STATED MEETING 1 4/28/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:17 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK STATED MEETING 2 4/28/2022
Thank you, and good morning to everyone. Thank you for joining us this morning. Before we begin the session, I would like to make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19, 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, the Legal Intelligencer, 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 say a couple of words to make sure your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the STATED MEETING 3 4/28/2022
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Just sending out prayers to all the young people impacted by senseless gun violence.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good STATED MEETING 6 4/28/2022 morning, Council President, colleagues. I'm present.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm present.
And good morning to all. We have established our quorum, so Council will now come to order. STATED MEETING 7 4/28/2022 --
Council President, my apologies. I'd like to be recorded as present for today's Council proceedings. My apologies for the delay. Thank you.
No problem, Councilwoman. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson is in fact present for today's session. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father John Kelly of the Assumption BVM Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman O'Neill. Father, thank you so much for STATED MEETING 8 4/28/2022 can please proceed with the invocation.
Sure. Good morning, Mr. President, Councilmembers, and to the City of Philadelphia. Ever so briefly, a quote comes to mind from Ernest Hemingway that says life breaks everyone, and afterwards some are strong in the broken places. As we continue to endure this pandemic, as we watch a war unfold in the Ukraine, and as we are painfully aware of violence that has plagued the City of Philadelphia, we turn to the Lord and ask that all those whose lives might be broken and those who might be suffering might know his blessing, his protection, and the abundant gift of his love. Amen.
Thank you. Thank you so much, Father. Thank you for your spiritual guidance this morning. We really need it. STATED MEETING 9 4/28/2022
And our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 21st, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, April 21st, 2022 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 21, 2022 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The STATED MEETING 10 4/28/2022 it, and the Journal is approved. I think Councilwoman Brooks is now present. Thank you. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Brooks is in fact present. Thank you. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. There are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair also recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning the Sunshine Act.
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 STATED MEETING 11 4/28/2022 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 concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session.
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative STATED MEETING 12 4/28/2022 Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I will ask the Clerk to please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his 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 Land Bank to dispose of 1210, 1212 and 1214 South 27th STATED MEETING 13 4/28/2022 Street, 2723, 2725, 2727, 2729, 2731, 2733, 2735, 2737 and 2739 Ingram Street, 2704, 2706, 2710, 2712, 2716, 2720, 2724, 2726, 2738 and 2740 Manton Street, 2705 and 2720 Oakford Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest from the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in and about the area bounded by 56th Street, Lindbergh Boulevard, 61st Street, Passyunk Avenue, and the Schuylkill River and to grant an easement to PAID for access across the parcel for construction and maintenance of an accessway; and An ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract for the evaluation and implementation of energy conservation and efficiency STATED MEETING 14 4/28/2022 energy, or other measurable consumption or operating costs of the City's municipal street lighting system; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation to execute a lease with CP 2023, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, under which CP 2023 would design, construct, operate, maintain, and repair a museum building on the southerly side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway between the Vine Street Expressway, 21st Street, and 22nd Street, to display works of art by Alexander Calder and the Calder family of artists, all at no expense to the City, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes the communications, and our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, STATED MEETING 15 4/28/2022 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 the appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.
Councilwoman Parker offers, on behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance to approve amendments to the Temple University Master Plan in the area bounded by Montgomery Avenue, 13th Street, Polett Walk and 12th Street, related to the new College of Health building at 1801 through 59 North 13th Street.
Referred to committee. STATED MEETING 16 4/28/2022
Councilman Jones offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending certain provisions of Section 14-503, '/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District,' related to the Ridge Avenue /NCA district and by making related changes."
Councilwoman Sanchez offers a resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services for their collaborative commitment to bring healing and justice to victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2022 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Green STATED MEETING 17 4/28/2022 offers four bills and two resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract for the evaluation and implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures designed to reduce energy, or other measurable consumption or operating costs of the City's municipal street lighting system.
On his own behalf, Councilman Green offers an ordinance amending Chapter 20-600 of The Philadelphia Code ("Standards of Conduct and Ethics") by revising and sustaining the prohibition on retaliation and adding protections against interference with Board of Ethics proceedings.
And an ordinance STATED MEETING 18 4/28/2022 amending Chapter 20-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Political Contributions and Expenditures," to revise provisions and to make technical changes.
And an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the establishing of a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts, as approved by Resolution of the City Council.
And on behalf of Council President Clarke, a resolution authorizing hearings regarding the operations of Philadelphia Gas Works, including but not limited to, its STATED MEETING 19 4/28/2022 facilities, workforce and the sustainability and diversification of its products and services. Authorizing a hearing, Mr. President.
And on his own behalf, a resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the reapportionment of Council districts; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Gauthier 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 South Street, the Schuylkill River, 34th Street, University STATED MEETING 20 4/28/2022 Avenue, Civic Center Boulevard, and Health Sciences Drive; and to approve amendments to the University of Pennsylvania Master Plan in the area bounded by South Street, the Schuylkill River, 34th Street, University Avenue, Civic Center Boulevard, and Health Sciences Drive, related to the proposed Ott Center building at 2910 South Street."
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1834, 1837, 1840, 1846, and 1848 South Allison Street in the Third Councilmanic District.
Councilman Squilla offers two bills and one STATED MEETING 21 4/28/2022 resolution, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-4900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Prohibition on Use of Certain Bags by Retail Establishments,' to require retail establishments to charge a fee for the provision of a bag to customers for removal of purchased items, and further defining what bags are prohibited at check out."
And an ordinance continuing the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date in the area bounded generally by the north side of Allegheny Avenue, the west side of Memphis Street between Allegheny Avenue and East Westmoreland Street, the south side of East Westmoreland Street, the property line at 3300 Agate Street and the back of properties facing along the east side of STATED MEETING 22 4/28/2022 Tulip Street between Westmoreland and Ontario Streets.
And a resolution initiating action to continue the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date in the area generally bounded by the north side of Allegheny Avenue, the west side of Memphis Street between Allegheny Avenue and East Westmoreland Street, the south side of East Westmoreland Street, the property line of 3300 Agate Street and the back of properties facing west along the east side of Tulip Street between Westmoreland Street and Ontario Streets.
Yes, Mr. President. That's a resolution that initiates actions that we contemplate STATED MEETING 23 4/28/2022 with the ordinance. So this would actually need to go on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
Councilwoman Bass offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation on behalf of the City to" -- Councilwoman Bass offers this on behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the City, to execute a lease with CP 2023, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, under which CP 2023 would design, construct, operate, maintain, and repair a museum building on the southerly side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway between the Vine Street Expressway, 21st Street, and 22nd Street, to display works of art by Alexander Calder and the Calder family of artists, all at no cost or expense to STATED MEETING 24 4/28/2022 the City.
And on her own behalf, a resolution recognizing May 1, 2022, as National School Principal's Day in the City of Philadelphia. And, Mr. President, Councilwoman Bass would like to be recognized for a motion on this resolution.
Mr. President, thank you. I'd like to actually be recognized later in the program, later during Council session. Thank you.
I was under the impression that the Councilwoman wanted this resolution considered today, Mr. President. STATED MEETING 25 4/28/2022
That is correct. I apologize, Mr. President. I'm sorry. I had my script confused. I would like to ask for a suspension of the rules so that we could hear this resolution today. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of said motion. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution will be considered on today's Calendar.
Councilman Oh offers two resolutions, entitled a STATED MEETING 26 4/28/2022 "Resolution declaring May 2022 to be Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia to recognize and support the joint efforts of 'Hep B United Philadelphia' and 'Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia' coalitions aimed at raising awareness of the link between viral hepatitis and liver cancer and the importance of elimination activities."
And a resolution recognizing Black Enterprise for hosting its 11th Annual Black Entrepreneur Summit - the nation's largest annual gathering of Black business owners, entrepreneurs, and wealth creators - in Philadelphia.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
STATED MEETING 27 4/28/2022 much, Mr. Decker. That concludes the introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a report from the Committee on Rules. (No response.)
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilman Johnson, the Committee on Rules reports out five bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to STATED MEETING 28 4/28/2022 No. 210933, 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 Snyder Avenue, Weccacoe Avenue, Wolf Street and Swanson Street"; and Bill No. 220112, entitled "An ordinance adopting an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Manayunk Special Services District of Philadelphia to extend the term of that Authority"; and Bill No. 220113, entitled "An ordinance approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Manayunk Special Services District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Manayunk business district of the City of Philadelphia"; and Bill No. 220224, entitled "An ordinance to approve amendments to the Drexel University Master Plan in the area STATED MEETING 29 4/28/2022 34th Street, Cherry Street, 33rd Street, and Powelton Avenue, related to the Kelly Hall building at 203 North 34th Street"; and Bill No. 220298, entitled "An ordinance to approve amendments to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Master Plan related to a new Proton Therapy Center building at 10800 Knights Road," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Johnson, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit reading this day of Bill Nos. 210933, 220112, 220113, 220224, and 220298. STATED MEETING 30 4/28/2022 (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. 210933, 210122 -- I'm sorry; 112 and 220113, 220224, and 220298. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today.
I'm logged back on. I had a little technical STATED MEETING 31 4/28/2022 difficulty, but thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Councilman. Let the record reflect that Councilman Jones is present today for today's session. Thank you, and thank you, Councilman Johnson. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a report from the Committee on Appropriations.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation. STATED MEETING 32 4/28/2022
The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 220291, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. STATED MEETING 33 4/28/2022
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 220291. (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 Bill No. 220291. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be STATED MEETING 34 4/28/2022 Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These 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 on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of -- Mr. President and Councilmember Green, just want you to note that the information was forwarded to me, Councilmember Green, so I know what not to announce. STATED MEETING 35 4/28/2022
Yeah. Our administrative team, they're on it. 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, and they are Resolution Nos. 220339, 220340, 220341, 220342, 220343, 220344, 220345, 220264, 220265, 220266, 220267, 220268, 220269, 220270, 220271, and 220272. (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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 36 4/28/2022 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 today.
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, and they are Nos. 211020, 220190, 220222, and 220223. All other bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. STATED MEETING 37 4/28/2022 We will now -
Yes. That list for the Final Passage Calendar should also include Resolution 220329.
Thank you, Councilman. Let the record reflect. Mr. Decker, you got that? Okay. Thank you. Before we proceed with the consideration of our public comment session, which is next, I want to take a brief five- to ten-minute break to allow our technology professionals an opportunity to connect our speakers for today's public comment session. Let's take a quick break. STATED MEETING 38 4/28/2022 (Short recess.)
Thank you. Thank you, and thank you for your patience. We are back now. We will 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 the public comment. It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, your number, the number of the STATED MEETING 39 4/28/2022 legislative item you are commenting on, and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and then we'll add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Today we will have three minutes to speak, but, however, from time to time, that time limit may vary based on the volume of individuals that are testifying on the public comment session. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, we 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 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 STATED MEETING 40 4/28/2022 disconnected from the remote meeting. We also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at a meeting. Please be aware that this meeting is public and it is being recorded. Because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first witness today, and I want to thank everybody for agreeing to participate in the public comment session in City Council. Mr. Decker, please call the first name.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Cecilia STATED MEETING 41 4/28/2022 Thompson, commenting on 220329.
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony.
Okay. Thank you. Again, good morning, Council President Darrell Clarke and esteemed members of City Council. My name is Cecilia Thompson and I am speaking on Resolution 220329, as this is April Acceptance and Awareness Month all over the world, and also commending the creators of the Autism 365 Collection at the Wynnefield Library in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. And I also want to thank the sponsors of this resolution, Councilmembers Derek Green, Curtis Jones, and Katherine Gilmore Richardson. I am in support of this resolution. STATED MEETING 42 4/28/2022 With the many things I do to serve individuals, such as being a Commissioner on the Mayor's Commission for People with Disabilities and a Board member for the School District of Philadelphia, the number one service I am most proud of is being the mother of Trevor Nathan Thompson, a 23-year-old living with autism, who is now a graduate of the School District of Philadelphia. During my journey in raising my son, acceptance of his unique gift has been and is still a challenge even in a diverse city such as Philadelphia. It is difficult for the world to understand his gift and unique perspective of how he views society. As a parent, it is not always easy to watch others snicker about your loved one's uniqueness, and sometimes it brings sorrow to my heart. If they only would take the time to get to know him and accept him for who he is, they will realize that he is a wonderful person STATED MEETING 43 4/28/2022 with a heart of gold. But this feeling is also shared by many families who have a loved one living on the spectrum and just want the world to accept their beautiful and wonderfully made personalities and their individualism. But, however, I am so grateful for this proclamation that it is happening in such a diverse city as Philadelphia. As I close, and as a former resident of Wynnefield, I'm also thankful for the Wynnefield Library for creating the Autism 365 Collection. As a child being raised by my grandparents, the Wynnefield Library served as a second home to me, where I did a lot of reading, listening to recordings, and that type of thing. It served as almost a summer camp, as unfortunately my grandparents could not afford to send me and my sibling to summer camp, but the people in that library were always wonderful and gracious and always willing to lend a STATED MEETING 44 4/28/2022 helping hand. So, again, I want to thank the sponsors of this bill -- this resolution. I want to thank the members of City Council for accepting this, and this is truly an -- I'm sorry. This is truly a wonderful thing to have for all of our individuals living on the spectrum. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. I'm Dr. Kelli Sparrow Mickens and I'm here to testify in support of Resolution No. 220344 calling on the Pennsylvania Legislature to use federal COVID-19 relief money to fund Freedom Schools STATED MEETING 45 4/28/2022 across the state and in Philadelphia. I am a proud member of the Philadelphia Freedom Schools Board as well as the Director of Service Leadership for Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, the first and only K-12 public Freedom School in the country. I have served various Freedom Schools since 1998. In that time, I have seen approximately six generations of high school students become junior servant leaders, develop their leadership, assume various leadership positions within the program and beyond. Most specifically, Brother Councilmember Isaiah Thomas was one of those very talented young people back in the late '90s. Put succinctly, Freedom Schools work. They not only do the minimum of engaging children and young adults in worthwhile work, Freedom Schools more often times than not have also done the maximum of establishing an important task STATED MEETING 46 4/28/2022 and meaningful life of service that benefits the greater community. I lovingly say that Freedom Schools are for people ages 5 to 105, and that's true because we have children as a participant, middle school students as emerging servant leaders, high school students as junior servant leaders, college students as servant leader interns, young adults as site coordinators, older adults as project directors, and elders as wise counselors, parent educators who encourage people. But where I want to focus my most vehement support is on our junior servant leader program, ages 14 to 18, high school students for whom this is -for most of them is their first jobs. I lovingly laud them by saying that in my first job, I just wanted a job with a discount, but these young wonderful people have chosen to take on work that will challenge them personally, academically, socially, culturally, and STATED MEETING 47 4/28/2022 civically. Being a JSL is about consciously deciding to work as a role model. While our small children may love and have respect for Dr. Kelli, they really want to be a Brother Elijah or a Brother Williams or a Sister Samyayah, and in order for our smaller scholars to, quote/unquote, get it, our JSLs have to get it first. This looks like strenuous team building, rigorous curriculum training, compassionate youth development instruction, and serious group problem-solving coaching. Everything that they learn is directly transferable to skills that they need beyond our halls. As we know, our city and many cities around the country are experiencing steep increases in gun violence. One of the age groups that is being increasingly impacted is one in which the JSL aspect focuses. Increased funding could go a STATED MEETING 48 4/28/2022 long way towards combatting summer opportunity bankruptcy, where young people are interested in trying something new but are only confronted with negative tutors. Investing in Freedom Schools will help to make more opportunities available to children and youth who are looking for meaningful engagement that keeps them away -- that can keep them from other influences from having a chance to take hold. I strongly encourage you to pass Resolution 220344. Decades in the future you want to be able to make sure that you can say that you made helpful decisions that helped to end the terrible season of violence in our city, Commonwealth, and country. Supporting Freedom Schools will help to build that next generation of servant leaders that will make our planet better. We need them. Let's invest in them now. Thank you so much for your STATED MEETING 49 4/28/2022 time.
Thank you, Ms. Mickens. I see on the list you have students that are testifying. Are they testifying on the same call?
Good morning. My name is Elijah Lee-Kirton and I'm here to testify in support of Resolution No. 220344 calling on the Pennsylvania Legislature to use federal COVID-19 relief money to fund Freedom Schools across the state and in Philadelphia. I am a veteran junior servant leader and a 10th grader at Sankofa Freedom Academy. These are the main reasons why we join Councilmember Thomas in calling STATED MEETING 50 4/28/2022 for this crucial investment: We need more young Black minds to uplift one another, love, and know we are all a family. Freedom Schools accept all races, any children, just anybody. We need to show the young Black minds who are corrupted by colorism, racism, and poverty of our roots in history. Freedom Schools just wants to help people. We need Freedom Schools that teaches reality and how to jump over the systemic problems that keep Black children from succeeding. There is nothing that can go wrong by giving Black children a higher chance to learn and excel in life. When I was a JSL, we were coming out of COVID quarantine and I was teaching and assisting at the Ujima site, which was an all-outdoor site. To me it felt like no other. I was able to teach, read, and have fun with the scholars while also connecting with nature, learning about science, and experience STATED MEETING 51 4/28/2022 the peace that nature promotes. Freedom Schools teach young and old no matter what happens in life, there will always be stepping stones for you to go on. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to pass Resolution 220344. Our community, family, and friends need this investment. Thank you for your time.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Samyayah Dent-Moore. I am here to testify in support of Resolution No. 220344 calling on the Pennsylvania Legislature to use federal COVID-19 relief money to fund Freedom Schools STATED MEETING 52 4/28/2022 across the state and in Philadelphia. I am a veteran classroom assistant called a junior servant leader of Philadelphia Freedom Schools and I am a sophomore at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter Schools. These are the reasons why Councilmember Thomas is calling for this important support: It will expand educational opportunities for students of color this summer. It will help to keep young people safe from gun violence in our community and bring awareness to it. It will be an opportunity for those who are in poverty to earn money right away. It will give young people a chance to feel secure and heard within their community. We will be able to give young people a chance to learn about service and leadership. And when I was a JSL, I would work with kids with learning disabilities. I seen that one of them STATED MEETING 53 4/28/2022 will have a hard time catching up on work and understanding it. It didn't take long for me to break down the work for my student and they began to process and learn. I feel like there should be more that we can do to provide for people with learning disabilities, and they are more than capable, just as us. I strongly encourage you to pass Resolution 220344. It will make a big difference in the way that I have been developing and I think it will be a good effect on other teenagers like me. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Thank you. Good STATED MEETING 54 4/28/2022 morning. My name is William Nettles and I'm here to testify in support of Resolution 220344 calling on the Pennsylvania Legislature to use federal COVID-19 relief money to fund Freedom Schools across the state and in Philadelphia. I'm a son, a brother of a voter, I'm a veteran junior servant leader, and a sophomore at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. The main reasons we join Councilmember Thomas on calling on these funds to be invested in these is what we are planning -- excuse me; funds to be invested in this way, this is where we are: to show people my age and younger that it's possible to help our community; to give them a new and different chance to try something new, because it definitely was new for me at the time. Freedom Schools bring our communities together, even outside our communities together. This community STATED MEETING 55 4/28/2022 takes them out of their comfort zone, because the Freedom School energy will make you smile even when you feel sad. Even during our global pandemic, we were able to meet virtually and still find a way to keep in touch. It wasn't the same as in person, but at least we got a chance to be together. We were trying with all our energy to keep our young students educated, positive, and, most importantly, safe. We were locked away from our brothers and sisters for so long that the benefit of it all is that -- the benefit of it all is that we could meet our brothers and sisters with love and joy when we could finally come back together in person. Young people need to be physically and emotionally safe at Sankofa Freedom Schools. We have felt throughout -- please support Freedom Schools statewide. Young people should be able to feel these feelings. Thank you so much for your STATED MEETING 56 4/28/2022 time.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. Unfortunately, Sister Serenity is not here this morning.
That's okay. Well, thank you, and thank you all for your testimony. We appreciate it.
We were unable to connect the remaining speakers, Mr. President.
Okay. All right. Well, I want to thank all the speakers for their testimony today in public comment. A very important part of what we do here is providing an opportunity for the citizens STATED MEETING 57 4/28/2022 on the matters that are before us. We appreciate that. That concludes our public comment session for today, so we'll now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of a resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, can you please now read the titles of all the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 220339, entitled a "Resolution approving the appointment of Debra McCarty to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water STATED MEETING 58 4/28/2022 Board"; and Resolution No. 220340, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3438 West Allegheny Avenue in the Fourth Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 220341, entitled a "Resolution honoring and recognizing attorney Michael Sklaroff for his profound imprint on the legal history of Pennsylvania and the development of the City of Philadelphia on the occasion of his retirement"; and Resolution No. 220342, entitled a "Resolution honoring the life of Bobby Rydell and recognizing his lifetime of achievement in entertainment which delighted millions and made Philadelphia proud"; and Resolution No. 220343, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating STATED MEETING 59 4/28/2022 Week, scientists Taku Kambayashi and Ruth Choa from the University of Pennsylvania's Biomedical Research Team, on their victory in the STAT Madness competition"; and Resolution No. 220344, entitled a "Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Legislature to use Federal COVID-19 Relief Money to fund Freedom Schools across the state, and in Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 220345, entitled a "Resolution also naming 5th Street between Cantrell Street and Snyder Avenue as 'Reverend Enos Mackey Way'"; and Resolution No. 220264, entitled a "Resolution appointing Afroza Hossain to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220265, entitled a "Resolution appointing Benjamin Lerner to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220266, entitled STATED MEETING 60 4/28/2022 "Resolution appointing Haakim Peay to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220267, entitled a "Resolution appointing Hassan Bennett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220268, entitled a "Resolution appointing Jahlee Hatchett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220269, entitled a "Resolution appointing John Solomon to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220270, entitled a "Resolution appointing Maryelis Santiago to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220275, entitled a "Resolution appointing Melanie DeBouse to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and Resolution No. 220272, entitled STATED MEETING 61 4/28/2022 "Resolution appointing Rosaura Torres-Thomas to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission."
Is that it? Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? STATED MEETING 62 4/28/2022 4/28/22 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 211020. Mr. Decker, you're on mute.
Bill No. 211020, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 762 South 10th Street."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. STATED MEETING 63 4/28/2022 4/28/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please call the roll.