A 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING privileged resolution recognizing the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa on the islands of Jamaica and Cuba, and calling on the City of Philadelphia to support hurricane relief efforts and provide assistance to Philadelphia's Jamaican community. Introduced by Councilmember Young on Councilmember Gauthier's behalf.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you. For clarity, this resolution was co-introduced with Councilmember Gauthier, and I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Dr. Alycia Marshall on her appointment as the President of the Community College of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion on 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring recognizing SELF Incorporated for its transformative work in addressing homelessness and empowering lives across Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion on the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution commending the Department of Licenses and Inspections for launching its new Virtual Inspection Program and celebrating its continued efforts to develop proactive rental property inspections to have safe and healthy homes. Introduced by Councilmember O'Rourke.
Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution. 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A 10/30/25 - STATED - 2ND READING privileged resolution honoring the Saint Hubert's Catholic High School for Girls' soccer team for winning the 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. Introduced by Councilmember Driscoll.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
Thank you very much. Are there any brief speeches on behalf of the Minority? Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do have a word from the Minority today and today that word is vigilance, compound word vigilance. Vigilance for a few One, I introduced a resolution commending L&I for launching their permanent Virtual Inspection Program and noting the department's continued efforts to develop proactive rental inspections. Many will remember who have been a part of our hearings through the course of the budget process my focus on rental inspections and why I believe it's particularly important. This program is an example of moving from pilot to permanent in a timely fashion, despite a departmental reorganization, despite a change in administration. And that steady focus is an example of the public excellence that we encourage and work to ensure across all city operations. And I know I have some Amens on that with other members of much looking forward to the department's upcoming pilot. L&I is set to begin proactive rental inspections very soon, and I'm excited for that innovation to build upon the one that we're celebrating today. It's amazing, I think, the things that our least-funded public safety department, because that's what they are, can actually do. And it excites me thinking of what they could do with more support. Further, also about vigilance and holding vigil, if you will. Over the weekend may have read the news of a shooting at Lincoln University's homecoming, killed one person and injured six others, and that is certainly heartbreaking. Those of us who have an HBCU, many of you, if the rain doesn't deter you, may even go down to the game this evening of two HBCUs that will play each other down at the Linc. But those of us who have watched the campus of HBCU, many of us who even haven't know just how important homecoming is to the life of the university as well as the surrounding community and culture. But this kind of thing, shootings, not only can it not be a part of our city streets, it can't be a part of our college campuses. It can't be a part of the culture. Plain and simple. I'm praying for all the students still reeling on campus, all the families, the community connected to it and all the Lincoln students in Philly for that matter. And I hope others will join me in keeping them in during this time. Lastly, other big news, Camden-based American Water is aiming to buy Bryn Mawr-based Essential Utilities and its Aqua Water Division. I don't know if folks saw that on the news. This deal would combine the two largest municipal water and sewage system companies in the United States into a single entity that aims to acquire more. These are the two firms that have been buyers for all but one of the water acquisitions that follow the passage of Act 12 in 2016. In other words, 21 of the 22 acquisitions of water systems were held between two firms, and now those two firms want to merge. You don't have to be a dyed-in-the-wool leftist to be wary corporate consolidation, not when it comes to our natural resources. Liberalism used to be all about serious trustbusting, for those of us that have read our history. It's a part of the tradition that I actually like. The CEO of Essential Utilities said that the merger would make it easier to keep customer rates affordable. (Laughter.)
The laughter resonates with me as well, which is a fascinating turn of phrase, right, keep customer rates affordable. It's interesting that there's talk of maintaining affordability when the main issue with water privatization across the country and Pa has been the rate hikes that follow the sales of these public utilities. It's like merging to keep their products healthy. That's funny, not really. It's nonsense. My hope is that I can persuade all of you, my colleagues, to see why it's important to stay vigilant about our own utilities like water and not wait until it's on our doorstep and then we have to deal with worst service and higher rates. We want to make sure that Philadelphia remains the city that people can afford. I think vigilance on this front is in our best interest. Thank you, Council President. (Applause.)
Thank you, Member O'Rourke. I was around this body when they tried to privatize PGW and some folks even wanted our airport, but not on our watch. (Applause.)
Chair recognizes, on behalf of speeches of the Majority, Councilmember and Whip Isaiah Thomas.
Good morning, Council President -- oh, good afternoon, Council President. Good afternoon, colleagues. Just a couple of announcements. The first announcement, since we won't have a Council session next week I would like to make people aware of the City Hall Youth Leadership Summit Series that we've been doing. We're now in Cohort 3 and the events have been amazing. The young people have been phenomenal. And the goal is to bring together some of the best and brightest the city of Philadelphia. So we're encouraging young people to apply to be a part of Cohort 3. The date for the event is November 8, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sixth Man Center. So again, encouraging people to apply for the Youth Leadership Summit. I also want to again commemorate and say congratulations to all the Black male educators. A special shout-out to Sharif El-mekki and the great work he does with the Black Male Educators organization. Of course, we need more Black men teachers and that campaign is happening right now. Also would like to make remarks on behalf of the Education Committee, specifically looking at an initiative that's going to be Hall, which is clearly a national historic landmark. But Carpenter's Hall is pleased to announce the Young Philadelphians Continental Congress. This is a new and historic civic education program hosted by Carpenter's Hall in partnership with the School District that will launch in 2026 as a part of our celebration of the birthday of the country, not just your birthday, Council President, 250 years. The program will consist of five Saturday sessions between late July and late April. The Carpenter's Hall hopes to recruit 20 to 25 delegate teams from across the city. A team is one student, one teacher from the same school, which would allow participants to build relationships with their of the city. Teams will represent different neighborhoods -- you hear that, District Councilmembers -- and they are inviting all public high schools, public charter schools to apply. The goal is to have at least one team from every Councilmanic District. And I'll stop right there, Council President. It's a phenomenal initiative and I'm encouraging everybody in City Council and young people to get involved. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you very much, Deputy Whip Thomas. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. have an election and whoever you want to vote for, that's up to your individual rights. But you need to not underestimate what the power of judges do. A judge, even though with all due respect to my colleagues, every day they get the ability to determine someone's liberty, someone's freedom, they are important. There are bills before some of the state courts that this Council passed like Lost and Stolen, like Red Flag laws that are hovering around, the gaming industry hovering around these courts, and people are putting their hand on their cheek trying to decide what is best for the City of Philadelphia. No matter where you stand on the issue, your vote is something. When we have turnout of only 14%, 14 out of 100 people actually come out and vote. You may say my vote doesn't matter. Well, you better ask yourself, what's going on at the Supreme Court, what's going on in the state courts I just mentioned and what will go on as No. 47 continues some of his questionable and even illegal policies and we better have people in those courtrooms that represent our interests. So some people say it's like chess, you know, it's 64 squares on the board. You better make your moves. And if you don't think your vote is important, even the pawn if they make it across the board can become the king or the queen. Please make your moves. Thank you. (Applause.)
Very well said, Member Jones. Chair recognizes -Councilmember Thomas, you want to be acknowledged?
Yeah. I'm sorry, Council President. I just needed to finish my remarks as it relates to the youth. The Young Philadelphia's Continental Congress, the person who's in charge of it, the Executive Director is here, Mr. Michael Norris. Michael, can you stand up real quick? (Applause.)
So if anybody has any questions about this initiative, any of the District Councilmembers, the offices, anybody wants to get involved, Michael's here. He has more information. He's willing to pass that out and we'll also post it on social media as well. Sorry about that, Council President. Thank you colleagues. Sorry about that.
You're welcome. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. Today along with Councilmember Young I co-introduced a resolution expressing our city's solidarity with the people of Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, one of the most destructive storms in recent history, brought catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread devastation to the lives and has displaced thousands. Our city is home to one of the nation's largest Jamaican American communities, so there are many people here who have loved ones back home and are also dealing with this loss. And I think many of you know that my mother hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, an island that has also experienced its fair share of extreme weather events and a volcanic eruption in recent years. So my heart goes to out to everyone in Jamaica who's enduring this and dealing with this loss and uncertainty. We are a welcoming city and I wanted us to express solidarity with our Jamaican neighbors as they recover and rebuild. Thank you. ask to be excused to handle other Council business.
Thank you. Excuse is granted. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, President, and happy birthday again. Council just had a hearing about Philadelphia's beverage tax and I wanted to once again ground this conversation in what has worked and who has benefited. This policy was never just about a tax. It was about investing in people. The beverage tax has delivered measurable results. Thousands of Pre-K seats for our children, stronger community libraries and recreation centers that give families safe, enriching places to learn and grow. It has also strengthened our child care ecosystem, where many providers are women-led and supported, women small businesses, entrepreneurs who anchor our commercial corridors, hire locally and reinvest in their neighborhoods. There's been a debate about whether Rebuild projects are too nice. As I said this in the hearing, I'll say it again, why not? Taj Mahal is for our children. Why shouldn't our kids have the best quality recreation centers, spaces they're proud to spend their time in? We live in a first world country and yet we are begging for scraps for our youngest citizens. when we talk about revising the beverage tax, let's remember this is not just numbers on a spreadsheet. This is classrooms filled with opportunity. This is small businesses who open on our corridors. This is children with access to quality early education, because we as a city chose to invest in them. We have to keep that lens, the lens of children, families, working, parents and neighborhood businesses at the center of this debate. And I'll end with this: Yesterday the Mayor signed my Voter Registration bill into law, Bill No. 250744. This matters because expanding access to the ballot is part of the same vision. It's investing in families, investing in women-led small businesses and of Philadelphia's children. Our democracy is healthiest when everyone has a bass to be heard. We all have a role to play in that democracy. That's why I urge -- like my colleague Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. just said it -- everyone to make a plan to vote next Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Too much is at stake. To stay at home decide how you're getting to the polls, when you're going and take time to understand who and what's on the ballot. If you have a mail-in ballot, drop it off in the drop boxes. Do not mail it anymore. Too much is at stake to stay at home. Your voice is your power. Please use it. Thank you.
Thank you, Council President. Today I was honored to recognize Independence Business Alliance for being named the 2025 National LGBT Chamber of the Year by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Since 2007 this group has provided meaningful connections, access and resources for Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ and allied business communities, entrepreneurship and steady employment and affirming spaces are essential paths for everyone but LGBTQ+ people often face additional barriers, especially our transgender and non-binary siblings. S. S. have experienced discrimination or harassment at work. When we spend more than 40 hours a week working for an organization, we deserve to do so as our authentic selves, businesses that not only support but actively work to uplift the LGBTQ+ community are performing the true allyship of practicing what they preach. Thank you, Zach Wilcha, for your leadership at IBA and for speaking to this resolution here today. I also introduced a resolution with Councilmembers Gauthier and Young recognizing November 2025 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia. During the season, families come together to show their gratitude for their health and home. But across Philadelphia, many will be going hungry and without shelter this year. I encourage everyone to engage in the true holiday spirit, giving back to your community and donating to a local food bank or homeless shelter. This is especially urgent now in the wake of the government shutdown, whether they've lost a paycheck or awaiting the government to return to work or their SNAP benefits are on hold for the unforeseeable future. This is going to be a particularly difficult season for many of our Philadelphia's residents. As we heard today, experts and advocates have been raising the alarm bells about the 472,000 Philadelphians who use SNAP to shop for food as a result of harmful and dangerous decisions made by the Trump Administration. Because of this, I urge the City of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania to consider to declare a state of emergency and use all available resources to fill this emergency funding gap caused by the SNAP freeze. While Washington delays their decision, we cannot wait. We are looking down the barrel at rising grocery prices, rent, child care and health care costs. Philadelphians are already facing an affordability crisis. On top of that, President Trump's harmful policies and political games are resulting in SNAP restrictions, cuts to benefits and now stopped shutdown. Hunger is a policy failure. We can't let politicians decide who gets to eat. Families who depend on SNAP to buy food are faced with an impossible choice: Pay for groceries, rent or other expenses. Our food banks and pantries are already seeing increased demand for food and need donations desperately. Philadelphians need the SNAP program to buy groceries with dignity. I urge Governor Shapiro and Mayor Parker to help our residents most in need before our federal government lets the worstcase scenario take hold in our communities. E. Plan. As a lifelong housing activist, I look forward to advocating for funding to be allocated primarily to low-income residents of Philadelphia and programs that support them.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I just want to echo the sentiments of our colleague Councilmember Jamie gauthier and really just send or do whatever we can do for folks in Jamaica who are devastated by the Hurricane Melissa. It's just, you know, it's heartbreaking to see that's happening when the eye of the storm looked like, it seemed like it just sat over Jamaica for hours and then there's nothing you can do about that from some of these natural disasters. So just want to make sure we uplift all those in that community to know that they do have support on the City Council. Today we also introduced a resolution honoring Dr. Alycia Marshall becoming the permanent, not permanent, but installed as no longer Interim President of Community College of Philadelphia. Community College of Philadelphia is an asset to the city. With campuses all over the city, I encourage every young person, not even young person, every person who just is looking for a way to upskill themselves, I would say, They offer every program you can think of to help you upskill, to help you grow, to help you find selfsustaining opportunities in the city. , one of the largest providers of homeless services in the city. We all know that homelessness is on the rise nationwide and it's up to us here locally to do whatever we can to ensure that our folks are housed here in the city. And on that same note regarding housing, I just want to let the residents of the 5th Council District know that we were awarded five tax credit deals in this last cycle. For those who don't know, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit is the primary tool in which affordable housing gets city, particularly with the 9% tax credits. And so, out of the total 41 awards that were awarded across the state, the 5th Council District has five, right. So the total 13 that was awarded in the city, the 5th Council District has five, right, with the support of our office. And so, we're going to continue to support affordable housing development in the 5th Council District and beyond. So just to put that in numbers, Council President, there will be -- these five projects represent 229 new affordable units. Some will be senior housing, some will be general affordable housing, but this is housing that is crucial to working families and seniors throughout our city. And so, we will always support the idea of look forward to working with this Administration on supplying more funding for affordable housing for our working families and our seniors in the 5th Council District. And lastly, Mr. President, two things we're doing since there's no session next week: On November 8th, we will be naming a street after LGP Qua at 9th and Clearfield. We are asking everyone who has been impacted by Qua to come out to just show your love in the community for him. He was a young man whose life was taken way too soon. He was all about positivity and uplifting our youth to do positive things in our community. So we're asking you all to attend that ceremony at 9th and Clearfield. m. on November 8th. Also, next Wednesday, November 5th, we will be having a Center City Town Hall at the Parkway Central Library branch from 6:00 to 7:30. We're encouraging all residents who live in the 5th District portion of Center City to come out to express some of their ideas, concerns. Talk to city service departments and agencies about how we can make your neighborhood better. And with that, I want to thank Mr. Jake Adams and Mrs. Sarah Adams for coming down here today.
For those who don't know, Barber's Hall has been a North Philly staple for almost 50 years and we are celebrating Mr. Jake's retirement. He held down the fort as long as he could in that community, but it's in time we all will have to retire. At some point Mr. Jake had decided to retire, so we want to make sure we honor him and celebrate him for all of his hard work he put not only just for his business, but for the community. You heard that he was a Ward leader for so many years, but he was a committee person as well for 50 years, right. So we have to honor the work that he has put into our community. We have to honor those who laid the path for us. And with that, Mr. President, again I thank you for allowing me time today.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
you, Council President. Very quickly today I introduced a resolution calling on the General Assembly to add medetomidine to their controlled substance list. If some of you remember when I first arrived, we called on the General Assembly to add xylazine, which is a horse tranquilizer that is found in the drug supply in our city. Medetomidine has replaced that substance, and it is 100 to 200 times more potent than xylazine is. We have been talking to our health care providers who tell us that it is extremely challenging and that it is difficult to respond to the critical care need that many of the patients who arrive at their doorsteps to be treated. And so, I am urging all of my colleagues to join me in asking the General to that list to help our law enforcement partners as well as our public health partners to be able to better respond. Thank you.
Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. Good afternoon. I just want to start by saying, you know, I absolutely love Councilmember Mark Squilla. He's actually one of my favorite Councilmembers, and one of the things -- he is. I just want to tell him -
He know, today's bill the decision I made, I just want to further add some notes to it. The decision I made to vote no against the paper bag bill, you know, has nothing to do with the support that all of us have for sustainability in the city of Philadelphia. I think that's why most of the members here decided to support it because we believe in sustainability, we believe in protecting our environment. Yet one of the things that I still had questions about, which is important is -- this morning I actually came in ready to vote for it, but then I kept hearing more and more about the SNAP benefits being taken away and I just thought that at this very moment in our city we need to hold this bill because at the end day, people are concerned about what the federal government is doing to our city. And regardless of how low cost this may be, I just thought maybe the City of Philadelphia could be helpful in this regard by creating another initiative where we help support with funding of reusable bags that we give out to communities, you know, or some other initiative to help this sustainability initiative beyond a fee. And so, I just want to say that again we need to address the federal government and what they're doing around adding other -- inflation is going up, our SNAP benefits that could potentially be taken away and we just don't want to add more worry and trouble to people in the city so, I respect all of our members, especially Councilmember Mark Squilla, for what we're trying to do here with the city, but my heart was tugging with me and it just felt like it wasn't the right time. If this was in 2020, next year or something is a little better, even a year before, you know, absolutely, let's go for it. But just something about this week just got to me a little bit. So that's where we are with that. Next, I just want to quickly note that right after the session we have -- also, happy birthday, Council President, again. I want to publicly say that.
all that you have done for our city. You've been a good supporter of all of us on City Council and we really value you and what you do. You really try to bring us in to work together. Appreciate you.
The Children and Youth -- we're having a Children and Youth briefing today in the Caucus room. Lunch is going to be provided. Members allow your staff to come. As I've noted before, we have the nation's first pilot Playful Learning program, which is focused on affordable housing developments, which is an opportunity for us to reimagine community spaces as platforms for early learning and family engagement. new playful learning spaces have been done in Councilmember Young's District in North Philadelphia, but playful learning is looking to be extended across the city of Philadelphia in everyone's district. And as the Chair of Children and Youth, I'm glad and proud to be one of the leading anchors and supporters of this initiative with the We're Brilliant Cities and all the wonderful people who are working on this. So please join us for lunch at noon to learn more about Playful Learning, which is a live and learn initiative. And speakers include Sean McKinney from the William Penn Foundation, Winfield Thomas from the Brewerytown Sharswood space. We have Dr. Katie Hirsch Bass from Temple University, from Playful Learning Landscapes. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Dr. Phillips. Chair acknowledges Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. And Happy birthday to you and Marnie and everybody else whose birthday it is.
I just want to state for clarity, understanding the challenges of SNAP and individuals in underserved communities, this bill has actually been worked on for quite some time and there was a fee proposed early on. And the reason why the fee didn't get in initially was because there was some challenges with the had a preemptive role in this, and our goal was to get the bill passed as soon as possible so that we could then challenge the state on a preemption, which we ended up winning. And you see this bill moved forward and other municipalities have moved forward. But this time we really did a study on the bill, understanding the challenges of reducing plastic as a waste material, but also reducing the use of waste in general, whether it was paper or plastic and we saw an increase. We saw a reduction of plastics, but an increase in paper usage, which had created even more of a challenge in some of our communities. The communities that we're concerned about with SNAP and other providers that have been charging for bags for many years, People like Save A Lot, Aldi and others. And people in the underserved communities are the first to comply, to bring their own bags. And the goal of this bill and legislation is to bring your own bag, not to charge you $0.10 for a bag. So it's really a behavioral change of bringing your own bags to locations to do that. And the change in behavior will not cost you anything because these bags are provided. We have a lot of partners that share these bags. If you look at anybody that wants to do something advertised, they give these reusable bags out. And if there's locations that we believe need additional reusable bags, we would be happy to work with people to do that. But again, the goal was not to charge an additional $0.10 and the goal was to make sure people bring their own bags to these locations and then therefore reduce the challenges on the environment and reduce the waste that we see on the streets. And so, I understand members have concerns and I respect them for those concerns. We will continue to work with all members on that. But I just want to make for clarity it wasn't to be able to make money for anybody. This money goes directly to the retailer. So the goal for the retailer is to participate in this and also provide reusable bags. And so, at the end of the day as we go through these challenges, we see that this type of legislation has been passed in other municipalities without the impacts and the concerns that we're hearing. But I will continue to work with my colleagues and people who are opposed to this type of legislation and try to find ways to mitigate those concerns as we move forward. So thank you so much and thank you to everybody who supported the legislation.
Thank you, Member Squilla. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion to adjourn.
Forgot that was my part today, Council President. Thank you. Council President. I move that Council Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. All in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The motion carries. Thank you very much and thank you for the birthday well wishes. ) I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. m. E. m. org. S.