Good morning, Councilmen and Councilwomen. My name is Chris Carlone. I operate a housekeeping business in the City of Philadelphia. I 01:03:27 am here in opposition to Bill 210081 on behalf of the short-term rental ecosystem. While hosts, specifically problem hosts, are the target of this 01:03:36 bill, we're failing to acknowledge the collateral damage that all of the folks behind the scenes that make hosting possible would encounter. When a guest stays in a 01:03:45 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 property locally, my team of housekeepers clean it before and after a stay. The neighborhood handyman buys tools at the local hardware store to make the repairs. 01:03:53 The laundromat down the street cleans the linens. Local trash removal contractors handle excess trash. Local baristas serve guests coffee. The list goes on and on. 01:04:05 Without providing us, your local experts, the opportunity to share our insight into this bill, a blanket ruling such as this would negatively impact working families across the City. 01:04:14 My staff, for example, consists of 90 percent single mothers. The staff members earn on average $22 per hour as a housekeeper on a W2. We pay our business taxes to the City. We pay our employment 01:04:28 taxes. We provide labor contracts to each staff member as required by the City. We do our part to uphold the community so that we can feed our families with the earnings our hard work 01:04:38 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 produces. This bill would decimate many roles for hard-working families that I have mentioned here before you. 01:04:44 Collectively, the constituents before you have served millions of guests, and we're experts at what we do. From vetting guests to preventing parties, to self-policing community standards, we're 01:04:56 here to say we want to help the City get rid of its bad actors while working together to save thousands of jobs. We're here at your disposal to share knowledge and methodologies that 01:05:05 have worked well in other cities, and we're preparing self-policing actions and community-based activities to promote responsible hosting. I ask that the Council simply 01:05:13 pause this before proceeding and ask themselves if they benefit from speaking with local experts to understand how we can all better work together to protect our city and continue to responsibly host 01:05:23 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 guests and their families. Thanks for your time.
Thank you for your testimony. We 01:05:29 appreciate it.
Yes. Hello. My name is Robert Nunez -- yes. Hi. Can 01:05:41 you hear me?
Yes. No problem. Thank you, City Council. My name is 01:05:49 Robert Nunez and I'm in opposition of Bill 210081. As an owner/operator here in the City of Philadelphia, I was on call the last time that this call took place 01:05:59 and listening today, and one of the things I think that's being missed is, we as the residents of Philadelphia, the homeowners and the taxpayers and the voters, we also have regular rentals that 01:06:11 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 we provide to the working individuals or to families in the City. But when we encounter problems with these individuals, with these tenants, they may 01:06:21 have their birthday parties, their parties, their events, their problems at home, whatever the case is, these situations can go on for years at a time with one tenant and one property. 01:06:31 Whereas, being a short-term renter and operator, we can actually remedy the situation instantly by removing a bad actor in a property at that moment. That can happen with our regular tenant. And 01:06:43 sometimes, as the gentleman a couple of slots earlier was saying about being in support of the bill and ending short-term rental in some of the neighborhoods, that's not actually correct, because many 01:06:55 neighborhoods are improving because of the different diversity and magnitude of different types of people that are coming through the communities, supporting the local businesses, supporting the 01:07:05 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 businesses and the operators who are hiring people that are from the community. It's a ripple effect. As the gentleman right before me said, it's an 01:07:12 ecosystem. Short-term rentaling is not a fad. It's not something that just passes by. It's a way of life. Individuals find themselves displaced because of 01:07:22 emergencies and they wind up relocating to a short-term rental situation until they get back on their feet and they get their family lives back together again. People relocating for work, people 01:07:30 selling a property and waiting for the next property to buy to move in with their families, individuals coming to visit the City, people coming to work in the City. 01:07:38 It's not a tourism party vibe mentality. It's unfair to couple short-term rentaling with a student rental dorm mentality of our college kids have parties and events. That is not 01:07:49 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 happening in the majority of the places. We understand that there are minimal cases, but we want to support short-term rentals. 01:07:58 Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker 01:08:04 is Anna Lopez, commenting on 210081.
Good morning. COUNCIL SUPPORT: She is not on the -- sorry, President. She is not on 01:08:17 the line. The next person on the line is Dohrman.
Sam Oropeza. 01:08:34 COUNCIL SUPPORT: He's also not on the line.
Yes. Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Dave 01:08:48 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Dohrman. I'm calling in reference to Bill No. 210434, a former resident of Philadelphia. I lived there until 1972. My father gave his life in the line of 01:09:01 service as an officer in Philadelphia. I'm calling in reference to the health benefits and the obvious benefits of this bill. I'm an RN now. Just to give you a little overview of what would 01:09:18 increase the health of the officers doing in training, improve cardiovascular health, improve conditioning, balance, agility, would increase strength and confidence in the officers. The health 01:09:31 benefits go on and on, including decrease of heart disease, stroke, and other diseases like diabetes, lower cholesterol. You're saving a ton in healthcare costs, and that benefits 01:09:45 almost immediately. If you want to take the streets of Philadelphia back, you have to take the cuffs off of the officers and let them do what they're trained to do. 01:09:57 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 I appreciate your time on this, and I expect that this bill would improve community relations and lower, decrease the levels and incidences of lethal force 01:10:14 that are needed. Thank you very much. Appreciate your consideration on this.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. COUNCIL SUPPORT: She is not on the line, nor is Jennifer. The next one 01:10:37 is Strauss.
Good morning. State your name for the record. 01:10:47 Please proceed with your testimony.
Hello. My name is Christopher Strauss. To confirm, I did not -- this is just a random call, so I wasn't expecting to speak, but I think 01:10:58 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 that this bill is very important to get passed. We should be equipping the Philadelphia police force with as many tools as possible so they can come into 01:11:09 situations without having to necessarily use lethal force but have the tools equipped to help them solve situations that they need to use force, right? Not everything calls for a gun, but having 01:11:27 the ability to utilize jujitsu or specialize in some of the martial arts could really help some situations out. Like the gentleman said before, we absolutely have to uncuff our police 01:11:37 officers, let them start cleaning up our streets of Philadelphia, because they are slowly becoming very dangerous and -yes. That's really my testimony. You guys should definitely pass this. It's 01:11:51 kind of common sense.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good 01:12:03 morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. COUNCIL SUPPORT: Council President, the next two are also not on the line, so the next one would be 01:12:12 Rachel.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. 01:12:20
Good morning. My name is Rachel Gallegos. I'm a senior staff attorney at Community Legal Services. I work in the Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit at CLS. Thank 01:12:32 you so much for the opportunity to comment in support of Resolution 210513 urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to appropriate the full $350 million from the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund as 01:12:47 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 soon as possible without imposing additional restrictions. On behalf of its low-income homeowner clients, CLS is grateful for 01:12:55 Council's leadership in fighting to ensure that Philadelphia remains the city of homeowners. We are especially grateful for Councilmember Parker's stalwart leadership on this issue and 01:13:08 thank her for authoring this resolution. Over 70,000 homeowners across Pennsylvania are now seriously delinquent on their mortgages because of the pandemic, including tens of thousands 01:13:16 here in Philadelphia. Fortunately, help is on the way. The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March includes $350 million in funding for Pennsylvania to help low- and moderate-income 01:13:31 homeowners who have been affected by the pandemic. This money will truly be a lifesaver for homeowners who have lost jobs, tax savings, and borrowed money from family and friends in order to avoid 01:13:42 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 foreclosure. But now Harrisburg needs to take two important steps. First, the General Assembly must pass an 01:13:49 appropriations bill sending the money to PHFA to administer the program. Second, state policymakers need to draft and submit a plan on how to spend the money. This must be done by the end of this 01:14:02 month. What exactly will this money mean for homeowners? It will mean that restaurant servers who lost hours, fell behind on their mortgages but are now 01:14:11 back to work can get help paying off back mortgage arrears and save their homes. It will mean that the senior with the reverse mortgage who helped her grandchildren during the pandemic but is 01:14:22 now facing a foreclosure of her own because she wasn't able to keep up with the taxes and insurance will get help to repay those debts and save her home. It will mean the family who has 01:14:34 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 had to cut back on work when their childcare provider closed, only to rack up hundreds of dollars in unpaid water, gas, and electric bills, will get help 01:14:42 coming current on their utilities. And it will mean that homeowners, especially homeowners of color who have been nearly twice as likely as White homeowners to become 01:14:51 unemployed during the pandemic, will be able to save their homes. In short, it will mean that thousands of homeowners, not just in Philadelphia but across Pennsylvania who 01:15:00 suffered economic hardship through no fault of their own, will receive assistance. But homeowners will not be able to access the Homeowner Assistance Fund until the General Assembly acts. 01:15:11 Once again, Community Legal Services, on behalf of its low-income homeowners, thanks Councilmember Parker for introducing this resolution and urges that the resolution be adopted because 01:15:21 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 although help is on the way, Philadelphia homeowners are running out of time and swift state action is desperately needed. Thank you so much. 01:15:32
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good 01:15:39 morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. My name is Adam Goldman. I'm a housing 01:15:46 counselor at the Philadelphia Unemployment Project. I'm here to speak in support of Resolution 210513 calling on the PA General Assembly to appropriate the full $350 million from the federal 01:15:57 Homeowner Assistance Fund as soon as possible. I'd like to thank you for allowing me this time to speak, and I would particularly like to thank 01:16:05 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Councilwoman Parker for her leadership on this issue and for fighting to protect struggling homeowners in Philadelphia. Since the beginning of the 01:16:12 COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of homeowners across the state have fallen behind on their mortgages. According to an April 2021 Black Knight report, even as national mortgage delinquency rates 01:16:23 have begun to lower in recent months, there are still four times as many mortgages that are 90 days or more past due as there were prior to the pandemic. While things are slowly 01:16:30 improving for homeowners, we're far from out of the woods, but now we have a lifeline coming in the form of $350 million slated for Pennsylvania through the Homeowner Assistance Fund, 01:16:42 which is part of the American Rescue Plan. The fund is intended to help homeowners avoid foreclosure by paying their delinquent mortgages, real estate taxes, utilities, and other related 01:16:51 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 expenses. It's going to take time for this program to get up and running. The state has to submit a plan to the U.S. Treasury, and Treasury has to approve the 01:17:01 plan. And as we all know, programs like this take time to set up before they can begin taking applications. This is why we can't afford any unnecessary delays. Part of the process in our 01:17:11 state is that the General Assembly has to appropriate the funds, and the PA General Assembly goes home for the summer at the end of June. This is why we are urging them to appropriate the funds by 01:17:20 June 30th without additional restrictions so that the state can start getting money out to struggling homeowners as soon as possible. This past year has been 01:17:29 extremely difficult, and even as many homeowners entered into forbearance agreements with their mortgage companies, they saw their delinquencies grow higher and higher each month, while the pandemic 01:17:38 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 grounded the economy to a halt. Now these homeowners need a lifeline, and they need it without delay. So thank you, Councilwoman 01:17:45 Parker, for introducing this resolution, and thank you to the rest of City Council for lending your support to homeowners across the City and State.
01:17:54 Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good 01:18:06 morning. State your name for the record and please proceed -- just please proceed -
Okay. Hi. Yes. I am speaking today as a member of POWER Interfaith and as a former School 01:18:19 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 District teacher in support of the fair funding resolution. Many histories try to tell us that 1954 was the year that schools were 01:18:27 funded equally, but anywhere you look at Pennsylvania's schools shows that racial inequality persists. So why is this? The first reason is there's not enough state funding. Pennsylvania only 01:18:39 contributes about 35 percent, which is less than almost any state, and leaves local districts to pick up the slack. This includes us in Philly. Not only is there not enough funding, but the funding 01:18:53 is racially biased. Districts with more White students receive more than their fair share of funding. Districts with more Black and Brown students receive less. 01:19:03 Racial disparity in funding exists even when poverty is taken into account. And even more enraging, a fair funding formula has been created. About six years ago, the Funding Commission in 01:19:15 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Harrisburg made a budget that took into account the number of students, wealth, and local taxing capacity, multilingualism, and population to our 01:19:24 city, and this would eliminate racial disparities, but 90 percent of the funding does not go through this formula. So what does this mean for students in our district? Philadelphia 01:19:34 is hugely shortchanged. We would get $400 million this year if money was fairly distributed, over 2 billion in the past six years since the funding formula was passed. 01:19:46 Resources matter and adequate funding boosts students' performance. We know that Lower Merion schools right across City Line are funded almost twice as much as Philadelphia's. 01:19:56 Teaching in our schools, it was clear that we did not have the resources students should have, a part-time nurse when students in my class had full-time diabetes, inheriting a classroom library 01:20:07 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 with empty shelves. Class sizes would always push the limit. Instead, counselors and nurses, music and arts and technology, smaller 01:20:16 class sizes, healthy school buildings, this is what we expect. We call on City Council today to use your force in demanding that young people in Philly receive fair education funding. 01:20:26 Thank you to the Councilmembers who introduced the resolution and to all for your time and consideration.
Thank you for your testimony. We 01:20:35 appreciate it.
Good morning. I'm Reverend McKinley Sims. I'm also a former teacher and basketball coach, though I serve the Church of the Restoration in Mount Airy right now, and 01:20:54 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 I'm writing in support of 210516 calling on the General Assembly to provide the full fair funding to all K through 12 schools in Pennsylvania. 01:21:05 In my classroom when I was a teacher, I had a saying that fair ain't equal. And when we call on the General Assembly to provide fair funding, that means that it may not be equal and that 01:21:15 means that White folks like me may see less dollars going to their schools, and that might feel like discrimination, but, y'all, that is in fact equity in action. There's been a lot of buzz 01:21:29 words around equity this past year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity means everyone gets what they need to thrive, and those who have enough don't get no more. 01:21:45 Sometimes love in my business looks like sacrifice and sometimes love looks like not getting exactly what you want, but love always looks like justice. Friends, this is our chance, a 01:21:58 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do the right thing, the moral thing. So as a former basketball coach, I am urging City Council to use your voice, put the ball 01:22:08 in Harrisburg's court, and don't let up on a John Chaney-like press. History has its eyes on us, so let us demand the right thing be done and let's do the right thing for our kids. 01:22:20 Just as fair doesn't mean equal, we also have a saying y'all means all. So when I say "y'all," I'm talking about all of us and for all of our kids. History has its eyes on us. Let's do the 01:22:35 right thing. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it. 01:22:42
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony. 01:22:53 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 (No response.)
Yes, I am 01:23:08 connected. I am Cherron Perry-Thomas and I am the co-founder of (connection issues) --
Okay. 01:23:32 Perfect. Yes. I am Cherron Perry-Thomas and I am the co-founder of DACO, the Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities, and we've hosted a 01:23:42 cannabis conference at Temple University for Black and Brown communities, exposing them to the opportunities in cannabis since 2018. As the social equity advocate 01:23:55 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 for All Together Now PA, we are working to create a local supply chain and ownership throughout the State of Pennsylvania, especially in cannabis. 01:24:04 I'm for Bill 210206 sponsored by Councilmember Derek Green. This legislation will give the voters of Philadelphia a voice to call on the Governor and the Pennsylvania General 01:24:20 Assembly to de-criminalize, to regulate, and to tax the sale of cannabis to adults over the age of 21, just like our neighboring Mid-Atlantic states. As an MBA candidate in the 01:24:35 pharmaceutical and healthcare minoring in cannabis program at the University of the Sciences, we often analyze the growth of the industry as this business expands rapidly across the state. Between 01:24:48 April 2020 and March 2021, medical cannabis brought in $909.4 million with the state's medical program. We have one of the best in the country, and that definitely should be guarded. 01:25:05 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Nationally adult-use segments dominate the cannabis market, bringing in over 60 percent revenue shares from adult-use cannabis. What would this 01:25:17 revenue increase look like for our city, for our state? Maine just reached nearly $5.4 million last year just in one month, the month of May. This is a real 01:25:30 opportunity for our community to benefit from the taxation created by a regulated market. I ask City Councilmembers to look at the surrounding states like 01:25:41 Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, and I urge them to have Harrisburg create an equitable policy. I'm Cherron Perry-Thomas, and I thank you for this opportunity to speak 01:25:57 today.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker 01:26:04 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 is Tauhid Chappell, commenting on 210206 and 210215.
Good morning. State your name for the record 01:26:13 and please proceed with your testimony.
My name is Tauhid Chappell, he/him pronouns. I'm testifying in support for Bill 210206 sponsored by Councilmember Derek Green. For the past decade, I've been 01:26:32 using marijuana as a patient to help with my autoimmune deficiency disorder called ulcerative colitis. Beyond being a medical marijuana patient, I'm also a Philadelphia cannabis journalist who has 01:26:40 reported on ongoing injustices and inequities within the multi-billion-dollar cannabis industry. My recent op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on 4/20 laid a case 01:26:49 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 for our city and the state to consider legalization. I've also worked at a local medical marijuana dispensary in Philly 01:26:56 and have served hundreds of medical marijuana patients who have suffered from various illnesses and used the plant to find relief. Given all of this, I am here to 01:27:04 explain my support for this bill as well as the many organizers that's part of the new Philadelphia Cannabis Business Association, PCBA, an association that is organizing to reverse the stigma of 01:27:14 marijuana through education, advocate for truth on the plant using information that is grounded in science, fact, and history and repair the harm that the failed war on drugs has inflicted on Black and Brown 01:27:22 communities in the City. Bill 210206 is common sense. I believe it allows Philadelphians to engage in the best form of democracy and deliberation, using their constitutional 01:27:34 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 right of vote to show whether they truly want Harrisburg to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. 01:27:39 To inhibit Philadelphians from even weighing in on this important issue reminds me of voter disenfranchisement, something that we are seeing across the country right now and something that I 01:27:47 think our city prides itself on actively fighting against. I'll wrap up my support for Bill No. 210206 with a few facts for consideration. It's a fact that across 01:27:56 Pennsylvania, nearly 60 percent of the bills support the complete legalization of marijuana, according to Muhlenberg College this year. However, we don't have any specific data for Philly, but we 01:28:05 should. This year, Leafly, one of the most reputable cannabis news outlets in the country, said that a fully legal Pennsylvania market could see 2.3 to 01:28:12 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 3.3 billion in revenue within three to five years, which translates to roughly 500 million in annual tax revenue and would support between 33,000 and 47,000 01:28:22 legal cannabis jobs. If that legal cannabis market existed today, Pennsylvania would be America's third largest cannabis industry, behind only California and Colorado. 01:28:32 The question is, where does Philadelphia stand and where will Philly be when legalization happens? Let Philadelphians decide if we want and are ready for legalization. National and 01:28:42 state data shows which way the wind is blowing. Let the City make a statement and make it clear for all to see where we stand in November. Please support and pass Bill 210206. 01:28:50 PCBA is here to help change the narrative on cannabis. Thank you for your time and consideration.
01:28:58 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Tayyib Smith, commenting on 210206 and 01:29:05 210215.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed.
Good morning. My 01:29:17 name is Tayyib Smith. I'm a Philadelphia resident, third generation. I'm also a partner in The Collective, Smith and Rollerare, and Little Giant Creative. Today I'm speaking on behalf of All 01:29:27 Together Now PA where I serve as a founding Advisory Board member to my friend and colleague, Judy Wicks. I'm going to be brief. A couple things I think everyone should be 01:29:38 aware of. Nationally it's estimated that the cannabis legal sales was $7.5 billion. That's a rise from $12.1 billion last year -- I'm sorry; in 2019. 01:29:53 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 In Pennsylvania, Black and Brown cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are where African American entrepreneurs have the least amount of 01:30:04 market share. We are in a transformative time in history where the cannabis market is actually one of the few spaces where people have the ability to create wealth. Also, I will say since the 01:30:17 1990s, the lion's share of people who have been locked up, incarcerated, and suffered from illogical laws having to do with cannabis have been African American. So I implore a predominantly 01:30:28 POC Council to move forward and de-criminalize this, because it has the potentiality to affect us in a positive perspective as entrepreneurs if we hold Harrisburg accountable and make these 01:30:42 policies actually equitable, but it is absolutely absurd to continually penalize particularly African Americans for something that is widely accepted throughout culture. We make songs about 01:30:55 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 it. We make funny movies about it. We laugh when my children smoke weed in a place like Lower Merion and they probably get a ride home, but in Philadelphia 01:31:04 through laws like stop and search, African Americans are penalized and then monetized for something that we should no longer hold to. I thank you for your time and I 01:31:15 thank you, Councilmember Derek Green, for bringing this to our attention, and I implore you to move forward in a progressive way that's beneficial to the citizens of Philadelphia. 01:31:27 Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker 01:31:31 is Bill Cobb, commenting on 210206 and 210215.
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony. 01:31:41 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021
Bill Cobb. Peace and love. I'm calling to support Bill No. 210206 introduced March 11th by 01:31:47 Councilmember Derek Green. As a lifelong resident of 51 years in the City of Philadelphia, a former member of the City of Philadelphia Special Committee of Criminal Justice 01:32:00 Reform, and then my last position as a National Deputy Director at the American Civil Liberties Union where I ran their largest campaign to reduce our nation's jails and prison populations in half 01:32:11 while combatting racial disparities in the criminal system, I implore us to give the voters in the City of Philadelphia an opportunity to express their political will and send that message to the 01:32:21 Governor and to the state legislature so that we don't have to speak about the anecdotal evidence that we have of wanting legalization here in the City of Philadelphia and the State of 01:32:32 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Pennsylvania, but so that the voters of Philadelphia will be able to demonstrate their political will and our desire to transform our city, our quality of life, 01:32:40 increase public safety, and stop hunting, catching or killing people for their love and their relationship with a plant. As a disabled veteran who is now a cannabis user as the medical side, 01:32:52 I would greatly appreciate other individuals who don't have the money to engage in the medical program and who don't have medical disabilities that have been designated by doctors to have the 01:33:05 opportunity to engage in recreational usage, and the opportunity for us to go to the polls in November and demonstrate that I think will powerfully transform our inability to take advantage of this 01:33:19 once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get ahead of so many states, legalize it on the medicinal side, legalize it on the recreational side, and also contribute positively to stopping the hunting, 01:33:32 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 catching, killing of Black and Brown people in marginalized neighborhoods and communities that have been most eviscerated by the brutal assaults and 01:33:40 attacks of the war on drugs in our communities and neighborhoods. So once again, I'm in support of the legislation. I ask you all to do so as well. 01:33:49 Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed.
Good morning. My 01:34:04 name is Judy Wicks. I live in Philadelphia in the 8th Ward. I am speaking in favor of Bill 210206. I am a retired entrepreneur and the founder of All Together Now Pennsylvania, a 01:34:19 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 non-profit with a mission to relocalize supply chains producing our basic needs, including food, clothing, building materials, and plant medicines. Our work 01:34:28 includes the Pot Profits for Pennsylvanians Project, PPPP, which advocates state legislation for legalizing adult-use cannabis that is regulated and taxed to benefit Black and 01:34:40 Brown communities imaged by the failed war on drugs, as well as to benefit our small rural farmers. Currently the medical marijuana industry in our state is almost 01:34:46 exclusively owned by an oligarchy of distant corporations, which means that last year nearly $910 million in medical marijuana sales went from the pockets of Pennsylvania consumers to multi-state 01:34:56 corporations, headquarters in such places as Florida and Chicago. We cannot allow this to happen with the regulation of non-medical adult-use cannabis. Too much is at stake. 01:35:08 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 The referendum to put the question of de-criminalization, regulation, and taxation on the November ballot is important because Philadelphia 01:35:14 citizens will become aware of the issue, engage in conversation, and begin to make our voices heard on this important issue. And we must continue to organize and speak out to the state legislature that 01:35:23 this new industry must benefit Philadelphia citizens and not the outside multi-state corporations that currently control the medical marijuana market. I view cannabis prohibition as 01:35:35 yet another form of White supremacy used to repress, punish, and hold back our citizens because of the color of their skin. This must stop and, in its place, legislation be designed to lift up these 01:35:45 same communities by directing economic opportunity in this new industry to the people who have suffered unjustly from prohibition. After legalization of adult 01:35:53 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 use, cannabis sales in Pennsylvania are estimated to be $2 to $3 billion a year. Let's organize Philadelphians to demand equitable legislation. Placing a 01:36:01 referendum on the November ballot is a great first step to start that citywide conversation and make our voices heard. Thank you.
01:36:09 Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good 01:36:23 morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony. COUNCIL SUPPORT: Council President, they are not on the line.
Hello. Good afternoon, and thank you, Council. I appreciate the opportunity to talk. I am Ron Millward, the founder of Balanced 01:36:47 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Veterans. We are a non-profit educating, advocating, and empowering veterans on the use of alternative therapies for their health and transition from service. 01:36:57 I myself am a disabled combat veteran 100 percent. I live in Roxborough, Pennsylvania, and cannabis has completely changed my life. It has allowed me -- excuse me. I'm getting a 01:37:09 bit emotional. Excuse me. I just came from an emergency dental appointment, and without cannabis, I would have not been able to get there to deal with my PTSD and my anxiety and then to be able to 01:37:23 have this phone call. So I am grateful for this, but this plant is very powerful and it has been used to really just be a tool of control, and we need to have full access. We are not able to access this. 01:37:36 The cost and affordability is not there. Why can we not be able to have license for maybe a disabled veteran to get into the program to be able to have an opportunity to also make a life for 01:37:50 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 themselves. I believe that the de-criminalization is at the forefront of what must happen right now for cannabis, 01:37:57 and I believe that the legislation should be on the next ballot. And I appreciate your time. Thank you so much.
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. 01:38:21 My name is Dyana Williams. I am calling regarding Resolution 210515. Greetings, President Clarke, distinguished members of City Council, and much respect to Councilwoman at-large Katherine Gilmore 01:38:34 Richardson. She has presented to Council 210515 in consideration to acknowledge Philadelphia June Black Music Month. Forty-two years ago, June 7th, 1979, President Jimmy Carter, at the 01:38:52 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 encouragement of the Black Music Association, hosted a celebratory event on the south lawn of the White House with performances by Billy Eckstine, Chuck 01:39:00 Berry, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Andrae Crouch, Sara Jordan Powell, Philly's own Emma Feste (ph) conducted by Dexter Wansel. That day, the President declared June as Black Music Month, a period of 01:39:13 time where we could reflect on the enormous contributions of Black creators of America's indigenous musical art forms and this multi-billion-dollar industry. In fact, President Biden just released a 01:39:28 proclamation stating June is Black Music Month and suggested that all of our citizens celebrate it as one of our greatest exports around planet earth. As co-founder of Black Music 01:39:41 Month with Ed Wright and notable Philadelphian Rock and Roll Hall of Famer inductee and multiple Grammy winner Kenny Gamble, we wish to celebrate Philadelphia's illustrious legacy, past 01:39:55 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 and present. As a music mecca since our country's very founding, The Sound of Philadelphia is a well-received entity 01:40:02 that has been appreciated by many music lovers. We are encouraging City Council to recognize the music community, the Recording Academy known to many as the organization that produces the Grammy 01:40:15 awards, with our new President, Donn T. We want to applaud all of those mentioned in this resolution and all others whose names were not included, but we ask that City Council celebrate and join 01:40:27 Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson's resolution to have Philadelphia annually recognize June as Black Music Month. Thank you so much, President Clarke. Thank you, Katherine Gilmore 01:40:38 Richardson, for your leadership in this regard. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your 01:40:45 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 testimony. We appreciate it.
I am Donn T. Good morning. Good morning, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, President Clarke, and highly regarded Councilmembers. What an 01:41:02 honor to speak with you today. As the newly elected President for the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter, known as the Grammys, I represent music creators and music professionals in the 01:41:15 Philadelphia community. I represent all music creators in my chapter, and I represent the culture, Black music, my own and my family's grand contributions to Black music history. 01:41:31 My late father is the legendary Philly singer Lee Andrews. My brother is legendary drummer QuestLove of The Roots, both of whom are Philly Walk of Fame Avenue of the Arts inductees. 01:41:47 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 I come to my present leadership position within the Recording Academy as a songwriter, vocalist, touring performer, producer, label owner, author, 01:41:57 and entrepreneur. I run my own recording studio. Creativity is what informs my world. As President of the Chapter, it is my duty to not only see that the 01:42:07 rights of music-makers be protected but more, to see that music creators be celebrated, to see that the most innovative of these be illuminated and elevated, and it is for this reason I 01:42:21 give my full and entire support to the Resolution 210515 before you and ask you, esteemed members of Council, for your consideration in recognizing June as African American Music Appreciation Month 01:42:37 or, as we all know it, Black Music Month. I am honored to have been extended the invitation to speak today alongside past President Curtis (connection issues) of my Philly Board 01:42:49 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 and Black Music Month founder Dyana Williams. Thank you all for your time and attention. 01:42:56
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Laurin Talese, commenting on 210515. 01:43:05
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. COUNCIL SUPPORT: Council President, they are not on the line. 01:43:16
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. (No response.)
Helen Bruner. 01:43:43 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 (No response.)
Good morning. Good day, everyone. My name is Carol Riddick and I am in support, fully in support, of Resolution 210515. I am a 01:44:01 vocalist, a songwriter, an educator, a renaissance woman, and a staunch advocate for the arts and artists. I want to begin by thanking Councilwoman at-large Katherine Gilmore 01:44:14 Richardson for presenting this resolution to recognize June as Black Music Month. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is rich with longstanding contributions from African American culture, and I feel that 01:44:28 recognition from the city in which the concept of Black Music Month was born is the perfect catalyst for support, for acknowledgment of our culture, its contributions, both artistic and 01:44:41 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 economically, and to the encouragement to educate about the diversity in Black music from which our city, our country, the world has and continues to benefit. 01:44:53 I'd also like to recognize and thank President Darrell Clarke. I ask that you strongly consider and do support. Why not take pride as the birthplace of what is Black Music Month. 01:45:08 I'd just like to say Happy Black Music Month to you all. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. 01:45:17 Appreciate it.
There are no other speakers -COUNCIL SUPPORT: Council President, we have Bruner on the line. 01:45:23
Yes. This is Helen Bruner speaking, and I'd like to 01:45:33 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 say thank you so much for honoring the rich culture of African American music and what we have contributed as a people here in America with soul, R&B, hip-hop, 01:45:43 jazz, gospel, house, bebop. It is wonderful to be recognized by our City of Philadelphia, Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, and we are happy to be here, even though it's virtual and on the 01:46:00 phone, but I'd like to thank our city so much for honoring. And I'm born and raised here. My grandmother is born and raised here. My grandfather was born and raised here, and they all were amazing 01:46:11 musicians. And thank you to Dyana Williams, Mr. Gamble, and also Chaka Fattah. Thank you so much, and I'm done. 01:46:21
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We really appreciate it.
I believe there are no other speakers, Mr. President. 01:46:33 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021
No more? Okay. Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment session, and we're now going to 01:46:41 proceed with our Calendar. We're now going to consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. So I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all of the resolutions on the Consent 01:46:58 Agenda, and after each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Council President, may I be recognized? 01:47:14 (Pause.)
Thank you, Council President. I respectfully ask 01:47:40 that Bill No. 210204 be added to the Final Passage Calendar for today, please.
It's a bill, 01:48:02 Mr. President. I'll add it to the regular Final Passage Calendar.
And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. Councilwoman, did you want to be recognized?
Yes. 01:48:15 Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to be recognized quickly on a resolution that is on the Consent Agenda for today. I wanted to personally acknowledge and thank Folasade -- we know her as Sade -- 01:48:25 for her service on the Board of Trustees for the Free Library of Philadelphia. And, again, we know her as our former colleague and our trusted partner in Council while she was working under your 01:48:38 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 leadership, Mr. President, as our CFO, but she was also a professor and mentor to our former CFO, Matt Stitt, and she was really an invaluable cog in the wheel 01:48:49 relative to the machinations of our City Council and City government. And with all of her robust financial experience across agencies not only here in the City of Philadelphia but during her time in 01:49:03 Birmingham, Alabama, Councilmember Green, National League of Cities, she has truly become a valued partner and a real value add to the Board. And right now we know Sade as our government relations partner 01:49:18 at American Airlines, but she's also served on the Library's Board and has co-led their efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we know that that will be a real integral part of 01:49:30 ensuring that the Free Library of Philadelphia continues to center the voices of its employees and all the patrons at the Library. But yet with all of this experience, Mr. President, her 01:49:41 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 and valued role is mother to Yemi. So, Mr. President, as a former teen leadership assistant in the LEAP 01:49:49 program at Wynnefield Library 20 years ago this year and as a fellow working mom, it truly brought me great joy to introduce this resolution on behalf of Sade with her elevation to Board 01:50:02 President. And I just wanted to make those remarks prior to the resolution being voted on during the Consent Agenda. Thank you, Mr. President.
01:50:13 Thank you, Councilwoman. Awesome, awesome lady. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution 01:50:27 Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of -- Mr. President, the Clerk has to read the title for us. 01:50:37 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021
You stopped mid-script, Mr. President. If we could 01:50:42 take that from the top, that would be good.
I'm really having a moment today. I'll just start over again. I 01:50:52 will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Resolution Consent 01:50:59 Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda, da-da-da-da-da. We will now read the titles of 01:51:09 the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 210257, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and congratulating Folasade 01:51:18 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 on her election as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Free Library of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 210512, entitled 01:51:28 a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal 01:51:36 Area, identified by house number and street address as 1221 through 1225 North Fourth Street"; and Resolution No. 210513, entitled a "Resolution urging the Pennsylvania 01:51:47 General Assembly to appropriate the full $350 million from the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund as soon as possible without imposing additional restrictions"; and 01:51:55 Resolution No. 210515, entitled a "Resolution recognizing June as African American Music Appreciation Month to celebrate the African American musical influences that comprise an essential 01:52:05 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 our nation's treasured cultural heritage"; and Resolution No. 210519, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the 01:52:13 Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the 01:52:17 buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Seventh Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to 01:52:28 the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties"; and Resolution No. 210520, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to 01:52:36 execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon 01:52:40 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 the Seventh Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to 01:52:47 the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties"; and Resolution No. 210521, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2216 01:52:58 North 3rd Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 210522, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1905 01:53:07 North Philip Street and 1909 North Lawrence Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 210526, entitled a "Resolution honoring the business 01:53:17 owners of color receiving Comcast RISE Investment Fund grants and in-kind support and recognizing that businesses owned by people of color are key to equitable growth and recovery in 01:53:28 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 210528, entitled a "Resolution recognizing the month of May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in 01:53:35 Philadelphia and honoring eight-year-old Philadelphian Jax Bari for shining a national light on ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir on the need for increased federal funding for Celiac 01:53:50 research and federally mandated labeling of gluten on all packaged foods"; and Resolution No. 210529, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating the Carver Engineering and Science High 01:54:00 School boys bowling team on their successful 2020-2021 season and first ever championship win"; and Resolution No. 210530, entitled a "Resolution honoring and recognizing 01:54:14 Theresa Alicea on the occasion of her retirement following 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the residents of the 175th legislative district"; and Resolution No.
210531, entitled 01:54:25 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 "Resolution also naming Bainbridge Street, between 8th and 9th Streets, as 'Henry L. Philips Way'"; and Resolution No. 210532, entitled 01:54:36 a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1740 Howard Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 210533, entitled 01:54:49 a "Resolution commemorating June 19, 2021 as Korean American Citizenship Day to Celebrate the First Naturalization of a Korean American in 1890," all under certain terms and conditions. 01:55:14
Yes, Mr. President. That completes the resolutions. 01:55:21
Thank you. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution 01:55:26 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the 01:55:32 Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the 01:55:38 resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) 01:55:42
The ayes have it, and each of the resolutions 01:55:44 on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's bill Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all 01:55:58 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 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 01:56:06 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 now read 01:56:15 the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 200713, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the 01:56:23 zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Frankford Avenue, Master Street and 6th Street"; and Bill No. 210362, entitled "An 01:56:31 ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending certain provisions of Section 14-502, entitled '/CTR, Center City Overlay District'"; and 01:56:41 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 210425, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by revising certain 01:56:50 provisions of Section 14-514, entitled '/FNE, Far Northeast Overlay District'"; and Bill No. 210328, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in 01:57:00 appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, and the Community Development Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General 01:57:07 Fund and the Community Development Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 200627, entitled "An ordinance authorizing ARD 1105 Walnut LLC 01:57:17 or a subsequent owner to install, own and maintain various encroachments at 1101 through 07 Walnut Street"; and Bill No. 210333, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking 01:57:31 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 the vicinity of: Greenwich Street and 2nd Street; Reed Street and South 4th Street; Moyamensing Avenue and Wharton Street"; and 01:57:38 Bill No. 210334, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Morris Street and South 2nd Street"; and Bill No. 210390, entitled "An 01:57:48 ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Dauphin Street and Belgrade Street; Almond Street and Dauphin Street; York Street and Almond Street; Taggert Street and Norris 01:57:59 Street; Cedar Street and Norris Street; Marlborough Street and Thompson Street"; and Bill No. 210391, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking 01:58:09 regulations in the vicinity of: Ellsworth Street and South 9th Street; Reed Street and South Broad Street; Mountain Street and South 6th Street; Latona Street and South 7th Street"; and 01:58:21 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 210392, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Moore Street and South 6th Street; McClellan 01:58:29 Street and South 5th Street; Mifflin Street to South 6th Street; South 3rd Street to McKean Street"; and Bill No. 210393, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The 01:58:41 Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Designation of Bicycle Lanes,' to authorize bicycle lanes on Race Street from North 5th Street to North 4th Street; and making associated changes to parking regulations 01:58:51 within the same limits"; and Bill No. 210394, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 941 South 8th Street"; and 01:59:01 Bill No. 210412, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of the 6400 block of Summerdale Avenue"; and Bill No. 210413, entitled "An 01:59:13 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Lowber Avenue between East Upsal Street and East Hortter Street"; and 01:59:22 Bill No. 210414, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on North 3rd Street, both sides, between West Erie Avenue and West Sedgley Avenue"; and 01:59:32 Bill No. 210415, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on West 65th Avenue, both sides, between North Front Street and North 2nd Street"; and 01:59:43 Bill No.
210416, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: North 12th Street and Champlost Street; 69th Avenue and North 12th Street; Camac 01:59:53 Street and Champlost Avenue; Park Avenue and Nedro Avenue; North 13th Street and Olney Avenue"; and Bill No. 210422, entitled "An ordinance regulating the direction of 02:00:04 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 traffic on certain portions of Paul Street, Meadow Street, Tackawanna Street, Worth Street, Pear Street, Gillingham Street, Josephine Street, 02:00:13 Blair Street, and East Montgomery Avenue, and making associated changes to parking regulations within the same limits"; and Bill No. 210447, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking 02:00:25 regulation on both sides of Chester Avenue from 66th Street to 67th Street"; and Bill No. "
02:00:45 Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll, and upon being 02:00:54 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 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 02:01:03 for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye 02:01:30 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 bills.
Aye on all bills. 02:02:03 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021
Aye 02:02:29 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. 02:02:38 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the 02:02:45 title of Resolution No. 210215.
A resolution submitting to the electors of the City an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, 02:02:57 entitled 'Referenda Approved by the Voters,' by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to pass 02:03:07 legislation that will de-criminalize, regulate, and tax the use, and sale to adults aged 21 years or older, of cannabis for non-medical purposes.
02:03:21 Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. This resolution and 02:03:25 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING the companion Bill No. 210206 provides an opportunity for the citizens of the City of Philadelphia to weigh in on this issue. 02:03:37 Some years ago the General Assembly moved forward with medical cannabis legislation that provided medical cannabis to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, more specifically, here 02:03:48 for the citizens in the City of Philadelphia. From my perspective, I think it provides an opportunity, and the citizens of our City need an opportunity to weigh 02:03:56 in on this issue. I want to thank all the speakers that talked about this issue in the public comment session. As you heard from them, it was a wide range of 02:04:07 speakers from those dealing with issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, for those who are really encouraging and want to see more entrepreneurs of color, especially in the African American 02:04:19 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING community to be able to benefit from this type of industry, as well as my own experience of talking with a number of individuals, both in the autism community 02:04:28 and other communities who have disabilities, that benefit from this type of legislation. Considering that other states around Pennsylvania like Virginia, New 02:04:39 Jersey, and New York have already moved into the space of adult-use legislation, I think it's incumbent upon us as a city to give this opportunity to the voters of the City of Philadelphia to weigh in on 02:04:53 this perspective, and then as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania starts to look at this legislation in more detail, we'll be able to add our voice to this conversation. 02:05:04 I've spoken previously with State Senator Sharif Street as well as Representative Jordan Harris and Representative Darisha Parker, who due to their schedules were not able to call in 02:05:15 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING to the public comment session of our Council session, and I believe this provides an opportunity for our citizens to voice their perspective on this 02:05:25 legislation and on this industry, which is also providing resources and benefits to cities and states all around this nation. With that, Council President, I 02:05:36 move for the adoption of this resolution.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a 02:05:43 point of information.
My good friend and colleague, Member Green, for the record, this does not -- an aye vote on this does not mean an affirmative vote 02:05:55 on marijuana. It just gives an opportunity for a forum for there to be further discussion about the issue, correct?
That is 02:06:11 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING correct, Councilmember Jones. I think when the medical cannabis legislation came through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, citizens in the City of 02:06:18 Philadelphia really didn't have an opportunity to have this conversation. If this legislation is able to be voted and passed by this body and then go on the ballot in November, it will really 02:06:28 allow us as citizens and constituents and colleagues in this legislative body and just for the citizens of the City of Philadelphia to have a more robust conversation and education about this 02:06:40 area and also allow us to voice our opinion to the members of the General Assembly, especially those that represent the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, 02:06:51 Member Green, because the devil and the information are in the details. Thank you so much, Member.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. 02:07:01 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING There was a motion. (Duly seconded.)
Yes. The Chair recognizes -- who was that? 02:07:10
Mr. President, I just seconded it. I had seconded the motion. Yes.
Thank you, Councilwoman. 02:07:21 It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of the motion indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) 02:07:26
02:07:42 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING That's right.
Aye. 02:08:10 Stated Meeting June 10, 2021 6/10/21 - STATED - 2ND READING