Stated Meeting 1 11/16/2023 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 16, 2023 10:52 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. COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILWOMAN SHARON VAUGHN MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 11/16/2023
Oh, man, that was kind of weak. Good morning. (Good morning.)
There you go. Thank you. We're going to get started now. We've established our quorum. If the members will take their seat, we will have our invocation. And our invocation today we'll be recognizing Chaplain Dr. Rochelle Coles of the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Vaughn. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.) CHAPLAIN
God of justice and mercy, we thank you for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve the people of our city. Help us to act with character and conviction. Help us to listen with understanding and goodwill. Help us to speak with charity and restraint. Give us a spirit of service. Remind us that we are stewards of your authority. Guide us to be the leaders of your people. Help us to see the humanity and dignity of those who disagree with us and to treat all persons, no matter how weak or poor, with the reverence your creation deserves. And, finally, renew us with the strength of your presence and the joy of helping to build a community worthy of a human person. We ask this as your sons and daughters, confident in your goodness and love. Amen. Stated Meeting 4 11/16/2023 (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Chaplain. We appreciate it. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you again, Chaplain, for your spiritual guidance this morning. We really appreciate it. First, I'd like to thank everyone who has come down to witness their government in action today. We really appreciate it. We hope you have an informative day. Thank you all for being here. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 2nd, Stated Meeting 5 11/16/2023 2023 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 2nd, 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 request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members, there are three requests for leaves of absence today, Member O'Neill, Member Squilla, and Member Lozada. Stated Meeting 6 11/16/2023
The Chair thanks the gentleman, and leave shall be granted, let the record reflect. And now the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass again for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may rise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar prior to our session today.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a Stated Meeting 7 11/16/2023 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 has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Bass may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of today's session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting 8 11/16/2023 opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the messages that he has from the Mayor or any other communications that he may have in his possession today.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on November 9 and November 13, 2023, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council on October 26, 2023, except Bill No. 230550, which I am returning without my signature, and that on November 13, 2023, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council on November 2, 2023, except Bill No. 230578, which I am returning without my signature. And I am transmitting for the Stated Meeting 9 11/16/2023 body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3000 Ruth Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Crown Two Penn Center Associates, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, as sublandlord, for use by the City, as subtenant, of a portion of the premises located at 216 North Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease between the City of Philadelphia, as landlord, and the South Street Headhouse District of Stated Meeting 10 11/16/2023 Philadelphia, as tenant, for use by the SSHD of all or a portion of the premises commonly known as Headhouse and Shambles located on the 400 block of South 2nd Street; 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 2844 Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease with Orthodox Street Properties as landlord, with the City as tenant, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 3150 Orthodox Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease with Hoon Ho Oh as Stated Meeting 11 11/16/2023 landlord, with the City as tenant, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 4029 Market Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest, by purchase, condemnation, deed in lieu, donation, dedication, or otherwise to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land more commonly known as 851 North 13th Street, 2401 North 32nd Street, 1220 through 30 Kenilworth Street, 3223 through 33 Race Street, 213 through 17 North 33rd Street, 46 through 48 Wiota Street, 4016 through 24 Powelton Avenue and 1532 through 36 South Stillman Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to Stated Meeting 12 11/16/2023 with Lim Siv Houy, with the City as a tenant, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 3724 North Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with NF 6601 New State Road Partners, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 6601 New State Road; 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 1628 through 40 John F.
Kennedy Boulevard; 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 1000 East Comly Street; and Stated Meeting 13 11/16/2023 Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an amendment to a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1101 Market Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, 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 1221 through 23 Bainbridge Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into an amendment to a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of an additional portion of the premises located at 1327 through 29 Chestnut Stated Meeting 14 11/16/2023 Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease with The Leon Sullivan Charitable Trust as landlord, with the City as tenant, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1415 North Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to amend an existing lease with AC HSS Office Ventures II as successor landlord, with the City as tenant, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1930 South Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to facilitate development of a Project Area consisting of (1) property bounded by Callowhill Street, North 19th Street, Wood Street, and North 20th Street; and (2) property bounded by Wood Street, North 18th Street, Vine Street and North 19th Street, both as more particularly Stated Meeting 15 11/16/2023 A; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into a multiyear agreement with Galaxy Restaurants Catering Group, doing business as Constellation Culinary Group, for the management and operation of event planning and catering at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into a multiyear agreement with Bennett Compost, Incorporated for food scrap collection and management of a compost facility on City property located at 5650 Rising Sun Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years; and Stated Meeting 16 11/16/2023 An ordinance authorizing the opening of the northerly ten feet wide portion of Vine Street from Eighteenth Street to Nineteenth Street and from Nineteenth Street to Twentieth Street, being land owned by the City, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered by our members today.
Councilman Phillips offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1000 East Comly Street.
Stated Meeting 17 11/16/2023 Referred to committee.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia on its 150th Anniversary celebration.
Councilman Thomas offers two resolutions, entitled a privileged "Resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to investigate the rise in moving violations and traffic deaths since 2020 and explore solutions to create a safer Philadelphia for people walking, cycling and driving."
And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Saulih Khalifah, a carpenter apprentice at Carpenters' Stated Meeting 18 11/16/2023 Apprentice Ready Program, for his dedication and hard work advancing his carpentry skills.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. First of all, I wanted to just offer a moment of -- to offer my condolences to Kevin Clair. Kevin was the longtime teacher at Masterman High School who unfortunately lost his life in a tragic incident involving a motor vehicle, and it's unfortunate and my prayers go out to the entire Masterman community as well as his family, because no one should ever lose their life in a manner like that. For us on the City Council side, this is an issue that we've been pushing since 2020. In 2020 when a lot of us were home, we seen our roads open up and we seen more accidents happen in Stated Meeting 19 11/16/2023 2020 than what we had seen in decades, and as a Council body, we acted immediately. We had hearings, we had dialogue, and we talked to experts to figure out why did we see such a spike in hit-and-runs and car accidents in general in 2020, and based on the findings of that work by this legislative body and the Streets Committee, there were a lot of different things that we advocated for, such as new technology for the Police Department. At the time when an accident would take place, according to the Police Department in their testimony -- I believe it was Captain Overwise, if my memory serves me correctly -- he said that they are manually collecting evidence with rulers and tape measures and things of that capacity while other counties outside of the City of Philadelphia are using the newest technology to collect evidence when accidents take place. Stated Meeting 20 11/16/2023 So not only did we advocate for more money to be able to have the proper technology to collect evidence when an accident takes place, we also advocated for investment in infrastructure. During that time, we found that 80 percent -- over 80 percent of our car accidents took place on 12 percent of our roads, which means 12 percent of our roads are causing the majority of the car accidents here in the City of Philadelphia. And we also learned during that time that it was the way our streets were designed that often put us in a position to cause these car accidents, on top of the fact that when a lot of people aren't on the road, people are more inclined to speed and drive a little recklessly. So now that we're in a space and a place where we're continuing to see a lot of issues, specifically issues involving cyclists and pedestrians, we want to examine where we are now a couple Stated Meeting 21 11/16/2023 years later. We want to look at what technology has been purchased, what investments have we seen in infrastructure, and do our best to try to make sure that people can travel across the City of Philadelphia in a safe way. So I look forward to the Streets Committee having that hearing to be able to have that conversation. On a lighter note, I was surprised today by one of my mentees who came down to shadow me for the day, and I didn't know it was going to happen. So since she surprised me and caught me off guard, I'm going to surprise her and catch her off guard. Imani is an 8th grade student at Germantown Academy. Is that right, y'all, Germantown Academy? She's an honor roll student. She volunteered this summer at my camp and did a phenomenal job working with young people younger than her, and she showed up today because she wanted to see her government in Stated Meeting 22 11/16/2023 action. And I think it's a phenomenal thing when we have young people who want to spend the day understanding how local government works. So can we give Imani a round of applause. Imani, can you stand up, please. (Applause.)
Honor roll student, model student, does a ton of community service, and I'll bet one day a lot of us will be working for her. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, Councilman. And that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
Councilman Jones offers 11 bills and two resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an Stated Meeting 23 11/16/2023 ordinance authorizing the opening of the northerly ten feet wide portion of Vine Street from Eighteenth Street to Nineteenth Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to facilitate development of a Project Area consisting of property bounded by Callowhill Street, North 19th Street, Wood Street, and North 20th Street; and property bounded by Wood Street, North 18th Street, Vine Street and North 19th Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with The Leon Sullivan Charitable Trust, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1415 North Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to Stated Meeting 24 11/16/2023 enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1628 through 40 John F. Kennedy Boulevard; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, as sublandlord, for use by the City, as subtenant, of a portion of the premises located at 216 North Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City Philadelphia, to enter into a lease with Crown Two Penn Center Associates, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Crease Street and Wildey Street; Lawrence Street and George Street; North 3rd Stated Meeting 25 11/16/2023 Street to Fairmount Avenue; North 3rd Street to George Street; North 6th Street and Brown Street; Wildey Street and Marlborough Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a certain parcel or parcel of land from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers an ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 4317 Fleming Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a multiyear agreement with Galaxy Restaurants Catering Group, doing business as Constellation Culinary Group, for the management and operation of event planning and catering at the Fairmount Stated Meeting 26 11/16/2023 Park Horticulture Center; and An ordinance renaming and designating the area of land bounded by Parkside Avenue and Belmont Avenue as "The Miller Parker Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park."
Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers a privileged resolution Honoring and Celebrating the 110th anniversary of the historic Falls of Schuylkill Library.
Thank you, Mr. President. One of the resolutions I introduced today was to change the name of a park which was dedicated to the Negro League in baseball, but the advocate for that park was a gentleman by the name of Miller Parker, who many of Stated Meeting 27 11/16/2023 you know, who was one of the principals at the Business and Technology Center on Parkside Avenue. Unfortunately, he passed away, but for those of you who knew him, he was the Frederick Douglass of West Philly. He had a stature and a fro that went together, and he always had something positive to say about business and about advocacy for the Parkside community. He will be truly missed and hopefully memorialized by his favorite park, which is the Negro Baseball League. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. That will be on today's Calendar.
And Councilman Jones and Councilwoman Gauthier offer a non-privileged resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass comprehensive legislation providing sustainable relief to an overburdened Stated Meeting 28 11/16/2023 system and to protect children held at the Juvenile Justice Services Center by recognizing time spent as time served.
Next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I want to start by thanking Majority Leader Jones for authoring this resolution, which I am proudly co-introducing. Majority Leader Jones has been a critical partner as we work to end the dangerous conditions at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, and his leadership on the issue helped bring the Center below capacity for the first time in more than 18 months. As of Monday, there were 181 young people in the Center, three below capacity, and I'm told that we dropped to an even lower level since then. Stated Meeting 29 11/16/2023 I also want to thank Councilmember Thomas for his advocacy and partnership on this issue. My team and I have been resolutely focused on addressing the deplorable conditions at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center for months. We started this work by hosting several listening sessions with young people who were formerly detained and young people who are currently detained at PJJSC so that we can hear what is going on directly from the source. We also spoke with leaders of various organizations that serve youth to understand what they were hearing. And we're in active conversation with DHS and with PA DHS at the state level to determine how we can reduce the number of young people we're sending to PJJSC and improve the conditions at the Center. So while I cannot say that the recent Inquirer story came as much of a surprise, it still broke my heart and Stated Meeting 30 11/16/2023 filled me with anger too, because no one should be subjugated to such inhumane conditions, most especially our children. But what is perhaps most mind-boggling to me is that young people do not get credit for the time they serve at PJJSC. This means, for example, that if a young person spends six months in detention awaiting a six-month placement, their sentence is effectively double. I don't understand -- I do understand that placements are intended to provide treatment, which a detention center is not equipped to do. However, I also believe that doubling and in some cases tripling or quadrupling someone's sentence is not justice. I also feel compelled to mention that the state occasionally sends young Philadelphians to Texas for placement, dropping them more than 1,500 miles away from their families, their communities, and their city. While this gets kids out of PJJSC, this is by Stated Meeting 31 11/16/2023 far one of the worst solutions proposed by the state and is unacceptable to me, full stop. These injustices work directly against our efforts to eradicate the school-to-prison pipeline and mass incarceration that has ripped working-class Black and brown families apart for generations. That's why through this resolution we're formally urging our colleagues in the General Assembly to enact commonsense legislative reform, reform that includes recognizing time spent at PJJSC as time served. We will keep working with the Administration on this issue until the young people and staff at PJJSC as well as the neighbors in the surrounding area feel safe. If you or your loved one are impacted by overcrowding at PJJSC, I encourage you to reach out to my office. We want to hear from you. We value your Stated Meeting 32 11/16/2023 insight, and we won't stand idly by as young people are forced to live in appalling conditions. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to take a moment to, first and foremost, thank Councilmembers Jones and Gauthier for their leadership on this particular issue. I just want to put an exclamation point on what this resolution is saying, because it's that important. Anybody who don't understand the importance and the significance of this, I can tell you firsthand I've been there. I've gone there. I was just there a couple weeks ago. And when you look at not just the conditions that the Stated Meeting 33 11/16/2023 staff and the young people are in but just put your mind around the fact that a young person is trying to put themselves in a position whereas though they're acknowledging they've done something wrong, they're trying to get their lives on the path to being a productive member of society and they're sitting in a juvenile center for they don't know how long. It could be a week, it could be a month, it could be six months. And while they're sitting there, they haven't started serving their sentence yet. This is a significant issue, because we're literally throwing time away that those young people will essentially never get back. So I appreciate both of my colleagues' leadership on this particular issue, and I rarely do this, but I had to take a moment just to think about the nine young people who I sat with when I was there a couple weeks ago and the young man who was sitting to my left that Stated Meeting 34 11/16/2023 literally said to me, I'm trying to get my life on the right track, but I can't even start serving my sentence because I've been sitting here waiting for six months. Imagine having that young man sitting right next to you, looking you in your face and telling you, I'm trying to do better, I want to get it right, I'm acknowledging that I made a mistake and I want to begin the process of turning my life around, but I'm stuck in limbo. Let's get our young people out of limbo. Let's put them in the position to be able to rectify their wrong, and if they are in the Juvenile Center and they pleaded guilty, they should begin serving their sentence right away. We as government should not force them to be in a position where they're sitting sometimes in the equivalence of solitary confinement because it's so packed there and they can't transition to the next phase of Stated Meeting 35 11/16/2023 their life. So, again, thank you to my colleagues for your leadership on this issue, but we're going to have to be very vocal and very aggressive in our advocacy working with our state partners to put us in a position to rectify this issue and a number of other issues that they're facing in the center. But I agree with my colleagues, this is probably the most urgent one that we're facing for those young people right now. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Again, next week's Calendar.
Councilman Johnson offers nine bills and one resolution. On his own behalf, Councilman Johnson offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an amendment to a lease agreement with AC HSS Office Stated Meeting 36 11/16/2023 Ventures, for use by the City of an additional portion of the premises located at 1930 South Broad Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1221 through 23 Bainbridge Street; and An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of projecting canopies in the vicinity of 200 South Broad Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Ellsworth Street and South 16th Street to South 20th Street; Latona Street and South 16th Street to South 20th Street; South 20th Street and Federal Street to Dickinson Street; South 21st Street and Annin Street; Mole Street and South Dickinson Street; and Stated Meeting 37 11/16/2023 An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 64th Street and Woodland Avenue; Cormorant Place and 66th Street; 65th Street and Woodland Avenue; 58th Street and Woodland Avenue. And on behalf of Councilwoman Lozada, Councilman Johnson offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 2844 Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 11-708 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Calming Measures for Schools," by authorizing the Department of Streets to additionally install traffic calming measures in the vicinity of recreation centers; and An ordinance adding a new Chapter 6-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, Stated Meeting 38 11/16/2023 entitled "City Reports on Opioid Antidote Use," to require certain reports from the Office of the Managing Director to Council concerning the City's use of opioid antidote; and An ordinance adding a new Chapter 10-2700 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Reports on Impermissible Camping," to require certain reports from the Office of the Managing Director to Council concerning camping activities carried out in violation of the Code and the City's efforts to address such activities.
Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Also on behalf of Councilwoman Lozada, Councilman Johnson offers a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3000 Ruth Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Next Stated Meeting 39 11/16/2023 week's Calendar.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers six bills and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on portions of City Plan Nos. 98 and 130, in the area lying north of Market Street and Powelton Avenue and west of 42nd Street, by placing on the City Plan Melville Street from Mandela Way to Holden Street, Holden Street from Melville Street to 45th Street, Nehemiah Way from Melville Street to Powelton Avenue, Busti Street from Nehemiah Way to Haverford Avenue, Mandela Way from Melville Street to Busti Street, 45th Street from Mandela Way to Holden Street, and St. Malachy's Way from Melville Street to Busti Street"; and An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 3231 Powelton Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Stated Meeting 40 11/16/2023 revision of lines and grades on portions of City Plan Nos. 98 and 130 by relocating the existing curblines and houselines at the intersection of Powelton Avenue and Nehemiah Way and at the intersection of Busti Street and Haverford Avenue to accommodate various intersection improvements; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to lease or sublease a portion of the premises owned by the School District of Philadelphia bounded by Walnut Street, South 59th Street, Spruce Street, and South 58th Street in Philadelphia; and An ordinance authorizing the paving of Melville Street from Mandela Way to Holden Street, Holden Street from Melville Street to 45th Street, Nehemiah Way from Melville Street to Powelton Avenue, Busti Street from Nehemiah Way to Haverford Avenue, Mandela Way from Stated Meeting 41 11/16/2023 Melville Street to Busti Street, 45th Street from Mandela Way to Holden Street, and St. Malachy's Way from Melville Street to Busti Street; and An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan Nos. 98 and 130 and vacating of Busti Street, extending northwardly from Holden Street to a cul-de-sac, and Holden Street, extending westwardly from Powelton Avenue to a cul-de-sac.
Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution designating November 25, 2023 the Day of Serenity in the City of Philadelphia, providing communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence the opportunity to gather in peace and healing.
Thank Stated Meeting 42 11/16/2023 you, Council President. I wanted to speak on this resolution briefly. The Day of Serenity was first organized by Charles Tone Barr in 2021 -or following 2021 where we had 562 homicides, and Tone really wanted to have a day where communities impacted by gun violence could gather and could heal, and he also meant for it to be a day where we recognize the positivity that is present within these communities. A lot of times because we've been experiencing this gun violence crisis, the violence becomes the story, but these neighborhoods are full of positive stories as well and love and hard-working people who are trying every day to keep it together for themselves and their families and also doing a lot to keep their neighbors safe and keep young people safe. And so that is what the Day of Serenity is meant to symbolize. I want to recognize Tone Barr, Stated Meeting 43 11/16/2023 who is here with us today. Tone, can you stand. (Applause.)
In addition to organizing this day, Tone works with Philadelphia Masjid doing a lot of great community engagement. He mentors young people at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center and is just a great community leader and my friend. So thank you so much for this day, and I'm glad that we're able to recognize it here in Council. And I also wanted to take an opportunity to recognize some people who are here with us today. So up in the balcony we have middle school students from Penn Alexander. Please stand, guys. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 44 11/16/2023
So these students are actually Penn Alexander's Student Council. So they are playing a leadership and a governance role within their school, and they came to see their City Council in action, and we welcome them today. Thank you so much for joining us. (Applause.)
And then we also have some parents and staff here from the Philadelphia School District's Head Start Program. Can you guys stand up. (Applause.)
And they are actually joining us -- they are part of Head Start's Policy Council. So they're here to see their government in Stated Meeting 45 11/16/2023 action as well and brought here by DeWayne Drummond, who not only works for Head Start but is a great ward leader and community leader in Mantua. So thank you so much for joining us today. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah. Thank you, Council President. I also want to echo the sentiments of my colleague just in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of Tone Barr as relates to addressing the issue of senseless gun violence here in the City of Philadelphia. I met Tone about two years ago at the Church of Christian Compassion at Stated Meeting 46 11/16/2023 a funeral for a young man that was murdered, and from that point forward, I had a chance to develop a relationship with him but, most importantly, observing him being on the front line day in and day out and trying to find ways to address gun violence through violence prevention and bringing people all from across the City of Philadelphia together around working on this critical issue. And so well-deserved acknowledgment. Also acknowledging his supporter, Roc-A-Fella former recording artist Philadelphia Freeway, who runs the Freedom Thinkers Academy. Let's give -both of you stand and give both of them a round of applause as well. (Applause.)
I think the fact that Freeway took time out of his schedule to come down here to be supportive of Tone is a testament of Stated Meeting 47 11/16/2023 Tone's character, because at the end of the day when you're very busy and you're going around the country in the music industry but also promoting your own philanthropic efforts, to take time out and show support of a friend who is also being acknowledged is a testament of what Tone stands for. So, Tone, you continue to keep up the good work with you and your team and the great work that you're doing at Philadelphia Masjid, and congratulations. Good job, Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers also a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Stated Meeting 48 11/16/2023 Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1221 Saint Bernard Street in the Third Councilmanic District.
Councilman Driscoll offers three bills, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with NF 6601 New State Partners, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 6601 New State Road"; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with Orthodox Street Properties, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 3150 Orthodox Street; and An ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Stated Meeting 49 11/16/2023 "Commercial Activities on Streets," by designating a neighborhood business district in the 6th Councilmanic District for authorized sidewalk vending and making technical changes.
Thank you. Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committees.
Councilwoman Bass offers eight bills. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to modify certain easements and enter into an easement agreement with Famell, LLC for a portion of the parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Noble Street, 12th Street, Callowhill Street, and 13th Street, more commonly known as 411 through 19 North 13th Street.
And an ordinance Stated Meeting 50 11/16/2023 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an amendment to a sublease with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City, of an additional portion of the premises located at 1327 through 29 Chestnut Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an amendment to a sublease with Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1101 Market Street; and An ordinance repealing an ordinance (Bill No. 230486) entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 308 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Addison Street from a point approximately eighty feet east of Fifth Street to its terminus further Stated Meeting 51 11/16/2023 eastwardly therefrom and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right of way for sewer and drainage purposes within the portion of Addison Street being stricken and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right of way"; and An ordinance authorizing an encroachment in the nature of a staircase in the vicinity of 1446 South 8th Street; and An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 2620 East Allegheny Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 2636 East Ann Street. And on her own behalf, Councilwoman Bass offers an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease Stated Meeting 52 11/16/2023 Houy, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 3724 North Broad Street.
Thank you. Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. And our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a report from the Committee on Law and Government.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Law and Government reports one bill and one resolution with a favorable recommendation. Stated Meeting 53 11/16/2023
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Law and Government, to which was referred Bill No. 230740, entitled "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 provide for indemnification and defense by the City in connection with claims made against any registered community organization arising directly out of the lawful participation by such an organization in zoning matters and related land-use process"; and Resolution No. 230750, entitled a "Resolution proposing an amendment to Stated Meeting 54 11/16/2023 Charter to provide for indemnification and defense by the City in connection with claims made against any registered community organization arising directly out of the lawful participation by such an organization in zoning matters and related land-use process; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill and resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 230740. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 55 11/16/2023
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 230740. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Resolution No. 230750 will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
I just wanted to recognize someone. Do you want to finish the -- Stated Meeting 56 11/16/2023
No. Go ahead. We're good. Do you want to do it now, yeah, before I call up the next bill. You can go now.
Okay. I just wanted to recognize Councilmember-elect Nicholas O'Rourke who is joining me today in Council. That's it.
Thank you. You have to say a prayer for us before you become a member of this body, sir. Thank you. And I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge and recognize Councilmember-elect Jeff Young. Stated Meeting 57 11/16/2023 (Applause.)
I don't want to get scolded by the people in the 5th District saying, you didn't recognize J. Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Thomas for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports out three bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 230249, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 52nd Street Stated Meeting 58 11/16/2023 West Berks Street; and a no parking truck regulation on both sides of 53rd Street between Lebanon Avenue and Arlington Street"; and Bill No. 230511, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 4001 Cresson Street"; and Bill No. 230717, entitled "An ordinance extending the term of existence of The Philadelphia Parking Authority," 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 Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading this day of Bills No. 230249, 230511, and 230717. Stated Meeting 59 11/16/2023 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 230249, 230511, and 230717. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Driscoll for a report from the Committee on License and Inspection.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Licenses and Inspections reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting 60 11/16/2023 Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which was referred Bill No. 230569, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-4400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Responsible Business Operations,' to expand the provisions for video monitoring of nuisance businesses and to provide additional enforcement mechanisms in connection with certain nuisance businesses engaged in drug paraphernalia sales"; and Bill No. 230647, entitled "An ordinance amending Subcode 'A' (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) and Subcode 'PM' (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code) of Title 4 and Chapter 9-3900 ('Property Licenses and Owner Accountability') of The Philadelphia Code to modify prohibitions, remedies, including fines, and licensing and Stated Meeting 61 11/16/2023 shared retaining walls," 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 Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 230569 and 230647. (Duly seconded.)
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. 230569 and 230647. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 62 11/16/2023
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 230576, entitled "An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly Stated Meeting 63 11/16/2023 Charles Baker Recreation Center, located at 5433 Lansdowne Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the 'Charles Baker and Carol Baker Rice Recreation Center,'" respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 230576. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 230576. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting 64 11/16/2023 (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee on Public Safety.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Safety reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred Bill No. 230510, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of The Stated Meeting 65 11/16/2023 Code, entitled 'Public Spaces - Prohibited Conduct,' by prohibiting certain facial coverings from being worn in certain spaces; under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 230510. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. Stated Meeting 66 11/16/2023 230510. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar, and 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 the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. There are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar today, so the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar Stated Meeting 67 11/16/2023 2ND READING today.
Thank you again, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills will be called up from Second Reading to Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 230786, 230789, 230795, 230796, 230797, 230798, 230800, 230574-A, and 230654. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Before we consider the bills and resolutions on the Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. Our public comment session will go as follows: If you have signed up to speak as a witness today, your name will be called in the order of which you signed up. If you have not signed up and you still have an interest in speaking in the public comment session today, you may do so in the hallway at the desk with the Sergeant-of-Arms. Stated Meeting 68 11/16/2023 When your name is called, you will come in, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device, along with a mic. 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 please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. Today because of the low volume, we will have the maximum three minutes allowed to testify on a particular bill or resolution. Thank you very much for your willingness to participate, again, in your government in action. And with that, Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Good morning. Rebecca Johnson. I am the Executive Director of AIA Philadelphia. I wanted to briefly thank Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for acknowledging 150 years of the American Institute of Architects in Philadelphia. Our association is not only one of the largest communities of architects in the country, it has also over its 150-year history been committed to supporting communities in Philadelphia. We care very much about a lot of the issues that you are talking about here in this body. Architecture and the built environment has a profound impact on all of us, both individually and collectively, and together we want to work with you to continue the work that you have already done to make Philadelphia a leader in sustainability, in building performance, investing in high-quality public spaces for every Stated Meeting 70 11/16/2023 neighborhood in Philadelphia, to focus and foster equity and diversity in both the design and the construction industries, and be bold and impactful when thinking about how to meet the affordable housing crisis in our city. On behalf of over 1,800 architects that I am honored to represent, we thank you for this recognition. We look forward to working with you to design an even better Philadelphia. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Charles Tone Barr. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My Stated Meeting 71 11/16/2023 name is Charles Tone Barr. I'm the Community Liaison Director of the Philadelphia Masjid. I want to, first and foremost, thank Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. Thank you, Kenyatta Johnson, for the warm remarks. I'm kind of nervous because I haven't really spoke like this in a while, but the Day of Serenity is the day where we honor 20 families who have been affected by gun violence and trauma. So, you know, it's not a Christian thing, it's not a Muslim thing, it's a humanitarian type thing what we're dealing with. There used to be a time when women and children were safe. You can forget about that now. So, you know, gun violence is a symptom of a huge problem that we must come together to fight. So I'm asking for everybody in here, please, I'll work with anybody, but we have to eradicate this gun violence. So, you know, I'm always at the Philadelphia Masjid, and Stated Meeting 72 11/16/2023 I'm boots on the ground, and I'm going to keep on fighting and fighting until we eradicate gun violence. So thank you for passing this resolution. And like I said, it's a humanitarian thing what we're dealing with right now. It's not a white issue, it's not a Black issue. It's a humanitarian issue, and we got to be boots on the ground fighting this, because I'm not okay with burying children every other day. I'm not okay with burying females every other day. You know, so we have to stand together in solitude, and we got to stand together. Thank you.
The next speaker Stated Meeting 73 11/16/2023 is Crystal Canty, commenting on 210396. (Witness approached podium.)
I want to say I appreciate the love that our children are receiving here today as far as planning new things for them to stop the gun violence. One of the one major things that I think we are overlooking is the fact that a lot of our children are not with their parents. It's making them unhappy, and a lot of the reasons why we have the gun violence with the young society today is because they're not -their family life is jacked up. Excuse me. Their family life is not where it needs to be. And I think if we look a little bit more into DHS reform and the ways that they are breaking up families, we wouldn't have so many abandoned Stated Meeting 74 11/16/2023 children out here. A lot of the women are losing their children over something as simple as beds, something as simple as just having an apartment. I think if we fix the housing issue in Philadelphia, it would help a lot of the ongoing problems as far as violence, as far as children hanging out in the street, not having anywhere to go and different things like that. I brought some things that I would like you guys to look over because -(Witness speaking without microphone.)
Ma'am, we want to make sure we hear what you're saying. Just speak into the mic.
Okay. I'm sorry. I brought some flyers and some different things that I would like for you guys to look over and maybe take into consideration a lot of the programs that Stated Meeting 75 11/16/2023 I've built in Southwest Philadelphia. As far as Tasty Tuesdays is an after-school community youth dinner where we hand out groceries and different meals to the children. They loved it. Another one of the things that I've made up was the first annual Family First Charity. It's a garden party. It's to help women of DHS get lawyers and different things that they need in order to keep their children so that we won't have so many lost children in foster care, not knowing who they are. So I just wanted to say -another thing as far as the mortgages and foreclosing, 50 percent of Philadelphia are renters. That has a lot to do with why a lot of people don't respect homes and values and different things like that. If we -- the three most essential things that we need is food, shelter, and water. So if those things are being overlooked, there will be a lot Stated Meeting 76 11/16/2023 of unhappy people. So maybe we can look into those things, settling these things, and then our children can be a lot more happier with the parents. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Lynn Landes, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Lynn Landes, founder of wildfoodies.org. I support Resolution 210913 authorizing City Council to retain legal counsel to file a lawsuit to require the Administration to implement and enforce Stated Meeting 77 11/16/2023 the Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces Act, which was designed to end the use of pesticides on City property. This is an enforcement issue. The non-enforcement of local, state, and federal laws has become a blight on our nation and demands our attention, particularly when it applies to our constitutional rights, such as the right to free speech. For example, today I would like to speak about the election we just had, but City Council policy of restricting public comments to agenda items only precludes me from doing so. This policy, no matter how well intentioned, is a violation of both state and federal Sunshine Acts. In addition, the motion concerning the Calendar that is inserted at the beginning of each meeting, each City Council meeting, also appears to violate the Sunshine Act as it routinely allows City Council to vote on Stated Meeting 78 11/16/2023 substantive matters without giving the public the opportunity to make an informed public comment. Add to that many City Council committees do not hold regularly scheduled meetings where citizens could make public comments on government matters. Instead, they only hold meetings when they have an agenda that they have approved. Frankly, we do have the right to talk about important government issues at regularly scheduled public meetings. For example, we continue to hold elections where votes are cast and counted without any meaningful oversight that is necessary in order to guarantee the integrity of election results. This is not a democrat versus republican issue. It also affects who wins the primaries and questions on the ballot. Frankly, I think many, if not most, Americans are fed up with our political parties and want to focus -want the focus to be on the issues, and Stated Meeting 79 11/16/2023 in that context, Americans want their voices not only to be heard but also to count. How we do that is something we should be talking about. Thank you.
The next speaker is Wick Savage, commenting on 210396. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, President City Council Darrell Clarke and Councilmembers. I'm discussing the matter of Bill 210918, the foreclosure bill that Councilman Curtis Jones has permitted or has introduced to Council body. I first want to thank the Council and also the City of Philadelphia Stated Meeting 80 11/16/2023 for electing the first female Mayor in 100 years of Philadelphia. We all deserve an applause for that great accomplishment. I also want to thank Councilman Clarke for having some form of input, and also Councilman Curtis Jones, to have the Philadelphia Eagles and Comcast to grant both of those teams that have witnessed and experienced such a violent act and plan a football game. Both teams have been awarded $5,000 to improve their security in both of those facilities. That is a great accomplishment. Now I want to get on the subject about foreclosures. The City of Philadelphia is the elephant in the room. It has powers to stop and legislate and the power of the pen to stop any form of institutions that are affecting the citizens. Foreclosures are a detriment to people owning their homes. Everyone don't deserve to be kicked out in the Stated Meeting 81 11/16/2023 street. You have a 10,000 pound gorilla, the banks and the legal community. They have one interest - the bottom line. The homeowners of Philadelphia don't have a chance fighting against that 10,000 pound gorilla. You have to do everything in your powers to help the citizens of Philadelphia to be able to have a fair fighting chance against the unbelievable, unbelievable facilities and individuals that have all the resources to take these people's homes. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public Stated Meeting 82 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING comment for today. We will now move on to our consideration of the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution No. 230786.
A resolution honoring and congratulating Marcus Morris on his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, his hometown team.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for Councilman Thomas.
Thank you. I move for the adoption, on behalf of Councilmember Thomas, of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 83 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230794.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3358 Kensington Avenue located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Lozada, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting 84 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230795.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2045 North 4th Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 85 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230796.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1909 North Philip Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 86 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - 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, 230797.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2550 North Lee Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, I move for Stated Meeting 87 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230798.
A resolution authorizing the conveyance of ownership interest in and the assignment of the purchase and development agreement for 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 East Somerset Street, and 3022 and 3026 North American Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
And the Chair again recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting 88 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 230800.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5232 Chester Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
The Stated Meeting 89 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion on behalf of Councilwoman Gauthier.
On behalf of Member Gauthier, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230574-A.
An ordinance to amend Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Stated Meeting 90 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Districts," by creating the "Brewerytown-Sharswood Overlay Subarea."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Harrity. Stated Meeting 91 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. And I also for the record would like to vote aye on all bills and resolutions that I might have missed. Thank you, Council President.
Let the record reflect that Councilman Thomas is voting aye on all bills and resolutions during his absence from the Chamber. Thank you, Councilman.
Councilwoman Vaughn. Stated Meeting 92 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 11; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 230654.
An ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2022 through 2026 and Annual Action Plan 2022 through 2023 to add $163,204,000 in Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting 93 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Stated Meeting 94 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Thomas.
Aye. The ayes are 11; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring and congratulating the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia on its 150th Anniversary celebration, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank Stated Meeting 95 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. I move 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 authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to investigate the rise in moving violations and traffic deaths since 2020 and explore solutions to create a safer Philadelphia for people walking, cycling and driving, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas. Stated Meeting 96 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - 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 honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Saulih Khalifah, a carpenter apprentice at Carpenters' Apprentice Ready Program, for his dedication and hard work advancing his carpentry skills, introduced today by Councilman Thomas and Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Stated Meeting 97 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair again recognizes Councilman Thomas.
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 Honoring and Celebrating the 110th anniversary of the historic Falls of Schuylkill Library, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Stated Meeting 98 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution designating November 25, 2023 the Day of Serenity in the City of Philadelphia, providing communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence the opportunity to gather in peace and healing, introduced today by Councilwoman Gauthier.
Hi, Stated Meeting 99 11/16/2023 11/16/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. Sorry. Can I be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions previously, and 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 let the record reflect that Councilwoman Gauthier is voting aye on all bills and resolutions during her absence from the Chamber.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar for Stated Meeting 100 11/16/2023 today, and we will now have our speeches. Any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to recognize that in a couple of days we will be sitting with our families, God willing, being thankful for the things that we have, being thankful for each other and thankful for the fact that we can spend that time together. About 5,775 miles from here in the Middle East, there won't be that kind of Thanksgiving celebration. There won't be that time to appreciate family members. We recognized in this Council the fact that we don't support Stated Meeting 101 11/16/2023 terrorists, that we did not support the invasion and kidnapping of innocent people that were taken into Gaza, but we also have a responsibility to cite that there have been over 4,500 children murdered since that time, almost one per mile in the distance that we have here. In Gaza, it has the largest funeral burial ground for young people in the world. So what I hope that during this time that we are enjoying each other, that we pray for peace, that we pray for the cease and desist of hostility, that they find that common ground that we can find peace, because it has the potential to spread far beyond Gaza. And we should not forget those who were killed in Israel, those who were kidnapped from Israel, and those who are dying in Gaza today. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting 102 11/16/2023 (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take an opportunity to remind all of our colleagues in Council regarding the presence of the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia Chapter. We'll have a meet-and-greet after Council today. And for the record, colleagues, we will have catering provided by Details by Ms. Dawn, an outstanding African American female-owned caterer here in the Philadelphia region. So we invite you all to join us with the architects directly after Council. Thank you very much.
Stated Meeting 103 11/16/2023 you, Councilwoman. There being no additional speeches on behalf of the minority and the majority, with that, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 30th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting 104 11/16/2023 all very much. ) Stated Meeting 105 11/16/2023 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. org. works 29:16 75:4 vocal 45:4 76:21 22:5 43:9 35:6 warm willingness 45:3 Z voices 71:7 68:18 worn zoning 79:3 water wins 65:5 53:22 54:8 volume 75:24 78:20 worst 89:23,25 68:14 ways Wiota 31:2 volunteered 46:7 73:24 11:19 worthy 21:21 weak withdraw 3:20 vote 2:6 3:16 7:2 wrong 77:25 week witnessed 33:7 34:16 91:14 17:24 80:10 voted 33:11 witnesses Y 6:25 96:19 70:22 y'all votes week's women 21:20 78:15 28:6 35:17 71:17 74:3 years 39:2 48:6 75:10 15:25 21:2 voting 91:20 92:8 weeks Wood 45:24 69:7 94:12 32:24 14:22,23 80:3 99:3,17 33:24 23:11,12 yellow well- Woodland 68:8 W deserved 37:4,6,7 young 46:12 21:23 22:3 waiting work 34:5 west 18:3 19:9 28:22 27:7 39:10 28:16 29:9 29:10,12, walking 58:2 31:5 45:19 21 30:6,9, 17:19 westwardly 47:11,12 21 31:19 95:22 41:11 69:21 32:3 33:2, walls 4,17,23,25 white 71:22 61:3 34:7,14 72:8 96:22 Walnut 35:13 Wick working 40:16 42:22 79:13 21:23 wanted 43:11 46:2 22:16 18:10 wide 56:25 31:17 35:7 21:25 16:3 23:3 73:18 46:11 42:2,7 70:11