COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 30, 2024 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK F. SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. ELIZABETH McCOLLUM NAZARIO, INTERIM CHIEF CLERK
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. This Council will now come to order. Members will take your seats. All visitors will retire to their seats outside the rails. I'm asking for all conversations to please come to a cease. Before proceeding, I'm asking all those present to please set your cell phones to silent or vibrate. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend William C. Hamilton, Senior Pastor at First Church Worship Center. He is here today as the guest of Councilmember Young. members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
(Inaudible) as we come today, we come in humility and peace. Let's quiet our spirits and thoughts as we pray. Our Father O God, we come before you today with gratitude and we thank you for being a God of love, peace, who is with us right now in this room. We thank you for all your service in political, in the United States of America, the state of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia as well as every branch of the military who serves. Lord, thank you for putting this room today with those who we know and those we do not know. That's called unity. Thank you, Lord, for the call you have given every member of our City Council who serves the City of Philadelphia. We pray today and every day that you will be honored by all their decisions and actions they do as they serve on City Council. We pray for their wisdom, strength and courage to do what is right for the good of all the citizens of Philadelphia. May City Council always put the interests of others above their own interests, and may they act in love and service, the common good of Philadelphia. Lord, please keep City Council and all their family members safe from all hurt, harm and danger as it serves the people Lord, thank you for our City Council President Johnson, City Councilmembers, Mayor Parker, first responders, police and fire and all those who work to make the City of Philadelphia a proud place to call home. We pray for a speedy and complete recovery of Councilman Dwight Evans. Thank you, City Councilmember Jeffrey Young, Jr., for your invitation for me to pray today. We thank you for my wife being here and also some members of First Church Worship Center. We pray this prayer in the great merciless name of Jesus the Christ. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks the Pastor for his invocation. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 23, 2024. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 23, 2024 be approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 23, 2024 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is request for leave of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks. (No response.)
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority, there are no requests for leave of
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and as required by law, subsequently published on amended agenda, after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or recalled from the Mayor, amendments to bills recalled from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, we welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend the legislative affairs of our City. We certainly invite you to time, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Young who will present a resolution honoring and congratulating students from the Benjamin Franklin High School Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program. (Applause.)
They will be honored for passing 100 percent -- have a 100 percent passing rate of the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute Exam. Would Dr. Khalila Canada and those accompanying her please join us at the podium. Also joining Councilmember Young will be Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Ahmad, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Landau, O'Rourke, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Jones and Councilmember Squilla. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
Let's give our young people a round of applause, y'all. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President. We're doing this resolution to show that our public schools can produce some of the brightest minds, the best students that the City has to offer. This also shows how important it is to have trades in our public schools. These students are being trained with a skill that they will have for the rest of their lives, and they'll be skills to move on to many different vocations that they choose. And so, just want to put it out there that all of these students passed the NOTCI exam, and they were trained in carpentry at Ben Franklin High School. However, I want to put it out there to the rest of the building trades that these students are willing and able to come on board with your trade as well as you seek to expand your apprenticeship program, you should use Ben Franklin as a feeder school for all of your apprenticeship programs. (Applause.)
And so, today we're here to honor these students for their remarkable task. They've worked hard. And I want to give a special, special shout-out to their former teacher, my staffer Crosley, who has worked entirely hard -(Applause.)
I know he was very sad to leave you all to come to work for me on this new journey, but he is very proud of you. He speaks about you every single day, every day literally. So you know you have a champion on my staff. And so, with that we're going to present a resolution honoring and congratulating students from the Benjamin Franklin High School Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program for their 100 percent passing rate of the National Occupancy Competency Testing Institute exam.
All right. For more than a decade the Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program at Benjamin provided students with the introduction to all facets of construction; and
Whereas, students in Benjamin Franklin High School's Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program learn the basics of all tools as well as theory and shop principles for the concrete, masonry, electrical, plumbing and carpentry trades; and
Whereas, these trades introduce students to the nomenclature and industry jargon to help make an easy transition into employment post-graduation into the lucrative construction industry; and
Whereas, Benjamin Franklin High School students in the Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program receive training and construction safety as well as Home Building Institute, HBI, and several pre-apprenticeship opportunities in several labor unions, including the laborers pre-apprenticeship program, IBEW Rosie Girls Pre-Apprenticeship Program, D.C. 21 Finishing Trades, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenter CARP program; and
Whereas, many students in Benjamin Franklin High School's Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program face significant external challenges from a variety of circumstances from health issues to family problems to homelessness; and
Whereas, through shared grit, determination and continual commitment to showing up, this program as novices were able to learn skilled trades, helping themselves and each other; and
Whereas, the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute, NOTCI exam, is an American certifying body that tests students on their abilities to perform the skills needed in a career; and
Whereas, in the 2023-2024 school year every senior in the Benjamin Franklin High School Building Trades and Property Maintenance Program passed the National Occupancy Competency Testing Institute Exam as well as earning their OSHA 10 certification; and whereas, this significant achievement is a testament to the hard work, talent and ingenuity of the students of Benjamin Franklin and Property Maintenance Program. And, therefore, be it;
Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that this esteemed body honors and congratulates students from the Benjamin Franklin High School Building Trades and Property Maintenance for their 100 percent passing rate of the National Occupancy Competency Testing Institute Exam. And be it further resolved, that an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Benjamin Franklin High School as evidence of the true and sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body. I want to give a big congratulations to all of the students who passed the exam. (Applause.)
Benjamin Franklin High School sits at Broad and Spring Garden. There we offer a two-for-one, a high school diploma and a certification in five trades so that's the place to be. Today I'm excited for my students and I just want you to look out for them because they're going to be sitting in these seats soon. They're going to be doing great things. Great things do come out of public high schools. Great things do come out of public high schools. And I want you guys to give him another round of applause. (Applause.)
The next voice you'll be hearing is from Mr. Ronald Sizer who's our precision machinery teacher, our basketball coach. Last year also he was our teacher of the year, so give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Canada. Thank you, Councilmember Jeffrey Young, Mr. Conlan Crosley and everybody who made this happen for our students. This is an extremely important day for us. As one of the only African American machine teachers in America, this is a milestone for myself, for my community and for the City of Philadelphia definitely. You heard 100 percent a lot today, but I want to say we also have 100 percent retention rate. Everybody we sent to work is right now, so that's major. All right. So once again, thank you very much and I appreciate everybody. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
At this time the Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas who will present a resolution honoring and recognizing Philadelphia Freeway, by declaring June 1st of 2024 Philadelphia Freeway Day in the City of Philadelphia, celebrating the outstanding contributions of Philadelphia Freeway and his organization the Freedom Thinkers Academy. Will Freeway and those accompanying him please join the Councilmember at the podium. And will be Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Nina Ahmad, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Bass. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
I know I'm not Council President Johnson, but good morning. (Good morning.)
All right. That's a little better. Thank you. Thank you to everybody for being here today to celebrate --
Thank you everybody for being here today to celebrate somebody who was a part of the fabric and the DNA of Philadelphia culture. As a 39-year-old -- 39-year-young member of City Council representing the entire City of Philadelphia, I vividly remember the great impact that Freeway, State Property, that entire hip hop organization had on the City of Philadelphia, arguably one of the greatest hip-hop organizations that have ever come out of the City of Philadelphia. And at the end of the day, for us to be able to be here today to watch Freeway specifically and his influence and his impact on the City of Philadelphia, more importantly to celebrate him and to acknowledge June 1st as Philadelphia Freeway Day is extremely important. for today, I had to go back and listen to some old albums, Philadelphia Freeway, Free At Last, right, you got to wrap your mind around this stuff. Can't just read the bills, but do your homework too, right. You got to know the hip-hop culture. And one of Freeway's songs really resonated with me, not just then but now based on what we're going through as a City and the impact his music had. We all have our favorite Freeway songs. But on his album Free At Last, the album concluded with the song that spoke about the emotions of dealing with trauma. The song is called I Cry. And in the midst of the song, one of the things that Freeway does is he makes himself as a Black man extremely vulnerable as it relates to the social, emotional through that often puts us in a position where we experience some type of trauma but don't necessarily want to get help. And so, for me when I think about the things that young people are going through today and I think about some of the things that I go through today, one of the stigmas in the Black community -- there are many -- we're not supposed to cry, we're not supposed to seek therapy, we're not supposed to say we need help. We're supposed to be these big strong figures that forever is never vulnerable to anything. And I think his song is a testament to maybe the foresight that he had as a release to where his journey would go and the impact he would have on vulnerable communities to put people in a position to be able to be themselves, and that's important for a lot of us who could really relate to the idea that it's not okay to cry, especially as a young boy growing up, right. Stop that crying, you a boy, you're going to be a man one day, you ain't supposed to be crying. That's just not true. It is okay to cry. It is okay to be an emotional young man. And more important, it's okay to use your platform to give back to people to make the world a better place. So I just wanted to start today's resolution with those comments. And I also wanted to give Councilmember Young an opportunity to communicate some of his emotions as we stand here with one of the most influential hip-hop artists to ever come out of Philadelphia, to recognize him for the great work he's done. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilmember Thomas. I'm going to be very brief and just say that this gentleman to my left for a long period of my life was my favorite rapper. Literally every single State Property, Freeway song I can spit to you right now. But it's because of the things that he spoke about in the songs. We all know rap has this stigma for being violent and all these other things, but how Freeway rapped these songs he just told stories of things that are happening in our communities, gave a positive message to that. And I can tell that even throughout his own personal trials and tribulation he has always remained positive of what's going in this world, in this to still give back to the people of Philadelphia despite everything else. So I just want to commend Freeway for staying positive and showing some positivity to our city. Because as long as we keep showing this positivity, we can change the culture in our city. So I just want to thank you for that, Freeway. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President, for your leadership on this matter. This resolution was introduced by myself on behalf of the Council President. And if you know our Council President, he is always for honoring and rewarding people who are doing positive things in the neighborhood. So with that being said, we and recognizing Philadelphia Freeway by declaring June 1, 2024 "Philadelphia Freeway Day." Can we give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
So June 1, 2024, Philadelphia Freeway Day in the City of Philadelphia celebrating the outstanding contributions of Philadelphia Freeway and his organization Freedom Thinkers Academy. (Applause.)
And whereas, Rap Legend Philadelphia Freeway also known as Leslie R. Pridgen, Jr. is a well-known fixture in Philadelphia's music and culture scene, celebrating more than 20 years in the hip-hop industry; and
Whereas, signed to Jay Z's 2001 at age 23 reaching the -- okay, 20 -reaching the Top Five on the Billboard 200 at 24 I have, and performing around the country before 30, Freeway has a longstanding dedicated fan base and multifaceted relevance in today's industry. Freeway is best known for his hits What We Do, Rock The Mic and Flipside, all popular in 2003 and 2004 and regarded as classics today; and
Whereas, in February 2019 Freeway received a life-saving kidney transplant, and on June 1, 2019 at The Roots Picnic, City officials declared the day as Philadelphia Freeway honoring Freeway with the Liberty Bell honor. Freeway is a national thought leader and subject matter expert in navigating health care and chronic health issues as and a kidney recipient; and
Whereas, following his battle with kidney health issues, Freeway established the Freeway Thinkers Academy, a platform dedicated to leveraging music, health, education and culture to break the cycle of generational poverty and tackle an achievement gap among African Americans; and
Whereas, Freedom Thinkers Academy provides free or low-cost community-based workforce certification programs for students and families in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware, including phlebotomy, medical coding and billing and audio and video production; and
Whereas, Freedom Thinkers Academy 106 individuals from its workforce certification programs to date. Additionally, all cohorts of the Freedom Thinkers Academy workforce certification program have achieved 100 percent success rate with every participant graduating and obtaining a required certification;
Whereas, every participant in the Freedom Thinkers Academy program is carefully matched with a job position and provided with resources essential for their developmental success. Freedom Thinkers Academy is committed to sustaining this momentum and seeks to collaborate with key organizations in the City to extend its positive impact to more residents of Philadelphia; and
Whereas, Freeway's unwavering through its provisions of resources, workshops and services via Freedom Thinkers Academy is commendable and serves as a shining example of organizations enforcing workforce Development and enriching the lives of Philadelphians. Now, therefore, be it resolved;
By the Council of the City of Philadelphia that the Council hereby honors and recognizes June 1st as Philadelphia Freeway Day and celebrates Freeway and Freedom Thinkers Academy for their contributions to strengthening the City's workforce and providing -(Applause.)
Further resolved, that an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Philadelphia Freeway as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Congratulations, sir.
The Chair recognizes Philadelphia Freeway. North Philly in here strong today.
I'm Freeway in the place to be, see, and I got what it takes to rock the mic, yeah. Listen, I want to thank each and every one of y'all. This is a huge honor and it's a blessing. I remember taking the El and coming downtown and downtown was my whole world. I remember going to Lancaster Avenue with my grandmom and Lancaster Avenue was like the whole world to me, but now I was able to experience the world through a gift that I got from God I was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure September 15, 2015. I was on dialysis from then all the way to February 5, 2019 when I received my gift of life. I received my new kidney. Instead of hiding what I was going through from the world, we decided to stand in front of it. In 2024 we turned lemons in lemonade through the will of God. Man, I'm so blessed and I'm so honored to be standing here. I want to shout out OIC for believing in us and partnering with us early, and the results are amazing. We're really touching these children, these young folks in our community. I feel like the main reason all this violence and negativities going on in our city is because these young folks don't have many opportunities. with this opportunity to take this course and to get this certification, and then we assist them going straight into the workforce and that's a blessing. If you have a choice versus being in the streets doing negative violent things or getting the certification, what choice are you going to make? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Certification.
And shout-out to each and every one of them students that passed the class early, Ben Franklin. Shout-out to Ben Franklin. Y'all doing amazing work, and I look forward to getting with y'all and partnering with y'all too. Shout-out to the Community Education Building in Delaware. We actually have a graduation tonight at 5 o'clock. of phlebotomy students and we're graduating the cohort of medical billing and coding students today. We're putting the work in and that's what's important to me. And to be honored by my city, the city that I grew up in means everything to me. I named my first album Philadelphia Freeway and I carry Philadelphia on my back everywhere that I go -(Applause.)
-- with respect and humbly, you know. And I have a huge announcement to make. Being as though y'all supported me and everybody supports my organization, we're going to continue to support the City. And I want to announce Free Fest August 2024. It's going to be the first annual Free Fest. I started Free Fest 2015 diagnosed with kidney failure. I had to go to the hospital and Free Fest was probably, like, that weekend and I wasn't able to obtain it or be there, so we're launching Free Fest 2024 in August, and it's going to be amazing. It's a free community event. And if you want more details on it, you can go to phillyfree.org. It's going to be an amazing event for the community. Shout-out to the Gift of Life. It's another one of my partners that I feel very strongly about, because not only am I an organ transplant recipient, I'm a donor dad. When my son Jihad passed away in 2020 and someone approached me and my family from Gift of Life and told us that he can save some lives, being as though I know what it feels like to wait for a life-sustaining organ, for us but to say yes. And Alhamdulillah, through the grace of God, my son saved four lives. Two people got his kidneys, one person got his liver and one person got his lungs. (Applause.)
And that's some of the amazing work that they're doing at the Gift of Life. And I'm an organ donor myself. And a lot of people feel like if you register to be an organ donor, that if you get into an accident or something happens to you, that they're going to take your life. And that's the farthest thing from the truth. A medical professional's job is to save the patient that's right in front of them. 9 times out of 10 they don't even know if you're an organ donor or not. They're just trying to save you a situation like that. So we have a call to action. We want to get 5,000 people to register to be organ donors. That's one person for every person in our area that's on the transplant waitlist, and God willing we can get to that number and surpass that number. But for real, man, this is a huge honor to me. I mean, I appreciate this from the bottom of my heart. I walk these streets. I've been in these streets. I know Philly. I love Philly. I put Philly on my back, and to be honored by my city and to get my own day and my city means everything to me. Shout-out to my brother that came all the way down from OSG, my brother Dennis, that's Off School Grounds. It consists of 200 principals and educators. And to educate the young folks and do the best that we can do in the community. Shout-out to the Fathership Foundation, my brother over there. We had a meeting last week with Dame Dash. He's doing some amazing work in Southwest Philly. Shoutout to Purple Queen and shout-out to everybody in here that's trying to do the good work and that's trying to better our community. I appreciate y'all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. (Applause.)
Oh, shout-out to my brother Ryan Press that came all the way from LA. That's my day one brother that helped me with this music thing. I love y'all. (Council at ease.)
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to take a moment to welcome Mr. Eric Williams and his -- I'd like to take a moment to welcome Mr. Eric Williams and his son Elijah who will be honored by a resolution today. Would you please stand. Give them a round of applause. (Applause.)
You're welcome, Member Jones. I want to also take a moment to acknowledge State Representative-elect from Northwest Philadelphia, Mr. Andre Carroll. Could you please stand, young man. (Applause.)
adopted member of City Council because we watched you grow up and doing work around this body under your Mentor Isaiah Thomas. And so, we're extremely proud of your hard work. Congratulations. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications in her possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting for the consideration of your Honorable body a draft of a resolution, entitled Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose 2839 North Orianna Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-1700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to modify the development plans previously approved by Council Resolution 190513 and memorialized in a purchase and development agreement between the Land Bank and Mosaic Burks LP to now encompass a total of 27 residential condominium units; and A resolution approving the First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area identified by house number and street address as 2451 2453 Frankford Avenue; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement with BMK Properties, LLC and to take such action as may be necessary to a effectuate the First Amendment to the redevelopment agreement; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1900 East Lehigh Avenue, located in the 1st Councilmanic District pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1234 to 1240 South 47th Street, 3914 Folsom Street, 3935 Folsom Street, 3936 and 3938 Folsom Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirement of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying titles to 2917, 2919, 2937 and 2939 Cecil B. Moore Avenue located in the 5th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District, including on the following streets Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Morse Street, North Street, North 31st Street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 2035 East Birch Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2806, 2903, 2907, 2913, 2917-19, 2925 and 2937-39 Cecil B.
Moore Avenue in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to modify the development plans previously approved by Council 220757, 220823 and 230503 and memorialized in a Purchase and Development Agreement between the Land Bank and West NoMa Revitalization Group to include only one renovated property located at 4041 Cambridge Street in the 3rd Councilmanic District and to permit West NoMa Revitalization Group, LLC to return the properties located at 759, 761, 763, 773 and 783 Pallas Street in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the 8th Councilmanic District including on the following streets: Wakefield Street, Collom Street and East Wister Street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act; and A resolution approving the appointment of Richard Harris to the Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; and A resolution approving the reappointment of Asia Coney as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Ben Connors as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Darrell Clarke as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and reappointment of Ethel Wise as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the reappointment of Herbert Wetzel as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the reappointment of Ismail A. Shahid as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the reappointment of Lynette M. BrownSow as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Sandra Dungee Glenn as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Authority; and A resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Johns to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment; and A resolution confirming the appointment of Tya Winn to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. And to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on May 29, 2024 I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on May 16, 2024: Bill No. 240087-A, Bill No. 240247-A and Bill No. 240281; and A resolution appointing Brianna Wilkins to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District. Council President, there are no other communications in my possession.
Thank you, Chief Clerk. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, City of Philadelphia. I have no bills or resolutions for introduction today. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Nothing today.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. Today I have -- I'm sorry. Today I have eight non-privileged resolutions, seven of them on your behalf and then one privileged resolution.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the privileged and non-privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of service of the Honorable James R. Roebuck, Jr.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1234 through 1240 South 47th Street; 3914, 3935, 3936 and 3938 Folsom Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Johns to serve on the Board of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution confirming the appointment of Tya Winn to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council.
And a resolution confirming the appointment of Tonetta Graham to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council.
And a resolution confirm -- a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of James Snell to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of William Bergman to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of Ismail Shahid to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a non-privileged resolution confirming the appointment of Cheryl Gaston to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. No bills or resolutions today. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution today.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
And a privileged resolution honoring Eric D. Williams, founder of the Project Elijah Empowering Autism Foundation for his work ensuring that children with autism are supported, included, protected and empowered by creating the "Autistic Person Area" street sign.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes councilmember Rue Landau.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I've got two privileged resolutions and one non-privileged resolution.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the privileged and non-privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution declaring June 2024 LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community and exploring solutions to achieving equity for the LGBTQ+ Philadelphians.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of transgender people.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer two non-privileged resolutions.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2839 North Orianna Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 2035 East Birch Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes newly married Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young. Congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill and one privileged resolution.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill and the non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to approve the construction, ownership and maintenance of a proposed set of non-standard bollards at 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution recognizing May 2024 as Building Safety Month in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I have no resolutions to introduce today.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.
Council President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Council President. No bills or resolutions to introduce.
Morning, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution introduced on your behalf.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the title of the non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution approving the appointment of Richard Harris to the Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. Three non-privileged resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1900 East Lehigh Avenue located in the 1st Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
And a non-privileged resolution approving the First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area identified by house number and street address as 2451 through 2453 Frankford Avenue; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to redevelopment agreement with BMK Properties, LLC and to take action as may be necessary to effectuate the First Amendment to the redevelopment contract.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of Council.
And a resolution appointing Briana Wilkins to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee -- This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Deputy Whip Cindy Bass, Councilmember.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 2024 Philippine Independence Week Celebration in June 1st to June 15th.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The next order of business is reports from the Committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for report from the Committee on Public Safety.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Safety offers three bills with a favorable recommendation.
We will resume. Councilman Curtis Jones reports from Committee of Public Safety.
The Committee on Public Safety offers favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the report.
The Committee on Public Safety to which was referred Bill No. 24280, entitled Amending Chapter 10-2200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hate Crimes," to expand the scope of qualifying crimes, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. And Bill No. 240330, entitled amending Chapter 21-1200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Citizens Police Oversight Commission to modify the procedure by which members of the Citizens be removed, providing a procedure to suspend members and clarifying terms in that chapter, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. And Bill No. 240472, entitled Amending Chapter 10-2000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Unlawful Manufacturer Firearms," to add restrictions relating to rate of fire acceleration devices, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion.
Yes, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of the aforementioned bills read by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. And Bill Nos. 240280, 240330 and 240472 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a report from the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless.
Thank you, Council President. First, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the presence of the Honorable Jannie Blackwell, Ms. Thelma Peake and anyone else who's come -(Applause.)
Ms. Thelma Peake, and anyone else who's come today to speak on the resolution honoring the late State Representative Jim Roebuck. Next, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless reports out one recommendation.
Thank you. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill -- the report please.
The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to which was referred Bill No. 240060, entitled Amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fair Practices Ordinance, Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination," to clarify and enhance protections against housing discrimination for housing assistance program participants, to modify certain procedures for investigation of housing discrimination complaints and conciliation, appeal and election of civil action of all complaints and to make related technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bill just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the consideration of the bill just read 2ND READING by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and Bill No. 240060 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from Committees with the suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of council. As there are no additional 2ND READING bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 240030, 240510, 240516, 240518, 240220-A, 240241, 240336, 240005, 240187, 240303, 240383, 240423, 240425, 240431, 240435 and 240245. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 240468, 240059, 240376, 240370, 240428 and 240061.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hassen at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Due to our volume today, the time limit will be two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once two minutes has passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not done so already. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Sharon Hildebrandt. May Marlana Moore, Sue Wasserfrug and Abraham Reyes Pardo also make their way to the podium. Sharon Hildebrandt. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Sharon Hildebrandt and I'm here on behalf of Breweytown Garden to speak in support of Bill 240187. The bill will allow the Philadelphia Land Bank to exercise its right to be sole bidder at tax sale under the condition outlined in the bill and enable the Land Bank to protect community gardens like ours. Brewerytown Garden is a community-run nonprofit in the 5th Council District. Our half acre garden provides space for over 75 residents to grow produce and we generate 5,000 pounds of food each year. We like to say though that we are more than a place to grow food, as growing community relationships is of equal value. Each summer we lead no-cost weekly programming aimed at children, families and seniors, including art, nature, cooking, yoga classes, game days, blood pressure checks, jazz concerts and so much more. We also are home to the neighborhood's only farm stand, where we sell produce at below market value. And we've been doing this since the days when we didn't have a grocery store in the neighborhood. We are fortunate that half of our garden was preserved by Philadelphia Parks & Rec and the Farm Philly program in 2015, but securing the remaining five parcels has been a struggle. At one point the hope was that the Land Bank would absorb all five, but two of them went to market 1920 -- in 2021. Neighborhood Gardens Trust was able to secure these two parcels but at a great cost. We had to win a competitive state grant and crowdsourced tens of thousands of dollars in order to acquire them for $175,000. The three remaining unsecured parcels have been in the Land Bank for almost a decade. We've been able to do some upgrades to these lots, but we can't do the most important thing which is to replace the dilapidated sidewalk. I'm here to urge Council to ensure Land Bank works better for the community gardens. We have a thriving community hub and we hope to flourish for generations to come. Land security is the way to that path. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. I'm Marlana Moore. And good morning. I'm here speaking on behalf of Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Philadelphia's Land Trust for the preservation of community gardens and community-managed open spaces. I also want to support Resolution No. 240187, which will allow the Land Bank to exercise its priority bid at sheriff sale and resume property acquisitions. The resolution's essential for preserving many community gardens located on privately-owned tax-delinquent properties, especially for the 80-plus garden parcels that were part of last year's U.S. Bank lien buyback. Over the past months, many fellow advocates and supporters have sat in this room and shared with City Councilmembers about the importance of permanent preservation for community gardens, for the Urban Agriculture Hearing and NGT's Executive Director Jenny Greenberg's appointment to the Land Bank Board and about this resolution. Passing this legislation is an important step to preserve our city's many incredible gardens that are making Philadelphia healthier, safer and more resilient, and we encourage you to pass the bill today as a next step. We ask for your help to ensure that the Land Bank sees the disposition of these parcels through to the communities who have been stewarding the land for decades. It's clear from the recently published PHDC annual report that 59 pending garden disposition applications awaiting settlement, things just aren't working since the 2019 disposition policy was adopted. For us even with strong Council support and meeting the City's requirements, we have been unable to go to settlement for 10 gardens on cityowned properties. For some, we submitted applications over four years ago. I want to ask for your support for you to use the tools and resources available to you as City Councilmembers to help us resolve this impasse so we can provide land security and support the many community gardeners who invest blood, sweat and tears into nourishing and beautifying our city. Thank you. (Applause.)
Sue Wasserkrug. Good morning, City Council and thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of Bill 240245, which would make the Eviction Diversion Program permanent. My name is Sue Wasserkrug and I'm the Director of Mediation at CORA Services, a nonprofit resource center that has served the Philadelphia community for over 50 years. We have an entire department that is dedicated to partnering with the City and other nonprofits to implement the Eviction Diversion Program. The aim of EDP is to support both landlords and tenants as they work together to create mutually beneficial solutions and to strengthen their rental relationship. The program accomplishes this through mediation, targeted financial assistance and resources to enable landlords and tenants to resolve their disputes through direct negotiation. The program has proven to be highly effective. Nearly half of all renters who completed the program did not have an eviction filed against them. In the most recent phase of the program, nearly 70 percent of all cases with a completed mediation reached an agreement, and Philadelphia is one of a small handful of jurisdictions where eviction filings have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is in large support due to EDP. Eviction diversion begins when landlords complete an online application. Because of the novelty and complexity of the program, we offer easily accessible landlord liaison support throughout the diversion process. We review 500 to 600 EDP applications weekly, while managing nearly as many calls, texts and emails mostly from landlords and their agents. We schedule and process 50 to 80 mediations per week. Almost all are handled by trained volunteer mediators. We provide intensive support throughout the process regardless of the track, whether it's mediation, targeted financial assistance or direct negotiation. Landlords tell us they are grateful for this program which supports them in their goal of keeping their tenants, recouping lost rental income and avoiding the stress and expense of court. Tenants are grateful too for avoiding the trauma of eviction. And it's not just landlords and tenants who are winners. The court benefits from more manageable dockets and the entire community benefits by making a real difference in our efforts to combat housing insecurity and social inequality. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. Good morning. My name is Abraham Reyes Pardo. I serve as the VP of Housing for the Urban League of Philadelphia, which is a 107-yearold civil rights organization. I'm here to provide comment regarding Bill No. 230245 about the extension of the nationally recognized Eviction Diversion Program. Much has been said about the impact of the program, including its capacity to reduce eviction filings and how it provides much-needed financial support for landlords and tenants. As a housing counselor, there is only one metric I often think about and, that is, the benefit of keeping people housed at a time when affordable housing is scarce. The Eviction Diversion Program fosters a healthy housing market at a time when private equity firms across the country are exacerbating its conditions. I'm specifically referring to the massive multi-billion dollar financial instruments used to buy up housing units with cash, then raising rents, evicting tenants and skimping on things like ordinary maintenance and pest control in order to maximize returns for shareholders. The United Nations has now linked these instruments to a level of market distortion that's created a global housing affordability crisis. Congress has introduced legislation to curve the practice which comprises of 28 percent of all U.S. home sales in 2022 alone according to the Pew Charitable Trust. We don't often think about Philadelphia as a modern metropolis that it has become, re-emerging as a true survivor of the postindustrial crisis that afflicted many big cities back in the '70s, which also means Philadelphia and its residents are being confronted with 21st century challenges, equally impacted by big data and algorithm segregation. The Eviction Diversion Program should continue to provide a safe space where we can take a pause collectively where the information can be analyzed and concerns can be validated. Thank you. (Applause.)
May Councilwoman Blackwell and her guests make their way to the podium. We also have Sajda Blackwell, Thelma Peake and Alice Wright accompanying Councilwoman Blackwell. (Witnesses approached podium.)
May Sabrina Geary and Shavon Almodobar make their way to the podium as well.
Thank you, Mr. President. And as always, let me first give honor to God and thank him for the privilege and the pleasure of being here with all of you. This has still been my second home, and obviously I love it here. Thank you all. Thank you, Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier, for honoring us this way. Jim Roebuck, Dr. James R. Roebuck was a special State Representative. He worked hard and was committed to his community. The 188th District is always special to me. When it was created and they looked around for a public servant, they chose Lucien Blackwell, and Lucien Blackwell was involved in that seat for the rest of his life. He went there January 1976 and he loved it and we are very, very proud and always committed to the 188th Legislative District. He stayed there, came here when Charles Durham became a judge and served here, as all of you know. Jim Roebuck will be honored in Harrisburg on January 3rd by Rick Krajewski, the Speaker of the House and others so he'll be honored there. And he will be funeralized here in Philadelphia on January 7th at 10 o'clock, Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 South 48th Street or 48th and Baltimore Avenue. So we will be pleased all who are interested, we welcome you to attend. We love Jim Roebuck. He served 35 years in the State House. (Applause.)
Yes. His late wife was a school teacher. He was still tutoring a student every year at Lee School, 47th and Locust where I taught. And it is just an honor. And I thank you all for the privilege of making those few remarks and honoring our James R. Roebuck. Also, Dwight Evans will be honoring him on a federal level so we should have local, state and federal honors for this wonderful man. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. Thank you for the privilege to give a couple remarks about Dr. Roebuck. He was a founding member, Board member, Vice-president of Peake Little Angels Daycare Center. Excuse me. My name is Thelma Peake, President and founder of Peake Little Angels Daycare located at 52nd and Baltimore Avenue where James R. Roebuck was the founding Vice-president of our Board of Directors and served for over 15 years as our Vice-president. And I'm honored to be a part of one of his missions was to get young Black men in Southwest Philadelphia to have a college experience so he developed the Call Me MISTER program, which he had helped to graduate over 85 to 100 Black men in Southwest Philadelphia at Cheyney University. And I thank you very much for my opportunity.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Sajda Purple Blackwell and I am here on the behalf of the Honorable James Roebuck, State Representative. Thank you, Councilwoman Gauthier, for allowing us to be here today in honor of him. Thank you to my grandmother Councilwoman Blackwell for allowing me to be here as well. The Honorable State Representative James Roebuck was a West Philadelphia legend. He was a king to many and a leader. And he was a champion for education and he continues to be -- and that legacy will continue as he will be remembered as a champion in West Philadelphia for education. He inspires local actionists like myself to fight for education, to fight for financial literacy because we know that that is his legacy and that will make real change in West Philadelphia so that we all can, you know, have a legacy such as education and understand the importance of it. So I want to say thank you again as we fight again for financial literacy in honor of State Representative James Roebuck. Thank you. (Applause.)
Sabrina Geary. May Shavon Almodobor and Christina Coleman also make their way to the podium.
Hello, and thank you Councilmembers for the opportunity to speak in support of Bill 240245, to make the Eviction Diversion Program or EDP permanent. My name is Sabrina Geary. My pronouns are she/her and I'm a paralegal at Community Legal Services. For the past two and a half years, I've had the unique experience working hands-on with tenants going through EDP as well as with EDP partners. The success of EDP is undeniable. In 2023 tenants and landlords that participated in mediation through EDP reached agreement in 70 percent of cases. I have seen the success of these mediations countless times. One tenant I worked with fell behind on rent due to her hours being cut at work through no fault of her own. The 30 days of EDP were incredibly helpful for her and her family. During that window of time the tenant returned to her regular work schedule. At mediation with the landlord we were able to work out a payment plan. The tenant paid off the arrears in full, avoided a court filing and her and her family could stay in their home. Avoiding a court filing is a huge win as an eviction court filing regardless of the outcome can prevent someone from accessing safe and affordable housing. I also want to use this time to thank the EDP housing counselors for their continued partnership. CLS works closely with housing counselors to provide ongoing support and training. This collaborative approach has opened a channel for housing counselors to directly refer cases to CLS that do end up in Eviction Court. These relationships effectively prevent evictions and secure housing both before court filing and even after through continued representation the Eviction Diversion Program is a testament to the strength, communities and cities can have when we advocate for one another. CLS is looking forward to continuing to work with the Eviction Diversion Program and its Partners. Thank you very much for your time. (Applause.)
Shavon Almodobar, then Christina Coleman and then Lincoln Farquharson. Shavon Almodobar, Christina Coleman, then Lincoln Farquharson. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Christina Coleman. Good morning, members of City Council. My name is Christina Coleman and I reside in Mt. Airy, Councilmember Bass' District. I am a proud parent of two children and also the proud granddaughter of Liller and Bill Green, founders of I believe School, at one point the largest African American private school in Philadelphia, Pa. I'm here to testify on resolution 240518, which calls on the General Assembly to fully fund school-based health centers to improve outcomes for kids' physical and mental health. I applaud Councilmember Ahmad and Councilmember -- Council President Johnson for leading this resolution. In supporting kids' health, I also want to ask Council to expand PHLpreK by 250 seats in this year's budget. We have two children -- one is here today, Nature -- which has had the benefit of attending Philly PreK, and being a part of this program has supported the health of not just my daughter but our entire family. Before we found Philly PreK, my husband and I were two stressed-out new parents and we were in between jobs and had two young children that we had to care for and not enough support to help us figure things out even when we wanted the best for our daughter. The non-stop demands of parenting on a tight budget left us feeling burnt out and exhausted. We wanted to broaden our daughter's social emotional development and expand our parental network, but we just didn't have the capacity. Philly PreK offered a sustainable path forward. Our daughter is now thriving socially and emotionally, making new friends, expanding her language by learning Arabic and communication skills, writing her name and even engaging in public speaking and coming with me on these fun experiences. She explores the world through field trips and deepens her understanding of diversity by learning about different cultures. Through Philly PreK we've built connections with other families, enjoy play dates and even developed in a deep interest in early childhood education advocacy -
I want to direct counsel to the handout on their desk, Now is the time. This handout breaks down the percentage of kids across the City in your District that are not in PreK. 58 percent of kids in Philadelphia are not in PreK, which is about the share of kids in our district, District 8, without PreK. This is 58 percent of families who may be facing the same struggles we faced and who have not had the benefit of Philly PreK that we've experienced. I'm thankful that Philly PreK exists and I want to see more families supported like our family. Members of the City Council, we urge you to champion an additional 250 seats of Philly PreK in this year's budget so we can build strong Philadelphians from the start. Thank you. (Applause.)
You want to say thank you? Now's the time. It's okay. You're shy. It's okay. (Applause.)