Thank you so much. Stated Meeting 90 5/25/2023 I want to thank Councilmember Gauthier for introducing the Pride resolution for this year. As somebody -- and also for recognizing me in your remarks. I appreciate you so much. As somebody who has been on the other side of this work for so long, it's been really important to have so many allies and accomplices on the side of City Council. We've made tremendous gains, as she outlined in her remarks, from the introduction of our first amendment to the Fair Practices Ordinance in 1982 to protect people from discrimination all the way through now, and we've done this because of the allies and accomplices and partnership that we've had with City Council, so I can't wait to join your ranks and to help on the inside as well. But I do want to highlight the times that we're in now that are trickling throughout the country, because it's incredibly important that we know Stated Meeting 91 5/25/2023 going into this Pride Month that we do have backlashes against the LGBTQ community happening throughout the country. And I also want to take a moment of saying not only has it gone throughout the country and trickled up to places like Bucks County Pennsylvania where they're trying to ban books and are banning books, but we really need to hold the corporations in our areas accountable as well. So as we've just seen in the news that Target is pulling back their merchandise, their LGBTQ Pride merchandise because of threats to their staff, we'd actually like to tell you, Target, that we stand with you, but we want you to stand strong and don't put the merchandise in the back of the store. Move it up to the front. And the second thing I want to add is that for corporations like the Marriott who are about to host the Moms Stated Meeting 92 5/25/2023 of Liberty, in Philadelphia we say no, don't do it, don't do it here. We want our hotels to actually provide accommodations for groups that stand with our LGBTQ community and others, and please let's reconsider that contract. And thank you so much, Councilmember. I can't wait to work with you.
The next speaker is Ogbonna Hagins, commenting on 230420. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. Could I take 30 seconds since two people -- an extra 30 seconds since two people didn't testify?
That is very unprecedented. And don't treat me like Stated Meeting 93 5/25/2023 the substitute teacher. (Applause.)
I would have asked Council President the same thing. I would have asked the same thing. So I'm going to be speaking on Resolution 230420, resolution calling for the School District of Philadelphia to address and expand financial literacy education in the City of Philadelphia. And I think that's a good thing, but when you don't have finances, what is there really to, you know, educate you about? The adults who run the City socially, politically, and economically will not do anything to change the quality of the youths' life. The youth are going to have to figure that out on their own. It seems that the youth will have to develop a competitive nature and become the problem-solvers themselves. Stated Meeting 94 5/25/2023 America as well as Philly is in a group competition for resources, and the schools are not designed to teach youth how to acquire the level of resources needed to survive and avoid total economic collapse while living in a structurally racist city. Economist D. William Darity of Duke University stated, we must gain an understanding of the mechanisms that inherited unadvanced and privilege in the hierarchal world of unequal rewards and the differential opportunities with them. Central in the framework is the presence of the dominant group in an environment where there is rivalry over social rewards. A dominant group can seek to structure and control access to the credentials required for preferred positions and ensure the admission of their own and keep out others. Do you ever wonder why you don't see companies around who are owned by African Americans, like Amazon and Stated Meeting 95 5/25/2023 Apple? The level of capital required to start a business systematically excludes non-wealthy people. So what I'm asking is this or what I'm saying is this: Philly African American youth are being taught by a system that knows that they are locked out of real wealth creation but won't tell them. This should be viewed as a crime of treason. Have a great day.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Keith Harris, commenting on 230423. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Keith Harris. I'm one of the 20th Ward. I would like to comment on Resolution Bill No. 230423. Before I make that comment, I Stated Meeting 96 5/25/2023 just want to thank the Council President for his service in our city, thank him for allowing me to and trusting me to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms for the City of Philadelphia, one of the greatest cities in this nation. And I think you've been a wonderful Councilman. I'm following the footsteps of your predecessors of Ann Verna and John Street, so thank you.
With that being said, you know, I'd like to comment on the 69 units and why I am supporting this bill. You know, the government typically defines housing as affordable when it consumes no more than 30 percent of a household income, right? No more than 30 percent. Then what's market-rate housing? Market rate is housing that Stated Meeting 97 5/25/2023 already exists or a proposed development that is based on existing area market values and demand rather then relying on any kind of subsidies or government. You know, I just did some appraisals, you know. I had a couple of my properties appraised, and the appraisals of the City is, once you do some work in the house, those appraisals are hitting 200,000 to $300,000 to $400,000. Now, we're trying to keep people that look like us or people that can afford housing in the communities where they grew up in, right? So this proposal is needed. You know, me and the Council President have had numerous conversations, him as the Councilman, me as a ward leader, and also other ward leaders that we're associated with about the housing situation and the limit in our city or in our councilmanic district, right? So this has already been Stated Meeting 98 5/25/2023 examined. So we're trying to help people that don't have to spend 30 percent or more of their income to getting housing where communities they grew up in or their families grew up in to stay there. So I commend you on this proposal. I think it's very wise of you trying to keep people in these communities. So thank you for your good work, and I support this bill.
You're welcome. Thank you, sir. Thank you for your testimony.
The next speaker is Khine Arthur. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke, honorable members of the City Council. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide this testimony today. Stated Meeting 99 5/25/2023 My name is Khine Arthur. I am the President and CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. We join the Inclusive Growth Coalition today to support Councilman Squilla's call to take quantitative and qualitative measures to improve ease of doing business in the City. I'd like to highlight that Asian American population is the fastest growing immigrant population in Philadelphia. Currently we represent about seven percent of Philadelphia's 1.6 million population, but 11 percent of small businesses in the City are owned by Asian descent. AAPI population has contributed more than $1.5 trillion in GDP growth in 2019 alone. We recently interviewed more than 60 Asian-owned businesses in Chinatown and South Philly, and most of them have been living, working, and growing their businesses here for more Stated Meeting 100 5/25/2023 than 20 years, and they feel enormous burden to keep their businesses open today. The pandemic, surging inflation, and violence have posed so many challenges for our businesses. I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to encourage and incentivize our businesses for our city at this very moment. Philadelphia has the highest poverty rate because we have the slowest job growth, the lowest density of businesses, and the least opportunity compared to our peer cities and suburbs. Councilmembers, our community members believe that being a part of the workforce and entrepreneurship is rewarding. It creates stability and opportunities that empower our future generation. And because people have dignity, they will not be incentivized to commit crimes. And don't forget, the City is preparing to host FIFA World Cup in 2026. Stated Meeting 101 5/25/2023 It is so important to provide the ease of doing businesses for our hard-working business owners. We thank you in advance for everyone, their vote -- for a yes vote for the resolution for ease of doing business in the City. Hope you all stay safe and have a wonderful day.
The next speaker is Timda Thein. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and members of the City Council. Thank you for giving me opportunity to speak today. My name is Timda Thein. I came from Burma, also Stated Meeting 102 5/25/2023 known as Myanmar, and my husband and I starting sushi franchise business. Today join the Asian American Chamber of Commerce today and I support Councilman Squilla's call to take quantitative and qualitative measures to improve ease of doing business in this city. The COVID lockdown -- after COVID lockdown, everything changed. For small business, we have struggled a lot to stay open. We would really appreciate if the taxes are lower, because we are double taxed here. We can use the money we save from taxes in hiring more part-time workers and improve our store (unintelligible). I really hope you would support Councilman Squilla's resolution for ease of doing business in this city. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting 103 5/25/2023 (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and member of City Council, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. My name is Jack Chen. I'm a business owner in Chinatown, and my family and I live in the City and also in Chinatown. I'm also a Board member of Philadelphia Chinatown Business Association, and we have over 20 businesses in Chinatown. And we join with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce today to support Councilman Squilla's call to take the quantitative and qualitative measures in improving the ease of doing business in the City. The revenue in the Stated Meeting 104 5/25/2023 Philadelphia's Chinatown fell 40 percent the year after the pandemic lockdown and COVID regulation took place, leaving the businesses in Chinatown, with a very limited English ability, struggling, and we also constantly, you know, fighting with the thieves, burglary, and then with illegal dumping of trash and also rats in the streets, you know, people crash the cars on the street. And we work hard and we pay our taxes and we create job opportunities and also take care of our neighborhood. We need help from the City, though. And on behalf of my business and my partners and also the other business in Chinatown, I want to thank you to vote yes to help reduce taxes and support Councilman Squilla's resolution for ease of doing business in the City. We truly appreciate your leadership and support, and we really need it. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 105 5/25/2023 Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Peter He and I'm currently a master student majoring in master policy in Temple University. I originally come from Las Vegas, Nevada, and this is my fifth year in Philadelphia. I love this city because of the City's diverse and also the energetic people here, and also there are so many small businesses that make the City energetic and keep the City alive. And I would say the small business is the essential core part of the City that keeps the City moving forward and making the progress here. Stated Meeting 106 5/25/2023 So today I stand with the Asian American Commerce Chamber to talk about the resolution that support for the tax reduction and also to cut the unnecessary probation (ph) for the current existing laws. I would argue that there are many unnecessary laws and probations (ph) that are preventing small business in the City to survive and also to have the best opportunities to live. So I would ask -- I would suggest as a policy part major student, we should reach the City -- it is time for the City to eliminate this unnecessary probation (ph) and also to do the tax cuts for our small business owners and to reduce the burden and to help them to have their better future and also the better development opportunities and also to recruit more employees from the City and to the City economy moving forward. Of course it's not making Stated Meeting 107 5/25/2023 Philadelphia become the next Las Vegas, but I believe the City definitely has the potential to be better by itself. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is April McBride, commenting on 230250. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. MS. McBRIDE: Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I am speaking on Resolution 230432 that was brought -introduced by Councilmembers Harrity and Lozada. I support the halt of the implementation of supervised injection sites in the City of Philadelphia. As per law, drug dealing and support of drug dealing is against the law, and nobody is Stated Meeting 108 5/25/2023 above the law. The injection sites will just support drug abuse and drug dealing, so I definitely support to halt the implementation. And I also would like the City Council to halt and shut down the CUAs, Community Umbrella Agencies, a/k/a cover-up agency for DHS. For years, DHS has been major tyrants to many Black and brown families, separating unlawfully and selling the children off to highest bidders for bonuses and et cetera. Once they put your children into the system, they hand them up to the cover-up agency to place blame on them when the children are murdered or abused in the hands of the foster parents. Proven facts: CUAs have not been an effective agency but more of a cover-up for DHS a/k/a Department of Horror Stories, and their abuse of power. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 109 5/25/2023 Thank you for your testimony. Appreciate it.
Good afternoon. They don't have me on the list, but I'm glad to be the last one. Good afternoon, Councilmembers and also the Council President. My name is Somaly Osteen with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for spending time this morning to listen to our testimony and comments. I'm here to testify on the bill being proposed by Council Mark Squilla, ease of doing the business. I'm here on behalf of Asian-owned businesses and other small business in Philadelphia. Throughout the past eight years Stated Meeting 110 5/25/2023 of my career, I have been working tirelessly with businesses in Philadelphia healing and seeing their challenges. I'm here to say that there are so many challenges that small business are facing while running the business in Philadelphia. At the Chamber, our job is not only to help the City to be a better place for people to live, visit, and do business, but also to help business to grow and attract new business to the City. However, our job could not be done if the City don't provide incentives for us to do so. One is lowering taxes. Keep the business open and generate the revenue first before we double tax them. Second, make our neighborhood to be a safe place for people to live and do business. Third, what we are focusing on today is the ease of doing the business. A shop shouldn't have to close for weeks Stated Meeting 111 5/25/2023 because of an inspector found a few flies in the business. In the meantime, drug dealers selling drugs on the street publicly barely get arrested or returning to the street the next day. The business should not spend almost six months and draining their savings just to open a small restaurant or just to run small retail grocery stores. And why the business have to get their tobacco suspended, which is represent 40 percent of their revenue, when they did not pass the health inspections. So these are things that I would like to bring to your attention, and please consider these factors that create challenges for small business to run their business in Philadelphia. I believe and have no doubt that the City members -- City Councilmembers here love the City as much as we do, so please make the business thrilled to open the business here and Stated Meeting 112 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING make the City to be a place where we are happy and easy to run and open a business. Thank you for your time.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes today's public comment period, and with that, we will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230420.
A resolution calling on the Administration and School District of Philadelphia to address and Stated Meeting 113 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING expand financial literacy education in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Council President. I move to adopt 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 passes, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230423.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Stated Meeting 114 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Housing Authority a deed conveying fee simple title to 2338 North 31st Street; 2340 North 31st Street; 2408 North 31st Street; 2410, 2412, 2500 North 31st Street; 2401 and 2549 1/2 North 32nd Street (also known as 2551 North 32nd Street); 3230 through 38 Diamond Street; 3010, 3012, 3014, 3013, 3015, 3108, 3110, 3112, 3200, 3202, 3204, 3206, 3214 and 3222 West York Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for an amendment to Resolution No. 230423.
Thank you, Mr. President. I am offering an amendment to Resolution No. 230423. A copy of that amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting 115 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and Resolution No. 230423 has been amended, and Resolution No. 230423, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220865.
An ordinance amending Title 18 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commerce," by adding a new Chapter, entitled "Workforce Development Activity and Reporting," to promote workforce development activity, and to require the Department of Commerce to report to Council certain aggregate information regarding employment rates Stated Meeting 116 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING and training opportunities, and to report on assessments of the economic impact of the City's workforce development programs.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting 117 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Gilmore Richardson.
Council President Clarke. Stated Meeting 118 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 220940.
An ordinance continuing the Roxborough Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date in an area that generally includes both sides of Ridge Avenue from Main Street beginning with 5122 Ridge Avenue to 7220 Ridge Avenue and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Ridge Avenue; continuing the designation of the Roxborough Development Corporation, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on Stated Meeting 119 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING property owners within the District.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilman Harrity. Stated Meeting 120 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill Stated Meeting 121 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. Mr. Decker, 230080.
An ordinance continuing a neighborhood improvement district, known as the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, in an area that generally includes both sides of North 2nd Street from the north side of Callowhill Street to the south side of Girard Avenue, both sides of North 3rd Street from Spring Garden Street to the south side of Wildey Street, Spring Garden Street from North 2nd Street to the eastern side of North 5th Street, and certain blocks of streets that intersect portions of these streets; designating the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Incorporated, which has organized itself as a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements Stated Meeting 122 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting 123 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are Stated Meeting 124 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 230152.
An ordinance amending Section 9-1132 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Cashless Retail Prohibition," by providing an exemption for gym membership transactions.
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 125 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Stated Meeting 126 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Vaughn.
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week Tomeka Jones-Waters, Richard W. Allsop, Linda B. Williams, Karen Ford-Woods, and Stacy Raleigh, who have devoted their careers to working as public servants, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Councilman Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank Stated Meeting 127 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember Thomas, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution thanking the School District of Philadelphia, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services for taking part in a roundtable meeting with schools in the 4th Council District and for their collaborative work to break down barriers Stated Meeting 128 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING that will build stronger, safer, and better prepared students and facilities in Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution declaring the Summer of 2023 as the Summer of Hip Hop in Philadelphia, in Stated Meeting 129 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop and in recognition of the genre's contribution to musical culture, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Before I call for the adoption of the resolution, right, in the great words of the poet Biggie Smalls, I never thought hip hop would take it this far. This is 50 years of a genre that has truly globally transformed the music industry here not only in the City of Philadelphia, not only here in America but also globally. There's not any part in the world that you can go into and you will not feel the influence that hip hop has had and impacted so many different cultures but, most importantly, for it to survive 50 years. And they started out in New York in the Bronx but actually have grown to be a very, very influential Stated Meeting 130 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING musical genre. I think it's just something that should be definitely acknowledged as we celebrate the 50th year of hip-hoop here in America and throughout the world. I just wanted to make it official, as we have a variety of different events that will be taking place across the City of Philadelphia. I think yesterday we mentioned -- it was mentioned our Wawa Festival, well, that's being headlined by Ludacris, hip hop industry; Demi Lovato, hip hop industry. It's a billion dollar industry that's primarily controlled by Black and brown young people. And so it's something that should be acknowledged as we move forward. And with that being said, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
I love City Council. It's been moved and Stated Meeting 131 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING interestingly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution urging the Administration to pursue comprehensive, qualitative, and quantitative efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada on behalf of Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 132 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
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 recognizing and celebrating the 2023 Philippine Independence Week Celebration from June 3rd to June 17th, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada on behalf of Councilman Squilla.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 133 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (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 authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings regarding the escape of two inmates from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center on the evening of May 7, 2023, and the persistent, systemic issues within the Philadelphia Department of Prisons that made such an escape possible, introduced today by Councilwoman Vaughn.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Vaughn. Stated Meeting 134 5/25/2023 5/25/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.