Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 23, 2021 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Before we begin today's session, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19 and the delta variant, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, the Inquirer, and Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance will please indicate that you are present and maybe a word or two to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
Good morning. I am present. Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the viewing public.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning, Philadelphia. I'm here.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Philadelphia. Looking forward to another good Council session.
Good morning, Council President, and good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Sending prayers out to all the families who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence.
Good morning. Good morning, Prez, colleagues. Thank you for all your cards, texts, calls, prayers. Our family really appreciates it.
Good morning, Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 President, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues and Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. This is Hispanic Heritage Month and Puerto Rican Week. Thank you all for celebrating with us. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And our thoughts and prayers are still with Councilmember Jones.
Good morning to all. We've established a quorum and we're going to get started. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Rabbi Goldman of the B'nai Abraham Chabad. He Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 the guest of Councilman Squilla. I would ask all members and guests to please bow your head for the invocation. Rabbi.
Council President, honored members of the Philadelphia City Council, and my dear friend, Councilman Mark Squilla, thank you for inviting me this morning to share a few words of prayer and blessing. Our father in heaven, creator and master of the universe, at the dawn of civilization as related in the Bible in the holy book of Genesis, you, Almighty God, issued seven universal laws, which came to be known as the seven Noahide Laws. One, to worship you alone, not to serve idols. Two, never to blasphemy your holy name. Three, not to murder. Four, not to commit adultery or any other form of immorality. Five, not to steal, lie, or cheat. Six, not to be Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 creature. And, seven, that every society be governed by just laws which are based in recognition and acknowledgment of you, God, as the sovereign ruler of all people and nations. The centrality of morality and ethical values as a basis of a society have been recognized by the founding fathers of this country, as expressed in the statement on our national currency, In God We Trust, asserting that God is not only the creator of the world but a being in whom we trust. And, therefore, it's a responsibility and indeed a privilege to incorporate this concept as an integral part of the legislative process. The Jewish community is now celebrating the holiday of Sukkot. It's also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, and it celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided our ancestors Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 slavery in Egypt. And we celebrate this holiday by dwelling in temporary booths known as a sukkah. We leave our homes for this entire week, essentially living in a transient structure and recognizing how vulnerable we are, exposed to the elements and spending a week in this transient structure of the sukkah. When we reflect on the challenges that we're currently facing as a city - the pandemic, gun violence, and indeed as a nation - we pray that God give us the strength, the courage, and the clarity to confront these challenges and overcome them by working together, by recognizing the importance of faith, our belief in a master of the universe who has a master plan, and we are privileged to partner with God in improving the world and making it a better place for our communities. We are inspired by your leadership, honored members of Council. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 God, may it be your will that you bless them, all who work with them, with good health, with much happiness, and tremendous success in their important endeavors, now and always. And let us all say amen. (Amen.)
Rabbi, thank you so much for those inspiring words. We really appreciate your spiritual guidance this morning. Thank you.
The Chair recognizes I think Councilwoman Gym is in.
Yes. Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Gym is also present. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Friday, September 17, 2021, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Friday, September 17th, 2021 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Friday, September 17, 2021 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. And we have a special order of business, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 President, can you hear me now?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion is approved. And our next order of business is communications, and the Chair recognizes Mr. Decker. Would you please read the messages from the Mayor and any Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 may have in your possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the First Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2201 through 29 East William Street, 2037 East William Street, 2038 East William Street, 2039 East William Street, 2040 East William Street, 2042 East William Street, 2044 East William Street, 2047 East William Street, 2050 East William Street, 2052 East William Street, 2056 East William Street, 2058 East William Street, 2060 East William Street, 2062 East Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Street, 2066 East William Street, 2068 East William Street, 2306 Collins Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Third Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District; and An ordinance amending Chapter 9-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 "Trades," and Chapter 9-3000, entitled "Sheet Metal Technician," to create a license requirement for Mechanical System Contractors and to modify licensing requirements applicable for Sheet Metal Systems Technicians; all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you very much in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, would you please Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Councilwoman Parker offers three bills on behalf of Council President Clarke, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Trades,' and Chapter 9-3000, entitled 'Sheet Metal Technician,' to create a license requirement for Mechanical System Contractors and to modify licensing requirements applicable to Sheet Metal Systems Technicians"; and An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 20th Street, Arch Street, Cuthbert Street and 21st Street; and An ordinance amending Section 14-502 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/CTR, Center City Overlay District," by amending certain height regulations and creating bulk and massing controls within Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Area.
Those three bills will be referred to committee.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers one bill and two resolutions on behalf of Council President Clarke, entitled "An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the 'Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park' in the City of Philadelphia."
And a resolution also naming the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue between 23rd Street and 24th Street, as "Harold Malcolm McCoy Way."
And a resolution also naming the 1800 block of North 23rd Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Street from West Berks Street to West Montgomery Avenue as "Helen Brown Way."
Councilman Henon offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Germania Street, Arendell Avenue, Delaware Avenue, and Linden Avenue."
And a resolution honoring Venkat Balumuri for his incredible leadership and contributions to the health and wellbeing of Philadelphians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilman Jones offers one resolution authorizing City Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Council's Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining ways to create curriculum and degree programs within Pennsylvania's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Cheyney University and Lincoln University, to become feeders of recruitment to the Philadelphia Police Department with the goal of diversifying our police force.
Okay. I'm sorry. That shall be on today's Calendar.
Councilman Johnson offers one bill and three resolutions, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 13th Street and Oregon Avenue."
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct hearings to examine flooding risks, impacts, and mitigation options in Eastwick and other vulnerable Southwest Philadelphia communities.
And a resolution also naming the 2300 block of South 21st Street "Ronald R. Donatucci Way."
And a resolution also naming the 2000 block of Christian Street "John Van de Paer Way."
Councilman Green offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings regarding the implications of a Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 ranked-choice voting system for Philadelphia."
And a resolution declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution designating September as International Underground Railroad Month in Philadelphia."
Councilman Thomas offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings examining out-of-school time programs and funding from the 2021 Summer targeted at improving safety and positive Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 life outcomes for Philadelphia's young people."
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week and Community College of Philadelphia Alumni, Anais Barnes, for her scientific research and her valuable discoveries of a rare plant and bee species.
Councilman Squilla offers one bill and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Wildey Street and Hancock Street; Wildey Street and Marlborough Street; Salmon Street and Columbia Avenue; Montgomery Avenue and Wildey Street."
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
And a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the First Councilmanic District.
And a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2201 through 29, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2042, 2044, 2047, 2050, 2052, 2056, 2058, 2060, 2062, 2066, 2068 East William Street, and 2306 Collins Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Councilwoman Bass offers one resolution also renaming the 3900 block of North 17th Street in front of Gratz High School in Huntington Park "Rasheed Wallace Road."
Next Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 week's Calendar.
Councilman Oh offers three resolutions. On behalf of Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, a resolution celebrating and remembering United States Coast Guard hero and National Football League Legend Emlen Tunnell on the occasion of the United States Coast Guard ship and building dedications in his honor. Mr. President, Councilman Oh would like to be recognized for a motion on this resolution.
Thank you very much, Council President, and let me say what an honor I have received from my colleague Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson. This is her cousin, born in Bryn Mawr, grew up in Philadelphia, the first African American to be inducted into Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1967, awarded, decorated World War II Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 veteran who rescued two lives, including one after a torpedo attack. What an incredible, incredible gentleman. Mr. President, I move to suspend the rules of Council so as to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar.
Mr. President, I want to defer to our colleague Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. I second the motion.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of the motion indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion is granted. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 today's Final Passage Calendar.
Councilman Oh offers a resolution honoring the life of civic leader and former Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Anthony J. Wong.
And a resolution recognizing October 2021 as the 40th Annual Polish American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Mr. President, there are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. I appreciate that. And our next order of business is reports from committees, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee on Public Safety. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Councilman, you're on mute.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Safety offers two bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred Bill No. 210635, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' to require the maintenance and reporting of certain information related to vehicle stops"; and Bill No. 210636, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' to clarify the appropriate methods and circumstances of enforcement of Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 to provide for the fair and transparent administration of the traffic violations, prevent racial disparities, and protect public safety," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of this bill today, Bill Nos. 210635 and 210636. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 210635, 210636. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had their first reading and those bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning the resolutions and bills on our Final Passage Calendar today. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today. Mr. President, they are Resolution Nos. 210694, 210697, 210701, 210704, 210706, 210707, 210708, 210709, 210710, 210711, 210712, 210713, 210714, 210715, 210716, 210718, 210720, 210721, 210722, 210723, and 210724. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilwoman Parker. All in favor please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you again, Mr. President. In addition to the resolutions being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210696, 210699, and 210474-A. All other bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we consider the bills and resolutions today, we will take a brief five- to ten-minute recess to give Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 our technology professionals some time to connect the speakers we have for today's public comment session. We're going to take a brief break. Thank you. (Short recess.)
Thank you. Thank you for your patience as we connect with our technology professionals. We're going to start our public comment session. So now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we're going to consider our public comment session. Our public comment session must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, your phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal circumstances, we will have three minutes to speak, and today given the relatively low volume of individuals, we will give those individuals three minutes. But in order to be fair to all those that are wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony and when there Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same matter and to limit the scope of the testimony to only certain items on the agenda during the emergency, which could affect callbacks for public comment at the meeting. So please be aware that the public meeting is being recorded, and because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in this meeting, you are agreeing and consenting to being recorded. I would now ask Mr. Decker to please read the name of our first Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 speaker.
The first speaker is Chenjerai Kumanyika, commenting on 210709.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Greetings, esteemed Councilpersons. My name is Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika and I come before you today as a Black man, a father, and a husband, a proud voting citizen of Philadelphia, and a professor at Rutgers University. To be honest, when I was first invited to speak on a resolution to take the slavery loophole out of the 13th Amendment, I was surprised that in 2021 this would even have to be a debate. What could the counterargument possibly be? During reconstruction, this poisonous clause was used to stop the unfolding processes of Black freedom that Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 were necessary for full democracy. Today there's no data supporting the idea that forced prison labor makes anyone safer and no ethical argument that it rehabilitates anyone. So I found the issue to be very strange, low-hanging fruit. Nevertheless, I'm glad we're discussing this. Today I invite all of us to be students of history, lest we repeat its mistakes, continue its oppressions, or fail to recognize key moments of possibility. History speaks to us with a clear lesson. Nothing is fixed, and freedom is always possible. In 1796, a Black enslaved woman named Ona Judge understood this when she freed herself from George Washington right here in Philadelphia. But it's not enough to recognize her. It's our turn. On that fateful Sunday when Richard Allen and Absalom Jones led African Americans in protest out of Saint Georges Methodist Church and held freedom Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 conventions before the Civil War, they understood that nothing is fixed and freedom is always possible. But it's not enough to look to their examples. It's our turn. Now, as much criticism as City Council receives, as they should in a democracy, I'm pleased to say that the legacy of freedom is with us on our City Council. When a Black woman from North Philly or a Korean American former teacher or a Black brother from North Philly or even a man descended from Italian immigrants says even though I come from poverty, even though I don't look like the leaders that our founders envisioned, I too can govern, because nothing is fixed and freedom is always a possibility. But of course the real work is not winning elections. It's governing in favor of justice, and this resolution is not purely symbolic. We've heard about the 2.3 million incarcerated people, but Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 we don't hear enough about the 900,000 people who are forced to work. This resolution points out that they are not protected by minimum wage and workplace safety laws that help to keep other Americans safe on the job. States like Nebraska, Utah, and Colorado have taken steps to close their slavery loopholes, and it's time for cities like Philadelphia to step up. In a city like Philadelphia where the Constitution was born, I can think of no more important work for a diverse City Council to do than take a knife and cut the cancer of slavery out of the body of this democracy, not to make America great again but to lay the groundwork for the U.S. to experience the freedom it has never felt before. Thank you for the opportunity to offer my comments.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Beatrice Zovich, and thank you very much for hearing my testimony today. I'm expressing support for City Council passing the resolution to urge Congress to pass the abolition amendment that would disallow forced labor or involuntary servitude to continue in U.S. prisons as punishment for crime and removing the last remnants of slavery from the U.S. Constitution. In Pennsylvania prisons, wages are less than $1 per hour, implying that the labor of incarcerated people is not worth payment. All the while, prison owners continue to maximize profits and keep the cost of operation low for the jurisdictions that fund them, contributing to growth of the $8 billion Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 detention industry and paving the way for the U.S. to have the world's largest prison population, nearly 2.3 million Americans in 2020. It's also a known fact that companies like Walmart, AT&T, Whole Foods, and Victoria's Secret have used incarcerated populations for their business operations. The so-called Slavery Clause of the 13th Amendment is racist in origin as well as in practice. Its origins can be traced back to reconstruction, and it was perpetrated by racist policies like Jim Crow laws, the War on Drugs, and three-strikes laws, which dramatically expanded the U.S. prison population from 1970 to over two million that it is today, making it the largest in the world. In the U.S., mass incarceration fuels the separation of families and upends the strong community bonds of already marginalized Black and Brown communities. By allowing the process of Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 forced labor in prisons, we continue to perpetuate the traumas of slavery reared in the dehumanization of people of color. Today, 97 percent of incarcerated people in American prisons have never stood trial, and many were coerced into plea deals for non-violent offenses. Denying incarcerated people the right to fair labor practices and forcing them to work against their will not only strips them of their dignity, but makes it increasingly difficult for them to reenter society upon release, especially given that many will face structural barriers and discrimination in finding paid work in the traditional labor market. For these reasons, I'm asking leaders in Philadelphia to urge Congress to pass... (Background talking.)
Okay. Go ahead. Continue. I'm sorry. I don't know -- Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 (Background talking.)
Is everybody muted or, ma'am, is that your -(Background talking.)
You have 30 seconds, please. I'm sorry. Go ahead, 30 seconds.
Okay. Thank you so much. So I was just saying today 97 percent of incarcerated people in American prisons have never stood trial, and many were coerced into plea deals for non-violent offenses. Denying incarcerated people their right to fair labor practices and forcing them to work against their will not only strips them of their dignity, but makes it Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 increasingly difficult for them to enter society upon release. For these reasons, I'm asking leaders of Philadelphia to urge Congress to pass the abolition amendment and end slavery for all people in the United States. This is a critical step in ending the exploitation of incarcerated people, stopping the marginalization of poor and working-class people of color, and dismantling mass incarceration in the United States. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Linda Bell, and as a CPI alum, a Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 native Philadelphian born and raised, with five generations vested in the fabric and culture that is Philadelphia, I support the following bills and resolutions: 210396, 210434, 210696, 210709, 210718. I further support 210697 if indeed Councilmember Gym is urging the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to reject House Bill 1532, which aims to prohibit instruction on the history of racial oppression and the examination of how racism functions in our law, policy, and society. If that is not her intent, then I am opposed. I am, however, opposed to 210474-A. As I join ranks with those who spoke against it previously, this ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code and others like it granting bonuses and related changes for higher density in areas that are already densely populated will not alleviate the poverty, crime, and homelessness it is Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 promoted to do. In fact, the exact opposite is being experienced in various parts of the City where these bonuses have been allowed. The erection of these rooftop dwellings and multi-rental units promote a cultural detachment from existing neighbors, creating a transient privileged community as dictated by its market-rate price tag, cocooning the commercial and transportation corridors where many native Philadelphians already reside and use, thus driving the cost of living up by increasing taxes and fares that will be inevitable when SEPTA completes their rebranding to attract this demographic, all the while pushing an already oppressed population deeper into an impoverished state. The bullying, privileged attitude of some of these new neighbors have already reared its ugly head and created tension in an already viable city. A timeout is needed on this type of ordinance until an unbiased citizen Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 review board can assess and report on the immediate and long-term effects it will have on existing neighborhoods as it pertains to their sustainability and growth. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Susan Nam, commenting on 210474-A and 210697.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. (No response.)
Please just state your name and proceed with your testimony.
This is -(connection issues). I'm here to oppose Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Bill 210474-A and also Bill No. 210697. I just want to be in agreeance with my colleague Linda Bell on this for 210474-A. But regarding 210697, I'm going to be speaking as a mother of three young children, also serving on the Advisory Council and athletic rec, specifically working with the after-school program for the past seven years. It's puzzling to me the thought of re-implementing the shames of our country after everything we fought through and won, from segregation to the Civil Rights Act. I don't know why we would continue to live as victims of these past grievances rather than victors of them. Collegiate-level market marks astound ideologies have no place in our schools and in the minds of our young scholars. Simply put, critical race theory continues to point out our differences rather than celebrating our cultures while staying united in our Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 humanity. Rather, these energies need to be fully poured into redeeming our poor literacy rate in Philadelphia, which is only 32 percent of third graders can read at their grade level. These are our future citizens that will be writing the necessary legislation that will continue to protect our freedoms in 20, 30 years based on proficient reading and writing, critical-thinking skills, and compassion and empathy for others, not their expertise on critical race theory. Supreme Court Justice Clarence was most recently quoted lamenting our race-obsessed world. We're proudly sitting in a room of one of the most diverse City Council bodies in our country. Critical race theory is ironic at best. The more we stay focused on implementing race means less focus on the hard issues that are actually affecting our children in realtime, like the poor Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 literacy rate. We cannot blame this inexcusable statistic on anyone but ourselves as a city. I would never credit a child's success and victory centered around an invisible white boogeyman, but rather their own individual will and character. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. I'm seeing on my screen No. 42 has a hand raised. That's all that's registered. Councilwoman Gym, is that you?
Yes. Council President, I can wait until the end of public comment.
I got you. Okay. Thank you. Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Mr. Decker.
Thank you. Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. (No response.)
Yeah, we can now. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony, please.
Thank you very much. My name is Michael Coard, C-O-A-R-D. I am an attorney and a college professor of history. Good Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 morning, Mr. President. I'll just quickly summarize a letter I submitted so that I don't take up too much time. It goes like this: Dear President Clarke and Councilmember-At-Large Brooks, I respectfully submit this written statement in connection with my scheduled testimony for today, September 23, to enthusiastically support Resolution No. 210709, which was introduced by Councilmember-At-Large Brooks. That historically important resolution, quote, urges the U.S. Congress to pass Joint Resolution 21, known as the Abolition Amendment, to strike the Slavery Clause from the 13th Amendment and end the loophole in the U.S. Constitution that allows forced labor to continue in United States prisons as a punishment for crime, unquote. Councilmember-At-Large Brooks should be publicly commended for Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 essentially taking the initiative in Philadelphia, which, by the way, was the nation's first official capital pursuant to the federal Residence Act of 1790, and she's doing this to right an historically racist wrong that has existed for an incredible 156 years since 1865. I also submitted, Mr. President, as part of my letter and my testimony an article I wrote on December 8, 2020 in the Philadelphia Tribune, and I point out that the 13th Amendment must itself be amended, because due to a cowardly compromise, the victorious slavery-opposing patriotic North allowed the defeated slavery-loving traitorous South to insert language that created and continues to create and promote racist and exploitative mass incarceration. Mr. President, I'll just wrap this up in 30 seconds by saying that we need to understand the history of the 13th Amendment. It actually states in Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 part, quote, slavery as a punishment for crime shall exist in the United States, unquote. In other words, slavery is legalized by the U.S. Constitution. And, finally, Mr. President, I'll say this, which people need to understand, we always have to go to the root of the problem. This language, this slavery-created and promoting language that was inserted in the 13th Amendment was done by the traitorous South. In particular -- and here's what I write, and I'll wrap it up at this point, Mr. President. At the end of my letter, I write the following: I should mention, as pointed out in that article, the tricky language of the 13th Amendment was coauthored in Congress by racist traitors, including, one, the former Confederate Vice President; two, four former Confederate generals; three, five former Confederate colonels; four, six former Confederate cabinet members; and, finally, five, 58 former Confederate Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Congress members. So what we have is a document that was written 156 years ago in primary part by Confederate traitors.
All right. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate you.
Good morning, Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 Council. My name is Drew Miller. I'm a constituent in the 18th Ward and a volunteer in the Riverwards L&I Coalition. I first want to thank the Rabbi for the invocation earlier as well as those speaking in support of Resolutions 210709 and 210696. Now, I'm here today to speak and to ask you to oppose Bill 210474-A until you as City Council pass a Neighbors' Bill of Rights and ensure that it becomes law in Philadelphia. Since myself and others spoke to you last Friday about this bill, I've been reminded how urgently this is needed. Not only will a Neighbors' Bill of Rights benefit adjacent neighbors by protecting their rights while ensuring that all parties involved know and respect those rights, but this document will also protect developers and contractors from surprise complications when a project is ongoing. Time is money after all. If a neighbors' rights are part Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 of the project before the work begins, developers and contractors will benefit from the lack of unnecessary conflict that often arises when neighbors' rights are not accommodated in a development project from the beginning. The majority of conflicts that I see in my volunteer work could easily be avoided with appropriate planning and communication. We all want our city to grow and become more vibrant, but the current development process encourages unnecessary conflict to the detriment of all parties involved by not clarifying to neighbors nor developers or contractors the need to accommodate neighbors' rights in the process. Your constituents need you. Please oppose Bill 210474-A until you pass a Neighbors' Bill of Rights into law in Philly to help the development process be a benefit to our community and not a detriment to our community. Thank you for your time and for Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 your work.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Yes. Just state your name for the record, please.
Hello. My name is Jared Cooper. I'm speaking on regards to Resolution 210709. Thank you, everybody, for this opportunity. Good morning, City Council. Okay. So hello. My name is Jared Cooper, formerly incarcerated youth in Philadelphia who is now a youth leader and is looking to change and better Philadelphia as a whole community. In regards to bills and resolutions being brought in front of us today, I am in full support of passing Resolution Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 210709. Being incarcerated is already taking men and women's freedom away. If we are not forced, we are free, and if we are free, we have more opportunity for growth. I believe removing these forced labor laws will allow for a restorative refreshment and a system in which serves us justice. To continue on what is going on in our Philadelphia prisons is almost a mirror image to slave labor. Men and women are being brainwashed into doing hard labor for unfair pay with no incentives. If people are working, I believe they should always be working towards something. From my personal experience within the Philadelphia prisons, inmates are almost immediately listed for any and all positions without say. Full circle to the idea of individuals feeling brainwashed within these facilities, incarcerated individuals may fear of Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 further consequence and mistreatment from correctional officers or other prison workers for denying labor. All in all, I truly believe implementing this resolution will lead to new and more positive opportunity for individuals. Thank you again for allowing me to share my testimony.
Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session for today, and we will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I would ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda -- oh, you know what, Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 I'm sorry.
Thank you so much, Council President, and I do truly appreciate the opportunity just to clarify a few things, because Bill No. 210697 is on the Consent Agenda, and I want to thank my colleagues for allowing it to remain as such. And in part, I just do want to clarify what the bill says and why we need to clarify a few things. It very clearly says that it calls upon the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to reject House Bill 1532, which aims to intrude into the curriculum that is laid out in the school code to prohibit instruction on selective areas of the history of racial oppression and the examination of how racism functions in our law, policy, and society. There is no question that much of the furor around critical race theory that has been raised, not just here in Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 body through public comment but in fact nationally, has been related to deep-rooted approaches towards racism, the exclusion traditionally, the fight for inclusion within curriculum in particular. As a former teacher and I know that we have, I think, four other former teachers on our City Council body, we know how important curriculum is, and it is quite surprising that a state legislature that has left $7 billion in a rainy day fund and in unallocated funds when schools desperately cry out for literacy coaches, for restoration of school libraries, for functioning public school buildings have taken the time to actually lay out their grievances and want to write bills about what happens in classrooms when the most important thing that needs to happen in classrooms is the vibrancy of young people's learning, a truth-telling that has long been denied to many communities and families, and the Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 that this nation not only through the classroom but in particular through its reckoning of its original sin of enslavement, of racism, of White supremacy, of which my colleague Councilmember Brooks and others of us have supported through her resolution, has still relevance today. This resolution has its roots obviously in the transformational work of Nikole Hannah-Jones and the 1619 Project. It has its roots in Henry Louis Gates, one of the earliest folks who have identified critical race theory. But I want to be clear that this is saying that the state legislature is one of 27 states that have introduced bills or taken actions this year to restrict teaching or limit conversations on racism in particular, sexism as well. Some states such as Tennessee have passed laws prohibiting the instruction of topics of any relation to racial equity, including penalizing school districts in Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 of dollars who are found in violation of the law, as well as teachers. This work is relevant at this time. It is important for us to uplift communities of teaching of history, of truth-telling, of the full vibrancy of our nation, its contributions of the full range of citizens over history, but also its sins, also the mistakes that have been made, the reckoning that is happening, as Councilmember Brooks still has to talk about constitutional responsibilities that have not been righted and have not been made clear. So I hope that brings a little bit of clarity to this issue and that our urgency if we truly care about what happens in our schools, our state legislature ought to be funding them responsibly and fairly rather than focusing in on in particular Black studies, Black teachers, Black school systems, and those that are trying to Stated Meeting September 23, 2021 what our state legislature has done. Thank you, Council President.