Councilwoman STATED MEETING 77 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Lozada.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker -(Applause.) STATED MEETING 78 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220736.
An ordinance amending Section 21-1203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Appointments to Citizens Police Oversight Commission," by revising prohibited activities for Commissioners.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 79 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman STATED MEETING 80 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 220810.
An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill STATED MEETING 81 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Jones. STATED MEETING 82 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have STATED MEETING 83 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING additional resolutions?
A resolution recognizing and supporting the accomplishments of women and girls throughout history on the occasion of Women's History Month, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. STATED MEETING 84 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and celebrating Representative Joanna E. McClinton, Esquire on her historic election as the first Black woman and first woman Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I enthusiastically move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and enthusiastically properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 85 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School's Debate Team, on their success in the 48th University of Pennsylvania Debate Tournament, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you for your support, colleagues. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 86 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution condemning the acts of vandalism that took place at the Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence on February 24, 2023, and honoring the officers of the 14th Police District for apprehending the suspect, and further declaring there shall be No Hate in Our State, introduced today by Councilman Jones and Councilman Phillips.
In conjunction with my colleague Councilman Phillips, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying STATED MEETING 87 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution congratulating the Audenried High School Girls Basketball Team on winning the 2023 Public League Championship against Imhotep High School, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Before Councilman Johnson makes a motion on that, I just wanted to first thank him for being the leader on that. I just wanted to also acknowledge all of the folks who made Saturday's event a huge success. I know we have our Superintendent here as well as our School STATED MEETING 88 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Board President. It was an amazing event, an amazing atmosphere. The sisters and the brothers were absolutely amazing, and I just wanted to put that on the record before Councilmember Johnson made a motion.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I make a motion -- I make a motion for adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 89 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings regarding strategies to ignite business and job growth and to make Philadelphia a more economically competitive city, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I make a motion to move the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 90 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and recognizing broadcasting pioneer Patty Jackson for her induction to the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame and congratulating Ms. Jackson for breaking new ground as the first female radio personality to be inducted to the Walk, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying STATED MEETING 91 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution congratulating Shayla Smith, 15-year-old Audenried sophomore, for becoming the fastest girls' basketball player to score 1,000 points in Public League history, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 92 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution recognizing the work and contributions of lifelong nurse and labor organizer Patricia (Patty) Eakin, who built worker power for the benefit of Philadelphia nurses and patients and whose leadership and mentorship has inspired generations of activists and leaders in the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying STATED MEETING 93 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring Myra Brown for being the first African American female to be designated to the position of Board Chair of Women's Way Organization, her exemplary work throughout the city of Philadelphia, and leadership among women, introduced today by Councilwoman Bass.
Well, thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to just take a brief moment before I call for the adoption of the resolution, because I really wanted to make sure that people knew and understood what a very special person STATED MEETING 94 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING that Myra Brown is and all that she's done here in the City of Philadelphia for its citizens. And, you know, in the title of the resolution, we acknowledge Myra for being the Board Chair, the first African American woman Board Chair of Women's Way, which is incredibly significant. It's a huge organization that does a lot of work around women's issues and has been around for a very long time. And so for us to just have a woman of color, an African American woman, leading that organization, I think it's incredibly significant. And I'm going to ask Myra to just stand, if she would. (Applause.)
And it's an organization dedicated to the advancement of women, girls, and gender and racial equity. She has also been an STATED MEETING 95 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING instrumental Board member on the Board of Directors for organizations like Philly Girls Rock -- or Girls Rock Philly, the AIDS Law Project of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia International Airport Capacity Enhancement Project. Myra was named in 2019 Woman of and Minority Business Leader of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal, and as Chief Executive of NWON Opportunities, she provides work readiness and career preparedness workshops and training to jobseekers. NWON also helps businesses meet their staffing needs while businesses -- building a skilled workforce. And the one thing that's not mentioned here that really is near and dear to my heart is the work that Myra does with the Nicetown-Tioga Library. And so we've had a wonderful program that Myra and I put together over at Nicetown-Tioga Library to make sure that there was job readiness and skills being STATED MEETING 96 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING offered at that library two days a week. They're there all day. And they're really having an incredible impact and having folks come in, get the training, and get very high-paying jobs. And so we hope -- Myra, stand back up. We hope that we would be able to have some comments, but I'm going to ask David to stand up with her. David is a young man that Myra recruited from the neighborhood, who is now working with NWON and who is moving forward in his career, and one of those high-paying jobseekers who is now fully employed and just has a wonderful future ahead of him. And when we just give people a chance, it makes all the difference in the world. So thank you to Myra, and I am honored -(Applause.)
I am STATED MEETING 97 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING honored to call for the adoption of this resolution, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring the Philadelphia Tennis Club for being the oldest Black-owned tennis club in the Country, introduced today by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption STATED MEETING 98 3/2/2023 3/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring the Woodford Tennis Club for being the oldest Black tennis club in the state of Pennsylvania, introduced today by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) STATED MEETING 99 3/2/2023
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. It is now that time. Okay. Folks, it is that time. The time has come to consider the Mayor's presentation of his annual budget. The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter states that the Mayor shall submit to Council, no later than 90 days before the end of the fiscal year, his STATED MEETING 100 3/2/2023 and proposed operating budget ordinance for the ensuing fiscal year. At the same time, the Mayor shall submit to Council the recommended capital program and the capital budget as received from the City Planning Commission, to the extent approved by the Mayor. I now appoint the following committee to escort the Mayor into the Council Chambers: Councilman Jones, Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Bass, and Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. (Brief pause.)
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to introduce the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, Mayor James F. Kenney. STATED MEETING 101 3/2/2023 (Applause.)
Thank you. It's been a while. Before I start, I want to acknowledge the presence of one of our great State Representatives, Morgan Cephas. I was told she was here. There she is. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thanks for all your hard work. You really do us proud. So thank you. I appreciate it. And really happy about our new Speaker. Isn't that wonderful? So good morning, everybody, and let me begin by thanking Council President Darrell Clarke and members of City Council for the invitation to speak STATED MEETING 102 3/2/2023 happy to be back in this Chamber as we kick off the annual process of creating our city's budget. The last time I gave this speech in person was March 5th, 2020. Only 17 days later, COVID-19 shut down our city and changed our lives dramatically. Looking around me this morning and thinking about the uncertainty and the seismic sudden changes we have navigated together since 2020, I am overwhelmed with admiration for our city, its residents, and public servants and my fellow City leaders. We have lived and led through history. Together we have navigated and continue to lead our city through a global pandemic, a nationwide reckoning on racial injustice, and a national crisis of gun violence that is causing heartbreak and pain for too many families and communities across Philadelphia. STATED MEETING 103 3/2/2023 to working with this esteemed body of elected leaders to adopt a budget that reflects our commitments to equity and progress, and prioritizes sustainability and fiscal stability so that our city is ready for any changes and all the opportunities that the future holds. I also want to take this moment to recognize and thank Council President Clarke, who has served in this role for the entirety of our Administration and has been a valued colleague for much longer than that. Darrell and I spent a lot of time after I was elected envisioning what we could accomplish during our time in office. So I want to give him a round of applause. He deserves it. (Applause.)
Things like STATED MEETING 104 3/2/2023 better funding for public education, affordable housing, and new jobs. I am so proud of what we've achieved, and thank you very much, Mr. President. Together with all our City Council, we will build on our success and finish with energy, momentum, and a strong foundation for our city's next chapter. As we begin the budget process, I want to acknowledge the months of work already completed before today. Our vision for the final budget of this Administration is to make investments that provide quality services and infrastructure for residents, maintain the City's fiscal health, reduce racial disparities, and achieve equitable outcomes. We have asked City departments to ensure that their budget proposals are designed with racial equity as a guiding principle, and we have continued to STATED MEETING 105 3/2/2023 process to include more voices and more input from a diverse group of employees and residents. This budget cycle we held 15 community focus groups with residents, six sessions with local organizations across many sectors, and five employee focus groups. This process revealed that we all agree on what's important to our shared future: education, public safety, racial equity and alleviation of poverty, housing, and quality and accessible services and infrastructure. These priorities reflect our concern for each other. They are our city's values, and I couldn't be more honored to be this city's mayor. I am confident that together we can pass a budget we can all be proud of. As we entered 2023, I reaffirmed our commitment to the priorities that have guided me since the beginning of our first term. These STATED MEETING 106 3/2/2023 education for all, a safer and more just Philadelphia, thriving neighborhoods, and inclusive growth and economic opportunity. We have made progress in each of these areas, but there is still urgent work left to do, and this budget features new and immediate investments that will bring more opportunities, supports, and services to all Philadelphians. Seven years ago I told City Council that together we could expand quality pre-K, create community schools, invest in our public spaces, and help small businesses. We took on corporate interests to pass the beverage tax, and as a result, today there are more than 13,000 children who have attended free, quality pre-K funded by the City. (Applause.)
And now, partly STATED MEETING 107 3/2/2023 Clarke's urging, and now 10,000 students and their families are benefiting for expanded activities at community schools. We didn't stop there. From the Catto Scholarship to the PHLConnectEd, we've prioritized education during our second term as well. Providing our children with high-quality services and opportunities from infancy to adulthood is still the absolute best thing that we can do for them and for our city. We have made historic commitments to public education over the last two terms, totalling over $1.68 billion in new revenue. Our partnership has helped the School District establish new fiscal stability. They've achieved an investment-grade bond rating, and their projected fund balance at the end of this fiscal year is an impressive 591 million. Different from the old days when I first STATED MEETING 108 3/2/2023 This year we will follow through on our commitments to fund public schools and invest $1.4 billion in the School District over the life of the Five Year Plan, in addition to the local tax revenues that support the District. Our proposed budget for FY24 includes a $282 million contribution to the District. That's 171 percent higher than it was the year before my first term. In my 2020 budget address, I announced our plans to create a City scholarship for the Community College of Philadelphia, and despite the financial uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, we followed through and established the Octavius Catto Scholarship that year. To date, over 1,400 Catto Scholars have received tuition-free enrollment, funds for basic needs, and wraparound support services. I am proud that we held firm on this commitment, STATED MEETING 109 3/2/2023 has been vital for many students' recovery from the pandemic and their plans for the future. Here are just a few stories: Tabatha Bywater works full-time in the Jefferson Health radiology department while raising twins. She is a Catto Scholar studying healthcare so she can advance in her field. Tabatha says, quote, "This scholarship has given me the opportunity to finally be able to reach the goals I have not only set for myself, but for my growing family. Thank you for granting me this wonderful opportunity and thank you for being just as invested in my future as I am." Norma Nicholas is a 40-year-old Catto Scholar and an immigrant to the U.S. She says the scholarship has given her the opportunity to show her children that anything is possible. She earned her GED last year, and is studying healthcare in hopes of STATED MEETING 110 3/2/2023 She says, quote, "I am going to take advantage of this chance to be a good role model for my family, to work hard, and to fulfill my potential." Another scholar, Christina Tsan, is her parents' oldest child, and says she felt like, quote, a million bucks, when she told them she could go to college for free. The scholarship turned her dream of getting a debt-free college education into a tangible reality. Christina is here today. Christina, thank you for sharing your story. We are all incredibly proud of you and your classmates. Could you please stand. (Applause.)
Hearing these stories makes me feel like a million bucks. The Catto Scholarship makes dreams possible, not just for individual STATED MEETING 111 3/2/2023 students, but for their families as well. To meet the increasing demand for this anti-poverty initiative and prepare more Philadelphians for the academic and professional success they dream of, the proposed budget will dedicate $11.6 million to Catto Scholarships in FY24. We will also invest a total of more than $270 million in our city's Community College through FY28 to ensure this vital institution remains accessible and affordable, while offering the quality educational opportunities that Philadelphians need for post-secondary success. And for our youngest learners, this year's budget will create 950 new PHLpreK seats in FY24, bringing the program's size to 5,250 seats total. That's over 5,000 children -it's more than the number of freshman students at Temple -- attending City-funded pre-K each year. STATED MEETING 112 3/2/2023 proud of what this program has accomplished in just six years, serving more than 13,000 children, funding diverse neighborhood businesses, expanding the number of quality pre-K seats citywide, and creating opportunities for caregivers to find employment, work additional hours to save for their families, or even go to school themselves. Most importantly, it's giving children the quality early education that they surely deserve, which prepares them for early literacy and academic success. When we make investments in education, especially in the youngest learners, we're investing in a process that takes longer than an election cycle to prove its full potential. But the wait is worth it. We recently heard from one of our first PHLpreK families. Diana's son Mason attended pre-K at Prodigy Learning Center, which is one of the first pre-K STATED MEETING 113 3/2/2023 with when PHLpreK started in 2017. The PHLpreK program allowed Diana to send her youngest son to a pre-K center she trusted without worrying about the financial burden of his tuition. Because Mason was enrolled in a safe and enriching environment during the day, Diana was able to earn her Bachelor's degree in 2017 and her MBA in 2018. She also earned a Master of Education in 2020, and now works for the Defender Association of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Today, Mason is in the 4th grade and earning outstanding grades, which his mom credits to his excellent pre-K experience. Diana also thanks the PHLpreK program for supporting Mason to grow emotionally and facilitating a strong partnership between her and her son's STATED MEETING 114 3/2/2023 the incredible story of just one pre-K family. With the expansion proposed in this budget, more than 18,000 children will have attended PHLpreK by the end of our term. This is an extraordinary accomplishment for our city. Establishing and expanding this program is the highlight of my career, and I look forward to its continued success in the years to come. While we continue to invest in places of learning, it is just as important that we invest in the places where our residents live. Rebuild is an historic investment in public spaces, transforming rec centers, libraries, and playgrounds that have languished for far too long. With the program now in high gear, we are committing $47.5 million of combined new borrowing and operational support for Rebuild in FY24. STATED MEETING 115 3/2/2023 us reach our goal of 80 percent of low-income households living within a mile of a recently renovated public space by the end of the calendar year. We have over 20 groundbreakings and at least 15 ribbon-cuttings planned in 2023. And let me be clear, because I think there is some confusion in the press. We have doubled down on our commitment to Rebuild even in the face of the sector-wide cost increases. We are dedicating all the dollars needed to bring 72 sites to world-class standards that we and the City Council have promised our communities, and we remain dedicated to working with community members to ensure that their vision is reflected in every project. Rebuild is a win-win program that transforms lives as well as facilities, by offering support and opportunities for underrepresented STATED MEETING 116 3/2/2023 The construction projects have a minority and women-owned business participation rate of more than 65 percent. (Applause.)
And we will make sure those spaces are consistently available to the public by committing $14 million over five years to make sure every library branch has the staff it needs to provide residents with dependable five-day service, with an additional $37 million committed to expanding service at all branches back to six days per week. (Applause.)
Just last weekend, we hit an important milestone as ten neighborhood branches reopened for STATED MEETING 117 3/2/2023 new funds from the budget we passed together last year, I am so proud that our Parks and Rec team has been able to open 66 recreation centers on the weekends, with all rec centers being open on the weekends by the end of 2023. And in this budget we have added another $1.7 million in Parks and Rec inclusion plan, which ensures that facilities are more accessible and welcoming to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We will also sustain our investments in arts and culture, which over seven years have funded 700 free, family-friendly cultural events in Philadelphia neighborhoods, prioritizing low-income zip codes. We are proud of the number of public art projects in neighborhoods and the increased diversity in the stories being told through public art. STATED MEETING 118 3/2/2023 forward to working with Council to support the African American Museum in Philadelphia as they prepare to move to 18th and Vine, where they belong. I am very excited for their incredible collection and programs to join our other iconic institutions along the Parkway. This is important. It's really important. I'm pleased -(Applause.)
I am pleased that our continued focus on reliable City services is working. Our on-time trash pick-up is at the highest consistent rate in almost a decade, and in 2022, the new street sweeping program cleaned more than 16,000 miles of street, a distance equivalent to traveling two-thirds around the way of the globe. The program also removed almost 800 tons of debris in high need STATED MEETING 119 3/2/2023 City. In this budget, we are making new investments in sanitation services, including a $2.5 million investment to expand street sweeping and $4 million for the creation of another crew to address the challenges presented by illegal dumping in neighborhoods across the City. (Applause.)
And I want to introduce some of the newest members of the Streets Department over here with us today. Our first cohort of Public Safety Enforcement Officers started with the City on Monday. They are the first civilian City employees to provide official support for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. You will see them working during peak traffic times to address congestion, promote safety, and help our STATED MEETING 120 3/2/2023 travel the City more easily. It takes dedicated, skilled people to deliver the services I've mentioned and reach the goals that we have set for the budget process. And just like many other employers, one of the greatest challenges we've faced after the pandemic is hiring and retaining workers. To make sure we are doing all we can to help departments hire the workers they need, the FY24 budget will provide an additional $1.9 million to the Office of Human Services to support improvements to the way we recruit and hire. I want to thank City Council for their support with this urgent issue facing the City, which includes creating a Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment of Municipal Workers. As this group convenes and as we work together to pass a budget, we STATED MEETING 121 3/2/2023 we are prioritizing the needs of City workers, current and future. Our first goal with this work will be to ensure that the lowest paid City workers are paid enough to sustain their family's needs. We've also made commitments in this budget to fund our labor agreements. Public service does not need to be a sacrifice. All workers should be able to live here comfortably, with benefits that support them and their families. While poverty in Philadelphia is at a 15-year low, we know that economic hardship and the overall cost of living are urgent challenges for far too many residents citywide. One way we are addressing this is advancing our commitment to racial equity, establishing a $5 million fund in FY24 to clear criminal justice-related debts that create barriers to employment and opportunity. STATED MEETING 122 3/2/2023 (Applause.)
We want to support, not penalize, people who are taking the right steps to keep their lives on track. The Five Year Plan will also expand on our collective commitment to affordable housing, housing stability, and housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. We are investing $29 million over five years into eviction prevention, including expanding the Right to Counsel program which guarantees free legal assistance with eviction proceedings for low-income residents in the zip codes most affected by evictions. We all agree that any homelessness is too much homelessness, and I'm glad to report that our housing-first approach in Philadelphia is making significant strides. STATED MEETING 123 3/2/2023 prevention and rapid rehousing efforts have reduced homelessness by 22 percent in the last five years, and family homelessness has been reduced by an incredible 42 percent. Our efforts won't end there. We are investing $6.7 million over five years to create 100 new supportive housing units for people who are chronically homeless. (Applause.)
And we know that this model is 90 percent successful in preventing a return to homelessness. We are also committing $3.2 million over five years to operate Sanctuary Village, which will be Philadelphia's first tiny home community. And we are committed to sustaining the Kensington-focused Encampment Resolution Team, which makes daily contact with people experiencing STATED MEETING 124 3/2/2023 homelessness, offers connections to treatment, housing and services, and responds to neighborhood concerns. Thanks to funding from the national opioid settlement, we are investing in community-driven planning and solutions in Kensington. We are also using the funds to address the overdose crisis with expanded outreach and engagement, and reduced barriers to treatment through mobile supports. Ensuring thriving neighborhoods across the City also requires us to plan ahead and invest now to prepare for a warmer and wetter climate. To that end, the FY24 budget includes $20 million of new borrowing and operating support for the planned transformation of FDR Park, which is the first park plan in Philadelphia's history to incorporate climate change projections. FDR Park is a welcoming space STATED MEETING 125 3/2/2023 underserved communities, and a sanctuary for local wildlife. The plan will address frequent and future flooding so that this historic park is accessible and preserved for generations to come. (Applause.)
We know that climate change presents an elevated threat to communities of color in Philadelphia, and this is in part due to the centuries of systemic racism that have shaped our city's neighborhoods and infrastructure. To confront this, last year we established the Philadelphia Environmental Justice Advisory Commission to engage residents in the process of fixing historic injustices and building resiliency for the future. The Five Year Plan will provide $1 million over five years to fund the STATED MEETING 126 3/2/2023 direct funding to communities working to address this goal. The FY24 budget also includes $22 million across 12 departments to maximize the historic opportunity presented by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is already yielding results and bringing transformative opportunities to Philadelphia communities. To date, the City has won more than $136 million in five major competitive BIL grants, in addition to $450 million expected in surface transportation formula funds. While we make plans for our city's future, we are ever-mindful of the urgent crises facing us today. The challenges of the pandemic have precipitated an alarming rise in gun violence across the nation and here in Philadelphia as well. I know that ending this crisis is an urgent and personal priority for STATED MEETING 127 3/2/2023 in this room. And there is no higher priority for our Administration. Public safety is a pre-condition for every single one of our goals. Last year we announced a record investment in gun violence with your help, and this year's $233 million budget will keep up the momentum as we roll out this year's public safety and criminal justice investment. This includes $50 million for a new forensic lab and another $14.7 million over five years for new forensic specialists. (Applause.)
We are also committing $9.2 million over five years to Operation Pinpoint, which deploys additional police resources to the places where violent crimes occur the most. Operation Pinpoint carried out STATED MEETING 128 3/2/2023 in four areas across the City at the end of 2022. We know hiring is crucial to our success here, and the Five Year Plan invests a million dollars in recruitment for the Police Department with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In FY24, we will work to further reduce shootings by continuing to partner with the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, and I am pleased to announce the latest development in this partnership, which is that we will soon welcome Estelle Richman as the Managing Director's Senior Advisor for Gun Violence Intervention. (Applause.)
Drawing on her years of public leadership and service to the City and State, Estelle will work closely with the dedicated teams of City staff and community leaders who are STATED MEETING 129 3/2/2023 every day. Together, we will continue to expand ongoing efforts to intervene with individuals at the very highest risk of being involved in gun violence, and strengthen the coordination to keep these individuals alive. One of the key proposals in this effort is the Group Violence Intervention, or GVI. Earlier this week we shared a promising evaluation of this nationally recognized model, which lowered the average rate of weekly shootings by up to 50 percent among participating groups here in Philadelphia. We are making new investments in the program with this budget by allocating an additional $1.4 million in stipends to encourage participation. And we are investing in a Youth Leader Program run by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which will bring conflict resolution training to STATED MEETING 130 3/2/2023 (Applause.)
We will continue to partner with the School District to prioritize student safety so children feel safe and welcome in places of learning, show up every day, and access all the services and academic opportunities that their schools offer. Our collective attention to this crisis is making a difference. I am grateful for the support of City Council, our police officers and partners in public safety, and the many departments and agencies working around the clock to prevent violent crime through proven interventions and community investment. Their work is literally saving lives. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 131 3/2/2023
They know, and I know, that we can't move fast enough on this issue. So we will continue to invest in the strategies that are working to accelerate their impact. And we will continue to call on some state legislators to help us address the reckless availability of firearms in our city. It is unacceptable for lawmakers in Harrisburg to keep us from saving the lives of our own residents. The common denominator in every fatal shooting is a weapon, and we need to be able to adopt gun policies that are saving lives in other states and other cities. With every challenge that we face together, I remain confident that this city will prevail. Looking back on our recovery from the pandemic, I am more optimistic than ever about Philadelphia's growth and the opportunities we can create for our STATED MEETING 132 3/2/2023 generations. Three years ago, our city came to a standstill and this government pivoted to address an unprecedented crisis affecting every single person in Philadelphia. We knew our city's resilience would see us through, but we didn't know when. Today, children are back in school, Center City's comeback is national news, airport travel is up more than 25 percent compared to last year, and new businesses are opening, arriving, and expanding here with the same pluck and innovation that our city has known since its founding. (Applause.)
Last year we announced that Chubb, one of the world's largest insurance companies, will build and open a new Philadelphia office in 2026, creating the company's largest STATED MEETING 133 3/2/2023 America as well as 1,250 new jobs. Philadelphia will have yet another chance to shine on the world stage as a 2026 World Cup host city. (Applause.)
These opportunities are a testament to the work that we have done to support business, startups, and commercial corridors while fostering equity and inclusion. Philadelphia is a world-class city, and everyone is welcome to live, work, and play here. This budget will sustain our commitments to inclusive growth by further lowering business and wage taxes, which are already the lowest they've been in decades. We are also continuing to support the Quality Jobs Initiative Program, which will provide grants to STATED MEETING 134 3/2/2023 new, quality jobs accessible to all Philadelphians. I think we can all agree that an accessible, safe, and reliable transit system is essential to growth and equity in any major city. Our budget includes two major investments that will reduce the burden of transit costs on Philadelphia families and promote SEPTA ridership. By bringing more riders into the system, we can build an even stronger, faster, and safer system for everyone and reduce emissions in our region. Over the next two years, we will commit $62 million to pilot a zero-fare transit program that will serve at least 25,000 Philadelphia residents who are near or below the poverty level. (Applause.)
This means much STATED MEETING 135 3/2/2023 free trip. In a recent community needs assessment, 39 percent of residents in poverty cited transportation as their biggest obstacle to finding and sustaining employment. The zero-fare transit program will make it easier for low-income residents to get to work and access all of our opportunities that our city has to offer. In addition, the City will invest $9 million per year to join other large employers in the region participating in the SEPTA Key Advantage program. Working with our labor partners, we will provide free transit to all City employees. (Applause.)
This two-year pilot is an opportunity to boost the City's hiring and retention efforts, and STATED MEETING 136 3/2/2023 goals of sustainability, traffic safety, and equity as well. SEPTA's system is rebuilding ridership back to pre-pandemic levels, and we are optimistic that these investments will help the agency sustain and improve the critical services that so many Philadelphians rely on. While Philadelphia's economy is on a good path, we know that global factors are driving fluctuations beyond our immediate control. The Five Year Plan takes into account the impact of inflation, not just on households but also on operating departments, and we will remain committed to the City's financial health as a whole. I am very proud that the City now holds its highest bond rating in 40 years, thanks to our success in strengthening the pension fund and rebuilding our reserves. STATED MEETING 137 3/2/2023 (Applause.)
This really matters, because we want to be prepared for every challenge and opportunity, whether it's an economic downturn or a moment where we can step up to what's right in a crisis. On that note, I want to recognize all the partners and departments that welcomed buses of asylum seekers over the course of several weeks. We worked with non-profit partners to stand up a welcoming center to receive 838 tired travelers, including children, looking for a better life and a safe home. Last month, Welcoming America made it official. We are a Certified Welcoming city. (Applause.)
I am proud of STATED MEETING 138 3/2/2023 by our Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the departments and agencies we work with, to make sure that everyone feels a sense of belonging here in Philadelphia. I know that our welcoming values will only further our city's success, and we will always step up when our leadership as a city is needed. I will end with this: The first day of the PHLpreK program was a very cold day in January of 2017. I remember it was cold because I remember the tiny coats the students all wore on their way to school. That was more than six years ago. A three-year-old student who started the program that day is nine years old today. Like Diana's son Mason, they gained skills in pre-K that have benefited them throughout elementary school. They will be in middle school when the 2026 World Cup arrives in STATED MEETING 139 3/2/2023 likely start college nine years from now in 2032. It is my hope that they will choose a rewarding career and a home for their family here in their own hometown. I hope that decades from now their family can go for walks in FDR Park, where the bold investments we make in FY24 will have protected this one-of-a-kind natural refuge from flooding and improved access for everyone. And they will meet their friends at a local rec center, where Rebuild's renovations this year have transformed the facility for future generations to enjoy. I hope that they will feel safe and healthy regardless of where they live, thanks to our investments in violence prevention and environmental justice. And I know they will enjoy even more commercial, cultural, educational, STATED MEETING 140 3/2/2023 because of our investments in equitable growth and because we've worked with SEPTA to make all areas of the City more connected and more accessible than ever. And when their mayor stands in front of City Council or if they're the Mayor themselves, don't think it doesn't cross my mind every time I visit a pre-K. I hope that our investments in growth and opportunity, paired with sound financial practice, have positioned the City's finances, stability, and prosperity to a point where the services and infrastructure we provide reflect our city's highest ambitions. I have always approached this role with the years beyond this Administration in mind, with faith in the power of education, faith in the incredible potential of our residents, and faith in the innovative, resilient, caring, and optimistic character of our city. STATED MEETING 141 3/2/2023 dedicated each day of the remainder of our term to a brighter, safer, more sustainable future for the City, just as I have each day since 2016. (Applause.)
It is an incredible honor to serve this city and to be part of its progress, and it is also an honor to work alongside City Council as dedicated to services as each of you. So thank you. We need to get to work. And I want to just say to all of you, I learned a lot in this Chamber. I was taught a lot. I grew up a lot. I matured a lot. I had people like Gussie Clark and Marian Tasco and Jannie Blackwell who brought me along, this kid from South Philly, and taught me how to represent the entire city, and I just want to thank all of you for your STATED MEETING 142 3/2/2023 work. And this is my last budget address. I wish you all well, and God bless you. (Applause.)
We have one last item we have to resolve, so if we can ask for a little quiet. Thank you. I want to thank the Mayor for his last budget message, and we will start our budget process shortly. At this time, we will move to our speeches. Are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah. Thank you, Council President. STATED MEETING 143 3/2/2023 clarify an announcement regarding our withdrawal of the AKA resolution where they're celebrating their anniversary next week. That resolution will be reintroduced next Thursday during their conference. So I just wanted to clarify that just for all the listening audience and those who are watching that the AKA resolution celebrating their anniversary will be reintroduced next Thursday. Also, on next Wednesday, March the 8th, we will be announcing the Joe Frazier -- Smokin' Joe Frazier Day in the City of Philadelphia. That's going to take place at 3:00 p.m. outside of the Joe Frazier statue in South Philadelphia at Xfinity Live, 1100 Pattison Avenue. And, again, March the 8th of 2023 we'll be declaring Smokin' Joe Frazier Day in the City of Philadelphia in the memory of the Fight of the Century when he beat Muhammad Ali. And so that's going to take STATED MEETING 144 3/2/2023 at 3:00 p.m., located at 1100 Pattison Avenue, and all those who would like to attend are more than welcome as we honor a true outstanding Philadelphian. Thank you, Council President.
Awesome. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. It was good hearing the budget address and knowing all of the work that was put into this budget by members of Council, things they advocated for, things they fought for, and it was good to see it manifested in a document called the budget. My staff is delivering at this point a budget care package, and in that budget care package is a Snickers bar, some healthy granola kind of substance, water, because we have work to do and STATED MEETING 145 3/2/2023 a lot of hours in here making that budget document a real living document. I know all of us have a lot of work to do this year in particular, but we're going to spend a lot of time in this. To that end, I'd like to encourage members and staff to join me in visiting some of these facilities. One-third of our budget is public safety, Police, Fire, Prisons, Courts, and it's difficult to, in a half a hour budget presentation, really digest all of the aspects of a department. So starting tomorrow, we're going to take our first road trip domestic, not like yours in different cities, Mr. President, but we'll be up at the police training facility. And former Member Oh talked about non-lethal training. It's important that we kick the tires, see what they do, see what they can do better. Councilman Johnson STATED MEETING 146 3/2/2023 legislation that passed, but see how that is being trained, implemented, and included in their training. In addition, we will be dealing with simulators to look at real-life scenarios when people get stopped by cars, real-life scenarios when they have to make a split-second decision about whether to use lethal force. So I encourage us, those who can make it, to come up. We're leaving tomorrow. We're going to take that ride. But if you cannot go, send someone in your staff that is dedicated to analyzing those particular departments within the budget. And enjoy your budget survival kit, and we put Snickers in there so that during the process, none of the members get hangry. So thank you very much, Mr. President.
STATED MEETING 147 3/2/2023 you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President, and many thanks to Mayor Kenney for joining us today. I am excited by what we just heard, and I'm very excited to continue working with Council and with the Mayor and his team on a budget that centers racial equity across every part of the City. Even though this budget marks the end of our legislative term, I know that none of us intend to slow down, because our constituents cannot wait another year for a budget that takes Philadelphia boldly out of the pandemic and into a more equitable future. I'm proud that over the past two fiscal years, we've doubled down on our efforts to fund an urgent, targeted, and trauma-informed response to the gun violence epidemic, but I also know that STATED MEETING 148 3/2/2023 way to go before we restore peace to our streets. That's why I look forward to once again banding together as a Council to invest in grassroots violence prevention programs, paying special attention to redirecting youth at risk of, or already involved, in gun violence. And as part of our anti-violence strategy, we must also ensure that all residents, no matter if they call Center City or Mill Creek home, receive reliable municipal services proven to reduce crime. I'm proud that last year my JustServicesPHL campaign successfully won an additional $30 million above the proposed budget for the equitable provision of City services. However, my conversations with City agencies and constituents confirms that $30 million barely scratches the surface of what it will take to give every resident their fair share. That's why I'm bringing STATED MEETING 149 3/2/2023 to housing-related services as well. According to the Office of Homeless Services, 70 percent of the residents they served in Fiscal Year 2022 entered their system for the very first time. Frankly, this does not surprise me, because a study my office completed pre-pandemic found that Philadelphia's rent gap pre-pandemic was $75 million per month. As I speak, constituents facing homelessness are desperately calling government agencies and non-profits in search of rental assistance or supportive housing, but many of them will get the same apologetic answer, we're out of money and you have to try somewhere else. The 100 new supportive housing units proposed by the Mayor is an excellent start, but City Council can go further by shoring up OHS's emergency rental assistance budget, as well as by funding additional case managers so the STATED MEETING 150 3/2/2023 neighbors experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. We cannot ignore the need of families forced to make the impossible choice between homelessness and living in a home that could collapse at any time, thanks to the neglect of absentee landlords. And that's why I want to allocate funds to help residents displaced due to unsafe conditions find a new home rather than ending up on OHS's doorstep. And to further prevent evictions, we must ensure our nationally acclaimed Eviction Diversion Program has a budget it needs to help every tenant at risk of eviction stay in their home, and support the Mayor's plan to expand Right to Counsel. We must also protect vulnerable neighbors long before they make it to the eviction stage. For instance, the City must do more to preserve our affordable housing stock. Frankly, inaction isn't STATED MEETING 151 3/2/2023 option, because more than 5,400 affordable housing units can disappear across this city within the next five years, and 900 of those are in my district alone. So let's couple our work on housing insecurity with a renewed effort to solve this crisis at one of its roots - poverty. And I can think of few better ways to accomplish this challenging feat than by investing in workforce development.
The life sciences sector is booming in Philadelphia, and nowhere is this growth more visible than in the areas of West and Southwest Philly that I represent. In the past month alone, I've been to groundbreaking ceremonies for over one million square feet of life sciences development. And I could not be more excited, because the life sciences generates high-paying jobs for residents from all educational backgrounds. But STATED MEETING 152 3/2/2023 body to fund high-quality workforce development programs that prepare working-class residents to be competitive applicants for these jobs before they even come online. And we must start now if we want to make sure the life sciences industry grows alongside rather than without our communities. It's been the mission of this City Council to lead Philadelphia into a more community-minded and equitable future. Philadelphia is counting on us to keep going, and I intend to deliver. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Harrity.
Yes, Council President. I just wanted to commend Mayor Kenney and his Administration on his efforts to help the normal citizen. STATED MEETING 153 3/2/2023 SNAP benefits being cut by $95 a month to our most vulnerable citizens, I believe that his program for SEPTA will help greatly in kind of evening that out. So while we criticize him on occasion, I just have to commend him for his commitment to the safety of the citizens of Philadelphia with his investment in law enforcement, and I look forward to actually seeing the budget in completeness. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. That appears to conclude the speeches on behalf of the minority and the majority. And with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 9th, 2023 STATED MEETING 154 3/2/2023 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 9th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)