Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 1 01/02/2024 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING The Met Philadelphia North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 2, 2024 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK F. SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 2 01/02/2024 1/2/24 INAUGURATION - STATED MEETING
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Welcome to the investiture of members of Council, the organization of the City Council, the inauguration of the Honorable Cherelle L. Parker as Mayor, and the investiture of members of the Judiciary, and City Commissioners, Sheriff, Register of Wills and City Controller. We ask that you please turn off all cellular phones and electronic devices for the remainder of the ceremony. Thank you. At this time, I'm going to ask that you will please rise and bow your heads for the invocation given by the Reverend Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler of the Bethel A.M.E. Church.
Let us pray. Good morning, God. As we gather for this auspicious occasion this morning, reminded of the words Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 3 01/02/2024 of Mrs. Elizabeth Willing Powel, wife of Philadelphia's first postRevolutionary War Mayor. Mrs. Powel, had she been born in yet another time, being the daughter of a Mayor and the brother of another Mayor may have been a Mayor herself, and yet though she was denied that opportunity, her words echoed down through the question asked of Benjamin Franklin at the closing of the Constitutional Convention held in this City. Mr. Franklin, do we have a republic or a monarchy? A republic, he responded, if you can keep it. We pray this morning not necessarily for the nation but for this City that celebrates the fact that this is a republic, that this is a democracy and yet if it is to be true to the words on the paper, it will only be so if we as he said, fight together to keep it. But first, we pray this Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 4 01/02/2024 morning for our incoming Mayor and her cabinet. We pray for our incoming City Council and their President. We pray for members of the Judiciary, newly-elected and retained. We pray for the City Commissioners, for the Sheriff, the Register of Wills, the City Controller and all of those who will be appointed to work side-by-side with them. And yet we recognize that praying for them is not enough if we want to keep this democracy. We now pray for ourselves. We pray that we remember the casting of votes to help elect someone is not the end of our responsibility but only the beginning if we as a city are to succeed. We come to pray that our words that we expressed in protest marches, that these are our streets will be more than just slogans and will show up not just for demonstrations but for hearings and Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 5 01/02/2024 public meetings and for zoning commission gatherings. We pray that we'll hold fast this democracy that's government of the people, by the people and for the people because all of us, elected and not, will do our part. And less we fret, that the problems that Philadelphia faces are too big for all of us together. We are not the first brothers and sisters, siblings to face broken-down, burned-out walls and rubble. The Bible that I preach from reminds me of a similar time as our own and the Prophet Nehemiah was appointed to rebuild a broken-down, burned-out wall. But Mayor Nehemiah knew he couldn't do it alone so he encouraged the people to work together. And side-by-side artists, skilled laborers, bakers, people who just worked in their homes all gathered together to rebuild the wall. And the wall went back up Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 6 01/02/2024 because the people had a mind to work. Give us now God a mind to work as we support our elected officials. And fill us each with holy imagination that will wash away pessimism, doubt and despair. Help us to see a bold new vision of Philadelphia and what is possible as we begin and finish building this wall together. And let it be said of us as it was said in Nehemiah's day when they finished the wall that there were no gaps left in it. Help us to close the gap together, the gap of drug addiction, the gap of gun violence, the gap of income disparity, the gap of racial disparity, the gender gap, the gender identity gap, the gentrification gap, the health care gap, the gap between housed and unhoused, the gap that prevents those with disabilities from fully accessing everything our city has to offer. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 7 01/02/2024 Oh God, use us to close the mass incarceration gap. Let us even close the trash gap that has too many neighborhoods living with mountains of trash on the corners that depress the spirit of the residents and the neighbors.
Fill us with holy imagination to see a city that is safe for all residents to walk down whether you're in Center City or out in the neighborhoods. And when we meet the naysayers that will tell the Mayor, that will tell the Council, that will tell others that we can't do it, there's not enough to go around, remind us that you are still the God who sits high and looks low, that you are still the God with a cattle on a thousand hills. You're still the God that will supply all our needs. You're still the God with all things are possible. And so, God, fill us in this way that when we are finished Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 8 01/02/2024 working on the wall, that we will have a city of opportunity that works not for some but that works for all. It's in the name of Jesus that I pray and ask it all, let it be so.
Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments and the Prison guards present the colors while the Girard Academic Music Program Concert Choir leads us in singing the National Anthem. The choir is directed by Dominique DeSilva. (Colors are presented and the National Anthem sung.) (Applause.)
Ladies and gentlemen, we would ask that you please remain standing as the Boys Latin of Philadelphia Brothers In Song perform the "Black National Anthem." The choir is directed by Renard Golden. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 9 01/02/2024 (Brief recess.)
We apologize for this moment of technical difficulty. You may gratefully take your seats. And now, ladies and gentlemen, once again we would ask that you would please make welcome the Boys Latin of Philadelphia Brothers In Song choir as they perform the "Black National Anthem." The choir is directed by Renard Golden. (The Boys Latin of Philadelphia Brothers in Song performs.) (Applause.)
Ladies and gentlemen, you may once again be seated. And now we would ask that you would please help us to welcome City Council President Darrell L. Clarke to the podium. (Applause.) Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 10 01/02/2024
Interesting day and a great day. So first of all, I want to thank everyone for being here today in a historic venue, a venue where we will recognize a historic moment. For the last time for me I would like to welcome you to the 5th Councilmanic District. Today one of our special guests we have joining us on the stage, the Honorable Marcia Fudge, Lieutenant Governor Austin A. Davis, Senator Bob Casey, U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle, U.S. Representative Dwight Evans, U.S. Representative Mary Kay Scanlon, State Senator Anthony H. Williams, State Rep. Joanna E. McClinton, also Speaker of the House, State Rep. Jordan A. Harris, State Rep. Regina Young, Former U.S. Representative Bob Brady and Former Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Coun -- affectionately known to us as The Boss, former Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 11 01/02/2024 Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown and Senator Vincent Hughes, also former, current, I'm not quite sure, Mayor James A. Kenney -- F. Kenney, we'll see in a moment and former Mayor John F. Street and former Mayor W. Wilson Goode. Members of the Judiciary, the Honorable Timika Lane, the Honorable Lydia Kirkland, the Honorable Nina Wright Padilla, the Honorable Patrick Dugan, the Honorable Carolyn H. Nichols and the Honorable John Sabatina, Jr. And our Clergy members: Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, and thank you, Reverend, for the spirited prayer this morning and Bishop James Darrell Robinson, Reverend Bonnie Camarda, Amir Qasim Rashad, Rabbi Solomon Isaacson, Reverend Joseph Kelley, Archbishop Nelson Perez and Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller and the Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer. Also, wish to acknowledge elected officials joining us today in Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 12 01/02/2024 the audience. The members of the Honorary Inaugural Committee and the Co-Chairs of the Inaugural Committee: Dawn Chavous, also soon to be known as the First Lady, Leo Addimando, Reverend James A. Lovette, Ronald Martin, Marian B. Tasco, Garrett Snider, Gladys James and Tonyelle Cook-Artis. I now invite Bishop James Darrell Robinson of Yesha Ministries, the Reverend Bonnie Camarda, Director of Partnerships of the Salvation Army, Amir Qasim Rashad of the United Muslim Masjid and Rabbi Solomon Isaacson of Congregation Beth Solomon to offer a unity prayer for the City. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the Unity Prayer for our city.
As we stand here united by the purpose of God's grace through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come, it's God's grace that has brought us safe Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 13 01/02/2024 thus far and his grace will lead us home. We're grateful to a mighty God for this opportunity to pray and to come together in unity. We come from different faiths, but we believe in a God that brings all mankind together. The Bible says how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. This is an awesome time that this City can be unified around this great Administration that's coming in. And so, we thank God for his grace. We thank God for his mercy. We thank God because we trust him and that he's able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think. The Bible declares that he is the king of glory. And so, we give God thanks and we believe that if we come together like this and we give God the praise that belongs to him, whatever your faith traditionally is, wherever you're Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 14 01/02/2024 from, whatever church, mosque, synagogue, let's take a moment right now and give God the best praise we can give him. Because of him we're here and we thank God for all that he's doing. The word of God says the book of Malachi proclaims that have we not all one Father. Have not one God created us. And so, we pray for the unity that Jesus prayed. He said, Father, make them one even as we are one. And we pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. (Amen.)
The prayers and peace be upon you, his blessings and his mercy in this 2024 calendar year. I bear witness there's no God, nothing, no deity worthy of worship except Almighty God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 15 01/02/2024 messenger. Our unity prayer for the City today is that we all come together as one Philadelphia to make transformational changes that positively impacts our city and improves the quality of life for all working class people. As we begin this new year, we pray for peace in our city, our country and across the world. We pray for the poor and suffering, people of this city who have suffered poverty and social injustice. We pray for the poor and the oppressed who have suffered the violence of war in Africa, in the Ukraine and in Gaza. Salaam-Alaikaum. Ameen.
Let us continue in the spirit of prayer. (Spanish translation). We ask God to grant every person under the sound of our voice wisdom, patience and understanding. And we ask God to protect our leaders and our city. Blessed all the newly-elected and Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 16 01/02/2024 reinstated officials who have chosen the life of public service to focus on the needs of its people who collected to serve. (Spanish translation). Thank you Lord because we are united in prayer. We are one no matter where we come from, no matter what type of background we have, no matter what religion. Father, I pray that you will make us one. Thank you for this opportunity. In the name of Jesus, and the people say Amen. And the people say? (Amen.)
You know, when I looked at the invitation and I saw my name at the bottom, I figured everybody would be happy to see me because they would know the program was over, but then I realized that I didn't read it right. First, let me read what they wrote here. We ask God to grant every person -- no, we pray that all Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 17 01/02/2024 obstacles and barriers that would keep our leaders from working together are removed. We pray that individuals choose to show love instead of hate, to exude forgiveness instead of vengeance and to show compassion instead of cruelty. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our new Mayor, which I've known for quite a few years and our new President of City Council, which I've known for many years and the rest of the new Councilmembers and the old Councilmembers, which I've known for many, many years. I've been hanging around City Hall since the mid '70s. Anyway, I would like to say the prayer that the Almighty says in the Bible where he commands Aaron to bless the people of Israel, and I bless you with this prayer. (Hebrew translation.) May God bless you and protect you. May he shine his shine, his Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 18 01/02/2024 countenance upon you. May he look at you at all times with favor. May he grant you your blessings and your wishes and your good health, which is very important. (Hebrew translation.) May he always shine his face upon you. May he always smile on you. May he always grant you good health and happiness. May the Almighty bless our new Mayor -- our incoming Mayor because she hasn't been sworn in yet, right, our incoming Mayor and our incoming President of City Council with much health and happiness and success. And I hope and pray that everyone in City Council and City government will work with them together to make this city better than any other city in the country, to make this city a place where people will want to live, where people will die to come to Philadelphia -- not die, but you Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 19 01/02/2024 know. (Laughter.)
May the new Mayor and President of City Council work together with compatriots and build this city so strong that it can withstand bigotry, anti-Semitism, that it can withstand all the things that are wrong in life and make this a city not only that we can be proud of, but that the entire country can be proud of. Amen. (Amen.) (Applause.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. You can please be seated. This being the day fixed by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter for the organization of the Council for the City of Philadelphia the hour has arrived, and we will now proceed with the organization of Council and the investiture of Councilmembers. The first order of business Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 20 01/02/2024 will be the election of a temporary Chairperson. Nominations are now in order. And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning to the public. Thank you for the recognition, Council President. I proudly nominate Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. (Applause.)
And the Chair now recognizes Councilmember Bass.
Are there any other nominations? (No response.)
There being none, the Chair Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 21 01/02/2024 recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the nomination be closed.
The Chair thanks the gentleman and recognizes Councilwoman Ahmad.
Thank you. All in favor of the motion say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the nominations are closed. There being no further nominations, all in favor of the election of Councilmember Gilmore Richardson will say aye. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 22 01/02/2024 (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And Councilmember Gilmore Richardson has been dulyelected temporary Chairperson. (Applause.)
But before I relinquish this gavel to my colleague Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, you all didn't think I was not going to say a couple of words. I'd just like to just say a couple of words and starting out as the staff person at the 5th Councilmanic District. Let me do this now -- he moved off the table. Well, first of all as I said, good morning everyone, and it's an honor for the final time where I'll host this historic event and we're going to witness a lot of history today. Philadelphia is of course a Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 23 01/02/2024 city of historic firsts and we're witnessing a few more of those today. I'm so proud to live in a city, as the Rabbi said, that is constantly working towards a more inclusive democracy, and this stage reflects that today. And before I say anything else, I need to give thanks one final time to the residents of the City of Philadelphia for giving me this awesome, awesome privileged opportunity -(Applause.)
With your passion, your letters, your social media posts, your calls and emails and sometimes your screams, you made me a better public official, and I thank you for that. For everyone on this stage whether this is your first term or you've been here for a little bit, I want to thank you for choosing to serve Philadelphia. In a democracy representing the people is one of the Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 24 01/02/2024 most important things that you will ever do in your life, and I really mean that so you should take that seriously. The people have chosen you, a diverse, energetic, passionate and talented group of individuals to bring your expertise and your life experiences to these roles and make decisions that serve their needs. You are educators, scientists, activists, community leaders, business owners who share one common belief, that Philadelphia's best days is still ahead. In my years as an elected official in the City, we've experienced some difficult times. In fact, when I stood on this stage in January 2020 nobody realized that three months from that time that we would be experiencing some very serious challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest and the resulting economic instability in the Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 25 01/02/2024 most unprecedented downturn that we've seen. But like we always do as a city, we found ways to serve each other, to lift each other up, to help the folks who needed assistance, to rebuild, to support local businesses and to work together towards better days. It was a reminder that public service is not only for folks on this stage and people who work in the City jobs. Public service is volunteering to be a block captain. It's organizing a community clean-up. It's volunteering for the Safe Corridors so the neighborhood kids can walk to school safely. It's letting your neighbors know about City programs they may not have heard about like the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. All right, City Council. It's all that and more. So it's about believing that the City's best days are ahead of us and that you have a Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 26 01/02/2024 part to play in getting us there. So everyone in the City has expertise and life experiences that can turn to public service. So find the need in your community and make that connection and help others find the connection to serve. That's how we take our city to the next level and make sure that our success creates opportunities for everyone. It's how we took a historic theater like we're standing in today, and somebody said they wanted to demolish it. But we made it into this awesome venue where the first woman Mayor of this great city will take her oath. So I get to actually announce two family members, Little sister and Little brother. And now, I got to start calling them Big brother and Little sister. To Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson, members of City Council, Commissioners, Judges, Controller, Sheriff, Register and the Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 27 01/02/2024 residents of Philadelphia, I wish you all a blessed day. I want to thank you so much again for this awesome opportunity and success and happiness in your service to others, and God bless you all. I really appreciate you. God bless you. (Applause.)
Thank you again, Council President Darrell L. Clarke, for 42 years of tireless and dedicated service to the great city of Philadelphia. As the next order of business, I appoint Mr. Michael Decker temporary Clerk. At this time, I will remind Bible-holders to please follow the program. We will swear in members of City Council shortly. If you are participating in this part of the program, please make your way to the stage along the aisle on the right Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 28 01/02/2024 side of the venue as you face the stage and follow the signs for further direction. Thank you. The next order of business is the filing of the certificates of election. The Clerk will call the roll. I direct the Clerk to call the roll beginning with the Councilmembers-at-large in alphabetical order and then to proceed with the District Councilmembers in order of their District, beginning with the 1st District.
Present. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 29 01/02/2024
Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 30 01/02/2024 Present.
Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, a quorum of the members-elect is present and I have in my possession certificates of election from the County Board of Elections in Philadelphia indicating their election on November 7, 2023 for a term of four years, commencing on the first Monday of January 2024.
The investiture of members of Council will now proceed. The members-elect will rise to take Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 31 01/02/2024 the oath of office, which will be administered by the Honorable Timika Lane, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court. (Applause.) JUDGE LANE: Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand and repeat after me. (Oath of office administered.) JUDGE LANE: Congratulations. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the election of a President of City Council for the City of Philadelphia to serve for four years, commencing January 2nd, 2024. Nominations are now in order. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada.
I proudly and with great honor nominate Kenyatta Johnson. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 32 01/02/2024 (Applause.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.
Are there any further nominations? (No response.)
Hearing none, the Chair now recognizes Councilmember Bass.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move the nominations be closed. COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE RICHARDSON. Thank you, Councilmember Bass. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Landau.
Madam Chair, I second the motion. COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 33 01/02/2024 RICHARDSON: It has been moved and properly seconded that the nominations be closed. All in favor of the motion will signify by stating aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. There being no further nominations, all those in favor of the election of the Honorable Kenyatta Johnson as President of City Council -(Applause.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 34 01/02/2024 RICHARDSON: The ayes have it. However, the temporary Clerk will call the roll.
Councilmember Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 36 01/02/2024 Young.
Okay. Got to vote for yourself. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson having been unanimously chosen by the members of Philadelphia City Council, I declare that Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson is the duly-elected President of this body. (Applause.)
I appoint Councilmembers Squilla, Thomas, Bass and Lozada to escort Council President Johnson to the rostrum. Joining the Council President at the rostrum will be his wife Dawn Chavous and his two sons Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 37 01/02/2024 Isaiah Mandela and Elijah Kwame Johnson. The oath of office will be administered by the Honorable Timika Lane, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court. JUDGE LANE: Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand and repeat after me. (Oath of office administered.) JUDGE LANE: Congratulations. (Applause.)
It is now my humble honor and privilege to present to you the President of City Council, the Honorable Kenyatta Johnson.
Good morning and Happy New Year. I want to thank everyone for being here today for this very exciting historic Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 38 01/02/2024 occasion. I want to first thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the anchor in my life. Before I share with you my vision and focus as the new leader of City Council, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a few people starting with the love of my life, the wind beneath my wings, the joy of my soul, my beautiful wife Dawn Chavous. (Applause.)
I want to publicly thank Dawn for her unconditional love, encouragement and support. I also want to thank her for always having my back and graciously dealing with the sacrifices and challenges that come along with marrying a public servant. I love you, babe. (Applause.)
Although I love this City and I love being a public servant, my first job is that of being a father. I want to Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 39 01/02/2024 acknowledge my two young kings, Isaiah Mandela and Elijah Kwame, who always keep me grounded as a dad. I am always prioritizing the time I spend with them, whether it's dropping them off to school, going to basketball practice at the Christian Street YMCA, basketball and soccer games with the Mary Anderson Monarchs, musical lessons at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz Performing Arts or just making it home for dinner and hanging out playing Madden Football on the PS5. Yes, they have a busy schedule. I am so proud of my boys and honored to be their father. Dawn and I also are grateful to have a tight network of support, including our parents: Ronald Martin; Robert, Big Bob, Chavous; Barbara Chavous-Pennock and David Pennock; our nieces; nephews; extended family members; our church families and very close friends who Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 40 01/02/2024 are here with us today. It definitely takes a village of support when you live a life of a public servant and are also raising young children, and we are grateful for ours. Thank you. (Applause.)
I must also acknowledge the late Hardy Williams, a former Pennsylvania State Representative and Senator, who was my political mentor. (Applause.)
Hardy Williams was the co-founder of the Black Political Forum and is considered by many to be the Godfather of Black independent politics in Philadelphia. He paved the way for so many people who have served in public office, including me. I want to thank his son, Senator Anthony Hardy Williams -(Applause.) Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 41 01/02/2024
-- who continued in his father's footsteps in believing in the power of young people. Senator Williams have mentored and provided a pathway to politics and a life of public service for the likes of Pennsylvania House of Appropriations Majority Chair Jordan Harris, State Representative Regina Young, Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Timika Lane, and the first female speaker of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Honorable Joanna McClinton. (Applause.)
Tony, your dad is smiling down on you today with a sense of pride and joy. Thank you, Big Bro, for always believing in me, having my back and pushing me to be great. I also want to take a moment to acknowledge my former Professor when I attended the University of Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 42 01/02/2024 Pennsylvania Fels School of Government, the outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney for his eight-tenure as Mayor -(Applause.)
-- and 23 years of service as an At-large member of City Council. During Mayor Kenney's tenure, I admired how he boldly decided to make rebuilding our parks, playgrounds and recreation centers a cornerstone of his agenda, because all children and families deserve high-quality amenities regardless of their neighborhood. He also made sure that thousands of children had access to high-quality PreK to set them on a path of academic achievement as a means to combat poverty. Mayor Kenney, thank you for your service for the 1.6 million Philadelphians who live in our city and thank you for your friendship. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 43 01/02/2024 (Applause.)
I also want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my other big brother, the now Former 5th District Councilmember and City Council President Darrell Clarke. (Applause.)
I want to thank Council President Clarke for his service to the City of Philadelphia. Council President Clarke served the residents of the 5th Council District for 24 years, 12 as Council President. I want to publicly thank you for your wisdom and support throughout your tenure. I remember that while I was serving as a State Representative we discussed the possibility of me joining you in City Council. You talked passionately about how City Hall is where the rubber meets the road and when it comes to improving Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 44 01/02/2024 neighborhoods. We also talked about the immediate and transformative impact I can have on the constituents of the 2nd Council District. Thank you, Council President Clarke, for your friendship and dedicated service to our city. Also, retiring from City government today is now former At-large Councilmember Sharon Vaughn. Councilmember Vaughn -- give my sister a round of applause. (Applause.)
Councilmember Vaughn served this legislative body with distinction during her short term in office. During Councilmember Vaughn's tenure, she led the effort to hold Council hearings on the embarrassing conditions of the Philadelphia Prison System after several inmates escaped from State Road. As a result, changes are now being made to the prison system due to her efforts. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 45 01/02/2024 Thank you, Sharon, for your service and dedication to the City of Philadelphia. In a few minutes we will witness history and swear in the Honorable Cherelle Parker, the 100th Mayor and first woman to hold this office in our city's history. (Applause.)
We have worked together for years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly as well as in City Council. My fellow City Councilmembers and I look forward to working with you to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest city in America with economic opportunity for all. Did I get that right, Cherelle?
Madam Mayor, with your passion and commitment for change and your can-do Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 46 01/02/2024 attitude, there is a new sense of hope and optimism to transform Philadelphia into one of the most economically, viable and greatest cities not just in this nation but in the world. I'm looking forward to us rolling up our sleeves and working together to take the City of Philadelphia to the next level. Now, at times my colleagues and I will disagree with Mayor Parker on important issues facing our city. However, disagreements and compromise are a natural part of the legislative process. Astute politicians recognize that good effective leadership means we will agree more than we disagree. I recognize at this moment in the history of Philadelphia it is too important to squander over the politics of personalities and personal agendas. We have an opportunity to do something special as we improve the quality of life for Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 47 01/02/2024 all Philadelphians. While City Council is an independent-elected body, my colleagues and I will work every day to seek opportunities, a partnership with not only the Mayor, but anybody willing to work with us to help move our great city forward. There is nothing that we as Philadelphians cannot do when we all work together. As I embark upon this new role as Council President, I want to say sincerely and humbly, thank you to the 16 members of City Council for believing in me, trusting me and for having faith in my ability to lead this body into a new day. Colleagues, you have my word that I will represent this body with fidelity and professionalism. I will always have your back and govern in a just and fair manner. I make this same pledge to all the citizens of Philadelphia. This new year is a dawn of a new era in a very exciting Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 48 01/02/2024 time in the City of Philadelphia, an era filled with hope and infinite possibilities. On the stage today, we have one of the most diverse and inclusive City Council bodies in the history of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
A third of our body are new members and will be serving for the first time. Our diversity is our strength. And in the birthplace of democracy it truly exemplifies a governmental body where all citizens can have their voices, issues and concerns heard. This morning I would like to share my vision with City Council with you. As Council President, there are five major areas of focus that will shape the agenda that I plan to work on with my fellow Council colleagues, Mayor Parker and Philadelphia over the next four years. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 49 01/02/2024 I will start with one of the most important issues facing our city today, gun violence. Laron Williams, Nikolette Rivera, Devin Weedon, Da'Juan Brown, Kaylin Johnson. These are just a few of the names of children who have lost their lives to gun violence in our city. Yes, the homicide and shooting numbers have gone down from last year to this year, but I am no way celebrating. It means that what we are doing is working, but it's not enough. We must do more and we will do more. Each one of the young people I named will never grow old, never have a family of their own and their families, who have been impacted by this senseless gun violence, will be affected by their tragic loss for the rest of their lives. I'm sharing this with you because we can no longer desensitize or normalize this behavior. As long Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 50 01/02/2024 as I have breath in my lungs, I will continue to fight and advocate for solutions until the epidemic of gun violence is totally eliminated and we create a city of peace, not guns. (Applause.)
We can continue this downward trend of murders and shootings in our city this year and in the future, but we all must work together, elected officials, community leaders, business leaders, the District Attorney and, yes, the police department as well to achieve this goal. I am looking forward to supporting the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department, and my good friend new Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. I had the great opportunity to work in the trenches with Commissioner Bethel when he served as Captain of the 17th Police District working every day to Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 51 01/02/2024 keep guns out of the hands of our young people. I also want to take a moment to just acknowledge to our Mayor Cherelle Parker. That was an outstanding choice for Police Commissioner. Give her a real big round of applause. (Applause.)
I also look forward to continuing a partnership with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, which administers the Gun Violence Task Force to go after traffickers in our city. Those who flood our streets with illegal guns must know that there is no place that they can hide anymore. City government must also work and partner with victim services organizations like Mothers In Charge, Every Murder is Real, Moms United by Agencies and other agencies to Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 52 01/02/2024 support victims and co-victims of gun violence to make our city safer. These groups work day-in and day-out to support mothers and fathers and families who have been impacted by gun violence. We must make sure their voices are heard. We also have to continue investing in violence prevention initiatives that are results-driven, which means that our most valuable assets which are our boots-on-the-ground organizations like NOMO, The Young Chances Foundation, Unity in the Community, the Father's Day Rally Committee and the Fathership Foundation are supported and have a seat at the table as we strategize to create a safer city. As Council President, I will work with my colleagues and others to spread a citywide message of peace, not guns. We must make investing in our youth a priority through public Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 53 01/02/2024 policy, focusing on addressing their trauma, mental health and the posttraumatic stress disorder they are experiencing as a result of living in neighborhoods with severe gun violence. Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said, "There is nothing more important to this nation's future than investing in our young people." If we cannot protect our young people from the dangers of gun violence, then we have failed as a city. As we examine this issue of crime and gun violence in our city, we must recognize that unless we address the core underlying symptoms, Kendra Brooks, which is poverty in the years and years of disinvestments in Black and Brown neighborhoods, we will continue to be on this never-ending cycle in Philadelphia. (Applause.)
And the neighborhoods where we see Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 54 01/02/2024 the highest levels of gun violence, Jamie, and violent crime, you also see high rates of poverty. We must break the cycle and that starts today with this new City Council and our new Mayor because it's a new day. (Applause.)
I want to take a moment, a personal moment, to thank City Councilmember Curtis Jones for his years of work on this issue. (Applause.)
He's been Council's Chairman of the Public Safety Committee for years and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished together during my years as a member of the Committee under his leadership. Back in September, he held the blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Crime Summit at St. Joe's University. I would be remiss if I also didn't acknowledge and thank Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 55 01/02/2024 Councilman Dwight Evans who established the foundation and created the original blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia. (Applause.)
We appreciate his efforts in laying the groundwork many years ago. As a result of the Crime Summit, Councilman Jones hosted last year, he released more than 140 recommendations just over two weeks ago. I look forward to working with Councilmember Jones and other members of Council to implement recommendations from the blueprint and continue to collaborate on our shared mission to make Philadelphia a safer city for all of its residents. It's going to take all of us in this room and even those watching online to support this effort. We need to act with a sense of urgency so names can stop being added to the list of children who have lost their Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 56 01/02/2024 lives too soon to senseless gun violence. Our second major area of focus is eliminating poverty in our city. Nobody in this room needs to be reminded that Philadelphia has been labeled the poorest big city in the America with a poverty rate that remains above 21 percent, and that's despite steady improvements over the last decade. While our city has seen important signs of economic growth, these gains have not been evenly shared across the City, leading to what many call a tale of two cities. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that roughly in 8 White households in America experience poverty, but in African American households are living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, 33 percent of Hispanic households, the highest of any ethnic group, have incomes below the poverty level. And at the neighborhood Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 57 01/02/2024 level, these statistics are just as stark. Any individual Councilmember can illustrate our city's economic divide by looking closely at the different neighborhoods that make up their Districts. We must double-down on our resources and become laserfocused on lifting impoverished neighborhoods out of poverty. We must find ways to put all Philadelphians back to work. No matter your education level or whether you are returning home from incarceration, we must put people back to work. We must erase the stigma -(Applause.)
We must erase the stigma of being the largest big city with the highest poverty rate and become the number one big city in America for economic growth and development. We will achieve this through focusing on Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 58 01/02/2024 increasing diversity and inclusion and equitable ownership on City-supported development projects and improving procurement, supplier and professional services opportunities for Black-, Brown- and women-owned businesses. (Applause.)
While working in partnership with the diverse Chambers of Commerce, the Building Trades and establishing public and private partnerships in the nonprofit and business sector, it is incumbent upon us as City leaders to understand why our city's growth has not been shared equitably across every community and neighborhood. We must take steps to ensure that every family regardless of their zip code or background has a pathway out of poverty and an opportunity to build generational wealth. (Applause.)
Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 59 01/02/2024 Growing our city's economy and creating good-paying, familysustaining jobs is an important piece of that puzzle. It is critically important that our city puts in the hard work to ensure that every community has access to these opportunities and that every family shares in this prosperity. Many of the issues that I am highlighting today are interconnected. Violence in our city is impacted by poverty. And the effect of poverty is housing insecurity, which is my third area of focus. According to our city's Office of Homelessness, there are currently 4,725 people living without functional housing in our city and will not have a home to go to this evening. That is totally unacceptable. We must continue to acknowledge and confront our housing crisis by addressing the critical Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 60 01/02/2024 need for more affordable and workforce housing options and give more funding to programs to help residents prepare and stay in their homes. Thank you, Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. (Applause.)
As we focus on equitable development through public policy, we must find a healthy balance between supporting affordable housing and market rate development without the displacement of long-term residents. In the spirit of Council President Darrell Clarke, the City Council's Turn the Key Program, which is on the verge of providing 1,000 new homes for first-time homebuyers and my recent Save Our Homes Property Tax Relief Plan, which reduces displacement through making property taxes fairer and more transparent, our initiatives are already having a positive impact on this issue. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 61 01/02/2024 Strategizing and working with the Philadelphia Housing Authority is also key to addressing this crisis. We can do more and we will do more because it's a new day, ladies and gentlemen. (Applause.)
My fourth area of focus is public education, Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Mr. Chair Isaiah Thomas. We must closely examine our education system and prioritize the needs of students attending PreK through 12th grade schools in Philadelphia to make sure we are striving for excellence and academic achievement and positive experiences and outcomes for all students. To me this means making sure our school buildings are joyful, welcoming and in a safe learning environment that are lead- and asbestos-free as well as ensuring Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 62 01/02/2024 that we have safe corridors so students don't have to worry about what may happen to them going to and from school. Now, just take a moment and imagine with me what our city would be like if children could attend school in a gun violence-free environment. We do not need to just imagine it. It is possible for this to become a reality if we are all willing to work together and work with a sense of urgency. Just imagine how students would feel walking into a new clean building that has proper heating and air-conditioning. Addressing many of these issues take resources, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has, Mr. Chairman of Appropriations Jordan Harris. (Applause.)
I plan to work diligently with Mayor Parker and members of the Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 63 01/02/2024 Pennsylvania House and Senate in Harrisburg to make sure all of our students in Philadelphia have the funding needed to properly educate students in a safe and welcoming, state-of-the-art school building and also ensure that students are able to benefit from a fair funding formula. The inequality of student funding in Pennsylvania is shameful and almost criminal. I want to thank our Governor Josh Shapiro for investing more money in Pennsylvania school districts, but the School District of Philadelphia is still severely underfunded. This is confirmed by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruling that recently declared Pennsylvania's school funding system is unconstitutional. We need more funding in our public school system, but we also need to make sure we have accountability to ensure increased Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 64 01/02/2024 funding will increase academic outcomes for students. We must give our teachers and principles the tools and resources they need to create a culture of academic excellence without having to teach in overcrowded classrooms, purchasing school supplies out of their own pockets and fearing for the safety of their lives and the lives of their students in the backdrop of neighborhoods filled with gun violence. We must also address our truancy crisis. Students need to be in school every day and not hanging at home or in the streets. (Applause.) Councilman Phillips, thank you. Our children and our youth deserve better. And I know working with Mayor Parker and our School Superintendent, Dr. Tony Watlington, we can and will do better. Excuses are not an option. It is a new day Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 65 01/02/2024 and we will need to expect and accomplish more for our students. (Applause.)
It will take all of us working together to improve public education. We want students to graduate and become productive citizens because students today will become our workforce tomorrow, which leads me to the last major area of focus that I would like to address today. In order to have a thriving economy, we must have a visually strong workforce and an evolving strong and diverse business community. This means we have to drastically improve the way we do business in Philadelphia by creating a much easier, welcoming and user-friendly business environment. We need a tax structure that encourages businesses to move into Philadelphia and most importantly stay in Philadelphia. I hear from Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 66 01/02/2024 individuals all the time that it is extremely difficult and frustrating to do business with the City of Philadelphia. Over the next four years, we must not only reform our tax structure and regulatory environment to make our city more business-friendly and economically competitive, we must also evaluate the burden City government puts on businesses and eliminate outdated systems that make it more difficult to do business. (Applause.)
We must develop innovative ways to make accessing City services less complicated. I also believe we can find a healthier and fair balance between providing tax relief for businesses while also significantly investing in small businesses which are the bedrock of our economy and our neighborhoods. It is also Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 67 01/02/2024 important for us to support Black and Brown female-owned businesses as a way to make sure they are on the same playing field as men. (Applause.)
When supporting small businesses and businesses of color, it allows us to expand our tax base which provides the revenue needed to continue supporting our City's budget priorities. As the President of City Council, I recognize that the creation of a City budget is about the scarce distribution of resources to serve the entire city. But we must create an equitable budget that takes into consideration the issues and concerns of the most vulnerable citizens of Philadelphia. Now, I have laid out an ambitious vision for City Council and Philadelphia over the next four years, but it is a new day and let me hear everyone say it is a new day. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 68 01/02/2024 (It is a new day.)
I know working together we can get it done and we will get it done. Now, I need to take just a few moments to clear up some misperceptions about me as a person and as a leader as well as address the footnote that is consistently a part of every article written about me and my family. (Applause.)
As everyone knows, in recent years my wife Dawn and I went through trials and tribulations that made a lot of people across this region question our integrity. Those were challenging days. But every single day my wife and I got up, held our heads high and continued working and taking care of our family. (Applause.)
But most importantly, kept serving the people of Philadelphia. During Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 69 01/02/2024 that time, individuals from across the City and state and people from all ethnic races and ethnic backgrounds throughout Philadelphia, including many of my City Council colleagues on this stage today, stood beside us, supported us and prayed for us. They knew our integrity. They knew our work ethic. They knew our heart and they knew our innocence. On November 2nd of 2022, 12 women and men saw through the falsehoods and by the grace of God our future is a bright one. (Applause.)
This story sounds like something out of a Hollywood script, but it is not. It is a real-life story. It is our real-life story that played out in front of an entire city and world. And at the end of the day, we are here on this stage because of the grace of God. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 70 01/02/2024 (Applause.)
We are here on the stage because of the grace of God who I know and believe has ordered our steps. Today 14 months later we are still here, still standing stronger than ever and I have the distinct honor of being the new President of the Philadelphia City Council, one of the greatest cities in the world. (Applause.)
What a difference a year makes. I have dedicated my entire life to public service. And I say life and not career, because when you do this work for the right reasons which is it to help those in need, it's not just a job. It's the way of life. Despite all of the adversity we have been through, I have never stopped fighting for the citizens of Philadelphia and I never will. This is the type of leader I am. I am Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 71 01/02/2024 going to keep showing up. I am going to keep working and together we are going to get the job done. Thank you. Thank you, Philadelphia. Thank you for believing in me. And I just want to say God bless the City of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. God bless. (Applause.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the election of the Chief Clerk of City Council in the City of Philadelphia. The nominations are now in order. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I nominate Mr. Michael Decker.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 72 01/02/2024 Councilmember Young.
Are there any other further nominations? (No response.)
Hearing none, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Harrity.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the nominations are closed. All in favor of the motion will say aye. Inauguration -- Stated Meeting 73 01/02/2024 (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. There being no further nominations, all in favor of the election of Mr. Michael Decker as Chief Clerk of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. However, the Clerk will call the roll.