COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 19, 2024 10:25 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, INTERIM CHIEF CLERK
To all the spectators in the balcony, if you would like to participate in this Council hearing, I am asking you to please tone it down. (Background interruption.)
All the spectators in the balcony, if you will be participating in this Council session, I'm asking you to please bring it down. (Background interruption.)
This meeting has now come to order. I just want to say for the record if you do not allow us to proceed, you will be removed from this Council session. I just want to say it again for the not allow us to proceed, you will be removed from this Council session. This meeting has now come to order. (Background interruption.)
We're asking for all attendees to please quiet down so we can conduct our Council session. We're asking for all attendees to please quiet down so we can conduct the Council session. (Background interruption.)
For the record, we're asking for all attendees to please quiet down so we can continue our Council session. We're asking for everyone to please quiet down so we can conduct the Council session. (Background interruption.)
We ask for everyone to please quiet down so we can conduct our Council session. I have to give fair warning. If you do not quiet down, you will be removed for disrupting the Council session. I just want to say for the record if you do not quiet down and you're disrupting the Council session, you will be removed. (Background interruption.)
We're asking for all attendees please quiet down as we conduct our Council session. I note that the hour has come and a quorum is present. This Council session is now coming to order. (Background interruption.)
All right. Listen up, y'all. Can you quiet down for a second? Could we respect the pastor please. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Corey Johnson. (Background interruption.)
Let's quiet it down, y'all. Listen up, y'all. Listen up. We understand there's a lot of energy going on today pro and con the Sixers proposal. Can we respect the Pastor as he gives invocation to start this Council session?
The Chair recognizes Pastor Corey Johnson, Pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. (Background interruption.)
One second, Pastor. Listen up, listen up. Hey, Sheriffs, hold up for a second, Sheriffs. Hey, Sheriff's team, hold up for a second. Hey, listen up. (Background interruption.)
To the organizers of the Save the Arena Coalition, I don't have a problem with y'all being in here doing this legislative process. All we're asking you to do, rather you for or against, is just respect the process. (Background interruption.)
Other than that, they got to go. Now, we're trying to be respectful. Listen up, listen up. We don't have no problem with you staying in here. (Background interruption.)
All right. Let's bring it down. Sheriffs, give me a -respect the Pastor real quick. Let's see if they respect the Pastor. Let the Pastor do his prayer. Pastor Johnson, go ahead, sir.
Let us pray. Almighty God, the creator of all, we come before you with gratitude, for the privilege of gathering to serve this great city of Philadelphia as we convene for this final City Council meeting, the year we invite your presence to guide us in our deliberations and decisions. We thank you for our individual voices, for the liberty of conscience, the courage of our convictions, the freedom to disagree and dissent. We thank you for these demonstrations of democracy and action. We pray for wisdom for every leader seated here, that their minds and hearts may be attuned to your will and the needs of the people they serve may they lead with integrity, fairness justice. God of equity, we lift up our city's pursuit of true equality. Help us to tear down barriers that divide and to build bridges that unite. Let the policies crafted and enacted here reflect your heart for justice and compassion. We ask for your provision for those who are struggling economically. May this Council's decisions create opportunities for flourishing and prosperity for every resident, especially those who have been historically overlooked and marginalized. God of compassion, remind us of your call to care for the least of these May the work done here prioritize those who are the most vulnerable, our children, our seniors, our neighbors experiencing homelessness, the hungry and the poor. Finally, Lord, bless this Council and all who labor for the good of the city of Philadelphia. Strengthen them to remain steadfast in their calling and united in their shared purpose. As we close this chapter and look forward to what lies ahead, may this city reflect your vision of justice, peace and hope. While, Lord, there may not be uniformity on all things, may there be unity in all things. In your name we pray, Amen. (Amen.)
One second before Council is at ease, before Council is at ease. We do recognize that there's a lot of passion on both sides of this issue, right. There will be a that's before us. All I'm asking -- we're not trying to have people getting kicked out. We're not trying to have people being arrested. So all we're asking, right, is allow us to conduct the business of our Council of this legislative body. When the vote come up, you can boo, you can yell, you can say, hey, I'm happy, right. All we're asking -- we're not trying to get people kicked out. We're not trying to get people arrested, but all we're asking, rather if you're on the balcony or sitting inside the stands, we've been through this process, rather you support us or not, rather you support the vote or not, but we've had eight hearings, eight hearings on this particular topic. And some people okay, right. That's not going to stop the vote today, to be quite frank with you, right. But we're asking to respect this legislative process, we will continue to work on addressing the issues that those feel that need to be addressed, rather that's Chinatown or the surrounding communities that's being impacted by this particular proposal being put before for us. But me and my team, this legislative body, have done our due diligence to be supportive of this process, rather those who are supporting as well as those who are very passionate that are against this proposal. But you cannot say we haven't given people the opportunity to express themselves. So all we're saying on this last legislative Council us to conduct our business. I don't want to see people getting arrested. I don't want to see people getting kicked out of here, but we do have a right to conduct our business that's here in this body. Those who represent you that's against this project, those who represent you that's for this project, they will speak on your behalf as representatives in this body. That's why you sent them here and that's what they're responsible for doing why they're in this legislative process. So all we're asking is just respect our process and let us continue our business. That's all I'm asking. I don't want the Sheriffs kicking people out. But in the event that you continue to disrupt, then we're going to do do, and that's not our intention. That's not our intention. We've sat from 6:00 to 9:00 on several different nights allowing more than 100-plus people come down here and express their opposition and support for this particular proposal, eight particular hearings. And you have representatives that you sent here that have advocated on your behalf regarding this proposal. Some of things are in the final CBA, right. Rather you agree with them or not, no one can say we didn't listen to your issues and/or concerns. And so, all I'm asking respectfully I do not want the Sheriffs or the Philadelphia Police Department to put people out. But all I'm asking is respect the legislative process. vote comes, when the speeches come, you could yell, say, yea, I'm supportive, boo, we hate it. But all we're asking respectfully just let allow us to go through this legislative process. We understand this is a very, very tense process. We do recognize that, right. All of us recognize that and we do not take this vote lightly. So with that being said, Council will be at ease. Pastor Corey Johnson, you will now be addressed by members of City Council. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024. The Chair recognizes Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024 stand approved. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is the request for leaves Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the Minority, there no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's legislative Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's Council session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in this Council chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our great you to come again. As there are no presentations today, the next order of business is communications. The Chair recognizes that the Sergeantat-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Would the Chief Clerk please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications in her possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on December 18, 2024 I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on December 5, 2024: Bill Nos. 240242, 240613-AA, 240664, 240876, 240877, 240878, 240879, 240880, 240881, 241026, 241027, 241028 and 241030. There are no further communications in my possession, Council President.
Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The next introduction of bills and resolutions is our next order of business. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips. (No response.)
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer one non-privileged resolution on your behalf.
Thank you very much, Majority Leader Richardson. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1212 South 17th Street; 1317 and 1511 South 20th Street; 1904 South 23rd Street; 1216 South 31st Street; 1911 Gerritt Street, 1932 and 2044 Titan Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas. (Background interruption.)
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the public. Nothing today. Thank you, Council President. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones. (Background interruption.)
I'm just going to ask -I also remember there's a public comment portion as well where those who are for or against the proposal before us today will have the opportunity to express if they are for or against this proposal. Please refrain from any types of, you know, boos and yeas. Just let us get through this process and you will have public comment as well as that opportunity when we call that vote please. The Chair recognizes -will the Clerk please read the title of the bill please.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Craig Williams for his invaluable contributions to the Philadelphia Streetlight Improvement Project, championed by the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and his exemplary leadership in advancing both the economic and social well-being of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and the public. I want to take one second to recognize my niece Zara Orit, who is here today to watch democracy in action. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. No bills and resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I have three privileged resolutions to introduce today.
Thank you very much. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the privileged resolutions. Okay. We'll come back. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution for the day. (Background interruption.)
Time, time. So just a little bit to quorum now, we're trying to make this -- now we can make it even because there are supporters who could get up and be like yea. I don't want to feel like going through all that. Let's keep it moving. So, Member Harrity, privileged resolution?
Could the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution please.
A privileged resolution proclaiming January 13, 2025 as Korean American Day in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Korean Americans and their invaluable contributions to enhance the City's culture, economy and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke.
Good morning, Mr. President. I appreciate the cheers and the jeers, my brothers. Mr. President, I do have one -
Yes, sir. I do have one privileged resolution to introduce. Thank you so much.
You're welcome, sir. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing December 21st 2024 as Homeles Persons' Memorial Day in the City of Philadelphia, acknowledging the lives of all unhoused people we have lost over the past year and bringing attention to housing insecurity across the city.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Philadelphia, Councilmember Squilla. (Background interruption.)
All right, y'all. Okay. We got it out. All right. Let's pipe down some, y'all. All right.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of iconic DJ Gary O, a beloved Philadelphia music legend who graced the airwaves of the community for decades.
I will ask before we commit this resolution to be placed on the Calendar a standing moment of silence honoring the life and legacy of DJ Gary O. (Standing moment of silence.)
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes City Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution. (Background interruption.)
Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold a hearing on the prevalence of vaping among children and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of Councilmember Brooks' resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of legendary poet, professor, activist and revolutionary Nikki Giovanni on the occasion of her passing.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing concerning the deaths of individuals incarcerated in Philadelphia correctional facilities in recent weeks, including Amanda Cahill, Michael McKinnis and Joseph Gabor, and evaluating the changes that are needed to prevent further tragedies.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs to hold a hearing regarding the state of accessibility in the City of Philadelphia, including ensuring the celebratory events that will be held in Philadelphia in 2026 are maximally accessible to every person in the city.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage 2ND READING Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. There's no bills or resolutions for introduction today. Good morning, everyone.
Good morning. Being there are no reports from committees today, we will now go into the consideration of the Calendar. The next order of business is consideration of our Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember and Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE 2ND READING RICHARDSON: Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 240834-A, 241134, 241137, 241142, 240963, 240964-A, 240966, 240967, 240968, 240969, 240970, 240971, 240972, 240973, 241062-A, 241084, 240817, 241022, 241023 and 240304. The following resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 240724, 241097, 241098, 241099, 240427 and 240665. 240304 will be amended.
Thank you. Before considering the 2ND READING bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's session of Council. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hasson from South Philly at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters will each have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Due to our extremely long list today, time limit will be one minute. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the one-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time. The light will turn yellow which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once one minute has passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not done so already. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter. And pretty much the whole list is the same subject matter, which we allow individuals to speak on. I would now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
We have Pastor Carl Day. May Daisy Cruz, Felicia Wilson, Aminah Perez, Teila Allmond and Elaine McGuire also make their way to the podium. Pastor Carl Day, Daisy Cruz, Felicia Wilson, Aminah Perez, Teila Allmond and Elaine McGuire. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Please state your name for the record and you could begin.
Pastor Carl Day. For the record, Council Pres, I'm from North Philly. All right. But I'm in support of this move for various reasons, but the biggest reason is opportunity. Y'all, 12 shooting incidents this past weekend five teenagers -
And I know you're from North Philly. I never acknowledged that you weren't. Go ahead, sir.
Okay. But five teenagers shot this past weekend, three 14-year-olds, obviously we know right outside this building, so we need opportunity. The preservation of human life should supersede anybody's personal agendas. These young men need opportunities, so let's remind ourselves 14-year-olds. We're talking about a move that will take place and launched in 2031, they'll be 20, 21 years old. This is their city. So when we sit here and talk public safety, we need this area to be safe. We need these young men to have opportunities, so I'm pro opportunity. And I thank y'all for who will vote for this opportunity for these young men. We cannot deprive them of opportunities. We cannot continue to make sure that these Black young men don't have a chance in Philadelphia. So again, y'all, we can fearmonger folks into what potentially can happen, but I know what's happening right now. People are dying, people are robbing, people are sitting here needing what people consider small jobs or transition jobs, so we can't downplay opportunity. And I work hard with these young men on a day-to-day. I'm shutting up though. Thank you.
Daisy Cruz with SEIU 32BJ. We represent over 20,000 members here in Pennsylvania but about 10,000 to 12,000 of them actually work in Center City. They're the cleaners, they're the security officers. They're the maintenance who take care of these beautiful buildings that these billionaires have actually built, but we're doing the work every day. We are in support of the arena because we want to make sure that this arena make sure that continues to protect jobs, create jobs. Our members are seeing Center City being changed, buildings shutting down, people losing jobs, so we want to make sure that this arena is built so that these our members who are from Philadelphia, people of color, people who actually live here raising their families here, we want to make sure that this stadium is built. We have never been on the other side. Listen, Chinatown, we hear you, we're with you and we understand because everything needs to be protected at the same time, but these people need to make sure that they're taking care of their families. I thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for building the arena. REVEREND McGUIRE: Hello, City Council President, City Councilmembers. I am Reverend Elaine McGuire. I am also an IBEW 98 member. This arena will be a gamechanger for the city of Philadelphia. That's right. Right now in the spot where the arena will go in, what's there now? Nothing. What is it generating? Nothing. (Background interruption.) REVEREND McGUIRE: Hold on. Let's show some respect. Please show some respect. Time to change the game. Philly is a sports fan city. Philadelphia is a union city. It's time to change the game. 28 out of 31 cities have arenas downtown. Philly will have a $1.3 billion arena, $700 million new tax revenue. What will it generate? Jobs. It will generate jobs, construction jobs. It will generate, operational jobs, thousands of jobs. What will it generate? Economy, growth. What will it generate? It will generate so many places for our city. We don't even know -they don't talk about the good that 76ers do. What about all of the projects that 76 Place do? They have autism, inclusion. They have 76 Youth Foundation. They have kids clubs and camps, Black History Month. They have minority work. They have mentorship. You got to build the arena. Vote yes.
One second, Liz. One second, Chief Clerk. Just real quick, while individuals are doing public comment rather you're for or against, could we just respect the person on the microphone. That's all I'm asking, because when people get up there that's opposing it, it could be encouraged for the other side to speak while they're speaking. So all I'm asking let's just let the people speak for or against and just refrain from any type of disparaging them or overtalking them while they're trying to give their comments, pro or con. That's all we're asking respectfully. Chief Clerk, please proceed.
We have Felicia Wilson, Aminah Perez, Teila Allmond. May Jeremy Blatstein, Kate Perez, Selena Sech, Kathleen McGettigan and Lauren Tarico also make their way to the podium. Jeremy Blatstein, Kate Perez, Selena Sech, Kathleen McGettigan, Lauren Tarico. We also have a Will McKeethan, Erica Cobustos, Sherrie Cohen and Lynn Major. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello, Philadelphia City Council. Good job, Council President Johnson. Starting right on time. I really like that today. Thank you for that. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. This Sixers arena is a gamechanger for Philadelphia. It's a $1.3 billion private investment. It will be the catalyst for Market Street and it's on top of a public transportation Hub, because we're going to talk about everyone's favorite thing, SEPTA. This morning, this morning me and the good Gracious Councilman Jones caught the G bus down to the Market-Frankford Line. We were looking fly on SEPTA today. So shout-out to Councilman Jones. And for the -- so raise your hand if you rode SEPTA to City Hall this morning? Councilman Jones, raise your hand. 1 out of 17. Hey, thank you very much. And, Councilman Johnson, in the new year you owe it to me but hey -- or not owe. I request your riding with me. Hey, ride to City Hall. Thank you very much.
Hey, Jeffrey Young. I mean, he said he was fly on SEPTA. I mean -
Hello. My name is Erica Cobustos. I run the youth programs at Philly Thrive. Council President Johnson, I know you know us very well. I know you know our programs very well. I would say good morning, but I don't think it's a good morning any time we see people brutalized by any kind of policing. I think everyone can agree on that. I also think that if we are talking about arena I 1,000 percent agree as someone who works with youth let's talk about that, right, how is it pro youth if we take money away from schools, how is it pro youth if we take money away from SEPTA, how is it pro youth if we take away safe spaces in Chinatown. How is it pro youth if we have the youth come up here, state their voices and then you look at them and say I do not care. And you know what, all those youth will become voters. So let's all keep that in mind as well. If youth are the future, then you better start listening. I will also say that if we were to create and protect youth, slamming them against plexiglass is not that way. How must it feel to be on the side that is pro that. Let's think about that tonight when we go to sleep. (Applause.)
We had Sherrie Cohen, Lynn Major. (Background interruption.)
Sherrie Cohen, Lynn Major, Queen Judith Robinson, Kathy DiSanto, Jethro Heiko, Gary Lee, Paul Brown.
Time-out, time-out, time out. I'm just asking for everybody on both sides of the balcony you even can't hear your own supporters come to the microphone because everybody up there talking and in the gallery down here. And so, I'm going to ask you one more time. If not, we're going to ask you to step outside. Will the Clerk please call the next person.
Sherrie Cohen, Lynn Major, Queen Judith Robinson, Kathy DiSanto, Jethro Heiko, Gary Lee, Paul Brown, please make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Paul Brown. I'm a school psychologist at Roxborough High School and I'm a member of the Teachers Union of Philadelphia. I'm here to oppose the arena in Center City. For those that are choosing to vote yes for this deal do you not realize after this vote you have to explain personally why you settled for less when you were in a position to demand more? Do you not see the confrontation you are inviting for yourself? The School District of Philadelphia is in the process of potentially closing and consolidating schools because we don't have the money to keep them open or renovations, but you're in the prime opportunity right now to demand something better that doesn't displace people, that doesn't harm people, but you just want to rush through a deal that gives them less. Some of my kids can't read, and it's very important to highlight this because talking about increasing job, but y'all are not talking about how recruiting is low because the applicants don't have the basic skills to read or get the job or keep the job because of poor education. Councilmembers, this deal abandons the people of Philadelphia. I strongly encourage you all to reject this arena deal. Keep it in South Philly, demand more for the Sixers. Truly think about how this could impact residents of Philadelphia. If you do it right, this vote will only -if you vote for this, you're -(Applause.) MS. DiSANTO: My name is Katie DiSanto. I go by KD. A lot of you have seen me here before. I work in Chinatown and I have very grave concerns about this development. Of course we want everybody to have good jobs. I don't know why we need to push out our jobs at small businesses and local cultural centers in order to make those new jobs happen. Once we're pushed out, nobody's coming to replace us. Small businesses hold up the economy of the entire Center City area and we need more support from the City now and in the future. If you build an arena there, we will get pushed out. There will be shuttered storefronts. It'll spread to Chestnut. It'll spread to Walnut. It'll spread to Callowhill. It might be exciting for everybody for a few years to have these new construction jobs, but eventually when those dry up all we're going to be left with is a shell of a building that's going to wind up pushing out people who have been there for generations. This is a terrible idea and it was very disingenuous to open this with a prayer because I think anybody who's read the Bible knows that Jesus would not support a bunch of billionaires coming in here to take over our neighborhood. Thank you. (Applause.)
May Layla Bibi also make their way to the podium. Layla Bibi, then David Qu, Kenny Chin, Rupal Kathan and Sam Yun also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Layla Bibi and I am a union carpenter. I am here to give comment in support of 76 Place. You know, there's a lot of things that I can say. There's a lot of points I can make as well, as I'm sure the opposition. But one thing I want to point out is that our city is in crisis and I've heard people speak about the youth and the opportunity that this project will provide, And it's not only opportunity for a construction job. It's opportunity for a sustainable future. Someone has the opportunity to get on this project and it can be the start of financial freedom, the start of a new life. When someone has to get up to work in the morning and have to go to work early, they're not standing out hanging on the corners late at night. When they have to go to work and they have to provide for their children, they're not out riding around and committing crimes. When someone has been able to take pride in their street, in their neighborhood, in their block, in their house, they don't have time to hang out on the corners. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have Dave Qu, Kenny Chin, Rupal Kathan, Sam Yun, Cindy Nguyen, Sadie Butcher, Richard Chang, Alexander Alton, Stephanie Watts and Marta Guttenberg. (No response.)
Kelsey Leon, Sade (inaudible), Tina Ye, Andrew Posniter, Paul Birdsong, Wick Savage, Ellen Huang, Kenneth MacBain. (Witnesses approached podium.)
My name is Paul Birdsong. I'm here on behalf of the Panther Party now. Speaking in reference to every agenda regarding the building of the 76ers arena in Center City on East Market, it's absolutely true that Philadelphia needs commerce and jobs and direction. But as severely, if not more severely, Philadelphia needs permanent impactful solutions to the overabundance of bullets flying through the city, the overabundance of unsolved murders that's increasing regularly. 24 people shot in one weekend. How can we ensure that people won't become gunshot victims on their way to work at the arena? How can we ensure that people won't along with their families and their children become gunshot victims on their way to and from games and events at the arena? Would the arena in a sense become a (inaudible) stage or a staging ground for shooters to have easy targets? We're bringing more people and more money into the situation but not more safety. I don't hear nobody talking about a forensics lab that works or the LED lights in the hood or the cameras or triangulation microphones or anything like that. All I hear about is bring more money, bring more people, but not protect the people that are already here. All power to the people. Focus on the people. (Applause.)
Good morning, Councilmembers and visitors. First, I want to say I came from a family of respect. When people are speaking, give them the right to get their opinion across. So if anybody got anything to say while you're on my time, say it now. But one thing I am for, 110 percent for the 76ers. There's no doubt who I am for. All I'm going to say is this is an opportunity for the city of Philadelphia to not only be the fifth largest city but a first class city. Everybody runs to New York. Everybody runs to Washington, D.C. We need people coming here to enjoy themselves. And if you can't enjoy yourself in Downtown Philadelphia, this city has something for you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Selena Sech -COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Pull that microphone down.
My name is Selena Sech. I'm a recent graduate from Central High School and I'm also a current first year undergraduate student at Bryn Mawr College. I'm here representing Students against the Sixers Arena Students for the Preservation of Chinatown and the Ginger Art Center. First of all, I would like to thank Councilmembers Kendra Brooks, Nicolas O'Rourke, Rue Landau, Jamie Gauthier and Jeffrey Young for standing against the arena. Thank you for fighting for and with the people of Philadelphia. To start I was born in Philly and I've lived here for my entire life. As a young person, I've experienced firsthand what it was like to grow up attending public schools in the Philadelphia School District. Our schools lack air-conditioning, libraries, healthy lunches, extra-curricular activities, afterschool programs and more. Pushing for the arena would mean diverting funds that could be used to address these issues and choosing to perpetuate educational disparities disproportionately felt by Philadelphia's communities of color. Instead City Council would rather give the billionaire owners of 76 Place tax break, billionaires that made their living by exploiting low-income communities all around the world and helping to feel the global housing crisis. By voting for this arena, you are failing the youth of Philadelphia and I hope you remember that this is a legacy that we're going to remember. (Applause.)
Good morning, City Councilmembers. My name is Kelsey Leon. I am a harm reductionist with Community Action Relief Project. I came here today to support Councilmember Brooks' resolution calling for hearings to investigate deaths in prisons and jails. I would like to cede my time to Leslie Gabor who is the sister of Joey Gabor who passed away in prison last week.
My brother was a loved one. He was my brother. He was a son. He was an uncle. He was a grandson and all we know is we have no answers. He walked into the PDU last Wednesday and he never came out and we want to know why. Why, why did he never come out, why. I have so much more to say and I want answers and I will not stop. Do you see my face? I will not stop until I have answers. I swear to you this is my first and it won't be my last. We want answers. We want justice for Joey. Get that in your heads.
Councilmember Jones -John, could you get her information and find out what's going on.
One second. Councilmember Jones, as Chair of Public Safety, could your team follow up and work with John Christmas regarding this particular issue please?
My name is Jena Osman. I live in Washington Square West. We've all heard how 40 percent of attendees must take public transit for the Arena project to work. That 40 percent is an assumption built on the example of Madison Square Garden and the Barclay Center, not a realistic comparison. But let's pretend it's possible. For 40 percent to use public transit, all rail lines need to be staffed, run trains every 30 minutes at night and Jefferson Station needs to be staffed and safe. But no one is going to pay for it, not the Sixers, not SEPTA, not the City. And judging from past experience not the state legislature, but we know who will pay for it, us. Fares will go up, services will be cut so that suburbanites have the choice not to drive to 76 Place. Meanwhile SEPTA estimates it will lose 3.6 million riders per year during construction due to delays. I visited every one of your offices last week and asked what the SEPTA plan was and there is no plan, and yet the majority of you are about to vote yes without a plan. A vote for this project today is a vote against affordable public transit, against clean and green, against Vision Zero and against the people of this city. We won't forget it. (Applause.)
I'm Kate Perez. Right now our government is bombing Syria and yesterday Israeli forces shot into the Kamal Adwan Hospital, set fire to the last standing ICU and destroyed the electricity and water source for more than $65,000 refugees living inside of the hospital. Our sister city has violated the Lebanese ceasefire agreement 248 times in just four weeks. In addition to its assaults on Syria, Iran and illegallyoccupied Palestinian territories, (inaudible) filed a lawsuit accusing the Department of State of violating the Leahy laws and highlighting the human rights violations of torture (inaudible) disappearances and targeting civilians. We have a legal obligation to shut down businesses in our city that betray federal policies and sell tank shells to an occupation. 200,000 human beings have been annihilated by Israel, one child every four speakers, paid for by the money that should have kept our schools open. This is our genocide in service of apartheid. Let the record show a plane with the Palestinian flag is flying above City Hall right now. At the same time Israel has denied another United Nations request to deliver aid into the north of Gaza, with more than 70 days of complete blockade, forcing famine and leaving urgent medical cases to die in the street. Israeli forces are bombing families in the UNRWA School in Beit Hanoun and they rounded up their fathers and burned them alive in the schoolyard. We have three businesses in our city that sell to the Occupation. Arms embargo now. Free Palestine.
We have Ellen Huang, Kenneth McBain, Caitlyn Ghee, Maria Camilero, Mary Ye and Shirley Yang, make their way to the podium. Ellen Huang, Kenneth McBain, Caitlyn Ghee, Maria Camilero, Mary Ye, Shirley Yang and Min (inaudible), make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Mary Ye. I'm from the Save Chinatown Coalition. I'm here to ask Council to delay the vote on the Arena legislation 240963. I want to impress upon you that this Arena project is predicated on one important fact, which is not a fact that is the modal split that the 76ers say will happen with 40 percent of fans driving to Center City and 40 percent taking SEPTA. There's no evidence that this is something that will happen. In fact, if there are more than 40 percent of people driving, there will be gridlock in Center City and all the implications of that for public safety. I also want to say that the arena will only be occupied less than half the year and how is that going to revitalize East Market. There'll be less people here than there are now from the Fashion District, fewer employees, fewer people walking the streets, basically fewer business and dead space. (Applause.)
My name is Caitlyn Ghee. My poo-poo and my deceased gong-gong, they lived in New York's Chinatown. Even though they were both aging, we hesitated to ask them to move in with my mom or move them to a retirement community. Why? Chinatown was their home. We can't imagine them living a happy life anywhere besides a Chinatown. They spoke a local dialect. They were not Mandarin. You couldn't just put them in any like secondary Asian community and expect them to be happy. Chinatown was one of the few places where they could communicate with others in their native tongue. The new arena may be the Sixers home for 41 days out of the year maybe 50 years maximum, but Philadelphia's Chinatown has been home to thousands of people for over 150 years. By building an arena in Chinatown, City Hall is saying that it's okay to eradicate communities all in the name of capitalism. (Applause.)
My name is Maria Camilero. I oppose Bill No. 240963. I've lived in West Philly, District 3 for nearly 20 years. My child is in fourth grade at FACTS in Chinatown. I'm with Philly Parents Against the Arena. Our petition that we presented now has over 700 signatures, representing kids from 50 schools from all 10 Council Districts, over 50 schools. We represent families who attend schools and neighborhoods that would be directly impacted and throughout the entire city. Hundreds of us are public school parents. Several Philly District schools are in danger of closure and many need repairs. It is irresponsible for our City to allow what amounts to a billion dollar tax break to three billionaires who do not live in Philadelphia. The $10 million increase to the $50 million so-called community benefits agreement is an insult when we know that these developers intend to make billions of dollars off of Center City. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Aminah Perez and I am a female Black developer in the city of Philadelphia -
One second, one second. Could y'all quiet it down. Respect the person that's on the microphone please. Go ahead. Please begin.
My name is Aminah Perez and I'm a Black female developer in the city, my partner Felicia Wilson and I, I have her son here with me, operate several restaurants, namely Aminah's throughout the city of Philadelphia and we want the city to know that we are extremely excited about the project. It's about time that our voices are heard. I hear this number 70 percent of the city does not agree with the project, but I know that that mathematically is impossible when 68 percent of the city look like me and we're ready, it's our time. We are ready to scale up our businesses. My nephew Mustafa, a graduate in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, we're ready. We want to scale up. We have other things to offer than just operating a stand outside. We can be part of the engineering, part of the building. This is a 10-year project, $1.3 billion. It brings economic opportunity. So many times we're not able to show up. We are the majority, the silent majority. We have children. We have to do things for our kids after school. We have to take off work. We can't stand outside for three hours in a line, but we are present today. We do want this arena and it provides boundless opportunities for ourselves and our family to create generational wealth for once. Thank you. (Applause.)
In the spirit of former president of this body Anna Verna, I wrote you a letter today. The letter is dated from 2006. I started speaking to this body before that time. I'm talking about today procedure, procedure. In all the years that I have spoken in this body never once were we given one minute to speak. The top of her letter talks about how she encourages me, that's why I come. I am encouraged when I show up for work every day and find citizens such as yourself, and that means all the rest of you all, who are interested in the day-to-day operations of our government. I will do my best to answer your questions. So I just want to bring that before you as a Black woman because the first woman who ran this City Council as president was very open, very elegant and allowed people to speak. Not only did she allow the people to speak, but she heard us loud and clear. In that regard, thank you very much and have a great holiday everybody. (Applause.)
Happy holiday. Clerk, please call the next speaker.
We have Jena Osman, Chantay Love, David Alexander Jenkins, Maria Frizelle Roberts, Patricia Sanford and Katherine Hicks. (Witnesses approached podium.)
All right. I'm Jethro Heiko speaking in opposition to all of the bills that are coming for the Council today. I first wanted to put on the record, make sure the record gets it, an objection under the Sunshine Act. There was many violations today. The ability to access the space. The many speakers had to leave. We were prevented from accessing the building, waiting in line for three hours. It was clearly anticipated there'd be a large turnout and the City Council did not prepare for it. This arena is bad for the city for a number of reasons. As the lead organizer in the successful efforts to stop the demolition of Fenway Park, a fiveyear campaign in Boston, which I led before moving to Philadelphia, I know how bad arenas are and ballparks are. Philly deserves much better. Chinatown deserves much better. There's alternative locations, including the existing site. It's time to put an end to this and prepare for Donald Trump's Administration which will come down on Philadelphia. I appreciate -- the time is up, but the Sunshine Act objection took some time. We must oppose this. You must oppose -(Applause.)
We have David Alexander Jenkins, Maria Frizelle Roberts, Patricia Sanford, Katherine Hicks, Sam Staten and then Ricky Duncan.
What's your name, sir? MR. McBAINE: Ken McBaine from North Philly.
What's your name, sir? MR. McBAINE: Kenneth McBaine. Sorry. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Go ahead, sir. MR. McBAINE: The Sixers plan from 2022 and the more recent studies brought many questions, questions from RCOs, from neighborhood organizations and from the city in general. For the last two years, many of you as our representatives were asking important questions about transit impacts, neighborhood impacts, health care impacts, housing issues and the Sixers' commitment to the city. Courage was needed this month to continue to ask these questions and to get answers before proceeding with the Arena plan. Several of our Councilpeople showed this courage with their votes last week. For many of the rest instead of courage, you settled for an additional $10 million over 30 years, getting only an extra half a game of Joel Embiid's salary each year for the city. My hope is that you will somehow find your courage before tougher challenges arrive, before Title 1 or school breakfast are threatened or ICE wants to visit your church or school. (Applause.)
David Jenkins. Good morning. Laisse-les manger du gâteau. I am haunted today by the infamous phrase, let them eat cake -
Hold on one second, bro. Could y'all keep it down just for a second and respect the person on the microphone.
Laisse-les manger du gâteau. I'm haunted today, as you should all be, by the infamous phrase, Let them eat cake so clearly and fully expressed to the people of Philadelphia in your prior vote. As I stared at the portrait of the Austrian princessturned queen of all France, Marie Antoinette located in our very own Congress Hall, I was reminded that the fate and the consequence such a sentiment, which I am certain she never expressed had on the people whom felt neglected, underheard and misrepresented by their governments, still with such a warning staring back on us from her portrait, members of this body have turned to the roughly 1,069,874 Philadelphians, 69 percent of her populace and in clear opposition to the voices written expressed desired told them to eat cake. Some members have inferred that they felt pressured by another historic woman who has accused of indifference and excess please relay to Madame du Parker, that the people complain of a rule of law that is ripe with threat and withholding of funds in Council Districts for not lining up their votes with her demands. Please remind Madame that the public bully pulpit attacks on members and constituents in town halls will not be tolerated by a voting populace. Finally dear, Councilmen, remember that the confectionery and sugar, unbaked ideas that you make law today are slapped in the face to the descendants of people who are taught the world how to unseat their government when the government does not heed its call. (Applause.)
To everyone who took the time to come before this body, to have their voices heard, I salute you, for those who are pro and con for this project. My name is Maria Roberts. I am a board member of the African American Chamber of Commerce, a proud board member. I'm also a resident of the city of Philadelphia. I also own a home -- I also own a company, I'm sorry. I own a company that resides in Old City. For the last year I have spent quite a bit of time studying the impact of this project on the city of Philadelphia, and not just on the city of Philadelphia but on the surrounding region. And I've come to the conclusion that it is an amazing and a well-thought-out project. You have to understand that I love this city. I love everything that it has done to support us, and I'm here to support this. But I also respect the fact that everyone has a right to have their voices heard. Thank you everyone. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council President and Councilmembers. My name is Patricia Sanford, Alexander Perry, Inc. I am honored to speak to you again, but there are a few points I wanted to make this time, which is that this arena would actually create generational wealth for people that look like me. Number one, we would be able to hire additional people. Number two, we would create jobs and we tend to hire people that look like us. I also want to say that I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I have seen Philadelphia. I have a business for 32 years so I do know that the Sixers Arena will add another element to our great city. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. My name is Katherine Hicks. I'm the Philadelphia Branch NAACP President and I have spoken in the past in support of the 76ers Arena. And I'm here again to speak on their behalf again. The Philadelphia branch is in support of the 76ers Arena. Everyone has the opportunity to have a voice and have a vote, and I was very disappointed to see the disrespect today in Council as to not allowing those who want to voice their opinions to have that opportunity, because we are being drowned out because of the opposition. Again, this is something for the city as a whole. It is not Chinatown against the African American community. It is not Chinatown against the City. This is an opportunity for our city to have access to an opportunity that they never had before. I see the shirts where it saying it's about billionaires. It's not about billionaires. It's about an opportunity, an opportunity for all of us to have a chance to be a part of something. So I want to thank you again for the opportunity to speak and I hope that this will be voted on today and passed for the entire city of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
May we have Sam Staten, Ricky Duncan, Dawn Williams, Lisa Hastings and then Ogbonna Hagins, also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Sam Staten, Jr., Business Manager, Local 332 in Philly. Just here just to thank City Council and the members and our Mayor for a vision for Downtown Philadelphia. It's very, very important we talk about training for our youth and jobs that this center happens because there's long-sustaining jobs that's involved. And we elected you to make decisions for us in the best interest of us here in Philadelphia. So I want to again thank you for voting this up. And as the Mayor said, put your ones up, put your ones up, One Philly. (Applause.)
Good morning, City Council. Good morning, Philly. My name is Ricky Duncan and I'm the CEO and Executive Director of the NOMO Foundation. I'm here to say the things that a lot of people can't say or won't say. I'm an advocate for the youth for Philadelphia and I can only advocate for people that has advocated for us and served us. The Sixers has been in support of us since we started our program, the NOMO Foundation way back at 5510. We're part of the Youth Foundation. We're part of the Sixers Foundation. Joel Embiid has supported this and I haven't got a dollar from Chinatown. So I just got to keep it -- call a ball a ball and a strike a strike. So at the end of the day, I'm going to support whoever supports the youth. I'm here to support the arena. I see the opportunity it presents. NOMO's acronym stands for New Options and More Opportunities and there's plenty of opportunity in the arena. And I'm here to support it. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Dawan Williams. My name is not Dawn. Whoever wrote that, no. But I'm an advocate here in Philadelphia. I work on the ground every day with young men, women and children impacted by the justice system. And this project in my personal opinion is brilliant because it's about opportunity, and it's about jobs. And it's about when men and women in Philadelphia no matter what your religious denomination, the color of your skin or your background or neighborhood, we need jobs. We need pensions. We need medical. We need housing. We need opportunity, and these people over here were brave enough to come to Philadelphia and do it. So y'all have a blessed day. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Dave Qu. I was the 21st to testify. I'm the Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative in Councilman's District. I'm not here today to waste my breath addressing a Council who is not listening. I'm here to speak to the Save Chinatown Coalition for two and a half years. We have organized film screenings, music videos, Christmas carols, poetry collections, press conferences and rallies. When we started our campaign, we were a small group of organizers at our early events. We were asked are we sure that this wasn't a great arena proposal, but today thanks to your hard work and dedication 70 percent of Philadelphians oppose this Arena proposal. Our conversations today begin with others telling us here's why I think this arena is a bad idea. We have changed the landscape of support in the city. The votes may not be in our favor but know that you are not weak, you are strong and I hope you stand proud in the work that you have done. I've worked in City government under the Nutter Administration. I remember when Council President Darrell Clarke served as the foil to Mayor Nutter. These two bodies kept one another in check against the worst impulses of their governance. But in today's Administration, Mayor Parker endorses the arena and Council President Johnson does her bidding. Our Council has proved itself to be weak and align with billionaires, but this is not a time to despair. It will be our job to keep our elected officials in check against their worst impulses of -
Hi, my name is Lisa Hastings. I'm voting against this arena because anybody who's voting for this arena is voting to take a wrecking ball to a vital and busy daytime transit public space, that's Jefferson Station, agreeing to shrink it and turn it so that no one's going to want to go there or be able to since they want to close many of the entrances. As soon as the Jefferson Station is invaded, SEPTA service into the city will decline and it won't recover. And this really doesn't create long-term opportunity for anyone in the city. Jefferson Station may not even be functioning by the time the arena is finished. What then, the damage will be done. I support union construction jobs, but it's possible to do it without having 10 years of demolition destruction and transit, you know, interruption. The City has an endless supply of construction jobs that do not involve destroying -(Applause.)
We have Ogbonna Hagins. May Marcello Giordano, Sam Lu, Fern Lee and Lauren Green, also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Ogbonna Hagins, fourth generation chattel slavery survivor. I rise today to address Ordinance 240964 which speaks to the create the Arena Services District Authority. However, before we move forward I must also bring attention to the meeting recently convened by Council President Johnson regarding proposed threat of Project 2025. The creation of this arena could potentially generate generational wealth for Philadelphia creating jobs and opportunities for many of our residents, but it's also important that we remember the broader context within which this development is happening. Public figures such as Solomon Jones and Dr. James Peterson on WURD have raised concerns about Project 2025. My question is where are the minutes from the meeting who attended the meeting? What was the outcome of the meeting and why wasn't I, the 18th member of Council, not invited to this meeting? While we focus on the future developments of arenas, we must ensure that all development is done transparently and with full consideration of its impact on the Freedman community, the progeny of the emancipated, the ones who won the Civil War for us to even be sitting here in the first place. Ogbonna Hagins, President of the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen. Over and out.
Hello. My name is Marcello Giordano. We've had a family business in the city for 100 years in Philadelphia and I've been at the helm for about 25 years. That's a matter of a discussion but I just came down, I rolled out of work a little bit early today to show support for our Mayor. And I think she deserves that. I believe in her no matter what anybody says on either side. She's our Mayor and we should support her. I've been going to the Gallery since I was a young man since the 1980s. I actually met my partner, I met her, she worked at the Gallery. We have two beautiful children together and I feel strongly when I came here today. I'm saddened and I'm frustrated by seeing what's happening. I feel like we get misdirection when this all happens instead of everybody saying all these other things. And what about public transportation, what about this. We have an abandoned train station on Spring Garden and 10th. Why can't we turn that into a route for this new project. Whatever this project is, let's do it right. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council President. My name is Regina A. Hairston, President and CEO -- President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. I stand before you today to say that the African American Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Arena project. Why do we support this project? You cannot grow without investment. We all see how this corridor looks. It is empty, it is blighted and businesses are leaving every day. We need all businesses represented at the Market East corridor. We know that Black businesses especially are the last when it comes to everything. We have the least amount of employees, we don't get the capital that we ask for and our voices are only represented in this chamber by a small few of us even though I represent the majority of them. So our businesses have a right to grow. They are Philadelphians as well. They pay business taxes as well. The Black community wants to see this. I stand here today to say we support this. And also, I stand here today to say there's two legislative bodies. There's the Administration and there's City Council. And one thing that I know is Council President Johnson always makes sure -- I can't speak for anybody else -- but Black businesses, Black firms are represented because he went from, oh, you want this percentage of Black participation, no, we're going to have 50 percent. So thank you for everything you do and happy holidays. (Applause.)
May Sadie Butcher, Sam Lu, Fern Lee, Lauren Green and Nadira Griffin also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
My name is Fern Lee Hagadorn. I'm speaking against the Arena legislation that you are about to vote on. In the Bible there is a story about two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Esau had something special, his birth right. This gave Esau a number of privileges but it also came with responsibilities. Long story short, brother Jacob wanted Esau's birth right and struck a deal. Jacob got that birth right and Esau got a bowl of soup. Esau later regretted the deal, so Philadelphia is Esau, the 76ers are Jacob. Philadelphia gets soup, 76ers an arena. This process will set a precedent that a $1.3 billion deal can be negotiated behind closed doors. This is not what democracy looks like. There will be physical destruction of communities and neighborhoods. This will impact the daily lives of those who live, work and go to school in Philadelphia and you will live to regret it. This is not a Chinatown thing. This is not a Washington Square thing. This is not just a Gayborhood thing. Vote no because it's a Philly thing. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Lynn Major. I'm from West Philly, Councilmember Gauthier's District. All the Councilmembers, Council President Johnson, thank you for listening. This is a big deal, this whole thing, a lot riding on it. There's been some constructive dialogue along the way. My only hope would be that if there could be more listening to what people need in this city and not what outside billionaires want. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Sadie Butcher. I'm a District 3 resident of six years. As a young person who hopes to continue a career in applied research and evaluation, I believe in the power and the value of evidence-based decision-making and policy-making, and evidence and precedent indicating that 76 Place would have a negative effect on the city and its people is overwhelming. If the primary reason for building an arena in Center City is economic development, please see the more than 130 research studies over past three decades concluding unequivocally that sports venues do not boost local economic activity. That is a consensus in the field of economics. To those who continue to claim that this arena is good for the city, that it will bring opportunity and not just decimate existing communities and small business businesses, show us the evidence. So many Councilmembers have raised important questions during the Arena hearings that remain unanswered around the negative impacts of this project, but not a single one of these glaring logistical issues has been sufficiently addressed by Mayor Parker, by City Council or by the developers. I want you to hear me when I say this: Our communities, our families and our students are gaining nothing from this disastrous deal. And if you vote yes, we will pay the price for decades to come. (Applause.)
Hi. My name is Lauren Green and I had traveled through here on my birthday and someone gave me a sticker about this campaign, but I didn't quite comprehend what it was about. And sometimes if I see a school that's being built and there isn't enough light, natural light, I ask the developers to change the plans before they're finished constructing the school because I think it's a bad plan. And that's how I feel about building the 76ers stadium near City Hall. The School District has been suffering for a very long time and I think if you spent 90 percent of the budget on a plan to greenify the schools, make green schoolyards, more green space in the Philadelphia public School District, more green education and sustainability education and then 10 percent to just improve the Fashion District and improve the building stadium, the stadium itself, it would improve the School District and the quality of life for the city. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Nadira Griffin. I am the Philadelphia community ambassador at-large for the Councilmanic District. I am here speaking on behalf of 240966. We, the people, as a former teacher at the Philadelphia School District we say (inaudible) and build new schools for our urbanites. And also, I want to say sorry I want to say sorry, mother. Last week I received a Jesuslashing. It was the worst I've ever felt and I never want to feel it again. So today my mother said that I am not too grown to apologize and my mother always told my brothers to stand tall and firm, look a man in his eye and say what you mean and mean what you say. Last week, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, you asked me nicely, you gave me the indication by saying thank you, Ms. Griffin, thank you, Ms. Griffin, indicating that my time was up and my heart continued to speak on behalf of the people. So I'm looking you in your eye today and I'm saying I'm sorry. And I ask you to go deep to forgive me for continuing to speak. I'm sorry because I wasn't raised that way. And, Sergeant-at-Arms, hi. I'm looking you in -- come here. I'm looking you in your eyes too and I'm telling you that I apologize for continuing to speak, so I'm sorry. And, President Kenyatta Johnson, I respect you. Stop smiling -
You know we went to school together, right, so it's cool. It's cool, Nadira.
So I want to tell you that I respect your leadership over the municipality and I respect the chambers. I also want to apologize -- just one more. I also want to apologize to the Councilmen and women here. Although I don't agree with all the decisions that you all make, but I do respect your leadership. And if any time that the heart continues to speak and advocating for the people, I want to let you all know that I apologize and I'll pray to have a humble heart the next time 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING and to be more meek when I come and speak before you. And I want to say, mother, thank you for keeping me Jesus-grounded. (Applause.)
Council President, there are no further names for public comment.
That concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240834.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes my Majority Whip Councilmember Thomas for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240834-A.
Council President. Before we take this vote, I just want to take a moment to thank my colleague Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke who has worked with me every step of the way since this bill was introduced, someone who's very passionate about the issues that we're dealing with in our prison system. And I also want to thank all of the members of City Council 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING for co-sponsoring this bill because at the end of the day, Council President, once we pass this bill, we will make history, right. We will make history as it relates to what we're looking to do with our prisons, the oversight of our prisons and looking to address an institutional issue that has really had a negative impact on our city, but especially Black folks in Philadelphia. So with that, Council President, I move for the adoption of the legislation. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240834-A be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241134.
A resolution renaming the 1500 block of South 17th Street "Carl Vann Wilson Way" in honor of Deacon Carl Vann Wilson Sr. for his extraordinary leadership, entrepreneurship and unwavering commitment to his church and community.
The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241134.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 241134 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. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241137.
A resolution also naming the 3900 block of Haverford Avenue between Lancaster Avenue and 40th Street, "Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle" to commemorate the location of his 1965 Freedom Now Rally.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241137.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING properly seconded that Resolution No. 241137 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will siginfy by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241142.
A resolution urging the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate and further regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems, known as drones, over private property after an increase 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of unidentified drone use in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241142.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 241142 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240963.
An ordinance amending the existing Gallery at Market East Tax Increment Financing District, being the area generally bounded by Filbert Street on the north, 8th Street on the east, 11th Street on the west, and Market Street on the south, to remove certain portions of such property generally bounded by Filbert Street on the north, 10th Street on the east, 11th Street on the west, and Market Street on the south from such District, and approving the amended project plan of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for the redevelopment 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of the Gallery at Market East Tax Increment Financing District and making certain findings and declarations, all in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act, being the Act of July 11, 1990, P.L. 465, No. 113, as amended, and authorizing the Director of Finance and other offices of the City to execute the documents and do all things necessary to carry out the intent of this Ordinance.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilmember Squilla, would you like to speak or you don't have to call up the bill. Do you want to speak?
All right. This bill having been read on two different days, the question -
Let me -- all right. Thank you, Mr. President. The process for this Arena legislation has been difficult for all Councilmembers. The time we all spent meeting with stakeholders and our discussions among one another have led to companion legislation and amendments to the CBA. The input from all the Councilmembers were 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING invaluable during this process. Again, like we stated has been difficult for myself and others during the process. I want to thank you as the Council President and your leadership, Mayor Parker for a willingness to compromise and support changes made to the legislation and the CBA. The willingness to do that was important in order to have the legislation before us. The additional resources she provided desperately needed for affordable housing is something to help preserve the cultural and heritage of Chinatown. I want to say if this Arena legislation is to move forward and the arena is to be built, this is not the end of the process. I will continue and we will continue to meet with all the 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING stakeholders, especially the Chinatown and Wash West communities, and to understand their budget requests and needs as this process moves forward. So again, thank you for your time and your efforts. The line of communications will remain open and we will continue to meet with all the stakeholders. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilmember Squilla, for your leadership. 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.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240964-A.
An ordinance authorizing the City of 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia to organize -(Background interruption.)
To organize an Authority to be known as The Arena Services District Authority, pursuant to the terms of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240966.
An ordinance to grant the necessary authorizations for the City to help facilitate development, 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING construction, and operation of a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers professional basketball team and for other uses, including authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and such other City officials as may be appropriate, on behalf of the City, to enter into the following agreements and take the following actions: (1) acquire fee simple title to all or portions of 1001-1025 Filbert Street, 1001-1019 Market Street, and 1025 Market Street (together, the "Market and Filbert Street Properties"); (2) acquire fee simple title to other parcels of land, aerial areas and subsurface areas in the vicinity of the Market and Filbert Street Properties including, without limitation, those areas reverting to the City or other parties in connection with 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the striking of certain aerial portions of Tenth Street between Market Street and Filbert Street (the "Additional Properties") and certain other nearby parcels and areas; (3) enter into a ground lease agreement (the "Lease") with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development ("PAID") under which the City would lease to PAID all or a portion of the Market and Filbert Street Properties and the Additional Properties, if any, and other parcels and subsurface areas the City now owns in the vicinity of those properties, all of which collectively would constitute the "Arena Site"; (4) join in or consent to a sublease and development agreement (the "Sublease") between PAID and either CBL Arena LLC ("ArenaCo"), an entity affiliated with the 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia 76ers, L.P. (the "76ers"), or another entity affiliated with the 76ers, under which ArenaCo or other 76ers related entity would sublease the Arena Site and cause an arena to be constructed on it, including a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility and ancillary, accessory, and related amenities, improvements, and infrastructure (the "Arena") and agree to other related conditions; (5) upon the expiration or termination of the Sublease or other circumsTances set forth in the Sublease, convey fee simple title to the Arena Site to PAID for disposition to ArenaCo; (6) grant, accept, amend, relocate and extinguish easements, agreements, conditions, covenants and restrictions encumbering or 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING benefiting the Arena Site and any City owned property adjacent to the Arena Site for the benefit of the Arena Site to facilitate construction and operation of the Arena; (7) enter into a direct operating covenants agreement among the 76ers, PAID and the City, under which the 76ers agree to play subsTantially all of their regular season and playoff home games in the Arena; and (8) take all actions necessary and appropriate to accomplish the intent and purpose of this Ordinance; all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is should the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 240976.
240967, an ordinance authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development relating to the provision by the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development of certain projectrelated services to promote, among other things, the growth and expansion of business, commerce and tourism within the City of Philadelphia in connection with the development of a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility, including an arena to accommodate National Basketball Association games, and family entertainment, community, retail and other uses; authorizing and approving the 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING obligation of the City of Philadelphia to pay in full when due the Service Fee and other amounts payable under the Service Agreement and covenanting to make necessary appropriations for such purposes; and authorizing City officials to take necessary or appropriate actions to accomplish the intent and purpose of the ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions.
And, Chief Clerk, I said '976 and you said 240967 for the record. That's 240967 for the record.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is should the bill pass finally. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240968.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Filbert Street from 10th Street to 11th Street, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
Aye. The ayes are 7 -- 12. The nays are 5. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240969.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating certain 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING aerial portions of 10th Street between Market Street and Filbert Street, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is should the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240970.
An ordinance authorizing CBL Arena, LLC. and its successor(s) in interest to construct, own, and maintain various right of way encroachments in the vicinity of 1001-19 Market Street, 1025 Market Street and 1001-25 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, under certain terms and conditions. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: 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.
Council President Johnson. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240971.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled Zoning and Planning, by amending certain definitions relating to signs; creating an "Arena Area" within the "/CTR, Center City Overlay District" overlay; and making related changes, including a master plan requirement and changes to accessory sign controls; all in connection with zoning rules for a proposed arena in Center City; and approving a master plan for the Arena Area; all under certain terms and conditions. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: 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.
Council President Johnson. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240972.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising certain provisions of section 14-906, entitled "Market Street East Sign Regulations," all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240973.
An ordinance approving the amendment 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of a neighborhood improvement district in the area generally bounded by, and including, 11th Street to the West, Filbert Street to the North, 8th Street to the East and Market Street to the South, with the exception of certain condominium units at 801 Market Street Condominium not included in the District, known as the Gallery Neighborhood Improvement District, to remove certain portions of such property generally bounded by Filbert Street on the north, 10th Street on the east, 11th Street on the west, and Market Street on the south from such District in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act, and under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
The ayes -- aye. The 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes are 12. The nays are 5. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 241062-A.
An ordinance amending Section 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by amending Section 14-502, entitled "/CTR Center City Overlay District, and 14-702, Floor Area, Height and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses, and creating Section 14-542, entitled "/PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District" and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days the 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Brief comment. I think the Chinatown Overlay is a good piece of legislation to support the community and I will be voting aye on the overlay.
I also want to help to protect Chinatown with the zoning overlay, so aye.
Aye. The ayes are 12. The nays are 5. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative -- the ayes are 14. The nays are 3. A majority of all members voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
That's a good thing. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 241084.
An ordinance authorizing transfers and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 from the General Fund from certain or all city offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the Water Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and to the Transportation Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all members voted in the affirmative the bill passes. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240817.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia a proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members voted in affirmative the bill passes. Will the Chief Clerk 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING please read the title of Bill No. 241022.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with 2401 Walnut LP, for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 2401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
You said 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING aye, okay. Councilmember Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 241023.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with AC HSS Office Ventures II, LLC for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1930 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of -- call the roll.
Councilmember Gilmore Richardson. COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING RICHARDSON: Aye.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240304.
And ordinance amending Subcode "A" (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), to require proof of certain insurance certificates; 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING all under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 240304 be amended. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 240304 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Will the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Craig Williams for his invaluable contributions to the Philadelphia Streetlight Improvement Project, championed -(Background interruption.)
Honoring and recognizing Craig Williams for 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING his invaluable contributions to the Philadelphia Streetlight Improvement Project, championed by the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and his exemplary leadership in advancing both economic and social well-being of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to briefly talk about this as to the reason why we honored him and his company. This is what we've been fighting for. He is replacing LED lights around the city. He started in the 4th but he's moving throughout every District in the City of 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia. But what is interesting is the workforce he's using are at-risk youth, returning citizens and it is something that we've been fighting for, for a very long time, to be able to take residents, utilize residents to repair city infrastructure work. And so, we wanted to acknowledge him, his company, for doing what is socially right, what is economically right and what is good for the environment in the city of Philadelphia. So with that, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution proclaiming January 13, 2025 as Korean American Day in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Korean Americans and their invaluable contribution to enhance the City's culture, economy and the founding ideals of independence and democracy. Introduced by Councilmember Harrity.
The Chair recognizes 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Harrity for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution recognizing December 21st 2024 Homeless Persons' Memorial Day in the City of Philadelphia, acknowledging the lives of all unhoused people we have lost over the past year and bringing attention to housing insecurity across the City. Introduced by Councilmember O'Rourke.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. With a nod to Councilmember Gauthier, I do move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A resolution honoring The life and legacy of iconic DJ Gary O, a beloved Philadelphia music legend who graced the airwaves of the community for decades. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
The Chair recognizes 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to say just a couple of words about DJ Gary O if I could. You know, some people might be wondering why are we recognizing someone who was a DJ, who was playing music at parties and whatnot. Gary was so much more than that and anyone who knows him, who's ever worked with him knows he was really a staple in our community, being active and engaged and really just an all-around wonderful human being. And so, we lost a great part of Philadelphia in losing him. And so, with that I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold a hearing on the prevalence of vaping among children and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The Chairman recognizes Councilmember Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution celebrating and honoring the life and legacy of legendary poet, professor, activist and revolutionary Nikki Giovani on the occasion of her passing. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing concerning the deaths of individuals incarcerated in Philadelphia correctional facilities in recent weeks, including Amanda Cahill, Michael McKinnis and Joseph Gabor, and evaluating the changes that are needed to prevent further 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING tragedies. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs to hold a hearing regarding the state of accessibility in the City of Philadelphia, including ensuring the celebratory events that will be held in Philadelphia in 2026 are maximally accessible to every person in the City. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. 12/19/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
This completes our Calendar for the day. Are there any speeches on behalf of the Minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. This is a long speech alert too just so you know. Good afternoon, colleagues and to everyone in the Council chambers today. I want to take a few minutes this afternoon to talk about the resolution that I introduced. First, I want to acknowledge my resolution along with you, Council President, and Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke honoring the life and legacy of was many things, a poet, activist, independent thinker who channeled the joy, pain, love and celebration of the Black experience. Philadelphia played an important role in that including where she wrote her first poetry collection, Black Feeling Black Talk. And her words get me through challenging times and I look to them often. And I pray for her family and may she rest in power. I also introduced two very important resolutions to hold hearings next year on priorities we were unable to address during this calendar year. First, I'm introducing a resolution calling for a hearing on our City's preparedness to ensure accessibility of our disabled national attention we will receive in 2026. As the Chair of the Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs, I want to make sure that everyone has access to the cultural events that showcase the best of Philadelphia. That starts with the city. We will look at ways to make sure that planning for these citywide events reflect the diversity we need to ensure we do not leave behind our disabled community. Second, I introduced a resolution calling for hearings on the recent deaths in Philadelphia jails. While much of attention has been focused on the arena for the last two months, the challenges of our city faces have not gone away. We will see schools closed in the next coming years. common, a huge concern despite federal flex spending we received and just this weekend at least two dozen people were shot, including teenagers right outside the doors of City Hall. This body and the Mayor must prioritize these challenges in 2025. And sadly, this weekend we also got word of another death in the jail system involving someone going through medical detox and their needs not being met. Joseph Gabor passed away after being found in his holding cell with paraphernalia nearby, and he was supposed to have been transferred by then. And he was supposed to have been checked on. This is the fifth time we have seen death in our jails this year, including similar circumstances, and the sixth since 2020. So when I first entered Council, I raised these concerns in our budget hearings and directly in meetings with the Administration. These deaths cannot be swept under the rug, because we were too busy working on a playground for billionaires. This fall Amanda Cahill's family spoke directly to this chamber so that her death might not be in vain. And I ask this body to take meaningful action and this is my first step in the promise I have made to her family, Michael McKinnis' family and Joseph Gabor's families and loved ones. (Thank you.)
I'm not done. I'm still going. I'm -- it's long. I was elected to represent working families whose voices and struggles are often lost in money, special interests that dominate politics. My base across Philadelphia has demanded and pushed me to fight against these corporate interests on the behalf of our neighborhoods, including Chinatown. And over the last two years I've opposed the arena at every step. I voted no on every procedural vote and I'm one of the three Councilmembers who put out a plan around a $300 million CBA for public consideration. I personally faced 1.5 million in attack ads from these same special interests who are pushing this arena and I'm the only public position on the woefully inadequate CBA totaling 50 million. And if I want to say so myself, that's courage. And that's what we're supposed to do as elected members, to lead from the front. History has shown us time and time again that the only path for our collective survival is our collective struggle. And when power and money descend on our communities, we must stand up and fight back even when the fight is impossible and difficult. The arena vote held today demonstrates how far we go as a Council, how far we have to go to truly listen to and reflect the voices of our community instead of the voices of the wealthy few. Overwhelming opposition for working people across the city failed to billionaires from carpet-bagging the heart of our downtown and pitting two communities of color against each other. This to me is heartbreaking. It is the backbreaking of our communities and it represents another terrible example of the cities racing to the bottom to appease billionaires. To the allies who have my back, thank you. We need more courage, more movement, more power to resist the kinds of darkness and I am grateful to the people and our coalition for doing everything they felt was possible to resist. This fight is not over and I will continue doing everything within my power to ensure that Chinatown is made whole by this city. It may not be easy to see it now, but this moment will our movement. Great leaders come from great struggle. It is my own fight against billionaires trying to privatize my children's school that activated me and brought me here. I know this is happening as we speak in Chinatown. In fact, I can promise you that someone in this very room may be radicalized by this moment and using this betrayal to Chinatown to get active. We will all witness the power of this movement has activated in the coming years. We have our own power in this legislative body and the people of this city expect us to use that power on their behalf. And as we enter 2025, I will not forget where the people stood in this fight, the strength they showed to make their voices heard to fight for their communities against all odds. They will not rest. We will not rest. This fight is not over and I believe that we will win. And I want to thank you all and let's get back to doing the people's work. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. President. There is another word from the Minority. And today on the final Council session of 2024 that word is anticipation. In a commercial country like ours, we've made the start of November through whenever y'all go back to work the entire Christmas season in order profit. Point of information, Christmas begins on the 25th and it culminates on the 6th of January, which with an observance of a holy day that we call the feast of epiphany or if you're in the Eastern Church theophany. The season that precedes the 12 days of Christmas, the one that we're in now, is known as Advent, Adventus in the Latin. It means coming, coming, a nod to the coming in breaking of the divine in the Christian tradition into human flesh and into human history, an event we acknowledge as the birth of Christ. The Advent season coming is big on anticipation of Jesus' first coming, big on his anticipation of Christ's second coming and anticipation of the lives and the hearts that are open to the Holy. Anticipation, however, isn't always excitement. The feeling can be accompanied by anxiety, by dread, by fear and hope and cynicism and much more, naturally affirmed by the darkening of every passing day in this season. So this may be a good reminder that for as much as people approach this season with excitement and cheer, it truly isn't complete without a more complicated and sometimes troubled complexity of feelings. People should know it's okay not to be okay, that darkness is a part of this season as well. And if you felt darkness and confusion through this holiday season, those who are listening now later, know that that is part of many traditions along with cheer and charity by its side. So reach out to someone, feel your way to the light in this dark time. It's important that we do that. But not only does darkness come with the season so does the cold, and that reminds me of those someones who, and those neighbors really, who are without shelter, without houses. Councilmember Gauthier has been introducing the resolution that we call today Homeless Persons' Memorial Day for the last few years, and I want to thank her for keeping this issue front and center over the past few years in your work. The resolution acknowledges December 21st as Homeless Persons' Memorial Day in Philadelphia, acknowledging the people we have lost over the past year, those nameless persons too many of us that have transitioned, and bringing attention to housing insecurity across the city. It should be noted that an estimated 48 percent of Philadelphians pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing alone and only 38 affordable housing units exist for every 100 low-income households. This resolution also recognizes efforts that were made by the government of the City of Philadelphia, local organizations and individuals who are supporting unhoused populations. And I just want to lift up a nod and a thank you really to groups like Project HOME, folks like uh Roz Pichardo of the House, our allies and friends over at Prevention Point, so many of us. While many of us are feeling generous and charitable in this time of the season, I think the spirit of the season calls on us to move from just generosity and donations to recognition. We have to recognize Phillies homeless as our neighbors. As much as we do with our house neighbors, sadly enough even when we know people before they lost their homes, this is a hard principle to maintain, particularly when it comes to the stranger.
They are our neighbors as well. Quick word here on this, to the people out there who were disappointed by this body's decision and intent on making it known, as they have been, as it relates to the arena today, that's to be me, Council President, outside the ring making demands of those seated within this ring as well. The feeling is familiar to not just me but generations of Philadelphians for all sorts of reasons, some of whom have gone on to be legends and leaders in this city sitting in seats of power today. It is my hope that this process hasn't pushed you all away, which was my ask at the beginning of all this, from your government. But, in fact, I hope that it's moved you into thinking deeply about how to win the next fight that you take up. There were all sorts, people came into Council every week talking about land use, talking about shifts in property ownership, gentrification and a decreased control, whether they were imagining a prior era of influence or not. These were all such resonant issues for those of us that -- and many of us sat through all of them through this process because many of us can and do relate to them at different scales all across the city. Questions related to land, housing ownership and influence are all deep-seated issues that fundamentally shaped views of democracy, especially locally. Democracy not just voter turnout in election season. The vote today leaves Council with some hard questions to answer, including the capital and operating costs that SEPTA has said they need for this to work. Neighborhood protection be an ongoing struggle. So to touch on the word of the day, as I said at the beginning, that is something to anticipate. Again, it is my prayer that this process hasn't pushed you away from your government but moved you into thinking deeply about how to win the next fight that you take up. As Angela Y. Davis taught us, freedom y'all is a constant struggle. You're alive and you're not dead, as my mentor used to say, because you're not done. There is more that is required of all of us. Finally, speaking of anticipating next fights, the next Stated meeting, Council President, of this Council is on January 23rd. That's three days after the inauguration of now President There will be a new regime in town across this land when we come back in these chambers. Different constituencies, I'm sure many of us have gotten emails about it and have talked about this a bit since the election. Many constituencies have been trying to prepare for the consequences of this new administration, thinking about immigrant rights and migrant justice groups. Associated orgs have held two recent marches asking for the city to rededicate itself to the sanctuary city designation it has held down for so long, I think that's notable. LGBTQIA+ communities, thank you Leader Landau -- Member Landau, for the work that you do as well. People are rushing to procedures, access to medicine, adoption rights and marriage licenses as you all well know. I have a close friend who is trans trying to get a vacation before he gets inaugurated because they don't know if they're going to be able to move around the way they want to. This is real for many of us. Sadly, The Inquirer reports that there's little impetus among queer communities, queer Philadelphians to fight back with demonstrations because many people believe not enough Americans would care. That's a damning indictment.
We believe this new Trump administration will be more ideologically coherent and potentially more efficient at achieving their many goals. This is a city that relatively speaking during the election. 3 percent from 2020 and Trump did better with working class, working poor voters than ever. We're not leaving this post-2016 era in conclusion better off by demonizing our neighbors, no matter how we feel about their views, pro or con. We must do right by Philly week-by-week, month-bymonth, year-by-year so that people feel that voting is worth it at all, which is why I feel compelled often to call our attention to the concept of democracy. It's much more than voting. It's about what we do and how we show up week-byweek, month-by-month, year-by-year. Over the break we will rest. We should reflect and then we must move the city as you say, President, often forward because this body has so far to go to serve our people. I do anticipate our collective work together going forward. Thank you, Council President. )
You're welcome. Any speeches on behalf of the Majority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I swear to you on all I love my intentions was not to give a speech today. I wanted to get up out of here and be a part of the holiday season, but I feel compelled to do so. Listening to my colleagues, who I love and respect, love and respect, if you listen to them, they would have you believe that the City took an L today, that somehow we all lost. We didn't all lose. There's a kid at ESPN Barbershop that has a shot at getting on a construction site today. There's a kid in ESPN Barbershop that may well work at the stadium, learn some things, start his own business and become the next person of means in this town. You would think Donald Trump won today. He did not. The City of Philadelphia Market Street East won today and have -(Applause.)
At least I got one. All right. I don't do this for applause. I don't do this for likes. I don't of that. I do this for the people. And when you make tough decisions, sometimes you're going to get booed. But I know the people that are in this room care, all of them, they don't always agree. But if everybody agreed, 16 of us would not be necessary. We're supposed to struggle in this room about issues pertaining to the people. Now, let's go to where we agree. Winter is coming. Donald Trump is coming. Spigots will be turned off from the federal government. We have to get what we can to do what we can for our people going forward. Night will pass and the dawn will come, but we're going to struggle while he's in that office. So as we start to look at how that affects us department by-department, agency-by-agency, we need to put our heads together and figure out what we can do to protect not just Chinatown but the City of Philadelphia. Ain't going to be a bunch of agreements in places that's going to get gentrified going forward, so we got to figure out what laws, what policies we can put on the books from this chamber to protect them. And I stand ready for that work. I stand ready to join my colleagues in that work, but I just don't -- I can't sit by and just say that -- people in my District, some of them won today. And we're going to keep fighting for all of the citizens of Philadelphia, not just one town. Thank you, Mr. President. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Thank you, Councilmember Jones. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. Today we renamed the 3900 block of Haverford Avenue "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle" in a wave of success following the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the march on Washington for jobs and freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continued to galvanize Black Americans through his Freedom Now rallies. And on August 3, 1965 10,000 Philadelphians gathered at the intersection of 40th and Haverford in West Philly to hear Dr. King speak about the collective power we yield when we, the people, stand up for justice. is a proud piece of our community's history and a milestone in West Philly's story tradition of leading our society into a more equitable future. Philadelphia is the birthplace of modern democracy and freedom. But for most of our nation's history, the rights enshrined into law by our founding fathers at 5th and Chestnut did not apply to those who lived at 40th and Haverford. Luckily Philly's quest for true freedom did not end when Congress left Independence Mall. Because whether we are talking about 1965 or 2024, West and Southwest Philly loudly challenged America to live up to its promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Every year on MLK Day we Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle and recommit ourselves to the values Dr. King asked our community to model nearly 60 years ago, compassion, justice and peace. This January will mark the sixth year I participate in this tradition, but it will feel different for many reasons, and not just because we will have a newly named street and a freshly restored mural. While we gather in community on the very same day down in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald Trump will be taking the oath of office, officially marking the start of what we know will be some of the darkest four years in our nation's history. This body will not meet again until after President-elect Trump and his cronies seize control of meeting, we may very well have to reckon with new crises such as the mass deportation of our constituents, a crumbling economy brought upon us by ill-advised tariffs, a rollback of our fundamental rights and cracks in the very foundation of our democratic institutions that were started right here in this city. But today's street renaming makes me recall Dr. King's teaching, that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. The newly minted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle is both a recognition of our history and a recommitment to fighting for a future with collective care and liberation, just as Dr. King taught us to do. your leadership, Council President, this body is working to ensure that no matter what is happening in Washington, Philadelphia remains a place where everyone can thrive regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic background or immigration status. Too much is at stake to sit back and wait for what we know is coming. We must continue to show the world that the City of Philadelphia, just like Dr. Martin Luther King, will always be a "drum major for justice, peace and righteousness." Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Very briefly, Council President and colleagues. I first and foremost want to thank you all for your vote today and your support for our Prison Oversight legislation. As I thank Councilmember O'Rourke earlier for working closely with my office and my team to pass this historic legislation, I know it's a lot of other stuff going on. But at the end of the day since Thanksgiving alone, there has been four stabbings at the prisons and two guards who've been charged with smuggling contraband in the jail. So when we look at the issues that we're facing in the prison, I automatically think of our former colleague Sharon Vaughn who, while wasn't in Council that long, took on this issue and tried her best to raise awareness around that we're facing. I think about Councilmember O'Rourke's speech in Council a little while ago when he talked in-depth about some of the horrific conditions and experiences that the prisoners and the staff and the folks who are out there are dealing with. So I just want to take a moment to thank the Defender's Association, the Prison Society and a special thank you to the Abolitionist Law Center and my man Saleem. I want to give him a personal shout-out for his advocacy and sticking with us throughout the course of this process. I want to recognize both District Councils 33 and 47, but especially District Council 47 for their willingness to sit with my team to figure out exactly what to look like. And of course, we have to thank Mayor Parker. Thank you Mayor Parker, Rachel and her entire team for working with us. We've been in negotiations with the Mayor for the entire year so while all the other issues are taking place and while we're discussing a lot of things, we still were able to put ourselves in a position to essentially get this done. And as I close out, Council President, I could not have done this without my staff. And I know we don't give our staff a lot of credit, but Dave Maynard and Dan and Don Miller in my office, them three specifically, have met with people for over two years, two years, Council President, in order to put us in a position for this into law today. But the work continues. Next year we'll continue to work with the Mayor and the Coalition to put us in a position to define exactly what this Prison Oversight Board will look like. We're also going to ask the constituents of Philadelphia to vote on this matter because it will turn into a ballot measure. And I want to close out by thanking my colleague Councilmember Jones. He doesn't even know this, but the work that he did with the CPOC, with the Board that he helped lead, is a foundation that we tried to use to put us in a position to be able to get this passed. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues. And, the City of Philadelphia, we you around this legislation and hope to earn your vote next year so this becomes the new law of the land and in the City of Philadelphia as it relates to prison oversight. Thank you all. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. This year was a very different year for me as a first member first-term Councilmember, right. So a look at the things that we had to accomplish, right. This year we have -- my office removed 300 cars, 300 abandoned cars from the street. We've taken thousands of constituent service requests, but I think our last day -- we spent so much time on this arena and it took away time from doing the little things that matter in our Districts and in our communities. And the Pastor that said the prayer today he mentioned, he said something that kind of resonated with me when he talked about marginalized communities and taking care of the least of thee. And I think that when as I sit here on this body and I make decisions, those two are always at the forefront of decisions that I make, marginalized communities and taking care of the least of thee. But this particular proposal for this arena, I want folks to know that it is not an arena that has caused issues or that folks are upset with. I really think that if this was differently, a little bit more thoughtful, we could come to a conclusion that would benefit all Philadelphians. I think that when we allow companies, corporations to basically create the deal, I don't think that that is always in the best interest of the residents of the city of Philadelphia. And you look at what this deal is, it has some positives, it has some great things, that I think City Council under your leadership, Mr. President, was able to accomplish with the historic 50 percent goals in our EOP, historic. But we need to have those historic points because this is a historic development. This is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. And when these once-in-a-lifetime itself, we have to govern what I think is in the best interest of the public. And understanding what arena deals are and what stadium deals are and looking at all the facts and looking at history, when history tells us that the revenue projected will not come, when history tells us that the destruction of communities is likely, we have to ask for a little bit more when it comes to protecting these communities. And so, when I threw out there early that $300 million figure, it wasn't just out of thin air, right. It was not. It was out of what our real tax projections are going to be over the next 30 years, right, and that we have to think about that. It's 30 years. at what the impact is going to be on our public services. So they say there's no public money going into -- there's no City money going into this. But at the same time, yes, there's no City public dollars, but our City is still going to get taxed, we're going to get taxed with the issue of SEPTA and traffic and transportation, right. We're going to get taxed. And, yes, it's a great deal for our brothers and sisters in the union, it is a great deal, and I can tell you that there are some wins for you all in this deal, some great wins in this deal. But we have to look at the landscape of our entire city and taking care of our students that go to Dobbins and Ben Franklin and Youth Build and Mastbaum and Edison and Randolph, those kids, I just don't see where it is guaranteed that they're going to benefit from this arena. And those are the kids that we have to look out for in our communities if we're say they're the future. Those students we need to provide real opportunities for them, not just these dreams that they'll be able to participate. Where is it on paper, right. I'm using my experience as an attorney.
I mean, I can't help it. That's just who I am, to look at deals from a different perspective. And this deal for the City of Philadelphia for the residents of the 5th District I do not believe was the best deal from the beginning. And I think that Council has done its due diligence. its due diligence and done what Council believes is in the best interest of their constituencies. I really truly believe that and understanding what capitalism really is. We are going to increase the value of the Philadelphia 76ers by at least 50 percent by this. And so, what that means is that they $4-something billion company is going to go to about $6 billion or $7 billion. Billion is a lot of money when you think about how we can level up. We're trying to level up. Let's get more of the pie. If we come together collectively, we can get more of the pie and the people will win. And I think that as we move forward in developing our city and developing East Market Street, I look forward to working with the Council President, working with the Mayor, on ensuring that our communities really benefit from this deal because that's the only way that this will be a success, if our communities really benefit from this deal. And as I look forward and I see the things that are happening in the chambers today, you know, it reminded me of stories I've heard from -- everyone knows I'm a proud Girard College graduate, but stories I've heard from the Cecil B. Moore Freedom Fighters when they were protesting Girard College to integrate Girard College to do what's right for the community for the people, to allow me this education to be here at this very moment, right. The Freedom Fighters who just had a birthday, like Bernyce DeVaughn, like Vivian -- Attorney Vivian Crawford, those were young people protesting for what's right, to do what's right. They were dragged around, dragged out, hauled in jail for protesting what is right. And I look at what my ancestors would say who held this seat, what would my ancestors say, what would Dr. Ethel Allen say, right, what would the honorable Judge Raymond Pace Alexander say, what would Cecil B. Moore say, what would they say when this vote came up, what did my community say, what did the 5th District say. As I went around and talked to folks, talked to hundreds of people and only two people who did not have an economic political said that this is something that they wanted to see for our city at this current rate. And so, when you have all these facts, because these are facts, facts about what arena deals are and what they project and things like -- these are all facts. So when you have all these facts and we're entrusted by the people to make the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare of the community, I think I had to come to that decision because I believe that's the right thing to do. And I want folks to know I am not anti-development, antilabor. I am 100 percent in solidarity with our labor movement. And they have to realize it was less than 100 years ago when members of the labor movement were abused, right, for fighting for equity and efficiency to have their voice in their careers, to have a seat at the bargaining table. There's a lot of similarities there, a lot of solidarity that can be there. But we can't never bargain in bad faith and I think that's what this -- I think that was what was presented to us from the very beginning. It was a bargain in bad faith.
And so, as we think about our future and developing our city where we have a potential $11 billion SEPTA subway, right, on the Roosevelt Boulevard, something that unions will be able to build, as we think about our School District infrastructure, right, and working with Councilmember Thomas on the School Development Authority, right, we think about how those for our communities, for our members, for our brothers in the unions to provide for their families, there's going to be opportunities. So it's not about the opportunity that you have presented in front of you. It's about spreading that cheese and that's how I've been saying it, right. It's more that we can get for our city because we will be taxed at some point. And, Mr. President, I know I'm rambling. I normally don't ramble. I'm normally very consistent and concise, but I think I just want to point home that we don't even have a Greyhound station anymore. I mean, let's think about that. That's a tax that's going to come on our public, right, on the public space. What are we going to do about that and how can we use really think about the value of our city and the leverage that we really have as a people in this city. And so, thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate you allowing me some time today. )
Thank you, Councilmember Young. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. I will be brief. This has been an extremely difficult month or so for so many of us. And what I am looking forward to in January is that we do have a Donald Trump 2.0 coming, and that is very, very scary bad news. And so, I hold a hearing to look at the City's readiness and commitment to protecting immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, all marginalized communities and also our commitment to protecting our reproductive freedom here in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, that hearing is not going to happen until January, but I will say that we're gathering community experts, experts from organizations, legal experts to talk to us about not only the great laws that we already have on the books, but really hearing even from the Administration about what we're willing to enforce, what needs to be made stronger and where we have to go as a city. So I'm glad to have that hearing. I think it's going to lot of things, so we can make sure that we're sending the message to everybody in Philadelphia, that you're protected here in Philadelphia and that we got your back. I know Council does. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
That's it. Oh, that's -- I think I could go on and on and on. Thank you.
That completes our speeches for the day. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the Sergeantat-Arm staff, the Chief Clerk and their staff. (Applause.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: I think Liz isn't in here, but also thank our Interim Chief Clerk who will be made permanent after the new year. Let's give her and her team a round of applause. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge my Tech team to the left. Let's give them a round of applause, all of them who are here making sure we're moving forward. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge the Office of Civil Affairs. I want to thank them as well for working with us. (Applause.)
I also thank our Sheriff's Department. We thank Philadelphia Police Department. I thank them as well. (Applause.)
But most importantly, this is my first year as Council President so my word for the today is gratitude, so I want to thank all the members of the City Council for your support. (Applause.)
I think -- I know for a fact as a body we have accomplished much during this past year. I also believe that every member of this body works hard day-in and day-out to improve the quality of life of all Philadelphians here in the city of Philadelphia. We will never all agree on every single issue because we're all individuals who have been sent constituencies and we all have our own particular issues that we're focused on, but the common goal is working to improve the quality of life of all Philadelphians. And so, I want to thank each and every last Councilmen for your hard work and your dedication. We walk and chew bubble gum contrary to popular belief. And so, I just want to thank you for your hard work, your dedication. I want to say happy holidays to everyone. If I don't see you as well, Happy New Year. And this completes our first session of City Council this year. At this time, the Chair recognizes my Majority Leader. I'm going to give it to Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Council President, and thank you very much for your leadership this year. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until January 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you very ) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. C. P. L.