Good morning. Ogbonna Hagins. I'm speaking on the 240066. I wonder if any of these properties were owned by American Freedmen. As an American freedman, I am deeply troubled by the historical injustices that have led to the depreciation of homes and commercial properties of the people of emancipated ancestry in the City of Philadelphia. These injustices caused by redlining, urban renewal and gentrification have had a profound and lasting impact on the ability to be upwardly mobile. Redlining and discriminatory practices that began in the 1930s have left a lasting legacy of the economic and racial segregation in our City. Urban renewal and gentrification have further exacerbated these issues displacing long-time residents and causing significant loss of wealth. I now present my third bill. The redlining repair bill to retrieve the stolen wealth and give it back to the rightful owners and heirs. I propose the implementation of municipal bonds and other monetary policies to compensate those who have suffered loss. Municipal bonds can be used to fund Homestead initiatives and provide direct financial compensation to those affected. These measures will not only help to rectify the historical injustices caused by redlining, urban renewal and gentrification, but also promote economic growth and stability in our City. By investing in our communities, we can help to ensure a brighter future for the residents of Philadelphia. I urge the seated members of Council to take a swift action on this matter. And as a side note, I just want to -- with the shooting yesterday, we need conflict resolution, right. And you know that we have a conflict. I think it would be a great example for the youth of Philadelphia that we can have conflict resolution amongst ourselves between myself, the unseated member who's representing the people of Philadelphia, and the seated members of Council. So let's make that example work. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, City Councilmembers. My name is Kelsey Leon. I am a harm reduction researcher and I'm sorry that I am so casually dressed. I did not expect to be here today, but this is an issue that's very near and dear to my heart and that I've devoted a great deal of time and energy to. I'm here to comment on Bills 240015 and 240017, the opioid antidote and encampment bills which would create data of who is having their reverse overdose multiple times and also anyone who is refusing services, whatever that might mean. I'm opposed to it, and I'd like to just use Councilmember Lozada's words to -- because I thank her for putting it so clearly what the logic behind this bill is. So back on March 12th there was a Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting where these bills were initially discussed. My colleagues with Philly Coalition for Dignity and Treatment gave testimony to their work in health care and harm reduction and spoke in opposition to these bills. After that, Councilmember Lozada went on the radio and said "These bills are a way of us collecting data to figure out who's there, how often our first responders, how often are they having to administer Narcan to the same person." I've heard from many of our EMS workers that unfortunately they overturn the same person three, four, five times a day. And so, it's unacceptable. This person should obviously not be managing their own lives and making decisions for themselves. Obviously, they're not capable. But we can't say that unless we have the numbers, right. We can't prove that to those who continue to fight against the work that we're doing unless we show them the data. And what I found yesterday in the hearing is that even trying to collect the data, these folks who want to allow folks in Kensington to do what they want in the street, they don't want us to collect the data. I think there is a fundamental order of operations issue here. You cannot arrest people or collect data on people when there are no treatment options available in the City. There are treatment options available, but the landscape has been proven time and time again to be scarce. I am open to talking with anyone on City Council about my experiences on the ground in Kensington where we support people who are housed, unhoused, all our neighbors. And I welcome working on this issue with any one of you. (Applause.)
Good morning. Good afternoon. I'm here on behalf of my son. He got killed, Gratz, 20 -- last year. Going to school, getting his education, raised by good parents. That don't mean nothing. Got kids out here carrying guns. When I was that age, I ain't know nothing about no guns. I ain't know nothing about no masks. I ain't know nothing about none of that. I'm 58. When I go home to my wife every day and she gets on me and cries, she say, do it again, babe. I say, I can't. I can't go out there. I could start a war. People don't know me. I can start a war. I found out where they lived at after they killed my son. I -- it was two decisions I had to make, do I want to stay here with my family or do I want to go the hell back to jail. I choose my family. I live -- I don't live too far from where the house at. All I'm saying between the masks and these damn guns, we got to get them off the street. Because not only my son, how many other people got killed. The bull was up here, his son dead since 2019. I got a homie, his son been dead 2001. What is we doing. I can get all of us together and we can go out there and make a war. That's the right thing to do? No, because then we be hurting other people. My family hurting. His family hurting. I don't have nothing against the guy. I pray. I pray for the guy that he safe. I don't want nothing to happen to nobody because I done hurt so many people in my life I don't want hurt nobody else. All I'm saying, we got to do something with these damn masks and these guns. It don't start down here with y'all. It start up there with the big boys. Y'all know what I mean. Y'all just a little piece of the puzzle. So that's my whole thing, man. If y'all got kids, if y'all going through something with them, y'all tell them every morning y'all love them, y'all hug them because tomorrow, they go out the door, they might not come home. The cops scared. I got a homie that's a cop, he scared. When do you know of people shooting at cops. They don't care. It start at the home. I stopped two shootings in my neighborhood. G, Bull did something with -- Bruh, nah, I don't want to go through that. I don't want your mom to go through that. I talked him down. You can talk to these kids once you get them. But how many dudes are willing to do that. You hear me about these OGs getting money. You got so much influence in the neighborhood, grab a young bull, pull him to your side and say, come on, man, let's take a ride, let me get you some sneaks, let's play some basketball. This is what I do. I'm living for my son, just live for Devin. My son wasn't with no violence. He was humble. He was going to college. He was just a good kid, man. He'd come in here, he'd make all y'all laugh. It just hurt me so bad that my wife -- what do you do when you go home and your wife, she say, babe, can you do it more time or can you just kill them, can you do this one more time. And you a man, I'm a man. I got pride. My son got killed. That's my youngest. I got 13 kids. That's my youngest. I walked away from it. It takes a man to walk away from situations like that. It takes a chump to put himself in a situation to go back to jail. I'm not neither one. I'm a man. I'm going to stand up here. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I don't care what nobody say. I'm going out there, if I see a young bull fighting, I'm breaking it up. I'm pulling him to the side. I'm talking, you bullied, all that. I'm doing all that. That's my MO. I thank y'all. God bless y'all and make sure y'all kiss y'all kids and tell them y'all love them every day because if y'all don't, it's a wrap. Y'all have a good day.
Council President, there are no more names for public comment.
We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Will the Clerk read the title of the Resolution No. 240251.
A resolution authorizing the creation of a Task Force to study and develop proposals, strategies and recommendations to enhance parental, guardian engagement, oversight, accountability and resources within the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240251.
Thank 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240251 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please the title of Bill No. 240020-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," all under certain 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240176.
An ordinance authorizing transfers and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING and commissions; to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; and to the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 240176. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING No. 240176 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240015.
An ordinance adding a new Chapter 6-1600 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Reports on Opioid Antidote Use," to require certain reports from the Office of the Managing Director to Council concerning the City's use of opioid antidote, all under certain terms and conditions. 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Congratulations. The Chief Clerk will read the title of Bill No. 240017.
An ordinance adding a new Chapter 10-2700 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Reports on Impermissible Camping," to require certain reports from the Office of the Managing Director to Council concerning camping activities carried out in violation of the Code and the City's efforts 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING to address such activities, all under certain conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are 0. The majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Now, for the consideration of privileged resolutions. Will the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Phillips and Bass congratulating Captain Myesha S. 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Massey for her promotion to Deputy Commissioner as the first Deputy Commissioner for Community Partnerships and on her successful command as the first female Commander of the 35th Police District.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I enthusiastically move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes it have and the resolution is adopted.
And a privileged resolution introduced by Katherine Gilmore Richardson celebrating the selection of True Biz by Sara Novic's for the 2024 One Book, One Philadelphia program.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Sara Novic who is with us today and on behalf of the One Book, One Philadelphia program, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution introduced by Councilmembers Gauthier and Lozada, authorizing the Joint Committees on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless and Public Property and Public Works to hold hearings on the 10-year performance of the Philadelphia Land Bank, what barriers to exist to effective application review, process 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING efficiency in transparent communication and how these can be solved to maximize this unique opportunity to create genuinely affordable housing and communitystewarded green spaces for neighborhoods that need them most.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded by the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution introduced by Councilmembers Thomas and Young recognizing, honoring and congratulating Dawn Staley, Coach the University of South Carolina Gamecocks for leading the undefeated 38-0 Gamecocks to victory in the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, her second championship in three seasons and third championship in her coaching career.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. And, Members Isaiah Thomas and Jeffrey Young, we're just waiting for the endorsement of that statue on behalf of Dawn Staley. Will the Clerk please read the next title of the resolution.
A privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Jones, honoring and 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing Philly Girls Jump and further declaring May 4, 2024 and every first Saturday in May thereafter "Philly Double Dutch Day" in the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption and mark that when we present, that there will be a demonstration by members of Council. (Laughter.)
It has been moved and properly seconded the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Jones honoring and congratulating the National Coalition Pennsylvania of 100 Black Women, Inc., Pennsylvania Chapter, on the occasion of their annual legislative day.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
A privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Landau honoring and congratulating Royal Izakaya's Jesse Ito for his nomination as a finalist for a 2024 James Beard Award.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Thank 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Landau recognizing and honoring Circadium Circus School as the first accredited circus school in the United States.
4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a privileged resolution introduced by Councilmember Bass, recognizing the 8th District Rebuild Community 4/11/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Development Partners, Nicetown CDC and Allegheny West Foundation for their hard work and revitalization of communities in their respective neighborhoods.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
Council President, there are no other privileged resolutions for consideration.
That completes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the Minority?
Thank you, Council President. I'm so grateful that Council President, Minority Leader Brooks, Councilmember Harrity as well as myself all joined up to co-introduce a resolution honoring Local 274, who have been rallying and now strategically striking at the sports complex. For those who don't know workers employed by Aramark at the sports complex year-round, the folks that prepare and serve the food that we spend way too much money on at Wells Fargo Center are negotiating and mobilizing to get what they obviously deserve and probably should be able to afford, since we spend so much money, health care benefits that can sustain them, health care benefits that can sustain their families whenever need be, and a standard minimum wage across the venues in the complex. Let me break this down real quick. $18 billion with a B, that's how much revenue Aramark generated just last year, $18 20 of Aramark's employees at the Wells Fargo Center where hundreds are employed receive health care from their employer, less than 20. At the same time, workers are paid different rates depending on which venue where they're employed. Over at Wells Fargo Center, the lowest-paid workers are making under $15 an hour. So it's clear to see why 92 percent of workers of that arena voted to authorize some of the actions that we've seen this week. And on Tuesday we saw the first strike at Wells Fargo Center in over 20 years. That's a pretty simple story to me. Workers aren't getting what they've earned from their employer so they're leveraging their collective power. That's something this body can, I believe, and should support. And case, I'm elated that so many of us have been playing cheerleader for UNITE HERE on this matter. Councilmembers Landau, Young, Harrity and Squilla deserve a special shout-out for joining workers on the picket line. I'm a bit salty that I didn't catch y'all on that one, but while I would love to join folks on the picket line, I would prefer to see Aramark to do right by their workers and reach a fair and righteous agreement with their workers. Can I get an amen from those who agree. (Amen.)
So to the crib from the Sixers, for the love of Philly, do right by your workers, Aramark. And a final thank you has to go to workers of Local 274 themselves. These are our neighbors who clean the kitchen They keep the complex functional so that your night out is a pleasant one. UNITE HERE workers have been on a long journey of demonstrating the power that resides in solidarity and workplace democracies, so to me they are an inspiration. City Council is rooting for them and for a fair contract. Glory to God and power to the people. (Applause.)
Speeches on behalf of the Majority, the Chair recognizes Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. And thank you, Councilmember O'Rourke and others for the resolution in support of UNITE HERE Local 274. I just wanted to remind all our One Book, One Philadelphia picture that we will take directly after Council session today. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday marked Eid al-Fitr, which is a culmination of the end of Ramadan, which is a 30-day period of prayer, reflection and interspection about your spirituality. That was recognized by Muslims around the world, but about 400,000 here in Philadelphia. There were dozens of Eid celebrations from South Philly to the Northeast. And I had the opportunity to attend one at 29th and Chalmers in my District and myself where 25,000 Muslims peacefully came to pray. Not a curse word, not a loud voice. All with a positivity about the holiday itself. What I noticed though, colleagues, was most of them were under the age of 45. When I walked through the crowd, all the people that recognized me were the police. And they were peaceful but they are detached from what we do here. They have no relevance, clue about the importance of our work or the messages we should give. They are a powerful force, yet untapped. And we should call on our leaders both in the Masjid and outside, in these chambers and on the 2nd floor of City Hall to engage them. A lot of people take shahada and that's the end of it. It's a constant evolution of your and your community as a result of your example. The other Eid was at 47th and Wyalusing right next door -- I claim it even though Jamie represents it, where an individual was sitting at a table -- my grandkids were there. They chose to go to that. And during the process a young lady was at the table and it was almost like it was her table. She literally charged someone rent to sit there and eat, like this is my domain. Something happened. She saw the ops, if you would, and a gunfight broke out. My grandkid who happens to run track ran three blocks before she even looked back. Thank God no one died. No one died. Three people were shot. Five were arrested. Five guns were taken aback. better reaching that group. And I call upon the Masjids. Suetwedien, Imam Suetwedien came here and gave us our charge this morning. What he does is what I'd like to replicate. He has the ability and street cred unlike myself, but he can talk to warring factions, sit them down and create a truce. We need to engage more people, relevant people, credible messengers, Imams and the like to encourage that dialogue. Because what that young man said that lost his son, because these kids ain't from Mars, they're our children and you can't say you love something you're afraid of. We have to engage them whether it's sports, Member Thomas, whether it be sure -- I mean, make sure the shooter does not live with you, whether it's conflict schools, we have to double down and do more. Finally, changing topics for a second, I'd like us to give a moment of silence for Former Ward Leader of the 4th Ward Sunny Campbell, who was a community activist, third generation activist, the Campbell family in West Philly to their credit has elected more judges of color than any other elected official I know of. And for that, he will be missed. He was a giant in the West Philly community. And I'd like to recognize him, Mr. President, with a moment of silence.
Members stand. (Councilmembers stand for moment of silence.)
Thank you, Council President. I want to speak to the resolution I introduced today urging the United States government to take immediate action to protect and enshrine reproductive rights and ensuring abortion access for all birthing people. We are at war. We are at war with those who would send us back to the dark ages, 160 years back. For those who are not aware day, the day before yesterday Arizona State Supreme Court upheld a 160-year-old law that enforces a near total abortion ban. It is the latest state to basically spit on the rights of women and birthing people to have autonomy over their own bodies and well-being. Rulings like this continue to create a grim picture of the girls, women and all birthing people in this country. It is not simply a state issue. It is a national crisis, and a punch to our personal freedoms which are quickly being stripped away. Make no mistake they're taking away our rights. Next they're going to be taking away our voting rights. Next they're going to make sure we don't read and write. This is a slippery slope folks. We got to wake up, pay attention. Philadelphia is at the forefront of this. Last year thanks to my colleague Jamie Gauthier, Kendra Brooks and former colleague Helen Gym, they passed a package of three bills to enshrine these protections and we need to lead the nation in demanding that our federal colleagues and federal government Protection Act, which would codify this and preempt the state abortion restrictions. We have to do better. And the reason why we're talking about it even though Pennsylvania is currently safe with our Governor and our slim majority in the House is because as I said, this is a slippery slope. You took off our eyes in 2016 and this is where we are. So I urge everybody to make sure you talk to your neighbors, you talk to your family, you talk to your congregation to say we have a solemn duty to vote on April 23rd and then again on November 5th to make sure your voice is heard. Make sure you elect people who are going to protect our freedoms. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
Chair recognizes Councilmember Anthony Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. Again, I just want to thank all of you for recognizing Captain Massey who is now Deputy Commissioner Massey for all of the incredible work that she's done to really serve the City of Philadelphia. Under her innovative leadership, she initiated and strengthened the process for a lot of quality-of-life issues. And I look forward to seeing what she's going to do under the community partnership's wing as our Deputy Commissioner. So thank you again, colleagues. I also just want to briefly provide a couple of reminders. Today there's a legislative luncheon, Thursday, April 11th from 12:00 to 1:00 in the City Council Caucus Room right across here for Chief of Staffs, other Directors of the offices, but also Members. Especially if you don't know Big Brothers and Big Sisters, it's really important that you kind of get a familiarity with them. So if I can get all the members to go to lunch right after this, and it's provided by the Capital Grille. Sam Staten, Jr. is said to be there because I think he's been a big brother. So I would like to see members to be there if we can. Also, we just did an incredible, incredible budget hearing yesterday, budget town hall meeting that was led by our Council President Johnson. Council President Johnson is doing a fine job trying to make sure that City Council is in the streets. And so, what does that mean, that we are town halls to learn from all of the residents of the City of Philadelphia about what are your thoughts on the budget, what do we need more from our City when it comes to fiscal items. And so, we are doing a couple of town halls. The next one, City Council in the community, Your Opinion Matters. Help craft the City's budget by sharing your vision. It's going to be with myself and Councilwoman Cindy Bass on Monday, April 15, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King High School. So 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King High School, so 6100 Stenton Avenue, Northwest Philadelphia. Come out in droves. We need to hear your voice at the budget town hall meeting on Monday, April 15th, 6:00 to 7:30. Pretty much all of Council will be there. It's going to be like a -- and we want to hear your voice. All right. We'll see you soon. Thank you, Council President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I want to offer comments on the shooting yesterday at the Philadelphia Masjid. First, I'm truly sorry that the Philadelphia Masjid community had to experience such terror, and my heart also goes out to everyone in the Muslim community in Philadelphia that such a holy holiday was interrupted by such violence. I had been there earlier that morning yesterday and it was such a beautiful celebration. It There must have been thousands of people there, families, kids all around and just a joyful celebration. And so, to have it disrupted and ended in that way just feels really unfair, particularly because I know that the Philadelphia Masjid community is a loving community. They're a peaceful community. They take care of not only their members but the community around them, whether it's feeding our community, patrolling the neighborhood making sure that people are safe, so that community in particular did not deserve what happened. I want to thank our Police Commissioner and PPD. They had been on the scene yesterday and that's why the shooting wasn't worse than it was. And I want to thank them for how quickly they things down and even scoop one of the shooters and get them to the hospital and make sure that no one died yesterday. For me, the event just puts into light how much we still have to do on a local level but also on a state and national level. I agree with Councilmember Jones that even though we're trending in the right way as far as it relates to shootings and homicides, they're down significantly, if we can't figure out what's going on with young people, then it's all for naught. And I agree that we need experienced people in our communities that know these young people that can talk to them, that can get in between these beefs and these feuds before they turn violent. And I think it also crystallizes for me how important the budget cycle is, right, making sure that there are resources for grassroots violence prevention programs, making sure that we have a jobs program for young people, making sure that there are mental health resources, making sure that PPD has the technology that they need to do their work. All of that is incredibly important on a local level, but we also need help because if these young people didn't have access to essentially weapons of war, yesterday would have been a fight, not a shooting, right. And so, I saw one of the weapons that were recovered was an assault rifle. There's no reason that a civilian needs an assault rifle much less a teenager. In addition to doing our work locally, I just want to encourage us to ban is enough. And we need support from Harrisburg and we need support from our federal government to keep these weapons out of the hands of young people and anyone else who doesn't need them. I also want to talk about a resolution that I introduced today on the Land Bank. So today Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and I introduced a resolution authorizing City Council to hold hearings on the Land Bank. , Councilmember Rue Landau, Councilmember Kendra Brooks, Councilmember O'Rourke and Councilmember Nina Ahmad. And I want to set the stage for how the Land Bank was created in the first place. Ten years ago the community development sector locked arms with City Council to diminished the quality of life in our neighborhoods into essential resources for equitable revitalization.
They recognized that making this vision a reality demanded creating a transparent, predictable, accountable, responsible and representative Land Bank. A decade later we have a Land Bank, but much work remains to make it the Land Bank our communities fought for and need. Philadelphia needs a Land Bank that is a reliable partner for community organizations and residents seeking to make meaningful change in their neighborhoods, is responsive in its interaction, predictable in its processes, transparent in its decision-making and accountable for its outcomes that proactively inventory of vacant property can intersect with other privately-held vacant property to create opportunities for transformative and community beneficial development, and that proceeds from an understanding that preserving cultural and economic stability in our changing neighborhoods means prioritizing accessible and affordable housing as well as community space for existing neighborhood residents. Like many of you, I applaud Mayor Parker's goal of building and preserving 30,000 homes. A reformed Land Bank is critical to hitting this target because our government-controlled Land Bank is the City's best mechanism to construct genuinely affordable housing for Philadelphians facing the greatest housing insecurity, but this land is also a finite week the community development sector is once again uniting with Council to urge the Land Bank to realign itself with its founding principles. We call for a Land Bank that enhances staffing to improve response times and effective application review, views nonprofit and community-based applicants as partners and works with them to get to yes, eliminates barriers to process efficiency, improves transparency and accountability and updates a strategic plan and disposition policies to better balance dispositions across a range of development and productive uses, including prioritizing deeply affordable homes for low-income residents in transitioning neighborhoods. important for more than just housing. The Land Bank should also streamline the application process and dedicate staff to preserving unsecured community gardens and creating new open spaces. Urban farms and gardens empower neighbors to own and access land that benefit their lives every single day. The stewards of these spaces deserve the same level of transparency and responsiveness from the Land Bank that development applications receive. Councilmembers Lozada, Young, Landau, Brooks, O'Rourke, Ahmad and I look forward to working closely with our grassroots partners, Mayor Parker and the rest of the City Council to put our governmentcontrolled vacant land to work for our neighborhoods. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Council President, colleagues. Like most of us, I'm feeling a lot of emotions over what happened at the Philadelphia Masjid yesterday. As a Christian, that would be equivalent of somebody shooting up our Christmas dinner. When I first got here, we did a resolution calling on the state to give us the right to enact our own gun laws. This is not something new. This is something that has been granted to other cities of the first class by their states. And I get coming from working in the Senate that there's a lot of different areas in Pennsylvania, rural areas, where people hunt. And I have no problem do have a problem with is a 15-year-old kid having access to a high-powered weapon of mass destruction. I don't think we actually get how lucky we got yesterday. If it wasn't for the quick thinking of our police officers, we might be talking about a completely different story. And while I'm praying for the victims of that shooting, I'm also praying for that 15-year-old kid whose life is now over. Most likely he will get a large jail sentence for something that did not have to happen. I'd like to echo the Commissioner's sentiments. When I say that you can be a friend to your child, but you must also be a parent. When I was a kid, I became a teenager, I thought I was smart and I went and I put a lock on my bedroom door. When I got home from day, I no longer had a bedroom door. We need to get back to being parents. I have a 26-yearold. I have grandchildren. I don't even want to think of how I would be if that happened. So for me, I think that our state partners if they don't have the guts to enact fair gun laws, then they should just give us that right as a city of the first class to enact our own gun laws and then we will take care of it ourselves. (Applause.)
My frustrations build every day. Everyone knows I live in Kensington. I'm so happy that the Mayor is going to do her 100-day Plan there. But as I've said so many times before, there are little Kensingtons all over this City. We need a change. Second Amendment, it was in the 1700s. Weapons could open fire one shot and then it took a couple of minutes to load another shot. The Second Amendment was never intended for people to walk around with weapons of war. I'm just emotionally distressed. I deal with this every day. I mean, the sad fact is I got home last night to gunshots on my block. Senator Street got home last night to gunshots on his block. Now, granted I live in a neighborhood where that is common and so does the Senator, but I live there purposely. I do not have to live there. I live there because that's where the work is. We need to get to work. The state of Pennsylvania needs to get to work. The citizens of Philadelphia need to get to work. child, check their room. You know where their hiding spots are. Let's get these guns off the street. You can take them, bring them to any police station, hand it in. No questions asked. I'm not saying that you have to bring your child down there, but bring the gun down there. Get it out of your house. It is your house. You are responsible. And maybe that's the next step. Maybe we need to enact some laws to hold these parents responsible for not being parents. Thank you.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.