Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 21, 2020 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting May 21, 2020
Thank you, and good morning. We're going to get started now. I understand that the state law currently requires that the following announcement be made at the beginning of every remote Council session: Due to the current public health emergency, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, Inquirer, and Legal Intelligencer prior to this meeting and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance. Members that are in attendance will please indicate that you are present, and say a couple of words to make sure that the image and Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and all of Philadelphia. Thank you for being here this morning.
Good morning, Council colleagues and everyone. I'm glad to be here this morning.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and the public, and happy Thursday.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Happy to be here today.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues and good morning, Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Pleasure to be here this Thursday. Looking forward to a productive session.
Good morning, Council President. Good Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 morning, colleagues. Happy Thursday.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Hope everybody is well. Look forward to a very productive session.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, Philadelphia. I want you to mask up and vote by mail.
I'm sorry. It's Councilman Oh. Had a little technical difficulty here. I'm on.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues. And, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, I like that not good morning, America. Good morning, Philadelphia.
Good morning, colleagues, and I want to thank everyone for their patience this morning. We're going to get to your business. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Happy to be here. Looking forward to continuing our work.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Excited to be here and happy to do the work.
Yes, I'm here, and we're going to get started. With a quorum of Council present, we will now come to order. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 great need, there will be no invocation today. We will, however, observe a very brief moment of silent prayer for our city, its leaders, and citizens during the current public health crisis. We will now observe a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Friday, May 1st, 2020, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Friday, May 1st, 2020 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Friday, May 1st, 2020 stand Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is the request for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, a leave of absence is requested for Councilman Johnson, and we also keep him in our prayers.
Absolutely. The Chair thanks the Councilwoman and leave will be granted for Councilman Johnson, and our prayers, as you say, to he and his family. Our next order of business is Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 have messages from the Mayor or any other messages in his possession, and if so, please read those messages. (Pause.)
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, per your request that my Administration note all business before Council that should be considered related to our response to the pandemic or otherwise necessary to allow for expedited action, I respectfully request and submit for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the Director of Finance's Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund Withdrawal Certification for purposes of allowing utilization of $34,276,000 in the Reserve Fund for General Fund purposes in connection with the FY2021 Operating Budget; and Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Director of Planning and Development, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant; to file applications to participate in the HOME Investment Partnership program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program; and to apply for a Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant; and to file applications with the Commonwealth to obtain grants under the Act of April 12, 1956 to prevent and eliminate blight; and An ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2019 through 2020 to add $40,410,779 in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And, Mr. Decker, will you please read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the Councilmembers.
Councilwoman Parker offers on behalf of Council President Clarke a non-privileged resolution, entitled a "Resolution approving the Director of Finance's Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund Withdrawal Certification for purposes of allowing utilization of $34,276,000 in the Reserve Fund for General Fund purposes in connection with the FY2021 Operating Budget."
And that will be heard at our next session of Council.
Councilwoman Gym offers an ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code to add a new Chapter, entitled "Employee Protections in Connection with COVID-19 Emergency Health Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Order," to provide workplace protections in emergency health orders and regulations, provide protections for employees against retaliatory actions both for the disclosure of information related to employer non-compliance with such orders and for refusal to work under unsafe conditions caused by non-compliance with such orders.
That will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution condemning any and all racist and xenophobic rhetoric against Asian and Asian American communities amid the rise of COVID-19, and expressing appreciation for the resilience, support, and contributions of the City of Philadelphia's Asian American and Chinese American communities.
Councilman Henon Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 offers a privileged resolution recognizing May 17 to May 23, 2020 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of Philadelphia, and Further Honoring the Philadelphia Paramedics on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilman Jones offers a privileged resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and Commerce and Economic Development to hold public hearings on the safe re-opening of small businesses along commercial corridors, particularly restaurants that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Share Food Program, for providing emergency food relief to the vulnerable populations of Philadelphia over the past Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 34 years, and for further increasing their efforts to bring nutritious food to our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilman Green offers on behalf of Council President Clarke an ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2019 through 2020 to add $40,410,779 in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding. And also Councilman Green on behalf of Council President Clarke offers an ordinance authorizing the Director of Planning and Development, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant; to file applications to participate in the HOME Investment Partnership program and the Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Emergency Solutions Grant program; and to apply for a Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant; and to file applications with the Commonwealth to obtain grants under the Act of April 12, 1956 to prevent and eliminate blight.
Councilman Green also offers a privileged resolution authorizing the Committees on Finance and Commerce & Economic Development to hold joint hearings regarding Philadelphia's safe, equitable, and robust economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Councilman Domb offers a non-privileged resolution calling on the Mayor of Philadelphia to formally appoint a provisional Chief Recovery Officer position in the Department of Finance responsible for the management and administration of all Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 federal and state grants, or otherwise categorized COVID-19 financial recovery dollars, to the City of Philadelphia until the Mayor and City Council do so jointly determine that the position shall be dissolved.
Councilman Thomas offers a privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Public Health & Human Services to hold hearings regarding the disproportionate numbers of seniors in congregate care settings who have passed away as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilman Oh offers a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on plans, procedures, and global best practices for Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 restarting the economy in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Councilman Oh offers a non-privileged resolution calling on the Kenney Administration to delay the elimination of the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, including its workforce, and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the principal supporters for the City's $3.4 billion creative arts industry, generating annual tax revenue of $157 million, until Council completes the City's fiscal year 2021 Budget and Recovery Plan for the COVID-19 pandemic. Council President Clarke, Councilman Oh would like to be recognized for a motion on this resolution.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move to Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 the rules of Council so as to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered by the members today, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Today we have no reports from committee, so we will now proceed under a special order of business, a motion to add one additional meeting to the schedule of Council sessions for the year Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 2020. This motion reflects the fact that this may well be the most challenging budget any of us has ever faced, and I would like to take the "may," it will be the most challenging budget any of us has ever faced, and we do so under unique and very difficult conditions. There is important work to do before adopting the final operating budget and related revenue measures for the City. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I wish to add an additional meeting to the schedule of Council sessions for the year 2020 and, accordingly, I move that the Council meet on Thursday, June 25th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to conduct a regular Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Council meet Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Thursday, June 25th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to conduct a regular Council session. To be sure we have a clear majority on this motion, we will take a roll call vote. Please note that a vote of aye is a vote in favor of the motion that Council meet on Thursday, June 25th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to conduct a regular Council session. A vote of nay is a vote to defeat the motion. The Clerk will now call the roll.
Thank you. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries, and the Council will meet on Thursday, June 25th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to conduct a regular session of Council. Thank you all very much. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There are no bills on the First Reading Calendar today, so today we are only Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 2ND READING considering those legislative matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar that directly pertain to the COVID-19 crisis. There are four such matters on the Calendar. The prime sponsors of those matters have already communicated their desire to have those matters considered today. I, therefore, recognize Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up those matters from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 200308, 200311, 200312, and 200313. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Before considering these resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Under normal circumstances, public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of these matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support or against the legislation on the list. We will telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal circumstances, they will each have three minutes to speak. However, given the time limit, we may vary from session to session. Today I believe we have five members, so we will allow three minutes to testify, five members. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 We will start the timer once your name is called, and when the three minutes are up, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines. Mr. Decker, would you please call the first name on the list.
Yeah. This is Ms. Shikomba speaking, yes, speaking on Resolution No. 200311 regarding landlords. Basically I do support all the resolutions. I do think they should show some compassion for people who during COVID have lost their jobs or been Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 unemployed, and this is no time for them to be evicting people. I also have a problem with City Council. They need to hear the same thing, show compassion. You getting ready to pass an extended tax abatement for people who -- this is ridiculous. How can you extend the tax abatement when we have been strapped for money? Okay. This is terrible. Also you want to provide by extending the tax abatement, people won't be paying taxes. We are short on money. I am extremely angry, because some of your agencies are now extending money that they got for this year and sending it out on trivial matters. One is the standard ability sending out -- let me calm myself down, because I'm getting mad. They sending out mailings concerning some survey on Washington Avenue, spending money that we need so badly for so many other things. You need Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 to check your agencies and find out what they doing with the money that they haven't spent for this year and how they targeting it, so then get some more money. Where from? Anyway, we all need to show compassion, especially for the poor senior citizens like myself and the disabled people. Instead we running around here playing with our money like you are. Stop this nonsense. I'm tired of having to pay for things to the extent that you want us to pay and we are not receiving any relief.
Please be compassionate to us. You want the landlords to be compassionate to the tenants. We ask that you be compassionate to the citizens of Philadelphia and check yourself on what you spending our money on. And I mean check yourself. This is ridiculous. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 This is not right for you to have money that was not spent and now you have these agencies running out here spending money, spending money just to get rid of it so they can have an empty budget. Give me a break. Okay.
Good morning, members of City Council. My name is Brianna Westbrooks and I represent the Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Pennsylvania Apartment Association. I am commenting in support of Resolution 200311. Throughout this crisis, members of the Pennsylvania Apartment Association and property owners throughout the City have proactively worked with and collaborated with Philadelphians. Resolution 200311 refers to the letter that the Attorney General Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Apartment Association co-signed together. We are very appreciative of our dialogue between our organization and the Governor's Office. Not only have we been working with residents to create payment plans that meet the needs of both renters and property owners, but we have also been working at the state and federal level to advocate for rental assistance for residents. In addition, the Governor recently announced that the state will be issuing rent rebates early. This action, as well as additional funding towards Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 housing from both the state and federal government, will help Philadelphians during this time. However, we do know that more can be done. The Pennsylvania Apartment Association wants to work in collaboration with all levels of government to make sure that residents and property owners receive the resources necessary to support Philadelphia. We look forward to continuing to work with you all to find solutions that keep both renters and property owners in mind. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony, ma'am.
Hello. Yes. This is -- I couldn't get through before, but this is Victor Pinckney, Sr. I'd like to thank the Council President and Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Council for allowing me to speak in reference to Resolution 200311 --
Okay -(continued) that covers the representation made by Attorney General Shapiro that property owners should work with their tenants during the COVID crisis by waiving late fees for residents who have provided documentation of financial hardships because of COVID, create payment plans for them, and help them find resources to help them with expenses, something HAPCO has been telling members to do since the beginning of the emergency. Thank you.
How you doing? My name is Brian Jackson. I appreciate your time. I currently own and manage properties in several of the Councilmembers' districts. I wanted to call to speak in support of Resolution 200311, which obviously addresses the guidance issued by Pennsylvania AG Shapiro in April that encouraged property owners to work with renters during this pandemic. Right now, and for the past few months, we have been working with residents to help them identify resources that would better attend to their needs in this time of crisis considering what we are all going through. So I support this resolution. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 I know that teamwork between all of us during this pandemic is important, and we have to continue this as we move forward. I personally have even been spending time with other landlords like myself to help them specifically deal with their tenants, because everyone's situation is different, and we need to understand that. That is the best course of action, in my opinion, that we work with our tenants as landlords, not issue new legislation that will cause us to put us all in financial burden. Although the federal government and state government have dedicated more resources to Philadelphians, I am aware that more can be done to help everyone. We look forward to working with the elected officials on every level and to make sure that renters and property owners receive the attention, resources, and funding we need to get through this. I appreciate everyone's time, and thank you for the opportunity to Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 express my support.
Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Thank you for your testimony.
Good morning. I'm speaking in favor of Councilman Domb's Resolution 200311. Good morning, esteemed members of Council. Thank you for having my colleagues and me with you today, albeit not in person. My 111-year-old, fourth-generation real estate company handles multi-family investment building and management in Council Districts 1, 2, and 3 in Mr. Squilla, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Blackwell. I also sit on the Board of Directors of HAPCO Philadelphia, which is the largest landlord advocacy group in Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 Philadelphia. HAPCO Philadelphia represents nearly 2,000 rental property owners that own or manage nearly 20,000 low-to-moderate and market-rate single-family and multi-family properties in the City. Millions of us in the real estate industry in Philadelphia have long been singled out as seemingly endless sources of stop-gap funding when the City is cash strapped, and there have been many, many budget woes over the years, especially now in the COVID-19 world we're all struggling with. The housing sector is a resilient one and has been able to weather ups and downs in the local economy with no problem, though it has not been easy. Ever increasing taxes and regulations stifle initiatives. However, in light of the overwhelming pandemic-related issues we face now, I join my colleagues today to affirm Councilman Domb's resolution. Councilman Domb's resolution is a logical Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 person-first approach that I and most of my contemporaries believe is the most considerate way to help our fellow man during the pandemic. By regularly agreeing to tenant-specific rental payment workouts and other thoughtful concessions like waiving late payment fees, landlords and tenants are better able to cope with overwhelming circumstances that both landlords and tenants face right now. It is important that landlords, tenants, and governing bodies recognize and respect each other's liabilities and limitations. Further, knowledgeable and experienced landlords who have contacts in the community at different levels of government and can clearly communicate and pass along vital information such as available financial assistance and programs from government and charitable and trade organizations are better positioned to help tenants remain current on their rent and solvent and safely Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 sheltered and also be able to help themselves by having rent-producing, tax-producing properties that enable owners to pay not only costs of property upkeep and operation, but also their own bills and feed their own families. Finally, there's been a lot of talk in all level of government about allotments of cash, grants, and loans to be coming down the pike. It's been slow and confusing at times and likely will continue to be, so as nothing like this has ever been tried. It's understandable that there will be stumps and starts. As a community of people, businesses, and consumers, we need to work together with all stakeholders. Thank you for your time.
Mr. President, as there are no other speakers, with your permission, I'll release the public commenters and allow them to disconnect. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING As they disconnect, there will be a brief disruptive message coming from Microsoft Teams as multiple people leave the meeting.
Public commenters, you are now released from the meeting. You may hang up. Thank you for your comments. (Pause.)
Thank you. We will now consider the resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution No. 200308.
A resolution calling on the United States Congress and Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING the Pennsylvania General Assembly to take immediate action to provide municipalities a comprehensive relief package to stabilize the local rental housing market and support property owners.
And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you very much, Council President, and I'd like to acknowledge the previous public speakers who emphasized the importance of state and federal relief to complement what we are doing here in the City of Philadelphia. We compliment Attorney General Shapiro for his letter that publicly called for an extension of the eviction moratorium, the waiving of late fees, installment of payment plans, and important measures to provide the thousands and thousands of renters who comprise almost half of Philadelphia households to be protected in this time. Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING And I am glad to say that our City Council body is actually leading on that by putting these things into action on the Emergency Housing Protections Act, which has a hearing next Friday in the Committee on Housing. But, most importantly, we want the state and the federal government to provide for this. This past week, the House bill passed a $100 billion package to provide renter assistance directly to municipalities, landlords and renters themselves. It is important that it gets passed in the Senate. The State of Pennsylvania also has $3.9 billion in money, and our Philadelphia delegation has been discussing how some of that money can go directly towards the municipalities for renter relief to support both our landlords and our renters in this important time. I'm proud that we've been at the leadership of it, and I'm grateful for the chance to continue to send this Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING message up to our Harrisburg delegation and to our federal government. And with that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200311.
A resolution supporting Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in his call to all landlords in the Commonwealth and Philadelphia to provide aid to their tenants during the Covid-19 crisis and throughout its Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING aftermath.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, will you please read the title of Resolution No. 200312.
A resolution urging the President, Senate, and House of Representatives to amend the CARES Act Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING to provide that U.S. citizens with immigrant spouses who file joint taxes are eligible to receive economic stimulus payments for both adults and any dependent children, even if the immigrant spouse does not have a Social Security number.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move that the resolution be passed. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200313.
A resolution urging the City Health Commissioner to issue an emergency order, under the authority vested in Section 6-205 and Section 8-407 of The Philadelphia Code, requiring hospitals and other healthcare institutions to provide an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees during the duration of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
And, again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move that the resolution be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk, will you please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A resolution recognizing May 17 to May 23, 2020 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of Philadelphia, and Further Honoring the Philadelphia Paramedics on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, introduced by Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Before I make the motion, this resolution has been co-signed by a majority of our Councilmembers and colleagues here today. We have adopted this resolution on a Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING yearly basis recognizing our EMS workers nationally and locally. Especially during this pandemic, our paramedics and EMS and firefighters respond to nearly 1,000 incidents a day, so that the daily runs of almost 1,000, and they're responding to all kinds of medical emergencies. And they've been incredible, incredible partners in our schools, teaching CPR, stop the bleed, administering Narcan, and training people in our communities in how to use the AED. They've been incredible partners in a program called Act Now with me and my office certifying nearly 2,500 of our residents in my district. Probably around 2,500 of our community members are now certified in CPR because of their partnerships. They are incredible, incredible assets and dedicated public servants to the health and welfare and safety of our city. And when they receive a run and they respond to an incident, there is no Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING social distance, just like the healthcare workers on the front lines. There is no safety distances and social distances. They respond, and they do it well. And I ask my colleagues to support the resolution as I move for the adoption, and I want to thank all our healthcare workers and EMS workers on our front lines and recognizing them on this week. So I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and Commerce Stated Meeting May 21, 2020 5/21/20 - STATED - 2ND READING and Economic Development to hold public hearings on the safe re-opening of small businesses along commercial corridors, particularly restaurants that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, introduced by Councilman Jones.