Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 8, 2021 10:15 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 KENYATTA JOHNSON 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 April 8, 2021
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 the Legal Intelligencer prior to the 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, and members that are in attendance will indicate that they are present, or whatever they may choose to say, to make sure that their image is Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues and the City of Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and Philadelphians. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues, and good morning, Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning, Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Great to have this first Council session of Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President, and good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Calling for justice for all of our young people who lost their lives to senseless gun violence.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, viewing public.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues, and thank you, Reverend Bonnie, for joining us this morning in prayer.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Councilman. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Good morning, and good morning to all. We're going to get started. Today to give our invocation, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Bonnie Camarda at the Salvation Army. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. I would ask all members and guests please bow your head for the invocation.
Thank you. I come to let you know, God say he never changes. His work and eternal plan for mankind for all won't waiver either. As believers, he compel us to stand on his promises and lean not on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5. He will be with each one of you as you lean in his promise and you make Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 decisions for our city. Father, we just thank you, because you are the center in our city. We believe that you can change things. We believe that you have a plan even now for our city. Father, when we come to you and ask you to lift this violence, challenges that we are having, the justice that needs to happen among our young people, the killing that doesn't make sense, you see it all, but we need help, and we ask you, Lord, to help us to find how to really solve this issue, how do we get justice for our neighborhood, how do we bring peace, love to our neighborhood. Father, we just want to thank you, because we know that we have promised that you are with us and that you won't leave us and forsake us, and we need to believe that promise for the City of Philadelphia, that you haven't left our city, that you are here, and that you are here to change us and the City to be Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 better. We just thank you, Lord, for the gift that you have given to each of this Councilperson, the gift that you have bestowed on them for them to be able to rule our city with equity, justice, and love. And we thank you, all this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Amen. Thank you so much, Reverend. We really appreciate you, and we miss you. God bless.
I miss you all. Thank you for letting me -allowing me. Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, thank you.
Our pleasure. Thank you. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 meeting of Thursday, March 25th, 2021, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 25th, 2021 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 25th, 2021 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leaves of absences, and Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. Our next order of business is communications. And, Mr. Decker, will you please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that you may have in your possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 210159 and 210135; and I am pleased to advise you that on March 29, 2021, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 18, 2021: Bill Nos. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 200628, 210075, 210122-A, and 210160. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with Chestnut Street Realty Limited Partnership, for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1327 through 1329 Chestnut Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work, required to provide public sewer service, in the 1600 block of Olive Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. So I want to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. The Clerk will please read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Councilwoman Parker offers one bill and one resolution. A bill on behalf of Council President, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work, required to provide public sewer service, in the 1600 block of Olive Street."
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
And a resolution authorizing the -- and on her own behalf, a resolution authorizing the Committee on Law & Government to hold hearings examining the decision to permanently move sheriff sales online, and further to explore the ramifications of and any unintended consequences that may arise from this decision.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, on today I am introducing a resolution that is sponsored by 15 members of City Council which authorizes the Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings examining the decision to permanently move sheriff sales online, and further to explore the ramifications of and any unintended consequences that may arise from this decision. For the benefit of the viewing public, Mr. President, I want them to Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 know that sheriff sales resumed virtually on Tuesday using a firm called Bid4Assets. And while the Sheriff's Office now says the move to virtual sales is in fact a pilot instead of a permanent move, the questions contained in the resolution remain. Those questions include, but are not limited to, how the contract with Bid4Assets came about and the terms of the contract, how will postponements and stays be communicated to Bid4Assets as necessary to avoid improper sales, how will the online sales process impact interested bidders with limited technological capabilities, how will online sales process impact local non-professional bidders, how will bidders be made aware of what we know as the right of redemption for tax foreclosure sales and other post-sale rights of prior owners and occupants, and how can we ensure that Philadelphia is not flooded with out-of-city and out-of-state speculators. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Now, Mr. President, the Sheriff's Office has said that the new system would increase the pace and profitability of sheriff sales, and I know some may view that as a positive, but City Council has the right to explore the other potentially negative side of the coin; namely, just how much will the pace increase and whether the promise of increased profitability will actually benefit homeowners. I know my colleagues share my concern that if the process changes too much and just too quickly, that it could possibly accelerate and further exacerbate negative trends such as homeowner displacement, neighborhood instability, and a proliferation of investor-owned rental properties. The decision to take sheriff sales virtual could have a much larger land use implication beyond just individual owners, and we need to understand just how this new system will Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 impact both homeowners and the neighborhoods in which they live. Again, for the benefit of the viewing public, please note that this hearing is scheduled for April 21st at 1:00 p.m. Again, that's April 21st at 1:00 p.m. If anyone is interested in testifying at this hearing, I encourage you to reach out to Rachel Meadows in my office at 215-686-2064. Again, that's 215-686-2064. I thank you all. And I also want to note for the record that the City Council of Philadelphia found out about this virtual move, many of us -- I know this was the case in my instance -- in an article that was produced by WHYY. We were not a part of that decision-making. We were not consulted that it was actually happening. We have had many conversations with Sheriff Bilal, and I do want to thank her for the record. We tagged, Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 phone tagged, and we Teams -- we had a meeting on Teams and communicated multiple times over the last few weeks about this issue, and I look forward to getting as many questions answered as possible when we have this hearing. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, Councilwoman. I believe Councilman Domb, did you have a word to say?
On your bill? Oh, I'm sorry. All right. Thank you.
Thank you. That will be on today's Calendar. Thank you, Councilwoman.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers one resolution Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 recognizing and supporting the health and wellness of Black mamas and birthing people by acknowledging April 11 through 17, 2021, as "Black Maternal Health Week."
Thank you. That will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilwoman Gym offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution urging the United States Senate to pass Senate Bill 1306, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2019 (also known as the 'PRO Act'), and affirming the right of workers to form unions and organize for higher wages, family-sustaining benefits, as well as safety, dignity, and respect at their workplace."
Councilman Henon offers two bills, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land, bordered by Richmond Street to the north/northwest, Wheatsheaf to the east/northeast, I-95 to the west and the Northeast Treatment Plant to the south/southeast for water treatment or supply purposes."
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser interest in real estate, by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation, or otherwise, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Tacony-Holmesburg section of the Delaware River Trail.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Councilman Jones offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring James Harry Calamia for his exceptional service to the Roxborough Community as the Executive Director of the Roxborough Development Corporation."
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Keir Bradford-Grey for her astounding, impactful, and incomparable service to the City and its citizens as Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia and congratulating her on her new role as Partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads.
Councilman Johnson offers one resolution calling upon the United States Congress to support the Biden Administration's Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 American Jobs Plan, a multi trillion-dollar plan to invest in American infrastructure and jobs over the next 8 years.
Councilman Green offers three resolutions, entitled a "Resolution recognizing April 2021 as Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, and commending the Eagles Autism Foundation and Divine Providence Village for their vaccination initiative."
And a resolution recognizing and congratulating Gail Harrity for her 24 years of dedicated, effective, and transformative leadership as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
And a resolution recognizing and celebrating Mental Health Partnerships on the 70th Anniversary of the organization's founding.
Councilman Domb offers three bills, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Business Income and Receipts Taxes,' by changing the manner of imposition."
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," by revising certain tax rates.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Wage and Net Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Profits Tax," by revising certain tax rates.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb. That bill is referred to committee. Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to make a few remarks today about the tax reform legislative package I'm introducing as we plan for the upcoming budget conversations. Our city faces a challenging, unique moment in time. We can use this moment to go down the same path we've been on or we can take bold actions to help change the trajectory of Philadelphia. In proposing these three bills today, I hope to start a much-needed and important conversation about reopening Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 our economy and about how we grow into the future. This includes creating more family-sustaining jobs for residents, helping our small and medium-sized businesses, and overall how we make Philadelphia an attractive place to live, work, and do business. Now is the time to examine what's working and what's not working. We need to explore how we get the desired results we all want and need for Philadelphians. This crisis is an opportunity for change and tax reform that can restart our economy and benefit our residents and businesses for years to come into the future. S. cities while having the lowest employment rate per 1,000 residents. We need to create an attractive environment for businesses, workers, and families to grow here and Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 locate here. This is especially true for all those small and mid-sized businesses that are already here and have been deeply affected by the pandemic. They are our backbone. They've been loyal to our city, and we appreciate each and every business in our city that has stayed despite the many forces working against them. This pandemic has highlighted, if not magnified, the difficulties that come with bringing back demand to the City. Every business is faced with staying and paying complicated and higher tax rates or moving sometimes across the street and paying less. In a post-pandemic world and as technology continues to advance, the ease of working anywhere will only become more prevalent, and if we continue to tax what moves, which is people and their jobs, the more volatile our tax base will become. We have to have a serious conversation about the precarious Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 situation we find ourselves in this year and what it means for the future of Philadelphia. When you can live and work anywhere, we need to compete for demand in Philadelphia. S. cities by attracting people and fostering job growth. That is why part of my tax reform package includes lowering the wage tax rates for residents and non-residents at a faster pace than previously proposed. The rest of the tax package addresses what my colleagues and I have heard in several Council hearings over the last several years from experts around the country. We have heard that we are the only city in the United States that taxes net income and gross receipts. And we've also heard that of the top 20 cities in the United States, we have the second highest corporate income tax rate for companies. 2 percent, while the other 18 cities are all below the 10 percent threshold. And if you haven't seen it yet, SEPTA is committing capital to a light rail system to King of Prussia. If we do not see this as a potential threat to our competitiveness in the region and future job growth for our city, then we're not paying attention. These next two bills address those issues by reducing the tax burden to allow businesses to pay the higher of either the net income or gross receipts portion of the business income and receipts tax. This will eliminate the requirement to pay both, and places a more level playing field compared to the other cities in the United States. S. cities and within the region. I think we can expand our tax base faster if we start thinking with a job growth mindset, and given the stimulus packages we're seeing from President Biden's administration, I am hopeful that with all these things working together in tandem, we can all achieve our goals.
As we move forward in these discussions, I hope we all consider and appreciate our need to be more competitive. Philadelphia isn't an island, and people and businesses have more choices than ever before. Competition has never been greater than right now. And we can do this. The current budget, which has increased by a billion dollars over the last five years, has made minimal investment in our tax structure in order to expand our tax-paying base. In a hearing last week, Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 we saw and heard that for this increase in spending, we weren't made safer, and we made no meaningful dent in the level of poverty for Philadelphia. I'd like to explore with all of you how we take revenue growth and dedicate funds to Philadelphia's poverty fund and violence prevention programs to continue to tackle these primary issues in our city. The goal of these bills is to create an open dialogue and start thinking outside the box to reform our tax structure. I plan to engage everyone in this conversation, and it's important that we take this rare opportunity to think about what we do in order to alter the City's current trajectory. This is a moment in time. It's an opportunity for us to reopen our economy with a pro jobs tax program that will create a stronger economic tax-paying base for the future of our city, which will generate the funds we Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 need and help our residents climb out of poverty and fund violence prevention programs we desperately need. I look forward to working with all of you as we move this discussion forward. Thank you for your time and thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. As I said earlier, all those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. Mr. Decker, please proceed.
Yes, Mr. President. Councilman Thomas offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution calling on The Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives to grant Philadelphia the ability to provide needed regulatory relief to local bars, restaurants, and other liquor licensees. Regulatory relief in the form of extended bar hours and increased happy hours will Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 allow establishments hit hard by state and local coronavirus related closures and capacity restrictions to make a full recovery and preserve thousands of local jobs."
Thank you, Council President. I just want to put an emphasis on the bill. Right now we're in a space and time where we are really trying to reimagine what the new normal will look like as we hopefully are at the tail end of this coronavirus crisis. And so we are going to be strong advocates as it relates to collaborating, partnering, and also demanding from our state to have a few more options as it relates to what we can do and how we can support businesses here in the City of Philadelphia. So thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues, who co-sponsored this legislation, and I look Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 forward to some action from our state legislators. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. That will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilman Thomas also offers a resolution honoring and congratulating the West Catholic Preparatory High School Girls Basketball Team, the Lady Burrs, on winning the school's first ever PIAA state title against Mohawk with a 67 to 56 victory.
Councilman O'Neill offers seven bills, entitled "An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Haldeman Avenue, both sides, from Clark Street to Red Lion Road"; and An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 regulations on Tomlison Road, both sides, from Bustleton Avenue to Lindsay Street; and An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Brookmont Road, both sides, from Ferndale Street to Medway Road; and An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Bridle Road, both sides, from Brookmont Road to Bartlett Street; and An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Chesworth Road, both sides, from Verree Road to Ferndale Street; and An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Ferndale Street, both sides, from Jeanes Street to Red Lion Road; and An ordinance establishing no Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Greymont Street, both sides, from Jeanes Street to Ferndale Street.
Thank you. Those seven bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilman Squilla offers two bills and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with Chestnut Street Realty Partners Limited Partnership, for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1327 through 1329 Chestnut Street."
And an ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section 9-203 related to Street Vendors, by prohibiting street vending on certain portions of East Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Passyunk Avenue and surrounding areas.
And a resolution to bring to Philadelphia the main celebrations of the 250th Anniversaries of the Navy and Marine Corps.
And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1824 East Huntingdon Street.
Councilwoman Bass offers four resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings on the City of Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Philadelphia's Landmarks and Monuments Review process to propose changes to any landmarks or monuments in Philadelphia that are reminders or symbols of racism or bigotry; while elevating the city's rich history and diversity."
Next week's Calendar -- I'm sorry; this week's Calendar.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council to hold hearings on the lack of diversity and inclusion on corporate boards in Philadelphia.
And a resolution recognizing April 24, 2021 as the 20th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to provide a safe and effective option for the disposal of unwanted, unused, or expired controlled substances; and to minimize the incidence of drug abuse and fatal overdoses in the City due to Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 non-medical prescription drugs found in the homes of family and friends.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Eighth Councilmanic District.
Councilman Oh offers four resolutions, entitled a "Resolution calling on the School District of Philadelphia to help combat anti-Asian hate by providing Asian American history lessons during Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month in May to further educate and inform students of the rich history and Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 contributions of Asian Americans."
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Dr. Carmen Febo, the longtime Executive Director of Taller Puertorriqueno Incorporated, on the occasion of her upcoming retirement.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Paul S. Beideman, the longtime President and CEO of Avenue of the Arts Incorporated, for his years of service in strengthening Philadelphia's internationally recognized arts and culture scene upon the occasion of his upcoming retirement.
And a resolution recognizing qFLIX Philadelphia - the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the mid-Atlantic region - and its parent Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 organization, qFLIX USA, and calling on Facebook to unlock the organization's qFLIX Worcester account.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered by the members today, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions by the members, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Green for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 210139.
Thank you. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Mr. Decker, please read -
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Council President. I went too early. I meant to say the following statement: Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Finance reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
We got you. We figured it. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 210139, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Taxes and Rents - General,' by adding required conditions and information for reporting adjustments to taxable income," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you. I'll say it again. Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 210139. (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. 210139. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This bill will be placed Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a report from the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Labor and Civil Service reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Labor and Civil Service, to which was referred Bill No. 200625, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,' by adding a new Chapter 9-4700, to prohibit employers from requiring prospective employees to undergo testing for the presence of marijuana as a condition of employment," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 200625. (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. 200625. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading, and these bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today. They are Resolution Nos. 210251, 210253, 210254, 210255, 210256, 210258, 210259, 210260, 210261, 210262, 210263, 210264, 210265, 210266, 210268, 210270, 210271, 210272, and 210273. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilwoman Parker. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the resolutions on the Consent Agenda shortly. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the resolutions being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210267, 210078, 210079, 210001, 210002, 210118, 210119, 210135, 210136, 210178, 210179, 210180, and 210137. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before we proceed with the consideration of our public comment, we're going to take a brief five- to ten-minute break to allow our technology professionals to tee everyone up for the speakers we have for today's meeting. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 (Brief pause.)
Thank you. Thank you. Now that everyone is connected to the public meeting and before considering resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider the public comment. It will go as follows: 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 those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for the 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 of or against the legislation, and add you to our list. We will telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 And under ideal circumstances, they will each have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Today's time limit, we have -- I think we can do three minutes. We want to do three minutes today. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same matter and to limit the scope of Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 the testimony to only certain items on the agenda during the emergency, which could affect callbacks in the public comment at the meeting. So please be aware that this public meeting is also being recorded. Because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in this meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask that the Chief Clerk please read the name of our first speaker.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Hello. Good morning. My name is Anna Martinez Donate and I am a Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University and I am also the lead Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 convener of the Latino Health Collective.
I'm here to support Councilmember Bass's Resolution 210273, and I would like to use this time to highlight some of the health issues that have a disproportionate impact on the health of Latino communities in Philadelphia and their need to be addressed to promote their health. Latinos represent 15 percent of the overall population in our city in a very diverse community. About 61 percent are from Puerto Rico, while 21 percent are from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Latinos are afflicted by a media of social determinants of health. This population has the highest rates of poverty and unemployment in our city. They also face numerous barriers to healthcare services because they have the lowest rate of health insurance. They Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 are more likely to live in areas with high levels of social vulnerability, especially in the Northeast and South Philadelphia areas, and these are often areas that experience higher levels of poverty and crime and less access to services. Furthermore, one in five Latinos in our city is foreign born, and among the foreign born, two-thirds are non-citizens, which also limits importantly their ability to access services. Not surprisingly given these factors, Latinos have more self-reported health than any other groups in Philadelphia. They are overrepresented in new cases of HIV, opioid-related deaths, depression, and homicide mortality, and these all systemic issues are interrelated epidemics that are driven by common social, economic, and political factors such as poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 immigration status. The recent pandemic has exposed the impact of these social disadvantages on Latino communities. Latinos in Philadelphia have experienced the second highest rate of infection with COVID-19, second only after African Americans, and their hospitalization and mortality rates are two to four times greater compared to non-Hispanic whites. Latinos have experienced persistent diverse (inaudible) and vaccination for COVID. For example, only 16 percent of Latinos have received a dose of COVID-19 vaccination compared to 32 percent of non-Hispanic whites. But despite these challenges, Latinos are a very resilient community who contribute immensely to our city. They are owners to close to 20,000 businesses in the greater Philadelphia area, and about a third of them work as essential workers. During this pandemic, our city has relied on many of our Latino Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 residents to produce (inaudible), to take care of our children, to sanitize our homes and workplaces. The health disparities affecting Latinos in Philadelphia need your urgent attention and support. It is imperative to divert efforts and resources to address the social, economic, and political factors behind these inequities. The City must act to increase education and economic opportunities, expand access to health and human services, and enhance the ability of Latinos and Latinas to thrive in our city. Investments in the health and well-being of Latinos will make us all stronger and benefit our city as a whole. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Appreciate it.
The next speaker is Amy Carroll-Scott, commenting on Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 210273.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. (No response.)
Mr. Decker, go on to the next person. Dr. CARROLL-SCOTT: Hello. This is Amy.
Okay. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Okay. Great. My name is Dr. Amy Carroll-Scott and I'm an Associate Professor of the Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health. I'm also a longtime member and leader in Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 the American Public Health Association, and so I'm deeply involved in that organization's work to translate national public health priorities into local action to improve health in communities. And so I would like to express my support for Councilwoman Bass's Resolution No. 210273. I think there's no better time to shine the spotlight of National Public Health Week on public health issues locally. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the co-occurring epidemic of gun violence has further revealed the gaps in our public health system to respond to such threats to the health of all Philadelphians and in particular to black indigenous and other populations of color. But of course this has not been a surprise. We've long known that social and economic characteristics put individuals, populations, and geographically defined communities at higher or lower risk of poor health Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 outcomes. These are what we call the social determinants of health, and they include factors like poverty, unemployment, systemic racism, and living in an economically excluded or disinvested area. In fact, research continues to confirm that these factors determine about 80 percent of our health status and are more important than such factors as heredity and medical treatment. I say all this to emphasize the point that the way to achieve health equity in Philadelphia is to invest in the infrastructure needed for communities to better understand and create solutions that make sense within the history, culture, values, and health priorities of each community. As elected officials, City agency leaders, and research partners, we should use opportunities like National Public Health Week and let's focus on building better bridges to better health Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 and this resolution's focus on highlighting issues to building healthier communities, to work collectively to advocate for investments in our national, state, and city public health infrastructure. But I want to emphasize an important piece of this is to also consider community systems as an essential, if not the most essential, component of this infrastructure requiring investment. This means investment in community-based and faith-based organizations already serving their communities, workforce development to ensure there's a pipeline for public health jobs in these communities, and reexamining City systems to ensure they're equitably serving our most vulnerable communities and not re-stigmatizing them. And so it's for this reason that I'm in strong support of this resolution. Stated Meeting April 8, 2021
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Hi. Good morning. My name is Mariana Lazo and I am Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, and I have expertise in (inaudible), public health, and Latino health disparities. I am a Latina immigrant myself, and it is an honor for me to participate on this hearing today on behalf of the Latino community in Philadelphia, especially the immigrant community. Latinos represent around 15 percent of the population in Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Philadelphia. One in five Latinos are immigrants and were born outside of the U.S. The majority of Latinos have Puerto Rican ancestry, but there is a sizeable number of Latinos with a Dominican, Mexican, and Central American ancestry. Since the early days of the pandemic, we have observed pronounced inequities in COVID-19 testing cases, hospitalization, and mortality in Philadelphia. In every age group, hospitalization and mortality rates have been highest among Latinos and blacks. Some of the disparities are the result of higher risk of exposure to the virus among Latinos. Here in Philadelphia, 32 percent of Latino workers are employed in essential occupations. Latino immigrants are disproportionally employed in jobs with more hazardous conditions, such as janitorial services and domestic labor. Furthermore, around 37 percent of Latinos in Philadelphia live in poverty Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 compared to 15 percent of whites. Latinos have very limited access to relief funds or unemployment insurance and, therefore, they have experienced greater pressure to continue to work. The other important (inaudible) of disparities is related to increased (inaudible). Underlying social conditions lead to a concentration of biomedical race factors and social determinants of health that hinder the ability of the Latino community to buffer the impact. (Inaudible) and immigration laws greatly limit access to healthcare among Latinos and especially Latino immigrants. Latinos have lower insurance rates and are much less likely to have primary care provider and often forego care due to the cost or fear of deportation. Multiple efforts and initiatives have been implemented in Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Philadelphia in order to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and the disparities on Latinos and other minorities. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health in concert with other governmental departments, Latino-serving organizations, and academic partners, including also Drexel, have embarked on significant efforts to address disparities, and we are very thankful for that. To conclude, the health disparities of Latinos in Philadelphia need urgent attention and support. It is imperative to direct efforts and resources to address social, economic, political factors behind these inequities. The City must act to increase economic opportunities and expand access to health and human services and to ultimately enhance the need of Latinos and Latinos to thrive in our city. Investments in the health and Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 well-being of Latinos, a group that has experienced some of the worst health outcomes in Philadelphia but that is essential for the economy of the citizens, will make us stronger and benefit our city as a whole. I fully support this resolution put forth by Councilmember Bass to celebrate public health, highlight critical public health issues, and thank public health workers.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. Just state your name for the Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 record and proceed with your testimony.
Oh, yes. Good morning. My name is Ryan M. Boyer. I'm the Business Manager of Laborers District Council of Philadelphia and Vicinity. We are a union of over 6,000 construction, factory, public sector, and maintenance workers throughout the five-county region of Philadelphia. I'm here to comment on Resolution No. 210253. I want to express my sincere thanks to Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and her colleagues for introducing this great resolution for my brother and friend, Esteban Vera, Jr., who is the first Latino person to serve on SEPTA's Board of Directors. This is very important that we recognize the diversity and inclusion that's happening in our region and in our city, and the fact that City Council, this august body, is Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 representing such a great human being, a Philadelphian, who is total like a veteran of the United States Army, Esteban Vera, Jr., it gives me pride to be a part of the same organization that Esteban is a part of. Esteban is hard-working. He has spent his life building coalitions and creating opportunities for people that haven't had opportunities before. I am so proud and happy that you're doing this today, and my respect has only risen by this great, great citation and resolution. Thank the Philadelphia City Council, and congratulations to Esteban Vera on your very great accomplishment. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 Okay. Good morning. Are you here with us? (No response.)
Modesto, he's not going to pick up? COUNCIL SUPPORT: We were not able to contact Esteban Vera, Jr., Council President.
All right. Well, Mr. Boyer said a whole lot about him, and we concur that he's a very, very awesome person, great, great labor leader and human being. He's done a lot of things not only for the City but for the country. So I think that's our last speaker, Mr. Decker?
Okay. Well, we're going to move on. Unfortunately, we can't tee him up. Okay. That concludes our public comment for today. We will now Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 consider today's resolutions on the Consent Agenda. I would ask Mr. Decker to read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.