Stated Meeting, October 1, 2026

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Member Jones has done a significant amount of work with that school, so very well done, Dr. Ahmad, advocating for those who have vision disabilities.

And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings to investigate the impacts of reductions to Medicaid coverage under H.R. 1 on Philadelphia residents, our healthcare providers, and service organizations, and to examine the City of Philadelphia’s strategy and preparedness to address those impacts.

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

And a privileged resolution recognizing October 2026 as Menopause Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, to affirm the importance of ending the stigma and cultural silence surrounding menopause, and to acknowledge it as a natural biological process that significantly impacts the physical and emotional well-being of many individuals.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The next order of business is report from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a report on the Committee on Rules.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports out six bills with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Chief Clerk, could you please read the report.

The Committee on Rules to which were referred the following bills: Bill 12 No. 260342, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bound by East Washington Lane, Crittenden Street, East Tulpehocken Street, East Haines Street and Ardleigh Street. Bill No. 260343, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by East Washington Lane, Stenton Avenue, East Haines Street and Ardleigh Street. Bill No. 260344, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bound by North 18th Street, Colonial Street, North 17th Street and Chelten Avenue. Bill No. 260345, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by West Seymour Street, Knox Street, West Logan Street and Keyser Street. Bill No. 260429, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Frankford Creek, Aramingo Avenue, Butler Street and Frankford Avenue. Bill No. 260462 as amended, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Thompson Street, 17th Street, Girard Avenue, Ridge Avenue, 19th Street, Cabot Street and 18th Street, and amending Section 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts" by amending Section 14-529, entitled "/VDO, Fifth District Overlay District," all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Rules, Council President.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember and Chair of the Rules Committee, Cindy Bass, for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of the Committee on Rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion regarding special business.

Thank you, Mr. President. There was a technical error with prior Bill 260696 honoring Shirley Kitchen. So I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of special business at this time. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion regarding Bill No. 260696, introduced at our Stated Meeting on September 17th of 2026. Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.

An ordinance 7 renaming the Penrose Recreation Center to the "Shirley M. Kitchen Recreation Center" to honor the life and legacy of Shirley Kitchen, a pioneering public servant and civic leader with an immeasurable impact on the Greater North Philadelphia community. Introduced by Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 22 260696 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 2ND READING JOHNSON: It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 4 260696 be withdrawn. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. And Bill No. 15 260696 has been withdrawn. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committees with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next 2ND READING session of Council. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning bills on the First Reading Calendar, resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.

Thank you, Mr. President. The following bill on the First Reading Calendar is being held: Bill No. 260298. The following resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading -- from the Final Passage Calendar. And the following bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Resolution 24 Nos. 260741, 260767, 260770, 260774, 260779 and 260780. The following resolutions and bills on the Calendar are being held: 260769, 250768, 250807 and 260076. Resolution No. 260766 is being amended.

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

Former Mayor John Street, Mayor Erica Deuso, James Meredith, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, Stephen Clerk, Crash Investigation. Division Captain, Loree Jones Brown, Jeremy Blatstein, William Small, John McAuley, Lynn Landes and Jonathan Latko, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning. To God be the glory. Great things he has done so loved the world that he gave us his son. And as always, I promise to be brief no matter how long it takes. You could do better than that. I promise to be brief no 9 matter how long it takes. Oh, all right. We got to come alive, people. Come alive, you know, come alive. (Applause.)

Mr. President, members of City Council, Council staff, those people who do the hard work of running the city -- can I see the hands of anybody here that does constituent service? (Hands raised.)

Constituent service, you hear me. Constituent service. I don't want anybody to think that constituent service is one of them low jobs. It is the most important thing we do take care of the problems of our people, because too often you are their last resort. They can't get any help and then they call you. And a lot of times if we don't get it done for them, it just doesn't happen. And I thank you for that work. Now, today, we are here to honor a person that I have the privilege of knowing for a while, and I call him Brother Brown. He was on my security force for the entire time I was mayor. And I have to thank Commissioner Johnson for pulling him out of the police department and putting him on the staff. And it was interesting because Greg Brown was one of those kind of people who always got it right. He was always on time. He always used the right language. He always dressed right. He was what I consider to be an exemplary employee. If anybody ever asked me, well, did he ever make a mistake, did he ever do anything wrong? I can't think of anything. Not one thing. I mean, we, as you all know, encountered some really interesting and challenging and sometimes threatening situations. And he was always there, always on the case. And I had this unique management approach to my staff. It was called management by humiliation. If you made a mistake, I didn't dock anybody's pay. I didn't fire anybody. I didn't, you know, do a lot of that. I would just tell everybody. We had cell phones. I would tell everybody. I had a list of about 50 people. And if you did something stupid, I would tell everybody. One time a guy did something really, really, really, really bad. And he said, please, Mr. Mayor, don't tell anybody. I said, I got to tell. He said, dock my pay. I said, that hurts your wife and the children, I got to tell. And in all the years I never had a chance to say anything about him. I never got a chance to put him on any list. When I was a council president, I had the wall of shame. You do something -- sometimes they would send out a letter and it was really messed up. I'd put it on the wall of shame right in the clerk's office. You will come in. The first thing they do is see, well, let me look at the wall of shame and see what's happening here today. But I got him once. Got him once. Now, you remember we used to -- Mr. President, can I have a presidential moment here? I'm begging for a presidential moment because I know my time is long up, my time is long up. And I'm telling you, he was that way. So you might remember that we rode a lot of bikes. We did the bike thing and I rode. I'm riding the bike and I was over years older 17 than everybody that was on my 18 staff. And I sometimes would 19 pretend, but I would have a hard 20 time keeping up. So Brown, no problem. So one day we were going to do the Atlantic City bike ride because I figured I can work some exercise into this thing. And I knew I was going to have Brown and all my staff and they were going to be riding these bikes. So I said, I'm beating them today. So a month before the ride, I put a 20-pound weight vest in the back of my bike, so that I was riding around, they didn't know that I was training. And then on the day of the ride, you know how when you're riding, you're drinking water and stuff, I didn't put any water in my little thing, I put ice. So when we came to the first rest stop, guess what I did? Right on through the rest stop. or of them peeled off. Came to the second rest stop, you know what I did? Right on through the rest stop. They all had to stop to use the bathroom. And you know what? They never caught up. Only time I can remember finishing anything before Brother Brown. And guess what, I have the picture that I'm going to make available to him.

But in all sincerity, members of the police department, members of the Mayor's security team, the people who come here to provide security for the members of City Council and for the staff, they have a hard job. And I am telling you that I am loaded with appreciation for the work that Greg Brown did when he was a part of our staff. And I want to thank everybody here for recognizing that. Because all too often when you make a mistake, you get put down. When you do the right thing, nobody says anything and everybody takes it for granted. But today we are recognizing the work of a person who was in the police department and on my staff I think for somewhere around 40 years, and that's a long time. That's a life of service. But the thing that he did that made the biggest statement that anybody could make was he picked Loree Jones to be his wife. Thank you. )

How do I follow that? Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to Councilwoman Landau and to all of City Council for welcoming me. I'm honored to join you in recognizing LGBTQ History Month and National Coming Out Day. I'm Erica Deuso, Mayor of Downingtown in the heart of Chester County. And as Councilwoman Landau said earlier, I am Pennsylvania's first openly transgender mayor and the country's only serving elected transgender mayor. I recently received Equality Forum's Frank Kameny Award, and I'm proud to join Councilwoman Landau as a fellow recipient. That recognition carries a responsibility to continue the work of those who fought for our right to live openly. Their courage helped make it possible for me to stand before you as an elected official. I knew who I was at 4 years old, but I, myself, came out at 29. Coming out has no age limit. People take that step throughout their lives, often uncertain about what that might cost them. Everyone deserves to make that decision in their own time and support and care for their safety. Being transgender has shaped how I listen and serve. I know what it feels like to wonder whether you'll be accepted. And I bring that understanding to every neighbor who asks for help. LGBTQ people deserve to live openly, work and grow older without their government treating their existence as a problem to solve. These resolutions affirm that we belong in our communities and in public service and I would love to welcome you to mine. Downingtown's Fall Festival is this Sunday from 11:00 to 4:00, just a train ride from Philadelphia on the Paoli-Thorndale Line, which some of you might remember as the R5. Come spend an afternoon with us and our good neighbor community. Thank you for having me. I'm proud to be a first and I intend to help make sure I'm far from being the last. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning, President Johnson and members of City Council. Thank you for your time today. My name is Jim Meredith and I'm the President, a proud alum of Father Jones High School in Northeast Philadelphia. I'm here on behalf of the Father's community to express our enthusiastic support for Resolution 16 No. 260780, the street renaming of the 3300 block of South Avenue in memory of the 27 Father graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country during the Vietnam War. The Roman poet Virgil wrote, No day shall erase you from memory of time. At Judge, we honor our 27 and never erase their memory. For our students, many of whom only know the Vietnam War as history, the memorial to our 27 at the entrance of our school on Solly Avenue stands as a tribute to their sacrifice and a reminder of their heroism. Our current students know these heroes as Judge guys. They walk the same halls, learning the same classrooms and competed on the same courts and fields. Our 27 graduates who lost their lives in a distant land grew up in many of the same Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods as our current Judge guys, Holmesburg, Holme Circle, Mayfair, Oxford Circle, Pennypack Woods, Summerdale, Tacony and Torresdale. Their daily paths from homes to Judge began on many of the same Philadelphia streets our students travel today, Magee Street, Oakmont, Aubrey Avenue, Ditman, St. Vincent Street, Jackson Street, Tyson Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard, Marigold Place. The connection between generations is so important. Our students learn it. Even after graduation, our 27 carried with them what they were taught at Judge, including the call of our patron Saint Francis de Sales, Be who you are and be that well. Our 27, for these words meant something serving their country. They were called to serve. Thank you for your support. Thank you. ) POLICE COMMISSIONER JOHNSON: Good morning. Thanks. Everything that was said about Greg Brown was probably already said by Mayor Street. I want to say a little thing about Mayor Street, because I would not be Police Commissioner if it was not for him. My name is Sylvester Johnson, former Police Commissioner, City of Philadelphia. ) POLICE COMMISSIONER JOHNSON: I spent 43 years here in the city of Philadelphia, not as the police commissioner but as a police officer. I've known Greg Brown for almost my entire career, almost his entire career. He was not just a good police officer, but he was a friend. One of the things I used to say and that City Council President mentioned, there's two things that you can never arrest you way out of the problem. It wasn't about locking people up. It was about changing the quality of life here in the city of Philadelphia, which I tried to do. The two things when I first was the police commissioner, I met with the mayor, and he says two things. And every community meeting that we went to, it was about two things. It was abandoned cars and drug sales. He came up with Operation Safe Streets, where we put almost 300 police officers on every corner in the City of Philadelphia to stop those things. Mayor Street was an exceptional mayor. I was part of his staff, and for those years that we never argued in the street. But he gave me hell behind (inaudible) places. But he says it's about quality of life. It's about going out there and making the City of Philadelphia, that people can sit on their steps. Kids can come out and play. Numbers is not important. When they talk about a lot of times that our crime is down, our homicide rate is down, but one is too many. We can say that there's a lot of homicides that are down. And when we say it's 120 homicides and we're proud of that, we shouldn't be, shouldn't be at all. Because like I said, one is too many. I couldn't do this without a lot of people and that helped me quite a bit. And ask Ms. Johnson, City Council President at that time, everybody has to get involved in this. It has to be a holistic type approach.

Everybody has to get involved. Police will never solve this problem. But as a community, we can. Thank you very much. And thank you very much for Greg Brown. ) CAPTAIN CLARK: Good morning everyone. My name is Stephen Clark, Captain, Commanding officer of the Crash Investigation Division, Philadelphia Police Department. And I'm just here to commend and congratulate Greg Brown on 40 years of service to the great citizens of the city of Philadelphia and its police department. Forty years ago, Greg came to the Philadelphia Police Department via John W. Bartram High School and the United States Marine Corps. He since provided stellar dedicated service to the citizens of Philadelphia. And he went to the 9th Police District. Thirty-one years ago, this Judge guy remembering our 27, via Temple University, came to the Philadelphia Police Department in the 9th District. And for a brief period at the beginning of our careers crossed paths, serving citizens in the 9th District, watching guys like Greg with the experience that he had taught me to be a police officer. And I came in with the same values that I hold today. But they reinforced it and I saw it in action about the compassion, the care. You know, they lived the values that I learned in life and at my high school of truth, justice, charity and being a light in the darkness, right. And Greg was that for me. And that was the beginning of my career. Greg then went on and he got promoted, he got promoted several times, continued to serve the citizens of Philadelphia in the same manner, with the same calmness and measure of decency that we should all manage ourselves. Now, at the end of Greg's career, 31 years later, I for the past year have been the immediate supervisor of Greg, and it's been a pleasure to do that in that capacity. So I just wanted to thank Greg for all those years of service, first as a member of the department and the supervisor. But also as a 52-year resident of Philadelphia, a husband and a father of three. Thank you for your service. )

Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Prior to acknowledging the next speaker, I am respectfully requesting that everyone hold to the two-minute limit and I intend to keep the two-minute limit for every witness. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Good morning. I'm Loree Jones Brown. I have the extraordinary honor of recognizing my husband, Lieutenant Gregory Antonio Brown, Sr. for 40 years of exemplary service to the City of Philadelphia and its residents. For four decades, Greg has worn the badge with courage, discipline, integrity and unwavering commitment to public safety. His service has taken him from his earliest days as a young officer to the rank of lieutenant, where he has led, mentored, protected and served countless Philadelphians. This resolution, today introduced by Councilman Jeff Young, recognizes more than a career. It recognizes the sacrifices that come along with wearing the uniform, the long hours, the missed holidays, the difficult calls and the responsibility of being there when others need you the most. Greg, on behalf of your parents that are here, your sister, my mom, and your sons who could not be here today, who follow you in law enforcement, I am incredibly proud of the officer, leader, husband, father and man you have become. Congratulations on 40 years of service. You have earned this moment and you certainly have earned your retirement. And I do have a honey-do list for you. I love you and congratulations. (Applause.)

Hello, Philadelphia City Council. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. First off, thank you for 40 years of service. That's amazing. It's really important that we support the Philadelphia Police Department. We're talking a little bit about nuisance businesses. Shout-out to the police for finally enforcing the shutdown orders that L&I are putting on the windows. I was out in West Philadelphia on Friday night, and I saw the police enforcing one of those L&I shutdown notices. So that's a good step, right. Those nuisance businesses, State Rep Amen Brown did his crackdown on those smoke shops that are illegally selling weed. We need to continue to make sure that those nuisance businesses are being properly enforced while properly supporting the small business in Philadelphia. In terms of LGBTQ+ awareness, it's really important. Shame, shame, shame on State Rep Aaron Bernstein and the comments he made. That's so unacceptable in terms of what he was talking about with State Rep Malcolm Kenyatta. Yeah, he said some messed up things in a bar about State Rep Malcolm Kenyatta. And then we're talking about FIFA. Obviously that was crucial to the city of Philadelphia. Shout-out to the City of Philadelphia for doing that. We need more of that. And last but not least, we're talking about SEPTA. We obviously need to make sure that it's funded. We need to make sure that we're supporting the SEPTA police, right. It's a big issue right now in terms of the youth that are coming on the system. And we need to make sure that they're working with the police, along with providing the resources so that it's not just relying on that. And the last thing I'll say when it comes to digital awareness, right. When you're posting videos that have curse words in it, it's unacceptable. Disband the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office. Ride the ride. Grow Philly to 2 Milly. Thank you.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is William Small and I am a member of Flip Philly Red. Today I originally came here to challenge 260076, but it seems as though last week I was cut off in silence when I wanted to question why a Councilwoman receiving campaign funds from the Indian American Impact Fund. And believe me, there's nothing American about them. How she can try to amend our charter and our elections and she wasn't even born in America. So I'm not even going to challenge that today. I'm going to challenge Councilman O'Rourke's bill, 260779. We're talking about stop using Starbucks in City Council. I mean, really, that's what we're talking about, Starbucks. Are we going to stop taking their tax dollars too? I mean, we got to start doing things that make sense. And I overheard next week we're honoring the Democrat Socialists of America. For what? These are the people who want to put the police out of business, defund the prisons, defund the police, abolish our presidency, abolish our Senate, abolish our Supreme Court. Then we got Councilman Jeffrey Young running around here with money that belongs to the library. I heard it was $10 million. He acting like Nino Brown off New Jack City. And everybody just want to know what's happening with the library. Now, I'm surprised I wasn't silenced today and I really appreciate that. And one more, one more. And I love the fact that we honored the Black Bottom. It's been long overdue. My family came from North Carolina and we were one of the originators of the Black Bottom, the first bar, 35th and Mt. Vernon, 1959, by a Black woman. But what I want to know is how the heck does Africatown get honored before the Black Bottom. Africatown? I mean, have you guys went to Advance Auto Parts? They spilling oil in the sewer system. It's 100 Africans out there and it looks like the Congo. The people can't even run their business. Thank you. MR. McAULEY: Good morning, everyone. My name is John Alonte McAuley. I'm with a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. We're here to bring you something different because you've been voting Democrat for the Mayor's office for the past 70 years. In regard to resolution 20 260779, a resolution by Councilmember O'Rourke endorsing the boycott of Starbucks, called for by Workers United SEIU, encouraging residents to refrain from purchasing Starbucks products until they finalize a fair union contract. And since you're the so-called man of God, my question to Councilmember O'Rourke, would you have boycotted Starbucks back in 2015 when they waged war on Christmas and told their baristas not to say Merry Christmas, but Happy Holidays only when they greeted customers. Same company in 2023. They had rainbows on their cups, but never had Jesus. Just like Al Sharpton embracing and endorsing these stupid boycotts. How about you boycott these Black parents for allowing their sons to wear ski masks in these streets. Working Families Party and Democrats can teach your kids how to dance, but can't teach them how to read. But I get it. SEIU was prepared to give 200 million to Biden and the Democrats in 2024, so it's easy to sell out for a check. SEIU, known for embezzlement convictions. Sexual harassment scandals at California local employed a convicted child molester as a business agent. Same SEIU on the front lines of anti-ICE protests in support of illegal aliens. Same illegal aliens who undercut the American wages those Starbucks blue-haired baristas are asking for. Maybe Starbucks should write Christ is King on their cups and they'll have some better luck. Maybe if City Council embraced deportations, free markets, deregulation and competition baristas would have better luck. Tell your DA to prosecute crime. Cut taxes across the board, basic economics. How are you a Councilmember if you don't even know that. And to the Mayor of Downingtown, if no one told you, you are a man. How are you --

Please conclude your remarks. Your two minutes are up. Thank you very much.

Will Christy Cianciotto, Matthew Valenzuela, Kate Rivera, C. Michael Robinson, Ayesha Mughal, Dr. Deborah Roebuck, Simone Erickson, Kristine Gonnella, Juanita Jenkins and Shalisa Brunson, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of Philly's Republican Network and the parent of a mentally disabled son. We oppose Bill 250907. Property owners and business improvement districts such as Center City District are being taxed twice by the city and by the district for the same services for sanitation and safety. That should not be legal under any circumstances. But more importantly, both the city and these districts enable the mentally ill and drug- addicted to live on the streets, rather than getting them into medical facilities as well as the government services and funding that they are legally entitled to under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead the city, these districts and nonprofits are getting the funding and using it to keep these people alive, but also still living on the streets, which in the case of the drug-addicted, helps out the drug dealers who seem to be in an unholy alliance with city officials. It is well past time for the city to do the right thing and phase out business improvement districts, arrest all of the drug dealers and get our fellow human beings off the streets and into the mandated care they so desperately need and are legally entitled to. I want to also add that the Democratic Party and the Socialist Democrats have really crossed the line. We can disagree on a lot of issues, but when you're inviting illegal immigrants to live in this city and in these states, that really is tantamount to treason. Honestly, you can't have a country without secure borders. So I honestly wish you would reconsider your sanctuary city policy and do the right thing and protect our borders and our citizens. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning. Good morning, everybody. My name is Jonathan Latko. I'm from Temple University. I'm here to support Councilperson Rue Landau's Digital Inclusion Week proclamation for October 4th through the 10th. I've been at Temple for about 27 years, and we run a program called the Digital Access Center. And we think about that spirit of Russell Conwell, right, acres of diamonds, if you're familiar with it. Any Temple Owls in the house, right. So you can look the world over and you can look for gems and all those special things, but we think they're right here in our own backyard, right. So we created a program where people in the community earn a computer from us. We teach them how to use it, we support it. We get them connected to the internet through some of our big companies and organizations in the city. It's like teaching the person to fish, right. They can earn and they can figure it out on their own and they'll have a much successful and a better life. So I appreciate the Councilwoman for recognizing Digital Inclusion Week at Temple University. We are hosting with the Technology Learning Collaborative Conference next week. It's our third or fourth year in a row hosting it. We're bringing people together. Councilwoman attends and I appreciate that. We're really trying to figure out how to get resources to the people and let them stand up on their own. I appreciate everybody's time and I hope to see you soon.

My name is Christi Cianciotto. I work at Penn Med Starbucks. I worked at Starbucks for three years and to my surprise, I do not have blue hair. I do love my job. I love making drinks for customers. I love supporting my team. In three years, I've never been written up. I've always been on time and I show up for Starbucks every day. When I needed them to show up for me, they failed me. When I needed a transfer from my store in Easton, Pennsylvania to a new store in Philly, they made the process incredibly difficult and drug it out as long as possible. For weeks, I didn't even know if I would have a job. When they finally did tell me I was able to transfer, it took them months longer to actually get me started in a new store. All together it took five months, including 89 days where I was not allowed to work at all. That's 89 days without a paycheck while I'm living in a new city. 89 days where I don't know how I'm going to pay my bills or buy groceries. Those 89 days also cost me my health insurance. Starbucks requires for you to work 20 hours a week to qualify for benefits, but they don't guarantee that you'll get scheduled for that. So all that time, the company wasn't letting me work. I had no longer qualified for health insurance that I counted on. That means I can't access medication. That's really important to me. It also means constantly worrying what will happen to me if I have a medical emergency. Would I be able to get care and how can I pay for it. Carrying around all this stress and worry takes a big toll on my mental and physical health. We talk a lot about union busting because Starbucks has broken labor law more than any other company in history. But union busting is not an abstract idea. This is what it looks like. It looks like dedicated workers like me being hung out to dry by a company that doesn't care about us. That is why it is so important that everyone boycott Starbucks until we have a fair union contract that protects workers like me. Thank you so much for our City Council for standing with workers. Now, we need the rest of the city to do the same. No contract, no coffee. (Applause.)

Hello, Council. My name is Matthew Valenzuela. I've been a barista for seven years. I work at the store on 16th and Walnut. And I'm here to support the Boycott resolution, boycott from -- sorry, Starbucks Workers United and Resolution 260779. I've seen over time and time again that our stores have been horribly understaffed and overworked. It is far too often where breaks are skipped, where people are forced to do several positions at once, and all while customers are asking where their drinks are. That's why when I was asked to go on strike only a day after I transferred to my new store, I said yes. We went on a three-month strike, the longest in our union history, and we still don't have a contract to guarantee adequate staffing and pay. And that's why -- and because of that we're asking people, organizations to boycott Starbucks until we get a guaranteed contract of better staffing and better pay. That's why I'm asking Philadelphia City Council to stand with Starbucks workers, support our boycott and vote yes on Resolution 20 260779. When workers ask our communities not to cross a boycott line, we need our elected officials to stand with us. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good afternoon. My name is Kate Rivera, and I'm speaking in support of the resolution that was introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau today recognizing Digital Inclusion Week. I'm the Executive Director of the Technology Learning Collaborative, or TLC, which is a nonprofit coalition of organizations and individuals working to advance digital equity and inclusion in the Greater Philadelphia area to achieve digital equity. Everyone should have three basic things. One is internet access that's affordable, reliable, and fast. The second is a computer or other device that meets their needs. And the third is the digital skills that they need to use those tools to accomplish their goals and stay safe online. In this day and age, having access to the internet and technology is a necessity rather than a luxury. And research really backs this up in a few different examples here. 90% of job postings in Pennsylvania require some level of digital skills, even entry-level jobs you wouldn't expect. We've seen that students with quality devices and digital skills do -- sorry, students without quality devices and digital skills do worse in schools and earn less over their lifetimes. We've seen patients who are capable of navigating telehealth systems, see doctors sooner and save money on health care. And we've even seen a correlation between maternal health and broadband access. So with changes at the federal level, the nonprofits that are helping community members here in Philadelphia with digital access are facing declining funding at the same time that needs in our communities are increasing. And we've actually seen that digital equity funding pays for itself. So studies show that every dollar invested in digital access yields a projected $2.40 in societal value. So I hope you'll join me in celebrating the work here and funding digital equity. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you, Council President. Good morning, Council President and members of Council. C. Michael Robinson, Wynnefield resident and former Chief Municipal Administrator. Everyone pay close attention. Resolution 260770 addresses a federal proposal that would reduce certain examination and reporting requirements for banks serving low-income and working-class communities. We're talking about access to homeownership, capital and neighborhood entrepreneurs and resources for community institutions. In a city where generational wealth remains profoundly unequal, these are not abstract regulatory concerns. They are questions of economic survival for working-class Philadelphians trying to make a way. But today, I want to interrogate preparedness. Philadelphia Code Section 19-201 establishes community reinvestment requirements for city depositories. Council authorized a Public Financial Authority in 2022 and hearings into its implementation in 2025. What became of that oversight? Meanwhile, Pennsylvania law restricts our ability to independently regulate financial institutions. These limitations did not emerge yesterday, and the federal government did not invent Philadelphia's responsibility to protect its residents. Our charter places the Law Department in an extraordinary position of advising both branches of government. Council acknowledged the structural tension through Resolution 260720 two weeks ago. Legal counsel must identify what government cannot lawfully do, but it cannot become a substitute for determining what government can do. At what point does identifying a legal obstacle become an exercise in institutional paralysis? And who is accountable when viable alternatives never reach implementation? The federal comment period closes October 13th. I'm asking for an accounting of existing depository compliance, the financial authority's implementation status and concrete municipal and state law remedies. A resolution establishes a position. Governance requires an executable plan. Thank you. (Applause.)

Hello. My name is Ayesha Mughal. Starbucks baristas have been fighting for almost five years for a fair union contract. The baristas are not asking for anything unreasonable, a 17-hour minimum wage, enough hours to live on, and better staffing in the stores to keep up with the amount of customers that come in. It would cost the company less than one day of sales to pay for what the baristas are asking for. They shouldn't have to fight for what they simply need to survive. That's why I'm proud that Philly is stepping up alongside union baristas and working people across the nation who are boldly demanding better. We need to support working people by boycotting Starbucks until they meet their workers' very reasonable demands and finalize a fair contract. In the meantime, we should all be supporting local businesses anyway. Elixir Coffee, Green Line Cafe, ReAnimator Coffee, Ultimo Coffee, Vibrant Coffee Roasters are all companies that reached fair union contracts with their workers and our local coffee shops that we can support. Thank you. (Applause.)

I think it's still morning, but good morning, City Council President and members of Council and especially -- okay. Good morning. My name is Dr. Deborah Roebuck and I'm so appreciative to have the opportunity to speak around Menopause Awareness Month --

(Inaudible).

Start way over?

Yes.

Good morning, City Council President, members of the City Council, City Councilmember Ahmad. Good morning. It's just a privilege to be here. My name is Dr. Deborah Roebuck. I am the CEO of going through the change. But more importantly, they call me the Menopause Whisperer. And I also had the privilege to be the Public Health Administrator for the City of Philadelphia for over years. 10 I'm honored to speak on 11 behalf of Menopause Awareness 12 Month, because recognition gives us 13 an opportunity to bring greater 14 understanding to the stage of life 15 that affects women. I'm talking 16 about women in the neighborhoods. 17 I'm talking about people at your 18 church. I'm talking about your 19 boss, your family. It's all of us 20 that's impacted for so long. 21 When you talk about 22 menopause, I'm going to be honest 23 with you, women felt not respected 24 or they just say, oh, well, she'll be over that or we would go to the doctors and the doctors would say, okay, next. I just want you to know to recognize menopause is extremely important because that normalizes -- it gives women the opportunity to ask questions, to be able to seek answers, to get support. So it's a privilege to be here. I'm excited about the opportunity as Philadelphia moves forward and appropriation for our jobs so that we can feel free to do the work we need to do in our homes and our hearts and in our communities. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name is Simone Erickson. I am here today representing Public Health Management Corporation in support of Councilmember Ahmad. On behalf of Public Health Management Corporation, we are proud to support the resolution recognizing October as Menopause Awareness Month. Public Health Management Corporation commends Councilmember Nina Ahmad for championing workplace protections for people experiencing menstruation, perimenopause and menopause. These efforts are vital to ensuring dignity, equity and opportunity for all workers. Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet is still surrounded by stigma and silence. Too often people feel uncomfortable talking about symptoms or asking for support. By recognizing Menopause Awareness Month, we give an opportunity to change the conversation, incorporate men, and normalize these conversations. We can normalize discussions about menopause, increase access to accurate health information, and create workplaces where people can openly seek support and accommodations they need without fear of embarrassment or discrimination. By recognizing October as Menopause Awareness Month, we are helping break the silence, reduce stigma, and promote a culture where menopause is understood as a public health and workplace issue, not something that should be hidden or endured in silence. Thank you all. (Applause.) MS. JENKINS Juanita Jenkins, first Vice-President, Pennsylvania State Coalition of the National Council of Negro Women. Good morning -- well, afternoon I should say.

Good morning. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Council President, distinguished members of City Council and fellow Philadelphians. Once again, my name is Juanita Jenkins and it is my profound honor to stand before you today on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Coalition of the National Council of Negro Women. On behalf of our state leadership, State President April Baidal, our national officers, and our seven community-based sections and our collegiate members of university sections across the Commonwealth, we proudly and formally affirm the resolutions supported by Councilmember Cindy Bass. But I want to be clear about what we are affirming. We're not simply accepting the honor. We are affirming a partnership and a responsibility. The National Council of Negro Women is a nonpartisan civil rights organization founded in 1935 by the incomparable Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, a woman who understood that Black women could not simply wait for change. We had to organize, advocate, educate and lead for it. For more than 40 years, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height carried that vision forward, building NCNW into a powerful national voice for civil rights, economic justice, education, health and opportunity. And that legacy is not sitting in the history book. It is alive and working. Today in our County of Philadelphia, our Pennsylvania State Coalition puts the legacy into action through what we call SJHEEE, Social Justice, Health Equity, Economic Empowerment, and Education. We register voters, advocate for legislation, educate for our communities, and develop young leaders and we show up and do the work. We want to thank you for the resolution today. (Applause.)

Will Robert McHugh, Jerry Davis, Emily Ndiokho, Amy Hillier, Beth Ramella, Pamela Vasserman, John Dennis, Keith Grant, Michelle Wells, Snead, and Ericka Wines, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Please proceed. MR. McHUGH: Good afternoon, Council President, members of City Council. My name is Bob McHugh. I'm a lifelong Philadelphia resident and a former U.S. Army Captain. I'm here today to support the resolution to name the 3300 block of Solly Avenue in front of Father Judge, for the 27 graduates who grew up in the working-class rowhouse neighborhoods of Mayfair, Holmesburg, Tacony and others and sacrifice their lives in Vietnam. These heroes had two things in common, a willingness to serve our country and the fact that they all graduated from Father Judge High School in the 1960s. The 27 represent all five branches of the service at that time. There are U.S. Marines, 9 Army soldiers, 2 sailors, 1 member of the Air Force and 1 from the Coast Guard. These sons of Philadelphia all lost their lives during the 1960s, some over 60 years ago. These young heroes were killed at 19, 20, years old and 11 would be 80-year-old great- 12 grandfathers had they lived. I 13 can't believe that this hasn't been 14 done yet. We can honor them now by naming the street that runs in front of their high school in their honor. Let's do it now. Father Judge has done a lot to keep their memory alive. There's a beautiful memorial on the lawn in front of the school, which is engraved with the names of all 27, along with the inscription, No 24 greater love has a man than this, that he laid down his life for his friends. That seems so appropriate. Father Judge has also hung hero flags on the block with a photo of each of the 27 so people can put a face with the names. The school holds multiple ceremonies during the year to remember the 27 and teaches the legacy of the 27 to all incoming students. The Father Judge athletic teams all wear the 27 logo on their uniforms. And each season, players compete for the honor of wearing the coveted 27. I just ask for your indulgence for a couple seconds. On a personal note, my wife's cousin Jack is an Army Sergeant, John F. Bentz, Jr., one of the 27. Jack was an Catholic football player, at Judge and the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award is named for Jack and given at graduation every year. Jack was awarded a Silver Star posthumously for his heroic actions on the day when he was killed. He's a hero in our family, as are all the other 8 for their family, friends and 9 classmates. 10 In closing, I'd like to 11 thank Councilman Driscoll for 12 introducing this resolution, Maura 13 McDonald from the Councilman's 14 office for all the help she's given 15 us to make sure that this happens. 16 I would also like to thank the 17 administration at Father Judge, 18 especially President James 19 Meredith, who spoke today, for all 20 his assistance and support. Father 21 Judge the 27 have done their duty. They gave their all for us. It's time for us to do our duty and to remember and honor them by naming this street the 3300 block of Solly Avenue for them. Please help us and always remember our 27. Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Maura. I appreciate it. (Applause.)

Good afternoon. My name is Jerry Davis and it's wonderful to hear these comments about the Marine Corps as a fellow marine, former marine. Thank you very much for this opportunity. I stand here because Dr. Palmer, who should be here, had an unavoidable happening that he had to take care of. So unfortunately he can't be here. But I stand for it before you humbly. As Dr. Palmer once said, Every neighborhood, every community has an earthly corner, a place where a community is built and memories are made. The earthly corner of the Black Bottom was 36th and Market Street. I had my first job on that particular corner as a 12- or 13-year-old, so it means so much to me. The thing that I would say to you about the Black Bottom is that people encouraged you, people supported you. It really gave definition to -- this is important to me, and it made me feel that I was somebody. Even before Jesse Jackson coined the phrase, people looked out for one another in that community. Unfortunately, the Black Bottom, the intentional displacement of the Black Bottom residents due to the West Philadelphia Corporation, including Drexel and Penn as well as the City of Philadelphia through the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, has led to the prosperous area now known as University City. Through this urban renewal project, thousands of people lost their homes for little or no compensation. The vast majority of these people were Black. The passage of Resolution 11 260767 is an important act of recognition, but it only scratches the surface of harm dealt and created by the city's most valuable institutions. The next steps must be towards ensuring the prosperity of the area and that it's shared with us in our descendants who forced removal from the neighborhood and made this wealth possible. This is stolen wealth. We demand reparations from the City, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel. Thank you, Councilmember Gauthier, Mary Jones and Andrew Goodman for your support of the Black Bottom Reparations Committee, the elders of the Black Bottom and the 3054 signatures. With the QR codes all of you have, you will be able to add your name to our Reparations Committee. The Black Bottom was a vibrant community, a caring community, a nurturing community where people looked out for one another. All too often that's a lost art today. Too many spaces today, here locally in the nation as a whole don't do what they did in the Black Bottom. And when the Black Bottom was lost, that culture was also lost. We have to recognize that people live there. People made contributions to this community and we have to have the reparations. We demand the reparations. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Sorry that I had to rush through this. It was a lot longer than two minutes, I'm sure. But thank you so much and God bless. (Applause.)

Thank you very much. We have a whole lot of people who want to speak as well. Go ahead.

Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Emily Ndiokho and I'll be reading testimony from Edward M. Epstein, the author of Race and Real Estate in Education: Inventing Gentrification in Philadelphia, 1916-2020, and the Director of the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1950s. It was a turning point in Philadelphia's history. The city's manufacturing jobs were migrating elsewhere and its infrastructure and landscape crumbling. Under the leadership of City Planner Edmund Bacon, there was an interest in restoring the city's historical districts and in using federal urban renewal dollars to demolish and redevelop areas they considered blighted. City landscape also saw that while manufacturing was in decline, campuses and colleges and hospitals were growing. The city's economy was shifting from manufacturing to eds and meds and tourism. As early as 1947, Bacon targeted West Philly for redevelopment. He claimed the areas north of Penn and Drexel, the Black Bottom, were creating a band of blight around the university. Taking up Bacon's charge, Penn bought Drexel and the area's hospitals together to form the West Philadelphia Corporation, WPC. In 1959, this coalition planned the redevelopment and rebranding of the University area as University City. The largest share of WPC funding was from Penn and its Board Chair was Penn President Gaylord Harnwell. A key part of WPC's plan was the demolition of the Black Bottom. It proposed to replace it with a research park, the University City Science Center and University City High School, which was to have been a science magnet school. The WPC claimed that the benefits from these projects justified the use of urban renewal dollars for the demolitions. When they learned the plan, the Black Bottom residents protested vigorously, delaying the award of federal funding. Penn, however, used its influence to persuade the city and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and the School District of Philadelphia to approve the project. The demolitions were carried out by the Redevelopment Authority in 1966 and 1967. The WPC did not live up to its projects and now the new prosperity that's been created. But the Black Bottom residents have not been dealt it. This is stolen wealth. Penn, Drexel and the City of Philadelphia owe reparations to the residents who were displaced from their homes in the 1960s. Sign the petition and join the movement to learn more. Thank you. (Applause.)

Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to take a moment, we've had a couple speakers that I just want to acknowledge. First, I want to congratulate President Jim Meredith, the newly minted President of Father Judge High School. We wish you well, Mr. President, in leading these young men into the future. So we wish you well as a body. And also to Bob McEwen and his wife Janet, whose family gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. That's why we're renaming Solly Avenue "27 Way." I just want to note for the record, for my colleagues that may not know this, so there were two high schools in the country, number one high school that lost the most men in Vietnam was Edison, in the country. The second high school, the most in the country, was Father Judge High School, lost 27 young men. So the sacrifices of Philadelphians, we just need to recognize them. And that's why I introduced this resolution today. And that's why I'm looking forward to an affirmative from my colleagues today. And with that, Mr. President, I do ask for some indulgence to go tend to some Council business and to be voted in the affirmative on all bills and resolutions until my return. Thank you.

You're welcome. Leave is granted. Please proceed, ma'am.

My name is Amy Hillier. I'm an Associate Professor at Penn School of Social Policy and Practice, where I teach courses in social work and urban studies. I came to Philadelphia for graduate school in 1995 and I've been at Penn ever since, and I've lived in West Philadelphia, near Clark Park since 2005. I'm here to speak in strong support of the proposal to recognize the Black Bottom. I am fortunate that my colleague Walter Palmer, who teaches with me, has shared a lot about the history over the years, including Penn's role in neighborhood displacement. I'm grateful to my colleagues Laura Wolf Powers and Edward Epstein for publishing excellent books on this topic. Having worked at Penn and lived in this neighborhood, I know I am implicated in this history. In many ways, I am the face of gentrification. I purchased my home with financial support from Penn. My two children attended Penn Alexander. My neighbors, most of them also White, and I have consistently experienced increases in our property values and have disproportionately benefited from the public and private investments in the area. This has happened against the backdrop of public school closures across the city. Poverty rates for children ranging from 25% to 37%, a childhood asthma rate two to three times the national average, and a housing affordability crisis. I am committed to teaching my students at Penn the hard history about Penn's role in West Philadelphia, which is not limited displacement of the Black Bottom. I want to see these learning opportunities expand to include all Penn students as well as students at the neighborhood schools Powel, SLA Middle School and Penn Alexander. The development of the Science Center along Market Street may have caused displacement of people, homes and businesses, but the memories and legacy of the Black Bottom neighborhood will not be erased as long as we commit to telling and retelling this history. A serious discussion about reparations is long overdue. The Black Bottom Elder sent a letter to Penn officials in 2025 asking to move this conversation forward and they are still waiting. Thank you. (Applause.)

Hi. My name is Dr. Beth Ramella. I'm the Superintendent at Overbrook School for the Blind. I'm a teacher of the visually impaired and certified orientation and mobility specialist. It is my privilege to stand before you today to thank Philadelphia City Council for the work that you do to support, recognize and advocate for individuals with visual impairments, not just during Low Vision Month or World Blindness Month or Vision Awareness Month, but throughout the year. Vision Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the millions of Americans living with visual impairment. Low vision is more than simply needing glasses. It can affect a person's ability to read, navigate their environment, recognize even their familiar faces of their family, use technology or participate independently in everyday life. And while vision loss may not always be medically correctable, rehabilitation, education, technology and specialized supports can be an extraordinary difference in their lives. This is where our work at Overbrook School for the Blind begins. For nearly two centuries, Overbrook has been part of the Philadelphia community and today we serve more than 180 students on our campus. We support 190 students and families throughout our early intervention outreach programs, and more students than that in public schools in the Philadelphia area and surrounding communities. But our work on our campus doesn't just stop there. We work with families in their earliest parts of their lives. We send teachers of students with visual impairments and certified orientation and mobility specialists into community schools. We provide assessments, development, consultation and services throughout the communities. We were appreciated last week with an award and -- okay. We just want to thank you because accessibility is not a luxury. It's an opportunity for our students to use and learn and grow. All of the skills that they need. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Will M. Brownlee, Keith Gant, Rev. Doctor Wendell J. Mapson, Nhakia Outland, Ogbonna Paul Hagins, Garrett Oliver, Audrey Neate and Judith Queen Robinson, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning, Council President, members of City Council and everyone here today. I am Pamela Vasserman, Director of Development and Communications at Overbrook School for the Blind, and I am incredibly proud to be here with our Superintendent Dr. Beth Ramella. As City Council recognizes October as Vision Impairment -- Vision Awareness Month, first, I want to thank Councilman Curtis Jones for helping us shine a light on the blind and visually impaired community here in Philadelphia and Councilwoman Dr. Nina Ahmad, whose support of Overbrook School for the Blind and the students and families we serve has meant so much to our community at Overbrook. We have the privilege of seeing every day what is possible when children are given the right support, education and opportunities. There is one story to me that captures exactly why this work matters. There was a 4-year-old, a child at Overbrook who was deaf and blind. Let's call him Johnny. Johnny's parents were visiting Overbrook for Parents Day, and his teacher asked him to come over and hold their hands. Johnny began pressing into their hands. His parents asked the teacher, what is he doing? And his teacher said, he's saying, I love you. That was the first communication Johnny had ever had with his parents. Imagine being a parent waiting four years to hear that Johnny in any way was realizing that his parents were realizing that that was the very first thing he was communicating. And it was, I love you. That is Overbrook. It is not simply about academics. It is about communication, connection, independence, dignity, and giving children a way to participate fully in, around and the world around them. Our students are not defined by blindness or visual impairment. They are children preparing for college careers, independence, and meaningful lives. They are learning to communicate, use technology, develop skills, advocate for themselves, build relationships, and discover what they want their futures to look like. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

To President Johnson, to members of City Council, including our Councilperson Jamie Gauthier, my name is J. Wendell Mapson, Jr. For the past 39 years, I've been Senior Pastor of Monumental Baptist Church, located on the corner of 50th and Locust in the heart of West Philadelphia. Our congregation is celebrating this year the 200th anniversary of its founding on March 24, 1826, 37 years prior to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and 50 years after the birth of United States. I appreciate the honor of addressing you today. I'm here on behalf of the congregation I serve to express support for the resolution to rename the 50th Street block where the church is located Monumental Way in recognition of our congregation's profound spiritual impact in our city as well as its role during the 19th century in the liberation of people escaping the horrors of enslavement on their way to the North. Currently, Monumental sponsors outreach ministries including food giveaways, voter registration drives, ministries to youth and seniors housing forums, and the distribution of school supplies, among other social- oriented initiatives so that our impact is not only in the sanctuary but in the streets. As we enter our third century, our congregation will continue to be a voice of social justice and moral clarity, a voice badly needed in these uncertain times. We will continue to be an example of the resiliency, power and influence of the Black church as we speak to and for the lost, the least, the left-out and the disinherited. Thank you for this opportunity, for your time and for your listening ear. I'm a Baptist preacher. And this is the shortest speech I've ever made. (Applause.)

Good morning, members of City Council and Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad. My name is Nhakia Outland, and I'm the founder and Executive Director of Prevention Meets Fashion. I stand before you today in support of Councilmember Ahmad's resolution 5 for October being Menopause Awareness Month. For generations, perimenopause and menopause have been hidden in silence, misunderstood and subjected to stigma. I'm not sure if you're aware, but did you know that changes in women were meant that they were insane? Women were often sent to asylums. The solution was to remove their ovaries and hysterectomy. Again, this is not far, far removed from what is still happening today. For far too long, millions of individuals experiencing hot flashes, sleep disturbance, mood changes and shifting cycles were left without language, medical guidance and workplace accommodations. At Prevention Meets Fashion, our mission is to ensure that reproductive health education spans the entire life cycle and disrupts the binary. So what we haven't heard today is that queer people also experience menopause. And that is something that we need to talk about when we're talking about menopause and menopause conversations. This advocacy is not just organizational for me. It is deeply personal. As someone currently navigating perimenopause, not yet menopause, I know the lived reality of managing complex physical and emotional changes while caring for my children, running an organization, supporting a team, and serving our city. We cannot treat reproductive justice as something that stops after childbearing years. Recognizing October as Menopause Awareness Month is a step towards breaking generational taboos and getting people to talk openly and recognizing menopause or, as many of us heard growing up, personal summers. Thank you, Councilmember Ahmad, for your visionary leadership. And thank you for the entire Council body for championing equity at every stage of life. I strongly urge the passing of this resolution. Thank you. (Applause.)

Ogbonna Hagins, fourth-generation chattel slavery survivor. Council President Johnson, I want to start with the Black Bottom. I think recognizing the historic West Philadelphia community is important. But doesn't recognition also raise a question about whether the people connected to that community can actually afford to remain, keep their property and build wealth? You've introduced legislation or you're planning on introducing legislation calling for Philadelphia to be able to raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour. So I have a question. If you are truly serious about addressing wages, would you be willing to meet with my organization, the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen? Because what we're talking about isn't simply raising the minimum wage. We're talking about abolishing starvation wages. We already have legislation for your legal team to review based on the reconstruction framework of the 39th Congress. So we have the legislation already written for you, Council President, and for your legal team. We're just requesting that if you're serious, that we schedule a meeting with my compliance officer, with my administrator and myself to seriously deal with starvation wages in this city, particularly as it relates to the descendants of chattel slavery. I'm Ogbonna Hagins, the unseated council president, the President of the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen. Over and out. (Applause.)

Good afternoon. My name is Garrett O'Dwyer and I'm the Policy Director at CDC. Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony in support of Resolution 260770, which expresses the city's opposition to the proposed changes to the rules governing the Community Reinvestment Act, better known as the CRA. I'd like to thank Council President Johnson and Councilmember Rue Landau for introducing this resolution and for understanding the risks posed by this proposed rule from the Trump administration. For those of you who don't know, the CRA is a foundational pillar of community development, which requires banks to provide access to credit and investments in low- and moderate- income communities and evaluates whether they meet these obligations. If you care about affordable housing or economic development, if you care about access to credit for a family looking to buy a home or start a small business, if you care about the strides we've made since the days of redlining, then you should care about CRA. This proposed rule would, among other things, change the thresholds under which banks are evaluated, reduce their obligations and eliminate key accountability frameworks that, should this proposed rule go into effect, will set back the work that we have done to address economic mobility and housing instability in Philadelphia and across the country. In particular, it will significantly undermine the goals of the H.O.M.E. initiative. This will happen in big, obvious ways, like more challenging financing for low-income housing tax credit, rental developments and small, less obvious, but no less insidious ways, like the first-time homebuyer has done everything right but doesn't understand why they still can't get a mortgage. So I want to thank City Council for taking this stand and raising the profile of a critical issue that has received far too little attention. However, there is more that we can all do. The public comment period on this proposed rule is open until October 13th. I urge everyone, those in this room, those listening at home to submit comments in opposition. We've created a customizable template@cdc.org to help you do exactly that. Councilmembers, we'll be following up with your offices and are happy to provide any assistance we can in developing comments on this. It's really important that you do not just in the regulatory process, but in what will surely be litigation to follow. Thank you for your partnership and your solidarity. And I urge City Council to adopt Resolution 260770. (Applause.)

Hello, everyone. My name is Audrey Neate, she/her. I've been a Starbucks worker for nearly five years and I was one of the original organizers at my store at 22nd and South. I'm here to share some of my experiences and why I believe that this committee should support the resolution to boycott Starbucks. Sadly, I was laid off this past Saturday. We were only given two days' notice that our store had just been closing. Just before that, my manager had planned to have us celebrate our success by going to Queen and Rook to play board games and have some drinks, but instead that turned into a farewell party. The hardest part about that is that we didn't fail. Recently, our store consistently hit its metrics. We had the cleanest store in the city, ranked number one for customer connection in the region. And we're making record-store profits. And they closed us anyway. Starbucks would rather spend unlimited amounts of money fighting its workers than agree to a fair contract. Meanwhile, their CEO Brian Niccol get travel expenses paid by private jet between his home in California and his office in Seattle. Yet they went and canceled our Lyft transportation benefits. Many Starbucks baristas struggle with food insecurity. Many have families who depend on them. What would be pocket change to a CEO would make a real difference to the workers who keep this company running. We are not asking for luxury. We are asking to be able to live. Starbucks needs to listen to its workers. And if they won't listen to us at the bargaining table, then we need to make sure they hear us from everywhere else. I strongly urge this committee and the city to boycott Starbucks. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good afternoon. All notification to the public from City Council is an urgent matter. Queen Judith Robinson here, using Resolution 6 260770 to shout out what I learned this summer. Party, party, party. I like the party. You know that, Councilman, right. But our students are not proficient in reading. The majority are not reading on grade level. I learned this summer $40 million police facility in the heart of North Philly and a constituency of 19121 are not working on the job. I learned that the same elected official of the 5th District who bullied the police facility and eminent domain in Sharswood/Brewerytown using PHA, is unprecedented, now has a community center with his name on it, on the same land where eminent domain was used. And Darrell Clarke also was on the board for the same agency that used eminent domain. Unprecedented conscience asks the question, is it right? I'm saying hell no. Whose idea is it to keep running people to North Philly to view the land of eminent domain? Was John Legend told --

Ms. Robinson? Ms. Robinson?

Was John Legend told eminent domain in Brewerytown --

Ms. Robinson?

What?

Just chill with the language though. Go ahead and finish.

Excuse me?

The language. The hell, don't use --

Hell no. 7 Yeah. All right. So all politics are local. Was John Legend told about the eminent domain in Sharswood (inaudible) --

Thank you for your comments and we'll talk to you later on. Thank you. I'll follow up with you. Thank you very much.

(Inaudible).

I know, I know. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much, ma'am.

(Inaudible). COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: I didn't make you laugh, ma'am. Thank you. I will follow up with you, Ms. Robinson.

(Inaudible).

And I'll follow up with you. Take care. God bless. Call the next person please.

Council President, there is no further public comment for today.

That concludes today's public comment section. We will now consider resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 1 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING 260741.

A resolution 4 also naming the 1400 block of 5 Thompson Street as "Samuel Staten 6 Jr. -- 7

Council will be at ease. 9 (Council at ease.) 10

Will the Clerk please 12 read the resolution title of 13 Resolution 260741. 14

A resolution 15 also naming the 1400 block of 16 Thompson Street as "Samuel Staten 17 Jr. Way" to honor the life, 18 leadership and enduring 19 contributions of Samuel Staten, 20 Jr., to organize labor, working 21 families and the City of 22 Philadelphia. 23

The Chair recognizes 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 4 260741.

Thank you, Mr. President. I humbly ask for the passage of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 13 No. 260741 should have been adopted a long time ago. But nevertheless, all those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution 1 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING will be adopted. The Chair wants to take a moment to acknowledge Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada.

7 Thank you, Council President. 8 I am asking to be 9 excused for the rest of Council and 10 I'd like to be marked as aye on all 11 bills and resolutions. 12

Thank you. Leave is 14 granted. Thank you very much. 15 Chief Clerk, please read 16 the title of Resolution No. 260766. 17

A resolution 18 also naming the 200 block of South 19 50th Street as "Monumental Way" to 20 honor the legacy and impact of the 21 monumental Baptist Church on the 22 Walnut Hill community. 23

Chair recognizes 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Resolution No. 260766. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 16 No. 260766, which is an amendment, be adopted. All in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The ayes have it. The resolution has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 9 260767.

A resolution 11 recognizing "Black Bottom" as the first and official name of the neighborhood in West Philadelphia, bounded by 32nd Street to the east, 40th Street to the west, University Avenue to the south, and Lancaster Avenue to the north, ensuring that future communication or action on part of the City of Philadelphia acknowledge this community's importance to our City.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING motion regarding Resolution No. 3 260767.

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

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 12 No. 260767 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of Resolution No. 3 260769.

A resolution 5 renaming the 5600 block of Woodbine Avenue as "James A. Reed Way" to honor the life, legacy and lasting contributions of James A. "Jim" Reed to the City of Philadelphia.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260769.

Thank you, Mr. President. Going back to Bell Tel, I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 23 No. 260769 be adopted. All those in favor of 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 14 260770.

A resolution 16 urging the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to withdraw the proposed amendments to their Community Reinvestment Act rules, which would roll back anti- redlining standards and weaken banking services to low- and 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING moderate-income communities while threatening investments in affordable housing and community development.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion regarding Resolution No. 10 260770.

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

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 19 No. 260770 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 10 260774.

A resolution 12 also renaming the 1200 Block of North LeCount Street “Derrick ‘Phat Geez’ Gant Way” to honor the life and legacy of Derrick Tawheed Haleem Gant, a Philadelphia recording artist and beloved member of the North Philadelphia community.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 24 260774. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 9 No. 260774 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 23 260779.

A resolution 1 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING unequivocally standing with unionized workers by endorsing the boycott of Starbucks called for by Workers United-SEIU by encouraging residents, neighboring local councils, and Philadelphia City Council to refrain from purchasing Starbucks products until Starbucks finalizes a fair union contract.

Chair recognizes 13 Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke for 14 a motion regarding Resolution No. 15 260779. 16

17 Thank you, Mr. President. 18 I move for the adoption 19 of the resolution. 20 (Duly seconded.) 21

It has been moved and 23 properly seconded that Resolution 24 No. 260779 be adopted. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 14 260780.

A resolution 16 also naming the 3300 block of Solly Ave as 'Father Judge 27 Way' to honor the 27 graduates of Father Judge High School who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who will do a motion on 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING behalf of Councilmember Mike Driscoll, for Resolution 260780 -- Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

With your permission, Council President, I would like to make the motion on behalf of Councilmember Driscoll.

Absolutely. Chair officially recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260780 on behalf of Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Thank you, Council President. And I want to thank Councilmember Driscoll for his leadership and acknowledging Edison 64, because my uncle was one of the Edison 64. So thank you, Councilmember Driscoll, for your leadership on his behalf. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 8 No. 260780 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. We will now have consideration of privileged resolutions. Will the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

A privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on the occasion of its 15th anniversary. Introduced by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution.

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

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the resolution.

A privileged resolution congratulating Daniel Hilferty, Michelle Singer, the Board of Directors, and the entire Philadelphia Soccer 2026 team for their successful planning and execution of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas on behalf of Council President Johnson.

Chair recognizes 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion on the resolution.

Again, thank you for your leadership, Council 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

A privileged resolution recognizing October 5, 2026, through October 9, 2026, as the City of Philadelphia’s Maximizing Economic Development (MED) Week: Celebrating Small and Local Businesses, a focused week of programming providing small and local businesses throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and commercial corridors with access to key information and resources. Introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.

On behalf of --

I think he's the Father of MED Week.

Yeah. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Well, Uncle.

Yeah, Uncle, right.

But on behalf of all those who were the Father formerly known as MED Week, we evolve, we survive, we thrive no 9 matter what, and I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)

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

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Chief Clerk, please read the title of the resolution.

A privileged resolution recognizing National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2026 in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.

A privileged resolution recognizing October 2026 as LGBTQ+ History Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the activists, advocates and members of the LGBTQ+ community who continue to fight for civil rights and equality. Introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you. I move for the adoption 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

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

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

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

A privileged resolution recognizing October 4 to October 10, 2026 as Digital Inclusion Week in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Will the chief Clerk please read the title of the 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution.

A privileged resolution recognizing October 2026 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, and acknowledging the importance of empowering individuals and organizations to prevent and recognize online threats, providing resources to protect sensitive data and fostering a culture of digital safety by educating the public on best practices. Introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

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

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Lieutenant Gregory A. Brown, Sr., on the occasion of his retirement from the Philadelphia Police Department and commending him for 40 years of exemplary public service. Introduced by Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion on 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.)

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution.

A privileged resolution honoring, commending and congratulating Marni Gangel on the occasion of her retirement from the Defender Association of Philadelphia, celebrating her extraordinary career and enduring commitment to justice, reproductive rights and the children and families of our city. Introduced by Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke on behalf of Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority Leader, I do move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)

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

Anyone opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the resolution.

A privileged resolution recognizing October 12, 2026 as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in the City of Philadelphia, honoring and commemorating the achievements, traditions, and contributions of American Indians, 10/1/26 - STATED - 2ND READING also known as “Indigenous peoples”; and affirming the City’s commitment to historical truth, cultural respect, education, and partnership with Indigenous communities. Introduced by Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke on behalf of Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

Chair recognizes Councilman Nicolas O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority Leader, I do move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)