Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 1 6/15/2023 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 15, 2023 10:37 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN SHARON VAUGHN MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 2 6/15/2023
We're going to get started very shortly. Thank you. We'll get rocking. We have a quorum, so we're going to get started. So to give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Kari Olson of the East Falls Presbyterian Church. She is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
Thank you, Councilmember Clarke, Council President Clarke, and I am grateful to Councilmember Jones for the invitation to be here with you. I bring you greetings from the wonderful people of East Falls Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 3 6/15/2023 peace to you. I'd like you to join your hearts with mine in the spirit of prayer. Holy one, we give you thanks for this day, which presents us with another opportunity to serve the people of this City of Philadelphia. We come before you this morning representing a variety of faiths, neighborhoods, districts, interests, and perspectives, but united as people dedicated to making our city a better place for all who live, learn, work, worship, and play here. At times, though, God, we are overwhelmed by the issues facing our city, issues of gun violence and poverty, hunger, housing insecurity, addiction, education, and the list goes on. We pray for your peace to come and be made manifest in our city, your peace that is shalom, wholeness, holistic wellbeing for the whole community, your Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 4 6/15/2023 is, as Dr. King said, not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice. Bring your peace and healing and wholeness and make a way where there seems to be no way. Grant wisdom and courage to the members of this City Council. Equip them with all they need to do their work, and to do it in a spirit of wisdom, kindness, and justice. Help them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to benefit the good of all Philadelphians. We pray thy name for Council President Darrell Clarke, for Councilmembers Mark Squilla, Kenyatta Johnson, Jamie Gauthier, Curtis Jones, Michael Driscoll, Quetcy Lozada, Cindy Bass, Anthony Phillips, Brian O'Neill, Kendra Brooks, Sharon Vaughn, Jim Harrity, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and Isaiah Thomas. We give you thanks that they have accepted the call to love and serve Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 5 6/15/2023 city. And so as they do the business set before them this day, guide them to be leaders who consider the least of these among us, that their decisions would demonstrate care for those who are most vulnerable in our midst, that we might truly be the City of Brotherly and Sisterly and Sibling Love. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you. Thank you so much, Reverend, for your spiritual guidance this morning. We really appreciate it. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you, and, Reverend, thank you again. We really appreciate you being here today. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 6 6/15/2023 Thursday, June 8, 2023, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 8th, 2023 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of members of Council, there is a request for leave of absence by Member Thomas. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 7 6/15/2023
The Chair thanks the gentleman, and leave shall be granted for Councilman Thomas. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to the session today. Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 8 6/15/2023 be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not 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 in the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilman Squilla may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of the session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 9 6/15/2023
The ayes have it and the motion passes. And our next order of business is communications, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the messages from the Mayor or any other communications that he may have in his possession today.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 230302, 230402, 230407, 230410, 230412, 230413, 230414, 230437, 230438, 230440, 230442, 230443, 230444, 230446, 230447, 230448, and 230455. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 10 6/15/2023 and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Third Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 372, 702 Cantrell Street; 613, 625 and 723 Mercy Street; 737 Tree Street; 535, 537 and 602 Winton Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 11 6/15/2023 to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2903 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 2907 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 2925 Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 1631 North Bailey Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution approving the Lease Amendment, Assignment and Assumption Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Center City Redevelopment Area, identified as a portion of 2025 through 29 Chestnut Street, including floors four through seven and a portion of the first floor; and A resolution approving the reappointment of Sonny Popowsky to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 12 6/15/2023 or a lesser interest, by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, for the purpose of making, enlarging, connecting, extending, operating, and maintaining public parks for recreational use, certain parcels of land, generally bounded and located between Vine Street, Fairmount Avenue, 8th Street and 12th Street, together with all improvements thereon and all associated easements and appurtenances; and to lease the property, or a portion thereof, to the Center City District, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you so much, Council President. On behalf of my colleague Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, I extend a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 13 6/15/2023 and welcome to his Champion of the Week, Big Picture Alliance. They are Executive Director Aleks Martray and Youth Representative Keisha Datts. May you stand. (Applause.)
Great. Big Picture Alliance empowers youth filmmakers and creatives by giving them the tools and skills to bring their ideas and experiences to life. Through peer-to-peer mentorship, after-school and summer programming, Big Picture Alliance has been helping young Philadelphians break into the film industry for over 30 years. Big Picture Alliance provides quality out-of-school-time programming, which we know is exceedingly important to Councilmember Thomas, and it helps to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 14 6/15/2023 keep kids occupied out of school in a productive way. They have an upcoming film festival Thursday, June 22nd from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the One Art Community Center in West Philadelphia. Welcome to Philadelphia City Council. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the titles of the bills and resolutions that are being offered by our members today.
Councilman Phillips offers an ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Spaces - Prohibited Conduct," by prohibiting certain facial Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 15 6/15/2023 coverings from being worn in certain spaces, all under certain terms and conditions. Mr. President, Councilman Phillips would like to be recognized.
Good morning, colleagues and members of the viewing public. On several occasions, neighbors have asked me, Councilman, when will you ban those masks? I know some of my Council colleagues who are here today have gotten similar questions. Well, today marks the beginning of the process to address this issue, because this morning I'm introducing a ski mask ban. Among several states, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia all have facial covering bans. Before the pandemic, New York City and DC also had a facial covering ban. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 16 6/15/2023 With my bill, Philadelphia will be next. Before the pandemic, it was well understood that when you see someone wearing a ski mask, they're about to commit a crime. That's why folks wear them, to remain anonymous while committing crimes. Now, if we look at recent police footage of shootings and robberies in the City, many of these people are wearing ski masks, and because of an imprisoned rapper named Pooh Shiesty who started this trend, you cannot distinguish a misguided kid from a common criminal. That is a problem. It is a problem that we cannot ignore. We cannot ignore it, because neighbors feel unsafe. We cannot ignore it, because police struggle to identify a suspect in these masks. And we cannot ignore it because this is both a public safety issue and a quality of life issue. Our quality of life suffers when folks feel intimidated while going about their Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 17 6/15/2023 daily life in the City. The discourse on this subject has been focused on whether it will stop shootings. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that it will, but what it will do is make it easier for the police to identify suspects and make our neighbors feel safer. We cannot remain silent on this issue. When our neighbors, our seniors, mothers, aunts, grandparents, and children feel intimidated in their own neighborhoods, it is time that we listen to their concerns and ban these masks. Before the pandemic, no one would have defended wearing ski masks in 90-degree heat. There's simply no reasonable justification for what we're seeing play out in this city. So, parents, stop letting your children wear them. Stop buying them for your children. And, young people, stop wearing them. And I'll take the opportunity Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 18 6/15/2023 to encourage business owners to stop allowing people to wear ski masks in their stores as well. You cannot serve in these communities and be scared of the people you're serving. With that said, I would like to thank my co-sponsors, Councilmember Jim Harrity, who has been there every step of the way in support of this. Thank you, Jim. And Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Lozada, Councilman Squilla, Councilman O'Neill, Councilman Driscoll, and Councilmember Vaughn, thank you for co-sponsoring this very important legislation. Thank you, Council President. God bless.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers three Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 19 6/15/2023 resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, a non-privileged resolution calling on PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works, and the Philadelphia Water Department to make information about residential energy use and energy costs easily accessible for property owners in the City of Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works, and the Philadelphia Water Department to develop comprehensive plans to reduce energy costs to consumers and to improve energy efficiency.
And on behalf of Councilmember Thomas, a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week, the Youth Leaders and young filmmakers of the Big Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 20 6/15/2023 Picture Alliance, who will be premiering their original short films at this year's Big Picture Film Festival this month.
This week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah. Thank you, Council President. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge some guests who are joining me today for Council business. I want to take a moment and ask them to stand. We have with us today former World Champion of Philadelphia Phillies Dickie Ray Noles. Could you please stand. The 1980 World Championship team. (Applause.)
You never got that championship in 1980, so we want to thank Mr. Dickie Noles for being here Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 21 6/15/2023 with us today. And he's joined also by Philadelphia Phillies executives Rob Holiday, who is the Director of Amateur Scouting Administration, as well as my good -- give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
As well as he's also joined by my good friend, Philadelphia Phillies Executive Vice President for Marketing, Mr. Mike Harris. Thank you for being here as well. (Applause.)
Thank you. Mr. Noles, you didn't bring that ring? I understand. We wanted to see Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 22 6/15/2023 a little bling, bling. We don't get those too often. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, gentlemen, for being here today. We really appreciate it. Mr. Decker.
Councilman Jones offers one bill and ten resolutions, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 4001 Cresson Street."
And on behalf of Council President Clarke, a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 3107 Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 2401 North Thirty-second Street.
Next Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 23 6/15/2023 week's Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2903 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the Lease Amendment, Assumption and Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Center City Redevelopment Area, identified as a portion of 2025 through 2029 Chestnut Street.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1217 Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 24 6/15/2023 Pennock Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 815 West Firth Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1625 through 41 North 10th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution rescinding the authorization granted to the Philadelphia Land Bank by Resolution No. 220749, adopted by City Council on September 29, 2022, to dispose of 1426 through 32 North Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 25 6/15/2023 27th Street, located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to conduct hearings regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, as an additional law enforcement tool that would enhance public safety in the City of Philadelphia.
And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers a non-privileged resolution also naming the 5600 block of West Girard Avenue as "Reverend James S. Allen Way."
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to modernize Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 26 6/15/2023 intermodal high-level communications to reestablish an effort to ensure Philadelphia can actively efficiently respond to a crisis.
Thank you, Mr. President. It was never more clear, never more evident that when the I-95 situation occurred, that there was a need for rapid communications. I had to reach out to my colleagues that were directly affected by its collapse. But, more importantly, on a regular basis, whether it's natural disasters such as flooding and rain, whether it's water disasters when we find out that a major section of Philadelphia had contamination in their water, that the Commissioners should be able to reach out and contact elected officials. Elected officials should conversely be able to reach Commissioners to get Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 27 6/15/2023 accurate information to be disseminated to the public. When that doesn't happen, misinformation happens, bad advice happens, and it's chaotic. Back in the day -- and I use that term -- we had a communications process that a lady would connect you, almost like a phone operator, that if you didn't want to give out your phone number to a Commissioner or the Commissioner wanted to give out their phone number to you, they would make that connection. They would make that call so that in cases of emergency or dire need, people could connect to people. I think it's time that we revisit that. I think I named it in the resolution, the name of the lady. What's her name?
Well, you called the switchboard and then you get -- you remember this, special Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 28 6/15/2023 communications with folk. It's time to reinstitute that, but intermodal, an e-mail chain, a text stream, a phone call, member to Commissioner, Commissioner to member, has to be a part of our rapid response communications, and I look forward to working in this Administration but look forward to instituting it in the next so that we can stay connected. Member Phillips represented -not Member Phillips, but Member Driscoll was pushed into a situation where he needed every hand on deck. He was out there for what seemed like days, but his ability to mobilize all of us is an important factor in responding to manmade or natural crisis. Thank you, Mr. President.
Councilman Johnson offers three resolutions. On Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 29 6/15/2023 behalf of Council President Clarke, a non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Sonny Popowsky to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board. And on his own behalf, Councilman Johnson offers a non-privileged resolution urging the members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame's "Golden Era Committee" to nominate and elect former Philadelphia Phillies great Dick Allen to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027. Mr. President, Councilman Johnson would like to be recognized for a motion on this resolution.
Thank you, Council President. Before I be acknowledged for the motion on this resolution, I just have a few remarks. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 30 6/15/2023 Today I've introduced a City Council resolution urging the members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Golden Days Era Committee to nominate and elect former Philadelphia Phillies great Dick Allen to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027. In December of 2021, Mr. Allen fell one vote short of getting into the Hall of Fame for the second time in a row. Allen's supporters will now have to wait until the Golden Days Era Committee votes in December of 2026 to see if Mr. Allen will finally make it into the Hall of Fame. After speaking with the Phillies and Mr. Allen's family, I have introduced this resolution to show that City Council and the City of Philadelphia support having him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mr. Allen is not just one of the greatest players in Phillies history, but is considered the Phillies first Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 31 6/15/2023 African American superstar. His statistics alone show that he is long overdue to be inducted into the Baseball Half of Fame. A seven-time Major League Baseball all-star, Dick Allen spent nine of his 15 Major League seasons from 1963 to '77 with the Philadelphia Phillies and won National League Rookie of the Year in 1964. 290 with 204 doubles, 204 home runs, 655 runs batted in, and played in 1,070 games. His slugging percentage is second best in Phillies history, behind only Hall of Famer Chuck Klein, and he ranks 10th in the team history in home runs. Mr. Allen, whose No. 15 was retired by the Philadelphia Phillies club in September of 2020, became one of the all-time greats in Phillies history after being signed by the team in 1960 to his first professional contract. He joined the Phillies' front Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 32 6/15/2023 office in 1994 as a Fan Development Representative and later a Club Ambassador. Mr. Allen passed away on December the 7th of 2020 at the age of 78. Mr. Allen is only the ninth member of the franchise in its 140-plus year history to have his jersey retired. The other Phillies alumni to be so honored also have plaques hanging in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York is Richie Ashburn, Jim Bunning, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Roy Halladay, Robin Roberts, Allen as well as Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein. The legacy of Mr. Allen will continue for generations to come, thanks to the newly named Dick Allen Field at the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy that was dedicated last week at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, which is in the Second Councilmanic District. The Dick Allen Field is another Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 33 6/15/2023 great reminder for our next generation of players of what he endured as an African American player while still achieving great success. Dick Allen's legacy will never be forgotten. And, again, I want to thank former World Champion Phillies player Dickie Ray Noles for coming to City Council today to testify in support of this resolution. Mr. Noles was a Major League pitcher with several teams during his career and played for the Phillies from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1990. Dickie was also a member of the 1980 World Series Championship team pitching and relief. Noles was a player in the minor leagues when he first was introduced to Allen. The two later became great friends. I urge my colleagues here to approve the passage of this resolution. Once this resolution is approved, one Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 34 6/15/2023 copy will be given to the Philadelphia Phillies so they can send it directly to the National Baseball League Hall of Fame's Golden Days Era Committee and a second copy will be give to Mr.
Allen's family to show them that the City of Philadelphia and City Council supports their efforts to get their loved one inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. And with that being said, Council President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of this resolution at today's session of Council. )
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 35 6/15/2023 ayes have it. The resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you, Councilman.
Councilman Johnson offers a non-privileged resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act, sponsored by Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Dwight Evans, and to ensure that victims and co-victims of gun violence have access to the resources and support necessary to recover from the impacts of gun violence.
Councilwoman Lozada offers a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1702 North Third Street and 2303 North Lawrence Street. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 36 6/15/2023
Councilwoman Gauthier offers three resolutions, a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to conduct a hearing on the City of Philadelphia's capacity to prepare individuals of all educational backgrounds for careers in the growing life sciences industry, with a focus on the cell and gene therapy subsector.
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 300 block of North Holly Street "Winnie Harris Way."
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force to study and develop Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 37 6/15/2023 reparations proposals for Black Philadelphian Descendents of Enslaved Africans in the United States.
Thank you, Council President. It is crystal clear that many of the crises plaguing our city have their roots in American slavery. And while I am proud that Philadelphia is a beacon of progressive ideals and diversity, we know that Black Philadelphians who descended from enslaved Africans endure racism that's baked into the foundation of our city and society. Therefore, the City has a duty to join with state and federal government and remove and rectify extraordinary racial disparities. Because not only did the government never atone for its original sin of American slavery, but for generations after the Civil War, General Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 38 6/15/2023 Order No. 3 and the Fourteenth Amendment, lawmakers enacted and encouraged policies that subjugated Black residents to second-class citizenship. Redlining prevented Black families from earning generational wealth. Predatory companies and individuals tricked Black residents into, quote, "buying homes on contracts," turning Black families who just wanted a home of their own into cash cows. Employers paid Black employees less than their white counterparts, continuing the centuries-long tradition of exploiting Black bodies for labor, and segregated public schools for its children of color to learn in crumbling and overcrowded environments, preventing generations of already disadvantaged young people from obtaining the high-quality education they needed to escape crippling poverty. So when this body discusses implementing bold solutions that get at the root of problems like poverty and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 39 6/15/2023 gentrification, reparations must be a part of that conversation, because reparations are not a handout, they are what the descendents of enslaved Africans are owed and need. And nowhere is this more apparent than the gun violence epidemic that disproportionately impacts our working-class Black residents. You can trace a direct line from the decades of racially motivated disinvestment in Black neighborhoods to gun violence. We all know that it is no accident that formerly redlined areas full of blighted properties, crumbling schools, and uncollected dumping experience the most violent crime. And until these communities receive the investments required to rectify these problems, gun violence will continue to haunt this city. And so I am proud that today on the eve of Juneteenth we are taking a step towards loosening slavery's lingering chokehold on the descendents of Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 40 6/15/2023 enslaved Africans by establishing the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force. The Philadelphia Reparations Task Force will complete a comprehensive, data-driven study to determine if and how our city was complicit in slavery. And while there's no way to truly eradicate past wrongs, the Task Force will recommend concrete steps, financial and otherwise, we can take to eradicate extraordinary racial disparities. Until we look into our past with the determination to uncover the entire truth, no matter how ugly or scary that truth may be, our original sin will continue to toxify the present and the future. Thank you to the neighbors who have been pushing this city to take this necessary step, especially Breanna, Rashaun, and the entire Philadelphia N'COBRA Chapter. It is because of your activism that we are here today. And I know that Rashaun and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 41 6/15/2023 Breanna are here. I'd like them to stand up and be recognized. (Applause.)
And thank you to Councilmember Brooks as well as the co-sponsors of this resolution for your partnership. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I'm proud to co-introduce this resolution with my colleague Councilmember Gauthier. Every day we can see the ongoing impact of slavery and racist policies on the people of Philadelphia. And despite the heroic efforts of Black leaders and the astounding resilience of Black Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 42 6/15/2023 communities, Black children still get far fewer resources and opportunities than white children, and Black families still suffer from poverty, violence, and other dangerous conditions at a far higher rate than white families. And as a restorative justice practitioner, I believe that we cannot escape this cycle of poverty and violence without addressing the original cause of harm, and we owe it to the people of Philadelphia, the largest portion whom are Black, to examine reparations as a way to make up for hundreds of years of exploitation and move towards the equality that Black people have always deserved. Thank you so much, Council President.
Councilman Driscoll offers two resolutions, a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 43 6/15/2023 privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to examine the impacts of and funding alternatives for an extension of the existing Broad Street Subway Line into the underserved Northeast along the Roosevelt Boulevard.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing, in conjunction with the City Labor Department and the Office of the Mayor, a "Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform" to reexamine the role and mission of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, and its enforcement of the "Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," the "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and departmental regulations of businesses, trades, and professions; to recommend revisions to the Code and changes to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 44 6/15/2023 facilitate more effective enforcement of the code and to clarify the mission of various Departments and Agencies impacting businesses and workers in the City; to set a direction for future Administrations and City Council to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all workers, residents, and businesses in the City.
Councilman O'Neill offers a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating GQ Aviation on nearly a decade of service as a premier flight school at the Philadelphia Northeast Airport and recognizing its exceptional leadership in promoting diversity in the Northeast Philadelphia community and aviation industry at-large.
This week's Calendar. Hold on, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 45 6/15/2023 O'Neill.
Yes, Mr. President. Thank you. Today I'm introducing this resolution, along with Councilman Johnson, Chair of our City Council Transportation Committee, honoring and congratulating GQ Aviation on nearly a decade of service as a premier flight school at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport and recognizing its exceptional leadership in promoting diversity in the Northeast Philadelphia community and aviation industry. GQ Aviation was founded in 2015 and is the only minority-owned private flight school in the Northeast corridor. They are proud to tout a 100 percent student passage rate. This is both small aircraft and helicopters. I was up there a couple months ago and it really was an eye-opener for me. This person I'm about to mention, Faisal Husein, is here with us today, and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 46 6/15/2023 I just want to welcome him and thank him for his contributions to our city.
Councilman Squilla offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire, on behalf of the City, fee simple title or a lesser interest, by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, for the purpose of making, enlarging, connecting, extending, operating, and maintaining public parks for recreational use, Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 47 6/15/2023 land, generally bounded and located between Vine Street, Fairmount Avenue, 8th Street and 12th Street."
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 372, 702 Cantrell Street; 613, 625 and 723 Mercy Street; 737 Tree Street; 535, 537 and 602 Winton Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a report from the Committee on Rules. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 48 6/15/2023
Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Rules reports out of the Committee 11 bills. I didn't even need a script for that.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 230407, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Bristol Street, Old York Road, Hunting Park Avenue and Park Avenue"; and Bill No. 230410, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' to add an overlay Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 49 6/15/2023 injection sites for narcotics"; and Bill No. 230412, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by the Schuylkill River, Passyunk Avenue, 61st Street, Lindbergh Boulevard, Grays Avenue, 49th Street, Paschall Avenue, and Grays Ferry Avenue"; and Bill No. 230437, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled '/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Overlay District,' by amending the East Falls Neighborhood Commercial Review Area"; and Bill No. 230440, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-406 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'SP-STA, Sports Stadium (Special Purpose) District,' by expanding allowable signage in an area bounded by North Access Road, 11th Street, Terminal Avenue, and Broad Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 50 6/15/2023 Street"; and Bill No. 230442, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Foulkrod Street, Hawthorne Street, Margaret Street, and Duffield Street"; and Bill No. 230443, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by creating a new subsection entitled 'Warrington Affordable Housing Overlay District'"; and Bill No. 230446, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 54th Street, Chester Avenue, 55th Street and Regent Street"; and Bill No. 230447, entitled "An Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 51 6/15/2023 Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 50th Street, Springfield Avenue, SEPTA Railroad Right-of-Way and Warrington Avenue"; and Bill No. 230448, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by amending Section 14-514, entitled /FNE, Far Northeast Overlay District, Section 14-515, entitled /NE, Northeast Overlay District, and Section 14-524, entitled /FDO, Fourth District Overlay District by creating regulations for Medical Marijuana"; and Bill No. 230455, entitled "An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Johnson Street, Morton Street, Tulpehocken Street, the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 52 6/15/2023 Line, Haines Street, Germantown Avenue, Rittenhouse Street, McCallum Street, Harvey Street, McCallum Street, Washington Lane, and Cherokee Street," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of the 11 bills that recently have been submitted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the 11 bills read by the Clerk. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 53 6/15/2023 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and these bills will be on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports eight bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 230408, entitled "An ordinance amending Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 54 6/15/2023 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area,' to provide for additional extensions of certain benefits"; and Bill No. 230418, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Real Estate Taxes,' by requiring advertising in community papers, the availability of tax relief programs, residential foreclosure diversion programs, housing counseling assistance and installment payment agreements, to help neighborhood residents manage financial hardships"; and Bill No. 230419, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Real Estate Taxes,' to require notices of property assessed value and real estate tax liability, including information on the availability and application process for Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 55 6/15/2023 agreements, Homestead, Tax exemption for Long-time Owner Occupants and other tax relief programs"; and Bill No. 230449, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Director of Planning and Development, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant; to file applications to participate in the HOME Investment Partnership program and Emergency Solutions Grant program; and to apply for a Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant"; and Bill No. 230450, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment agreement with Citizens Bank National Association for provision of payroll banking services to the City"; and Bill No. 230451, entitled "An Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 56 6/15/2023 Year 2024 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds in connection therewith"; and Bill No. 230452, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Supplemental Service Agreement to the Service Agreement between The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority relating originally to the financing of a home repair program for City homeowners previously authorized by the City pursuant to Ordinance (Bill No. 170878) of the Council of the City, approved by the Mayor on December 12, 2017; authorizing the amendment of such program to include the Turn the Key program, bridge and other loans for tax credit projects, and other affordable housing production programs"; and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 57 6/15/2023 230453, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City to enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading this day of the eight bills that were just read in by the Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the eight bills Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 58 6/15/2023 All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and those bills will be on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a report from the Committee on Law and Government.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Law and Government reports three bills and one resolution with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read that report. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 59 6/15/2023
The Committee on Law and Government, to which was referred Bill No. 230005, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-1102 through 1123 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Verification of Life Partnerships,' by removing gendered language relating to same-sex and same-gender couples, expanding access to this Life Partnerships regardless of gender"; and Bill No. 230411, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of an Office for People with Disabilities"; and Bill No. 230435, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Contracts and Procurement,' to modify contractor reporting obligations related to women Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 60 6/15/2023 board members and executive staff"; and Resolution No. 230430, entitled a "Resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of an Office for People with Disabilities, to provide for the powers and duties of such Office, to eliminate a duplicative office and to otherwise provide for the incorporation of the Office into the City government," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable -- bills and resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 61 6/15/2023 230005, 230411, and 230435. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of Bills No. 230005, 230411, 230435. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and Resolution No. 230430 will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at the next session of Council and the bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada for a report from the Committee on Public Property and Public Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 62 6/15/2023
Thank you, Council President. The Committee of Public Property and Public Works reports nine bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Public Property and Public Works, to which was referred Bill No. 230354, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with The Magee Hospital for Convalescence doing business as Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Jefferson Health for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard"; and Bill No. 230355, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 63 6/15/2023 Complex Associates for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 7801 Essington Avenue"; and Bill No. 230357, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Impact Services Corporation for the use by the City of the Premises located at 1952 East Allegheny Avenue"; and Bill No. 230360, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in and about the area bounded by Castor Avenue, Richmond Street, Lewis Street, and North Delaware Avenue"; and Bill No. 230361, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 64 6/15/2023 the City of the Premises located at 8716 through 20 Frankford Avenue"; and Bill No. 230362, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with BAM RBC 1, for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2807 through 2817 Southampton Road"; and Bill No. 230363, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Hope Plaza, Incorporated for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2150 West Somerset Street"; and Bill No. 230413, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land containing approximately 23,595 square feet, located in and about Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 65 6/15/2023 Market Street, 39th Street, Ludlow Street and 40th Street"; and Bill No. 230414, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Belmont Avenue, Mantua Avenue, 42nd Street, and West Girard Avenue," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the nine bills that were just read into the record by the Clerk. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 66 6/15/2023 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the nine bills just reported by the Clerk. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion passes, and these bills will be on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Thomas, the Committee on Streets and Services reports four bills Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 67 6/15/2023
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 230277, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Erdrick Street from Princeton Avenue to Tyson Avenue"; and Bill No. 230307, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Cafes,' by permitting sidewalk cafes to be maintained on Frankford Avenue, both sides, from Harbison Avenue to Sheffield Avenue; Cottman Avenue, both sides, from Erdrick Street to Leon Street; Ryan Avenue, both sides, from Frankford Avenue to Leon Street; Robbins Avenue, both sides, from Frankford Avenue to Mulberry Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 68 6/15/2023 Street; Sackett Street, both sides, from Frankford Avenue to Levick Street; and the area bounded by Frankford Avenue, Levick Street, Hawthorne Street and Hellerman Street"; and Bill No. 230441, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations on certain streets in the area bounded by South 63rd Street, Passyunk Avenue, Essington Avenue, South 70th Street, and Lindbergh Boulevard"; and Bill No. 230454, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 11-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Right of Way Management,' by revising requirements for obtaining access to and permits for construction in the underground portion of the right-of-way and making technical changes; and amending Chapter 9-300, entitled 'Communication,' by deleting provisions relating to poles and overhead wires," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 69 6/15/2023 with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 230277, 230307, 230441, and 230454. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 230277, 230307, 230441, and 230454. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 70 6/15/2023
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and these bills will be on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson for a report from the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities.
Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, to which was referred Bill No. 220491, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 71 6/15/2023 into Use and Lease Agreements between the City and each of the airlines servicing Philadelphia International Airport," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Before I move for the adoption of the resolution, I do want to thank the team at the Philadelphia International Airport as well as American Airlines. This represents a $935 million investment in the Philadelphia International Airport, with a goal of making us the number one airport in our country. And so I do thank the Airport team in working out a great deal with American Airlines to invest in our Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 72 6/15/2023 that being said, Council President, I move that the rules of Council be permitted [sic] so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 220491. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 220491. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and it will be on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 73 6/15/2023 committee, and our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had their first reading and those bills will be placed on our Second and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. There are no additional bills on the First Reading, so the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion concerning the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda for consideration of the following resolutions on Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 23059 -- 459, 230494, 230495, 230496, 230503, 230504, 230506, 230507, 230226, 230227, 230228, 230229, and 230262.
Can I get a second? Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 74 6/15/2023 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilman Jones. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 75 6/15/2023 Agenda for the following bills on Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 230302, 220576, 230049, 230129, 230151, 230185, 230187, 230188, 230189, 230202, 230203, 230204, 230205, 230206, 230207, 230208, 230248, 230272, 230273, 230274, 230275, 230306, 230320, 230325, 230326, 230358, 230359, 230402, 230404, 230405, 230406, 230409, 230416, 230417, 230436, 230438, 230439, 230444, 230271, and 230324. (Duly seconded.)
You said a mouthful, Councilman. It's been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Jones. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 76 6/15/2023 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
In addition to the bills and resolutions being brought on the Consent Agenda, I'd like to include the Bills No. 230186 and 230415. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before we consider the bills and resolutions on our Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. Your public comment session will go as follows: You must be concerning the Second Reading and Final Passage Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 77 6/15/2023 Calendars for possible action today. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already done so, you may do so at the desk outside of the Council Chambers with the Sergeant-at-Arms. 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, you will have three minutes, but we have a significant number of individuals signing up to testify, so we will have a two-minute limit. I would ask you to please adjust your testimony to reflect the two-minute time limit. In order to be fair, we want to hold faithfully to that time limit. So when you go to the podium, there will be a device on that podium. There is a green light. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. And Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 78 6/15/2023 when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. I want to thank you very much for your willingness to participate in your government in action and thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation. I would ask Mr. Decker please read the first name on the list today.
The first speaker today is Dickie Noles, commenting on 230527. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
First of all, I'd like to thank Councilmember Johnson for introducing the resolution, and I'm honored to be here as well as Rob Holiday, and the Phillies would like to thank you also. This is an important topic for Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 79 6/15/2023 me, because it's history. Dick Allen is our history in Philadelphia. I'm a Philadelphian now. I'm from North Carolina. I never thought I'd live in Philadelphia after the 1980 World Series. I've been here 31 years, so I know a lot about the history of Philadelphia. I didn't know about the history of Dick Allen when I signed with the Phillies in 1975, but shortly afterwards we brought Dick Allen back, and I remember we had this hotel down in Clearwater, Florida where we had the minor league players and the major league players, and there was this invisible line that was drawn where we couldn't enter over into their space, but Dick Allen would enter over into our space. He would come over to the minor leagues. He would take a sanitary and fill it full of pennies and come over to our side and play poker with all the minor league players. My first appearance of Dick Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 80 6/15/2023 Allen was pretty impressive. I was in awe. I had heard about the long home runs. We knew about the numbers. I heard and knew about the Rookie of the Year, the MVP, the 11 years of being the best in the game on an OPS. But I really didn't know Dick as a person. I heard -- everybody has got a story in Philadelphia of a home run he hit over Connie Mack's roof, a home run he hit over the building in left field in Yankees Stadium. Mickey Mantle once said that Dick Allen hit the ball harder and farther than anyone that he had ever seen. So when I met Dick as a person in 1994 when he came back to work for us in the Community Relations Department, I was really stunned to see what a great, loving, caring, selfless man he was. The only problem about Dick was, when he stops to talk to you, you're going to be there a while. So every time I would wait on him, I would hear that he was Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 81 6/15/2023 coming to the ball park, and I couldn't wait to see him, and we have a guard out that parks the cars and he would stop and talk to the guard and ask you about your family and was very sincere about wanting to know how you were doing. Then there's another guard before he entered the ball park, and he would stop and talk to him. And we had policemen around our ball park, and he would talk to them. Here's the impact that Dick Allen had on other people, as myself and Rob Holiday will attest to. He wanted to know about you. He would give you his shirt off his back. But when every police officer that I knew in Clearwater would talk about Dick Allen, they would say, this man is really a sincere man, he's a gentle giant. And everybody that ever knew about Dick and his home runs and the 42-ounce bat thought he was 7'4" and 300 pounds of muscle. But Dick was a loving, as I stated, caring man. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 82 6/15/2023 I want to read a comment that Jackie Robinson made. It's one of my favorite: A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. Dick's impact in baseball may have been good at times, may have been bad at times, but the numbers speak for themselves. There's no teammate that ever played with Dick Allen that will not attest to the fact that he was a great teammate. I've never heard anybody say a bad word about Dick Allen. The one thing I would like to share with you in closing with my remarks is the one thing that I think is most important to me, is Dick changed my life in many ways. I never heard him speak evil or bad about one person, but I would do that from time to time. Baseball talk. And Dick would always remind me, God made that person, they're very special.
I think life happens in times of our -- things happen in times of our Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 83 6/15/2023 life that are not coincidental. My mother used to walk -- I lived on B and Allegheny Street in the third grade. I'm from North Carolina, but she moved up here. My mother used to walk around with me all the time and say, God loves you, he made you, that makes you special. That was Dick Allen's message. Our big bond came on the Bible. I never met anyone in my life that knew it from the beginning to the end. Probably not many preachers know it, but Dick did. There was a time when I got hit in the face one time with a line drive in the temple throwing batting practice after my career. I had a concussion. They made me go to my room and stay there, and Dick stayed with me. We had adjoining rooms. He opened up the door and about every 15 minutes he would come in and say, you still all right, aren't you? As night fell and it got to be Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 84 6/15/2023 about 10 or 11 or 12 o'clock at night, he would walk in and look at me and say, you still alive? I'd say, yeah, I'm still breathing. But the one important thing that he would do during that time of our fellowship would sit and tell me all the stories, all the stories that I read about in his perspective, all the stories that I heard about in his perspective. So I asked Dick, I said, Dick, you ever -- you have no animosity towards anything that ever happened in your career? Not even the press? Only teasing. But he told me, he says no. I've forgiven everybody and everything. And I did play a part in that, and Dick Allen made the changes he needed to make. And I know right now he's in God's hall of fame, but in my opinion, Dick doesn't just deserve to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He needs to be there. They're going to be a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 85 6/15/2023 better Hall of Fame with Dick Allen there. Thank you very much, and I urge you to -- thank you. )
The next speaker is Lysa Monique Jenkins Hayden. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Lysa Monique Jenkins Hayden and I am here in support of Bill No. 230271. I am a proud Philadelphian, specifically from North Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion section of the City. I stand on the shoulders of my grandmother and my mother, who also served the City in various capacities. I'm here because the businesses that surround the neighborhoods that I Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 86 6/15/2023 grew up in, third generation growing up in, I moved back as my primary residence three years ago when my mother passed, and the neighborhood just looks very different. These businesses that are allowed to be open 24 hours are a surprise to me. And I heard one of the Councilpeople say today that you can't be scared to serve the people that you are in the neighborhood of. I feel like there is not enough legislation to help us understand how to deal with intimate interpersonal relations when we make commerce out of a neighborhood. And so lots of the stores now there are not inhabited or the people don't live where they're actually owning stores and businesses, and so this creates a lot of discord. A few things that we've been trying to coordinate in my neighborhood is the License and Inspection and Police Department and like a review process of how we handle complaints about the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 87 6/15/2023 businesses. There was a recent shooting on Mother's Day. So this is the first year I'm celebrating a Mother's Day after losing my mother in August of last year, and I woke up at 5:00 a.m. in the morning to a shooting of a woman that I knew. She was shot in the face in a store. This store actually does protect the people, the clerk behind the -- like the glass screening, but it doesn't really protect the folks that come in to use it, because there's only one way in and one way out. And so I really am in support of this bill. It's causing much nuisance in the community, and I would appreciate everyone's support to this bill as well. Thank you. (Applause.)
The next speaker Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 88 6/15/2023 is George Gordon. (No response.)
George Gordon, commenting on 320271. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello. My name is George Gordon. I'm here in support with the proposal we just heard from Lysa Jenkins about these nuisance -- well, I call them nuisance businesses. These businesses are -- I think they get their license saying that they're opening up a grocery store, because as it turns out, it's some sort of marijuana paraphernalia type of business. And they're in the neighborhood. They're popping up all over the place, and they're creating a big disturbance in the neighborhoods. We have two on our corner. We have one on one side of the corner and another one on the other end of the corner of our block, and they're contracting a lot of traffic. A lot of kids are visiting these stores, and they Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 89 6/15/2023 have long lines out of these stores and they're open 24 hours a day. And I don't see what kind of business they could have or what kind of need they will have to open 24 hours a day in your neighborhood. So we're just right now trying to fight back these businesses from popping up everywhere, and I'm hoping that everybody will try to support the business that she just -- the proposal she just read to you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our next speaker.
The next speaker is Reverend Roy L. Jones, commenting on 230506. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Reverend Roy Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 90 6/15/2023 Jones. I represent two churches in New Jersey. I represent organizations in Philadelphia as well, and I'm here to speak about Resolution 230506, and the leaders putting that resolution together was our friend Mark Squilla, and we thank him and we're here today to thank Mark Squilla for putting this resolution before you and getting the support to bring it to this table. The other Council leaders, Ms. Bass and Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Lozada and Mr. Driscoll and Isaiah Thomas, were key co-sponsors of this bill, so we thank you. But what I want to share with you today is that there's a crisis in the nation of Haiti and it pales in comparison to what we are going through in this nation, and we are really going through some difficult times in this nation. So I want to share that in the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 91 6/15/2023 nation of Haiti right now, there are no freedoms. There are no opportunities to walk to the grocery store. There are no opportunities to see their young children go to school. There are no opportunities for them to deal with basic human rights and deal with the basics of life, getting food, shelter and those sorts of things. So I want to thank this Council for considering this resolution, but it is no accident that we're here today, because Reverend Leon Sullivan also started a movement, a national and international movement, dealing with -in the apartheid in South Africa. So Team Haiti today recognizes that this Council has made a historic move and step to start us on this national movement to bring light, visibility, and force to the crisis in Haiti. So I want to thank every Councilmember that votes for this resolution, and I want to thank all of Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 92 6/15/2023 those supporters that are here from Team Haiti that came out today to support this resolution and to thank you personally. But I want to remind you that there are gang rapes every day, there's violence every day, there's mayhem every day, there's kidnappings every day in the nation of Haiti. So I want you to please consider voting for this resolution, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts that you took it into your hands to make this step today on behalf of standing in solidarity with the nation of Haiti.
So we want to thank you, and we appreciate you, and we want to remind you as you go home tonight, that Haiti is in crisis. Thank you.
Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 93 6/15/2023
Thank you. And I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our next speaker.
The next speaker is Rene Fabinne, commenting on 230506. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Fabinne Rene. I'm Haitian and member of Team Haiti-USA. I'm here today to support the Bill 230506. Let's start by thanking Reverend Roy L. Jones of Mount Zion congregation for the outstanding work on behalf of Haiti. Reverend Jones, the level of your advocacy elevates Haiti to its rightful place as a nation, the first free state to emerge from slavery. Thank you for dedicating your time to helping shape a prosperous future for our country. Today it is fitting that is in Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 94 6/15/2023 the hall of City Council in Philadelphia, the best place of modern democratic, we address our thoughts on Haiti, a nation in crisis, fighting for its democratic rights to overcome its misfortunes and to succeed. We are sure that you all know what is happening in Haiti. We are witnessing in the 21st century the disintegration of a nation before our eyes, before the eyes of the world. And the big, powerful democratic countries have stood highly and fell for years and months to seriously help solve a problem that the (unintelligible) grossly help to create and to the media as we -- any tragedy that affects Black lives. The people dying in Haiti are (unintelligible) fact of life -- of our lives don't matter. It's baffling that in 21st century people still see orders that way based solely on the color of the skin. People need to know the root of Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 95 6/15/2023 the current crisis in Haiti. You can find the answers in two words: greed and wickedness. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, Haiti received billions of dollars in reconstruction funds, more than the billion in low interest loans from the state of Venezuela alone. All these funds were plundered by (unintelligible) leaders in complicity with orders. So we here today to thank the Deputy Whip Squilla and all of City Council for stand up and taking over this resolution. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you. Mr. Clerk, please read the next name of our speaker.
The next speaker is Brigitte Vonny, commenting on 230506. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 96 6/15/2023 (Witness approached podium.)
I am Brigitte Vonny from Team Haiti-USA, and organization really want to thank you from the bottom of our heart, Reverend Jones, for helping us shape the prospect of a future for Haiti. We, the people of Haiti, know what kind of country we want. Our people want a country where they can be productive at building -- our people want a country where they can be productive at building good lives for themselves and their family, where they can fulfill their potential as they do elsewhere. Our people can, given the right circumstances. We will always be grateful to you for supporting our people's struggle for freedom and economic justice. We thank each of you, honorable members of the Council, Deputy Whip Mark Squilla, Cindy Bass, Quetcy Lozada, Katherine Richardson, Mike Driscoll, and Isaiah Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 97 6/15/2023 Thomas, the sponsors of the truth and reconciliation resolution of Haiti that we pray will lead at bringing light and fair solution to the ills of Haiti in an organized, diligent, and coherent manner. Please contact our elected officials as our government to support the will of the Haitian people. Tell our government to sever its ties with these corrupt regimes, destroyers of people's dreams. All Haitians ask -- all they ask for is to live in a democratic, well-governed, corruption-free Haiti. We shouldn't allow the wicked to do as they want. And please there are honest and well-qualified Haitians who can do a great job at building a better future for Haiti. Why would anyone think that hardship, a bad life, is the only fate of the Haitian people what they deserve? Those who steals your people this way are mistaken. We will not -- I'm sorry. We Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 98 6/15/2023 will work on it until we make Haiti a prosperous state, the state that our founders and those who love progress are proud of. Haitian can do it. Thank you.
And if we can have the Chief Clerk please call the name of the next speaker.
The next speaker, Madam Chair, is Charles Celestine, commenting on 230506. (Witness approached podium.)
We thank you all for being here today to support the Haitian people in this struggle. It doesn't have to be that way. Haitian do well everywhere we are. Why can't we must do it in Haiti? There is an indication that there's something basically wrong with Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 99 6/15/2023 the way the country is governed, and we want to change that. When we came to Philadelphia, this is the city that inspires. Every time we think about Philadelphia, we got to think about freedom, liberty, democratic right. What happened in Haiti is not by accident. The way we took, we had our independence. Imagine a bunch of police with no (unintelligible) top of the time, not even for five minutes manage to congregate together and organize the rebellion that will bring them to independence, and from there, who were totally isolated, no partners to do business with. But now we are living in different time, and we can change that instead of looking at us like some kind of (intelligible) nation but as partners, and we will do good for America and that will do good for America. Our community of immigrants, Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 100 6/15/2023 imagine what that do for this country. That mean we are connected with the rest of the world in a very particular way. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony today. Mr. Clerk, please read the name of our next speaker.
The next speaker is Terrence McAleer, commenting on 230415. (Witness approached podium.) MR. McALEER: I asked hopefully that I could get a little extra time to speak on Mr. Driscoll's other bill too, but the thing I'm here to talk about -
Please Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 101 6/15/2023 state your name for the record and then proceed. MR. McALEER: My name is Terrence McAleer. I'm from the Olney section of Philadelphia. I don't represent any individuals or groups involved in any of this street activity, but my own opinion and observation. I've watched drag racing happen in Philadelphia for years, and they've asked for a place to go and do it safely off the streets. Now they have drifting and other sports of their kind, and they really need to have a place off the streets sponsored by the City to do it safely and structurally proper. It's too far to go to Atco or to Maple Grove for drag racing or those activities, and for the City to provide that here would reduce stress and increase the productivity and decency of our young people of all races. On the second bill regarding Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 102 6/15/2023 the transportation up the Boulevard, because of all the underground infrastructure, it would be absolutely cost prohibitive to do a subway, but would make sense to do an elevated line all the way up to Bucks County, and you could come up somewheres between 9th Street and C Street on the Boulevard in the middle and be able to go all the way up to the top of the City to give people a proper transportation system to fulfill their needs to be able to go shop and to go to work every day safely. Thank you.
The next speaker is Gerald Pierre, commenting on 230506. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Gerald Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 103 6/15/2023 Pierre. I'm a member of Team Haiti. I'm here to let you folks know that we thank you, all of you, that passed this resolution. Mine will be short. So, again, thank you. Team Haiti is here. We have, as you know, Brigitte, Fabinne, Charles, Dr. Larose, Mr. Jones, Rev Jones, our reverend, and his wife here. So we thank you in helping Haiti. Right now the country of Haiti is like non-existent on the planet, because gangs are everywhere. You can't go north. You can't go south. You are just stuck in the capital. And daily we have rapes, people being kidnapped for ransom. By the way, when they kidnap somebody, they don't ask for the Haitian money. They ask U.S., and it's $300,000, $400,000. Nobody ever make that money in Haiti as working. So Haiti need help. And thank you very much for that resolution. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 104 6/15/2023