Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hagins. Thank you for your testimony. We have been accused of not getting potholes filled and been accused of not getting abandoned buildings taken down, but it's the first time I've ever gotten accused of a sports team losing a championship game. But it's all good. It's a part of the job. So we will be silent during the 76ers run. Thank you, Mr. Hagins. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hagins. Okay. That concludes our public comment for today -- oh, you have three more. I'm sorry. Mr. Decker, call the next name. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 100 2/16/2023
The next speaker is Neyda Rios. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Neyda Rios. Good morning -sorry. I wrote stuff down, but I'm not the type of person to write things down. I just always talk from the heart. I thank you for giving us this opportunity to come before you this morning. Good morning to everyone here. Thank you for this time and this space. I was supposed to go be in surgery this morning, but my heart weighed so heavy about my community and about the bill -- the resolution that I am here to support, Free Kensington resolution. I'm a long-term resident of Kensington. I bought my house way back in 1995 before everything started changing, so I've been on the streets for STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 101 2/16/2023 a very long time in the neighborhood Kensington, Harrowgate. I've been out there picking up needles. I've been out there cleaning the playground, McPherson, what people call Needle Park. That is not Needle Park. It is McPherson Playground, where our kids -- Stacy, raise up the board, please. I don't know if you can see the pictures clearly, but anyone who wants to see them, they're here so you can see them. Where the kids find a safe place to be. They want to be able to play in the playground. They want to be able to walk to school without having to watch where they step, where they step on feces, where they step on needles. They are tired of having to look out. They want to be children. We are traumatizing our children on a daily basis. For what? For what? So that people can go sell drugs on the street? So that they can be out there getting high? STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 102 2/16/2023 We have to walk over. We have to like be careful, everything that we do. The people who are in our community do not belong there. They are not residents. They are not from Philadelphia. They're from the suburbs. They're from different areas. I've been doing service in Salvation Army, which is no longer open. It was closed down because of funding. I've been doing services. I'm community connected with Impact Services, also at CHW training. I just finished in August with NKCDC. There are resources out there. There are things out there, and we have to be educated, but the first step that needs to be taken is to get the drug dealers off of our streets. There are so many of them. They do not live in Kensington, these drug dealers. You see them of the train in the morning, getting on their train STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 103 2/16/2023 with their lunches and their cell phones and their guns hiding underneath their jackets coming into Kensington from West Philadelphia, from other places. I'm constantly on my street corner having to stand on my street corner and be out there fighting for my corner. There's a corner garden that I started, a lot, an old lot. There's something else to belong to, gentlemen.
I apologize. But the most important thing is that you hear us, hear our cries, the people who cannot come out, who have not been able to come out here because single moms that have to go to work, children that have to go to school. Hear our cries as a resident, as neighbors. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 104 2/16/2023
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Daisie Cardona. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Daisie Cardona. I'm a 20-year-old Afro indigenous Latina queer woman. I am here to support Councilmember Lozada and the Kensington resolution bill. I was born in Kensington and have lived and worked here my whole STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 105 2/16/2023 entire life. When I was three years old, two things happened. My dad left and my mom took my brother and I to eat at the now closed Salvation Army Pioneer Corps building. That one meal changed our lives forever. One thing led to another, and soon my mom, brother, and I were not only volunteering but helping run nearly every program in that building. That upbringing not only taught me some very important lessons but shielded us from the violence happening outside. Some of the people of the kids that we grew up with are dead. Some sell drugs, others teeter-tottering between what is around us and living. Most do it with a blunt in their hands. Some have been doing it since they were very young. One of our neighborhood kids, he just turned 15, has been smoking weed since he was eight years old. He now sells drugs and is on the run because he pissed off the wrong person. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 106 2/16/2023 It isn't just them. My best friend's baby brother has been able to spot needles and guide the other children around them since he was five years old. And I'm sure most of you know McPherson Square. You look it up on your computer, on YouTube, and there's tons of videos of the addicted camping on the park. What most outsiders don't know is that rotting old building on top is a library and probably -- honestly, probably the only reason most kids and teens around aren't dead. Kids as young as two spend every moment there, the library giving kids extra lunches to take home to siblings and even parents who would starve without the extra food. This has to stop. This cannot be allowed to continue. The open-air drug market in Kensington is not only killing the users, it is killing innocent kids, teens, adults, elderly. Why has this been STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 107 2/16/2023 allowed to continue? I can tell you why. Because we are a predominantly low-income colored community. The truth is, what's happening in Kensington is an act of racism, of segregation. Most people who live in Kensington never leave. They die thinking Kensington is the whole world. To put a stop to this, first we must make them see us, see that we are not just numbers, statistics, cannon fodder. The people here, the kids, teens, young adults, the adults, and elderly, are some of the kindest, most bravest, brilliant people I have ever met, and if I had a choice, I'd roll up here all over again. City Council, I stand here pleading for the lives of my people, my family. I could have come here, straightened my hair, in a suit, conformed to look like you and paint a picture that simply isn't true, paint a STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 108 2/16/2023 government that like most but of this very Council hasn't turned their backs on my people, my neighborhood.
We do not want your condos. We do not want your storage facilities. We want answers, solutions, real solutions and answers. I stand before you, again, representing my people, for the children whose whole lives have been nothing but a war zone, who deserve more, for the 200 victims of shootings in 2023 alone, for the 159 who have been fatal, but 41 deaths we've had, the seven-year-old girl who was shot four days into 2023.
Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. We hear you. (Applause.)
The final speaker STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 109 2/16/2023 is Anthony Erace. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Anthony Erace. It's okay. Nobody ever gets it right. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Resolution 230016. I will be brief and hopefully persuasive. This resolution would exempt employees of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission from civil service. This is an important step for independence, impartiality, and agency legitimacy. Virtually all of CPOC's work can impact the policies and practice of policing and day-to-day work with police officers in Philadelphia. Independence from civil service is crucial to maintain impartiality and legitimacy. The public should be able to STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 110 2/16/2023 rely on CPOC's ability to pursue issues, facts, and reforms wherever they lead, without common or shared interests between the employees of either agency. In sum, we expect the public to trust us to act independently, and for that, the agency must actually be independent. Additionally, the passage of this bill allows us to cast a wide net in the community to hire effectively, to be fluid and flexible outside of the Byzantine bureaucracy. It allows us to seek and find the best qualified candidates, even if those qualifications are non-traditional. Our goal is to reduce barriers and become an apprentice agency and provide a path to development and success for the people that are of and by our community. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 111 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING And that now concludes our public comment session, and we will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of Resolution No. 230086.
A resolution expressing Philadelphia City Council's support for graduate student workers at Temple University and urging Temple University to return to the table and bargain a fair and equitable contract with its graduate student workers.
Thank you, Council President. We're still not seeing the progress that we would like to see to support our students at Temple, so I energetically move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 112 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230087.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1736 North 22nd Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 113 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230092.
A resolution honoring and recognizing Chris DeShields, a SEPTA bus operator, for his heroism and the bravery he exhibited while stopping a carjacking and protecting his fellow citizens.
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.) STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 114 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230097.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4993 West Girard Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District.
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. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 115 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230098.
A resolution initiating action to continue a neighborhood improvement district, known as the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, in an area that generally includes both sides of North 2nd Street from the north side of Callowhill Street to the south side of Girard Avenue, both sides of North 3rd Street from Spring Garden Street to the south side of Wildey Street, Spring Garden Street from North 2nd Street to the eastern side of North 5th Street, and certain blocks of streets that intersect portions of these streets; for which the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Incorporated, which has STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 116 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING organized itself as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, serves as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District.
Thank you, Mr. 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 ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220743.
A resolution STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 117 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter changing the requirement for contributions and minimum balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve and making other technical changes; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Oh, STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 118 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING two-thirds -- yeah. Let the record reflect because this is a Charter change amendment, it shall require a two-thirds vote. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 119 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.
Council President Clarke. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 120 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. Two-thirds of all members of Council voting in the affirmative, Resolution No. 220743 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220872.
A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the Division of Workforce Solutions within the Department of Commerce, to promote workforce development activity serving Philadelphians seeking jobs and training opportunities in the public or private sectors; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 121 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Because Resolution No. 220872 is an amendment to the Home Rule Charter, it requires two-thirds vote. Therefore, the question shall be, shall the resolution be adopted. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 122 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 123 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Vaughn.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of members present, two-thirds, Resolution No. 220872 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230016.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for exemption from civil service for staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Right now Bill Greenlee would be flipping desks STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 124 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING over for all the Charter amendments we've introduced today. He was an opponent of messing with a document that he thought was pretty solid, but I think in today's climate, in today's world environment and nationally, we have to redo things and think differently. Tyre Nichols was murdered. He was beaten to death, and it has become a national issue. It's not even a debate, but it's become a national issue. And I am not a perfect servant. I am a public servant, and I pray every day to learn from my mistakes. But this is not a mistake. If that happened here in Philadelphia, we would not be ready to deal with all that comes with that, because our Commission has been hamstrung from hiring the best and brightest of a talent pool to be ready for not -- I pray every day that it never happens here, that we get a pass, but we have to be prepared for when it happens here. Why? STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 125 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Because it has rippling effects throughout our city. There's not a neighborhood that was not affected by the uprising, from Chestnut Hill to South Philadelphia. We have to be prepared so that people, citizens, know that you're not always going to get every decision you want, but those decisions are considered fairly. So right now the vote before us, if we were not to do it, would only slow the process down. And I think sometimes that analysis paralysis is a tactic. As long as they can keep it from being totally functional, they can keep it from being relevant to public policy in the City of Philadelphia. So I need you to think about what would have happened had that traffic stop, Isaiah Thomas, for equitable laws for trafficking, what would have happened in Philadelphia? Would we have been ready to review, to analyze what happened? I would tell you no. But I STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 126 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING tell you by a vote affirmative today, we're getting closer to being able to say and look people in the eye from the community and say that we put the best possible fair plan forward. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, can I get a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption. I got into it. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Councilman. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Because Resolution No. 230016 is an amendment to the Home Rule Charter, it requires two-thirds vote. Therefore, the question shall be, shall the resolution be adopted. Mr. Decker, please call that STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 127 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 128 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are one. Two-thirds of all members of Council voting in the affirmative, Resolution No. 230016 has been adopted. Let the record reflect, as was said earlier, Councilman, we have people STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 129 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING seemingly leaving every week, so I want to change the vote on Resolution No. 220872 and 220743. Those votes are 14; zero and not 15; zero. Thank you.
Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220733.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to change the requirements for contributions and minimum balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve and make other technical changes; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 130 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING election.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Johnson. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 131 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 132 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220864.
An ordinance providing for the submission of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Division of Workforce Solutions within the Department of Commerce, to promote workforce development activities serving Philadelphians seeking jobs and training opportunities in the public or private sectors; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 133 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to pause to say thank you for your work on this legislation and for the work that we've done together in reaching this legislation to this point in the process and all the work that we've done over the summer just to look at every facet and every line of this bill. I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity and thank Jenaye on your team as well, who did a lot of diligent work on this legislation. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman, and thank you for your awesome input and work on this issue, and I want to thank the Administration and Commerce Department for their contributions also. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk will please call STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 134 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING the roll.