Stated Meeting, October 14, 2021

Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 14, 2021 10:16 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Thank you, and good morning to everyone. We're going to get started now. Before we start this session, I would like to make an announcement. Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19 and the delta variant, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, the Inquirer, and the Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, please indicate that you are here by saying present and a word or two to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Thank you very Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 Decker, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Good morning.

Good morning.

Councilwoman Brooks.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I'm present.

Good morning.

Councilman Domb.

Good morning, Council President and colleagues and people of Philadelphia.

Good morning. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Councilwoman Gauthier.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.

Good morning.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning, Philadelphia.

Good morning.

Councilman Green.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Effectiveness.

Good morning.

Councilwoman Gym. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present. Council President, at some point during this session, I may have to leave for official business and would like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.

Okay. Just make a note when you're going to come off, when you're going to leave. Thank you, Councilwoman.

Councilman Johnson.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Sending out prayers to all the families who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence. Good morning.

Good morning.

Councilman Jones.

Good Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, Ben Simmons. Go Birds. I'm present.

Good morning, sir.

Councilman Oh.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.

Good morning, Councilman.

Councilman O'Neill.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning.

Councilwoman Parker.

Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and Philadelphia.

Good morning. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Buenos dias. Buenos dias. I'm wearing my Eagles green because I want to believe. Thank you.

Buenos dias. We believe.

Councilman Squilla.

Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Present.

Good morning.

Councilman Thomas.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. I'm present.

Good morning.

Council President Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Good morning to all. And we're going to get started, and this morning to give our invocation, the Chair recognizes the Bishop Keith W. Reed of Sharon Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones. Good morning, Bishop. Thank you for being here. He is here today -

It's my pleasure.

So I am going to ask all members and guests to please bow your heads for the invocation. Bishop, please proceed.

Yes, sir. Gracious God, our father, we come in your presence this morning in the name that is above every name. We would ask that you would receive our thanks for your grace, for your mercy that kept us. You said it is because of your mercies Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 consumed. Great is your faithfulness. So we thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. We also thank you for the honor and the privilege of being able to gather around what you called in Romans Chapter 13 the ministers of God, the authorities that you have placed in government, you being the ultimate authority. I pray that even now you would give them wisdom, give them grace, give them sensibility to be able to deal with the affairs that take place in the City of Philadelphia. We need you to impart unto them that which would be pleasing in your sight. So now this morning, Lord, I give them over to you for your care, for your keeping, for your guidance, for your direction that you desire for them to have. Now, use them for the good of humanity and the glory of your name. In your name we pray with thanksgiving. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 amen. (Amen.)

Thank you so much, Bishop. We really appreciate you being here this morning.

My pleasure, my brothers and sisters. Take care. Have a blessed day. Bye-bye now.

Thank you. You too, sir. And our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 7, 2021, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the acceptance of the Journal of Thursday, October 7th. (Duly seconded.)

Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 7, 2021 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Henon.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted, let the record reflect, for Councilman Henon. And next we will have our motion on the Sunshine Act. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 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, 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 placing a 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 Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)

Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and the motion carries. And our next order of business is communications. And, Mr. Decker, please read the messages from the Mayor and any other Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 have in your possession.

Yes, Mr. President. From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on October 6, 2021, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on September 30, 2021: Bill No. 210474-AA. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the appointment of McCullough Williams III to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2003 North Orkney Street, 2039 East Fletcher Street and 2913 North Orkney Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District; and A resolution amending Section 2 Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 (Bill No. 170086), entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating portions of the houselines and curblines of Convention Avenue, from Thirty-Fourth Street to Health Sciences Drive, and placing on the City Plan two rights-of-way for drainage purposes within the vicinity of the intersection of Convention Avenue and Health Sciences Drive," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230 by striking from the City Plan Cresson Street from Osborn Street to Vassar Street and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within a portion of Cresson Street being stricken, all under certain terms and conditions.

Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. So I want to thank you very much in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.

Councilwoman Parker offers on behalf of Council President Clarke two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution confirming the reappointment of Brian J. McCormick as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2026." Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Referred to committee.

And a resolution approving the appointment of McCullough Williams III to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board.

I will refer that to committee also.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers three resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a resolution honoring and congratulating Dawn Staley for coaching the 2021 Olympic Gold Medal Winning U.S. Women's Basketball Team.

Next week's Calendar.

And on her own behalf, a resolution recognizing October 21, 2021 as Conflict Resolution Day.

Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

And a resolution recognizing and congratulating Shervon Thompson for her historic appointment as the first Alumna Principal of The Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School.

Next week's Calendar.

Councilwoman Gym offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor for being named a 2021 MacArthur 'Genius' Fellow for her innovative scholarship on Black social movements and racial inequality in the United States and her critical examination of race, exploitation, and redlining in American housing policies and practices."

Next week's Calendar.

Councilman Jones offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230 by striking from the City Plan Cresson Street from Osborn Street to Vassar Street and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within a portion of Cresson Street being stricken."

Referred to committee.

And a resolution recognizing and thanking the many faith-based organizations across the City - synagogues, churches, and mosques - for their activism and service to the public throughout the pandemic in providing the citizens of Philadelphia with food, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Next week's Calendar.

Councilman Green offers one bill on behalf of President Clarke, entitled "An ordinance Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds."

Referred to committee.

On his own behalf, Councilman Green offers a resolution recognizing and congratulating Richard Schuettler upon the occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Municipal League after 20 years, and even longer dedication to efficient, effective, decent governance across the Commonwealth. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Next week's Calendar.

Councilwoman Brooks offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to conduct hearings to identify barriers and solutions to permanently preserving community gardens and open spaces in the City of Philadelphia."

This week's Calendar.

Councilman Domb offers one resolution honoring Angelo Cataldi, on the occasion of the announcement of his retirement as co-host of the WIP Morning Show and for invigorating the passionate fan culture of Philadelphia throughout his illustrious career in Philadelphia sports radio.

Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Councilwoman Gauthier offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 170086) approved May 22, 2017, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating portions of the houselines and curblines of Convention Avenue, from Thirty-Fourth Street to Health Sciences Drive."

Referred to committee.

Councilman Squilla offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending certain provisions of Section 14-502, entitled '/CTR, Center City Overlay District,' to create a new subarea of the Old City Residential District."

Referred to committee. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Councilman Oh offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to issue a reward for information leading to an arrest in the arson case which victimized Sonja Brigham, an outspoken anti-drug, anti-violence block captain in the Harrowgate section of Northeast Philadelphia."

Next week's Calendar.

There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. We have no reports from committee today, so our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 2ND READING First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Before we do that, Councilwoman, before we do that, I'd like to recognize Councilwoman Gym.

Yes. Thank you so much, Council President. Thank you, Majority Leader. I have to leave Council a little bit early for business outside and would like to be recognized as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Let the record reflect that, and the record shall reflect -

Thank you, Council President.

-Councilwoman Gym is voting aye on all bills and resolutions and amendments. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 2ND READING

Council President?

I'm sorry.

Rather than interrupt the flow of session --

Councilman Jones.

-- I'd like to be recognized as voting aye on all bills. I must leave Council for business outside and would like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.

Let the record reflect Councilman Jones is being recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions and amendments and taking a leave of absence for purposes of conducting business for the City of Philadelphia.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, sir. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 2ND READING

Mr. President, shall I proceed?

I'm sorry, Councilwoman. Yes, please proceed.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210601, 210809, 210811, 210812, 210813, 210814, 210816, 210817, 210818, 210819, 210820, 210636-A, 210635, 210681, 210682, and 210684. All other resolutions and bills are being held, Mr. President.

Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we proceed with our consideration of the public comment, we will now take a brief five- to ten-minute recess to give our technology professionals an opportunity to connect our speakers for today's Calendar. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 Let's take a quick break. Thank you. (Short recess.)

Thank you very much, and we are back. Now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider the public comment. It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support of or Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Today I think we have ideal circumstances, so we're going to have three minutes. However, from time to time, that time limit may vary based on the volume of speakers, but today we'll have three minutes. But in order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. Once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at a meeting. One last thing. Please be aware that the public -- this is a public meeting and is being recorded, and because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. Mr. Decker, can you please read the name of our first speaker on our list.

Yes, Mr. President. The first speaker is Lindsay Schoonmaker, commenting on 210809.

Good morning. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 testimony.

Good morning. My name is Lindsay Schoonmaker and I am here to speak on Resolution No. 210809. Thank you so much for hearing my comment and to Councilmember Parker for putting forward this resolution. I'm a resident of Philadelphia and also a supervising attorney at Philadelphia VIP, a legal aid organization that matches low-income Philadelphians with pro bono attorneys for civil legal issues. At VIP, we fully support this resolution to spread awareness about the need for estate planning. We see hundreds of clients each year with title issues to their homes from lack of proper estate planning. We also see the need to ensure our seniors and other incapacitated folks are properly cared for when they can no longer care for themselves. Proper estate planning can resolve these issues, but there is a lack Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 of awareness about the importance of these documents and how to obtain them. VIP helps over 100 clients a year with estate planning. A client whose wife recently passed away with title to their home in her name alone was able to get title when a volunteer attorney of ours helped him probate his wife's estate. Because of how suddenly his wife died and because she did not have a will in place to protect her husband and twin boys who had been adopted, the process was tricky. When we were finally able to get the title issue resolved and into their name, our client quickly agreed to estate planning documents. And just last week he told me how comfortable he was after working with VIP and getting all of his papers in order. He said his friends were also surprised at how he was getting everything in order, but he had learned from experience how important that is. He wants to leave his boys well cared for Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 if something should happen to him too. So to deal with this at VIP, we recruit, train, and support volunteer attorneys to not just draft documents but to counsel clients on what they really want and need in estate planning documents and also to make sure those documents are properly executed. We provide template documents, trainings, and other resources, including notary services, for our volunteers and clients, and we've had great success partnering with community partners such as neighborhood groups like the Brewerytown Sharswood NAC, the outreach events you all put on, and other non-profits like Rebuilding Together Philadelphia to host intake clinics and information sessions about estate planning. So we love the idea of spreading more information to promote estate planning and believe National Estate Planning Awareness Week is a great Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 step in that direction. Thank you for your time and consideration of this resolution.

Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it.

The next speaker is Sandra Dungee Glenn, commenting on 210681.

Good morning. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.

Good morning, Council President Clarke and members of City Council. My name is Sandra Dungee Glenn, founding partner of The Collective network and The Collective Investment Group. I'm here to support Bill No. 210681, the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. In November 2019, Tayyib Smith, Steve Sanders, and I brought together a group of experienced Black real estate Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 developers and launched The Collective. We've committed to support our seven companies through advocacy and raising $100 million in capital to put into their projects. They've committed to and have a track record of doing projects commercial, mixed-use, for sale, and rental housing - that produce financial returns and add assets that benefit existing residents instead of displacing them. The Collective developers have a pipeline of over $300 million in projects. Our members are Mosaic, TPP Holdings, West Powelton, Ujima, Wilson-Drake, Smith and Roller, and BKP. This list will continue to grow, and you can learn more about us at thecollectivephl.com. I want to thank Councilmember Sanchez, Jones, Johnson, Bass, Domb, and Green for meeting with us and supporting our work. We believe the process for real estate development must shift from Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 top down to one that takes a more holistic view of a neighborhood's needs. NPI can be a great start in this direction. Our comments are based on research and our members' experience working in Philadelphia. We'd like to work with you to leverage private capital with NPI to maximize the impact on neighborhoods. NPI includes important priorities, and we have four recommendations as you implement Year 1. First, we'd like to target the accelerated fund to provide credit enhancement and cover free development costs for developers whose projects have a quantifiable social impact. We recommend broadening the criteria for qualified projects, raising the guaranteed limit, and increasing the investment amount. Prioritize projects that provide quantifiable impacts in the areas of employment, BIPOC business and Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 homeownership, livable income, and access to essential services. Second, NPI should use comprehensive master planning to get the most benefit from each investment. Partner with residents and other local voices to ensure that new projects holistically address the specific needs of a given area. Third, expand the role of the Land Bank and streamline the process. The bill references certain use, but we believe it can be applied in a wider variety of situations to improve community stability and expand access to neighborhood-level wealth creation. Finally, NPI should apply research-based impact metrics to capture and address the social determinants of health. We've identified and mapped metrics that show the interplay between real estate and outcomes, including housing cost burdens, food deserts, lead exposure, and others. We're happy to Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 partner as an independent third party to apply these metrics to NPI investments. We're delighted to work with you and further refine this roadmap to determine how best to put it into action, and we thank you for your time.

Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony today.

The next speaker is the Reverend Gregory Holston, commenting on 210636.

Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. My name is Reverend Gregory Holston. I am the Senior Advisor on Policy and Advocacy for the District Attorney's Office and here to support the passage of Bill No. 210636, what is called the driver equality bill. I'm thankful for all the work that has been done around this bill, Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 around dealing with this such difficult issue. The reality of driving while Black as being a crime across the nation and in Philadelphia is a reality that most of us who are Black have experienced in some way, in some manner over the years. Many of us have given the talk to our children, particularly our Black males, in reference to this reality. About six years ago, I was pastoring a church and we had a community forum around stop and frisk, and at that community forum, it was very volatile. The conversation was very heated, particularly when one member of that panel, a police officer, a police chief, said that White supremacy had no relationship to the Police Department. I think we've come a long way. I think we made some broad steps with this bill to come to the reality that racism and structural racism is a reality in our Police Department and that we need Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 to do and set policy to make change. Over 300,000 stops each year, 74 percent of them African American, 90 percent where no arrests are involved, less than one percent involved any capture of any guns. It seems the process is for years that racism and that Black people are treated in a different manner and in a different way by our Police Department, and this bill signals with the partnership of Councilperson Isaiah Thomas, all the leaders on Council, the former Public Defender, Keir Bradford-Grey, and our Police Commissioner, Danielle Outlaw, coming together to address this issue in a real and tangible way that can make the difference in the lives of Black and Brown people in the City of Philadelphia. We've come a long way. We've taken some steps. We're responding in the right kind of way. I gladly support this bill and see it not just as an end, but as a Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 beginning of a real way for our Police Department and all of our law enforcement to really regain the trust of our Black community in every way. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.

The next speaker is Nikki Grant, commenting on 210636.

Good morning. State your name for the record and just proceed with your testimony.

Good morning, Councilmembers. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. My name is Nikki Grant. I'm the Policy Director of Amistad Law Project. I promise to be very brief this morning. I just want to thank the Council for moving forward with the driving equality bill, which will redirect police time and resources towards keeping Philadelphians safe and Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 removing the negative interactions with police. The City has a very long history of stop and frisk and driving while Black stops, which targets Black communities, and this bill is an excellent way to address this problem. I am particularly excited that this bill will gather data about traffic stops and help us identify and correct police officers who do target Black people for traffic stops. I want to particularly thank Councilmember Thomas for his leadership on this issue. And that's all I have to say, but thank you so much for me to hold this bill. Have a great day.

Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.

The final speaker for today, Mr. President, is Queen Judith Robinson, commenting on 210636-A. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021

Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. QUEEN ROBINSON: Good morning. Queen Judith Robinson here to testify on Bill Nos. 210635 and 210636-A. I want to focus on the part of the bill that talks about preventing racial disparities. As an African American woman, I agree with that 100 percent, but with over 400 murders in this city, mostly Black people, now our women and children, I really don't want to hamper law enforcement as it relates to possibly reducing crime. So I want to focus on why so few criminals are being targeted, why so few criminals are found when all of these folks are being targeted for stops. Something is out of order where that many people could be stopped who happen to be African American and we're not getting these criminals who are shooting up our rec centers and killing all over Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 Philadelphia. Our cameras show they're getting in and out of vehicles. So I think we need to focus right there, why are so many people being targeted who are not these folks, who are criminals, murderers in our communities. In addition, the bill talks about protect public safety. That's where I want to be, protected, protected by our law enforcement. So I want law enforcement to focus on even the smallest crime as it relates to the broken window theory. I'm talking about the broken taillight theory. These criminals are running around our community in and out of cars shooting up in broad daylight. So as much as I don't want racial disparity as it relates to these targeted crimes, I want to do further research to find out why they're doing all of these targets of drivers' vehicles but not finding criminals. That's where I want to focus right there. And I don't Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 know how this bill could expound on that or expand on that, but I think we need to focus right there. How could that be? How could that be that we're not finding criminals that are running loose, driving around with illegal possession all over Philadelphia, wreaking havoc on our community? So as much as I want to make certain that we're not being disrespected, I don't want law enforcement hampered in that regard. Can we please focus on why they're not getting these criminals off our streets, moving around in vehicles. Thank you very much for the time. I appreciate that, and I hope we can identify that area. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. Is that it, Mr. Decker?

It is, Mr. President. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment session for today, and we will be starting our Calendar for our bills and resolutions on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. So we will start with Resolution No. 210601, Mr. Decker.

A resolution approving the appointment of William McCullough to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.

Council President, I would like to make a motion to withdraw this nomination. (Duly seconded.)

Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution No. 210601 be withdrawn. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, the motion carries, and Resolution No. 210601 has been withdrawn. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210809.

A resolution recognizing October 18 through 24, 2021 as National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210811.

A resolution recognizing the 7th Ward Tribute, an artistic installation project paying homage to the remarkable Black history of Philadelphia's 7th Ward, for its dedication to preserving Black history and culture in Philadelphia.

The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Johnson for a motion.

Thank you, Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. I make a motion to adopt the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210812.

A resolution honoring Ann Ewers, on the occasion of her retirement as President and CEO of the Kimmel Center, Incorporated, for 14 years of outstanding service to the Philadelphia cultural community and to Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING the entire City of Philadelphia.

Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Johnson for a motion.

Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210813.

A resolution also Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING naming the 2000 block of Christian Street "Father John Van de Paer Way" to honor the life and legacy of Father John Van de Paer.

Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Johnson for a motion.

Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING title of Resolution No. 210814.

A resolution also naming the 2300 block of South 21st Street "Ronald R. Donatucci Sr. Way" to honor the life and legacy of Ronald R. Donatucci, Senior.

And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Johnson for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 210816.

A resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Northeast High School Boys Volleyball team, on their successful 2020-2021 season and their Philadelphia Public League Championship win.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas for a motion.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210817.

A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2553 Kern Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 210818.

A resolution designating the week of Sunday, October 10 through Saturday, October 16, 2021, as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Joe Piscopo as the Grand Marshall of the 2021 Philadelphia Italian American Parade. This year, the parade is also dedicated to the life and legacy of Anna C. Verna, longtime City Councilmember, a lifelong supporter of the Italian American Parade.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.

Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for approval of the amendment. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)

Thank you.

I'm sorry. I move for the adoption of the resolution. I apologize. (Duly seconded.)

We got you, Councilman. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210819.

A resolution honoring Frances Piller for her dedicated Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING service to the City of Philadelphia.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 210820.

A resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Education to resolve bureaucratic errors Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING within the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program which have led to the exclusion of qualified veterans and other public servants.

And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, read the title of Bill No. 210636-A.

An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to clarify the appropriate methods and circumstances of enforcement of traffic violations in order to provide for the fair and transparent administration of traffic violations, prevent racial disparities, and protect public safety, and making certain technical changes.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.

Thank you, Council President. I just want to make a few remarks before we go ahead and vote on this bill. First of all, I just want to talk about the data and the problem a little bit, and I appreciate everyone's input and testimony today. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING In a 12-month period looking at the year 2018, Philadelphia Police found illegal drugs or guns in less than one percent of traffic stops, as Black drivers were 34 percent less likely than White drivers to be carrying anything illegal but significantly more likely to be pulled over than our White counterpart. The data showed that 72 percent of Black Philadelphians have been pulled over, while 90 percent of driving stops are for code violations that don't even warrant a ticket. We are in a position right now where we are seeing a disproportionate number of people being pulled over, 300,000 people specifically at the year we looked at, and when you found that less than one percent of those stops led to some type of contraband and/or a weapon, we see that there's an issue there. Now, I know a lot of folks are talking about this issue around public Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING safety and impacting public safety. The seven different violations that we are looking at are not violations that impact public safety. I also want people to keep in mind over the last two, four, six or so years that we've been seeing an increase in crimes as it relates to the City of Philadelphia, the current practices were already in place. So I don't see any way that this bill would have a negative impact on public safety here in the City of Philadelphia. The driving equality agenda is something that what we've classified certain Motor Vehicle Code violations as a primary violation, which allows an officer to conduct a traffic stop and essentially name them now secondary violations, which traffic stops will no longer be used as the primary means of enforcement. These are not things that impact public safety. So we're not looking at things like running a stop Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING sign. We're not looking at things like speeding. (Background noise.)

Hold on one second. Somebody needs to mute.

That's my good friend. I give him a pass. Municipalities across the country are developing police reform legislation, and it's been an honor for us to essentially work with a number of different partners. So in the midst of crafting this legislation, I don't want folks to think that this was a one-off initiative. This was a bill that was introduced nearly a year ago. My team worked with law enforcement, along with the Mayor's Office and the Managing Director's Office, to put together a working group to decide exactly what we felt like we can do effectively once we all agreed that this was a significant issue that disproportionately impact people of color. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Similar to the daily consent decree, the driving equality agenda will require police to collect and report information as it relates to traffic stops. The Police Department will maintain digital records of who has conducted the stop, who was stopped, where the driver was stopped, the reason for the stop, and whether or not police action was taken and if contraband or a weapon was discovered. This information will be published on a regular basis and searchable for everybody. So not only will the bill look to address some of the disproportionate number of stops we see in people of color, the bill will also have a transparency component that's going to require a certain level of communication with myself, with other members of Council, and with the general public. The reason I think that that's significantly important is because what we are trying to do is show that we are Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING attempting to do things a little different. This is 2021. We can't do things the same way we did in the past. We have to be more innovative. We have to continue to reinvent ourself, and we have to continue to put ourself in a position where we're listening to the constituents that elected us all and responding to the concerns that's been communicated to us and moving in a way that's data driven. So I want to thank all of my colleagues for your support throughout the course of this process. I've talked to many of you throughout the course of the last couple months. I would love to have your vote for this bill, and I think this is something that is historic that can put us in a position where we're addressing a systemic issue that's been plaguing Black communities not just in Philadelphia but all across the country. Thank you, Council President.

Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Councilman. I believe Councilman Oh had some comment. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.

Yes, I do. Thank you very much, Council President. And I do want to commend my colleague Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for his innovative efforts. I do not agree with him and I will be voting against the bill. I do want to explain, however, my reasons, particularly addressing our District Attorney's Office, which I am very troubled by their statements. Let me say first that the bill is most likely preempted by state law. Secondly, is probably an illegal bill. And particularly the Motor Vehicle Code, as articulated in a letter to this body July 13th by State Representative Martina White citing the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, which states in its provisions that the Code shall be applicable and uniform throughout the Commonwealth and in all Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING political subdivisions in this Commonwealth, and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by the provisions of this title, unless expressly authorized. And this body is not authorized. The next thing is that this bill makes secondary violations out of, for example, driving without a current registration for up to 60 days because -it's not making it legal. It's still illegal. It's preventing the police from stopping a vehicle and effectively even ticketing that vehicle for up to 60 days. It also prevents the police from stopping a vehicle that is driving without emissions or inspection stickers and other things. And it does not -- it's for all vehicles - trucks, cars, buses. It has nothing to do with the race of the person. The person could be White, Black, Asian, Hispanic. The police are, according to this bill, unable to stop Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING those vehicles. And even if they have insurance, their insurance is ineffective. So if they hit someone, if they get into an accident, if they hit someone on a bicycle or a child, they effectively have no coverage. That is something that would harm the driver as well as the person who is hit. I do think for public safety it's important that our police be able to safeguard our public highways and roads by stopping vehicles that are a danger to the public because they are not inspected, not registered, and not effectively covered by insurance. The final thing I want to say, particularly because of what the District Attorney's Office has said, I oppose and I have outspokenly said I am against improper use of stop and frisk. That's unconstitutional. It's racially oriented. Stop and frisk has a legitimate purpose, provided there is reasonable suspicion, articulable Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING suspicion that a crime has been committed and that the person is armed and dangerous. Then the police have an ability to stop the person and pat them down, not for a -- just to see if there's a weapon. However, police departments, including in Philadelphia, have used stop and frisk unconstitutionally and improperly to simply stop people in neighborhoods, pat them down for drugs, for contraband, for weapons, whatever they want. That is a gross misuse. It's unconstitutional. I oppose it. Everyone should. However, stopping vehicles that are violating the state traffic code is not that. They are stopping vehicles. If there is a disproportionate stopping of vehicles that are not in violation of the driving code, that would be improper. That is as illegal as any other thing. But if they are properly stopping vehicles that are in violation of the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING driving code, there's nothing wrong with that. And if the insinuation or if the implication is that there are police officers falsely stopping vehicles and using traffic code violations as an excuse, we should know about that and we should correct that. However, a police officer who's intent on stopping something wrongfully could simply say they're driving recklessly.

I think what we want to do is to make the public safe by enforcing the laws. We don't want to pass illegal bills and certainly don't want to subject people in our poorest of neighborhoods to being hit by a vehicle that is uninsured. For that reason, I will be voting against the bill. Thank you very much.

Council President, I have a point of -

Council President, may I be -- Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

Hold on. Councilwoman Bass had a question. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I do want to, number one, I want to thank the author, the sponsor of this bill, Councilmember Thomas, because I know that in all things that he does, his heart is certainly in the right place and he's really trying to make a difference for the citizens of Philadelphia and particularly for those who have had the unfortunate experience of being stopped but really without cause. I overall support this piece of legislation, but I did have a question that I would like for the sponsor to clarify, particularly around the registration. And so I did check in with my own insurance agent prior to this vote now to ask specifically about the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING insurance effect on registration, and Councilman Thomas, you are indeed right. I was told by my insurance provider that the registration, it is a requirement, but it would not affect the coverage if you are actually in an accident. However, my question is, can you give us some additional detail about the idea that this is -- basically if you're operating your car without a valid registration, you're operating a motor vehicle illegally. And so can you talk to us about the idea that you are operating a vehicle that is not properly registered and is, therefore, operating illegally on the streets within the City of Philadelphia. I was hoping that you could address that.

Council President, may I address the concern?

Please. Yes, Councilman.

Thank you, Council President. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, colleagues, for your questions, and thank you for this dialogue. Councilmember Bass specifically, we've been having this conversation for some time, so I appreciate you bringing it to the floor, because the same questions you have, other constituents in the City of Philadelphia asked. As far as the valid registration, you're absolutely right. When someone does not have a registration, it does not have a negative impact on their insurance, and something can still be done as it relates to incidents take place, insurance can still be covered. Under this legislation, I just want to be very clear. If someone is driving and they do not have registration and their registration has expired, they can still be ticketed, right? Often your registration is ticketed by the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Parking Authority. Often your registration is ticketed by law enforcement officers who might be foot patrol officers, who might have just walked past your car. You also can look at registration being something that's enforced as it relates to the violation once someone has been pulled over. So similar to a seatbelt, no one is saying that it's not legal to drive around without a seatbelt, but when you look at the type of enforcement, all we're asking the City of Philadelphia to do is to look at the enforcement mechanisms as it relates to these different traffic violations. Now, if someone has committed a crime and there is some type of reasonable cause to be able to pull someone over, none of that would be impacted by this bill. So the idea that public safety will be directly impacted would suggest that our best means of Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING fighting crime is to randomly pull people over and hope that we're lucky to be able to find some type of weapon or contraband. I think that it would be naive of us in the year of 2021 with all the technology and different means and mechanisms that we have to be able to say that our best means of impacting public safety is to randomly pull people over because they might have committed a traffic violation and their skin is a certain color. We know that there are other counterparts. And I want to move into addressing some of the things that Councilmember Oh said. Councilmember Oh talked about the idea that people who are being pulled over are people who committed violations. I wouldn't argue that, but my argument would be when you look at the percentage of people in the City of Philadelphia and you look at the people who commit violations based on Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Oh's logic, he's basically suggesting that only Black people break the law, because only Black people are being pulled over. And if you talk to White folks in the City of Philadelphia, which I've talked to plenty of them, their registration expires. Their emission stickers expire. They just don't have the same negative interaction with law enforcement that their Black counterparts do. I want to address a couple other things that Councilmember Oh talked about. He brought up a letter that was sent from a state legislator that was actually dated January 13th, like he said, but that letter was actually sent to Council today. So I want to be clear for the record that that letter was sent to Council today while it was dated January 13th. I also want to be clear for the record that the letter was inaccurate. It talked about nine different violations Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING that we were looking to move from primary reasons to secondary reasons, and that's just not true. There aren't nine violations. There were never nine violations, and the information in that letter, again, is not accurate.

On top of that, the letter also suggests that the City would lose revenue based on finding and feeing poor people and people of color. The Department of Justice looked at what took place in Ferguson and actually said that what was happening in Ferguson was wrong. It was a civil rights violation, and it was something that should be addressed. So for that letter to insinuate that we should continue to fine poor people and people of color to generate revenue for the City of Philadelphia is the exact type of institutional racism that we essentially do not want to have in the City, and it's extremely disappointing that my colleague would say in one breath that he feels like stop and Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING frisk is a significant problem and the exact same breath encourage us to be able to generate revenue off of the backs of poor people and people of color. I want to say again thank you to all of my colleagues for your support throughout the course of this process. I want to be very clear that I've had dialogue with my colleagues, some who communicated they can vote for it, some who communicated they can't vote for it, and others who communicated their concern, but I do want to make sure that we're having authentic dialogue as it relates to what we're doing and we're not playing politics on an issue that violates people's civil rights. I will be more than willing to have a conversation with any state legislator who feels like that this bill is illegal. We've talked to a number of different lawyers, including the Public Defender's Office, the City Solicitor's Office, as well as multiple attorneys, Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING who do say that the City of Philadelphia has our own right as a county to determine how we enforce Motor Vehicle Code violations. This bill will not change the law. This bill will not say that something is no longer illegal. This bill will only communicate how we as a municipality enforce these things that are essentially illegal. Thank you, Council President. I appreciate it. And I'm here to answer any other questions that my colleagues may have before we look to vote on this bill.

Council President, I had an earlier point of information.

I'm sorry. Mr. President?

Yes, Councilwoman.

I just wanted to say, number one, I wanted to Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING thank the Councilmember for his explanation. I still have some reservations, but the Councilmember has provided detailed statistics in terms of the issue that I'm most concerned about, which is the invalid registration, expired registration, and in those statistics it states that about seven percent of these stops are connected to a registration. So it's not the biggest issue, but still nonetheless, it is an important issue to me. I am going to support the bill today, but only with the agreement. Councilmember Thomas did say that he would continue to monitor the registration numbers and pay attention, and we will revisit this after we have enough data to see if this is a significant problem that we really need to address in a more robust way. So I am going to stand in support of where the Councilmember is today, but with reservations, and he has Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING agreed to work with me on those reservations in the future. So thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Green, you had a point of order? Sorry.

Yeah. Well, a point of information. I just wanted to follow up on a couple things, and I'm going to make sure that my understanding of the bill is correct. In looking at the bill, which is the most recent amendment that I see, I see both the enforcement of primary violations, which allows a law enforcement officer may initiate a vehicle stop and at the discretion cite a driver for a violation, and then enforcement of a secondary violation. It provides information where an officer may initiate a motor vehicle stop for a secondary violation observed within the City of Philadelphia. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING My understanding, and Councilmember Thomas, if you can correct me, that you worked very closely with the Police Department in reference to drafting this legislation. And so my understanding based on your work with the Police Department as well as the City Solicitor's Office, it was deemed that this draft that is before us today is legal from their perspective, both from the Police Department and them saying that this will not impact their ability to enforce the law in the City of Philadelphia based on how this law has been amended, as well as the City Solicitor's Office. Am I correct in that perspective?

Council President, if you don't mind me answering.

Please.

Councilmember Green is absolutely correct Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING in his analysis of the legislation and the work that's been done to lead up to this point.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Oh, I think you wanted to be recognized again.

Yes. Thank you very much, Council President. I'd like to make a clarification. When I said effectively covered, an insurance policy is a contract between, for example, me and my insurance company. There are conditions to the coverage. So if I get on the road in violation of state law with a car while I have expired registration, expired -- I haven't gotten an inspection, things like that, I have coverage. However, if I get into an accident and the insurance company finds that I was driving with those violations, they can choose to not cover me for violating our agreement that my car and I Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING were not supposed to be on the road. That's effectively the lack of coverage. So while it is technically correct to say, you can say that you still have an insurance policy and you have coverage, that coverage is at risk. And for those who don't believe that insurance companies are eager to give up money, you're taking a great risk and I would say on the greater side of not being covered because your car was in violation of the state motor vehicle code and you were not supposed to be driving it. Therefore, they have a right and ability to deny coverage to you. That's just my clarification. And with that, I think we all understand what's at stake and we're all ready to vote. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilman.

One more point of clarity, Council President. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.

I just want to say again thank you to my colleagues, and I respectfully disagree with Councilmember Oh's perspective of this particular issue, and I also want to just for the record and for public consumption communicate that I'm very accessible. We've had multiple dialogues with a lot of our colleagues who felt like the bill was problematic and had questions and concerns around the bill, and most of my colleagues decided to have that conversation before we came for a vote today. So I feel like if Councilmember Oh as well as other people who he communicated communicated to us and if they had legit concerns about the bill and they really felt like that this was something that would impact the public safety of the citizens of Philadelphia, it's probably not best to wait until the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING day of when we're actually going to vote for it to be able to have that conversation. So all of these questions could have been answered. We could have put Councilmember Oh in a position where we could have had this conversation so he understands what we're trying to do as well as -- or what we're not trying to do as well as any other letter that might be referenced here today. So thank you, Council President. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to provide a moment of point of clarity. Thank you.

Thank you.

One last point of information.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.

Thank you. Reading through the bill once again, Councilmember Thomas in his Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING legislation makes reference to various matters under the state code, and my understanding -- I just want to make sure I understand this fully -- that at no point is a police officer in the City of Philadelphia prohibited from enforcing the state code within the City of Philadelphia. They are doing enforcement for a primary violation through a citation or they're doing an enforcement of a secondary violation, which may enable that officer to initiate a motor vehicle stop for a secondary violation. So my understanding, my reading of the legislation is that officers within the City of Philadelphia have the full ability to enforce all of the traffic laws within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the City of Philadelphia. The difference is doing an enforcement by way of a citation as opposed to a vehicle stop. Am I correct in that reading?

Councilmember Green again is correct, and Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING we are as a Council body continuing to work on different innovative ways of enforcement of Motor Vehicle Code violations, such as addressing noise ordinances and other issues that constituents in Philadelphia have communicated to us as a concern. So thank you, Councilmember Green, for the clarity. And thank you, Council President, for allowing us to address this issue in depth. We appreciate it.

Absolutely. The people's house always has a very transparent public conversation about these matters. It's very important for us to do this. Okay. Mr. Decker, read the title of the bill again just for the public.

Bill No. 210636-A is an ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to clarify the appropriate methods Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING and circumstances of enforcement of traffic violations in order to provide for the fair and transparent administration of traffic violations, prevent racial disparities, and protect public safety, and making certain technical changes.

Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Aye.

Councilwoman Brooks.

Aye.

Councilman Domb.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gauthier. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

A very enthusiastic aye.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.

Aye.

Councilman Green.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.

Aye.

Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman Oh.

No.

Councilman O'Neill.

Nay.

Councilwoman Parker.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

Councilman Squilla.

Aye.

Councilman Thomas.

Aye.

Council President Clarke.

Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are two. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210635.

An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to require the maintenance and reporting of certain information related to vehicle stops.

This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, call the roll. Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Decker, let me correct that vote. It was 14; two. I forgot that Councilman Henon wasn't here. For the record on Bill No. 210636-A, the vote is 14; two. Thank you. On 210635, this bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Aye.

Councilwoman Brooks.

Aye.

Councilman Domb.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gauthier.

Aye.

Councilwoman Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Gilmore Richardson.

Aye.

Councilman Green.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.

Aye.

Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman Oh.

No.

Councilman O'Neill.

Aye.

Councilwoman Parker.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye.

Councilman Squilla.

Aye. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

Councilman Thomas.

Aye.

Council President Clarke.

Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill 210681.

An ordinance approving the 2021-2022 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program Statement and Budget, which addresses the expenditure of $100 million by various agencies in the first year of the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program, and approving a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2021 through 2022, the City's consolidated housing and housing-related expenditures plan, to incorporate the Program Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Statement and Budget into the Action Plan.

Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Aye.

Councilwoman Brooks.

Aye.

Councilman Domb.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gauthier.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.

Aye.

Councilman Green.

Aye. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING

Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.

Aye.

Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman Oh.

Aye.

Councilman O'Neill.

Aye.

Councilwoman Parker.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye.

Councilman Squilla.

Aye.

Councilman Thomas.

Aye.

Council President Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.

Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 210682.

An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment to an agreement with Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania for provision of payroll banking services to the City.

Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Aye.

Councilwoman Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.

Aye.

Councilman Domb.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gauthier.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.

Aye.

Councilman Green.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.

Aye.

Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman Oh.

Aye.

Councilman O'Neill.

Aye.

Councilwoman Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Parker.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye.

Councilman Squilla.

Aye.

Councilman Thomas.

Aye.

Council President Clarke.

Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210684.

An ordinance authorizing, generally, the continued issuance and sale by the City of Philadelphia of Gas Works Revenue Notes Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING of the City, prescribing the form of notes and providing for their execution and payment, pledging certain revenues of the Gas Works as security, adopting a rate covenant and directing the imposition and collection of rates and charges sufficient to comply therewith, prescribing the conditions precedent to the issuance of specific series of notes, including a resolution passed by the Bond Committee providing for establishment of credit support for notes, providing for designation of a fiscal agent and sinking fund depositary, providing for the establishment of a sinking fund and its management, providing for remedies upon default, and providing for amendments and modifications.

This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.

Councilwoman Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Bass.

Aye.

Councilwoman Brooks.

Aye.

Councilman Domb.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gauthier.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.

Aye.

Councilman Green.

Aye.

Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.

Aye.

Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman Oh.

Aye.

Councilman Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Neill.

Aye.

Councilwoman Parker.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye.

Councilman Squilla.

Aye.

Councilman Thomas.

Aye.

Council President Clarke.

Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?

A resolution Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to conduct hearings to identify barriers and solutions to permanently preserving community gardens and open spaces in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Brooks.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. I want to take a moment to thank my colleagues for supporting my office through the introduction, passage, and now enforcement of the Renters' Access Act, which went into effect in the City of Philadelphia yesterday. I especially want to thank Councilmembers Gauthier, Gym, Henon, and Thomas who co-sponsored this legislation and were early supporters of the bill. And I want to thank the Community Legal Services for their early partnership and expertise in crafting this legislation. Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING The Renters' Access Act regulates the tenant screening and application process so that applicants are given a fair shot at securing housing. It ensures that families are not forced into homelessness or into dangerous living situations solely because of an old eviction filing, low credit score, and an inability to pay bills during COVID-19 emergency period, an inaccurate credit report or another incomplete depiction of an applicant's financial situation. And when there's transparency and accuracy built into the tenant screening process, both renters and landlords have a clear picture of how decisions are being made and why. I see the enforcement of this legislation as an important step towards achieving housing justice and racial justice in Philadelphia. What this law asks landlords to do is engage in a holistic assessment of applicants. This breaks down many of the Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING structural barriers that have kept poor and working-class people of color out of the rental housing market for decades, and now eviction records disproportionately affects and impacts Black women and their families and can make it nearly impossible to obtain private rental housing. This law evens the playing field and gives them a fair shot. My team has been working hard with local stakeholders to create clear guidelines and outreach materials so renters are aware of their rights and landlords have clear information on what is expected of them. We have already begun circulating these guidelines, and it will be uploaded shortly to the L&I, Philadelphia Commission on Health and Relations, and Fair Housing Commission's websites. I want to invite my colleagues and the public to share these resources so that these laws are widely and fairly Stated Meeting October 14, 2021 10/14/21 - STATED - 2ND READING enforced so our constituents are guaranteed clear pathways to securing rental housing. Thank you so much, Council President, and I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)