A resolution renaming the 400 block of East Rittenhouse Street "Dione Johns Dancy Way" to honor Dione Johns Dancy for her tireless service to the Germantown Community and Philadelphia at-Large.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 98 12/07/2023 12/7/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (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, do you have any additional resolutions today?
A resolution honoring and congratulating Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on its 104th Founders' Day, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I enthusiastically Stated Meeting 99 12/07/2023 12/7/23 - STATED - 2ND READING move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing, honoring, and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 110th Founders' Day, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. With great pride, I move the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 100 12/07/2023 12/7/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. I'm not going to try to joke again. Quit while I'm ahead, right? That resolution has been adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Champion of the Week, Jeanette Bavwidinsi for her dedication and hard work on behalf of Philadelphia's young people as the Executive Director for the Office of Youth Engagement, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas. Stated Meeting 101 12/07/2023 12/7/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
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.
And a resolution proclaiming January 13, 2024 as Korean American Day in Philadelphia to Celebrate and Commemorate the Proud Heritage of Korean Americans and their Invaluable Contributions to Enhance the City's Culture, Economy and the Founding Ideals of Independence and Democracy, introduced today by Councilman Harrity. Stated Meeting 102 12/07/2023 12/7/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
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.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar for today. Any speeches on behalf of the Stated Meeting 103 12/07/2023 minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, today I rise to say that the work that collectively we have all done on public safety cumulated in the Crime Summit Report. This report will be released sometime next week, and shamelessly I've incorporated, plagiarized, and utilized a lot of the work that members have done, everything from conflict resolution in schools to what do you do when the shooter lives with you, to the work that Member Johnson does with the Anti-Gun Violence Committee, all of it. Particularly today I talk about the Kensington Marshall Plan done by the Kensington Caucus. Why do I point that Stated Meeting 104 12/07/2023 today? That when you look at those recommendations, one of them deals with retail theft. That idea came from those hearings. I point to you to say that Eric Harrison was a security guard at Macy's. Next month he was to take the policeman's examination. He was doing the right thing, going to work every day at a thankless job, trying to make ends meet, and due to the theft of hats, someone elevated that crime to murder. So what I say to you in this recommendation is that we have to pay attention to the small things, the details, so that they don't become big things. Ironically, the perpetrator got on the El and was on his way back to Kensington. Fortunately, SEPTA, which is another recommendation, SEPTA, the Police, and University Police got together and caught this individual. Give them a round of applause, Stated Meeting 105 12/07/2023 future lives. (Applause.)
That coordination is what one of the recommendations recommends. Linda Richardson of SEPTA talked about the facts versus the fear, that less than one percent of violent crimes happen on SEPTA's rails, on their trolleys and buses, but the facts are also that when people get off at those stops and walk into those neighborhoods, they're in peril and at risk. Coordination has to happen, like it did to apprehend that individual who committed that heinous crime. So I look forward to sharing with my colleagues next week the over 140 recommendations that came up. I want to thank Police Commissioner, the District Attorney, members of credible messengers from boots on the ground who took the Stated Meeting 106 12/07/2023 on what they thought should be a blueprint, not for, as the next Mayor says, excellent articulation of the problem, which kills me, but to point to solutions so that that document serves as a guide for them going forward. And I salute every member in here that put into that document their recommendations, and will give each of you a chance to review, input. Things like license plate readers to avoid live stops, all of that is in there. So thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, colleagues, for your patience. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you for your work on that very critical issue. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Good Stated Meeting 107 12/07/2023 afternoon, Council President. I want to first start by thanking the members of the Education Committee for withstanding a very long hearing yesterday as it relates to examining the findings of the School Board's report related to Black-led institutions. We still have a lot more work to do in that particular area, but I do appreciate my colleagues and their support, especially Councilmember Lozada. We have to be more inclusive as it relates to Latino-led charter schools, and we also have to be more deliberate in our outcomes and the direction that we're going in as it relates to public education in the City of Philadelphia. Outside of that, I just want to remind everybody that this is our session before the last session for the end of the year. We know we're going to lose two very special people at the end of this calendar year. Of course next week Stated Meeting 108 12/07/2023 about our Council President, but this week is about my big sister. For those who don't know, I started my journey -- absolutely. (Applause.)
For those who don't know, I started my journey on the road to the seat that I am right now maybe about 15 years ago, and I knew nothing about running for office. I vividly remember the conversation when somebody explained to me what a ward leader and a committee person was, and that person is now my colleague in City Council. And at the end of the day, whether it's the advocacy as it relates to issues with the prison, whether it's fighting for neighborhoods like Olney and Feltonville, and I never thought I'd say this, Councilmember Phillips, but she said she came to slay, and she did slay, Stated Meeting 109 12/07/2023 right? (Applause.)
She didn't come to play, right? She came to slay. And, honestly, that's exactly what she did. So after Council today, I just want to remind folks that we'll be going to Room 594 to briefly celebrate Councilmember Sharon Vaughn, and of course the bigger celebration will be tomorrow. So I just wanted to give her her flowers while she could still smell them and -(Applause.)
-- of course let her know from a personal perspective, you know, I love you, Councilwoman, I appreciate you, and I, along with a lot of other elected Stated Meeting 110 12/07/2023 officials, would not be where we are if it wasn't for you. So thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to wish our friends that will be celebrating Hanukkah this evening a blessed and happy holiday season.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes the infamous Councilwoman Vaughn. Stated Meeting 111 12/07/2023
Thank you, Council President. And thank you, Isaiah, and all my colleagues for tolerating me this year. I hope we had some fun, you know. I want you all to know that my relationships with you have grown tremendously, and I appreciate you all very much. I can't tell you how grateful I am to receive some of the gifts that I received today already. Y'all know I like presents, you know, so keep them coming, keep them coming. I want to mention that my rock is here with me today, Kevin Vaughn, Sr. Please stand. (Applause.)
He has been watching every Council session since I've been in these Chambers, critiquing and giving me comments and feedback on what was occurring. So today he decided Stated Meeting 112 12/07/2023 and join us and see it in person. I love you very much, and thanks for always being there for me. Thank you, everyone. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman, I'm going to miss the heck out of those statements that you come up with, unbridled, right, no holds barred. I love it. Thank you. She brought a whole lot to this Council. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. There's only one week left in my annual Third District Toy Drive, so I wanted to appeal to everyone here and everyone listening to help me put a smile Stated Meeting 113 12/07/2023 face this holiday season by purchasing a toy online from one of the two registries that we have or by dropping off new unwrapped toys at my district office at 606 South 52nd Street. And then you can also join me for the toy giveaway, which will be next Saturday, December 16th from noon until 3:00 p.m. or until the toys run out. So if anybody wants more information, you can find me @CouncilmemberJG on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or call my office, 215-686-0460. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. Oftentimes we are really quick to critique the police or critique the District Attorney's Office and others Stated Meeting 114 12/07/2023 our city, and I know that I'm extremely guilty of that, because I express frustration all the time around public safety, but today I'd like to first offer my condolences to the victim of Macy's, to his family. I'm very sorry for their loss, especially at a time like this when we should be preparing to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new year with each other. But I want to recognize the work that the District Attorney's Office did, the Police Department, and SEPTA, and very specifically SEPTA for their work and their collaboration with the Police Department and the District Attorney's Office to be able to resolve this situation and for their willingness to partner with us on a consistent basis as we talk about how we make the public transit system safer and how we work together in general to improve public safety in the City of Philadelphia in the Stated Meeting 115 12/07/2023 thank you so much to Wendy and all of your team for all of the work that you guys have done. (Applause.)
And I'd like to recognize the District Attorney and the Police Department, who have met with who we're now calling the Kensington Caucus, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Harrity, and Driscoll. They have consistently met with us on a regular basis to talk about how they work better together to be able to provide a better quality of life and public safety in districts like ours. And so I just wanted to recognize the efforts that they're putting in to be able to improve all of the things that we have expressed concern about over the course of the last few weeks, and I hope that out of those Stated Meeting 116 12/07/2023 ground and we find spaces where we can work together and respectfully discuss where we disagree. And so I just wanted to make sure that I put it out there, because I know that oftentimes I'm really quick to scream and shout when things are going wrong and we don't say thank you enough to them and their work.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Harrity.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, everyone. I just wanted to remind everybody that there will be a drone briefing in the Caucus Room after session, and I got some food from Antonio's in South Philly. Just trying to give a little briefing on some of the pitfalls that were faced by other states Stated Meeting 117 12/07/2023 New York so that we, if we decide to implement drones, do not make those same costly mistakes. There's like a billion dollar lawsuit. So want to make sure it's done right and with the right technology. It's really interesting. I mean, they have drones now that can stay up in the air for 24 hours. They have drones that can charge while they're in the air. Also going to talk a little bit about unmanned helicopters. So anybody wants to come over, please stop by, get something to eat. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
You're good? Thank you. All right. That concludes our speeches on behalf of the minority and Stated Meeting 118 12/07/2023 majority, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 14th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 14th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Thank you all very much. ) Stated Meeting 120 12/07/2023 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. m. org. S. org 106:22 12,14,24, 17:2,21 75:3 107:10 69:9, 18:2 19:2, Williams 114:14,17, 10,18,21 4 60:11,15 71:13,18 23 115:4, 70:3,18, 100:22 116:3, willingness 19,23 63:25 71:2,8,9 Z 114:20 worked 111:12 66:19 86:7 Zeta withdraw year 13:23 8:20 workers 87:10 14:15,24 56:10 107:23,25 withstandin 16:2 98:17 g working 111:6 zoning 107:5 80:15 81:3 114:11 28:9,10 87:3 years Witte 29:5,13, 30:23 works 52:11 19,20,24 17:22 66:18,20 30:13,20 woman 32:18,21 67:2 68:23 81:25 33:4 78:18 womanhood 85:14