Stated Meeting, October 10, 2019

Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 10, 2019 11:17 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Good morning, everybody. And I note that the hour has come and that a quorum is present at this Council and Council session will come to order. Members, would you please take your seats. Visitors will retire in the seats outside of the rail before the proceedings will begin. And I ask all those present to please be mindful of your cell phones and any other devices that will have any kind of interruption in our proceedings today. Today to give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Chaplain Deborah Thomas of Bethesda Presbyterian Church. She is here today as the guest of Councilman Greenlee. And I would like all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, visitors, and guests rise.) CHAPLAIN THOMAS: Good morning. (Good morning.) CHAPLAIN THOMAS: Let us pray. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 God, first we want to thank you for the opportunity to come to you on behalf of this body of government here in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. We ask for wisdom, guidance, and discernment for these public servants as they go about doing the people's business. We know what happens here affects every person in this city and surrounding suburban neighbors, that this Council represents the least and the greatest of us. We pray that they may be able, if need be, to disagree without being disagreeable, knowing that they are elected by the people to represent them. Bless their staff, who is the backbone of their offices. As we close out 2019, let them realize that the decisions made here will have long-lasting effects into the next decade. We want Philadelphia from this Chamber to shine like a beacon to other cities and towns, that others will want Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 how Philadelphia handles their crises, their expansions, and their day-to-day concerns. All these things we ask from you, who has always been and will continue to remain involved in the affairs of all your children individually and collectively. Amen. (Amen.)

The Chair thanks the Chaplain on her invocation today. Council may be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business will be the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 3rd, 2019. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 3rd, 2019 be approved. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 stand approved. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business will be for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.

The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Oh, leave of absence on behalf of the minority.

On behalf of the minority, there are no requests for leaves of absence. Thank you.

The Chair thanks the gentleman. Now we will dispense of regular business and the Chair recognizes all guests and visitors who are joining us here in our Chambers today. On behalf of the members of City Council, we all want to welcome you and welcome to our session of Council. We appreciate you taking the time to join us here and participate in our legislative affairs, and we certainly, certainly invite you to join us again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing Dr. Walter Palmer. Would Dr. Walter Palmer and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)

Councilwoman, on your lead.

Thank you very much, and thank you all for being here. We note that for the remainder of the Council session, if you all want to talk among one another, the Caucus Room will be available. After Council, of course, Blondell Reynolds Brown has a meeting, but that will at least give you time to talk one with the other while we are here. My goodness. Yes, it is amazing. I think he thought he was having another class in a school. This is a great privilege for me, a great honor for me. I apologize for the Honorable Stanley Straughter, Chairman Emeritus of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and Echoes of Africa, because he is in DC today, but he sends Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 love, respect, and his apologies for not being here. Resolution honoring and recognizing The Palmer Foundation for all the great work they have done to bring recognition to African American stories and fight racism in America; and

Whereas, The Palmer Foundation was created by Professor Walter D. Palmer in 1955 to collect information on African American History and American Racism; and

Whereas, the Foundation created the Black People's University of Philadelphia Freedom School to develop strategies to fight against racial injustice in America which included desegregating Band Stand at 46th and Market and Paul Whiteman Dances and the Mummer's Blackface; and

Whereas, over the last sixty years, Black People's University of Philadelphia founded, organized, sponsored, and supported Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 in education, community law, business and politics, as well as fighting against racial segregation; and

Whereas, BPUP protested racial discrimination in Philadelphia schools, government, colleges, hospitals, public transportation, news outlets, the U.S. Post Office, Fire and Police Departments, banks, stadiums, Out of Chinatown, Penn, Temple and Drexel's expansion; and

Whereas, BPUP founded the original Philadelphia Freedom Theatre, the First Black Independent Political Party, "COPE 46," the Walter D. Palmer Leadership Partners Charters School, Black People's Unity Movement, City Wide Black Community Council, Society for Preservation for African History, National Association of Black Social Workers and Philadelphia Citywide Council and Human Rights; and

Whereas, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 of Philadelphia organized the November 1967 student strike, Black Power, Black Panther, anti-war African Diaspora conferences, as well as Temple and Penn Black Studies, Jesse Jackson for President, anti-gang activities, Penn Hospital and CHOP desegregation, Civil Rights, Afro-Centric Free Mandela Movements; and

Whereas, BPUP co-sponsored the Black United Fund, Odunde, African American Museum, Congressional Black Caucus, Black Teachers' Roundtable, Pennsylvania's Black Political Caucus, Temple and Penn Community Mental Health programs, African American and Puerto Rican Day Parades, Black Oak Park and Cobbs Creek Civic Associations, North Philadelphia Model Cities and Public Health Centers, the SNCC dynamite case, Black Panthers, Move 78, Move 85, Community Legal Services, police abuse, school choice, housing Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 rights, and Charter Schools and -- I know Cody Anderson is going to be proud -- the first WDAS Unity Day; and (Applause.)

And whereas, over the last sixty years, thousands of Philadelphians have benefited from the work of The Palmer Foundation and Black People's University of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, it does hereby honor, recognize, salute, lift up, and celebrate The Palmer Foundation for all of the great and important work they have done to bring recognition to African American stories and fight racism in America. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia's own Dr. Walter D. Palmer as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, our gratitude, admiration, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 are to be congratulated, Dr. Palmer. (Applause.)

The Chair now recognizes Dr. Palmer for remarks.

Thank you very much, Councilmembers. I want to thank Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell for initiating this resolution, and I want to thank all the Councilpeople who signed off on it. And I just want to note, you have to realize what life was like 60, 65 years ago. There just was not what you see today. There was not the diversity. Blacks were shamed in many, many places. There weren't black conductors on the trolleys and the trains, et cetera. So it's been a long journey. I won't recap it. What I will tell you is this, that those 65 years legacy and materials, two file cabinets have gone to University of Pennsylvania archives so Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 able to study particularly the displacement that Temple, Penn, and Drexel and all the universities have done. Eight file cabinets are going to the Charles Blockson Collection, the largest African American collection. She's here. Dr. Turner is here. (Applause.)

We have six interns working on a number of publications. One publication is called Africa's Gift to the World. That's the African Diaspora. Another is called Everything You Need to Know Before Having a Race Discussion If You're For Real. Then another one is Who Were the Indigenous People of the World on All Seven Continents. Another one is Teaching Young People How to Organize for Social Change. And, finally, a number of artists got together, black artists in this city, and have put together a program, a calming book, using me as the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Marvel Comics put this together. Kinsey Brown was the prime author. (Applause.)

But what I want to do is, I want to thank people today. This is not for me as much as it is an opportunity for me to thank so many, many people. And in my travels, there are thousands and thousands of people that I have been engaged with who have allowed me to help teach -- to teach them, but I've also learned from them. Okay? And I shout out today -- and I hope some of them are here. I want you to take a look. Sherri Darden, where are you? Put your hand up. Sherri Darden is that young black woman here, who is the publisher of the Scoop magazine. We need to save that magazine. Linn Washington, where are you? Linn Washington, a writer for the Philadelphia Tribune. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Fighters, where are you? Freedom Fighters are here with Girard College. PAAN, where is the PAAN group? Okay. These are folks fighting against drugs and violence in Philadelphia. Black Men at Penn, Black Men at Penn, Black Alumni Activist Council, the John Hope Franklin Society, Molefi Asante's Africology, the House of Umoja with Falaka Fattah. Lest We Forget, the museum, the African Holocaust Museum, Legacy Pathways, Charles Blockson Collection, the Black Women's Health Alliance, Locks Conference. Where is Dr. Sabree? Dr. Sabree. The Uptown Project. Where's Linda? The Uptown Project. The National Association of -- NAN, the group that Al Sharpton started, people supposed to have been here today. African American Museum, the Alliance of Black Social Workers. On the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 side, students, where are some of the students that are here from the University of Pennsylvania and other places and these young beautiful children that are down here in front of us right now. (Applause.)

The Soldier of Love Foundation fighting against violence against women. Girard College was here. Are they still here? Jubilee School was right here. Echoes of Africa, Asian Americans United, Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs, the 1619 African Slavery Committee, which I'm also on, Odunde, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. We're on an advisory board there. The Black Comic Book Association with Yumy Odom and all the other different artists we named. The African Alliance of North America, Joffrey Satoli from South Africa, who was a band out of South Africa in the 1960s, came here to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 to hook up with me. For 25 years, we fought the Free Nelson Mandela right here on Philadelphia. Also be sensitive and supportive of Black Lives Matter as well as MeToo. Now I want to say something else to you. I'm a strong believer in community and the elders. No society survives if you don't have the elders. No society survives unless the elders reach down to the youth. We have got to rebuild our communities around the basis of family and community, and children and elders are essential to this. (Applause.)

Vanessa, oh my God. I was on the political side. Vanessa, Curt -- him and Chaka, I got them involved in their first demonstrations and picketing, right, with the Black Caucus in Pennsylvania, most of those guys, right? Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 say to you that this is four generations for people who knew me. This young woman over here in the orange shirt, that's my daughter, my oldest daughter. She's 59 years old. She's 59 years old. (Applause.)

Where is my son? Where's Walt? Where's Walt? Oh, get out of here. Come over here. Come out of there. This is my oldest son, Walt, Jr. He's 64 years old. (Applause.)

On Monday I have my birthday. I'm 85. I'm five years away from 90. (Applause.)

But today I invited somebody who knew me. There's an old saying that if you live long enough, there won't be anybody to remember you when you were in elementary school. She remembers me when I was in elementary school. Cora Hill was born and raised in Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 she is 100 years old in August. (Applause.)

That's the connection. That's the connection. She wants to say a couple of words.

All I want to say is there's only one Walt Palmer, and he encouraged me to go back to school, to go to Harrisburg, get my license in those days just to be a practical nurse, but he has always been behind me as a young man and he has been a fighter. He'll fight -- he would fight for anything, whatever the cause. If it was dog watch, he would fight it, and he is really to be honored. (Applause.)

Thank you so much. Thank you. I also want to make a note. Remember, during the MOVE crisis, I was the chief negotiator in MOVE in the first shootout they had in '68, and I was also Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 resolve the issue in 1985 in the Osage shootout. I was there, and now some of the MOVE members after 40-some years are coming home. I can tell you that I was there. MOVE did not shoot the first shot. (Applause.)

I was standing in the middle of the street right in front of their house when I heard a shot or what sounded like a shot coming from over my shoulder. At that point, I dropped and hit the ground, because I knew that all hell would break loose. The place was surrounded. And momentarily right after that, the shooting took place, and the police in front of the building were shooting down into the building. I was watching Sergeant Ramp, who was on the corner by a pole in Pearl Street. MOVE could never have hit him, because the guns were projected at me or in my direction, not at me personally. So the bullets could not have gone around the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 said that this is the largest, the greatest travesty in American jurisprudence. They went to jail for 40 years for something they did not commit. Maybe you didn't like them because they ran their dogs. Maybe you didn't like them because they ate garlic. Maybe you didn't like them because they had the compost. Maybe you didn't like them because they didn't have glass in their windows. That's a code violation. That's not a bombing violation. And we must take that into account and realize the fact that we have to take responsibility for everything we do. And I'll close by saying this: I would be remiss if I did not note Councilman Lucien Blackwell and his wife Jannie Blackwell for 40 years of constituent service in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Jannie Blackwell, you are the epitome of constituent services. Your attitude, your demeanor, your approach, your way in which you deal with people, you will be sorely missed, but you'll never be forgotten. The work that you and Lu did, the groundwork you did, hopefully it's a model for many to come after you. On the political side, I did not purposely forget about Vanessa, but we did a lot of work in getting a lot of people elected, blacks elected in the town. Andrew Carn was one young man we worked with. He became a state legislator for 18 years. David Richardson became the youngest person in the history of Pennsylvania to become elected to the State Legislature, and we have more and more. A lot of guys in here -- Curt will often times tell you about me, like I said before, blast on him and pulling him into demonstration and picketing. Yes, a lot of picketing. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 demonstration. And I'll tell you something, I went to jail in '67 for closing down the School District of Philadelphia to save our children, and at 85 or 90, I'd be willing to go to jail again to save our babies. We must all chime in to save our children. (Applause.)

Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Thank you. (Applause.)

So Council can do its business, I would ask any of our guests that are here to walk across the hallway into the Caucus Room for a few minutes so we can convene. Okay? Thank you, City Council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. (Applause.)

Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

At this time, the Chair now recognizes Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing Christian Dunbar. Would Mr. Dunbar and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)

Thank you very much. This is a special pleasure and privilege for me. We have the first African-born -- he's from Liberia -- Treasurer for the City of Philadelphia. Yes. Let us honor. (Applause.)

And let me say that he worked with the African community and the entire City even before becoming our City Treasurer. He's active in Echoes of Africa, the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, that we co-founded these in 2000 and 2005, and he is a person that you can call on for any issues. He understands, he's down to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 earth, and he's willing to help anybody with any issues, and certainly it doesn't have to be technical finance issues, but any issues with regard to City financing. We've called on him many, many times, and we are very, very grateful and blessed to be here for this presentation.

I too want to say it's truly an honor and a privilege to have this opportunity to recognize Christian Dunbar as the Treasurer here in the City of Philadelphia. He's also played a major role in helping the City of Philadelphia recover 30 million, something along those lines, 33 million to be exact. And so we thank you for your dedication and your public service. Recognizing and honoring Christian Dunbar on his appointment as the City Treasurer of Philadelphia. Whereas, on June the 17th of 2019, Mayor Jim Kenney announced his appointment of Christian Dunbar as City Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Treasurer, succeeding Rasheia Johnson; and

Whereas, Mr. Dunbar was the Deputy Treasurer for the City of Philadelphia since 2014. In this role, he was responsible for the issuance of all notes and bonds on behalf of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds used to finance capital projects; and

Whereas, additionally, Mr. Dunbar serves as a Mayoral appointee and Chairman of the Philadelphia Land Bank Board of Directors. He also serves as an advisor to the United States Agency for International Development, known as USAID, and the World Bank Group for the advancement of capital market development, structured product development, and governance in Emerging Markets; and Whereas, prior to joining the City, Mr. Dunbar was a Wealth Manager Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 So he is exceedingly equipped. In that capacity, he has managed investments and credit products for high net worth individuals, institutions, and public entities. Mr. Dunbar has also advised several African governments on fiscal and monetary policy; and

Whereas, Mr. Dunbar has presented at conferences in the U.S., Canada, Africa, and Europe on topics including capital market development, emerging market risk, and Environmental Social and Governance impact; and

Whereas, Mr. Dunbar earned his BA from Temple University. At Temple University, he was an athlete. He was named the Most Valuable Player and Captain of the football team; and

Whereas, Dunbar is of Liberian descent. His maternal grandfather, William V.S. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Tubman, served as President of Liberia for 27 years. And we did not know until today that Mr. Dunbar is also a descendent of American abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman. He lives in West Philadelphia with his wife and two children.

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby recognizes and honors Christian Dunbar on his appointment as City Treasurer.

Most importantly of all, it's further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the City Treasurer, Christian Dunbar, as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia's gratitude, admiration, and recognition. (Applause.)

The Chair now recognizes Mr. Dunbar for remarks. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Thank you very much. First off, I want to thank Councilwoman Blackwell for honoring me. I want to thank this whole body as well for honoring me. And I'd be remiss not to thank Dr. Palmer, who was just up here. It is his shoulder that many of us stand on to allow us to do what we do today. I would also like to thank the Mayor and Rob Dubow for entrusting the City's -- their portfolio, investment portfolio in my hands. I'd also like to thank really the tremendous staff that we have in City Treasury. As the Councilman mentioned, we were available to reconcile the $33 million, and it was really through their hard work over time that we were able to do that in a timely manner. I'd also like to thank my predecessor, Rasheia Johnson, who really led that effort and who is now in the private sector, but I want to thank her for her many years of counsel that we Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 and to do all the things we did. I certainly also want to thank many of the members of Council who I have leaned on throughout the years for some level of counsel, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Green, Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Domb, Councilwoman Bass, and all the other Councilmembers who really have taken my calls over the years whenever I've had an issue or needed to talk to someone. And I'd also be remiss if I did not recognize Sade Lewis, who was a previous City Treasurer, who is of Nigerian descent, you know, and she -- I think many of the members of this body know her very, very well. Lastly, I'd like to thank my wife and my two little ones.

Smart man.

If it wasn't for her support, I would not be allowed to be the public servant and put all the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 -- all the hours that we're able to put in to serve the citizens of Philadelphia. And with that, I just want to thank everyone here, and I really appreciate it. I'd also like to just quickly thank some of the professionals in the industry that really help the City do what the City needs to do. It's a complicated market, a complicated industry, and the professionals that we work with on a daily basis help make the market efficient. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms please deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you please Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the Mayor.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," by making revisions to definitions; to contract and reporting requirements; to exceptions; and to enforcement provisions; and making related changes to Section 20-613 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Ethics-Related Matters Incorporated as Part of this Chapter"; and An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," to provide for regulations and for special provisions for certain small-dollar contracts, all under certain terms and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 conditions.

Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. Mr. Decker, will you please read any other communications in your possession.

I have none, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. The next order of business will be the introductions of bills and resolutions. Mr. Decker, would you please recognize Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.

Good morning. Good morning. I offer no bills or resolutions this morning.

Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 you. I likewise have no bills or resolutions this morning.

Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On behalf of Council President Clarke, I offer one bill.

Thank you.

An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting vending along certain portions of Spring Garden Street.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon, which is myself. I have no bills or resolutions. Councilman Jones.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one resolution and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 two -- one resolution and an ordinance on behalf of Councilman Johnson.

Mr. Decker.

An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Morris Street, 26th Street, Moore Street, and 27th Street.

Referred to the appropriate committee.

And a non-privileged resolution also naming Sigel Street, between 21st and 22nd Streets, "Vendetta Grimes Way."

Next week's Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez. (No response.)

Councilman Green.

Thank you. On behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, I have Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 two privileged resolutions. On behalf of the Administration, I have two bills, and on my behalf, I have two bills as well.

Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That was just my resolution being signed off by Councilwoman Brown.

Duly noted for the record. Thank you. Mr. Decker.

A privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Aging to hold public hearings examining solutions to prevent the ongoing displacement of senior citizens with fixed incomes due to rising rental costs.

Resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Mr. Decker.

An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," to provide for a height allowance for certain solar collectors.

Will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Subcode A of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, to provide for fees for solar panel projects.

Referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," by making revisions to definitions.

Referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," to provide for regulations and for special provisions for certain small-dollar contracts.

Will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the dedicated and loyal service of Romulo L. Diaz, Jr. to the City of Philadelphia.

Resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage.

And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Rebecca Rutstein for her dedicated service through art to the City of Philadelphia.

Will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 resolutions today, different from what was noted during caucus, Mr. Chair. One is privileged and one is non-privileged. The non-privileged is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Sanchez, Johnson, Jones, Green, and Greenlee, and the privileged is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Clarke, Johnson, Henon, Jones, Domb, Gym, Taubenberger, and -- just those two. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

It will be reflected on the record. Thank you, Councilwoman.

And, Mr. Chairman, after the title of the non-privileged resolution is read, I wish to be recognized. And then after the titles of both resolutions have been read, I wish to be recognized again to speak on them.

Thank you.

A non-privileged resolution calling for a fair contract for commercial office cleaners and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 building service workers in Philadelphia.

That will be placed on next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. It will be placed on today's Final Passage.

And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 regarding service providers and employers honoring existing and prior worker contract agreements.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I want to again thank co-sponsors Sanchez, Johnson, Jones, Greenlee, and Green for the resolution that calls for a fair contract for commercial office cleaners and building service workers in Philadelphia. Prior to us starting Council -thank you, Council President -- we had a press conference with them today just to note that we stand in solidarity with them. The second authorizes the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings regarding service providers and employers honoring existing and prior worker contract agreements. Unfortunately, these resolutions are related around a common Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 theme relative to employers and their efforts to cut costs and make a profit at the expense of their employees. We know that yesterday the 3,000 commercial office cleaners and building service workers took the courageous stance and they took a strike vote, and if they don't get a fair contract by this coming Tuesday, they will strike. Their demands aren't extreme. They just want what all working individuals want, and that's fair wages with good healthcare and retirement security. The second resolution is one that I hope folks have been paying attention to, and there have been three recent high-profile cases that brought this issue to the forefront. An example, one, Vita Healthcare Group assumed ownership of the Somerton Center and Spring Garden Center Nursing Home facilities. As the new owners, they Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 slashed wages by more than 30 percent for some workers and made healthcare practically unaffordable by instituting a $10,000 deductible. After many months and much activism by the nursing home workers and public officials, Vita Healthcare Group and the workers were able to reach a fair union contract that made access to healthcare attainable and set fair wages. The second example is Sodexo, a major facilities management corporation with contracts throughout Philadelphia. They had a contract to provide environmental services at Hahnemann University Hospital. According to the contract, the workers, who are also members of District Council 1199C, they had a right to earn both sick and personal time. However, when Sodexo lost the contract in 2018, they refused to pay out that earned and sick time to the members of District 1199C. According to calculations, the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 workers are owed over $218,000 in compensation from Sodexo in connection to both earned and sick time. And in the most recent example, which was just brought to my attention in the past week or so, members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, PASNAP, they are currently facing uncertainty at Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children. The hospital's new owners, Tower Health and Drexel University, have indicated that they do not intend to recognize the collective bargaining agreement. In particular, they have conveyed that they plan to alter the staffing levels that the members fought hard to achieve and which are critical to providing the kinds of care that the children at the hospital need. In all of these examples, they're all in the healthcare realm. This practice is unfortunately happening across many industries. In the era of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 frequent outsourcing acquisitions and mergers, it is increasingly common for service providers and employers to refuse to honor existing and prior worker contract agreements despite already having existing laws on the books. We need to explore if, how, and under what terms can these laws be better enforced and/or strengthened to protect workers.

We also know that we have a long way to go in ensuring that we have economic justice in our great City of Philadelphia, but both of these resolutions we believe are a step in the right direction, and we look forward to getting the facts on the record. So thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, colleagues, for all of your patience and allowing me to communicate very specifically so nothing is misunderstood what the goals and objectives of both of these resolutions are. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Thank you so much, Councilwoman. And this resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Domb.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one privileged resolution today.

Thank you.

A privileged resolution recognizing the 95th Anniversary of the Curtis Institute of Music, its part in training the world's finest musicians, and for its contributions to the rich cultural fabric of the City of Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Gym.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have one Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 bill, and I'd like to be recognized after the reading of the bill.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, the "Health Code," to add a section establishing requirements for hospitals that anticipate closing.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Over the summer, the for-profit hedge fund owner of Hahnemann Hospital rocked this city with the abrupt closure of a vital Philadelphia institution that served tens of thousands of patients and employed thousands of workers. The closure announcement was made in mid June, and Hahnemann was basically closed by September. Today, ten of us introduced a bill to make sure Philadelphia will never Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 again be left out of critical decisions that impact the lives of our neediest residents. I want to thank Councilmember Henon and my Council co-sponsors Greenlee, Parker, Johnson, Blackwell, Squilla, Jones, Domb, and Green for backing this. This bill effectively codifies into law an existing 1969 Board of Health regulation that required advanced notice for closure of hospitals and medical facilities. What we want to make sure is that the time that we get, this bill will require six months advanced notice and require hospitals to work with the City on planning that ensures the appropriate and safe transition for patients and help staff members land on their feet. In the poorest large city in the nation, Hahnemann was a critical safety net hospital, which saw 50,000 patients a year going through its ER. It was one of six maternity wards left in Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the City of Philadelphia. When it announced its maternity ward closure with only days notice, it left 800 moms-to-be with precious little time to find other options. Thousands of patients were also left in the dark. Thirty-five hundred employees, some of whom had been with the hospital for decades, lost their jobs. Hundreds of doctors who had trained for years for a placement at a major city institution had to scramble to find other options. And it's a telling sign of the downward spiral of healthcare in America today that a hedge fund owner named Joel Freedman teamed up with a real estate company to buy Hahnemann in the first place. Over the next 18 months, he quickly drained it of its assets as he extracted every ounce of profit. And it's worth noting that Mr. Freedman, as he readies the Center City hospital for a massive sale, has already bought a $7 million Los Angeles home -- it's his second in that city -- Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 as a bonus. But the harsh realities and destructive practices of a ruthless for-profit healthcare market means cities have to step up in our protections and demand for transparency. There are dozens of hospitals across the State of Pennsylvania that are in worse financial shape than Hahnemann right now. National statistics indicate that one in five rural hospitals will close or consolidate in the coming years. It is my belief that we need Medicare for all and an end to the ruthless for-profit mentality around healthcare that puts all of our lives at risk, but in the meantime, we're offering this bill as a reminder that Philadelphians can't afford to wait this out. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilwoman. This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Councilman Taubenberger.

Thank you, Chairman Henon. I have one resolution, which after the title is read, I would like to make comment.

Sure.

A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold a hearing regarding the reconstruction work on Interstate 95, and the entire Revive I-95 plan.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.

Thank you, Chairman Henon. I would like to thank the co-sponsors here of Councilmembers Domb, Bass, Squilla, Greenlee, Parker, Gym, and O'Neill. And basically why I'm doing this, this work is far behind schedule. The construction is frustrating many, many people. I would hope these hearings alleviate some of this so we have a clear understanding. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 The considerable delay in completing the much-needed repairs and improvements of I-95 is inconveniencing thousands of commuters on a daily basis, some of which don't even live in the City of Philadelphia. The gridlock is leading to many accidents, road rage, and much frayed nerves. It is my sincere hope that these hearings will serve as a catalyst to get the work done. And, finally, all of us who sit on I-95 traffic every day deserve better than this. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilman. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.

Thank you. I have no bills or resolutions.

Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.

Thank you, Mr. Leader. I have one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you.

Sponsored by all members of Council.

A non-privileged resolution also naming the 200 block of West Coulter Street as "Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller Way."

That will be placed on next week's Final Passage. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.

Thank you very much. I introduce one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmember Bass, and I'd like to be heard after the title is read.

Thank you, Councilman.

A non-privileged Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 resolution authorizing the establishment of a "Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia" to review child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system and develop recommendations to ensure compliance with State Child Protective Services Law to protect children and due process rights of families and prevent the unnecessary break-up of families.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.

Thank you very much. I'd like to move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Opposed? Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (No response.)

The ayes have it. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Calendar.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Decker, are there any other bills or resolutions?

No, Mr. Chairman.

The next order of business will be reports from the committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Committee on Finance reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read the report.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 190509, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'City Funds - Deposits, Investments, Disbursements,' by revising the list of City depositories"; and Bill No. 190706, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the issuance from time to time of one or more series of general obligation bonds to provide funds to refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of The City of Philadelphia; authorizing the Mayor, City Controller and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale; setting forth the purposes for which the proceeds of the bonds will be expended; providing for the maturities and for other terms and conditions and for the form of the bonds; providing that the bonds may be redeemable prior to maturity; providing sinking funds for the bonds and for Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Fund Commission for the payment thereof; authorizing agreements to provide credit enhancement or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds and certain other actions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 190509 and 190706. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading of this day Bill Nos. 190509 and 190706. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Aye.)

Opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla on any bills or resolutions for introduction today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, Councilman. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from the committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. If there are no additional Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a motion considering the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars: Bill Nos. 160026-A, 190608-A, 190130, 190714, 181047, 190101, 190552, 190556, 190561, 190609, 190642, 190643, 190646, 190647, 190648, 190656, 190657, 190705, and 190703.

Can I get a second. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 2ND READING Greenlee. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. They are Nos. 190769. All other bills and resolutions are being held.

Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 That brings us to our public comment. Before considering the resolutions and bills, we will consider the public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern the matters of the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for today's actions in today's Council session. All speakers must sign up to testify. If you haven't already signed up for today's session, please do so to my left by giving your name to the Sergeant-of-Arms at the table. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-in sheet, and you will have two minutes today due to the amount of volume, two minutes today to speak. In order to be fair for all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithful to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light at the podium. There will be 30 seconds remaining to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 your time when the light will then turn yellow, which is a reminder to conclude your remarks. Once your two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-of-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker, because we do have a lot of speakers on today's public comment. I will also reserve the right to our rules of Council to limit the repetitious comments on the subject matter. I will ask the Chief Clerk please read the name of our first speaker.

Harry Barnum, commenting on 170408. (Witnesses approached podium.) MR. BARNUM (through translator): Good morning to everyone, to the Council, to the President, to the members here and the people in the audience. My name is Harry Barnum. I'm Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 a death advocate at Liberty Resources. I'm here to mention something on 170408. This resolution I don't want to complain about, but I think this resolution has been waiting for a year and the Committee has done nothing about it. You must finish the old business. It's been put off far too long. It's been a year, and as I look to that goal, I say what's happening? (Applause.)

What are you doing? What is happening? I don't want to complain, but I feel it's my job to behoove you to do something. It is old business and it's been waiting too long. I just keep hearing you say over and over talking about different numbers and this one has never been resolved. Thank you. (Applause.)

Our next speaker, please. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Daniel Symonds, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)

Hello, members of City Council. My name is Daniel Symonds. I'm an educator at the Franklin-SLA campus of the Philadelphia School District and a PFT member of the Caucus of Working Educators. I want to teach today. Education is my life's work. My students ought to be in class right now, but that's not possible because the Philadelphia School District has led our campus into a preventable crisis due to mismanagement, lack of transparency, and failure to meaningfully engaged stakeholders over the course of the entire project, as our asbestos cloud of a school is but one example of the citywide toxic schools and unequal treatment that brings me here today. What can we do to heal? I have three simple requests. I call upon City Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Council to investigate the mishandling of the Franklin-SLA project that has more than 1,000 students out of school for two weeks.

Excuse me. I'm going to have to interrupt for a second, and this is a good reminder for all those who are coming for public testimony. Would you please state the number of the bill in which you are authorized to speak on.

The school suspension bill, because the School District has suspended us from school. Let me look it up. 174048 [sic], I think.

Thank you.

Thank you. All right. So my three recommendations are quite simple. We need a hearing to investigate what's gone wrong in our project led by the City Controller that includes after-school public hearings, and taxpayers should know how $37 million Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 and counting has been mismanaged by this School District. A second simple request, there should be an establishment immediately of a Special Committee on School Facilities to address lead and asbestos in all of Philadelphia's schools. District and state officials should be made to answer questions to develop plans to prevent cancer and other endangerments that pervade the buildings students and families and teachers are told to trust is safe. The School District clearly worries about bad press, but has not done the work of admitting to and solving the actual problem. Lastly, Council, I urge you to visit schools in your own districts and in the poorest zip codes of Philadelphia. Shadow a child, learn their experience, and then ask me if my request for a truth-telling investigation is unreasonable. Some problems are complex, take a lot of time and money to solve. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Telling the truth doesn't cost a dime. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.

Elizabeth Cesarini, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)

I'm commenting on 170408. Monday is indigenous people's day. So I'd first like to take a moment to honor the fact that we are here on (unintelligible) Lenape lands. My name is Elizabeth Cesarini and I'm here to support Councilmember Reynolds Brown and Gym and their resolution calling on and urging the School District of Philadelphia to permanently prohibit the suspension of elementary-aged students from first through fifth grades. Kindergarten too maybe. And keeping young people in their schools should be all of our first Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 priorities. I'm also here because we have heard that our neighborhood school is in danger of being uprooted. I work as an ELL coordinator at Olney Charter High School. In the nine years I've worked here under ASPIRA, I've seen the English language learner program grow from about 40 students in 2011 to 678, as of now 681 as of today, an increase of 1,595 percent in nine years. This is due to the strength of our students and our programming, our dedicated unionized teachers, our amazing staff, and the choice more and more families continue to make every day to trust their students to grow in our school. Our students and families have been uprooted by climate change, economic devastation, trauma and war from the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and across the United States. They have since put down roots in the Olney neighborhood and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 across Philadelphia. Our students and families cite programs like College Access, Peer Mediation, our ELL program, our athletic department, band, music, art, our large special education department, all of our caring and compassionate teachers and staff as the reason they enroll and keep coming to school. These roots have not been easy to cultivate. In a city, state, and country that would often rather raise what exists and nurture what is already growing, we at Olney Charter High School urge you to support our efforts to put down strong roots in our land and create a better life for our students, families, staff, and community. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. (Applause.)

Before I ask the Chief Clerk to read the next three speakers, again, I just want to remind Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 everybody we do have a lot on our agenda here today in the public comment. Please, we're giving a little bit of flexibility on subject matter. Stick to the subject on the bills that you are speaking on Final Passage. So, Mr. Decker, please read the name of the next three speakers.

Claire Cynthia Louischarles, Sharon Bryant, Sherrie Cohen. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, everyone. My name is Claire Cynthia Louischarles. I'm talking No. 170408 and a resolution calling and urging the School District of Philadelphia to permanently prohibit the suspension of elementary-aged students from the first to fifth grade. I don't think that's fair because they are little kid and I don't think they know what they doing. They just like -- the first to fifth grade. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 And also I'm here to talk in favor of Olney Charter High School. And I love this school because you get an opportunity to learn whatever you want to do, and there's a lot of club. You could (unintelligible.) At Olney Charter High School, the teacher always look at you in the same way as others. They never discriminate you and they're not bias. I'm in 11 grade right now and I've seen a lot of changing going in the school. I can tell because I'm in that school since ninth grade. For example, there's something we call children. Something happens to them -- I said that because when I was in ninth grade, there is only ten children. Other students see that. The children have more good stuff so they make it for to become one. A student -- they used to let us fight, but not anymore. The students are changing from bad to good. Before we were the worst school of all, but not Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 anymore. Second example, just transportation. Student that live near Olney Charter High School are happy because they don't have to take like buses. I was asking many student if change from Olney to other school, it would be difficult, they say yes because they have to take train to get out of school. And I don't think they should close the school because the teacher love their student. Thank you for your attention. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, our next speaker. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon, citizens and honorable Council. My name is Sharon Bryant. Thank you for this opportunity. As a longtime Philadelphia School District educator, I want to testify on Resolution 170408 regarding Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 school suspensions. Under normal circumstances, I'd oppose excessive suspensions of students because we know it's critical for them to physically be present in school in order for them to be able to learn, but unfortunately, my students and colleagues being physically present at the Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School, number one in disrepair in the School District, is like sending them to the slaughterhouse. I just found out this morning that there are now students wearing doctor-ordered masks. So, again, in the Inquirer's Toxic School series and in Shades of America's Environmental Injustice series, this morning I come crying out to you to suspend everybody from Cassidy, both the students and the staff. Put everybody out. (Applause.)

They should have been out of there really a long time ago, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 long before I arrived in 2016. Now it's almost 2020 and they're still over there breathing toxic air, being exposed to mold, lead, and asbestos. I hear that my classroom, 302, may have been condemned. My exposures there caused me numerous respiratory illnesses that I've never had before a day in my life. There are now only seven teachers remaining at Cassidy from the time I went out injured on duty a year and a half ago. They left due to illness, early retirement, and a plethora of voluntary transfers. The job with teaching nowadays is hard enough in and of itself, so suffering under both toxic environmental and psychological conditions proves to be too much. I already know your answer, there's no money. So that's the task at hand. We have to find the money. We have to figure out a way to address the toxic lead and asbestos conditions across all affected schools in our aging Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 society. I thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, our next three speakers, please. Or let's go next two.

Minh Tran, followed by Joshua Block, followed by David Ivory. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Minh Tran at Benjamin Franklin High School, class of 2017 alum and was also a youth coordinator at Ridley. I'm here to speak on Resolution No. 170408 about school suspensions. I think we need to give students more time in the classrooms, not taking it away for suspensions. Speaking of taking away student time in classroom, I'm sure that you all have heard about the thousands of students from Benjamin Franklin High School and Science Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Leadership Academy missing school for more than ten days due to asbestos in their schools. The School District of Philadelphia has spent 37 million on a project to merge Benjamin Franklin High School and SLA into one building. The project did not meet any tainted deadline and was rushed through the process so that students can be in the building by this school year. As a result of that, students from Benjamin Franklin High School had to attend school days during construction for the past 18 months, but the problems have existed long before. So I went to Benjamin Franklin High School from 2014 to 2017. As one of many neighborhood schools across the City, we don't get much funding, attention, and transparency from the School District. When I was a student there, every day I would be in the classroom, lunchroom, and hallways that have peeling lead paint falling from walls and pipes. There are water Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 fountains that have "do not drink" signs on it, and I learned that later on that asbestos has been present in the building at an alarming level. At first I questioned myself, what is this problem and no one has done anything about it. Over the years, I learned that because we are used to crumbling conditions and having to survive in the least amount of resources, we normalize these conditions, and the people in power also normalize them. In fact, Dr. Hite repeatedly cited that Philly is an old city and old buildings have lead. And if we didn't have noticed already and have been reminding from people, we don't even spend much of their time in the toxic school conditions. As an alum from Benjamin Franklin High School, I urge you to, one, pass a resolution for an immediate investigation at the misleading of the District and the multi-million taxpayer dollars, construction power in the SLA Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 building that left more than a thousand students out of school for more than ten years.

Thank you for your testimony, sir. We're going to have to stick to our timeline.

And pass a resolution to establish a Special Committee on School Facilities to address -(Microphone turned off.)

Mr. Decker, could you please read our next speaker, please.

Joshua Block. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon, esteemed members of the Council. My name is Joshua Block. I'm a parent of two School District students. I'm a teacher at Science Leadership Academy, and currently I stand before you instead of teaching my students, because today that is not an option. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 I'm speaking in response to 170408, and like many before me, I would like to express that removing students from school does not move people closer to education goals. And like many people before me, I need to connect this issue to what is going on in every -- not every; in many other places in our School District. The most recent crisis is not an isolated incident, the conditions of something that many school communities are dealing with at this very moment. This is a problem of infrastructure, but it is also a problem of governance and oversight. There is no denying the funding issues the District faces. There is no denying as well the dysfunctional ways decisions are currently made and the deliberate ways the School District avoids transparency. For these reasons, I ask you to step in by investigating the enormous Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 public health and infrastructure failure of the Ben Franklin-SLA campus project. We need to know why this was handled so incompetently. We need to know how many children in Philadelphia -- how many children currently in Philadelphia have construction going on in their schools. We need to know how many young people are continually exposed to toxic conditions in their pursuit of education. Finally, we need you to visit schools. We need you to spend time with students during their days and be more connected to the reality of schools in our city. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, our next speaker.

David Ivory. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning. My name is David Ivory. I'm a Grammy-nominated recording engineer, a music producer, and the Director of the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Sound Recording and Music Technology program at Montgomery County Community College and, most importantly, the Chair of the Philadelphia Music Industry Task Force. I'm here to testify on Bill 160026-A with regards to musicians having access to load in and out of certain venues without getting ticketed. The music community has many struggles, including performing in the City. We have a strong musical heritage here in Philadelphia, but musicians and artists of today that will create that future musical heritage are consistently in danger of being muted with policies that face them, from lack of local venues to perform in, to feeling among most people that music is free, musicians and artists facing a daunting challenge to make a living in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. One of the low-hanging fruit that the Music Industry Task Force identified to help the music community is Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Bill 160026-A. This bill would provide some relief to musicians trying to start their careers here in the City. How? Well, for a start, often times bands and individual musicians get a parking ticket just for loading into their gear to perform their show. The little money that they will make that night becomes the payment for the parking ticket, which then makes their performance essentially free, if not in the red. This bill would provide loading zones to make it safe and free from getting a ticket just for loading in their musical equipment to the venue. I've been a music producer and music professional for more than 35 years, and the ability for start-up bands or just independent musicians to play and perform in the City have been made harder and harder year in and year out. This bill would provide at least some relief and be a great step forward to helping these start-up artists and musicians Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 perform in this great music city. I urge the City Council to vote to make this bill a reality so we can show that the City still supports our great heritage as well as the future music makers. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, our next three speakers, please.

Jesse Lundy, followed by Dr. Louis Anthony DeLise, followed by Joe Danihel. (Witness approached podium.)

My name is Jesse Lundy. I've been a concert promoter here in Philadelphia for 24 years. I book over 200 shows a year in the City in a variety of venues. I'm here to testify today about Bill 160026-A with regard to what Mr. Ivory said just before. This bill will offer relief to the musicians who often aren't making enough money to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 pay the parking ticket that they might get. We, with the Music Industry Task Force, are interested in helping continue the pilot program that was started before our organization formed to create spaces outside of venues in a few of the venues here in town basically just to see how it works and to help streamline and make that process work for both the City, the Parking Authority, the venues themselves. This will not only take weight off of the shoulders of the musicians as they hurry to get their equipment into the venues, it also takes weight off of the venues' staff who are otherwise standing watch for Parking Authority people to come along and write a ticket. So we urge you to please help us make this a reality. We at the Music Industry Task Force are interested in keeping musicians coming to Philadelphia and keeping them happy while they're Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 here. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you for your comments.

Dr. Louis Anthony DeLise. (No response.)

Joe Danihel. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon. This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every week, Council, Mayor, Governor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably unlawfully. Last week, I heard multiple testimonies of government officials taking children without permission. I testified the government is stealing my home, stealing my just compensation. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Council's response was to unlawfully reduce public testimony from five minutes to two minutes. If committing one crime one time would land persons in jail, why haven't officials been prosecuted? If officials lied to God in their oath of office, how can constituents reelect them? The constitutions require immediate remedy of this breach of law, breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987; 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384; PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 28; 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 711, 712, 713, 716, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call on the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 25 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow this weekly monumental corruption. (Applause.)

Mr. Decker, will you please read our next three speakers, please.

Commenting on 190779, Antoinette Richardson, Cortez Johnson, Adelaida Morales. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Hello. Hi. I would like to thank this opportunity for speaking on behalf of 190779. I also want to thank Councilmembers Oh and Bass for bringing this up to -- this resolution up for DHS to be accountable for what they actions. Now, my daughter has been taken from me six years ago, and they have committed so many crimes against our children that our children and parents are dying daily. So this needs to be -this needs to be brought to senses. So the welfare system needs to be accountable for what they have done to our children. (Applause.)

If you are for our children, if you say you're for our children, then this resolution needs to be passed. They are our future and they need our help. My child, I never seen my child for six years. I don't even know if Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 she's alive or dead because of DHS. (Applause.)

But I'll reassure you this: We have so many people fighting on our behalf, so if you are against this resolution, I want to ask you this: Will your children be taken by DHS? Will you cry over your grandchildren because they were taken? This is why I'm saying bring legislation to pass -- do not oppose this. Okay? Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Hi. I'm talking about Resolution 190779. My name is Cortez Johnson and I'm a tenth grader at SLA. I have no school today because my school has asbestos. I'm worried and stressed more about not being able to see my sister. Next week is her birthday and I probably won't get to see her. You see, the social worker last week changed my visit to Friday at 3:30. I get out of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 school at 3:05, which is at Broad and Spring Garden. I have to travel to 50th and Parkside. We usually go Wednesdays at 3:30, which is good because I get out of school at 1:00 p.m. The social worker will not give us a consistent schedule. I have done nothing wrong. Why can't my sister live with me? I can count how many times I have seen my sister since DHS took her. Seven times in three years, only for one hour. I live with my aunt and we have space. I should not have to go to some place twice a month to see her. There is no special committee to address child separation. Can you help the children and vote yes for Resolution 190779? I have no vote; just a voice. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Should I say the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 number first? 191779 [sic]. So the reason that I'm here is for the bill that I am here is to speak about the family separation inside Protective Service. Keeping families can hurt, and it's very important to me. And also hurt the community too. So let me get to the bottom of this. So hi. By the way, my name is Adelaida Morales. I have two kids attending ASPIRA John B. Stetson Charter School and one that is now attending Olney Charter School. The school not only had helped my kids' education, but it has created leaders in our community. Students are different in all aspects. Some needs more attention than others. What's offered at Olney is more than any other school had offered to my children and the community, beginning with the staff. These people love their children. They are more than just teachers. They're mentors, they're friends, family. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 We have a community center, clothing. We offer washer, dryers, (unintelligible), household items, care, access to computer, (unintelligible) uniform. All you hear is people talking about PSSA tests and what about our children's failing. Yes, they did test, and some of the children come from Elkin and Crown, reading and writing in kindergarten, first grade level, and we hold them accountable for it. ASPIRA John B. Stetson Charter School has not only helped my children, but also helped me. I was always shy and will only imagine talking in front of anyone like I'm doing now. John B. Stetson Charter School staff has empowered me by providing me with many other and parents training, parenting classes, cooking, training, family, comfort and so many. So I'm going to skip to the last. I always say if you don't walk the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 shoes, you don't have the right to talk. At ASPIRA, I'm involved. I know it's working. Why try to fix something that is already fixed? John B. Stetson High offered the community center in a school in North Philadelphia. We're the only one that has a full bank. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read the names of our next three speakers, please. Our next three speakers.

Miltreda Kress, followed by April McBride, followed by Nasir Cabress. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, Council. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak. My name is Miltreda Kress. I'm speaking on behalf of Resolution No. 190779. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 I've sat here -- I've stood here several times telling you my story. I'm not here for that today. Today I'm going to read a post comment that came from a social worker that works for one of the CUAs. As a supervisor and teaming at one of the CUAs, I can tell you that we have sometimes, not always, seen very sloppy work. Social workers are not always following policy and procedure. In addition to that, I have seen what I feel to be civil rights violations on part of child advocates and the courts. They want to address this as a case-by-case basis, but the issues are systematic. Overall, DHS workers work very hard -- DHS workers work very hard to appropriately serve the families of Philadelphia. However, we do ourselves no favor in not being open to constructive criticism. I ask you today to please, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 please pass this resolution. We are not asking that you shut DHS down. We understand that their job is very important, that children do need protection, but what we are asking is that you review DHS to ensure that they are following state and federal laws, because I can assure you they are currently not following state laws. Our children mean the world to us. What would you do, what would you do if you were in our shoes? Would you fight for your children or would you roll over and just let them push you around and push gag order on you and shut you up? Our children mean the world to us, and we will do everything to get our children back. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.) MS. McBRIDE: Good morning. I would like to speak to you on Resolution No. 190779 in regards of establishing a Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia to investigate child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system.

Can you state your name for the record, please. MS. McBRIDE: My name is April McBride. Child separation and family alienation of any sort will always have a negative outcome, reason being is that each and every child individual have been given to their families by God and which a bond has been made for that child even before it leaves the mother's womb. That mother and family is the only personal people that the child is familiar with from birth, and that's their security blanket. When the child is ripped away from what he/she considers their security blanket, it become traumatizing, mental confusion, and anxiety sets in. This alone is abusive, and it becomes a part Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 of an unforgettable history for them. With implementing Resolution 190779, there will be a major decrease on illegal child separation, foster care abuse rates and murders, because finally the individuals that are responsible will have to answer and be held accountable for their gross actions from the top to the bottom. As I sat in the DHS Oversight Board meeting this past August, I was very disturbed about the amount of funding that's distributed throughout DHS child welfare system that goes towards keeping children in foster care instead of appropriating those funds to help the families stay together as a unit. DHS fiscal budget for 2019-2020 is proposing a budget of 386.2 million in state funding and 150.1 million in federal funding. In order to continue to request these funds and keep the funds coming, DHS -- actually there is a quota for them to meet. That quota can only be Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 met by removing children from their families, and this has been executed by very evil, undermining, unfair practices of the so-called Child Protective Services. (Applause.) MS. McBRIDE: DHS caseworkers are the worst, purposely breaking this law and the ones guilty and need to be accountable and be shown that our children are not for sale to the highest bidder or biggest bonus checks or retaliation for parents standing up against DHS. My daughter, my daughter, I gave her a poster board and a marker. I asked her -- I told her, I said, draw a picture. She didn't draw a picture. She wrote me this letter. Dear mom, I missed you while I was in foster care and didn't like those mean foster parents. They are mean and said some mean things about you. I felt bad, so I said something in my head, and that wasn't nice at all. I Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 love you. This came from my daughter, the one they took unproperly. (Applause.)

Thank you. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon. My name is Nasir Cabress and I want to speak on the resolution of 190779, the separation of the children from their families. When I heard of DHS, I thought they were people who helped children in abusive households. Little did I know, no, they weren't. And some of the social workers are so poisonous, they'll do anything to get a check in their hands. A lady by the name of Santa Pray (ph) made our lives a living hell and broke my family up with her nefarious lies. She made my mom look like an abusive parent when I knew the truth about my mother. My momma always do her best as Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 a single parent, making sure everything is great for our children, for making sure we eat, to have clothes, and having a warm, nice home to live in. However, when all of this began, I told the lady that, but she recited my word and said that my mother beat me. That shows that she just wanted to have something on her reports, but it was all lies. She even went as far as telling people that my mom refused to open the door when she had come to talk to us, which is a lie as well because she only came in there once. I thought the conversation was going to be about my mother, but, nope. It was questions like, how do you like the school, what do you want to do in life. This all happened around the holiday season that was 2018, which made the whole thing so depressing. My mom spent thousands of dollars for a lawyer for this oppression. We had many plans too, but they were Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 ruined. Not being able to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with my sister broke my heart, and just seeing the presents sit there in the corner was dispiriting. The only time I would see my sister was at the center. I couldn't stand walking in there. It hurt me so bad. My sister literally had to open her Christmas presents and get them at the center and not under a tree. It tore my spirit apart. Then to watch my mom have to have a fake smile to stay strong for us through all of this broke me even more. She tried to stay strong for her children, but eventually that came to an end because it started getting depressing. So at the beginning, my sister -- so whatever is done in the dark come out in the light. My sister started to run away at the beginning from her so-called foster parents several times, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 trying to find -- saying that she misses us. So they move her farther away, almost like 45 minutes away so she wouldn't be familiar with her surroundings. The acts of DHS is unfair, unfounded, inappropriate. Now this is part of our family's history and we'll never forget. Vote yes, but before I walk away, my question to you, Mayor and the City Councilmembers, how would you feel if you felt my pain I had to go through and what if a child or a loved one had to go through this? Thank you for your time. (Applause.)

Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read the names of our next three speakers, please.

Yolanda Bryant, followed by Bridget Powell, followed by Vanessa Leary. Please approach the podium. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Witness approached podium.)

Please proceed. Please state your name.

Good afternoon. My name is Yolanda Bryant. I'm here on Resolution 190779. I want to thank David Oh and Cindy Bass for believing in the families and doing this. (Applause.)

I also want to know why Helen Gym and Cherelle Parker isn't here right now while we doing this resolution. First, I want to say this resolution is not about nothing else but the children, who are our future. A broken system that is set up for failure that lives in urban communities and the inner city. This resolution is for the poor families that's suffering from poverty issues, then minorities that's living in the communities of all race. This is not just a one-color Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 resolution or epidemic. It's purposely targeted for those individuals in society that are weak, poor, undereducated, that's working minimum wage, the young and the old. This is what we call the wealthy and greedy evildoers school-to-prison pipeline system. DHS started this program in the '90s. It was made up to protect our children and, as we all know now, is an organization called Cash for Kids. This resolution is not about a political preference such as democrats or republicans. The purpose of this resolution is to protect our children and to intervene between families and unnecessary removals. How can they say they support the children when they sit back and allow corruption to happen to our children? How can you make a difference to a child if the advocates is still sponsoring foster homes instead of the parents and help them in and make better themselves Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from poverty issues? How can you change a broken system that continues to repeat the same cycle and build prisons and reform schools instead of building more low-income housing to help the poor and build better schools?

Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed.

Bridget Powell. Good morning. I'm speaking about Resolution 170408. As a school nurse of 23 years and a high school nurse for 17 years, I've seen my share of tobacco use among youth. This is important, but child separation is even bigger. First, I'd like to thank everyone who took time out of their schedule yesterday to talk to me about Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 this important issue and/or their legislative aide. I come to your hearings and I listen attentively. In May, Councilwoman Gym said that there was a task force, so there was no reason to do a new one. I called her office. I said, hey, when is the next meeting so I can come to. I was told it was in August. I told many parents. And in August, I asked them to come to the library. And at this time, I would like for everyone who came in August to raise their hand. (Some audience members raising their hand.)

I couldn't make that meeting, but I got a phone call as I was at a board meeting for the Girl Scouts, and they were like, there is no meeting. So I contacted Helen Gym's office again. She said, oh, it was cancelled because there wasn't enough people who RSVP'd. I said, I've worked for the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 School District for 23 years. I know how to RSVP. There was no RSVP. So in September, I said, well, let me know when the next meeting is. In September, the meeting happened, September 19th. It wasn't about family separation. It was about residential placement, like Glen Mills. Yes, residential treatment is important, but that's not what we're asking for. I come to these hearings. I hear about resolutions. I don't see any other resolution getting voted out but this one about child separation. We just want a fair process and we want what's best for the kids. My nephew stood up here. It was pretty hard for him. He hasn't seen his sister. And I would just like to give out some pictures so that they can see that these children are in rooms, and I also would like to give out the task force and by saying nobody is listening. We need you to. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Thank you, ma'am. (Applause.)

Our next speaker?

Vanessa Leary. (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed.

Hi. My name is Vanessa Leary, and I thank you for your time today. I'm here on Resolution 190779, and the reason why, it needs to be passed. People think that it's just -DHS doesn't -- it's completely perfect. There's no such thing as a completely perfect DHS agency. I've heard of -- I actually heard myself of caseworkers saying, oh, I'm going to make sure that you're not going to get your kids back. I have heard of parents completing every single goal and not getting their kids back. Myself, I have completed every Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 goal, and you want to know where my kids are? Still in DHS care. You want to know why I'm not getting them back? Because I am a survivor of domestic violence. I am a survivor of rape. And guess what? They're using that against me, because they want to know if that trauma is part of my reasoning for being a maternal parent. I'm not proper parenting. So I want to ask you this: There is two people not here today in Council. There's Gym and Parker. Well, now she's here. But they were blocking this. So why are they blocking this if there was nothing wrong with DHS? If your kids were in DHS care, what would you do to get your kids back? What would your limits be? My limits, I would never give up, and I'm up for termination.

Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Applause.)

Mr. Decker, our next speakers.

Lillian English-Hentz, followed by Joe Cox, followed by Miss Bennett. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed.

My name is Lillian English-Hentz and I'm here to talk about the bill I want to talk about, 190779. I'm here because this bill relates to separation of families, separation of children and families. We of Olney Charter High School have a family and I want to talk to you about it, and I want to thank Councilwoman Bass and Councilman Domb, because they have listened to us. Okay? The School District, who allows children to come and swipe in and leave and walk the halls and the streets, is Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the kind of school that Olney was years ago before ASPIRA took over our school. Now the School District for no reason is trying to shut this school down. This school is the place where our children find food, shelter, love and care. And so, therefore, I am here to tell you that I may not be no taller than 5'3", but Imma tell you right now, we are going to fight, we are going to fight this, and we're going to fight it and we're going to fight it some more, because you are -- the national government is putting children in cages and separating families. The Governor is against charter schools. I am for education, period.

Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up.

And Olney is going to fight you.

Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name.

Good afternoon. Thank you. My name is Joe Cox. I'm running for City Council at-large as a progressive independent. 190779, I am strongly in favor of this bill and in the creation of a Special Committee on Child Separation. People have been told there already is a committee. Let's get it done. As an activist, I have been fighting against child separation for years. Shut down Berks Detention Center while we're at it. It is clear there is a problem here in Philadelphia, as we have the highest rate of child separation in the country. Have you been listening to all of the families that have spoken already? We all want to come away with a real solution and this bill could be the first step. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Also, let's see some action about these school conditions that should be illegal. Thank you. (Applause.)

Mr. Decker, our next speakers.

Taleah Taylor.

Ms. Taylor here? (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed.

Sister Taleah Taylor. I'm here also to speak about Bill 17909 [sic]. Hold on one second, please. My apologies. I thought I had to leave. So I'm here to speak about Bill 190779 in favor of Councilman David Oh's resolution. My name is Sister Taleah Taylor. I'm President of the City of Dreams Coalition and Vice Chair of Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 In all my years of coming to City Council, I have never seen a resolution to form a special committee get defeated or prolonged so long, and this has been going on for too long. When it comes to our children, it should have been done and over with, period. But yet Councilman David Oh's resolution to form a special committee to protect our children is being fought tooth and nail primarily by Parker and Gym, and it doesn't make sense. There should be no argument about protecting our children. We should be able to amend some things. I know we don't agree on everything, but the bottom line is protecting our children and what we all go through. We will be paying close attention of which way everyone votes today, and we already have a committee and I am sitting on the board of the committee to hit the streets in all ten districts to let everyone know and let your constituents know how much you care Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 about those children. And I'll be out there with my T's as I do y'all petitions every year, every voting time. I'll be out there myself making sure all the ward leaders, all the committee people, everyone knows which way you vote today. What I can't swallow is how you protect -- you won't protect our children, but you allow other convicted pedophiles like Emmanuel Bussie from Different Kind of Democrat to come here, roam the streets of City Hall, lobbying for y'all politicians that I already made aware of his abusive history, his deviant history he's already convicted for. Yet and still he still has been given a chance to rape another child volunteering for somebody's election. I'm trying to wonder why.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Please, Mr. Decker.

The next three Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 speakers, James Thompson, followed by Dan LaSalle, followed by Ron Whyte. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon. My name is James Thompson. I'm here for changing the zoning designations and identifying that this area is a Promise Zone, but what about the zoning Olney Charter High School falls in? Again, my name is James Thompson and I'm the proud principal of Olney Charter High School. Today I'm here to speak to you on behalf of the positive impact that Olney Charter High School has had on the students and the surrounding community. First and foremost, I would like to formally invite each of you to visit our school, meet our staff and students, witness our classroom instructions, and see firsthand what makes our school worthy of continuing to serve the community. I have been an educator for Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 over 20 years and a school leader for more than ten. Over the years I've transitioned to being a staunch advocate for the rights of our students and the community we serve. The School District of Philadelphia launched its Renaissance School initiative, a program designed to dramatically improve the student achievement in the District's lowest performing schools. Olney is one of the schools that shifted from being run by the District to being run by ASPIRA while remaining a neighborhood school. Since the transition in 2011, a major shift in both climate and academic gains has been undisputable. It is evident that we continue to maintain a rate of success far higher than our neighboring schools serving a familiar population. There have been drastic reductions in the rates of student suspension, serious incident, making the school a much safer environment for our Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 students to learn and grow. We serve 2,000 students and nearly 90 percent of them come every day and go to class. We have shifted the culture from students being fearful to a culture of students empowered to achieve great things. We currently house the largest English language learner and special education population in the City, and we support every learner, inclusive of students who temporarily got off track and need additional support. They are trying to ram through a vote tonight to close Olney Charter High School, but before you allow the District to shut us down, come and see what we have to offer our students. Thank you.

Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 MR. LaSALLE: Good morning. I'm here to speak about Resolution 180669. For any person here who is concerned about -

State your name, please. MR. LaSALLE: Dan LaSalle. I'm the Administrator at Olney Charter High School.

Thank you. MR. LaSALLE: For anyone concerned about the unethical practices of banks, financial literacy needs to be an incredibly important thing on your mind, and there is no school that does it better than Olney Charter High School. In fact, MarketWatch has named us as the most innovative financial literacy program in the country. Just yesterday I spoke with a representative from Andrew Yang, democratic candidate for President, one of their representatives on the phone Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 to discuss a national platform that copies our program. If the School District succeeds in closing us down, we will not be able to do what the person who began today's remarks said, allow Philadelphia to be a beacon for other cities in the entire country. Councilmembers, I believe that your job is hard, as many of ours, and that when the School District engages in big decisions, it is very possible that they can make small errors by overlooking a school. To allow our school to not be renewed would crush out many innovative programs, not only our financial literacy program. We have the second best debate team in the entire City in 2018. Do you know what it's like to be a neighborhood school, go to citywide competitions and be like, oh, Central High, the top magnet school, don't worry about them, they're easy, and then we beat them. Just this morning at 9:00 a.m., Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the School District of Philadelphia has decided to proceed with a committee meeting, giving us less than 12 hours of notice. I really plead with you Councilmembers to have a conversation with whoever you can. If you allow our school to not be renewed, there are many innovative programs, very successful classrooms that will not be allowed to operate. Just on March 29th, 2019, the School District put out a report about how they have discrimination against closing minority-led charter schools more often, and here we are with that very same situation in front of us. I ask you to allow us to be continued to renewed.

Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed, please. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Hi. My name is Ron Whyte. I'm speaking in favor of Bill No. 190606. I want to thank Councilpeople Sanchez, Clarke, Parker, and Blackwell and Johnson for introducing this bill. I do support the adequate governing of public property, but sidebar, I have to say I did age out of foster care and people in my family have been in foster care. We need to get to the bottom of who is profiting off of separating our families. So I do support that as well, just as a quick sidebar. I also want to say that when we talk about vacant lots and vacant property, many people in our city live near vacant lots and vacant property that are filled with trash and litter, a lot of it plastic bags. A study came out from University of Pennsylvania saying that if you live near a vacant lot or vacant property with trash and litter, you are more likely to suffer from depression, feelings of inadequacy. We Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 have to do something about this. A few weeks ago thousands and thousands of youth were marching in the streets for the climate strike for environmental justice. Our Mayor is over in Europe right now meeting with other mayors. He is talking about climate justice and climate issues. If we can't do the small things like banning plastic bags, how will we do the big things like tackling climate change? So we really have to get serious about fixing our environment. I want to thank everyone for listening to me right now, and I hope that when the bill comes up regarding plastic bags and cleaning up our streets, that all Councilpeople take into consideration what our neighbors are saying about having to go out every day and cleaning up this trash. It is really out of control. We have to do something. We need to fix this problem ASAP. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Thank you. (Applause.)

Mr. Decker, our next speakers.

The next three speakers, Salima Pace, Ogbonna Hagins, and Desiree Whitfield. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Salima Pace. I'm the Secretary/Treasurer of District 1199C, and we just want to say thank you to Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and the others who have presented the -- I apologize. Who have presented to call the hearing to explore the service providers that are not honoring the contracts. We are simply asking that our members get paid. We are simply asking that the work that is put in, that they have the quality of work that they Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 deserve, and we are asking that you support this as this resolution makes its way through. And, again, we want to thank Councilwoman Parker for bringing this resolution up today. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name.

Good afternoon. My name is Desiree A. Whitfield. This is part of my written statement to the Judicial Conduct Board about Judge Lyris Younge, and I'm going to reiterate it for time. I wrote them because I met her long before she was a judge. She worked for the City Solicitor's Office.

Excuse me. I'm sorry. What bill are you talking about?

I am standing Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 here for Bill 190779. As I continue, I wrote them because I met Lyris Younge long before she was Judge Lyris Younge, as a City Solicitor where she was writing illegal, falsified petitions to remove children from their homes. When I questioned Lyris Younge, who is now standing on the charges from the Judicial Conduct Board, her exact words to me was, us removing children, illegally removing children from their homes, is the way we make money. It's my livelihood. I want to put something else on record. I reported this to Reverend Alyn Waller from Zion Baptist Church, in which we both go. He sided with her because she is -- she was a trustee of Zion Baptist Church. I heard earlier that there's going to be a way about Reverend Alyn Waller. I protest that right now, because if you didn't find it necessary to investigate about the illegal actions of one of your trustees, why would a way Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 be named in your honor? I am standing here asking City Council to stop accepting the calls from your Mayor this morning and do the right thing and vote for Bill 190779. If I had drove a one-way street drunk, then my child would have been taken from me, but you had people that sit right here in City Council that has been drunk driving on a one-way street -

Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ogbonna Hagins, and I'm going to be speaking about 190703, an ordinance amending Section 2-304 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Compensation for Members of the Board." You can read that. I'm in favor of that, absolutely, right? But check this out. The Sanitation Department, the trash men, are Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 up for a contract. They went six years without a contract. We don't need them not having a contract and treating our city like a garbage can like they do. So I'm in favor of this bill to deal with our environment. As you know, I'm Philly green man. I deal with the environment in the City, and you guys are really dropping the ball, because everything that you're hearing is a result of a negative environment, a dirty environment, an environment where I have to come here stepping over trash. It's not acceptable. The second thing I want to add on is, I want to congratulate Councilwoman Sanchez for standing up against indicted people on Council. I agree with you, and I'm ashamed that the other Councilmembers haven't stood up way before this. We have -- and ironically he's up there now dealing with overseeing this meeting. That money that's going out to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 people who are indicted, people who are being investigated need to be going towards our children and towards these schools. As a retired teacher, I taught 30 years ago, starting 30 years ago. I stopped 22 years ago to raise my children. There were paint chips falling off the classroom walls when I was teaching there. There were paint chips falling off the classroom walls when I was a student at Dobbins. What are you guys going to do? You need to be ashamed.

Thank you, sir. Your time is up. Thank you. (Applause.)

Mr. Decker, our next group.

Lynn Landes, followed by Vilma Lipper. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Hi. My name is Lynn Landes and I'm the co-founder of safestreetsphilly.org speaking on 160720. Just as there are rules for businesses such as where to locate a grocery store, there are also rules for residents. There is a homeless encampment of 17 tents a couple blocks away from City Hall on Vine Street between 16th and 17th Streets. The other night there were 50 people sleeping outside of the Convention Center. Every day we are calling about homeless sleeping in our neighborhood just five blocks away from here. We were told that the homeless are living on the streets of Philadelphia because federal courts have said they have a right to, but that's not what the court said. In Martin versus the City of Boise, the Ninth Circuit ruled that if there is no shelter provided by the City, only then could the homeless sleep on the streets. Yesterday I received an e-mail Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from the City's Managing Director, who told me that the homeless have a constitutional right to sleep on the street and they couldn't be forced into shelters. We have been trying to get the homeless off of the streets and into the shelters, thinking that available space was the deciding factor, but now we're being told it isn't. If the homeless want to sleep outside, that's their right. That is not what the court said, but that's the position of the City of Philadelphia. It's an invitation to chaos. The police are demoralized, businesses are frustrated, and residents are angry. The City is bragging that they are handling the problem by not arresting anyone. This carrot and carrot approach to law enforcement is not working. District Attorney Krasner is not doing his job, and other City officials have a confused notion of constitutional rights Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 that ignores the rights of all residents to live in a city that protects their health, safety, and welfare. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. (Witness approached podium.)

Please state your name and proceed.

Vilma Lipper. Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, shalom. This is my granddaughter, Chloe Lipper. Her Hebrew name is Isdia after her grandfather, who was an Israeli hero. I'm pleading here to the Jewish community to help me fight her case. Chloe is being sexually abused by her father, with the knowledge of DHS, Family Court, as well as the hospital. Would you please give me attention? Sir, please, some respect. I don't see the respect. You're talking in Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the background and then you're going to cut off my... Again, Jewish girl. She is a Jewish girl, being sexually molested by her father, with the knowledge of DHS, Family Court, and the hospital where she was taken care of. The social worker was a relative of the father, and she threatened (unintelligible). After two weeks of her being -- after two weeks of her knowledge of her, seemed like in child pornography, my baby was transferred to rehab, where she was sharing a room with a teenager and the father stayed a couple days, with full knowledge of his preference. Now here is my granddaughter with us, happy.

Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you very much.

No. I have -

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Microphone turned off.)

Ma'am, really. We've asked everybody to please adhere to the two-minute rule. Please, ma'am. I appreciate it. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you.

There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Decker.

We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask Mr. Decker to please read the titles of all bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, will you please now Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 of the bills on the Consent Agenda.

Bill No. 160026-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' Chapter 12-100, 'General Provisions,' by adding new definitions, and Chapter 12-900 'Parking Regulations and Penalties,' by adding 'live performing arts venue' to the entities exempt from paying fees for curb loading zone permits and adding a new Section, entitled 'Performing Arts Priority Loading and Unloading Zones,' providing for loading and unloading zones to allow easier access for performing artists to load-in and load-out at live performing arts venues around the City of Philadelphia"; and Bill No. 190608-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Miscellaneous,' by adding a new Chapter 21-3100, entitled 'Reporting Settlements Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Actions,' to establish a system of quarterly reporting and evaluation of means to reduce future liability"; and Bill No. 190130, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Commissioner and the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a Concession Agreement with Loveluck for the design, construction, management and operation of a food and beverage concession in the Fairmount Park Welcome Center in John F. Kennedy Plaza, also known as Love Park"; and Bill No. 190714, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with the Robert Nicoletti Family Trust, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1813 through 25 Hilton Street"; and Bill No. 181047, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Christian Street to South 24th Street and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 19th Street; Montrose Street to South 22nd Street; Catharine Street to South 23rd Street; Carpenter Street to South 15th Street; Bambrey Street to Webster Street; South 16th Street to Catharine Street"; and Bill No. 190101, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Webster Street and South 18th Street; Fitzwater Street and South 20th Street; Christian Street between South Broad Street and South 16th Street; Carpenter Street and South 24th Street; Catharine Street and South 20th Street; Bainbridge Street between 24th Street and Schuylkill Avenue"; and Bill No. 190552, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 170002) approved May 22, 2017, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating the easterly houseline of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 a point approximately five-hundred forty-five feet north of Curie Boulevard to a point approximately two-hundred thirty-six feet further northwardly therefrom,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No. 190556, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 120903) approved January 14, 2013, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 156 by striking from the City Plan Fourth Street from Allegheny Avenue to Lippincott Street, striking from the City Plan Lippincott Street from Fourth Street to its terminus westwardly therefrom, reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within the lines of Lippincott Street being stricken, placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from the intersection of Fourth Street and Lippincott Street eastwardly to the intersection of American Street and Lippincott Street, and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No.

190561, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Frank Strawbridge to own and maintain a sign anchored into the sidewalk in the Public Right-of-Way at 801 Market Street"; and Bill No. 190609, entitled "An ordinance establishing no parking and tow-away regulations on the east side of Academy Road from Grant Avenue to Glenn Street"; and Bill No. 190642, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Cedar Avenue and South 46th Street; South 44th Street between Walnut Street and Baltimore Avenue; Osage Avenue between Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 42nd Street and South 53rd Street"; and Bill No. 190643, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Larchwood Street between South 49th Street and South 46th Street; Irving Street and South 53rd Street; Upland Street and South 50th Street; South 51st Street and Market Street; South 54th Street between Cedar Avenue and Catharine Street"; and Bill No. 190646, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Stanton Street and Frederick Street; Wharton Drive and Henry Avenue; Midvale Avenue and The Oak Road; Calumet Street and Cresson Street to Ridge Avenue; Stokley Street and Midvale Avenue; Vaux Street and Coulter Street"; and Bill No. 190647, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no motor home parking regulation on Drexel Road, from Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Upland Way, both sides"; and Bill No. 190648, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Wynnewood Road and Malvern Street; North 52nd Street and Overbrook Avenue; Market Street and North 57th Street; Oxford Street and North 59th Street; Edgewood Street and Market Street; Frazier Street and Market Street; Salford Street and Market Street; North 63rd Street and Arch Street"; and Bill No. 190656, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Dickinson Street from Moyamensing Avenue to South 5th Street; Greenwich Street from South 6th Street to South 4th Street; Wharton Street and South Front Street"; and Bill No. 190657, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Reed Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 3rd Street; Federal Street and South 5th Street; Cross Street and 6th Street; Mountain Street and South 5th Street"; and Bill No. 190705, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Sales,' by adding an exception to a prohibited vending location"; and Bill No. "

Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Bass.

Aye on all bills.

Councilwoman Blackwell.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Domb.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Green.

Aye on all Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Councilman Greenlee.

Aye on all bills.

Councilwoman Gym.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Henon.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Johnson.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Jones.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman O'Neill.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Oh.

Aye on all Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Councilwoman Parker.

Aye on all bills.

Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Aye on all bills.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Squilla.

Aye on all bills.

Councilman Taubenberger.

Aye on all bills.

Council President Clarke.

Aye Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please proceed.

Resolution No. 190769, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue 'Representative Al Dumas Boulevard' in honor of State Representative Al Dumas and his dedication to public service," introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

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

It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?

And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Aging to hold public hearings examining solutions to prevent the ongoing displacement of senior citizens with fixed incomes due to rising rental costs, introduced by Councilman Jones.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak on this resolution.

It's been moved and properly seconded -- I'm Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING sorry.

I would like to speak on the resolution.

Oh, I'm sorry, Councilman.

Thank you, Mr. President. Many districts, if not all districts in the City of Philadelphia, are experiencing a flood of multi-unit properties that are coming of age that have had some type of federal or state-assisted financing. During those times of financing, there were rent restrictions put on a lot of those residents. So in a case in one of the buildings in my district, seniors had a $400 a month mortgage. As these agreements come of age and some of the owners opt not to renew any new relationship with HUD, we're finding some building owners that are opportunists, saying that we'd like to renovate, go a different direction, and move some of these existing residents out Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING so that we can upgrade, quote, and be able to charge market rate. I am not a socialist. I want people to feel free to move their properties in certain directions, but not at the expense of people who have lived in facilities sometimes for decades, sometimes never being late, never missing a month's rent. So the issue for some of those residents is facing that kind of capitalism. The second part of it is average median income. What that means is that some people's rents are calculated on that average median income for the City. So when people with means move in in their relative geographic area, that average median income is counted against some of the pensions that were frozen, because they're not going up, and so they find themselves in buildings that we helped the owners get, helped them to find funding for. Those Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING shovels are in our respective offices. Now retired civil servants, some police officers are finding themselves having to move out of those same facilities and move with their children because they can't afford the rent increases that are being proposed. We hope that this hearing will shed light on that, and not to stifle capitalism but to offer alternatives to gentrification. And so I look forward to this, and I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

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

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING

And a resolution recognizing and honoring the dedicated and loyal service of Romulo L. Diaz, Jr. to the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green on behalf of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

The Chair was going to recognize Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

Thank you. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)

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

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted.

And a resolution recognizing and honoring Rebecca Rutstein Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING for her dedicated service through art to the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green on behalf of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

The Chair one more time will recognize Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.

I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)

Oh, I'm sorry. Councilwoman.

I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)

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

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.

Thank you very much, Council President. I have to take leave, and I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.

Thank you, Councilwoman. That shall be reflected in the record.

And a resolution calling for a fair contract for commercial office cleaners and building service workers in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Parker.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

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

It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted.

And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings regarding service providers and employers honoring existing and prior worker contract agreements, introduced by Councilwoman Parker.

The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker.

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

It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted.

And a resolution recognizing the 95th Anniversary of the Curtis Institute of Music, its part in training the world's finest musicians, and for its contributions to the rich cultural fabric of the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Domb.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted.

And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold a hearing regarding the reconstruction work on Interstate 95, and the entire Revive I-95 plan, introduced by Councilman Taubenberger.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.

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 say aye. (Aye.)

Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.

And a resolution authorizing the establishment of a "Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia" to review child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system and develop recommendations to ensure compliance with State Child Protective Services Law to protect children and due process rights of families and prevent the unnecessary break-up of families, introduced by Councilman Oh.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.

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

It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. (Applause.)

The resolution -(Applause.)

Okay. We got it. All right. Excuse me. Excuse me. We have a little more -folks, folks, we have a little more business to conduct.

There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. (Audience members yelling out.)

All right. All right. Okay. Okay. Okay. Let's have a little quiet. Ma'am, you can go in the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Audience member yelling out.)

Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Folks are excited, but we have business to conduct. I'm going to ask you all to please be quiet. (Audience member yelling out.)

Ma'am, ma'am. All right. Before we move to our adjournment, I want to do a couple of things. I want to do a couple of things. First, I would like to, on behalf of City Council, we would like to acknowledge and wish our good friend and colleague, what, 36th birthday? Happy birthday, Councilman Squilla. (Applause.)

What did you say, somebody got the number wrong? Oh, all right. It's around there. You'll take 36 today. Councilman, congratulations and happy Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

Thank you.

Now I want to do a little bit of business on my behalf. So as you know, one of the things that we've been able to do is have some very, very special people work for us in the City Council of Philadelphia. Pretty much all of them have gone on to a number of things. Some of them have stayed here. But we're really proud about the staff, the people that actually do the work that make us look good on a consistent basis. Rarely do they make us look bad. But I just want to just acknowledge a couple of guys. Where's Will at? He's somewhere conducting business? I'm going to say his name. He's somewhere conducting business. So as you all know, some of you know, I'm going to call Will Carter's name first. Will Carter has been here Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 long, long time, actually came to work for me before I was Council President and we had that office across the hall. And he was a person I'd look forward to seeing every day, long, hard-working young man. He's grown to be a little older young man, but he has been an awesome, awesome addition. Is he coming? Yeah, Carter. Come on. (Applause.)

So everybody knows Will and everybody loves Will. And Will has been a person that has been an awesome, awesome addition to the City Council of Philadelphia, and we just want to say, man, you know, we really appreciate what you've done. You've grown to be one of my little brothers, you know. I hope I've given you good counsel over the years. I guess I did because you're married with two children now. So you did the right thing. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 But, Will, we just want to say on behalf of Council, thank you so much for your contribution. Will will now -- has actually started. He's going to serve in the Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of Local Government, Advocacy and Engagement. So he will continue to be around and he'll be moving the needle. He has some very optimistic perspective on what he's going to be able to do from that side of the equation. We wish you well. We hope you're very successful. So, Will, congratulations, man, and thank you for your service. (Applause.)

Jeffery Young. So another young individual. Jeffery, actually, I remember Jeffery came in the office when I was again around in 44 and he was the -- what were you? My Youth Commission? Stated Meeting October 10, 2019

I started earlier than that.

Earlier than that?

Will's high school intern.

Oh, wow, wow. Man, Will, I didn't even know you had an intern back then. All right. Well, so Jeffery has been a person that I've seen grown from his early years, early, early years, and I just want to say how proud I am of him, but awesome work that he's done here as the legislative counsel but, more importantly, the work that he's done out in the neighborhood, because everybody knows Jeff, and when they can't remember his name, they say, yeah, that guy with the dreadlocks that works for you. You know, that must be Jeffery. So, Jeffery, man, thank you. Appreciate all you've done. Again, one of my little, little brothers. You've Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 and got a lot of respect for the work you've done. Jeffery is now going on. He is now in private practice. He has joined the Legis Group LLC as a partner specializing in a variety of real estate matters, including land use, zoning code enforcement, estate planning, all that good stuff. Whatever somebody is willing to pay the firm for, Jeffery is prepared to do it. So, Jeff, I want to thank you. (Applause.)

So this next guy, Jeremy Gradwohl. So Jeremy was this guy that kind of came along and this program that we had -Fellows, right? Fellows program? Because we wanted a little bit more fancier than interns. That sounded like, well, it's Fellows, you know, like whatever, right? So Jeremy was a guy that came along, and very interesting young individual, not from the City of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Philadelphia, but figured out a way to be here and ended up going to the local schools. And Jeremy was a guy that he would end up in some interesting places, because a lot of times people are new to the City and the neighborhood, they're kind of like, well, do I have to go over there? Jeremy didn't care, right? I see him everywhere, and it wasn't necessarily during work hours. You know what I mean? Jeremy was everywhere, and he got to know the people in the neighborhood and the people in the neighborhood got to know him, and he was a really, really great addition as he moved from the Fellows program up to being a member of the Council staff. He did some great work. I got a lot of friends, a lot of people look forward to calling him, because he always followed through, regardless of what the subject matter was, and made sure that he followed through to ensure that people got really good service. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 interesting. Jeremy continues to be in the Temple Law School, but now he has been offered and accepted an internship position in the Chambers of Judge Michael A. Shipp of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. (Applause.)

So I'd just like to take a little personal prompts for training him well, all these guys. But, Jeremy, thank you, man. We really appreciate what you've done, your work in the neighborhood and your willingness to serve. And to all three of you guys, man, awesome, awesome. We'll continue to see you all again, and please do not change your phone number, because we will be calling you. All right? So, guys, thank you all so much. We really appreciate what you've done. We look forward to many, many more successes. Thank you all. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Applause.)