Stated Meeting 1 3/31/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 31, 2022 10:17 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 3/31/2022
And good morning, and thank you very much. We're going to get started now, but before we begin the Council session, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published by the Daily News, Inquirer, and Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, just say a couple of words to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the roll. Stated Meeting 3 3/31/2022
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I am present. Thank you.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning to the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, City of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and this last day of Women's History Month, the City of Sisterly Effectiveness.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm present.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the viewing public.
All right. Sorry about that. Button wasn't responding. Okay. Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm present.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and to the viewing public.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. I'm present.
And good morning to you all. We've established our quorum, and we will now come to order. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Bonnie Camarda of the Salvation Army of Eastern PA. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. I would ask all members, guests to please bow your heads for the invocation. Stated Meeting 8 3/31/2022
Good morning. Today I want to pray for God's presence among your mass. I want to invite him in to your Council meeting, to the budget hearing, to every business that you are doing today and the days to come, that he will be the presence there, that he will guide you, that he will continue giving you wisdom. Just pray that as the deer pants for the drink of water, so us will long after our God for righteousness. Father, I want to pray for protection, ask you to protect our City Councilmembers, our Mayor, our elected official. Lord, I pray for protection for the citizens of Philadelphia. You know how challenges we are having in the street. You know how every day someone get murdered or killed in our city. Father, I pray and call on their behalf that you will do something extraordinary that we can stop the killing and the murder in this city and Stated Meeting 9 3/31/2022 surpass all understanding and be with them. Lord, you say very clear that you protect us from the power of the wicked. We need protection, Lord. Our city needs protection. Lord, I pray for all, every one of the authority leaders, clergy, pastors, City Council elected official, Senators, Congressmen for our city. Father, I pray that you will give them wisdom as they rule and just do the business of this city. And, Lord, I just pray that you be with each one of the presence. Not only with the members of Council but with the people who is hearing us, for the people who is month by month, week by week hearing being in this presence during the hearings. Lord, we just thank you that their interest in the work of the City. Father, and I pray that you will bless them wherever they're at and Stated Meeting 10 3/31/2022 will do something super natural in their life. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend. Thank you for your invocation and thank you for those inspiring words. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24th, 2022 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24, 2022 stand approved. Stated Meeting 11 3/31/2022 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Johnson.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted to Councilman Johnson. And, again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were Stated Meeting 12 3/31/2022 on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on 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, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council Stated Meeting 13 3/31/2022 to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker 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. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications. And the Clerk will Stated Meeting 14 3/31/2022 from the Mayor and 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 30, 2022, I signed the following bills, which were passed by Council at its session on March 24, 2022: Bill Nos. 210743 and 220143; and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 2342 North Twenty-seventh Street, 2344 North Twenty-seventh Street, 2346 North Twenty-seventh Street, 2348 North Twenty-seventh Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Stated Meeting 15 3/31/2022 City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027, and incorporating Revised changes with respect to Fiscal Year 2022, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority; and An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2023 through 2028 inclusive; and An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2023 Capital Budget; and An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023; and An ordinance amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fees of Commissioner of Records," to increase certain fees for the reporting of deeds and mortgages and related documents; and An ordinance amending Section 19-1403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Imposition of Tax," by creating Stated Meeting 16 3/31/2022 Fund to increase and encourage economic development by demolishing blighted properties within the City, imposing a related fee for recorded documents and related items; and making technical changes; and An ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund, the Stated Meeting 17 3/31/2022 Grants Revenue Fund, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes the messages and communications, and our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. By way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Stated Meeting 18 3/31/2022 Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered by our members today.
Councilwoman Parker offers five bills and two resolutions on behalf of Council President Clarke, entitled "An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2023 through 2028 inclusive"; and An ordinance to adopt a 2023 Capital Budget; and An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023; and An ordinance amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fees of Commissioner of Records," to increase certain fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents; and An ordinance amending Section 19-1403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Imposition of Tax," by creating Stated Meeting 19 3/31/2022 a Philadelphia County Demolition Fund to increase and encourage economic development by demolishing blighted properties within the City, imposing a related fee for recorded documents and related items; and making technical changes.
Those five bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027, and incorporating Revised changes with respect to Fiscal Year 2022, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting 20 3/31/2022 Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1433 North Myrtlewood Street, 1454, 1428, and 1443 North Myrtlewood Street, 719 Montgomery Avenue, 737 Montgomery Avenue, 739 Montgomery Avenue, 741 Montgomery Avenue, and 743 Montgomery Avenue.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, you said that was a resolution?
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a resolution recognizing and supporting the health and wellness of Black mamas and birthing people by acknowledging April 11 through 17, 2022, as "Black Maternal Health Week."
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting 21 3/31/2022
For the record, I just wanted to ensure that we notate that resolution is being co-introduced with Councilmember Cindy Bass, who is Chair of our Public Health and Human Service Committee. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Let the record reflect that, the co-sponsorship of Councilwoman Bass.
Councilman Jones offers two bills and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance requiring the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to convert certain water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure on West Country Club Road, Mimi Circle, and East Country Club Road, between Conshohocken Avenue and Conshohocken Avenue, and a Stated Meeting 22 3/31/2022 portion of Lankenau Avenue, from private to public infrastructure."
And an ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer," by adding a new Chapter 13-700, entitled "Conversion of Private Water, Sewer and Stormwater Lines to Public Ownership," to establish reporting, maintenance, improvement and repair requirements with respect to water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure converted to public ownership.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the use of technology to solve shootings in the neighborhoods surrounding the 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015. Stated Meeting 23 3/31/2022 That's authorizing a hearing.
Councilwoman Sanchez offers one bill and one resolution. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
And on her own behalf, Councilwoman Sanchez offers a resolution recognizing and honoring the Stated Meeting 24 3/31/2022 Children's Crisis Treatment Center on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary of service and leadership in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Green offers five bills. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting 25 3/31/2022
And on his own behalf, Councilman Green offers an ordinance amending Bill No. 190412, entitled "An ordinance approving City participation in the Commonwealth's Property Assessed Clean Energy Program, all under certain terms and conditions," to expand the C-PACE program in conformity with authorizing legislation by the Commonwealth and to make other conforming changes; and An ordinance amending Bill No. 100163-AA, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to organize an authority to be known as The Philadelphia Energy Authority, pursuant to the terms of the 'Municipalities Authorities Act,' of 2001, as amended, under certain terms and conditions," as amended, to reaffirm the responsibilities and powers of the Authority; authorizing and directing certain actions in connection with fulfilling the procedural requirements for the formal documentation Stated Meeting 26 3/31/2022 of the related Articles of Amendment; and An ordinance amending Chapter 20-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Compensation and Benefits," to provide for a program to incentivize the recruitment of certain City employees and to make other technical changes; and An ordinance amending Chapter 20-100 of The Philadelphia Code ("General Provisions") to revise the residence requirement of prospective City employees, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Council President. As we know, public safety has been an issue here in our city and also around the country. This body has stepped up by providing millions of additional dollars that came out of the American Rescue Plan to help some of those anti-violence initiatives through Stated Meeting 27 3/31/2022 our grassroots, community-based organizations as a way to address this public safety issue here in Philadelphia. But considering this is a nationwide problem, for the past number of weeks I've been reaching out to colleagues in Democratic Municipal Officials, the National League of Cities to see what they have been doing to also address this issue. And so in doing that research over the past period of time, learned that a number of cities have been using different initiatives like signing bonuses as a way to recruit police officers. Recruiting police officers has been an issue all over this nation. Cities like Baltimore, Newark, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Albuquerque all have been using signing bonuses as a way to bring in police officers into their jurisdictions. In addition, in doing this research, learned that the national Stated Meeting 28 3/31/2022 average salary for a police officer is about $60,000. Here in the City of Philadelphia it's less than $57,000. And recently in our Council hearing with Commissioner Outlaw, we learned that we have budgeted 6,380 police officers, but we only have 5,900 officers on duty. So that's close to 500 officers that have not been appointed that are in our budget. In addition, we learned from her that two of the major issues in recruiting police officers are salary and residency. And so two of the bills that I'm introducing today help to look at that issue and address that issue as we go through not only addressing this public safety issue in our city but also as we look at the budget and how we allocate dollars during this budget season. So I look forward to having a robust conversation regarding these two bills. I know Council as a body will Stated Meeting 29 3/31/2022 continue to do the work that we've always done to try to come up with new and creative ideas to address the public safety issues in our city. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Those four bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilwoman Brooks offers one bill and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, ('Personal Property Taxes') to impose an annual tax on certain intangible personal property."
The Chair recognizes -- Councilwoman, did you want to speak now?
Yes. Really quick. Yes. Thank you, Council President. As we enter into the third budget season of the pandemic, our city Stated Meeting 30 3/31/2022 has faced a number of questions - how do we lift up our most vulnerable Philadelphians who face severe financial and personal losses over the past two years and close this racial wealth gap. And how do we heal neighborhoods across the City that are suffering from poverty, austerity, and disinvestment. And how do we support young people in recovering from learning losses, social isolation, and widespread gun violence. And I firmly believe that deep investments in community services, like libraries, parks and recreation, behavioral health services, and not status quo funding are what we need for an equitable recovery. So today I'm officially introducing the Philly wealth tax, which could bring between $240 and $280 million to the City to invest back in our communities. For years, the one percent and the ultra rich have not contributed to their fair share, and we know that wealth Stated Meeting 31 3/31/2022 has not been trickled down. In fact, millionaires have doubled their wealth during the pandemic while working families still struggle to make ends meet. And Black and Brown communities have paid the cost of underfunding long enough and it's time for the ultra rich and the one percent to pay what they owe. And I want to thank my co-sponsors, Councilmembers Gym and Gauthier, for supporting this bill, and thank you, Council colleagues, and thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilwoman Brooks offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution honoring and recognizing the service and leadership of retired nurse, activist, and current President of the Cecil B. Moore Freedom Fighters, Karen Asper Jordan, who has led a life-long Stated Meeting 32 3/31/2022 commitment to civil rights activism by protesting, picketing, marching, registering voters, and leading countless direct actions under the guidance and, later, inspiration of the legendary civil rights leader, Cecil B. Moore.
And a resolution honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Paula Peebles, whose dedication to advocacy, organizing, and leadership has empowered Philadelphia's movements for class and race equity.
Councilman Thomas offers a resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, the Cheyney State College's "Lady Wolves" on their 40th Anniversary of Historic 1982 NCAA Basketball Division I National Championship Game. Stated Meeting 33 3/31/2022
Councilman O'Neill offers an ordinance to approve amendments to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Master Plan related to a new Proton Therapy Center building at 10800 Knights Road.
Oh, I'm sorry. Referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Subcode "F" of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Fire Code," to require the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in additional high-rise buildings.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting 34 3/31/2022
And that ordinance, last ordinance, related to Subcode F was introduced by Councilman Squilla, Mr. President.
Councilwoman Bass offers a resolution authorizing the Hospital and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia (formerly known as the Hospitals Authority of Philadelphia), incorporated pursuant to the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, as amended, and an ordinance of the City Council, approved January 28, 1974, as amended, to extend its term of existence.
And Councilman Oh offers a resolution recognizing and honoring Judge Doris Smith-Ribner for her years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the first Black woman elected to a statewide judicial seat on Stated Meeting 35 3/31/2022 History Month.
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 of bills and resolutions by our members, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill for a report from the Committee of Technology and Information Service. (No response.)
Mr. President, on behalf of Councilmember O'Neill, thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Technology and Information Stated Meeting 36 3/31/2022 bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Technology and Information Services, to which was referred Bill No. 220225, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Chief Information Officer for the City of Philadelphia, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to purchase licenses for email, cloud services, enterprise software, data services, security software, and other related computing products and services," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Stated Meeting 37 3/31/2022 Councilwoman Parker.
On behalf of Councilmember O'Neill, thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the reading this day of Bill No. 220225. (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 Bill No. 220225. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from Stated Meeting 38 3/31/2022 2ND READING committee, and our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had a first reading. It will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 220252, 220253, 220262, 220263, 220273, 220274, 220275, and 210685. All other bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Stated Meeting 39 3/31/2022 Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we proceed with our public comment session, we're going to take a brief five-minute, ten-minute break to allow our technology professionals an opportunity to connect our speakers to our public comment session today. We'll be right back. (Short recess. )
Thank you very much, and we're back. We will proceed with our public comment session. So now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider our public comment session. Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to Stated Meeting 40 3/31/2022 testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Today we have a relatively significant number of individuals wishing to testify in addition to the Mayor's speech, so we will have two minutes to speak. I would ask you to please adjust your testimony to reflect the two-minute number. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be Stated Meeting 41 3/31/2022 started, and we will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at a meeting. Please be aware that this public meeting is being recorded. So because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask Mr. Decker please read the first name on our list. Stated Meeting 42 3/31/2022
The first speaker we have today, Mr. President, is Tenaja Hammond, commenting on 210848.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Yes. Good morning, everyone. My name is Tenaja Hammond. I'm currently enrolled in Habitat for Humanity for the bill for Page Street. I am in support of, one being as though they're providing or trying to provide us, which I've been in the program for three years, trying to provide us affordable housing. It's important for me to become a homeowner, because I'm a mother of five who struggles alone, and currently where I live, I live in the University City Townhomes, and they are closing as of July 8th, 2022, which leaves us an option to go elsewhere. But I'm currently seeking the homeownership program through Habitat. It's a great, awesome program, Stated Meeting 43 3/31/2022 which has been on hold. I'm for the bill. I feel as though parking is very important, but having a home to live is way more important. So I'm in support of the bill. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your diligence. We're going to make sure you get in that home.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Council President and fellow Councilmembers. My name is Patrick Grossi and I'm speaking today on behalf of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. The Preservation Alliance wishes to express its support for Stated Meeting 44 3/31/2022 Resolution 220262 and thank Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson and her co-sponsors for urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass the Whole-Home Repairs Act, Senate Bill 1135. Senator Nikil Saval's bill aims to address a dire material need for Philadelphians and their sister residents of the Commonwealth, a need where there is currently limited public or private support. The Preservation Alliance routinely receives calls from owner-occupants of historic row houses seeking help to replace their roof, repair their windows, better insulate their property. If they meet income thresholds, I can at least direct them to some of the programs Philadelphia, Pennsylvania fortunately already has on offer, Basic Systems Repair, Adaptive Modifications, et cetera, but as you all know, the demand and wait list for these programs is likewise great. Stated Meeting 45 3/31/2022 The Whole-Home Repairs Act essentially bundles all of these assistance programs and creates a central hub for funding, technical assistance, and owner support. The Alliance is a historic preservation advocacy organization. Our mission is dedicated to the recognition and maintenance of historic places and the people who steward them. Simply put, helping people to stay in their homes by making them safe, making them comfortable, making them more energy efficient is one of the best ways we can preserve our historic built environment. Within the Preservation community, it's often asserted that the greenest building is the one that already exists. And among housing advocates, it's similarly asserted that the most affordable home is the one someone already lives in. The Whole-Home Repairs Act takes both of these ideas to heart and Stated Meeting 46 3/31/2022 puts them into action. It is a sensible, proactive, much-needed program, and the Alliance thanks City Council for recognizing its potential and advancing this resolution today. I thank you for your time.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Council President and members of Council. My name is Katie Bartolotta and I'm the Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships with the Philadelphia Energy Authority. It's a pleasure to be here with you all today in support of Resolution 22062 [sic] calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt Stated Meeting 47 3/31/2022 the Whole-Home Repairs Act and thanking Senator Saval for his commitment to creating safe, efficient, resilient housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Energy Authority is a City government entity building a robust and equitable clean energy economy. We have spent the last three years developing and piloting a Whole-Home Repair program here in Philadelphia called Built to Last in wish the Whole-Home Repairs legislation is modeled. Built to Last helps existing home repair programs work together to deliver whole home improvement that not only preserve existing affordable housing but also make homes healthy, safe, comfortable, less expensive to operate, and climate resilient. From Basic System Repairs and Weatherization to electric heat pumps and rooftop solar, Built to Last amplifies Stated Meeting 48 3/31/2022 the impact of existing programs and fills critical service gaps. This model depends on essential agencies, like the Philadelphia Energy Authority, that can take on the administrative roles of coordinating the many partners that provide participants with full benefit screening, whole home assessment, and stage construction services. As of today, we are halfway into our pilot of the Built to Last program to serve our first 50 homes. In addition to our work with Built to Last, the Philadelphia Energy Authority is working with partners to deliver a complementary workforce training program called Green Retrofit Immersive Training, or GRIT. GRIT ensures that we have a direct pipeline between the residential work created through Built to Last and a well-trained, diverse local workforce. Our second 15-student cohort of GRIT will start their training this May. Dedicated funding for whole Stated Meeting 49 3/31/2022 home repairs is critical to achieving the Philadelphia Energy Authority's goal of delivering 10,000 holistic home improvements in Philadelphia by 2032 and creating 10,000 clean energy jobs by 2026. The Whole-Home Repairs Act will help provide the necessary funding to leverage existing services to deepen and deliver home improvements that will make meaningful long-term impact on families living in poverty and helping to build generational wealth-building assets and ensuring all Philadelphians can participate in the economic opportunities created by this important work. We applaud the bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators who have already endorsed this legislation, and we applaud the Councilmembers, including Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Cherelle Parker, for their leadership in introducing this resolution to support the passage of the Whole-Home Repairs Act. Again, I thank you for the Stated Meeting 50 3/31/2022 opportunity to join you today and lend our support to Resolution 220262. Thank you.
Hi. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Natasha Cahill and I'm a staff member in State Senator Nikil Saval's office. Senator Saval was unable to call in today himself and so I'm honored to be adding my voice on his behalf. I called to express our complete support for City Council Resolution 220262 as proposed by Councilmembers Cherelle Parker and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and I add our gratitude to the Councilmembers for this resolution and to all Councilmembers for considering it. The Whole-Home Repairs Act is a bipartisan bill that creates a one-stop shop for home repairs and weatherization, while building out our local workforce Stated Meeting 51 3/31/2022 and adding new family-sustaining jobs in a growing field. This bill is the first in the nation, making it so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm, safe, and dry in homes that they can afford. Right now hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians are living in homes that are unsafe because they cannot afford to make the needed repairs. The passage of the Whole-Home Repairs Act will let us fight housing scarcity, community displacement, and instability and the deterioration of our homes all at once. This is important for Pennsylvania as a whole, and this is incredibly important for Philadelphia, where low-income households may spend nearly a quarter of their incomes on utilities alone, so just to keep their homes warm, the lights on, and the water running. We help our neighbors here in Philly by helping communities across our Stated Meeting 52 3/31/2022 Commonwealth, and our office is so grateful to have housing champions like Councilmembers Parker and Gilmore Richardson on our side. Our office is honored by this resolution and so hopeful for what its passage will mean for our constituents, for all Philadelphians, and for all Pennsylvanians who are struggling. We offer our wholehearted support, and we thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. Dear City Council President Clarke and fellow Councilmembers, my name is Siarzhuk Shaliga and I represent Association of Belarusians in America. Stated Meeting 53 3/31/2022 People in western countries were feared World War III for decades. I understand the fear, but don't you know that World War III may have already arrived when on February 24th, 2022, foolish Russia started the (unintelligible) war in Ukraine. Since then, Ukraine has been designated to establish a no-fly zone to protect the Ukrainian people from Russian bombs. For years, Ukraine fight just to defend their skies. So far, the answer on both is no. As a result, more than four million refugees have left Ukraine. Establishing a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens is the minimum United States can do to help Ukraine in this humanitarian crisis. Therefore, I support Resolution No. 220275. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 54 3/31/2022 Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed.
Thank you. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Francois Mazur and I'm speaking in support of Resolution No. 220275, and that's urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens. Philadelphia as the cradle of liberty is always taking a lead in the United States in welcoming immigrants, and this resolution provides emphasis to this historic attitude and presents an important signal to the White House that bringing Ukrainian refugees as swiftly as possible reinforces the United States' Stated Meeting 55 3/31/2022 belief in liberty and freedom. Similarly for those with family in the United States who are already in the process of arriving here and for whom visas are already available, the lengthy processing backlogs should be eliminated. I truly hope the City Council will adopt this resolution. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Mr. President, members of City Council, my name is Eugene Luciw. I'm President of the Philadelphia branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and I speak today in support of Resolution No. 220275. Stated Meeting 56 3/31/2022 Philadelphia, a beacon of American opportunity and liberty, became home to a good number of displaced Ukrainians post-World War II, not unlike the refugees that are in Europe today, including, of course, my parents and grandparents, my cousins, and some uncles. This immigration refreshed our city and cities throughout America with a significant number of dedicated, hard-working citizens and patriots that contributed greatly to our cultural mosaic, building and establishing wonderful cathedrals, churches, cultural, civic, and charitable fellowships and institutions, and even a highly successful professional soccer team that brought six championships to the City of Philadelphia in the 1960s, the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine compels America to respond, to provide displaced persons with a home Stated Meeting 57 3/31/2022 where they can thrive, where they can prosper, and where they can add greatly to the common good that is the United States of America and this great City of Brotherly Love. Thank you for your attention.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning, Mr. President. My name is Roman Petyk and I speak in support of Resolution No. 220275. I am also a Philadelphia native. I'm a child of World War II refugees, and it has been my privilege to support a vibrant and prosperous Ukrainian American community in this city as Board Chair of Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union, which supports 12,000 members and has assets of over $400 million. Stated Meeting 58 3/31/2022 We believe that this resolution is critically important, because it speaks to the need for administration action to address the fundamental flaws in the ingracious system as it has been tortured and abused by the xenophobic demagogues that have been in charge of this process in prior administrations. This needs to stop. There is an opportunity here for the administration to act courageously to correct some of these administrative and executive decisions that greatly thwart the opportunities that should otherwise be available to the Ukrainian emigres and the Ukrainian refugees that are now waiting by the millions in Poland and Romania and other countries for an opportunity to live in this land of opportunity. I urge the administration to take the appropriate steps and act courageously, and I strongly support this resolution, particularly those provisions Stated Meeting 59 3/31/2022 that speak to the issues that were endorsed by the Jewish Federation of North America and the Anti-Defamation League, immediate steps to help Ukrainian civilians settle in the United States with close family ties or other basis for entry. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to this issue.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The final speaker, Mr. President, is Queen Judith Robinson, commenting on 220685 [sic].
Good morning. QUEEN ROBINSON: Yes. Good morning. Queen Judith Robinson here to testify on 220248, 210685. It's Women History Month and I just want to make sure on this last day that we give big props to all of the Stated Meeting 60 3/31/2022 women who are holding down families in PHA long-term residency. I want to talk about that in the future, so I want to just give a shout-out to Michelle Bailey, a long-term tenant, and Queen Nadine Harris, who is a homeowner in Brewerytown, went from being a tenant to a homeowner. And these long-term tenants have been paying rent for 20, 30, 40 years in some cases. We need to recognize them as homeowners as quickly as possible. I'll talk about that in the future, especially as we talk about budget hearings, et cetera. This special certificate of inspection should be extended to PHA residencies. Tenants are in properties 24/7 and we should expand that possibility. It's Women History Month. I want to make certain that we keep in mind all of the unsung sisters, sheoroins (ph) of -- I'm going to focus in on as committee person 32nd Ward, 13th Stated Meeting 61 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Division. Thank you for the opportunity. Have a great day.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220252.
A resolution honoring and recognizing the contributions of service worker, administrator, and faith leader, Bonnie Camarda, whose leadership and talent for relationship-building has bolstered the work of Philadelphia's most instrumental public interest organizations and uplifted Philadelphia's Latino community Stated Meeting 62 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING and empowered underserved populations across the City.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220253.
A resolution honoring and recognizing the voice, vision, and contributions of movement Stated Meeting 63 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING activist and organizer Ellen Somekawa, whose fearless and transformative leadership within Philadelphia's Asian American community has advanced major victories for racial and economic justice, built multiracial coalitions across the City, founded historic institutions, and redefined Asian American activism particularly in the area of youth leadership, education justice, and civil rights.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 64 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220262.
A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt the Whole-Home Repairs Act (Senate Bill 1135) and thanking Senator Nikil Saval for his commitment to creating safe, efficient, resilient housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember Parker and I, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 65 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220263.
A resolution declaring March 31, 2022 as International Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you very much, Council President. Today on this National Trans Day of Visibility, I want to dedicate this resolution and my remarks to the youth of this city, especially all of our Stated Meeting 66 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming young people who are transforming our understanding of what it means to be human and inclusive as a society in the City. So as we mark today, I just want to make sure that I invite everybody who is watching and my Council colleagues, along with the Office of LGBT Affairs, for a rally for trans rights at City Hall at noon today. We want to continue to bring voice as well as visibility to this day. So five years ago, we were proud to host the first Trans Day of Visibility out of our Council body. We welcomed a new LGBT Director, and we wanted to show the world that this city would be dedicated not just to disability for trans people but to voice and change. I've been so encouraged in the past five years to see emerging leadership from trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming leaders who have Stated Meeting 67 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING won new policies through this body, including name and pronoun change policies, bathroom availability and use, gender-neutral language, and access to activities that had previously been arbitrarily segregated by gender. City Council extended those same protections beyond schools, requiring every single youth organization -- every single youth-serving organization to develop or abide by similar policies, and that law will go into effect this summer. Some of these policies were championed by young people themselves. I want to honor and thank Itsella (ph) and Philly Family Pride as well as my own trans staff members, Cam Duran and Christian Lovehall, who made those policies possible. I'm grateful to trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming teachers, educators, community leaders who have stepped out more boldly than Stated Meeting 68 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING ever to show our youth that a cruel world can and must change. But as much as we strive to make this world a little more loving and kind for trans youth and trans community members, there is no question that as visibility has grown, so has hate and backlash. Legislative bills denying healthcare to tens of thousands of trans youth are moving from state to state. In Texas last month, the Governor signed legislation that deems gender-affirming medical treatments for trans youth to be child abuse in the eyes of the state, and now effectively criminalizes doctors, nurses, and educators and calls upon them to report parents to the state Department of Family and Protective Services. Florida prohibits even the discussion, even the use of books that mention LGBT issues with younger students. Pennsylvania's own state legislature is considering transphobic Stated Meeting 69 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING legislation that denies trans student-athletes the ability to participate in sports, and that has hit here close to home as Penn student Lia Thomas has borne an unimaginable level of toxic anti-trans politics and hate. This heightened political rhetoric is driving open hostility towards trans, queer, and non-binary youth and their allies, whether it's in school board meetings, in classrooms, or in the broader media. So five years later, we enter this Trans Day of Visibility with greater consciousness that the fight in defense of trans lives to uphold trans dignity is more important, more present, and more urgent than ever. We do so because hate translates to violence, especially for Black, Brown, and immigrant trans women. We honor Dominique Rem'mie Fells, Mia Green, Stacy Blahnik, Nizah Morris, Diamond Williams, Kyra Cruz, London Kiki Chanel, Maya Young, Shantee Stated Meeting 70 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Tucker, Keisha Jenkins, Tanya Moore, Tina Rodriguez, Michelle Tamika Washington. We say their names.
We hold their lives and memories close to our hearts, and we call out the privileged femininity as much as we do the toxic masculinity that enables violence. On this sixth Trans Day of Visibility in this City Council body, I'm proud to have introduced this resolution with the majority support of this Council body once again, and I want to thank my co-sponsors, Councilmembers Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson, Brooks, Squilla, Parker, Quinones-Sanchez, Domb, and Green, and all of my colleagues who over the years have sponsored and consistently voted for recognition and voice. For all of our youth who have endless possibilities and limitless potential, to our trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming young people wondering whether this world is for you, and to all who love them, this City Stated Meeting 71 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Council resolution is for you. We have your back, and we will be sending the signal that our city will always be here for our trans communities. With that, I call for the approval of this resolution. )
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220273.
A resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, Masterman Girls Swim Team on the league Stated Meeting 72 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING championship, and the 10 Philadelphia Public League Girls Swimmers on qualifying for the PIAA State Championships.
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. Mr. Decker, 220274.
A resolution recognizing and honoring the life and Stated Meeting 73 3/31/2022 3/31/22 - STATED - 2ND READING service of Pennsylvania State Troopers Martin F. Mack III and Branden T. Sisca.
Thank you very much, 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. Mr. Decker, 220275.