Thank you. One of the things about what Majority Leader Parker talked about and in the meetings that we've had is communications. There's a lot being done, but it's not being documented as accurately in a way that gives other members in this body the degree of Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING confidence that they need and should have, and that is in part because there are other entities outside of government entities that have to report in that plan. There are other entities doing vaccinations. There are overlapping priorities, quite frankly. And what we found and what your leadership -- and I thank you for intervening in this negotiations dialogue and joint plan -is that we're looking at what we control within City government and what we can influence in the private sector and federal government. An example of that is the plan to work with private drugstores, CVS and Rite Aid. That is the overlapping plan. Internally, we're trying to move departments to make sure essential workers are vaccinated, people that work in our prisons, people that work in the Police Department, people that work in the Fire Department, and teachers that are going back into classrooms. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING All of these aspects of a unified plan have to be put in one, as Member Majority Leader Parker stated, matrix, a single point of information, and that's the difficulty that is before us, because a lot of people are doing things, but if we don't coordinate and communicate those things, people assume the worst. So I just want to say that as District Councilpeople, which I appreciate the Administration is doing. Nobody knows your district, Mr. President, like you do, access to transportation, different vulnerable populations that are being impacted, and all of those things are being considered by an Administration that doesn't have a playbook that they can pull from and have to build and fly a plane in a pandemic at the same time. And I just wanted to say as an observation, no, we don't have Fauci like the National Health Director, but we do Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING have Farley, who is not perfect but, in my opinion, is striving to move things in the right direction, and at times members of this body feel not fast enough, but this is not something we've done before and we are trying to get it right, and I vouch for that. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I want to thank all of the colleagues for weighing in on this issue. Earlier in this session we did a resolution acknowledging those that were lost through this pandemic, and we have a fight on our hands, but we should not be fighting against each other. I supported Councilmember Domb's proposal to add the Linc as another location for vaccine distribution. I did that based on my Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING communications and discussions with colleagues in the National League of Cities and Pennsylvania Municipal League and other organizations around the country, because I saw what they were doing. And even though I'm going to vote for this resolution, I'm still going to continue to push for the issue that Councilmember Domb is talking about, that we need to look at all available options in reference to winning this fight against COVID. And I just say it's unfortunate that we are spending time fighting against each other and not fighting together against COVID. So just because Councilmember Domb continues to push for the Linc as a location and made his position known that he's going to vote against this bill because of his concerns and others in this body will vote for it, we should not take the perspective that the Administration coming out of Councilmember Domb's position to continue Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING to fight him on his position regarding the Linc. We're going to be in a position, and hopefully soon, having numerous vaccines that we need to get out to people all around the City of Philadelphia, both the large locations like the Linc or at the Convention Center or smaller locations that a number of members of Council discussed. Just yesterday we had a call with the Pennsylvania Municipal League prior to the Governor's announcement where we learned the fact that J&J vaccines will be used and prioritized for teachers. The first allotment will be about 94,000 vaccines, and they anticipate another allotment in order to vaccinate all teachers by the end of March, all teachers and contractors by the end of March. And I asked what is going to be the plan after that once we've gotten through the teachers about getting other allotments of J&J vaccines Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING to do additional mass vaccinations around the Commonwealth, and at that point Secretary Ghormoz, who was the Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs, said, well, we're not sure. We're still working through that information. We don't know all the allotment of vaccines we'll receive through J&J. So this is a situation that's very fluid, so we need to work together. We'll disagree on different opinions. Members have the right to vote for or against any bill or resolution, but at the same point, just because someone takes a position, we should not then attack them for taking that position, because we're all trying to do all that we can to address this situation. As I stated earlier in this week, I was deeply offended about a comment that came from the Mayor's Office in reference to my support and other members' support for Councilmember Domb's proposal regarding the Linc, but I'm Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING still going to continue to work for it, because we can't spend time fighting against each other. So I hope in the spirit of this conversation and this debate on this bill, that regardless of what position people take, both the Administration and members of Council, going forward we're going to fight together against COVID and not fight against each other. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I agree that we are all trying to deal with this pandemic and doing the best we can. The executive branch is responsible for planning. They have the personnel, and they're responsible for execution. They come to us to ask for money, and this money that they've asked, Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING it's not the first time. It's not specified. They want a lot of flexibility, I understand that, but I agree with Councilmember Allan Domb because about this time, being it will be over $225 million, they have to produce a plan. It's late in the day. We're not in the first quarter. This is a year. And knowing that the vaccines are coming and with all the issues that we have, I expect a better plan, and I will be voting no to encourage the Administration to produce a better, more detailed plan that covers all four corners of this city and every demographic that they are supposed to cover. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just really wanted to -- I don't want to belabor the point, Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING because I know there's been a lot of conversation on the issue, and I just want to say a couple of things really quickly, and one is that we all recognize that when it comes to the City of Philadelphia and how COVID was handled, the City really stumbled getting out of the gate. So this plan is a welcome game-changer in the series of events that have really shattered public confidence in City government, but I do believe that we are on the right track. But if we really want to address the racial divide in terms of who is getting it and who needs it, then we really need to follow the lead of public health experts and press that are stating that African American and Latino communities need to be vaccinated at younger ages. The age requirement has to be lowered to qualify for the vaccine for communities that if they are infected will likely have a much more catastrophic outcome. And so we have to think about Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING how do we lower the age here in Philadelphia. We know we can do this. We know that it really requires the leadership of the Mayor, and we think that this is something that has to happen. If you really want to do something about those who get the virus and then let's say if you're 45, you may have a different outcome if you're African American or Latino versus someone who is not and who is 65 or older, the odds are against you. So I just really want to put that into the conversation, certainly hope the Administration is listening and hearing what needs to be done. I think that we're on the right track, but we need vaccine sites in the neighborhoods. We need the vaccine site at the Convention Center, and we can still use and need the vaccine site down at the Linc as well. It doesn't have to be one or the other. We can have it all, and I Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING believe we can do this. We cannot call ourselves seriously a city of eds and meds without being able to figure this out. This should really be a no-brainer. We really can do it all. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, again, I'm not going to belabor the point too, and thanks, everybody, for all working on this. We know how serious this is. I just wanted to add one more thing, and it was that -- before the concern was that we may not have enough vaccines to have these sites, but now the concern is maybe we don't have enough providers to provide the vaccine. So I think the call should be from all of us is to let's talk to our partners out there and providers and locations and Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING let's try to work with the Administration. And I agree, we need as many sites as possible up and we need to get vaccines in as many arms as possible. So now that we know that the vaccines will be coming in and Councilmember Domb had said that there's going to be more than we can handle, we need now to plan for getting those partners on board so we can distribute these vaccines, and hopefully with all of us combined continuing to work together, we'll get to that point. So thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. I'm not supposed to speak from the podium, so I will not do that, because apparently that influences votes, so I won't speak from the podium, but I do want to say that -- reiterate first my commitment and now the leadership's commitment to continue to carry the messages from the members of Council and Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING move the needle forward in all aspects of what you all talked about. So that is taking place and will continue to take place. We appreciate everybody's perspective, because it is very important. So with that, Mr. Decker, can you please read the title one more time, 210121.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance Provision for Other Grants, to the General Fund, the Managing Director.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.
Councilman Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Neill.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are two. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210073.
An ordinance Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the expansion of the Board of License and Inspection Review, as approved by Resolution of the City Council; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Brooks. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman O'Neill. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210080.
An ordinance amending Section 20-610 of The Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Code, entitled "Statement of Financial Interests," by revising the required conditions and information for filing.
Mr. Decker, please call the roll. I'm sorry. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, now call the roll.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 210082.
An ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by amending Chapter 17-1400, entitled "Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance," to provide procedures applicable to the awarding of contracts to non-City providers of vaccine doses for COVID-19 and related variants. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
Okay. Got you. Thank you. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Finance to hold hearings regarding the potential of land-value taxation in and for Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings examining best practices and new ideas for safely reopening the City of Philadelphia's workspaces including office buildings, City buildings, and other high-risk congregate settings not currently operating at pre-pandemic capacity, introduced by Councilman Domb.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on a recently revealed memo from a Philadelphia Police Department Captain instructing his officers to increase pedestrian and motor vehicle stops not related to crime and jeopardizing data collection mandated by federal consent decree, introduced by Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution in honor of Women's History Month we take this opportunity to renew and Recognize March 10th as Harriet Tubman Day in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Squilla.
The Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings to obtain an update on the status of the City's plan to ensure all parks or playgrounds owned or controlled by the City of Philadelphia are inclusive, intergenerational, and Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING accessible for all disabilities and special needs, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings to obtain an update on the Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING status of the City Council's security camera program for Philadelphia's playgrounds and recreation centers, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and Public Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 3/4/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Health and Human Services to conduct a joint hearing to review the past and current guidance for Restaurant Capacity; and, if needed, make recommendations to the Philadelphia Health Department to either change current Restaurant capacity requirements or recommend future Restaurant capacity requirements, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass. (No response.)
Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting March 4, 2021 opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar for today. We will now move to our speeches. We have a process. Prior to recognizing those members regarding speeches, I will note for the record at this time we will use the Chat feature available in Microsoft Teams to allow members to signify that they wish to be recognized. In order to comply with the Sunshine Act, the Chat feature must only be used for this purpose. With that said, are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting March 4, 2021