The next speaker is Nasir Williams. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Nasir Williams. I'm currently a sophomore at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, and I'm here to speak on STATED MEETING 84 2/2/2023 my experience with MES, Marvin's Educational Services. I've been around since the very beginning of MES. I've enjoyed participating in MES as a student-athlete and someone who always wanted better for myself. MES helped shape myself and my peers into better students and helped us excel in the classroom. Marvin made sure I got help with any of my work whenever I needed it, and he started to train myself and a few other students in basketball while still tutoring us. MES kept us off the streets and motivated to be great men and influences in our communities. Marvin, I appreciate everything you do for us and being a mentor in our community. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you STATED MEETING 85 2/2/2023 so much for your testimony. Mr. Clerk.
The next speaker is George Lane. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is George Lane. I'm currently a sophomore at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. I'm here today to speak on my experience of growing through MES. When asked what MES is exactly, I always have to include it is more than an organization, business, or a team. It's a family. Through MES, I gained a lot of lifelong connections with my other fellow teammates or brothers that grew through MES as well. We had the opportunity to be a mentor by two amazing male role models, Brother Marvin and Brother Ryan, who still got us in a positive direction today. Being completely honest, I wouldn't be the student or young brother STATED MEETING 86 2/2/2023 I am today without the help of MES. Year in and year out, I can probably say that I have been on honor roll with straight A's every semester since I was first introduced to Brother Marvin, which is when I was a first grader. In addition, my brothers present today are honor students just as well as me. Since day one, Brother Marvin is always attempting to give so much attention to the value of education, the reason being the importance of how much as asset an educated minority male can be. As stated before, I'm proudly grateful to say I grew through MES. Without MES, I wouldn't be who I am today. I dedicate every accomplishment to MES and Brother Marvin. He been around since ground zero, and this recognition can't even sum up how much thankful I am for him today. STATED MEETING 87 2/2/2023 (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, please read the next person to speak.
The next person to speak, Mr. Chairman, is Marvin Dutton. (Witness approached podium.)
I feel like I'm back at a basketball game, I'm being called out for the starting lineup, Marvin Dutton. My name is Marvin Dutton. I'm the CEO of Marvin's Education Services. If you hear me, clap once. (Audience members clapped once.)
If you hear me, clap twice. (Audience members clapped twice.)
That's something that we do in the classroom just to kind STATED MEETING 88 2/2/2023 of get your attention. There's an African proverb that says you can't thank the person that crossed the bridge without thanking the people that built the bridge. So I'm very thankful for my family. I'm very thankful for my students. Can we all give them a round of applause again, please. (Applause.)
Thank you to Councilman Isaiah Thomas and City Council for honoring MES as we celebrate our ten-year anniversary, ten years of hard work, ten years of commitment, ten years of sacrifice. It's my honor to give back to the community, to impact the life of a child, to impact a family, to positively impact the community. And so I'm extremely thankful. There's a saying that goes STATED MEETING 89 2/2/2023 like, when spiders unite, they can tie up a lion. So together we can do some amazing things. So, again, thank you, City Council. I really appreciate you, everyone. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you. Chief Clerk, please read the name of our next speaker.
The next speaker is Valerie Susan. (Witness approached podium.) MS. McLOYD: Good morning. My name is Valerie Susan McLoyd. First, I want to thank my Councilman, Kenyatta Johnson, for the resolution on urging the United States Congress to pass HR 1280, the George Floyd Justice and Policy Act. But I'm here this morning to stand with the rest of -- if everyone can STATED MEETING 90 2/2/2023 just stand up who is here for Ms. Betty Beaufort. (Some audience members standing.) (Applause.) MS. McLOYD: So I want to thank Councilwoman Brooks for honoring Ms. Betty. Betty is my neighbor for the 1300 block of Garnet Street. We met about 15 years ago. I was serving as the block captain for about 20 years. And every time it was time to go out and work, Ms. Betty was there. I could always depend on her. So I wanted to come out and just honor her for her passion for the community, because that's what we need, more people who are passionate about the community, passionate about the work and determined to get the work done. So thank you, Ms. Betty. STATED MEETING 91 2/2/2023 (Applause.)
Thank you. Chief Clerk, can you please read the next person to speak.
The next speaker is Maria Ortiz. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Marie Ortiz. I'm here to honor Betty Beaufort. She is the only one in our community that stands up for us, fights for us, whether the person like their opinion or not. One thing I can say, Betty, you are phenomenal. Don't let nobody take that from you. You are a phenomenal woman, a woman that speaks the truth, a woman that knows what the community needs. And more leadership in our community need to listen what our community needs. Like Betty Beaufort, she always there to help the people less fortunate. STATED MEETING 92 2/2/2023 I was in a situation a couple years ago. Betty came to my aid. You know, it's funny when you have leadership in the community, they don't even help you, but you have people like Betty Beaufort that's willing to help you. Betty is there for me now. I might have struggled staying still with my daughter. She has cancer, double mastectomy, been to service four times, but Betty has always been there for me through the right and the wrong and the indifferent. Betty, thank you for being a friend, thank you for being a leader in the community, and thank you for speaking and upholding on what you stand for and what you say. Thank you, Ms. Beaufort. (Applause.)
The next speaker STATED MEETING 93 2/2/2023 is Ogbonna Hagins, commenting on 230044. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Ogbonna Hagins. I'm going to be speaking about the Bill 230044. Even though I understand the sentiments of wanting to condemn the Union League for giving the honor to the Governor of Florida, I think there are far more institutions and organizations and people that should be condemned in the City of Philadelphia. We have a School District that has consistently failed our children, and the education data shows that six of ten children who graduate cannot read, write, or do math on a high school level. Eighteen years ago Dr. Ed Robinson was consulted by the School District of Philadelphia to infuse African history into 17 books that were STATED MEETING 94 2/2/2023 used by the students in the District. And why is this relevant? It is relevant because the infusion had been proven to teach not only African American students about their history but all students of the greatness of African culture, which is rarely done today. It was also proven that when African American children learned their history, they are far less likely to be violent, and their overall grades improve. If this infusion of African history was infused into the curriculum, it is very likely that the violence that we see in our city would not be occurring. So, yes, condemn the Union League, but also condemn the School District of Philadelphia, which, by the way, is the only district in the state that does not have an elected school board. And I was just given a text today, because I made a post on Facebook, STATED MEETING 95 2/2/2023 that Philadelphia has not had an elected school board since 1867. So I'm saying to you condemn the Urban League, but let's do right by our children in Philadelphia. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Jonathan Leibovic, commenting on 230044. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Jonathan Leibovic and, yeah, absolutely, condemn the Union League for sure. This is a song that's definitely about that bill number that you just said. STATED MEETING 96 2/2/2023 (Witness singing his testimony below.)
They cut down the trees and they put up a golfing course. And the billionaires behind it showed no remorse. Don't it always seem to go that you got to be a rich white man to get anything done in this town. They cut down our trees and they put up a golfing course. They want to cut corners, bypass the RCOs, but the people won't stand for that, oh, no, no, no, no. Don't it always seem to go that the developers get millions of dollars in tax breaks. They cut down our trees and they put up a golfing course. Hey, Curtis Jones, quit hanging with CCF. They pay a dollar and grant to the City double UTF. Yeah, don't it always seem to go that you got to make thousands of dollars in legal campaign contributions STATED MEETING 97 2/2/2023 to get your zoning permits approved. They cut down our trees and they put up a golfing course. Late last night, I heard an awful sound, and a big yellow tractor tore all our trees to the ground. Now, don't it always seem to go that backroom deals are how business is done. They cut down our trees and they put up a golfing course. And I'm going to keep on singing about it until my voice is hoarse, because the billionaires behind it show no remorse. Most the people showed up today, we came out in force to say you got to prepare if you want your golfing course. Thank you. (Applause.)
Okay. So for your information, in the STATED MEETING 98 2/2/2023 event you want to use it as an audition tape, Channel 64 runs this over and over. But thank you for your testimony, sir. Next speaker.
Hold on, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I want to also just take a moment of personal privilege to acknowledge my colleague Councilwoman Kendra Brooks for acknowledging and honoring a longtime Point Breeze legend, community hero, Ms. Betty Beaufort. Ms. Beaufort, can you stand. (Applause.)
Ms. Beaufort is a part of the Concerned STATED MEETING 99 2/2/2023 Citizens of Point Breeze as well as the Queen Memorial -- Friends of the Queen Memorial Library. Most of you in this body know I'm born and raised in Point Breeze South Philadelphia like all my life. And so I know Ms. Beaufort growing up as a young man in South Philadelphia. And so I just want to commend her for her hard work and her dedication to improving the quality of life of the residents in Point Breeze. And she has no problem speaking truth to power and always speaks with a sense of passion and commitment for doing what's right on behalf of the people in Point Breeze South Philadelphia. So I wanted to give you your flowers as well today as a co-sponsor, Ms. Betty, and tell you to keep up the good work and God bless. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 100 2/2/2023
The next speaker is Melissa Robbins, commenting on 230044. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President, members of Council, and taxpayers. My name is Melissa Robbins. I'll be commenting on Resolution 230044 sponsored by Councilwoman Sharon Vaughn and Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson. I'd like to say thank you for everyone who participated in the press conference last Tuesday denouncing the honoring of Governor Ron DeSantis as well as the protest. What many of you do not know is he left there and then was honored by one STATED MEETING 101 2/2/2023 John McNesby, President of FOP Lodge. What does the Union League of Philadelphia and the FOP leader president have in common? A history of continued white supremacy and public anti-blackness. Most of you don't know that on Election Day, the people who voted over there by the FOP that sits close to Councilmember Brian O'Neill's office, the Black people that voted over there heard the N word, monkey word, gorilla word. I'm here to say Governor DeSantis represents a part of American history that is behind us, and anyone who agrees with that way of thinking or submits to that way of thinking, you are a racist, you are anti-blackness, and the days of subjugating Black people are over. (Applause.)
Our city is STATED MEETING 102 2/2/2023 44 percent Black people. Just like the gentleman said, we have awful graduation rates, awful matriculation rates here in the City of Philadelphia, eds and meds. Why are our kids not in those classrooms? Why are our schools not fully funded? How long do you intend to beat a dead horse in order to continue the life of white supremacy that requires a continued subjugation and oppression of Black people? We see it. We feel it. Our poverty is us. Our children, our inability to own a home, start a business, be educated, travel while being Black. You get your golf courses. You get your special clubs. We get nothing. You criminalize our Black males as they die in the streets, but there's enough land for a dirt bike park so they can ride free, generate money, perform. They're excellent. They're brilliant. How many more years must Black STATED MEETING 103 2/2/2023 people suffer? How many? How many? I don't prepare to do it anymore. So for the Black people who want to pay it off, let me tell you something. It's a whole lot of people like Melissa Robbins. I ain't for sale. You sold my ancestors. Stop taking money to benefit in the moment while your people suffer. Look around the City. Look at Atlanta. Get up off your butts, work together, and bring Black people up. We want money. We don't want your apology. We don't want your scholarships. We don't want your meals. We don't want your hamburgers, and we don't want your goddamn pictures. Invest into our communities. Give us access to the money. What was the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, Build Back Better, where are those millions of dollars? Harrisburg is sitting on 12 billion. Give that money to Black people. We STATED MEETING 104 2/2/2023 earned it. We deserve it. Our ancestors built this country on our backs and we're tired of anti-blackness and racism.
The next speaker is Tiffany Green, commenting on 230064. (Witness approached podium.)
They already warned me, this is her day, so I won't start anything. Tiffany Green. I'm here to honor Betty "Betsy" Beaufort. I want to talk about her real quick, because she is the quintessential activist. An activist is a person who campaigns to bring about political and social change or to hold STATED MEETING 105 2/2/2023 elected officials accountable, which many who are here today, and I want to say I give thanks to all of you. But the point of it is, an activist has to be about purpose, passion, a love for people, and pressing forward and committed. Talk about purpose. I met Betty through a long-term activist, Mamie Nichols, 90 years old. Mamie called me, said that she going up against a billion dollar company, can you do the groundwork. When I came there, she introduced me to Betty, and Betty said she wanted to help out, and we went forward. We won that campaign. After that, Betty was there. They wanted to close down the libraries. Betty came out. We went over there. We found out. We've been at that campaign. At that campaign, one day we were supposed to have outdoors around City Hall have a protest. Not too many showed up because it was raining STATED MEETING 106 2/2/2023 terribly. Betty called me and said, Tiffany, you ready? I said, it's raining. She said, a little water won't melt you. I said, I don't know. She said, be down there. So I come down there. She's standing out there with her grandson with the sign. There was only about ten of us at that point, because people didn't show up. We going around and around and around. The major media show up. All the sudden Stan and his wife said, we gonna take a gift up to Mayor Michael Nutter. At that point, Betty -- he said, who with me? Betty stands up and said, I'm with you, Stan. I'm going with you. So they go up to Michael Nutter's office and take him this coal to represent if he close down the library. At that point, that story ran on Channel 6. I just want to say Betty has STATED MEETING 107 2/2/2023 been there from the beginning. If it's snowing, she's there with her boots. If it's raining, she's there with her umbrella. And I want to say it's been a pleasure to serve with Betty Beaufort. When they tried to close the recreation centers, she was there. When they tried to close -- when they closed down Smith, she was there. We are activists, and we do what we do. And I want to say that I'm glad we're honoring her while she's living at this point so she can hear from all of us that we really appreciate Betty Beaufort. And I want to say that I think a vote today for that resolution is a vote for someone you know who has given themselves freely, voluntarily, and that's what we all need to be about at this particular point. And, Betty, I took a chance down here with all this high-risk STATED MEETING 108 2/2/2023 COVID -- and you know I did -- for you, and I want to say thank you for your support. And also I just want to say, can we reinstate the virtual option for people who are high risk and do not want to come down here to City Council? We deserve to have that alternative to still put forth our right, and you should provide that to us, because as long as COVID is out here, we should not have to risk our lives to come down here for a three-minute comment. Thank you very much.
The final speaker, Mr. President, is Catherine Hicks, commenting on 230044. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. I'm Catherine Hicks and I'm here representing the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP on behalf of the Resolution 230044. Thank you, Council President, Council, and the public for allowing me to be here today to speak on this. I am here because we stood in front of the Union League more than a week ago in protest of the Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, being honored with the highest honor that that league could give. We are in total disbelief and appalled that he who disrespected us as the Black and brown community was taking out Black history studies in our schools. He is known for being a racist. He has brought out the woke, stay woke now on looking at Blacks and browns as not being good enough for us to teach in schools, for us to have that type of curriculum. I denounce that. We, the STATED MEETING 110 2/2/2023 Philadelphia branch NAACP, denounce that. Those who stood with us denounce that. I am in support of this resolution, and I feel that we have to stand up and say that this is not something that we are going to have happen in our city. We are not going to allow our city to be smeared by somebody -- the Florida Governor DeSantis who comes here and then we acknowledge him with an award. So I feel that we all, we all should stand and denounce this, ask the Union League -- we have demanded that they rescind that, and I'm asking that they rescind that honor, because he does not deserve it. Our students have the right to know their history. Our Black and brown children in schools deserve to know their history. And so I am in total support of this resolution, and I ask everyone who stood with us that day, which included STATED MEETING 111 2/2/2023 Black Women's Leadership Council, the Black Clergy, NOW, and a number of organizations and the community, the large crowd that stood out there, we ask that you all hear this and that you do continue with this resolution. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Is that it, Mr. Decker?
Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment session for today. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. STATED MEETING 112 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210434.
A resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to implement minimum force training for all law enforcement officers.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move that Resolution No. 210434 be taken from the table. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of removing from the table? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution No. 210434 is STATED MEETING 113 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING now -- Councilman Oh, are you going to call it up for a vote now?
Hold on. Mr. Decker, hold on one second. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you, Council President. I wanted to ask the sponsor of Resolution 210434, Councilmember Oh, if he could just give us an explanation. He said he was going to wait until next week, so that we understand what he's seeking to accomplish. Thank you.
Thank you. STATED MEETING 114 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. This was brought up before and I think it has sat for a while. I think the Tyre Nichols case once again raises the issue of training. We authorize police officers. We train them. We give them lethal force. They are able and trained to use maximum force. They should be trained to use minimum force. People think that comes naturally. It does not. And I'll just give a quick example. If you and I are engaged in a physical confrontation and we are of equal strength, you give 100 percent, I give 100 percent, but when it is unequal, when my 50 percent is too much for you, I may feel that I am not using much force on you, but you may feel it's quite different. When people are excited, when STATED MEETING 115 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING their adrenalin is going, it does take training. People also naturally when they feel their life is in danger, they get a lot of adrenalin. Their blood sugars rush. That is what's supposed to happen. And so the measurement of the danger is always enhanced, and it does take training to understand and to measure what the danger actually is. That's true of anyone who does any type of combat sport, from wrestling to boxing to kickboxing. You learn that over a period of time. However, when you are using 100 percent of your strength and I'm using 60 percent but there are five of me, when there's five people using 60 percent on one person, I may just think I'm holding your arm, another person may think they're just holding your leg, but the other three people are doing things we don't know. Maybe someone accidentally hits you in the throat. Maybe someone has a knee in your STATED MEETING 116 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING solar plexus. Just even without the force itself, the excitement that occurs, the adrenalin, the stress, the anxiety, if you have any type of situation, you could be seriously injured from there. It is the responsibility of the City to properly train those it authorizes to use deadly force, maximum force, and other types of force. It is good for the officers. It's good for the public. The failing of what happened in Memphis is the responsibility of each one of those five police officers and everyone who is watching, but the other failure is the failure of the City of Memphis and its police department in not training those it holds responsible. Now they are arrested, they have been fired, and they will face murder charges. This happens time and time again, and there should be training. It STATED MEETING 117 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING just -- it happens in many police departments around the world and in this country. There is no reason not to train people. They should be trained. It does not come naturally. So I put this forward once again in response to what happens. Thank you.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilmember Oh. Thank you.
Thank you. That will be on the Calendar next week available for a vote. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, back to 230039.
A resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the "Gun Records Restoration and STATED MEETING 118 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Preservation Act," introduced last session by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, which would repeal the Tiahrt Amendments, whose provisions have hampered efforts to address gun trafficking by, among other things, identifying and holding accountable irresponsible gun dealers and owners.
Council President, I want to commend you for offering this resolution, because often times when we talk about the issue of gun violence, we never get answers to the question where the gun is coming from. So many young people in the City of Philadelphia and all throughout this nation, particularly in urban neighborhoods, have access to illegal guns. And so I just want to commend you for sponsoring this resolution, STATED MEETING 119 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING because this also goes to the heart of how we address the issue of gun violence, and that's access to illegal guns. And with that being said, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, 230044.
A resolution condemning the Union League of Philadelphia for bestowing its highest honor, the Gold Metal, upon Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. STATED MEETING 120 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Let the record reflect there's one opposition -- the Chair recognizes -- did you want to be recognized, Councilman O'Neill, or did you just want -
Councilman O'Neill, did you just want to STATED MEETING 121 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING vote? Okay. There are two no's. Thank you. The Chair again recognizes -Councilman Johnson, are you good? Okay. The motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Decker, 230045.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to introduce legislation allowing Cities and Counties of the First Class to set their own minimum wage laws.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Harrity for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 122 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230046.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3001 Martha Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? STATED MEETING 123 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220918-AA.
An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by creating a new subsection, entitled "Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District."
Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for putting me in touch with the proper organizations to seek guidance about environmental justice. It is not a perfect thing, but it is an overall good thing for the benefit of the community. We are talking about in STATED MEETING 124 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING context -- and for the record, people have a right to speak, but they don't have a right to the facts. There is a golf course in Cobbs Creek that was abandoned pretty much for 15 years. We've had deceased bodies taken out of there. We've had missile silos installed in there. We've had homeless encampments when people need places to stay. But none of these environmental folk were a part of those discussions. Freedom to speak but not freedom of the facts. Not one dollar of government money from this city is going into the restoration of that golf course. That's 60 million plus that we can count, raised by people who care about the historic nature of the first integrated golf course in the City of Philadelphia. I don't know where these people were when I first was elected and we walked through the neighborhoods and collected golf balls, because of the STATED MEETING 125 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING broken fences, that were in people's windshields and in their homes. I don't know where these people were when we went through infestations of lantern flies, infestation of possums and raccoons in the community adjacent, Overbrook Park, Overbrook, Carroll Park. But it is important to know that we, in spite of that, are willing to continue the dialogue. I learned a lot about environmental justice. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you. And I'm committed to making sure that that process continues in spite of this vote. But in context, Mr. President, we've been doing this for ten years. We started this under the Nutter Administration, because we realized then that for all of our collective golf courses, the City of Philadelphia only received $15,000 annually in revenue, had exceeding expenses to keep these public golf courses open. And so now we have an opportunity to get three teams financed STATED MEETING 126 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING within, you know, the golf course's area. Golf teams, you have a commitment from them to do dozens of kids every year that will learn golf course management, which leads to careers, pathways out of poverty. So you have to weigh the good with the bad, and the good far exceeds the bad. I have brought for you -- and Councilman Squilla was excited to finally see -- e-mails supporting the golf course. Many a people in Overbrook Park can't come down here. Why? Because they're at work. But I'd like to submit this as a part of the record to show that there is substantial support. And we have had dozens of meetings, and we know what my district needs. And I respect everybody downstream, going to speak to everybody downstream, but charity begins at home in the 4th Councilmanic District, and I would call for the support and passage of this bill, looking at the STATED MEETING 127 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING greater good for the City of Philadelphia, and trust the fact that I will not stop talking to environmental groups. This has two amendments already because of things we've heard, things we've agreed upon, things we've considered a part of the legislation. That won't stop after today. So I thank you, Member Johnson. I thank you, Member Richardson. I thank you, Member Gauthier, and all members of Council for asking the tough questions and making us find the right answers. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Johnson, did you wish to speak?
You're good? Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is STATED MEETING 128 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 129 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Clarke. STATED MEETING 130 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Thank you. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings examining the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on Black-owned businesses and the disparity in rates of closure, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying STATED MEETING 131 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah. Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take a moment to commend my colleague Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for this particular resolution. I remember when the pandemic first hit the City of Philadelphia and we were getting bombarded by calls from Black and brown small businesses here in the City of Philadelphia who needed a lifeline of support to help their businesses continue to stay afloat. And even though we're slowly coming out of the pandemic, we need to make sure that we do not forget that they still STATED MEETING 132 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING continuously need support in getting their businesses back up and running based upon the impact that COVID has had on their business structure, their business revenue post the pandemic. And so I want to thank her for making sure we continue to stay on top of this issue, because at the end of the day, small businesses here in the City of Philadelphia keeps us afloat. We may think it's the large corporations, but at end of the day, it's small businesses that hire the most amount of employees in our economy regionally. So thank you very much for allowing me to acknowledge her for her laser like focus on this particular issue.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. And thank you, Councilwoman, for your great work, continued presence on the City Council of Philadelphia. We look forward to many more. STATED MEETING 133 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold public hearings on the creation of the 21st Century School District of Philadelphia's CTE middle and high school focused on careers in trades and technology, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take a moment to commend you and Councilmember Thomas, our Chair of Council's Committee on Education, Dr. Watlington, Ryan Boyer from the Philadelphia Building Trades, and everyone who was involved with the announcement that was made last week at Strawberry Mansion High School regarding a program that will help move our young people into good-paying, STATED MEETING 134 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING family-supporting and sustaining career opportunities with the trades. And so this resolution is really the impetus to talk about an idea that I really want to see come to fruition, which is the creation of a 21st century middle and high school in the City of Philadelphia that is primarily focused on careers in the trades but also careers in technology. We know that Philadelphia has a burgeoning life sciences industry. That is not coming but an industry that's here and still coming, and we want to make sure that our career and technical education programs are realigned from a curriculum standpoint so that we can ensure our young people can go directly into those career opportunities. So I know that we need to create this type of school for our young people that's state-of-the-art so that they have additional opportunities, because I learned as a former teacher STATED MEETING 135 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING that not all of our young people will go to college, but they should be college or career ready at graduation, and that's what we need to continue to do. So with that, I move the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion passes and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing February 2023 as Career and Technical Education Month in Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The STATED MEETING 136 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing February 2023 as Environmental Justice Month in the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. STATED MEETING 137 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Anthony Caple of Mercy Career and Technical High School, for his success in founding, promoting, and managing his own clothing brand, 5 Star Clothing, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
The STATED MEETING 138 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. And I also want to take a moment again to recognize Mr. Anthony, who joined us a little late today, because he's our Champion of the Week for today. So recognize Mr. Anthony. Move for the adoption of the resolution.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 139 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating educator Marvin Dutton, for celebrating his organization Marvin's Education Services' 10-year Anniversary servicing the youth of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
The Chair recognizes -- Councilman Johnson, did you want to be recognized? Are you good? Did you want to be recognized?
Thank you, sir. I just want to also -- I got a lot going on today, but it should be duly noted I want to acknowledge Councilman Isaiah Thomas for taking the time to STATED MEETING 140 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING honor Marvin. I've known Marvin -- probably he first started his program was around the time my son was born back in -- some time ago. My son is eight now. So I met Marvin about two years before then, but I was always impressed, because he took one of the key issues that we have to address here in the City of Philadelphia, and that's making sure our young people are educated, right? Education is the passport for all of us out of poverty. So for him to create his own tutorial program, right, that supplements the education our young people are receiving in the Philadelphia public school system and our charter school system as well as our private and parochial system is a mission that I believe is worthy of the honor that he's receiving today. And so I wasn't able to be with him during his ten-year celebration last weekend because I was out of town, but he STATED MEETING 141 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING did give me a call and just asked for my support, and I just want to let him know that I will continuously support him as he moves forward. We partnered on other initiatives that he provided services to, and I just want to hope that all the people in this body, if you're looking for a person to partner with in your district to teach young people around achievement and education, achievement with math, then I would ask you to consider working with this young man and this particular initiative, and just want to personally publicly acknowledge him and thank Councilman Thomas for bringing him to this body. And that's one of his, I guess, part of Team Thomas. So thank you for your hard work.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, STATED MEETING 142 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. Thank you, Councilmember Johnson, for your kind words, as well as Councilmember Vaughn for your kind text message and all of my colleagues in Council. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold public hearings examining the levels of learning loss as STATED MEETING 143 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING well as attendance trends as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and to understand how the School District of Philadelphia plans to address these issues, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
In conjunction with Member Thomas, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on STATED MEETING 144 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Education to hold public hearings to examine the top performing magnet schools in Philadelphia, understand their strengths in relationship to underperforming schools, and to develop strategies for future success, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
In partnership with Chairman Thomas, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. STATED MEETING 145 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold public hearings to evaluate tracking for post-graduation pathways including college retention rates, career alternatives, military opportunities, and the school-to-prison pipeline, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
With apologies to the Chairman for the amount of work he's going to have to put in for all of these resolutions, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? STATED MEETING 146 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold public hearings to examine the progress of the school safe corridor program, to understand its effect on violence reduction, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 147 2/2/2023 2/2/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.