Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 21, 2021 10:19 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 October 21, 2021
Thank you, and good morning to everyone. We're going to get started now, but before we begin the Council session, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from the COVID-19 and the delta variant, 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 notices that were published in the Daily News, Inquirer, and the Legal Intelligencer, and can be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has officially come. Mr. Decker, can you please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, just say a couple of words to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 roll, Mr. Decker.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the viewing public in the City of Philadelphia. Thank you.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and the City of Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and everyone listening.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning to the City of Sisterly Love.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, Councilmen. And I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Prayers go out to all of our children who are suffering trauma from the senseless gun violence taking place here in the City of Philadelphia.
Good Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, viewing public.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I'm present.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and good morning, Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. What a beautiful day today. Enjoy.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. A little late, but not too late. Good morning.
All good. Good morning. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021
And good morning to everyone. We have established our quorum and we're going to get started. So to give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Rabbi Solomon Isaacson of the Congregation Beth Solomon. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Johnson. I would ask all members and guests to please bow your head for the invocation.
I would ask everybody to rise, but in this case, that's not necessary. I'd like to thank Councilman Johnson for inviting me to do this. I'm going to say a prayer in Hebrew and then I will translate into English. (Prayer in Hebrew.) He who grants salvation to Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 rulers, whose kingdoms and kingdoms span all eternities, who releases David his servant from the evil sword, who places a road in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, may he bless, safeguard, preserve, help, exalt, make great and extol and raise high our President of City Council and all the other City Councilmembers. The king who reigns over kings in his mercy, may you sustain them and protect them from every trouble, woe, and injury. May he rescue them. May he gather all the people under their sway and cause their enemies to fall before them. Wherever they turn, may they succeed. The king who reigns over kings in his mercy, may he put into their heart and into the heart of all the councilors and officials compassion to do good with us in their days and in ours. So may it be his will. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 us now say amen. (Amen.)
Thank you very much, Councilmembers. It's been an honor and a pleasure. I'm happy to say this is not the first time that I have done the prayer at City Council, and I'm looking forward to many other times, God willing. And may you all be well. Stay safe. And God bless all of you. God bless.
Thank you, Rabbi. Thank you so much for your invocation this morning. We really appreciate you being here. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 14, 2021, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, October 14th, 2021 be approved. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting October 21, 2021
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 14, 2021 stand approved. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes 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. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 Chair also recognizes Councilwoman Parker for purposes of recognizing the Sunshine Act motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's Council session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in the session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 motion carries. And our next order of business is communications. And the Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his possession. Mr. Decker, please proceed.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1604 through 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614 and 1616 Page Street; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 1335 North 8th Street, 1401 North 8th Street, 1402 North 30th Street, 1410, 1421, 1424, 1429, and 1437 North Myrtlewood Street, 1438 Franklin Street, 1440, 1451, 1452, 1457, and 1459 North Myrtlewood Street, 1460 North Hollywood Street, 1463 North Myrtlewood Street, 1500 North Hollywood Street, 1511 North Myrtlewood Street, 2955 North 8th Street, 3003 Redner Street, 3601 Germantown Avenue, and 729 Master Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1001, 1003, and 1005 West Arizona Street, 1005 West Cumberland Street, 1007, 1009, 1011, 1013, and 1019 West Arizona Street, 1021 West Cumberland Street, 2325, 2335, 2337, 2346, 2347, and 2419 North 10th Street, 2440 North Delhi Street, 2444 North Delhi Street, 924 West Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 York Street, 932 West York Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Sounds like a lot of groundbreaking to come, Councilman Jones. Thank you so much, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And by the way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, 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, the procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. And I'd like to thank you very much in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, can you please read Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Councilwoman Parker offers on behalf of Council President Clarke a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Models Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1604 through 1608 Page Street, 1610, 1612, 1614 and 1616 Page Street.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a resolution recognizing, honoring, and congratulating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Omega Omega Chapter on its 95th Anniversary.
Councilman Henon Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Tulip Street and Robbins Street, and Longshore Avenue and New State Road."
Councilman Jones offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on Wynnefield Avenue, from 52nd Street to 54th Street, both sides; 54th Street, from Wynnefield Avenue to Gainor Road, both sides; Georges Lane, from Wynnefield Avenue to Gainor Road, both sides."
Councilman Johnson offers a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services and the Committee on Children and Youth to conduct joint hearings to Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 investigate the organizational and systemic failures that led to the return of three girls to their sexually abusive father.
And a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to maintain the proposed $5 billion in funding for gun violence prevention and other community violence interventions in the Build Back Better Act.
Councilman Domb offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution honoring Stephen K. Klasko upon the occasion of his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Jefferson University and congratulating him on his many accomplishments."
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021
Councilman Thomas offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, student-athlete Donta Scott, on his book 'Wired Differently: My School Journey' which helps young student-athletes and parents prepare for the recruitment and school selection process."
Councilman O'Neill offers a resolution honoring Counseling or Assistance Services (CORA) for their semicentennial and their service to the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Squilla offers a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2505 Emerald Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Next Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 week's Calendar.
Councilman Oh offers a resolution authorizing Council's Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and Public Safety to hold joint hearings regarding ongoing issues of public safety at SEPTA facilities and aboard SEPTA vehicles.
And a resolution recognizing Northeast Phila Connected, a community based non-profit organization, for piloting a catalytic convertor theft prevention program in Northeast Philadelphia.
Mr. Decker, was that just a simple resolution or was it for a hearing?
There are no Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 2ND READING other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. I appreciate that. And there are no reports from committee today, so we will move to our consideration of the Calendar. And there being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210832, 210833, 210834, 210835, 210836, 210837, 210839, and 210840. All other bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we proceed with the consideration of the public comment, we're going to take a five-, maybe ten-minute break to give our technology professionals an opportunity to connect everyone for our public comment session. So we'll be back shortly. Let's take a brief break. (Short recess.)
Thank you, and good morning again. We are now reconnected and we're going to proceed with our Council session. So now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider public comment. It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 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 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 your name to the list. We will then 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. Today I think we are just under that threshold, so we're going to do three minutes today. So please be concise and get as much testimony that you can in during that timeframe. But in order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 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, and 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 subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at the meeting. And also be aware that the public meeting is being recorded. And because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I want to thank you all very Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 much for your participation. I will now ask Mr. Decker to please call the first name on our list of speakers today.
The first speaker we have today is Sonja Bingham, commenting on 210840.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Sonja Bingham. I am the person who Councilman Oh is basing the resolution on. Approximately three weeks ago, my house was firebombed by bad actors in the Kensington community. First, I'd like to just state that the entire reason why this resolution is even a subject of topic is because of failed leadership. We, the residents in Kensington/Harrowgate area, have been tasked with the responsibility of policing our own communities, which has left us to be targets. The resolution to offer a Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 reward in the amount of $20,000 I do not believe is a big ask. There are many reasons in which I believe that this city and all of the agents that have the power to enact policy in our community should stand behind it. We are your first layer of leadership within the community. We are an extension of who you are. If you all do not stand behind sending a clear message that this type of act will not be tolerated against leaders in the community, you all are next. It has been proven by the ATVs. It has been proven by the homeless and opioid epidemic, which is now spilling out into the rest of the City. If you all do not stand behind the attacks and saying we will not tolerate this and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law and leave no stone unturned and give whatever amount of money to make sure that justice is brought to them, be forewarned if we Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 are fair game, you are next. Thank you for your time.
Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Brooke Feldman and I am testifying in support of this resolution. I agree with everything that Sonja shared. I enter into the conversation as somebody who, you know, ran the streets of Kensington using drugs. My mom lived and used and died in Kensington also long before it became the crisis that it is today. And, you know, I spent years working with people who currently use drugs in Kensington, trying to support them with making positive changes Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 in their life. And I think it was really important to get in, this short period of time in, that it is absolutely unacceptable what happened to Sonja, and when she said that, you know, you're next, it really is accurate that it could happen to anybody. And I think that a point that really has to be pulled out is that I sat in the meetings over the years where the folks who live in Kensington, which I do not, I get to go home and not have to worry about my home being firebombed, but the people who live there have been explicitly asked to police their own neighborhood, to kind of get out there and clean up other people's trash, to be able to work with law enforcement to report, you know, drug sales in a way where retaliation isn't feared and there's actual protection. And I think that what happened with Sonja is an example of just the utter deterioration Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 to the point where what were once at least unspoken norms and the code of the street, so to speak, are gone. And so, you know, what it used to be and what it would be in anyone else's neighborhood is that when someone says, hey, can you please get off my step or you can even say it in a more angry way because it's the ninth time that week they had asked the person or somebody, you know, it shouldn't be a matter of having to worry about whether I'm going to be murdered because I asked somebody to get off of my steps. And I think that in addition to there being a message that this is not okay, that this is not part of the code, this is not part of civil society, I support this resolution, as much as I am opposed to incarceration, but I think that this needs to become a larger conversation regarding how conditions have deteriorated to the point where we see that it has become okay to do things Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 like this. And what I want to close with is that the timing is pretty relevant where we see an article from Dr. Eugenia South that was published in the Inquirer regarding research that demonstrates that the environment that we live in has an impact on our well-being and our health, which I think we know, right? But then also she talks about the violence and that we see increased violence in communities where there is blight, where there is litter, where there is just poor sanitation, where the norms and the codes have broken down. And so it is no surprise that we see violence now sticking up, and I think the time to act has long been now, because it will be someone else next, and this is not okay. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021
Good morning. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony. (No response.)
Good morning. COUNCIL SUPPORT: She's actually not on the line right now. We're going to try to reconnect her.
Thank you, Owenda. The next speaker is Stacy Waters, commenting on 210833.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Hello, everyone. I'm Stacy Waters of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission speaking in support of City Council's resolution on Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 Conflict Resolution Day. The Commission supports the adoption of conflict resolution as a peaceful means to address conflict. As you may know, the Commission employs mediation to resolve complaints filed by those who feel aggrieved. We are all aware that conflict is inevitable. While resolving conflict is vital, conflict in and of itself is normal and even healthy. Different perspectives offer new ideas and fresh approaches to problem-solving. While problems go unaddressed, tensions may escalate. Cultural conditioning and societal norms have had a huge impact on how society responds to conflict. Cultural conditioning has resulted in normalizing maladaptive coping methods for some. Maladaptive coping methods includes, but are not limited to, verbal altercations and/or physical violence. Effective communication, Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy are key elements of conflict resolution. Being trauma-informed is also a necessary tool. Becoming trauma-informed involves recognizing that individuals who suffer trauma often pass trauma on to others with whom they interact. For instance, children who witness outbursts may be more likely to bully other children, hence being trauma-informed will increase self-awareness and allow for better responses to conflict. In closing, conflict resolution ensures a more harmonious environment, less disruption and dissatisfaction. It enhances relationships in school, personal, and work relationships as well. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 is Darlene Burton, commenting on 210840.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Yes. My name is Darlene Burton, B-U-R-T-O-N. My testimony is about the firebombing of a friend's house here in Harrowgate. We live in a billion-dollar drug business here in Kensington and Harrowgate. It's a very frightening place to live right now, and we don't seem to be getting the resources that we need. As such, regular community members are tasked with trying to keep drug dealers off their blocks, trying to keep the addicts from using on their block, and as a community, it's not fair to us as ordinary citizens to have to police our community. My friend Sonja is one such community member, and for her efforts, her house got firebombed. Like someone literally tried to kill my friend and her children. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 It is very disheartening for me to live in a community where doing the right thing and standing up for justice and the right way of life can in turn get you murdered. I'm not sure what City Council is willing to do to help us in this plight, but we have very active, caring members of this community who try to help change the narrative of this community, and like I said, it's very frightening that if you stand up and you say, no, we don't want you selling drugs on our corner or, no, we don't want you using drugs in front of our children, we in turn are met with violence and sometimes death. So I would just hope that we would get the resources that this community needs so that the regular residents don't feel as though they have to take on policing their community, because there are resources put in place here that needs to be put in place here Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 actually to help us in our fight to keep the drug dealers off of our blocks, to keep the drug addicts from using in front of our children. So it is my hope that more resources will be poured into this community so the regular citizens don't have to stand and proxy for City officials or the police force that should be actually doing the job for which they get paid to do. So that is my testimony. I hope that it was helpful in drafting this resolution to get this reward offered for my friend's case, and maybe it will offer some movement in someone to come forward so we know who actually tried to kill my friend, because that's what they did. They literally tried to kill her and her family. So like I said, I hope this helps in some way, but we are very traumatized living in this community as regular citizens. It's just not fair Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 that we are tasked with having to police our blocks just because we don't want our children to walk through drug dealers or walk through drug addicts, you know. So hopefully in some way this resolution will help to catch the people who tried to kill my friend and we will get more resources in our community. So that's my hope with my testimony.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We really appreciate you being here today.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Hello. Good morning. My name is Marie Patterson. I'm here to make a comment on Resolution 210834. First, I'd like to say thank Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 you to the entire City Council and special thanks to Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore. Councilwoman's dedication to our city reminds me of how important being an alumna of Dobbins Career and Technical Institution in the City really is, and it's my pleasure to congratulate Shervon Thompson as our first alumna principal. Principal Thompson's unwavering support to the students, the parents, the faculty, and the community is well appreciated in these difficult times of unrest and violence against our children. Her vision, her experience, her passion, her dedication has earned all of our respect as our leader. I am confident that Principal Thompson will uphold Dobbins' 84-year history of producing top-notch tradesmen and tradeswomen and ready -- I'm sorry; producing top-notch tradesmen and tradeswomen ready to be productive Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 citizens in the City of Philadelphia, ready, willing, and able to also lead us. Lastly, I'd just like to say I'm in full support of the resolution and I thank you for all your support. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Amber Heath. I am speaking for the resolution in reference to Shervon Thompson as the Principal of Dobbins. As an alumnus of the school, I graduated with Shervon. I know that she's a dedicated woman. My son now attends Dobbins, and I see her instilling in good moral values to the kids, her support for the children, making sure that they are Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 safe in school, worrying about their education, making sure that they are doing what they're supposed to do. She's involved with the community, making certain that the children are getting the education that they deserve and need. She's a very caring person, and I'm so proud to say that we have a graduate of Dobbins finally helping Dobbins grow and move on forward. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Owenda, were we able to connect Shannon Farrell? COUNCIL SUPPORT: No. We left several voicemails, but she didn't answer.
Thank you, Owenda, for trying. Mr. President, there are no other speakers on the public comment Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING list, Mr. President.
No others? Okay. All right. Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Decker. We are going to move on. So there were a number of individuals that we were not able to connect with today, unfortunately, so we will move on to our next agenda item. We will consider the bills and resolutions on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. So, Mr. Decker, I'm going to ask you to read the title of Resolution No. 210832.
A resolution honoring and congratulating Dawn Staley for coaching the 2021 Olympic Gold Medal Winning U.S. Women's Basketball Team.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING motion on this resolution for a person who also went to Dobbins. Councilwoman.
Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210833.
A resolution Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing October 21, 2021 as Conflict Resolution Day.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a motion.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. And before I move for the adoption of the resolution, I just wanted to formally on the record thank the School District for implementing for the first year Tier 1 conflict resolution for every child in the entire School District of Philadelphia, and after meeting with administrators yesterday at a rally with Councilmember Gym, I'll be sure to follow up with additional hearings on this topic to ensure that the Tier 1 conflict resolution is being implemented in every school and being covered by the administration, per the agreement we have made. So, again, thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210834.
A resolution recognizing and congratulating Shervon Thompson for her historic appointment as the first Alumna Principal of The Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Richardson for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. On theme in the Fifth Council District today, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210835.
A resolution honoring and congratulating Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor for being named a 2021 MacArthur "Genius" Fellow for her innovative scholarship on Black social Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING movements and racial inequality in the United States and her critical examination of race, exploitation, and redlining in American housing policies and practices.
Thank you very much, Council President. With great honor, 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. Mr. Decker, please read the Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING title of 210836.
A resolution recognizing and thanking the many faith-based organizations across the City - synagogues, churches, and mosques - for their activism and service to the public throughout the pandemic in providing the citizens of Philadelphia with food, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Just before I call for the adoption, I want to take us back, Mr. President, to a little over a year when we were evacuating City Hall, when we thought we might be gone for a week or two. I remember us waving good-bye to each other and moving out and locking up. And I remember as the weeks went by, it got worse and we started shutting down major systems, such as religious institutions - synagogues, churches, and mosques - because of social Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING distancing issues. We really didn't know how this virus spread and how rapidly it would take hold of our city. But in all of that confusion and fear, mosques, churches, and synagogues stayed the course, kept the faith, began mobilizing PPEs, along with City Council. There is not a district or corner of this city where they didn't jump-start into activism, giving out food, giving out tests. When we were eventually able to do shots in arms, and still are, were the first line of response to this deadly virus. Sometimes no matter what religion you have, you have to have faith. When science fails and governments can't figure it out, you have faith. And I'm glad to be in a city where all of those institutions kind of put their differences aside and stepped up to the plate on behalf of the people of Philadelphia. And, therefore, I move for the Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of the resolution indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 210837.
A resolution recognizing and congratulating Richard Scheuttler upon the occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Municipal League after 20 years, and even longer dedication to efficient, effective, decent governance across the Commonwealth.
The Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I know Councilmember O'Neill would echo these sentiments of the work that Rick Schuettler has done over his years as not just a Deputy Director but also Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League and really being a steward for local government. The League, through his leadership, has always stepped up to the fact whenever the General Assembly has tried to take away the powers from local government, and that's something that he's consistently pushed and advocated for as President of the League. He even toured in his last year as we've been dealing with the pandemic and still working on issues like Act 111 reform, which is something that's been an issue for a number of cities around the Commonwealth, and trying to work with State Representative Donna Johnson Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Bullock on that legislation and other types of legislation that impact and help local jurisdictions, enabling them to provide the best quality of life and services for their constituents. With that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210839.
A resolution honoring Angelo Cataldi, on the occasion Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING of the announcement of his retirement as co-host of the WIP Morning Show and for invigorating the passionate fan culture of Philadelphia throughout his illustrious career in Philadelphia sports radio.
And the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb for calling for our future co-host of Sports Talk. Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Council President. And we can request that of Angelo Cataldi, absolutely. But really he's amazing. He gave us such tremendous pride in all of our Philadelphia sports teams throughout his career. And with that, I'd like to move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 210840.
A resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to issue a reward for information leading to an arrest in the arson case which victimized Sonja Bingham, an outspoken anti-drug and anti-violence block captain in the Harrowgate section of Northeast Philadelphia.
Thank you very much, Council President. First, I'd like to thank Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Mark Squilla, two Councilmembers who deal with this issue constantly. It is such a difficult issue. And on behalf of all Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING the co-sponsors of this resolution Councilmembers Quinones-Sanchez, Squilla, Bass, Gilmore Richardson, Henon, Green, Domb, and Gauthier - I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, does that complete our Calendar for today, our introductions?
We have additional resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar that we're introducing, Mr. President. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
We're holding 210205. I just want to make sure. Okay. Do you have any additional resolutions?
I do, Mr. President. A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services and the Committee on Children and Youth to conduct joint hearings to investigate the organizational and systemic failures that led to the return of three girls to their sexually abusive father, who resumed the abuse after their return, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Council President, colleagues, I am going to make a motion to withdraw this resolution. I will be deferring this issue to Councilwoman Cindy Bass and Councilman Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING David Oh, who chairs the Special Committee on Child Separation, to review child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system and develop recommendations to ensure compliance with state child protective services laws to protect children and due process rights of families and prevent the unnecessary breakups of families. My two colleagues have been working very diligently on this issue, and so I am going to defer and withdraw this resolution to them for their leadership so they continue addressing this very, very serious and critical issue. And so I'm very disgusted by it, but I look forward to the hard work that they will do to get to the bottom of why these three young ladies were returned back to their father, who repeatedly raped them over and over and over and over again. So I know they're up to the job, and I know for a fact that they will Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING do great leadership work around getting to the bottom of this issue. With that being said, I make a motion to withdraw this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is withdrawn. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councilman.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and Public Safety to hold joint hearings regarding ongoing issues of public safety at SEPTA facilities and aboard SEPTA vehicles, introduced by Councilman Oh. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 10/21/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you very much, Council President. We have had just such serious issues, from mass shootings, drive-by shootings, while people are just waiting to get the bus, get on the train. Just recently the terrible rape of a passenger, just shocking. It is beyond comprehension. And I thank Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson for his continuous work on gun violence with his Special Committee, all the things that they are doing, and of course Councilmember Curtis Jones with his Public Safety Committee. So with their expertise and concern, I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 (Aye.)
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. We're on pace to break a record. That completes our Calendar for today. And now we're going to move to speeches, but prior to recognizing members regarding speeches, I will note for the record at this time that 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, Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 only be used for this particular purpose. With that said, are there any speeches on behalf of the majority? And I think I saw -- I'm sorry. For the minority. I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilman David Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I'd like to start by just letting the public know that Councilmembers do a lot that the public does not see. Councilmembers do a lot. And even though we may look at things differently and we disagree and many times we agree, Councilmembers do a lot that the public does not see. I want to talk about something that is just so troubling to me. Today at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location, I'm going to meet several mothers whose children were murdered. They testified in court. That's been done. And they were supposed to be Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 relocated, and that has not been done, and they're getting shot at, and one mother has lost four children to murder. When the trial is over and witness protection is done with, what is our city doing? And how are we going to have people testify if we do not take care of these people? It is so disturbing. It is so shocking. It is so heartbreaking. I'm going to go meet them. I don't know what to say, but we have to do something. This is just atrocious. And I just thank my colleagues for all the work that you do and how you interact with the community and the residents and how you do your best. And I just want to let people know, reach out to your Councilmembers. Reach out to them. It's a difficult process, but reach out to your Councilmembers and ask for help, and we shall do what we can to help. Thank you. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021
Thank you, Councilman. Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Kathy Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. And, first, I wanted to thank our colleague Councilmember Oh for his work in reaching out to constituents, and as he stated, as members of Philadelphia City Council, we all are doing our very best 24 hours a day, seven days a week to be responsive to the people we have been elected to serve, and we thank you for all your work and all the work of my colleagues here in this body. But today, Mr. President, I would be remiss not to take a quick point of personal privilege just to mention a few things, but first it was the late, great Dr. Maya Angelou who said, I sustain myself with the love of family. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021 know, Mr. President, as Councilmember Oh stated, being an elected public servant is a very difficult job on the best day of the week. It's a difficult job. So it's the love of family that often sustains us as we traverse doing all that we can 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the people we are elected to serve. So on this day, I wish my husband, my rider and my driver, David R. Richardson, a very, very happy birthday. Thank you for sustaining me and thank you for sustaining our family. Thank you, Mr. President, for that point of personal privilege.
Love it. Love it. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting October 21, 2021