Stated Meeting 1 5/4/2023 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 4, 2023 10:40 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILWOMAN SHARON VAUGHN MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 5/4/2023
Good morning. We're going to get started. Thank you very much. We have established our quorum, so we will now come to order. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Darnell Deans of Venango House Community Center of Praise and Worship. He is here today as my guest, and I must say he is a very, very good friend, a longtime friend. So I would ask all members and guests to please rise for the invocation. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
I first give praise to my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, who is truly first in my life. I would like to thank him for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. I want to thank him for giving me the strength to see a brand new day. Stated Meeting 3 5/4/2023 the opportunity and thank my friend, President Councilman Darrell Clarke, for this opportunity and to the men and women of City Council for the opportunity to stand before you and give you praise and give the Lord praise for you. Let us pray. Most gracious and heavenly Father who woke us up this morning and started us on our way, we say thank you for giving us the strength to see a brand new day. From the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, you are most worthy to be praised. We say, Lord, that we ask that you watch over these men and these women as they do what thus say of the Lord as they govern over this great city. We ask that you build that fence of protection around them, guide them, mold them, and lead them to the path that where there is only righteousness in your namesake that, Father God, they can continue to do the Stated Meeting 4 5/4/2023 of this great city. We ask that you bless each and every one of them and their families and everybody that's gathered here under the sound of my voice, that you protect them, you watch them, and when they leave this place, Father God, send them back home to their families in the way that they came. In Jesus' most precious name, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Pastor, thank you so much for that invocation and your spiritual guidance this morning. We really appreciate it, and we need it. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27, 2023, and Stated Meeting 5 5/4/2023 Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27th, 2023 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27, 2023 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members Stated Meeting 6 5/4/2023 Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive Stated Meeting 7 5/4/2023 be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Bass may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 8 5/4/2023
The ayes have it and the motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I'd ask the Clerk to please read the messages from the Mayor and any additional communications that may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on May 1, 2023, I signed the following bill, which was passed by Council at its session on April 20, 2023: Bill No. 230009-AA, and that on May 1, 2023, I signed the following bills, which were passed by Council at its session on April 27, 2023: Bill Nos. 220969 and 230150. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution proposing an amendment to The Stated Meeting 9 5/4/2023 to allow the Administrative Board to relax restrictions on dual government employment by City employees, and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a draft of a resolution appointing Doug Hager, Joel Spivak, Shannon Maldonado, Edward Garcia, Nicole Wiegand, Taylor Jenkins, and Elena Brennan and Samantha Shaw to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and An 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 to allow the Administrative Board to relax restrictions on dual government employment by City employees; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with The Magee Stated Meeting 10 5/4/2023 business as Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Jefferson Health for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Hope Plaza, Incorporated for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2150 West Somerset Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with BAM RBC 1 LLC, for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2807 through 2817 Southampton Road; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute -- to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel of land located in and about the area bounded by Castor Avenue, Richmond Street, Lewis Street, Stated Meeting 11 5/4/2023 Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Innerport Business Complex Associates for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 7801 Essington Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of all or a portion of the Premises located at 8716 through 20 Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Belmont Avenue, Mantua Avenue, 42nd Street, and West Girard Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to grant Stated Meeting 12 5/4/2023 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, an easement on a portion of the parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Market Street, 24th Street, Spruce Street and the Schuylkill River; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Impact Services Corporation for the use by the City of the Premises located at 1952 East Allegheny Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our communication for today. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of the legislation that's being offered today.
Councilman Thomas offers a privileged resolution honoring Stated Meeting 13 5/4/2023 and congratulating the Champions of the Week, public servants Zelma Carroll, Darlene Booker-Jones, Cheryl Colubriale, and Sarah Jones, who devote their lives to benefitting the City of Philadelphia for the common good.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the fact that last week, this City Council body passed a resolution naming the month of May as Public Servant Month as we look to recognize the different workers in City government and let them know that they're very much appreciated. The people that we are recognizing today are all amazing people who have done great work for the City of Philadelphia and we want to give them their flowers while they can still smell Stated Meeting 14 5/4/2023 them. I also want to take a moment to recognize our former DC Council President. I know that resolution is going to happen a little later today, but unfortunately I won't be able to be here. So, Council President, I also would like to take a leave for today's session and be recorded as aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. And that will be on today's Calendar, and leave shall be granted for Councilman Thomas.
Councilman Jones offers one bill and one resolution. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with The Magee Hospital for Convalescents doing business as Magee Rehabilitation Hospital - Jefferson Health for use by the City of all or a Stated Meeting 15 5/4/2023 portion of the premises located at 1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers a non-privileged resolution also naming the 6000 Block of Callowhill Street as "Bishop O.T. Jones Way."
Councilman Johnson offers two bills and four resolutions, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with Innerport Business Complex Associates for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 7801 Essington Avenue."
And an ordinance Stated Meeting 16 5/4/2023 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, an easement on a portion of the parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Market Street, 24th Street, Spruce Street and the Schuylkill River.
And a privileged resolution celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to evaluate existing support services for Early Childhood Education and Pre-K Centers and Providers and to examine the role of high-quality Early Childhood Education and Pre-K opportunities in addressing childhood poverty and promoting the Stated Meeting 17 5/4/2023 future academic success of children in Philadelphia.
Yeah, Council President. I just want to take a moment as you introduce the next resolution honoring and recognizing Meeka Outlaw for the heroism and bravery she exhibited while providing aid to a three-year-old child injured by gunfire this past Sunday on April the 30th of 2023 in Grays Ferry, South Philadelphia. Meeka Outlaw, who is a local resident in Grays Ferry, was unloading groceries out of her car when she noticed a mother and child in distress and the child was hit by gunfire. Ms. Outlaw drove the child and mother to the Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 47 on Grays Ferry Avenue while alerting first responders. The first responders immediately jumped in and stabilized the boy and rushed him to Children Hospital's Stated Meeting 18 5/4/2023 of Philadelphia, where he is now in a stable condition. So I wanted to take a moment. I have known Ms. Meeka Outlaw for several years as a community leader. She's also a teacher. She's also a graduate of my alma mater, Mansfield University. But, most importantly, it's acts of bravery and heroism such as this that all Philadelphians should take notice of when we see incidents of gun violence taking place in the City of Philadelphia, particularly impacting our young people, and as opposed to videotaping the incidents taking place, actually getting involved and trying to save the life of a young person. So could we just take a moment and acknowledge this young lady, Meeka Outlaw. Meeka, can you please stand. (Standing ovation.) Stated Meeting 19 5/4/2023
And thank you so much. We really appreciate what you did, what you stand for. That will be on today's Calendar.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Meeka Outlaw for the heroism and the bravery she exhibited while providing aid to a 3-year-old child injured by gunfire.
And a privileged resolution honoring His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Emeka Kanu Uche for his outstanding service to the Methodist Church of Nigeria and welcoming him to the City of Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Lozada offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with Impact Services Corporation for the use by the City of the Premises located at 1952 East Allegheny Avenue.
Referred to committee. Hold on, Mr. Decker. If anyone has a device that makes any kind of sound, please turn it off, on silent, or airport mode or whatever. Bottom line, just please turn it off. Thank you. I'm sorry, Mr. Decker. Please proceed.
Councilwoman Vaughn offers a privileged resolution recognizing the Philadelphia Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Incorporated on the occasion of its 75th Stated Meeting 21 5/4/2023 Anniversary.
Councilman Harrity offers a privileged resolution honoring Catherine G. Scott, President of AFSCME District Council 47 and recognizing her leadership, activism, and representation of Philadelphia workers, working to improve the lives of all Philadelphians.
Thank you, Council President. Today I'd like to honor Catherine Scott, President of AFSCME District Council 47. Ms. Scott has dedicated her career to assisting those in most need of help, beginning with her career as a social worker in the Philadelphia Prisons and the Riverview Home for the Aged. Ms. Scott took an active role Stated Meeting 22 5/4/2023 in AFSCME Local 2187 and quickly rose to key leadership positions. Ms. Scott has been a tenuous advocate for union labor and City employees and in 2007 became the first female President of District Council 47. Ms. Scott continues to advocate for workers. Ms. Scott serves as the Vice President of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and is a member of the Philadelphia Coalition of Labor Union Women, formerly serving as the executive board member. Ms. Scott also served on the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Work and Family Committee and has been a delegate to the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Conventions, the District Council 47 Delegate Assembly, and AFSCME International Conventions. Catherine Scott has dedicated her professional life to advocating for the rights of workers throughout Philadelphia and beyond, and her policies have achieved tangible results which have Stated Meeting 23 5/4/2023 meaningfully benefitted the lives of Philadelphians. It is my privilege to honor Ms. Scott and express my sincerest admiration for her work. Stand up, Ms. Scott.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I want to also echo the sentiments of my colleague Councilman Jim Harrity in regards to honoring Ms. Cathy Scott. I had the opportunity to meet Cathy Scott when I first became a Councilperson making a transition from being a State Representative, and I've Stated Meeting 24 5/4/2023 always admired her dedication, commitment and, most importantly, fighting for working-class people. I remember when I made the transition from being a State Representative to a City Councilperson, I worked with SEIU on the state level and then when I made the transition as a Councilperson, I knew how to work around the building trades, but when I became a Councilperson, I understood that the hard working-class employees that work for the City of Philadelphia that come from District Council 47 actually keeps the City of Philadelphia moving forward. And so I remember your passion, your dedication, and your commitment of being on the front line fighting for your members, and so I just want to personally say as well congratulations and keep up the good work. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 25 5/4/2023
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to welcome some folks that are here today. I'd like to welcome David Gibson and the Golden Rule group. The Golden Rule is a sailing vessel touring the U.S. to promote the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the Golden Rule is a project for Veterans for Peace. It's a great group of folks who are out there really working hard to promote peace throughout the country, and we passed the resolution last week to bring attention to this cause. I'd like to give David, welcome to Council and thank you for participating in the process. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 26 5/4/2023
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. And congratulations. Thank you.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers two bills and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance revising parking regulations for the north side of 49th Street, Paschall Avenue to Grays Avenue; the east side of Grays Avenue, 49th street to Lindbergh Boulevard; and, the east side of Lindbergh Boulevard, Grays Avenue to Harley Avenue."
And an ordinance delegating to the Streets Department the authority to establish certain parking restrictions by regulation on both sides of Walnut Street between 40th Street and 63rd Street.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting 27 5/4/2023
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 5200 block of Wyalusing Avenue "Nehemiah Davis Way."
Councilman Driscoll offers two bills, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel of land located in and about the area bounded by Castor Avenue, Richmond Street, Lewis Street, and North Delaware Avenue."
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of the Premises located at 8716 through 20 Frankford Avenue. Stated Meeting 28 5/4/2023
Councilman O'Neill offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with BAM RBC 1, for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2807 through 2817 Southampton Road.
Councilman Squilla offers eight resolutions, entitled a "Resolution appointing Doug Hager to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District"; and A resolution appointing Edward Garcia to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Elena Brennan to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Joel Spivak to the Board of Directors for the Stated Meeting 29 5/4/2023 South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Nicole Wiegand to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Samantha Shaw to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Shannon Maldonado to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District; and A resolution appointing Taylor Jenkins to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District.
Councilwoman Bass offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Hope Plaza, Incorporated for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2150 West Somerset Street.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports three bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 230186, entitled "An ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-electoral Stated Meeting 31 5/4/2023 within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds"; and Bill No. 230250, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 190935 of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, approved by the Mayor on December 18, 2019, to authorize the refunding of additional series of outstanding general obligation bonds; authorizing the purchase by The City of Philadelphia, from time to time, of any of its outstanding general obligation debt; authorizing the amendment, novation or termination, from time to time, of any Stated Meeting 32 5/4/2023 costs incurred in connection with The City of Philadelphia's general obligation debt; and further amending said Ordinance (Bill No. 190935) to authorize the payment by The City of Philadelphia from proceeds of general obligation refunding bonds of any required settlement payments and related required amounts in connection with the termination of any such agreements to manage interest costs"; and Bill No. 230251, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of one or more supplements to an existing service agreement (or a new service agreement on substantially the same terms) between The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority relating to a comprehensive neighborhood transformation program; the issuance by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, from time to time, of bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness to refund bonds, notes or Stated Meeting 33 5/4/2023 issued to refinance such neighborhood transformation program; and the obligation of The City of Philadelphia to pay the amounts payable under such service agreement; and authorizing certain City officers to take certain actions required to issue bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading this day of Bills No. 230136, 230250 -- I mean 230186, 230250, and 230251. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 34 5/4/2023
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of Bills No. 230186, 230250, 230251. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had their first reading. They will be on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Stated Meeting 35 5/4/2023 2ND READING As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on our Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading to Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 230332, 230333, 230334, 230337, 230338, 230339, 23 -- correction; 221017, 221018, and 230127. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Before considering the resolutions and bills, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our session for today. Stated Meeting 36 5/4/2023 All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you haven't already done so, you may sign up at the table outside of the Council Chambers with the Sergeant-at-Arms. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Today we'll have three minutes to speak. We ask you to please adhere to that time limit. In order to be fair, we will hold faithfully to that time limit to allow an opportunity for everyone who wishes to speak to speak. When your three minutes have passed, when your time comes, you will see a podium on -- a device, I'm sorry, on the podium. When the light turns green on that device, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. And when the light turns red, we'd ask that you adhere to our guidelines and conclude your Stated Meeting 37 5/4/2023 remarks. I want to thank you very much for your participation today and thank you for coming and participating in your government in action. Mr. Decker, please call the first -- sorry. Before we do that, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. For the record, I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on the committee reports. Okay?
Thank you. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson was an aye vote on the committee report. Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Brenda Robinson, Stated Meeting 38 5/4/2023 commenting on 230334. (No response.)
Ms. Robinson, are you in attendance today? (No response.)
Not here. Mr. Decker, go to the next name on the list.
The next speaker is Cathy Scott, commenting on a resolution introduced today by Councilman Harrity. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President Clarke. My name is Catherine Scott, formerly -- recently retired President of AFSCME District Stated Meeting 39 5/4/2023 Council 47. I want to thank City Council for honoring me today with the resolution that is before you. As all successful union leaders know, any successful career is a team effort. I have been fortunate to have been supported by wonderful officers and staff, some of whom have been able to join me here today, Yvonne Harris, Robert Harris, David Wilson, and I know that there are other people in the audience supporting me, and April Gigetts, who is the -- I didn't see her on the other side -- the President of District Council 47. Our attorneys at Willig, Williams and Davidson have been invaluable to me in their advocacy on our union's behalf, but most of all, I have to have the support of the members first of Local 2187 and later the locals of District Council 47, and of course I have always been supported by my family. Without this incredible team effort, I Stated Meeting 40 5/4/2023 would not be receiving this recognition today. I have seen our union grow over many years of involvement in the labor movement, but the new-found energy in organizing and fighting for workers' rights and basic human rights is a joy for me to see. Our newest members, cultural workers working for wealthy non-profits, have had to fight for the rights just to be in a union. As Frederick Douglass said, power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. I can enjoy my retirement now knowing that District Council 47 is in good hands with its new leadership. And, again, I want to thank City Council for acknowledging me today. I have had a wonderful career and I've worked with many of you, and it has been a joy to work with City Council too. So thank you very much.
Stated Meeting 41 5/4/2023 Thank you. (Applause.)
Also, my name is Yvonne Harris and I wanted to also recognize -
And we also have a certificate from the Senate of Pennsylvania also recognizing Cathy and congratulating her. So this is also from Senator Vincent Hughes and the Senate of Pennsylvania. (Applause.)
Thank you. Stated Meeting 42 5/4/2023 The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
So my comment was covered by the Senate. I would be remiss if I did not recognize District Council 47's contribution to Senator Hughes. That's where he came from and how much he was grounded in the labor movement based on that experience. So congratulations on your retirement. I doubt if you stay retired, but thank you for the contributions to Philadelphia. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you very much, and thank you for your commitment and your contribution to the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Decker, next name.
Lynn Landes, Stated Meeting 43 5/4/2023 commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Lynn Landes, founder of wildfoodies.org and healthalertphilly.org. I'm speaking on behalf of Resolution 210913, authorizing City Council to retain legal counsel to file a lawsuit to require the Administration to implement and enforce the Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces Act. Its aim is to end the use of toxic pesticides in public parks and on public grounds. Besides the issue of the Mayor's non-enforcement of laws that City Council has passed, which I addressed last week, there are two other challenges facing Parks and Rec on this issue, cost and staffing. Some say that these toxic pesticides are cheaper and easier to use Stated Meeting 44 5/4/2023 than manual and mechanized landscaping. That may be true, but it is not an excuse to poison people and the planet, plus contaminate our drinking water. Secondly, staffing has reached a crisis point, not just for Parks and Rec but also for many other City departments. The situation is so dire that the Mayor has provided in his budget $1.9 million to the Office of Human Resources, and City Council has created a Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment for Municipal Workers to help alleviate the crisis. I would like to offer a few suggestions to the Mayor and City Council on this matter. Please end any remaining COVID mandates. Hire back the workers that the City fired because of these ill-conceived mandates, and then promise the public to never again engage in such behavior as to not listen to the many doctors, scientists, and activists who warned Stated Meeting 45 5/4/2023 early on in this pandemic against the mandates in general but particularly against the vaccines. Hold hearings on lessons learned from the COVID disaster and promise current and potential City employees and the public that the City government of Philadelphia has learned from the COVID disaster and will now and forever support free speech and medical freedom, not censorship and medical tyranny. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Mama Gail Clouden, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
Good day. I am Mama Gail Stewart Clouden. I say my maiden name in honor of my ancestors. And, lady, thank you. Miss who came before me, hello, hello, thank you, thank you, thank you, because it's people like you that kept, kept, kept, kept coming that got these people jobs. That's why they're able to sit here, because people like you that people felt were agitators. That's why they're sitting here now. No more abatements at the detriment of the poorest populus of Philadelphia. I stand here on this day of our Lord, May 4th, 2023, to declare, to decree, and I claim in honor of our ancestors that the poorest of the poor of our people in this city should not be taken advantage of. I've been standing for many, many years for those that don't speak for Stated Meeting 47 5/4/2023 themselves, those that can't, and those that won't. In 2015, the United Nations declared that this is the decade of the descendents. This is reparations time. How dare this be continued? It has to stop, that the people that were supposed to be freed have not been freed because of those that kept coming and holding them back. How do you have the time and period when people said it's your time, you're free, and then the slave master get paid as a result of losing his workforce? That time is over, and I'm standing to declare, claim, and decree it's over. Enough is enough. That bill that you want to keep giving people abatements has to stop. When we're not getting what we're supposed to get and you all keep saying we don't have enough money, if you charge people what they should be paying, you Stated Meeting 48 5/4/2023 would have enough money. If the School District stopped wasting money, they would have enough money. I don't have a lot to say, because I know that karma is real, and I want you to have the day that you all deserve, and that's what the young people are saying. Have the day that you deserve each and every day. Stand up and do right because it's the right thing to do. Stand up for those that can't speak for themselves, and stop saying yes to stuff that don't make sense. It's not fair. Equity is real. Equality is real, and it's time for that. We're in a city that stopped the whole city as a result of a Black woman saying eight Black men should have a job that's not back-breaking, and the whole city, unions all over, they went on strike. The President of the United States -- the United States -- the President of the United States had to say either you go Stated Meeting 49 5/4/2023 back to work or you go to war. Stop this.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
That's my husband and her father. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Horace Clouden, member of the Parent Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education, member of Mama Gail's Community Education Network. I also come here to say no to Stated Meeting 50 5/4/2023 that Bill 221015, because here again, if you say yes, then there won't be any money going to the School District. Now, since I'm talking about the School District, I'm not asking for money for the School District to open the five indoor pools owned by the School District, because they have the money. They have the staff. We're asking the District to bring back swimming as a curriculum. To do that, they need all seven pools, to come under Sayre Aquatic Center responsible for programming and oversight, and there has been a proposal that has been submitted. All pools, all seven pools, are training facilities, and five of the seven can provide springboard training. Here we have pools that not one of the City's 71 pools can provide this type of service. We ask all City Council to provide the pressure to make this happen. This is a benefit to the entire city. Stated Meeting 51 5/4/2023 My comment is this: You know, for those who was in the Education Committee and talked to the Superintendent the other day, all your concerns have already been said to the Superintendent through his listening sessions. You know, you're not saying -you haven't said anything new that no one else has brought to the attention of the Superintendent. One of the examples was zero percent -- there was one school that had zero percent in student achievement or what they said zero percent in math and seven percent in English. But can you imagine back in 2018-2019 there was 24 high schools out of 52 high schools that had zero percent? The ninth graders tested in at zero percent in student achievement. So then from 2018-2019, then we had COVID, then we had virtual learning. And guess what? That number probably is true today, because what the School Stated Meeting 52 5/4/2023 District is saying today is that they have no data. You know, so when we talk about or when you talk about or everybody talks about asbestos in the schools and they want to close a school and then put them into virtual learning, well, guess what? Virtual learning isn't -- how can I say it? You can't demand virtual learning on the households of the students. What the District has to do is provide another brick and mortar facility to have virtual learning if they're going to teach virtual learning. I mean, this has been presented to the Board. They have it, how you say it, Policy 520.1. If you look it up, it states it right there. So we're just saying that -I'm just saying that the School District is doing things that are illegal. You get caught up in the narratives. Oh, we got asbestos. We always had these things. Stated Meeting 53 5/4/2023
Thank you, sir. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Leah Clouden, commenting on 221015. (Witness approached podium.)
Leah Clouden. Good morning. So I'm going to second and third the things that both my parents were saying. You know, this city has totally failed the residents, and I'm going to say the Black residents especially. You know, you talk about in the Stated Meeting 54 5/4/2023 name of deteriorated properties and dilapidated communities and whatever for this abatement, but it is the own city that did not do their due diligence and go after those people with those properties. Those people could afford it. I'm not talking about just those single homes that were, you know, people passed away, but you have -- I even have a property next to my own property where the bank owns it. The people passed away 30 years ago, mother and son, 30 years ago. The building was torn down. We have been taking care of that property for over 30 years, just cleaning the yard. The only time we called the City was to pick up from the people dumping. You know, I think about all those things that the City did not do their due diligence, and because of that, the residents have to pay double and triple property tax. You got all these people coming in that are building almost skyscrapers Stated Meeting 55 5/4/2023 in residential neighborhoods. It's not right. And they get abatements. Also, they purchase those properties for a dollar. I've been on that list to see how much people are paying for these properties. They're building strip malls. This is ridiculous. You got to do what's right. They need to pay their way. Also, the School District has failed since Dr. Hite was here. That man had took this School District down to zero -- to eight percent away from total failure, eight percent. You got another man that has come in and now for almost two years it's conversation. There's no movement. They can say, oh, we made improvement, but that's still an F. It's still an F. We're still being failed, and the children are crying out. They are in the street losing their minds because they don't have adults to step up and do the right thing. They don't need money. They Stated Meeting 56 5/4/2023 need accountability. Everybody needs to be held accountable. I called about my trash. I still can't get my trash picked up. It's still sitting out there. I've been going through this for three years. They cut the grass across from -- the park across from our house and the only thing they do is push -- they use the blowers and they push all the trash in a pile and leave it in the park, and then they take the outside after they're finished cutting and they push it into the street. So that's why we have these trifling streets that we have. Then you got the poles outside. Did they even do a test study to see if they can mess with your brain, all these little white poles and yellow poles. You got -- there has to be some accountability. The City is not doing right by its residents. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 57 5/4/2023 Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Ogbonna Hagins, commenting on 230332. (Witness approached podium.)
Ogbonna Hagins, H-A-G-I-N-S. I'm speaking on this resolution calling for Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass House Bill 338, 714, 731. Basically it's addressing reasonable firearm restrictions. Firearm restrictions are not the answer for reducing gun violence. There was a report written in the New York Times titled "Childhood's Greatest Danger: The Data on Kids and Gun Violence." I suggest that you read this and other data on youth and gun violence. Based on these resolutions that you are introducing, I can tell that you Stated Meeting 58 5/4/2023 are not communicating with the people of this city and especially the youth. Not only the New York Times article as well as other data indicate that poverty is one of the -- that poverty is one of the major reasons for youth gun violence and youth crime. The thousands of youth who I have personally spoken with over the past few months also indicate that fact. They are telling me that they are involved in the street culture because of economics, because they don't have any money. It is obvious to me that there needs to be leadership change in this body. Not only are you not listening to the people, you are not studying the data that clearly indicates that crime and violence is a result of poverty, and there is nothing that this body has done to solve this issue. As you know, I published a hip-hop magazine. How many of you listened to hip-hop to listen to what the Stated Meeting 59 5/4/2023 youth are actually saying? They are crying out. What are you doing to decrease the economic wealth gap? It's poverty, y'all. Let me tell you what this violence is all about. The youth are lashing out. You know the saying, hurt people hurt people. So all I'm asking you to do is understand those who are hurting and do something about it. The gun restriction, yeah, that might help a little bit, but the reality is it's not going to stop, because crime and violence is a result of poverty.
The next speaker is David Gibson. (Witnesses approached podium.)
I'm with Peace Justice Sustainability Now. We are an associate group of national Peace Action, and we're here to thank Councilman Squilla and the Council for passing the citation honoring the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is a 34-foot wooden catch whose first voyage was an attempt to prevent U.S. nuclear bomb testing in the Marshall Islands, and it was the inspiration for all the other ships that went out and did that. It really kind of got Greenpeace going on the whole thing, and it was the beginning of a series of grassroots efforts in the United States and around the world to end the scourge of nuclear weapons. At one point we had 70,000, 70,000 nuclear weapons armed and ready to Stated Meeting 61 5/4/2023 go on first strike warning. We reduced that now, thanks to the efforts of many, many people, including the folks in the Golden Rule, to a little over 7,000. That's way too many, but it's much better than what we had before. So we need to keep moving in the right direction, and the Golden Rule's trip right now is to educate people and raise up the awareness of the fact that thanks to the passage in the UN of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, nuclear weapons are now illegal. They are illegal around the world. But all the countries that have nuclear weapons, including the United States, have not yet signed on to this treaty. My partner, my brother here is going to talk about that in a minute. So the Golden Rule will be here. It will be arriving at Penns Landing around 4 o'clock on the 9th. It'll be here until the 13th. Actually they'll leave the morning of the 14th, Stated Meeting 62 5/4/2023 and there's going to be a series of events around the City where people can attend to find out about the history of the Golden Rule, which is deep and broad, and what people can do to get the United States to sign on to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. So I'm going to leave it at that. Thank you again, Councilman Squilla, and I'm going to also introduce my brother here, Wilson Spronell.
He's with Veterans for Peace, by the way, who are the people who brought this ship to Philly.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Next speaker.
My name is Wilson Spronell. My story is pretty short. I want to thank the City Council for their resolution supporting the Golden Rule. When I was 17 years old back in 1964, I joined the United States Army, just maybe a year before we got involved in Vietnam, and my training, I went through two months of basic training, two months of artillery crewman training, and then they sent me to a special school. I was 17 years old. The special school was tactical nuclear weapons assembly. Our practice materials were made out of depleted uranium rather than actual visible uranium. When I came home from that training, a friend of mine said, you know, the FBI was just here investigating you. I missed him by one day. I went to tactical nuclear weapons school without anybody having investigated my background, and I have no doubt that there's thousands of men in a Stated Meeting 64 5/4/2023 similar position to mine. I'm scared to death. The Russians threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons in the Ukraine, and that's a really bad road to go down, because it just gets worse. And maybe those tactical nuclear weapons get used and bigger weapons, and I'm scared to death for that. I have children, grandchildren, and a great-grandson who is going to be 12 years old in August. And that's just my kids personally, and I'm scared to death for them. The United Nations last year put this Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It was passed last year, and it has become international law, but like Dave said, none of the major countries holding all these weapons have signed on to it. The City Council passed a resolution to encourage the United States to sign on. All the other big countries with nukes are waiting on the United Stated Meeting 65 5/4/2023 States to do something. And City Council, again, I thank you. You passed a resolution encouraging the federal government to do that. City Council passed a resolution making Philadelphia a nuclear-free zone. That's all of my comments. I just encourage you to come down and support the Golden Rule. It's a peace mission. It's a non-proliferation mission, and it will be in Philadelphia, as Dave said, between May the 9th and May the 13th. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service.
The next speaker is Yolanda Taylor, commenting on 230332. Stated Meeting 66 5/4/2023 (Witness approached podium.)
Hello and good morning. My name is Yolanda Taylor, also known in communities as the Black Family Ambassador. I'm here -- I would like to address, not coincidently, also gun restriction, but hopefully on a three-minute span time what I have heard from others that spoke today. Guns definitely have bullets to kill people, but I feel that people kill people. As an active member of NRA, I don't believe that the restriction will alleviate the problem, because the problem lies in the individual, especially our youth, and there are multiple reasons why. One, there's no structure. I'm still trying to understand in the City what 8,000 non-profit organizations, why is it on a daily, whether I'm in North Stated Meeting 67 5/4/2023 Philly, South, whatever, in these communities I can't see one program that gives our children an alternative other than standing on the street, and some of them don't want to stand on the street. We have to understand where our kids come from. Some of them are on the street because inside their home, it's that bad. You know what I'm saying? We're running programs unfortunately for 14, 15 year olds teaching them how to use Narcan, God forbid, for their parents. So I feel that the problem lies with either us not really understanding what the needs of our community is, which are these kids. My personal fight is DHS. I feel that they have too much power and they're not governed by any party, and they are taking some kids out of structure instead of leaving them where they are getting love and structure, because a lot of these kids are traumatized and feel that their own Stated Meeting 68 5/4/2023 family turned their backs on them. As far as the school system, let me just touch up on that real quick. Worked for the school system, quit the school system. I have a problem with the people within the school system. One, they don't look like our brown and Black kids. That's first of all. They don't even live in our communities. They show up just for a paycheck. They have no concern. They don't want our kids to learn, and I'mma tell the truth and shame the devil up in here today. So that's half the problem. When I walk down in the school and all I see is YouTube, all that is is a daycare for our children. As far as a budget, they have a budget, but I'm just going to play devil advocate real quickly. Okay? You have a budget. You have a room down there of, let's say, 20,000 books. Because of how the books were bought, instead of going and putting them on the curb outside so our kids can learn how to read and Stated Meeting 69 5/4/2023 parents walk by and pick those same books up that you're going to trash so our children can learn to read, if you as their parent willing to do that or someone else, those books go in the garbage because of how they were paid. They were paid by by the School Board, but they're not being implemented in the school, nor are you given the alternative to give those books to our community. And that's pretty much what I got right now. Also, I just also have to say this in all truthness. The problem does lie in the body sitting in front of me. This is my first meeting. I feel that you guys are chosen by your community to represent your community, and you guys have far-fetched gone from your community. It's my understanding, you know, in most communities throughout this state, the median that you make in City Council is 45 percent of what the median is in the City and that -- there's an uneven proportion and you guys aren't Stated Meeting 70 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING visible in your community.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment for today. Again, I want to thank you all for participating in your government in action. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. And I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of Resolution No. 230332.
A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass House Bills 338, 714, 731, and 1018 which address Stated Meeting 71 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING reasonable firearms restrictions that will enhance the safety of all Pennsylvanians and Philadelphians.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Briefly, gun violence is not the result of one thing. It is the result of many things colliding together causing a catastrophe that we have on our streets in Philadelphia. But in order to address gun violence, you have to not swallow it whole. You have to take it apart piece by piece, whether it's poverty, whether it's the lack of education, whether it is lack of, as Katherine Gilmore Richardson puts it, intervention, teaching non-violent intervention and the tools to be able to de-escalate that are not being taught sometimes at home. Stated Meeting 72 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING So we can either just look at the problem, curse at it through the windows or we can take one step at a time to resolve it, and what I'm proud about this organization is that we didn't just wake up and realize there was a problem. From the time you first introduced a bill that was common sense gun laws, we've been sued, we've been threatened, but we keep on fighting, and I'm proud of us for that. With that, 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 Stated Meeting 73 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230333.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 268 Diamond Street in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
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.)
Stated Meeting 74 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230334.
A resolution renaming the 6000 block of Locust Street "Martha Green Way", in honor of dedicated West Philadelphia community activist, compassionate mentor, and exemplary neighbor, Martha Green.
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.) Stated Meeting 75 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230337.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2148, 2150, 2154 and 2156 East Birch Street; 2032 East Lehigh Avenue; 2055 and 2057 East Rush Street; 2154, 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158, 2159, 2160 and 2161 East Stella Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting 76 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230338.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1739 South 5th Street; 1919 South 6th Street; 2612 South 9th Street; 411, 418, 424, 432 through 34, 624 and 626 Cantrell Street; 424 and 426 Mercy Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 77 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - 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, 230339.
A resolution adopting the Report issued by Council's Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment of Municipal Workers.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting 78 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 221017.
An ordinance amending Chapter 7-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Preservation of Affordable Housing," to modify certain requirements that must be met before a change in ownership, other disposition, or other change in property interest occurs with respect to certain affordable housing properties in Philadelphia.
Thank Stated Meeting 79 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. Before we consider Bill 221017, I would like to take a few moments to discuss the significance of the legislation. A few weeks ago, the City and I announced a settlement with a property owner that opted out of their affordability contract. I am incredibly proud and consider the settlement a victory, but the outcome was far from equitable. Seventy families will still be displaced from their homes. And while I am relieved that the UC Townhomes residents will receive the financial support they need to relocate to a neighborhood of their choosing safely and successfully, nothing can make up for the home and community they have lost. So if we learn nothing else from the UC Townhomes saga, it is that the City must take a bolder and more proactive approach to affordable housing Stated Meeting 80 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING preservation, because the UC Townhomes are the very tip of the iceberg. If we do not change course now, over 12,000 families could also be kicked out of their homes. For too long, government has not lived up to its responsibility to preserve government subsidized affordable housing. And while the City cannot keep every development online on its own, we can do much more to push back against the housing affordability crisis that is growing worse by the day. This is a critical moment in Philadelphia's history, and we must make a choice. Will we lack economic forces, discard working-class Black and brown residents from the neighborhoods they have built and stewarded or will we wrap our arms around the 12,000 families facing the impending doom of displacement? The People's Preservation Package is a balanced, earnest step in Stated Meeting 81 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING the right direction that many other municipalities have successfully employed for years. It will help us to be better prepared to face the tidal wave of affordability opt-outs and give the City's affordable housing providers an opportunity to preserve affordable housing developments without disrupting the market. With so much at stake, inaction is not an option, and I urge all of you to join me in voting to adopt the People's Preservation Package into law. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting 82 5/4/2023 5/4/23 - STATED - 2ND READING