Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will Chief Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's calendar?
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the work of It Takes Philly, encouraging and empowering our children to aim high for inspiring Philadelphia's youth to pursue their full potential introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on a resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson, the first African American President Judge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the first African American woman to preside over civil trials in the City of Philadelphia.
I'm going to ask for a silent vote on this resolution. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. Can we all stand, please?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings concerning the sale of unregulated substances such as Delta-8 and Kratom in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson. I'm sorry.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of all the neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia, I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing September 14th through 19th as National Arts Education Week in the City of Philadelphia introduced by Councilmember Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for motion and a resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing, congratulating, and celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Pope Francis' historic visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families 2015, honoring the individuals whose exceptional service made it possible and commemorating the lasting legacy of this transformative event introduced by Councilmember Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for motion and resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services to examine the causes and impacts of the uptick in pharmacy closures across Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Jones.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion on the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? 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 Bernie Prazenica on the occasion of his retirement after 17 years of distinguished service as President and General Manager of WPVI-TV 6ABC, introduced by Councilmember Jones.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Job well done. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution will be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing September 10th, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Day in the City of Philadelphia and affirming the need for suicide prevention awareness and robust mental health services, introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Councilman President. I move for its adoption. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring world master percussionist, Pablo Batista, for his distinguished contributions to music, culture, and education in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the history, culture, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities to our city and nation, introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing the month of September as a National Literacy Month and strengthening the City of Philadelphia's commitment to promoting literacy and digital literacy for all residents, introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. And I would ask to be excused, vote aye on all bills and resolutions moving forward, as I need to attend council business. Thank you.
Leave is granted. Thank you -thank you, Member Squilla. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.
Oh, Council President, this is for the leader. I'm sorry.
Okay. You'll be acknowledged at the appropriate time. The Chair recognizes -- the Chief Clerk, please proceed with the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring distinguished Latino leaders and community advocates in the City of Philadelphia during Hispanic Heritage Month, introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Curtis Jones.
Okay. You-all queuing up early. Understood. You'll be recognized at the appropriate time. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware for being named Chamber of the Year at the 2025 U.S. Black Chambers National Conference, introduced by Councilmember Young.
As I acknowledge Councilmember Young, we do have in the building the executive director of the African American Chamber of Commerce. To your left, Ms. Regina Hairston. Let's give her a round of applause for that acknowledgement. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye:
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs to hold a hearing on the city's progress preparing to accommodate individuals with disabilities for the historic programming taking place in 2026 in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for motion on the resolution.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing September as National Recovery Month and honoring the strength of those impacted by addiction, introduced by Councilmember Harrity.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution. Also naming the 3,300 block of Tilton Street Czerw Way to honor the life and legacy of John Czerw, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll.
The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Driscoll for a motion and resolution.
No, no. No, I'm sorry. This is for next week's calendar. It was in the wrong line.
-- to please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Danny Rumph Classic and recognizing its ongoing commitment to heart health awareness, community empowerment, and Philadelphia's rich basketball legacy, introduced by Councilmember Bass.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A non-privileged resolution honoring and commending the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network, PAAN for its proactive efforts to ensure the safety of youth and families in the 8th Councilmanic District -- District's recreation centers, and celebrating their success in maintaining violence-free zones through the implementation of the Playing It Safe in the 8th initiative, introduced by Councilmember Bass.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also move for adoption on the resolution on this one as well. cm: Second.
Could you speak into the mic? I couldn't hear nothing you said.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
Second. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? 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 We On A Mission and the 2025 Philadelphia Midnight Run as a reminder that the movement, when powered by purpose, can transform lives and cities alike, introduced by Councilmember Bass.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? 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 Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day, introduced by Council Ahmad.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for motion and resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying Aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
That completes our calendar for today. Any speeches on behalf of the minority? Any speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips. The Chair recognizes --
Councilmember Brooks. Okay. That just came on the screen.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks on behalf of the minority.
Thank you so much, Council President, and welcome back to all my colleagues.
We know that preparations for 2026 will be top priority for city government this fall. We are all excited for Philadelphia to be center stage to host FIFA Men's World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and the 250th anniversary of our democracy. We'll be investing tens of millions of dollars to upgrade public spaces and attract tourists from around the world. Among all of those tourists and more local attendees, we can expect that one in four will be someone with a disability. I spent 17 years working at Easterseals where I worked with people with disabilities and became deeply familiar with the barriers that prevent folks from fully participating in life here in our city. As members of city government, it is our moral and legal responsibility to minimize those barriers and prevent discrimination. As we prepare for 2026, accessibility should be a primary consideration and not an afterthought. To that end, I'll be holding a hearing of the Committee of People with Disabilities later this month to gather input and ideas for how we can center accessibility in our planning and decision making for 2026. Accessible design is not just an ADA compliance issue. When we minimize barriers for people with disabilities, we make our city more accessible for everyone. Ramps and curb cuts improve public spaces not just for wheelchair users, but also for our elderly visitors and parents with strollers. For 2026, we need to open our doors wide so that everyone feels welcome and that all new visitors come away with a clear impression that Philadelphia is a great city for every member of a family. Thank you so much.
Great job, Member Brooks. Any speech on behalf of the majority? Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips?
Thank you, Council President. Good afternoon, colleagues, and most importantly, good afternoon to all of our neighbors. I just also want the privilege to say thank you to our Majority Leader, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, for helping us find ways to the book written by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, former Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Walking a Tightrope Backward in High Heels. I can't wait to read it. Hopefully, Philadelphia gets a chance to read it. It's her memoir is on sale. But I want to say really quickly, I worked for her. I was her intern 20 years ago when I was 16 years old, and I had no intentions of being a member of Philadelphia City Council. And look at God, right? And so here I am today. Yes. First, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11th. We honor the legacies by, as the late John Lewis reminded us, getting into good trouble. This day reminds us that this is not just another first day of session. God has blessed us with another opportunity to serve, to lead, and make our city better. So let's not take that for granted, but instead commit ourselves to going above and beyond for the people of Philadelphia. I'm excited to return to the work of the people after a busy summer, and I'm thankful to the people who have allowed us to serve all of you. Our team spent a lot of time in our neighborhoods this summer, listening to our neighbors. We hosted our second annual Wadsworth Day, the largest festival in uptown in our northwest area in our district. We knocked on doors across the district, we opened a new office in a long underserved area on 5th Street, and we proudly released the findings of the Parent and Guardian Engagement Task Force. Last session, we also achieved a lot together, securing meaningful wins. As Chair of Parks and Recreation, I was proud to work with the administration and PPR to launch a multimillion-dollar lighting project in recreation centers across the city that we'll -- that we will be rolling out this fall. Yes, a multimillion-dollar lighting project to make sure that we have lights in and outside of recreation centers and parks that are bright to keep our children safe in and outside of recreation centers this fall. As a former youth nonprofit executive, I know the importance of afterschool programs and keeping our children safe and engaged. With the support of Council President and our colleagues, we created a pilot scholarship program to help families cover the cost of quality out-ofschool time programs. This initiative, launched in partnership with the Children's Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia will roll out this winter. In the 9th District, our neighbors are tired of smoke shops and nuisance businesses popping up. And that is why I created a zoning overlay, it required these establishments to seek community input before opening. Over the summer, I worked closely with L&I to shut down problem businesses using and expanding nuisance business law. 5 million in renovations for Olney Field's complex, an investment in our young athletes and our community. Today, I also want to recognize an organization that embodies our values. An intern in our office back in April wanted to recognize and honor It Takes Philly for their contributions to young people in the city of Philadelphia, and we also want to thank the Stafford family for their work encouraging and empowering our children to aim high. Their commitment is exactly why we launched the Parent and Guardian Engagement Task Force. And last month, we released a full report, which is on each of our City Council members' desks. And if you want a full report of the Parent and Guardian Task Force, please come to Room 594.
The report highlights key -- four key priorities: greater parent and guardian engagement, education and youth programming, stronger mental health and wellness supports in schools and communities, expanded career and workforce pathways for our young people, and increased access to digital literacy resources for both families and students. Looking ahead this fall, I will convene a public hearing to dive deeper into these findings and identify concrete steps we all can take. With Council back in session, we have a responsibility to pair legislation with community partnerships and direct engagement so we can continue improving the quality of life for families, not only for the 9th District, but across Philadelphia. And so I'll close with the words of Frederick Douglas who reminded us it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. That truth is what drives this work and why our investments in children and families today will shape the future of our city. So colleagues, neighbors, let's commit ourselves to this work and urgency with purpose. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Philly After School Hype, which is a partnership with myself and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas in the School District of Philadelphia, to dispel the myth that there's not enough programs or after-school programs for young people. m. m. And I also want to thank Council President for honoring a great friend, a great mentor to many, and a great community leader, Mr. Anton Moore. Well deserved, out of -- we do a lot of street renaming in the city of Philadelphia, but Anton Moore deserves them all -deserves all that and more. God bless everybody. Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you members for acknowledging the 3000 souls that lost their life at 9/11. Muslims, Christians, Jews under one roof lost their lives. Two years ago, next month, I talked about the Gaza situation, the terrorist attack that happened there, the condemning of that attack. And today, two years later, over 700 days later, I stand here to say a couple of things. One, release the hostages, release them right away, and then stop the killing. 64,000 souls have gone on based on this ongoing conflict. 18,000 of them are children. The most dangerous place in the world to be a child is in Gaza. And I understand, I don't -- listen, I said then, and I say now, that if you want to clean up the world, sweep under your feet -- sweep under your feet first, but you cannot ignore what is going on. Since then, we have experienced famine, genocide, words that we shouldn't be using in modern times that are happening. And I'm telling you that Jews, Christians and Muslims alike stand committed about this atrocity. And it is now an atrocity. And I -- I gave this scenario that all of us have public housing in our respective districts. And if some band of bad kids came out of the projects and committed a crime out in the neighborhood, you don't call them back and burn down the projects, you find the individuals responsible, you hold them accountable, and you create justice that way. You do not bomb reporters; you do not bomb hospitals. This is above and beyond, and there should be some type of, like, humanity. To be able to say, "All right, enough is enough. You made your point -you made your point 64,000 times." And I think it -- it's time for all of us to come together and call it what it is. And it is genocide. And we need to call for a halt. We want peace in the Middle East. I will reiterate, we want the hostages released. And I'm going to say that, sir, out of respect for this body, I'm not going to do this every week. I promise you I'm going to do it today. And I'm going to say that I want to thank my colleagues who are also of that same opinion, and that encourage all of us not to put our heads in the sand and say, "Oh, you know, everything is -- " no it isn't. And we -- and we need to acknowledge that. Thank you, Mr. President.
And you're welcome, Mr. Jones. Very well said, sir. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. And today I rise to remember and recognize all the victims and co-victims of 9/11. I remember being in college, a freshman in college at Westchester University on that day. But today, Mr. President, I rise to discuss legislation that I introduced at today's session of Council related to the nuisance businesses plaguing the city of Philadelphia. These businesses are pervasive, they're popping up all over the city, they attract crime and drug activity, and they sell drug paraphernalia and dangerous unregulated substances like Kratom. I'm proud to have worked with many of my colleagues in this body who deeply care about this issue, like Councilmember Bass, like Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember O'Neill, and also Councilmember Young. And many of you colleagues across our city who we worked together to do drug paraphernalia tours in your district, even back when our colleague, Councilmember Driscoll, was our then State Rep. But we have worked to protect our communities from the harmful effects of these businesses that are finding new ways around the laws we've established every single day, meaning that further action is needed to ensure that these businesses are no longer hurting our communities and skirting our laws. The legislation I introduced today will address serious loopholes in our current enforcement strategies. The first bill aims to address business owners who are changing their LLC names, the legal ownership, or making other small changes to their operations to avoid enforcement by ensuring that any business similar in ownership or operations would be responsible for the nuisance violations incurred by a previous business. The second bill cleans up the code to improve the efficiency of our enforcement, and it makes it easier for the Philadelphia Police Department to issue fines and violations for stop work and cease operation orders. We're finding that many of these businesses, even after they receive a cease or a stop order, continue to operate. It is my hope that these changes would further protect our residents and our communities from their destructive practices. Councilmember Jones know we were on North 54th Street this past Saturday dealing with this very issue. We must ensure that every possible loophole around these drug paraphernalia stores, every loophole is closed.
Because if not, we are guaranteeing that they will continue to find them and take advantage even when they receive information to abate any violations, they are skirting the nuisance abatement process. Additionally, in partnership with Councilmember O'Neill, today we introduced a hearing resolution regarding the sale of unregulated substances like Kratom and Delta-8 to better understand the impacts of these dangerous substances. And I look forward to working with my council colleagues to continue to make further progress in combating these businesses and the havoc they are causing in our communities. And I will tell you this, colleagues, New York City had this very problem and issue, and they clamped down their enforcement. And ever since New York City clamped down on enforcement, these businesses are flooding the city of Philadelphia. This started over the pandemic. So it was during a time where many of us were sheltering in place, so you didn't notice immediately that they were opening up these businesses. And I remember the first business that opened up on North 54th Street, and Councilmember Jones arranged for the administration to walk with us to go to each of these businesses to try to get them in compliance with our zoning laws and with our bills and regulations here in the city of Philadelphia. And they continue to pop up all over the city. And like many things, it started in our Black and Brown neighborhoods, and now they're spreading out to other communities. And we can't stand for this. New York enforced against this, we have to enforce against this happening in our neighborhoods. They're impacting our children, our young people. They're setting up near schools in residential areas. They're causing crime in and around these locations, shootings, murders, attempted murders. We are inundated in our communities as a result of these stores, and it's time that we clamp down, enforce, and do what we need to do to protect the city of Philadelphia. Additionally, Council President, I rise today as a result of the resolution I introduced honoring the late Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson for her service to the city of Philadelphia. Like me, Judge Massiah-Jackson was an alumna of both Masterman and the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Not only was she the first African American president judge in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the first African American woman to preside over civil trials in the city of Philadelphia, but she was a tireless champion of women in leadership, playing a vital role in empowering and elevating the next generation of women leaders. And I'll tell you, Council President, when I heard of her passing, I had to go back home in my archives and find a letter that she sent me in June of 2009. She actually addressed the letter to former Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown. But she talked about the work that I did in her office and encouraged me with this letter. And I've saved it. This is a copy because the original has to stay in place. But this letter was from June 26th, 2009, an example of her uplifting the next generation of leadership in the city of Philadelphia. While serving as our President Judge of the First Judicial District, she spearheaded the creation of an information center to better inform and engage constituents, expanded judicial education and employee appreciation programs, and designed and implemented guidelines to promote race and gender impartiality within all the district courtrooms. She also spent 10 years inspiring up-and-coming leaders as a lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Judge Massiah-Jackson received countless awards and recognition across her lifetime.
That is all just a small window into the incredible life and legacy of Judge Massiah-Jackson. She passed away on August 27th and is survived by her loving children, her daughter, Dr. Julia Jackson Duffus, and her loving son, Tom Jackson, as well as three grandchildren, brothers, and extensive family and friends. And it was my honor today, along with you, Council President, and all of our colleagues in this body, and including Council Members Landau and Young, who were a part of the organizations that she served in for many years, to honor and recognize her service, her contributions to our city, to our Commonwealth, and beyond. So thank you, colleagues. And finally, Council President, I'd like to use the balance of my time today to talk about something very near and dear to my heart. It is no secret that my time here as a Councilmember and before that as a staffer was shaped by former Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown. A journey that she officially started on January 3rd, 2000, 25 years ago this year, when she was sworn into office and began her first term as the only woman serving as an at-large member of Philadelphia City Council. But my first interaction with her came a little before that, in 1999, 26 years ago today in the auditorium of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. This newly elected, not yet sworn-in alumna of the Philadelphia High School for Girls came back to talk to us about her life and about her story and her experience, and getting ready to serve as a member of Philadelphia City Council. And I thought her story was interesting. So I went home on my typewriter and I wrote her a letter. And from that day, she kept up with me. And I remember when she sent me a card, when I was on my way to college at Westchester University that I still have, where she encouraged me on my academic journey. And in 2005, I had the great opportunity to return to the office as a graduate intern. And by 2008, I was working full-time in her office. And for the next 11 years, I served in every position you can hold as a staffer in Philadelphia City Council except communications. And during that time, she mentored me, she nurtured me, she uplifted me. And I can say confidently that all of the success that I've been fortunate to experience in this august body is a result of Blondell Reynolds Brown. Having a front row seat to her time in Philadelphia City Council, she taught me what it meant to be a leader, a working mom, and most importantly, she taught me how to dream big and always strive for greatness. " One of her dreams was to be a published author, which is why it is my esteemed pleasure to invite all of my City Council colleagues and all of you listening, as well as the members of the public, to the official launch of Walking a Tightrope Backward in High Heels by Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown. m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch at 1901 Vine Street. Her book offers more than an insider's look at City Council and navigating local politics. It's a candid, thoughtful reflection on the highs and the lows of being an elected official, a mother, a mentor, and a woman in public service and public life. Though admittedly, it was very emotional for me to relive some of the experiences mentioned in her book, especially now being an elected official myself, but her perspective is powerful and it's necessary. She captures the complexities and promises of public service with grace, with grit, and remarkable clarity. It's a must read for anyone working in government and anyone that feels you are constantly walking a tightrope backward in high heels. So today, colleagues, I have gifted a signed copy of her book to each of my council colleagues. m. Please stand, Councilwoman. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you very much. And we appreciate Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown for her leadership and how she paved the way and set the tone for all the things we are doing here in City Council, and specifically, when it comes to women's rights and having a seat at the table. What you said, if you're not -- if you're not at the table, you're on the menu? Yes, absolutely. We thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. It's hard to go after Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, but I'm going to try. I want to just first start by recognizing my colleague, Councilmember Jones here, for his authenticity and his courage of speaking out about the crisis in Gaza. And just want everybody here in the public to know that we speak often about these issues. We very much see eye-to-eye, and it's -- we're doing everything that we can to start bridging Jewish-Muslim gaps here in Philadelphia. So thank you. Thanks for -- I appreciate you and all of your words and everything that you said. I also then want to recognize Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, both for her recognition of Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown, who we're all so amazingly proud of her. But also, for your resolution on the passing of Judge Massiah-Jackson. Judge MassiahJackson was just a pillar of her community, and in life and in legacy, a pillar of excellence and a pillar of Black excellence that was recognized by so many and clearly a threat to others. She was a mentor to me and many others throughout the legal community, especially the Black legal community. And we've lost a light at -- a real shining light, and she was just wonderful. Today also, I was proud to introduce to Co-introduce -- sorry, an arts and education resolution with Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas. Philly's community is only as good as it is, thanks to the arts education our young people receive every day at our schools and universities. Whether you're a violinist at Curtis, an instructor with Mural Arts, or an elementary school teacher encouraging kids to explore their imagination, arts education is thriving in Philly at the educator and student level. Today is a good reminder that we must fund our public schools and extracurriculars to make sure aspiring artists and the hardworking educators who teach them have the resources they need. I'd also like to take this opportunity to condemn the recent cuts made to the SNAP program by President Donald Trump and his administration. And I thank my colleagues for signing on to my resolution today. Cutting SNAP is so harmful to the many people who rely on it most: the single mothers, the young kids, the people who are working multiple jobs to make ends meet and are elderly. Trump's cuts are a reckless attempt to peel back one of the key programs historically marginalized communities have to help protect them from falling deeper into poverty and simply putting food on the table. So I want to make sure that the public knows that there are many ways to be exempted from these harmful cuts, and they went into effect on September 1st, but there is still time. Go to places like Community Legal Services and other legal nonprofits, get some help. Come to our offices if you need to, we will help shepherd you through this process to try to see what you can do, to see if you fall into any of these exemptions so you and your family can continue to receive your benefits. Finally, I introduced a resolution recognizing -- excuse me, recognizing September 10th as Suicide Prevention Day in Philadelphia. According to the Philadelphia Suicide Prevention Task Force, there are an average of -there an average of three deaths by suicide each week in Philadelphia. In America, there's been a 30 percent rise in suicides over the past 20 years. The LGBTQ+ community is uniquely susceptible to suicide. Youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide than their straight and cis counterparts. Earlier this year, when the president cut funding for the National Youth LGBTQ+ suicide hotline, I was incredibly pained and disappointed. org. org.
To all of the youth who are out here in Philadelphia: we see you, you are not alone, we are here for you for help. Come to us, come to any of the leaders in the community, you will get through this. There will be another day. Thank you.
Thank you, Member Rue Landau. The Chair recognizes, Councilman Jeffrey J. Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, I also want to mention that when I was a high school senior, I had a unique opportunity to intern in this building for a district Councilmember, also in the managing director's office, but also for an at-large Councilmember. And that Councilmember was Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown. And so, you know, her life -- you know, her work has affected many of us in these chambers and will continue to do so. So I want to congratulate her on this book, and I look forward to reading it and gaining some insight on how I can be a better Councilmember. Last night I had the opportunity, or yesterday rather, to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Samantha Fitzpatrick as a new president of the Philadelphia Barristers Association. Yesterday also marked the end of my tenure on the board of the Barristers Association, where I had the opportunity to serve, you know, under the leadership of three different presidents: Kevin Hart, Kristin Johnson, and now Courtney Richardson. But I just want to mention some things we did with the Barristers last year. We held a get-out-the-vote rally with the Barristers and we also supported the Barristers and their turkey drive, and we've also, with the help of Councilmember Jones, renamed the street where the Barristers was founded as Barristers Way. So again, thank you so much Councilmember Jones for that. But Mr. President and colleagues and members of the public, I just want to thank you for the opportunity again to share a few reflections as we've returned from the summer recess. This summer was not a break, it was a season of building, listening, and delivering for the people of the 5th Council District. When we surveyed our neighborhoods earlier this year, we made a promise to bring resources directly to residents block-byblock, ward-by-ward. And we kept that promise, whether it was connecting families to CLIP and L&I to tackle quality of life issues, holding accountability town halls, or meeting neighbors where they are, sometimes at their corner store, at their local pub. We stayed present, we stayed committed. , the largest provider of homeless services in our city. We gave families a chance to spend the day at the Philadelphia Zoo, kids running freely, exploring, laughing. That day reminded me of why we do this work: so our children can simply be children and let kids be kids. We also supported organizations like the National Association of Each One Teach One, who sent Philadelphia youth up to New York, to Harlem, to play at Rucker Park, and witnessed the historic moment where Rucker Park was given its national historic designation. E. continues to inspire to this day. These moments rooted us in the truth that good things come from North Philly and from the 5th Council District. We marched in solidarity with families and workers alongside the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Unite Here, and the TUNA and TAP workers at Temple University, standing shoulder-toshoulder with those who dedicate their lives to educating our kids, feeding our families, and keeping our loved ones safe. We broke ground on our multimillion-dollar investments, the North Central Public Safety Building, the Cecil B. Moore Rec Center, the West Popular Turn The Key Housing Development, and we cut the ribbon on the new Napa Street playground, a place where children's laughter will echo each day. It'll be close to Summer Strong. We partnered with Shadow Trax Media Arts, 3711 Community Transformation, and the 37th Ward, raising up North Central CDC, Councilman Harrity, State Center Street, and State Rep, Malcom Kenyatta, and we hosted North Philly Day. , which was their 7th annual carnival, right. D. stands for Helping Others Overcome Difficulties.
We had 500 neighbors attend with free food, music, haircuts, backpacks, every ride you can imagine and that can be in the park, and resources. We had performances by Zay Money, we saw the return of Philly group No Question, we had Titan Wrestling in North Philadelphia. So for those who don't know, we put on a showcase like, it brought me back to my childhood. You would think that it was John Cena and The Rock out there wrestling, but the children of the community, the entire community, just watching their faces to see a live championship wrestling match in the middle of North Philly, right? It was just amazing. And Shadow Trax has been doing that for years. And so we have to continue to uplift our organizations that are doing the work on the ground to make our community what it is. You know, it wasn't just a celebration, it was proof that when we invest in our people, joy follows. We hosted a second annual Spring Garden Sunflower Fest with the Spring Garden Civic Association, the Spring Garden CDC, WXPN, IBEW Local 98, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The neighbors came together to celebrate the beauty of Spring Garden, Francisville, and Fairmount communities, enjoying food, art, music, and culture. But joy doesn't erase struggle, right? Our work wasn't just celebration; it was also about care in a time of pain. After tragic incidents in North Philadelphia, of after a tragic fire on North Corlies Street, or a shooting on Lambert Street, we hosted our community care events to make sure neighbors had access to resources, counseling, and direct support. These moments remind us that government's role is not to just govern from afar, but to show up, and to stand with people, and help them heal. We've also had to push back against federal policies that threaten our most vulnerable -immigrants, seniors, children. We've worked to keep our residents informed about essential programs like Medicare, SNAP, and other benefits, making sure people know what they qualify for and how to access the help they need. And just this week, Visit Philadelphia reminded us of our responsibility to history that offered a home to the slavery exhibits currently threatened with removal from the President's House. I want to make it clear that if the federal government turns its back on truth, Philadelphia and the 5th Council District will not. We will always hold a space for our full history because that too is what makes our city strong. Colleagues, all of this fuels my energy for this session ahead. This fall, we'll continue to fight for a fair, equitable development and funding that lifts up, not displaces. We will plan for the next generation, and we'll not turn our back on DEI, because DEI did not DIE in the City of Philadelphia. We'll push on the issues that weigh on us all: the responsibility to care for our youth and ensuring that parents have the necessary resources to be responsible parents. We will fight to curb gun violence, and we will ensure that our children inherit a city that values their future. My mission is simple: I want every young person in the 5th District to have a chance to dream, to play, to grow, and to just be kids. And I want the rest of Philadelphia to know that things don't -- that good things just don't come from North Philly, they begin here, right? Like the life of the Honorable Judge Frederica MassiahJackson, who's from 16th in Jefferson, who was in law school to make -- to make money. She wrote briefs for the legendary Cecil B. Moore. She was a clerk for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court at the age of 23 years old. And for those in the legal profession, to be a clerk at the Supreme Court level at such a young age is an honor, right?
It doesn't happen. So being the first Black president judge for the entire Commonwealth, you know, I just want to name a few of her accomplishments to show that great things come from North Philadelphia. So I want to thank you for the privilege to serve, and I look forward to rolling my sleeves up with each and every one of you in the coming months ahead to make sure we improve the lives of the residents of the City of Philadelphia. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. Good job, Member Young. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jim Harrity.
Thank you, Council President. Today I introduced a resolution acknowledging Recovery Awareness Month. It's no secret here that I am in recovery, and I'm glad to see today this resolution was sent to you unanimous. Every single member signed this resolution. You know, for me, somebody that's been around a little bit in the program, that's amazing, because it wasn't too long ago that there was such a stigma to the recovery that people mentioned it in a whisper. But the fact of the matter is that for so long, us in recovery, I believe, have been hiding behind the anonymous, our anonymity: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and there was a reason for that, because when it was first being developed, there was quite a stigma. We didn't know, and we didn't realize that it was just another form of mental illness like bipolar, schizophrenia, and others. So for me, I would like to take this time to call on all my brothers and sisters in recovery, and to remind them that the 12th step is to be of service. And for us, the easiest way for us to be of service is to tell our story. And that was to be told to another addict, because it was anonymous. But the fact of the matter is: we need to come out of the shadows to tell people that you may have been an addict, you may be recovering, and you will be recovering for the rest of your life. We never say we are recovered. That is a big no-no. But the fact of the matter is: this is an epidemic, and we need to lend our voices so that people know. You know, I can't tell you how many times when I'm out and I'm talking, and I've told my story, where people come up to me and tell me, you know, "Councilman, we like your story, and, you know, but you do know that, you know, that's not you. We know this is how you are, and this is what you're about." And I appreciate them giving me that acknowledgement that that's not me anymore. And that, you know, I'm more than that. And I agree with that. But the reason I tell my story isn't for me -- it isn't for big. It's for the fact that maybe somebody who's struggling will hear it and say, "Wow, if that guy did it, then I can definitely do it." So I'm so happy that my colleagues understand that we should be breaking down the stigma. And I ask my brothers and sisters in recovery to come out of the shadows and tell their experiences, show what they have become, because there is life after addiction. I am right here. This here is beyond my wildest imaginations. And that's what we tell the newcomer: "If you stick around long enough, God will show you things that you never, ever thought were possible." So for me, telling my story, it's compulsory. I have to, I have to give it back in order to keep what I have, and I'm not giving up what I have for anything. So with that, I thank you all for just realizing that there is no shame in addiction as long as you're willing to take the steps to get better. Thank you all.
Very well said, Member Harrity. The Char recognizes Dr. Nina -- he's still a Chiefs fan though. So all that, like Thursday, like, listen. And we love him too, but, you know.
I got the flag from me. I mean, you guys are killing me here, you know.
I love you, bro. The Chair recognizes the Councilman, Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. And I want to thank my fellow Councilmember for sharing such -- his deep and inner thoughts about his own journey and how we can participate in it. So thank you for giving us an opportunity to participate by supporting your resolution. With the enactment of the Vape Free Futures Act today, we've taken real action to protect our youth from predatory marketing and harmful addiction. This victory belongs to our youth, who are the reason why we actually did this bill, and the parents, educators, and health advocates. And it affirms that Philadelphia puts our children's well-being first. And as we mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the bravery of the first responders, and the resilience of our communities. I also want to honor the Philadelphia police officers who traveled to Ground Zero and answered the call that day. Many of them now are fighting cancers and lung diseases linked to their service at Ground Zero. I urge the administration to expedite their investigation so these first responders can get their health care coverage they so desperately need. I'm also proud to have presented a resolution recognizing September 16th as National Voter Registration Day in Philadelphia. Our city, the birthplace of American democracy, must do more. Voter turnout has been too low, and across the nation, voting rights are under attack. This resolution is our commitment to make voter registration accessible, visible, and celebrated. Each voice -- every voice, every vote matters. I also salute the resolution expanding the Economic Opportunity Review Committee to include the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Greater Philadelphia and the Independence Business Alliance, our LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. I thank those colleagues who did vote for this, because that vote is for inclusion and diversity. By including these groups, we lift up these diverse business voices and strengthen equity in our economic decision-making. I want to sincerely thank my colleagues for passing both vital resolutions today. Together, we are protecting public health, defending our democracy, expanding opportunity, and remembering those who serve Philadelphia and who continue to lead with equity and purpose. Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Ahmad. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I want to -- I want to mention a few things. First, I want to invite everyone to an opening reception that Council President and myself are hosting on September 15th at 4:30 in the caucus room, where we are going to put on display what we're calling From the 215 With Lots of Lots of Love, where we're celebrating Hispanic -- Hispanic Heritage Month in an evening of art, culture, and community. Everyone is welcome, and everyone should have received the flyer on your desk. And then I also want to follow up on what I mentioned earlier during public comment. I want to make sure and reiterate to everyone that by no means do I want to prevent small businesses from coming into the 7th Council District. I encourage -- I welcome businesses to come into the district, but unfortunately, for a district like mine, we have to go back to basics. We have to hold people accountable. The Mayor's office at some time at the end of last session put out a report that showed that some of these convenience stores, or the highest number of convenience stores were found in the 7th Council District, and they're very problematic, right? I have experienced convenience stores opening up within a two-week period, bypassing zoning, bypassing having to go into the community. These convenience stores are part of the problem as it relates to people's packages being stolen from their doorsteps and the convenience stores buying them and reselling them in their businesses. They are a part of the open-air narcotics trade in the 7th Council District, right? And so there's a lot that goes into us wanting to create a tool like the 24-hour curfew bill to be able to help curb some of this activity in the 7th. And so I want folks to understand that we are open for business, you know, but we have to do what we can so that we can respond to a commercial corridor like one of the ones that I have where there's a 48 percent vacancy, right? We're not going to be able to respond to that vacancy unless we're able to improve public safety, right? And some of these food trucks have become a part of this process, right? But what we've also found is that they also need to come into compliance. Some of these food trucks are connected to illegal electrical drops that are encroaching on people's properties. They're not -- they're not going to commissary every day, and so it creates another load of issues. And so, again, I want to make sure that folks understand that we are not trying to prevent small businesses from coming into the 7th. We want our businesses to grow, but we have to go back to basics and hold people accountable. This morning, I also introduced a resolution to declare September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month. During this time, we should take an opportunity to celebrate Latinos and recognize why they are important to the City of Philadelphia, to the Commonwealth, and to the fabric of this nation. It is a time when immigrants across this country are being vilified, scapegoated, or ignored. It is more important than ever that we stand up and recognize that immigrants are not a threat to our communities. They are the cornerstone of them. Immigrants are not a burden; they are a blessing. September is more than just a month on a calendar. This is a time to uplift the stories, the struggles, and the triumphs, and the undeniable contributions that Latinos bring to the City of Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth. And they have made them for generations. We are not new to this city, we are not guests, we are a part of this city. ) We have been here raising families, starting businesses, organizing neighborhoods, teaching in our classrooms, marching in the streets, and so much more.
From the Boricuas and the Dominican families of Fairhill and Kensington, to the Mexicans in South Philly, the Venezuelans, Guatemalans, and Colombians across the city, Latinos are a part of the past, present, and the future of Philadelphia. So as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this month, I invite my colleagues and all Philadelphians to stand with us and recognize that we are a city of rich culture because of Hispanics or Latinos in the city, and the contributions that we bring to it. Together, we are stronger. (Spanish language. Thank you.
Very well said. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I just really want to start by thanking my colleagues for the very important work that they've been doing over the summer months, and particularly around the issues of nuisance businesses. And, you know, it just never ceases to amaze me the amount of time and effort that someone will take to try to figure out how to skirt the law and how to figure out how to, you know, sort of squeeze the community just a little bit more to get an extra coin or two and really damage that same community that they say that they care about. I can only tell you how incredibly offended I was that someone came to my office. The group that was here earlier came to my office and met with me last week. And I immediately asked them, what neighborhood do they live in? " And it's just unbelievable that, you know, the audacity to tell neighbors that they have to put up with something that -- you're not putting up with it. You don't have to deal with it, but to tell people that they should have to deal with these conditions. And it is never our intentions to hurt any business, and particularly a small business, and particularly small minority businesses operating right here in our communities. It is never our intention to do anything that is going to, be detrimental. But it is very important to know that if we -if we make a misstep, that we can fix it. That's what the legislative process is. When we go out and we legislate and we make changes, if we do something that's not going to be good for the community, we can always come back and make adjustments to whatever we pass in this body. So I just really want to say kudos to my colleagues, particularly, our majority leader, Kathy Gilmore Richardson, and also Brian O'Neill -- Councilman O'Neill, who had a great piece of legislation and all the work. And, of course, Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada. I forgot what Councilman Harrity called, a fireball or something like that. But she was on fire today, you know, and passionate about the community in which she serves. And so, you know, nothing but respect to her for all of her hard work as well. Just a couple of things I really wanted to mention. And the first is we introduced a number of resolutions today. Number one, thanking PAAN, Philadelphia's Anti Drug, Anti-Violence Network, which has played a critical role in protecting youth and families in the 8th Council District. We instituted this program, which we hope will be a model to go citywide, in which there was an effort in violence prevention, and reflecting their long-standing commitment to building safer and stronger neighborhoods. And through their work, there were no violent incidents, zero, at these sites. And that's a powerful indicator of the effectiveness of this initiative. So we're hoping that this is something that could actually be duplicated. And, again, a big shout-out. I know we're going to have PAAN come down and publicly say a big thank you. But, you know, this is really where the rubber hits the road. So we want to thank them for that. Also, we want to thank the Danny Rumph Foundation, Candy Owens, for coming down and speaking. And, you know, I know I spoke when she gave her presentation, but I also just really wanted to make mention that, you know, if Candy Owens is walking down the street, most people don't know who she is or what she's done. But she has done an incredible amount of work around ensuring that healthy hearts are taken seriously in minority communities. Because there's been far, far, far too many of these, you know, things that happen in our rec centers where somebody's playing basketball and they just collapse. You know, they just drop.
And so, without her efforts, untold others would have had the same fate as her son. So she took something that was a heartbreaking experience for her -- for herself, and changed it into something that is really going to be helpful so that no one else has to go through what she and her -- and losing her son had to go through. So, again, we want to say thank you to them as well. Also, we did -- on a mission. We are on a mission. Notice how I say it. "We on a Mission," which is the Midnight Run, we all call it. So my staff, actually, got me out this summer to the Midnight Run. I think it was in like July or August. We were out there at midnight. " You know, I'm expecting it's going to be maybe 50 people, maybe 100. There were 2,000 people out at the art museum to run at midnight on a hot summer night. So it was fantastic. They had never had any sort of city recognition, city support. So thanks to all of my colleagues, we did a citation on all -everyone's behalf, thanking them for the work that they were doing around health and that initiative, and particularly in the African American community. And it was just fantastic. So we're going to have “We on a Mission” down here as well, also known as the Midnight Run. And last but not least, I did want to just mention that we introduced a bill, which we'll be talking a little bit further about later, to make sure that there's a first aid kit in every city vehicle that moves in this town. So as part of our effort to ensure that the city of Philadelphia, that its employees are the first line of being good citizens, of good citizenship. And so we'll have more information about that coming soon. But look for that soon, once we pass this bill, that every city vehicle will have information, Narcan, whatever is possible and available to fit within that glove box, that we will have the tools necessary to be helpful to our fellow citizen here in the city of Philadelphia. So thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Member Bass, and thank all the members for your outstanding work as we kick off our council session. And, you know, I support not only the work that you do, but I always like to acknowledge, right, that our time and our effort is for not. And as you know, today we introduced 24 resolutions. Now, we passed 24 resolutions, two bills, but we introduced 24 resolutions and 20 bills. And so, you know, contrary to popular belief, we work, right? It's the first day. Nobody's, like, you know, relaxing and just hanging out, right, but we're actually putting in that rope. So good job. And then again, for the record, for all those who are listening and documenting, 34 resolutions and 20 bills introduced today. So keep up the good work, everybody. With that being said, I want to take a moment to acknowledge for adjournment Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at 10 a.m. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded. The Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September the 18th at 10:00 A.m. All in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.
Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Thank you-all very much. ) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the notes taken by me of the above case, and this copy is a correct transcript of the same. _______________ Samanda J. m. C. E. D. m. org. org. S.