The ayes have it and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250770.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of An Automated Speed Enforcement System" to improve safety by providing for the use, administration and enforcement of automated speed cameras on designated state routes, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. Majority all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Councilmember Brooks, would you like to be voted aye on all bills and resolutions?
Thank you very much. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Shall be noted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250774.
An ordinance amending Section 9-3903 of The Philadelphia Code ("Certificate of Rental Suitability; Required Tenant Documents") to include the provision of voter registration information to tenants, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Would the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Would the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A privileged resolution recognizing October 2025 as International 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Dignity Month, and celebrating Philadelphia's commitment to upholding the worth and humanity of every resident. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. And also thank you to Senator Art Haywood for his work. I enthusiastically move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution from the Northwest affiliation group be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. He ain't slick. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Jenaye Munford for nearly 20 years of dedicated, innovative and transformative service to the City of Philadelphia and City Council. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. Two resolutions from the Northwest today. Council President, I enthusiastically move for the adoption of the resolution and well wishes to Jenaye. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and property seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING please read the title of the next resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing Philadelphia City Council Committee of the Whole to hold hearings to discuss the current state of Philadelphia school facilities, how the School District evaluates those facilities and what educational facility needs are for the School District today and in the future. Introduced by Councilmember Thomas.
The Chair recognizes the Chair of Education Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I will discuss this a little bit more on the floor today because it's 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING that important. But for now, 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 will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. And thank you for following protocol and doing your comments during speeches. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings to investigate the rising cost of energy bills, what is driving those increases and what the City can and can't do to address why our energy bills are so high. Introduced by Councilmember Thomas.
I'm going to do some commentary. If you grew up in a Black family, you already know, turn the lights off in the house when you leave your house. That's what my momma used to say. Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. Again, I'm going to definitely provide more remarks 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING about that on the floor, but for now I'll move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Matchroom Boxing & Empire Fighting Chance Boxing for 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING their impactful partnership that expands boxing opportunities in Philadelphia and worldwide. Introduced by Councilmember Jones.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. For the record, Councilwoman Bass recognized the champ in that resolution part, but this is the organization he has joined so I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the 25th Anniversary of La Liga del Barrio and recognizing its ongoing commitment to provide opportunities for Latino youth in Philadelphia by providing a positive outlet for educational, athletic and personal development. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion of the resolution. And who's also 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING the co-sponsor?
Co-sponsor is Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, co-intros. 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution honoring, recognizing and celebrating Youth Involved Philadelphia on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary for their commitment to increasing civic engagement and power, powering young adults, fostering leadership development and connecting young professionals with leadership and volunteer opportunities. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The 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 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing BalletX on the occasion of its 20th Anniversary for its outstanding contributions to contemporary ballet in the cultural life of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Landau. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you. 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.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings exploring the context of data center development and operations in the Philadelphia region, the demand for technology infrastructure to support increased use of digital services and the impacts of its development on Philadelphia's communities. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/16/25 - 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
Councilmember Lozada, 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING make a motion on the resolution -and who is the co-sponsor?
My co-sponsor is Majority Leader Kendra Brooks. And I move for the adoption of the resolution.
Got that bipartisanship going on. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Great job. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring, recognizing and celebrating the 60th anniversary of Community College of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing the Community College of Philadelphia and its "Legislators for a Day." Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. 10/16/25 - 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Can we give our young people a round of applause though for staying all day? (Applause.)
That's the future generation of our city. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing the month of October 2025 as Manufacturing Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
The 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.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Anyone opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and remembering the life and legacy of Vincent "Mr. Vince" Termini, Sr., the beloved owner of Termini Bros. Bakery. Introduced by Councilmember Harrity.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/16/25 - 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Great job. He was a giant of a man. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of the acclaimed musician D'Angelo, who chose his truth over any accolades or 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING accomplishments, therefore achieving a success that leaves him with few peers. Introduced by Councilmember O'Rourke.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. 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.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/16/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing October as Children's Health Month in the City of Philadelphia, and affirming the City's commitment to children's overall well-being. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad 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 resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
There are no further resolutions in my possession, Council President. ACTING
Are there any speeches on the part of the Minority?
The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. Today, I joined Councilmember Lozada in co-introducing a resolution declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One of the first pieces of legislation I introduced in City Council was a bill in honor of my cousin Tianna who lost her life to domestic violence. Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors and survivors often face intimidation, threats and shame that prevent them from speaking out. It can be hard to recognize and even harder to talk about. By declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we commit to ending the silence surrounding domestic violence and we send a clear message to survivors: We see you, we value you, you're not alone and we are here to help. I'll continue honoring Tianna's memory by fighting for survivors of domestic violence, making resources more visible and accessible and ensuring survivors know that they are not alone. And I want to thank all my Council colleagues and staff members who are wearing purple today to demonstrate their support for this collective effort. Second, I'm so proud to be recognizing Watch Party PHL and the Philadelphia Sisters today in Philadelphia City Council. I've been fortunate to partner with both organizations over the last couple of years and I've seen firsthand how important it is for women to enjoy their fandom in inclusive spaces, many of which who are Black and queer-led. Last year the Arts and Culture team at Working Families Organization was able to partner with Watch Party PHL because we understand that women in sports is a culture driver. Both of these organizations have played an important role in making Philadelphia a global sports destination in 2026 and I cannot wait to celebrate with all of their incredible community members during the next year's event. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. today, and today that word is root. That's the theme I'm going with. First, I want to start by appreciating the presence and attention of Quqadar(ph) Liam, a student at CCP studying business. He's here as a part of the contingent of students that have been learning what it's like to be a legislator for the day, and it's been quite a day. I hope that he and his classmates are enjoying their trip to City Hall. I'm always going to ride for the City's university. I know Dr. Marshall has left, but it is one of those institutions that can transform the face of our city. And I'm grateful for the roots that it lays here in the City of Philadelphia. Further, I also want to that my Leader has did a presentation on honoring today, Watch Party PHL and the Philadelphia Sisters. I know that the roots for their effort and for this effort are connected to the massive tree that is Philly's basketball, for the passion that exists on our playgrounds, in our high school gyms and world class arenas, at our rec centers and on our blocks. I definitely join this Council and this city in cherishing that the girls and women of Philadelphia are entering an era where women's ball will not just exist but it will flourish, and that is very encouraging as we have heard today during the presentation. I also want to acknowledge that on Tuesday D'Angelo, legendary musician, made his transition Tuesday morning while I was making phone calls after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 51 years old. Already in the pantheon of Black performers, he was one of the few folks who really truly chose his musicianship and his artistry over the many commercial avenues that were available to him as a leading light in the industry. Personal trauma played a significant part. But he was deeply deliberate about when and how his music actually came out, and he clearly denied any and all pressures to rush his process. He chose songwriting over hit-making. And ironically, that made his work timeless for many of us. He was a preacher's kid. Definitely grappled with the choice popular audiences. His parents were clear about wanting him to use his gifts for ministry, but he continually pointed to the influence of his grandmother Alberta Cox. And though one of those church elders who was a community of cornerstone, she was clear with him that he needed to follow his creative vision, a critical sanction at that point in his life. As I said, he's already in the pantheon of Black performers. We can celebrate that nothing about the man was a performance or a put-on, as they would say, in any way. If you wanted something raw, sonically, lyrically or personally, D'Angelo was your man. This loss actually hit me a bit harder than I expected. sudden and unexpected, maybe because the man felt a bit like his music, enigmatic, existential and immortal. I'm still reeling a bit. I'll be playing only him and Prince until I'm not playing it. But I'm also deeply grateful for how he created another immortal moment in song for our city. The song said, "Let me tell you about this girl. Maybe I shouldn't. Met her in Philly. " Those that know, know. Legalize it. But in all seriousness, not being from here he left an indelible mark here and became a pioneer of a genre here that he never actually claimed. That's a statement to his artistry. What a life. Rest in power and sonic bliss, Michael Archer. -- thank you.
On the Cost of Living Task Force and the Affordable Philly Now Initiative, I want to shout out Members Thomas and Driscoll for authorizing a hearing on what the city can and can't do about the rising costs of energy bills. It's so on point. It's so timely, since energy is just one of the ways that working families are actually feeling some economic pressure in this moment. I'm excited to see what we learn and ultimately to incorporate it in the work of our Cost of Living Task Force that we just voted for. We need an affordable Philly. We need it now. And efforts like this are a critical step on the path to get us to be a city where all of us can afford to actually live here. Further, there dropped in the Inky this past week that a colleague shared with me about cost-burdened renters. Some of the notes that were in that was that almost half renters -- half the city rents by the way -- half of those renters was about 149,000 households spent 35% or more of their income on housing costs in 2024, a 4 percentage point increase over the previous year according to the Census Bureau data. Also, HUD calls any renter who spends more than 30% of their income cost-burdened. I'll say that again. HUD calls any renter who spends more than 30% of their income cost-burdened. " we ought to know. So this is one of the many reasons why I was glad to introduce the Philly Rent Refund last week as a part of the Affordable Philly Now Initiative. That bill, unlike the Homestead Exemption that Council President and others have championed, doesn't actually cover all tenants, right. It doesn't even cover all costburdened tenants, though that's something to think about. It does focus on the seniors, the widows and the differently-abled persons on fixed income who too often find themselves in the scenarios that the Inquirer's article actually described. So we've seen the signs. E. Initiative, especially with articles like this dropping that make the immediacy of the crisis so clear. I do hope and I do believe, and I feel like I'm finding it already that this body is ready to truly materially answer the call coming from our constituents who rant, organized and unorganized. Thank you, Council President. )
Are there any speeches on the part of the Majority?
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to make a mention of the bill that we introduced today around catalytic converter theft. I first introduced a bill in 2022 addressing a critical issue that has deeply impacted our community, catalytic converter theft. I'm here to touch up on that ordinance that will cover a loophole and increase penalties to deter this destructive and costly crime. For those that don't know, catalytic converters are essential components of our vehicles designed to reduce harmful emissions. They are also a prime target for thieves because of the valuable metals inside. What is particularly alarming is the method some criminals use. They steal converters, dismantle them and sell the parts separately, often reassembling them for resale. This practice not only fuels an underground market, but also undermines our effort to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. The core of our new ordinance is simple but powerful. We are increasing the penalties for catalytic converter theft. This increase is designed so that the cost to sell a stolen catalytic converter will now be higher than the cost to repair the damage caused. Our goal remains clear, to remove any financial incentive for stealing these vital parts. Why do we believe this will work? Well, the evidence is clear. According to the PPD, findings reveal a striking reduction in these crimes following And between January 16, 2022 and January 15, 2023, one year, the year before the enactment of Bill No. 220923, there were 5,919 reported incidents of catalytic converter thefts or attempted thefts. But in the year that followed the bill's enactment, from January 16, 2023 to January 15, 2024, that number dropped dramatically to 1,452. This 75% reduction proves that targeted legislation and increased penalties work. But the fight is not over. Criminals are adaptive and we must be one step ahead. So today with this ordinance we are doubling down on our commitment to protecting Philadelphia residents and their property. We are sending a strong theft will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement, community organizations and industry partners to enforce this law and safeguard our city. And one last thing, I do want to give a brief shout-out -well, first, I want to thank my colleagues Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and also Councilmember Curtis Jones for their recognition of the importance of boxing in the boxing industry here in the city of Philadelphia. And I want to give a shout-out to the one and only Boots Ennis from Brickyard, in Germantown for those who don't know. But Boots Ennis won his fight last Saturday night in 1 minute and 58 seconds, first round knockout and He's just an amazing young man representing our communities well. And so, shoutout to Boots. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Congratulations, Boots Ennis. Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. And thank you to my colleagues for passing my legislation to make voter registration easier for Philadelphians. I'll save the details for the press conference immediately following this Council session in the hallway in front of Room 405. In short, the bill meets people where they are and makes people move in the city. I'm also pleased that the Economic Opportunity Review Committee, EORC, bill was reported out of committee to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. This bill strengthens the EORC's ability to do its job by bringing in more perspectives, including the Asian American and the LGBTQ+ Chambers without weakening standards or transparency. As you know, over the past few months I have held two hearings on DHS practices and hosted a town hall. I learned a lot from those sessions. As I prepare legislation to further protect child welfare, it's important we center children's well-being. That's why I am proud resolution recognizing October as Children's Health Month. Kids are growing. So what they breathe and drink shows up in how they sleep, learn and feel. Our commitment is practical. Fresh air in classrooms, clean drinking water, safe homes free of feeling paint and damp corners, checkups kept, vaccines on schedule, hot lunches that carry students through the day and help that's easy to reach when a child needs to talk to someone. Finally, I want to thank my legislator for the day for joining me, Nevaeh Mitchell, a Behavioral Health and Human Services major at Community College of Philadelphia, who loves writing, photography, nature walks and community engagement. Thank you, you, Council President. I yield back.
You're welcome. Good job. Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Good afternoon. Thank you, Council President. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to my colleagues Councilmember Mark Squilla, Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Councilmember Mike Driscoll as well as Councilmember Gilmore Richardson and of course, your support, Council President. I know yesterday was a very eventful hearing as it relates to our security guard legislation. I your vote of confidence and making sure that we handle that legislation in the right way. So first and foremost thank you, colleagues. That bill is actually a series of bills and resolutions that I've introduced in the last couple of weeks to really make sure that we are focused on 2026 and to make sure that we are taking the necessary steps as a legislative body doing our due diligence to put us in a position to have the best possible year we can. Outside of just the security guard bill legislation looking at safety, today I introduced a bill around thirdparty reservations. If you are a food person like me that recognize the great restaurants in the city Philadelphia, you understand there's a unique trend happening where people are making reservations at restaurants and not necessarily fulfilling them. In the midst of dialogue with the restaurant and hospitality industry in preparation for next year, this is one of the things that they actually asked us to do and asked us to look at in order to assure that they're able to maximize their ability to service all of the people who are coming to city of Philadelphia next year. So I look forward to working with my colleagues as well as the hospitality industry to address this issue around third-party reservations. I'm glad that other cities have already done it. It puts us in a position to be able to show that there's precedent. around traffic. I think that pretty much speaks for itself, especially anybody who doesn't live in the area of Center City and has to come to City Hall on a consistent basis. Thinking about my Councilperson in the 9th District, we have a pretty long commute on a consistent basis and we understand the traffic issues are already significant right now, so imagine what they're going to be next year. So I'm looking forward to working with the Admin on that particular initiative. And of course, there's a concern and a conversation needed around short-term rentals. Now, Council President, when it comes to short-term rentals I want to be honest, I don't have the solution. I'm not sure what we should do, but worth a conversation. I was at an event with Councilmember Gauthier, and I listened to residents in her District talk about the fact that they want to spend June traveling across the world, but they also have benefited from the leadership that this legislative body have showed when it comes to homeowner protection programs like the Senior Tax Freeze, LOOP and Homestead, things that you've championed yourself, Council President. And we don't want the same people who we're trying to protect to be put in a position to be ineligible for those programs because they decided to travel for a month or a couple of weeks while all these people are visiting Philadelphia and they rented their house and there's don't do our due diligence and get out in front of these issues. So those four different bills specifically relate to 2026 and getting us ready for 2026. And I appreciate all of my colleagues who co-sponsored those specific resolutions and bills.
As I close out, I also want to again take a moment to thank Councilmember Driscoll and his leadership, partnering with him, to assess the cost, the rising cost of energy in the city of Philadelphia. I know Councilmember O'Rourke is looking at affordability in general. But I'll be honest. You know, I think people need to understand that our energy bills are going up too. It's not just them. This is not a decision making. We do not have a direct impact on some of the issues that we're seeing around energy bills. And I'm pretty sure if you pull 17 out of 17 members of City Council, we're paying more in energy as it relates to our utility bills just like the rest of the citizens of Philadelphia. And we need to figure out what can we do to curve despite what's happening right now. Because I would hate to look up in a year or two and be paying $1,000 a month in utility bills. I can't afford it and I'm sure most Philadelphians can't afford it. I want to close out, Council President, actually by thanking you for your leadership. Today I introduced a resolution to examine the school closure process. We understand that that decision is very soon. And I think it's important that members who are especially not on the Education Committee and our District Councilmembers get an opportunity to not just weigh in as it relates to the direction we're going with school facilities, but also we need to give the public an opportunity to communicate to this legislative body what their opinion is. And so, I look forward to that resolution turning into a hearing based on your leadership, Council President. I'm looking forward to that being a Committee of the Whole hearing so it can give everybody an opportunity to get a bite at the apple to be able to communicate our opinion, not just as residents, not just as parents, not just as stakeholders but as the what amount of money should actually go to the School District of Philadelphia. So thank you for your leadership, Council President. And thank you to all the members of City Council who co-sponsored that resolution as well as all of the members who are on the Education Committee that's been working on this issue for some time. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Member Thomas. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr,
Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Couple of quick shoutouts because I didn't get to do it last week. First goes to Jamie Gauthier, who quite frankly on the T.V. and she's taking over a drug corner, captain of the block. I mean, like out there and chasing away negative elements that border my district but she represents. And I was never so proud of my little sisters when they get tough and I've seen them on occasion do that. So shout-out to you. And I want to welcome back Nicolas O'Rourke. We did miss you. I was listening to your speech in -- I said, that's what I've been missing in here. So welcome back. But also thank you for coming out to the 1300 block of Fraizer last week where we dedicated 10 new houses that were totally repaired. And it ranged from people who were low income to workforce development folks who had civil service jobs that just their bills to be able to fix their furnace, to be able to fix their roof. And this program, along with the cooperation of Wells Fargo, is maintaining the glue of a neighborhood so it doesn't convert strictly to rental, that homeownership can be preserved. Thank you for being on the block with me, Member O'Rourke. But I want to also shout out, and this will lead into my true comments, Isaiah Thomas for his focus on 2026 and all of the things that can potentially go right for our city. I've got people from around the globe contacting me and saying, you know, I need to come and be a part of the hundreds of events, local, national and district events that are going to happen next year. And I'm -- I'm feeling kind of patriotic about next year. However and nevertheless, we always got to be prepared in this town for Plan B. And I beseech you, President Johnson. I didn't introduce a resolution on it because I'd rather you take the lead on a -- not a special committee, but at least a work group to work with the Administration, because I sense with the little hairs on the back of my neck that when you have somebody in the White House that reminds me a little bit of Dennis the Menace, like they could go this way, they could go that way, I mean, you don't know what this person will do. One day they wake up at 3:00 in the morning and you're all right. The next day they wake up 3:00 in the morning and they're sending angry tweets and troops, the military, to a town near you. And a lot of people will say, well, you know, and thank God for my Mayor who knows how to keep that at bay, say the right things and do the right things so that we don't get a $2 billion hit over the head. I get it. But what happens if he wakes up and says, bad things happen in Philadelphia and without any quantitative analysis, without any true justification decide I'm sending people to Kensington. We need to know how we as a government are going to react to that, how we can preserve peace in our streets and have a Plan B, if you would, if he wakes up and starts sending angry tweets and troops. So I'd like you, if you lead, Mr. President, to work with our Mayor. I don't want it all public, because everybody don't need to know everything, the plan, per se. And I trust the leadership of this city to put together a plan that says in case of Trump, break glass, this is what we gonna do. Thank you, Mr. President.
Break glass. Thank you, Member Jones. Appreciate you in this very serious matter. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. I think the glass is broken so let's start moving. Okay. Thank you, colleague. I think you're right on point here. First, I want to thank everybody who was able to make it to my Tech Committee, to our Tech Committee hearing yesterday on AI and government. It was an eye-opening discussion, left us with a lot more areas to explore and discussions to be had, but I think we all left there knowing how important that conversation was and knowing where we need to go going forward. I also introduced three resolutions today celebrating the anniversaries of three awesome organizations in Philly doing incredible work. First, I was so happy to honor 25 years of Young Involved Philadelphia. YIP's commitment to increasing civic engagement and fostering leadership development empowers the next generation of professionals. elected officials, we might forget what it's like to be one of those young, eager people trying to get involved and uplift their community, but these young Philadelphians are a reminder that we need to keep pushing to create a better, brighter future. Thank you for 25 years of amazing service. I also, along with Councilmembers Quetcy Lozada and Isaiah Thomas, recognized the 25th anniversary of La Liga del Barrio, the city's first Latino youth organization youth basketball league. By providing opportunities for Latino youth in Philadelphia with outlets for educational, athletic and personal development, the team provides a supportive environment for young adults and kids to thrive. a shoutout to Ray and Esther Alvarez who had to leave before public comment. They are the founders of La Liga. I have known them my entire professional life. They are like family to me. I am so amazingly proud of them and for the 25 years that they have put into La Liga. I also introduced a resolution celebrating 20 years of BalletX right in Council President's District, which has greatly enriched the cultural life of Philadelphia by virtue of its inventive, expressive and contemporary performances. In 2005, its founders created something more creative and expansive than traditional ballet. Today it serves as a leader nationally and internationally for its innovative programming and for making Philadelphia more beautiful for the last 20 years. Super proud of all of them. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. First, I want to take an opportunity to acknowledge my legislator for a day, CCP student Olivia. It's been great to have her here even for a short time. Her energy and her poise just shines through. And I am glad to hear that she's considering going into urban studies. And next, I just wanted to invite everyone to a briefing the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson that will be held in the Caucus Room. For those that don't know, the office provides oversight for youth residential placement facilities, including juvenile detention, foster group homes and inpatient psychiatric facilities. And so, this is a great chance to learn about one of the tools our city has to provide oversight over these facilities and to support our young people and ensure that they're being cared for well, and there will be tasty lunch. So I hope that's an extra incentive. Thank you so much.
They got vegan? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to also recognize my legislator for the day, CCP student Selena Ryland. You know, it was a pleasure getting to know her today, just walking in the hallways with her energy. We were already vibing and she understands the things that we go through sitting in this chamber when we got to do the public comment. So I want to thank you again, Selena, for being here today. I want to also on the same note thank CCP for being here, for always being here. For me personally, whenever we need an event at CCP they always come through. So of course, I wanted to honor them on their 60th anniversary. We've had Community for 60 years, and I know myself and other colleagues are wishing and hoping that we can make Community College free for every single individual in the city of Philadelphia. And so, we're going to continue to be working on that issue. Also, I introduced a resolution today honoring Manufacturing Month. I know folks like to think manufacturing is a lost industry, but here in the city of Philadelphia we have to think about our diversity when it comes to manufacturing. We got to think about the pharmaceutical industries and how much they're producing in the city, the biotech industry, how much they're producing in the city. The FMCs here in the city with the chemical manufacturing. So there are a lot of opportunities in that we provide livable jobs, familysustaining jobs. We have to keep promoting that to our constituents to ensure that they can continue to afford to live in the city of Philadelphia. And on that same note with affordability, today we introduced a bill that would essentially eliminate late fees for residential customers on your water bills, right, because we understand, as other members today have been talking about, how energy and utility costs have been rising across the country and in the city specifically. We can do something about that because we own our water system here. So in order to allow our residents to just be able to live a little bit more free in this city, this bill will enable residential customers the right to avoid paying late fees and penalties on your water bill because we have to make sure that this city is affordable for the people who live in this city. It doesn't mean you don't have to pay your water bill, all right, but we want to make sure that we are providing a level of service that the city residents can really appreciate. And we want to again keep their costs down as much as possible as other costs are continuing to rise in the city. And lastly, Mr. President, I'd be remiss if I do not honor and thank my friend Jenaye Munford. I've known Jenaye since I was an intern in the John Street administration. My son calls her daughter his big cousin. miss her in these halls, but I'm going to be able to continue to work with her as she go work at my alma mater. So, Jenaye, I look forward to working with you in your next capacity. Thank you, Mr. President.
And you actually are also one of the trustees on the Board, correct?
Yeah. And you will be overseeing her in the whole operation.
Thank you, Council President. It's been a long day, so I'm going to try to keep it short, but several things. I also want to recognize my legislator for the day, Jules. Thank you for being with us today. I hope that you have watched your government at work and that you take an additional interest in continuing to work and ensure that young people like you get civically engaged and stay engaged in what is happening in their communities. So thank you for being with us. As we continue to enthusiastically have conversation about 2026, I want to make sure that I continue to speak about the importance of public safety in have been under the international spotlight as it relates to the opioid crisis. And so, I'm asking all of my colleagues that when you are in rooms and conversations are happening about 2026, that you elevate the importance of public safety in neighborhoods like Kensington so that we don't create situations where people are curious and they come into the community because they want to see and experience what they're seeing online and either caught up in the spiral of addiction because they've tried something and understand how powerful and potent it was and end up being stuck here in our city or because they put themselves in a situation where they put their cell phones up because they wanted to be video-sharing world and find themselves in a safety situation because someone was upset about them recording. And so, please as you continue to have conversations about 2026, public safety in the Kensington community is extremely important. And so, I ask you to support me and my constituency in ensuring that we pay special attention to that neighborhood. In addition to that, I'd like to thank Minority Leader Brooks for co-sponsoring the resolution honoring recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Philadelphia. Domestic violence is not a distant issue. It is a pervasive reality that affects individuals across all walks of life. It transcends race, gender, status. Yet certain communities bear a disproportionate burden. Women, particularly women of color, are more likely to experience intimate partner violence. In Philadelphia where diversity is our strength, we must acknowledge that silence is not an option. This resolution reflects a spirit that refuses to accept violence as a norm and instead chooses compassion, support and justice. Today we also acknowledge Paint Philly Purple Day, driven by our incredible, dedicated partners who were with us today and who are on the front lines of advocacy for survivors every day. Thank you to my colleagues for acknowledging them in our chambers. To my colleagues, thank you for wearing purple today. And as part of this initiative, we're asking you to do more. And so, the call to action is to take a selfie, post it and share domestic violence resources or a supportive message with the #paintphillypurple. Tag @phillyodvs. I'd also like us not to wait for another tragedy to remind us of the urgency of this issue. We can start conversations now and reaffirm our commitment to creating a Philadelphia that is free from the shadows of domestic violence, a Philadelphia where love, respect and dignity are the foundations upon which we build our future. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you very much, Member Lozada. least, Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. m. at the Findlay Recreation Center located at 7701 Mansfield Avenue. That is for all of our adult citizens. m. I also just want to thank all of our colleagues who supported Ms. Munford and the work that she's been doing in the city of Philadelphia. We don't often have colleagues that are often like Munford, who are always trying their best to solve issues. I just want to briefly say something to why we wanted to honor Ms. Munford. Jenaye Munford represents somebody that is smart, but she's always thinking outside of the box of how to get things done. One of the reasons why and the main reason, the main reason why I really wanted to -- it was thankful to take on this role on City Council because I do not like bureaucracy. And just for everyone to understand what bureaucracy is, it is a hierarchy, there are strict rules that are often impersonal and overly rigid. Jenaye Munford did not does not represent that, and that's why I champion her today. But there is a department and there's several departments in the city of that represents bureaucracy. And the Philadelphia Water Department is one of them. I've had the worst experience with bureaucracy with the leadership of the Philadelphia Water Department, and it takes a lot for me to get this way. I don't get frustrated very easily. I'm normally cool, calm, but something about bureaucracy rouse me up. A few weeks ago back on September 24th, I got notice from neighbors in Philadelphia probably around August that the reservoir in East Oak Lane had rubbish, trash, landscaping issues, weeds all around this fence. And so, the neighbors said, why don't we just find a way to get the Water Department, they're responsible for reservoir, to clean it up. So I'm like, it's a simple landscaping issue, go out and fix it. So I make the call. I think it's going to be done within a few weeks, few days or so. It is now October 16th and we still have no resolution to a simple landscaping issue. The Mayor of the City of Philadelphia has been pressing the importance of being clean and green. Meanwhile, one of the largest revenue agencies in the city of Philadelphia, in his leadership having spoken to the Commissioner several times, has found a way to make a landscaping issue complicated. Their response, well, we have to go through Procurement, there's a financial person that we need to talk to, we got to find the it. There are thousands of landscapers in the city of Philadelphia that can go out and clean rubbish, weeds off of a fence. And that leads me to think about all the other issues that I've kindly been, you know, talking to them about. We had to have a whole community meeting about lack of response from the Water Department in West Oak Lane for something and their confusion about a year ago. At first I said maybe that was something that was normal, we just needed to do it. But now, I'm starting to realize that if you can't solve a landscaping issue with all the type of leadership that you have and the type of people that you have in that department, all the other issues that you make complicated aren't in addition to that, every time I go to community meetings I hear about the Water Department's lack of care for our community. They're leaving debris, trash around all -- and they're not getting their projects done in a timely fashion. Things that would not be acceptable in Bucks County or even Montgomery County, we are allowing to happen here in the city of Philadelphia.