Thank you, Council President. I'm going to request that a leave of absence be granted as I have to tend to other Council bills. And I would like for the record to be voted aye on all bills and resolutions that will come before the legislative body today.
Yeah. I would like you to just take three minutes to stay here and listen to what I have to say, Councilman --
Councilmembers, today you are introducing Bill No. 240660 which aims to amend the Homestead Exclusion by changing the deadline for property designation. This is a step in the right direction. But with that in mind, I am here to call for the establishment of an Office of Freedmen Affairs, a continuation of the Freedmen's Bureau. The Freedmen's Bureau Act of 1866 was never repealed, never declared unconstitutional and never concluded by presidential proclamation. Its provisions remained active and enforceable. Yet the descendants of the emancipated in this city have been left without the protections that is rightfully ours. While Philadelphia has created offices for immigrants, LGBTQ people and others, the American Freedmen, the progeny of the emancipated, chattel slavery survivors who built this city, we don't have an office. How do you as American Freedmen Councilmembers justify that. I had a meeting with Councilmember Harrity before the summer. You promised to introduce this bill. We gave you everything in writing. We're waiting to hear from you. No, no need to talk about it now. We were in the meeting. I'm just saying I've been waiting all summer. We've been waiting all summer and we haven't gotten a response from you. We need a response for our office the same way if it was anti-Semitism you would jump to it right away. So we need your attention in this matter for the progeny of the emancipated right now. The Office of Freedmen Affairs will provide the comprehensive support that we need in education, health care, economic empowerment and legal advocacy. These are not privileges. They are the constitutional rights of the American Freedmen and we are demanding that this city fulfill them right now. Believe me, I know many of you may not even understand a lot of the language but your legislative aides do. I suggest that you consult them and find out what you have to do. Ogbonna Hagins, unseated council president, fourth generation chattel slavery survivor. Over and out. (Applause.)
Can Jeremy Blatstein, Khalif Alexander and Norman Tookes also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello, City Council. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. Congrats, Council President Johnson, on your appointment to the Clown Club. That's a big accomplishment. I'm glad that you can have a sense of humor about this because I think that both sides today what you heard on that bill is important to talk about, right. The Keystone Opportunity Zone, and that's what the bill is about, is spurring development in an area of the City of Philadelphia that needs remediation. It's an area that without Hilco and without the Keystone Opportunity Zone tax credit would not be happening right now for the City of Philadelphia. With that being said, and you heard both sides, transparency and accountability should be at the forefront of this while we move forward. What we're talking about and you hear people say, well, there's not people from the community on the job sites. That's just not true, straight up, right. The unions are using labor and the apprenticeship program from the neighborhood to really build up from this, the ground up. And I just want that to be heard and it be clear what the stats are. So that's just something to keep in mind as we move forward, the transparency and accountability from the unions, which isn't usually transparent and accountable, right. What is the makeup of the workforce, where do they live, what's going on. That's something that I think we can talk about. The last thing I'll talk about, SEPTA. Raise your hand if you rode SEPTA to City Hall today. That's zero. Councilmember Johnson, you were off the hook this morning because I had a prior engagement. But next week what stops better for you? Let's commit now. Tasker, Morris or Federal stop? What do you want -- what time, 7:00 a.m.? 7:00 a.m., okay, perfect. I'll meet you there at 7:00 a.m. That's a commitment. And the only other thing I will say is if you didn't read the article that was yesterday in the paper about PHA and the vouchers, I would encourage each and every person in this room to read that. The article stated that the market rate units that was being built were being then filtered down to voucher holders, and that is from PHA. That's just a thing that happens when more units are built in Philadelphia. And thank you.
We have Khalif Alexander, Norman Tookes. And may Dr. Jonesia and Marvin Robinson also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
So what is it -- good afternoon, everyone. My name is Khalif Alexander and I am here to speak on the bill in regards to Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, which is HR 9002. Now, this is an important bill for many reasons. First of all, shout-out to Councilman Young for introducing this bill, but not only that, looking at downtowns and revitalization. As we begin to discuss revitalization, we want to look at economics, right, and that's one of my favorite things. So let's discuss downtown and historical districts. We know that Black people, Black Americans in particular, built this city of Philadelphia. Not only just the city of Philadelphia, the 13 colonies and the Deep South. So we know this. Then we should also say that the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act should focus on Black Americans who helped develop these cities. And when you begin to talk about the contracts, when you begin to talk about the economic opportunities and advancement, that should go to those fellow Black residents. Now, honestly -- shoutout to people on City Council. I know some of y'all. I've known some of y'all for years. I know some of y'all people that work for y'all. But let's be real. We know these contracts, they not going to go to Black people. We know that Black people aren't going to get these opportunities because we're in one of the biggest cities in America. Yet we have the highest level of poverty out of the biggest cities in America. We know that Black people in America that live in Philadelphia are living at extremely high levels of poverty. So what is our solution? Our solution is again to develop an Office of Freedmen Affairs Agency for our Black Americans. Just like my previous colleague Ogbonna Hagins said, we have an office for the Immigrant Affairs and the LGBTQ Affairs, but where's our office for Black Americans. He got on Councilman Harrity. Councilman Harrity, he said he gave you the bill. I don't know what's going on, but we're going to have to get this bill out to the other individuals because at the end of the day, there's a long standing of what we call benign neglect from Black politicians not only in the city of Philadelphia, not only in the state of Pennsylvania but nationwide. And if you don't know what the benign neglect clause means, it basically means do something for everyone else but the Black Americans. You can give us turkeys -- like the woman said, you give us turkeys and tampons, but when we go to try to get a $10 million or $20 million, a micro grant to develop an economic hub and an economic engine for our Black Americans, we don't get that. So again, I'm going to close off with this. Now is the time -- and I know a lot of y'all working on the election right now so I'm going let y'all do your thing. But after that -- I'm going to let y'all do y'all thing on that. Win, lose or draw. But after the election we have to begin to focus on the economics of Black Americans. Yes, the gun violence is down. Now that the gun violence is down, we have a new initiative, focusing on the economics for our Black Americans in the city of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Norman Tookes. And I'm here to talk about the Office of Freedmen Affairs in Philadelphia, is about to make an effort in this century to finish the works on reconstruction. The unfortunate sabotage of the Freedmen's Bureau stifled upward mobility and caused the collapse of the burgeoning economic infrastructure and systems of inheritance that today's generation would benefit from. Without institutional infrastructures backed by government appropriations, we remain vulnerable to impossible factions and solutions to Freedmen communities. As they said earlier, every impacted population in Philadelphia has an office. Why aren't the emancipated afforded the same protections, because this is a sabotage of you guys' political career if y'all stand with the African American, the Black American, the Freedmen of this city, to give us equal opportunity to do the things in which will empower us as people to stop the killings the shootings in our neighborhoods. Why? Because we can flourish the same way that you can. And you cannot say that it's not business as usual when Congressmen will not stand up and say, okay, look, what are we going to do for African Americans, Black Americans, cotton-pickers, freedom fighters. None of y'all have anything on your agenda that's going to say that this is what we're going to do for Black America. And until any of you have a Black agenda, I don't think that any of you deserve a Black vote, period. Thank you.
Dr. Jonesia and Marvin Robinson also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
All right. Good morning, everyone. I'm Dr. Chinchila Jonesia, Executive Director of Right the Wrong Coalition and Be a Voice. I am here today to actually support the bill introduced by Councilmember Bass for the resolution to enforce against illegal things taking place in stores throughout this city in South Philadelphia. There are at least five stores that I know of and I've done interviews and put out stuff on media and all that stuff and stories on that are selling marijuana. They're selling alcoholic beverages. They're selling hard liquor like bottles of tequila and everything else, and they're open 24 hours and this illegal activity is causing a big problem. And so, I am so glad that you introduced that bill, Councilwoman Bass. Also, I am in support of Councilmember O'Rourke's bill, and that is Bill No. 240904 calling on the state of Pennsylvania to abolish the death penalty with House Bill 9999, although that's a great bill to abolish the death penalty, but the death penalty goes far beyond ending the death penalty through executing people that are incarcerated. The death penalty also is death by incarceration, which is men and women behind the walls that are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Those people will never get out of prison so they're actually going to die in prison, so that is also a death penalty. So we also need to look at that and address that as well. And I want to thank also Councilwoman Bass and Council President Johnson on the bill for the Homestead to increase that time for that and then real estate taxes and all of that. And I really like what Wanda Walker said about that. And also, I just want to bring the fact to people that are having problems with their property taxes you can always appeal it. So you need to do that and it's very easy to do. So try to appeal your taxes because most people's property taxes have gone up three times the amount from last year. All right. I'm Dr. Chinchila Jonesia. Thank you.
Good morning. Actually good afternoon. My name is Marvin Robinson. I'm a committee person in the 4th Ward, second vice-president of the 4th Ward. I'm only coming here to say to the President, to all the City Council, especially At-large, ask this (inaudible) all of y'all will be held accountable for what we want in our communities. It's not fair when people like myself is out there in the wilderness with guns trying to clean up my neighborhood and I don't get no support. So this is for you, President, to you, all your City Councilpeople, it has to stop. After the election everybody will be hold accountable. Have a great day.
Council President, there are no further names for public testimony.
Thank you very much. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on Second 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 240894.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1766-72 North Bodine Street, 2244 Hope Street and 2246 Hope Street in the 7th 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 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING regarding Resolution No. 240894.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240894 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Will the Clerk please read the 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING title of Resolution No. 240 -excuse me. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240896.
Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240895.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2271 North Philip Street in the 7th 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.
10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240895.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240895 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of the Resolution No. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 240896.
A resolution authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to convene and investigate processes and effectiveness of the current and past diversion programs in relation to individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder in the Kensington area.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240896.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240896 be adopted. All those in favor of the 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240897.
A resolution joining the City of Pittsburgh and calling on Congress to pass HR 9002, the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240897.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Young, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240897 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240904.
A resolution calling upon the Pennsylvania State Senate to pass House Bill 9999 also known as the Death Penalty Repeal Bill, to abolish the death penalty 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240904.
I move for the passing of the bill, motion. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240904 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240909.
A resolution appointing Bridget Foy to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240909.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240909 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240910.
A resolution appointing George Reilly to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240910.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240910 be adopted. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240911.
A resolution appointing Robert Perry to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240911.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240911 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240912.
A resolution appointing Ivan Joseph to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion regarding 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Resolution No. 240912.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that -- Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) Councilmember O'Neill.
Yes, Mr. President. Thank you. I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on the resolutions that I was out of the chamber for except for Resolution 240904, which I would like to be recorded as voting no on. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Your vote is recorded for the record. Will the Clerk please read 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of Resolution No. 240912.
No, never finished. We were in the middle of it. Let's go back from the beginning. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240912.
Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240913.
Wait. Councilmember Squilla, did you finish moving the motion for 911?
All right. Let's go back from the top. Will the Clerk please read 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of Resolution No. 240911.
A resolution appointing Robert Perry to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair now again recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240911.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240911 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240912.
A resolution appointing Ivan Joseph to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240912.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240912 be adopted. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the tile of Resolution No. 240913.
A resolution appointing Gil Arends to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240913.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240913 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240655.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area," to provide for additional extensions 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of certain benefits, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is should the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative -
The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. (Applause.)
Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240660.
An ordinance amending Section 19-301.2 of The 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Code, entitled "Homestead Exclusion," to revise the deadline by which applications for designation of property as homestead property are due and making conforming changes, 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 Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Councilmember Driscoll -- O'Rourke. I'm sorry. Councilmember O'Rourke.
Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Council will be at ease for a little brief quick announcement. (Council at ease.)
To the circus team, we don't mind 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING you coming down and enjoying and expressing your issues and your concerns. We're just going to ask that you just refrain from making the obscene noises while we're conducting the business of Council. If you want to come back and give your opinion during public testimony in the future, you are more than welcome to exercise your right in this fine body. Thank you very much. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 240663, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to provide for a mechanism for informal review of individual property assessments, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two 10/17/24 - STATED - 2ND READING different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having been voted in the affirmative the bill passes. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240667.