The ayes have it. That bill has been amended. That Bill 220737, as amended, will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220738.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Fitzwater Street and South 18th Street; Kater Street and South 19th STATED MEETING 85 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Street; Taney Street and South 20th Street; South 17th Street and Fitzwater Street; Cleveland Street and Carpenter Street.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson for an amendment to Bill No. 220738.
You caught me slipping. Thank you, Council President. I move that Bill No. 220738 be amended. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? STATED MEETING 86 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 220738 has been amended. Bill No. 220738, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220739.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Titan Street and South 19th Street; Oakford Street and South 21st Street; Wharton Street and Point Breeze Avenue; South 15th Street and Wharton Street; Reed Street and South 18th Street to 22nd Street; and South 17th Street and Reed Street.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson for an amendment to Bill No. 220739.
Thank you, STATED MEETING 87 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. I move that Bill No. 220739 be amended. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 220739 has been amended. Bill No. 220739, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220740.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the STATED MEETING 88 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING vicinity of: Webster Street and Broad Street; South 11th Street and Bainbridge Street; Kimball Street and South 11th Street.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson for an amendment to Bill No. 220740.
Thank you, Council President. I move that Bill No. 220740 be amended. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 89 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 220740 has been amended, and Bill No. 220740, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220829.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Columbia Avenue and Frankford Avenue; Belgrade Street and Susquehanna Avenue; Belgrade Street and Palmer Street; Howard Street and Thompson Street; Howard Street and Girard Avenue; Oxford Street and Frankford Avenue; Moyer Street and Palmer Street; Thompson Street and North 3rd Street.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for an amendment to Bill No. 220829.
Thank you, STATED MEETING 90 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. On your behalf, I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 220829. A copy of that amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 220829 has been amended. Bill No. 220829, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution STATED MEETING 91 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing November 14 through November 20, 2022 as National Apprenticeship Week and honoring ApprenticeshipPHL for its continued commitment to connecting Philadelphians to family-supporting careers, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. Before I move for the adoption of this resolution, I wanted to take the opportunity to recognize one of our former family members here in Council, Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown, who is now the Chief of Staff and Senior Manager of Operations and Strategic Partnerships for Accenture for their Philly and their Pittsburgh metro offices. We were able to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with them this morning prior to Council's session STATED MEETING 92 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING and all throughout the week. And I just thought it was so apropos that we are acknowledging and honoring our own Pat Eiding from AFL-CIO for his years of tireless service during this actual week. So on behalf of National Apprenticeship Week and all those who have done tireless work in this field, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution declaring each Friday in December 2022 as "Shop Black Business Friday" in the City STATED MEETING 93 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring Patrick Eiding for twenty years of service as President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, and STATED MEETING 94 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing his civic leadership and manifold accomplishments fighting for working families, building the power of Philadelphia workers, and winning labor rights and policies that meaningfully improve the lives of Philadelphians, introduced today by Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you so much, Council President. For decades, every working Philadelphian has had a champion in their corner, and that champion is Patrick Eiding. Patrick Eiding not only for the last 20 years has helped chair -- served as President of the Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO, but he has added his voice and passion to the rights of working people. He has managed a diverse, growing, broad constituency within the AFL-CIO with grace and determination and skill and STATED MEETING 95 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING professionalism, but I think his heart shows when he also speaks out on behalf of those who are unrepresented by labor, and his voice is probably most passionate and most needed in those spaces. I've had the honor of working with President Eiding on multiple occasions, as I know many of my colleagues in this body also have. But I don't think you can see a fiercer champion for him when he went out and helped us win a fair work week for over 130,000 largely unrepresented hotel, hospitality, food service, and restaurant workers here in the City of Philadelphia. He made clear that organized labor stood with unrepresented labor and that the rights of all people are raised when everybody has the basic working protections that this country ought to grant to everybody. You know, I don't think there's any question that we can see him on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. STATED MEETING 96 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING We can see him in front of Starbucks workers fighting for a union and fair wages, as much as we can see him standing for many of our organized workers, whether they were facing off against a state takeover of our school system, to fight for responsible building practices with the development community. He has ensured that the power of allied labor within Philadelphia is also heard on incredibly critical issues that impact our city and society, and that includes calling out anti-worker implications on the Supreme Court's decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in urging action to stop the end -- and as well in urging action to stop the immense devastation caused by unregulated guns. When immigrant families were targeted by the Trump administration, President Eiding displayed a massive amount of labor solidarity, resisting efforts that would pit workers against one another based on immigration status, STATED MEETING 97 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING ethnicity, or race. The landscape of Philadelphia has benefited immeasurably from President Eiding's time and service. And whether he was there fighting on behalf of labor or on the numerous boards that he has served on, including Temple University, Philadelphia Works, the Urban Affairs Coalition, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, the Committee of Seventy, Graduate Philadelphia, we can go on and on, but his leadership in all of these influential spaces advanced the rights of City workers, unionized labor, and helped, most importantly, increase the economic and general well-being of all Philadelphians. There's no question, behind every great man is an even greater woman. We honor as well today President Eiding's wife and lifelong companion, Elizabeth, his daughters and grandchildren. He is an avid Phillies fan, dedicated to STATED MEETING 98 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING supporting American-made goods and service of the cheerleading of our city. I don't think that there is much more -- I think that there's so much more to add that we could keep going, but I wanted to take a moment just to honor and personally thank President Eiding for his years of service as leadership in the AFL-CIO and certainly welcome any of my colleagues to join. Thank you, Mr. President.
Oh, I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes -- oh, okay. I see. We got a whole list here.
Well, thank you, Mr. President. STATED MEETING 99 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING I wanted to add my comments to the chorus as well. You know, Pat Eiding and I, I think that we have a really special relationship. Pat has been somebody who I consider really to be like family. And so when I heard about his retirement, you know, it's a little bit bittersweet. We're going to miss you, Pat. We're really going to miss you. And so don't be surprised if you -- listen, I know that the person at the helm who is going to be taking your place is going to be fantastic and doing a great job, but those are pretty big shoes to fill, Pat Eiding's shoes. And so I wish you well in your retirement. Don't go far, because we'll be calling you. Don't be surprised if you get calls from Council. And best of luck to you in this new chapter of life. We love you, we support you, and we're really going to miss you. God bless. Thank you. STATED MEETING 100 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues and also just acknowledge the work of Mr. Pat Eiding. And I had an opportunity to work with him on an issue that's very near and dear to my heart, and that's making sure that the workers of the Philadelphia International Airport received not only a $15 an hour in terms of their wages but also, most importantly during the pandemic, healthcare. He worked very closely with Unite Here and, most importantly, making sure that the Black and brown individuals who represent service unions -- a lot of times we look at unions as a whole here in the City of Philadelphia, and we primarily think about the building STATED MEETING 101 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING trades, which I also support, but nevertheless, when you talk about service unions, those are individuals who are primarily made up of Black and brown individuals who keep the City of Philadelphia moving forward. I had a chance to work on several different issues with Mr. Pat Eiding relating to making sure we're supporting those service workers. So, Mr. Pat Eiding, I just want to thank you for your hard work and your dedication to working on behalf of working-class people here in the City of Philadelphia, but most importantly, I do recognize in the context that the work that we do, enjoy your retirement. Take some time for you. Do some self-care, hug yourself, hug your family, and enjoy your life. You earned that and you deserve it. God bless.
All right. The Chair recognizes Councilman STATED MEETING 102 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. Again, we want to echo what my colleagues have said. The main thing about Pat Eiding is that he always worked for others, and when you have a leader out there working for others, it really is a statement that we should all follow. And Pat cared about the working people of the City of Philadelphia. He cared about all the people of the City of Philadelphia, and he never was -- it was never too early to call you. It was never too late to call you if there was an issue or concern. But you knew it wasn't for him. It was for the workers of the City of Philadelphia. And we were so lucky to have him, blessed to have Pat as the leadership of the AFL-CIO, but also your wife, Elizabeth, thank you for giving us Pat and the time he had shared with us. And as Councilmember Johnson just said, STATED MEETING 103 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING hopefully you spend a lot of time together. Hopefully you'll be able to get along now as you spend more time together. You won't be kicking him out and say go back to work. But really enjoy this time together, because you have given us a lot here in the City of Philadelphia, given our workers a lot in the City of Philadelphia, and now it's time for you to enjoy yourself and your family. God bless you, and thank you so much.
All right. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
I want to just thank President Pat Eiding. Like my relationship with -- has been very different, because I'm new to Council, but to be a labor leader and take my call as an activist and having the opportunity to share one of my first wins when we STATED MEETING 104 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING transformed the School Reform Commission and we sat on the Nominating Panel together, and we spent a long 30 days being the first Nominating Panel. And I just wanted to honor Pat and his compassion for the City and his love for education and just the wisdom that he imparted into me during the time we had to spend over the Nominating Panel, and always just picking up the phone. And I'm saying before I was an elected official. So I'm just talking just as a civilian and an activist and an organizer, just knowing that I could call on Pat and he'll give me a straightforward answer. I just want to thank him for his service and his commitment and just always picking up. And I want to thank you, Elizabeth, for sacrificing your husband to us. And, Janet, this is my first time seeing you. He would say, call Janet, she'll set it up for us. STATED MEETING 105 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING So I want to just thank you, Pat, and I want to thank you for you two, Elizabeth and Janet, for being his support team.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you so much, Council President. I have to join the chorus and the choir in commending, honoring, congratulating, and lifting up all of our friend, Pat Eiding, for all of his work he has done over the years. And one of the most important things you can give someone is your time. That is one of the most valuable things you can give someone, and I wanted to thank him for giving me his time in joining us for our Labor Friday programs. Since I've been a member of Philadelphia City Council, every other Friday joining STATED MEETING 106 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING almost every one of our programs to talk to young people and those who are looking for family-supporting and sustaining career opportunities in the trades. He was always there. Sometimes I wouldn't even know that he would be joining us that week and he was there. And even all of our high school fairs all across the City, coming to every single school and just imparting knowledge to our young people. And as Janet Ryder stated, even when she came into town, Pat was going over to Mastbaum for one of the high school fairs. So I just wanted to thank him for giving so graciously of his time, of his talent, and his efforts for over 40 years to each and every one of us and just encourage you to enjoy your retirement, enjoy every single moment, because you are so very deserving of this moment. And we know that you are leaving a rich legacy at the AFL-CIO, and STATED MEETING 107 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING we have to congratulate your next leadership team and all those who will continue the work that you have been doing. So thank you so very, very much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. So throughout my career, whether in the City's Commerce Department, Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation, Minority Business Enterprise Council, there has always been Pat Eiding. And what I would say about him is that, you know, hot water will change a hard potato soft. Hot water will make a soft egg hard, but coffee changes the water. Whenever Pat Eiding walked in a room, it totally changed the level of discussion, because people on whatever side of the table you were on, they knew STATED MEETING 108 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING this discussion just became serious. And so I want to thank you for that dedication and thank your wife for lending you to us and to say that the best thing I can say about you, the title I would give you in your retirement is Philadelphia. You're Philly tough, and you've made a difference. Thank you so much, Pat. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll.
Pat, it's been an honor to work with you over the years in all my different roles here in life. You've actually been one of those bigger-than-life folks that have put yourself aside for the betterment of the workers of the City of Philadelphia. And I just want to leave you with an old Irish saying, that may the road rise to meet you, may the sun shine warmly upon STATED MEETING 109 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING your face, may the rain fall softly on your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Congratulations and have a great retirement, and we still look forward to working with you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Before I call on Councilwoman Gym, I'm not supposed to talk as I'm up on the podium, but I have to say this, Pat. I've never seen a person that's been involved in civic life, and I mean civic life, every aspect of it, that I've never heard anybody say anything negative about you. I mean, that is the ultimate achievement, I got to tell you. So congratulations. Loved working with you, and I'm sure we will continue to do that. So thank you, Pat. You're an awesome guy. Thank you so much. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym. STATED MEETING 110 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Yes. Thank you so much, Council President. Thank you, Patrick Eiding. Against this backdrop of almost impossible and growing economic and racial inequality, I think there is nothing more powerful than a strong, organized, and empowered labor movement, and thank you, Patrick Eiding, for being part of that movement and for your journey. On behalf of all of the members of City Council, I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The STATED MEETING 111 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and that motion is enthusiastically adopted. Thank you, Pat. Mr. Decker.
And a resolution -(Standing ovation.) (Mr. Eiding talking without a microphone.) (Applause.)
A resolution supporting the Philadelphia Transit Plan, a bold vision for a city connected by transit that addresses both immediate needs and long-term solutions through transformational infrastructure investment and actionable policy, and STATED MEETING 112 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING embracing its dedication to increasing equity and enhancing quality of life by linking people with opportunity, catalyzing the economy, and sustaining the environment, introduced today by Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution STATED MEETING 113 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to understand Pennsylvania Act 158's changes to state graduation requirements and their impact on Philadelphia students and to learn more about the School District of Philadelphia's plan to implement and support schools and students with these new requirements, introduced today by Councilwoman Brooks on behalf of Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. On the behalf of Councilmember Thomas, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
STATED MEETING 114 11/17/2022 11/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution celebrating, honoring and thanking our veterans on Veterans Day 2022, introduced today by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The STATED MEETING 115 11/17/2022 it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. As we struggle with our legislative priorities, as we struggle with our budget commitments, we cannot forget one of the issues that has faced us and continues to face us is crime in the City of Philadelphia and in STATED MEETING 116 11/17/2022 I want to put some things in perspective, that in the 18th Police District, Southwest Detectives, there's approximately 185,000 people. In talking to law enforcement, Kenyatta, we discovered that in that area, there are only 22 or so known shooters. 012 percent. So there is a very small amount of people doing a large amount of the crime. We have to get our arms around that and recognize it. In the Southwest Detectives organization, I don't know about you, but every time I listen to the news and there's a shooting and they say no suspects, no one apprehended, that irks me to the point of why. And when having a deeper dive discussion with law enforcement in that same Southwest Detectives, there is a caseload per STATED MEETING 117 11/17/2022 325 cases per detective. There's something wrong with that, that we don't have the resources to commit to the solving of crimes, and that is why, in part, some of the case closures do not happen. Another thing we need to look at over this budget period is the fact that we need to clearly delineate when a detective has to go out because your lawn chair got stolen to take a report. Now, that's important. There are sections in my district, they take it very seriously, lawn chairs, quality of life, break in a car, very serious, so I'm not mitigating that type of crime. But there's other parts of my district where every 28 days somebody is going to get shot, sometimes in bunches, Kenyatta. And if you have to figure out how to segregate what the priorities are, we really need to give that more thought. I'd rather have detectives STATED MEETING 118 11/17/2022 at gun violence, look at unfortunately murder versus somebody stole my lawn chair. And literally that was an example given. Further, I think what we did yesterday and today by the budget amendment is my -- and thank you all those who are on the Appropriations Committee, all those who brought priorities to the Committee to be funded. That was germane, Mr. President, to crime prevention. We took a hard step and we held our government feet to the fire about saying we want bricks, but we aren't going to give you straw. We're not going to help you solve that problem. And what we did -- and I was so very proud of Kathy and Kenyatta and all of the members of the Appropriations Committee advocating hard, not in front of the cameras but advocating hard in the rooms to fight for this stuff. We gave an additional STATED MEETING 119 11/17/2022 $3 million to the District Attorney's Office. Say where you are on his performance. That is not the question, but he has hard-working ADAs that go out every day trying to keep us safe. So there is a proposal to have a new car jacking unit over there just focusing on that. And the turnover that they have in that office, because once you get some experience, the private sector and the money and the lack of heavy workload lures our best and brightest away, we stepped up, and Kenyatta was a strong advocate for that, we stepped up to the plate and said you're going to get some straw to make these bricks, and I was proud of you again. As it relates to wherever you are on the impeachment stuff in Harrisburg, but let me say this: How dare you say to us in Philadelphia who should be representing us when you can't give us sensible gun laws for lost and STATED MEETING 120 11/17/2022 passed, this body passed, a reasonable law that said if you lose your gun, just tell us so that we can begin the investigation to try to track it down for you.
It is lingering in the court, Mr. President. You've been sued personally, your money, your grand-kids' money, when you tried to propose sensible gun laws, but yet you want to grandstand about who should be our DA. How dare you? Until you come back with some sensible gun laws, do not patronize us. Give us some substance. Give us some straws for our bricks. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. You know, last night I was at a STATED MEETING 121 11/17/2022 where many of these questions were raised about what I think we should be calling community safety, not so much public safety, because I think it puts us in the wrong mindset of just looking at particular agencies, but really about what makes communities safe. m. m. everywhere across the City, that we have to reinvest in the things in which communities feel valued. That includes our trash pickups, our vacant lot sealings, the greening of lots, the removal of illegal dumping and illegal cars being parked. And that was part of the Just Services Campaign, which our City Council fought for. They were very clear that they wanted to see coordinated effort across all our municipal agencies. The biggest problem that we have is that no one entity can be singularly responsible for STATED MEETING 122 11/17/2022 caring, keeping of the community. And so we need serious attention to the collaborative efforts that go across multiple agencies. You know, I know that this body has tried and urged to bring back the reconvening of our municipal courts, of our District Attorney, of our Mayor's Office, of our PPD and all other law enforcement to make sure that we have targeted goals, that we're using data. You know, I was talking to Councilmember Gilmore Richardson about how the location of the Evening Resource Centers track data. And we're not doing that enough, that we can actually target all of our resources towards the areas that are most in need. The 57-block strategy proposed by the Black Clergy resonated deeply within many of the attendees of last night's meeting, and I know that this body will continue to do so. I too will add my voice around STATED MEETING 123 11/17/2022 the legislature yesterday. You know, this is not just about gun laws, but this is about a legislature that if we're talking about basic community safety has been almost deliberate, purposeful, and willful on the unconstitutional underfunding of our schools. This is a state legislature that could support kindergarten and pre-K and childcare for children and families and refuses to do so. This starts well before any young person ever sees or has a weapon in their hands. It starts from the moment that they step into an institution, and it's all the more reason why our voices will be loud, clear, and on behalf of our communities. And then I want to switch just a little bit, if I could. It is also Thanksgiving time and I actually did want to take a moment to express some gratitude. I wanted to especially STATED MEETING 124 11/17/2022 think we really need it. I feel very strongly about, you know, thanking the people of this city who knows what it means to have a government that truly serves the people. And if we are going to truly serve the people, then we have to be of, by, and for the people. And for the people of our city who have continued to show us faith and democracy in local government even when we fall short, probably especially when we fall short, and then compel us to do better, to strive harder, to do nonetheless, it is our responsibility to hear, to listen, to serve, and to never quit. I am hardly the newest member on this Council body, but nonetheless, I want to say how much it's meant to be a part of this particular body. Together, we've actually seen seismic changes in challenges nationally and internationally STATED MEETING 125 11/17/2022 Council, even just in my six years and 11 months.
From the dark years of a former President to becoming Super Bowl champions, from a state takeover of our public schools to finally winning local control over them, I always felt that local politics and this Council body held the most potential for innovation and meaningful change, and we have truly worked hard as a body, and we have more work to do to make this City Hall truly the people's chambers and to bring us closer to our communities. I want to thank people who make this body possible. I want to thank Michael Decker and his entire team in the Clerk's Office. I want to thank Ms. Colia for working magic with citations, to Lonnie, Modesto, and the always patient tech support, to John Fenton, who is always ready to solve any problem, our Sergeant-At-Arms and security staff, to Patty and Jared and our entire communications team for making STATED MEETING 126 11/17/2022 wonderful, to Herb, Michael, John, and the whole Council tech staff, Bob and Ami, who can answer any conceivable question, and especially to Jenne, without whom we would all truly, I think, be lost. But I also want to take a moment -- and to our ASL interpreters. Thank you for putting so much heart and soul into the expressions that both we have and our witnesses often have. But I want to also take a moment to express some gratitude for my colleagues. Council President Clarke, you told me that it was a privilege to serve on a body of 17 and to never take a day for granted. You gave space for committees to be what we make of them, and through the Children and Youth Committee, I was proud to lead a campaign for working parents at the nation's largest retail food and hospitality chains, to have advanced schedules and a STATED MEETING 127 11/17/2022 launched anti-eviction work and shut down abusive detention centers for children. We ended a state takeover of our public schools and restored essential services like nurses and counselors, social workers, air conditioning, and water to children and families. I want to thank you for giving me the space -- for actually giving us all the space to showcase our work and for allowing us to have a chance to shine. You're the Council President, and you have often taken a lot of hard hits on behalf of this body. We seek to find solutions to our city's hardest problems, and I want to thank you for all that you've taught me. To Councilmember Johnson, when I came in, you gave me a binder on how to be a Councilmember, and I still have it. You've been a fearless partner, you know, STATED MEETING 128 11/17/2022 You stood stalwart to hold DHS accountable when children were being hurt at detention centers. You are a unflagging partner on labor rights for workers, and you're a true champion for ending gun violence and prioritizing the voices of victims to ensure that there is true safety in our communities. Winning your vote and your sponsorship on any piece of legislation meant we had a happy dance in our office, because it wasn't just another name on a piece of paper. It was your reputation and voice. To Councilmember Jones, perhaps more than anybody else, except for one on this Council body, you probably knew me most before I ever came onto City Council, and I felt like you embraced it. I felt like you understood my voice. My clearest memories before Council of this Council body are actually around you welcoming me into your office, listening intently, and you never STATED MEETING 129 11/17/2022 this room full of opponents. Whether it was about a casino in a residential neighborhood, whether it was about school closings or the school budget battles, you were here to listen. You were here to meet. And I think you loved the voices of people who spoke out, no matter what it was. I want to thank you for being an incredible colleague.
I want to thank you for the work that you've put forward, especially on public safety. It's been a privilege, you know, to be part of a Public Safety Committee that's had to meet some of the greatest challenges, whether it's in our city prisons or in our Juvenile Justice Center. In any case, you have always been a great colleague. You've been a great person before, since, and in the future to come. So thank you. And to Councilmember Mark Squilla, the most successful man on City Council. I am not sure quite how you STATED MEETING 130 11/17/2022 at every -- a Big Gulp of iced tea, I think, at every City Council session. I think you skipped today. How you manage to show up for almost everything. We will be together in a march and rally and we will be singing karaoke at a Chinatown banquet later that night. You will jump into a pool and play Santa to Buddy the Elf. I am so grateful that you have been such an incredible partner in tackling the huge challenges of our school facilities, fixing toxic conditions in our schools and really winning resources that our children and schools deserve. To Mike Driscoll, from day one you and your team have jumped in ready to go and eager to collaborate on key issues facing our city, and I can't wait to partner with you to tackle all the challenges to come. To Katherine Gilmore Richardson, you are a mom and former STATED MEETING 131 11/17/2022 teacher, you are a caretaker of schools and children and families. You are a true and shining example for how we should use our position to improve people's lives. I am constantly inspired by how you are equally compassionate and fierce in pursuing what you know is right, and you have come up with remarkable, remarkable solutions to some significant situations that our young people and our families are facing, and I know they rely on your voice to represent us here. Isaiah Thomas is not here, but he is coach, educator, teacher, youth mentor. Isaiah Thomas has prioritized young people in creating opportunities with them. I've been so glad to have had Councilmember Thomas as a key partner in leading forward this body's work in public education. I am glad that he is the Chair of the Education Committee and giving our students truly the schools and the city that they deserve, and our STATED MEETING 132 11/17/2022 champion. To Councilmember Oh, there is not a cultural event or community that has not felt the presence of your office. You bring your creativity and work ethic to every problem you take on, and I know many constituencies feel truly served and represented through you. Councilmember O'Neill, you are a model for navigating the work of this body with consummate professionalism and always with the needs of the district foremost. And I've been grateful for Councilmember O'Neill voting his conscience without vitriol or showmanship and for always being an invaluable resource for all of the questions that I may have. To my colleague Councilmember Bass, if I ever needed to fight for an issue or cause, I know I want you on my side. You are unafraid when you know that something is right. And in particular, you have been an amazing STATED MEETING 133 11/17/2022 to denouncing sexism and harassment in our public institutions, to calling for accountability for racial discrimination and injustice, even to standing up to some of the most powerful institutions in our city. Those who stand in the way of progress or who try to defend the indefensible had better get it right if they're going to come before you or they can look out for any consequences. So thank you so much for standing with me when it truly mattered.
And then, you know, to my colleagues Councilmember Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier, I want to thank you for a fierce sisterhood, for forging some of the most successful and proudest work of my career and being unrelenting partners to keeping people housed, to making sure that workers were protected, to saving the planet, to rescuing our public school system, and advancing a STATED MEETING 134 11/17/2022 for public safety and always, always being in the service of people. To my colleagues on this Thanksgiving time, I could not be more grateful to do all of this work with each of you by my side. It is an honor to be on Council, because you need to win the majority, and it matters to have all of us pulling together. I learned from all of you every single day, and I know that together we are going to be unstoppable. So thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you, Council President. Thank you so much, Councilmember Gym. I rise quickly just to STATED MEETING 135 11/17/2022 who are really exhibiting what I call Black girl magic. First, I have to congratulate my fellow Gompers Stomper, State Representative Morgan Cephas, who is the new Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation in Harrisburg for the 2023-'24 legislative session. So we wanted to acknowledge her. She's a former Council staffer under Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. Again, she's a fellow Gompers Stomper and Wynnefield girl. So I wanted to congratulate her on her new leadership role in Harrisburg. We know she will serve us well. And, secondly, I wanted to congratulate the newest Chick-fil-A operator in the City of Philadelphia, which is located in the great 4th Council District, Councilmember Jones, at 4040 City Avenue near the Target. The owner-operator is Sereena Quick. She is a proud Philadelphian who grew up in your STATED MEETING 136 11/17/2022 district, Council President, in Raymond Rosen Home. Sereena is a graduate of, as Ryan Boyer would say, the Harvard of the state sytem, West Chester University, my alma mater. So obviously we went to college together. At West Chester, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, which is a sorority of former Councilmembers Blondell Reynolds Brown, Marian B. Tasco, and Cherelle L. Parker. Sereena is also a former Philadelphia probation officer, but through mentorship, hard work, and dedication, she was selected to be the operator of a new Chick-fil-A in Wynnefield. She is the first Black female Chick-fil-A owner-operator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Her store opened today at 6:30 a.m. They will close at 10:00 p.m. Their daily hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. STATED MEETING 137 11/17/2022 Sereena Quick, graduate of the West Chester University, on being our newest Chick-fil-A owner-operator here in the City of Philadelphia. And, lastly, Happy Founders Day to the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Well, thank you, Mr. President. I just want to say a couple of things today, and the first is that thank you, Councilwoman Gym, for your years of service. Although, you know, I think -listen, I got about a dozen texts asking what's going on? And so while it didn't go all the way, we certainly -- we'll have to wait for it, but, look, we're picking up what you're putting down. So thank you so much for your comments. We STATED MEETING 138 11/17/2022 of your well wishes to the body. So thank you, Councilwoman. I did want to say just a couple of things, and the first is that, you know, I wanted to follow up on my colleagues who spoke earlier about the actions in Harrisburg around District Attorney Krasner. And while I certainly have had my fair share of disagreements with the District Attorney, the process here, the process matters, what has happened matters, and what has happened is really wrong, because if there was any interest in really doing something about gun violence, if there's one body that can do it, it is the body that works in Harrisburg. And so we know that we have strong support obviously among the Philadelphia delegation and the democratic delegation in Harrisburg, but we really need some republican action, not talk but action, on this matter. STATED MEETING 139 11/17/2022 really want to do something, maybe you should just talk to one of us and we can tell you what to do, but this isn't it. So it's a bunch of foolishness at a time when so many of our young people are tragically being struck down or otherwise impacted by gun violence. But speaking of our young people, I did want to say something really, really positive, and I wanted to make acknowledgment of the Eagle Scout Troop 303, which is here with us today. Can we have them stand. Come up and stand so they can see you. (Applause.)
You know, there's just so many negative news stories about our young people, and we have to celebrate them. When they're doing the right thing, when they're out here serving the community, when they're STATED MEETING 140 11/17/2022 path, we really have to stop and celebrate them, each and every one of them. And so I just wanted to take a moment today and recognize Eagle Scout Troop 303, and I want to commend Cameron Nelson, Claude Wheeler III, Colin Randolph, Darius Reed, Glenn Simmons Jr., James Lawson, Juwan Brookens, and Kayla Bell, who is the first African American female Eagle Scout in the Cradle of Liberty Council. (Applause.)
Also, Kyle Howerton Jr. and Taji Gunther, who have on this occasion attained the highest rank in scouting, which is an Eagle Scout. Attaining this rank, you have to put in many hours of study and practice and skill for the advancement and the high ideals of the scout oath of STATED MEETING 141 11/17/2022 law, which includes performing community service to help others. And in obtaining this highest rank of Eagle Scout amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it brought about many challenges, including securing merit badge counselors who were willing to take on the new challenge of providing instructions over Zoom and adjusting the process of earning a merit badge to fit a virtual format to adhere to protocols from the CDC for in-person gatherings. Troop 303 Committee Chair, Ms. Cynthia Fullwelon, prevailed in guiding these ten scouts in attaining the highest rank in scouting, and she is just such a gem. She is always, always working in the community out of the historic Zion Baptist Church at Broad and Venango. They have been doing wonderful work there for a very long time. And so we have citations supported by this entire body of Council and signed by myself and you, Council President, and we have one for each young STATED MEETING 142 11/17/2022 person, because we want to encourage them to stay on the right path, do the right thing, continue to service your community. And we appreciate all of their efforts. So we just wanted to recognize them today. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your service, and thank you for your future service. I know you guys are on the right track. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. First and foremost, I want to thank my colleague Councilwoman Gym for her fine remarks, and I think I'm STATED MEETING 143 11/17/2022 who made it to the level of being an honorary member of the squad. Thank you, Kendra, Jamie. So I do appreciate y'all allowing me to be inside your space, but most importantly, thank you for the kind remarks. I just wanted to take a moment, and I've been in this body for a little while and I look at leadership and how we operate, and I just want to acknowledge an initiative that Council President worked on, which I think is a good initiative for the City of Philadelphia that I've been waiting for for a long time. When I was up in New York about last week and I seen some public safety officers down there like directing traffic, doing what they're supposed to do to keep the neighborhood safe in terms of not only just traffic but quality of life issues as well and being visible. STATED MEETING 144 11/17/2022 to commend you on your initiative based upon the recent arbitration between FOP and the Administration but, most importantly, led by your efforts for us to now have the ability to have public safety enforcement officers here in the City of Philadelphia. That will free up a significant amount of resources as it relates to detectives, who can be doing their job of solving crimes, other officers being promoted who are qualified to be detectives, but overall allowing the members of the Philadelphia Police Department to actually go and do their job. And so I just want to thank you for your hard work and your dedication. I'm from South Philadelphia, born and raised, lived down there all my life, and I think it's great when I go down to the game, right, to enjoy myself, right? But the work that's being done STATED MEETING 145 11/17/2022 police officers I believe could be done by public safety enforcement officers, because all you're doing is directing traffic and making sure every now and then, you know, a couple Eagles fans don't hit Santa Claus in the head with a snowball, but that's neither here nor there. Y'all supposed to catch that. Y'all catch that later on, though. Sports fans understand the context. But thank you for your hard work and your leadership. And you played the long game on this one. This was talked about a while ago, but you stayed consistent, and now it's actually coming to fruition. So I just wanted to acknowledge that, because I think it's a big step in us making the City of Philadelphia a safer city. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you for STATED MEETING 146 11/17/2022 that one too. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I just wanted to thank our colleague Helen Gym for reminding us about Thanksgiving, reminding us that we all do our best, and we take it very personally sometimes. It can be very polarizing in here, but that at the end of the day, we should always appreciate each other. We should always thank each other for the commitment, the sacrifice. Everyone in here, you know, takes the blows. They take the hardships, take the insults, takes the humiliation. And it's not over. We'll still be doing that, but we all do our best, though we may disagree with each other, and many times agree, for what we think is in the best interest of the people of this city. And so with that spirit and STATED MEETING 147 11/17/2022 reminder, I thank you, Councilmember Gym and all my colleagues, and wish everybody a very good and happy Thanksgiving holiday coming up.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. That concludes our speeches today for the minority and the majority, and with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 1st, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 1st, 2022, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. STATED MEETING 148 11/17/2022 (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. Be safe. ) STATED MEETING 149 11/17/2022 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. or 125:11 143:15 York 9:17 133:9 137:22 g 49:25 workers 12:3 143:19 way-finding willful 123:7 14:13 37:21 Yorktown 48:9 willing 14:9 52:23 63:3 68:17 ways 38:25 141:7 94:5 95:16 young 59:22 wealth 60:9, 10 willingness 96:3, 5, 24 106:3, 11 weapon 123:15 67:2 97:16 100:14 121:10 123:15 websites 54:2 win 95:13 101:11 102:18 131:12, 18 Webster 69:25 134:9 103:9 108:22 135:2 139:7, 88:2 winning 12:3 127:8 128:6 10, 22 141:25 Week 10:22 94:5 125:7 133:23 youth 41:11 66:3 91:4, 24 128:10 130:16 workforce 45:15 55:11, 92:2, 6, 8 wins 51:8 13:22 14:19 12, 21 57:7 95:13 106:8 103:25 15:24 16:16, 126:21 131:16 127:2 143:20 Winslow 58:8, 21 47:21 week's 21:14 12, 13 working 12:2 <Z> 22:5, 23 24:23 wisdom 3:13, 16:2 44:4 Zarrinkelk 25:15 25 104:8 62:22 63:22, 39:18, 23, 24 welcome wise 3:4 24 94:4, 13, 22 40:4 58:24 98:10 wish 99:18 95:7, 20 zero 15:7 81:9 welcoming 147:4 101:14 102:9, Zion 141:19 128:24 wishes 138:3 11 109:7, 20 Zoning 19:14, well 40:10 Wissahickon 116:11 125:19 20, 21 20:5, 6, 96:18 97:22 19:23 126:23 141:18 14, 18, 19 23:6 98:24 99:3, 18 withdraw 7:6 working-class 67:22, 24 68:6, 123:14 135:17 Witness 36:22 101:15 9, 13, 16, 21 137:14 138:2 39:19 44:23 workload Zoom 60:20 143:25 49:21 52:9 119:13 141:9 well-being 54:21 58:9 works 63:18 97:18 61:6 65:16 97:9 116:9 well-connected witnesses 138:18 41:23 126:12 world 52:2 went 95:12 woman 97:21 write 61:20 136:7 women 64:8 wrong 117:4 We're 2:3, 6 135:2 121:6 138:15 48:23 57:18 wonderful wrote 64:10 64:12 65:3 126:2 141:20 Wynnefield 83:15, 20 Woodbine 135:14 136:19 99:10, 11, 23 70:10 101:10 118:17 words 39:12 <Y> 122:12, 16 work 13:25 y'all 143:6 123:5 137:23 16:2, 20 42:9 145:11, 12