The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241069.
Thank you, Council President. I call for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 241069 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241074?
A resolution thanking the Pennsylvania General Assembly for passing Act 103, the "Putting the brakes on street racing bill."
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241074.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 241074 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 241075?
A resolution calling on Governor Josh Shapiro and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to stave off fare hikes and service cuts to SEPTA by flexing federal infrastructure funds from state highway projects to local transportation authorities.
The Chair recognizes the Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion regarding Resolution No. 241075?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 24105 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Good job, Member O'Rourke. Will the clerk please read the title of bill No. 240613-A?
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-1100, miscellaneous regulations and penalties. And Chapter 12-2800, administrative adjudication of parking violations of the Philadelphia Code, making revisions to disability parking space standards and procedures, creating an application process for residential disability parking spaces limited for use by specific person with disability, creating a new administrative hearing process and amending applicable penalties.
The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Squilla for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to offer an amendment to bill No. 240613-A, a copied amendment has been circulated to all members of council. I move for the adoption of amendment.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to bill No. 240613-A be adopted. All 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. We will now consider privileged resolutions with the clerk. Please read any additional resolutions on today's calendar.
A privileged resolution recognizing November 17th through 23rd as National Apprenticeship Week in the city of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution. Thank you.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the next resolution?
A privileged resolution declaring November 13th through November 19th, 2024, as Transgender Awareness Week, and November 20th, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau on behalf of Councilmember Brooks.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau on behalf of Councilmember Brooks for the motion.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor would signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings exploring Philadelphia's readiness and commitment to protecting immigrant, LGBTQ plus and other marginalized communities in advance of the impending Trump administration, introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of David Rambler, Chair of the Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission, for his tenacious and lifelong commitment to social justice, housing, equity and impact on the lives of Philadelphians, introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution will be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Robert Schwartz, the co-founder and former executive director of the Juvenile Law Center and recognizing his lifelong dedication to juvenile justice and youth rights on a national and international level introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
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. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution thanking Temple University for becoming the first university in the Philadelphia region to deploy gun detection technology and to boost safety introduced by Councilmember Young.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion on the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing the Philadelphia Black Women's Health Alliance for their 40 years of service to Philadelphia communities introduced by Councilmember Young.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for motion on the resolution.
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. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing ordinary heroes for their work engaging black and brown youth in the Hunting Park Community, introduced by Councilmember Young.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Young for a motion on the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution honoring Leslie Richards for her service to the residents of the city of Philadelphia and surrounding area during her tenure as general manager and CEO of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll for a motion on the resolution.
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. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing the critical need for the city of Philadelphia to address vacancies and public safety positions, especially school crossing guards to protect the wellbeing of its residents and uphold the cities commitment to community security, introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
That she recognized the Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
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. Will the clerk please read the title of the next resolution?
A privileged resolution recognizing the critical importance of vaccinations for children in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
That completes our calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. There is a word from the minority today and today that word is value. Before I say that, I want to thank Leader Catherine Gilmore Richardson for supplying me with some medicine today. Not feeling too swell, but she has helped out reaching into her bag and helping me feel a little bit better. So thank you, Leader Gilmore Richardson. Value, value, value, value. So we've heard a lot from public comment today related to the resolution that we just passed calling on flex funding for SEPTA. Because SEPTA is the product of generations of investment that we cannot abandon, and I think we have seen today how priceless that is. We got a letter circulated before we even got the public comment from someone who spoke and I thought the paragraph was pretty catching. It says: "On Monday the City Council held hearings about our readiness for 2026. 2026 presents a cataclysmic opportunity to make or break Philadelphia's image on the world stage. It said Paris invested in its public transit ahead of this year's Olympics. LA is doing the same, getting ready for the 2028 Olympics. Philadelphia will be in the global spotlight in 2026." They asked the question: "Are we ready?" Further, our team actually brought something to our attention that said that right now Seattle is investing $50-billion into a transit system that will be half the size of SEPTA, half. If there was no SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia had to build the system that we have today, it would cost somewhere between 150 to $200-billion. Again, emphasizing the point that our transit infrastructure is priceless. Now, grateful to see that the Union was able to avert a strike and come to a deal. That's great. So the strikes averted, but the cuts have not yet been averted. So the question is are we ready? I want to just say, again, that I appreciate the governor indicating that he "would not let SEPTA fail." I think that was a direct quote. And I just want to add one more exclamation point to the chorus that have called on him today to flex that funding before the next budget cycle, as SEPTA has indicated is necessary in order to avoid failure. But also, if I may, Member Driscoll, to make sure that the tenure of Leslie Richards, who from DVRPC to Harrisburg and back to Philly and running SEPTA, has a long term impact, one that has been fitting such a dedicated public servant that she is, and so we do commend her today in that effort. But not to belabor that point, again, I just want to exclamate the point that we need to see that that funding flexed. Furthermore, I want to say that next Tuesday, my office will join forces with the office of State Representative Ripkowski. Sharing Excess as well as Conqueror CDC to help neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving. We'll be giving out turkeys and offering community members a venue to securely shred any old records or mail. And that again is next Tuesday, make it out to Conqueror CDC at 5220 Whitby Avenue, that's 5220 Whitby Avenue between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. next Tuesday. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. Any speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. I am deeply concerned about the spread of misinformation surrounding vaccines, especially comments from President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, someone who will be tasked with leading a federal agency serving the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. Misinformation surrounding vaccines has contributed to a resurgence of preventable diseases, including measles, which according to the World Health Organization saw her 230 percent increase in cases worldwide in 2022 compared to the previous decade. Philadelphia itself experienced a significant measles outbreak recently. Science proves that routine childhood vaccinations reduce the spread of disease strength -- strengthened the immunity of our communities and protects our vulnerable populations. Taking care of the health of our children and each other is one way we can set them up for a successful life and protect our community. The people of Philadelphia have the right to modern, effective healthcare access and the freedom to lead a healthy, productive life. That is why as the Public Health Committee Chair, I introduced a resolution today recognizing the critical importance of vaccinations for children in Philadelphia. I will remain steadfast in my support of evidence based public health solutions like vaccinations. I urge the city, our civic leaders, schools, healthcare providers and community organizations to keep the mission of protecting and safeguarding our children's health at the forefront of our work. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas.
Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Council President. I actually will be very brief. I actually want to start by thanking you and the Sergeant-ofArms and the tech and the entire team on the Council President's side. We appreciate you pushing us to be more in neighborhoods and in communities and amongst people. And Monday was a great example of that, Council President. We had a hearing at the Visitor's Center and I want to thank them for hosting us around the idea of 2026 and the preparedness and what we have done and what we have seen as it relates to getting ready for 2026, but also what we need to do to make sure that this is the opportunity to put Philadelphia on a global stage. I want to thank Congressman Brendan Boyle for attending the hearing and testifying, as well as State Rep. Solomon. It's important that people recognize that not only is this an important year for our city, but we, as government, see this as a collaborative effort between city, state and federal to make sure that we put on the best possible display we can in order for people to see the amazing city that Philadelphia is. I'm going to thank Greg Karen from the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Meg Kane from Philadelphia Soccer, 2026. Angela Val, a big thank you to Angela Val for all of the organizing effort, but especially pushing us on this initiative. And, of course, I want to thank Mayor Parker, Michael Newman's, Commissioner Bethel, our Fire Commissioner, the entire administrative team, Mrs. Jones as well, too, for participating in the hearing, actively working and coordinating with Council and making sure that the people of Philadelphia again know that this is a priority. For those who don't know, in 2026, we're going to see the Major League Baseball All Star game. We're going to see six World Cup games from FIFA, the 250th birthday of our country, Wawa Welcome America, in addition to so many other events. Our 2026 activities are estimated to bring in over 1-million visitors to the city of Philadelphia and over 1-billion with the b, Council President, dollars in local economic activity. Approximately 30 organizations offered testimony to council that didn't participate in the hearing to provide written statements so that they can, too, have their voice heard and make sure that we understand that they are part of the public private partnership to assure that 2026 is going to be a year that Philadelphia don't forget. Council President, I'm gonna close out with this. There was a lot of amazing testimony that really resonated with myself, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Lozada and Councilmember Landau. But a couple of things really stuck out. I wanna first really thank Councilmember Lozada because one of the charges that she had in that hearing was that nobody, not one of those 1-million people who come to the city of Philadelphia to visit our great city should leave with any viral videos or pictures of anything related to some of the issues that we have in Kensington. So one of the things that we asked for in that hearing and I want to say this on behalf of Councilmember Lozada, is not just a plan for 2026, but a special plan specifically for Kensington. So we can make sure that we're addressing those issues and doing our best and putting us in a position where those constituents feel like they are as important as any other part of this city as we prepare for that. So I want to especially thank Councilmember Lozada for our advocacy because that was one of the things that really stood out in that hearing.
Also, want to make sure that everybody knows that this is a year where not only will we be able to celebrate some of our great institutions and visiting centers and things that are in Center City and historical parts of the city, but we want to make sure that neighborhoods feel this. We want to make sure that we're pushing these 1-million plus people who are going to visit our city to South Philadelphia to West Philadelphia, to the northwest, to the northeast, and let them see -- oh, and North Philadelphia, I'm sorry, Councilmember Young. And let them see how Philadelphia is an amazing city, but a city of neighborhoods that really reflect the melting pot of what we know this great country to be. Last but not least, Council President, as I close out. I think about the words that Angela said -Angela Val said when we were in the hearing. And she talked about how other cities use opportunities like this to propel them to be in the position where 20, 30 and 40 years later, they're still benefiting from the great work that other cities did when they had the opportunity to have the global stage, like the City of Philadelphia will have in 2026. So I know, Council President, with your leader and with the aggressive nature of our colleagues here on the legislative side, as well as with the appetite of the Mayor and the collaborative effort with the city, state and federal government that Philadelphia is going to make this country proud in 2026. And we're going to do such great work that people will be talking about it in 2036, 2046, and so many years beyond. So thank you, Council President, I appreciate you. And thank you to all of my colleagues, as well as the administration because we know we're gonna make 2026 an amazing year for our city. Thank you, Council President.
Excellent work, Member Thomas. We want to make sure that billion-dollar economic development flows to black and brown and womenowned businesses. So great job. Keep up the good work, young man. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. Today, I introduced a resolution to remember and celebrate the extraordinary life of David Rambler. A tireless advocate for social justice and housing equity. David's long life commitment to making a -- lifelong commitment to making a difference touched countless lives in Philadelphia and beyond, including mine. He was a friend, a mentor and a close colleague. Dave was a lifelong activist and protester here. In fact, Suzanne told me that one of his first big protest in Philadelphia was right here in this room. We love that. Welcome the protesters. And in 2015, Mayor Nutter appointed him to be the Chair of the Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission, where I served as the executive director. In that capacity, he adjudicated thousands of cases of alleged unfair rental practices, worked to protect tenants, hold landlords accountable and create a city where everyone can feel at home. Over the decades, he worked at the Defender Association, the National Housing Law Project, and represented groups like the NAACP, Act up, and what was then the Tenants Action Group, championing justice for underserved communities. His contributions extended nationally. He played a pivotal role in securing the largest Federal Fair Housing Act disaster settlement in U.S. history following Hurricane Sandy and shaped policies for housing, equity and disaster recovery at the federal level. His passing on September 1st at age 77 is a profound loss, but his legacy lives on in the fight for fair housing, justice and equality. And with his wonderful wife, Suzanne, also a former legal services justice champion, and his sons Alec and Bryce. We also celebrated the incredible life of Bob Schwartz in a resolution. Another true champion for juvenile justice and youth rights. As co-founder of the Juvenile Law Center, Bob's visionary leadership transformed the way we protect and empower young people across the nation and around the world. Bob's work led to historic legal victories, including eliminating the juvenile death penalty, exposing the kids for cash judicial scandal in northeastern Pennsylvania. And filed class action lawsuits against conditions in institutions and in probation system. He has changed the lives of countless children's and families. Bob passed away on October 8th at age 77. His legacy lives on in the children whose lives he transformed and the advocates he inspired. As a former legal services lawyer myself, we have a tight-knit community here in Philadelphia. And these two both cemented lasting legacies and it's a painful loss to all of Us. And finally today, in both of their honors, I introduced a resolution to reaffirm Philadelphia's commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of immigrants, LGBTQ plus individuals, and all marginalized communities in our city. Philadelphia can and should continue to be a safe, welcoming and affirming city for all, especially as we prepare for the potential challenges ahead in the next presidential administration. Philadelphia thrives because of its diversity and the invaluable contributions of immigrants, LGBTQ plus individuals, and those who have historically faced discrimination. We are built today from the efforts and advocacy of marginalized groups, and we need to protect our neighbors. We must ensure every Philadelphian can live without fear. Every Philadelphian matters here. This resolution is a call to action. Together, we must ensure the City Council remains as standing against injustice and safeguarding the fundamental freedoms that make our city strong. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes the presence and also acknowledges Councilmember Minority Whip Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. Today is Transgender day of Remembrance. I, actually Councilmember Landau introduced on my behalf a resolution to recognize Transgender Awareness Week and transgender Day of Remembrance. Trans and gender expansive people are amongst the dearest loved ones and over the past few months they have been the targets of millions of dollars of political spending on hateful campaign ads. As an educator and a mother, I see this behavior for what it is. Bullying, it is petty, it is cruel and it flies in the face of our most cherished American ideal. The freedom to be who you are and live your own life. On Trans Day of Remembrance, we honor the people who lost their lives in pursuit of that freedom. We honor the 36 trans and gender expansive people who have been killed in the past year, including Pennsylvanian Pauly Likens, who was just 14-years-old when she was killed. We recognize that the majority of trans people killed are black women and we recognize that black women are tired. Tired of being at the forefront of all of our fights to extend our freedom to more people. Tired of being targeted for our willingness to resist bullies and protect the most vulnerable. Over the next four years, we will be -- we will see bullying on a national scale. In fact, next month our illegitimate Supreme Court will hear a case on gender affirming care for trans youth. This election showed the length powerful billionaires will go, whether it's trans folks or immigrants or young people protesting in the streets to try to convince us that some other is the problem, all while they bully their way into more money and more power. Just look at what City Council has prioritized over the last couple of weeks. A billionaire's arena rather than the things that Philadelphian's voted for, affordable housing, living wages and civil rights. And across the country, we will also be seeing Republican led states continue to target our country's trans population. To our trans community, I am here to say we will not allow That here in Philadelphia. Sarah McBride, who is a representative elect for the state of Delaware and the first openly trans person to be elected to the U.S. Congress said it best. "These divisive attacks coming from the right wing are blatant attempts to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions for what Americans are facing." Here in Philadelphia, we will not bow down to bullies. We will stand with our trans neighbors and continue to insist on more freedom, not less. And now is not the time to coward in the face of these attacks, but instead it is the time to recommit to the fight ahead. We can take action now to save lives and that's what I'll be focused on this week and every week moving forward. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you very much. Minority Leader Brooks, would you like to be voted aye on all bills and resolutions?
You're welcome. Duly noted, for the record. The Chair now recognizes Majority Leader Catherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Council President. Again, happy National Apprenticeship Week, Philadelphia. We have held a number of activities and events throughout the City of Philadelphia, introducing the trades and apprenticeship programs to young people across the city of Philadelphia and those wishing to re-skill and up-skill. So happy National Apprenticeship Week. I rise today just to remind colleagues that we do have a 2:00 p.m. Committee Of The Whole hearing. I respectfully request your attendance at 2:00 p.m. We have one resolution which I authored and this will be the second hearing that we hold prior to the city entering into negotiations with the FOP. So we do have a Committee Of The Whole hearing at 2:00 p.m. in addition to our hearing at 6:00. Thank you very much for your assistance.
Thank you very much, Majority Leader. The Chair now recognizes the Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. Today we renamed the 3900 block of Chestnut Street Dr. Audrey E. Evans Way to honor the life and memory of Dr. Audrey Evans and her invaluable contributions to pediatric oncology and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region. Dr. Audrey Evans co-founded the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which opened the first Ronald McDonald House in the world 50 years ago in West Philadelphia. As a pediatrician, Dr. Evans saw firsthand the immense emotional and financial burden faced by families of children undergoing long term medical treatment. That is why she dedicated herself to creating a quote "home away from home" for families, so that they had a supportive and caring environment. The Ronald McDonald House that Dr. Evans co-founded in West Philadelphia grew to become more than just a place to stay. It became a community of support, understanding and compassion and the model for over 385 houses all over the world. Dr. Evans was also a pioneer in pediatric oncologist and visionary who profoundly changed the lives of countless families. Her groundbreaking work in the treatment of neuroblastoma significantly improved survival rates and brought hope to many around the world. Dr. Evans's unconventional approach to care, the bird cage on the oncology floor, the hamster up the sleeve of her lab coat, the bunny that helped the child through her fear of the MRI machine, and her willingness to answer heavy questions asked by her young, critically ill patients about death in heaven redefined what it means to provide compassionate care. I am proud to honor this glass and ceiling shattering doctor, dedicated community leader and trailblazer who embodied brotherly love and sisterly affection in West Philadelphia and nationwide. Thank you so much.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. First, before I go over my comments, I just want to let everyone and the listening public know that on Monday at the Martin Luther King Junior Recreation Center, my office will be holding a special Thanksgiving dinner. For all those who wish to participate, You can call my office to RSVP, or you can search through 5th District Thanksgiving dinner on Eventbrite to sign up to register. That is from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center at 22nd and Cecil B. Moore, which is accessible by bus routes No. 333 and 61.
Member Young, what's your office phone number?
Yes, sir. Office telephone number is 215-686-3442. You can call the office to RSVP for this catered meal that we're going to have. We'll also have live entertainment, a DJ, and we have a magician to come in to perform for our family members as well. I want to acknowledge a solemn moment that happened in our district a couple of days ago. A young man, 20-years-old, Mr. Dominique Jones, a cyclist, was killed by a speeding drunk driver on that 25th and Diamond. And so as the Chair of the Streets and Services Committee, I just want the public to know that this Council is committed to looking at -- is looking into all measures to calm traffic in our city. As you see the Streets and Services Committee today passed out 11 bills, many of them related to traffic calming measures. And so we will continue to do so here in our city. Just yesterday, a 26-yearold was shot and killed at a pizza shop in North Philadelphia on Ridge Avenue, just a block away from my alma mater, Girard College, and across the street from PHA's headquarters. And so while, you know, we're spending hours debating about billionaire pet projects, there is no mention at all throughout these debates on how this project will make our city safer from the number one issue that is facing many people in this city and that is gun violence. And on that same topic, I want to thank Temple University for implementing the ZeroEyes gun detection technology. These are the types of investments that can help improve our lives and improve our safety in North Philadelphia. And, Mr. President, you know there is a -- there was a lot of testimony today about SEPTA and the importance of SEPTA in our region. And on September 12th, you know, I joined you and other colleagues urging -- along with SEPTA, you know, urging the Pennsylvania legislature and Governor Shapiro to allocate the $240-million in necessary Funding to keep SEPTA fully operational. So without this investment, of course, SEPTA faces dire financial crisis, threatening the essential service cuts, fare increases that will burden the daily commute and wallets of Philadelphians. Hundreds of thousands in this city rely on SEPTA as their lifeline, including my friends, my family, my constituents. Right? SEPTA's current deficit underscores a broader concern. How can the agency meet potential future operational demands when it struggles to sustain the existing operations today? With SEPTA already stretched thin, expecting SEPTA to shoulder the financial burden is both unrealistic and unfair. We cannot rely on hypothetical projections of riderships when the reality is that these numbers are unattainable without addressing SEPTA's operational challenges. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that entertainment draws a certain celebrity and social scene where those patrons by in large will drive to those entertainment venues. These factors make the ridership expectations for this large project unfeasible at best. As Vice Chair of Council Transportation Committee, I have consistently fought for increased funding, improved efficiency and enhanced safety for SEPTA. My lifelong riding experience on SEPTA on all modes of public transportation reinforces my commitment to advocating for a strong, reliable and sustainable transit system for all Philadelphians. This is why I have raised critical questions about the impact of a large scale entertainment venue on SEPTA's operations for the daily lives of our residents. So I urge everyone to watch the hearing that we've held in its entirety. Right? The focus must remain on ensuring that any major project that's developed is developed responsibly and equitably.
My priority will always be to advocate for what is best for my constituents and for Philadelphia. And we cannot ignore the realities facing SEPTA. Without immediate funding from the state and careful planning from stakeholders, this vital public service will continue to struggle with the serious -- with serious consequences for our city. And as the elected representative for the 5th District on City Council, I will remain steadfast in holding all parties accountable ensuring that the people of Philadelphia are prioritized in any hearings that we have. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilmember Young. There are no more speeches today. The Chair recognizes Majority Whip Thomas for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Council President. I move that Council stands adjourned until Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 10:00 am.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stands adjourned to Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and everyone have a happy Thanksgiving, if that's what you celebrate. ) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the notes taken by me of the above case, and this copy is a correct transcript of the same. _______________ Samanda J. m. m. org. N. S.