taylor Street, 1410 South Taylor Street, 1413 South Taylor Street, 1415 South Taylor Street, 1419 South Taylor Street, 1421 South Taylor Street, 1426 South Taylor Street, 1428 South Taylor Street, 1430 South Taylor Street, 1440 South Taylor Street and 2024 Wharton Street.
And that will be on next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez offers on behalf of Council President Clarke, Councilwoman Sanchez, and Councilman Domb an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, the Director of Finance.
Councilwoman Brooks offers an ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for the temporary waiver of certain fees, and making certain technical changes.
Councilwoman Brooks also offers a privileged Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 resolution commemorating the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act.
Councilman Domb offers a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing examining the ongoing safety and noise issues with the use of ATV and other unauthorized vehicles on City streets and the possibility of creating a space for safely riding in Philadelphia. That calls for a hearing, Mr. President.
I have four others. And a privileged resolution recognizing the American Jewish Committee and the National Urban League's Black Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Jewish Unity Week and the ongoing efforts to partner and work together in creating a more equitable future.
And a privileged resolution honoring the life of Eleanor Sokoloff and her legacy of service and promotion of musical education in Philadelphia.
And a privileged resolution honoring Richard M. Englert upon his retirement as Temple University's President and his contributions to Temple and Philadelphia.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold a hearing that examines recent research released by Pew Charitable Trusts and Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Center City District on the state of our local business economy, the role our Black-owned and minority-owned businesses play in the City's economy, and the impact of Covid-19 on these businesses.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers an ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for repayment agreements, and making certain technical changes.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on Mayor James F. Kenney to declare gun violence a citywide emergency and develop an urgent, unrelenting response to the gun violence epidemic plaguing Black and Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Brown neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and reaffirming the commitment of the City Council of Philadelphia to continue collaborating with, and supporting the work of, the Mayor, our City agencies, the criminal justice community, and non-governmental partners, to mitigate this deadly epidemic.
Councilman Thomas offers a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the Mastery Charter North girls basketball team, on their successful 2019-2020 season and overall 20 to 9 record in the Philadelphia Public League girls basketball championship.
And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating activist, advocate, founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
And a non-privileged resolution calling on Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to create equitable forms of competition for schools and students unable to compete in their sports in the normal way because of public health guidance in their communities.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Education to cancel the PSSA and Keystone exams for the 2020 through 2021 academic year and redirect the resources to providing the best digital learning environment possible.
Councilman O'Neill offers on behalf of Council Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 President Clarke a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of Michael H. Reed, Esquire, as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2025.
And a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of JoAnn Epps, Esquire, as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2024.
Councilman Squilla offers an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation also known as PCDC to own and maintain a pedestrian plaza, along the west median of the 10th Street and Vine Street intersection on the structure carrying traffic above Interstate 676.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
And an ordinance authorizing Keystone Property Group to construct, own, and maintain a proposed exterior building ramp at 100 South Independence Mall West.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1824 East Huntingdon Street.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2103 East Hagert Street.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2451 through 2453 Frankford Avenue.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2514 Coral Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Street.
Councilwoman Bass offers on behalf of Council President Clarke an ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 30th and Jefferson Playground, located at the corner of 30th and Jefferson Streets, as the "Howard McCall, Sr. Playground" in the City of Philadelphia. Councilwoman Bass offers on her on behalf an ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by creating a new Chapter 6-1300 entitled "Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces," to promote a healthy environment that protects the public from the risks of toxic herbicides by prohibiting their use on all city-owned or used public grounds including but not limited to parks, trails, recreation centers, and playgrounds; establishing reporting Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 requirements; and establishing a private right of action.
Councilman Oh offers an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter revising the powers and duties of the Art Commission to require the Commission to prepare an analysis justifying any removal or relocation of a City statue or monument whenever there is controversy or public dispute, and to oversee a public referendum process prior to any such removal or relocation.
And a privileged resolution recognizing September as National Recovery Month in Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 and celebrating the 19th annual PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! to promote recovery and work to end the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol addiction.
And a privileged resolution recognizing September 2020 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors, and those children who have succumbed to the disease.
And a non-privileged resolution appointing 15 individuals to the Philadelphia Fashion and Garment Industry Task Force.
And a non-privileged resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 2ND READING Charter by revising the powers and duties of the Art Commission to require the Commission to prepare an analysis justifying any removal or relocation of a City statue or monument and to oversee a public referendum process prior to any such removal or relocation.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered by the members today, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. There are no reports from committee today, so our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 200399, 200349, 200350, 200188, 200345, 200354, 200365, 200303, 200364, and 200368. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Council Lady. Before considering these resolutions and bills, we will consider public comment. It will go as follows: The public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on, and whether you are in support of or against the legislation and to add to the list. I must say for the record, that is important. I've noticed that a number of individuals have not indicated their position on that bill. When we have an overabundance of bills and we have to pare back the number of people that testify, we try to have a balanced approach, but if you don't indicate what position you're taking, it makes it difficult to do that. So for the public that wishes to testify, please indicate what your position will be on that particular bill so we can make sure that we have a balanced approach in terms of being able to testify in support or in opposition to a particular bill. We will telephone each person on the list during the Council session Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal circumstances, they will each have two minutes to speak, which we will do today because of the abundance. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. Once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. As I indicated earlier, when you have repetitious comments, as we do today, we're going to limit the number to seven per legislation that will be -witnesses that will be for today. Please be aware that this Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 public meeting is being recorded. Because the public meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask Mr. Decker to please read the name of the first speaker.
Mr. President, we'll need to take a very short break while we call the participants and invite them to the meeting.
And I will ask Mr. Decker to please take a short break while you can invite the participants to the meeting.
Council President, this is Bobby Henon. Just a point of personal privilege. I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to our colleague Allan Domb and their family for the recent loss of his mother.
Mr. President, thank you so much, Councilman Henon, for interjecting. Those were comments that were to be made to Councilman Domb on behalf of all members of Council at the end of our session following our completion of business, but we thank you, Councilman Henon. Although moving forward a little quickly, we got done what we needed to get done on behalf of all members of Council. Thank you.
The first speaker we have for public comment today, Mr. President, is Shahid James, commenting on 200303. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Hi. My name is Shahid James and I'm a member of Philadelphia Drivers Union and I'm testifying in support of Bill No. 200303. I'm diabetic and did not work since March, but then I had no choice. After only a few days back to work with Uber, I felt sick and I was tested positive for COVID-19. I reached out to Uber for financial help. They gave me $394. That's it. Those two weeks of isolation, and my baby also tested positive. My wife had to quarantine from her work, but her work paid her full pay. And even a bigger trouble -- it put me in -- it put me behind my rent and my bills. I work more than 60 hours per week for Uber for almost seven years, and $394 was not fair. It wouldn't even cover the cost of my car and insurance. Please be clear, I'm still not feeling well and I have dizzy spells, but I tested negative now and have no choice Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 but go to work. We are forced to pick up customer with or without masks, because if we refuse a chance to ride, they drop our rating, which could lead to termination. Then they say we are self-employed, but they treat us more like employees. We deserve protection doing this dangerous job.
The next speaker is Jonnie Sullivan, commenting on 200303. (No response.)
We have you. Good morning. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Sure. My name Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 is Jonnie Sullivan and I have been a CNA at Chestnut Hill for 11 years now. I'm speaking to you today because I am unfortunately an example of just how badly we need Councilmember Brooks' paid sick leave law, Bill No. 200303, here in Philadelphia. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, my co-workers and I were on the front lines providing direct care for COVID patients in our hospital. We were risking our own health and even the health of our families to take care of others. I didn't complain because it's my job and I do love my job taking care of others, but in those early days, my hospital wasn't providing the best protection for me and my co-workers. We were working directly with COVID positive patients and using the same PPE over and over again, PPE that was only designed to be used once. So it shouldn't surprise anyone Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 that I became sick. Within a few weeks I began to feel muscle aches and chills. I went for a test and, surely enough, I was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. I was sent home for quarantine, but after a few days at home, I got really worse. I began to have trouble breathing, and so I went to the hospital and I was admitted immediately and spent 12 days there. I was eventually sent home, but still on oxygen and bedrest. I continue to have health problems and spent almost four months out of work. My employer said I couldn't prove that I contracted COVID-19 at the hospital, so they refused to cover me. I used all of my sick time, all of my vacation time, and eventually had to apply for disability. It wasn't enough. I'm still behind on my bills. And here's the crazy part: I'm one of the lucky ones. I know it's hard for me right now, so I imagine others who have the same problem. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 I'm asking you today to hold these employers accountable to help people who need it and deserve it. Pass this bill. Thank you.
Hello. My name is Angela Vogel. I'm a founding member of the Philadelphia Drivers Union.
And I'm in tears as I am speaking in support of Bill 200303. You heard Shahid's story, and it's not unique. And I am here today to thank you to not make me take another call from a driver who got sick while working for these multi-billion-dollar corporations and tell them there's nothing that can be done. Uber and Lyft are currently Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 running one of the most -- the most expensive ballot measure in history. These companies can afford to give their workers basic protections, especially considering that we are doing one of the most dangerous and most essential jobs in the City. An enclosed vehicle is one of the most dangerous possible spaces for contracting COVID. Council, I'm going to just cut my comments short. I implore you please to pass this bill. Don't make me tell one more driver that they can't pay their bills when they went out to work for multi-billion-dollar app companies. Don't make me tell them that their city has nothing that they can do for them. Thank you for your time and thank you, Councilmember Brooks, for introducing this bill.
Elyse Ford, commenting on 200303. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
Good afternoon to all the members of City Council. My name is Elyse Ford and I'm speaking in support of Bill No. 200303. I am the Vice President of District 1199C, an affiliate of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers, which represent 13,000 members working in the major healthcare institutions throughout Philadelphia and the region. I also have a seat on the Board of Directors of the Working Families Partnership, a coalition of allied labor and community groups abolishing barriers and driving innovative approaches to low- and middle-class families in Philadelphia that can lead dignified and productive lives. I come before you today to talk about a very important issue, the health, the safety, and the wellbeing of healthcare employees during a global pandemic. District 1199C and the Working Family Partnership proudly support Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 Councilwoman Brooks' bill, which will provide paid sick leave for healthcare employees who need to stay home to take care of themselves or a loved one. The state Department of Health has mandated nursing home workers be tested regularly. If they test positive, they're required to quarantine for ten days or sometimes longer to avoid spreading the disease. Some nursing home workers do not receive any paid sick leave days. In that case, nursing home workers are left to isolate home without any pay, sometimes for more than a week. In addition, these workers were left out of the federal Families First legislation that provided paid sick leave. Going that long without pay can be devastating to an employee, especially if they have to provide for their family at home. The PA advocates for improved COVID-19 response in long-term care facilities published a publication titled "Immediate action Pennsylvania must take Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 to address the COVID-19 crisis in long-term care facilities." The publication states that Pennsylvania should guarantee all long-term care facilities staff a minimum of two weeks paid sick leave and protection against penalization for that using sick leave time. Councilwoman Brooks' paid sick leave bill will enable Pennsylvania long-term care workers to receive that much-needed protection. Councilwoman Brooks' paid sick leave bill is not only good for healthcare employees but for the elderly as well. This includes making sure that staff is protected and do not spread COVID-19 by coming to work sick. I urge all members of City Council to vote yes on the bill and give healthcare workers the financial protections they deserve. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting September 10, 2020
The next speaker is Will Carter, commenting on 200303. (No response.)
Let me go ahead, because I know my time is running. Thank you for having me, Council President, members of Council. I'm here to testify on 200303. The Chamber of Commerce, having heard from several members, maintains that Bill No. 200303 as passed out of committee could better consider the economic climate brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and obstacles we create for businesses fighting to recover at this critical time. Let me be clear, everyone wants those who are sick to be able to stay home, everyone, all businesses that we Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 have talked to. They understand that this is an emergency and people should be able to stay home. That is why the overwhelming majority of businesses provide paid time for this purpose. What also, however, must be understood is that -- by the sponsors is that COVID-19 remains a historic disruption to the world as we once knew it. With both large and small businesses experiencing unprecedented financial hardships and significantly reduced revenues, many have had no choice but to shut down permanently. Thankfully, the City's healthcare, government, essential workers, philanthropic community, and public-private partnerships have helped ensure our city has a chance to recover. However, as you're aware, much work remains. The Chamber of Commerce submitted amendments to this bill to members of Council that look to clean up the bill and ensure that there is no Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 duplicative processes in the legislation. The first amendment has to do with exempting businesses who have equal or greater paid time off. This was an amendment adopted in the committee, and we just wanted to ensure that if the businesses are doing the right thing and having more generous policies, that they are not adding costs on to what they're already doing if they already offer equal or greater paid time off. The second amendment concerns lump sum payments and replenishment. In the bill as it stands, if the bill -- if an emergency is once again enacted in November, another 14 days would add on to the current 14 days that would be due when this bill is passed. And then we also want to ensure that any time off that members offer accrue towards the 14-day period. Now, we've spoken to the sponsor. She says she was looking at this and she said she would get back to Stated Meeting September 10, 2020 us. I haven't heard back today, but these amendments we believe are reasonable in light of what's going on with the City of Philadelphia at this time and responsible for the City of Philadelphia. Thank you for your time.