STATED MEETING 1 5/5/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 5, 2022 10:23 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK STATED MEETING 2 5/5/2022
Thank you, and good morning to all. Thank you for being here. Before we begin the Council session today, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, the Inquirer, the Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, just say a couple of words to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the STATED MEETING 3 5/5/2022 roll.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. To all the mothers, Happy Mother's Day this weekend, and also to all the teachers, Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good STATED MEETING 5 5/5/2022 morning, colleagues. Just sending out love and prayers to all the mothers who have lost their children to senseless gun violence.
Mr. President, colleagues, mothers who have had to do double duty to be moms and dads, we salute you. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm present as well.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues. I'm present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Mr. President and Councilmembers. Also to all the mothers out there, wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day this Sunday.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. I'm present.
And good morning, and good morning to all the awesome moms across the City of Philadelphia. Really appreciate you more than you know. We have established a quorum, so we're going to come to order. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor G. Lamar Stewart of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Brooks. I would ask all members and guests please bow your heads for the STATED MEETING 8 5/5/2022 invocation.
Thank you, Council President. Let us pray. God, we bless and we thank you today for your presence and for this opportunity to come to you with prayer and to seek you ahead of this session and ahead of this meeting for City Council. God, I'm praying today for City Council. I'm praying for the wisdom of Council as they think through policy that will impact the people of this city, the policy around education and poverty, around safety and economic development, around community development. I pray, God, for wisdom for each Councilperson on this day. God, we thank you and we're praying, God, for the work of each Councilmember in their respective districts and from the City at-large. God, we thank you, God, for their commitment to think through sensible STATED MEETING 9 5/5/2022 programming for the spring and summer for young people and seniors and vulnerable communities. God, I pray that you continue to give each of them the innovation and the willpower and the courage to do what seems to be impossible even during these very difficult days. And, God, on today, we also acknowledge and we thank you for every woman and every individual who is a mother, whether that person is an auntie or a grand-mom or someone who biologically birthed a child. I thank you, God, for the opportunity and the gift of mothers on this week. We pray for each mom who unfortunately had to bury a child or perhaps this Mother's Day is difficult because over the last several years, they had to bury a child. I pray, God, that you would give them peace and joy and your presence even right now. So, God, as this body convenes STATED MEETING 10 5/5/2022 and gathers, I pray, God, that you would guide their conversation and that you will give them wisdom and strength. We pray these things in the name that's significant to me, the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. And all God's people said amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor, for the spiritual guidance this morning. We really appreciate you being here. Thank you.
Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 28th, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, April 28th, 2022 be approved. STATED MEETING 11 5/5/2022 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 28, 2022 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. STATED MEETING 12 5/5/2022 The Chair again recognizes the Councilwoman for a motion on the Sunshine Act.
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 being vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking 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 STATED MEETING 13 5/5/2022 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.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of the Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications. I would ask Mr. Decker to please read the messages from the Mayor and any other STATED MEETING 14 5/5/2022 communications that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendations of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 220222, 220298, and 220323; and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1543, 1545, 1547, 1549, 1551, 1553, 1555 -- 1554 and 1555 South Dover Street, 1540 through 54 South Myrtlewood Street, and 1546 South 30th Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2453 North Carlisle Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and An ordinance amending Section STATED MEETING 15 5/5/2022 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes on Lindbergh Boulevard between 58th Street and 65th Street, and making associated changes to lanes of travel within the same limits; and An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize a bicycle lane on Grays Ferry Avenue from 34th Street to Washington Avenue, and making associated changes to parking regulations within the same limits, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for STATED MEETING 16 5/5/2022 our next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide the appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.
Councilwoman Parker offers four bills and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Refuse and Littering,' to further define short dumping and related violations and to revise penalties and remedies related to such offenses"; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Bingham Street, and Comly Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: STATED MEETING 17 5/5/2022 Clearview Street and North Broad Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Lawrence Street and Somerville Avenue; Ashdale Street and North 2nd Street; Fairhill Street and Tabor Road; Chew Avenue and North 5th Street; Howard Street and Fisher Avenue; Tabor Road and North 5th Street; Elkins Street and North 7th Street; Somerville Avenue and North 4th Street.
Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And on behalf of Council President Clarke, Councilwoman Parker offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the STATED MEETING 18 5/5/2022 following streets: Monument Street, North Sydenham Street and North 31st Street."
And also on behalf of the Council President, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
Councilwoman Gym offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Committees on Children and Youth and Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings concerning the imminent threat to the longstanding constitutional right to an STATED MEETING 19 5/5/2022 abortion, to examine the profound and devastating local impact that the potential repeal of Roe versus Wade would have on individual lives and society as a whole, and to explore what Philadelphia can do to ensure and increase access to abortion in the face of this threat."
Councilwoman Gym, would you like to be recognized on this resolution?
Thank you very much, Council President. For a right to be meaningful, it must be broad, inclusive, and accessible. For 50 years, Roe v. Wade has stood as law of the land, recognized as a fundamental constitutional right rooted in the right to privacy, to choose what to do with pregnancy for your reproductive health and for your rights. It is a ruling that helped shape my life. It's a ruling that has shaped the lives of all of us on this body, whether or not we chose to exercise STATED MEETING 20 5/5/2022 it. Healthcare has been better because of it. Our economy has grown because of it. Every single one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, especially Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, during their confirmation hearings looked the American people in the eye and declared Roe v. Wade settled territory. The law and the Constitutions have not changed; only the Justices of this court have. A court that cannot bear or even restrict access to ban military assault weapons can then now fully, effectively, and purposely ban abortions. We should let that sink in. The outcry is not just about Roe v. Wade, but the undeniable reality that ending the right to privacy as fundamental and broad means that a highly selective, undeniably narrow, and deeply political interpretation of the right to STATED MEETING 21 5/5/2022 privacy on which Roe v. Wade is based now endangers other rights enacted by the court, the right to marry whom you love, whether same sex or interracial, the right to contraception. Today Governor Greg Abbott of Texas announced that he hopes to resurrect a 1982 SCOTUS ruling about the fundamental right to an education, including for undocumented children. All of us should be outraged and deeply concerned. And for the last eight months, Texas has lived in that post-Roe reality. Fourteen hundred abortions a month are now sought out of state. In total, 13 states have in place trigger bans in the event of Supreme Court action in which abortions would be banned in those 13 states, and a total of 26 states have laws demonstrating an intent to ban legal abortions. So what I would say is that this work now comes home to us, to local STATED MEETING 22 5/5/2022 governments, to state-level legislatures. Today Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land, and this memo, whether leaked or whistle blown, is an opportunity for the next six weeks for all of us to take this seriously. This week, thousands of people went to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Hundreds rallied in front of the federal courthouse here and in front of City Hall. This is something that will resonate for years and decades to come, outlasting many of us in our current Council positions, but nonetheless the urgency is here. I want to thank the women of City Council. I want to thank our colleagues and all of our sponsors for being open to holding hearings on the work that lies ahead, on listening and hearing from our reproductive healthcare advocates, from our abortion providers, from City agencies about what the City of Philadelphia can do to ensure and expand STATED MEETING 23 5/5/2022 access to abortions in the boundaries of the City of Philadelphia. I look forward to the hearings and for the work to come. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That will be on this week's Calendar.
Councilwoman Gym offers a resolution honoring twelve of Philadelphia's trailblazing Asian American leaders: Lily Yeh, Aisha Khan, Ali Zakar and Nanjeen Kabita, Hor Chou, Pastor Aldo Siahaan, Anna Perng, Nancy Nguyen, Su Ming Yeh, Chef Chris Cho, Wei Chen, and Le-Quyen Vu for their transformative work in building community, expanding educational opportunity, preserving culture and the arts, investing in youth leadership, and upholding civil rights on the occasion of Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month. STATED MEETING 24 5/5/2022
Thank you. That will be on next week's Calendar. And for the record, I see Councilwoman Bass is present. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Bass is here.
Councilman Johnson offers one bill and six resolutions, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 17th Street and Carpenter Street; South 24th Street and Christian Street; League Street and South 23rd Street; Carpenter Street to South 18th Street; Naudain Street to South 21st Street; Kimball Street to South 24th Street; Webster Street to South 16th Street; and Montrose Street to South 18th Street." STATED MEETING 25 5/5/2022
And six resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3009 Wharton Street, 1554 Dover Street, 6050 and 6052 Kingsessing Avenue, 1926 South 60th Street, and 6032 Chester Avenue, in the Second Councilmanic District"; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2628 Titan Street and 2630 Titan Street in the Second Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1900 through 02 Point STATED MEETING 26 5/5/2022 Breeze Avenue and 2111 Sigel Street in the Second Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1210, 1212 and 1214 South 27th Street, 2723, 2725, 2727, 2729, 2731, 2733, 2735, 2737 and 2739 Ingram Street, 2704, 2706, 2710, 2712, 2716, 2720, 2724, 2726, 2738, and 2740 Manton Street, and 2705 and 2720 Oakford Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1543 South Dover Street, 1545 South Dover Street, 1547, 1549, 1551, 1553, 1554 and 1555 South Dover Street, 1550 through 54 South Myrtlewood Street, and 1546 South 30th Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Second STATED MEETING 27 5/5/2022 Councilmanic District pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
Thank you. Those resolutions will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilman Green offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and congratulating Barbara Silzle for her years of dedicated, vital, and transformative leadership as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund."
And that resolution will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilwoman Brooks offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Shakeda Gaines, whose years of service as President of the Philadelphia Home and School Council has immeasurably shaped parent and family STATED MEETING 28 5/5/2022 engagement in public schools, set a precedent for how to incorporate social justice values into positions of leadership, and established a clear expectation for how public schools should educate, inspire, and empower students and families in Philadelphia."
And a resolution honoring the 125th anniversary of the education justice and parent and caregiver advocacy organization, the Philadelphia Home and School Council, which continues its long legacy of establishing diverse and representative Home and School Associations, sponsoring workshops to train advocates, and empowering marginalized school communities, by giving Philadelphians voice and power in the decisions that shape their children's schooling.
Next week's Calendar. STATED MEETING 29 5/5/2022
Councilwoman Gauthier offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution renaming the 4000 block of Filbert Street 'Elsie Wise Way,' to honor the life and legacy of Elsie Wise, civic leader and founder of the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Team."
Councilman Thomas offers a resolution honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Neumann-Goretti High School's Girls Basketball team, on their successful 2021-22 season and winning the 2022 PIAA Girls' Basketball 3A Championship title.
Councilman Squilla offers an ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," to amend provisions relating to allowable STATED MEETING 30 5/5/2022 time extensions on a construction permit.
Councilman Oh offers three resolutions, entitled a "Resolution proclaiming May 2022 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our country, state, and city."
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the Settlement Music School on the occasion of its 114th anniversary.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia to hold public hearings regarding its final STATED MEETING 31 5/5/2022 report of findings and recommendations.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a report from the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Labor and Civil Service reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the report. You're on mute, Mr. Decker. STATED MEETING 32 5/5/2022
Thank you, Mr. President. To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Labor and Civil Service, to which was referred Bill No. 220186, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Community Development,' by adding new provisions related to workforce housing programs, amending the applicability period, and making other technical changes"; and Bill No. 220261, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 20-101 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Residence Requirements,' by clarifying that temporary residence outside the City, including for military service or educational purposes, does not prevent a person, including a police recruit, from meeting the Residence Requirement," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills STATED MEETING 33 5/5/2022 to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 220186 and 220261. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 220186, 220261. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 34 5/5/2022
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading and they will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Again, thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 220367, STATED MEETING 35 5/5/2022 220370, 220371, 220373, 220374, 210933, 220112, 220113, 220224, 220298, and 220291. All other resolutions and bills are being held, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Our next order of business is public comment, but before we proceed with the consideration of our public comment, I want to take a five-minute break to allow our technology professionals an opportunity to connect our speakers today. We'll be right back. (Short recess.)
Thank you, and we are back. Thank you for your patience. So now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider STATED MEETING 36 5/5/2022 the public comment. It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, your phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on, and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal circumstances, they will each have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Today we will have three minutes. STATED MEETING 37 5/5/2022 In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I do intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining of your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter, you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at a meeting. Also, please be aware that the public meeting is being recorded. So because it's public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of STATED MEETING 38 5/5/2022 privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I want to thank you very much for your willingness to participate in today's public comment session. Thank you again. Mr. Decker, please call the first name of the witness, the speaker today on our public comment session.
Yes, Mr. President. The first speaker we have today is Queen Judith Robinson, commenting on 210685-A and 210800.
Thank you. Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony. QUEEN ROBINSON: Yes. Good morning. Queen Judith Robinson here taking this opportunity to request that City Council be brought back in session STATED MEETING 39 5/5/2022 in person ASAP. According to an article, Philadelphia is one of the only big top ten cities that's still doing virtual, and it's bad enough that the citizens are disconnected from this process, but I am respectfully requesting that you move forward as a body to let us breathe the breath of life and come back on the scene, because I see that you all are practicing politics, you know. You're all over the place doing this, that, and the third, which, you know, I can appreciate that, because I'm there right along with you, but then I see that we're not having in-person City Council. So let's do the people's business. Let's get back on track. Let's ease back in to doing the best we can be in this -- as we ease out of this pandemic. I think you all would set the best example by showing, you know, that we can move forward to the future. As it relates to this budget, you know, we as the citizens don't get an STATED MEETING 40 5/5/2022 opportunity to speak until May 24th, and it's really tough for someone like myself, citizen Queen Judith Robinson, who keeps abreast of what's going on, but in order to have real input and to actually attend hearings would be so important to have input. So much going on. Obviously none of us are smarter than all of us, because look at our city, a mess in so many ways. We should know where the money is being directed to be most efficient and effective. We should have input and monitor where these funds are going, like that soda tax. We can't get Cecil B. Moore Rec Center repaired after five years. We want to have input and talk to you all about that. Then I'm also seeing like you're talking to some people but not to others. This is not about your friends and family. We're not here as citizens to make you happy. You represent us. We must allow you to know STATED MEETING 41 5/5/2022 what our input is so you can do our business. So I know these sessions can get a little testy, and I appreciate good questions. You know I do. So continue that, but just know that we should move forward in this very important process. I know it's easy to get used to this virtual process, like we all on television or something, but the real deal is getting up close and personal and talking to each other respectfully and listening to each other respectfully and doing the people's business. That's what the most important part of this process that you all represent is to me. I'm a committee person, so I'm at that very lowest level of contacting citizens and talking to the people and then relaying it up those chain of reaction, I'm going to call it, because it's not the chain of command to me, because you all represent me and you should hear me out. STATED MEETING 42 5/5/2022 So I do appreciate your attention. I'll be back at a hearing today later talking about short dumping and trash. I got a lot of input, because that's what we do up in North Philly, been cleaning for all these years and it's getting worse. So listen out.
Thank you. QUEEN ROBINSON: Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Katherine Freeland, commenting on 220373.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Thank you. My name is Katherine Freeland and I'm the Public Health Program Director at the Hepatitis B Foundation. Thank you so STATED MEETING 43 5/5/2022 much for the opportunity to speak to you about viral hepatitis and its impact on the City of Philadelphia. There are approximately 25,000 individuals living with hepatitis B in this city and about 50,000 living with hepatitis C, and since 2008, the Hepatitis B Foundation and its coalition, Hep B United Philadelphia, have been working in underserved communities to bring access to healthcare services and awareness of hepatitis B and its link between liver cancer. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we received a heart-wrenching call from a teacher who was looking for information for a student. He was a young 19-year-old soccer player whose family originated from West Africa and was only given a couple of months to live. He had liver cancer caused by hepatitis B but did not know about his ongoing hepatitis B infection, was not receiving care or management and, as a result, passed away STATED MEETING 44 5/5/2022 far too soon. Unfortunately, this is a common story in our communities and one that is completely preventable. Like this young man, most do not know about their hepatitis B infection, and it's almost always a silent disease. Hepatitis B impacts African immigrant, Asian American, Pacific Islander communities and is one of the leading health disparities for these populations. We're also seeing hepatitis B on the rise among persons who inject drugs, and in 2019, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health released a health advisory noting a 175 percent increase between 2017 to 2019 within this population alone. The challenge with hepatitis B is lack of awareness, lack of testing, lack of vaccination and prevention efforts, and limited access to healthcare services due to a variety of challenges, like language and costs, for example. STATED MEETING 45 5/5/2022 We hope that the recognition of this month as Hepatitis Awareness Month can work towards bringing attention and awareness of the link between hepatitis and liver cancer. Right now liver cancer is on the rise in the United States, and it is expected to continue to rise unless more efforts to work towards prevention, early detection, and screening for hepatitis B and C are done. We as a coalition continue to live out our mission and reach underserved communities through screening, vaccination, and education, and we hope to continue to partner with City Council as we work towards reaching elimination goals of viral hepatitis in the City. Thank you so much for working towards this resolution and for your time and we hope for your support for Hepatitis Awareness Month. Thank you so much. STATED MEETING 46 5/5/2022
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220367.
A resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services for their collaborative commitment to bring healing and justice to victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2022 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.
STATED MEETING 47 5/5/2022 Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220370.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public STATED MEETING 48 5/5/2022 Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1834, 1837, 1840, 1846, 1848 South Allison Street in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier. (No response.)
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilwoman Gauthier, 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.) STATED MEETING 49 5/5/2022
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Parker. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220371.
A resolution initiating action to continue the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date in the area bounded generally by the north side of Allegheny Avenue, the west side of Memphis Street between Allegheny Avenue and East Westmoreland Street, the south side of East Westmoreland Street, the property line of 3300 Agate Street and the back of properties facing along the east side of Tulip Street between Westmoreland and Ontario Street; and for which the Port Richmond Industrial STATED MEETING 50 5/5/2022 Development Enterprise, Incorporated, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, serves as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association; approving a preliminary plan for and report concerning the District; and authorizing the Committee on Rules and the Clerk of Council to take all actions that are required by the Community and Economic Improvement Act prior to enactment of an ordinance that would formally continue the District.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion. (No response.)
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) STATED MEETING 51 5/5/2022
Thank you. Too slow, Councilman Squilla. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220373.
A resolution declaring May 2022 to be Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia to recognize and support the joint efforts of "Hep B United Philadelphia" and "Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia" coalitions aimed at raising awareness of the link between viral hepatitis and STATED MEETING 52 5/5/2022 liver cancer and the importance of elimination activities.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220374.
A resolution STATED MEETING 53 5/5/2022 recognizing Black Enterprise for hosting its 11th Annual Black Entrepreneurs Summit - the nation's largest annual gathering of Black business owners, entrepreneurs, and wealth creators - in Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the STATED MEETING 54 5/5/2022 title of 210933.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Snyder Avenue, Weccacoe Avenue, Wolf Street and Swanson Street.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220112.
An ordinance adopting an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Manayunk Special Services District of Philadelphia to extend the term of that Authority.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is STATED MEETING 57 5/5/2022 shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of -
Council STATED MEETING 59 5/5/2022 President, I would like to be recorded as aye. I had a little technical glitch just now.
Let the record reflect that the ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 220113.
An ordinance approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Manayunk Special Services District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Manayunk business district of the City of Philadelphia.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill STATED MEETING 60 5/5/2022 pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill STATED MEETING 62 5/5/2022 passes. Mr. Decker, 220224.
An ordinance to approve amendments to the Drexel University Master Plan in the area bounded by 34th Street, Cherry Street, 33rd Street, and Powelton Avenue, related to the Kelly Hall building at 203 North 34th Street.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220298.
An ordinance to approve amendments to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Master Plan related to a new Proton Therapy Center building at 10800 Knights Road.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill STATED MEETING 65 5/5/2022 pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill STATED MEETING 67 5/5/2022 passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 220291.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I just wanted to go on record prior to our vote for Bill No. 220291 to thank the Administration and specifically Mayor Kenney for the letter response that he sent back on Monday -- on April 25th STATED MEETING 68 5/5/2022 relative to the concerns that I raised in the Appropriations Committee hearing and also the responses that we received from the Budget Office. I had brought up a few concerns in the Appropriations Committee hearing that have since been addressed by the Administration. The process is starting this month. And so I wanted to go on the record prior to the vote to say that I will be voting in favor of 220291 provided the responses I received from Mayor Kenney and also from the Budget Office. Thank you, Council President, and thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, Councilwoman. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution STATED MEETING 71 5/5/2022 authorizing the Committees on Children and Youth and Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings concerning the imminent threat to the longstanding constitutional right to an abortion, to examine the profound and devastating local impact that the potential repeal of Roe v. Wade would have on individual lives and society as a whole, and to explore what Philadelphia can do to ensure and increase access to abortion in the face of this threat, 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 those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 72 5/5/2022
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia to hold public hearings regarding its final report of findings and recommendations, introduced today by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
STATED MEETING 73 5/5/2022 Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We appreciate that swift agenda. Our next order of business is speeches, and prior to recognizing members regarding speeches, I will note for the record at this time that we will use the Chat feature available in Microsoft Teams to allow members to signify that they wish to be recognized. In order to comply with the Sunshine Act, the Chat feature must only be used for this particular purpose. With that said, speeches on behalf of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman STATED MEETING 74 5/5/2022 Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have two matters to comment on. First, I'd like to wish everyone a happy May 5th, Cinco de Mayo, and just clarify it's not Mexican Independence Day. It's actually the day that the Mexicans defeated the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. And we happen to have a very large population of folks from Puebla living here in our city, and I always enjoy their festivities when you see them with the French costumes and the horses. That's all a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla. So I certainly want to join in celebrating victory over being conquered by the French Empire. On a more serious note, I want to just note that on Tuesday, Norman Mineta passed away. For those who don't know Norman Mineta, he was a cabinet member under two presidencies, republican STATED MEETING 75 5/5/2022 and democrat. He's a lifelong democrat, a proud democrat. He spent his early childhood in an incarceration camp, also called an internment camp, because he was a Japanese American child, and during World War II, many Japanese Americans were placed in incarceration camps. After graduating from college, he served in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War as an intelligence officer. He later was elected to City Council in San Jose, became Vice Mayor and then Mayor in San Jose, and in 1975, he ran for Congress, served 20 years, to 1995, where he retired as Chair of the very powerful Public Transportation -- or Transportation and Public Works Committee. And then in 2000, President Bill Clinton nominated him, and he passed the Senate confirmation process to become the first Asian American to serve at a secretary level. And following that, President George W. Bush appointed him as Secretary of Transportation. STATED MEETING 76 5/5/2022 In 1994, he founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and an institute, and it was that institute that I had the pleasure of working with its first Executive Director, Francey Lim Youngberg, and Congressman Norm Mineta. What a wonderful gentleman, just a wonderful person to work with, a proud democrat but always very broad-minded in his public service, putting the public interest first, a real great example for America but also specifically for Asian Americans, as he was someone who broke many barriers. He will be greatly missed. He died at 90. And I did introduce a resolution today, but I just wanted to note that we will miss him, and certainly he's impacted us here in Philadelphia. And condolences to his family and all loved ones. Thank you very much, Council President. STATED MEETING 77 5/5/2022
Thank you, Councilman. Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I wanted to thank Councilmember Oh for that history, both on Cinco de Mayo and regarding the late Senator -I'm sorry; late Secretary Norm Mineta and his leadership and legacy. This week, Council President, a number of members of Council had an opportunity to see a survey from the diverse chambers talking about the real issues that their members are having as small businesses in the City of Philadelphia. They talked about issues of crime and taxes, and we know we have a 25 percent poverty rate in our city, and this survey really kind of illustrated STATED MEETING 78 5/5/2022 what we all know, that we have a very challenging tax structure in the City of Philadelphia. We also know the pandemic has been really challenging for small businesses, especially Black and Brown businesses. Nearly twice as many Black and Brown businesses closed during the pandemic at a rate of about 41 percent. And so we know in this city we have a very difficult tax structure, and Council President, through your leadership, you put together a Tax Reform Working Group that myself and Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Councilmember Domb, yourself, the Administration, citizens from around the City were part of that Tax Reform Working Group. And so we started meeting in August of 2021 really looking at the challenges we have in tax policy in the City. And it was my understanding from the Administration that they will be STATED MEETING 79 5/5/2022 looking at the proposals coming out of the Tax Reform Working Group as proposals for the City of Philadelphia and that we continued to meet with the Administration not only throughout last year, early part of this year, and even in the Mayor's budget speech, I thought we were on the same page of trying to come up with a proposal. We knew that we couldn't really put together a proposal until we had the City's real estate assessments. So I was somewhat shocked this week and I think other members of Council as well as the Tax Reform Working Group and citizens around the City that when we received the assessment information, the Mayor also provided a proposal regarding taxes. This was something that was a different perspective. I thought we were all on the same team until that proposal came out. And in many ways, I can -- I feel like members of the Sixers when Ben Simmons just decided he was going to leave the team and do his own thing. STATED MEETING 80 5/5/2022 We as a body know that we don't have that option. We can't just walk off the court and leave the team. And so as we go through the budget process and deal with the hard issues of how we allocate all the resources that come into the City of Philadelphia, including the $1.4 billion from the American Rescue Plan, we're going to have to balance all of these issues, issues of how we deal with public safety, which is the number one concern in our city, how we provide the resources that we need for the quality of life services for the citizens in the City of Philadelphia, as well as tax policy. So I look forward to a robust debate in this body as we grapple with all these issues and try to balance between how we look at our tax policy in the City of Philadelphia and address the issues that so many of our constituents need for us to address as part of the budget process. STATED MEETING 81 5/5/2022 I hope that the Mayor will collaborate with us as we go through this process and rejoin the team. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Mr. President, I wanted to just note for the record that on today, Councilmembers Johnson, Jamie Gauthier, Cindy Bass, Helen Gym, and I had the great honor and privilege to be joined by City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, Congressman Brendan Boyle, and our PA House Representative and Chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Donna Bullock in attending a pre-Mother's Day breakfast that was held at the School District of Philadelphia by STATED MEETING 82 5/5/2022 the organization that we wish were not in existence, Mothers in Charge, led and founded by Dorothy Johnson-Speight. And this pre-Mother's Day breakfast, Mr. President, their theme is "A Mother's Plea for Peace, Sons Please Put Down Your Guns." After the breakfast, they are going to start a march, Mr. President, from the School District at 440 North Broad Street and it's going to proceed down Broad Street to City Hall and they're going to have a rally, being led by the mothers here at City Hall. So I know all of the women of Council, if schedules permit, were asked to come and all members of Council, if you can come, please be there at the rally. We're going to present our formal citation from the City Council of Philadelphia and to thank those mothers for channeling their pain and suffering and grief into action. Thank you so very much, STATED MEETING 83 5/5/2022 Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to take a moment and ask if we could have a moment of silence for former State Representative Harold James. He represented the 186th Legislative District covering the areas of South Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia, and he passed this week.
Thank you, Councilman. Have a moment of silence.
Thank you, Council President. I had the great opportunity to work with former State Representative Harold James. He served as the President of the Guardian Civic League. He served as a Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black STATED MEETING 84 5/5/2022 Caucus. He was a former Philadelphia police officer. He was also on the forefront of criminal justice reform before it became a wave. He was always advocating to make sure that individuals who were defendants in cases receive their rights properly. He was on the forefront of making sure that interrogations by police were videotaped. On countless times I've watched him challenge our former District Attorney, Lynne Abraham, regarding the role that the District Attorney's Office played in partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department in addressing a variety of different issues that significantly have an impact on the African American community. So just want to take a moment just to acknowledge his leadership and the work that he has done here in the City of Philadelphia. For all those on the listening audience who are listening, his wake will STATED MEETING 85 5/5/2022 take place on Wednesday, May the 11th at Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church in South Philadelphia, 2010 Tasker Street, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., and his funeral will take place on Thursday, May the 12th at Yesha Ministries beginning at 10:00 a.m. located at 23rd and Snyder Avenue. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Let's do a moment of silence, have a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you so much. God bless. The Chair recognizes Councilman STATED MEETING 86 5/5/2022 Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the attendance of the Governor, the Mayor, the Managing Director, Member O'Neill, and Member Squilla at the Police and Fireman's Memorial yesterday. As we sat out there representing City Council and we looked out at the audience of families who had lost their loved ones in the service of the City of Philadelphia, it truly put in perspective what the definition of public service really truly means. In one case, one of the officers that passed away, Officer Tab Ali, was from the 5th District, which is in the Fourth Councilmanic District. I remember him as always being a guardian of people, a guardian of public safety. The last time we were together, it was with some of the members of City Council on a bike ride. He literally STATED MEETING 87 5/5/2022 rode the bike. He stopped in intersections. Katherine Gilmore was with us, Member Thomas was there, Member Squilla was there, and I just remember how humble a servant he was. He is truly missed, along with the other firemen and police that lost their lives, and many of them lost their lives due to COVID over the last two years, and we want to thank them for their service, thank their families for their sacrifice. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. True soldiers for the City of Philadelphia. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to echo Councilman Jones. I couldn't make that event, but that's the ultimate sacrifice, so thank you for bringing that up. And I also STATED MEETING 88 5/5/2022 want to be in support of Councilman Green on this Tax Reform Commission, and we should have another meeting on that, but also in that diversity chambers that we heard this week, I think it was Councilman Green, Councilmember Sanchez, Councilmember Thomas, myself, and other staffers of all of our offices heard from these chambers, the diverse chambers, about how tough it is for these businesses to survive in our city with what they have to deal with, especially the last three years. So we do have to try to help them. And I also want to mention to you, Councilman Jones, last night I was with a developer, Michael Davis, who is developing the Budd Company in your district, I guess, and he was mentioning to me that I think they have like three million square feet for life sciences, but how difficult it is to hire people from outside the City because of the wage taxes. They're having some trouble with STATED MEETING 89 5/5/2022 that. So I'm just sharing some of these issues, because in the long run, we are on the verge of an explosion in our city of life science, and it's cell and gene therapy, what we're known throughout the world as being at the very top, and many of our companies that have been started here through Penn and other places have stayed here, but many have also gone to Boston and other cities. And I say this because we have to make sure that we keep these companies here. We need to -- they are important jobs for the City but also important for us too in our schools, as we mentioned yesterday, to make sure that our schools are training our students for this future, because this is a game-changer for the City. It's not just about people from outside getting jobs here. It's about the students and the residents of our city getting these jobs. But I can tell you, we have STATED MEETING 90 5/5/2022 someone in our city who is like the Godfather of cell and gene therapy who's formed companies in excess of $15 billion of market capitalization right here in Philadelphia. Half of them have left. We have to figure out ways to keep them here. That's very important for this space. So I'm just -- I'll be back to all of you with some ideas, but I wanted to mention that this is something that I think is extremely important for the economy of our city and to grow our economy, and we need to support all those life science companies, as we do with other businesses. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you very much. Must seize the opportunity when it's presented to us, because it may not be there for long. Mr. Decker, I believe that STATED MEETING 91 5/5/2022 concludes the speeches on behalf of the minority and the majority. So with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 12th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 12th, 2022, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. STATED MEETING 92 5/5/2022 Again, be safe. I love you guys, and Happy Mother's Day. ) STATED MEETING 93 5/5/2022 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.