John Walker, Brion Schreffler, Stan Horwitz and Kate Jay also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is John Walker and I'm a resident of East Passyunk in South Philly. I'm here in support of Bill 240657 to prohibit stopping in bicycle lanes. Biking is an important form of transportation in this city. Roughly 30 percent of Philadelphians don't even own a car, myself included. Given the upcoming budget disaster SEPTA's facing, the need for safe reliable alternatives is greater than area. Some areas in Philly such as zip code 19146, which includes Grays Ferry in District 2 and Point Breeze, already rank in the top 10 zip codes in the entire U.S. for bike commuting at around 11 percent of commuters. This happens without having commonsense improvements to street safety, which these thousands of individuals desperately need to avoid to continue to ride in dangerous conditions. Furthermore, if we have this large percentage of commuters already, how many more wish they could commute by bike if it was accommodated by the City to make the cleanest, most affordable and fun form of transportation possible. For example, my wife who lives of course with me in East Passyunk, commutes to the west side of Center City. According to Google Maps, the commute which is less than 3 miles by car, is almost 30 minutes at rush hour. By transit, it's over 30 minutes. By bike it would just be 20. But right now she feels unsafe riding on these roads, especially after the incidents this summer. If we don't change these unsafe laws and allow cars to occupy space that is not designated for them, she and thousands of others like her will not be able to ride their bikes to work or leisure without risking their lives. Please do not delay this bill until someone else gets hurt. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Stan Horwitz and I'm here to support Council President Johnson's and Councilmember Gauthier's Bill 240657 to prohibit parking and stopping a motor vehicle in a bike lane. As a long-time bicycle commuter here in Philadelphia as well as New York City and Washington, D.C., I find it dangerous and perplexing that I cannot ride my bike 3 miles from my home in Fairmount to my place or work in South Philly without encountering illegally or obstructed bike lanes. That's especially true on Spruce and Pine Streets. In contrast I can ride many miles along New York City's bike lanes without encountering any motor vehicle obstructions at all, so why not here in Philadelphia. Status quo is unworkable. If every bicycle commuter in Philly replaced our bike with a motor vehicle, then on-street parking contention, traffic congestion and air pollution in Philly would increase significantly. The same people who oppose this bill would also experience less convenience, not more. Parking enforcement officers support this bill as do thousands of us bicyclists who are a vital part of Philadelphia's economic activities. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
May Kate Jay, Rose Mae Hensen, Wei Chen and Olivia Gong also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Kate Jay and I am a Society Hill taxpayer. I was born and raised in Society hill and I'm raising my kids there as well. And as a mother, safety is obviously of utmost importance to me, both for cyclists and for neighbors. And it's for this objective and universal reason that this bill 240657 is unacceptable. It does not address the issues that would keep cyclists or pedestrians safer, but for many of our neighbors it will introduce new safety risks. I'm the mother to a child with a disability. As this bill now stands, the installation of a concrete barrier means that a driver will not be able to stop to ensure that he is safely dropped out off or picked up from his home. And while this is personal to me, this is an issue for so many of our elderly and disabled neighbors. How are they supposed to have safe ADA-granted access to their homes if no one can stop to help load them or their mobility device? This is why we must and continue to oppose the passing of this bill and call for its reconsideration immediately with reasonable accommodations for loading and unloading. And in conclusion, may I just say disability access is a protected human right and bike lanes are not. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Just for a point of information, ma'am. Ms. Kate, just for a point of information, this bill does not include concrete barriers for Spruce and Pine Street, just for the record as it is right now.
Esteemed Council President Johnson and members of Council, my name is Rose Mae Hensen and I'm speaking on Bill 240749. I'm a resident of District 3, hey, and I commute downtown. I'm not against the development of an arena. I'm against the development of an arena at this location. The City released thousands of pages of impact studies only two months ago and have held no public briefings on these studies. I have spent countless hours of --
Excuse me, excuse me. Just for the record, is this the content of the actual bill that you're referring to? This is a parking bill that you're speaking on so could we connect that with the -
Yeah, this bill isn't related to the arena. No bills are on the agenda regarding the arena at this particular moment.
Okay. Then I am speaking on the bill related to parking because parking is important and so is the traffic downtown. So I want to tell -- no, I promise I can link this. I promise because I'm talking about the impact studies and in particular and I'm talking about the impact studies related to transportation and traffic, so thank you. I have spent countless hours of my free time reading these studies and I'm here to express my concerns about how this proposal will impact all Philadelphians. So as we know, with parking and traffic there's a lot of gridlock. And so, these studies indicate that there will be gridlock at critical intersections, especially the on and off ramps of the Vine Street Expressway and the City Hall Apron. You can imagine how this will impact traffic around the city including along Spruce and Pine Streets. The studies used New York City's data to assume that only 40 percent of attendees will drive. Why didn't these studies use Philadelphia's data. Philly's data says 85 percent of attendees will drive. What's worse is these traffic estimates don't account for any other concurrent events like those at the Convention Center and Kimmel Center. Philadelphians who drive on I-676 should be concerned. I believe that approving this proposal without a realistic plan using realistic data is irresponsible and I ask City Council to require a transportation event management plan before approval of this ordinance. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease just for a second. (Council at ease.)
So just for the record, Mr. Wei Chen, Olivia Gong, Seth AndersonOberman, just want to make sure that we're speaking on the topic at hand regarding to amend the parking regulations bill sponsored by Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young. Just following the rules of Council, and so I'm making sure that's part of what's germane to the conversation we're having right now. Proceed, sir.
Morning. My name is Wei Chen. I will speaking on the bill of 240749 and I will talk about the parking. We, the people of Philadelphia, spending every corner of the city here today to say no arena, no deal, and better parking system. We do not trust this process. We do not see a plan. We do not support a bad deal for Philadelphia. As a former Commissioner of Human (inaudible) and Civic Engagement Director of Asian American United, never before I have witnesses such disrespect of my community in Chinatown. The Sixers' owner's own study showing that the arena will kill 50 percent of Chinatown business, including the traffic will kill Chinatown business, but no one did the Mayor come -- not once did the Mayor come to meet the people of Chinatown. Councilmember Squilla told us he will not move legislation without the support of the community. Councilmembers, 100 Chinatown businesses and organizations have signed a letter opposing the arena and the horrible CBA that goes with it. But we are here today casino -- stadium, arena will never be a path to the (inaudible) to us. This was never in negotiation. The Sixers giving you the same deal almost two years ago and you are getting nothing. But we are Chinatowns. (Inaudible). We fight. We will fight any bill that put ahead of neighborhood, over the housing and the school and it destroy our home. No arena, no deal. No arena, no deal. (Inaudible). No arena, no deal and better parking system.
Ms. Olivia Gong, as part of your remarks can you speak to the parking regulations from Jeffrey Jay Young's piece of legislation and just make your comments germane to parking and anything else you want to say please.
Yes. Good morning, distinguished Councilmembers. My name is Olivia Gong. I'm a current medical student here in Philadelphia and I will also be speaking on Bill --
Ms. Gong, just one second. Quiet inside the chambers please as Ms. Gong presents her testimony. Go ahead, Ms. Gong, please.
So I will be also be speaking on Bill No. 240749. Increased traffic in Center City will inevitably increase parking and safety issues in their area. No one in this room ran for office and took an oath to harm communities, jeopardy patient safety, clog city streets or make the jobs of our first responders more difficult. I have already taken the Hippocratic Oath. And like you, I will do everything in my power to uphold it. In their darkest moments, patients in ambulances and families during their worst nightmares deserve to know that the City is committed to keeping them safe. And this is not a question of if. It's a question of when. A stadium in Center City will delay patient care. And every minute a patient waits in an ambulance, every minute an EMT watches the clock instead of the street, it is life or death. I'm here as part of the 70 percent of Philadelphians who oppose the arena and the 90 percent who do not believe it should be a priority for the City. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon and thank you for the -- good afternoon. My name is a Gale Loney, and I'm speaking on Bill 240749. I live in the 5th Councilmanic District and Jeffrey Young is my Councilperson, and traffic and parking is an issue that we are concerned with as well as around any type of arena, stadium, we have had this conversation in North Central when Temple was trying to build their stadium where we were. Parking was an issue. Streets were trying to be closed. However, there wasn't a full transparency around how those closures take place. The concern here is with the arena and any other stadiums or large complexes in close, confined communities and neighborhoods about the space for parking that we right now know that in the city of Philadelphia we don't have parking in Center City. You have to park in the parking lot and spend $20, at least if you're lucky, up to $35 if you have to spend any time in that vicinity. In addition, when it comes to emergency, vehicles I have a disability, I am concerned about those things. If the parking is congested, if you're making ordinances and bills and restrictions around that, how am I supposed to do that. If I am sick and slow and on a cane or on a crutch or in a wheelchair, those are issues. So my concern is around the parking around the arena and any other large complex stadium that the City is building in a close, confined urban center. Thank you.
May Seth Anderson-Oberman, Jessie Amadio, Lloyd Brotman and Elizabeth Roberts also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Jessie Amadio. I'm the ViceChair of Philly Bike Action. I thank Council President and Councilmember Gauthier and the 14 other cosponsors for supporting the Get Out the Bike Lane bill. This bill has profound levels of support from all corners of the city, including the 6,000 Philadelphians who signed our Safe Streets petition and the business owners, residents and City officials who testified at the Streets and Services hearing. I'd like to remind Council of the incredible testimony supplied by two wheelchair users, Amanda Perezo and Kieno Johnson who rely on bike lanes to get around our inaccessible sidewalks. When a car blocks their path, even for a brief time, they are forced into car traffic or to wait behind a car. They are put at exceptional risk. It is a myth that safe separated bike lanes are at the expense of people with disabilities. I encourage City Council to install additional ADA loading zones where they may be needed. Most bike lanes in Philly are already no stopping. The comments you hear today are from two affluent streets that have enjoyed a perk that few others in this city have been afforded. Most people don't have a bike lane in front of their house that they can abuse. The danger of stopping in a bike lane is not theoretical. Two years ago a utility vehicle illegally parked in a bike lane in Chicago forced Lilly Shambrook and her mother to merge into the car lane. Their bike was clipped by a semi-truck and Lilly was thrown under the wheels and killed. She was 3 years old. Only three days ago a car flipped and rolled on the 600 block of Spruce Street, the second time a car lost control at that same intersection this year alone. That's only a few blocks down from where Emily Fredricks was killed on her bicycle at 11th and Spruce in 2016, and that's only a few blocks from where Dr. Friedes was killed this year in the bike lane at 18th and Spruce. As you see, it's a matter of life and limb for people who choose to travel by bicycle. Tensions are exceptionally high after the death of Dr. Friedes. But it's up to everyone on the street to treat each other with respect and make sure that our roads, which are used by 50,000 people a month just on Spruce and Pine Street, have a right to get around with dignity and safety, get home alive. I applaud City Council for creating a policy that prioritizes public safety over any individual sense of entitlement to park dangerously in our public space. Thank you from my heart. This is going to mean a lot to a lot of people in Philadelphia. Thank you for your support. (Applause.)
Lloyd Brotman, Elizabeth Roberts and then Queen Judith Robinson. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Thank you, President Johnson and members of Council. My name is Lloyd Brotman. I've lived on Pine Street or near Pine Street for 50 years. I'm opposed to Bill No. 240657. When the casino was proposed for North Broad Street, community members were consulted. Yet on this matter before you, this reasonable feedback model has been ignored. The oldest redesign plan is riddled with problems. No stopping is the first step. It discriminates against the elderly, those with disabilities, people with special needs and caregivers of young children who would no longer be able to navigate independently. It may raise ADA challenges. Several safety concerns have been identified regarding access to emergency vehicles and personnel. Apparently OTIS has not even considered whether changing the streetscape complies with historical preservation guidelines. Finally, it's fiscally irresponsible to spend limited resources on any street not identified in your own High Injury Network map. OTIS planners were asked to create a design which would protect cyclists period full stop. They were not asked to make streets safer for everyone and there was no agreement to ensure the residents would be able to complete activities of daily living. Bike lanes were established with the promise from Mayor Nutter that residents would be protected by allowing a 20-minute stop to drop groceries, pick up children, et cetera. Never perfect for bikers or residents, but most people in both groups have make made it work. We have all compromised. No stopping is the first stop in the OTIS plan, but it is also a standalone bad idea. There's no clarity regarding what no stopping even means. PPA has not weighed in officially, but they say in practice as long as a vehicle is attended, it will not be ticketed. But that definition will make law-abiding citizens into law breakers. Passage of this bill will not only disrupt normal activities of daily living, it will put residents in danger of physical harm. Be aware of escalating tension between bikers and residents. Residents have been heckled, spit upon, physically assaulted by bikers. By passing this law, be warned you are fermenting violence on the street. We need a pause in the action during which OTIS should study other speed-calming approaches and learn more about resident accommodations are needed. Thank you for your attention. (Applause.)
Elizabeth Roberts, Queen Judith Robinson. And may Louis Bartholomew and Lynn Landes also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President and all members of City Council. My name is Elizabeth Roberts and I and my husband live in the 500 block of Pine Street. My husband has resided there since he purchased the home in 1986. We oppose the passage today of proposed Bill No. 240657 without further in-depth study of the impact such bill will have on all interested parties. It appears that the focus to date has been primarily on the cyclists and statistics as to the number of cyclists use Pine and Spruce Streets daily, but what in-depth study has there been of usage of Pine and Spruce Streets and their adjacent sidewalks by other types of vehicles and pedestrians to justify this proposed bill being passed today. Let's look at two categories. First, what are the number and types of vehicles which currently use these streets daily. In addition to the private automobiles, taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, other vehicles mentioned by the prior speakers, there is consideration also for the employee buses for Pennsylvania Hospital, which regularly circle these streets and for ambulances and police cars and fire trucks to easily get through and get to the residents on these streets, and frequently motor-assisted cycles such as motorcycles, motor bikes and ebikes, how will those be treated. And what are the numbers and types of pedestrians and others who use the adjacent sidewalks of Pine and Spruce streets and the crosswalk of those streets and for what purposes. In my written version, I have 10 areas. But let me just highlight two other areas that haven't been mentioned. All of the tourists throughout the United States and the world visiting a historic area who use the sidewalks and pedestrians and the streets and the tour buses. And also, I do not believe it's been mentioned as of yet, the cyclists who use the sidewalks to ride in opposition of the direction. In light of the above-numerated points about the many types of vehicles using Pine and Spruce Streets and the many pedestrians undertaking numerous activities on the adjacent sidewalks, it is only fiscally prudent that the City of Philadelphia first make an inventory and analysis of all of these above uses before take any action on today's bill and any other future bills. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning if it's still morning. Queen Judith here celebrating 40 years in the real estate business, 35 years as a licensed PA broker. Regarding 240749, I'm going to make a suggestion. We need parking studies, we need traffic studies to ascertain all of these -- what are all of these changes going on as our great city grows. We need to have Philadelphia Parking Authority in the room. We need to have Philadelphia Police Department in the room. Because there are already people parking on the sidewalk. By now I hope you all have a copy of the photograph that's circulated around showing parking on the sidewalk. It's already illegal and it is not being enforced. So regarding 240749, I would like to have this bill amended to increase penalties even more and add towing. Towing is done -- off of the sidewalk. Towing is done when traffic is being impeded on Broad Street. I know this as it happened to me in the past. But we're finding that parking on the sidewalk, people parking morning, noon and night for hours or overnight is not being enforced. So as we talk about all these changes and adding new laws on the books, we need to talk about enforcement, how will these things be enforced. We have in the 22nd District, I believe the Captain has decided not to enforce parking on the sidewalk. I am a former ambassador of -- Vision Zero ambassador I should say. And although I encourage and support the Bicycle Coalition, we're not enforcing the laws that are already on the books. So I think we're kind of moving ahead. So I'm going to suggest for all things being built in Philadelphia, we need a parking study, traffic study and an environmental study for what's happening in our public realm. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council President Johnson, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson and members of Council. My name is Louis Bartholomew and I'm the Executive Director for the Queens Village Neighbors Association. However, I'm speaking here today solely on my behalf as a Bella Vista resident. I'm speaking in favor of Bill 240657 which would prevent cars from stopping in bike lanes. I use bike lanes multiple times each week for work and to visit my girlfriend in Washington West. Every week I encounter people stopped in the bike lane, delivery drivers, UPS trucks and moving vans. Last week at the Streets and Infrastructure Committee hearing experts and traffic safety and public policy testified that ensuring bike lanes remain clear of drivers is an absolutely essential safety feature that will it make safer not only for folks biking but also for people walking and driving. I'm sympathetic that some folks want to unload directly in front of their residences on a bike lane. If I'd been doing that for 15 years, I would also be annoyed at losing that ability. But OTIS has worked with and continue to work with communities to add additional loading zones where neighbors need them, alleviating this concern and giving folks safe places to stop. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate as a city and as neighborhoods, creating new capacity for short-term stopping and loading zones, while also ensuring that we encourage more biking and that everyone gets home safe. Dr. Friedes was killed by a speeding drunk driver who veered into the bike lane. While this bill wouldn't have stopped that driver in Barbara's death, this bill is a huge step forward for the next step of physically setting bike lanes from car traffic. I want to thank Council President Johnson and my Councilmember Mark Squilla for working diligently with OTIS to unveil initial plans to protect two of the busiest bike lanes in the city, Pine and Spruce, which are not only the core concern of residents who live on this corridor but also the thousands of people each week who use them to get to work, schools, parks and entertainment. By advancing this no-stopping bill, we will make it much easier to get real separate bike lanes on these and all corridors throughout Philly. Ultimately, this bill gets to the heart of a crucial issue in Philly, is the ability to park one's car in a bike lane at any time more important than saving the lives of Philadelphians. When the bike lane is clear and enforced, people stop their car in a nearby loading zone. When a bike lane is blocked, people are much more likely to get injured and die. Council, I urge you to vote yes on this bill. The culture of convenience for one's car is not more important than ensuring safety for all Philadelphians. Thank you. (Applause.)
May Lynn Landes, Jacob Pritchett, Ben Geffen and Chris Gale also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon. I'm Lynn Landes, (inaudible) for democracy.org. I'm opposed to Resolution 240946 supporting a prisoner's right to vote because it is a nontransparent process where prisoners cannot be protected from undue influence from prison authorities or from other prisoners. However, I fully support the right to vote after they've served their prison sentence. I've been an election integrity activist since 2002. Unfortunately, in the United States we have completely sacrificed any claim to election integrity to the adoption of nontransparent conveniences, such as voting by machine, mail and early. Thereby, giving election observers nothing meaningful to observe and opening the door wide to ballot miscounts by accident or design. As a result, U.S. candidates and their supporters have no real grounds to claim victory nor concede defeat. The gold standard for voting is by paper ballot and hand count at local polling places on election day only and in full view of election observers as most countries do. They understand that democracy demands transparency, not trust. We need to return to that standard which produced same-day election results, something that our current election technology and mail-in ballots have failed to accomplish. Thank you.
Hello. My name is Jacob Pritchett and I'm a resident of the 2nd Councilmanic District who relies on a bike to gets around the city. I want to thank Council President Johnson, Councilmember Gauthier and other sponsors for the Get Out the Bike Lane Bill. I just want to express my support for the bill to ban stopping, standing or parking in bike lanes citywide. Protected, clear bike lanes are essential for promoting cycling as a safe, reliable transportation option. I have to emphasize this isn't just about people who currently ride bikes. It's also about people who rely on mobility devices and the less obvious majority that research shows would opt for bicycles if it were safe to do so. Cars blocking bike lanes force cyclists exposing them to dangerous high-speed interactions. Increased risk of actions, injuries occur and cyclists have to weave in and out of bike lanes. The purpose of bike lanes is to create a safe dedicated space for cyclists. If obstructed, they can't fulfill their purpose. A blocked bike lane is an unusable lane which discourages people from cycling and undermines our commitment to safety and a greener Philadelphia. The obstructed bike lanes disrupt the flow of traffic for cyclists and vehicles increasing congestion, the likelihood of conflicts between modes of transportation. A lot of people currently don't feel safe to bike in Philadelphia, my wife included. I urge the passage of this bill and I want to thank all of you for bringing it up for consideration. Thank you. (Applause.)
May Ben Geffen, Chris Gale, David Jenkins and Wick Savage also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Ben Geffen. I'm a resident of the 2nd Councilmanic District. I am a homeowner, a car owner and a bicycle owner and I've been a Center City resident for 14 years. I'm here today to speak in favor of the no stopping in bike lanes bill. And I want to share just two quick thoughts. One is last month I was riding in the bike lane on Spruce as I do every day. My wife and I have both been daily bicycle commuters for 14 years. And I was -- as bicyclists say, I was doored. What does that mean? That means a car ahead of me abruptly swerved into the bike lane, forced me into the moving vehicle traffic and turned out to be an Uber and a passenger sitting in the back seat of the Uber abruptly swung open the door. I had no warning this would happen. The door hit the handlebar of my bike and knocked me to the asphalt. Luckily I got away with just some bruises and some scrapes, but this is something that happens to cyclists when motorists abuse the bike lane and it needs to stop. The second thing I wanted to share is a thought. When you ride along or walk along Pine Street or Spruce Street, it looks timeless. It looks like a century's old streetscape, but it's not. It's a place that's changed a lot over the years to keep up with the times. It was not built for bikes. It was not built for cars. It was built for horses and pedestrians. It was dirt. Later it got paved. Later street lighting was added. Later the parking arrangements have varied over the years because Philadelphia keeps up with the times. And whatever may have been how people got along around here 50 years ago, 100 years ago, 15 years may be, but the reality of today that there are far more cars stopping in bike lanes now than even 14 years ago when I began my daily commuting along that route. And that's because of the increased use of things like Uber, DoorDash, UPS and Amazon deliveries to people's homes. It's time to keep up with the times and keeping up with the times means passing this bill. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Chris Gale, David Jenkins, Wick Savage and Wanda Walker make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name's Chris Gale. I'm the Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. I'm here to testify in support of Bill 240657. On behalf of the Bicycle Coalition and almost 6,000 petition signers, we want to thank Councilmember Gauthier, Council President Johnson and the 14 other Councilmembers who have co-signed this bill introducing commonsense legislation to prevent parking in bake lanes all across the city. The goal of Get Out the Bike Lane is to make streets with dedicated bike lanes safe for people riding bikes, scooters, skateboarders, using wheelchairs and even driving. At the end of the day, there's a limited number of miles of bike lanes in the city, and the bike lanes we have should be safe. And the current status quo of allowing loading deliberately works against that. We are proud to support this legislation as one step to make our streets safer for all users. Not only do protected and separated bike lanes encourage ridership and protect vulnerable road users, they are also traffic calming. Wider streets encourage more drivers to speed. Not every block can receive speed bumps and having physically-protected bike lanes is another way to do that. As a part of our education campaign, Bike Nice, Drive Nice, one of the pillars for bicycle safety is to be predictable on the road. When bike lanes are blocked, people using the bike lane aren't able to do that and put their lives at risk and also make it dangerous for drivers on the road. We also appreciate the City's recommendation of adding more zones on Spruce and Pine corridor. It is also encouraging seeing the City respond to neighbors' concerns about having to load groceries or drop off elderly or disabled loved ones. We believe this plan can work for everyone and look forward to making this crucial across city connections. This commonsense bill has caused a lot of hostility between vulnerable road users and local residents. Our support of this bill originates from the end goal and to end threat in the acts of violence on those using the bike lane, and we also don't condone the threat of violence or reprisal against those who oppose this bill. As someone who lives in Fairmount District 5, I can attest to the effect that this bill will have by keeping our streets clear by discouraging double parking and stopping the flow of all traffic. This is citywide. Once again, thank you to Council President Johnson, Councilmember Gauthier and all co-sponsors for being leaders on safety. We hope all of Council moves forward and approves Bill 240657. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Madam Chair and fellow Councilmembers. I am David Alexander Jenkins and I live in Rittenhouse Square. I observe many a resolution authorizes the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple enter address here. The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority is tasked with focusing on the redevelopment of the city while creating balanced mix-use communities to establish living, well-served neighborhoods. All of our neighborhoods have neighbors which are certainly underserved, namely the unhoused. When I went to the U-Haul facility on 13th and Arch to store vases, a piano, large furniture and art, I was presented with many, many options. I could choose from one of 500 some-odd units, temperature-controlled, electricity-provided, units with bathrooms on every floor, secure, maintained, guarded units attend by 20-foot room for anywhere between $45 and $150 per month. I could not help but wonder how I could attain such a 200-square-foot room with such amenities for such a price to secure my belongings, my things, but I couldn't do it with people. In 2001 this body approved $400 million in a plan for affordable housing. And in March of this year, the Parker Administration and this body pulled the plug on a project to provide teeny houses for those experiencing homelessness. Yet in every session this body approves the execution of property for redevelopment. There are nearly 5,000 unhoused people currently in the city of Philadelphia. And get this, funny enough, there are nearly 5,000 properties being held by the city. All amongst all of these buildings are high-rises, office buildings, storage facilities, commercial spaces, all available individually to housed hundreds of people. We proved this in pandemic when the Holiday Inn on Walnut Street was turned into a temporary housing and overnight our homeless population was treated with dignity. You remember this. We are obligated not only to the best of us but also to the least. Let us task this Redevelopment Authority to devote resources in tandem with the office of supportive housing to figure out which of these Philadelphia Land Bank properties can be used to house those who have otherwise found an unforgiving pavement now designated as a bike lane for their home. (Applause.)
May Wick Savage, Wanda Walker and Phillip Lockett also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Councilmember Richardson and the remaining body of Council. I want to speak on bill 240657, the bike safety bill. If you're going to be passing a bill on behalf of the cyclists, you also have to put in that bill some rules. They ride through the streets without reflectors on their bikes. They ride through the streets without lighting on their bikes. They have become a hazard to pedestrians and motorists. We must put enough language in this bill to protect all Philadelphia citizens. No different than we're going to try and pass a bill for the 76ers Place. It is one of the greatest things that could have ever happened for the City of Philadelphia. We must make sure that all Philadelphia is included. Because when I was a young man, Connie Mack Stadium existed and it was a great thing to visit as a young youth. We have an opportunity to let our young people participate in the enjoyment of seeing a basketball game. Thank you for your attention. (Applause.)
Good morning, beautiful people. My name is Wanda Walker. As always, I'm going to be talking about the theft and snatching of generational wealth in Philadelphia. As Mr. Alexander stated, there are over 5,000 properties in the Land Bank. And when I looked on the sheet of paper that we've been given today, just about everything here is about parking or giving land to the Land Bank. I don't ever see anything really that discusses how to protect property owners. The most affordable property that will ever be will be the house that's paid for that gets snatched because someone can't pay the ever-increasing taxes and they're on a fixed income. We're tired of being tired. We're tire of being robbed by policies. In this package you've given us today, there are many bills in reference to parking in front of your house. So now you all after taxes have gone up and jobs aren't here and we're the number one poorest big city, you want us to pay for parking in front of our homes. This type of stuff has to stop. We're talking about the stadium. I saw many people here. You saw a group of people getting very upset. We keep saying no to stuff and you all aren't listening. We are your constituents. You're suppose to protect us. You're supposed to protect us and you're supposed to listen to us. That's not being done. So if you can't listen to us and represent us, we can't vote for you and this is going to have to stop. I have a couple of points here. It would be nice if someone introduced a bill for a moratorium of sale of homes because of taxes and water. That would be a start. Again, I'm going to always say that at this point I think seniors should not have to pay property taxes period at 30 years of paying a mortgage and 30 years of paying taxes, and then they end up losing their properties due to taxes. So if we can exempt 23,000 buildings in Philadelphia, we can exempt seniors. If we're still giving out abatements, we can consider seniors. You should not have to be poor to be considered for a tax exemption if that is the main cause of people losing their properties. What else can I say. Moratorium on the sale of properties, snatching of properties because we know that the large majority of generational wealth is definitely held with our seniors so we have to do something to protect them. I'm asking you all to start doing things to protect us and our homes. Our homes are what we work very hard for and it can level up an entire family if used properly, but we can't do that if you keep snatching the houses and giving them to developers. Thank you very much. Oh, I'll be back next week.
Philip Lockett, Deb Hornig and Ogbonna Hagins, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council and all the brave rookie Councilpeople that stayed today. My name is Phil Freedman Lockett. I'm a 75-year-old survivor and I'm here to talk about Bill 240724. I encourage you to pass this bill because these merchants that have hooked up with these developers are going after senior citizens because they know they're alone in their homes. And today we are fighting the sixth generation of the same drug family on the same block that's doing gentrification. They're going after seniors who are protected under the tax exempt program and we can't get them off our back. Our quality of life has been taken from us. And it's no laws on the books to protect the quality of life. We down here supporting City Council and we have no recourse. If I'm pushed out of my house, I lose all my benefits that I work for. I'll be in a tax bracket. And the little bit of money that I'm working now I'll be homeless in two years with the system that you got set up now. You need to protect the seniors that paved their way so that these fly-by-night merchants and developers don't advantage of us and don't stand around like vultures to wait for you to go to the store so they can break into the back of your house. They're using music to frighten us out of our house and you're not allowed to even do that in the Geneva Convention policies. So I'm asking you to strengthen Bill 240724 to protect the seniors that are already hooked up on the program that support you guys and we want to be around for our grandchildren and pass the wealth onto our children. I thank you very much for giving me the time and the attention that you gave me and I hope you consider what we're talking about today. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council President Johnson and City Council. My name is Deb Hornig. I'm a volunteer with 5th Square and Philly Bike Action. I support Bill 240657. Thank you to Council President Johnson and my Councilmember Jeffrey Young for introducing this bill and thank you to the 14 other co-sponsors of this life-saving legislation. I have used a bicycle as my main mode of transportation since I was 19 for over 20 years now. I go to work, run errands, buy groceries all on my bike. I've been vocally and physically threatened and even hit by a car while riding in the designated bike lane. None of this stops me from biking until Dr. Friedes' tragic death this summer. I've been too worried to bike since then. I've biked in other cities with better bike infrastructure and laws. The first time I biked in Madison, Wisconsin. I was really confused when a driver obeyed the traffic lanes and yielded to me on my bike. Better bike infrastructure and laws there mean more people there feel safer biking and more drivers are more accustomed to seeing bikers. That car that hit me, the driver was actually very distressed that she hit me and a way of avoiding that would have been to have better biking infrastructure laws. I want that same experience here in Philly and for everyone here to feel safe going about their daily lives. I ask that you please vote yes on this bill today. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Ogbonna Hagins, fourth generation chattel survivor. Today I stand before you to call upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Council to take immediate action in strengthening enforcement against illegal activity and predatory merchants that are draining the lifeblood of the neighborhoods in Philadelphia. These merchants come into our communities, they exploit our communities and they give nothing back. The time for that has to stop. In doing so, we must also recognize that the communities most affected by these exploited practices are the same communities that have yet to be given their reparations. 13th Amendment violations are happening all day long and these merchants actually put our community in dangerous because they allow these things to go on in their establishments. Not only that, but 80 to 90 percent of those businesses, check this out, they're immigrants. They don't even hire the people in the neighborhood. They exploit the neighborhood. So not only are they coming in exploiting the neighborhood, they're allowing illegal activity to happen and it's happening to the people who built this country, who saved this country. This should be something that is a no-brainer. Not only that, we have to look at these stores and see what they're selling. Because I don't know if it's legal to sell marijuana in the corner stores or what looks like marijuana, but I go throughout the city and I see it right there in the front where the children can see. So that's something that should be looked at as well. Ogbonna Hagins, unseated council president and fourth generation chattel slavery survivor. Over and out. (Applause.)
Council President, there are no other names for public comment.
That concludes public comment for today. I want to also take a matter of public privilege to acknowledge we have the students of MaST Charter High School in here. Let's give them a round of applause. Can y'all stand? (Applause.)
They are here to see democracy in action. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young. And next, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to have a point of information for my Bill No. 240749. I know a lot of folks came and testified on it, but that bill is involving double parking. It relates to double parking in our city. It doesn't relate to any parking around the arena or anything like that. So I just wanted some clarification for the folks who are listening and watching. My bill deals with double parking in the city of Philadelphia.
You sure picked a good time to announce that, but thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Jay Young. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on what you just said and give a special thank you to the young people at MaST. I know you asked them to stand up a second ago, but I wanted to provide context. The young people came down here as my guests today to exercise their right to vote, right. So young people came down, they got an opportunity to get a little tour of City Hall and get a little bit of civics and government lessons, actually not a little, but a lot of lessons today, but more importantly, they got an opportunity to exercise the right to vote. So, Council President, if it's okay with you, can we give these young people a round of applause.
These are first-time voters coming in Philadelphia to vote. Can you all stand up? Stand up one more time.
We're going to ask y'all to stand again. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President. And thank you to the MaST team for allowing the young people to take a trip to City Hall today.
Thank you, Councilmember Thomas. It's always inspiring to see our young people doing something positive. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240887.
A resolution renaming the 1400 block of Sansom Street "Judith M. von Seldeneck Way", in honor of Judith M. von Seldeneck, Founder and Chair of the esteemed Diversified Search Group, a leading executive search firm committed to advancing women into leadership positions across both local and global sectors.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240887.
Thank you, Mr. President. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240887 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. 240915.
A resolution confirming the appointment of Nelson Diaz as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2028. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass on a motion regarding Resolution No. 240915.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240915 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 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of Resolution No. 240916.
A resolution confirming the appointment of James Engler as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2026.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding Resolution 240916.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240916 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240933.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2741 Latona Street, 2743 Latona Street, and 1329 South 15th Street in the 2nd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240933.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240933 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 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of Resolution No. 240934.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1911 Mountain Street in the 2nd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240934.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move the 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240934 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. 240935.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1329 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING South 15th Street in the 2nd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240935.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240935 be adopted. All those in favor of the 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 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. 240936.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1501-17 Point Breeze Avenue in the 2nd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution 240936.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240936 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240937.
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 3rd Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: South 44th Street and Ludlow Street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240937.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240937 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240938.
A resolution authorizing the creation of a "Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention" to address Philadelphia's enduring plague of gun violence by facilitating coordination among stakeholders and 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING formulating a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240938.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240938 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 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240941.
A resolution renaming the 400 block of Krams Avenue to "Jack Wheeler Way", in recognition of his outstanding service to the Roxborough community and his role in the formation of the Roxborough Development Corporation.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kathy Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240941.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Jones, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240941 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. 240942.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 32 North 58th Street in the 4th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kathy Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240942.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Jones, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240942 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240944.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 532 West Dauphin Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240944.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240944 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240946.
A resolution calling on the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to adopt House Bill 1756 of the 2023-2024 Session, which would expand voting access and education 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING in prisons.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240946.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do move for the adoption of that resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240946 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of Resolution No. 240947.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2750 Amber Street, 2850 Amber Street, 2041 East Auburn Street, 2730 Emerald Street, 2762 Emerald Street, 2787 Emerald Street, 2730 Frankford Avenue in the 1st Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Philadelphia, Councilmember Squilla for a motion 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING regarding Resolution No. 240947.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240947 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. 240948.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 2351 South Beulah Street, located in the 1st Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240948.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240948 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240949.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1520-40 Venango Street and 1600-20 Venango Street in the 8th Councilmanic district in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes the Gentlelady from Northwest Philadelphia, Councilmember Bass, for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240949.
Good morning -- thank you, Mr. President. 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240949 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. 240950.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 23, 24, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 65, 67, 73, 75, 77, 78, 89-91 and 106 East 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Ashmead Street in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240950.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240950 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240657.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to prohibit stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane and to increase monetary penalties for illegally stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question is should the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Council President, I would like to vote aye on this bill and all other bills and other resolutions before Council business today. And --
Councilmember Thomas was aye. Councilmember Jones was aye. Councilmember Landau.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative the bill passes. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240748.
An ordinance 10/24/24 - STATED - 2ND READING legalizing an existing flood wall encroachment at of 2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, under certain terms and conditions.