There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Licenses and Inspections, Council President.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills Stated Meeting record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of these bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a Stated Meeting
Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of special business at this time. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Stated Meeting Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260050, introduced at our Stated Meeting on January 22, '26. Would the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth, and a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Community Child Welfare Commission; and authorizing and directing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
Thank you very much. Stated Meeting Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Resolution No. 260050 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 260050 be withdrawn. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And Resolution No. 260050 has been withdrawn. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a Stated Meeting 260027 introduced at our Stated Meeting on January 22, 2026. Would the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the creation of the Community Child Welfare Commission and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 260027 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and Stated Meeting 2ND READING properly seconded that Bill No. 260027 be withdrawn. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and Bill No. 260027 has been withdrawn. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committees with the suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no Stated Meeting 2ND READING additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: No. 260066. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 241070, 260044, 241056, 250768, 250807, 250843 and 251025.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and Stated Meeting resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's Council session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hasson at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. The time limit today will be two minutes. In order to be fair to Stated Meeting all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to please conclude your remarks. Once two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right, pursuant to our rules of Council, to limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker. Stated Meeting
Will Jeremy Blatstein, Lynn Landes, David Jenkins and Atiya Harmon, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello, City Council. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. First off, obviously I want to acknowledge John Solomon and the guys that were honored today. I got connected with him from Pastor Carl Day four years ago when I started tweeting about gun violence. And Pastor Carl called me out and said, what does a White boy from Abington know about gun violence. I said absolutely nothing. And Pastor Carl sat down with me and schooled me. Really saw the work that the guys are doing in the trenches day-in and Stated Meeting day-out and how important it is. I got connected with Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, right, House of Umoja. I sat and listened every Saturday for Solution Saturday for a whole year and learned so much from her. Gun violence isn't an easy thing to solve in this city and I really appreciate the work that everyone's doing to support these organizations that are on the ground. So thank you very much for that. But with that being said, last week was Holocaust Remembrance Day. There was not a peep said in this room last week. I didn't see a post by any of you. It's okay. But the bigger issue, hey, Philadelphia news media -
Can I just correct the Stated Meeting record? So from our -- our Jewish Councilmember did do a joint statement and she posted it. I think everyone saw it. Member Rue Landau for the record.
At this point in time, right, we were trying to be respectful --
And so, at this point in time I'm going to ask you to carry on -
So my point is -- the point of the order, Stated Meeting right, is what occurred on Sunday in Rittenhouse Square, right, with the rally that happened. That was no mention in the media -
I want to be respectful of you. It's not on the Calendar right now. If you want to have a Jewish, Palestine, Gaza conversation, have somebody introduce a bill and we can address it formally. I tried to give you discretion. That's all we have for the day. Thank you, sir. Next please.
Remarks, Member Rue Landau -- please, Lynn Landes, begin.
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of Stated Meeting Safestreetsphilly.org and Philly's Republican Network. The anti-ICE resolution proposed today is a blatant reversal of the facts. It is not ICE agents, but instead illegal aliens, anti-ICE activists and democratic officials who have "engaged and continue to engage in lawless, cruel and unconstitutional activities." It is democratic officials who continue to encourage anti-ICE activists to stalk, harass and obstruct ICE agents. Can you imagine treating our own police this way? Of course, many people feel badly for the millions of illegal aliens who now live in fear of being caught by ICE. But whose fault is that? Well, it's theirs for knowingly violating our immigration laws, but it's also democratic officials who Stated Meeting entice them here to so-called sanctuary cities and states and then spent billions of taxpayers' dollars incentivizing them to stay. And despite all of that, the Trump administration has offered to pay nonviolent illegal aliens to return home. That is not cruel or heartless. That's bending over backwards to sensibly solve a national catastrophe that democratic officials themselves have created. Unfortunately, I believe that what sponsors of this resolution really want are open borders. ICE out, illegals in. And that would lead to an endless invasion, insurrection -
Ms. Lynn Landes, just real quick, and you know I welcome all public comment, but we don't Stated Meeting use the word aliens in this body. (Applause.)
And so, you can say immigrants, but we don't use aliens. You can have your opinion, but we don't use aliens in this body.
That's your opinion. Are you saying that I cannot use the word aliens?
I just said we don't use aliens. Please proceed. Please proceed, ma'am.
But it appears that the anti-ICE movement is really all about -- that's what it's really all about, and they Stated Meeting will succeed if average Americans fail to fight for our democracy. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Ms. Landes. Please begin, sir.
Mr. President, a quick point of order. I just wanted to reset the room. We don't use heinous language nor do we treat our brother and sister from anywhere that way. That is appalling. (Applause.)
We don't do that here in chambers. Let me reset. Mr. President, members and guests, I rise in celebration of 100th anniversary of Black History Month in America as the 13th generation of a Black American song woven into the fabric of this land. Stated Meeting 392 years ago, my ancestors arriving Virginia in 1634. I rise today in solidarity with the Masonic brethren as the 32nd degree Mason with the Masonic pedigree going back to 1865 with King Solomon Lodge No. 1 in North Carolina, a pedigree which has seen four grandmasters in my family, with Donald C. Jones, the Honorable Donald C. Jones, Grandmaster, Pennsylvania's 105th Grandmaster being my last. I rise in recognition of Mercy-Douglas Hospital as the first Black hospital in Philadelphia, commemorating its enduring legacy and that of its founder Dr. Nathan Francis. I do so because my pioneering grandparents, Dr. Clarice Patricia Turner and Dr. Charles High Debnam would have Stated Meeting it no other way. If you are a foundational Black American, please rise and remain standing. If you are a Masonic brother or a member of an appended body, please rise and remain standing. If you have inherited the blessings poured upon this community from the work of Mercy Douglas Hospital for health equality, please rise and remain standing. Look around, brothers and sisters of love. You have heard it said, stony the roads we trod, bitter the chastening rod felt in the days unborn when hope had died. But I'm here to testify today that such roads have come to we who have come. A people of Jacob's ladder, a stairway of genetic origin, trying, tying man to the promises of the divine. We represent a Stated Meeting force and a spirit that cannot be destroyed, not through chattel slavery, not by Jim Crow law, not by eugenics nor redlining, voting restrictions, nor systematic equality, not even by tearing down signage from a historic wall. I want to add to the gentlewoman, her many list of Black mavericks with these names, Julian Francis Abele, architect of Philadelphia Museum of Art, Marian Anderson, America's contralto, names like Cecil B. Moore, W.E.B. Du Bois -- had a point of order -- Richard Allen and Absalom Jones and. Oh, yes, we stand at a time -- I had a point of order with the President. We stand at a time when America struggles --
Council Stated Meeting President, do I have time for the point of order?
Thank you. It is the day that I come to stand on business to remind the world that we have not forgotten the God of our weary years nor of our silent years, the God who has brought us thus far along the way, he who has, by thy might, led us into the light, he who keeps us even now in the path we pray. (Applause.)
I'm sorry. Could Olivia Oliver, Robin Morris and Sheila Armstrong please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approach podium.) Stated Meeting
I am Atiya Harmon, Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls Love Math. I am speaking today to acknowledge our recognition, sponsored by Councilperson Dr. Anthony Phillips and all of City Council to show appreciation of our work in Philadelphia. This informs the importance of investing in Black girls and in early preventative education work. It sends a strong message that Philadelphia values programs that expand access and opportunity. As the city is No. 4 in the nation and lifescience sector, Black Girls of Math is helping to expand those horizons for our girls in our city. What we do, why we do it and how the program works, I will go over quickly. We help Black girls see Stated Meeting themselves as math people. We create joyful learning experiences that build real math skills, confidence and a sense of belonging. When girls feel confident and supported, they're much more likely to stick with math and imagine futures that use it. I'm sure it's about half this room that says I'm not a math person. Why it matters? Math confidence is a huge gatekeeper to opportunity. If students don't believe math is for them early on, they are less likely to take advanced classes later on or pursue STEM pathways. Black Girls of Math steps in early so confidence gaps don't turn into opportunity gaps. We at our program make intentional, joyful and a community-centered program. It does not feel like school and that's a strong Stated Meeting paramount of our values. Girls learn together, build friendships and see math connected to real life. Families often tell us that relationships and confidence that their kids gain are just as important as academic growth. We run two types of programs, closed enrollment and open enrollment. Closed enrollment is for schools and we partner with Global Leadership Academy as well as Girard College. Thank you, Jeffrey Young. A lot of schools want to work with us, but many just don't have the funds to pay for an enrichment program this month -- I don't know what this means. We have a program for the Greater Philadelphia community that started yesterday on Wednesdays to offer access to all students. As we Stated Meeting continue to grow and expand progress, we want to meet the demand and grow thoughtfully so sustainable, public and philanthropic funding is critical and with more support, we can serve more Black girls in our city. Thank you. (Applause.)
Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolution will be called up today, 260044. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity. Stated Meeting
Thank you, Council President. And thank you for giving me a little time here. You know, I'm a little upset. I'm getting tired of this stuff, you know what I'm saying. People want to come in here and talk without doing their homework. Okay. Because I can tell you right now, there were multiple statements put out. One, I had my statement that Senator Street wrote as a Muslim about the incident on my Facebook page less than an hour after the thing started. I called Rabbi Kushner on the phone to see if there was anything that we could do. So I take offense to him calling us out when he doesn't do his homework. And I'm for everybody getting to voice their opinion. Okay. We Stated Meeting don't usually say anything, but enough is enough here. It was wrong. It wasn't right. And for somebody to even get up and do an inkling to call out my colleague, our only member of Jewish descent on this Council body, it's just outrageous. Okay. She made her statement. She did it right away just like the rest of us did. We don't stand for hate here in this Council. So get it straight. If you're coming in here with hate, take it the hell home. (Applause.)
Time out, pause. Now, you know I love you, Member Harrity. But I got my little kids, little children behind the rails watching democracy. Y'all, don't go home and use that word. All right. Stated Meeting Council will resume. Thank you, Member Harrity. Go ahead, young lady.
My name is Olivia Oliver. I'm a 7th grader and I attend Nebinger Elementary in South Philadelphia. When I grow up, I want to be in the tech industry like one of our sheroes, Sierra McDonald, who is a Black woman game designer. I've been with Black Girls Love Math since it started five years ago. I was in the 2nd grade and first attended the weekend program, which taught me more ways to learn math than the standard ways at school. I love visiting Spelman College and the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg to advocate for Black Girls Love Math as an ambassador. Thank you, City Council, for recognizing Black Stated Meeting Girls Love Math as we help girls in Philadelphia like me get into STEM. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Robin Morris and I'm the Executive Director of the Garces Foundation. For more than a decade, our organization has served Philadelphia's immigrant workforce through education, job training and comprehensive health care. We work with the people who power the city, our restaurant and hospitality workers, construction workers, caregivers and small business owners. Immigrants are a critical part of our civic, cultural and economic foundation in Philadelphia and across the country. They contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits. They strengthen our neighborhoods and Stated Meeting they make our city safer. And yet, for the first time in our organization's history we are seeing a decline in enrollment. That is not because people no longer want to learn English, gain job skills or access health care. It's because fear has reached a breaking point. People are afraid to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. At the Garces Foundation, we've spent a decade building trust with the communities we serve across the city. When fewer people come through our doors, it tells us something profound, the fear is deep and justified. That fear is being driven by the unlawful and inhumane actions of ICE. We have seen families separated, people detained without judicial warrants Stated Meeting and individuals harmed or killed in custody. These practices undermine constitutional protections and make all of us less safe. HR 7147 would continue to allocate billions of our taxpayer dollars to the Department of Homeland Security, including roughly $10 billion more for ICE. This bill sustains and enables the expansion of enforcement capacity without corresponding oversight or accountability. I'm here today to urge City Council to support Resolution 260066 and ask Senators Fetterman and McCormick and all Senators committed to the Constitution and rule of law to vote no on HR 7147. If we want safer, stronger communities, we must invest in our people, schools, hospitals and communities, not in fear, surveillance and violence. Stated Meeting Thank you. (Applause.)
Could we please have Jake Zychick, Bishop Michelle Simmons, John McAuley and Phil Lockett, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approach podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Sheila Armstrong. Some of y'all know me. Some of y'all don't. I have to be honest that I'm really not happy to be here today because of the fact that -- I have to be honest that I'm not happy to be here today because of what God had put on my heart to say today. I really tried to stay in Stated Meeting my lane. I created Cooking For Autism so I could do my advocacy work in peace and mind my own business and just help the people that I like to help because I don't do politics. I don't like politics. And y'all know this. God put on my heart a warning that is coming from the book of Matthew 6:5 and Matthew 23:15. The message is, Woe to you, elected officials of the law, you are hypocrites. Woe to you that organized on the backs of parents and students of the Philly School District, but yet more schools are closing. Woe to you that supported the plastic bag ban, but manufacturers are using plastic for everything, the hardship of people paying for bags to take their grocery home. Woe to you, that Stated Meeting supported the Resign to Run legislation, but now trying to change it because it now affects you. Woe to you that shout One Philly but villainize those that disagree with you. Woe to you that claims to be representations of God but support legislation that is against him. Woe to you that says you support women and talk bad about any woman that stands against you or whatever your policies or anything that you're doing. Woe to you that work for special interest groups that donated to your campaign but leave the rest of us people out here desperately searching for hope from somewhere. Woe to you that continually be saying the ICE Out, because in these streets it's being interpreted as illegal immigrants is in and that this Council cares Stated Meeting more about illegal immigrants than American citizens in this city. Woe to you, elect officials, hypocrites. Woe to you.
Jacob Zychick. Thank you to Councilmember Harrity and the entire Philadelphia City Council for recognizing February as Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death of Philadelphians. More than 4 in 10 women in the United States have a form of cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, a figure that is actually continuing to expect it to grow. Each year heart disease and stroke kill more women than all forms of cancer combined. And unfortunately, risk factors like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and inactivity are Stated Meeting actually increasing. I really want to thank everyone in Philadelphia City Council for working closely with the American Heart Association in the past year. Together, we've worked to expand access to healthier foods. We've worked to really reduce it and try to end the youth vaping epidemic and also have worked to strengthen tobacco retailer enforcement. So once again, I want to thank Philadelphia City Council for working closely with the American Heart Association and really want to thank Councilmember Jim Harrity for introducing the resolution to recognize February's Heart Month. Thank you all and have a great day. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, everybody. I'm Bishop Stated Meeting Michelle Simmons and I want to appreciate Council President Kenyatta Johnson, all the Councilmembers. God bless y'all. So, Council President, distinguished members, City Council and all the other honored guests, thank you for the opportunity to stand before you today with my team as one of the women proudly proposing the resolution alongside my sisters from SWAG. We also have the Malik Aziz chapter of All of Us and None who are is proposing this bill. I'm deeply grateful for the moment during Black History Month, a time when we honor truth, courage and ongoing justice and fight for justice. This resolution speaks to an issue that's both historical and is urgent. The language of the 13th Amendment Stated Meeting still permits slavery as punishment for crime. Because of that loophole, generations of Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islanders and other communities have continued to experience forced labor, exploitation and dehumanizing conditions inside our prisons. We see it in wages, pennies on the dollar. We see it in the labor that fuels state agencies and private industries and we see it in the lives of the women we serve every day. For those of us who work directly with women returning home from incarceration, this is not theory. It is lived experience. It is the story of women who survived the system that was designed to break them. Yet, who still rise with dignity, purpose, strength and that's the Stated Meeting reason we're here. Their voices are never going to stop. As a proposer of the resolution, I and the team stand firmly and believe that Pennsylvania must move from beyond outdated constitutional language -and my timer went off, so can I get another 30 seconds -- align our laws with our values that's rooted in humanity, fairness and true freedom. Ending the vestige of slavery is not symbolic. It is necessary and it is moral and it is long overdue. (Applause.)
Thank you, Reverend Simmons. Thank you, Mr. Saleem Holbrook, as well for your work on this particular issue.
Will John McAuley, Phil Lockett and Ogbonna Stated Meeting Hagins please make your way to the podium. MR. McCAULEY: My name is John McCauley. I'm with a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. We're here to give something different to Philadelphia, something that y'all are not used to because you've been voting Democrat for the Mayor's Office for the past 70 years. It's not MAGA who's doing all of the carjacking and the shootings. When we talk about ICE, 78 million people, seven swing states, including Pennsylvania, we voted for this. We voted for this. We gave a mandate. So I want to sit here and tell U.S. Senator John Fetterman, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick to vote yes and support HR 7147. I sit here in disgust as I watch Kendra Brooks, Jamie Stated Meeting Gauthier hold up pictures of a domestic terrorist, Renee Good. I'd never seen her put up a picture of Dacara Thompson, a 19-year-old who was raped and murdered by an illegal alien and thrown over a bridge. I never seen her put up a picture of Laken Riley, who was raped and murdered. I never seen her put up a picture of Larisha Thompson, a mother. I named two Black women by the way. And y'all sit here and pander to White liberal women like Renee Good.
Could you speak on the resolution -MR. McCAULEY: I'm speaking on all of it. It's my First Amendment right. It all goes hand in hand.
Just make sure you speak Stated Meeting on the resolution. MR. McCAULEY: We wanted to fund to deport 20 million illegal aliens that was imported in here by the Biden and Harris Administration with the help of the Cartels. So why don't you all stand up for Americans for once because America comes first (inaudible).
Thank you for your opinion. Thank you very much. Please call the next person for public comment.
Will Phil Lockett approach the podium and then Ogbonna Hagins.
Good morning, everybody. My name is Brother Phil aka Kasahu. I rise today to oppose Bill 241056 and 241070 because it denies the true Stated Meeting meaning of our democracy. One hat at a time to run for any position in government, this allows sitting officials with favoritism to deny fair and transparent elections of citizens to a fair chance to participate in a fair and transparent election positions. This bill creates a monopoly to stop citizens from participating in our democracy fairly. I had a Councilperson that had -- they were on every board in our community and you couldn't get nothing passed. Don't make her mad. Because no matter if you went around the corner and went to another agency, she can stop you from that because she was on every board around here. So we got to stop this being in one position and then jump into another position and then jump into another position Stated Meeting just to monopolize the positions of democracy. We cannot allow this anymore. If you are a city official and you want to run for another position, then you got to resign from your position just like the person that's coming off the street and running for the position. They don't have a position. And so, the sitting official shouldn't have that leverage. That's being unfair and I think we need to take a closer look at that, Councilman President. And I thank y'all and have a good day. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. Ogbonna Hagins, fourth generation chattel slavery Stated Meeting survivor. I'm here to speak on Resolution 260066, which urges U.S. Senators to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. This resolution reminds us that federal power must operate within legal limits. And when it does not, communities whose rights are directly affected are the ones who suffer. A clear example here in Philadelphia is the President's house. The Slavery Exhibit there was removed by federal authorities, something that should never have happened. That exhibit documented the constitutional fact, chattel slavery at the seat of the presidency. Its removal erased history and harmed the descendants of the enslaved. Even the act of removing it required consultation with the people most directly Stated Meeting affected, American Freedmen. That consultation never happened. That absence is not symbolic. It's a continuing harm, a 13th Amendment violation. My organization, the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen, we filed a Next Friend's Petition on behalf of the roughly 700,000 descendants of U.S. chattel slavery in Philadelphia who were harmed by this removal. The petition ensures they have a choice with federal action -
Are we speaking on ICE or are speaking on -Stated Meeting
Brother, listen, you can't control how I go through my speech because I'm going to end it with that. And you keep interrupting me and you're messing up my flow.
No, the Council President -- this shows why the President's House must be protected and why the Office of Freedmen Affairs is necessary. That office will provide the institutional voice so no federal decision affecting American Freedmen, the American Freedmen's history or rights could occur without their input. The Next Friend's Petition ensures representation and the Office of Freedmen Affairs Stated Meeting would prevent this kind of violation from happening. I'd like to thank Councilmember Curtis Jones. Last week, amazing for you to speak about the American Freedmen. The first Councilmember who openly spoken about the progeny of the emancipated. Ogbonna Hagins. Over and out.
There are no additional names for public comment, Council President.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to take a brief moment and acknowledge that we had some young folks from Imhotep Charter High School here from the 8th Council District right up there. All right. And so, they Stated Meeting are a part of the Mock Trial Team, which competed at both the Singles and World Championships in 2025, which was its first year of existence. So we just wanted to welcome our future lawyers here today. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take a second to comment on what happened during public comment today. It was very disturbing to hear how our body was characterized, and I want to thank you for pointing out and correcting the record for the statements that were made, and Stated Meeting certainly thanking all of my colleagues for not only supporting me but supporting the Jewish community. We are a very diverse body and we are doing our best in this beautiful city that we have, that we each stand up and speak out when we can, and we always support each other. So I feel your support, the Jewish community feels your support and I want to thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
That concludes our public comment period for today. We will - STATED - 2ND READING now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 260044.
A resolution expressing City Council's priorities for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's 95 Revive Project from Center City to South Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260044.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Squilla, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 260044 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 260066.
A resolution urging U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick - STATED - 2ND READING as well as all United States Senators committed to upholding the Constitution of the United States and the rule of law to vote "No" on H.R. 7147, and to reject increased funding for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260066.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 260066 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Member Brooks, would you like to be acknowledged as voting yes on all bills and resolutions?
Thank you very much. It will be recorded and duly noted. Will the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Black Girls Love Math for its work in eliminating racial and gender inequality in - STATED - 2ND READING mathematics by cultivating a positive math identity for Black girls through culturally responsive enrichment, mentoring and community in Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution declaring February 5, 2026 as Citywide Student Government Day in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) - STATED - 2ND READING
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 Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution declaring February 2026 as "Black History Month" in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizing the 100th anniversary of its observance. Introduced by Councilmember - STATED - 2ND READING Phillips on behalf of Council President Johnson.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, 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 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution congratulating Donna Cooper on her retirement and recognizing her transformational leadership and lifelong advocacy for children in Philadelphia and across the state of Pennsylvania. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips on behalf of Council President Johnson.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, we celebrate Donna Cooper. I move for the adoption of the resolution. - 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. Would the Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing February 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Gilmore - STATED - 2ND READING Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move 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.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT - 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 honoring and congratulating Nicole Cashman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cashman & Associates on the occasion of the firm's 25th anniversary, and recognizing her remarkable contributions to the business community and cultural vitality of the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Council President Johnson.
The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the - STATED - 2ND READING resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move the adoption of the resolution on your behalf. (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. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution Honoring and Recognizing the Legacy and Contributions of Prince Hall Freemasonry during Black History Month. Introduced by Councilmember Jones.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. And for the co-signers on this resolution that are Masons, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
And those co-signers are members, Councilmember Jim Harrity, Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke. So mote it be. It has been moved and - STATED - 2ND READING 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. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Rick Williams, Sharrie Williams, Ukee Washington, Thera Martin and Solomon Jones for their service to Philadelphia as trusted journalists and stewards of truth during Black History Month. Introduced by Councilmember Jones. - STATED - 2ND READING
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones 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 will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on every piece of legislation I missed. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Will be duly noted and recorded. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring HughE Dillon aka PhillyChitChat for his remarkable contributions to the cultural and social life of the city, and celebrating his work chronicling the spirit of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Landau on behalf of Council President Johnson. COUNCIL PRESIDENT - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion.
I move for the adoption of the resolution for PhillyChitChat. (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. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. - STATED - 2ND READING
A privileged resolution recognizing Bad Bunny's cultural impact, advocacy for historically underrepresented voices, and congratulating him on his 2026 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos. Introduced by Councilmember Lozada.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council 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. - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Council President, I apologize but I would like to be recorded as aye on all bills and resolutions that I may have missed. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you. Will be duly noted and recorded. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A - STATED - 2ND READING privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the women of All of Us or None Philadelphia, Why Not Prosper and SWAG for their efforts to address and fix laws that permit enslavement as a punishment for a crime, on the occasion of Black History Month. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will - STATED - 2ND READING 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 recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as one of the world's leading causes of death and disability, and recognizing February 2026 as "American Heart Month." Introduced by Councilmember Harrity.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion on the resolution. - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution and I also would like to be voted aye on any bill I may have missed.
Thank you very much. Will be duly noted. Is there a second? (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 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next bill -- of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service and the Committee on Transportation to hold joint hearings regarding the arrival of driverless rideshare vehicles in the City of Philadelphia and its impact on labor, the local economy and public safety. Introduced by Councilmember Harrity.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of me and Councilman Driscoll, I move for - - STATED - 2ND READING second -
I move for the adoption of the resolution. I'm sorry. Got a little tongue-tied. (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. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next - STATED - 2ND READING resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the legacy of William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr., and recognizing March 10, 2026 as "William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr. Day" in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. - 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 honoring and recognizing Mercy-Douglas Hospital as the first Black Hospital in Philadelphia, and commemorating the enduring legacy of its founder, Dr. Nathan Francis Mossell and his commitment to advancing health equity and medical excellence. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a - STATED - 2ND READING motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will 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. COUNCIL PRESIDENT Stated Meeting JOHNSON: There are no further resolutions in my possession, Council President.
Thank you very much. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the Minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. One of the traditions in my office I'm most proud of is the work we do each year for Black History Month. We honor people and elders in our community who deserve recognition and are often left out of the history books. These are Black women who are making history through a fierce commitment to Black progress that is unrelenting Stated Meeting adversity. So today, I bring forth a resolution about the struggle to end enslavement in the United States. The resolution is to honor and recognize the women of Why Not Prosper, SWAG and All Of Us Or None Philadelphia. There is more work to do to ensure that Black people are truly free, especially now while Trump actively tries to erase our history, as we saw at the President's House Slave Memorial. The women of Why Not Prosper, SWAG and All Of Us Or None Philadelphia are still fighting to end this country's original sin of slavery. They fight against deep injustice of laws, including the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that allows enslavement as punishment for crime. These laws have led to a Stated Meeting people at extremely high rates and profits off their labor. Until these laws are fixed, the enslavement for profit is eliminated. Our country is not living up to the liberty and justice for all. The Reverend Dr. Michelle Simmons and many other women who work alongside her are not just celebrating Black history here today. They are creating it. I'm so grateful for their leadership and wisdom. And I'm grateful to be in this fight with them. I want to thank my colleagues for their support on the resolution Councilmember Landau and I introduced calling on the U.S. Senate to withhold funding for DHS. As we saw last week, the people in Philadelphia do not want any of our Stated Meeting towards ICE. I want to thank you also to everyone who supported our ICE Out legislation package. It's important that the people of our city see this Council taking action and I'm grateful we are working to deliver that together. Councilmember Landau and I also introduced a resolution commending Pennsylvania State Legislature for establishing a Working Pennsylvania's Tax Credit, which puts money back into the pockets of working families. Thank you to Governor Josh Shapiro and the Philadelphia leadership in the House who got this done. This new tax credit aligns with my proposal to expand our city's wage tax refund program. I introduced this bill last year as part of the People's Tax Plan with Stated Meeting O'Rourke, and we should follow the lead of our Governor and do the same for working families right here in Philadelphia. Thank you so much. (Applause.)