The next speaker is Chenet Larose, commenting on 230506. (Witness approached podium.)
Please state your name for the record and then proceed.
There's something about not only Haiti -- I'm sorry. My name is Dr. Chenet Larose and I'm a member of the Haiti-USA team. And I don't know how to express my thought and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 105 6/15/2023 everything about Philadelphia and Haiti, and I can say that Philadelphia is a good, good place for me and give me a lot of opportunity, and also this is a city of brotherhood, as everybody knows. And so I have to remind everybody that Haiti was the second country in the world after U.S. to fight for liberty and everything around, and we have in a situation that we need USA to help Haiti, and I thank Philadelphia. This is really a good place to be here. And also I have to express my gratitude to Councilwoman Bass. And beside her also I have to say a few thank to, even that she's not really here, a member. This is Council Blackwell and a lot of people too. I have to say too (unintelligible) a street. I have to say that also. So please help Haiti. A religion without you, I don't think Haiti can go any further. Thank you. I appreciate it. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 106 6/15/2023
The next speaker is Khalef Alexander. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Good afternoon. My name is Khalef Alexander, or some just call me Khalef, the Reparationist, but I am here today to speak on behalf of Councilwoman Gauthier's bill that she introduced in regards to reparations. First, I would like to say that the United States of America, we rebuilt many countries, Japan, Germany. We are giving lots of money to Ukraine right now, and Black Americans who built this country brick by brick, we deserve reparations. It's not a handout. It's Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 107 6/15/2023 something that is just due. When we begin to look at the relationship between Juneteenth, because I haven't heard a mention of Juneteenth this entire time since I've been here today, there's a relationship between Juneteenth and reparations. That relationship is, once you gain your freedom, you are supposed to receive economic justice or, shall I say, 40 acres and a mule. Juneteenth became a national holiday a few years ago, thanks to the work of the likes of Ron Brown, my mentor, known as Mr. Juneteenth in Philadelphia, and many others. And when we're looking at that relationship, yes, Juneteenth has become a national holiday, and Juneteenth 1865 we were physically freed, but now we're at a point where we have to take the mental shackles off of our people in the City of Philadelphia, and that mental shackle is what we see going on today. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 108 6/15/2023 We have a violence crisis, we have a poverty crisis, and we have a genocide crisis. All of these things have been created, in my eyes, by the government. Maybe not you all sitting in these seats, but historically the government has done some very wrongs to Black Americans. So needless to say, reparations is just due. Juneteenth is our independence and our freedom day, and I hope that you all can, you know, acknowledge that a little more as we continue fighting the fight. Lastly, I would like to end on this: A great folk hero once said, kids are losing lives and they got me scared losing mine, and if I hold my tongue about it, I'll get crucified. I wrote this on a bumpy flight on a summer night flying over Chattanooga I heard trying to spread the movement. And the movement is reparations now for Black Americans. The movement is Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 109 6/15/2023 celebrate Juneteenth for Black Americans. And the movement is to have a self-identification to be the best of who you are. Thank you for your time.
The next speaker is Lynn Landes, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Lynn Landes, founder of wildfoodies.org and safestreetsphilly.org. I support Resolutions 210913 and 230432. As pesticides continue to be sprayed on City parks in violation of City laws, the good news is that the Wild Foodies of Philly and other groups will Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 110 6/15/2023 not be required to obtain a permit in order to take small tours through City-owned parks. I want to thank my attorney, George Bochetto, for representing me in this manner. The other good news is that so many of our Councilmembers are standing up to the Mayor and declaring that they do not want safe injection sites in their districts, although there are concerns about the effectiveness of zoning restrictions that can be overturned by a Zoning Board appointed by the Mayor who supports safe injection sites. The big question is this: Why are safe injection sites a possibility at all? Taking illegal drugs is still illegal. Safe injection sites clearly aid and abet an illegal activity. So why does City Council have to do anything about this matter at all? The general answer is that our government at every level no longer feels bound by the law. The federal government Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 111 6/15/2023 has opened up our nation's borders to illegal entry, which includes drug and human traffickers. Our state government has stood by and let it happen, and our city government has welcomed them in. Plus our city government is allowing rampant violation of our state and local public safety laws, so it is no wonder that chaos is the result. The needle exchange program, which has dumped millions of needles into our neighborhoods, the lack of effective and mandatory rehabilitation facilities, plus a medical profession and pharmaceutical industry that has helped to create this catastrophe, including the methadone debacle, should all be up for discussion and review under the Sunshine Act. We need many more hearings to get to the bottom of what's really gone wrong, and I strongly suggest they be in person with a virtual component for the disabled and those who can't attend. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 112 6/15/2023 (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Clerk, can we have you please read the name of our next speaker.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Madam Chair.
Okay. And that concludes today's public comment. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 113 6/15/2023 the resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 230459, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 924, 927, 928, and 936 Edgley Street; 926 and 928 French Street; 2106, 2112, 2140, 2141, 2142, 2143, 2151, 2166, 2170, 2172, 2215, 2217, and 2219 North Franklin Street; 2112, 2130, 2144, and 2214 North Marshall Street; 2105, 2107, 2109, 2110, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2119, 2121, 2133, 2140, 2143, 2146, 2150 North Percy Street; 904, 910, and 912 West Susquehanna Avenue; 2102, 2109, 2126, 2128, 2130, 2131, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2150, Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 114 6/15/2023 2210 North 7th Street; 2101, 2113, 2121, 2155, 2167 through 69, 2201 North 8th Street; 2124, 2126, 2132, 2150, and 2165 North 9th Street; 2121 North 10th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 230494, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1901 North Ringgold Street; 1910 North 24th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 230495, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 815 West Firth Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 230496, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 2200 block of 29th Street as 'Henry 'Sly' Schley Way' to honor the life and memory of renowned North Philly barbershop owner Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 115 6/15/2023 barber, Henry Schley"; and Bill No. 230503, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 759, 761, 763, 773, 779, and 783 Pallas Street and 4041 Cambridge Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 230504, entitled a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 3701 Brown Street, 3703 Brown Street, 3705 through 3711 Brown Street, 3713 through 17 Brown Street, 3719 through 33 Brown Street and 3700 through 3706 Mantua Avenue"; and Resolution No. 230506, entitled a "Resolution showing support for Philadelphia Haitians, team Haiti and Haitian Americans during the crisis in the Nation of Haiti and urging the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 116 6/15/2023 the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia City Council to demonstrate unwavering support for the people of Haiti"; and Resolution No. 230507, entitled a "Resolution also naming South Broad Street between Lombard and South Streets as 'Jerry Blavat Way', to honor the life and legacy of South Philadelphia legendary entertainer and disc jockey, Jerry Blavat, also known as 'The Geator with the Heater' and 'The Boss with the Hot Sauce'"; and Resolution No. 230226, entitled a "Resolution appointing Cheryl McConnell to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Service District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 230227, entitled a "Resolution appointing Laura Beyer to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 230228, entitled Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 117 6/15/2023 "Resolution appointing Nathan Muchnick to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 230229, entitled a "Resolution appointing Sereena Quick to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 230262, entitled a "Resolution appointing Vince Latucca to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions."
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 118 6/15/2023 Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. Councilwoman Brooks, did you need to be recognized?
You're good? Okay. Thank you. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I would ask the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 119 6/15/2023 please read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection, without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular and Second and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 230302, entitled "An ordinance to approve a major amendment to the Saint Joseph's University Master Plan related to a proposed Residence Hall and Student Center and the addition of six existing buildings to the Master Plan and to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land, all in the area bounded by City Avenue, 52nd Street, Woodbine Avenue, Wynnefield Avenue, Overbrook Avenue, Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 120 6/15/2023 Way, and Drexel Road"; and Bill No. 220576, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Howard Foreman to install, own and maintain various encroachments, including but not limited to, a proposed fence and other structures at 1338 through 44 Rising Sun Avenue"; and Bill No. 230049, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the construction, installation, ownership, use and maintenance of a sidewalk cafe at 425 through 449 Spring Garden Street"; and Bill No. 230129, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the paving of Boston Place from Tenth Street to Eleventh Street"; and Bill No. 230151, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Port Royal Avenue between Henry Avenue and Old Line Road"; and Bill No. 230185, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-919 of The Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 121 6/15/2023 Code, entitled 'On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers and Vending Carts,' by providing for further regulation of semitrailer and truck tractor parking"; and Bill No. 230187, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Conshohocken Avenue between Belmont Avenue and City Avenue"; and Bill No. 230188, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Lancaster Avenue between Woodbine Avenue and Sherwood Road"; and Bill No. 230189, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Tower Street and Pensdale Street; Ripka Street and Wilde Street; Mansion Street and Hermitage Street; Green Lane and Manayunk Avenue; Lauriston Street and Markel Street; Terrace Street and Roxborough Avenue; Dexter Street and Monastery Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 122 6/15/2023 Avenue; Cotton Street and Manayunk Avenue"; and Bill No. 230202, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Camac Street and Sedgley Avenue; Rising Sun Avenue and North 13th Street; Victoria Street and Germantown Avenue; North 13th Street and Luzerne Street"; and Bill No. 230203, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: George Street and North 4th Street; George Street and North 2nd Street; Shackamaxon Street and Girard Avenue; Ridge Avenue and Mount Vernon Street; American Street and Poplar Street; North 4th Street and Poplar Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 11th Street"; and Bill No. 230204, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Green Street and North 16th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 15th Street; Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 123 6/15/2023 Street and North 16th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 19th Street; North 15th Street and Fairmount Avenue; North 23rd Street and Fairmount Avenue"; and Bill No. 230205, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations on both sides of Conshohocken Avenue between Monument Road and Falls Road"; and Bill No. 230206, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 66th Street between City Avenue and Woodbine Avenue"; and Bill No. 230207, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Chadwick Street and Washington Avenue; South 26th Street and Bainbridge Street"; and Bill No.
230208, entitled "An ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code by adding a new section prohibiting the parking or maintaining of semitrailers Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 124 6/15/2023 tractors at residential properties"; and Bill No. 230248, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Arlington Street and Ringgold Street; Willington Street and Montgomery Avenue; Gratz Street and Fountain Street; Stiles Street and North 15th Street; North 19th Street and Berks Street"; and Bill No. 230272, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations on both sides of North Carlisle Street, between West Girard Avenue and Poplar Street"; and Bill No. 230273, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 200578), entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 46-S by striking from the City Plan and vacating Penrose Ferry Road from Penrose Avenue to its terminus northeastwardly therefrom,' by extending Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 125 6/15/2023 for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No. 230274, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Camac Street and Johnston Street"; and Bill No. 230275, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation in the vicinity of North 51st Street and Brown Street"; and Bill No. 230306, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 3931 Walnut Street"; and Bill No. 230320, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the westwardly side of Belmont Avenue between Monument Road and Conshohocken Avenue"; and Bill No. 230325, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of pedestrian light poles, with accompanying LED luminaires, and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 126 6/15/2023 boxes in the vicinity of 1325 North Beach Street"; and Bill No. 230326, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Northern Liberties Business Improvement District to own, operate and maintain certain lighting encroachments along the 400 and 500 blocks of 2nd Street"; and Bill No. 230358, entitled "An ordinance revising parking regulations for the north side of 49th Street, Paschall Avenue to Grays Avenue; the east side of Grays Avenue, 49th Street to Lindbergh Boulevard; and, the east side of Lindbergh Boulevard, Grays Avenue to Harley Avenue"; and Bill No. 230359, entitled "An ordinance delegating to the Streets Department the authority to establish certain parking restrictions by regulation on both sides of Walnut Street between 40th Street and 63rd Street"; and Bill No. 230402, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 127 6/15/2023 (Bill No. 180560), entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 250 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Montour Street from Adams Avenue to Foulkrod Street,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No. 230404, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work, required to provide public sewer service, in the 1200 block of North Newkirk Street"; and Bill No. 230405, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Norris Street and North 15th Street and North 19th Street; Page Street and North 16th Street and North 20th Street and North 23rd Street; Monument Street and North 17th Street"; and Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 128 6/15/2023
230406, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 1907 through 1915 Walnut Street"; and Bill No. 230409, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Designation of Bicycle Lanes,' to authorize a bicycle lane in each direction on Bartram Avenue, from 84th Street to Essington Avenue"; and Bill No. 230416, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Designation of Bicycle Lanes,' to authorize a bicycle lane on East Market Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street"; and Bill No. 230417, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Designation of Bicycle Lanes,' to authorize a bicycle lane, in the southbound direction, on North 2nd Street from Race Street to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 129 6/15/2023 Street"; and Bill No. 230436, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Randolph Street and Cambridge Street; Parrish Street and North 13th Street; Orianna Street and Poplar Street; Orianna Street and George Street"; and Bill No. 230438, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 230 and 289 by placing on the City Plan two irregularly shaped areas, one located along the northeasterly side of Ridge Avenue and extending from a point northwest of the Wissahickon Creek to a point approximately four hundred twenty four feet further northwestwardly therefrom and the other located along the southwesterly side of Ridge Avenue extending from a point northwest of the Wissahickon Creek northwestwardly to the southwesterly side of Main Street"; and Bill No. 230439, entitled "An Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 130 6/15/2023 parking regulations on North 34th Street between Indiana Avenue and Commissioner Street"; and Bill No. 230444, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 4333 Spruce Street"; and Bill No. 230271, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-105 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Penalties,' and Chapter 9-4400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Responsible Business Operations,' to further define nuisance businesses and provide for additional enforcement and penalties"; and Bill No. 230324, entitled "An ordinance officially re-naming and designating Bridesburg Park, located at 3101 Orthodox Street in the City of Philadelphia, as 'Robert A. "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 131 6/15/2023 days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll. When being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 134 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 230186.
An ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for an amendment to Bill No. 230186.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer an amendment to Bill No. 230186. A copy Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 135 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING of that amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment.
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 230186 has been amended. Bill No. 230186, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 230415.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 136 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by providing for prohibitions relating to Nuisance Vehicles.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll for an amendment to Bill No. 230415.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 230415. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 230415 has been Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 137 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING amended, and Bill No. 230415, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week, the Youth Leaders and young filmmakers of Big Picture Alliance, who will be premiering their original short films at this year's Big Picture Film Festival this month, introduced by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Councilmember Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. You say who? I'm sorry. I'm looking at this. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember Thomas, I move the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 138 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Hold on. Councilman Johnson, did you need to be recognized?
No problem. Thank you. Go ahead, Mr. Decker. I'm sorry.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to conduct hearings regarding the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 139 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING 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, introduced by Councilman Jones on behalf of Council President Clarke.
I move for at the adoption of the resolution on your behalf. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 140 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a 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, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 141 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a 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, introduced today by Councilwoman Gauthier, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 142 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
And a 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, introduced today by Councilman Driscoll.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 143 6/15/2023 6/15/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
And a 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, introduced today by Councilman O'Neill.
The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 144 6/15/2023 seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 145 6/15/2023 Today, colleagues, I rise to acknowledge a lot of the good work that has been done by this Council. First, you, President Clarke, by insisting that we have a Chief Public Safety Officer for the City of Philadelphia. That was forward thinking and I think will bear fruit towards the ultimate goal of public safety and anti-gun violence, and I'll make my point. Over the weekend -- oh, yesterday, there was an Olney mother shot in the head with her two-year-old child. In addition, same day, there was an Uber driver shot, same day, other shootouts. There were 45 shells at the site of the mother and child caught in the crossfire, 45 shells. I want to give you context on what that is. The Saint Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago, which was chronicled in movies, there were 70 shots seven day. That is only a bad weekend in the City of Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 146 6/15/2023 Corral, there were 40-plus shells accounted for that day, with only three fatalities. That's a bad Saturday at a pop-up shootout at a festival in the City of Philadelphia. But the good news is that I absolutely believe, colleagues, that there is the ingredients to solve gun violence and public safety within the City of Philadelphia currently through programs, through resources that exist. And you may say, Jones, why do you think that? Because there are rays of light all throughout the City. The problem is that when things have been independently uncoordinated, they only make a mess. When they begin to coordinate, they make beautiful music with pianos, they draw Picassos, because the fingers are coordinated. The Chief Public Safety Officer that you insisted upon can be the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 147 6/15/2023 music. There are good things happening. My colleague Councilmember Lozada is, with Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Squilla, fighting for a real plan for Kensington, not just the excellent articulation of the problem. In the second hearing, she's going to call upon agencies to tell me what you are going to do to solve the problem, not just point it out, but solve it. Kathy Gilmore Richardson, a long time ago, before it was popular, said conflict resolution needed to be in the curriculum of every school so that in the playground, in the sandbox, kids understand you're going to have disagreements. It doesn't have to result in violence. There are -- every day you argue about what the captives in the Kensington have to live with. But the ingredients are that there are schools in Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 148 6/15/2023 11 zip codes in the City of Philadelphia that provide 90 percent of the inmates on State Road. We have to coordinate all these activities. When we knee-jerk things, we closed Saint Gabe's, we closed Glen Mills, but we didn't realize that we would have overcrowding at the Juvenile Justice Center, young people sleeping on the floors of the gymnasium as we speak, creating dangerous situations where corrections officers and social workers are forced to come in between warring youth and getting pummeled and put in the hospital. That spills over to our six facilities on State Road. All of these things independently happening have consequences one to the other. And so we have to create and I'm calling for a citywide, state-affiliated, federally attended crime summit, anti-violence summit, in the City of Philadelphia over the course of the summer. Why? Because the 100th Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 149 6/15/2023 have to come up with a game plan, not just excellent articulation of the problems, as one member that we know often says, but we got to come up with a plan, and the members in this body have to help them.
And I believe that we've begun that process, sir, but I think we need -- the job is still yet to be done. And so as we start to take SEPTA, as we start to take School District and to begin to pull everybody in the room and not point at the problem but point towards solutions, I think we have the ability to orchestrate the solutions to some of this stuff. It is not beyond our grips. We have Estelle Richman who is working with the private sector. They understand finally that this is not just a "them" problem. It's a "all of our" problem. On the news they talked about San Francisco. They're closing major Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 150 6/15/2023 because we don't have our stuff together to be able to stop theft, people just coming in and randomly sacking stores. They're saying, we're out of here. We'd rather go up to -- we were talking about it -- King of Prussia. You know, when my kids go out, they say, yeah, we're going to dinner. I said, well, yeah, we can go to McCormick and Schmick's right down here. No. I'm going to take that 40-minute ride up to where they believe it is safe. So the private sector, Estelle Richman, Comcast and others, are putting together a game plan. If we coordinate these things, Mr. President, colleagues, I think we have the solutions. Vanessa Harley has done good work, but we had to add that to the tools on the tool belt. I challenge us over the summer to come up with a summit to talk about Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 151 6/15/2023 prevention strategies for the City of Philadelphia, because until we do that, moving a stadium on Market Street, you got a lot of work to do before that. You have 200 kids that have 200 parents that have been on -- my colleague Cindy Bass talks about, and I applaud her and I plagiarize it to a degree, what do you do when you realize that the shooter lives with you. Well, you create solutions, like Toss a Mattress Friday. And we got to really have uncomfortable conversations. It's about what's really going on in our respective neighborhoods and be able to cowboy up to the plate to help the next Mayor to help come up with solutions that are plausible. We throw money at it, and it's right to add resources, but resources without accountability, if it ain't measured, it ain't managed. And we're going to do some things differently. We had -- and I'm going to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 152 6/15/2023 had the children of the Muslim community for Muslim Day come down here, and they loved the ceilings and they sat in your seats, spun around, some of them, way too more comfortable than they should, but when they got done and they had a press conference, they looked at me and respect of you and said, what are you going to do different? Because we still dying. And so the answer to that has to be some concerted thinking, cooperative planning, breaking down silos. You took us to Camden, to Chester, to Trenton, and what we saw that was different was that the stakeholders could be in a room, breathe the same air, and work towards solutions, with a lot less resources than we had. And so I challenge all of us -this ain't political. This is for the future of our city -- to work together to come up with that crime summit, to get the right stakeholders in the room with Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 153 6/15/2023 that we empower the next Mayor to be able to solve this damn problem. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. I'm sure we will accept that challenge and move forward. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Just a few brief announcements but also want to acknowledge a resolution that was passed early on that I paid attention to but didn't get a chance to comment on, because we're dealing with the same issue in the Second Councilmanic District, and that's Councilman Driscoll's bill around addressing drag racing. And for me in the Second Councilmanic District, particularly around Essington Avenue, particularly around Pattison Avenue where the stadiums are, we've been dealing with this issue Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 154 6/15/2023 several years, right? We had a couple fatalities before in the past. And so I do applaud your efforts in making sure we highlight that issue, but also taking an aggressive stance and approach when individuals are engaging in those type of activities, that not only that they can actually get fined but can also actually lose their vehicle. And so I thank you for stepping up to the plate and addressing that issue, because it's definitely -- it's a quality of life issue, but it's also a matter of life and death from a public safety standpoint. And I also just want to acknowledge the work of the young Councilman Phillips from the Mighty Northwest who decided to take on an issue that's very, very -- it can be viewed as controversial, right, but nevertheless as members of this body as leaders in the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 155 6/15/2023 City, right, sometimes we have to take positions that are unpopular to kind of reclaim a level of lawlessness, a level of, I would like to call it, what should be expected in terms of how we support our young people, right? And so when you talk about people walking down the street, you could do as you please, but if you all walking down the street in 90-degree weather, right, with a mask over your face, right -- and I'm a different type of elected official, where I come from the streets. I keep my ear to the streets. And I've been told several different times, Councilman, the reason why homicide having a problem solving these homicides that are taking place, the mask. And so, you know, although it's not a be-all, end-all solution, but also when it comes to public properties that we control, it goes to at least setting a tone. And if not, at least sending a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 156 6/15/2023 message, right, of -- because saying that Councilman Jones has said that Cindy always says, every young person got a key, goes to somebody's home, right? So we want to try to figure out ways to be supportive overall. I was watching how in the Third Councilmanic District this weekend there were like a hundred kids at 46th and Market, and I called Jamie like, yo, like they cutting up. And it's never to criminalize them. It's never to demonize them, because, again, I come from that environment. Everybody knows I got my first gun charge at the age of 16. I've been down Juvy Hall as a young kid. So you're not talking to an elected official who hasn't walked the walk and talked the talk. And it took somebody to see some things in myself that I didn't see as a young man to kind of help me become the person who I am today, but I also was held accountable for my actions, right? And my mom also -- we don't come from a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 157 6/15/2023 environment, but my mom also made sure that at the end of the day, she wanted to know who I was hanging out with when I came home, don't come in this house with something I ain't give you, right? And so, you know, we got to support our young people, support our families, right, but also hold ourselves as a people to a level of not being enablers but a different level of expectation, these steps where I come from, and we can address it comprehensively when it comes to the issue of public safety.
And so those two things, they kind of stuck out to me in terms of public policy and things that we're working on. But I'm just going to, on a lighter note, mention a couple events that's coming up that I wanted to reiterate for people. So on this Wednesday, June Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 158 6/15/2023 21st at the Marriott Courtyard at the Navy Yard, we'll be having a Doing Business with the City Workshop and Forum. We'll be partnering with SEPTA, Rebuild, the Navy Yard, which has a ten-year master plan of development that's going to be taking place. The Philadelphia International Airport, the Port of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia School District will have presentations on how to do business with the City of Philadelphia. I'm a strong advocate that if we're going to move the City of Philadelphia forward, everybody has to have a seat at the table. We're the number one big city when it comes to poverty. We carry that title, but nevertheless, though, we're not aggressively making sure we're putting people at the table who wouldn't necessarily always have an opportunity to get the great financial and economic resources and support that are available Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 159 6/15/2023 and being intentional about making sure people are at the table, and I still believe that we'll continuously carry that title, and we all don't want be the direct link between poverty and the crime and gun violence that we have seen. Councilwoman Gauthier did a study in the past that shows the highest zip codes where we see crime are zip codes where we see poverty. And so there's a direct correlation. m. we're going to have a Doing Business with the City of Philadelphia Workshop and Forum, and we want as many people as possible to come out and to participate. Also, on Friday, June the 30th, save the date. We will be having a street renaming for a gentleman by the name of Kevin Parker. He used to own a Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 160 6/15/2023 I'm quite sure everybody had a chance to eat some of his catering but, most importantly, visit his establishment. And so I want you to save that date. Come out if you can as we honor the life and legacy of a person who meant a whole lot to individuals here in the City of Philadelphia. m. m. Now, welcome everyone to come on out, participate, get some good food, and have some vegan food trucks for all those that may not eat meat, but you can also come get some ribs as well. So as we wrap up, I want to thank my colleagues for these flowers as the men in City Council celebrate Father's Day weekend. So we want to Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 161 6/15/2023 the flowers and the love. To all the fellas, I hope y'all kick y'all feet up this weekend and chill -- he said no. I am -- and relax. But to all the fathers in here, Happy Father's Day. Enjoy this week, and I'm a strong advocate about fatherhood and, most importantly, the role that it plays in our society looking out for our little ones and our family. So Happy Father's Day, everyone. Take care.
Thank you, Councilman Squilla. I just wanted to simply acknowledge the young woman and the two-year-old in Olney that Councilman Curtis Jones mentioned. To me it's very disheartening to see this happen in our city, and I just want everyone to keep them in your prayers. I'm going to be continuing to work closely with our Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 162 6/15/2023 district to kind of see what we can do to support that family going forward. I, additionally to that, I just wanted to acknowledge and thank Councilman Mike Driscoll for all of his leadership with the I-95 circumstance that's taking place in the Northeast section of Philadelphia, and I just wanted to say thank you, Councilman Driscoll, for all that you're doing. Thank you.
Well, thank you, colleagues, for the support you've provided me this past week. You've all reached out to me, and "whatever you need," that's what I've heard from every one of you, and I'm truly grateful. At 6:17 on Sunday morning, 6:17 a.m., I was awoken to an explosion, which later turned out to be a vehicle carrying Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 163 6/15/2023 85, 100 gallons of fuel, couldn't navigate the exit ramp and flipped on its side and exploded, and the heat, as you know, has crippled I-95. But what I witnessed when I got on the scene that day was not only a tragedy but was people coming together. Managing Director Tumar Alexander was already there. We had all the first responders, the fire marshal, you name it, working collaboratively together. That very day Mayor Kenney came, Governor Shapiro came to the site. Senator Casey arrived the next day. U.S. Congressman Brendan Boyle came to the site. U.S. Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to the site, and Pennsylvania Secretary Mike Carroll came to the site, and all of them pledged the full resources of the City government, of the state government, and of the federal government to get that critical artery back up and running, because all the commerce, 55 percent of the gross national product uses I-95. So Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 164 6/15/2023 supply chain for the small businesses, for the betterment of commerce in America, that we have to get that highway up and running, and it was heartwarming to see all levels of government working together. And I just wanted to publicly acknowledge that today, because we're going to get that done in record time. We have the building trades on site. We have tremendous contractors. We have the will of the Secretary of Transportation. And so my heartfelt thank you to all of you that supported me through these critical last four days. And, Mr. President, I just want to comment on another matter. This Friday took another step towards cracking down on quality of life issues, including fighting boom parties and reckless drifting. We passed two critical resolutions, one establishing a task force to look at existing code and departmental practices related to the Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 165 6/15/2023 business done. The task force will produce a report for the next Mayor and City Council with actionable steps to revise the related code and how it is administered. The second resolution authorizes a hearing to examine the impacts of funding opportunities to bring rapid transit to the Northeast. We must pursue all options to uplift over 500,000 of some of our city's most diverse communities that reside along that corridor. The excitement around this announcement has been overwhelming, and the opportunities this project presents are huge. Lastly, Mr. President, this body has decided to honor one of our city's great leaders, former Congressman Bob Borski. We not only honored his immense legacy, but we have continued his fight to help everyday Philadelphians. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 166 6/15/2023 all my colleagues and to you, Mr. President, for taking true action to help our city. I believe with all my heart our best days are yet to come, that the future for the City of Philadelphia is bright. And I would like to wish all the fathers a warm Happy Father's Day.
Thank you, Councilmember, and thank you for your continued efforts on something that has touched everybody, especially with the I-95 challenge. Councilmember Jones.
Yes. Mr. Chairman, just briefly, I want to acknowledge that we will be on Sunday having our Juneteenth Parade, which starts off in the Fourth District, ends up in the Third District at 12:00 noon starting at 52nd and Parkside. I think this might be our seventh Juneteenth Parade. It moved from Center City to West Philly to accommodate Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 167 6/15/2023 participation, and I'm excited about the fact that it acknowledges the struggles of emancipation for freed slaves in America, but it is truly appropriate that my colleague Jamie Gauthier introduced a reparations piece to kind of be a companion to the celebration but to the realization that that whole process had a negative impact and that there's some people still suffering that need help. So everybody is welcome to come out. It is a festive activity. I used to walk it. I will ride a float this year, Mr. Chairman, and look forward to seeing everybody out there. Thank you.
Thank you. On the topic of the shooting yesterday in Olney, I sat in my living Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 168 6/15/2023 gunfire, and I said to my son, who I was talking on the telephone with at the time, I hear gunfire. Of course my phone started blowing up, because not only do I live in Olney close to that area, I'm the ward leader in that area. And a couple of us went out to see what was going on after the fact, and it just was really sad to find out that a young child got shot in both legs as a result of the recklessness that our city continues to endure from the youth that seem to be losing their minds. I also want to mention this Saturday I hope all of my colleagues will join us, myself and Councilman Curtis Jones, for a special street renaming ceremony to honor the late Barbara Daniel-Cox. The street naming will be held at North 41st Street between Parkside and South Concourse Drive. It will be now called the Barbara Daniel-Cox Way. Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 169 6/15/2023 founder of the Black Family Reunion, and she used to celebrate Black history here in Philadelphia every year in the park with stilt walkers and dancers and drummers and the beautiful costumes, and she was a force to be reckoned with when it came time to discuss Black history. She made sure if you were ever in her presence or in her company that she shared something with you about the heritage of Africans. And most important, she not only talked the talk, she walked it, and she dressed that way continuously in her life. So please come out and be a part of this big celebration with us this Saturday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Thank you.
Thank you so much. Seeing there's no other speeches on behalf of the Councilmembers, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 170 6/15/2023 adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Before I make a motion to adjourn, I just wanted to acknowledge that our colleague, former colleague, Derek Green, is here or was here. He was here. He had to leave.
He's still here. Oh, there he is. Okay. Hey, Derek. I just wanted to acknowledge his presence. And also I wanted to also join the chorus to thank Councilman Driscoll for his leadership for what happened on 95. I woke up Sunday morning and saw it on the news, and I just couldn't believe it. I mean, it was just really shocking to see. But I saw you there and had a lot of confidence that I knew things were going to be done and they were going to be done right, and I want to thank all the players who showed Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 171 6/15/2023 heartened to hear Governor Shapiro's words yesterday and, you know, everybody stepping up to the plate. And whatever we as an entire city can do to help get 95 back on track and just to stop the disruption, we're all here for you for that. And also condolences to the driver of the truck who we lost on that day, to his family. And that being said, Mr. Chairman, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 172 6/15/2023 (No response.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you all very much. Have a great week. Happy Father's Day. ) Stated Meeting 06-15-2023 173 6/15/2023 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. org Workshop 159:11 42:5, 10 92:6 23 161:18 44:12, 23 109:19 158:4 159:19 Zone 54:3 108:2 145:11 162:6, 11 47:16 willingness World 20:15, Zoning 48:17, 146:12 147:21 164:8 170:5, welcome 13:2 78:6 19 33:8, 16 18, 25 49:2, 6 151:2 159:8 14, 15 14:8 46:2 Willington 79:6 94:12 50:5, 14, 20 violent 39:17 wanting 81:6 70:18 160:17 124:8 100:4 105:9 51:3, 12, 21 Virginia 15:21, War 37:25 167:13 Winnie 36:18 worn 15:2 110:12, 14 ward 168:7 welcomed Winton 10:23 worship 3:16 119:21, 22 virtual 111:24 warm 13:2 111:6 47:13 wrap 160:22 visibility 91:21 166:9 Well 15:17 wires 68:24 wrong 98:25 visit 160:5 warring 16:4 18:4 wisdom 4:7, 11 111:23 visiting 88:25 148:14 21:5, 10, 15 wish 166:8 wrongs 40:9 visitors 2:16, Warrington 27:23 32:15 Wissahickon 108:8 50:15 51:7 41:8 71:18 129:17, 23 wrote 108:21 Vonny 95:25 Washington 78:22 87:18 withdraw 8:3 Wynnefield 96:3 52:5 123:20 88:10 90:4 Witness 78:18 119:25 vote 30:10 watched 98:22 150:11 85:14 88:6 131:6 101:11 151:12 160:21 89:23 93:9 <Y> voted 8:2 watching 156:8 162:16 96:2 98:17 y'all 161:4 133:21 Water 11:22 wellbeing 3:25 100:20 102:24 Yankees 80:13 votes 30:14 19:5, 15 26:19, well-being 44:8 104:11 106:11 Yard 158:3, 6 91:24 21 29:5 well-governed 109:16 159:17 voting 92:11 way 4:6, 7 97:15 witnessed Yeah 20:9 131:9, 10 14:3 18:10 well-qualified 163:6 84:5 150:10, vulnerable 5:8 25:20 36:19 97:18 witnessing 11 40:8 42:15 went 168:9 94:10 Year 31:9 <W> 68:16 87:14 We're 2:6, 8 woke 87:6 32:8 56:2 wait 30:13 94:23 97:24 17:19 89:7 170:18 80:6 87:4, 5 80:25 81:3 98:21 99:2, 10 90:8 91:12 woman 87:7 167:16 169:5 walk 83:3, 6 100:4 102:7, 107:18, 21 161:19 years 13:21 84:3 91:4 10 103:19 150:6, 10 women 59:25 42:15 79:7 156:19 167:15 114:24 116:9 151:23 153:17 won 31:9 80:6 86:4 walked 156:19 120:2 152:6 157:19 158:15, wonder 111:9 94:14 101:12 169:15 168:25 169:15 17, 20, 21 wonderful 2:25 107:14 154:2 walkers 169:6 ways 82:18 159:2, 18 Woodbine year's 20:3 walking 155:9, 156:6 164:9 171:8 119:24 121:15 137:12 wealth 38:8 West 14:7 123:15 yellow 77:24 Walnut wear 16:6 15:22 24:9 word 82:13 yesterday 125:16 126:22 17:22 18:3 25:19 64:17 words 95:3 145:14 167:25 128:6 wearing 16:5, 65:12 113:23 171:4 171:4 want 20:11, 13, 12 17:17, 24 114:19 124:15 work 3:15 yo 156:11 27:10 33:7 weather 166:25 4:10 80:18 York 15:24 46:2 71:16 155:11 westwardly 93:16 98:2 32:12 48:20 77:18 78:5 Wednesday 125:19 102:14 107:15 young 13:19 82:2 90:18, 25 157:25 159:16 127:15 145:4 17:23 19:25