Aye. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 135 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 230004.
An ordinance STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 136 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to civil service exemptions for staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; 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 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.
Councilwoman STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 137 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.
Councilman Phillips. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 138 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Cayla Waddington, Ava Jackson, Kevin Leonard, Khyree Cousins, and Antoinette Ellis, for their incredibly STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 139 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING hard work writing and performing original speeches for the sixth annual Thomas and Woods Foundation Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues. 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.
And a resolution STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 140 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold hearings examining the impact of new regulations on the short term rental market in Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
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 ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Nicodemus STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 141 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Madehdou, for the success and incredible work of his gaming business JumpButton Studio and JumpButton Animation, which seek to increase person-of-color representation in the gaming and media industries, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I want to take a second to remind everybody of our gaming event that's happening at the end of the month. I talked about it in Council last week, and I appreciate Nicodemus for partnering with us. And 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 142 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine the impacts of the recent court decision declaring the formula for funding primary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth unconstitutional as the current formula creates have and have nots among students, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 143 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution celebrating and honoring the life and legacy of Tommie W. St. Hill, Sr. for his activism, civic engagement and service to the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Jones on behalf of Councilman Harrity.
On behalf of Councilmember Harrity, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 144 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring Paul R. Levy upon the occasion of his retirement, and recognizing him for his hard work and dedication to the City of Philadelphia as the president and CEO of the Center City District for 33 years, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 145 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, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) for 38 years of dedicated service to Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 146 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Impact Services for 49 years of dedicated service to Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. Before I move -I make a move, I'd like to recognize Casey O'Donnell and Bill McKinney, who both had to leave, but I want to make sure that as a body we recognize them for their hard work and dedication not only STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 147 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING to the organizations that they serve as executive directors for but to the communities of Harrowgate and Kensington and their commitment to ensuring that community residents are included in the conversation all the time. With that, I'd like to 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.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to examine the open-air drug market and STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 148 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING other barriers to clean, safe, crime-free streets in Kensington, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
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 ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution calling for the establishment of a "Marshall Stabilization and Recovery Plan" to combat the issues facing STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 149 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Kensington and the surrounding areas in Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
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 ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Mama Maisha, a creative and loving teacher, community STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 150 2/16/2023 2/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING leader, and cultural educator, who has nurtured social justice movements in Philadelphia, built and transformed institutions, and shared her wisdom with so many Philadelphians, introduced today by Councilwoman Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of this 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.
There are no STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 151 2/16/2023 Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our bills and resolutions for today. We will now move to our speeches. Speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
I only have one left -- two left. I'm sorry. Ever-changing Council. Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to take a moment to thank you and Councilmember Gilmore Richardson as well as our other colleagues who supported the Home Rule Charter amendment to create the Division STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 152 2/16/2023 improve reporting on workforce development to City Council. One of my focuses this Council session is workforce development within the life sciences industry, because as the life sciences sector explodes across Philadelphia, we need to be doing everything we can to ensure that this industry grows alongside rather than without working-class Black and brown residents. And nowhere are the life sciences growing more than in areas of West and Southwest Philadelphia, the areas I represent. Just last week, we broke ground on a new life sciences development at 32nd and Cuthbert Street. Not only will 3201 Cuthbert be the largest life sciences development in Philadelphia, it will also be the most high tech life sciences building on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Almost half of the over 500,000 STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 153 2/16/2023 this facility was spoken for before a shovel was even in the ground, because life sciences companies know that Philadelphia is the place to be. And I could not be more excited, because the life sciences industry is particularly suited to uplift our city because it generates high-paying jobs for residents from all educational backgrounds. Even neighbors without a college degree can obtain a family-sustaining job as a lab technician, for example. But this will only happen if the City establishes and expands high-quality job training opportunities that prepare our residents to be competitive applicants for these jobs before they even come online. We must also create opportunities to expose young people to the life sciences industry, support GED programs with ties to the life sciences, STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 154 2/16/2023 to specific job opportunities. Escalating workforce development within the life sciences industry is crucial work, and we must start right now if we want to maximize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lift working-class Black and brown Philadelphians out of poverty and into prosperity. That's why I could not be more excited about the creation of the Division of Workforce Solutions within the Commerce Department. So, once again, thank you, Council President and Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, and I share your sense of urgency around workforce development and taking bold steps to give our residents the resources they need to thrive. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you to promote workforce development in the life sciences sector and beyond, and I urge voters to vote yes STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 155 2/16/2023 Charter amendment approving the creation of the Division of Workforce Solutions this May. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to say that I was really extremely moved by the tribute for Tommie St. Hill. I met him one time briefly right before he passed away. So I wish I could have known him even better, as you all knew him. I also want to say I want to thank our Councilmember, Quetcy Lozada, for her resolution today around Kensington and the troubles that are happening there. I'm looking forward to working closely with you to resolve those issues that is really important. Thanks to everyone for their testimony. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 156 2/16/2023 wanted to quickly note for those of you who live -residents who live in East Oak Lane and Olney, on February 23rd, our office is hosting Table Talks with Councilmember Anthony Phillips. It is from 6 to 8 o'clock. It is at PASSI located at 6926 Old York Road. And then also on February 27th, we're doing a table talk as well at the Masjidullah at 7401 Limekiln Pike. Both are from 6 to 8 o'clock. Come get some food, meet some City resources, and come meet your new Councilmember. So looking forward to seeing you all. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. Philadelphia is open for business. We have jobs. We talked about STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 157 2/16/2023 is looking to hire. So encourage people that are looking for jobs in License and Inspection, please go to that website. We have two other opportunities I want to highlight briefly. There's seasonal bus drivers for special needs summer camp through Parks and Rec. The hourly pay, $25 an hour. Responsibilities: Drive various program vehicles, including, but not limited to, program buses, wheelchair-accessible vans, and other vehicles; transport participants to and from trips and summer camp programming; assist participants on and off vehicles as needed; assure safety for all during trips and summer camp pickup and drop-off assists in transporting vehicles to various PPR locations; and perform related work as required. Qualifications: Education experience equivalent to Grade 12; CDL license with passenger endorsement; ability to physically perform the duties STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 158 2/16/2023 the environmental conditions required for a position in this class; completion of a CPR and a first aid program; and possession of a current CPR and first aid certification at the time of application and during the tenure of employment as a recreational specialty instructor. Interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PPR.hr@phila.gov. Any questions can be directed to Parks and Recreation, telephone No. 215-683-3600. Again, 215-683-3600. And then, once again, the L&I inspectors. We're still accepting applications for code enforcement and building inspectors. Pay for code enforcement inspectors range from $47,787 to $66,130. Pay for building inspectors range from $56,222 to 67,690. If interested, you should go to https://urldefense.com and search "inspector" for the job postings and more STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 159 2/16/2023 you have any questions, if you didn't get all this information, you can call my office here in City Hall at 215-686-3444. We'll help assist. Please, we're open for business. We have jobs available. We need applicants. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Great information. We appreciate it. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 160 2/16/2023 that the staff of the Please Touch Museum recently filed a petition to unionize and fight for their rights. They seek fair pay and benefits to sustain a career at the museum they love; a transparent process of on-boarding, scheduling, training, and promotion; a safe, inclusive workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and systems of accountability where discrimination, harassment occur; a say in policies that affect them the most. I'm told that early conversations were cordial, but that the organization's leadership is now engaging in the same union bussing tactics seen in other instances where a union is not voluntarily recognized. A supermajority of staff express intent to unionize, putting their jobs on the line to fight for their rights and to grow the institution as a whole. That is a powerful indicator that the union will form soon or after a STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 161 2/16/2023 weigh heavily on all involved. We saw the effects of that at last year's strike at the Art Museum when leadership delayed coming to the table, and we are seeing them now while the Temple University grad students association is on strike. City Council allocated 2.1 million to the Please Touch Museum from this fiscal year. I call on the museum to voluntarily recognize this union or, at minimum, to not obstruct the union vote so that everyone can make the best use of that money and focus on supporting the growth of the children of Philadelphia, the state, and the country. I will post more information about this on my social media and invite my colleagues to join me in supporting the workers of Please Touch Museum. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 162 2/16/2023 The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah, Council President. I just want to make an announcement that immediately after Council session, at 1:00 p.m. we will be having a Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hearing. And so all of the members, I just wanted to ask you to please be prompt so we can get in and get out addressing the people's business for today. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. That concludes our speeches on behalf of the majority and the minority today. So with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 163 2/16/2023 Thursday, February 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Thank you very much. Please be safe. ) STATED MEETING 02-16-2023 164 2/16/2023 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. hr@phila.