Stated Meeting 1 03/14/2024 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 14, 2024 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFERY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, INTERIM CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 03/14/2024
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will now come to order. Will members please take their seats. Visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. Before proceeding, I would ask all those present to please set their cell phones to silent or vibrate. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes my good friend, Dr. Kevin Johnson, Pastor of Dare to Imagine Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilmember Cindy Bass. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. Stated Meeting 3 03/14/2024 (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Shall we pray. God, give us leaders. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands. God, give us leaders, visionary leaders, leaders that have a vision to address the rising crime and violence in our city, leaders who have a vision to educate our children and leave no child behind, leaders who have a vision to represent the poor and disenfranchised and not just those who live in the right zip code or are represented by a well-healed lobbying firm.
God, give us leaders like Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall. Give us leaders like Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan. Give us leaders like Bill Gray, Gussie Clark, Cecil B. Moore, Leon Sullivan, Stated Meeting 4 03/14/2024 Tasco, Wilson Goode, Sr., Kenyatta Johnson, and, yes, like Cherelle Parker, the first woman to be elected as Mayor of Philadelphia. God, help us to remember the words of that great public education advocate who once said, let us not be content to wait and see what will happen but rather give us the determination to make the right things happen. When we see only 50 percent of our children graduating from high school, God, give us leaders. When we see schools are crumbling and children have lost hope and are shooting one another, God, give us leaders. And, God, give us leaders because our city needs them now more than ever. Guide them, lead them, direct them so that policies will create a stronger and more prosperous Philadelphia. It is in your precious name that we pray, and all of those who believe say amen. Stated Meeting 5 03/14/2024 (Amen.)
The Chair thanks the Pastor for his invocation. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March the 7th, 2024. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 7th, 2024 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March the 7th, 2024 stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 6 03/14/2024
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. On the behalf of the minority, there is no request for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. Stated Meeting 7 03/14/2024 now recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion Stated Meeting 8 03/14/2024 bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 9 03/14/2024
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair will now dispense from the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate you taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our great city. We also certainly invite you to come again. At this moment, I want to acknowledge Congressman Dwight Evans, who is in attendance. I also want to also -(Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge City Commissioner Omar Sabir, who is in attendance. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 10 03/14/2024
I want to also acknowledge our Sheriff, Rochelle Bilal, who is in attendance. (Applause.)
I want to also acknowledge the Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, Morgan Cephas. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge State Representative Bellmon, Anthony Bellmon. Give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge State Representative Jason Dawkins. Give him a round of applause. Stated Meeting 11 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge City Commissioner Seth Bluestein. Give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge City Representative Jazelle Jones. Let's give her a round of applause as well. (Applause.)
We thank you for taking time out of your schedule and joining us here today. As there are no presentations today, the next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages Stated Meeting 12 03/14/2024 the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications in her possession.
To the President and the members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body the following proposed ordinance: An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and to the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. An ordinance amending Bill No. 230145, entitled "An ordinance to adopt a Stated Meeting 13 03/14/2024 2024 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions. An ordinance amending Bill No. 230144, entitled "An ordinance To adopt a Capital Program for the Six Fiscal Years 2024 through 2029 Inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2024 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions. A resolution providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029, and incorporating revisions with respect to Fiscal Year 2024, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority pursuant to an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement by and between the City and the Authority. Stated Meeting 14 03/14/2024 Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," to provide for an increase in the tax that the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia is authorized to impose on real estate; and amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to establish an equivalent reduction in the tax rate for the City real estate tax; and making technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions. An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved this ordinance on March 12th, 2024. An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025 through 2030 inclusive. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved this ordinance on March 12th, 2024. Stated Meeting 15 03/14/2024 Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 809 North 40th Street, 827, 830, 843, 847, 849, 851, 865, 867 40th street, 1105, 1115 North 41st Street, 607, 625 North 53rd Street, 3927 Folsom Street, 3946 and 3948 Folsom Street in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. And the Mayor wishes to advise that she signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on March 7th, 2024: Bill No. 240064. There are no more communications in my possession, Council President.
Stated Meeting 16 03/14/2024 will be printed in the Journal. I want to also take a moment to acknowledge City Controller Christy Brady who is here. Christy, where are you? (Applause.)
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge our District Attorney, Larry Krasner. (Applause.)
And representing the Register of Wills Office, Chief Deputy Bob Stewart. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting 17 03/14/2024 Councilmember Phillips.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues, and good morning, viewing public. This is a wonderful day, and I just want to say we have no bills or resolutions today coming from our office. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I offer two non-privileged resolutions and nine bills.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Hoffman Street between Stated Meeting 18 03/14/2024 South 19th Street and South 20th Street; Pierce Street between South 17th Street and South 18th Street; Pierce Street between South 21st Street and South 20th Street; Sigel Street between South 22nd and South 23rd Street; McClellan Street between South 18th Street and South 17th Street; McClellan Street between South 19th Street and South 18th Street; McClellan Street between South 20th Street and South 19th Street; Jackson Street between South 15th Street and South 16th Street; Jackson Street between South 19th Street and South 20th Street; McKean Street between South 20th Street and South 21st Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 18th Street between Reed Street and Wharton Street; South 18th Street between Dickerson Street and Stated Meeting 19 03/14/2024 Reed Street; South 18th Street between Tasker Street and Dickinson Street; Oakford Street between South 24th Street and South 25th Street; Oakford Street between South 22nd Street and South 23rd Street; South 19th Street between Dickinson Street and Tasker Street; South 21st Street between Tasker Street and Morris Street; Manton Street between South 20th and South 19th Street; Bancroft between Tasker Street and Morris Street; Alter Street between South 22nd Street and South 21st Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to allocate full funding for Governor Shapiro's proposed Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the anti-violence initiatives that the Office would coordinate to address the epidemic of gun violence across the Commonwealth of Stated Meeting 20 03/14/2024 Pennsylvania.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and to the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending Bill No. 230145, entitled "An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2024 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all Stated Meeting 21 03/14/2024 under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Bill No. 230144, entitled "An ordinance To adopt a Capital Program for the Six Fiscal Years 2024 through 2029 Inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2024 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
A resolution providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029, and incorporating revisions with respect to Fiscal Year 2024, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Stated Meeting 22 03/14/2024 Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority pursuant to an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement by and between the City and the Authority.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," to provide for an increase in the tax that the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia is authorized to impose on real estate; and amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to establish an equivalent reduction in the Stated Meeting 23 03/14/2024 tax rate for the City real estate tax rate; and making technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025 through 2030 inclusive.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. Today I have two non-privileged resolutions.
Thank you. Stated Meeting 24 03/14/2024 Will the Clerk please read the non-privileged resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution also naming the 5400 block of Woodland Avenue as "Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson Way" to honor the life and legacy of community service of Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson to the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 809 North 40th Street, 827 North 40th Street and 830 North 40th Street.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
I'm sorry, Stated Meeting 25 03/14/2024 Council President. Part of the title got cut off, so let me finish reading it. 843, 847, 849, 851, 865, 867 North 40th Street, 1105, 1115 North 41st Street, 607, 625 North 53rd Street, 3927, 3946 Folsom Street, 3948 Folsom Street in the Third Councilmanic District.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Mr. President. On today's historic occasion, no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Rue Stated Meeting 26 03/14/2024 Landau.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and guests. No bills or resolutions today.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Good morning, Council President. One bill with an amendment.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses", by adding a new section regulating the hours of operation of service establishments and providing for penalties within an area bounded by East Lehigh Avenue, Kensington Avenue, D Street, East Tioga Street and Frankford Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the Stated Meeting 27 03/14/2024 appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffery J. Young.
Good morning, Mr. President. First, I want to acknowledge my former State Senator, Shirley Kitchen, here as my guest today, and I have one bill for introduction today. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Pacific Street and North Broad Street; North 13th Street and Allegheny Avenue; Marlborough Street and Thompson Street; North 4th Street and Master Street.
This bill will be referred to the Stated Meeting 28 03/14/2024 appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Good morning, Council President. I have two resolutions to introduce today and one bill to introduce on your behalf.
Thank you very much. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bill and resolutions.
An ordinance amending Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," to allow interested parties to require open bidding when the Land Bank seeks to exercise special authority to acquire property at a Sheriff's sale and allow prior owners to redeem property when such special authority is exercised, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting 29 03/14/2024
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to conduct hearings concerning the rapidly evolving and worsening crisis of overdose deaths and their impact on neighborhoods, particularly in Black communities across Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to conduct hearings to examine ways to better connect low-income homeowners to the tax relief programs they are entitled to, including door-to-door outreach and automatic enrollment.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting 30 03/14/2024 Councilmember Jim Harrity.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicholas "Nick" O'Rourke.
Good morning, Council President and the viewing public. I have one privileged resolution to introduce.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and congratulating Da'Vine Joy Randolph, a proud Philadelphia native, for her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and for her exceptional journey and contributions to the fine visual and performing arts.
This resolution will be placed on today's Stated Meeting 31 03/14/2024 Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Philadelphia, Councilman Mark Squilla.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bills.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Montrose Street between South 7th Street and South 8th Street; Stated Meeting 32 03/14/2024 Montrose Street between South 9th Street and South 10th Street; Montrose Street between South 10th Street and South 11th Street; Beulah Street between Montrose Street and Carpenter Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 12th Street between Jackson Street and Wolf Street; Emily Street between South 6th Street and South 5th Street; Winton Street between South 5th Street and South 6th Street; Mercy Street between South 5th Street and South 6th Street; Sigel Street between South 5th Street and South 6th Street; South 4th Street between Mifflin Street and McKean Street; McKean Street between South 5th Street and South 6th Street; Sigel Street between South 5th Street and South 4th Street; South 3rd Street between Mifflin Street and McKean Street. Stated Meeting 33 03/14/2024
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Jackson Street between 12th Street and South 13th Street; Snyder Avenue between South 13th Street and Juniper Street; Jackson Street between South 6th Street and South 7th Street; Mercy Street between South 7th Street and South 8th Street; Watkins Street between South 11th Street and South 12th Street; South 7th Street between Johnston Street and Oregon Avenue; Moyamensing Avenue between South 5th Street and South 6th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Norris Street between Belgrade Street and Gaul Street; Ritter Stated Meeting 34 03/14/2024 Street between Dauphin Street and Norris Street; York Street between Mercer Street and Thompson Street; Hagert Street between Cedar Street and Gaul Street; Wishart Street between Frankford Avenue and Emerald Street; Delancey Street between South 2nd Street and Front Street; Front Street between Spruce Street and Pine Street; Spruce Street between South 2nd Street and South 3rd Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill and one non-privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the bill and the non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance approving the fifth amendment of the Stated Meeting 35 03/14/2024 redevelopment proposal for the Tioga Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Hunting Park Avenue on the north, Broad Street, Germantown Avenue, Venango Street, Fifteenth Street, Allegheny Avenue and Germantown Avenue on the east, Glenwood Avenue and Lehigh Avenue on the south and Twenty-third Street, Allegheny Avenue and Twenty-second Street on the west, including the fifth amendment to the urban renewal plan, which provides for changes that would make it consistent with the Tioga Redevelopment Plan and generally consistent with the most recent Comprehensive Plan approved by the City Planning Commission of the City of Philadelphia.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Stated Meeting 36 03/14/2024 Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title --
Sorry. Fee simple title to 61 East Ashmead Street, 65, 77, 23, 24, 44, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 67, 73, 78, 89, 93, 106 East Ashmead Street, 18, 34, 61, 87 Collom Street, 69, 71, 89, 91, 93, and 95 East Wister Street in the Eighth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to The Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Nina Ahmad.
Thank you. Stated Meeting 37 03/14/2024 morning, Council President, colleagues, and guests. I have no bills or resolutions at this time.
Thank you. At this moment, I want to take a matter of personal privilege to acknowledge the Chairman of Appropriations of the State of Pennsylvania, Chairman Jordan Harris. Give him a round of applause, please. (Applause.)
State Senator Nikil Saval. Give him a round of applause, who is here. (Applause.)
City Commissioner Lisa Deeley. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 38 03/14/2024
State Representative Donna Bullock. (Applause.)
And the Honorable Jannie Blackwell. Let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.)
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the Whole reports out five resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting 39 03/14/2024 Chief Clerk please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 240075, entitled "Appointing Paul Levy to the Board of Directors of the Center City District," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation -- resolution with a favorable recommendation. The Committee on the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 240078, entitled "Appointing Louis Tice to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached resolution with a favorable recommendation. To the Committee of the Whole, which was referred Resolution 240079, Stated Meeting 40 03/14/2024 "Appointing Elizabeth Woods to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation. The Committee of the Whole, which was referred Resolution 240029, entitled "Confirming the appointment of Adam N. Geer as the Chief Public Safety Director," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation. And the Committee on the Whole, which was referred Resolution 240038, entitled "Confirming the appointment of Renee Garcia, Esquire, as the City Solicitor," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Stated Meeting 41 03/14/2024 Gilmore Richardson for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the consideration of the resolutions that were just read into the record by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the consideration of resolutions just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Stated Meeting 42 03/14/2024 240029, 240038, 240075, 240078, and 240079 will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Before we get into the consideration of the Calendar, now elected officials, y'all know I like to start on time so I can move my process through efficiently by a matter of report and respect, because I'm very fond of you. I want to take a moment to acknowledge my good friend from the state, the Appropriations Chair of the Center for the Minority Party, State Senator Vincent Hughes. Give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
I also want to take a moment to also acknowledge my good friend, State Senator Sharif Street. Let's give him a round of applause as well. Stated Meeting 43 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
I also want to give acknowledge to State Senator Jimmy Dillon from the great area of the Northeast Philadelphia. Give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
And I also want to give acknowledge to my good friend and my big brother from Laborers District Council 332, Mr. Sam Staten, Sr. (Applause.)
And to all the other union representatives who are here. And also out of respect for our new Administration, let's give a round of applause to the Mayor's cabinet, please. Stated Meeting 44 03/14/2024 2ND READING (Applause.)
And the Superintendent of education, Dr. Tony Watlington. Give him a round of applause as well. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for today: Nos. 240161, 240169, 240020-A, 240066, 240010-A, 240008, 240009, 240011, 240014, Stated Meeting 45 03/14/2024 240016, 240089, 240013, 240029, 240038, 240075, 240078, and 240079.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and 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. 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. Due to today's budget address on behalf of our Mayor, the time limit today will be one minute. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold Stated Meeting 46 03/14/2024 faithfully to the one-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 conclude your remarks. Once one minute has 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 matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Kate Perez, 240013, business hours in Kensington. Kate Perez. Stated Meeting 47 03/14/2024 We have a public speaker up in the balcony. Reverend Greg Holston for 240161, Cheyney and Middle States. (Witness approached podium.)
Just state your name for the record, Mr. Holston.
Reverend Gregory Holston. I'm speaking on the resolution regarding Cheyney. Very personal in the fact that both I and my wife went through the teacher certification program at their urban office of Cheyney University. It allowed us to transition our careers. It allowed us the opportunity to be able to provide for our very young children at that time, and it gave us a sense of nurturing. It projected her on a 30-year career in teaching that led her from different places like elementary schools and middle schools, the Youth Study Stated Meeting 48 03/14/2024 Center, even at the prison, and then ending her last ten years at Central High School. I just want to keep saying the accreditation process is filled with structural racism, and we need to acknowledge that schools like Cheyney and other schools that are historically Black are victimized by that process. So I appreciate this resolution. Just really standing with Cheyney for all what Cheyney has done for me and my family and for so much for this community. Thank you so much.
Did Kate Perez make it down from the balcony? We have Kate Perez and Judith Robinson. (No response.) Stated Meeting 49 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
That concludes today's public comment. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240161.
A resolution introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for Council President Johnson. A resolution urging Middle States Commission on Higher Education to reverse its decision to place Cheyney University on probationary status and calling on the Commission to work collaboratively with the University's leadership to restore the historic HBCU's academic status.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240161.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 50 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240161 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
Shout-out to Michael Coard, for all my WURD listeners. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240169.
A resolution introduced by Councilmember Lozada. A resolution authorizing the Commissioner Stated Meeting 51 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2147 North 5th Street in the Seventh Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240169.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240169 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Stated Meeting 52 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 240164.
240014, introduced by Councilmembers Lozada, Harrity, Driscoll, and Phillips, an ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section 9-203 relating to Street Vendors, by prohibiting street vending in the 54th Ward; all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Clerk please call the roll. Stated Meeting 53 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting 54 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting 55 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240016.
An ordinance amending Chapter 11-708 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Calming Measures for Schools," by authorizing the Department of Streets to additionally install traffic calming measures in the vicinity of recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, and libraries; all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Stated Meeting 56 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Councilmember Stated Meeting 57 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Jones.
Councilmember Stated Meeting 58 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Young.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240029.
240089, an ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by providing for prohibitions relating to license plate flipping devices, and for penalties and enforcement, all under certain terms and conditions.
Chief Clerk, just for the record, I have Resolution No. 240029.
It's 089, Council Stated Meeting 59 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING President.
For the record. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on resolution regarding No. 240089.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240089 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 60 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240038.
Just one second, Council President. I think we got a little bit out of order on the Calendar. (Brief pause.)
So how is everybody doing today? Good to see everyone.
Welcome to how we make the sausage. (Brief pause.)
Clerk, will you please read the title again of Bill No. 240089.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by providing for prohibitions relating to Stated Meeting 61 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING license plate flipping devices, and for penalties and enforcement, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for so much attention to my amendment. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 240089. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 240089 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting 62 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240013.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses", by adding a new section regulating the hours of operation of certain establishments and providing for penalties within an area bounded by East Lehigh Avenue, Kensington Avenue, D Street, East Tioga Street and Frankford Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I would like to Stated Meeting 63 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING offer an amendment to Bill No. 240013. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 240013 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Now the Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240038.
A resolution confirming the appointment of Renee Stated Meeting 64 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Garcia, Esquire, as City Solicitor.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Resolution 240038.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution No. 240038 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 65 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
Congratulations. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240075.
A resolution appointing Paul Levy to the Board of Directors of the Center City District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240075.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240075 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 66 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240078.
A resolution appointing Louis Tice to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240078.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240078 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting 67 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240079.
A resolution appointing Elizabeth Woods to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240079.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240079 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Stated Meeting 68 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240029.
A resolution confirming the appointment of Adam N. Geer as the Chief Public Safety Director.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240029.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240029 be adopted. All those in favor will signify Stated Meeting 69 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and the resolution is adopted. Congratulations, Adam. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read any other additional resolutions on today's Final Passage Calendar.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to conduct hearings concerning the rapidly evolving and worsening crisis of overdose deaths and their impact on neighborhoods, particularly in Black communities across Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Stated Meeting 70 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to conduct hearings to examine ways to Stated Meeting 71 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING better connect low-income homeowners to the tax relief programs they are entitled to, including by door-to-door outreach and automatic enrollment, introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting 72 03/14/2024 3/14/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution recognizing and congratulating Da'Vine Joy Randolph, a proud Philadelphia native, for her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and for her exceptional journey and contributions to the fine visual and performing arts, introduced by Councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion on the resolution.
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.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting 73 03/14/2024 (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
I'd also like to be recorded on any bills or resolutions I may have missed as aye.
Thank you. Are there any other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar?
There are no more resolutions on the Calendar, Mr. President.
That completes our Calendar for today. The time has come for us to consider the Mayor's presentation of her annual budget address. The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter states that the Mayor shall submit to Council, no later than 90 days before the end of the fiscal year, her Operating Budget message and Proposed Stated Meeting 74 03/14/2024 ordinance for the ensuing fiscal year. At the same time, the Mayor shall submit to Council the Recommended Capital Program and Capital Budget as received from the City Planning Commission, to the extent approved by the Mayor. I now appoint the following committee to escort the Mayor into the Council Chambers: Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, Councilmember Cindy Bass, and Councilmember Squilla. Will the Sergeant-At-Arms escort the Mayor to our Chambers. (Brief pause.)
Council President, the Mayor has arrived. (Standing ovation.)
Stated Meeting 75 03/14/2024 gentlemen, I am pleased and proud to introduce the 100th Mayor, first woman Mayor of this great City of Philadelphia -(Applause.)
To my friend, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, to Council's leadership team, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, Majority Whip Thomas, Deputy Majority Whip Bass, Minority Leader Brooks, Minority Whip O'Rourke, and to every member of City Council, to members of the Philadelphia Delegation, our faith-based leaders, men and women of organized labor, community Stated Meeting 76 03/14/2024 leaders, the business and philanthropic community, and members of my cabinet and our City workers, to everyone who is watching online, listening on WURD or tuning in on TV, let me start by saying good morning. (Good morning.)
This Council Chamber is where my journey to public service began. Only Councilmember O'Neill might remember when I was 17 years old, I stood right there and gave a Black History Month speech.
I was joined by elementary school winner Liberty Carpenter and middle school winner, listen, and now Grammy and Tony Award Stated Meeting 77 03/14/2024 winner, he's an actress and a singer, Leslie Odom, Jr. All of us stood right here. (Applause.)
Listen, listen, I remember being so nervous then and, look, I've got the same butterflies right now that I had when I was 17 years old. Then to come back in this Chamber to work here as an intern for my boss lady, my mentor, Marian Tasco. Awestruck by sheroes, I saw them live and in living color, Gussie Clark, Anne Verna, Joan Krajewski, Jannie Blackwell, humbled by the responsibility of public service. Then ten years in Harrisburg after being bullied by Dwight Evans serving in the State House, I eventually was elected to City Council and spent seven years in this Chamber. Every day mattered, then and now. Stated Meeting 78 03/14/2024 proud and honored to be with you all today, having submitted my Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, Five Year Plan, and Capital Budget and Program to the City Council of Philadelphia for consideration. This is my first budget proposal as your Mayor, and it's big and it's bold. I'm calling it the One Philly Budget, and it funds the promise that I made to the people of our city that if we all work together, we could make Philadelphia a safer, cleaner, greener city, with access to economic opportunity for all. (Applause.)
Now, before we dive into the budget details, I'd like to talk for a minute about the state of the City's fiscal health. I am proud to report that the state of the City's fiscal health is Stated Meeting 79 03/14/2024 No; really, it's good. We're making contributions to the Budget Stabilization Reserve fund. Thank you, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, for your exceptional leadership on this issue. We're continuing the excellent trajectory of the City's pension fund, which just reached a 62 percent funding level, the highest level in decades. Even better -(Applause.)
Even better, it's due to hit 80 percent in FY29 and 100 percent by FY33. And in FY30, our debt service should go down by $200 million. So what does that mean? That means that our actions over the coming years will free up over a half a billion dollars annually for future budgets. Stated Meeting 80 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Now, just imagine what a half a billion dollars could do. Additionally, there are some positive but lean projected fund balances in the out years of my Plan, and I won't shy away from that. It's true, lower growth than projected for wage and real estate transfer taxes, a drop of about $300 million. Spending the remaining American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds this year, and we can't forget that in the 1990s, the City had to make a tough decision. This is what it did: It borrowed $1.3 billion to shore up our pension fund. We're still paying for it today. From now through FY29, we'll pay $1 billion in debt service, including an $80 million payment that's due in '29. Now, in facing those Stated Meeting 81 03/14/2024 challenges, I need everyone - our rating agencies, our intergovernmental partners, PICA, the Controller - to know how seriously I take our city's fiscal stability. I'll make sure my Administration is a responsible steward of the City's finances. Now that we were able to get through that state of affairs, let's get to the exciting stuff in this budget. I'm going to say this next part. I want to say it out loud, and I want you to know I'm extremely proud. My budget has no new taxes. No new taxes on the people of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
What this One Philly Budget does is invest $2 billion over five years in new operating and capital dollars focusing on five pillars - public safety, clean and green, economic opportunity, housing, and Stated Meeting 82 03/14/2024 you can see, Mr. President, I've been listening. It's not just about the new money though that excites me. It's about the new approaches to how we are going to deliver City services. That's what I'm really excited about. For those of you who know me, you know that James Baldwin, one of my favorite public thinkers and writers during the Civil Rights Movement, he was often quoted as stating, "I can't believe what you say because I see what you do." "I can't believe what you say because I see what you do." The people of Philadelphia are tired of politicians getting elected and making good speeches. They want to see their tax dollars at work in their neighborhoods. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 83 03/14/2024
They want to see us do things differently. So let me tell you what we're doing in this budget. We're laser focused and unapologetic about improving public safety. For the people of Kensington, the Parker Administration hears you. I say help is on the way. Yes. (Applause.)
We've created a new Office of Clean and Green Initiatives to tackle quality-of-life issues in an effort for us to banish the phrase "Filthadelphia" once and for all. Let's get rid of it. No more Filthadelphia. (Applause.)
We're taking the PHL Taking Care of Business program, the neighborhood cleaning program, we're Stated Meeting 84 03/14/2024 to the next level, making it bigger and better. We're investing in workforce development and upskilling City workers for more opportunities. We'll work hand in glove with our unions and employers on job creation and building a pipeline to municipal jobs. (Applause.)
Through our Business Roundtable, we'll lock arms with the private sector to make Philadelphia more economically competitive. And for those of you who know me, you know this is important. We'll make homeownership a priority and home preservation too. (Applause.)
Working with the Stated Meeting 85 03/14/2024 District, we'll invest in full-day and year-round schooling, modernize our school buildings, and fund career and technical education to prepare students for the workforce now. (Applause.)
It's important for me to let everyone know that this budget comes from the ground up. It reflects the voices of the people. So let me share more details about my One Philly Budget. On my first day as Mayor, you all know I signed an Executive Order declaring a public safety emergency to get every available resource into neighborhoods struggling with gun violence, drug dealing, and addiction. Our Police Commissioner, Kevin Bethel, the best Police Commissioner in the country -- Stated Meeting 86 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
-- he is developing a comprehensive plan to reduce and prevent gun violence and make our neighborhoods safe again. I feel a sense of urgency right now, and I know all of you feel it too. The shootings last week, over four days, all on or near SEPTA buses, left our City shaken. A student and two adults killed, 12 people injured, including 11 high school students and a 71-year old woman. Enough is enough is enough. (Applause.)
Last Wednesday, I stood on Rising Sun Avenue at Five Points, surrounded by spent shell casings and yellow police evidence markers, trying to make sense of the senseless shooting of eight young people standing Stated Meeting 87 03/14/2024 bus stop. This came two days after another shooting near a bus stop in Northwest Philadelphia that left three students from Imhotep shot and two other women wounded. One student died from his wounds. He was 17. He was packed with potential and pregnant with possibility. And now he's gone, all too soon. I met with his parents, his village, his family. I want y'all to know I hear y'all. The events of last week, they underscore that urgency that I feel to restore a sense of order and public safety to our city. I want to thank -- and I want to do this publicly because I want to know -- I want them to know that I'm not ashamed to thank them publicly -- every law enforcement partner working with us to make Philadelphia safer - the FBI, the Stated Meeting 88 03/14/2024 Marshals, the ATF, the DEA, the Secret Service, the District Attorney's Office, SEPTA, the Sheriff, everyone working collaboratively with our Police Department to make our City safe again. We can't do it alone. We need everybody. (Applause.)
Here's what's in my One Philly Budget to address gun violence in Philadelphia: We'll make a $33 million appropriation in new investments in public safety, including capital spending. I want you to measure this. Our overall new public safety investments top $600 million during the Plan. Listen, don't simply listen to what I say, watch what we do. This budget includes hiring at least 400 new officers every year. We'll increase the number and the frequency of recruiting classes and leverage a cadet Stated Meeting 89 03/14/2024 a pipeline. Now, listen, I want you to take a moment with me to welcome two new recruits from the current class at the Police Academy. They are Maria Do and Tyreek Cooper. Recruit Officers Do and Cooper, please stand up. Give them a huge round of applause. (Applause.)
My One Philly Budget, it supports deploying more officers in the field, walking the beat, riding the bike, getting to know the people that they are sworn to protect and serve, the core of our Community Policing model. Now, when I served in the Pennsylvania House with State Rep Harris, our Appropriations Chair, we in my district had a pair of officers who Stated Meeting 90 03/14/2024 beat in my district. Those officers were Officers Moody and Merchant. This is what they did: They signed a logbook in stores up and down Wadsworth Avenue. They knew every store owner, every rec leader, every librarian, every youth sports leader. They were a part of our community. When they weren't around, we called them M&M. I can say this to you, and I want to be honest, I was a little jealous, because when they were on the ground doing all of that community-based work, I was the State Rep. They were only the community policing officers, but they got invited to more block parties, baby showers, and graduations than I did. I was the State Rep. I needed the votes. They didn't need the votes. I did. But I hope they're here. The community trusted Officers Moody and Merchant. They were woven into the fabric of our neighborhoods. They were there as guardians and not warriors. Stated Meeting 91 03/14/2024 Moody, if you're here today, please stand. (Applause.)
Listen, people, community policing works, and it's in this budget, which funds over 100 officers doing community policing. Our approach to crime is also centered on people, and my budget makes sure that the brave men and women in uniform working to protect and serve us, that they have the resources they need to do their work. My budget funds 150 new radio patrol cars, 75 new unmarked cars, cell phone and video software, drones, and upgrades to investigative equipment. We're also working to ensure that the 13 parks and rec sites without cameras get them and to improve the monitoring of the more than 1,600 cameras that are already in place. Stated Meeting 92 03/14/2024 had the cameras there and no one is monitoring them, it really doesn't help the City. In addition to that, I want you to know this: While we all know that we live in a highly technical 21st century society, our police detectives have been trying to solve crimes using dinosaur equipment. No more. No more. No more. No more. (Applause.)
We're making a $45 million capital investment in a new, modern 21st century Forensics Lab right here in our City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
I'll also ensure that we enforce the law regarding property crimes and quality-of-life issues. How? Illegal use of ATVs, car Stated Meeting 93 03/14/2024 meetups, nuisance crimes, and retail theft, they may not matter to some people, but I can tell you they matter to all of the residents and the people I've communicated to and with, and they matter to me. Going in a store and stealing $499 worth of merchandise and not expecting that there will be any consequences, it's not okay anymore. We will enforce the law right here in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Now, as I talk about public safety, I want to thank Council President Kenyatta Johnson for the work he does every day to reduce gun violence. Long before he was elected to public office, he founded the community-based organization Peace, Not Guns. The reason why I respect, Stated Meeting 94 03/14/2024 respect, his role and space in the anti-violence effort is because when he founded that organization, it was born out of his lived life experience and his personal loss. Well, Mr. President, I'm proud that my budget funds new services and resources for victims of violent crime, including additional victim advocates and anti-violence investments with $24 million for grants to community-based organizations. With this in mind, I want to acknowledge the tremendous work being done day in and day out by community groups like -- and if you are here when I call your name, I want you to stand and I want you to remain standing until I finish calling these names -- Unity in the Community, Anton Moore; Every Murder is -(Applause.) Stated Meeting 95 03/14/2024
The Father's Day Rally Committee, Bilal Qayyum. (Applause.)
NOMO, Ricky Duncan. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 96 03/14/2024
The Black Male Community Council, Stanley Crawford. (Applause.)
And every organization working each day to lessen the pain and the trauma caused by gun violence. Give them another round of applause. They deserve it. (Standing ovation.)
Now, you all know that I fully support our Police Department. I've been unapologetic about making it plain. But I want to be clear Stated Meeting 97 03/14/2024 will also have zero tolerance for any misuse or abuse of authority by law enforcement, period. Not complex. (Applause.)
That's why we're supporting the Citizens Police Oversight Commission with a $3 million investment this year. Given his leadership on public safety, including his Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia 2.0, I know that Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. will be proud of this investment. Councilmember Jones, thank you so very much for your work in this space. Thank you. (Applause.)
We also know that we cannot police our way out of some of these problems we face. So we need Stated Meeting 98 03/14/2024 and restorative justice programs that provide options and opportunities. We also need a one-stop shop for returning citizens to connect to the services and supports from the federal, state, and local government. For young people, we need trauma-informed care and therapy. (Applause.)
Listen, I recently learned the School District of Philadelphia offers virtual therapy free of charge right now through an app called Kooth. I want to thank the dynamic students at Northeast High School for sharing that with me. It's innovative. It's an innovative way of thinking, and I think that we should build on that. Now I want you to just take it a step further. If the School District is offering those kind of supports for Stated Meeting 99 03/14/2024 for any student who is interested, imagine if our children could talk to a therapist in our rec centers and in our libraries. (Applause.)
We need conflict resolution and Evening Resource Centers for our young people now, but we also need something that many of you already know is extremely important to me and near and dear to my heart. We need youth sports and athletic associations. (Applause.)
I am a proud blue-and-white-wearing Oak Lane Wildcat. I am. Y'all can hold it. Blue and white Oak Lane Wildcat. So I know firsthand that youth sports, they aren't just about wins and losses. They're about giving children hope. Stated Meeting 100 03/14/2024 you want to see me go from zero to a thousand in a minute, see how frustrating it is for me when I see our children standing in the middle of the street with their helmets in their hands out trying to raise funding to do exactly what it is that we should be creating opportunities for them to do and, that is, to be engaged in our little leagues. (Applause.)
They shouldn't have to stand on the streets with their helmets in their hands, their drums. We should be supporting them. (Standing ovation.)
That's why in my One Philly Budget we're supporting youth sports and athletic organizations with $3.2 million for the first time. It's Stated Meeting 101 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
We also face enormous public safety and public health challenges in different areas across our City, but especially right now in Kensington. The current status quo where addiction and despair are normal is unacceptable. What we need right now, Philadelphia, and this is my opinion, we need the will to make the tough decisions necessary to change the status quo. In our efforts to do so, I have the voices and the hopes of the people who live and work in Kensington on my mind as we fund and implement what I'm referring to as our Kensington Community Restoration Plan. With this in mind, I want to commend the Kensington Caucus Councilmembers Quetcy Lozada, Mark Stated Meeting 102 03/14/2024 Squilla, Mike Driscoll, and Jim Harrity as they fight to renew quality of life and public safety for the community. I personally want to say to each of you, I've been running, but don't y'all think I'm not paying attention to what's happening. I know this hasn't been easy for you. It's tough. But I want you to know that I've got your back, I'm here. I also -(Applause.)
Yes. We're partners in this effort. You are not alone. I also want to recognize, with the Kensington Caucus in mind, I want to recognize and thank the advocates on the ground who have been working to make Kensington better, people like Casey O'Connell from Impact Services, Dr. Bill McKinney from New Kensington CDC, and Stated Meeting 103 03/14/2024 of Rock Ministries. If you're out there listening somewhere, I hear you. So let me be clear. For the long-term residents and everyone who has weathered this humanitarian crisis, know that I want to make Kensington a neighborhood of choice and a beacon of pride again. Why? Because of people like Dionicio Jiminez and Maria Saez, who own Cantina La Martina. It's a James Beard-nominated Mexican restaurant on Kensington Avenue. It's their resilience that we're fighting for in Kensington. Dionicio and Maria, are you here? Are you in the Chambers anywhere? Please stand. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)
You all have Stated Meeting 104 03/14/2024 say it before, prevention, intervention, and enforcement, the PIE, it is critical to everything we're doing in Kensington and across Philadelphia to enhance public safety and community. Our Managing Director -- and I'm so super proud he said yes and joined us -- Adam Thiel, he's examining every option for providing long-term care, treatment, and housing for those suffering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. And Managing Director Thiel is backed up by over $100 million in new investment as he seeks, listen, to bring these groups together. (Applause.)
Last week he convened a meeting of major health systems and insurance companies, listen, who got together, Councilmember Jones, not as expert articulators of problems, Stated Meeting 105 03/14/2024 come up with solutions addressing the needs of our most vulnerable communities. I was shocked to hear many of those mainstream providers say they had never been convened by the Mayor before and asked to help to come up with solutions so we're trying to figure out what ask we send to our Pennsylvania General Assembly, with tweaks and adjustments to what we need as it relates to insurance to cover these people. We know what to ask for, not because legislators had tried to become insurance experts, but because the people who are in the industry doing the work, they've told us this is what we need from local, state, and federal government. And that's how government is supposed to work. (Applause.)
Now, Kensington Stated Meeting 106 03/14/2024 Caucus, you all know I've been doing my best to try to be a diplomat when people have been talking about what my perspective is and even what your perspective is as it relates to Kensington. I want to make it clear and plain so that anybody that you hear after this day say that this Administration lacks compassion for those who are suffering from substance use disorder and addiction, I want you to be able to tell them they're not speaking the truth. This Administration, the Parker Administration, it supports an array of public health strategies, from dispensing naloxone and Narcan and fentanyl testing strips to administering care, providing access to treatment and counseling, and other services. Because you have heard me say out loud, and I don't apologize or run from it, while I'm the Mayor, I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that not one City dollar is invested in the Stated Meeting 107 03/14/2024 clean needles. Now, listen, Cherelle, are you saying that harm reduction doesn't matter? It hasn't helped us? It was trailblazing when we first did it. I still think it's an important part of the harm reduction strategies, but we can't afford here in the City of Philadelphia to appropriate our very scarce resources to do it. So if we're working in a collective manner, using local, state, and federal government, the private sector, and the philanthropic community, don't tell me, don't tell the Kensington Caucus what we support or what we don't. We just said the City is not going to pay for it. (Applause.)
For those of you who know me, I'm not going to allow this Administration or people who I work with, Stated Meeting 108 03/14/2024 my allies when we're working on different issues, I'm not going to allow anyone to put us in a box trying to suggest that we do not care. We care deeply about every person in addiction. And for those who think that they care more, once you've loved and lost someone close to you -- I'm not talking about the second or the third or the fourth or the fifth cousin removed. When it touches your immediate family, like it did with me, you know that people, places, and things are what impact people in addiction. Focusing on their long-term care, housing, and access to economic opportunity to put them on the path to self-sufficiency, that is what helps people out of addiction. So whenever you think you're going to change the narrative, be prepared for me to stand publicly on business, and I'm ready to debate anybody who wants to have the conversation. Okay? Stated Meeting 109 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Safer, cleaner, greener and, as Councilmember Nina Ahmad will remind us, healthier, that's what my One Philly Budget supports. If public safety is priority number one for Philadelphians, guess what? Quality-of-life issues is number 1A. When residents see overflowing trash cans, short dumping sites that pile back up only days after being cleared, cars forgotten and abandoned, then it's easy for you to understand why some folks don't believe that their neighborhoods will ever be clean and green again. We're not getting the basics right, Philadelphia. The Parker Administration and this One Philly Budget right now says no more excuses. And believe me when I say it, then I want you to watch us do it. We are going to make Stated Meeting 110 03/14/2024 cleanest and the greenest big city in America. (Applause.)
Congressman Evans, I hear you sometimes late at night saying if you change the environment, you'll change the behavior. That's what we're trying to do. The single largest new operating investment in my budget is for clean and green, with more than $36 million in new funds in FY25 and, listen, over $246 million during the Plan. How? We're using an all-hands-on-deck approach, led by an empowered and experienced captain, Carlton Williams, the Director of our new Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 111 03/14/2024
Councilmember Jeff Young and neighborhood leader Bonita Cummings, they saw this in action last month along Strawberry Mansion's 29th Street corridor. Listen to what we had. We had team members from Streets, from Sanitation, from L&I, from Commerce, Tom Conway's CLIP team, and a liaison in the Philadelphia Parking Authority, everybody together. Guess what we did? We were responding to litter, illegal dumping, the vacant lots and buildings that needed to be cleaned and sealed, and we viewed the amount of abandoned cars there. Right now through this One Philly Budget and with the Parking Authority on our side, we're going to tow more than 10,000 abandoned cars in the coming year. (Standing ovation.)
And for vacant Stated Meeting 112 03/14/2024 buildings, we're going to clean and seal more than 900 this coming year. Bridget and Basil, you got your work cut out for you. Now, District Councilmembers, and I really do mean this, so you know how you're getting excited and like you can't wait to say something or can't wait to open up your gifts on Christmas Eve, you can't wait to wake up in the morning, this is what I couldn't wait to tell you all about. I want you to be as excited as I am to hear that we're investing roughly $18 million in a new residential cleaning program, dedicating cleaning crews for each councilmanic district. (Standing ovation.)
I can't -listen, y'all. Listen, y'all. Y'all know I'm a movie buff. I can't remember the movie, but one of my guys says in one Stated Meeting 113 03/14/2024 movies, he's talking to the jury and he says, close your eyes for a minute. So when I'm preparing for this, I said, District Councilmembers, close your eyes for a minute and imagine with me a constituent calls about trash on the street, something dumped near a school, an abandoned car that's under the bridge, and you immediately kick back into old gear. You call Sanitation, you call CLIP, you call Neighborhood Services Unit. Not anymore. That siloed approach is over. My budget funds a team, listen, with equipment, trash trucks, and a team leader for each Council district. (Standing ovation.)
State Senator Shirley Kitchen saying, yes, Cherelle. Now, listen, the crews are going to work in concert with PHL Taking Stated Meeting 114 03/14/2024 Business, the neighborhood commercial corridor cleaning program that I feel like the proud parent of, and right now my baby is taking big steps. We're expanding to additional commercial corridors and investing nearly 8 million to extend to nearby residential streets. It won't just be the cleaning of commercial corridors. It will be on residential streets. (Applause.)
So this means we'll reach nearly 140 total corridors across the City and hire about 150 more cleaning ambassadors. (Applause.)
Now, full disclosure, I can't tell you that it was the greatest innovation in the world coming from me. I actually stole the Stated Meeting 115 03/14/2024 modeled after what the Center City District does downtown every day. And so my thinking when I was sitting on the fifth floor in my City Hall office looking out the window watching those cleaning ambassadors right here downtown in Center City, I thought in my mind, our neighborhoods deserve the same level of care and cleanliness. Don't you all agree? (Applause.)
My Senator, my Senator Hughes, don't you agree? We want 52nd Street. Don't you agree? Listen, and to help get the work done, and you all know I'm a little bias when it comes to this group of people, we're going to have to hire 100 new sanitation workers and buy more than 60 trash compactors. Stated Meeting 116 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
We're also going to collaborate with our faith-based partners, our community development corporations, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which will continue its terrific work cleaning green spaces and providing pathways to opportunity through same-day pay. Give that a round of applause, same-day pay. (Applause.)
It's important as we do this work that we also use new evaluation tools. I think people think the City of Philadelphia is afraid of measuring whether or not what it's doing is good or bad. I want people to see it and feel it, yes, but measure and use data to keep improving it too. For years, for years, Stated Meeting 117 03/14/2024 Bass has been calling out disparities in service delivery, long before it was a popular thing to do. We're addressing that head on. My Five Year Plan includes over $11 million to pilot a twice-a-week trash collection in our neighborhoods that are most challenged by trash and litter. (Standing ovation.)
Over the course of the Plan, we're adding hundreds and hundreds of new positions to make our city the cleanest and the greenest. You're also going to see a new illegal dumping collection crew. They're going to help to shorten the response time to deal with illegal dumping. (Applause.)
You're going to see a new special collection crew for Stated Meeting 118 03/14/2024 pickup, more surveillance cameras in illegal dumping hotspots, and finally and most importantly, the staff to monitor them and coordinate with law enforcement. (Applause.)
You're also going to see 1,500 new Big Belly trash and recycling cans, with the staffing needed to make sure they are emptied regularly, Mr. President. (Applause.)
I'm listening, Mr. President. Don't simply listen to what we're saying, watch what we are doing. Clean and green is also about working towards a more sustainable future. We'll focus on environmental justice for underserved and Stated Meeting 119 03/14/2024 Cleaner streets, more green spaces and, listen, the planting of 15,000 more trees will mean fewer urban heat islands and a healthier, more resilient community. (Applause.)
But you can't have resilient communities without restoring and improving our libraries, our parks, and our recreation facilities. So we're going to continue Rebuild, which we know Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, we know you value this program, and we're going to continue it through our Capital Programs Office. (Applause.)
Public transit is also a linchpin to sustainable, resilient communities. Let's talk about Stated Meeting 120 03/14/2024 a minute. We know SEPTA is facing a fiscal cliff for this coming year. That's why my One Philly Budget, it adds $117 million in operating funds for SEPTA. Now, as Council considers this funding, I know we all want to see SEPTA come forward with an aggressive plan to make our buses and trains safer and cleaner, and we're going to work in partnership with them to do it. SEPTA, mass transit. (Applause.)
While staying on the issue of transportation, I come bearing just a little bit more good news. My Proposed Capital Program invests a half a billion dollars in new street paving. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 121 03/14/2024
Driving through the streets of Philadelphia should not feel like riding a bumpy roller coaster while damaging your car. That investment means that that's $250 million through the end of FY25, and it puts us on a path of repaving 130 miles per year, actually double our current rate of street paving. Don't listen to what I say. Check out what we're doing. (Applause.)
Commerce Director Alba Martinez, I think it took me, I don't know, months to get her to say yes, but she's here now. Commerce Director Martinez, you can often hear her stating that economic growth is the antidote to poverty. That's what she says, economic growth is the antidote to poverty. Stated Meeting 122 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
I believe it's also the best violence prevention tool as well. (Applause.)
That's why I didn't just make a promise to the people of Philadelphia to make it the safest, cleanest, and greenest city in the nation. I also promised to provide access to economic opportunity for all. Councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke, I know that we agree that equitable opportunity is both an economic and a moral imperative. There are right now nearly 350,000 Philadelphians living in poverty, and that is unacceptable to me. I stand with our Governor Josh Shapiro in his call to raise Stated Meeting 123 03/14/2024 low minimum wage to $15 per hour. (Standing ovation.)
Why, Cherelle Parker? Doing so will grow the economic pie, increase the City's tax base, and give Philadelphians the raise they've long deserved. We know this is the right thing to do. We know it. I also want you to know that it is true that we lag behind many of our peer cities on other indicators as well. There was a 2020 Center City District report. It found that Philadelphia's number of Black businesses was 65 percent below Washington, DC, 62 percent below Atlanta, and 41 percent below the national average. That's why my One Philly Budget includes nearly $20 million in new operating investments for economic Stated Meeting 124 03/14/2024 more than $130 million over the Five Year Plan. It does. (Applause.)
Now, let's talk details. With the voices of my friends Della Clark of The Enterprise Center and Harold Epps in my ear, we're responding to the need for capital, not just training programs. My budget invests $1 million in the Accelerator Fund, which provides access to capital for developers from historically disadvantaged groups, and it invests another $1 million in the Innovate Capital Growth Fund, which provides diverse entrepreneurs access to equity investments. (Applause.)
Della Clark, she has been the voice and the conscience of Stated Meeting 125 03/14/2024 Philadelphia for years. If you're here, Della, please stand. Give Della Clark a round of applause. (Applause.)
I hear you, Della. Now, on jobs and workforce development, I already described PHL TCB's role in cleaning and greening, but it's also a pathway to steady employment, providing training for higher wage jobs. We're investing tens of millions of dollars to expand the program and will be connecting nearly 400 Philadelphians to economic opportunity. I need to publicly right now thank Amazon for its recent $100,000 contribution to this work. Stated Meeting 126 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Mustafa Rashid, wherever you are, tell Amazon I said thank you. PHL TCB also supports our small businesses, like TWB Cleaning Contractors, which serves corridors in West Oak Lane, Ogontz, and Oxford Circle. In 2014, Trina Worrell-Benjamin stepped out on faith to start TWB. She left her job at PHMC and put everything she had into the start of this business. In the decade since, she's grown it to provide a range of services. We couldn't be prouder to partner with Trina. We're honored to have her son, Khalif Worrell, here. He's TWB's manager. He's with us today. Khalif, wherever you are, if you are here, I don't know if you were able to make it. If he wasn't, give him a huge round of applause anyway. Stated Meeting 127 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Thank you, Khalif. Thank you. Now, let's talk workforce, starting with the City's own workforce. We should be training our people for careers in every industry that is thriving in our city. This is not new. This is what Apple does. They send their employees to what they call Apple School. Well, our citizens, they are going to go to the City of Philadelphia school, the Municipal School. No more complaining about recruitment and retention of City workers. We need to be creating our own pipeline and training our own people for these jobs. (Applause.)
And we'll put Stated Meeting 128 03/14/2024 a path to self-sufficiency by giving men and women dignity. That's how you help to reduce violence. How are you going to do it? We're going to make a $10 million investment in the Community College of Philadelphia. I think Dr. Guy Generals is here. CCP working with our super Superintendent, Dr. Tony Watlington, they're going to work in partnership and they're going to establish a first-in-the-nation City College for Municipal Employment. (Applause.)
Education and training is the only way. I told you about the partnership, CCP and the School District. That's how we're going to put people on the path to self-sufficiency. Cherelle, who is going to go to the college? Stated Meeting 129 03/14/2024 mind, high school students, people looking to change careers, current municipal workers who want to upskill, anyone who is interested in working in City government. And this is probably my favorite. They're going to earn a stipend while they learn and graduate into good City jobs. (Applause.)
How do you know this is important? Because jobs in local government, they have long been a pathway to the middle class, especially for Black and brown people, for women, and for immigrants. These are jobs with dignity. And guess what? We're not done yet. My budget also includes another $10 million to support workforce development and apprenticeship programs led by partners including the Building Trades, the Carpenters and other unions. Stated Meeting 130 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
We'll train working-class Philadelphians for careers in industries that are already here and thriving and those that are projected to grow. Consider careers in labor, in logistics, in life sciences, in biotech. They are all growing and thriving right here in our city, and we need to be training our people to do it. Now, you've heard me talk about this, and it's because I learned it on the trail, and I had been in this body for, what, six, seven years, and I had never known, because it wasn't in the district that I represented, how powerful and what the growth potential was like in the area of life sciences and biotech. Listen, we've got it now. For those of you who know me, you don't have to tell me twice. Philadelphia is on the cusp of leading the nation in biotech and Stated Meeting 131 03/14/2024 sciences, and we're going to help this industry grow and become number one in the country. (Applause.)
And what's best? What's best, Cherelle? What do you like the most about the $10 million for training and apprenticeship programs? We're going to do what I saw happen when I visited Wistar. Those folks who were in that cohort training to be lab techs, they weren't there getting training, hoping for a job after they finished training. To access these funds, there must be guaranteed employment for program graduates. (Applause.)
So if there's a guaranteed job, the dollars are there to Stated Meeting 132 03/14/2024 the training can actually take place. What are you trying to demonstrate? We're putting our money where our mouth is for individuals and for businesses. Now, speaking of businesses, Councilmember Brian O'Neill, I know regulatory burdens impose what we've often referred to as a time tax and can deter investment and job growth. So my Plan includes almost $14 million for the PHL Open for Business initiative. We'll make it easier to do business by getting rid of unnecessary regulations, streamlining steps to open or expand businesses, and providing one-on-one navigator services to help entrepreneurs. We're going to pair this with new ways of collaborating. With who? Through our Business Roundtable, through our Faith-Based and Intergovernmental Roundtables. We'll work with partners to Stated Meeting 133 03/14/2024 challenges and to bring more resources to our city. Yes, we're going to work to do that. (Applause.)
Now on an important issue. Anyone who knows me, especially my former colleagues here in Council, you know that I see middle neighborhoods as the backbone of the City. And it's not just because my family moved on up like the Jeffersons to one when I was born. It's because of what they represent, the opportunity for low- and moderate-income and working-class families to realize the American dream, stable housing, homeownership, generational wealth. In middle neighborhoods and across the City, my proposed budget, it begins for Philly my promise to create 30,000 units of housing, and I want each Stated Meeting 134 03/14/2024 one of you in this Chamber to hold me to it. (Applause.)
Now, some of those homes are going to require significant repairs that owners simply can't afford. Now, with a whole lot of credit going to the City Council of Philadelphia, along with passionate housing advocates, we are fortunate in our city -- and all other cities don't have what we have -- we're fortunate to have multiple City-funded home repair programs, such as Basic Systems Home Repair and Restore Repair Renew. These are terrific, but navigating through them, that's a whole other matter. My One Philly Budget supports a one-front-door approach. People will be able to apply for multiple programs at once, typing in their information and Stated Meeting 135 03/14/2024 paperwork one time and not a half dozen times. (Standing ovation.)
You know, it's interesting, when some people talk about housing, and I love listening to varying opinions, but when some people talk about housing, they don't think people living in low- and moderate-income communities deserve nice things. Don't kill me, Council President Johnson, but when you all hear me talk about my grandmother having plastic on her living room sets, you might not even understand what she was doing. And every time she got a new living room set, it was usually clear plastic, and before she passed away, she got fancy. We got blue plastic, 1900 block of Pinto Street. True story. And she was proud of that blue plastic. Summer, it suck to your legs when it was Stated Meeting 136 03/14/2024 outside. Guess why my grandmother put plastic on the living room furniture? We didn't have much. She was proud of what she had, and she was trying to preserve what she had. (Applause.)
And so I don't get how when people are thinking about folks who come from low- and moderate-income communities and working-class communities why they don't think that they deserve nice things. The way I see it, affordable housing must be high-quality housing, and it's what you will hear me refer to as affordable luxury. My Administration will ensure all new City-supported housing has the kinds of high-quality fixtures and finishes that we all want in our homes. Don't put me somewhere else and Stated Meeting 137 03/14/2024 subpar and less because I'm low income or moderate. If that was the case, I wouldn't be standing here on today. (Applause.)
How are you going to get it done? We've seen it, and we know that it's possible. All you got to do is look at Turn the Key homes. I can't describe how powerful it is to see a family move into one of those beautiful homes. And on today, we have a Turn the Key homeowner with us. Let's recognize Marjorie Howell, who works in the City's Health Department. Marjorie, are you here? Are you here? Wherever you are, Marjorie -oh, you are there. Thank you, Marjorie. Thank you for coming. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 138 03/14/2024
Thank you. Listen, she bought her home in Sharswood, and Turn the Key provided a mortgage down payment, making Marjorie's homeownership dream a reality. I am so grateful that Marjorie got enrolled and participated in that program, and we want a thousand more homeowners like Marjorie right here in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Now, in order to make that happen, Mr. President, we need the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, NPI, and we need the Building Trades. Wherever you are, Ryan Boyer and Bill Sproule, Building Trades and Carpenters, we want you to know that we are looking forward to working with you on many, many -- 30,000 many -- more housing units in the years to come. Stated Meeting 139 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Cherelle, what else is it going to take? It's going to take moving the inventory stuck in the City's Land Bank. My Administration will turn those parcels into vibrant homes and community spaces, including gardens. Councilmember Kendra Brooks, I know how much you support those precious green spaces maintained by our community members. The easiest parcels, and everyone should know this, for the Land Bank to convey are unoccupied and tax delinquent properties. But that only works if our tax lien sales are up and running. We know that the lack of tax sales has cost the City and the School District an estimated $35 million in tax revenue, and those dollars could have been invested in classrooms and in rec Stated Meeting 140 03/14/2024 on building affordable homes. I want to note for the record, and this one I'm proud of, Council President Johnson, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, City Solicitor Renee Garcia, and I, we have been meeting. Together, we all recognize the need to have tax sales up and running. On today, I am pleased to announce that the Sheriff's Office is now working with the Law Department to resolve this issue in the next four weeks, with the goal of the first sale occurring before July 1st, 2024. (Applause.)
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, are you here? Madam Sheriff, let me say what I said to you privately and I'll say it publicly so folks know that we're being transparent. No one was expecting you, Stated Meeting 141 03/14/2024 Johnson, Renee Garcia, and I to be able to sit in a room and hammer out a compromise. I'm proud that we've done it. Now, I know it's just a compromise and you've got to get it done first, so I don't want y'all to think I'm celebrating before it actually happens, because anything can happen. But, Sheriff, I want to say to you and I want to say to you, Mr. President, because you were the chief mediator in the midst of this conversation, I want to say to you, Madam Sheriff, I want to thank you publicly for that, and I'm looking forward to working with you. Give our Sheriff a huge round of applause. (Applause.)
Again, these sales will generate millions of dollars Stated Meeting 142 03/14/2024 for the City of Philadelphia and the School District, and they can help transform neighborhood blight into homes and gardens. Now on what's near and dear to all of us, public education. Our goals are high, and they must be. We're going to innovate to provide what we refer to as a world-class education for students of all ages and backgrounds. (Applause.)
For far too long, our students have struggled with far too little. The days of settling for crumbs, they're over. Our students deserve a full loaf, and they're going to get it. (Applause.)
Following the Commonwealth Court's historic ruling last Stated Meeting 143 03/14/2024 year, the state recommended an infusion of $1.4 billion for Philadelphia schools over the next seven years. Governor Shapiro proposed 242 million more in education funds for Philadelphia this year, and we're going to continue to advocate vigorously for public education in Harrisburg. And I hate to shout him out, but I have to say to Senator Hughes, Chairman Hughes and Chairman Harris, we're looking forward to working with you, standing side by side as we advocate for that state funding, but in the meantime, my Administration is moving full steam ahead on our vision for public education. I want you all to be proud to know that my One Philly Budget includes over $24 million in new operating investments for education, with nearly $140 million over the Plan. And of that, 129 million is for the School District of Philadelphia. Stated Meeting 144 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Now, I've already said out loud, and I just want to say it again, when we start talking about the School District, no one should ever try to talk with me about public education and pit traditional publics against charters. It's a non-starter for me. All of these -- if you were with me at Northeast High, if you were with me at Imhotep, you realize these are all of our children and we shouldn't be trying to pit one against the other. (Applause.)
Now, some people hear School District and they think we're just talking about K through 12. Not me. I know, and I want you to know, for those of you who know me, you know I don't say this lightly, because like I stand back Stated Meeting 145 03/14/2024 I watch people and I don't say a thing, but I want y'all to know that we have a terrific Superintendent in Dr. Tony Watlington. He knows that the foundation for careers, it needs to be laid early. Superintendent Watlington, please stand up. Please give him a round of applause. (Standing ovation.)
He has one of the toughest jobs in the City of Philadelphia. Superintendent Watlington, you're my God. You have my support, and I'm looking forward to working with you. In partnership with the Superintendent, I want you to know that this budget includes a plan for full-day and year-round schooling, offering students educational enrichment Stated Meeting 146 03/14/2024 year, with schedules that work for working families. Yes, give that a round of applause. (Applause.)
Scheduled around the needs for working families. The Mayor's Office of Education will coordinate the multi-year rollout of this initiative, which will launch in 20 pilot schools this fall. Councilmember Anthony Phillips I know from Youth Action. I know you support this vision, and I know that I am grateful for your leadership, sir, on City Council's Committee of Children and Youth, and we can't wait to partner with you to make this out-of-school-time, year-round education a reality for students in the School District of Philadelphia. Stated Meeting 147 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
Our students deserve to learn in safe, healthy facilities that's 21st century learning. We need to modernize existing schools and build new ones. Now, doing so is no small task. It's going to require an intergovernmental strategy, working with our allies on City Council like Education Committee Chairperson Isaiah Thomas, again our Pennsylvania General Assembly, and our federal delegation, but it also presents an opportunity for us. I'm looking forward to working with you, Isaiah Thomas. And I need to say this to you: When we get to the table to work on this issue, let's imagine our Building Trades giving students actual on-the-job training in restoring and rebuilding schools and building new schools, and then welcoming them into a union workforce. That's what Stated Meeting 148 03/14/2024 do. Today's generation building for the next. (Applause.)
And I'm looking forward to working with you, sir, in order to make that happen. We're going to do all of this work in collaboration with our teachers, with families, and partners, all of us focused on what's best for our young scholars. Now, know this: City government is worth investing and believing in. I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate our workforce and their labor leaders who are with us here today: District Council 33, Omar Salaam, District -- are you here, Omar? Please stand. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 149 03/14/2024
Thank you. Now, in addition to negotiating fair contracts, in the Parker Administration we hope and expect that Stated Meeting 150 03/14/2024 clerk is tomorrow's departmental commissioner. That's why my budget includes $14 million in new operating investments for FY25 and close to $141 million over the Five Year Plan for the resources that help our world-class municipal workers do their best. Now, the funding supports our current workforce and it invests in recruiting new employees. We're going to have to do a better job marketing and recruiting for the good jobs that are available with the City, jobs for nurses, social workers, paramedics. We'll tell people about our total compensation package, the health benefits, the retirement security, the professional development, programs like Turn the Key, and we can try to compete for talent as an employer of choice in our region. How are we going to get there? We're going to work with our Law Stated Meeting 151 03/14/2024 our unions to let retired City workers come back to work for several years while still collecting their pensions. (Applause.)
So what does this mean? For all of my retired City workers out there, if you feel the call to come back to service, if your heart still stirs at our vision, please consider coming back. When I first introduced this concept when I was in the City Council of Philadelphia, like a whole lot of other things I've done in life, I had a whole lot of people laughing at me. You think a retiree is ever going to want to come back and work with the City? If people love our city and if you believe that people can love our city as much as we all do, they will come back if we give them the opportunity. Stated Meeting 152 03/14/2024 (Applause.)
And for current City employees, I know we'll have more to say about our return to office. We'll be talking about that in more detail, but what's important for me that you know right now is that in developing our policy, we're taking into consideration your needs. That includes childcare and elder care. And you heard me say I was a State Rep working in Harrisburg while caring for my grandfather and he lived at home. So I'm ultra sensitive to the childcare and the elder care challenge that some of our municipal workers are facing right now. City workers are people, not assets, and my Administration will treat you with respect. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 153 03/14/2024
My One Philly Budget also supports the data and analytics behind those new approaches to doing the work. Let's start with PhillyStat 360. It's performance management, it's result-based accountability, it's our future. Here's what it means: Every department will communicate with each other, backed up by data, on what they're doing to advance our vision. That's how we're going to ensure accountable government that you can see, touch, and feel. We're breaking down the silos between departments. We're using a data-driven and research-based approach to make decisions. And I know that's music to the ears of one of my fellow data lovers, Councilmember Rue Landau. Yes, performance management is here. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 154 03/14/2024
We're taking new approaches to our work together. Don't simply listen to what I say, watch what it is that we're doing. I want you to know that my name is Cherelle L. Parker and I am the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia, the first woman to lead this city in 341 years. (Standing ovation.)
I've proposed this One Philly Budget to the City Council of Philadelphia, with $2 billion of new investments in the people of our wonderful city, and I want you to know that I approve this message. Today is just the beginning. I'm coming to a neighborhood near you for a budget briefing and a town hall meeting. Let's work together with diplomacy, diligence, and purpose toward Stated Meeting 155 03/14/2024 and implementation for the people, all with one shared goal in mind, to make our city safer, cleaner, and greener, with access to economic opportunity for all. If we do this, City Council, Mr. President, if we do this together, that is the only way that we are going to ensure that we truly are -- and you all already know what to do, put them in the air. Put your 1's up. Everybody, put your 1's in the air. And I want them to hear us outside. Let me hear you say one Philly. (One Philly.)
Members please take their seats. Stated Meeting 156 03/14/2024 on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. As I consider this budget, I will be weighing on how our choices impact Philly working families.
One second. Will the Sergeant-of-Arms Stated Meeting 157 03/14/2024 (Brief pause.)
Thank you very much. Now the Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. As I consider this budget, I will be weighing in on how our choices impact Philadelphia's working families. I'll be thinking about families like mine who count on our city's public schools and libraries, parks and pools, families who are hoping to stay rooted in their homes and neighborhoods even as rent and groceries can -- (microphone issues). I think of families of women like Rafina Rodriguez, who is a domestic worker with me today as my guest for today's budget address, who is fighting for the rights to basic protections, like a lunch break and sick days at her job. I think of the thousands of Stated Meeting 158 03/14/2024 afford menstrual products and turn to Lynette Medley from No More Secrets, who I'll be advocating for in my budget request. My priorities in this budget come from my plan for working families, a report that lays out the concrete steps we can take to build a city where working families thrive, a plan which I released last fall. It shares several common priorities with Mayor Parker's proposed budget. Working families depend on safe, affordable programs for young people. I'm pleased to see 11 million for public pools as well as an increase in funding for public schools in Mayor Parker's proposal. The summer is getting hotter each year, especially in some of Philadelphia's lowest income blocks, and every child deserves a local pool to cool down and connect with neighbors and learn to swim. Stated Meeting 159 03/14/2024 Community College, which is where I earned my first degree so that I could get a better job and provide for my children, and I'm pleased to see 10 million in additional funds for Community College of Philadelphia. Working families depend on affordable housing, and I look forward to seeing more details in Mayor Parker's plan to prevent the disruption and displacement of eviction to keep families in their homes. Working families depend on green, welcoming public spaces like community gardens that exist in Black and brown neighborhoods across our city. As some of you know, my office has been working with community gardens for years to protect these life-giving resources, and I'm glad to see that's also a focus. And today on behalf of Council President Johnson and with the support of Mayor Parker's Administration, I'm Stated Meeting 160 03/14/2024 a priority bid to move vacant properties into the Land Bank. The majority of these community gardens used to be vacant lots, overgrown, filled with trash, dangerous places for children, and ugly reminders of the historic disinvestment that has robbed many of our Black and brown neighborhoods of resources, stability, and safety. Community members who live near these lots put in time and energy and care to transform them into beloved green spaces that provide shade, fresh air, food, and social connections across generations. My office has partnered with community gardens to ensure that the land that they tend and transform will not be sold out underneath them. Last June, we announced 91 parcels were currently protected from sheriff's sales, and I want to thank former Council President Darrell Clarke, Stated Meeting 161 03/14/2024 Gauthier, and Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for contributing to that work. The next step in the process is to create a priority bid that will allow these parcels to pass into the Land Bank and ultimately into the hands of community gardeners.
By passing this legislation, we will be moving closer to a responsible, sustainable system of land management for our city, one that recognizes and prioritizes the leadership of community members and caring for their own neighborhoods and creating our own vibrant public space and determining the future of the land. Working families depend on medical care that is affordable, easy to access, including mobile crisis units that bring trained mental health providers directly into our communities, and treatment options for family members who struggle with substance abuse. So today I'm also introducing a resolution Stated Meeting 162 03/14/2024 for our overdose crisis, in particular its impact in Black communities in our city. As I shared with the body before, I know and love people who struggled with addiction and are at risk of overdose. My zip code, 19140, is one of the hardest hit by the increase of overdose deaths. Overdose deaths in Black Philadelphians has nearly doubled in the past five years, increasing faster than any other group, and yet racial disparities in our healthcare and criminal justice system mean that Black people who struggle with substance abuse are far less likely to receive timely, evident-based treatment, and far more likely to face arrest than white people. As we consider a citywide approach to this crisis, we must take into account the voices and needs of Black families and communities that have already been devastated by 50 years of a Stated Meeting 163 03/14/2024 We can't afford to get this wrong, and as we define our approach here in Philadelphia, our two guiding lights must be impact community -- impacted community members and the research, scientific evidence, and expert healthcare professionals. Philly families are counting on us, and I look forward to delivering for them in this budget. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes -- any speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Curtis Jones.
The Chair recognizes, on behalf of the minority also, Councilmember Nicholas Stated Meeting 164 03/14/2024
As-salamu alaykum to all the Muslims and Ramadan Mubarak for all those celebrating. If we are timely -- and if we follow your lead, Council President, we will be -- today begins about two and a half months full of hearings and plenty of deliberation. At the end of this process, God willing and the creek don't rise, as my father would say, we'll have us a budget. The Prophet Isa and the Injill both in Luke and in Matthew, as Christians understand the Gospel, is recorded as saying that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Essentially the idea behind that passage is that where you invest, where you entrust your treasure reflects what you love or what you value. A budget is a moral document. This document is the most concrete statement of our collective values, a Stated Meeting 165 03/14/2024 believe we can deliver a Philadelphia that is resilient to the many challenges that we face. There are a lot of fresh faces on Council, a new Council President, and this is Mayor Parker's first at bat as an executive proposing a budget, so this will be a precedent-setting, historic period in so many ways. As we dive into this process, it's clear that there are some steep learning curves that I'm looking forward to climbing as a freshman Councilmember, but I'm thrilled and I'm grateful in advance for the chance to learn from my upper classmen, my upper classmen colleagues, and from the hard-working staff embedded in our City agencies, who are the folks that really make it all happen. Philly should know and take comfort in the fact that we have some true masters, like Councilwoman KGR, of the craft of budget analysis in this Stated Meeting 166 03/14/2024 aren't the only ones ready for a hands-on education in how Philly's budget comes together. So many who were in this room earlier, maybe a few that are still here or watching around the City, also want to learn more about this process. And if that's you, I want to welcome you to reach out to my office. We do have a short online form where you can ask questions about the budget process and share your budget priorities as well, and you can find the form on our social media or by giving our office a call. We want to help demystify the budget process and hear about what matters to you and to your families. And to not be afraid to chime in during this process. That is our ask. There are three days for public comment during the budget hearings, the first one being on March the 27th, as I understand it. So, Philly, please hear me when I say this. We want to hear from Stated Meeting 167 03/14/2024 you, we need to hear from you, and we would love to hear from you soon. Real quick, I want to honor Madam Mayor for standing firm on the priorities that she has for our city and that she spoke about just before. A safe, clean, and green Philadelphia, one with ample opportunities to put money in the pockets of working people, that is a worthy goal. I don't care who you are. Of the Mayor's proposed budget, I am most excited about the new investments in our public spaces. I share the Administration's interest in flowing more funding to our libraries, our parks, our recreation centers, and I commend investments in street paving, another public good that all of us rely on. We don't want to be riding around a bumpy roller coaster, as she said. I'm also happy to see a commitment to housing in this year's budget. I'm all the way down, ten toes down, for investments in home repairs. Stated Meeting 168 03/14/2024 task force addressing home appraisal bias, which lock so many out of homeownership and risk the relatively strong record that we boast of when it comes to Black and brown families owning homes in Philadelphia.
Simply put, there are many, many, many points of unity in this budget, and I believe we all acknowledge that today. As we work as a collective, however, to get this done, I will also elevate issues that rise to the top of my agenda. For me, I'm laser focused on building a greener city for working people. I'm driven by the need to lay the foundation -- Philadelphia should be the first to do it -- for a just transition to a more climate-conscious world, and we should lead on that front. Our parks and our recreation workers, like Ms. Jameele Mitchell, which is a DC47 union steward and a consistent public servant, who like many had to get Stated Meeting 169 03/14/2024 1 o'clock but who I was honored to have as my guest today, and especially the youth of our city, they need our support on this front, this environmental front. When I say "environment," I mean the air we breathe and the spaces that we inhabit. The atmosphere, whether we're dealing with poor air quality or poor behavior in our shared spaces, I mean -- the ad campaign is a bit corny, but really you shouldn't smoke on SEPTA. There's babies on SEPTA. Speaking of creatively raising funds to extend pro working class, pro SEPTA programs, like zero fare, well that's good investment for the environment too, but I'll wrap with this: I want to welcome all of Philadelphia to what should, should be the high water mark of our local democratic practice, which is the crafting of our City's budget. I'm not sure that this process is always viewed in that light, but we as Stated Meeting 170 03/14/2024 blessed opportunity to make it so, and I look forward to being part of that. So excited to get started. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you, Mr. O'Rourke. I just want to double check and make sure, will the senior member, Councilman Curtis Jones, I know your light isn't on, but it was on earlier. Would you like to be recognized, sir?
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. At your urging yesterday after we got our budget briefing, you asked us not to interact with the press. For the record, we did not. We gave Madam Mayor Stated Meeting 171 03/14/2024 her budget, but I was like a kid at a holiday. And first let me join Member O'Rourke in saying Ramadan Mubarak to the two billion Muslims, some of whom are recognizing Ramadan this month and are fasting, and thank you for that acknowledgment. But you asked us not to. For the most part, I don't think we did, but I couldn't wait to talk about some of the things that were unveiled by the 100th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, things that I like. First and foremost, no new taxes. It's been a long time since we did not have that threat to have to go knock on doors, hi, I'm your elected official, and oh, by the way, we're raising your tax. So it's very nice that she started out with that. But when you start to unwrap some of the things she's doing, the school-to-paycheck pipeline, growing our Stated Meeting 172 03/14/2024 workers, Majority Leader, to be able to cultivate a workforce I think is amazing. The 1,500 new trees, Member O'Rourke, that she wants to plant I think are amazing. I like the fact that 62 percent of our pension is paid up now. That came a long way. And thank you, former President Clarke, for insisting upon that fiscal stability. But look at what she is bringing to the party. When you start thinking about the SEPTA commitment and how they should work together closely, I think that's amazing. Bringing back sheriff's sales is sad, but that is also how we replenish our stock of affordable housing, and she's made a commitment to that. So there's a lot of things in this budget that I like that I couldn't wait once I got a preview yesterday to talk about, but the devil is in the details, and we have to do our job to Stated Meeting 173 03/14/2024 tinker in the right places to make sure it goes where it is intended to go. Her commitment to the Kensington Caucus was loud and affirmative, and I actually believe her. And when she started talking about some of the responsibilities of holding our citizens accountable for what they do, it felt like my auntie. Way back in the day, you ain't always like what she said, but you respected it that it came from a place of love, and that's how I felt about this budget address. Finally, I look forward to us doing the work, to us doing the detailed work over the next four months to deliver to our Mayor a budget that she can work with so that she can implement her vision. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting 174 03/14/2024
Thank you, Mr. President. First, definitely want to say Ramadan Mubarak to all of the Muslims throughout our region. I also want to wish the City of Philadelphia a happy St. Patrick's Day. This past weekend I had the honor of walking with the Carpenters in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and that was a great experience for me. But I am here to let the City know that tonight, this evening our office will be hosting with Councilmember Thomas a town hall, a state of emergency town hall, to discuss the issue of youth gun violence. Yesterday I attended a great event hosted by Council President and Cindy Bass, and I'm sure they will be able to tell you about those details, but the energy in that room was amazing. It was something that our city needs, and I Stated Meeting 175 03/14/2024 continue to do this all throughout our city, because gun violence knows no borders, no Council districts, no police district lines. It affects all of us. As a father of a young boy, of a young Black man, a young Black boy in the City, you know, I'm kind of scared, right? Because there are children out here killing children, and that makes me nervous. That makes me nervous for my son who looks like me walking around in North Philadelphia, other parts of our city. So I encourage everyone who is under the sound of my voice to attend. It is at 6:00 p.m. this evening at the Fox Gittis Room at the Liacouras Center. We will be having special guests. Commissioner Bethel confirmed that he will be able to attend tonight. We want to have the conversation with the community about solutions to the issues that we see. We Stated Meeting 176 03/14/2024 of the programs that we have had in the past need to stay there, because this is a new day, this is a new era. These kids are a different generation, so we have to listen to them to see what it is that they need so they can be successful and productive citizens in our city. So I look forward to having that conversation this evening. It's at 6:00 p.m. at the Liacouras Center. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Great work, Councilmember Young. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Anthony Phillips.
I just want to say briefly that today's -- this morning's mayoral budget address was inspiring, electrifying of the remarks that were made. What really inspired me is the funding that will go towards districts to have cleaning crews do some Stated Meeting 177 03/14/2024 things that our neighbors ask for, and that is for our streets to be clean. This is an idea and thought that has been shared with many -- that has been shared by many residents, and for our Mayor to listen to the calls of all of the residents in the City of Philadelphia around this issue is pretty remarkable. I'm also impressed as she mentioned about me, my commitment to out-of-school-time programming and from Youth Action. That's how we -- actually how we met. So it was really nice to see that commitment and that clarity. The last thing I just want to say is that the community policing part I think is going to be an incredible opportunity for all of us, and we're looking forward to seeing all the infrastructure changes that also happens. As Congressman Dwight Evans has always said up in Northwest, you know, when you Stated Meeting 178 03/14/2024 neighborhood, that changes behavior. We looked at what he did in West Oak Lane. That changed West Oak Lane so much for the better, where it became a community of desire to be in. So I want to say thank you to Mayor Parker. We're looking forward to coming together to learn what else we can do to support this initiative, but also raise the questions so that we can really get to the details that are needed for us to be able to execute this budget well for the City. I also, lastly, want to announce, because we won't be able to announce it the next week, but Wednesday, March 20th at Northeast High School from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Council President Kenyatta Johnson will be working in conjunction with me to host a Peace, Not Guns town hall meeting at Northeast High School with our friends Councilmember Driscoll and Councilmember Brian O'Neill as we try to come up with remedies and Stated Meeting 179 03/14/2024 of gun violence in the City of Philadelphia. So, again, Wednesday, March 20th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Northeast High School on the 1600 block of Cottman Avenue. We're looking forward to responding to that horrific incident that took place last week. And just to know that our Police Commissioner, who is doing a great job, has already found, him and his team, all of the individuals and identified who they are and have three of them in custody, I believe one is on his way, the fourth one. So we're looking forward to that and also getting over to the Imhotep suspects as well. So thank you, Council President. I'm excited for Kensington as well. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier.
Thank Stated Meeting 180 03/14/2024 you, Council President. Mayor Parker delivered a powerful budget address, and I share her determination to make Philadelphia the cleanest, safest, greenest big city, with economic opportunity for all. I was particularly excited to hear Mayor Parker propose fully funding the Office of Homeless Services, increasing the School District's share of property tax revenue and investing millions to improve basic municipal services. For years, I proudly fought for the financial resources City agencies need to equitably deliver quality-of-life services, and I am even more proud of the movement we have built. The community has been asking the City to provide high-quality basic City services for decades, but it wasn't until this body united around this issue that it became front and center. And while we did not see as Stated Meeting 181 03/14/2024 in the FY24 budget as we hoped, I couldn't be more excited, because Mayor Parker's commitment to clean, green, and safe and her intent to deliver comprehensive relief rather than the piecemeal improvements we usually see is exactly what our neighborhoods need and deserve. I will continue to be the Mayor's biggest cheerleader around cleaning and greening, and I look forward to working with all of you to turn her proposal into action. I was also glad to see the Mayor's plan to hire more 9-1-1 dispatchers and set aside money for future labor costs. Last year I called on the Kenney Administration to give our 9-1-1 operators a raise so we can recruit and retain the high-quality dispatchers we need to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively. The botched police response to last summer's mass shooting in Stated Meeting 182 03/14/2024 up at night. Expanding the call center and paying our 9-1-1 dispatchers the salary they deserve is our best shot at preventing tragic errors like the one last July from ever happening again. I'm similarly enthused about allocating $36 million for housing programs. Housing costs continue to soar, and income is not keeping up. Thirty percent of homeowners and 54 percent of renters in my Council district spend more on housing than they can afford to. We must help families access safe, stable, and affordable homes, and the magnitude of our housing crisis demands that we tackle this issue from every angle, including building and preserving affordable housing, cracking down on illegal discrimination against residents using housing vouchers, and rental assistance for those at risk of being displaced, and I plan to prioritize this last piece during this year's budget Stated Meeting 183 03/14/2024 assistance with our nationally acclaimed Eviction Diversion Program, we achieve a win-win-win. Renters remain in their homes, landlords get paid, and the City avoids footing the bill for expensive societal costs associated with evictions. And as the newly minted Chair of City Council's Committee on the Environment, I look forward to working with advocates like the Sunrise Movement and PennFuture, as well as the Office of Sustainability and the Philadelphia Energy Authority to fund programs that steer Philadelphia into a greener future, including fully staffed and operational parks, libraries, and recreation centers. As we continue to grapple with high levels of violence, world-class neighborhood public spaces have never been more important. After hearing Mayor Parker's plan to upgrade PPD's Forensics Lab and allocate an additional 25 million Stated Meeting 184 03/14/2024 partners, I'm optimistic that the City will continue investing a record amount in grassroots gun violence prevention.
Watching the gun violence rate continue to decline fills me with hope, because it means that our approach has been working, but I've also never been more determined that now is the time to double down, because even one victim of gun violence is one too many, and the violence we have seen just in the last couple of weeks, especially among young people, shows how important this work remains. The City must do more to wrap its arms around our young people and provide them with the support and services they need to stay safe. And as the Councilmember who represents the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, to me this work includes addressing the Center's overcrowding crisis. I commend Councilmember Jones, Stated Meeting 185 03/14/2024 Ali, and the Deputy DHS Commissioner Williams for working with me to make PJJSC safer for our employees, young people, and community. But we cannot lose momentum, which is why this body must invest in diversion and prevention, services inside the Center itself, and resources to help young people integrate back into society. Under the leadership of our new Mayor and Council President, I'm optimistic that this budget will be one of the most equitable and impactful in our city's more than 300-year history. I look forward to working closely with all of you and the Mayor to deliver for our neighborhoods and our city. Thank you so much.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Stated Meeting 186 03/14/2024 think that I want to join the sentiments of my colleagues in congratulating the Mayor on this budget address. I found it to be very exciting. I think that the details that were given today, that were provided today are really going to shape the direction of this city. And because there haven't been investments or it doesn't feel like there have been investments from the previous Administration on this level, this is going to really be unprecedented in terms of the services that people are going to see and feel. It's going to really be tangible. And so I'm super excited about this budget. I also wanted to publicly thank you, Mr. President, for bringing Peace, Not Guns on the road and starting with the Eighth Council District, where unfortunately we had the loss of life with a young student at Imhotep Charter High School. And I want to thank you. Stated Meeting 187 03/14/2024 night all night and we went over time. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They're tired of the violence. They're tired of the gun play. And I just wanted to bring it back to something that we've been, as you know, Mr. President, pushing for quite some time now, a phrase that was coined from my office, "what do you do when the shooter lives with you." Because one of the guns that was confiscated from one of the folks who was apprehended in the shooting in the Northeast, one of the guns was found in the home where he was. And so this is real. This is not make believe. This is not something that we are guesstimating. These are all young people who are living at homes with mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grand-mom, whoever, a caregiver. And so we're going to put out that call once again to go through that room, look under that mattress, look in Stated Meeting 188 03/14/2024 closets, look in those dresser drawers and check out who your young person is hanging with, what they're doing, what their mentality is. Check their social media. If you're not following them on social media, that right there is a problem. And so I just really want to encourage folks, we have to be much more engaged in the lives of our young people. And, again, Mr. President, I want to thank you for all of your help on this matter. I want to thank my colleague Councilman Young for coming out last night and also State Representative Darisha Parker for attending as well. But, again, it was a packed house all night, over time. And so it wouldn't have happened without us all coming together and saying what can we do to find solutions to this problem. So I'm optimistic, and I thank you for your assistance. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 189 03/14/2024 recognizes Councilmember Driscoll. One second. In terms of Councilwoman Lozada, do you want to be recognized?
Thank you, Council President. I just want to share in the excitement that everybody is feeling around this budget address. I think that I am extremely excited for the people of Kensington. Mayor Parker made a commitment to them when she visited their community many times, and she has consistently demonstrated that she is living up to that commitment. It's been a long time coming for that community, and so I'm grateful to her, I'm grateful to my colleagues who have consistently remained supportive of myself and of the Caucus. I know that Stated Meeting 190 03/14/2024 know that often times it's not easy. But the commitment is there. I want to continue to extend my open doors for conversation when there is confusion or where there is questions about the work that we're doing. I think that the Mayor was very clear today that if you are not on board in the work that is happening in Kensington, sit down, move out of the way and let the work move on, because the people of that community deserve it. They have not had quality of life for a really long time. I'm excited to hear that she is investing in what the City of Philadelphia has not had in a long time, and, that is, quality of life. Addressing quality-of-life issues across the City has not happened for a long time, and I think that her committing herself, her Administration committing themselves to ensuring that our Stated Meeting 191 03/14/2024 safer, are greener, that people feel like they're being heard is extremely exciting, and I think that we are going to see a different city. We are going to see different participation, different involvement by community residents because they feel her energy, because of the commitment that she's made and how she's showing that she is going to follow through on the things she says. And so I just -- I'm excited about it. I can't wait to really see the work happening. And I also want to take the opportunity to thank the men on this body for the work that they are doing, for them showing up and stepping up and having conversations with our young people and being mentors to them, being present and showing them the examples of being good leaders, being good men in this community, in our city. So I want to thank you all for the work that you all are doing. Stated Meeting 192 03/14/2024 come to the Seventh, come to the Seventh and speak to the kids in my community as well and show them the support that they need. Thank you.
You're welcome. Thank you. Councilmember Mike Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for supporting all our St. Patrick's Day events last week, leading up to our great parade on Sunday. I thought Mayor Parker was -- yes, I'll comment on that shortly. I thought the Mayor's speech today was powerful and inspiring, but what was also powerful and inspiring was Mayor Parker led our parade down Market Street on Sunday, and as she was walking, there were thousands of people on the parade route, and as she was walking down Broad Street towards Independence Hall, the young women in that crowd that were looking at her in awe and inspiration Stated Meeting 193 03/14/2024 become Mayor of a big city and that women can rise to the highest offices in the land, and then she would run over and take pictures with them, she was shaking hands, she was a rock star. She named herself Mayor O'Parker for the day, and she didn't disappoint. But I also as a member, a Board member, of the St. Patrick's Day Observation Association, there's 26 of us that put that parade on, and it's a 12-month job of getting all the groups that want to participate, raising money and making sure that we have the resources. I want to thank each of those Board members for their work all year long. I want to thank the police officers that lined the route, all the City municipal workers that helped us that day setting up the grand stands. It really was a really great day, and she talks about One City. Well, Stated Meeting 194 03/14/2024 City, and she was truly a rock star in the Irish community on Sunday. And we'll be ending the week up, this Sunday will actually be St. Patrick's Day itself, so we'll be celebrating with a mass, and lots of the neighborhood organizations will be throwing parties on Sunday. So we're looking forward to that. And then, lastly, you lifted up the Irish potatoes that my wife made and distributed to all of our Council colleagues. (Applause.)
And I have more in my office if you run out, so don't worry. And you also have the badge that we wore for 2024 celebration, and I have more of those if you need them. And it doesn't go unnoticed that Councilmember Jones is wearing a green Stated Meeting 195 03/14/2024 Jay Scott [sic] and Rue, and I thank you for that. And it's just been a great week all around and just wanted to express my sincere gratitude, Mr. President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes now Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to join the chorus right now of our praise for our Mayor, the budget address that she gave, for your leadership as well, and the work that we're doing collectively in this body. I believe that we're all walking away today with hope that we have needed for far too long that we can address and tackle the most pressing issues in our city, those that are disproportionately affecting our most marginalized communities, particularly Black and brown communities in the City, and I feel Stated Meeting 196 03/14/2024 City employee, I will tell you I could not be happier from her address and all of the departments I'm meeting with of finally breaking down the silos. There is too much information siloed in our departments, and sharing that information and that data is crucial for us to solve these issues. As Chair of the Information and Tech Committee, I believe the focus on evidence-based decision-making is crucial, particularly when we are handling and resolving the most pressing issues for our communities, and moving forward, I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and the Administration throughout the budget process. One area of particular importance to me is the funding of affordable housing initiatives. We must ensure that our City budget reflects our values and priorities, and there is perhaps no greater priority than ensuring Stated Meeting 197 03/14/2024 access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing. Throughout the budget process, it's also very important to recognize the importance of investing in initiatives that will directly benefit our lowest income residents. The Mayor proposed fantastic solutions to this, things that we -- it's music to our ears of what we've been waiting for of basically a school-to-good-job-with-good-benefits pipeline that sounds fantastic. And this strategic allocation of resources demonstrates a commitment to tackling systemic inequalities and building a more equitable Philadelphia. In addition to affordable housing, I'm going to advocate for the same investments in our neighborhoods and essential services that she was discussing. From cleaning and greening to improving public transportation, to enhancing community health resources, these investments are essential for Stated Meeting 198 03/14/2024 communities across the City. This is equity. And equitable economic growth and opportunity are also top priorities for me. We must work to ensure that economic development initiatives benefit all Philadelphians, especially those who have historically been marginalized or underserved; namely, Black and brown communities throughout Philadelphia. It is particularly essential too with all of the initiatives that she has that we tackle our public safety crisis that we have in Philadelphia, and I couldn't have been happier to hear many of the initiatives that she's proposing. But, finally, I'm committed to using a civil rights and equity lens to evaluate the impact of the City budget on LGBTQ+ Philadelphians and all members of our diverse communities. It's essential that we consider the unique needs and challenges faced by these communities in Stated Meeting 199 03/14/2024 you so much. Can't wait. Looking forward to working with all of you through this process.
Thank you. Looking forward to getting down to business. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion to adjourn.
I'm about to say, I don't got no speech, Council President. Thank you, Council President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 21st, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. sharp.
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March the 21st, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Stated Meeting 200 03/14/2024 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. ) Stated Meeting 201 03/14/2024 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. m. m. S.