Thank you very much. Chief Clerk, please read the report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which were referred the following bills: Bill No. 260164, an ordinance amending Section 23 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Designation of Bicycle Lanes,” to authorize bicycle lanes and the removal of travel lanes on portions of Ridge Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260300 as amended, an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Sidewalk Cafés,” to authorize additional locations for sidewalk cafés, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260378, an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Lawrence Street between Tabor Road and Olney Avenue; Sparks Street between Front Street and Mascher Street. Bill No. 260380, an ordinance amending Section 10-710 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Dumping of Debris and Short Dumping,” to change the standard for determining violations, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260383 as amended, an ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260384, an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Acorn Street between Hazelwood Lane and Ridge Avenue; Martin Street between Mitchell Street and Pechin Street; N. 66th Street between Haverford Avenue and Media Street; Rector Street between Manayunk Avenue and Terrace Street; Lawnton Street between Fountain Street and Gorgas Lane; Scotts Lane between Ridge Avenue to 3540 Scotts Lane (Trestle). Bill No. 260390, an ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Commercial Activities on Streets” to make certain changes to permissible locations for farmers’ markets, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260425, an ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 3601-7 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260461, an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Sidewalk Cafés,” to authorize additional locations for sidewalk cafés, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260506, an ordinance regulating the direction of the movement of traffic on the 6500 block of Pine Ridge Road between Cheltenham Avenue and Fariston Drive, and removing the “No Parking Anytime” restriction on the 6500 block of Pine Ridge Road, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260522 an ordinance amending Title of The 10 Philadelphia Code, entitled 11 “Traffic Code,” to designate East 12 Memorial Hall Drive and West Memorial Hall Drive in Fairmount Park as one-way streets, under certain terms and conditions and authorize and/or empower the Department of Streets for the City of Philadelphia to take any and all necessary actions to enforce this Ordinance pursuant to Chapter 21 12-600 of The Philadelphia Code. Bill No. 260524, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cleveland Street from Girard Avenue northwardly to Stiles Street, and striking from the City Plan and vacating Stiles Street from 18th Street westwardly to 19th Street, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260532, an ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 1639 South 10th Street, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260533 is amended, an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafés," to revise remedies and provide for enforcement of sidewalk cafés provisions, all under certain terms and conditions. And Bill No. 260535, an ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2101 South 3rd Street, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Streets and Services, Council President.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll for a report from the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities reports out seven bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much. Chief Clerk, please read the report.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to which were referred the following bills:
One second. Excuse me, Councilmember. Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm requesting a leave of absence to attend official business, but I would like to be recorded as aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you very much. It shall be recorded. Leave is granted. Thank you very much, sir. Council will resume. Chief Clerk, please read the report.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, to which were referred the following bills: Bill 18 No. 251020, an ordinance amending Section 19-1604 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Charges Where Water Meter Has Become Defective," by authorizing the reduction of customer water bills due to defective or inaccurate water meters, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 251021 as amended, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer Rents" by revising income eligibility standards for rate discounts and installment payment agreements, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260426, an ordinance authorizing the Director of Aviation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to modify a certain easement and acquire additional easement interest in connection with a portion of the parcels or parcels of land commonly known as 8350 Executive Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260427, an ordinance authorizing the Director of the Department of Aviation to acquire, on behalf of the City, fee simple title or a lesser interest by purchase, amicable negotiation, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, in and to all or portions of a certain parcel of land known as 8800 Tinicum Boulevard in Philadelphia County, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260428, an ordinance authorizing the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems and the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to execute separate multi- year concession agreements with It’s Electric Inc. and Positive Energy Inc. in connection with a City electric vehicle charging program to site, design, install, own, operate and maintain a network of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations throughout the City at curbside locations and surface parking lots; amending Chapter 11-604 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Encroachments Upon and Obstructions of the Street” to provide for discontinued approval of Electric Vehicle Charger encroachments; and amending Title 12 , entitled “Traffic Code,” to authorize the installation, use, administration and enforcement of electric vehicle parking spaces, provide for administrative enforcement of violations of electric vehicle parking violations, including camera-based enforcement and towing, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260431, an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into a concession agreement with Positive Energy, Inc. for the procurement, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of Direct Current Fast Chargers in the cell phone lot at Philadelphia International Airport, under certain terms and conditions. And Bill No. 260464 as amended, an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Department, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority to purchase electricity and certain attributes and benefits related to the generation of such electricity from a solar energy facility be built and owned by Reactive, LLC, located at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, for use at and connection with the City facilities, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same, and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, Council President.
Thank you very much. Chair now recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the consideration of the bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed in our First Reading Calendar for the day. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a report from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to which was referred the following bill: Bill 16 No. 260303, an ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," to add a chapter, entitled "U-Visa and T-Visa Certifications," providing for a process for Certifying Agencies, including timely responses to requests, confidentiality of requests, guidelines for the grant or denial of a request, and other procedures, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services, Council President.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bill 22 just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bill just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committees, but 2ND READING the suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for a leave of absence to attend to other Council business outside of chambers. And I ask to vote aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you very much. It shall be duly recorded, and leave is granted. The Chair recognizes 2ND READING Councilmember Mike Driscoll for a motion regarding Bill No. 260464 reported out of committee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to Bill No. 10 260464. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the amendment to Bill No. 260464 at this time. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember O'Neill, I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 13 260464. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment.
Second -- I mean, is there a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 260464 be 2ND READING adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the bill has been amended. This bill 12 will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bill on the First Reading Calendar is being 2ND READING held: Bill No. 260298.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar: Nos. 260569, 260571, 260572, 260573, 260574, 260575, 260576, 260577, 260582, 260588, 260589, 260590, 260591, 260593 and 260595. The following resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 260481. (Duly seconded.) 2ND READING
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilmember Majority Katherine Gilmore Richardson. All those in favor please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Majority Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning the bills on the Second 2ND READING Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar: Nos. 250644, 260645, 260207, 260238, 260302-A, 260385, 260386, 260391, 260392, 260393, 260394, 260395, 260424 and 260430. The following bills on the Calendar are being held: 250807. (Duly seconded.)
I'm just asking for all visitors to please put your phones on vibrate and/or silent. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of 2ND READING Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bill as just read by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. All those in favor please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries, and we will consider the bills on the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up any additional resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. 2ND READING
The following resolutions are being called up from the Final Passage Calendar and the following bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. Resolution Nos. 260094, 260467, 260594, 260602; Bill Nos. 260076, 260162, 260163, 260457, 260458, 260459 and 260460. The following resolutions and bills on the calendar are being held: Resolution No. 260270; Bill 250768. Bill Nos. 260264 and 260465 are being amended.
Before considering the bills, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name and Ms. Hasson at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Due to the time limit and the repetitious comments for today, the time limit will be one minute. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the one-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once one minute has passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. Please respect our Sergeant-at-Arms. He's just only doing his job at that point. Please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right, pursuant to our rules of City Council, to limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Alexia Clarke, Jeremy Blatstein, William Small, John McCauley, Javonnie Newton, Lynn Landes, Joseph Jampel, Sue Wasserkrug, Tiffany Stair and Jacqueline Mahon, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President, esteemed members of Council. My name is Hugh Organ. I'm here representing Covenant House, Pennsylvania on behalf of Alexia Clarke, who unfortunately had a medical emergency this morning. We're here to thank you for recognizing Covenant House for our years of service. Covenant 23 House has made many accomplishments 24 in our 25 years, all of which could not have been done without all the amazing staff, a portion behind me today. We are serving over 57,000 youth in the years that Covenant 6 House has been in existence through 7 all of our continuum of services. 8 Our youth, who are often 9 discarded by society, go on to 10 become doctors, police officers, 11 social workers, you name it. We 12 work with young people regardless 13 of their money, and our services 14 are open 24 hours a day, 365 days 15 out of the year. And we've 16 continued to provide these services 17 throughout the 25 years of our time 18 in Germantown as well as in 19 Kensington. 20 Our goal is to continue 21 to fight human trafficking as well 22 as end youth homelessness, and we 23 appreciate your support, and it can 24 be done. So if you'd like to join our team at www.covenanthousepa.org. Thank you very much for your time today. (Applause.)
Hello, Philadelphia City Council. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. Happy Pride Month. Thank you, Councilwoman Landau. As my friend CJ would say, the gays are gaying this month, so it's very important to support the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia. And thank you for doing that. We're also talking about the Philadelphia Land Bank. Thank you, Councilmember Young, for moving all this land for Turn the Key. It's great to see. I know Councilwoman Bass got her photo op this week with the Mayor for some Turn the Key houses, so that's good to see, 22 houses. Not just a photo op. That wasn't a dig. I know, I know. That wasn't a dig, Councilwoman. Thank you for supporting Turn the Key and building affordable housing in Philadelphia. And last but not least, we're talking about SEPTA, we need to upzone our transit corridors. We need to build more housing around our SEPTA stations and we need to make sure that we're funding it properly so that all visitors can properly ride SEPTA while they're visiting the City of Philadelphia. Ride the ride. Fund SEPTA. Thank you. MR. McCAULEY: Good morning, everyone. My name is John Alonte McCauley. I'm with a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. We're here to offer you something different because you've been voting Democrat for the Mayor's office for the past 70 years. In regard to Resolution 4 260602, I want to thank the United States Supreme Court for standing with the Constitution and protecting America from racial gerrymandering. Drawing maps based on race is unconstitutional under the 14th and 15th Amendments. It treats people as racial groups first and not as individuals. And the reason this is important is because Black people aren't monolithic. We don't all think the same. Case in point, believe it or not it's Black men who don't celebrate Pride Month. It's Black men who don't believe in Drag Queen Story Time. All of the Black representation in Philadelphia and kids are graduating with reading proficiency levels at 35% and arithmetic levels at 25%. All of this Black representation and Kensington looks like The Walking Dead. The way I see it, with all of the illegal aliens Democrats counted in the 2020 census, you owe the GOP congressional seats. Thank you for your attention.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Javonnie Asante Newton. I'm one of the newest members of the organization called Flip Philly Red. Resolution No. 260594, the reason I'm opposed to that resolution is that I can't get hired. I'm a Black man in Philadelphia, and I put in nothing but job applications and I have all the credentials and qualifications to apply and to get these jobs but I haven't been hired. And on top of that, I can pass a background check any day of the week. I have a high school diploma. I have an updated resume. I have a cover letter. I also, more importantly, have references, so I don't know if it's because of my political beliefs or is it because it's the way everything is set up in the city with the illegal immigrants taking up everything in our neighborhood, in our community. Thank you.
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of Phillies Republican Network. Oh, it's not -- good afternoon. I'm here regarding the resolution that is recommending applicants for appointment by the Mayor to the Parks and Rec Commission. It appears that there was a public hearing on the subject. However, the fact remains that Parks & Rec normally does not hold public hearings, but instead conducts community outreach events. In fact, Parks & Rec has been sued on more than one occasion for violating the Sunshine Act by not holding public hearings before making important decisions. A recent example is the FDR Park expansion, which included massive tree cuttings, filling in the floodplain and a plan to use reportedly toxic artificial turf on proposed soccer fields. It should be noted that that turf continues to be used at other parks with no health and safety warning for the public. And despite Mayor Parker's claim to be the clean and green mayor, she is still not enforcing the Healthy Outdoor Public Space Act, which was passed unanimously by City Council. And as a result, toxic chemicals are still being sprayed on our parks and other outdoor spaces, contaminating both people and the planet. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Joseph Jampel and I am the Director of Eviction Prevention programs with the Department of Housing and Community Development. I want to thank Councilwoman Brooks and her office for introducing the resolution today to recognize Leo Elliot, Susan Layne and Nancy Giacomini. As you heard, they took on the work of building our new eviction diversion portal on top of their full-time jobs, Leo with a tenant advocates' perspective, Susan with a relentless focus on speed, accuracy, and clarity, and Nancy with a deep care for the experience of the landlords and the integrity of the mediation process. There were many other people who contributed to this portal effort too, and I want to quickly recognize them as well. At the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, Ayanna Sims, and Kenyatta Miller at Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Katherine Anderson, at CORA Good Shepherd, Sue Wasserkrug and Ashley Hogan at Community Legal Services, Rachel Garland, Liz Freed and Elena Hilliard. And finally, I wanted to recognize two of my colleagues at DHCD, Michal Billick(ph) and Svi Carnosevich(ph). Thank you, (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Sue Wasserkrug and I'm the Director of Mediation at CORA Services, a nonprofit resource center that has served the Philadelphia community for over 50 years and partners with the City of Philadelphia and several other nonprofits to implement the Eviction Diversion program. Susan Layne and Nancy Giacomini, who are two of our staff, did not hesitate to roll up their sleeves to test drive the new Eviction Diversion portal that Joseph just mentioned. They identified issues that not only were tripping up users but that were hindering our staff's ability to do their jobs. They worked with the city to ensure that the portal now provides not only a new but also an improved experience for everyone who uses it. It's truly no exaggeration to say that without the incredible efforts of Susan, Nancy and Leo, the Eviction Diversion program would not be the successful program that it is, improving lives in the city of Philadelphia by helping tenants maintain housing stability and helping landlords recover from unexpected financial losses. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi, everyone. My name is Tiffany Stair and I'm here today on behalf of Revolution Philadelphia, a grassroots animal rights organization here in the city. I am here today to urge Philadelphia City Council to pass Bill No. 20 260465 finally banning horse-drawn carriages in our city. Thank you to Councilmember Mark Squilla, who is not here right now, but thank you, Councilmember Mark Squilla, for introducing this long-awaited bill. Horse-drawn carriage rides are not a harmless tourist attraction. They are an outdated industry that forces horses to work in dangerous, stressful and unnatural conditions. These horses are made to pound pavement for hours at a time, surrounded by loud traffic, construction, extreme weather and unpredictable city environments that no prey animal should be subjected to. In other cities, we have seen time and time again horses in this industry collapsing and dying, horses spooking and bolting into traffic, horses hit by cars and many countless tragedies that Philadelphia is not immune to. I'm asking that City Council please support Bill 260465 to finally ban horse-drawn carriages in our city. Thank you. (Applause.)
Will Janet White, David Jenkins, Patricia Wilson Aden, Melissa Resnick, Chelsea Perez, Tina Caroway, Sterling Johnson, Daniel Fond, Lindsay Coleman and Katherine Anderson, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Landau.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am asking for leave of absence to do some official Council business. I can also be back at 2:30, if needed. I'd like to be recorded as aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you. Leave will temporarily be granted.
Hi. My name is Jackie Mahon and I'm here in support of Bill 260465 to ban horse-drawn carriages in Philadelphia. I wanted to share with you, three years ago I never noticed or really thought about horse-drawn carriages. If I saw them, I just thought how colorful. And just in the past three years, I've learned so much about the suffering these animals endure. Councilmember Mark Squilla has been working on this bill for several years. Chicago banned horse carriages five years ago. Several other cities have as well, as we know. New York City is behind the times in this regard, and we can show them the way these animals suffer terribly. It's obvious. It's documented. In addition, there's a long history of injury to humans and property associated with this supposed entertainment. I suggest that eco-friendly elective carriages are the way forward. The main purveyor of this supposed entertainment closed years ago, so action to ban this practice is long overdue. And thank you so much for your time. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Janet White. I am the founder and Director of Carriage Horse Freedom, which is a solution-oriented animal advocacy group in Philadelphia. We are seeking a ban on horse-drawn carriages. I'm here to address the amended Bill 260465 which is to restrict operation of carriage horse businesses, but what we are requesting with the amended bill is to also consider the so-called noncommercial horses that are being worked as carriage horses, unfortunately problematically recently on South Street, unlicensed and so on. So what we want to make sure is that they have protections as well in this bill, and they do, and we really believe it would be good for the city because of public safety and animal welfare. And we ask that you please support this bill. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Madam Chair. David Alexander Jenkins. And I rise to speak to Member Squilla's bill on the horse-drawn carriages. It may surprise you, but I am also a Black man who happens to also be gay, so I don't know what the other gentleman was thinking when he said there were no Black people who were gay, but I wish I could speak to you about things that are humanities, right, hunger, poverty, people crawling in the street not knowing where to sleep at night. But I have to speak to you about horses, as a person who owns six of them, has an acquiring place where they can live and understands how they are bred to do specific things. Let me tell you what happens when you retire a horse, which draws carriages. Its musculature begins to atrophy. It gets sent to auction. And when it begins to get too fat and can't stand on its own, it collapses and then it is killed and sent to a slaughterhouse to be made glue of. Let me tell you how many people have been killed in Philadelphia by horse-drawn carriages? Oh, we can't name one this year because it hasn't happened. Let me tell you what history does get preserved and what jobs are lost when people are unable to use their horse-drawn carriages to do things like give tours in Philadelphia. We're talking about places, I don't know, like the First City Troop. Every woman who's ever dreamed to be Cinderella on her wedding day, every single person who is Amish. If you don't believe they exist, just go to the Reading Terminal and see how many people will no longer be able to get your cheesesteak next week if you ban something which actually doesn't affect Philadelphians today. Hear what affects Philadelphians today. Homelessness, food, poverty, lack of job, I don't know, not having 17 schools to send their kids to, but we want to discuss things like foie gras and horses. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Chelsea Perez and I'm here representing Humane World for Animals and in support of Bill 260465, banning horse-drawn carriages in dense urban environments. Horse-drawn carriages belong to a different era. Modern cities are crowded, noisy and fast-moving. It is a world far removed from the one that supported horse-drawn transportation. In city after city, horses pulling carriages have collapsed and died, been struck by vehicles, injured, killed or become so frightened that they run blindly through traffic with passengers still on board. These are not isolated incidents. They are recurring examples of the risk created when horses are used for transportation in busy urban environments. Equine activities are recognized under Pennsylvania law. Thank you. (Applause.)
Tina Caroway, kratom user. I stand in opposition to Bill 260163. I believe a complete ban would be a blatant and intentional act of ignorance. It is imperative in making a decision that would affect the lives of this city's constituents that you learn and follow the science behind the plant. There are many smear campaign articles lumping pure kratom leaf with the more dangerous subalkaloids that are being extracted. These subalkaloids are only found in the plant in minute amounts naturally. Rather than using the city's time and resources to put a complete ban into existence, I feel the same resources, if not even more, should be put into learning what pure natural powder does to the nervous system in comparison to the extracts like 7-OH and MGM-15. I believe putting regulations in place would be far more effective than a complete ban, which would take the plant away from responsible users. Many other areas have implemented restrictions targeting high potency formulas, and I believe a complete ban would just be impossible for some people to deal with. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Daniel Phan. I'm here to express my opposition to Bill 20 260163, which is the proposed ban on kratom products. I believe that evidence-based regulation benefits the greater good far more than a complete ban, primarily for chronic pain patients and people in recovery. I'm a chronic pain patient. And in 2024, I was diagnosed with a degenerative disc disease, which leaves me in constant pain. My experience has been that it's incredibly difficult to get meaningful pain management in the current medical climate. In the beginning when I was bedridden and could barely walk, I was given five pills for an entire month. I felt abandoned, like I was slipping through the cracks of medical care. However, through kratom 7-OH, I have been able to find that meaningful relief and get some quality of life back. I've regained my mobility and I can go out and do things and be present with my family. Losing access to these products would greatly impact my life for the worse and there are many chronic pain patients just like me. I've sent to your office scientific literature regarding these substances -- it doesn't look like I'll have time. Regulation over prohibition. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Lindsay Colman and I'm speaking in opposition to Bill 260163 regarding the ban on kratom and 7-OH in the City of Philadelphia. There is a great deal of misinformation in the news regarding both kratom and 7-OH, which refers to them as dangerous opioids. The truth is that they are very safe substances. As partial agonists of the mu-opioid receptor, kratom and its alkaloids do not cause dangerous respiratory depression. Stated simply, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that kratom or 7-OH pose a public health risk, and a ban would greatly hurt many Americans, myself included. Over the last several years, I have suffered from chronic pain and have found it extremely difficult to manage my symptoms. All this changed when I was introduced to kratom. Occasional doses have afforded me the pain relief, energy and focus to excel in my career and live up to the expectations of my peers and myself. Therefore, I ask you to consider responsible adults like myself in this legislation and pursue regulation rather than an all-out ban. This could take on the form of dedicated age restriction, locale or protected online sale. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Catherine Anderson and I'm here from Philadelphia Legal Assistance. I'm here to speak about the resolution 11 that was offered by Councilperson Brooks, honoring Leo Elliot, Susan Layne and Nancy Giacomini for their work on the Eviction Diversion program. Philadelphia Legal Assistance runs a hotline for tenants who are participating in the Eviction Diversion program. We first opened this hotline at the very end of 2020. There were two paralegals, and Leo Elliot was one of them. He has spent the entire length of the program dedicating himself to better serving the tenants of the City of Philadelphia. I'm so glad that you are honoring and recognizing him today, especially because he's the sort of person who thinks that his exceptional work is just kind of what everybody does, and it really is not. He is truly exceptional. Thank you so much for supporting the Eviction Diversion program, and also thank you for allowing Philadelphia Legal Assistance to run the hotline for it. We love the program and appreciate your work. Thank you. (Applause.)
Will Rich Garella, Fatimah Ford Bradshaw, Christina Saxton, Gloria Cartagena, Shannon Dancy, Gloria Hawkins, Adam Suib, Reverend Malika Rahman, Tonya McClary and Neil Felver, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
My name is Rich Garella. I live in South Philadelphia and I'm with Save the Meadows. I'm speaking about Bill 12 260430 on leasing the FDR Park Welcome Center to the Fairmount Park Conservancy. The city can't lease city property without specific authority from City Council, but this bill doesn't include the lease. You haven't seen the lease and the public hasn't seen the lease. It's a blank check. It doesn't require the Conservancy to provide any public benefits at all with this public property, not visitor information, not affordable food, not community use, nothing, not even public restrooms. Commissioner Slawson even described it as an upscale event space that provides revenue from the Conservancy accessible to the public all of to days a 10 year, and the bill doesn't require 11 the Conservancy to share any of 12 that revenue. This is not the specific authority that the Charter requires. It's a blank check and Council shouldn't sign it. Any Councilmember who votes for this is voting for a massive privatization of park facilities. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Taussy Valcarcel. I'm a proud, proud member of the Philadelphia Land Steward Union. The union is a group of members who care for our green spaces. I'm here on the support of the resolution to recognize the union and all the hard work of land stewards in the city. I want to thank the Council recognizing that we deserve formal recognition. This resolution is an important step to start crossing over our barriers with the land control and get the transparency accountability we deserve from the Philadelphia Land Bank. We look forward to working with the City Council of Philadelphia and the Parker Administration. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
My name is Christina Saxton. I live in North Philadelphia. I'm a member of the Land Stewards Union. The union is a group of residents who steward side yards and vacant lots. I'm here to give comment in support of the resolution recognizing the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union and the work of land stewards in the city. I have stewarded a green space composed of 10 empty lots three doors down from my house for 17 years. The lots are used 365 days of the year by local children who climb the trees, who make their own swings, who play sports in those lots, who put up and maintain donated trampolines and help to raise flowers and vegetables. In the fall of 2025, a house was built on the space the teens used to play volleyball. The Land Stewards Union is asking the city and the Land Bank to recognize the rights of land stewards like myself to have priority voice over outside developers and what happens in the plots land stewards use. Thank you for your attention. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Gloria "Smooches" Cartagena. Thank you. When you see me, it's because I'm fighting for something that's truly dear to our community, something that I believe in. I imported the POJSU. We have our supporters behind us. I just want to be recognized. I'm going to give Quetcy Lozada your flowers for supporting us in this fight. It's just we want, the respect and the courtesy of people that have been taking care of a land that's been abandoned and making something beautiful for the community where people enjoy. I have a butterfly lot garden that I'm working on. I've been doing it for the past 5 years. 6 Yes, I educate these 7 children in our neighborhood. I do 8 community events. Sometimes I pay 9 out of my own pocket because I 10 believe the children deserve better 11 than what they see now. And this 12 is a fight that I believe in. Just 13 give us the courtesy and the 14 respect. I believe in affordable 15 housing. If it's taken from us -- 16 excuse me. I believe in affordable 17 housing because I fight for that as 18 well, but I just want to be respected in our community and just acknowledge us. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Gloria Hawkins. I live on 5th Street. They destructed a building on 5th Street, an apartment building, and they messed up 2152 North 5th Street. The address of that apartment building is 2155 North 5th Street. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. My name is Adam. I'm here in opposition to Bill 260163. 10 years ago I overdosed right here in Philly. Pure natural kratom saved my life after years of heroin and fentanyl addiction. I've been clean for 10 years. This bill would ban lawful natural kratom by requiring full FDA pharmaceutical approval under Section 505. This is not how supplement laws work under the 1994 DSHEA Act. Botanical supplements, like natural kratom, are regulated as being part of the food supply, not as new drugs. The FDA does not approve them in advance. Its job is post-market enforcement. If a product is proven unsafe, it has not taken that step against natural pure leaf kratom. The FDA and HHS have instead focused on enforcement on dangerous synthetic derivatives like 708 research from NIDA, Johns Hopkins, the University of Florida. University of Florida continues to support access to pure leaf. I respectfully urge you to amend this bill to prioritize age restrictions for and older, consumer safety 18 standards, mandatory product 19 testing and accurate labeling and 20 targeted enforcement against 21 adulterated illegal products. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, everyone. I am Reverend Malika Rahman. And I have the pleasure and privilege of serving as the Vice-Chair of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. I am here today to thank, first and foremost, Councilmember O'Rourke for recommending the resolution for us to recognize June 9th as CPOC Day here in the City of Philadelphia. The role of CPOC is to ensure that we have transparency, accountability across the board in this city. And I want to say that thus far we have done that. We have been the agency to show up and show out, to stand in the gap-creating systems. And I just want to say that as we move forward, it is our goal. As we celebrate five years in 2026 to continue those efforts to ensure that we don't just say what we can and cannot do, but that we show up in support of our community. So, thank you again, Council, and we appreciate your support in issuing this resolution for June 9th to be CPOC Day. Thank you. (Applause.) MS. McCLARY: Good afternoon. My name is Tonya McClary. I'm the Executive Director for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, CPOC. And I also want to thank Councilmember O'Rourke for introducing the resolution for June 9th to be Citizens Police Oversight Day. I want to say that I'm really excited. We want to obviously acknowledge Councilman Jones during that time for his courageous and forethought in putting forth some of the most ambitious legislation for police oversight in the country. And I want you all to know that we bring a national spotlight to this city. People around the country, when they are thinking about police oversight, call our office. We are in advising roles to many cities when they are trying to set up police oversight, because people want to do the Philadelphia model. We have done workshops across the country for people in police oversight. And I want you all to know that National Spotlight, our organizing model and outreach is called the Philly model, and is used across the country. So we're excited about these first five years. Looking forward to the next five years continuing to bring phenomenal police oversight to the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Will Nick Reeder, Carrera Allure Wilson, Ewuare Osayande, Rosaland McKelvey, Ogbonna Paul Hagins, Sharon Anthony and Elova Khar, Zane Knight, Ashley Robinson, Allison Smith, Jackson Essex, Felice Masso, and Kathy Welsh, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Bill 260163, we're blaming the wrong thing. Kratom and hemp products have helped more people than you can imagine. Kratom and hemp, in their natural form, save members of my family's lives. Before we were in the kratom business, we used this plant to benefit our lives. The effects from my family are focused, pain relief, and energy. How many state- licensed liquor stores are in this city? How many beer stores? How many porn shops? How many tobacco outlets? Crime happens at almost every one of them. Kratom and hemp aren't the cause. They're the scapegoat. Your crime will still be here. An entire generation of culture needs change for that to change. I am a business owner, an employer. There are dozens of businesses on their mind who employ people, all of which got into the industry to help people. I take kratom. I've been a daily user for almost 20 years. My natural leaf kratom, not 708 not MGM-14, 15, 16 or 17, not (inaudible) or other synthetics. We need to crack down on those lab-created products. We walked around this city last night and witnessed people in fentanyl transits all over the place. A woman fell right on her face in front of us. Thank you, Council. Thank you, Mrs. Richardson, for being the youngest elected Councilwoman Majority Leader. Please reconsider the ban. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Carrera Allure Wilson. I'm a proud mother of three children at John Berry Elementary, a member of Lift Every Voice Philly and a 634 local union member working as climate staff at Henry C. Lee Elementary School. I'm speaking today on the connection between preschool pushout and the ways we push children out of school all along their educational journey. Parents across Philadelphia organized and delivered over 1000 petitions, signatures from families at 95 schools and every council district. As both a parent and climate staff member, I know budget lines are not numbers. They're people. Public reporting says that 50 million has been passed. That funding will protect my position, but parents organize for 75 million because we know what our kids need. Building substitutes exist because hundreds of classrooms open every year without a teacher. I know what it's like to send my kids to school without having a teacher. It's paying for a robbery. Kids can't afford to lose more adults. If Mr. Higgins isn't there, that will cause a lot of stress in the school. Please fund the full 75 million, the very least, an additional million 7 needed to protect the school 8 substitutes. Children do not need 9 to be robbed more of their people. 10 They need the school's teachers and 11 building substitutes. Thank you. 12 (Applause.) 13
Good afternoon, members of City Council. I am Ewuare Osayande and I have the privilege of serving as the Deputy Executive Director for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. Five years ago this body established one of our nation's most comprehensive acts of civilian police oversight. Since our agency has been about that work, we remain mindful that we also exist because millions across this nation said enough after Minneapolis police took the life of Mr. George Floyd. We also exist because the people of this city said enough following the police killing of Mr. Walter Wallace, Jr. in a neighborhood in West Philadelphia. Our work is based on the premise that the police are not a law unto themselves, but are to be held to the rule of law on behalf of the staff investigators, 15 complaint intake community 16 relations and professional 17 auditors. We are here to say 18 simply thank you for not just 19 passing legislation that enables 20 the people of the city to put eyes 21 on the police, but to envision what 22 public safety ought to look like. Thank you. (Applause.) MS. McKELVEY: Hello, everyone. I'm Rosaland McKelvey from Germantown Deaf Ministries Fellowship. (Spanish translation.) I'm using different languages to let you know that the Police Oversight Commission and the (inaudible) they want to use for recognition. Next Tuesday is very important. They come and meet us on our level. They reassure the people in the community in different languages and different ways that they are willing to support them in communication and improve relationship with the police in our area. So I thank you and want you to see the need to appreciate them and to become supports for them as they improve relationships between the people in the community, different cultures. No matter your disability, no matter what is happening in your life, they're concerned and they support us in building better communities. Thank you so much.
Hello. My name is Nicholas Reeder. I'm in opposition of Bill 260163. The pharmaceutical companies, they offer you side effects. Kratom offers relief. I ask that you regulate, not ban kratom. Thank you.
Ogbonna Hagins, fourth generation chattel slavery survivor. I rise in support of this effort to move Philadelphia towards a $25 an hour wage. For too long, working people have watched the cost of living rise while wages have failed to keep up. A full-time job should not leave a person struggling to survive. This proposal represents the type of aggressive economic intervention our city needs. Putting more money directly into the hands of working people strengthens families, neighborhoods and local businesses. As Council considers this legislation, I urge you to also move forward on Resolution 250781, the Office of Freedmen Affairs. A $25 wage is an important step, but wages alone will not address generations of economic disparities and disinvestment. We need immediate economic relief and long-term economics. We ask that if you need help, contact the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freedmen. Over and out. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Councilmembers, and thank you for giving us this time. We are sincerely thankful for your service and dedication to the public here. My name is Anthony Kahn. I'm Elora's dada. That's what she called me. We represent the Elora J. Khan Foundation, and we'd like to just give a little bit about Elora. She is faith, hope and joy. She was the kind of child who filled every room with joy so abundantly, you can just reach out and grab it. She loves soccer, music, dancing and being a miracle in other people's lives. She taught us more in seven years than people learn in a lifetime. As a father, nothing prepares you to hear the words that your child has a disease without a cure, and nothing prepares you to say goodbye or to bury your child. If there's one thing the Lord taught us, even in the hardest moments, there can still be faith, hope and joy. Today, we're grateful for Philadelphia for allowing June to be Pediatric 11 Brain Cancer Awareness Day. We 12 thank Councilmember Isaiah Thomas 13 and the members of Congress for 14 allowing that to happen. Thank 15 you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Sharon Khan. I'm Elora's mom. Thank you for your time, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. Thank you very much for leading this. I never imagined I would be standing in front of City Council for a day named after my daughter. Like most parents, I imagined Elora growing up, graduations, milestones and possibilities. Instead at 6-and-a-half years old, she was diagnosed with DIPG, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a terminal pediatric brain cancer in the brain stem. There is no cure. We were told it's universally fatal and go home and make memories. This is the child I had prayed for. She was my answered prayer. Seven months later she passed at CHOP. Today I stand here as a voice for many kids we lose every year to pediatric brain cancer. It remains one of the most underfunded and resource- starved childhood diseases. Yet brain tumors remain the leading cause of cancer-related death in children under the age of 10. This year, June 15, through City Hall, Senate and state, recognizing Elora Joyce Khan Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day and Philly Lights Up for Elora Movement is for every single child. This is a historic first. Those lights are beautiful. But what comes most is after those lights, awareness, advocacy, research, action, because awareness itself cannot save a child. That must inspire action and research and eventually a cure, because no parent should ever have to bury a child simply because the cure did not come soon enough. As parents, this is the future we're fighting for. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
My name is Zane Knight. My public comment is against Bill No. 260163. I want us -- and sorry for my speed here. I want to stress that I support the principle of protecting the health and wellness of individual users, which I see as an attempt to do with the regulatory aspects of this bill. However, if my understanding is correct, the bill, as it's currently written, would broadly ban kratom products and extracts, also known as mitragyna -- I'm sorry. I can't do this right now. Speciosa and hemp derived cannabinoid products by tying local legality directly to compliance with federal food, drug, and cosmetic act. The City of Philadelphia is leveraging a regulatory framework that inherently favors consolidated capital over traditional or lower cost herbal remedies to secure FDA approval or recognize compliance under the FD&C Act, as substance typically requires millions of dollars in clinical trials and institutional backing, which existing bans only further block. The framework disproportionately favors multinational pharmaceutical corporations. Historically, prohibitions don't work and we should consider who will be impacted by this in a majority minority city, Black and Brown individuals, etc. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. My name is Ashley Robinson. I'm a 41-year-old small business owner, and I'm here to oppose Bill 260163. I had a whole thing written out, but I'm just going to kind of let it rip a little bit. I use kratom and 7-OH myself. I'm a chronic pain patient and an advocate with Seven Hope Alliance and other groups. I'm a productive member of my community. I've lived in Pennsylvania on and off for the past years, in Dauphin County, 9 York County and in Philadelphia at 10 different points in my life. 11 I'm a productive member 12 of my community. I give back a 13 lot. I'm from Baltimore, so I'm 14 not only just familiar with 15 Kensington and the issues here, but the issues that are happening in Baltimore City as well. We are in the middle of an opioid epidemic. And by the grace of God, have been clean for 14 years. But I was part of it as well. So harm reduction saves lives. Kratom and 7-OH save lives. I think we need to be a little less worried about that and a little more worried about, you know, the bigger issues that are going on at play in our communities. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, members. My name is Allison Smith and I'm here speaking on Ordinance 260173 on behalf of the Global Creating Coalition. We appreciate the Council's attention to consumer safety, youth access and commonsense regulation. It is no question whether dangerous, intoxicating products should be regulated. They should be. However, the proposed regulatory framework needs to be tailored to address the products that are actually driving public health concerns. With that in mind, some of the bill aspects are good. It prohibits synthetic alkaloids, establishes a 2% limit on 708, requires testing, certifications, labeling, institutes age restrictions. These provisions directly target adulterated high potency synthetic substances, but then it goes on to make overly broad requirements that make this bill a de facto ban on natural kratom products. That's why I'm here on behalf of the million 15 natural kratom consumers and the 16 percentage of those that live here 17 in Philadelphia. 18 We ask that you refrain 19 from passing this bill and instead 20 hold the legislation to amend it to 21 remove natural kratom products from 22 the intoxicating definition and 23 remove the unregulated FDA requirements. This issue is too complex for 60 seconds. And I ask that you educate and modify this bill to ensure access to natural kratom products. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Jackson Essex. I'm a resident of West Philadelphia. I manage a store in Wynnefield Heights that sells whole leaf kratom and whole leaf kratom products. I believe that this bill was brought with good intentions. However, as many others have said, it will become a de facto ban on those whole leaf products. Many of the users of those products are invisible. You would not know them if you walk past them on the street, because it is not a heavily intoxicating substance. It's something people take to get through their day to avoid relapsing on other addictions. And I think as the bill stands, it is overly draconian and should be revisited. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council. My name is Felix Masso. I'm representing CBD Kratom. I'm the area manager for our Philadelphia stores. A significant misunderstanding exists regarding the substances addressed in this bill. Numerous minor cannabinoids are non-intoxicating and provide daily relief for a variety of conditions our constituents face. By banning all hemp derivatives, this legislation would effectively eliminate access to minor cannabinoids, such as CBG for pain management or CBN for sleep assistance. THCA products contain the legal limit of 0.3% Delta-9 in accordance with federal regulations. Additionally, this bill broadly and unfairly targets kratom, despite important distinctions within the category. There is ongoing confusion between natural relief kratom and highly concentrated 708 products, which are fundamentally different. Rather than a total ban, we propose a robust regulatory framework. This should include mandatory third-party lab testing and strict labeling requirements for all market entries. And I welcome any one of you guys to come visit one of our stores so we can help you and educate you on what we carry. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon to City Council. My name is Katherine Welsh. I'm a Philadelphia resident and I am here in support of Resolution 260094 and Bill No. 260076 regarding the proposed Child Welfare Commission. I began my career in child welfare in 1985 and have had a variety of positions over the years, including a contracted position with the Department of Human Services from 2005 to 2010. During the administration of John Street, a child welfare oversight committee was formed in response to the tragic death of Danieal Kelly. Oversight committees continued under the administration of Michael Nutter and Jim Kenney, and these expert committees and community stakeholders helped DHS form the Improving Outcomes for Children Initiative, which included the creation of community umbrella agencies. DHS has made improvements and dramatically reduced the number of children in out-of-home care families impacted --
DHS has made improvements and dramatically reduced the number of children in out-of-home care and diverted families to prevention services. Families impacted by DHS involvement and community stakeholders continue to demand transparency and accountability over the time that the CUAs have been in place over a decade. Some of the agencies are no longer providing services because of liability issues. And 40% of the CUAs currently have an issue with unsatisfactory or critical ratings in their workforce domain, which is dealing with recruitment and retention. So I'm supporting this Commission to help improve child welfare throughout the city. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, members of the Council. One of the justifications offered for this ordinance is that some smoke shops are selling illegal drugs, firearms and other --
Sean Zamorano. If that is true, then those activities are already illegal and should be addressed through enforcement of existing laws. Natural kratom should not be swept into a ban because some businesses may also engage in criminal activity. The presence of illegal drugs in a store is an argument for prosecuting them crimes, not for banning products that are otherwise lawful and have been proven safe by the FDA, NIDA, the World Health Organization and the DEA. The DEA has not scheduled natural kratom because the gold standard for scheduling is an eight factor analysis. Kratom does not meet any of the natural kratom for scheduling and is therefore a supplement and does not need to be approved by the FDA. Federal agencies are already recognized and distinguished between natural kratom and highly concentrated or synthetic products. I ask that you go back to the drawing board on Bill 260163 and make some amendments for natural kratom. Thank you.
My name is Corey Kilhini. I'm here for Bill 14 260163 Council. I know this has been a long day. I just ask if I could get my minute. I see a lot of people on phones and things. I'm coming to you as your brother, your father, your son. I'm a productive member of society. I've been employed -- kratom has helped me in the last 10 years, more than I can explain. This kid, when he was 13 years old, watched me overdose, dead. I've been sober years. So I just 4 want my personal experience to show 5 you and the many people around here 6 that it saved lives. 7 I believe that there 8 needs to be regulation. These 9 synthetic things are killing 10 people. That's not what we're in 11 this for. We're in it for the 12 natural stuff. We're not in it to 13 be in pharmaceuticals or that era. 14 So I absolutely believe that we 15 need regulation and we need to look 16 at the 7-OH in these things. But banning natural kratom will do nothing but put a bunch of us back where you don't want us to be. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council President, this concludes our listing for public comment today.
Thank you very much. Let's rock and roll. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask that the Clerk read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection, without debate the resolution will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the titles of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Resolution 22 260569, a resolution nominating 25 individuals for consideration by the Mayor's appointees to the Commission on Parks and Recreation. 260571, a resolution 4 appointing Patrick Christmas to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. 260572, a resolution 8 confirming the reappointment of Sophia Lee as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. 267573, a resolution 13 confirming the reappointment of Barbara Moore as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. 260574, a resolution 18 confirming the appointment of Matthew Bowman as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. 267575, a resolution 23 confirming the appointment of Guarav Mehta as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. 260576, a resolution 5 confirming the appointment of Sonte Reavis as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. 260577, a resolution 9 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1304 and 1310 South 28th Street and 1314-20 South 28th Street (including 1313-23 South Newkirk Street) located in the 2nd Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. 260582, a resolution 19 adopting the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official hazard mitigation plan of the City of Philadelphia. 260588, a resolution 24 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1802, 1804, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830, 1831 and 1835, 1837, 1839, 1850 North Ringgold Street; 1812, 1839, 1844 North Taylor Street; 2411, 2427 West Montgomery Avenue, located in the 5th Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. 260589, a resolution 13 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 916, 920, 924 West Auburn Street in the 5th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land bank fee simple title to such properties, pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. 260590, a resolution 5 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 855 North Orkney Street in the 5th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. 260591, a resolution 20 authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: North 6th Street, North 15th Street, North 30th Street, Parrish Street, Seybert Street, West Stiles Street, West Somerset Street, North Marshall Street, North 9th Street, North 27th Street, North 19th Street, North 23rd Street, North Bucknell Street, West Norris Street, North Ringgold Street, North Etting Street, North 16th Street, and West Auburn Street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. 260593, a resolution 18 confirming the appointment of Layla Bibi to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 260595, a resolution 22 authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1941-47 East Huntingdon Street, located in the 1st Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. There are no further resolutions on the Consent Agenda, Council President.
Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution 16 Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution 5 Consent Agenda be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
250644, an ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by adopting the 2021 edition of the “International Energy Conservation Code” and the “International Residential Code- Part IV Energy Conservation” as published by the International Code Council, with previously adopted amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 250645, an ordinance 4 amending Title of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by adopting the 2021 edition of the “International Plumbing Code” as published by the International Code Council, including introduction of new amendments and maintenance of previously adopted amendments to the 2018 International Plumbing Code, as adopted under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 260207, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by I-76, the Schuylkill Expressway ramp, Hartranft Street and the Conrail Right-of-Way. 260238, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ludlow Street, South 41st Street, West Girard Avenue and North 48th Street. 260302-A, an ordinance 13 to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Lippincott Street, 20th Street, Toronto Street and 22nd Street. 260385, an ordinance 20 authorizing the Chief Information Officer, on behalf of the City, to enter into a multi-year agreement to purchase support for mainframe and database software protocols and applications, under certain terms and conditions. 260386, an ordinance 5 authorizing the Chief Information Officer, on behalf of the City, to enter into a multi-year agreement to purchase licenses for email, cloud services, enterprise software, data services, security software, and other related computing products and services, under certain terms and conditions. 260391, an ordinance 15 amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “M” (The Philadelphia Mechanical Code) and adopting the 2021 edition of the “International Mechanical Code,” as published by the International Code Council, with amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 260392, an ordinance 6 amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "G" (The Philadelphia Fuel Gas Code), Subcode "PC" (The Philadelphia Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities), and Subcode "EB" (The Philadelphia Existing Building Code), and adopting the 2021 editions of the "International Fuel Gas Code," "Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities," and "International Existing Building Code," as published by the International Code Council, with amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 260393, an ordinance 4 amending Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), by revising and clarifying certain provisions; making corrections for compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act; and making technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.
260394, an ordinance 16 amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “B” (The Philadelphia Building Code) and adopting the 2021 edition of the “International Building Code,” as published by the International Code Council, with various amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 260395, an ordinance 7 amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “R” (The Philadelphia Residential Code) and adopting the 2021 edition of the “International Residential Code,” as published by the International Code Council, with amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. 260424, an ordinance 21 establishing temporary parking regulations, and enforcement thereof, and temporary residential and guest parking permits for the vicinity of: the area bounded by the intersection of North 21st Street and North College Avenue, North 21st Street, Master Street, North 25th Street, Cecil B. Moore Avenue, North 33rd Street, West Oxford Street, West Glenwood Avenue, North 32nd Street and continuing along the railroad boundary south from North 32nd Street at West Thompson Street to the intersection of Aspen Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Hamilton Street, North 21st Street, Fairmount Avenue, Corinthian Avenue, Brown Street, North 21st Street, Poplar Street, Corinthian Avenue, South College Avenue, Poplar Street, West College Avenue, North College Avenue to the intersection of North College Avenue and North 21st Street, all under certain terms and conditions. 260430, an ordinance 3 authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a multi-year lease agreement with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, under which the City would lease to the Conservancy portions of the City-owned premises known as Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park for the Conservancy’s use, operation, management, maintenance, and repair, all under certain terms and conditions. There are no further bills on the Consent Agenda. Council President.
Thank you very much. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill 24 pass finally. The Clerk shall call the roll. And upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Councilman Jones was aye on all bills. Councilmember Landau was aye on all bills. Councilmember Lozada.
Councilmember Young was aye on all bills. Councilmember Brooks was aye on all bills. Councilmember Harrity.
Aye on all bills. The majority of all the members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 8 260094.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, providing for the creation of the Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission; and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion regarding Resolution No. 22 260094.
Thank you, Council President. 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution No. 260094 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Resolutions adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 22 260467.
A resolution proposing an amendment 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to change City procurement procedures and requirements, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution 12 No. 260467.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 22 No. 260467 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 13 260594.
A resolution urging the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing cities of the first class to raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour, an essential step toward ensuring that all Philadelphians are able to keep up with the rising cost of living and have the opportunity to build a better future. 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion regarding Resolution No. 6 260594.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the immediate adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 15 No. 260594 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 5 260602.
Resolution 7 condemning the U.S. Supreme Court's further majority's further gutting of key Voting Rights Act protections in Louisiana v. Callais, thereby making it more difficult to establish majority- minority districts, weakening minority voting power and undermining our democracy.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion regarding Resolution No. 20 260602. Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for a motion on behalf of Councilmember Landau.
6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilmember Landau, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 10 No. 260602 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 260076.
An 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission; and authorizing and directing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
This bill having been read on two different dates, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Councilman Jones was aye. Councilmember Landau was aye. Councilmember Lozada.
Councilmember Young was aye. Councilmember Brooks was aye. Councilmember Harrity. 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
And, Council President Johnson. 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are and 4 nays are 0. Majority of all 5 members having voted in the 6 affirmative, the bill passes. 7 Chief Clerk, please read 8 the title of Bill No. 260162. 9
An 10 ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of 11 The Philadelphia Code (“Service And 12 Other Businesses”) by adding a new 13 Section 9-631.1 to establish 14 requirements for commercial 15 landlords to take certain remedial 16 action against commercial tenants who engage in tobacco retailing without a required tobacco retailer permit and establishing penalties, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the 6/4/26 - STATED - 2ND READING question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.