Stated Meeting, February 6, 2025

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 6, 2025 10:00 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 SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, CHIEF CLERK

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. This Council meeting will now come to order. All members, please take your seats. All visitors, please retire to the seats outside the rails. And before proceeding, I will ask all those present to please set your cell phones on silent or vibrate. And I will ask for all sidebar conversations to please be taken outside the Council chambers. To give the invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pate-Dennis, Senior Pastor of New Gethsemane Baptist Church in the great part of Philadelphia known as South Philly. She is here today as the guest of Councilmember Squilla. I will ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests and visitors rise.)

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

Please bow your heads. Thank you, sir, too. Please bow your heads and open your hearts. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Dear Lord, as we celebrate for the victory that's coming, we also must also be mindful of what's going on so thankful, God, that you allow me to pray in front of a group and body of people who work hard, who work hard to correct those things that are going on right now that are unjust. I ask you, Lord, to bless this nation, bless this country, bless this world at its best right now. Lord, I ask you to bless this state and this city. Lord, the travesty of crashes and burning and airplanes falling we cannot forget that, Lord. We ask for your mercy in all things, God, because I know that you rule heaven and earth. So, Father, I ask this morning that as we celebrate, that we pray for those who cannot celebrate. We pray for those who have lost life. We pray for those who are grieving now, God. who have lost. But in the joy of it, God, we are here. And, God, this is a body that can make a difference. Give them the strength and the perpetuity to do so, God. Give them peace and let them be patient. Lord, bless these constituents that come out to protest for their victories. Lord, let not one, not one, not one, get by without being heard. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your justice. And DEI turn around and be IED. Lord, give us strength. And as I don't want to be up here long, God, because I could preach I just want to pray to you. I want you to bless each and every person that's around surrounding us, their families, their children, their children to come, and bless this President of City Council. Give him strength. Give him perpetuity. Give him patience, give him care, and let he judge his people that are working with him in a right and just way. So as we go forth on this day, there's only one thing to say, Let's Go Hunt. Amen. (Applause.)

The Chair thanks the Reverend for her invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 30, 2025. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 30, 2025 be approved. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 30, 2025 stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is request for leaves of absence. And the Chair recognizes Richardson.

Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today. Thank you.

The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Brooks.

On behalf of the Minority, there are no asks for leaves of absence. Thank you.

The Chair thanks the Minority Leader. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council, and as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember and Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson may be added to should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our great you to come again. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke, who will present a resolution declaring 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives in Philadelphia and calling on the City of Philadelphia to explore all options to support the development and resilience of local cooperative businesses. Would Corey Reidy, Mo Manklang, Carmen Guerrero, Terrell Cannon and Janet Filante and those accompanying them please join Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke at the podium. (Applause.)

Joining Councilmember O'Rourke at the podium is Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Councilmember Mark Squilla, Councilmember Cindy Bass, Councilmember Landau and the Chiefs fan Councilmember Jim Harrity. (Boo.) (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)

Let the boos be heard across the chamber, boo. No, I love my brother. Good morning, Philadelphia.

Good morning.

Today we're here to celebrate small businesses, but not the kind that we're most familiar with. In this day and age when we celebrate entrepreneurs, we're often thinking about a sole individual, powerful figurehead, the visionary leader who miraculously finds success all themselves, but sometimes that sole figurehead is actually a team of three or four or more democratically deciding how the business they own together should run, not an executive board or advisory committee, but genuine co-ownership and true co-operation. This is the structure that powers worker-owned cooperatives that we're here to celebrate today and throughout the year. The United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives. And last week, we voted to bring that energy here to Philly. I'd like to thank my colleague the first to take this step, Deputy Majority Whip Cindy Bass, the member who last honored cooperatives in Council, for being a long-time supporter of these today as guests are the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, PACA, and the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, organizations that support the creation and development of co-ops in Philly and beyond. We're also joined by Masa Cooperativa, a food service co-op that assists -- that assists a network of local restaurants, Home Care Associates, the largest co-op in the region and long-time home health care specialists -(Applause.)

-Childspace Day Care Centers, which provides top-notch child care for our neighbors uptown -(Applause.)

-and reporters for the Philadelphia Monitor, a media cooperative that diligently covers public affairs. Make some noise for Philadelphia Hall Monitor. (Applause.)

They'll tell you all about the critical advantages that co-ops bring, cooperatives bring, be it their resiliency, community roots and support or strength in cooperation. But here's my two cents: Right now, down in Washington we're seeing what happens when we overemphasize a kind of entrepreneurship that treats the CEO as a supreme dictator. This modern view of the entrepreneur has helped to cultivate a constituency who don't really care for our democracy, and I think it's important we grapple about the elected President and his unelected co-presidents. I'm taking this opportunity to reframe things on purpose, to remember that entrepreneurship is not about the individual, to declare that our economy could use some more democracy and to celebrate a thriving network of local businesses building the future today. With that, we'll now read the resolution: Whereas, Cooperatives or co-ops are businesses that are owned and democratically controlled by their members - those who own the business use its services or buy its goods - which range in size from the local corner store to Fortune 500 companies, restaurants, grocery stores, utilities and unions; and Whereas, Cooperatives create inclusive economic participation by empowering individuals through shared ownership and democratic decisionmaking and ensuring that residents have a direct stake in both the success of their businesses and communities and the profits of their labors; and

Shout-out to Weavers Way Co-op in Mt. Airy. Whereas, Cooperatives act as anchor businesses in the community, allowing profits to be equitably recirculated to local stakeholders and provide a safe, stable source of jobs and wealth across generations; and Whereas, Cooperatives further build entrepreneurship through their investments in the and financial skills and cultivate local leaders who steward their business and community for the long term; and

Whereas, Research proves that cooperatives also retain workers longer than traditional businesses, driven in part because cooperatives provide higher wages, more flexible working hours, better benefits than typical businesses and are more in tune with the workers' needs and the evolving needs of modern businesses; and Whereas, The average Philadelphian interacts with cooperatives on a regular basis, with the Philadelphia area holding more than 100 cooperatives, ranging from food cooperatives to housing cooperatives, credit unions and others; and

Whereas, The number of cooperatives continues to grow annually due to new startup cooperatives and the conversion of existing businesses into cooperatives; and Whereas, Cooperatives also offer business succession assistance by providing a collective structure that allows employees or community members to take over ownership and decisionmaking responsibilities. This ensures stability and business viability through the times of transition while enabling them to maintain their values and mission; and

Whereas, Profitable businesses and the jobs they provide are saved when retiring owners sell to their cooperative or an employee stock ownership plan. As thousands of business owners of the boomer generation retire, cooperatives provide an excellent opportunity for succession planning that retains local ownership and wealth building potential; and Whereas, Large cities like New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin are all investing in programs focused on strategic outreach, community education, legislative support and technical and financial assistance to support cooperatives in their mission to build equitable wealth across the community; and

Whereas, Various tools and resources are available to the City to support new and existing cooperatives, including research, technical assistance, contractor preferences and the establishment of relationships with anchor institutions; and Whereas, In particular, the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance and the Welcoming Center provide extensive technical support to developing cooperatives in the Philadelphia area and are the central drivers of the local cooperative movement; and

Whereas, The City of Philadelphia demonstrates its commitment to cooperatives by joining the global proclamation of the United Nations General Assembly designating 2025 as the Year of the Cooperatives. Alongside the U.N., we recognize that cooperatives promote participation in the development of all people, including women, individuals with disabilities, people of color and indigenous people whose inclusion strengthens economic and social development; and

Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby declare 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives in Philadelphia and calls on the City of Philadelphia to explore all options to support the development and resilience of local cooperative businesses. Further resolved, that an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, further acknowledging and showing the Philadelphia City Council's commitment to building (Applause.)

Often times in community and in movement spaces and in activism we say, tell me what democracy looks like. And the response is, this is what democracy looks like. This is another example of democracy in action. We talk so much of various values and we also get paid lip service to democracy, but there also must be work done to emphasize, proclaim, pronounce and assert those values that make for realized democracy beyond just voting, but realizing it in our workplaces as well. So we want to hear from some of those who are doing that work of bringing that democracy into action. to invite Carmen Guerrero of Masa Cooperativa to say a few words, followed by a few speakers after that. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Good morning. (Good morning.)

My name is Carmen Guerrero, an indigenous woman, member and owner of Masa Cooperativa, an immigrant-led business founded in 2020 and operating in Philadelphia. Our mission is to rescue the one main seed, corn, or nutrition roots of the Indigenous People of the American continent, to take care of our own health, the health of our planet, and fade economically in all aspects of the process of growing corn through the The highest quality of Masa can reach the homes of our customers. We work along with native tribes and local organic farmers to have the purest quality corn seeds from modern earth. We face a need to provide legal work through ownership for undocumented people. We created this company to create better systems in the huge commodity of corn in the United States. It is worth mentioning that because of the commodification of corn that ancestral practices of mixed (inaudible) and the people who are connected to the corn are to be preserved and protected here in America. Each individual has power in the cooperative as an owner, so we pride our best selves to the project, provide business ownership, opportunity and entrepreneurship. We share the boldness and success of business together. Masa Cooperativa, it's about giving back power to the immigrant workers as owners of their own business. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning. (Good morning.)

It's great to see everyone. Thank you for this opportunity. I am Terrell Cannon. I am the first owner of Home Care Associates back in 1993. We are a home care worker co-op. And I must say as a person standing here, I started as an aide. I'm the Director today, and it's because of that co-op. In our co-op we were able to build our business, workers and have our workers have the power to make the decisions of the company to keep us still standing today through COVID. We're still here. The workers are the board. The workers make the decisions. The workers out -- in doing all of that, the workers are the ones that at the end of the day they're able to go home and say, I've done my job, I've ran my business and I am self-sufficient. I am a true product of that, proud of that and will continue to be that because in a worker co-op, I was able to get support to go through college. I have a Master's degree through my co-op for supporting me to be able to do those things. Without the co-op, I would have just been a worker clocking in and clocking give us the recognition we need to show that there is power in the employees that is running the businesses, that's doing the jobs, that's building the economy in the co-op world -

That's what's up.

So I will say to you thank you for this resolution, continue to fight as we will continue to do so, because as workers of co-ops, we collaborate with each other to build our businesses. It's no way for it to work without that. And because of that, we all continue to stand. I want to say thank you again and I'll continue to say thank you because without these opportunities, we wouldn't be here. able to have the opportunity to live selfsufficiently and build our businesses and be the voices of our organizations. Thank you. (Applause.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you for the resolution. I look forward to today when Council makes cooperatives a priority, when they give out contracts, when every City contract requires profitsharing and when co-ops get the same advantage that local businesses get in the contracting process. Thank you again for the resolution. Let's build wealth for everyone, not just the owners of the corporation. (Applause.)

Thank you again. I want to conclude by inviting our members, our guests to join us for a photo here in front of the rostrum. So we can get folks to come on down and get that picture and get going. Let this be a moment to recognize that there are more ways to build community resilience than just competition. Collaboration and cooperation work as well. Thank you again so much. (Applause.)

Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeantat-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor in her possession.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I'm transmitting for the consideration of your Honorable body the following: A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1911 Mountain Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4701 Sansom Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to 719 South 51st Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2271 North Philip Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2248 Ruffner Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and An ordinance to amend Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance To Adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing transfers and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; and An ordinance to amend Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance To Adopt a Capital Program for six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions. There are no further communications in my possession, Council President.

Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to -- I'll have more to say on this later today, but before we start our session I would just like to ask if we could have a moment of silence for the victims and all the folks that were affected by the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia this past weekend.

Member Driscoll, may we have a standing moment of silence. (Standing moment of silence.)

The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.

Thank you, Council President. Good morning, Philadelphia. I have no bills or resolutions today, but we are saying Go Eagles today. We're excited for the Super Bowl on Sunday. God bless them.

Thank you, Member Phillips. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Richardson.

Thank you, Council President. Today I offer one privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.

A privileged resolution recognizing February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month in the City of Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

Good morning, Council President. Nothing today.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Majority Whip Thomas.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I have two resolutions today. And I just want to take a moment to recognize the young people who are here as my special guests that's involved in the resolution. George Lane is one of my commissioners that's on the Commission as well as /Shanea/ who works for the Mayor. I don't know where she is, but thank them for their leadership and -(Shania.) CMT: Shania, I heard that. I'm sorry. Thank you all for your leadership and thank you for being here, and please keep up the good work. Thank you, Council President.

You're welcome. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the resolutions please.

A privileged resolution commending the collaborative efforts of students against period poverty and the Philadelphia Youth Commission to expand awareness and access to menstrual health products and affirming that Council will work to ensure equitable and easy access to menstrual health products within the City's public schools.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Tyler Sabapathy, a beloved Temple University student.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer three privileged resolutions, one on your behalf.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the privileged resolutions.

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing places of importance in Philadelphia's Black history during Black History Month for their contributions to the community and efforts in preserving history.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

A privileged resolution thanking the Philadelphia Museum of Art for presenting the Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure, an impactful exhibit that honors and celebrates the rich contributions of the Black and African diasporic experience.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues. I have one non-privileged resolution today.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolution.

A non-privileged resolution urging Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit, an essential anti-poverty initiative that has drastically cut child poverty and benefited millions of families.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.

Thank you, Council President. Today, I offer two privileged resolutions co-sponsored or co-introduced with Councilmember Squilla and one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the resolutions.

A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Philadelphia Fashion Week for its significant contribution to the enrichment of the City's fashion community and the advancement of the creative economy.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Robert Faulds for his Exceptional Service to the United States Navy and the City of Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2271 North Philip Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill and one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bill and resolution.

An ordinance amending Chapter 6-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification," to clarify the deadline for filing certain actions, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2406, 2434, 2440, 2444 North 6th Street, 2425, 2427 North 7th Street, 2400, 2403, 2455 North 15th Street, 2424, 2416 North 16th Street, 2415 North Bancroft Street, 1509 West Boston Street, 1500, 1507 West Cumberland Street, 1501-03 and 1510 West Firth Street, 1422 and 1437 West Hagert Street, 1422 and 1430 Letterly Street, 2434, 2438, 2440 and 2445 North Marshall Street, 2452 North Mole Street, 2418, 2419, 2421, 2428 and 2433 North Sydenham Street in the 5th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution and one bill to introduce today.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bill and the non-privileged resolution.

An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by revising Chapter 9-4300, entitled "Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces," Chapter 9-4300, entitled "Wage Theft Complaints" and Chapter 9-4500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Protections for Domestic Workers" and by adding new chapters, entitled "Protecting Victims of Retaliation and "Enforcement of Worker Protection Ordinances," to add and revise definitions; remove provisions related to wage theft coordinator; add requirements and remedies related to written contracts, meal times and breaks, leave time, contract termination and other protections for domestic workers; establishing for claims of retaliation under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700 of The Philadelphia Code ("Wrongful Discharge from Parking Employment") the elements of proof and procedures, remedies and penalties for enforcement; authorize creation of a worker justice fund for victims of retaliation, add requirements for employer record keeping and provision of notice of employee rights under abovereferenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700 revising, clarify procedures, remedies and penalties associated with administrative and civil enforcement under abovereferenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700, provide for annual reporting to Council and enforcement of the City's worker protection laws, including information regarding non-compliant employers, authorized revocation of City licenses and contracts awarded to employers found in violation of the City workers protection laws, authorize visa and deferred action certification on behalf of immigrant workers and make related technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. (Applause.)

And a privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the Washerwoman Strike of 1881, a Black women-led worker movement fighting for better wages, dignity and labor protections on the occasion of Black History Month.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kensington, my good friend Councilman Jim Harrity.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues, and good morning to my friends from the Domestic Workers Alliance. I have one privileged resolution and one bill today, Council President.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the resolutions.

An ordinance amending Chapter 11-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Openings and Excavations in the Streets," to impose additional penalties on violators of underground permitting requirements, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Community Outreach Committee, PCOC, for their dedication to public safety and community revitalization.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have nothing to introduce today. Go Birds.

Go Birds. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Council President, nothing, no bills or resolutions today.

All right. Thank you. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northeast, Councilmember O'Neill.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills by request and one resolution congratulating my alma mater St. Joe's Prep on another State championship in football. It's actually the highest level of all the classes, and they just continue to do it. And I'm co-introducing that with Councilman Young, who has the Prep in his District, and it's co-sponsored by every member of Council except one member who I think went to La Salle. And I think there were too many big words in all fairness, so I'll move for the adoption at the proper time. Thank you.

Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions. It's a tradition for those who don't understand.

An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a perpetual right and easement on, over and across a certain tract of land at the intersection of Southampton Road and Roosevelt Boulevard for roadway and related improvements, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Streets Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to own and maintain a bridge to be constructed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT") to carry Byberry Road over certain railroad tracks between Evans Street and Worthington Road, and placing said bridge carrying Byberry Road on the City Plan, pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the City and PennDOT, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the St. Joe's Preparatory High School football team for their success in winning the PIAA 6A state championship.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.

Thank you, Mr. President, I offer five bills, three on your behalf.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills.

An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Wildey Street between Columbia Avenue and Earl Street; Dunton street between Wildey Street and Girard Avenue; Earl Street between Girard Avenue and Wildey Street; South 7th Street between Johnston Street and Bigler Street.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance to amend Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance To Adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years, 2025-2030 inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing transfers and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance to amend Bill No. 240181, (approved June 14, 2024), entitled "An Ordinance To Adopt Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriations, amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

I got it. Thank you.

You're welcome.

And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of York Street between Almond Street and Mercer Street; Clarion Street between Dickinson Street and Tasker Street; Ellsworth Street between South 7th Street and South 8th Street; Annin Street between Marshall Street and South 7th Street; Ellsworth Street between Passyunk Avenue and South 9th Street; Pierce Street between South 12th Street and South 11th Street; McClellan Street between South 9th Street and South 10th Street; Jackson Street between South 5th Street and South 6th Street; Cross Street between South 5th Street and South 4th Street; South 5th Street between Morris Street and Tasker Street.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two privileged resolutions and one non-privileged.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the privileged and non-privileged resolutions please.

A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2248 Ruffner Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.

And a privileged resolution recognizing the month of February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution honoring the Work of Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative, (P.A.S.H.I.) artisans, volunteers, students and supporters of P.A.S.H.I. for their selfless contributions and commitment to both local and international communities.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.

Thank you, Council President. 2ND READING No bills or resolutions. Go Birds.

Go Birds. There being no reports from committees today, the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember and Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.

Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 241144, 250022, 250054 and 250058. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 241097, 250030, 240427, 240304-A and 240665.

Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action in today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up before, give your name to Ms. Hasson at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Today, the time limit is two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow which is your reminder to please conclude your remarks. Once two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right, pursuant to our rules of Council, to limit repetitious comments on the same matter. With that being said, I will ask for the Chief Clerk to please call the first speaker.

Will Jeremy Blatstein, Kate Perez, Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza and Gloria Greer make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Hello, City Council, City Council President. There's been a rough couple of weeks in the city of Philadelphia, but there's been some positive things but there's been some negative, so my thoughts go out to the Northeast. There also has been silence from this body and from the City on what occurred two Saturdays ago in Philadelphia. An organization that was classified by the Biden Administration Treasury Department held a protest. It was a pro-resistance glorifying October 7th. It's completely unacceptable that the City of Philadelphia is allowing these types of protests to occur that are being organized and put on by terrorist organizations. So it's just something that really needs to get kept in mind as we move forward. Secondly, we want to talk about what's going on in Washington, D.C. and what is really the difference between Elon Musk and the people that are working for him and some of your staffers when it comes to the Philadelphia Land Bank. The Philadelphia Land Bank is being pulled by some of your staffers in terms of the land management policy so that's really just something to keep in mind as we build housing in Philadelphia, that you guys do it yourselves and not interfere with what the Land Bank's goal is, is to build housing. The last thing I will say is raise your hand if you rode SEPTA in the last week. Zero, zero, zero, zero, but that's another week that none of the Councilpeople are using our public transit. And the last thing the bill that was put out for the gentleman from Temple, do not, do not climb the light poles, the street poles on Sunday when the Eagles win. Go Birds. Thank you.

I'm Kate Perez. And on Monday Israeli forces blew up 23 buildings in Jenin primarily civilian homes and blocked escape routes with military checkpoints. As Day & Zimmerman is the primary supplier of the three most used munitions, it's possible that the bombs killing civilians overseas were signed for in this city. Businesses that partner with and supply the occupation with weapons don't conform to our city values. On Tuesday the IOF blindfolded and kidnapped dozens of Palestinian men near Hebron on the same day our President announced he wants the U.S. to also illegally occupy Palestine. Israeli forces have already displaced 9000 people in Tulkarm since January, cutting off water and electricity in an attempt to make the refugee camp uninhabitable. Trump calls Gaza a demolition site while sitting next to the internationally-wanted war criminal who ordered the air strikes, selling forced displacement as humanitarian concern, saying Palestinians should have fresh land that some other country can pay for, attempting to normalize Israel's crimes against humanity. Our humanitarian president is currently pressuring Congress to approve another billion-dollar sale of armored bulldozers and 1000-pound bombs that Fetterman believes should be sold without condition. Since 1948, Palestinians have been clear they will never leave their land and have already been rebuilding. America has no authority over Palestinian futures. Egypt has refused this plan and Jordan is ready to go to war should we try. As ICE disguise themselves as police and maintenance men, raiding businesses without warrants, Temple students feel empowered to dress up as ICE and harass local businesses. This Council should be concerned why a government agency is going out of its way to disguise themselves and break into homes without warrants, having already detained many citizens and Native Americans from hours to days. We know Israel has never honored any ceasefire agreement, lessening their strikes in Gaza and now focusing their indiscriminate bombings to the illegally occupied West Bank. This is the occupation that Kensington police commanders give private tours to. We should support Al Green's Articles of Impeachment for the President calling for forced displacement. We cannot be sister cities with an apartheid occupation. As always, arms embargo now. Free Palestine, fuck ICE. (Applause.)

We have Maisha Sullivan -- Maisha SullivanOngoza, Gloria Greer. May Lynada Grace Black and Pheralyn Dove also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

I'm Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza and I'm representing the Pan-African Sisterhood -

Can you speak into the mic --

Pan-African -COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: There you go.

-Sisterhood Health Initiative finally called P.A.S.H.I., and we want to thank Councilwoman Cindy Bass for recognizing this organization that's been partnering -- even though we're in her District, the people who are volunteering are from all over the city. And we're a multigenerational project that produce reusable menstrual pads, and we've been since 2019. I just want to say that the City should look into supporting projects like this that are dignity-affirming, lifeenhancing and world-preserving. These are the issues that we need to be concerned about and all the policies that you're doing here. But we would like to introduce P.A.S.H.I. as a project of internal capacity Philadelphia has for meeting a basic need. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning, everyone and to the Philadelphia City Council President, Mr. Kenyatta Johnson, and especially to Ms. Cindy Bass, our sponsor, and to the legislative body who made this day possible. It's a great day for P.A.S.H.I. P.A.S.H.I. is the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative community, and we thank you for considering this citation and resolution. My name is Gloria Greer and I'm a proud member and a seamstress with P.A.S.H.I. It's also a great day for you, the City Council of Philadelphia. You see, it was nearly six years ago that we celebrated the birthday of Mama Harriet Tubman right here at City Hall with a display of handmade quilts. Many of those quilts were made by the P.A.S.H.I. members and our sister organization, the Sankofa Artisans Guild. That was my first interaction, introduction to City Hall and City Council, as I was compelled at that time to join P.A.S.H.I. So thank you for the common bond of social consciousness and awareness. Thank you for the multi-generation approach to include youth engagement and teen programs and initiatives. You see, that's what we do at the Pan-African Sisterhood Health initiative. We're like that Sankofa bird symbol. You know, we believe in learning from the past, create a better and positive future. If you know about the Sankofa bird, the bird stands straight but he looks over much like one of my yoga moves. He looks over his right shoulder, looking back to bring it forward. So in other words, we go back and get it. We would like for you to consider P.A.S.H.I. community as giving back, using our social activism platform to help girls and women locally and globally. We live in dignity-affirming -- oops, I think I'm going to get cut off -dignity-affirming environment, and we do so because it could lead to healthy, life-enhancing experiences and world preservation, because normal pads have bacteria that affect the blood. It has cellulose made from wood pulp and plastics that can add fragrances, and all of this are forever forgiving chemicals that affect our body. We ask you to consider this resolution and I will distribute some pads for your inspection. Thank you. (Applause.)

We have Lynada Grace Black, Pheralyn Dove. And may Olivia Rodriguez, Mercedes Reyes, Rosalia Lerma and Angelica Aparacio also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Well, good morning everybody. My name is Linda Grace Black and I am a member of P.A.S.H.I. and we are excited to be here today. We meet at the Ujima Friends Peace Center. And as you may know, Ujima stands for collective work and responsibility. We are engaged in the work of collective work and responsibility in this city, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. I am an artist. I am a member of P.A.S.H.I., and I am a person who is also a member of Ujima Friends Peace Center. One of the things that I do at P.A.S.H.I. is I cut the fabrics using a machine called the AccuQuilt. There is a man named Art Eden who also works with me. He has five daughters. He is 80 years old. And Art is one of many men and young men who work with us on a regular basis at P.A.S.H.I. It is exciting to have them come and be enthusiastic about learning about pads, menstrual disciples, learning about how pads are produced and the importance of the pad, the kind of pads that we make, reusable menstrual pads. Art is just, as I said, one of many men. We have men who are young, who are from middle school, high school and college who join us. And you might like to know that the young men who do come with us, they are so excited about working with us and about the pads, they ask to take pads home to their sisters. They understand how important it is to use these kinds of products that are non-toxic. We are excited about having them with us. In addition to that, we welcome your donations. We welcome donations. We lack in gray thread, cotton thread, pool fabric, absorb fabric. If you want to know more about the kind of donations that you can offer us, please look on our website. Thank you so much.

Greetings. My name is Pheralyn Dove. I am a poet based in Overbrook, and I am a proud volunteer with P.A.S.H.I. I'm passionate about working on this project, which is a process and a movement that not only impacts women and girls right here in Philadelphia, but these kits which are hygienic and sustainable, they go out to women and girls throughout this area, but also throughout different countries in Africa and the Caribbean. One of the things I love about P.A.S.H.I. is that it's a space, safe space for sisterhood and for brotherhood. We do have men that volunteer. We also have a multi-generational gathering where there are Baby Boomers like myself. There are Gen X. We have Millennials, we have Gen Z and we have women and boys that are in college, high school and middle school. I wanted to stress that this is a family project for me. My sister and my cousin come from Wilmington, Delaware every week to volunteer. And I also wanted to say that it is actually an honor to work on collective working and creative opportunity in a safe space. And I also wanted to say that we connect with sisters locally and around the globe. I wanted to say that we are honored to be here to represent sisters and brothers from P.A.S.H.I. Thank you so much for your time and for your consideration. And if anyone wants to see what the kit looks like and how it is, please come and see us afterwards. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

May we have Olivia Rodriguez, Mercedes Reyes, Rosalia Lerma, Angelica Aparacio make their way to the podium. And may Arnetta Anderson and Abena Ruiz also make their way to the podium. Thank you. (Witnesses approached podium.)

(Spanish translation).

I'm Catherine Easter. I'm interpreting Ms. Olivia's -- I'm interpreting Ms. Olivia's comments. Hello. My name is Olivia. I'm a domestic worker in Philadelphia and a member of the National Alliance of Domestic Workers Philadelphia Chapter. In 1881, Black washerwomen in Atlanta said enough and organized to demand fair wages and respect for their work. Today domestic workers continue to face abuse and retaliation, but we follow their example. Their fight shows us that when we are united, we can achieve real changes for everyone. For years we have been treated as if our work had no value, but care and cleanliness are essential so that all families can go out to work with peace of mind. It is time for our rights to be respected and guaranteed by law. I have worked in factories, cleaning offices and homes, but my most significant job was as a nanny for almost six years. I took care of a child since he was very small while my own children were in my country under the care of my mother. During those years I took care of him with love and dedication, as if he were part of my family. I felt that my work was more than a job. It was a responsibility and an act of love. One day I got sick and called to say I couldn't come to work. To my surprise, the family told me that they no longer needed me. It hurt me deeply because I had developed a sincere affection for the child I was caring for. They fired me without notice, without respect and without recognizing the years of dedication I had given. Despite my dedication, they had no regard for my well-being. Our bill of rights say we were entitled to two weeks' notice before a layoff. But in my case, that didn't happen. It was an injustice that affected me deeply, not only financially but also emotionally. Many times we demand our rights we face retaliation. This bill creates new protections against retaliation so no workers are afraid to speak up. Now, I know there are laws that protect us, but we still need more guarantees to prevent this from happening to other colleagues and that there are consequences against bad employers. Thank you to everyone who has supported this and 13 members of Council. (Applause.)

(Spanish translation).

Catherine Ester reading the interpretive version of Ms. Mercedes' statement. Hello. My name is Mercedes Reyes. I am Salvadoran, a retired domestic worker in Philadelphia. I'm a leader of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Pennsylvania Chapter. I've been a domestic worker since I was only 11 years old, first in El Salvador, then in Philadelphia when I moved here during the Civil War of 1988. I've taken care of children, cleaned houses and worked as a living worker in homes. Despite the abuse I faced, I've never stopped fighting for myself and my colleagues. I've dedicated my life to organizing workers so that they know their rights and do not suffer what I have suffered. Although Philadelphia has moved forward with laws such as Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, there's so many workers who continue to face abuse. For many years, we've worked without fair wages, without protection, without respect. Employers continue to steal wages, deny basic rights and punish those who stand up for their rights. Today we're here to change that. During 14 years I worked as an internal worker for only $2 an hour without days of rest or benefits. I suffered an accident at work that left me in the hospital for 11 days and my employer didn't give me anything. Many workers still face wage theft, unfair dismissals and inhumane conditions. Without strong legal support, they remain silent for fear of retaliation. We're not asking for favors. We're demanding justice. Thanks to NDWA and the leaders who join us today. We know that together we have power. If a law like the POWER Act had existed before, many working women would not have gone through what I've experienced. Now is the time to ensure that all workers have real protection and can work with dignity. Thank you. God bless you. (Applause.)

We have Rosalia Lerma, Angelica Aparacio, Arnetta Anderson. (Witnesses approached podium.)

(Spanish translation).

Catherine Ester reading the interpretation of Ms. Rosalia Lerma's remarks. Good morning. My name is Rosalia. I'm a leader of the National Domestic Workers Alliance Pennsylvania Chapter. I've worked as a domestic worker in Philadelphia for more than 15 years. Today we are here to honor the history of domestic workers. We are remembering those who came before us like the Black washerwomen of Atlanta and we want to make history like them, who showed that united workers have power. They faced threats, retaliation and even arrests but they did not give up. Today we continue their path, demanding protections such as POWER Act to ensure that no worker is afraid to speak up. Too many workers have suffered in silence for fear of retaliation. And without real protections many workers lose their jobs over defending their rights. This can't go on like this. The POWER Act would give us tools to protect us from abuse and make sure there are real consequences for bad employers. This law would help workers receive compensation when they suffer retaliation. It would also ensure that employers cannot continue exploiting workers without facing punishments. It would give us the legal support we need to defend ourselves without fear. We want laws and real protections. The POWER Act is an opportunity to change history and ensure that no employer can punish us for demanding our rights. We're here to tell the Philadelphia government that it's time to act. With this law we protect today's workers and the generations that come after us. Thank you and thank you to all the 13 Councilmembers who support us. (Applause.)

We have Angelica Aparacio, Arnetta Anderson, Abena Ruiz. May Mitcherson Harewood and Kwame Acheampong also make their way to the podium.

(Spanish translation).

Catherine Ester, reading the interpreted remarks -- the translated remarks of Ms. Angelica. Good morning Councilmembers. My name is Angelica. I work in a restaurant and I am a mother and leader of the Restaurant Workers Committee. As a Hispanic worker, we face a complicated situation that exposes us to possible retaliation from our employers. With the recent changes in the government, we find ourselves in an even more difficult position. We are facing more wage theft, unjustified dismissals and threats. The fear of losing our jobs silences us, preventing us from raising our voices in defense of our rights. This situation reminds me of the strike of African American women who fought tirelessly for better wages, dignity and protection in the workplace. Like them, many workers are forced to remain silent in the faces of the injustices we face. Therefore, in memory of the Washerwomen Strike I call on City Council officials to consider and vote in favor of the antiretaliation legislation that was introduced today. This legislation seeks to improve working conditions for all workers. It is essential that measures are taken to guarantee a fair and equal work environment where our rights are respected and our dignity as workers is valued. Today as we honor the Washerwomen's Strike, we must remember that the fight for labor justice is a cause that unites us and that deserves to be heard and taken seriously. Thank you to the 13 council members supporting us. (Applause.)

Good afternoon. My name is Arnetta Anderson and I am a member of the Domestic Workers Alliance and We Dream in Black Philadelphia Chapter. I am a multi-generational care worker and a proud grandmother. I spent years caring for elderly people so that they can live with dignity and I love my job. I come before you today as we are making history like the Atlanta washer women who stood up for fair pay and respect. They worked long hours, carried heavy loads and still barely made enough to survive. So they organize -they orga -- they organized and demanded better. And they won. Their fight didn't end in 1881. We are still fighting today. A lot has changed since then but too much still stays the same for domestic workers like me. I love my work but I have faced struggles just like the washer women did. I got hurt on my job. I broke bones in my face. My client that I cared for passed away. I was devastated and heartbroken. Upon getting recovery, I lost my job. I got a service pay for only $100. I spent over a year fighting for my rights for the benefits I deserve and so did some of my clients that I care for. Domestic workers are still being punished for speaking up. We get fired for action for fair pay and sick days. We work for weeks and don't even get paid. The POWER Act will provide protection for retaliation and holding bad employees accountable. We just want to thank all 13 members for helping us with this bill. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good day, everyone. My name is Abena Ruiz, and I'm a professional nanny with over 20 years experience and I'm also a doula. I am a leader in the National Domestic Worker Alliance and We Dream in Black Pennsylvania Chapter. I love what I do. This work is a choice for me and it is sacred. I'm a mother of one, but throughout my career I have cared for and nurtured 10-plus children. As a Black domestic worker, I know that our fight today is built on the struggles of those who came before us like the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881. Black washerwomen in Atlanta risked everything to demand better pay and working conditions. They organized, they stood together and they risk everything to demand better pay and working conditions. Their strength fuel our movement today. I have spent years fighting for domestic worker rights and the fight is far from over. I have lived in Pennsylvania for over 20 years, Philadelphia. I fell in love with this city, but it's also where I have faced my biggest struggles as a worker. Choosing this work should not mean choosing exploitation. Being a worker in the city has meant navigating work with no real protections. There were days when families would visit employers and I would be told that I wasn't needed that week, especially around the holiday times where I needed my paycheck the most. Nothing could be done. We could be let go at any random moment with no notice or remorse. When you are a single mother with a child at home, this is a terrifying reality. Domestic workers are treated as disposable and that is unacceptable. We are not just employees, we are nurses, teachers, protectors, counselors all wrapped in one. Our work makes every other work possible. Yet we remain some of the most unprotected workers in the country. This is why we need real protections, real accountability and real consequences for employers who are unfair so that we can feel secure in the workplace. We fought for and won the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. But what is a bill without an anti-retaliation law. It is as if we were given a home but without windows or doors, no security, no protection. The POWER Act will give us that security and lock and key that we need for the home finally. This legislation would remove a lot of fear that workers face. I will keep fighting, not just for myself but for every worker who comes after me. I hope you all will join me. I want to give special thanks to the 13 Councilmembers who support this bill, especially Councilmember Kendra Brooks and Councilmember Harrity. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Good morning. My name is Mitch Harewood and I'm a member of a National Domestic Workers Alliance Pennsylvania Chapter. For about three decades I've been working as a nanny in Philadelphia. As a Black male nanny in predominantly White neighborhoods have faced bias and challenges, but I continue this work because I know how important it is to ensure children and families are safe and well taken care of. I've had the privilege of having good families to defend me. However, this is not the reality of many workers in this city. We as Black and Brown workers in this city need to be respected and recognized. I am here to give a voice to those who are afraid. When we work in homes, restaurants and other non-traditional workplaces, we don't have an avenue to file complaints. With domestic work in particular, someone's home is your workplace. You're at the mercy of your employer. As a matter of fact, domestic workers don't have an HR department. My story is not original. Our story is not original. The Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881 reminds us that domestic workers have always been at the forefront of labor rights. Those Black women stood together to demand dignity, fair wages and respect just as we do today. The Washerwomen, along with other key figures in our Black history, are examples of how our communities have faced systematic exclusion from equal rights. Being Black or Brown does not mean you have to suffer. Retaliation is real. Workers are fired, threatened and blacklisted simply for demanding that they are legally owed. It's time to take real accountability. Workers should not have to choose between their work, dignity and their livelihood. The POWER Act would ensure that workers like me and my colleagues are protected. If a law like this existed, many of us would not have to suffer in silence. Labor abuse is painful. No one should ever feel that way. I want to thank the 13 members that support this bill.

May Kwame Acheampong, Havana McElvaine, Munira Edens and Fonya Peebles also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning, City Council. My name is Kwame Acheampong, and I'm also a member of the Philly Black Worker Project. I am testifying on the resolution that commemorates the Washerwomen Strike of 1881, a Black woman-led worker movement fighting for better wages, dignity and labor protections. Similar to the washerwomen, workers of color and immigrant workers still work in unsafe environments and they need legislative protections that will help them stand up for themselves. Our legislation introduces a solution that allows workers to feel comfortable with advocating for themselves when faced with unsafe working conditions and retaliatory employers. The solution is to put the burden back on employers to disprove retaliation when workers are victims of firings or any other retaliatory actions after advocating for what is legally right in the workplace. Currently, retaliation can be difficult to prove because the employer can say that there were other reasons for the firing or other retaliatory action. This results in the Office of Worker Protections dismissing the retaliation complaint. Before discussing our solution, I would like to share with everyone gathered here the legal definition of retaliation and my own story where I fell victim to retaliation. Retaliation is a formula that occurs in two parts: First, a worker demands their legal right from their employer and, second, the employer takes adverse action against the worker. In my story, I faced retaliation from arguably the largest business here in Philadelphia and an international human resource consultant firm through which I was employed. From October 11, 2021 until August 22, 2024 I was employed by Robert Half Hiring Solutions to work as an incident manager for Comcast. During my employment with Robert Half and Comcast, I was not entitled to PTO, but I was entitled to five days of sick leave yearly. During my yearly threeyear employment, I can count on one hand the number of times I have been absent for work. Each time I never invoked the sick leave I was entitled to and took a financial loss on the days that I missed work. Even following surgery to better my livelihood, I clocked in for an on-call shift the following day despite post-surgery pain. Following a difficult move to a new apartment in August, I contracted COVID and reported to my supervisor that I would be unable to work the following day. I also contacted my recruiter Robert Half to receive some assistance invoking a day of my contract obligated sick leave so that I did not incur a financial loss (inaudible) the expensive process of moving. I received radio silence from Robert Half for a week until my recruiter informed me that I was being let go from my contract -

Time is up.

I just go for my contract -

Sir, please conclude your remarks. Okay. We want to be fair to everyone. Thank you. (Applause.) MS. McELVAINE: Good morning, everyone. My name is Havana McElvaine. I am likewise a member of the Philly Black Worker Project and a worker, a temp worker in Philly. I'm here to lift up the voices of my comrades in the National Domestic Workers Alliance and also to testify on the resolution that commemorates the Washerwomen Strike of 1881. To add to the comments of my comrades who have already spoken, we're commemorating the Washerwomen of Atlanta, who organized in a time in the United States where they were -- most of them formerly enslaved people, living in a society that wanted to unalive them, kill them, see them exploited, see them degraded, and see them staying in their place, and that was as exploited, devalued workers in a city that depended entirely on their labor for the function of the city. What their strike teaches us is the power that workers have when they come together and advocate for their rights. The POWER legislation and anti-retaliation, especially for us, the Black Worker Project, is important because we support workers who are formerly incarcerated coming out of a moment in their life where our country and our laws make it impossible often for these people to rebuild their lives. We're supporting our immigrant brothers and sisters right now who are especially under fire under this Administration, and we are here to say that we are fighting for material gains for employers who take advantage of these vulnerabilities and know that they can exploit workers who don't know their rights or don't believe they have their rights or don't believe they have a better option other than to tolerate inhumane, undignifying conditions. And we are also here to say that symbolically this strike, this resolution and this legislation represents for us the power that we have, not only in Philadelphia as workers and as oppressed people but coming together for struggles all over the world, for a free Palestine, for a free Haiti, for a free Cuba, for oppressed people all over the world. Thank you. (Applause.)

May Munira Edens, Fonya Peebles, Fanon Peebles and Janet Falante also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning, Council. My name is Munira -- my name is Munira Edens and I am a worker justice organizer with the Philly Black Worker Project. We are a worker center that fight for dignity, justice and respect for low-wage, formerly incarcerated workers here in the city of Philadelphia. This Black History Month, I would like to thank Councilmember Brooks for her resolution on the Washerwomen Strike of 1881. Like many of our members who experienced incarceration, the Black women of the Washer Society were formerly enslaved Black workers whose labor had been exploited. And like the many organizations we work with, we fight for the workers that employers take advantage of by stealing wages and not giving the proper equipment to complete their job safely. Too often we hear stories from cooks, hosts, nannies and other workers about the conditions they are forced to work under. Our members are temp workers who work in the cold without anything to keep them warm, while watching the full-time staff use handwarmers. Not only do they have to work in cold, but the environment is hazardous and the staff is at fault when accidents happen. Now, with a Trump administration immigrant rights and pro-worker policies need to be a priority. There are some -(Applause.)

Yes. There are some key pieces -- here are some key pieces of our POWER legislation I'd like to highlight, which POWER stands for Protect Our Workers and Enforce Our Rights. Since workers are afraid to speak out because of their immigration status, this legislation will provide protections to immigrant workers who support agencies that enforce labor laws. With this new law, employees will be awarded money to cover the harm -- with this new law, employees will be awarded money to cover the harm that was done by the employer, and employers will be held accountable -

Your time is up.

We will have a bad actors database for bosses who are repeat offenders and prey on our workers. And if these bosses don't notify employees of their rights, they will be fined. Today our anti-retaliation is being introduced to bring enforcement and even more protection -

Thank you. Before we proceed with the next witness to give public comment, as a reminder we do have a very long list of individuals who have signed up to testify today. We are respectfully requesting that everyone please keep your remarks to two minutes so that we have the opportunity to hear from each and every one of you here. Thank you very much.

We have Fonya Peebles, Fanon Peebles, Janet Falante. And may Corey Reidy and Terrell Cannon also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Thank you. First, I just want to give thanks to the entire City Council and then also a special thanks to Minority Councilwoman Kendra Brooks. And this is for my mother Paula Peebles for her street naming. To be my mother's daughter is to continually aspire to Black excellence. The divine work that was her life continues on in me as her eldest daughter and her grandchildren. Thank you so much for this honor.

Good morning, everyone. My name is Fanon Brown. I am the eldest grandson to Paula Peebles. Can you hear me? Thank you. And I want to also extend gratitude and thanks to the entire City Council and the City of Philadelphia for this recognition. I prepared some remarks. I'll just pull them up. There's a theme called Container by an artist named Fiona Apple in which she proclaims, I have only one thing to do and that's be the way that I am and then sink back into the ocean. So I'd like to think of individuals -- I'd like to think as individuals. We could be a little paddle wave or a gigantic tidal wave. Either way we all exist in this single fluid body, working in tandem with other species and organisms and with each other with the capacity to carry a note-filled bottle from shore-to-shore or to change an entire landscape within seconds of our arrival. The (inaudible) of Paula Peebles' life and her contributions to her community have still yet to be truly measured, but we can all agree that they were greatly significant and I can certainly attest to being inspired. It is an honor to accept this historic dedication on behalf of my mom-mom and I look forward to the succession of waves to follow after her from 10th Street in North Philadelphia to rounds yet to be seen. Again, thank you to the incomparable City of Philadelphia for bestowing this honor upon my family. All power to the people. Happy Black History Month. Go Birds. (Applause.)

First, thank you City Council for supporting the Year of the Cooperative resolution. And my name is Corey Reidy, and I'm here on behalf of Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, aka PACA. And so, thank you to City Council for supporting the Year of the cooperative resolution. In particular, thanks to Councilmember O'Rourke and all his team for all of their hard work and deep belief in economic democracy. And so, we at PACA believe, and the data backs up, that cooperatives are vehicles for equitable wealth-building and community democratic control of their local economies. Since cooperatives are owned by three or more people, owners are not going it alone. And because they are in it together, worker cooperatives are two-thirds more likely to succeed than the average U.S. company. And as a whole, they are 14 percent more profitable, have less turnover and remarkably resilient in market downturns. The majority of cooperatives are owned by women and workers of color. They turn to cooperatives for equitable wealth-building, the ability to run their business democratically, the ability to decide their business priorities together rather than have those priorities decided for them and to collectively decide how they will take care of each other in their community. Our hope is to support the growth of cooperatives in every neighborhood and for Philadelphia to be a beacon of a co-op city. Thank you. (Applause.)

Hi. My name is Mo Manklang. I'm here on behalf of the U.S. Federation of Worker Co-ops based right here in Philly. I'm so proud that Philadelphia is going to be the first city to join the U.N. in declaring 2025 the Year of the Co-ops. Co-ops strengthen local economies. They create and save high-quality jobs and build power, especially for Black and Brown communities, for immigrants, for frontline workers like our Domestic Workers Alliance friends here today who deserve support and deserve to benefit from the value that they're creating. Co-ops are told to band together and create new opportunities in urgent times. And in this moment we urgently need to lean into democratically-controlled businesses that serve Philadelphia and fight predatory capitalism. We applaud the 16 Councilmembers, especially Councilmember O'Rourke, for supporting this resolution, and we look forward to collectively growing the co-op economy here in Philly. And Go Birds. Thank you. (Applause.)

We have Janet Filante, Terrell Cannon, David Alexander Jenkins, Lynn Landes, Wanda Walker and then Ogbonna Hagins. Can you please make your way to the podium. Janet Filante, Terrell Cannon, David Alexander Jenkins, Lynn Landes, Wanda Walker and Ogbonna Hagins. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good afternoon. I'm Lynn Landes of Safestreetsphilly.org. I support Resolution 250058 which encourages the development of local cooperatives, but I also support the growth of businesses in general. However, all businesses need a safe environment in which to succeed, and that can't happen while we still have elected officials who do not support the full enforcement of our federal, state and local laws against both violent and non-violent crimes. In my neighborhood in Downtown Philadelphia we just lost a Macy's and a Walgreens and many other closed businesses and empty storefronts due in large part to the mentally-disabled, drug addicts and their dealers, panhandlers and thieves who continue to haunt our streets. They need to be brought into our legal system so that they can get their treatment they need or the justice they deserve. Otherwise, many new businesses will not take the risk. On the federal level our new U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to prosecute officials obstructing federal immigration enforcement as well as stop all federal funding to sanctuary cities and states. Open borders are a fundamental threat to our sovereignty as a nation and against common sense in general. Moreover, illegal immigration is a gift to those who want to exploit workers, which has been a big subject of the topic of conversation today. Philadelphia's elected officials should fully enforce our local, state and federal laws so that we can have a safe and law-abiding city for both businesses and workers. But since every signal they have sent is in the opposite direction, what can voters do? They can register and vote Republican for a change. Thank you.

Good morning, Madam Chair, members and staff. David Alexander Jenkins. To the domestic workers present here today because of a team of people responsible for the man that is standing before you, you as the backbone of society and the legs upon which we stand, I remain in solidarity and then champion your every human and employment right. Members, I rise to address Resolution 241144, really to address the systematic reason that so many Philadelphians face these measures, recognizing with gratitude the work that the body has taken so seriously with urgency in response to the many changes, mandates and ordinances, legal and illegal, that the executive branch of the federal government which affects us most gravely in Philadelphia today. To it, I am deeply grateful for the introduction of legislation by Councilmember Landau, which seeks to cap the exorbitant cost and associated with attaining housing in Philadelphia's rental markets. Looking as I'm sure we are all to be proactive rather than reactionary, to the discourse unfolding even as I stand before you today, I beg the body to move in tandem with the aforementioned resolution passed in March of 2023, which presented by the Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and Homeless, concluded among the biggest issues in rental practices in Philadelphia is an excessive increase in rent which remains uncontrolled. It is my understanding that the body would have passed this legislative effort for not the Citizenry Pennsylvania State law PA 68 250, which prohibited the rent control of the municipality level preventing cities like Philadelphia from directly capping rent increases. And while the state is considering a 10 percent cap on rental increase this year, the change in political regime makes such legislation contentious, to say the least. I'm aware of the legal constraints that we have here, but I'm a person who says that where there is no bridge we should create one. There are potential legal and policy avenues that the City can explore to achieve a similar effect. Bridge No. 1, we can use the protection and anti price gouging law. The City can say that extreme rent increases constitute unfair business practices, particularly during the housing crisis. The City could pass an ordinance requiring landlord to justify rent hikes above a certain threshold, say, 10 percent. Bridge 2, the Philadelphia already has a Good Cause Eviction ordinance, which limits evictions unless the landlord has a valid reason. The City has amended this to include provisions in excess that rent hikes, as a de facto eviction, would require for landlords to provide a good cause for an increase exceeding 10 percent. What we know is coming nationally is enough to shake us to the very ground. What will happen to the least of us. Let us think outside the box to protect constituents now, for the perils surely to come by creating bridges whereas otherwise solutions are not apparent. Thank you. (Applause.)

May we have Wanda Walker, Ogbonna Hagins , Shania Bennett and George Lane also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good afternoon, beautiful people. My name is Wanda Walker, and I'm always going to speak about generational wealth and how it's been stolen and snatched in Philadelphia. So here we go again. We need to protect generational wealth. We need to build generational wealth. So thank you, Councilman O'Rourke, because it sounds like you're on a very good path with all this co-op and allowing people to be a part of the building process. I would like to see that happen with these building projects that are going up also. Now, the other thing is I'm always going to talk about seniors. Seniors are being forced out of their homes. So as we give millionaires and billionaires abatements, maybe we should stop that and give abatements to seniors after 30 years of paying taxes and a mortgage. Someone on a fixed income regardless of their income should not have to pay property taxes. Maybe that should be an idea to keep people in their homes. Then we don't have to worry about building so many affordable homes that aren't affordable. We had between 2020 and 2024; 53,000 people leave Philadelphia. So if so many people are leaving and our numbers are down, why do we need 30,000 new units to go up right now. I would think that the better process would be to concentrate on educating our children so that when we are building and doing projects, we have people that are qualified in Philadelphia, from Philadelphia, to be on all these projects that we see going up. I looked up some facts today about Philadelphia and where it ranks as far as education in 100 big cities. We rank 92 on the bottom or No. 18 as least educated. Masterman did do a very good job at coming in at No. 2, but this is where I think we need to put our energy, economics and education, in our children. And our younger people need to be educated in the trades and the technology so we can get everybody working and they can afford the house they want, not worry about affordable housing so much. Thank you. (Applause.)

I would just really request that I could get at least three minutes because if I didn't speak English, I would get four minutes. You see what I'm saying. So I stand before you today to address the resolution declaring 2025 the Year of Cooperatives in Philadelphia. However, however, I do not support this resolution unless the Office of Freedmen Affairs is established along with it. Cooperative economics is about sharing opportunities and collective uplift. But how can Freedmen benefit from cooperative economics when we are systematically locked out of the funding, land ownership and business opportunities? How can we talk about fairness when City resources are distributed in ways that ignore the descendants of the people who built this nation? Let's talk about history for a minute. Where are the immigrant martyrs? Where are the immigrant Emmett Tills? Where are the immigrant Tulsa massacres? Where are the immigrant families terrorized by thousands of crossburnings in this country? They simply don't exist. American Freedmen didn't fight and die for freedom so that immigrants could come here and benefit. We fought and died for our freedom, the freedom of American Freedmen. But instead of receiving justice and repair, we've watched others take advantage of the very rights and opportunities that we bought with our blood. Now, here's the question: When are we going get our office? It's an equal protection issue, right, based on the 14th Amendment, right? Everybody else got an office in this building. Why don't the descendants of slavery have an office in this building? Why don't I hear the immigrants standing up for the American Freedmen who made it possible for you to even want to come here? Because without us, this country would be nothing. Yeah, that's right. You don't know about this country. We fought and bled and we're still suffering right now. (Boo.)

Yeah, boo your behind --

(Inaudible) make their way to the podium.

Order in the chambers. The Chair is requesting order in the chambers. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning, Council. My name is George Lane and I'm a senior at Academy at Palumbo and the Chair of the Philadelphia Youth Commission, proudly appointed by Councilmember Thomas. First, I want to give a huge thank you to Councilmember Thomas and Councilmember Bass for supporting the Commission's first two (inaudible) resolutions in 2025. Your backing shows that youth voices matter in this city. I'm beyond proud to lead this commission to work that we already put in. Just a few weeks into the new year we've hit the ground running because we know that the youth of Philadelphia don't have to wait. We're here, we're engaged and we're ready to make change. And just let me be clear, we are here for the youth. This is just the beginning and we look forward to working with City Council to push for real solutions that make a difference in our communities. Thank you.

We have Shania Bennett, Marquise Bailey, Makayla Myers and then Catherine Gunther. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning, Council. I just want to say thank you to Councilmember Cindy Bass and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas on the two youth-related resolutions that were introduced today, one being teen dating violence awareness. And I just want to ask you all on February 11th to please join us in wearing orange or something orange. I don't care if you wear orange socks, an orange hat, orange shirt, just something orange to just promote awareness around teen dating violence. And secondly, again I want to thank Councilmember Thomas for introducing a resolution regarding menstrual period equity. It's very important for our young people. And as you see, we have our Youth Commission here. I want you to just give them a round of applause because they've been working very, very hard. (Applause.)

And I also want to thank the young people who are always knocking on my door asking me about the things they're going to do. We hear a lot of buzz words around trauma and mental health and to promote healthy relationships amongst our young people. Again, I wanted to raise awareness and solidarity for young people who already have experience unfortunately and impacted by teen dating violence. So thank you again, Councilmember Cindy Bass. Thank you again, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, for your work in uplifting this issue. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning, members of Council -- my name is Marquise Bailey and I'm a proud member of the Philadelphia Youth Commission. And I stand here today just to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to this chamber for acknowledging the month of February as Teen Dating Violence and Prevention Month. We know that by many February that has been labeled as love month, but the truth of it all is many of us have not been taught how to properly love. And so, for this chamber to acknowledge February as a month to draw attention to how it is that we ought to protect ourselves is a great honor. So thank you so much. (Applause.)

Good morning, Councilmembers and members of the public. My name is Makayla Myers and I am honored to serve as Mayor Parker's appointed Youth Commissioner, Vice-president of the Pennsylvania NAACP Youth and College Division and co-lead of SAC Philly. First, I want to sincerely thank Councilmember Thomas for introducing this resolution recognizing our work to combat period poverty and for his unwavering commitment to uplifting youth voices. Today marks a significant step forward. Period poverty is a public health crisis. As a menstruating student, I know firsthand that it is not just an inconvenience, it is a barrier to education. Thousands of students in our public schools experience period poverty forcing them to miss class, compromising their health and undermining their dignity. Ensuring that every student has equitable and easy access to menstrual products isn't just about hygiene, it's about justice. We recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution because menstruation itself is not a one-size-fits-all issue. That's what makes this initiative so groundbreaking. It is being shaped by the very students it is meant to serve. Just yesterday we hosted a town hall at the School District of Philadelphia building, an event I personally proposed to the District's Medical Director to ensure that students had a direct seat at the table in shaping this program. This was an opportunity for students to voice their needs, concerns and ideas, reinforcing the principle that policies are strongest when built by the people who are impacted most. I want to take a moment to recognize my fellow youth advocates who have dedicated their time, energy and passion to this cause. Staff is entirely studentled and it is a historic first. This is an independent group of citizens.

Let the record reflect the leaders behind this work: Myself, Eliza Cucchiara, Makayla Myers, Kate Gunther, Brian Orosco, Reese Anderson, Este Cahille, Taylor Samara Brader, Halima Fasace, Angio Rose Corasece, Te'Shaun Bridges, Zaire Goodman and our Medical Advisor Dr. Shelby Davies.

We look forward to continuing this work and ensuring that menstrual products in schools are not just available but truly accessible, equitable and unique just like our students are. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning. My name is Catherine Gunther and I'm a senior in high school. I'm also co-lead of Students Against Period Poverty. We wanted to express our gratitude to Governor Shapiro's office and the School District of Philadelphia for their efforts to provide menstrual products and education in high schools. We urge the District to select a company that reflects the diverse needs of students by leaving dispensers in public spaces and providing a variety of products in type and size, ensuring quality and access. It is crucial that students can take as many products as they would like with no confusion about the cost. These products should be free. Students must be actively involved in this process making it student-centered. Additionally, proper menstrual health education should be provided to all students. Thank you for prioritizing this important initiative. (Applause.)

Council President, there are no further 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING names in my possession for public comment.

That concludes public comment. Can we give our young people a round of applause please. (Applause.)

Mar -- Margaret Mead once said that never doubt that a group of thoughtful and committed citizens could change the world. Young citizens indeed, that's the only thing that ever has. Give our young people another round of applause. (Applause.)

We will now consider bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241144.

A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1212 South 17th Street; 1317 and 1511 South 20th Street; 1904 South 23rd Street; 1216 South 31st Street; 1911 Gerritt Street; 1932 and 2044 Titan Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.

The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241144.

Thank you, Mr. President. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 241144 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250022.

A resolution also naming North 10th 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Street between Oxford Street and Master Street as "Paula Peebles Way."

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250022.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250022 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.) 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING

The ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250054.

A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 719 South 51st Street, 1124 South 56th Street and 1218 North 41st Street in the 3rd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250054.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250054 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.) 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING

The ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250058.

A resolution declaring 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives in Philadelphia and calling on the City of Philadelphia to explore all options to support the development and resilience of local cooperative businesses.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250058 -the Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

I move for the adoption of the 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250058 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. (Applause.)

The Clerk will please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.

A 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution recognizing February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.

The Chair recognizes my Majority Leader, Councilmember Kathy Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. On behalf of all of our CTE students across the city of Philadelphia, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution commending the collaborative efforts of students against period poverty and the Philadelphia Youth Commission to expand awareness and access to menstrual health products, and affirming that Council will work to ensure equitable and easy access to menstrual health products within the City's public schools. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Introduced by Councilmember Thomas.

The Chair recognizes my Majority Whip Councilmember Thomas for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. You got to love the energy of the young people. We want to thank them for being here. I enthusiastically move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Tyler Sabapathy, a beloved Temple student. Introduced by Councilmember Thomas.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas for a motion on the resolution.

Council President, before we take a vote on this resolution I just want to in the spirit of the young man who lost his life remind people after we win the Super Bowl this weekend, to be safe, to celebrate 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING safe and to put yourself in a position to not hurt yourself as well as other Philadelphia. So with that being said, in memory of the young man who lost his life a little while ago I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Thank you, Councilmember Thomas. Will the Clerk please 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution honoring and recognizing places of importance in Philadelphia's Black history during Black History Month for their contributions to the community and efforts in preserving history. Introduced by Councilmember Jones.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the 4th Councilmanic District, Councilmember Curtis Jones.

Thank you so much. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website. Introduced by Councilmember Jones.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING On behalf of all parents, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution is adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution thanking the Philadelphia Museum of Art for 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING presenting The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure, an impactful exhibit that honors and celebrates the rich contributions of the Black and African diasporic experience. Introduced by Councilmember Jones on behalf of Council President Johnson.

Thank you everyone for joining me for the exhibit last evening. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones for a motion on the resolution.

On your behalf, Mr. President, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is -- can we do that again? All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution recognizing and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Philadelphia's Fashion Week for its significant contribution to the enrichment of the City's fashion community and the advancement of the creative economy. Introduced by Councilmember Lozada.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution recognizing and honoring Robert Faulds for His Exceptional Service to the United States Navy and to the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Lozada.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a motion on the resolution. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution recognizing and 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING celebrating the Washerwoman Strike of 1881, a Black women-led worker movement fighting for better wages, dignity and labor protections on the occasion of Black History Month. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.

The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Brooks for a motion on the resolution.

Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been enthusiastically seconded. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)

Let's go. That's what's up, y'all. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Community Outreach Committee, PCOC, for their dedication to public safety and community revitalization. Introduced by Councilmember Harrity.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING

You going to make me laugh, right. I see you. You gritting on me hard, Council President.

It's all right. It's all love.

I know. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution honoring and congratulating the St. Joseph's Preparatory High School football team for their success in winning the PIAA 6A state championship. Introduced by Councilmember O'Neill.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. I very enthusiastically move the adoption of the resolution on behalf of myself and Councilman Young. 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted, and the motion actually passes -- the resolution passes. Would the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution recognizing the month of February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Month. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A resolution honoring the work of the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative, P.A.S.H.I., artisans, volunteers, students and supporters of P.A.S.H.I. for their selfless contributions and commitment to both local and international communities. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.

Would the Clerk please read the -- the Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 2/6/25 - STATED - 2ND READING

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title -(Applause.)

Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.

That completes our Calendar for today. into speeches of the Minority and speeches of the Majority, we do have a special guest that will give us enthusiastic words of victory. And so, I'll ask for today if you could be brief in your remarks. And so, with that being said any speeches on behalf of the Minority. The Chair recognizes the gentle lady who is the Minority Leader, Councilwoman Kendra Brooks.

Thank you so much, Council President. I introduced the pro-worker legislation called the POWER Act today. And as we heard from several workers, this bill is a pivotal next step in a long history of protecting workers' rights, going all the way back to 1881. My resolutions today are the first in a series that I will be introducing during Black and Women's History Month honoring changemakers. Despite all the progress that we have made, Black and Brown women are still underpaid and face higher rates of retaliation at work, and that's unacceptable. And today I'm doing something about it. Women of color are the majority of service sector and domestic workers in our city, and they have told us loud and clear that we need to update our labor laws to strengthen enforcement, prevent retaliation and make our Department of Labor as strong as possible. And this will be incredibly important. We saw this week with Labor is a target of Trump's administration. And under Trump's anti-worker, anti-immigrant agenda, these domestic workers face even greater risk of retaliation and abuse by employers. Our city will not sit by and do nothing. That is why we are leading on this issue. We must use our power locally to stand with these workers and establish the necessary tools, legal tools, to enforce their rights. And I want to thank my partners in this work. More than 20 labor unions and worker organizations collaborated with my office to craft this legislation, including the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Philly Black Worker Project, the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, SEIU Health Care PA, Community Legal Services, of PA, Juntos and others. And I also want to thank my colleagues. First, Councilmember Harrity for helping us get this through, and all my other colleagues that signed on to this. Harrity and Squilla being the first two Councilmembers to sign on, and I appreciate that. And I want to thank Councilmembers O'Rourke, Gauthier, Landau for also jumping on early. In the coming weeks, I will be hosting a briefing with labor leaders and legal experts to share my why Philadelphia needs the POWER Act, so please look out for the information from my office and more to come. And the last thing I want to say is when I first came into Council, you know, me that I said, I didn't come here to make friends. I came here to make a difference. And in that same energy today thank you, Councilmember Young, for allowing me to do a street naming for Paula Peebles, who was one of my sheroes. (Applause.)

Another woman from North Philly that's unapologetically fighting for her community, fighting for her neighbors. And one of my first resolutions for Black History Month that I am committed to only honoring Black women, and is unapologetic about that because we paved the way for every other society to exist, I introduced a resolution honoring Ms. Peebles and she took very ill and was unable to resolution. And shortly after, she passed away. And I have been committed to making this happen and getting it over the line. So thank you so much, Councilmember Young, for making this happen for me and for the Peebles family and other Black women in North Philadelphia that are unapologetic who they are and unapologetic for fighting for their communities. And one of my last thoughts is I was on Instagram yesterday and a young man came and said that his mom told him -- he was a non-Black man -- his mom told him if you're ever in trouble and you're in a room with a bunch of people, find you a Black woman because she's going to help you. On that same note, as Black women we have to help each other and be and fighting for the things that are right for us. So in that spirit thank you so much, colleagues, for helping me honor Black History Month. Regardless what the President says, Black History Month is 365 to me and I'm going to continue to fight for my people. Thank you, Council President. (Applause.)

Thank you, Councilmember Brooks. Very well said. (Applause.)

Don't want no smoke from the Black woman. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke.

We the Black woman.

Amen.

Thank you to our guests and Council today who I believe to be working towards an incredible goal, as I lifted up earlier, putting cooperation front and center in our economic life again. Cooperation has to be as encouraged in our culture on a regular basis with as much vigor and assumption and faith as when we praise competition. As we celebrate the contributions of worker co-operatives and their role in fostering economic democracy, it's equally important to ensure that all workers, whether in co-ops, unions or workplaces, are protected from exploitation and retaliation. years of relentless organizing and struggle just to secure the basic dignity that every worker deserves. So I'm thankful for my Minority Leader Kendra Brooks' leadership and for a commitment to serving the working class folk in Philadelphia. I am honored to not only stand by and support her but also to call her my leader, and I want to invoke at this moment the name of my grandmother who also was a domestic that raised me and other rich kids in the city of Indianapolis, Dorothy McCain, for the work that she did also helping raising up folks. Protecting workers' rights requires not only strong labor laws but also government investments in public goods that support working families. Governor opportunity to advance these priorities, particularly in public education. So I want to just say that I'm grateful that Governor Shapiro's budget prioritized investments in public education while leaving out taxpayer-funded private school vouchers that myself, Leader Brooks as well as Councilwoman Gauthier, I think among others, protested last year even with using Jay-Z as one to try to get those vouchers in there. I like Jay-Z. He's a good brother and all that, but I don't like him that much. We have to ensure that resources go towards strengthening our public schools and supporting students, teachers and families. And I'll just say in conclusion, also going to state the increasingly nonsensical to see how much money the Commonwealth is missing out on over a seemingly protest resistance to legalization of marijuana. Grateful to the Governor for talking about this commonsense need for us in the Commonwealth for all the resources that we can get. Seems like half the union has already legalized it in every state surrounding the Commonwealth. We would do well to follow his lead, take this mantle up and get the job done. That having been said, Go Birds. (Applause.)

Go Birds. Speeches on behalf of the Majority. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northeast,

Well, thank you, Council President and Council colleagues for the opportunity to say a few words this morning in response to the tragedy our Northeast community faced six days ago. It seems a lot longer. Our hearts are heavy for the individuals and families affected by the plane crash. While T.V. cameras and social media posts captured the unimaginable scene that was viewed around the world, I want to commend the first responders who immediately rushed into the chaos to help those that were directly impacted. I truly believe, having witnessed it firsthand, that the number of injuries and fatalities were kept down. It could have been a lot And, Council President, I want to thank you because you were on the phone that very evening with me. Leader Richardson, you were on the phone and my colleagues. There wasn't anybody that I served with here that wasn't reaching out to me, either that night or into the next couple days. So many people stepped up. This is when leadership and compassion and care is most needed. And I must highlight Mayor Parker. Mayor Cherelle Parker was on the scene leading us from day one. Mayor Parker, Northeast Philadelphia and all Philadelphians are grateful for your leadership. Governor Shapiro was there that night, the next day and on Monday, and he hasn't stopped communicating with us ever since. came in from Washington to provide assurances that whatever the federal government could do, the resources would be here. The National Transportation Safety Board were on the scene. They did not give up until they found that black box on Sunday night, and we hope to learn some valuable information when that is deciphered. The Senators and Congressmen that reached out to us and provided their support, the State Senators and State Representatives that all represent areas of Northeast Philadelphia were on the scene and continue to tell us that they'll work with Governor Shapiro to get whatever resources we need for that community. Department, my God, there were hundreds of them combing the area making sure that it didn't get worse as well as our firefighters. I mean, they were -- if you saw it on the news or I can't tell you how many spot fires there were all over this four-to-six-block area, and I mean four-to-six-block area. This was devastating. The Office of Emergency Management always there in times of crisis. I saw Dominic Morales and I just said to him, we don't want to keep meeting like this. Several of these things have happened. I had the I-95 collapse in my District, but this was unimaginable. The Managing Director's Office, Adam Thiel, he was excellent, the City departments, Streets, L&I, Human Services, the Philadelphia School District. The local businesses, charitable organizations stepped right up, and the Northeast residents all came together to show that Northeast Philadelphia and Philadelphia is strong, compassionate and the city of brotherly love. And I have to highlight my Chief of Staff, Tom Forkin, and my staff. (Applause.)

Mr. President, that phone call came in right after 6 o'clock. Tom left his family, went right to my office, made a command central because we were trying to calm folks down. When things like this happen, you don't know if it's terrorism. You don't know what it is. And so, we wanted to make sure that when they were calling our providing accurate, truthful information and not rushing to any kind of judgment. So I can't thank my staff enough. And I just want to -- if you could all join in thanking the individuals, the agencies, the businesses, the organizations for their efforts in reminding us that Philadelphia is the greatest city in the world. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

Member Driscoll, we thank you for your leadership and leading your District under such difficult times. And so, again on behalf of this body and the City of Philadelphia, we applaud you for your leadership and leading your (Applause.)

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.

I just want to say thank you, Member Driscoll. That was really touching. This past Friday, Northeast Philadelphia went through a lot, and all of us felt it across the city of Philadelphia. And I also want to commend our administration responding very decently to the matter. And it's been a lot for all of us, particularly myself. I have a big fear of heights and also planes. And so, I mean the trauma that a lot of people are going through right now is a lot. And so, I just wanted us to really recognize that there are lives that as a result of this. And as leaders in our city, we want to be there for them. So I also just want to, on a lighter note, I want to say, Go Eagles. We're excited about our Birds and we're excited for them for Sunday, and we pray for the best for them. And then next, I just wanted to briefly state while I commend the young men of the school that exists on Girard Avenue for their athletic accomplishment, I cannot publicly support that school because I'm a proud graduate of La Salle College High School. Now, while I understand they authored a bill, Councilmember O'Neill, you know, reasons why he felt compelled to acknowledge them is because, La Salle College High top-tier school that every now and then we have to make the school, that school on Girard feel good. And so, I'm just very happy that all of Council made that school on Girard feel very good. So go La Salle College High School, cheerio.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Northeast Philadelphia, Councilmember O'Neill.

I can understand the frustration of a La Salle graduate not signing a resolution. What I can't understand is voting against it. That a whole new low for City Council. I have gone up there and presented with the Council, La Salle College High School, the thing, many times. Never thought about voting against it, even though I was wishing it was my school up there and not La Salle. It gets worse. I went to St. Joe's University as well. We hated no one more than Villanova. Do you know how many times I've been up there with national champion Villanova as enthusiastic as anyone in this city, let alone this Council. It's something Councilman Phillips will learn that we do, that we do, and you just kind of eat the fact that you wish it was your school, but you don't let anyone know it. Thank you, Mr. President.

You're welcome. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the 4th Councilmanic District, the honorable Councilmember Curtis Jones.

I'm staying out of that rivalry. I just want to rise to applaud the work that was done today, whether it is resolutions or introduction of bills. We are as a body preparing for the storm from Washington to come. And I'm very proud of the work. One of the things that was introduced was a resolution by myself talking about a tool on the tool belt to deal with that storm that is coming and, that is, Parent University 2.0 online. About a year ago my colleagues came down to the High School of the Future, spent the day with us looking at the different resources that are available to parents, because there is no instruction manual that comes parent. You either had it in your life or you need to figure it out as you go, but that one-day experience was not enough. So what we did, thanks to you and the support of my colleagues, we are now ready to launch a year-round online presence with all of those resources available, such as BenePhilly when a person comes in to apply for one opportunity, they should find out instantly what other things they are qualified. If you're coming in for child care, you should know about LIHEAP. You should be able to do that in one setting, Parent University. When you, to my colleagues, Member Bass who always talks about what do you do when the shooter lives with you, those issues are on there. How to deal is misguided, you go in the basement, you toss the mattress on Friday and you find a pack of money and a 9-millimeter handgun and you know that boy don't even have a job at a paper route, what does a parent do. So this tool -- and it was inspired in part by our mayor, Mayor Parker, who I was on a leadership call with the Mayor, as a single parent she said, I don't know what is in my zip code to send my child to. You as a parent, you need to know what those young men are eligible for and can be a part of. This tool will empower parents from around the city to be able to know those things, school programs, DHS programs, all kinds of recreational opportunities for our parents to raise our babies. that, Go Birds. (Applause.)

Go Birds. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.

Thank you, Council President. I just want to take this moment following my colleague Councilmember O'Neill to speak about unity and to really speak about the power of sports to unite us in a divisive political climate. Sports has a unique power to bring people together as we get ready to celebrate and watch our game this Sunday. And we will be doing this regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or political beliefs. When we come together to cheer our teams, we put aside differences and share in a experience, one of pride, fashion and community. As we approach the Super Bowl this Sunday, we see two teams from different regions, different cultures but the same goal, excellence. The Philadelphia Eagles represents the heart and resilience of our city reminding us that teamwork, perseverance and unity lead to success. In our current political climate where some are working to disenfranchise and divide us, we must hold on to what unites us. Just as we stand sideby-side in stadiums and living rooms to cheer for the Eagles, we must stand together in our communities to defend our rights and our democracy. The teamwork, resilience and unity we celebrate in sports our fight for justice and equity. Just as athletes to train, strategize and execute to win, we must organize, vote and advocate to ensure our voices are heard. If we can come together for our teams, we can certainly come together for our future. Whether you're an Eagles fan or just in it for commercials and halftime shows, we all crave moments of connection and shared joy. This joy and unity is what carries us forward beyond the game, beyond the political cycle and into a stronger, more inclusive city. Enjoy the Super Bowl. And remember, the real work happens off the field. Stay engaged, stay informed and stay active in your community. Together we can ensure that unity, justice and progress the field. Go Birds. (Applause.)

Thank you. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kensington, my good friend and Chiefs fan Councilmember Jim Harrity. (Boo.)

(Gesture).

What's all this hate here, man?

The floor is yours, Councilmember.

Okay. Listen, I'm going to remain dignified.

Thank you, Member Harrity, because we know you can go you, sir.

I will be rooting for a good game so I don't have to hear you guys cry too much on Monday. But regardless of that, today I rise to speak on how happy I am that my colleague decided to take up the issue of domestic workers, Kendra Brooks, our Minority Leader. It just proves to you that no matter what party we are, we do come together here in this body when it's important. I'd like to thank all co-sponsors of the legislation, Councilman O'Rourke, Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Councilwoman Nina Ahmad, Jeffrey Young, Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, Rue Landau, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Gauthier, Councilman Phillips and myself, this is just mean, for me it's easy. I'm a union guy. I believe that everyone deserves to have the power of a union behind them. (Applause.)

But that being said, if you're not a union member, that's okay because I'm going to fight for your rights also. This bill does nothing but give these people the dignity and just the benefits that every other employed person in the city of Philadelphia has. It's just amazing to me that in this day and age that we actually have to put a bill in to tell people to do the right thing, so I'm proud. I mean, when I first got here, I met the domestic workers and I promised them that when their time came, I would be with them. so proud of this body. I mean, we come together on so many different issues and don't let our differences get in the way when it comes to something important. And this right here is something important. These people deserve a dignified way of life. They are caretakers. They only had that term during COVID of essential workers. I could imagine that the kids and families that are being taken care of by these domestic workers feel that they are essential, because they're essential for them to be able to continue the way of life that they are living now. So I believe that now's the time. I'm glad we're standing up for this, and let's give these people the same rights as everybody else. It's simple. (Applause.)

Very well said, Member Harrity. You better not give him no cupcake. That can go to someone else. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada.

Thank you, Council President. We're going to forgive him. We're going to forgive him. But I want to start off by just saying that hate has no place in the city and hate certainly has no place in this chamber. And so, if you are uncomfortable with someone speaking a language that you don't understand, suck it up. Suck it up. I want to recognize Lopez, the Sergeant-at-Arms, who difficult job in this chamber. (Standing ovation.)

(Spanish translation). (Applause.)

Today I also recognize one of our residents in the 7th Council District, grew up in Kensington, is now living in with Wissinoming. Mr. Robert Faulds is a veteran who is 92 years old, 92 years old. And with no staff, with no resources, he has single-handedly informed 1500 families of unclaimed assets and money-savings tax programs like Homestead, covered all the costs himself. I'm sure that many of you have read his story in The Philadelphia Inquirer, but I thought it was important to not only saved residents money, he's also saved the City of Philadelphia $11.4 million, and he is an example of the impact that one person can make in our city. So thank you all for signing onto the resolution to honor Mr. Faulds while he is still alive and while we can still show him our gratitude. I'd also like to thank each one of you who signed Council President's letter and the resource guide that my office put together. I'd like to thank my staff for putting it together. There's a copy on each one of your desks. There's a version that can be downloaded for you all to share with your constituents. The guide includes a fact sheet that covers people's rights, recommends organizations that they can reach checklist that would help people develop a plan and stay prepared. Thank you for signing on. Thank you for your support and thank you for your trust. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

Leadership matters.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass from Northwest Philadelphia.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also wanted to, you know, my colleague Quetcy Lozada is so modest and I didn't know if she was going to mention this fantastic work, this action guide that her office put together. And as I was sitting here reading it, I just thought this is absolutely fantastic information. So, Councilwoman, I don't want to overload your office, but everybody listening, everyone who knows someone, everyone who's interested in this issue, should be contacting Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada's office around this issue. And I thank her because sometimes, you know, there's a lot of distractions out here. I thank you for making sure that this work got done and that you are out here touching the community on this very important issue right now. So kudos to you and your office and your staff. Thank you. I also wanted to acknowledge my colleague Councilman both he and Councilwoman Lozada are just such class acts. Councilman Driscoll being on the scene when the plane crashed, that is no surprise. That is no surprise to any of us who know you, who know your work ethic, who know how much you care about your community. And so, we salute you as well, as well as our first responders and everyone who really was on the scene. I actually was out of town. You know, Mr. President, I've been here for 13 years and I've missed two Council sessions in 13 years. And it feels like it's just been a whirlwind since our last Council session with all the things that have been happening. But when I saw it on the news, I just was in shock and reached out to the Councilmember and asked, do, how can I help. But he was already, you know, he had -

He was already gone.

-under control. So we just say thank you so much for all of your hard work. Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you.

Two things really quickly. I just wanted to mention quickly, Mr. President, regarding P.A.S.H.I. who came today, who's doing an outstanding job on the issue of period poverty. I want to thank them for making these very important products. Let me hold them up. Very important products available, not just here in Philadelphia but really around the world because we know that if women quality materials, they will use whatever they have at their disposal, whether it's safe, whether it's hygienic, no matter what it is, to be able to address this very important health situation. And so, we want to thank them for joining City Council and making sure that period poverty is not something that's just swept under the rug and not addressed. We passed a bill in this chamber, my office did in 2021, making period products available in our rec centers, in our libraries, in our city facilities and buildings. And so, that was something we did here in 2021 and State Representative Dorisha Parker, my partner in the Northwest and all things good, passed a bill in 2024 in the Commonwealth, in the same things. And so, we want to just thank all of those who have been paying attention to this very important issue. And the last thing I just wanted to mention briefly was around Teen Dating Violence Awareness. And today I introduced a resolution recognizing and naming February 11, 2025 as Wear Orange Day in Philadelphia. Teen dating violence is a serious problem and it can be physical, it can be emotional and it can even be digital. As the mother of a teenage girl, I know how important it is to be available to support them through difficult times and situations while they learn to navigate the world around them. And I want all of us to think about lives and remember the pervasive impact of teen dating violence. I hope that this helps you to be available for those teens if they need to talk about a difficult relationship, and also that we support one another during these very trying times. And thank you to the Office of Youth Engagement for providing education and resources related to this very, very, very important issue. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.

Thank you, Council President. I want to start by my colleague Quetcy Lozada. This is language -we have a great set of laws in the city of Philadelphia to help us protect everybody and to help us protect their rights when they're engaging with the City, and that includes language access, that includes freedom from discrimination based on national origin or ethnicity. We really stand by this. And as a body, these are essential principles for us. So glad to see what happened today where we stood up to respect those, and I think it's especially important in the wake of what's coming down from the Feds. Every day we see more racist, xenophobic and transphobic actions by this federal government, and we need to make sure that we are body, that our offices are always open to everybody in Philadelphia. So I leave that as the moment to say, every single one of us has an office that is safe for you. So please come to us because that's a safe space. I wanted to just also take a moment to remind everybody that the Low Income Tax Freeze deadline has been extended to February 28th. If you meet the income requirement, all it takes is one simple form to stop property taxes from increasing above the current bill amount. It's money left on the table for Philadelphians to utilize. And with tax season around the corner, every penny counts. That's why I also introduced a resolution urging Child Tax Credit. This credit is an essential anti-poverty initiative that has cut child poverty in half and benefited millions of families in uncertain times. We need residents to feel not only physically safe and secure but financially as well. So let this be a reminder to parents even if you earned very little last year, you should file your taxes. Low-income Philadelphians are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, but you must file your taxes in order to get that money back. Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt thoughts to the residents and the neighborhood and the community of Northeast Philadelphia. And it's important times of tragedy we must come together to uplift one another. My heart goes out to the victims. All our love, anything you need from us you know we're here for you. Thank you everybody. And got to end with, Go Birds.

That's what's up. Thank you, Rue and Jamie, for extending the Low Income Tax Freeze during this time of the year. That's a key way to address gentrification and also making sure people don't lose their homes. The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from the greatest part of the city of Philadelphia, Councilman Mark Squilla.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to thank able to provide the little donuts that we passed out to all the Eagles fan, even the consolation prize to the Chiefs fan, so everybody will get one. But it's really important to support our small businesses here in the city of Philadelphia. And Tiffany's down at the Fashion District does a great job. So thank you so much. And Go Birds. (Applause.)

Go Birds. And the Chair recognizes the gentleman from the mighty 5th Councilmanic District, North Philadelphia Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. So first, definitely want to commend our Chair of the for all his hard work, his dedication to this community and making sure that Philadelphians remain safe and understand what really happened up there in the Northeast, so thank you for your leadership on that. But first, I must say that I am disappointed in Amazon, right, for filing objections in an attempt to delay the first unionized Whole Food store in the country, which is in the 5th Council District. These workers conducted fair elections and they earned the right to collectively bargain. And so, I want to make sure that those workers know that this City Council has their back in this fight to unionize. Second, I want to echo the sentiments of my colleague Brooks, and thank you for putting that resolution for Paula Peebles to my office. Paula Peebles spent 50 years fighting for justice in the city of Philadelphia, fighting for not just in our criminal justice system, she was a housing advocate. She led Philadelphia's National Action Network. She was a professor. She is everything you want in the North Philadelphia Black woman. And so, I'm proud to introduce that resolution and proud to rename a street in North Philadelphia after Paula Peebles. She was also a developer. She developed shopping centers in North Philadelphia, housing in North Philadelphia. So again, she was everything that we look for in a champion from North Philadelphia. finally, Mr. President, today I introduced a bill that would amend our city's lead paint ordinance, right. Our Pennsylvania Superior Court in a court case called Hand v. Fuller ruled that our lead paint ordinance was not intended to permit former tenants to retroactively recoup rent after the lease agreement has been satisfactory completed when there were no issues raised during the existence of the lease. So what does that mean in English, right? Essentially, tenants were suing landlords to get back all their rent money based on our lead paint ordinance because the landlord failed to provide them with a lead safe certificate granted, but it's not because it was lead found on the properties. Just because our landlords failed piece of paper. So what does that mean in real life? What that means in real life is that landlords were forced to give back $15,000, $20,000 to a tenant after the lease had ended, after the tenant had already moved out the property because the landlord failed to give them this piece of paper, not when lead was found at all on the property, just because our law that we have in the books allowed them to do that, which I think to me is unfair. We have to remember that most landlords are small businesses, and we have to -- me and this body must remove all barriers to allow small businesses to thrive, right. And so -(Applause.)

So just put our Code in line with what our Superior Court has already ruled. You cannot file suit after you've already moved out. And many tenants have been doing this as a retaliatory measure against their landlord to get all their rent money back when there were no issues with the property whatsoever. And so, we just want to make sure there's fairness in our Code, and I do think that this piece of legislation would provide a little bit more fairness in our Housing Code. So thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

Thank you very much, sir. There will be no more speeches. And so, joining us today our Eagles pep rally is former Eagles defensive end and linebacker, Trent "the Hunter" Cole. Let's give him a real big round of applause. (Applause.)

So before I do a formal introduction, all those in favor of a motion to adjourn, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas.

Thank you, Council President. I move that Council stands adjourned until February 13th at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)

All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. And let me get back to my introduction. Trent played for the NFL for 12 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Trent was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft where he played with the Eagles from 2005 to 2014. He is a two-time NFL Pro Bowler and was named a member of the NFL All Rookie Team. Now, dig this part, y'all. Trent was the second-most cornerbacks with sacks in Eagles history with a 90.5 only behind the late great Eagles Reggie White who had 124 sacks. Let's give him a round of applause. (Applause.)

You talk about hunting. career, resulting in him being placed in the Eagles Hall of Fame. Let's give that a round of applause. (Applause.)

He is also very active in his community. He is an entrepreneur, an athlete, an outdoorsman, farmer and family man. So with that being said, let's Go Birds and let's give Trent a real big round of applause, y'all. (Applause.)

The floor is yours, Trent.

Councilman Johnson, I just want to thank you. It's an honor to be here. I also just want to say -- I want to say thank you to the governing body here, all you guys in what you're doing. The 20 years I've been here in Philly and all the first responders and the servicemen out there and also the people in the back there, to you guys too back there with all the yellow on, keep that voice. (Applause.)

It's my first time in here seeing something like this, and it's just -- it's opened my eyes up, and I love what you guys are doing. I mean, you guys are here, you're getting stuff done and everything. And I also can say what a great week to be a Philly fan, what a great week. I mean, it's a lot of energy in the air. And I was going to come up here with a little energy but I wanted to take a little different direction. that, I just want to say there's a lot of energy here. And like coming here, I mean Philadelphia, we have the best fans and we have the greatest city, and I definitely think that. And also, I want to say with all this energy we've been having, we start getting back the Super Bowls and stuff, and I like to tell all you guys here, the government, Councilman Johnson, use that energy guys. Take advantage of the energy. I'm saying, this is your city. And use it and take advantage of it and find a way, use that energy, you know what I'm saying, because that's what makes the city. When I got here in 2005 when the Eagles went to the Super Bowl and they was -- yeah, it was 2005, went to the Super Bowl. I was a rookie. I just got here. And, man, I got to say this, even though we lost the Super Bowl, this city was on fire. I mean, the energy, the love. I mean, I thought was -- I couldn't believe I was telling people back home how great this city was and how great it is. And that's what I wanted to say to you guys, just use that energy that you guys hear about. I mean, everybody in here I'm talking about, take that. And remember, you guys are part of this. You're part of your the heart of this city. Just like the Eagles down there, them guys down there, they appreciate you guys. Okay. You know, they appreciate everybody. Appreciate all the energy and we're going to need it. We got one bump in the road and that's Jim and Kansas Kansas City. So, you know, what a true eagle does, a technique when he hunts his prey where he swoops down on him and he snaps through with his talons. He soars to great heights. You know what he does after that, he drops him. And you can finish the rest of that. So, guys, I want to say thank you very much for having me here. Thanks again, Councilman Johnson. And like I said, it's time to hunt guys. It's time to hunt.

Let's go Eagles.

Go Birds. Go Birds. ) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. m. C. H. 196:7 e 68:10 24:14 33:21, k I. org. V. N. S.