Stated Meeting, October 31, 2024

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 31, 2024 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, INTERIM CHIEF CLERK

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Will all Councilmembers please take your seats and all visitors please retire to their seats outside the rails. Before proceeding, I will ask all those present to please set your cell phones to silent and please take all sidebar conversations outside of the Council chambers. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Venerable Rath Muni, Chief Monk/CEO of the Preah Buddha Rangsey TempleKhmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association, Inc. He is here today Councilmember Nina Ahmad. I will ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests and visitors rise.) MONK MUNI: Thank you.

You can begin, sir. MONK MUNI: I'm very great. Appreciate to be here with all of you and to pray as well as to express my appreciation to the city of Philadelphia, to all of you, that working really hard for our community. Well, as you all know that the understanding bring peace even in difficult situation. Be grateful for the little things and find peace in them. Let go of reasonful thought and find true peace. If you love yourself, you won't harm others. So we all come to work for peace, prosperity as all our politicians try hard to build peace and harmony among our community. So I would like to take this little time to pray for peace, prosperity for all being. As a Buddhist in ancient language, (Pali translation). Thank you.

The Chair thanks Venerable Rath Muni for his invocation. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 24, 2024. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 24, 2024 be approved. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 24, 2024 stand approved. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brian O'Neill.

Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for leave from the rest of the Council session and as aye on all bills, resolutions and amendments to bills or resolutions.

It will be duly noted and granted. Leave is granted. Thank you very much, Councilmember O'Neill. The next order of business is request for leaves of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Squilla.

The Chair thanks the Councilmember. Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.

The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our great city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this moment the Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks for acknowledgement.

Thank you, Council President and colleagues. I want to recognize Councilmember Valerie BossmanQuarshie from the City Council of the City of London. She's here to support in advance of this crucial and historic election.

Could you please stand? (Applause.)

We welcome you. The Chair also recognizes State Representative Elizabeth joining us today as well. (Applause.)

At this time the Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau who will present a resolution honoring and recognizing Sunrise Movement Philadelphia for their outstanding work and contributions to the fight to confront climate change and ensure that the generations to come have a sustainable future. Would Erica Brown and those accompanying her please join the Councilmember at the podium. Also joining Councilmember Rue Landau are Jamie Gauthier, Councilwoman Kendra Brooks, Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Phillips. And I would ask our Councilmember Isaiah Thomas to stand in for Councilmember -- I'm sorry, Councilmember Young. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)

Good morning, everybody. I'm here today, we are honoring and recognizing Sunrise Movement Philadelphia for their outstanding work and contributions to the fight to confront climate change and ensure that the generations to come have a sustainable future.

Whereas, Sunrise Movement is a movement of young people dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to clean air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers and lives filled with joy; and

Whereas, this work is guided by their founding principles, including growing power through organizing in communities, being rooted in what they're fighting for and continuing the journey to become better organizers, leaders and people.

Whereas, nationally, Sunrise Movement has redefined climate politics, ensured the passage of historic climate legislation and continue to transform communities. Sunrise Movement strives to build a coalition around climate change, which is a vital step in the climate action towards clean energy; and

Whereas, Sunrise Movement Philadelphia, the local chapter of the national movement, is a group of young Philadelphians dedicated and winning a green new deal that ensures every Philadelphian has access to good jobs, stable housing, clean air and water and green community spaces; and

Whereas, the young people organizing with Sunrise Movement Philadelphia have proven their dedication to equitable, sustainable -- to an equitable and sustainable future by supporting legislative efforts to fund libraries and rec centers, create renewable energy, ensure access to fresh food, build affordable housing, stop gun violence and more. This has led to the growth in the clean energy sector in the addition of quality jobs offering family-sustaining wages; and

Whereas, due to the continued Sunrise Movement, legislation across the state addressing the climate crisis has gained momentum. Pennsylvania House Bill 103, commonly referred to as Solar for Schools, championed by State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler in partnership with Sunrise Movement Philadelphia will create a grant program to help school districts across Pennsylvania fund and install solar panels on school grounds and;

Whereas, the future of youth-driven community organizing for neighborhood facilities, fresh food, stable housing, clean air and water, green community spaces and renewable energy sources is bright; now, therefore, be it Resolved that the Council of the City of Philadelphia honors and recognizes Sunrise Movement work and contributions to the fight to confront climate change and ensure that the generations to come have a sustainable future. Be it further resolved, that an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Sunrise Movement Philadelphia as evidence of their sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Congratulations. (Applause.)

The Chair recognizes State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler and Erica Brown for remarks. STATE REPRESENTATIVE FIEDLER: Good morning, everyone. I am State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler. I represent 65,000 constituents in South Philadelphia east of Broad and south of Wharton. Thank you, Councilmember Landau. Thank you to the full Council for me to speak about one of my favorite topics, solar for schools. I'm honored to be here, also to help recognize Sunrise Movement and your amazing climate advocacy. Congratulations again. (Applause.) STATE REPRESENTATIVE FIEDLER: Back in April I was invited to come before this legislative body because Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson and Gauthier were kind enough to introduce a legislation supporting solar for schools. This legislation will create a new state grant program to help K through 12 public schools and community colleges install solar panels on the roof of their building or on their grounds. The program will help school districts save tens of year eventually adding up to millions of dollars in savings. It will also create good-paying local construction jobs and of course benefit the environment by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and allowing schools to generate their own electricity. Thank you, City Council, for approving that resolution unanimously back in April. And I am here to say with good news that this legislation passed the State House and the State Senate back in July and now is a $25 million appropriation. (Applause.) STATE REPRESENTATIVE FIEDLER: The Governor signed the bill into law and applications for the new program start tomorrow, November 1st. (Applause.) FIEDLER: This round of funding, what we see is a pilot program, should support around 60 Solar for Schools projects statewide and my hope as a Philadelphian certainly is that we will see about half a dozen schools right here with the School District of Philadelphia receiving state funding and putting up solar arrays next year. (Applause.) STATE REPRESENTATIVE FIEDLER: I mean, I'm excited. I am also here of course to support the resolution honoring Sunrise Movement. Sunrise was one of the very first supporters of Solar for Schools. I have the early letter they sent hanging on my wall in my office. Sunrise even joined me on one of the very first tours of a school called Steelton-Highspire. It's near Harrisburg. They took an landfill, put solar panels on it and now are able to power their school and their electric buses. I was grateful to Sunrise for their early support of Solar for Schools and for all the work that they are doing. Over and over every school I go to, urban, suburban, rural, it is the young people in the crowd who speak up without any hesitation, making clear that climate change is real and that for them, this isn't just a theoretical concept. They know it's their lives. It's my understanding that Sunrise Movement here in Philadelphia would like to see a similar program created for City municipal buildings, solar for rec centers, solar for libraries. I think this is a fantastic idea and anything the state can do to help support the City's endeavor, please you again for having me and thank you, Councilmember Landau and the Council, for having me. (Applause.)

The Chair recognizes Erica Brown.

Thank you. I'm not used to being up here. Thank you, Councilmember Landau, for fighting for rec centers, libraries and renewable energy. I almost wasn't born because my dad was shot on the Market-Frankford Line, so every time we got a news report of a shooting on the TV, he would tell me to stay inside. But when he felt it was safe, we would go to the park and run around, play baseball, throw a frisbee, and he enrolled me in aftercare because he had to work really late. And I was lucky that that aftercare I had so many to act. I learned how to do magic. I learned how to do arts and crafts. And unfortunately, a lot of people in Philly only know half of that story. They only know the half with violence and fear. And so, when I was 16, I joined the Sunrise Movement because I want my parks to keep existing. I love nature. I love animals. I love fresh air and clean water, right. But, young people, we have to learn at a young age that that's not a guarantee for us. And unless we fight back, it's going to all be gone. And so, starting in 2023 we started the Green Spaces Active Places campaign to make sure every rec center and library in the city gets fully funded, fully staffed and can run on renewable energy. (Applause.)

And thankfully, I met with a lot of the City Councilmembers standing right behind me and in front of me. And we want to keep working with you. It's been a great opportunity to work with Councilmember Landau. And I went on the City Council website and I saw all the different committees that you chair. And I wrote down how we could work together and we're going to be following up with all your offices right after this to figure out how that could be -- okay. Where to start. Okay. Majority Whip Thomas, Chair of the Education Committee, we can figure out how to make sure that schools and rec centers and libraries are connected so that way librarians can go into schools and schools can come back to rec centers. Also, thank you that hearing with the AFSCME Union. Councilmember Squilla, Chair of Appropriations, we can figure out how to make sure that funding goes to these rec centers and libraries so we can actually have the staff. Councilmember Gauthier, Chair of the Environment, want to keep working together so we can make sure that there's beautiful gardens at every rec center and library. Councilmember Jones, Chair of Public Safety, this is the main way we keep each other safe. This is how we replace fear is by creating community and really appreciate you getting money for the Shepard Rec Center this past year. We love that rec center. Councilmember Young, Chair of Streets, to ensure that there aren't potholes and that there can front of these rec centers so kids don't have to worry about and parents don't have to worry about being hit by cars. That's a big fear in some places. Councilmember Driscoll, Chair of Licensing and Inspections, to make sure that all these buildings are up to code so that there's not mold and there's not paint chipping off these buildings. Councilmember Lozada, Chair of Public Property, right, these are public buildings, that we want to make sure that they get the funding they need, and really appreciate you talking about your tours and how we're seeing that these places can really use some renovations. Councilmember Bass, the Rules Committee, I don't know that much about City Council rules. But I imagine --

I'm sure there's a way that we can use that to our benefit. And then, Councilmember Phillips, already met with your legislative staff recently to go on tours and make sure that we can change the staffing rules at these places. We can use the funding that we have. Councilmember Ahmad with public health, this is how -- these are the centers of public health. This is where people can go when we get another text on our phone about the water being contaminated, where if we can have water stations we can have health care right there. Councilmember Harrity, Chair on Labor, we need so many jobs created, so many jobs that we can work with IBEW and all these unions to repair these spaces. And, Minority Leader Brooks, Chair of Special Needs and Aging Affairs, young people love rec centers, old people love rec centers. And so, we can make sure that there's programs. We can make sure that there's ramps so that people can get easy access to these places. And finally or not finally, second to last, Minority Leader O'Rourke, Chair on Global Economy, I really appreciate you introducing the No Fossil Fuel Treaty and want to make sure that we can continue that. And okay, save the best for last. Council President Johnson, we would love for you to coordinate all this. (Applause.)

So we can get this done, right. Rec centers and libraries are the heart of our city and they're the key to replacing violence and fear with community. thank again Councilmember Landau for allowing us to -(Applause.)

There are two more young leaders in the Sunrise Movement who want to quickly speak and share their experience, Aster Chau and Sultan Smalley. (Applause.)

Hi. My name is Aster Chau. I'm a junior at the Academy of Palumbo and I'm also 16 years old. I'm here -(Applause.)

I'm here with the Sunrise Movement, an organization I've been a part of since my freshman year of high school. I'm missing a bit of school to be here today but I felt like I needed to be here. I've been organizing with the Movement since I was 14, and being a part of my perspective on a lot of things. Today I wanted to share something with the Councilmembers as a reminder but also an affirmation for the youth. Last Thursday I was organizing outside of City Hall and I heard words that I really needed to hear. A fellow organizer told me not to lose hope. As a young person in the city, I can acknowledge that things need to actively change to better our communities that unify the city. I've seen change be made and I still see change being fought for within schools, neighborhoods, across movements and all people. The youth who will live with these decisions that our elected official are making are watching in anticipation. It's something that I carry with me, but Rue Landau heard the cries of the communities that are actually open, asking for libraries with adequate, well-paid staff that can run programs, advocating for the youth in the city to have these resources in an environmentally friendly way. It is a two-way street. Landau recognizes the efforts of Sunrise Philly and we recognize her for seeing our community. It brings me pride to see an elected official stand alongside a community activating -- oh, sorry, advocating for safe green spaces. When our elected officials hear the people and their actions stand by that, that's democracy and that's what the city needs. Thank you, Rue Landau, and the space offered for me to speak today. (Applause.)

Hello. My name is Sultan Smalley and I'm a And thank you to Rue Landau for inviting us today. So I joined Sunrise last spring in my senior year of high school. And the first thing I did as a member was bike around the rec centers in my neighborhood with Erica. We did this to hear the perspectives of rec center staff and it was a fruitful endeavor despite the fact that we got caught in the rain, which is not fun when you're biking next to Philly drivers. But the reason it was worth the rain was because I learned a lot about our public spaces and the people who run them day-in and day-out. I learned that Philadelphia only spends about half the amount per person that Pittsburgh and Baltimore spends on Parks & Rec, and I learned about the basketball programming being McIlvain Playground. Despite a lack of funding, hardworking people at our Parks & Rec centers across the city continue to persevere as they build and serve our communities from the front lines. And that's what I love about Sunrise, is that as an organized bloc we have the power to advocate for all these incredible working-class heroes and call for full investment in our public spaces. There's no other way I'd rather use the free time afforded to me as a 19-year-old college student. So once again, thank you to Councilmember Rue Landau and I hope City Council joins us in fighting for working people. Thank you.

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

At this time the Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young, who will present a resolution honoring and congratulating the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians for winning 10 gold medals at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Applause.)

Would Catherine Hicks, President of the Philadelphia NAACP; Vee Norris, the ACT-SO Committee Chair and also my good friend and member of the ACT-SO Committee, Wylie Emanuel Smith, along with those accompanying them, please join the Councilmember at the podium. Joining Councilmember Young for his presentation will be Councilmember Rue Landau, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, Brooks, Councilmember Jim Harrity, Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke, Councilmember Ahmad, Councilmember Phillips, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. (Councilmembers and guests approach podium.)

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's a tremendous honor to stand here today and recognize these incredible young people. The accomplishments --

Mr. Young, Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

Can we have all sidebar conversations taken out the Councilmember Young as he has the floor. Councilmember Young.

Thank you, Council President. Again, it's a tremendous honor to stand before you all today to recognize the incredible accomplishments of these young people for the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians, right. As you heard, there were 10 gold medals and countless other awardees as well at this competition. The ACT-SO program, the Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics, has a longstanding tradition of uplifting young Black students, guided them to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills to pursue excellence. Was founded by journalist and author 1978. ACT-SO has provided a platform for thousands of talented young people, encouraging them to achieve academically, scientifically and artistically. It's an initiative that goes beyond competition. It is movement that empowers youth to believe in themselves and reach their highest potentials. And with that today, I'm going to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the young scholars who are here today. But I want to recognize the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Veronica Norris who I've known my entire life, right, and whose commitment to young people has been instrumental in their success. And I can tell you firsthand that she has always been dedicated to young people, to She has always poured into us to make sure that we achieve greatness. And so, I just want to honor her again today. And she has helped these Olympians on the national stage. And so, with that I want to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these students. So whereas, the NAACP ACT-SO Competition was founded in 1978 by author and journalist Vernon Jarrett and is intended to provide recognition to young people who have demonstrated academic, scientific and artistic achievements; and

Just for the record, I would like to say that I'm an ACT-SO former participant and -(Applause.)

In original oratory humanities I got it, so this is quite fitting. Whereas, ACT-SO which stands for Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics aims to provide students with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire the confidence in training to make a successful contribution to society; and

And whereas, over the course of each year students work with local volunteers and mentors to develop projects and participate in enrichment opportunities, including workshops, tutorials and field trips to their competitions; and

Whereas, with over 30 areas of competition in several major categories, including STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills; and

Whereas, the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO 2023-2024 year rolled out an impressive and an amazing slate of talented youth from across the city; and

Whereas, NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO represented the City proudly winning 10 gold medals at this year's ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas; and (Applause.)

Whereas, two local medalists secured double gold highlighting 10 Olympians across 12 categories at this year's competition; and

Whereas, under the leadership of Norris, the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP ACT-SO Program won three National Medals; and

Whereas, Germantown Friends Senior Joshua Matthews, won the National Bronze for Chemistry/Biochemistry, while Central High School Junior Abdullah Mahmoud won the National Bronze Medal for Mathematics; and

Just a point of privilege, as a lifetime member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP, I have watched Ms. Vee and our President here work so hard for all our children. So whereas, Sumriah Mungin, a junior at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Arts won the National Silver Medal for Vocal Contemporary; and

And whereas, a win at the National a win for all branches of NAACP across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and Whereas, in alignment with the founding principles of ACT-SO which focuses on recognizing young individuals for their exceptional achievements in the arts, academics and sciences; therefore, be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that this esteemed body honors and congratulates the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians for winning 10 gold medals at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas. Let's give them a round of applause please. (Applause.)

And be it Further Resolved, that an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the NAACP evidence of the true and sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body. Congratulations to you all. You guys have done an amazing job representing our city. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

The Chair first acknowledges State Senator Sharif Street who's also joining us today. (Applause.)

And so, Sharif Street, will you take the podium. And then next, we'll have the President of the NAACP, Ms. Catherine Hicks. And then next, we will have Chair of the ACT Committee, Ms. Norris. SENATOR STREET: Mr. President, thank you, the honorable members of Council, thank you for having us. And Ms. Norris, look, I just want to say as a former ACT-SO student who's been involved with you since -- you've been doing this since about 30 years. I just want to thank you for all the work you've done. When you said you were getting honored today and I saw we had the time to be here, wanted to be here to join Council in celebrating the work you've done for these young people for so long. And thank Council for acknowledging ACT-SO and all the students. You're doing great work and you represented our city so well. Thank you so much. God bless. (Applause.)

Good morning and thank you. Thank you all for being here. I'm Catherine Hicks, President of the Philadelphia Branch NAACP and I'm just so proud and honored. I want to thank of the Councilmembers, Council President for this honor today for our students. ACT-SO is such an important part of the NAACP and what we do for students and kids. I'm honored just to be here and see these students because witnessing them in Vegas this past year, just having them win the medals for of course the Philadelphia Chapter was just very inspiring. It shows what our children can do. And I just want to bring to the podium the woman behind it along with Wylie Smith who has been a long-time part of our ACT-SO Competitions. But Ms. Vee, she is instrumental in not just ACT-SO in our branch but so many other portions of what we do. So this is really an honor for her. Ms. Vee. (Applause.)

Testing. Okay, good. Good morning everybody and everybody good morning. I just want to give a shout-out to Councilmember Jeffrey Young who I've known from 9, 10 or whatever. I knew you were going to do great things and here you are, a lawyer and a Councilmember, so thank you. So I want to thank everybody and, honorable Councilmembers as yourselves, give yourselves a hand for all the hard work you're doing. You know where this is going, right. I'm going to be asking for donations. You know that, right. So also, I'm a proud member of the NAACP. I carry my card and my voting card everywhere I go. So here's my NAACP lifetime membership. And thank you so much, Honorable President Kenyatta who's -- I'm not going to name all the names when we do our Philadelphia Activities Fund. Most of you give and I want to thank you. I'm not going to name any names. I wasn't raised like that shout-out. But if you want to see me after this is over with, please do. Give yourselves a hand. Thank you. (Applause.)

As they mentioned what ACT-SO is, when I say ACT, you say SO. ACT -(SO.)

ACT -(SO.)

I just want to make sure everybody's awake and they hear everything I'm saying, so great job. So let me just look back here. As we went to Las Vegas, it was good to represent the city of Philadelphia. A lot of countries, we were competing against hundreds and hundreds of African American youth. And here the City of Philadelphia three times, like the BET Awards, I was done. My eyes were swollen and everything. I mean, really. And we competed in STEM. We had some STEM we walked away with, which we're trying to build in the folks of color to build. And STEM because that's where the money is, right. That's where the money is. I mean, yeah, legislation and all that is good, but STEM is excellent. Humanities, we had Visual Arts and we have Performing Arts and Entrepreneurship. Business which went big when we was in a pandemic, everybody wants to be self-employed to make money to survive. So I am proud here to say thank you to our parents who's a foundation, who got them up and go -- parents, where are you for ACT-SO? They're over there? Okay. (Applause.)

So I'm going to be brief because I want to recognize -- I want to thank our Madam President's leadership, and Wylie Smith is here, Co-chair emeritus and also under the leadership, the late Jerry (inaudible) emeritus. Yes, so give them a hand. Wylie's back there, Co-Chair. (Applause.)

So let's talk about who's here, our youth that's here. I'm just going to recognize them. Let's see, let's start with Samriah Mungin. Give her hand, our Vocal Contemporary Silver $1,500 and she's still getting money from everywhere else. (Applause.)

Samriah, just raise your hand because we're on Council chamber's time, yes. Denae, guess what. She went to Julliard, free scholarship to Julliard. She's a classical violinist. (Applause.)

We have Jemma Richardson, double gold in tap dance. I was going to have her tap dance but we don't have that kind of time, and vocal classical. Yes, right. (Applause.)

And who else do we have there. We have Brandon McDonald, poetry written. Gold, yes. (Applause.)

And Barch -how do you say your last name again? (Tashami.)

Tashami, yes. Welcome. And he did poetry performance. Very good. (Applause.)

At 69 you can't remember all the names. Sometimes you can't remember what you ate the day before. Okay. So again, I want to welcome -- thank you to the young lady from London, but we got some people from Washington D.C., Director of Youth and College, Derek Lewis, from National NAACP and the lovely Maria, National Director of Communications. Welcome them from Washington D.C. Not as far as London, but still good. (Applause.)

So anyway, I just want to thank everyone. Did I miss anybody? I got everybody. Okay. So I want to thank you so much for the opportunity to receive Yes, I'm the motivator. As you can tell I'm hyped. I'll be 70 March the 18th. I was born in 1955. That's too much information, isn't it. So thank you, Honorable Sharif Street, who's always there, always giving and kind donations. So again, thank you so much. And thank you. And one of our ACT-SO participants is on The Voice. Yes. Okay. All right. So just really quick alumni Leslie Odom, Jr., who I judged in 1996. We had also Jada Pinkett. Also, what's his name from Black-ish, Anthony Anderson. Okay. My mind is still good honey, no dementia. So, yes, you might know a few of those people, yes. So thank you again for this opportunity and I appreciate every one of you. Give yourselves a hand. Thank you for this. (Applause.)

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

The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Will the Chief Clerk read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications in her possession.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I'm submitting herewith for the consideration of your Honorable body the following proposed ordinance: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a lease agreement with 2401 Walnut LP for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 2401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a lease agreement with AC HSS Office Ventures II, LLC for the use by the City of a portion of the premises 1930 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to convey to the Philadelphia Housing Authority all or a part or parcels of land containing approximately 23,595 square feet located in and about the area bounded by Market Street, 39th Street, Ludlow Street and 40th Street, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, in or all to a portions of certain along the west bank of the Schuylkill River in and around an area generally bounded by South 58th Street, as extended to the bulkhead line of the west bank of the Schuylkill River; South 61st Street; and West Passyunk Avenue for public park, recreation and transportation purposes, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or lesser real estate interest by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, in and to all or portions of a certain parcel of land known as 923 West Butler Street, under certain terms and conditions; and Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 30 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1600-26, John F. A. and Republic First Bank as authorized financial institutions in which the City Treasurer may deposit funds, all under certain terms and conditions. And I am pleased to advise you that on October 30, 2024 I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on October 17, 2024: Bill No. 240422, Bill Nos. 240660, 240663 and 240667.

And to the President and members of the Council of City Philadelphia, my Administration intends to submit a contract proposal to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, which will start the collective bargaining process 111. I hereby request pursuant to Chapter 17-2300 of The Philadelphia Code that Council comply, promptly schedule a public hearing concerning the City's contract proposal in order to permit the City to begin the bargaining process. If Council is unable to schedule such a hearing in the next 30 days, I request that Council President certify to the Office of Labor that Council is unavailable to do so, which will satisfy the requirements of Chapter 17-2300 of The Philadelphia Code and allow the City to move forward with its proposals and contract negotiations. There are no other communications in my possession, Council President.

Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.

Thank you, Council President. There are no bills or resolutions for introduction today.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

Thank you, Council President. Today I offer three bills on your behalf and one resolution on my behalf, which is privileged.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills and privileged resolution.

An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a lease agreement with 2401 Walnut LP, for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 2401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with AC HSS Office Ventures II, LLC, for the use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1930 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Funds - Deposits, Investments, Disbursements," by amending Section 19-201, entitled "City Depositories," to remove Citibank, N.A. and Republic First Bank as authorized financial institutions in which the City Treasurer may deposit funds, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings required pursuant to Chapter 17-2300 of The Philadelphia Code ("Public Hearing Prior to Execution of a Labor Agreement Concerning Police Employees Represented by the Fraternal Order of Police"), which Code Chapter requires that Council hold a hearing in connection with the City's contract proposal in anticipation of collective bargaining between the City and the Fraternal Order of Police.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

Thank you, Council President. Today I have five bills for introduction.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the bills.

An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to convey to the Philadelphia Housing Authority all or a part of parcels or parcels of land containing approximately 23,595 square feet located in and about the area bounded by Market Street, 39th Street, Ludlow Street and 40th Street, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 220188) approved August 31, 2022, entitled "An Ordinance Authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 269 and an abandonment of a portion of a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes in the vicinity of the northwesterly side of Civic Center Boulevard, northeast of Osler Circle," under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing POSEL WOODLAND ASSOCIATES, L.P. or a subsequent owner to install, own and maintain an encroachment at 4116-18 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by changing certain boundaries and establishing new permit parking districts, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title or lesser real estate interest by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation, or otherwise, in and all to or portions of certain parcels of land located along the west bank of the Schuylkill River in and around an area generally bounded by South 58th Street, as extended to the bulkhead line of the west bank of the Schuylkill River; South 61st Street; and West Passyunk Avenue for public park, recreation and transportation purposes, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas.

Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. No bills or resolutions today.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. One privileged resolution today.

Thank you. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the Domestic Violence Unit in the City of Philadelphia during Domestic Violence Awareness Month for their exemplary service and commitment to the fight against domestic violence.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Rue Landau.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues. No bills or resolutions today.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.

Good morning, Council President. I offer one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolution.

A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1766-72 North Bodine Street; 2244 and 2246 Hope Street; 218 Cecil B. Moore Avenue located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions to offer this morning.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

Good morning, Council President. I have one privileged resolution and one non-privileged resolution to introduce today.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the titles of the privileged and non-privileged resolutions.

A privileged resolution congratulating Director Keli McLoyd, Noelle Foizen, and the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity on the success of the Overdose, Prevention and Awareness Canvassing Program, which has knocked on over 100,000 doors in Philadelphia and for earning recognition from the White House for its innovative and evidencebased public health approach to combating the overdose crisis. (Applause.)

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a non-privileged resolution calling on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish an oath of Public Healthcare Advocate within the Office of the Attorney General.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.

Council President, I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please -- the Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke.

Thank you, Mr. President. And for the record, happy belated birthday, sir.

Thank you, sir.

I have one privileged resolution to -- you're welcome. I have one privileged resolution to introduce.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.

A privileged resolution honoring the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, PABJ, for its 50th anniversary and ongoing commitment to serving Black journalists, increasing the number of Black media professionals in the Philadelphia area and combating racism in the media.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Morning, Mr. President. I have one bill for consideration.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill.

An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of an Automated Speed Enforcement System to Improve Safety," by providing for the use, administration and enforcement of automated speed cameras on State Route 13 within the boundaries of Philadelphia and amending the Internet website notice requirement, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, I offer one bill.

Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill.

An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.

Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions, but I do have a request for a leave of absence and on all bills and resolutions.

Leave is granted and the vote aye recorded will be duly noted. Thank you very much. The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for a report from the Committee on Law and government.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Law and Government reports out two bills and one resolution with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you. Would the Chief Clerk please read the report.

The Committee to which were referred the following bills and resolutions: Bill No. 240004, an ordinance amending Title 11 ("Streets") and Title 21 ("Miscellaneous") of The Philadelphia Code, to amend requirements concerning publication of notices and newspapers, all under certain terms and conditions. And Resolution No. 240834, a resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill and resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation. 240817, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills or resolutions to report from the Committee on Law and Government, Council President.

The Chair recognizes the Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of Bill Nos. 240004 and 240817 just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. The bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Resolution No. 240834 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you. Will the Chief Clerk please

The Committee on Streets and Services to which was referred the following bill: Bill No. 240931, an ordinance authorizing and directing the changing of the name of Taney Street to LeCount Street, from West Toronto Street to West Somerset Street; from Ridge Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue; from Master Street to Aspen Street; from Pine Street to Bainbridge Street, from Catherine Street to Christian Street, from Dickinson Street to Morris Street; and authorizing and directing the changing of the name of Taney Terrace from Point Breeze Avenue to Jackson Street to LeCount Terrace, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable further bills to report out from the Streets and Services Committee, Council President.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the first reading of this bill just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of Bill No. 240931 just read by the Chief Clerk at 2ND READING today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from Committees with the suspension of rules have been deemed to have been read a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading 2ND READING Calendar, the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.

Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 240974, 240978, 240979, 240980, 240981, 240985, 240990, 240992, 240993, 240994, 240997, 240999, 241000, 240499, 240656, 240661, 240613 and 240662. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 240724, 240242, 240427, 240612 and 240304.

Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving yourself -- by giving your name to Ms. Hasson at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Due to today's volume, the time limit will be 1 minute. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the one-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once your minute has passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter. I would now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.

May Kate Perez make her way to the podium. Albert Knight, Jenny Zhang and Aileen Haggerty also make their way to the podium please. (Witnesses approached podium.)

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

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.

Thank you so much, Council President. I just wanted to take a second to address all of us here, Councilpeople and the public, to say that public comment is a very important part of the work that we do. It is -- we don't always have to agree on the ideas that are being presented, but it's very important that we have this forum, that we listen to people and we give them the opportunity to be heard. As the former Director of the Commission on Human Relations, I know that even though issues could be fraught and hard and difficult to hear, that it's important that we all collectively work through it and that we give everybody the respect that they deserve in order to express themselves. And I for one and I believe my colleagues are all here for it. So thank you very much.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Would the Clerk please call the first speaker.

Kate Perez.

Many businesses in Philadelphia fall under non-conformities and there is no bigger offense than selling weapons to an illegal occupation that is targeting civilians with the intention of ethnically cleansing the indigenous population and selling their land. Keller Williams Realty has already been caught breaking international law by selling properties in the occupied West Bank. Israel is (inaudible) us into a nuclear war by bombing the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, and our mainstream presidential candidates have pledged to prolong their genocide at the expense of the American people. FEMA announced their $9 billion shortfall on the same day our government approved 8.7 billion in military funding for Israel. Last week I told you that Israel had the Indonesian Al Awda and Kamal Adwan Hospitals completely besieged. The IOF has since shelled all three hospitals. With Day & Zimmerman being the sole provider of Israel's three most used tank shells, who knows how many of these shells were purchased in Councilmember Young's District. How many civilian deaths could have been prevented if you had already shut down this non-conforming business. Just like Lozada convinced the landlord to evict Savage Sisters, O'Neill can stop the helicopters and Johnson can stop the AI-powered robot dogs from leaving the city. Philly teachers like Ridgeway are put on leave during a shortage for even discussing Gaza while our School Board runs into a private room to unanimously grant Keystone tax abatements to a weapons manufacturer to use our ports to ship even more weapons from our city. You have the power to evict these non-conforming businesses and save millions. The entire Council must call for a complete arms embargo and I invite other speakers to end their speeches with Free Palestine. (Applause.)

Albert Knight. Jenny Zhang and Aileen Haggerty and Rhicki Santos also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

All right. Good morning, everybody. My name's Albert Knight.

Begin, sir.

My name's Albert Knight and I'm here to tell my testimony because we need help. We need help. We need information in the communities about the drugs. The Fentanyl is killing everyone. And I have like eight family members and friends that's actually dead because of the Fentanyl. I was blessed to get help, but I couldn't find help. It was hard. It was really hard for me to even get help to fight. We need to knock on people's doors and let them know, you know. We need to like be up close in person and let them know because life is valuable. And I had a speech but I can't get to it. But, yes, we need a lot to help us fight Fentanyl. (Applause.)

Jenny Zhang. Aileen Haggerty, Rhicki Santos and Vivian Chang also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Thank you. Good morning. My name is Jenny Zhang and I live in Chinatown. I'm speaking to oppose Resolution 241000 that would create the neighborhood improvement district and start the process of destroying our Chinatown. As a member of the Chinatown community, I was appalled when I first found out about the so-called CBA. I know that this body tried to pass a resolution years ago that said in part that a CBA must be negotiated by communities. It was passed unanimously, which meant that both then Councilmember and now Mayor Cherelle Parker and Councilmember Mark Squilla believed in that bill. It was unfortunately vetoed by Mayor Kenney. Yet you are looking at the beginning of a process where legislation is being pushed forward without the consent or any agreement of the community most affected. Some of you say it is Chinatown's fault for not being at the table to negotiate CBAs. The only table that the city created was for the people who are pro-arena. The only seat we could even get at the table was to say, come take my home. So when CBAs were announced, that included a (inaudible) $5 million for our community, 1 million in the form of extra cleaning because of the arena that would create -- because of the trash that the arena would create, 3 million in the form of a loan for small businesses to offset the damage of the arena that won't begin until 2032 and our businesses will be already killed off by then. Vote no against 241000. Thank you. (Applause.)

My name is Aileen Haggerty. I live in the Whitman neighborhood in South Philadelphia. I'm a library worker and proud member of AFSCME District Council 33, but today I'm here speaking on my own behalf. I oppose Resolution 240999 because TIFs and PILOTs are financial instruments that allow billionaire developers to get away without paying property taxes. They will steal millions of dollars from critical City services. Why is Council giving handouts to billionaires instead of making sure that the City actually benefits? Philadelphia has aging facilities and an underpaid municipal workforce. The result of it closed libraries and understaff rec centers depriving all of us of the necessary spaces that provide safety and security for our City's residents. We heard earlier from Sunrise Movement speakers how important these spaces are. I'm a neighbor of Mifflin Square Park, a park that Councilmember Squilla consistently supports. We are finally getting a new playground that has taken multiple outside grants and a six-year process. Our community is literally jumping the fence to get to enjoy the safe and new space. If a development was threatening our park and neighborhood, we would be out there fighting it and I guarantee you Councilman Squilla would have our backs. This resolution advances the arena and that means it drains money from the pockets of the rich. All of these resolutions benefiting developers or supposedly causing less harm to Chinatown are unnecessary because the solution is right in front of us. Say no to the arena. (Applause.)

Rhicki Santos. Vivian Chang and Lorenzo Cannon Umpstead, please also make their way to the podium.

Hello. My name is Rhicki Santos and I'm a medical student here in Philadelphia. I oppose Resolution 241000. I got into medicine because I knew I wanted to be an advocate. I wanted to stand up for my patients and treat them holistically as opposed to just treating them as a disease or a symptom. And as a medical school student, I stand here today to advocate for them. This resolution rushes the arena through City Council, but we need City Council to put patient and public health over billionaire profits. It's absolutely unthinkable that the City is considering a project that would do so much harm to access to health care in this city. Arena traffic would gridlock vehicles in the exact intersections that ambulances travel through to get patients to the hospital to reach people in emergency. But it isn't just about patients. It's about blood for someone getting surgery. It's about organs for transplants. Organs and blood do not wait and they do not care if there's a basketball game. If the tissue dies, the patient receiving the organ also dies. Big money from one of the same developers building this arena already shut down one hospital in Center City and it made the work in other hospitals even more difficult. It harmed the lives of people seeking medical care in Philadelphia. An arena will certainly harm Chinatown but it will also have a negative impact on nearby hospitals. And I'm urging City Council today, please put patient health over profits. (Applause.)

Vivian Chang. Lorenzo Cannon Umpstead and Debbie Wei, also make their way to their podium.

Vivian Chang, resident of Chinatown North. I oppose this resolution, right, same as everyone else. This is stealing money from our city, right, trying to give $400 million in public subsidies even though the arena developers have said they're not going to take any public money. You got to see through the lie. This disgraceful deal does nothing for our city, our youth. We have students who go to schools in Philly, right, Academy of Palumbo, they've experienced multiple floods, electrical fires, gas leaks. It's disgusting. Our schools need $10 billion in repairs and what is Council considering, giving free money to billionaires. How does this do anything for anyone who really cares about Philly who's actually from here and isn't a billionaire developer who doesn't even live here? So I urge Council to vote no on these two resolutions. Vote no on 240999. Vote no on 241000. Instead give our schools air-conditioning, libraries, playgrounds, invest in our youth. (Applause.)

That's right. No to the arena. No to this crappy deal. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning, Council President, Council guests, Council neighbors and workers of the City of Philadelphia. Good morning. My name is Lorenzo Cannon Umpstead. I'm from 215 People's Alliance. I am a worker, a West Philadelphia native and a resident of West Philadelphia and a member of Black Philadelphia for Chinatown. I oppose Resolution 241000. The proposed Community Benefits Agreement is a joke. It makes a mockery out of what neighborhood improvement actually is and what it should look like in the city of Philadelphia in the year 2024. This process is way too rushed. This process and project is a reactionary response to the years of gross neighborhood negligence of the so-called leaders in the city, and the current Council needs to do is due diligence on this arena issue. Our city should not be pushing to a bad deal that mostly benefits the elite and wealthy developers. David Adelman, one of the Sixers' owners behind the arena has already done damage to our community. He's the CEO of Campus Apartments, which pushed out Black people out of the Black Bottom, which is the community I'm from. Josh Harris, another 76ers Place developer, might I add also the owner of the New Jersey Devils, owns the corporate investment firm that shut down Hahnemann Hospital. This arena will not create good jobs for Black workers. The Building Trades historically are ripe for racism in Philadelphia, and I can tell you that personally by how me and my people was treated outside of this building last Thursday. Okay. 80 percent of steel workers, 77 percent of sheet metal workers and 74 percent of carpet installers in the city are White, but Black people are the majority in our city. But shoutout to the Black guys on union jobs. Representation matters, right. Meanwhile in our city Black people are underrepresented and underpaid or they're overrepresented and underpaid and temporary jobs across the city -I'm about to wrap it up, big man. The work inside the arena at ticket counters and concession stands is highly seasonal and exploits workers by subjecting them to poverty wages, inequity and wage thefts. The kind of jobs that this arena will offer do not lift the people out of poverty. It would keep them trapped in it. My name is Lorenzo. Thank you. (Applause.)

Debbie Wei. May Kaia Chau, Jeremy Blatstein and Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

My name is Debbie Wei. I am an award-winning educator and principal, a lifelong Philadelphian, a community activist, the founder of Asian Americans United and the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School and a resident of the 2nd Councilmanic District for over 30 years. I'm here to ask you to delay any vote on resolutions related to advancing the Sixers Arena. Public hearings on this bill begin in less than two weeks. There is no reason to rush this process with so many questions remain outstanding. If even this reasonable request cannot be made, I ask you to use your vote as your voice and to vote no to both Resolution 240999 and 241000. Last week before I was dragged out of City Council and violently thrown out of City Hall for merely holding up a sign and chanting, I was enraged to hear Council President Johnson claim that there are channels through which you can be heard. For more than two years, we in Chinatown have begged to be heard. Not once have we had even the courtesy of a community meeting with the Mayor and community members. President Johnson, for over two years we requested visits with you. Not once have we had a meeting. Councilmember Squilla publicly promised he would give the community 30 days' notice before submitting legislation to advance the arena. Well, he did not give even one day notice on those resolutions or any of the bills he introduced last week, one of which doesn't even have text attached to it. It's blank. It's no surprise -- Council President Johnson, you did not return my call and I am your constituent. I ask for the time to be able to say what happened to me last week. Thank you. (Applause.)

The paper was blank and it is no surprise you have before you an arena deal and a CBA that the public considers a disgrace. Last Thursday counterterrorism police units patrolled your hallways. Building Trade union members harassed, shoved and spewed racial epithets at Asian community members. Up in the balcony young people, including my 22-year-old daughter and members of the public, had signs ripped out of their hands. Is this the people's house? Is this the public process you laud while it is our lives and our communities at stake? I am 67 years old. Many of you know me. I stood before you last year as I was honored by this very body for my life's work. But when I came here last week, I was treated as a target. Within a minute of my standing up, Sheriff's deputies yanked me out of my chair causing me to fall and told me it's time for you to go. Even though numerous people were chanting, they targeted no one but me. One deputy even pulled out his baton wielding it in a threatening manner towards someone who was worried for me. You know what they said to me on the elevator? Now, are you going to behave? I don't want to do this, but you need to behave. Do you know how it feels to be a woman of color in a closed isolated space hearing men with power that you need to behave? When we got to the first floor, they dragged me to the door and told security I was not allowed to re-enter the building. Then they shoved me outside and pulled the doors closed. I have never been this disrespected and I have protested in these chambers for decades. As personally hurt as I am by what happened, I feel like this is the way that Chinatown and communities all across this city have been treated, literally thrown out of here while you roll out the red carpet and rush a process you don't understand for a bunch of billionaires who will never live here, never send their kids to our schools and who would take as much as you will give. This morning when I signed in at the northeast entrance, security took my ID and called someone. While I waited outside the northeast entrance, John Fenton came out and asked me if I would behave today. If I didn't say I would, he wouldn't let me in. I asked him how he even knew me or that I was here, and he said he was called. I asked him why I was targeted and he said, Council President Johnson wanted quorum. Yes, this is American democracy at its best, a litany of telling women of color to behave. I was brutalized but not silenced. My community was ignored but not bowed. People are attempting to sell off our city to the lowest possible bidders. Who will you stand for? Don't vote yes today and come up to me afterward apologizing for this shameful and frankly unconstitutional process. Vote no. Bring common sense and some humanity to this body. The city is watching, the resistance is growing and your actions or lack of actions will not be forgotten. (Applause.)

Kaia Chau. And then Jeremy Blatstein, Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela and then Rainah Chambliss also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

My name is Kaia Chau. I am a founder of the Ginger Arts Center, a community youth and arts center in Chinatown. I ask you to use your vote as your voice and vote no on both Resolution Nos. 240999 and 241000, two bills relating to advancing the Sixers Arena which will start the process of destroying Chinatown. After months of being told by this body that you were waiting for the impact studies, the developer-funded studies came out a year late. The delay was their own fault, and yet there has not been a single hearing, a single briefing or a single question from this body about the findings, not one. Do you even know what the studies say? Do you even care that our 150-year-old community, the only social, cultural, spiritual, linguistically accessible community in the entire region for Asian Americans is being sacrificed for a billionaire land grab? Did you read the community impact study? It said there is evidence for indirect displacement of small businesses and low- and fixed-income individuals through gentrification and loss of cultural identity in Chinatown, and the arena should be considered a significant potential risk to Chinatown's core identity. And Chinatown's core identity could be significantly diminished or lost. You are responsible for ensuring that people can be heard regardless of the language they speak or the color of their skin. You are responsible for performing due diligence and looking deeply at the studies you said were waiting for before legislation can be considered. You are responsible for the fiduciary oversight of projects set to cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars. And, yes, you are responsible if you allow our 150-year-old community to be destroyed. You are responsible if you stifle free speech, trample on protests, refuse to meet with affected communities, choose to support a project that the vast majority of the city opposes. You are responsible to show young people like myself what it means to govern with integrity. Stop this shameful bullying, disguising legislative process and answer our questions before you allow this to continue. Vote no on these resolutions today. (Applause.)

Jeremy Blatstein, Marissa JohnsonValenzuela, Rainah Chambliss and Junior Brainard also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Hello, Philadelphia City Council. Happy belated birthday, Council President Johnson. My name is Jeremy Blatstein and I'm here in support of Bill No. 240978, which will move land out of the Philadelphia Land Bank to build homes through the Turn the Key program. The Turn the Key program is a successful program that is building homes for home ownership. The average person that has a Turn the Key home is paying $1,300 a month. That means that somebody making $22 an hour can afford that home. Part of the Turn the Key program is 40 minority developers. This is success. All right. Let's do it. Raise your hand if you wrote SEPTA to City Hall today. Not even you, Councilwoman? Councilwoman Gauthier, did you ride your broom today? No, didn't ride SEPTA today or just posted about it? Okay. Cool. Council President Johnson, we'll put that to another time. Councilman Jones, next week me and you are riding it together and then I'm going one-by-one. We're going to ride it together. The last piece I will say, the arena is good for Philadelphia. The stunt queen over here can say what she wants but that's not what happened. Bill Nos. 240999 and 241000 is the next step to really changing Market Street. Market Street around the Fashion District is a failing area and needs to change. The arena is what is going to be the catalyst for this, and I just want to say thank you for supporting this and moving it along through the process. Thank you.

Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, Rainah Chambliss, Junior Brainard and Hannah Sassaman. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Greetings. My name is Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela. I'm the secretary of the Faculty and Staff Union of Community College of Philadelphia. We at AFT 2026 share a vision of a Philadelphia for us all. We support what folks from Sunshine, folks from the Stop the Arena said. We don't think that Philadelphians should be -- anyway should be kept out of this. I'm kind of ad-libbing, but we are actually here though to thank all of you, the City Councilmembers, staffers and citizens for supporting Community College of Philadelphia, the college that educates the most Philadelphians. And our students are the college students in the city who are the most in need and deserving of our support. We thank you for your support on the resolution that's passing today. We thank you, your letters of support which we will take to our bargaining session tomorrow. Like many of you, we share a vision for Community College of Philadelphia for all working conditions, our learning conditions. And after four decades of disinvestment, the time has come to invest in faculty staff and students at Community College of Philadelphia. Again, we are Philly's college. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning. Rainah Chambliss, Co-president of the Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia. I'm speaking on behalf of 240974. It's an important resolution that was brought to this floor. With inflation and interest rates still on the rise, it's a wonder how anyone even survives. I will tell you a story. I'll keep it real short. At my previous job, the one I had before, after 12 years I was laid off making 45k and that was before getting my bonus pay. With a high school diploma and not one degree, I found myself temping at CCP. I applied and I landed a permanent spot excited and so glad I gave it a shot. But then came the offer. I lost some of that glow. I could not believe the rate was so low. And when I attempted to have some kind of say, I was told that I could not negotiate pay. So I took it because I really needed a job and I kept the part-time gig I did on the side. I liked the college, the work and I hoped for the best, thinking I'd get promoted like I did before this. If you're wondering what happened thinking how did she do, well, I have an Associate's and a Bachelor's too. As for pay I'll say this and you might be surprised, after 17 years my annual has not hit 45. There's an increase in funding that should increase our wage. There's a whereas it states, it's right on the page. So that is my story, yes, that is my tale. Thank you for making sure 240975 -4 prevails. Thank you. (Applause.)

Junior Brainard, Hannah Sassaman, Queen Judith Robinson and Ella Bruce also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Junior Brainard. Good morning. I'm Junior Brainard. I'm a faculty member at Community College of Philadelphia as well as Co-president of our local union AFT 2026, which represents 1200 faculty and staff and I'm here to testify in support of the resolution calling on the Board of Trustees at Community College of Philadelphia for increased wages for all faculty and staff. The working conditions of faculty and staff directly impact student learning conditions. What we want for ourselves is what we want for our students, dignity, respect and wages that allow families to thrive. The City Council of Philadelphia has allocated an additional 5 million in operating funding to CCP for this fiscal year, making the largest single-year increase in operating funding CCP has ever received. CCP is also sitting on an unprecedented $80 million in reserves. Unfortunately, Community College of Philadelphia's Board of Trustees has not yet directed their bargaining team to agree to any proposals in bargaining to use this money. We need to make CCP a place that can recruit and retain the talented and diverse faculty and staff our students need. Over half of staff at CCP do not make a living wage, which means most of our staff and many of our faculty work second and third jobs to make ends meet or leave the college for better jobs. Our students want to be able to show up and learn, but this is a challenge when their immediate needs for transportation and child care are not met. We need smaller class sizes, smaller caseloads and full staffing so that students get the support and learning conditions they need to graduate and move into their jobs in Philadelphia. And we oppose the arena in Chinatown because good jobs for ourselves and our students lift up rather than destroy communities. It's time for CCP's Board of Trustees to take concrete steps to provide support that our students, faculty and staff need each day by agreeing to three fair contracts. (Applause.)

Hannah Sassaman, Queen Judith Robinson, Ella Bruce and Lynn Landes. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Hello. My name is Hannah Sassaman. I live in West Philadelphia and I've worked at an office in Chinatown since about 2019. And I'm here in opposition to Resolution 241000. And I want to talk about this a little bit personally. I was hoping that Councilmember Squilla would be here, but I know this will be recorded so hopefully he'll see it too and to all of you. I've talked to a lot of you and a lot of your offices. I know how much you care about serving your constituents. I know how particularly important that is to Councilmember Squilla. He's incredibly responsive on email and really wants to help folks in the neighborhood. And I want to address you from that perspective and the love and care that you have for the city, the things that only you see and know about, like the place in the community where you see the flowers bloom in the spring. When we build an arena in Chinatown, we have a really strong chance of destroying all of those little things that people see and know and love and to create something that people really, really don't want. And I don't want all of the members of Council in 10, 20, 30 years when you're back as a private citizen to think and reflect that something that you cared about, that you loved, that those residents loved was destroyed because you didn't take the time to listen to them, so I hope that you will vote no against this resolution and any other resolutions that would authorize this arena quickly. Thank you. (Applause.)

Queen Judith Robinson, Ella Bruce, Lynn Landes and Noelle Foizen. (Witnesses approached podium.)