STATED MEETING 1 3/16/2023 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 16, 2023 10:39 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILWOMAN SHARON VAUGHN MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK STATED MEETING 2 3/16/2023
We're going to get started. Thank you for your patience. We've established our quorum, so we're going to have our invocation, and to give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Bishop Luke Zhoba of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman O'Neill. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Council President Darrell Clarke, members of the City Council, brothers and sisters in the City of Philadelphia, I'm Bishop of Philadelphia Luke, Rector of St. Nicholas STATED MEETING 3 3/16/2023 (unintelligible) located in Northern Liberties. Today, this day, March 16, 2022 [sic], at this meeting of the esteemed members of the Philadelphia City Council, I am honored to give the invocation. I thank Councilman Brian O'Neill for the invitation to be here with you this morning. Let us bow our heads now as we pray to the Lord. For this wonderful county, the United States of America, for our President Joe Biden, for our Armed Forces everywhere and for all those in civil authority, in memory of the founding fathers and all those who gave their lives for our freedom, for all those in the world today, especially the suffering people in Ukraine who are fighting for the freedoms we enjoy every day, for this beautiful City of Philadelphia, Council President Clarke and all the Councilmen STATED MEETING 4 3/16/2023 and country and for the faithful running in them, for you, the members of the Philadelphia City Council, let us pray to the Lord for his mercy, guidance, and grace. Amen. Brothers and sisters, I give -one minute. I have special gift from Ukraine, from His Holiness Philaret (unintelligible) and rest of Ukraine. God bless America, God bless the City Council of Philadelphia. This is blessing and -(Applause.)
I'm sorry. One second. I hailed a special from Ukraine. Council President Darrell Clarke, I will give you the gold medal from His Holiness Patriarch Philaret. Thank you for your support to Ukraine. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 5 3/16/2023
And one more for -- this is the passport and His Holiness Philaret. I'm sorry. And one more. I will say thank you so much to Councilman Brian O'Neill, District 10. The (unintelligible) people -- over 12,000 people live in your district. God bless you. Thank you for your support for Ukraine. (Applause.)
God bless America. Thank you so much. I love Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 6 3/16/2023
I'm sorry. I was thinking about what date I was going to book, you know. Sorry. Thank you. Counsel will be at ease. I'm sorry. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. And thank you again, Bishop. We appreciate you being here today. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 9th, 2023, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 9th, 2023 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 9th, 2023 stand approved. STATED MEETING 7 3/16/2023 by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there is a request for leave of absence by Councilmember Brooks.
Thank you, Councilman. Let the record reflect that leave shall be granted for Councilmember Brooks. And at this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion concerning certain legislative matters STATED MEETING 8 3/16/2023 arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session. Councilwoman Bass.
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 an 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 re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called 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 STATED MEETING 9 3/16/2023 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.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Bass may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of the Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. And our next order of business STATED MEETING 10 3/16/2023 communications, and the Chair recognizes the Chief Clerk to read the messages from the Mayor or any other communications that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on March 15, 2023, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 2, 2023, except Bill No. 220244, which I am returning without my signature.
The Chair thanks the Chief Clerk. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the public. I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some very special young people that are here in City Council STATED MEETING 11 3/16/2023 today, a lot of them here for the first time being in City Hall. The first group of young people I would like to recognize is the basketball team as well as the coach and athletic director at Roman Catholic. Can they stand up so we can give them a round of applause, please. (Applause.)
I want to take a moment to congratulate Roman Catholic, not just the current team that's here today for winning the Catholic League Championship, they had a very tough win in overtime last night representing the City of Philadelphia in the PIAA state playoffs, but overall this is the team that was 17th in the entire country. They were ranked No. 17, the 17th best team in the entire country this year. STATED MEETING 12 3/16/2023 (Applause.)
And it's arguably one of the greatest basketball programs in the history of the City of Philadelphia. They currently have 12 Division 1 players, 33 Catholic League titles, five national championships, five state titles since joining the PIAA in 2010, and they could not have done it without their coach, Coach McNesby, as well as their AD Brian Haas. Can we give them a round of applause, please. (Applause.)
Thank you to the young men of Roman Catholic, and please continue to represent the City of Philadelphia well. Another guest that we have here today that I would like to recognize is Mr. -- and this was one of our Champions STATED MEETING 13 3/16/2023 the past, but when we recognized him before, he was actually at school taking care of his business. But Mr. Jacob. Jacob, can you stand? Jacob is here with his mother. (Applause.)
Mom, you can stand too, mom. Mom can stand with him. (Applause.)
We recognized Jacob a little while ago because Jacob is the first player in over 40 years to come from a Philadelphia Public League school and to earn a full athletic scholarship to an Ivy League institution. (Standing ovation.) STATED MEETING 14 3/16/2023
Jacob is going to be starting at Cornell this fall and he is going to be at Cornell representing the City of Philadelphia, the Public League, and the public schools. So, Jacob, congratulations. Thank you for making history, and continue to be a role model. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues. And, most importantly, thank you to the young people who decided to come to City Council today to watch their government in action. Thank you, Council President.
Awesome. Thank you, Councilman. And congratulations to you all. Great job. We really appreciate what you're doing with your lives. STATED MEETING 15 3/16/2023 Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too want to recognize the Roman Catholic basketball team and Coach McNesby. My connection to these young men is through my father. My father graduated from Roman Catholic in 1942. He was All-Catholic in '41 and '42, and he's a big fan of your whole program and Coach NcNesby and the whole Roman family. My dad is still alive and well, and on this Monday, Roman Catholic grad, just like you, World War II veteran, will turn 99. So congratulations, Roman. Go, purple and gold. (Applause.)
Awesome. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. STATED MEETING 16 3/16/2023 Real briefly, I would like to acknowledge our friends and residents in the upper deck of the City Council Chamber. I know you all came down to show your interest. (Applause.)
I just want to acknowledge you. It's kind of hard to see you all up there. But thank you and welcome. Thanks for coming down today. We appreciate you. Okay. With that, we will move to our introduction of bills and resolutions, and I would ask Mr. Decker to please read the title of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.
Councilman Thomas offers two resolutions, a privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Fred Shabel, for his enduring dedication to the city of Philadelphia as STATED MEETING 17 3/16/2023 coach, businessman, and civic leader.
And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Imhotep Institute and Roman Catholic High School's boys basketball teams, for their respective victories in the Public League and Catholic League championships.
Councilman Jones offers five bills and four resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Camac Street and Sedgley Avenue; Rising Sun Avenue and North 13th Street; Victoria Street and Germantown Avenue; North 13th Street and Luzerne Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: George Street and North 4th Street; STATED MEETING 18 3/16/2023 George Street and North 2nd Street; Shackamaxon Street and Girard Avenue; Ridge Avenue and Mount Vernon Street; American Street and Poplar Street; North 4th Street and Poplar Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 11th Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Green Street and North 16th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 15th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 16th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 19th Street; North 15th Street and Fairmount Avenue; North 23rd Street and Fairmount Avenue. And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers an ordinance establishing parking regulations on both sides of Conshohocken Avenue between Monument Road and Falls Road; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 66th Street between City Avenue and Woodbine Avenue. STATED MEETING 19 3/16/2023
Councilman Jones also offers a privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold public hearings to examine the progress and backlog of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certifications in the region in anticipation of increased capital projects coming from the City of Philadelphia, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the School District of Philadelphia; and A privileged resolution honoring Philadelphia's Stephen Fulton, Jr. and Wishing him Luck in his Upcoming Match Against Naoya Inoue on May 7th in Yokohama, Japan.
And a privileged resolution Honoring and Congratulating the Students of Walter B. Saul High STATED MEETING 20 3/16/2023 School for Earning a Gold Medal at the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show.
And a privileged resolution Honoring the Trailblazing Women of the 4th Council District; Madeline Dunn, Alice Wright, Barbara Jones, Bernice Hall, Geneva Black, The Honorable Louise Williams Bishop, The Honorable Carol Campbell, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, and Ruth Bazemore, in honor of Women's History Month.
Councilman Johnson offers one bill and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Chadwick Street and Washington Avenue; South 26th Street and Bainbridge Street."
Referred to committee. STATED MEETING 21 3/16/2023
And a non-privileged resolution also naming South 22nd Street, between Market and Chestnut, "Pat Eiding Way."
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act on Governor Shapiro's call, in his 2023 budget address, to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 and to deliver a living wage for workers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to speak briefly on the resolution that I introduced. President Clarke and colleagues, today I'm introducing this resolution supporting Governor Josh Shapiro's call to raise the state's STATED MEETING 22 3/16/2023 minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour. It is totally long overdue. (Applause.)
As of this moment, Pennsylvania is one of 20 states nationwide where the minimum wage is no higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which was set 14 years ago in 2009. Every state that borders Pennsylvania has already raised its minimum wage. The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.25. It is $10.10 in Ohio. It's $11.75 in Delaware, $13.25 in Maryland, $14.13 in New Jersey, and $14.20 in New York. All of those states - Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York - have plans in place to continue gradually raising their minimum wages until they reach $15 per hour in the coming years. According to a report by the STATED MEETING 23 3/16/2023 Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, two percent of Pennsylvania hourly wage workers were paid at or below the federal minimum wage in 2022, while nearly 13 percent were paid between $7.25 per hour and $12 per hour. The bottom line is that nearly one million people in Pennsylvania make less than $15 per hour last year, and that is one million too many, in my view. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, nearly half of Pennsylvania minimum wage workers last year were in the food and drink industry. People who are employed in the retail trade and educational services also make up a significant share of minimum wage workers in Pennsylvania. Here in Philadelphia those working below minimum wage are our friends and neighbors. Philadelphia is the poorest big city in America. It's time for us to move the needle in poverty and eliminate STATED MEETING 24 3/16/2023 the stigma of carrying this title. The move by -(Applause.)
This move by Governor Josh Shapiro is the right thing to do, and I call on the General Assembly to approve legislation for a $15 an hour minimum wage. Thank you very much, Council President. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Councilman. I think we concur. That will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilman O'Neill offers an ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code by adding a new section prohibiting the parking or maintaining of STATED MEETING 25 3/16/2023 semitrailers and truck tractors at residential properties.
Councilwoman Bass offers a privileged resolution honoring Viola "Candy" Owens for being a pillar in the community, and for her exemplary work throughout the City of Philadelphia, and outstanding leadership among women.
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 2800 block of North 22nd Street to "Willie Seward Way."
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction STATED MEETING 26 3/16/2023 resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports three bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 230079, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell one or more STATED MEETING 27 3/16/2023 tax-exempt or taxable water and wastewater revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit enhancement or payment or liquidity sources (or any combination of the foregoing) for such Bonds; providing that such Bonds shall bear interest at fixed or variable rates; and determining the sufficiency of pledged Project Revenues"; and Bill No. 230104, entitled "An ordinance approving the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds in connection therewith, and acknowledging the receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2028"; and Bill No. 230105, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the extension of the program authorized by Bill No. 181043 STATED MEETING 28 3/16/2023 is given to the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation to enter into certain contracts and transactions arising thereunder for the purchase, storage, distribution, transportation and/or transmission of natural and other gas supply on behalf of the Philadelphia Gas Works," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading this day of Bill Nos. 230079, 230104, and 230105. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and STATED MEETING 29 3/16/2023 rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 230079, 230104, 230105. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
STATED MEETING 30 3/16/2023 Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 220914, entitled "An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the Hillside Recreation Center, located at 201 Fountain Street, as the 'Lonnie Cohen Recreation Center' in the City of Philadelphia"; and Bill No. 220972, entitled "An ordinance amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 877), approved September 16, 1994, by amending an exhibit thereto, in order to increase the limit of the amount of funding any entity may receive in any fiscal year from the Philadelphia Activities Fund," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
STATED MEETING 31 3/16/2023 again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 220914 and 220972. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 220914 and 220972. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar STATED MEETING 32 3/16/2023 2ND READING today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had their first reading. They will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on our First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being brought up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 230193, 230194, 230199, and 220517-AA. All other bills are being, and resolutions, are being held.
STATED MEETING 33 3/16/2023 Thank you so much, Councilman. Before we consider the resolutions and bills, we will have our public comment session. Your public comment session will go as follows: Your comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for possible action in today's session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already done so, you may sign up at the table outside of the Council Chambers with the Sergeant-At-Arms. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Today it looks like we have decent circumstances. You will have three minutes to testify. So please adjust your testimony to reflect a two-minute [sic] time limit. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of STATED MEETING 34 3/16/2023 the Council Chambers. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green on the podium, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. And when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation with the guidelines surrounding the public comment. I must say for the record in the event that there is repetitious comment on the same subject matter, we do have the right within the guidelines of our rules to limit that repetitious comment. It doesn't appear to be the case today. So with that being said, Mr. Decker, will you please call the first name on the list. And as always, we really appreciate your willingness to come down to participate in your government in STATED MEETING 35 3/16/2023 action. Thank you so much.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Abdul Muhammad. (No response.)
The next speaker is Kate Parker, commenting on 230194. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Kate Parker. Thank you, and thank you, Council President and members of City Council, for the opportunity to be here today to comment on Resolution 230194. My name is Kate Parker. I've had the great pleasure of working with and knowing some of you. I work at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and I serve as the Policy Director there. STATED MEETING 36 3/16/2023 It's a very real privilege to work at an organization that actually pre-dates the passage of Gideon. Our office has been representing indigent people charged with crimes two years prior to the federal case in 1938 that established the right to counsel in federal cases. And so it's with that long legacy and history that I'm here today on behalf of our Chief Defender, Keisha Hudson, who offers both her regrets that she can't be here, she's at another Gideon event representing our office, and so she asked me to come here today to both thank you for your generous recognition of the value of our work and your ongoing recognition of the role we play in the legal system and in protecting some of the most fundamental rights of democracy for the City of Philadelphia. We also thank you for your financial investment in our office. The right to counsel is meaningless if STATED MEETING 37 3/16/2023 counsel cannot adequately represent the people who are standing in front and charged with crimes every day. More importantly, we also thank you for the opportunity for meaningful partnership with this body, for inviting us to join in task forces, to seek our input in interventions that address some of the root causes of community crime and violence, and in allowing us to really support the work that some of you are doing that has national implications, the local policy work that has ramifications across the nation and helps improve the quality of justice for all Philadelphians. It's hard to imagine a world without Gideon. It's hard to imagine that anybody would be asked to navigate the criminal justice system without a professional attorney appointed to represent them, and we thank you for recognizing the important and fundamental role that we play. STATED MEETING 38 3/16/2023 Obviously an adequate defense is not a luxury, particularly now, particularly when the stakes are so very high for so many people, and the collateral consequences of the conviction have ripple effects for generations and impact not just individuals, not just their families but entire blocks and neighborhoods throughout this city. There was no guarantee, this was not like a historical inevitability, right? What's important to remember about Gideon is like within the last five years, it's already been challenged by two seated Supreme Court justices. There was no historical inevitability. And so thank you for your time. Into every era there's an opportunity to improve the law for the betterment of mankind, and we're proud to share this day with our hubs.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. STATED MEETING 39 3/16/2023 (Applause.)
The next speaker is Mike Morak. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, everybody. I have the honor of speaking to you about the accomplishments of Miss Candy. You guys call her Viola Owens. I call her Miss Candy out here. I really appreciate you guys just taking the time to honor a wonderful woman that has meant a lot to me in my lifespan. Her work has made a significant impact on the City of Philadelphia, and I'm thrilled to share a few of her achievements. She embodies what it means to take care of your community and neighborhood and the countless hours making an impact when no one is looking. After founding the Daniel Eric Rumph II STATED MEETING 40 3/16/2023 Foundation in 2005, she's been a pillar in the neighborhood being a "go to" person, focusing on heartstrings for young athletes, providing AEDs for local organizations and sports teams, clothing and feeding thousands annually, transporting those in need to doctor's appointments, to feed them, to pick up food, making sure that she's a community organizer as well as a community impact leader. And one of the best descriptions that I can give her is a neighborhood mom, you know, somebody that anybody can call for anything that they need. As you guys know on City Council, this can be a frustrating process for many people in Philadelphia that don't understand the inner workings. You know, she's one of those people that walks down here, waits in line, and makes sure that things get done for people that get frustrated with the process and don't STATED MEETING 41 3/16/2023 understand how City Council may work or the City of Philadelphia works. So as I like to call her as a second mom to me, who is somebody that I've known for 25-plus years, you know, she's an incredible woman and she exemplifies everything that a Philadelphian really is. So a mom to many, and she's also a major resource to the City. Thank you, Councilperson Bass, and also City Council just for recognizing her today, you know, acknowledging all of her work that she has done in the shadows. You know, it's an honor for me to stand here and support her and helping her save the next bright star. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. We STATED MEETING 42 3/16/2023 appreciate it.
The next speaker is Lynn Landes, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of ProtocolsforDemocracy.org. In a functioning democracy, the public must be allowed to speak on and hear all sides of any debate. This is not the case in the United States and particularly not in Philadelphia.
Excuse me. Ms. Landes, are you talking about the Land Bank bill?
You indicated that you're going to talk about the Land Bank bill.
STATED MEETING 43 3/16/2023 Ms. Landes, I know we go through this drill every week where you come up and just purposely don't adhere to the guidelines.
So can you do us a favor, at least start out talking about what you indicated you're going to talk about.
Yes. I support Cindy Bass's bill to sue the Mayor's Office for not enforcing the law you passed.
Okay. What we have in Philadelphia and in this country in general is a systemic censorship where free speech is being actively suppressed, if not outright banned by much of the STATED MEETING 44 3/16/2023 news media, social media platforms, and cable companies, which is why the City should install online comment sections for the home pages of the Mayor's Office, City departments, City Council, and Council committees. Those who comment should be required to post their name, address, and contact information, which would allow others to contact them, but also discourage bots and trolls. In a similar manner, the City should also erect freely accessible public comment bulletin boards in neighborhoods across the City in order to encourage free speech and discussion. In compliance with the spirit and intent of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, all City Council committees and City departments should be required to hold regularly scheduled meetings, and City officials should stop advising speakers to restrict their comments to agenda items only. In addition, those who make STATED MEETING 45 3/16/2023 public comments should expect response. After all, the First Amendment guarantees the citizen's right, quote, to petition the government for a redress of grievances, unquote. However, too often there is no redress nor any response at all from City departments or City Councilmembers. In fact, at City Council meetings, speakers are not even asked to give any contact information when they sign up to speak, which gives City Councilmembers no way to follow up with the speakers. Lastly, City Council appears to have plenty of time to celebrate individuals, groups, and events, which is good, but not enough time to address the serious concerns of the public, which is not good. We can do better. Philadelphia is the birthplace of the Bill of Rights and should lead the way in the promotion of meaningful and effective free speech for the nation and the world. STATED MEETING 46 3/16/2023 Thank you.
The next speaker is Ogbonna Hagins, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Great morning, Council and everyone who is here today. My name is Ogbonna Hagins, H-A-G-I-N-S. You want to hire legal counsel to file a lawsuit to require the Administration to implement and enforce Bill No. 220425. This bill provides healthy outdoor spaces to promote a healthy environment that protects the public from risk of toxic herbicides by prohibiting these poisons from being used on City-owned and public grounds. As you know, I'm known as STATED MEETING 47 3/16/2023 Philly Green Man. I'm an environmental advocate, and I definitely am in agreement with not having toxic herbicides in public spaces, but at the same time that I agree with this bill, this body has an indoor environmental issue that is affecting our children in the School District of Philadelphia. In May of 2022, this body approved additional regulations and procedures for inspecting asbestos in old school buildings where there's an oversight. Okay? The body requires more inspection. And on March 13th of this year, this Council said that you will deny funding if the School District doesn't have a concrete plan to deal with this asbestos issue. This asbestos issue has been a problem for decades and decades. Even when I was a teacher at Dobbins starting in 1989, there was an asbestos problem. What has this body done since then? Why is there these regulations and these STATED MEETING 48 3/16/2023 issues today when you knew about these issues for decades? So what I'm saying is basically we got to look out for our kids, and right now it doesn't seem like we're looking out for our children in the School District of Philadelphia. Yes, the environment has to be taken care of immediately, but don't forget that our children are not learning at a proficient level. Six out of ten children who graduate from public schools cannot read, write, or do math. This body has to do something about that. This body has to lead on the issue. Because guess what? The crime and the violence is as a result of education and a deficiency of education. So at the same time that you guys are talking about decreasing crime and having all of these problems with violence, what are you doing about the education of our children? What's being done? STATED MEETING 49 3/16/2023 It's no urgency. I see people on their cell phones while I'm talking. It's like what's the deal? (Applause.)
How -- look, let me tell you something. When I'm up here speaking -
So let's get it together, Council, and I look forward to you doing something about it.
The next speaker is Marvin Robinson, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
First of all, good morning. My name is Marvin Robinson. Good morning, President Clarke -
-- and City Council. I haven't been here in a while, so it kind of feels good to sit up here and testify on a bill that I'm a little concerned about. When that bill says about developers getting tax exempt, I would like to see more where it go, what they going to do with the money, is it going STATED MEETING 51 3/16/2023 to help the community. Because the way I see it and I know for a fact when developers come to my neighborhood, they develop, but our community don't gets nothing out of it. They really don't. They barely gets jobs. They barely get homes. So if we're going to make sure developers -- because they the one makes all the money in our community, and then when they make the money, they leave our community, and then we stuck with what? So my concern there is, it's not so much giving developers a way out, what about the people that needs the way in? And that's my concern. And I would like to see this bill get more -- added more service for the people more than service for corporate that's millionaires. Because I know for a fact when it comes to zoning and stuff in your community, the Councilpeople has to zone it, and a lot of y'all got paid off from these developers and the community got STATED MEETING 52 3/16/2023 nothing. And I know y'all don't like what I'm saying, but if the truth is the light, then the light going to come to the truth. And I have no problem sitting here telling the world the truth what goes in my community, and I know for a fact, because I go to the zonings. So if we're going to do something, stop giving developers and give to us, the neighbors, the people that pay they taxes. (Applause.)
So y'all look at this bill, because I'm going to be on this, and start adding more for the people and not for the developers. So that's all I have to say, and I think that's a really valid concern. Between education and housing, STATED MEETING 53 3/16/2023 that's why our community has a bunch of guns in our community, because y'all letting these developers taking our life from us because we can't live right. We can't live in the homes that they're building, because it's too damn much.
Costs too much. So, please, start -- if you're going to give a tax exempt, give it to the people, we, the people. Thank you. I don't need like -- tell me to sit down. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Councilman Thomas, did you -you're good? Okay.
The next speaker is Gail Clouden, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
I am Mama Gail. The name that my mom gave me is Gail. It was Stewart. It's now Clouden for 47 years. I'm here because I got a call. For those of you that know me knows that I advocate and have been advocating for children in the Philadelphia School District for over 30 years. And I got a call a couple of days ago about this bill. A lot of times I have to step back because so much is going on and I have to stay focused, but this caught my attention and I had to stop, and I didn't really understand it. I still haven't had time to really digest it, let alone read it. And so one of the things that was asked of me was to ask that this bill be held or withdrawn due to inadequate public comment. I'm thinking -- I'm not sure how many people in Philadelphia know about this bill or what it means to our STATED MEETING 55 3/16/2023 community, but I can tell you from sitting at the School District for many, many years, and I'll just use the last 10, 11 years, as I have sat, as I've stood letting people know how I feel, my biggest concern is the abatements that are given to corporate America and no oversight. Who is watching how the money is being spent? I'm going to give just one example. Having been around a long time and having been -- I'm married to a man that was an engineer, a man that almost died as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning in a school in Philadelphia not that long ago. So standing here, I'm just going to use the example of asbestos. I have to use that example because I've talked to several men that were building engineers and they talked to me and my husband about how much asbestos was removed from the School District buildings many years ago, and STATED MEETING 56 3/16/2023 the joke is did it grow back? That's the joke. Did it grow back? Who removed it when people were being paid to remove it? Who had the oversight responsibility to know that it was removed? How do we have so much asbestos? I'm just using that as an example. So when I hear about rebates, I think in terms of the schools and the people that have gotten all kinds of contracts and they get abatements. Many people have gotten abatements on the back of our children. And I'm just going to sit down after saying enough is enough. Our children deserve everything they're supposed to get, and I'm saying to you lawmakers, you people who sit here, you knew people who are just getting these positions, find out what's really going on. Stop this voting, as I watched them do at the School District, voting and voting and voting, without knowing what STATED MEETING 57 3/16/2023 they're voting on or for. God bless you. Peace and love. Don't forget, enough is enough. (Applause.)
Thank you. For the record, the bill will be held today. It was not on the schedule to be voted on today. So if there needs to be any additional follow-up from any individual who has an interest, you obviously can reach out and talk to us about the specifics, but thank you. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Leah Clouden, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
Good STATED MEETING 58 3/16/2023 morning. My name is Leah Clouden. Hi. I'm speaking on the same bill that my mother was speaking on. To me, these abatements are insane. You have overtaxed the actual residents more than half -- more than double. You have more than doubled the property tax because of the abatements that you give everybody else, and you're always using the children. It's always in the name of a child. Our School District is eight percent away from total failure. That means 92 percent of the schools are at an F academically. I don't care how much money you think you're throwing at them, they're still not improving. This is absurd. And to tax the people when these people -- when you have universities that are spreading like wildfire, you have apartments going up and all they offer is a couple of units, how many houses do we need for affordable housing? How many people need affordable STATED MEETING 59 3/16/2023 housing? Because when do you stop? When do you stop taking for the people that have the least? You have to stop these abatements. This is too taxing on the residents, and if you continue to do that, that means you don't want any more residents in Philadelphia. That's it. Thank you.
The next speaker is Jon McKay, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. MR. McKAY: Good morning. Congratulations. Thank you for your service, Mr. President. Give him a round STATED MEETING 60 3/16/2023 of applause. (Applause.)
Thank you, sir. MR. McKAY: My name is Jon McKay. As it relates to this bill and the abatement, I'm here to let you know that, you know, for a long time, the City of Philadelphia and its majority hasn't been organized when it comes to voting, and I'm here to let you know that that time has changed. Moving forward, we're going to give the break to the people, because we're down on the ground organizing. No, it's not on Fox. It's not on the news. You understand, it's not getting broadcast, because we already know that story. But I want to let you know I'm glad everything is being held up and, you know, it's a pleasure to be down here STATED MEETING 61 3/16/2023 with you guys, because what we're going to do moving forward is, we're going to sit down and we're going to plan this city together and we're going to move it together. You understand what I'm talking about? The people who haven't been down here and chiming in because we live in this system that was created and a history already know why our people are scrambling trying to make it through day to day. You understand? And we're not just talking about the people at the bottom. We're talking about everybody, the whole middle class. We already know the country, the City is broken down into two classes, the two percent and the 98 percent, and I'm telling you that the 98 percent been organizing. We got it together. So I hope you guys take these comments, because a lot of people been coming down here venting and giving you comments, but I want to let you know that STATED MEETING 62 3/16/2023 we got plans and we're going to come down here and we're going to bring our plans, and the people that we pay are going to back our plans or they're going to plan to find a new job. Have a blessed day, in Jesus' name.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Jacqueline Wiggins, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Good morning, everyone. My name is Jacqueline Wiggins and I am a resident STATED MEETING 63 3/16/2023 taxpayer in the City of Philadelphia and I'm talking in terms of Bill 221015. I would just like a point of clarification, Council President. Are you saying this bill is being withdrawn or held?
Okay. So I'm opposed to this bill to incentivize affordable housing development, et cetera. This bill must be held. All right? To give developers the opportunity to construct affordable housing may make sense, but at what cost to the people with respect to the market rate percentage and that affordable housing percentage? But a greater importance is when and how did this come about without genuine community, citywide, ward by STATED MEETING 64 3/16/2023 ward, division by division, block by block, community input by the people? How can that happen? Well, it can happen in terms of people knowing about these bills if there is the will, and we have to have the will to do as what has been said before me. The people's voices must be heard regarding these tax exemptions that are stealing things from the services that our people need, and that's it throughout this entire city. Our schools, our services, all of that, we need those funds. Those tax exemptions must change. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Steven Austin, commenting on 230194. (Witness approached podium.) STATED MEETING 65 3/16/2023
Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. Thank you all for having me here today. My name is Steven Austin and I'm commenting on 230194, participatory defense. And I'm not sure that all of you are aware of it. I hope that you are. We've been in the City now for five years, and we're grateful that you have given us this recognition, along with our partners, the Public Defenders Association. We will continue to do the type of work that we have been doing in organizing our communities and getting our communities to have a better understanding of the law and their processes, and we will continue to do that. And I wanted to thank you for having us here. There's still a lot of work to be done. We understand the STATED MEETING 66 3/16/2023 elections that are coming up regarding judges, and we're also deeply involved in that, and we'd like to get that information out there so that folks will understand what it is that they're voting for. I understand that there were a lot of comments today that were of interest to me regarding voting, and I think that voting is very important, but we also think that you have to have information. And we're grateful that you've given this recognition through this resolution, along with our friends and partners at the Public Defenders Association, and I thank you for having me here to say these few words. We will continue to be visible in the City. We have seven hubs in the City now, and as I said, this is our fifth year anniversary. We look forward to continuing to work with you and our partners throughout the City and trying to educate folks on the criminal legal STATED MEETING 67 3/16/2023 system and to have them understand exactly what they're facing. The system that we have is so big, it's so huge, and it has so much weight on folks who come before them. People who are charged with a crime or find themselves up against our system, period, are overwhelmed. And most of the people we talk to are poor. They can't afford attorneys. They can't help themselves. They don't know what's next. They don't know what they're going to do. And so what we try to do is bridge that gap and give them that assistance. Sometimes the attorneys won't even talk to them. So there's a lot of stress and anxiety and frustration over facing the system that we have, and we hope to be able to continue to have some influence in this area and help people understand what their rights are and what they're facing. Thank you for having me. STATED MEETING 68 3/16/2023
Thank you for your testimony. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank everybody that came down today, because all of these things are related, whether you talk about the ability to redirect tax abatements so that people can live, whether you talk about the ability to produce more affordable housing so that we don't have the disparities between the two percent and the 98 percent. So we are -- and I'm speaking for myself, but my colleagues that I get to talk to -- listening, and what that does is puts the wind to our backs so STATED MEETING 69 3/16/2023 that we can push forward to talk to this Administration, the state, and the federal government to give our residents what they need. I rise today, though, to talk about the Defenders Association and participatory defense, a subcomponent of what we face. I thank the Defenders Association for being a part of the 100 Shooter Review that took a deep dive to look at why people are pulling triggers and how did the gun get to the location and if that person does this more than one time, where did we fail them to help them to a better way. What we discovered at the Defenders Association, and we're taking a trip over there, is that some of these individuals as adults that they defend, we saw, we saw before in schools, we saw before in custody battles, we saw before when they at the Defenders Association had to represent these kids as their STATED MEETING 70 3/16/2023 advocates and they raised their hand and said, I'm in trouble, I'm in distress, I need your help, and many times systems and departments ignored them. And so they go along through the continuum of their life finding these struggles, double bookbags, not being in safe environments in school and wind up "will the defendant please rise." And what I'm telling you when you go over there, one of the statistics that is so shocking is that 30 percent of the folk on the children's end wind up being the defendants at the adult end. That's number one. Number two, when it comes to participatory defense, I don't care who you are. I don't care how tough you think you are. When you walk into that courtroom, you are intimidated. You don't know the language. You don't know the process. You are sitting there kind of at the mercy of the system. And what they do is in that participatory defense, STATED MEETING 71 3/16/2023 Speight is one of those individuals that teaches, it teaches them how to defend themselves, how to stand up in the courtroom and present their case. Not so much in the legal language, but I'm not this bad person. This is what I do with my kids. This is what I do at my job. This is what I do in my community, so that that judge has a total picture of who that person is and they don't just wind up in a meat grinder, in a vortex that sends them every which way but right. So this is an important part of justice. So today we recognize the Defenders today. We recognize participatory defense, because it's an essential part of justice. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 72 3/16/2023
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Phillips.
I've been listening attentively to the comments from our residents, and I just simply wanted to say that there's a reason why we are deliberating on 221015, including myself, is because for me, we don't in this body -- and we're collectively working with all of our members. We work together to make sure the decisions we make are in the best interest of all of our residents in the City of Philadelphia, and all the time and one of the things as a new member of Council I always think about, as I listened to the young lady and some of our elders who spoke today, I was thankful for that, because it reminds me of why you're here, why we're here, and to make sure that whatever decision that we do is truly in the interest of our public. STATED MEETING 73 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING And so I just wanted to say thank you all for your comments and continuing to hold us accountable so that we can make the best quality of life for the City of Philadelphia and all of its residents. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, do you have an additional name?
Do not? Okay. Thank you. That concludes our public comment for today. We will now move to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of 230193.
A resolution STATED MEETING 74 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 911, 913, 915, 919, 921, 923, 925 West Auburn Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion.
On your behalf, Mr. President, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Mr. Decker, 230194.
A resolution STATED MEETING 75 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING declaring March 18, 2023 "Public Defender and Participatory Defense Day" in the City of Philadelphia to honor the dedicated work that the Defender Association of Philadelphia and Participatory Defense Hubs do for Philadelphians.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Decker, 230199. STATED MEETING 76 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3903 Wallace Street in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. STATED MEETING 77 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220517-AA.
An ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 1 Convention Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman STATED MEETING 78 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Harrity.
Councilwoman Vaughn. STATED MEETING 79 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Fred Shabel, for his enduring dedication to the city of Philadelphia as a coach, businessman, and civic leader, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. STATED MEETING 80 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Imhotep Institute and Roman Catholic High School's boys basketball teams, for their respective victories in the Public League and Catholic League championships, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. Public League championship, not Catholic League. We apologize for the mistake. I move for the adoption of the resolution. STATED MEETING 81 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold public hearings to examine the progress and backlog of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certifications in the region in anticipation of increased capital projects coming from the City of Philadelphia, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the School District of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
The STATED MEETING 82 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes -- you said Jones?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring Philadelphia's Stephen Fulton, Jr. and Wishing him Luck in his Upcoming Match Against Naoya Inoue on May 7th in Yokohama, Japan, introduced today by STATED MEETING 83 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Jones.
Just briefly, Mr. President, he will be representing the United States over there in that championship. ESPN is coming, Coach Thomas, to wish him well. He will be at the back of the Council, and we wanted to get a pair of gloves, sign them. Hopefully he takes it into training so he can knock this guy out. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is STATED MEETING 84 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution Honoring and Congratulating the Students of Walter B. Saul High School for Earning a Gold Medal at the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution Honoring the Trailblazing Women of the STATED MEETING 85 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING 4th Council District; Madeline Dunn, Alice Wright, Barbara Jones, Bernice Hall, Geneva Black, The Honorable Louise Williams Bishop, The Honorable Carol Campbell, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, and Ruth Bazemore, in honor of Women's History Month, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for that adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. STATED MEETING 86 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring Viola "Candy" Owens for being a pillar in the community, and for her exemplary work throughout the City of Philadelphia, and outstanding leadership among women, introduced today by Councilwoman Bass.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas at this moment.
Real quick, I apologize. I first want to thank my uptown colleague Councilmember Bass for introducing the resolution. I love Miss Candy. Miss Candy helped, like Mike said in his comments, she helped raise a lot of us in the neighborhood, and I just appreciate all she does and the Danny Rumph Foundation does. We talk often a lot about the work that happens where we never know the number of lives we'll save, and the amount of free physicals that the Danny STATED MEETING 87 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Rumph Foundation has given young people where they also do heart screenings, right, because when you are an athlete and you go to get a physical, a lot of times what people don't recognize is they don't check your heart. And if anybody knows the story of Danny Rumph and a few other athletes who had unfortunate situations take place based on heart conditions, this work is immeasurable. So thank you, Councilmember Bass, for introducing this resolution. Thank you, Mama Candy. We appreciate you. We love you.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to my colleague Councilman Thomas for his STATED MEETING 88 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING recognition of Candy Owens. Before we pass the resolution, I'd like to speak to this resolution regarding Ms. Owens, if she could just stand so that everybody can recognize who she is. (Applause.)
And I just wanted to say, you know, this is someone who's been serving not just the Northwest but the entire City of Philadelphia for a very long time. She took what was a personal tragedy, which was the loss of her son, Danny Rumph, on the basketball court because there was no defibrillator available at the rec center in which he was playing, and through the years, Ms. Candy Owens has said, no more. She went out, raised money, made sure that every place that needed a defibrillator got a defibrillator. This is something that is STATED MEETING 89 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING ongoing work for her, and we'll never know how many lives that she has impacted, how many people she has really saved, and this is one of our unsung sheroes. During this Women's History Month, we really wanted to recognize you and say thank you. And it's not just -(Applause.)
-- the work on defibrillators. She does a whole lot more. She gives away clothes, food. I mean, just -- you know, she's a wealth of resources. She takes over the entire Vernon Park once, twice a year and just, you know, does her thing and does these enormous giveaways. And so we want to say thank you so much for really dedicating yourself to the community, for doing so much for so many who might not know you, might not know your name, and you do it, as they STATED MEETING 90 3/16/2023 3/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING say, from the muscle. You do it -- you know, you just make it happen. And so we have a great appreciation for you. And with this, Mr. President, I'm honored to call for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.) (Applause.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
STATED MEETING 91 3/16/2023 much, Mr. Decker. Do we have any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Okay. Do we have any speeches on behalf of the majority? (No response.)
Wow. Okay. Wow. Okay. Let me hurry up. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Wow. It's going to snow. Thank you, Council President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying STATED MEETING 92 3/16/2023 (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. Again, be safe. ) STATED MEETING 93 3/16/2023 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L.