2026-09-24 - City Council

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00:25Good morning everyone.

00:27>> Good morning everyone.

00:30I am asking all visitors to please

00:33retire outside

00:39the council chamber rails.

00:44Before proceeding, I'm going to ask all

00:46those present to please set your cell

00:48phones to silent and or vibrate.

00:56I note that the hour has come and that a

01:00corner of this city council is present

01:13>> to give our invitation this morning. The

01:15chair recognizes Rabbi Michael Harris

01:20from Quacisha, Israel. He is here today

01:24as a guest of Councilman Ruandal. I will

01:27ask all guests and members to please

01:30rise.

01:37>> Shalom. Shalom.

01:39>> My name is Rabbi Michael Pice. It is an

01:41honor to be here both as we are

01:43celebrating the Jewish holiday but also

01:45recovery month as I am in recovery 15

01:49years from a very serious opiate

01:50addiction.

01:52Thank you. Thank you.

01:55I want to thank Councilman Landal for

01:58having me. It is truly a great honor. 10

02:01years ago, I gave the opening invitation

02:03at the Pennsylvania State House of

02:04Representatives. I told our legislators,

02:07"No one liked them." And I chided them

02:10for not doing a good job. I promise I

02:12won't do that again.

02:14But it's something I said 10 years ago I

02:16believe still resonates to this day.

02:18that being an elected official is a

02:20unique and special role in our society

02:22and culture. That you could affect more

02:25change in one day than most people can

02:28in their entire lives. And that makes

02:30your work sacred because it touches the

02:32lives of so many people. But any job,

02:36even powerful jobs become routine.

02:38Mundess of life sets in and we forget.

02:42So I would ask each council member here

02:44today, remember your first campaign.

02:47Remember the excitement you felt, the

02:49commitments you made, the things you

02:51said you would do if only you could sit

02:53where you sit today

02:56to remind yourself of that authenticity

02:58of purpose.

03:01It's the corporization of politics that

03:03we disrespect.

03:04It's the hyperartisanship that we

03:07disrespect.

03:08But the authenticity of purpose, we all

03:11can respect that whether we agree or

03:13not.

03:15So, let me offer you this blessing. May

03:18God bless and keep you. May God shine

03:21God's light upon you and be gracious to

03:22you. And may God always be turning

03:24toward you and grant you peace. But

03:26more, may God grant you a beginner's

03:28heart so that you can always remember

03:31with humility and compassion why you

03:33wanted to be in this chamber to begin

03:35with. If you could let that inspire your

03:38work, I know you will have truly earned

03:41this blessing. And let us all say amen.

03:46>> Thank you.

03:48>> The chair thanks the rabbi for his

03:50invocation. Council will now be at ease.

03:59>> Yes.

04:37birthday.

04:58>> [music]

05:00>> relax.

05:06Ready?

05:19There you go. [music]

05:28Yeah.

05:38Heat.

05:55>> [music]

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06:07>> The next order of business is the

06:09approval of the journal of the meeting

06:11of Thursday, September the 17th,

06:152026. The chair recognizes Council

06:18Member Cindy Bass.

06:20>> Hold on one second. Hold on.

06:22>> Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. I

06:24move that the journal of the meeting on

06:25Thursday, September 17th, 2026 be

06:28approved.

06:31>> It has been moved and property seconded

06:33that the journal of the meeting of

06:34Thursday, September 17, 2026 stand

06:38approved. All those in favor will

06:40signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? The

06:43eyes have it and the journal is

06:44approved.

06:48The next order of business is request

06:50for leave of absence and the chair

06:51recognizes council member Katherine

06:54Gilmore Richardson.

06:55>> Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of

06:57the majority, a leave of absence is

06:59requested for council member Mark

07:00Squila.

07:01>> The chair thanks the majority leader and

07:03leave will be granted. The chair

07:05recognizes minority leader Kendra

07:07Brooks.

07:08>> Good morning, council president. On

07:10behalf of the minority, there are no

07:11requests for leave absence today. The

07:13chair thanks the minority leader. The

07:16chair now recognizes council member and

07:19majority leader Katherine Gilmore

07:21Richardson for a motion concerning

07:23certain legislative matters that may

07:25arise during the course of today's

07:26session of council and that were not

07:28listed on the calendar circulated prior

07:31to today's council session.

07:34>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

07:35any of the following matters, if

07:37considered today, may be added to the

07:39agenda for this session of council and

07:42as required by law, subsequently

07:44published on an amended agenda after the

07:46consideration of those matters.

07:49Resolutions authorizing hearings.

07:51Amendments to bills on first reading.

07:53The reconsideration of a bill veto by or

07:56recall from the mayor. Amendments to

07:58bills recalled from the mayor.

08:00Resolutions taking substantive action to

08:02be voted on in this session. A motion to

08:04withdraw a bill or resolution that is

08:06not on the calendar. And a motion

08:08placing a bill or resolution on or

08:10returning a bill or resolution from the

08:12suspension calendar that is not listed

08:14on today's calendar. The purpose of this

08:17motion is to provide the public with

08:18notice concerning possible actions by

08:20council that arose too late to be

08:22included on the calendar that was

08:23published prior to today's session.

08:26>> There has been movement property

08:28seconded that the legislative matters

08:30stated by majority captain Gilmore

08:32Richardson may be added to the agenda

08:34for today. So those matters arise during

08:36the course of this session of council.

08:38All those in favor indicate by saying I.

08:41Those opposed, the eyes have it and the

08:43motion carries.

08:46The chair will dispense with a regular

08:48order of business to recognize the

08:49guests and visitors joining us in

08:51chambers this morning. On behalf of all

08:54members of city council, I welcome you

08:55to our council session. We appreciate

08:58you taking the time to join us as we

09:00attend to the legislative affairs of our

09:02great city. We certainly invite you to

09:05come again.

09:15At this time, we will

09:19be providing presentations.

09:22And the first individual we would like

09:24to call up is Councilman Mike Driscoll,

09:26who will present a resolution

09:28recognizing Ambassador John Gerardano,

09:30United States Ambassador to the Republic

09:33of Nambia and celebrating his

09:35distinguished career of public service

09:38with Ambassador Gerardano and those

09:40accompanying him. Please join the

09:42council member at the podium.

09:45Joining Council Member Driscoll are the

09:47following individuals.

09:51Council member O'Neal.

10:15Please proceed, sir. Well, thank you,

10:17Mr. President, and good morning all. Um,

10:21we have a very special guest among us

10:24today, and as council president said, we

10:26have the the ambassador to Namibia. and

10:32uh he's not he's not only in a national

10:34figure uh but uh this individual has had

10:39a lifelong career in public service and

10:42his family hails from southwest

10:43Philadelphia so he's a native son among

10:45us today and I'm proud to to be with

10:49Frank Gordano uh and we'll be with your

10:53lovely wife in in an hour or so over uh

10:56celebrating uh the native son's return

10:59as ambassador

11:01And um it's just it's so exciting when

11:05we can have somebody that is an

11:07ambassador of goodwill from America uh

11:11in the South Africa region. Uh not only

11:14talking about the wonderful things about

11:16America, but ambassador talking about

11:18the wonderful things about Philadelphia.

11:20We talked earlier today. Uh he's

11:23actually promoting Philadelphia to try

11:25and bring business here. And I will note

11:27that he met the president of community

11:30college today and they're already in

11:31conversations about uh doing some

11:34wonderful things. So thank you

11:36ambassador for being here. And with that

11:38we'll get on uh with our recognition of

11:41you on this fine day. So let me begin

11:44with um

11:47recognizing Ambassador John Gyardano,

11:49United States Ambassador to the Republic

11:51of Nibia and celebrating his

11:54distinguished career of public service.

11:56Whereas throughout his distinguished

11:58career, Ambassador Girardano served in

12:01key leadership capacities across local,

12:04state, and federal government, including

12:07positions in the United States

12:08Department of Energy, the United States

12:10Department of Justice, Environmental,

12:12and Natural Resources Division, as

12:15Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania

12:17Department of Conservation and Natural

12:19Resources, and as an assistant

12:21commissioner of the New Jersey

12:23Department of Environmental Protection,

12:26And

12:29whereas, excuse me, whereas Ambassador

12:32Jordano has consistently dedicated

12:34himself to educating future generations

12:37of leaders, having served as a lecturer

12:39in law at the University of Pennsylvania

12:42Law School and an adjunct professor at

12:45Rutgers University School of Law. And

12:48whereas in 2019, Ambassador Jordano

12:52expanded his service to the

12:53international arena when he was

12:55appointed to represent the United States

12:57at the 74th session of the United

13:00Nations General Assembly, focusing on

13:03critical global issues including human

13:05trafficking, counter measures, and

13:07counterterrorism.

13:09And

13:11whereas in early 2025,

13:14he answered the call to public service

13:15once again, serving as the United States

13:18attorney for the District of New Jersey,

13:21where he oversaw federal prosecutions

13:23and targeted transactional criminal

13:26networks, drug trafficking, human

13:28trafficking, and violent gang

13:30operations. And

13:34whereas John Deardano was confirmed by

13:38the United States Senate as United

13:40States Ambassador to the Republic of

13:42Namibia on October 7th, 2025. sworn in

13:46on October 9th, 2025 and presented his

13:49credentials to President Natumbbo Nandi

13:53Nadawa on October 29th, 2025

13:57and resolved by the council of the city

14:01of Philadelphia that it hereby

14:03recognizes Ambassador John Deardano,

14:05United States Ambassador to the Republic

14:08of Namibia, and commends him for his

14:10decades of dedicated service to our

14:12region and nation and wishes

14:15continued success in representing the

14:18United States on the world stage.

14:21Further resolved that an engrossed copy

14:23of this resolution be presented to

14:26Ambassador John Deano

14:29as evidence of the sincere respect of

14:32this legislative body.

14:35So on behalf of all 17 council members

14:38and Mr. uh President Johnson Ambassador,

14:41we'd like to present you with this

14:42resolution.

14:44Congratulations.

14:47Thank you so much.

14:50Congratulations.

14:51Thanks for your service. Chair

14:53recognizes Ambassador Girardano for

14:55remarks.

15:00That is beautiful. Thank you.

15:10Get everybody close here.

15:14President Johnson, Councilman Driscoll,

15:17all 17 members of city council, [snorts]

15:20family,

15:22and the many friends that have joined us

15:24this morning. Thank you for this

15:26absolutely extraordinary honor. I've had

15:29the privilege, you've heard, of serving

15:30our country in in several capacities

15:33here in Pennsylvania,

15:36across the river in New Jersey, in

15:38Washington DC, and now as the United

15:41States ambassador in Namibia. But

15:44wherever public service has taken me, I

15:47have always carried Philadelphia with

15:49me. The city teaches you something

15:52important. to work hard, to stand your

15:55ground, and to never ever forget where

15:58you've come from. Those lessons have

16:02served me extremely well. As ambassador,

16:05I represent our country with confidence

16:07and purpose to advance American

16:10interests, support American companies

16:12and workers, and demonstrate what the

16:14United States and Philadelphia bring to

16:17the world. To be recognized for that

16:19service here in my hometown of

16:21Philadelphia means more to me than I can

16:24adequately express this morning.

16:28Thank you to council again to Councilman

16:30Driscoll and especially to my family and

16:34friends that are here with us today. I

16:37will always be proud to represent the

16:39United States and to call Philadelphia

16:41home. Thank you.

16:49Council will be at ease.

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17:00Heat. Heat.

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17:24Heat. Heat. N. [music]

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17:34Heat.

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18:16Heat.

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18:47>> [music]

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18:58>> The chair

19:00takes a moment of personal privilege to

19:02recognize majority leader Katherine

19:04Gilmore Richardson.

19:06>> Thank you so much, Council President. I

19:08appreciate the recognition. Uh today,

19:10Council President, I wanted to recognize

19:12the presence of a very special young

19:14person. uh who is joining us here in

19:17council chambers today. Uh please allow

19:20us to welcome Avery Jones. He is a ninth

19:22grader at Frieri Charter High School. Uh

19:25he is here in council today to see

19:28democracy in action. Stand up Avery.

19:35He's here today to witness democracy in

19:38action. But Avery runs track and field.

19:40Uh he participates in shotput, javelin,

19:44and disc field events Jones. Uh and he

19:47is an award-winning track star uh in our

19:49city. I think he's a future uh Olympian.

19:52He's a wonderful young man, and we are

19:54proud to welcome him here to

19:56Philadelphia City Council.

19:57>> Congratulations. Welcome.

20:02The chair recognized Councilman Dr. Nina

20:04May.

20:05>> Thank you, Council President. Uh, I

20:07would like to briefly acknowledge uh a

20:10group of amazing women who are here

20:13today to show support for the resolution

20:15I'm introducing honoring the Miss

20:18Philadelphia Scholarship Organization

20:20for its 105th anniversary. And I

20:23appreciate uh them turning out in force.

20:26And I want to um just make sure I read

20:29out their names because they've been

20:30working hard. Uh, I'll start with

20:33recognizing the current Miss

20:35Philadelphia, Jenna Anger, if she would

20:38stand. Um, the current Miss Philadelphia

20:41teen, uh, Sena Wong, and the current

20:45Miss Pennsylvania who's here with us,

20:48uh, Stephanie Skinner. Uh, I also want

20:52to uh acknowledge and thank uh a group

20:54of former Miss Philadelphia title

20:57holders. Andrea Mckenry, Duffy, Regina

21:00Hines, Kipley Bell, Christina Elena

21:03Guzman, Veronica Clearly, Diamond

21:07Edmunds, Holly Herror, Nia Andrews, and

21:11Tanishio Wilson. Thank you so much for

21:14all the work you do and representing us

21:16so well. Thank you, Council President.

21:18much. Welcome to city council.

21:27>> At this time, the chair recognizes

21:29Councilman Jim Harity, who will present

21:31a resolution recognizing September 26 as

21:34National Recovery Month. In honoring the

21:37strength of those impacted by addition,

21:40will Gina Harley and those accompanying

21:42her please join Council Member Jim Hardy

21:45at the podium.

21:49Members who will be joining council

21:51member Harry are the following. Council

21:54member Brooks, Council Member Phillips,

21:55Council Member Lazada, Council Member

21:57Amed, Council Member Bass, and Council

21:59Member Landal.

22:09>> You can proceed. Council member Jim

22:11Hery.

22:13>> Thank you, Council President. Good

22:15morning, everyone.

22:17Um

22:18before we get started on reading the

22:20resolution, uh I'd just like to say a

22:24few words. Uh I'm not going to bore you

22:28with my story. Most of you have already

22:31heard that many times. uh but what I'd

22:35like to speak about today

22:39starts with the first word in alcoholic

22:43and narcotics anonymous right u the word

22:49is anonymous right and for far too long

22:54those of us in long-term recovery

22:58have hidden behind the aminity

23:02Right.

23:05But

23:06what we're facing today

23:10calls for us to come out of the shadows,

23:13to stand up, to tell our stories. Not

23:17for us,

23:19for those who may be struggling

23:23so that they know

23:25that recovery is possible,

23:29right? You can get your life back.

23:33In the program, we say you'll get back

23:36everything you lost and then some.

23:40You need to look no further than right

23:44here to see that.

23:47For me, being in this chamber

23:51is unbelievable.

23:54I drive up and I look at city hall every

23:57morning as I'm coming in and I think to

24:00myself, what did God do? Right?

24:06Because for me, I know it wasn't me. I

24:09know it was something higher than me,

24:12something bigger than me. that for me to

24:17hide that or to hide behind my aminity

24:23is not who I am, right? I don't tell my

24:27story for me. I tell my story for the

24:31other struggling addict so that they

24:35know that if they put in the time and if

24:39they work it,

24:41they will get amazing things in their

24:43life.

24:45I have amazing things. And the key word

24:49that we all use in recovery is grateful,

24:53right?

24:55I am a grateful recovering addict.

25:08So, I'm calling on everyone in recovery.

25:14to come out of the shadows to tell your

25:18story to show people what happens when

25:22you are in long-term recovery. Right? I

25:26am a councilman today.

25:29At one point I was homeless, right?

25:33You know,

25:35God is good all the time. So with that,

25:39I'm going to read our thing and thank

25:42our friends at

25:43>> He's Baptist Catholic.

25:45>> Yeah.

25:46>> DBHS

25:49uh for all the amazing work that they do

25:51every day. They are literally doing

25:55God's work. That's what I believe.

25:58>> That's what I believe we here are

26:01supposed to do, right? We are supposed

26:03to be the people who fight up for those

26:07who have no one to fight for. So I

26:10choose to fight for that struggling

26:12addict every day because for me

26:17I have no choice. In order to keep what

26:21I have, I must give it away.

26:25So with that, I'd like to start with

26:30recognizing September 26, 2026 as

26:35National Recovery Month, honoring the

26:37strength of those impacted by addiction.

26:43Whereas National Recovery Month is

26:45observed every September to increase

26:48awareness and understanding of mental

26:50health and substance use disorders, the

26:52Substance Abuse and Mental Health

26:55Services Administration states that

26:57National Recovery Month began in 1989 to

27:01help recognize and support new recovery

27:04practices with studies to help make

27:07recovery safe and available to all. And

27:15Whereas, according to the Philadelphia

27:17Department of Public Health, since 2020,

27:206,281

27:21people have fatally overdosed in

27:24Philadelphia. While fatal overdoses in

27:26the city peaked in 2022 with 1,413

27:31deaths, the numbers remain high through

27:342024 with 1,69 fatal incidents. In 2024,

27:40around 77% of deaths involved opioid use

27:44and another decreasing trend, which was

27:46another decreasing trend. However,

27:49despite these overall declining trends

27:51from 2023 to 2024, there was an 8.6%

27:56increase in overdose deaths involving

27:59stimulants without opioids. And

28:03>> whereas around 44% nearly half of

28:07Philadelphiaians personally know someone

28:10struggling with substance use disorder.

28:12According to a study from Pew Research

28:15Institute, one in four of that same

28:18group of Philadelphiaians responded to

28:21knowing someone who fatally overdosed.

28:24And excuse me,

28:28whereas 47% of Philadelphiaians believe

28:32that the opioid crisis has negatively

28:35impacted their neighborhood quality of

28:37life, where those Philadelphiaians in

28:40the River Wards, where the most highly

28:42impacted neighborhoods like Kensington,

28:45North Philadelphia, Glenwood, Fairill,

28:47and others have been hit hardest by the

28:50opioid epidemic, marking a dramatic

28:53increase in overdoses over the past

28:55decade compared to other major

28:58metropolitan cities. And

29:02whereas despite the challenges that

29:04persist with regards to substance use

29:06disorder and more specifically opioid

29:10use disorder, public sentiment seems to

29:12be shifting. In a 2025 poll from Pew,

29:1651% of residents reported understanding

29:19opioid use disorder as a medical

29:21condition and public health crisis

29:24rather than something someone brings

29:25upon themsel, up from 39% in 2019. And

29:33whereas National Recovery Month serves

29:36as an opportunity to honor the

29:37individuals and learn long-term

29:39recovery, their families, treatment

29:42providers, harm reduction workers, first

29:44responders, and recovery community

29:47organizations who work every day to

29:50support Philadelphiaians affected by

29:52substance use disorder. We must

29:54recognize that recovery is possible and

29:57that every person struggling with

29:59addiction deserves compassion, dignity,

30:03and access to care. Now, therefore, be

30:06it

30:09>> resolved by the council, the city of

30:12Philadelphia recognizes September 2026

30:16as National Recovery Month and honors

30:19the strength of those impacted by SUD,

30:22substance use disorder, and the ongoing

30:26struggle of addiction in our city. And

30:29be it

30:32sorry

30:34be it further resolved that an embossed

30:36and gross copy of this resolution will

30:39be presented to the department of

30:41behavioral health and intellectual

30:43disabilities at the future session of

30:46council as a symbol of our profound

30:48respect and admiration felt by the

30:50legislative body and the citizens of

30:53Philadelphia. Thank you guys.

30:59The chair recognizes

31:01the Gino Harley and Lawrence Jackson for

31:04remarks.

31:06>> Good morning, council president, council

31:08members, and members of the public

31:10joining us today. My name is Gina

31:12Harley, and I am the chief program

31:15officer for the Department of Behavioral

31:16Health and Intellectual Disabilities,

31:19aka DBHDS.

31:21Our commissioner, Kenny Salanki,

31:24unfortunately could not be here today,

31:27but she is thrilled that council will

31:28take out time of their schedules to

31:30acknowledge not only the act of

31:32recovery, but the action of recovery.

31:36September is an especially significant

31:38month for DBHIDS as we join communities

31:41across the country recognizing National

31:43Recovery Month. All [snorts] year long,

31:46especially this month, we have regular

31:49events, initiatives, and messages that

31:51focus on recovery. We take time to

31:54celebrate progress, recognize those who

31:57make recovery possible, and invite all

32:00of Philadelphia to be part of a building

32:03recovery ready community. So, thank you,

32:06Council Member Herity, for your

32:08partnership and your belief in ensuring

32:11that people you serve have sustained

32:14access to care and support throughout

32:16every stage of their recovery. Your

32:19leadership underscores the city's

32:21commitment to walk alongside

32:23individuals, reducing barriers, and

32:26creating conditions where recovery is

32:29possible. And that commitment at DBHIDS

32:33is grounded in what we call care

32:36framework

32:37which stands for connection, access,

32:40resilience, and equity.

32:42Connection reminds us that recovery does

32:45not happen alone. The relationships

32:48represented in recovery like peers,

32:51families, providers, friends provide

32:55hope, encouragement, and a sense of

32:57belonging. Access means ensuring that

33:00people can find and connect to the

33:02resources and supports they need when

33:05they need them. Recovery should not

33:08depend on the neighborhood you come

33:09from, your circumstances, or whether you

33:13know where to turn to for help. We must

33:16continue building clear and accessible

33:18pathways to care, support, housing,

33:23employment, community, and opportunities

33:26so that everyone has a meaningful

33:28opportunity to begin and sustain their

33:31recovery.

33:34Resilience is at the heart of recovery

33:37and it is the courage to begin again to

33:40ask for help, to keep moving forward,

33:42and to recognize that setbacks do not

33:45erase progress. And equity means

33:48ensuring that recovery is possible for

33:50everyone. We need to confront the

33:53barriers and disparities that prevent

33:55people from getting the support that

33:57they deserve. That care commitment

33:59reflects our mission at DBHIDS, which is

34:03to educate, strengthen, and serve

34:05individuals and communities so that all

34:07Philadelphiaians can thrive. And it

34:10moves us toward our vision of a

34:12Philadelphia where individuals can

34:14achieve health, wealth, well-being, and

34:17self-determination.

34:18And that's where Lawrence D. Jackson

34:20comes in. Lawrence is not here only to

34:23represent DBHS,

34:25but also a living example of what the

34:27connection, access, resilience, and

34:29equity can look like in a person's life.

34:32Lawrence journey has not been a straight

34:35path. It has twists, turns, challenges,

34:38and triumphs. And it is that journey

34:40that continues today. His story reminds

34:43us to I'm sorry. His story reminds us

34:46that recovery is not always linear and

34:48that the right connections, support, and

34:50opportunities can make a meaningful

34:52difference along the way. But rather

34:55than tell his story for him, I'd like to

34:57give him the opportunity to share a

34:59little of his journey on his own. So,

35:02please help me welcome Mr. Lawrence D.

35:04Jackson.

35:11>> Good morning. Good morning. I'm a

35:14grateful recovering person from the

35:16disease of addiction named Lawrence D.

35:18Jackson. I have always been the type of

35:22man who likes to set goals for myself

35:24and I take pride in being that way. And

35:27and that's what happened in 1986 when I

35:30knew I had what it took to graduate from

35:32college and to play professional

35:34football. So in 1987, I got a chance to

35:37play in the NFL in my hometown of

35:39Atlanta with the Atlanta Falcons. I had

35:42reached my goal, but my career would be

35:45derailed by an injury. The injury

35:48impacted me in ways I could never have

35:50predicted. The goal I had set in my mind

35:54was gone in a matter of seconds. I had

35:57no plan in my mind, no future. I had

36:00never touched hard drugs before in my

36:03life. But feeling like I had nothing, I

36:05turned to drugs and alcohol to ease my

36:08pain. I wandered in the wilderness of

36:12drug addiction for over 37 years.

36:15In October of 2017, I hit my bottom.

36:19That was what caused me from to come

36:22from Atlanta to Philly with the intent

36:25to commit bank fraud to feed my

36:27addiction. I was caught, arrested, and

36:30spent 53 days in jail. I was given a

36:34signature bond in four years probation

36:36and my mental health probation officer

36:39was instrumental in helping me to go to

36:41my first rehab in March of 2018.

36:45By completing the rehab program, my

36:48pending criminal charges in Georgia were

36:51dismissed. However, I relapsed and went

36:53through rehab again. And I didn't

36:55understand I needed to do more than just

36:58get clean. I needed to learn how to stay

37:00clean. I had to learn how to actively

37:03change my behavior and my attitude.

37:06During my second stint in rehab, I went

37:09through the DBHIDS

37:11journey of hope program. The dedicated

37:14staff of the city of Phil of that

37:16Philadelphia

37:17the dedicated staff of that city of

37:20Philadelphia program made all the

37:22difference in helping me turn my life

37:24around to become a productive member of

37:27society. I am truly a product of the

37:30Department of Behavioral Health,

37:32Intellectual Disability Services.

37:39I went back to setting personal goals. I

37:43knew I wanted a job that would enable me

37:45to help people who may felt as hopeless

37:47as I had. In April of 2022, I was able

37:51to become a certified PI specialist and

37:54I am now employed with DBHIDS

37:57with the mobile outreach recovery

37:59services unit.

38:05Being on the Morris team has been

38:07instrumental in my staying clean and

38:09sober. It has helped me to provide the

38:12lifeline to people who sometimes are

38:15unable to see a way out of what they are

38:17really dealing with. While working on

38:19the Morris team, I set a goal also to

38:21become a behavioral healthc case manager

38:24and I have held that title for over two

38:26years. I set a goal to become a

38:29homeowner. I was able to achieve that

38:31goal under the city's turn the key

38:33program where I bought a brand new home

38:36in May of 2024.

38:38Now my wife and I host watch parties,

38:41not for the Atlanta Falcons, but for the

38:43Philadelphia Eagles.

38:50>> Thanks to the continued support I

38:53received from my manager, supervisor,

38:55and co-workers. In January of this year,

38:58I set a goal to get my master's degree.

39:00I'm happy to say that in May of 2027, I

39:04will be receiving my master's degree in

39:06human services and you all are invited

39:08to the graduation.

39:13Finally,

39:16finally, I'd like to say every day I set

39:18a goal to stay clean and serene. I stand

39:20before you today with 4 years, 9 months,

39:24and 11 days clean. My eternal goal is to

39:27stay clean for the rest of my life.

39:31Thank you for letting me share my little

39:34story today of my journey. And look,

39:36please don't give up on people in your

39:38life who are being challenged right now

39:40because I am the personification of

39:43resilience. Recovery is real. Thank you.

39:52Council be at ease.

39:57>> [music]

40:04[music]

40:07>> Hey,

40:10[music]

40:19hey, hey. [music]

40:26>> [music]

40:34[music]

40:39[music]

40:45[music]

40:49>> What are you

41:17Oh my god.

41:27[music]

41:33[music]

41:38All

41:43>> [music]

41:49[music]

42:01>> right, please.

42:10At this time, the chair recognizes

42:14Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas, who present

42:17a resolution honoring and congratulating

42:20Dr. Alicia Marshall. As the Community

42:23College of Philadelphia celebrates her

42:25investigure as the college's seventh

42:28president with Dr. Delicia Marshall and

42:31those accompanying her, please join

42:34Council Member Thomas at the podium.

42:39Members of city council participating in

42:41this presentation are at the following.

42:43Council member Dr. Anthony Phillips,

42:46Council Member Jeffrey J. Young Jr.,

42:49Council Member Kendra Brooks, Council

42:53Member Jamie Cartier,

42:55and Council Member Katherine Gilmore

42:59Richardson,

43:01and Council Member Dr. Nina Amed.

43:06Good morning, everybody. Uh,

43:08>> good morning.

43:08>> Thank you, Council President. I know

43:10somebody's up this morning. Um,

43:14my name is Council Member Isaiah Thomas

43:15and I am the chair of the education

43:17committee and for me to be standing here

43:20today to recognize um, Dr. Marshall is

43:23an honor and a privilege. And so as the

43:26person who's been really leading the

43:28charge and trying to organize an effort

43:31to not just have the education committee

43:33focus on traditional K through 12

43:35settings, uh we've actually looked at

43:37preK, if you know about our hearing uh

43:39this past summer and we've really had a

43:42strong focus on higher academia. And

43:44when I think about uh the collaboration

43:46with CCP, uh whether it's the interns

43:48who come to council, the events that we

43:51partner with, or the KO scholarship

43:53program, um I'm going to take a moment

43:55of personal privilege to embarrass Jason

43:57Lawson. Jason, stand up, please. Jason's

43:59an intern technically for you, council

44:02president. And he's a recipient of uh

44:05the great work that's happening at CCP.

44:09So with that being said, I want to uh

44:11start today's presentation by passing it

44:13to another member of the education

44:14committee, Dr. Nina Ahmad. And I want to

44:17again take a moment of personal

44:19privilege to say congratulations to Dr.

44:21Marshall and thank you to the entire

44:23team at CCP for being a great partner uh

44:26to the city of Philadelphia and for

44:28being an amazing institution for young

44:31people all across the Commonwealth of

44:32Pennsylvania. Dr. Ahmad

44:35Oops.

44:38Adding my congratulations uh to what the

44:41chair of education committee said. I'll

44:44start with whereas Dr. Alicia Marshall,

44:48Ph.D., joined the Community College of

44:50Philadelphia in 2022 as provost and vice

44:55president for academic and student

44:57success where she provided strategic

45:00oversight of academic affairs, workforce

45:04development, and student support and

45:06engagement. And

45:12whereas in May of 2025, Dr. Marshall was

45:15appointed interim president of the

45:16Community College of Philadelphia,

45:18providing steady leadership during a

45:21period of transition before being

45:22selected at the college's permanent

45:24president in October of 2025 following a

45:27national search becoming the seventh

45:29president in the institution's history.

45:31And

45:35whereas Dr. Marshall's distinguished

45:37career in higher education spans nearly

45:4023 years at Anne Arundo Community

45:44College in Maryland where she rose

45:46through the ranks as a tenure full

45:48professor of mathematics department

45:51chair of mathematics and the associate

45:53vice president for learning and academic

45:56affairs and she earned her PhD in

45:58mathematics education from the

46:00University of Maryland College Park a

46:04master of arts in ton from Bowie State

46:06University and a bachelor's of arts in

46:09mathematics from the University of

46:11Maryland, Baltimore County. And

46:13>> that's heavy. [applause]

46:16>> I literally just said the same thing,

46:17council president. I said, "Mathematics?

46:19[laughter] I didn't know that about

46:21you." Um, whereas a nationally

46:24recognized leader in mathematics,

46:26education, and equity, Dr. Marshall has

46:29been named an Aspen Rising President's

46:31Fellow and a Charles Dana Center

46:34Mathematics Pathways Leadership Fellow

46:37while receiving numerous honors for her

46:39contributions to STEM, higher education,

46:43and faculty excellence and has

46:46contributed to national education

46:49initiatives through her work with

46:51organizations including TPSE,

46:55Math, and Carnegie Math Pathways And

46:59whereas

47:01>> and whereas we know Dr. Marshall has

47:04demonstrated a long-standing commitment

47:06to developing future leaders and

47:09expanding opportunity founding the

47:11African-American Leadership Institute at

47:13Anna Rundell Community College and

47:16spearheading the Aspiring Leaders

47:17Fellowship Program at Community College

47:20of Philadelphia while also contributing

47:22to Philadelphia's educational and

47:24workforce ecosystem through service with

47:27organizations including Philadelphia

47:29Works, the Philadelphia Eds and Meds

47:31Collaborative, and the Econom Economy

47:33League of Greater Philadelphia. Now,

47:35therefore, be it

47:38resolved by the Council of the City of

47:40Philadelphia that we hereby honor and

47:43congratulate Dr. Alicia Marshall, PhD,

47:47on her investature as the seventh

47:49president of the Community College of

47:51Philadelphia. And we recognize her

47:54continued commitment to academic

47:56excellence, student success, and the

47:58advancement of higher education in

48:00[laughter] Philadelphia. And be it

48:02further resolved that an engrossed copy

48:04of this resolution be presented to Dr.

48:07Alicia Marshall, Ph.D., as evidence of

48:10the sincere admiration and respect of

48:13our legislative body. Congratulations.

48:21>> She recognizes Dr. Alicia Marshall.

48:32I'm going to be tall for one moment in

48:34time.

48:36It's overrated.

48:38[laughter] I agree.

48:41It is my distinct honor and pleasure to

48:44be here today in this moment.

48:48I want to thank Council President

48:50Johnson,

48:52Council Member Thomas, and as CCP

48:55resides in his district, Council Member

48:57Young, and the entire city council

49:01membership

49:03for this honor.

49:05I want to say that a few minutes before

49:08this started, Council Member Thomas said

49:10to me, "I never do presentations here.

49:14I'm doing this one, and this is the last

49:16one I'm doing. [laughter]

49:18But you're worth it.

49:20So he set the bar high. I have to live

49:23up to that. So thank you for that.

49:28It is a true privilege to serve as the

49:31seventh president of Community College

49:33of Philadelphia.

49:35Yes, it's a true privilege.

49:41But it's not lost on me about the timing

49:45of this transition and leadership.

49:50The Community College of Philadelphia

49:51this year is celebrating 60 years of

49:55transforming the lives of almost 800,000

50:00city residents.

50:08This institution has done incredible

50:11work

50:12and we are building on that work.

50:16I am working collaboratively with the

50:18team with some incredibly talented

50:21faculty and staff at the Community

50:23College of Philadelphia every day who

50:25show up for our students.

50:28At CCP, we have created an environment

50:31where success is inescapable.

50:35It is all a testament to the passion and

50:38the commitment of the great people that

50:40I work with at the Community College of

50:42Philadelphia.

50:45But it is not just faculty and staff at

50:48Community College of Philadelphia. It is

50:50community and it is our partnership with

50:53city council that supports our efforts.

50:58One thing that I recognized very quickly

51:01in my few months as the president was

51:05the deep commitment of this city council

51:09to the city's college and to this city.

51:14Not just the investment in our cattle

51:16scholarship program, for example, not

51:19just the investment but also the

51:22personal investment.

51:24When I look around this room,

51:28I see that pretty much every member of

51:30city council has been to our campus

51:33multiple times. I am going to take a

51:38little bit of privilege in mentioning

51:40just a few recent visits. Council Member

51:43Young, thank you so much for coming and

51:47being with us at our cattle family

51:50reunion a few weeks ago where we

51:52celebrated 700 new cattle scholars

51:55joining the CCP family.

52:03Thank you to Council Member Thomas for

52:05bringing his Drive Equality tour to CCP

52:08just a few days ago and bringing Council

52:12Member Brooks, our very own CCP alumni

52:15with him.

52:17Yes. creating.

52:24They created a wonderful opportunity for

52:26our students to learn and to see

52:28firsthand what can happen when you put

52:31power into an opportunity for students

52:34and for this community.

52:38City council, I thank you for your

52:40partnership. I thank you for your

52:42commitment. I thank you for continuously

52:45showing up and showing our students and

52:48this community what is possible.

52:51I also want to thank Council Member

52:52Jones who was recently at our career

52:55advanced technology center in West

52:56Philadelphia

52:58celebrating our launch of the Penn CCCP

53:02Entrepreneurship Academy.

53:10I have to take a moment to talk about

53:12this because the PennCP Entrepreneurship

53:15Academy will be an opportunity for

53:18business owners in West Philadelphia to

53:21gain free access to business development

53:24services. This is an incredible

53:27inaugural partnership and an example of

53:30what you can see coming moving forward.

53:34The effort around the vision for CCP

53:37over the next 60 years is to continue to

53:40deepen our partnership, create more

53:43opportunities for pathways to bachelor's

53:45degree attainment

53:47for short-term credentiing so that

53:49individuals and city residents can

53:51upskill and gain economic mobility. to

53:55continue to support small businesses, to

53:58collaborate with our school district in

53:59creating pathways and partnerships for

54:02expanding dual enrollment. The list goes

54:05on and on, but we do that with your

54:08support and your help. So, thank you,

54:10city council, for your partnership. And

54:13the last thing I want to say about

54:16partnership is acknowledging the faculty

54:19and staff at the community college of

54:21Philadelphia and specifically the

54:24cabinet and the senior leadership that

54:27is standing behind me today.

54:36They work collaboratively with me to

54:38lead the institution to ensure that we

54:41are improving and creating more

54:43opportunities for success. And I thank

54:46them for their partnership.

54:50This has been a true honor. I am

54:52privileged to be here. I am thankful for

54:54this opportunity and I accept this on

54:57behalf of the faculty, staff, and most

55:00importantly the students at the

55:02community college of Philadelphia. I

55:04look forward to working with you and

55:06making our next chapter our best chapter

55:09for the city's college and for the city

55:11of Philadelphia.

55:20>> [music]

55:28[music]

55:35[music]

55:45[music]

55:45>> Heat. Heat.

55:51[music]

55:59[music]

56:09>> [music]

56:17[music]

56:22[music]

56:43[music]

56:49[music]

56:56>> Hey. Hey. Hey.

57:08>> [music]

57:14[music]

57:21>> Hey,

57:25hey, hey. [music]

57:33>> [music]

57:46>> The next order of business is

57:48communications. The chair request that

57:50the sergeant and arms deliver the

57:52messages from the mayor to the chief

57:54clerk. Will the chief clerk read the

57:56messages from the mayor and any other

57:58communications in his possession?

58:06>> To the president

58:08to the president and the members of the

58:09council of the city of Philadelphia. I'm

58:11submitting herewith for the

58:12consideration of your honorable body the

58:14following proposed. an ordinance

58:17authorizing the commissioner of public

58:18property on behalf of the city of

58:20Philadelphia to enter into lease or

58:22subleasase agreements with the

58:23Philadelphia Authority for Industrial

58:25Development for all or a portion of the

58:27premises that includes certain parcels

58:29of land generally referred to as Victory

58:31Gardens and Emerson Landfill for

58:34environmental remediation of the land

58:36development of a facility at said

58:38premises and use as a training facility

58:40all under certain terms and conditions.

58:44And I'm pleased to advise you that on

58:46September 23rd, 2026, I signed the

58:48following bill which was passed by

58:50council at its session on September

58:5217th, 2026.

58:54Bill number 260508.

58:57There are no further communications in

58:59my possession. Council President,

59:04>> thank you very much. And the messages

59:06will be presented printed in the

59:08journal.

59:13The next order of business is the

59:14introduction of bills and resolutions.

59:16The chair recognizes Councilman Dr.

59:20Anthony Phillips.

59:22>> Good morning, Council President. Good

59:23morning, everyone here. Uh, Council

59:25President, I have no bills or

59:26resolutions for introduction today.

59:28>> Thank you very much. Chair recognizes

59:29Council Majority Katherine Gilmore

59:31Richardson.

59:32>> Thank you, Council President. This

59:33morning, I offer three bills on your

59:35behalf.

59:36>> Thank you very much. Will the chief

59:37clerk please read the title of the

59:39bills?

59:40>> Thank you.

59:43an ordinance regulating the placement of

59:44a truck loading zone on South 23rd

59:47Street between South Street and Naldane

59:49Street all under certain terms and

59:50conditions.

59:51>> This bill will be referred to

59:52appropriate committee

59:53>> and an ordinance to amend the

59:54Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the

59:56zoning designations of certain areas of

59:58land located within an area bounded by

1:00:00Wharton Street, 28th Street, Reed

1:00:02Street, and Newkerk Street. This bill

1:00:05referred to the appropriate committee

1:00:06>> and an ordinance to amend the

1:00:08Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the

1:00:09zoning designations of certain areas of

1:00:11land located within an area bounded by

1:00:13Wharton Street, Broad Street, Reed

1:00:15Street, and Carile Street.

1:00:17>> This bill refers to the appropriate

1:00:18committee. Chair recognizes Council

1:00:20Member Jamie Gautier.

1:00:22>> Good morning, Council President. Today I

1:00:24have two non-privileged resolutions, one

1:00:27bill and one privilege resolution on

1:00:29your behalf.

1:00:29>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:00:31read the title of the bill and

1:00:32resolutions.

1:00:34>> An ordinance authorizing encroachments

1:00:36in the nature of planners in the

1:00:37vicinity of 3001 Chestnut Street under

1:00:40certain terms and conditions.

1:00:42>> This bill will be referred to

1:00:43appropriate committee

1:00:45>> and a non-privileged resolution also

1:00:48naming the 200 block of South 50th

1:00:50Street as monumental way to honor the

1:00:52legacy and impact of the monumental

1:00:54Baptist church on the Walnut Hill

1:00:56community. This resolution be placed on

1:00:59the final passage calendar for

1:01:01consideration at our next session of

1:01:03council.

1:01:06and a non-p privileged resolution

1:01:09recognizing Black Bottom as the first

1:01:11and official name of the neighborhood in

1:01:12West Philadelphia, bounded by 32nd

1:01:15Street to the east, 40th Street to the

1:01:17west, University Avenue to the south,

1:01:19and Lancaster Avenue to the north,

1:01:21ensuring that future communication or

1:01:23action on the part of the city of

1:01:24Philadelphia acknowledges this

1:01:26community's importance to our city.

1:01:29This resolution will be placed on the

1:01:30final pastor's calendar for

1:01:32consideration at the next session of

1:01:33council

1:01:34>> and a um and a privileged resolution

1:01:36authorizing the committee on streets and

1:01:38services to hold hearings to examine the

1:01:40city's implementation of its vision zero

1:01:43action plan evaluate progress towards

1:01:45eliminating traffic fatalities and

1:01:47serious injuries and to identify

1:01:49opportunities to improve roadway safety

1:01:51throughout Philadelphia including

1:01:53through daylighting, traffic calming,

1:01:55pedestrian infrastructure and other such

1:01:57measures.

1:01:58This resolution be placed on today's

1:02:00final passage calendar. The chair

1:02:02recognizes council member Isaiah Thomas.

1:02:04>> Morning council president. Good morning

1:02:06colleague.

1:02:06>> Good morning council president. Good

1:02:07morning colleagues. Good morning to the

1:02:08city of Philadelphia. I have nothing

1:02:09today. Thank you council president.

1:02:11>> Thank you chair recognized councilman

1:02:12Curtis Jones Jr.

1:02:13>> Thank you Mr. President colleagues. Uh

1:02:16in the tradition of uh Johnkeff Baba

1:02:20uh I submit one non-privileged

1:02:22resolution.

1:02:23>> Thank you very much. Mr. Chief Clerk,

1:02:24please read the title of the one

1:02:26non-privileged resolution, please.

1:02:28>> A non-privileged resolution renaming the

1:02:305600 block of Woodbine Avenue as James

1:02:33A. Reed Way to honor the life, legacy,

1:02:36and lasting contributions of James A.

1:02:38Jim Reed to the city of Philadelphia.

1:02:42>> This resolution be placed on a final

1:02:44passage calendar for consideration the

1:02:46next session of council. The chair

1:02:47recognize council ruland.

1:02:49>> Good morning, council president,

1:02:51colleagues, and the public. Today I have

1:02:53one privileged resolution and one

1:02:55non-privileged resolution on your

1:02:57behalf.

1:02:57>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:02:58read the title of the resolutions,

1:03:00please.

1:03:01>> A privileged resolution recognizing,

1:03:04congratulating, and celebrating

1:03:05Philadelphia VIP for its outstanding

1:03:08contributions to Philadelphia on the

1:03:10occasion of its 45th anniversary.

1:03:13This resolution will be placed on

1:03:14today's final passes calendar

1:03:16>> and a privileged and a non-p privileged

1:03:19resolution urging the office of the

1:03:20comproller of the currency and the

1:03:22federal deposit insurance corporation to

1:03:25withdraw the proposed amendments to

1:03:26their community reinvestment act rules

1:03:28which would roll back anti- redlinining

1:03:30standards and weaken banking services to

1:03:33low and moderate income communities

1:03:34while threatening investments in

1:03:36affordable housing and community

1:03:38development. This resolution be placed

1:03:40on the final passage calendar for

1:03:42consideration at our next session of

1:03:44council chair recognized councilman Katy

1:03:46Lazada. Good morning council president.

1:03:48Good morning everyone. I offer two

1:03:50privilege resolutions and one bill on my

1:03:53behalf and I offer one bill on your

1:03:56behalf.

1:03:57>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:03:59read the title of the bill and

1:04:01resolutions.

1:04:03an ordinance regulating the placement of

1:04:05a truck loading zone on 1716 Frankfurt

1:04:08Avenue between Palmer Street and East

1:04:10Columbia Avenue, all under certain terms

1:04:12and conditions. This bill will be

1:04:14referred to the appropriate committee

1:04:16>> and an ordinance authorizing the

1:04:17commissioner of public property on

1:04:19behalf of the city of Philadelphia to

1:04:21enter into lease or subleasase

1:04:22agreements with the Philadelphia

1:04:23Authority for Industrial Development for

1:04:26all or a portion of the premises that

1:04:28includes certain parcels of land

1:04:30generally referred to as Victory Gardens

1:04:32and Emerson Landfill for environmental

1:04:35remediation of the land. development of

1:04:37a facility at said premises and as use

1:04:40as a training facility all under certain

1:04:42terms and conditions.

1:04:44>> This bill will be referred to

1:04:45appropriate committee

1:04:46>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

1:04:49and honoring St. James Lutheran Church

1:04:50on its 100th anniversary and celebrating

1:04:53its centennial as a pillar of faith,

1:04:55community service, and providing

1:04:57spiritual guidance. This resolution will

1:05:00be placed on today's final basis

1:05:02calendar

1:05:03>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

1:05:04and honoring distinguished Latino

1:05:06leaders and community advocates in the

1:05:09city of Philadelphia during Hispanic

1:05:11Heritage Month.

1:05:12>> This resolution will be placed on

1:05:14today's final passage calendar. Chair

1:05:16recognizes Councilman Jeffrey J. Young.

1:05:19>> Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning.

1:05:21Today I offer one bill and one

1:05:23nonprivilege resolution.

1:05:24>> Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please

1:05:26read the title of the bill and

1:05:28resolution.

1:05:30>> An ordinance amending section 14-529 of

1:05:33the Philadelphia Code entitled fifth

1:05:35district overlay district to establish

1:05:37use restrictions within a specified area

1:05:40all under certain terms and conditions.

1:05:42This bill will be referred to the

1:05:43appropriate committee

1:05:45>> and a non-p privileged resolution also

1:05:47renaming the 12,200 block of North Lount

1:05:49Street, Derek Fat G's Gantway in honor

1:05:52of the life and legacy of Derek Tahed

1:05:55Haleem Gant, a Philadelphia recording

1:05:57artist and beloved member of the North

1:05:59Philadelphia community.

1:06:01>> This resolution be placed on the fight

1:06:02and pastor's calendar for consideration

1:06:05the next session [clears throat] of

1:06:06council chair recognized council member

1:06:07Brooks.

1:06:08>> Good morning, Council President. I have

1:06:11one privileged resolution to introduce

1:06:13today.

1:06:14>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:06:15read the title of the resolution.

1:06:18>> A privileged resolution honoring the

1:06:19legacy of black labor in Philadelphia,

1:06:22including the first colored convention

1:06:23in 1830 and the black organizers who for

1:06:26centuries have been at the heart of the

1:06:28American labor movement.

1:06:30>> This resolution we place on today's

1:06:32final pastor's calendar. Chair

1:06:33recognizes Councilman Jim Harity.

1:06:36>> Good afternoon, Council President. I

1:06:38have one privilege resolution today.

1:06:40Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:06:42read the title of the resolution.

1:06:44>> A privileged resolution recognizing the

1:06:46third week of September 2026 as National

1:06:48Construction Appreciation Week in the

1:06:50city of Philadelphia, honoring the

1:06:52contribution of the construction

1:06:53industry to the vitality of our city.

1:06:57>> This resolution will be placed on

1:06:58today's final passage calendar. Chair

1:07:01Council Member Nicholas Soror.

1:07:03>> Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you.

1:07:05I have one nonprivilege resolution and

1:07:08two privileged resolutions to introduce

1:07:09today.

1:07:10>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:07:11read the title of the resolutions.

1:07:14A privileged resolution recognizing

1:07:16September 2026 as hunger action month in

1:07:18the city of Philadelphia in order to

1:07:20raise awareness about food insecurity in

1:07:22our communities and to mobilize us to

1:07:24act in the movement to end hunger. This

1:07:27resolution be placed on today's final

1:07:29passage calendar

1:07:31>> and a privileged resolution authorizing

1:07:34the committee on legislative oversight

1:07:35to hold hearings examining the city's

1:07:37oversight of correctional healthc care

1:07:39contractors and the circumstances

1:07:41leading to disruptions in medical care

1:07:43in Philadelphia jails. This resolution

1:07:46will be placed on today's final passes

1:07:48calendar

1:07:49>> and a non-p privileged resolution

1:07:50unequivocally standing with unionized

1:07:52workers by endo endorsing the bo boy

1:07:55boycott of Starbucks called for by

1:07:57workers of United SEIU by encouraging

1:08:00residents neighborhood local councils

1:08:02and Philadelphia city council to refrain

1:08:04from purchasing Starbucks products until

1:08:06Starbucks finally finalizes a fair union

1:08:09contract.

1:08:19This resolution will be placed on the

1:08:21final passage calendar for consideration

1:08:25at the next session of council.

1:08:28Chair or recognized council Mike

1:08:30Driscoll. [snorts]

1:08:31>> Morning, Mr. President. I have one

1:08:33non-privileged resolution today.

1:08:35>> Chief clerk, please read the title of

1:08:36the resolution.

1:08:38A non-p privileged resolution also

1:08:40naming the 3,300 block of Si Avenue as

1:08:43Father Judge 27 Way to honor the 27

1:08:46graduates of Father Judge High School

1:08:48who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

1:08:51>> This resolution will be placed on the

1:08:53final passage calendar for consideration

1:08:55of the next session of council. Chair

1:08:57recognizes Council Brian O'Neal.

1:08:59>> Thank you, Mr. President. I have no

1:09:01bills or resolutions today.

1:09:02>> Very much chair recognizes Council

1:09:05Member Cindy Baz.

1:09:06>> Good morning, Mr. President. and I offer

1:09:08one bill, three priv privilege

1:09:10resolutions, and one privilege

1:09:12resolution on your behalf.

1:09:13>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

1:09:15read the title of the bill and

1:09:17resolution.

1:09:20an ordinance amending chapter 12-900

1:09:23parking regulations and penalties of the

1:09:25Philadelphia code to include the 8th

1:09:28council district in the regulation of

1:09:30parking of certain large vehicles

1:09:32including boats, motor homes, house

1:09:34coaches, house trainers, truck campers,

1:09:36recreational cargo trainer and

1:09:38recreational trailers under certain

1:09:40terms and conditions. This bill will be

1:09:42referred to appropriate committee

1:09:44>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

1:09:46September 2026 as deaf awareness month

1:09:49in the city of Philadelphia and further

1:09:51honoring the Pennsylvania school for the

1:09:53deaf for his historic leadership,

1:09:56educational excellence and unwavering

1:09:58commitment to empowering deaf and heart

1:10:00of hearing students and advancing deaf

1:10:02culture and community.

1:10:04>> This resolution will be placed on

1:10:06today's final passage calendar. Very

1:10:09well done, member Bass.

1:10:12She recognizes

1:10:16>> the chief clerk.

1:10:18>> Then a privileged resolution honoring

1:10:20and celebrating United Lutheran Seminary

1:10:22on its 200th anniversary and

1:10:24commemorating the seminary's

1:10:25long-standing presence and service in

1:10:27the city of Philadelphia.

1:10:32This resolution will be placed on

1:10:34today's final passes calendar.

1:10:36>> And a privileged resolution authorizing

1:10:37the committee on licenses and

1:10:39inspections to hold a hearing to examine

1:10:41the implementation and enforcement of

1:10:42laws and regulations governing nuisance

1:10:45businesses, including stopand go

1:10:47establishments, signage, and window

1:10:49coverings, and to assess how enforcement

1:10:51practices can improve public safety,

1:10:53strengthen community trust, ensure due

1:10:56process, and reduce neighborhood

1:10:57conflict.

1:10:58This resolution will be placed on

1:11:00today's final passage calendar

1:11:02>> and a privileged resolution honoring Dr.

1:11:05Malefi Ketti Asante for his

1:11:07distinguished academic career as the

1:11:09founder of the theory of afroentricity

1:11:12on the occasion of word radio's feature

1:11:15on his local and global legacy through

1:11:18the freedom journeys initiative.

1:11:22>> This resolution be placed on today's

1:11:24final passage calendar.

1:11:27Chair recognized Council Member Dr. Nina

1:11:29Med.

1:11:30>> Thank you, Council President. I'm

1:11:32introducing three privileged

1:11:34resolutions.

1:11:35>> Chief Clerk, please read the title of

1:11:36the resolutions.

1:11:38>> A privileged resolution recognizing and

1:11:40honoring the Miss Philadelphia

1:11:42Scholarship Organization on its 105th

1:11:44anniversary, celebrating all current and

1:11:47former title holders and the

1:11:48organization's long-standing commitment

1:11:50to scholarship, service, leadership, and

1:11:52the empowerment of women in

1:11:54Philadelphia. This resolution will be

1:11:56placed on today's final passage calendar

1:11:59>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

1:12:01September 2026 as cerebral visual

1:12:04impairment CVI awareness month in the

1:12:06city of Philadelphia and commending the

1:12:08Rosenblack family CVI center at

1:12:10Overbrook School for the blind for its

1:12:13commitment to improving care education

1:12:14and research for the children with CVI.

1:12:21This resolution will be placed on the

1:12:23day's final passage calendar

1:12:26>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

1:12:28September 22nd, 2026 as World Perry

1:12:31Menopause Day and the month of September

1:12:332026 as Pmenopause Awareness Month in

1:12:36the city of Philadelphia.

1:12:37>> This resolution be placed on today's

1:12:39final passage calendar.

1:12:45There being no reports from committees

1:12:48today,

1:12:50we will now have the consideration of

1:12:52the calendar.

1:12:54The next order of business is the

1:12:57consideration of the calendar and the

1:12:58chair recognizes Majority Leader

1:13:01Katherine Gilmore Richards for a motion

1:13:03concerning bills on the first reading

1:13:06calendar.

1:13:08>> Thank you, Mr. President. The following

1:13:09bill on the first reading calendar is

1:13:11being held. Bill number 260298.

1:13:16>> The chair recognizes majority Katherine

1:13:18G register for a motion concerning

1:13:21resolutions on the final passage

1:13:23calendar.

1:13:24>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

1:13:25the rules of council be suspended as to

1:13:27permit the use of a consent agenda to

1:13:30consider the following resolutions on

1:13:32the final passage calendar today.

1:13:34Resolution numbers 2-60715

1:13:37260716

1:13:39260717

1:13:412-60718

1:13:42260719

1:13:44260728

1:13:46260729

1:13:48260739

1:13:50260748

1:13:52260748

1:13:5426074

1:13:56260749

1:13:58and 260750.

1:14:00The following resolution on the calendar

1:14:02is being held 260741.

1:14:06Thank you.

1:14:08>> It has been moved and property seconded.

1:14:10Thank you, member Jones. That the rules

1:14:11of council be suspended to permit the

1:14:13use of a consent agenda to consider the

1:14:16resolutions just read by majority leader

1:14:19Katherine Gilmer Richardson. All in

1:14:21favor will indicate by saying I.

1:14:24>> I.

1:14:24>> Those opposed. The eyes have it and the

1:14:27motion carries and we will consider the

1:14:29resolution consent agenda shortly. The

1:14:32chair again recognizes majority leader

1:14:34Captain Kilmer Richardson for a motion

1:14:36concerning additional resolutions on the

1:14:38final passage calendar and bills on the

1:14:41second reading and final passage

1:14:43calendar.

1:14:44>> Thank you, Mr. President. The following

1:14:46resolutions are being called up from the

1:14:47final passage calendar and the following

1:14:49bills are being called up from the

1:14:51second reading [clears throat] and final

1:14:52passage calendar today. Resolution

1:14:55numbers 2-60730,260738

1:14:59and 260747.

1:15:01The following resolutions and bills on

1:15:03the calendar are being held.

1:15:052550768,250807

1:15:09and 260706

1:15:13076.

1:15:15>> Before considering the resolutions and

1:15:17bills, we will consider public comment

1:15:19as follows. Your public comment must

1:15:22concern matters on the second reading

1:15:24and final passage calendars for possible

1:15:27action at today's council session. All

1:15:30speakers must sign up in order to

1:15:32testify. If you have not already signed

1:15:34up, please do so

1:15:37now by giving your name to Miss Hass at

1:15:39the table outside the rails to my left.

1:15:43Once you have signed up, you will be

1:15:45called in the order in which your name

1:15:47appears on a signup sheet. Under ideal

1:15:50circumstances,

1:15:51public commenters each will have three

1:15:53minutes to speak. However, this time

1:15:54limit may vary from session to session.

1:15:57Today, the time limit will be two

1:15:58minutes.

1:16:00In order to be fair to all those wishing

1:16:02to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to

1:16:05the two-minute limit. When you begin

1:16:07speaking, you will see a green light on

1:16:09the podium. When there are 30 seconds

1:16:11remaining to your time, the light will

1:16:14turn yellow, which is your reminder to

1:16:15please conclude your remarks.

1:16:19Once two minutes have passed, the light

1:16:22will turn red and the sergeant at arms

1:16:24will disconnect the microphone. Please

1:16:27respect the sergeant-at-arms. He is only

1:16:29doing his job. At that point, please

1:16:32yield the podium to the next speaker if

1:16:35you have not already done so. I also

1:16:38reserve the rights pursuant to our rules

1:16:40of city council to limit repetitious

1:16:43comments on the same subject matter. I

1:16:47will now ask the chief clerk to please

1:16:49read the name of our first speaker.

1:16:53Will Melissa Dragnet

1:16:56Mac Matt Bujack

1:16:59Anthony D Alba

1:17:02Evelyn Muia

1:17:05Shondaanda bear Morales

1:17:09Courtney Shnook

1:17:13>> Schnook

1:17:16Schleneck

1:17:16>> Schleneck

1:17:18John McCauley Jeremy Blatstein

1:17:22Bethany, Nick Kinto,

1:17:26Lynn Landis, and David Jenkins. Please

1:17:29make your way to the podium.

1:17:51You can begin.

1:17:55>> Good morning. Good morning, council

1:17:57president, members of city council,

1:17:59friends, fellow Philadelphiaians. My

1:18:02name is Melissa Dragneck Hawk. I am the

1:18:04head of school at the Pennsylvania

1:18:06School for the Deaf. I've been there for

1:18:0818 years and in four years in this

1:18:10position. On behalf of the school for

1:18:12the deaf, I want to thank you for this

1:18:14recognition during deaf awareness month.

1:18:16For more than 200 years, the

1:18:17Pennsylvania School for the Deaf has

1:18:19been preparing deaf and heart of hearing

1:18:21students to thrive academically,

1:18:22socially, and professionally. We provide

1:18:25and very proudly provide a languagerich

1:18:27bilingual environment where American

1:18:29Sign Language and English work together

1:18:31to unlock learning, confidence, and

1:18:33opportunity.

1:18:35At the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf,

1:18:36we believe every student deserves a

1:18:39school where they are fully seen, fully

1:18:41included, and fully able to communicate.

1:18:44Access is not a special accommodation.

1:18:46It is a fundamental right. Our students

1:18:50come from diverse backgrounds across

1:18:52Pennsylvania. What unites them is the

1:18:55opportunity to learn in an environment

1:18:58where deaf culture is celebrated,

1:19:00individual strengths are nurtured, and

1:19:03every student is empowered to reach

1:19:05their fullest potential.

1:19:08Today we celebrate not only Deaf

1:19:10Awareness Month and International Week

1:19:12of the Deaf, but the achievements,

1:19:18the leadership, and the contributions of

1:19:21deaf individuals throughout Philadelphia

1:19:23and beyond. Thank you to our

1:19:26representative, Councilwoman Bass, and

1:19:29all of city council for recognizing our

1:19:32students, our families, faculty, staff,

1:19:35alumni, and the broader deaf community.

1:19:38Thank you.

1:19:40[applause]

1:19:49Hello and good morning everyone. My name

1:19:52is Evelyn. I am a senior at the

1:19:54Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

1:19:57The PSD community is great for me as a

1:20:01student because I'm much more connected

1:20:03to other deaf people. It is easy to feel

1:20:06isolated with the absence of

1:20:08communication and that is how it felt

1:20:10before coming to PSD. But using sign

1:20:12language there, I can express myself. I

1:20:14can build friendships, be a part of

1:20:16activities and continue to learn and

1:20:18grow [clears throat] without barriers.

1:20:20The teachers use American Sign Language

1:20:22with me. So, I have direct communication

1:20:24with them, not through a third party or

1:20:25an interpreter. PSD has taught me so

1:20:28much. They've taught me to be proud of

1:20:30my identity as a deaf person, as a Latin

1:20:33Latinx person, too. And I've learned so

1:20:36much.

1:20:38I also know that for deaf students,

1:20:41what's really important is the ability

1:20:44to have full inclusion and access to all

1:20:47of our communication. Thank you to city

1:20:49council and um we appreciate your

1:20:53recognition of the school and your

1:20:54support for deaf awareness month. Thank

1:20:56you.

1:21:04Make sure these take their name for the

1:21:06record. Okay.

1:21:17Hi,

1:21:19my name is Anthony. I'm a senior at the

1:21:22Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

1:21:26Thank you for having me here today.

1:21:31Uh it is special to be here. I can talk

1:21:33a little bit about starting at PSD in

1:21:36their early childhood center.

1:21:38As a deaf kid, I didn't use spoken

1:21:41language, so I was signing and the

1:21:43school gave me a chance to learn more

1:21:45about that. I continued to learn and

1:21:48practice [laughter] there and PSD has

1:21:50given me opportunities to grow in the

1:21:52classroom and outside the classroom in

1:21:55sports. I've learned on through track

1:21:59and field and in different settings and

1:22:01professionally grown as well in ways

1:22:02that will support me in the future.

1:22:04Thank you to PSD teachers, to staff, and

1:22:07to the other deaf students. I have

1:22:09access there in sign language. And we

1:22:12can overcome communication challenges

1:22:14because the school supports us setting

1:22:16goals and deaf students can have dreams,

1:22:19skills, and abilities just like all of

1:22:21you.

1:22:23Deafness is not limiting for us. We are

1:22:26able to make our dreams real because we

1:22:28are part of this community. Thank you

1:22:30for honoring us and celebrating our deaf

1:22:33awareness month and the deaf people in

1:22:34the Philadelphia community.

1:23:16Testing one, two.

1:23:21Okay.

1:23:25>> Good.

1:23:26>> Good morning, council members. My name

1:23:28is Shondaanda Morales. I am a

1:23:30psychotherapist, menopause society

1:23:32certified practitioner and consultant

1:23:35working to bring parameopause education

1:23:38into workplaces across our region

1:23:40alongside my friend and colleague

1:23:43Courtney Schulnik. I want to thank

1:23:45council member Ahmed for introducing the

1:23:48resolution to recognize world

1:23:50parameopause day and parameopause

1:23:52awareness month and for her leadership

1:23:55on bill 2550849

1:23:58which requires workplace accommodations

1:24:01for menration parameopause and menopause

1:24:04starting January 2027.

1:24:07That law lays an important foundation.

1:24:10Real change continues in the day-to-day

1:24:14in conversations at home, at the

1:24:17workplace, in our doctor's office, and

1:24:19that starts with education.

1:24:22It took me 7 years to connect my

1:24:25symptoms, sleeplessness, brain fog,

1:24:28joint pain, deep fatigue to

1:24:30parameopause. And I'm not alone. Nearly

1:24:34half of people report being unaware

1:24:36their symptoms are related to

1:24:38parameopause, let alone that treatment

1:24:40is available. That experience is why I

1:24:44do this work now. Educating, advocating,

1:24:47and supporting others so they don't lose

1:24:50years to confusion and silence. This

1:24:54resolution gives us something just as

1:24:56necessary as the law itself, visibility.

1:25:00It puts parameopause on the calendar, in

1:25:03the public record, and an open

1:25:05stigmafree conversation. On behalf of

1:25:09women and workplaces we serve every day,

1:25:11thank you, Council Member Ahmed, and

1:25:13your team for your leadership on this

1:25:16issue. I urge council to support this

1:25:18resolution. Thank you. Thank you.

1:25:30Good morning. My name is Courtney

1:25:32Schnik. I'm an attorney.

1:25:34>> Speak into your mic if I can hear.

1:25:37>> Okay.

1:25:38>> Okay. Good morning again. My name is

1:25:40Courtney Scholik. I'm an attorney. I

1:25:43practice as a litigator for nearly two

1:25:45decades right here in Philadelphia

1:25:46before transitioning full-time into my

1:25:49work as a mindfulness teacher, speaker,

1:25:52and workplace performance consultant.

1:25:55Together with my friend and colleague

1:25:57Shondaanda Morales, I work with

1:25:59organizations to deepen awareness and

1:26:01education around pmenopause and

1:26:04menopause in the workplace. This work is

1:26:07also deeply personal to me. I was at the

1:26:10height of my legal career when I began

1:26:12experiencing symptoms related to

1:26:14pmenopause.

1:26:15I credit my mindfulness practice with

1:26:18helping me become more aware of what I

1:26:20was experiencing and giving me practical

1:26:23tools to better manage my symptoms. It

1:26:26allowed me to continue performing at a

1:26:28high level and I honestly believe it

1:26:30helped me to do some of my finest work

1:26:33of my [laughter] legal career. That's

1:26:35why this resolution matters. By

1:26:37recognizing World Perry Menopause Day

1:26:39and Pmenopause

1:26:41Awareness Month, we bring greater

1:26:43attention to a transition that is

1:26:46natural and impacts so many women. And

1:26:49with greater awareness comes greater

1:26:51opportunity to share education,

1:26:54resources, and practical tools with

1:26:56those experiencing perry menopause

1:27:00and with the workplaces that want to

1:27:03better support them. Thank you so much,

1:27:06Council Member Ahmed, for bringing

1:27:07greater visibility to this important

1:27:09issue and for your continued leadership.

1:27:22Good morning everyone. My name is John

1:27:23Alante McGalli. I'm with a grassroots

1:27:25organization called Flip Philly Red.

1:27:27We're here to offer you something

1:27:28different because you've been voting

1:27:30Democrat for the mayor's office for the

1:27:32past 70 years. In regard to resolution

1:27:35number 260738,

1:27:37this is a resolution asking the

1:27:39Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass

1:27:41House Bill 1678, a bill that taxes big

1:27:45tech like Google, Facebook, and Amazon

1:27:47on digital ads to give property tax

1:27:49relief to seniors 65 and up. On its

1:27:52surface, it sounds noble. This is how

1:27:54you tell a politician from a fighter.

1:27:57Because who's going to be the first

1:27:58constitutional representative in Philly

1:28:01to fight for the elimination of school

1:28:03property taxes for all ages across the

1:28:06board? In Philly, we have a 1.5 million

1:28:09population and over 700,000 are living

1:28:12in rental properties. But that's what a

1:28:14Democrat poverty pimp does. They don't

1:28:16want you to create generational wealth.

1:28:18They want you to keep you on the hook. I

1:28:20wish council member Jay Young tell you

1:28:23guys the truth that Google, Facebook,

1:28:25and Amazon will never eat the cost.

1:28:27They'll just raise the price of ads the

1:28:29small businesses use to advertise online

1:28:32and your local businesses and consumers

1:28:34will eat the tax. It's always a

1:28:36conversation of property tax rebates,

1:28:38property tax relief programs, never a

1:28:41conversation of property tax

1:28:42elimination. 350,000 working age adults

1:28:4621 to 45 paying rent and a tax system

1:28:50built around homeowner breaks that they

1:28:52don't get. Pew Research has Philadelphia

1:28:55with one of the most regressive tax

1:28:57systems for nonsubsidized renters in the

1:28:59entire country. That's the difference

1:29:01between me and these other influencers.

1:29:03I'm not focused on Israel. I'm not

1:29:05focused on Iran. I I don't have Trump

1:29:08derangement syndrome. I understand the

1:29:10politics is local and it's the Democrat

1:29:13politicians that keep us in a choke

1:29:15hole. PA GOP state senator Dawn Kefir

1:29:18has a bill to eliminate property taxes.

1:29:21Look her up.

1:29:33Hello, Philadelphia City Council. My

1:29:36name is Jeremy Bladstein.

1:29:3910,685

1:29:4210,685.

1:29:45That's how many cars have been stolen in

1:29:48Philadelphia this year. That is 40 cars

1:29:52a day. One every 40 minutes.

1:29:56So, let's make sure that we are talking

1:29:59about the people that are actually

1:30:01impacted and helped with these automatic

1:30:04license plate reader cameras.

1:30:07The cameras are a tool that our law

1:30:09enforcement can use to catch people that

1:30:12are stealing cars. Yes, privacy is

1:30:15important. Yes, there should be

1:30:17guardrails. But just like any tool, we

1:30:20shouldn't just go if there's people

1:30:22abusing it, we shouldn't say no, stop

1:30:23it. We should be putting the guardrails

1:30:25in place so that they can't be abused.

1:30:29My concern is also about equity.

1:30:32Cameras should not only be for the

1:30:35wealthy,

1:30:36right? The wealthy have cameras. They

1:30:38have gated communities. The people that

1:30:40aren't speaking up are improvished

1:30:42communities that can actually use these

1:30:44cameras to make them safer. So, before

1:30:46we go and ban these cameras, let's have

1:30:48the conversation about what makes

1:30:50Philadelphia a safer place to live. And

1:30:53last,

1:30:55I can't believe none of you talked about

1:30:57the national security issue that's going

1:30:58on in Philadelphia today. I care about

1:31:01my country, Philadelphia,

1:31:04and they're messing with our tailgates.

1:31:07What are we doing, people? Come on. I

1:31:10can't believe none of you have a

1:31:11resolution today speaking up about the

1:31:14Eagles and the tailgate lots. It's

1:31:16crazy. We need to protect the tailgates.

1:31:19And last, but not least, we're talking

1:31:22about SEPTA. [screaming]

1:31:25We saw with the Accelerate program, we

1:31:27need to continue to fund SEPTA. We have

1:31:29to continue to build density along our

1:31:32transit corridors. Ride the ride. Grow

1:31:34Philly to Millie. Thank you.

1:31:37>> Chair chair recognizes Councilman

1:31:40Driscoll.

1:31:42Um Madame Chair, I I asked to be excused

1:31:47to tend to pending uh business and I'd

1:31:49like to be voted I on all bills and

1:31:51resolutions today.

1:31:52>> Thank you. Uh thank you, Councilman.

1:31:54Duly noted.

1:32:30proceed.

1:32:33>> Good morning.

1:32:35My name is Bethany Nicotenko.

1:32:38I'm vice president of Philly VIP,

1:32:42a longtime volunteer,

1:32:45an attorney with Feldman Shepard, and

1:32:48I'm here to talk about Philly VIP's 45th

1:32:51anniversary.

1:32:53Philly VIP has a unique place alongside

1:32:56Philly's amazing legal aid organizations

1:33:00because we focus entirely on training

1:33:04and supporting the private bar in

1:33:06providing proono service. We enable

1:33:10lawyers who spend their days on work

1:33:12that rarely reaches a family's kitchen

1:33:15table to dig into something different.

1:33:19They defend homes against lawsuits and

1:33:22predatory debt. They help families hold

1:33:26on to the wealth that they've worked

1:33:27for. They help small businesses keep

1:33:31growing. In 1981,

1:33:34the federal government cut off legal

1:33:36aid. Philly lawyers decided they would

1:33:40intervene and Philly VIP was born. Thank

1:33:44you to Council Member Landau and

1:33:47colleagues for honoring what grew from

1:33:51that decision. Philly VIP is one of the

1:33:55most important proono legal

1:33:57organizations in this city because we

1:34:00protect ordinary Philadelphiaians every

1:34:03day. We protect their livelihood. We

1:34:05protect their income. We protect their

1:34:07home. And we protect their families.

1:34:10Without Philly VIP, so many would have

1:34:13suffered and followed by the wayside.

1:34:15Thank you, Council Member Landow. Thank

1:34:18you for your support and thank you for

1:34:20supporting this resolution.

1:34:27Will Callie Peron, Nikki Grant,

1:34:32Jabina Coleman, Jenna Anger,

1:34:37Allison

1:34:39Mccrrena,

1:34:41Lena Bond, Tracy Wilson Rossman.

1:34:47Please make your way to the podium.

1:34:55Ready?

1:35:05Do you?

1:35:14Oh, okay.

1:35:20Good morning. I'm Lynn Landis of

1:35:22Philly's Republican Network. And while I

1:35:24support the resolution calling on

1:35:26Congress to take action against

1:35:28childhood cancer, what about city

1:35:31council? For example, city council has

1:35:34yet to enforce its own 2021 law, the

1:35:38Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces Act, that

1:35:41bans the use of toxic herbicides in our

1:35:44parks and public spaces, but which our

1:35:47last two mayors have ignored. And what

1:35:50about the toxic artificial turf and its

1:35:53forever chemicals that are in various

1:35:56parks throughout the city putting

1:35:58children at risk? Also, there the maya

1:36:01there's the mayor and city council

1:36:03support for almost any vaccine, none of

1:36:07which have been tested for their

1:36:08potential to cause cancer and

1:36:11particularly the co vaccines which have

1:36:13been linked to what are called turbo

1:36:15cancers. And then there's the

1:36:18incineration of Philadelphia's waste, a

1:36:20process well known to cause cancer. So

1:36:24rather than wait for Congress to act,

1:36:26why doesn't city council take action

1:36:29itself? Thank you.

1:36:54Madame chair, members and guests, state

1:36:56Alexander Jenkins and I rise per the

1:36:57resolution 260730

1:37:00as presented by member Landal to the

1:37:02hall. Bonjour,

1:37:05Migos, Molo, Heihei, Aquaba, Konichiwa,

1:37:08Doen, Zong, Shiao. [snorts] Of the 80

1:37:12different languages that are spoken in

1:37:13this global Philadelphia, and the few I

1:37:15could stand before you today and speak

1:37:17with proficiency in the presence of our

1:37:19very own ambassador, Giodano. I have

1:37:22chosen today to deliver this address to

1:37:24you in the communal language of fact.

1:37:26You see, outside of pretty words that

1:37:28can be mistransated, misspoken, when two

1:37:31or more are gathered from different

1:37:32understandings, facts have a way of

1:37:34bringing about a kind of Pentecost into

1:37:36halls of governance raining down on us

1:37:37like fire, with a truth we can call and

1:37:40understand. Member Ruland focuses us on

1:37:43a set of facts and a kind of truth in

1:37:45her affforementioned resolution about

1:37:47surveillance that I would like to lean

1:37:48into today. Truth. Automatic license

1:37:51plate readers treat every single driver,

1:37:53every single neighborhood, and every

1:37:55single citizen like a suspect on a

1:37:57spreadsheet. They turn our vibrant,

1:37:59interconnected public streets into cold,

1:38:01automated checkpoints. Fact, truth. The

1:38:04foundation of this technology is built

1:38:06on a lie. The corporations and

1:38:08governmental agencies selling these

1:38:09systems to us told us that they were

1:38:10here for our protection. Jeremy

1:38:12Blatstein wants us to believe that these

1:38:14cameras are being used primarily to help

1:38:16people track stolen cars. Nevertheless,

1:38:18the truth is these cameras quietly feed

1:38:20data to federal agencies like ICE and

1:38:23others that behave like the secret

1:38:24police of Nazi Germany, dismantling our

1:38:26communities and our very trust in

1:38:28institutions and governments as a whole.

1:38:30Truth. Right now, your journey today

1:38:33from your home to this hall has been

1:38:35painstakingly documented without your

1:38:37permission, and there is absolutely

1:38:39nothing that you can do about it. The

1:38:41digital privacy of every Philadelphiaian

1:38:43is utterly exposed. So may this

1:38:46resolution serve as a line in the sand,

1:38:48a line that demands that the states

1:38:50either ban these tracking networks

1:38:52entirely or build unbreakable legal

1:38:54binding guard rails around them. I beg

1:38:56this council stand firm and pass this

1:38:58resolution with the clarity of language

1:39:00that needs no translation. Let us

1:39:03protect the privacy of this global

1:39:04Philadelphia and the city and every

1:39:06individual in its place that we call

1:39:08home.

1:39:18Good morning. My name is Callie Peron

1:39:20and I'm reading a statement on behalf of

1:39:22Phil Abundance's chief executive

1:39:24officer, Lorie Jones Brown. Good

1:39:26morning, city council members, and thank

1:39:28you, Council Member Oor, for introducing

1:39:30this proclamation designating September

1:39:32as hunger action month in the city of

1:39:34Philadelphia. Phil Abundance is a hunger

1:39:36relief organization serving the greater

1:39:38Philadelphia area. Our team works

1:39:40tirelessly to serve our neighbors in

1:39:41need and this past year distributed

1:39:43nearly 20 million meals in the city

1:39:45alone across more than 200 Philadelphia

1:39:47based community partners. Each

1:39:49September, Hunger Action Month is

1:39:51recognized around the country as a time

1:39:53to raise awareness and take action in

1:39:55the movement to end hunger. It's a time

1:39:57to encourage everyone to play a part as

1:39:59every action, big or small, is one step

1:40:02closer to a nation where no one's

1:40:03hungry. This September, it is

1:40:05exceedingly important that we stand

1:40:07together in this common goal. As more of

1:40:09our community members are struggling to

1:40:10put food on the table, one in six

1:40:12Philadelphiaians are facing food

1:40:14insecurity, and the need for food

1:40:15assistance continues to grow as a result

1:40:17of unprecedented federal cuts to

1:40:19essential programs like the Supplemental

1:40:21Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. As a

1:40:24result of this federal disinvestment,

1:40:26over 40,000 Philadelphiaians have

1:40:27already lost access to SNAP benefits

1:40:30since the start of the year, with even

1:40:32more cuts looming. Our communities are

1:40:34facing a hunger crisis and food banks

1:40:36like Phil Abundance are left with less

1:40:37resources to fight it as the charitable

1:40:39food network has also lost access to

1:40:41substantial federal funding. Food banks

1:40:44can't do it alone. As federal policy

1:40:46changes have led to increased need and

1:40:48fewer supports, it's even more essential

1:40:50that our city steps up as city council

1:40:52and mayor Parker did during the

1:40:53government shutdown and snaplaps last

1:40:55fall and as council President Johnson is

1:40:57doing now through the food and sec uh

1:40:59nutrition security task force. That's

1:41:01why Phil Abundance enthusiastically

1:41:03supports a resol a resolution

1:41:05designating September as hunger action

1:41:07month. We're grateful for city council's

1:41:09uh commitment and we look forward to our

1:41:11continued partnership in the fight to

1:41:13end hunger. Thank you.

1:41:15>> Thank you.

1:41:25>> All right. Good morning, council

1:41:26members. My name is Nikki Grant and I'm

1:41:28the co-director at Amistad Law Project

1:41:31where we fight to end mass incarceration

1:41:32in Pennsylvania and imagine community

1:41:35safety in Philadelphia beyond the

1:41:36current carceral systems. Thank you

1:41:39council member Landau for introducing a

1:41:41resolution calling for the state

1:41:42legislature to ban automated license

1:41:44plate readers or ALPRs like flock. ALPRs

1:41:49are not just high techch traffic

1:41:51cameras. They are deeply invasive AI

1:41:54powered tools that can track, store and

1:41:57share data about an individual's travel

1:41:59patterns and that data can be ex

1:42:01accessed by any law enforcement agency

1:42:04or private company for the right price.

1:42:06They are also inaccurate 10% of the time

1:42:09which has meant that innocent people

1:42:11have been pulled over and subject to

1:42:13police violence because of these tools.

1:42:15Until they are banned and this tech is

1:42:17regulated, there are no real safeguards

1:42:20to stop ALPRs from being used by known

1:42:23bad actors. We know that they have been

1:42:25used by ICE to kidnap our neighbors. We

1:42:28know that they have been used by

1:42:29jurisdictions that have stripped people

1:42:31of their reproductive rights to track

1:42:33down women seeking abortion care. We

1:42:36know that ALPRs have been abused by

1:42:38police officers to terrorize their exes.

1:42:41From the federal level to the hyper

1:42:43local, ALPRs are bad news for vulnerable

1:42:46communities. What's worse is for every

1:42:49dollar that is spent on this harmful

1:42:51tech, that money is not going to to the

1:42:54things that we know keep our communities

1:42:55safe. Mass surveillance does not keep us

1:42:58safe. Investments in health care, in

1:43:01schools, in jobs, and in spaces for our

1:43:04young people to gather safely, that's

1:43:06what keeps us safe. As our city calls on

1:43:09the state to do the right thing and ban

1:43:11ALPRs, we must also take action here at

1:43:14home and pass a moratorum on data

1:43:17centers. Now, data centers are the

1:43:20physical place where ALPRs and all the

1:43:22AI tools that surveil us live. Over 200

1:43:26municipalities have canled or refused to

1:43:28contract with Flock or similar

1:43:30companies. and over 300 local

1:43:32governments have enacted moratoria to

1:43:34slow the rapid expansion of hypers scale

1:43:36data centers nationwide. Let Philly be

1:43:39next. City council must act now to

1:43:43protect us from unaccountable developers

1:43:44and billionaires ready to build the in

1:43:47the engines of mass surveillance and

1:43:49mass incarceration of our communities.

1:43:51Thank you.

1:44:04Good morning council members and guests.

1:44:06My name is Jenna Anger. I am a dancer, a

1:44:09researcher, a volunteer, a dental

1:44:11student at Temple University Morris H.

1:44:13Cornberg School of Dentistry and Miss

1:44:16Philadelphia 2026. Today I have the

1:44:19privilege of representing not only the

1:44:21title that I hold but the 105 women who

1:44:24have stood before me and carried the

1:44:26Miss Philadelphia legacy throughout the

1:44:28past 105 years. I also represent the

1:44:32young women who continue to see the

1:44:33education opportunities to opportunities

1:44:37to grow to serve their community and

1:44:39make a meaningful dis difference in the

1:44:41city of Philadelphia. This year, the

1:44:43Miss Philadelphia Scholarship

1:44:45Organization is celebrating 105 year

1:44:48anniversary. A milestone this

1:44:50represents. Not just a passing of time,

1:44:53but how it changes lives, creates

1:44:55opportunities for young women to pursue

1:44:57higher education, develop leadership,

1:45:00professional skills, and encourage

1:45:02generations of women to give back to the

1:45:04city that they call home. I'm incredibly

1:45:06honored to be a part of this Miss

1:45:09Philadelphia legacy. This is not just

1:45:11about the scholarship dollars or the

1:45:13crown that I have on my head. I have

1:45:15been surrounded by people who believe in

1:45:17the importance of education, service,

1:45:20leadership, and community. And I am

1:45:22grateful for every person, my former

1:45:24Miss Philadelphia sisters included, who

1:45:26have supported me and the opportunity

1:45:28for this organization to continue to

1:45:30flourish. to the members of city council

1:45:33um and Cong and and Councilwoman Ahmad.

1:45:36Thank you for recognizing the Miss

1:45:38Philadelphia Scholarship Organization

1:45:39and celebrating this incredible 105 year

1:45:42legacy. It means so much to have our

1:45:44organization recognized by the city that

1:45:46we call home. I'm honored to carry this

1:45:49title, grateful to serve the city, and

1:45:51excited to write this new chapter in the

1:45:53Miss Philadelphia story. Again, thank

1:45:55you for having us here today and Council

1:45:57Mwoman Ahmad for this recognition. Thank

1:46:00you.

1:46:05>> Will Emily Doyle, Reverend Gregory

1:46:09Holston,

1:46:11Cample

1:46:12Campbell Simmons,

1:46:15Todd Reeves, Beth Ramila, Aaron Crouch

1:46:21Couch, Josh Franklestein, Sienna Lopez,

1:46:26and William Small. Please make your way

1:46:28to the podium.

1:46:32>> Hi, my name is Lana Bond and I'm here on

1:46:34behalf of Physicians for Social

1:46:36Responsibility Pennsylvania to support

1:46:39Council Member Landau's resolution on

1:46:41flock because preventing expansion of

1:46:43surveillance and protecting health go

1:46:45hand in hand. Working for a watchdog

1:46:48organization in a fossil fuel state,

1:46:50I've observed the federal government

1:46:52attacking attacking free speech in order

1:46:55to expand profits for tech and fossil

1:46:57fuel companies. Profits that come

1:46:59directly from our pockets and our

1:47:01bodies. PSRPA works to support the

1:47:04health of communities that are directly

1:47:06impacted by industry like fracking, gas

1:47:08buildout, plastic production, and

1:47:10garbage incineration. These industries

1:47:12want the least regulation possible and

1:47:14they want to be able to violate those

1:47:16regulations without being found out to

1:47:17avoid financial loss. So that looks like

1:47:20Mariner East forcing construction of a

1:47:22gas pipeline in Downing Town where

1:47:24people were taking pictures of residents

1:47:26in their homes who had easements on

1:47:28their property and following people

1:47:29home. or when a whistleblower who worked

1:47:31for a fracking waste treatment facility

1:47:33led PSRPA and Senator Muth to the

1:47:36facility to show where radioactive waste

1:47:37was being sent through the outfall into

1:47:39the Sescuana River and Senator Yaw was

1:47:42on the phone with state troopers and a

1:47:44worker was served with a trespass order

1:47:46or Reworld now being sued by a worker

1:47:48who was fired for refusing to falsify

1:47:50emissions records. These industries have

1:47:52every interest in protecting themselves

1:47:54at the risk of uh our rights and they

1:47:56have the current administration's full

1:47:58support. a federal government that just

1:48:00repealed limits on G greenhouse gas

1:48:02emissions from coal and gas fired power

1:48:03plants. By the way, we're seeing the

1:48:06same use of surveillance to limit First

1:48:07Amendment rights in Philadelphia. The

1:48:09Intercept reported that uh records show

1:48:12Philadelphia police are tracking social

1:48:14media of people opposed to data centers.

1:48:17Two months ago, I responded to a

1:48:19community Icew Watch text that one of my

1:48:21neighbors was ripped from their car. And

1:48:23I had to go to the street to investigate

1:48:25to figure out who they were so we could

1:48:26contact the family. And I'm looking at

1:48:28the broken glass thinking that I don't

1:48:30know if that person committed a crime or

1:48:32was just not white and speaking with an

1:48:34accent like my in-laws. When my

1:48:36Argentine, Vietnamese, and Iranian

1:48:38friends are telling me how familiar our

1:48:40government's actions look to the fascism

1:48:42they know well, I call on city council

1:48:45to use its power to oppose expansion of

1:48:47the surveillance state, both through

1:48:49this resolution and by preventing the

1:48:51data centers that enable state violence

1:48:53and fossil fuel expansion through a data

1:48:55center moratorum. Thank you. Heat.

1:49:03Heat.

1:49:35Hello, my name is Todd Ree. I'm very

1:49:37privileged to be the executive director

1:49:38of the Overbrook School for the Blind.

1:49:40Um, growing up in uh, Portland, Oregon,

1:49:43one of the first impressions I had of

1:49:45Philadelphia so far away was actually a

1:49:47quote, a very common quote attributed,

1:49:49misattributed to uh, William Penn. And

1:49:52that being that we pass through this

1:49:55world just once, let us not certainly

1:49:58delay. Do all the good that we can

1:50:00because we may not pass this way again.

1:50:03And that's particularly meaningful for

1:50:04me because this is my 10th and final

1:50:06year at the Overbrook School for the

1:50:08Blind. And the most good that I believe

1:50:09I can do right now is express to you uh

1:50:1310 years worth of stories and and

1:50:15gratitude that fills my heart. The

1:50:17reason why I come before you with a

1:50:18heart full of thanksgiving. I can't tell

1:50:20you all the stories, but I'll tell you

1:50:22one, and that is that many of you are

1:50:25aware that a micro burst came through

1:50:27our fine city during the summertime.

1:50:29Well, that happened during extended

1:50:30school year when our students were going

1:50:32to prepare on that Monday morning to be

1:50:35back in school. If you look at the track

1:50:38of the intensity of that micro burst,

1:50:40you will see directly underneath the

1:50:41most intense pathway is the 26 acres of

1:50:44the Old Brook School for the Blind. And

1:50:45when I got up the next morning to do the

1:50:47damage assessment, saw trees down, trees

1:50:50leaning precariously against walls, the

1:50:51evidence of Pico coming in during the

1:50:53dark at night, reconnecting wires. And

1:50:57what happened on Monday morning is all

1:50:59of our students attended school on time.

1:51:02And that cannot what I'm saying next

1:51:05cannot be avoided, cannot be jumped

1:51:08over, gone underneath or gone around.

1:51:10And the reason why that happened is

1:51:12because we have a city council working

1:51:14with the mayor's office, working with

1:51:17other departments in city government,

1:51:20working with private utilities, working

1:51:21with the state on the things that matter

1:51:24most. And one of them is emergency

1:51:26management. I've worked for two

1:51:28governors in Washington state. I've been

1:51:30in Seattle, Portland, and spent time in

1:51:32Honolulu. And they're great cities, but

1:51:34in those cities on Monday morning,

1:51:36students wouldn't be in school. And what

1:51:38also makes this particularly important

1:51:42is in those great cities, and I'm

1:51:44fortunate to have served in so many

1:51:46different capacities. I was never

1:51:48invited into city council to be a

1:51:51representative of the students I serve.

1:51:54And what you do when you have

1:51:56resolutions and you have proclamations

1:51:58is that you resolve and proclaim to my

1:52:01students what I can say to them at the

1:52:04point of graduation that when they leave

1:52:05the Overbrook School for the Blind,

1:52:10they will always be recognized by a

1:52:12great city. Thank you.

1:52:36Good morning. My name is Reverend

1:52:39Gregory Holton. I'm the executive

1:52:41director of Just Nation. Um, I'm here to

1:52:44talk about burning trash in Chester.

1:52:48First, I want to thank Council Member

1:52:50Gautier for all of her great advocacy

1:52:53around this issue.

1:52:56I heard the managing director say that

1:52:59only 15% of the trash being burned in

1:53:03Chester comes from Philadelphia.

1:53:06As if that was not that much.

1:53:1215% of the trash,

1:53:1415% of the toxins,

1:53:1715% of the poisons,

1:53:2015% of the asthma attacks, 15% of the

1:53:23cancers, 15% of the cancer deaths, 15%

1:53:27of the radiation treatments, 15% of the

1:53:30chemotherapy,

1:53:3215% is a hell of a lot.

1:53:36And to say that with such a degree of

1:53:38callousness,

1:53:40I simply can't comprehend.

1:53:44For so much of this administration has

1:53:47said that they understand the sense of

1:53:50poor black people in this city. So much

1:53:53of their policies have been talking

1:53:55about saying over and over that they

1:53:58care deeply about the needs of poor

1:54:00black people. But when you see poor

1:54:02black people in Chester being poisoned,

1:54:04in Southwest Philadelphia being

1:54:06poisoned, you do nothing

1:54:10but put the same contract back in and

1:54:12keep on moving. And if not for the

1:54:15council members here pushing, you would

1:54:17have just put that contract in and kept

1:54:19on moving. Shame.

1:54:21>> Yes. Absolute shame. When your policies

1:54:25are not matching your rhetoric, I was

1:54:28told by some leader in this city that

1:54:30they should be challenged on that. Well,

1:54:32I'm challenging you on that. Your

1:54:34policies are not matching your rhetoric.

1:54:36You say you care for the least of these,

1:54:38but your policies keep saying something

1:54:41else and we have to stop.

1:54:48Thanks so much.

1:54:57Hello, my name is Dr. Beth Romela. I am

1:55:00the superintendent and CVI specialist at

1:55:02the Overbrook School for the Blind.

1:55:05Cortical visual impairment is the

1:55:07leading cause of visual impairment for

1:55:09children in the United States.

1:55:13CVI can affect people through um

1:55:16premature birth, stroke, seizures, brain

1:55:19injury, and other neurological

1:55:21conditions. A person, and I say a person

1:55:24because unfortunately it can affect any

1:55:26one of us in this room,

1:55:30may impact your ability to see an

1:55:32object, not recognize it, especially in

1:55:34a cluttered space, in a busy background,

1:55:37in a classroom. And that's what we do at

1:55:40the Rosenlat Family CVI Center. That's

1:55:43important because we work with those

1:55:45children in clinics and in classrooms

1:55:49with children birth to 22 to create

1:55:52accessible materials, technology,

1:55:56um create environments where they are

1:55:59successful.

1:56:01We specialize um assessments, practical

1:56:04strategies for families and provide

1:56:07guidance to educators and professionals.

1:56:10Most importantly, we empower families.

1:56:14We teach them to advocate for what their

1:56:16child needs to be successful learners.

1:56:19And we provide those clinics at no cost

1:56:22to children outside of our own students.

1:56:25So, please check out our website because

1:56:28it's a we have a brand new website, but

1:56:30also because we can do that for kids

1:56:33throughout Philadelphia.

1:56:35We are doing this every day.

1:56:39Our work directly benefits our kids and

1:56:42our reach, like I said, is not just

1:56:44throughout Philly, um, but across the

1:56:47country.

1:56:48We want to make sure that we thank you

1:56:51for the um recognition that you provide

1:56:54us, but also for the work that you're

1:56:56doing every day. Thank you.

1:56:57>> Thank you.

1:57:05>> Good afternoon. My name is Emily Douly

1:57:07and I am the deputy director of the

1:57:09Neighborhood Gardens Trust. Uh walk

1:57:12through almost any Philadelphia

1:57:14neighborhood and you'll find it. a

1:57:16vacant lot that was abandoned and

1:57:18blighted for years until the neighbors

1:57:20decided

1:57:21enough was enough. They cleared it,

1:57:23planted it, and made the whole block a

1:57:25better place to live. Some of these

1:57:28green spaces in our neighborhoods have

1:57:30been in existence so long that people

1:57:32assume they're official city parks. They

1:57:36aren't. Many of the gardeners and the

1:57:38land stewards don't control the land.

1:57:40And after years of work, access can be

1:57:43restricted and it can be taken for

1:57:45development or other uses. Neighborhood

1:57:48Gardens Trust was founded in 1986 to

1:57:50solve this exact problem and we've

1:57:53preserved 63 gardens since and today I'm

1:57:56here to support two more on your agenda.

1:57:59Resolution number 260749

1:58:03from council member Skila uh will

1:58:07protect the Huntington Emerald in

1:58:10Kensington. And right now a graffiti

1:58:12covered fence locks out the very

1:58:14neighbors who turned this large vacant

1:58:17lot into a gathering place. Once NGT

1:58:21takes ownership of the land, we will

1:58:23take the fence down and give that space

1:58:25back to the community that it belongs

1:58:27to.

1:58:29Um, sorry, I lost my other resolution

1:58:33number, but it is in Councilwoman

1:58:35Goautier's office and it supports the

1:58:38preservation of um, Ley Avenue in

1:58:42Parkside

1:58:44uh, at a garden that has been in

1:58:46existence since 1985

1:58:49um, which is only two years younger than

1:58:52me. And I want to thank um council me

1:58:55both council members here today for

1:58:57supporting the permanent preservation of

1:58:59both of these spaces and I look forward

1:59:02to returning here and doing the same

1:59:04thing with all of the other council

1:59:06members in your districts. Thank you

1:59:07very much.

1:59:19Uh my name [clears throat] is Aaron

1:59:20Couch and I'm here to support uh

1:59:23Councilman Landau's resolution to ban FL

1:59:26flock and other ALPR cameras. Uh as well

1:59:29as introduce and pass a moratorium on

1:59:32data centers in Philadelphia. Uh I come

1:59:35to you not only as a Philadelphia native

1:59:37but also as an expert in government

1:59:38cyber security. As an engineer, I've

1:59:41directly contributed to whitehouse.gov.

1:59:43gov under Obama healthcare

1:59:46healthcare.gov data.gov and many other

1:59:48federal level websites I built um I've

1:59:52worked directly on building secure

1:59:53infrastructure and systems having uh

1:59:56obtained authority to operate on feder

1:59:59fed ramp moderate and high systems. I

2:00:02not only object to ALPRs for the obvious

2:00:04reasons. I'm horrified uh that my

2:00:07daughter's growing up in the type of

2:00:09surveillance state that I used to read

2:00:11about in science fiction books as a kid.

2:00:14However, given given my background and

2:00:16experience in government technology, I'd

2:00:18add that I have zero trust in companies

2:00:20like Flock to keep this incredibly

2:00:22sensitive surveillance data secure.

2:00:25We've already seen cases of abuse in

2:00:27which unauthorized individuals have

2:00:29gained access to flock cameras to stalk

2:00:31and track. Recently, a 404 media media

2:00:35article detailed how easily it is for

2:00:37white hat in which white hat hackers

2:00:40were able to gain access to a uh camera

2:00:44uh and uh its footage.

2:00:47Not only should this data not be

2:00:49collected, but I have zero trust in

2:00:51companies like Flock to secure it. These

2:00:53companies are driven by investment

2:00:55capital to extract value from us as

2:00:58citizens. They have shown that the

2:00:59security of their surveillance data is

2:01:01an afterthought. Flock in particular has

2:01:04shown that they are not up to the task.

2:01:05However, I call on council to ban all

2:01:08alprs.

2:01:10Uh, additionally, we need an immediate

2:01:12moratorium on data centers. Um, yeah,

2:01:15the city uh is better than this.

2:01:18We uh have the resources to say no to

2:01:21companies uh like Flock and Data

2:01:24Centers. Thank you.

2:01:29Will Diana M will Diana Murray, Danita

2:01:34Dixon, Brittany Austin, Shalia Allen,

2:01:41Oona Paul Haggins, and Wick Savage.

2:01:45Please make your way to the podium.

2:01:51Okay. Good morning, council and

2:01:54president. I am Veronica Bell and I am a

2:01:57part of Make the Road. I'm here today to

2:01:59speak in favor of the resolution

2:02:01resolution 26730

2:02:04because I am against flock cameras in

2:02:06our neighborhood. Our flock cameras are

2:02:09being used to monitor our communities

2:02:12without our knowledge and our consent.

2:02:14Flock safety collect information about

2:02:18our travels, stores that information in

2:02:20a database and allow law enforcement

2:02:23agency with flock contract to access it.

2:02:26Think about that for a moment. People

2:02:29have ne you have never met could

2:02:31potentially have access information

2:02:33about where you go, where where you

2:02:36where you are there and what places you

2:02:38visit. information

2:02:40that in some cases not even your family

2:02:43or friends may not know. This is bigger

2:02:45than just a few cameras in a few street.

2:02:48These cameras are a part of a growing

2:02:51system of mass surveillance and we need

2:02:54to ask ourselves how much privacy we are

2:02:57willing to give up in the name of public

2:03:00safety. We have already heard concerns

2:03:03about misuse of this system, including

2:03:06reporting involving people using

2:03:08surveillance to tools to monitor their

2:03:11ex partners and concerns about

2:03:13information being used in immigrant

2:03:16enforcement. These are examples that

2:03:19should make us stop and [clears throat]

2:03:20ask

2:03:22who has um protect who have information

2:03:25and how are they being used and what

2:03:28safeguards are actually being in place

2:03:30to protect ordinary people. We should

2:03:33not wait until our privacy disappear

2:03:36before we decide enough is enough.

2:03:38That's right.

2:03:40>> We the people of the birthplace of

2:03:43democracy. That mean we should be

2:03:45settling set setting example when it

2:03:48comes to protecting our rights, privacy

2:03:51and our freedom. Our commi community

2:03:54deserves safety but should not require

2:03:57to give up our right to privacy. I urge

2:04:01the city leaders to take a serious look

2:04:03at the flock cameras, the data collected

2:04:06they collect and who can access the data

2:04:09and safeguard our surrounding. And those

2:04:12safeguards should not should not strong

2:04:15enough should be strong enough and if

2:04:17they're not, they should not be allowed

2:04:20in our city of Philadelphia. Thank you.

2:04:24>> Can you say your name? Excuse me. Can

2:04:27you just say your name again for the

2:04:29record, please?

2:04:30>> I did. I'm Veronica Bell. I'm with Make

2:04:32the Road Organization of PA.

2:04:34>> Thank you very Thank you very much.

2:04:38>> Thank you for record. We have two

2:04:40minutes.

2:04:41>> Hello. Um, my name is Sil Lopez and I

2:04:44will be speaking in support of Council

2:04:46Member Landel's resolution to block

2:04:48flock uh, and other automatic license

2:04:50plate readers across Pennsylvania. And

2:04:53as a deeply concerned resident of

2:04:55northeast Philly in District 10, I am

2:04:58asking council to introduce a moratorium

2:05:00on data centers in Philadelphia.

2:05:02These surveillance tools are weaponized

2:05:04by ICE to kidnap our neighbors, abused

2:05:06by police, and put in our and put our

2:05:08communities under 247 watch. Five

2:05:11officers were just charged for misuse

2:05:13yesterday in Indianapolis.

2:05:16Automatic license plate readers are more

2:05:18invasive than traditional traffic

2:05:20traffic cameras. They are constantly

2:05:22recording and saving data to be shared

2:05:24with mass surveillance databases.

2:05:27Hypers scale data centers are the

2:05:29physical home where these surveillance

2:05:31technologies like Flock live. Data

2:05:33centers raise our utilities.

2:05:35Pennsylvania has already paid $1.2

2:05:37billion in extra energy costs because of

2:05:40data centers alone in the past year.

2:05:42Personally, I learned that my home,

2:05:45which is just two miles from the

2:05:47potential site that the planning

2:05:48commission identified, would be affected

2:05:51by constant low frequency sound. Uh,

2:05:54these are physical vibrations that I

2:05:56would feel and are linked to things like

2:05:58sleep deprivation, ear damage, and

2:06:00general irritability. And I am already

2:06:03irritable enough.

2:06:05Uh, frankly, I am just tired of

2:06:07constantly learning about new big tech

2:06:09companies or massive corporations trying

2:06:11to come into our neighborhoods, usually

2:06:13under our noses and without community

2:06:15input. Don't get me started on Whimo.

2:06:18Uh, we don't want our home, our city to

2:06:20be a playground for big tech. Please

2:06:22push pause on all of this. I am calling

2:06:25on council to support resolution number

2:06:27260730

2:06:30to ban automated license plate reader

2:06:32cameras. I also beg for council to

2:06:35listen to the thousands of

2:06:36Philadelphiaians who have already signed

2:06:37a petition to protect our city from data

2:06:40centers with the moratorum. Thank you so

2:06:42much.

2:06:54Good afternoon council president and

2:06:57members of council. My name is Danna

2:06:59Nicole Murray and I am the founder and

2:07:01president of Baron Fruit, a Philadelphia

2:07:04organization supporting women affected

2:07:06by infertility and reproductive health

2:07:09challenges. I think I thank Council

2:07:12Member Ahmad for bringing this

2:07:13resolution forward concerning pmenopause

2:07:17awareness and I speak in support of it.

2:07:20I am 45 years old and in the age range

2:07:23when pmenopause often begins. I have

2:07:27spent years advocating for women living

2:07:29with endometriosis,

2:07:31fibroids, infertility, and other

2:07:33reproductive health conditions. We live

2:07:35in a world that has normalized our pain

2:07:38and made a poor quality of life seem

2:07:41acceptable.

2:07:42Many women suffer in silence with little

2:07:44knowledge of what they are experiencing

2:07:46or where to turn for answers and care.

2:07:49Too often, reproductive health

2:07:51conversations focus on whether someone

2:07:53can have a child. But our health matters

2:07:56before, during, and long after

2:07:59childbearing years. We matter. Our

2:08:02quality of life matters. Awareness is a

2:08:05first step. We should not have to prove

2:08:08our pain before someone can take it

2:08:10seriously. As we learn more about

2:08:12women's bodies, as we should already, we

2:08:16are also bringing into the open what too

2:08:19many have endured in silence for far too

2:08:21long. We deserve answers and care, not

2:08:24another reason to doubt what we feel.

2:08:27This resolution names gaps in education

2:08:30and the disparities affecting black

2:08:32women and others who have too often been

2:08:34left out of these conversations. I hope

2:08:37this recognition leads to more

2:08:38opportunities for people to understand

2:08:41um and can ask more questions and

2:08:43advocate for themselves. On behalf of

2:08:45Baron Fruit, I support recognizing World

2:08:47Perry Menopause Day and Perry Menopause

2:08:50Awareness Month in Philadelphia. Thank

2:08:51you.

2:09:00Greetings. My name is Denita Dixon, a

2:09:04member of the Philly Black Workers

2:09:08Project.

2:09:09Here to support

2:09:12here to support the resolution to honor

2:09:15the legacy of black labor history.

2:09:20We must recognize that our most

2:09:23underappreciated

2:09:25and overexloited

2:09:28black workers deserve better. Temp

2:09:31workers laborers labor for months and

2:09:35years without any guarantee of job

2:09:38security and we can no longer stand for

2:09:41it.

2:09:43My late husband worked for a a law firm,

2:09:49a temp law fir a temp agency in a law

2:09:51firm, excuse me. After graduating from

2:09:53the University Pen Wharton School, after

2:09:56two and a half years

2:09:59of outstanding work, he was not granted

2:10:03a permanent position. While he was

2:10:06searching for work, he was arrested on a

2:10:10murder charge which later turned out to

2:10:12be mistaken identity. However, he spent

2:10:1518 years 18 [clears throat] months in

2:10:17lockup shame

2:10:20>> before being completely exonerated.

2:10:24while while ship clergyman's Isaac

2:10:26Meyers um and black workers

2:10:31uh were pushed out of the labor for

2:10:35during the Civil War. They created the

2:10:41they founded the Chesapeake Marian

2:10:44Railways and Dry Dock Company. Following

2:10:48in the footsteps, my husband and I

2:10:50opened our own news stand. One night

2:10:52when he was on his way home from school

2:10:54from from the stand, he was mugged and

2:10:58um shot five times. He became a

2:11:00paraplegic where he later uh moved down

2:11:03south and lived. But I often wondered

2:11:06how our lives would have been if he had

2:11:09a permanent position in a temp firm. We

2:11:14we demand that the city council supports

2:11:18our resolution because we deserve

2:11:21better.

2:11:29>> Good afternoon, council president and

2:11:31council members. My name is Britney

2:11:32Austin, organizer and executive director

2:11:35of the Philly Black Worker Project.

2:11:37We're a worker center that builds power

2:11:39alongside black workers. I appreciate

2:11:41Council Member Brooks and your support

2:11:43of the resolution honoring the legacy of

2:11:45black labor organizers. And it is not

2:11:48only our role to honor them. It is also

2:11:50our duty to advance the groundwork that

2:11:53they laid down and continue fighting for

2:11:55black workers. At the project, we talked

2:11:57to thousands of workers. You all got

2:11:59boxes with a thousand signatures from

2:12:01those workers. And we hear so much of

2:12:04the same. While one job should be enough

2:12:06to sustain a family, for too many

2:12:09workers, it simply is not. As wages

2:12:11stagnate and the cost of living

2:12:13continues to rise, more workers are

2:12:15turning to the contingent workforce,

2:12:17taking temp jobs through staffing

2:12:19agencies, gig work, and other forms of

2:12:21non-traditional jobs. For some workers,

2:12:23temp work is a short-term bridge in

2:12:26between jobs, or just some extra money.

2:12:28But for far too many temp workers, temp

2:12:31work becomes the only work available.

2:12:33Staffing agencies often market these

2:12:35jobs with promises of flexibility,

2:12:37opportunity, pathways to permanent

2:12:39employment only for those promises to

2:12:42never materialize.

2:12:44So who is being asked to tolerate

2:12:46instability, uncertainty, and low wages

2:12:49in the temp industry? Overwhelmingly,

2:12:52that who was black workers, its formerly

2:12:54incarcerated workers, its immigrants,

2:12:57and its moms trying to provide for their

2:12:59families. This is an industry that

2:13:01concentrates its model around workers

2:13:03with the fewest options and the least

2:13:06economic security. And because

2:13:35Oh, this the first time I get my little

2:13:36minute back. Uh, this is an industry

2:13:39that concentrates its model around

2:13:41workers with the fewest options and the

2:13:42least economic security. Because of

2:13:45this, uh, worker exploitation, it runs

2:13:47wild. And without clear industry

2:13:50standards, meaningful oversight, and

2:13:52strong worker protections, we are

2:13:54allowing black workers to be treated as

2:13:56disposable and kept in a second tier

2:13:59employment structure. If we are truly

2:14:02living in the legacy of the freedom

2:14:03fighters who we're honoring, then we

2:14:06know that these conditions facing temp

2:14:07workers must change. That's why we've

2:14:10launched our all due respect campaign.

2:14:12You have information about that in the

2:14:13boxes. Fighting for dignity and respect

2:14:15for temp workers in the city. Raising

2:14:17the standard for temporary work means

2:14:19refusing to accept a two-tiered

2:14:21workforce and fighting for bold

2:14:23legislation that protects black workers

2:14:25and holds employers accountable. We need

2:14:28your support to make that happen. And we

2:14:30hope that you'll walk alongside us as we

2:14:32carry the torch for black worker

2:14:33organizing in light of so many people

2:14:35who came before us. Thank you so much.

2:14:44>> State your name for the record, please.

2:14:48Hi council members and council

2:14:50president. My name is Shalia Allen and I

2:14:52am a member of the Philly Black Worker

2:14:54Project. I'm also a social worker. So

2:14:57advocacy for me is not only a part of my

2:14:59profession. It's a value I carry with me

2:15:01every day. And I believe people deserve

2:15:03support when they may not feel like

2:15:05they're able to advocate for themselves.

2:15:08Today, too many temporary and formerly

2:15:11incarcerated workers face unequal pay,

2:15:13unsafe working conditions, limited

2:15:16benefits, and inadequate worker

2:15:18protections. Black and brown workers are

2:15:20often represented in these types of

2:15:22jobs. And when your paycheck is your

2:15:24livelihood, speaking up about unfair or

2:15:26unsafe conditions can feel like risking

2:15:29everything. And my first connection to

2:15:31this work goes back to my very first

2:15:33job. At 15, I worked for Philadelphia

2:15:36Freedom Schools as a junior servant

2:15:38leader, and I thought I was going to be

2:15:40a summer camp counselor. Instead, I was

2:15:43introduced to organizing, political

2:15:45education, and youth advocacy. That

2:15:48summer, our theme was pipeline to

2:15:49prison. We studied, reflected, and

2:15:51created projects and organized a march

2:15:53with hundreds of young people around a

2:15:55youth study center. At 15, I learned

2:15:58that young people can organize, and I

2:16:00learned that our voices matter. I later

2:16:02worked several minimum wage jobs

2:16:04alongside many black and brown workers,

2:16:06including people who were formerly

2:16:08incarcerated. The jobs were physically

2:16:10demanding, stressful, and they offered

2:16:12little flexibility or support. At the

2:16:15time, I didn't have the language for

2:16:16everything I was seeing. But today, as a

2:16:18social worker and key leader in this

2:16:19project, I understand those experiences

2:16:22differently. I understand how important

2:16:24it is to create space for workers to be

2:16:26heard. And that's what I see in the all

2:16:28due respect campaign. It advocates equal

2:16:30pay for equal work, safer working

2:16:32conditions, benefits, and meaningful

2:16:34worker protections. This work also

2:16:37continues a long Philadelphia tradition.

2:16:39In 1830, Philadelphia hosted the first

2:16:42color convention at Mother Bethl AM

2:16:45Church. Black leaders like Isaac Meyers

2:16:47organized workers and fought for

2:16:49economic opportunity. A. Phip Randolph

2:16:51later organized with the Brotherhood of

2:16:54Sleeping Carporters and helped black

2:16:56workers secure a collective bargaining

2:16:58agreement with Pullman. I urge city

2:17:01council to formally honor the legacy of

2:17:04black labor in Philadelphia. With all

2:17:06due respect,

2:17:07>> we deserve better.

2:17:13>> I just want to take a moment to

2:17:15acknowledge Isaiah Thomas and the work

2:17:17that he has done with the freedom

2:17:19schools. cuz I know he's sitting like a

2:17:21proud papa listening to this young lady

2:17:23give a very outstanding presentation

2:17:25[snorts]

2:17:26and testimony regarding her role and

2:17:29freedom schools and how it helped her

2:17:30become a key organizer.

2:17:33Please proceed, sir.

2:17:35Good morning. My name is William Small

2:17:38and I am a member of Flip Philly Red and

2:17:41today I am opposed to resolution 260

2:17:45076

2:17:48because I really just want to get

2:17:50straight to the point. I see a lot of

2:17:52property being moved to the land bank. I

2:17:55see a lot of priorities being um put

2:17:59before our public school system. Now

2:18:01during the primary elections there was a

2:18:04lot of talk about schools. We was down

2:18:06Broad Street. We was kicking doors in

2:18:09and all that. But since since the

2:18:11primaries is over, I don't hear no

2:18:13energy about these schools. We got

2:18:15museums closing. That should be

2:18:18priority, these schools. And quite

2:18:21frankly,

2:18:23260076.

2:18:26I mean, we're talking about any and

2:18:28respectfully, Councilwoman Akmar, we're

2:18:31talking about anything to do with

2:18:33elections. I don't trust anyone who

2:18:35wasn't born in America talking about

2:18:38anything about anything to do with

2:18:40elections. Now,

2:18:44I can say I would propose that our

2:18:47Pennsylvania legislators amend our

2:18:49Pennsylvania constitution and put it

2:18:52forborn people cannot serve in our

2:18:55public office.

2:18:59They should not serve in our public

2:19:00office. I mean any legislation

2:19:03you can put forth but talking about

2:19:04elections at a time like this I think is

2:19:08inappropriate.

2:19:24>> Good morning. My name is Oona Hagens.

2:19:27I'm the president of the Philadelphia

2:19:29Reparations Coalition for American

2:19:31Freedman. Uh I'm speaking in regards to

2:19:34260730.

2:19:37For American freedman, government

2:19:38surveillance and the ability to monitor

2:19:41our movements must be understood in the

2:19:44context of history. When government is

2:19:47surveilling and monitoring the progeny

2:19:49of the emancipated, that is a badge of

2:19:52slavery. It is a continuation of the

2:19:55kind of governmental control over

2:19:58movement that American freed men have

2:20:01historically experienced. So we have to

2:20:04ask what is being collected? Who has

2:20:07access?

2:20:09This is precisely why we need an office

2:20:12of freedman affairs.

2:20:14Council member Curtis Jones introduced

2:20:16resolution 2550781

2:20:19to establish the office of freedman

2:20:21affairs in Philadelphia. The city needs

2:20:24to address what has already been put

2:20:27before it and live up to the intent of

2:20:30that resolution. At the state level,

2:20:33Senator Sheree Street will be

2:20:35introducing legislation to establish an

2:20:37office of American Freedman Affairs when

2:20:41the General Assembly reconvenes. We are

2:20:45asking the Commonwealth to get on board

2:20:48because American freed men need an

2:20:50agency specifically equipped to address

2:20:53surveillance and other badges of

2:20:56slavery. Philadelphia has already been

2:20:59presented with the opportunity through

2:21:01resolution 2550781.

2:21:04Now the Commonwealth has the opportunity

2:21:06to do the same. We need an office of

2:21:09freedman affairs at the city level and

2:21:13at the state level to protect the rights

2:21:16of the progeny of the emancipated. Oona

2:21:19Hagens. Over and out.

2:21:25>> Honor to our council president. This

2:21:27concludes our list for public comment

2:21:29today.

2:21:31>> That concludes today's public comment

2:21:33period.

2:21:36Thank you. We will now consider today's

2:21:38resolution on the consent agenda. I will

2:21:41ask the clerk to read the titles of all

2:21:43the resolutions on the consent agenda.

2:21:45After each title is read, any member may

2:21:48object to the inclusion of the

2:21:49resolution on the consent agenda. Upon

2:21:52such an objection and without debate,

2:21:55the resolution will be immediately

2:21:56removed from the consent agenda and

2:21:58placed on our regular final passage

2:22:00calendar.

2:22:02The clerk will now read the titles of

2:22:04the resolutions on the consent agenda.

2:22:09>> A resolution um resolution 260715.

2:22:13A resolution honoring public servant

2:22:15Francis Adams by renaming the 1800 block

2:22:18of South 22nd Street to Francis Adams

2:22:21Way in recognition of her dedication to

2:22:23violence prevention in South

2:22:25Philadelphia. Resolution 260716,

2:22:29a resolution authorizing the

2:22:30Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:22:327120 Yokum Street located in the second

2:22:34Councilmatic District in accordance with

2:22:36the terms of chapter 16-700 of the

2:22:39Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260717,

2:22:43a resolution authorizing the

2:22:45Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:22:462045, 2047, 2051 South 56th Street

2:22:51located in the third Councilmatic

2:22:53District in accordance with the terms of

2:22:54chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.

2:22:58Resolution 260718,

2:23:00a resolution authorizing the

2:23:01Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:23:034203 Ley Avenue located in the third

2:23:07Councilmatic District in accordance with

2:23:08the terms of chapter 16-700 of the

2:23:11Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260719,

2:23:15a resolution authorizing the

2:23:16Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 225

2:23:19South 52nd Street located in the third

2:23:21Councilmatic District in accordance with

2:23:23the terms of chapter 16-700 of the

2:23:25Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260728,

2:23:29a resolution authorizing the

2:23:31Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:23:321718 through 26 North 52nd Street

2:23:36located in the fourth Council Medic

2:23:38district in accordance with the terms of

2:23:40chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.

2:23:43Resolution 260729,

2:23:45a resolution renaming the 6,000 block of

2:23:48Market Street Share Elmechy Way to honor

2:23:51Sheree Elmechi and his decades of

2:23:53distinguished service to Philadelphia's

2:23:54students, educators, schools, and

2:23:56communities. Resolution 260739,

2:23:59a resolution authorizing the

2:24:00Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:24:02916, 920, 922, 924 West Alurn Street

2:24:06located in the fifth Council District in

2:24:08accordance with the terms of chapter

2:24:0916-700 of the Philadelphia Code.

2:24:12Resolution 260740,

2:24:15a resolution authorizing the

2:24:16Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 855

2:24:19North Orcne Street located in the fifth

2:24:21Councilmic District in accordance with

2:24:22the terms of chapter 16-700 of the

2:24:25Philadelphia Code.

2:24:27Resolution 260748,

2:24:30a resolution also naming Fourth Street

2:24:32between Hoffman and Dudley Streets in

2:24:34honor of Henry Hank Gansky III.

2:24:36Resolution 260749,

2:24:39a resolution authorizing the

2:24:40Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

2:24:421941-47

2:24:43East Huntington Street located in the

2:24:45first Council Medicatic District in

2:24:47accordance with the terms of chapter

2:24:4816-700 of the Philadelphia Code. and

2:24:51resolution 260750,

2:24:54a resolution also naming the 1100 block

2:24:56of West Rockland Street in the Logan

2:24:58neighborhood as Officer Melvin Kilgore

2:25:00Way in honor of the life, legacy, and

2:25:02extraordinary community service of

2:25:04officer Melvin Kil Kilgore. There are no

2:25:07further resolutions on the consent

2:25:08agenda. Council President,

2:25:11>> thank you very much. The chair

2:25:13recognizes council member Kath and

2:25:14Gilmore Origins for a motion to adopt

2:25:17each of the resolutions on the

2:25:20resolution consent agenda.

2:25:22>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

2:25:24adoption of each of the resolutions on

2:25:26the resolution consent agenda.

2:25:28>> Second.

2:25:29>> It has a move and properly seconded that

2:25:32each of the resolutions on the

2:25:33resolution consent agenda be adopted.

2:25:36All those in favor signify by saying I.

2:25:39>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. Each of

2:25:41the resolutions on the resolution

2:25:43consent agenda has been adopted. We will

2:25:46now consider resolutions on the regular

2:25:48final passage calendar. Would the clerk

2:25:51>> sorry the clerk please read the title of

2:25:53resolution number 260730?

2:25:56a resolution calling on the General

2:25:58Assembly and the Senate of the

2:26:00Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass

2:26:01bipartisan legislation to ban the use of

2:26:03automatic license plate reader ALPR

2:26:06cameras like flock cameras across the

2:26:08Commonwealth and ban or develop strong

2:26:10guard rails for the use of automatic

2:26:12license plate reader technology.

2:26:14>> The chair recognizes Councilman Ruand

2:26:17for a motion regarding resolution number

2:26:18260730.

2:26:21>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:26:23the adoption of the resolution.

2:26:25It has a move in property second. The

2:26:27resolution number 260730 will be

2:26:29adopted. All those in favor the motion

2:26:31will signify by saying I.

2:26:34>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

2:26:35motion carries. The resolution is

2:26:37adopted. Would the clerk please retitle

2:26:39resolution number 260738.

2:26:42>> A resolution urging the Pennsylvania

2:26:43General Assembly to enact House Bill

2:26:4517678

2:26:47to tax digital advertising receipts and

2:26:50provide additional property tax relief

2:26:51for eligible senior households.

2:26:54Chair recognized Captain Jeffrey J.

2:26:56Young for a motion regarding resolution

2:26:57number 260738.

2:27:00>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its

2:27:01adoption.

2:27:02>> Second.

2:27:03>> It has been moved properly seconded the

2:27:05resolution number 260738 be adopted. All

2:27:09those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:27:11>> I.

2:27:12>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

2:27:14motion carries. The resolution is

2:27:15adopted. Will the chief clerk please for

2:27:17the title resolution number 260747?

2:27:20[sighs] a resolution urging the United

2:27:22States Congress to support and enact the

2:27:24AMED Butler Pediatric Cancer Hope for a

2:27:27Cure Act and calling for federal action

2:27:29to recognize and respond to pediatric

2:27:31cancer with national emergency level

2:27:33urgency while also also calling upon the

2:27:36president of the United States to

2:27:38consider declaring a national emergency

2:27:40concerning pediatric cancer under the

2:27:42National Emergencies Act.

2:27:44Chair recognizes majority captain

2:27:47Gilmore Richardson to make a motion on

2:27:50resolution number 260

2:27:52747 on behalf of council marker who

2:27:56isn't here today.

2:27:57>> Yeah.

2:27:58>> Thank you Mr. President. On behalf of

2:28:00council I move for the adoption of the

2:28:03resolution.

2:28:04>> It has been moved and property seconded

2:28:07the resolution number 260747

2:28:10be adopted. All those in favor of the

2:28:11motion will signify by saying I. [sighs]

2:28:14>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

2:28:16motion carries. The resolution is

2:28:18adopted.

2:28:21Will the clerk please read any

2:28:22additional resolutions on today's

2:28:24calendar.

2:28:27>> Approve.

2:28:28>> Excuse me one second. Council be at

2:28:30ease. The chair recognizes council

2:28:32member Dr. Anthony Phillips and then

2:28:35council member Jim Herity.

2:28:36>> Thank you, council president. I just

2:28:38want to be recorded as I on all bills

2:28:40and resolutions that I just missed on

2:28:42the consent agenda as well as the

2:28:44others. I want

2:28:44>> Thank you very much, Dr. Phillips. Chair

2:28:46recognized Council Member Jim Harity was

2:28:49earlier. I wanted to respond.

2:28:50>> I think your light is still on, sir.

2:28:52>> Yeah. Yeah.

2:28:53>> Okay. No, I'm sorry.

2:28:54>> You pressed that button, sir. Thank you

2:28:57very much, sir.

2:28:59Will the clerk please any additional

2:29:00resolutions on today's calendar?

2:29:03A privileged resolution authorizing the

2:29:06committee on streets and services to

2:29:07hold hearings to examine the city's

2:29:08implementation of its vision vision zero

2:29:11action plan, evaluate progress toward

2:29:13eliminating traffic fatalities and

2:29:15serious injuries, and identify

2:29:17opportunities to improve roadway safety

2:29:19throughout Philadelphia, including

2:29:21through daylighting, traffic calming,

2:29:23pedestrian infrastructure, and other

2:29:25such measures. Introduced by Council

2:29:27Member Jamie Gardier on behalf of

2:29:29Council President Johnson. Chair

2:29:31recognizes Councilman Jamie Gardier for

2:29:34a motion on the resolution.

2:29:36>> Thank you, Council President. On your

2:29:37behalf, I move for the adoption of the

2:29:39resolution.

2:29:40>> It has been moved in property second

2:29:42that the resolution be adopted. All

2:29:43those in favor, the motion will signify

2:29:45by saying I.

2:29:47>> Anyone opposed? Opposed. The resolution

2:29:50has been adopted. Chief clerk, please

2:29:51read the title of the next resolution. A

2:29:54privileged resolution recognizing,

2:29:55congratulating, and celebrating

2:29:57Philadelphia VIP for its outstanding

2:29:59contributions to Philadelphia on the

2:30:01occasion of its 45th anniversary.

2:30:03Introduced by Council Member Ru Landau.

2:30:06She recognized Councilman Ru Landau for

2:30:07a motion on the resolution.

2:30:09>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:30:10the adoption of the resolution.

2:30:13>> It has a moving property seconded that

2:30:15the resolution be adopted. All those in

2:30:16favor signify by saying I.

2:30:19>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:30:21resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:30:23please read the title of the next

2:30:24resolution.

2:30:25>> A privileged resolution recognizing and

2:30:28honoring St. James Lutheran Church on

2:30:30its 100th anniversary and celebrating

2:30:32its centennial as a pillar of faith,

2:30:35community service, and providing

2:30:37spiritual guidance. Introduced by

2:30:39council member Ketsy Lazada. Chair

2:30:41recognized council Ketsy Lazada for a

2:30:43motion on the resolution.

2:30:44>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:30:46the adoption.

2:30:49It has been moved in property seconded

2:30:50that the resolution be adopted. All

2:30:52those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:30:55Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:30:57resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:30:59please with the title of the next

2:31:00resolution,

2:31:01>> a privileged resolution recognizing and

2:31:03honoring distinguished Latino leaders

2:31:05and community advocates in the city of

2:31:07Philadelphia during Hispanic Heritage

2:31:09Month. Introduced by Council Member

2:31:11Ketsy Lazada.

2:31:12>> She recognizes Council Member Ketsy

2:31:13Lazada for a motion on the resolution.

2:31:15>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:31:17the adoption of the resolution. It has

2:31:19been moved in properly seconded that the

2:31:21resolution be adopted. All those in

2:31:22favor of the motion will signify by

2:31:24saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have

2:31:28it and the resolution is adopted. Chief

2:31:30clerk, please read the title of the next

2:31:31resolution. A privileged resolution

2:31:33honoring the legacy of black labor in

2:31:35Philadelphia, including being the first

2:31:37colored convention in 1830 and the black

2:31:40organizers who for centuries have been

2:31:42at the heart of the American labor

2:31:44movement. Introduced by council member

2:31:46Kendra Brooks. Chair recognizes council

2:31:48member Kendra Brooks for a motion on the

2:31:50resolution.

2:31:50>> I [clears throat] move for adoption of

2:31:52the resolution.

2:31:53>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:31:56that the resolution be adopted. All

2:31:57those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:32:00>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. And

2:32:02the resolution has been adopted. Will

2:32:05the chief clerk please read the title of

2:32:06the next resolution?

2:32:09A privilege resolution recognizing the

2:32:11third week of September 2026 as National

2:32:14Construction Appreciation Week in the

2:32:16city of Philadelphia honoring the

2:32:17contribution of the construction

2:32:19industry to the vitality of our city

2:32:21introduced by Council Member Jim Herity.

2:32:24>> Chair recognizes Councilman Jim Herity

2:32:26for a motion on the resolution.

2:32:28>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:32:30the adoption of the resolution.

2:32:32>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:32:34that the resolution be adopted. All

2:32:36those in favor signify by saying I.

2:32:39>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and

2:32:41resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:32:42please read the title of the next

2:32:43resolution. A privileged resolution

2:32:46recognizing September 2026 as hunger

2:32:49action month in the city of Philadelphia

2:32:51in order to raise awareness about food

2:32:53insecurity in our communities and to

2:32:54mobilize us to act in the movement to

2:32:56end hunger. Introduced by council member

2:32:58Nicholas Oor.

2:33:00>> Chair announces councilman Nicholas Oor

2:33:02for a motion on the resolution.

2:33:03>> Thank you, Mr. President. And I move for

2:33:04the adoption of the resolution.

2:33:07>> It has been moved in property second

2:33:09that the resolution be adopted. All

2:33:10those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:33:13>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:33:16resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:33:17please read the title of the next

2:33:19resolution.

2:33:20>> A privileged resolution authorizing the

2:33:22committee on legislative oversight to

2:33:23hold hearings examining the city's

2:33:25oversight of correctional health care

2:33:27contractors and the circumstances

2:33:28leading to disruptions in medical care

2:33:31in Philadelphia's jails. Introduced by

2:33:33council member Nicholas Oor.

2:33:35>> Chair recognizes council member Nicholas

2:33:37Oor for a motion on the resolution.

2:33:39>> Thank you, Mr. President. Move for the

2:33:40adoption of the resolution. Second.

2:33:42>> It has been moved on property seconded

2:33:43that the resolution be adopted. All

2:33:45those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:33:48>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:33:50resolution has been adopted. Chief

2:33:52clerk, please recit the next resolution.

2:33:54a privileged resolution recognizing

2:33:56September 2026 as deaf awareness month

2:33:59in the city of Philadelphia and further

2:34:00honoring Philadelphia's

2:34:02school for the deaf for its historical

2:34:04leadership, educational excellence, and

2:34:07unwavering commitment to empowering deaf

2:34:09and heart of hearing students and

2:34:11advancing deaf culture and community.

2:34:13Introduced by council member Cindy Bass.

2:34:16Chair now council Cindy Bass for a

2:34:18motion on the resolution.

2:34:19>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

2:34:21adoption of the resolution. It has been

2:34:23moved in property second that the

2:34:25resolution be adopted. All those in

2:34:26favor signify by saying I. Anyone

2:34:29opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:34:31resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:34:33please read the title of the next

2:34:34resolution. A privileged resolution

2:34:36honoring and celebrating United Lutheran

2:34:38Seminary on its 200th anniversary and

2:34:41commemorating the seminary's

2:34:42long-standing presence and service in

2:34:44the city of Philadelphia. Introduced by

2:34:46Council Member Cindy Bass. Chair

2:34:48>> recognizes Council Member Cindy Bass for

2:34:50a motion on the resolution.

2:34:51>> Thank you, Mr. Mr. President, I move for

2:34:53the adoption of the resolution. Second.

2:34:55>> It has been moved in property second

2:34:57that the resolution be adopted. All

2:34:58those in favor of the motion will

2:35:00signify by saying I.

2:35:02>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:35:04resolution has been adopted. Chief

2:35:06clerk, please read the title of the next

2:35:07resolution. A privilege resolution

2:35:10authorizing the Committee on Licenses

2:35:12and Inspections to hold a hearing to

2:35:14examine the implementation and

2:35:15enforcement of laws and regulations

2:35:17governing nuisance businesses, including

2:35:19stopand go establishments, signage and

2:35:22window coverings, and to assess how

2:35:24enforcement practices can improve public

2:35:26safety, strengthen community trust,

2:35:28ensure due process, and reduce

2:35:30neighborhood conflict. Introduced by

2:35:32Council Member Cindy Bass. Chair

2:35:34recognizes Council Member Cindy Bass for

2:35:36a motion on the resolution. Thank you,

2:35:38Mr. President. I move for the adoption

2:35:40of the resolution.

2:35:41>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:35:43that the resolution be adopted. All

2:35:45those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:35:47I.

2:35:48>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:35:50resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:35:52please retitle the next resolution.

2:35:54>> A privileged resolution honoring Dr.

2:35:57Malefi Kete Asante for his distinguished

2:36:00academic career as the founder of the

2:36:03theory of afroentricity on the occasion

2:36:06of word radio fees feature on his local

2:36:09and global legacy through freedom

2:36:11journeys initiative introduced by

2:36:14council member Cindy Bass on behalf of

2:36:16council president Johnson.

2:36:18>> Chair recognizes council member Cindy

2:36:19Bass for a motion on the resolution.

2:36:21>> Thank you Mr. President. I move for the

2:36:23adoption of this resolution.

2:36:25It has been moving property second that

2:36:27the resolution be adopted. All those in

2:36:29favor of the motion will signify by

2:36:30saying I.

2:36:32>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

2:36:34resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:36:36please read the title of the next

2:36:37resolution.

2:36:38>> A privileged resolution recognizing and

2:36:40honoring the Miss Philadelphia

2:36:42Scholarship Organization on its 105th

2:36:44anniversary, celebrating all current and

2:36:46former title holders and the

2:36:48organization's long-standing commitment

2:36:49to scholarship, service, leadership, and

2:36:52the empowerment of women in

2:36:53Philadelphia. introduced by council

2:36:55member Nina Amed.

2:36:57>> Chairman recognize council Dr. Nina Amed

2:36:59for a motion and resolution.

2:37:01>> Thank you council president and move for

2:37:02the adoption of the resolution.

2:37:05>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:37:07that the resolution be adopted. All

2:37:08those in favor the motion will signify

2:37:10by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes

2:37:13have it and the resolution is adopted.

2:37:16Chief clerk please do the title of the

2:37:17next resolution. a privilege resolution

2:37:20recognizing September 2026 as cerebral

2:37:23visual impairment awareness month in the

2:37:25city of Philadelphia and commending the

2:37:28Rosenlat family CVI center at Overbrook

2:37:31School for the blind for its commitment

2:37:34to improving care education and research

2:37:36for children with CVI introduced by

2:37:39council member Nina Amed.

2:37:41>> Chair recognizes councilman Dr. Nina Med

2:37:43for a motion on the resolution.

2:37:47>> Thank you council president. I move for

2:37:48the adoption of the resolution

2:37:51>> as a move and properly seconded that the

2:37:54resolution be adopted. All those in

2:37:56favor signify by saying I.

2:37:58>> I.

2:37:59>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:38:01resolution has been adopted. Chief

2:38:02clerk, please read the title of the next

2:38:04resolution. A privileged resolution

2:38:07recognizing September 22nd, 2026 as

2:38:10World Perry menopause day and the month

2:38:12of September 2026 as per menopause

2:38:15awareness month in the city of

2:38:17Philadelphia introduced by council

2:38:18member Nina Amed.

2:38:20>> The chair recognizes Councilman Dr.

2:38:22Namemed for a motion on the resolution.

2:38:24>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:38:26the adoption of the resolution.

2:38:28>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:38:30that the resolution be adopted. All

2:38:31those in favor the motion will signify

2:38:33by saying I.

2:38:34>> I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and

2:38:37the resolution is is adopted. Chief

2:38:38clerk, please read the title of the next

2:38:40resolution.

2:38:41>> There are no further resolutions in my

2:38:43possession. Council President,

2:38:45>> thank you very much. That completes our

2:38:46calendar for today. Any speeches on

2:38:49behalf of the minority chair recognizes

2:38:52Council Member Kendra Brooks.

2:38:54>> Thank you, Council President. As we head

2:38:56into this fall season, Philly families

2:38:58are facing record high prices for basic

2:39:01necessities like energy, groceries, and

2:39:04medical care. I want to thank minority

2:39:06whip Nicholas Oor for stepping up to

2:39:09tackle our city's affordability crisis

2:39:12with the cost of living task force and

2:39:15affordable Philly Now report. The report

2:39:18gives us facts, analyses, and concrete

2:39:21solutions from Philadelphia's foremost

2:39:24experts on housing, utilities, transit,

2:39:27and food access. I applaud Council

2:39:29Member Oor,

2:39:31and I took I look forward to working

2:39:33with my city council colleagues to

2:39:35implement some of these valuable

2:39:37proposals in the report. Today, I

2:39:39introduced a resolution to honor the

2:39:41legacy of black labor in Philadelphia.

2:39:44The resolution points to centuries of

2:39:46black organizing for equal wages and

2:39:48dignity in the workplace. The latest

2:39:51chapter of that story is taking shape

2:39:54here in Philadelphia with the Philly

2:39:56Black Worker Project and the All Due

2:39:58Respect campaign. This campaign is very

2:40:01personal to me. Um, I know what it's

2:40:04like to be at a job where you're not

2:40:07respected. Before I was elected into

2:40:09city council, I worked temporary jobs,

2:40:12part-time jobs, and jobs where I was

2:40:14doing the work that no one else wanted

2:40:16to do. I know that the I know about the

2:40:19exploitation of temp workers, black

2:40:21workers, and formerly incarcerated

2:40:23workers is is a major problem here in

2:40:26Philadelphia. With the all due respect

2:40:28campaign, black workers are coming

2:40:30together to demand better equal pay for

2:40:33equal work and an end to deis

2:40:35discrimination against formerly

2:40:37incarcerated workers and clear health

2:40:39and safety standards for temp workers. I

2:40:43am honored to join them today in

2:40:45recognizing and celebrating the

2:40:47centuries of black labor organizing that

2:40:49has led us to this moment we are to here

2:40:51today and to this campaign. Thank you so

2:40:54much.

2:40:56Thank you very much. You recognize

2:40:57Councilman Nicholas Aor.

2:41:00>> Thank you, Mr. President.

2:41:02[clears throat] A couple of things I

2:41:03wanted to lift today. Um, first want to

2:41:06just um state that Starbucks workers

2:41:10have been fighting against the odds for

2:41:12nearly 5 years. And I'm just talking

2:41:14about the workers. I feel like I have

2:41:16been a part of some struggle related to

2:41:18Starbucks for the better part of 10

2:41:20years at some point. I think it's high

2:41:22time that their employer did what decent

2:41:24employers are supposed to do and

2:41:25negotiate a fair union contract. [gasps]

2:41:28Until then,

2:41:31as you can tell, some of the folks are

2:41:32in the room. I think until then, I don't

2:41:34see how one could call Starbucks a

2:41:37decent employer or why anyone would

2:41:39support them. Um, this has gone on far

2:41:42too long and I definitely we definitely

2:41:44need to see an end to this matter. I'm

2:41:45happy to stand with workers today and

2:41:47every day. we will continue to struggle

2:41:49on and see what the end will be. I

2:41:51[gasps] also want to say that today I

2:41:53introduced legislation calling for

2:41:55hearings focused on our department of

2:41:57prisons because they face some major

2:41:59changes that have horriily been

2:42:00discussed in public and which I know the

2:42:03administration hasn't fully briefed this

2:42:05body on yet. In June, we shifted jail

2:42:08healthc care providers for the first

2:42:09time in 30 odd years because Yes Care,

2:42:13the old contractor, went bankrupt.

2:42:16Because of the bankruptcy, the city

2:42:18terminated its contract with Yes Care

2:42:20five weeks early and transferred local

2:42:22medical staff to the payroll of CFG

2:42:25Health, PDP's new provider. Healthcare

2:42:28workers on the inside went without pay

2:42:30for weeks. Staffing was dangerously low

2:42:33for days. And one night back in May,

2:42:36there wasn't a single nurse on the

2:42:38overnight shift in CFC. Not one. Not a

2:42:42single nurse. Court record records say

2:42:45that the the city had to quote engage

2:42:48administrative staff to cover medical

2:42:51triage end quote. Once Yes Care's

2:42:54bankruptcy was announced in early May,

2:42:56the city moved quickly, but I was asking

2:42:59about whether this was a vendor Philly

2:43:02could trust a whole year before even

2:43:04that. In April in 2025, I asked our

2:43:07prisons commissioner if given all the

2:43:09lawsuits against them and the healthc

2:43:11care challenges documented in reports on

2:43:14our prisons, this was a partner we

2:43:16should continue working with. That was

2:43:17the question. Since we stuck with them

2:43:20until the bitter end, unfortunately, you

2:43:23can imagine that he didn't share my

2:43:24concerns at that time. Now, we know that

2:43:27those concerns were timely and we've

2:43:30waited too long to have this discussion

2:43:31openly. Thank you, Member Thomas, for

2:43:34continuing to advance the work of prison

2:43:36oversight on this body and in this city

2:43:39and allowing me to do that with you. I'm

2:43:41looking forward to bringing this issue

2:43:43to the committee on legislative

2:43:44oversight because we need a transparent

2:43:47breakdown of how this transition was

2:43:50managed, why we stuck with Yes Care for

2:43:52so long despite many warning signs that

2:43:55had been raised and what the future of

2:43:58healthcare in our presence looks like.

2:44:00Colleagues, I've said it before, I'll

2:44:02say it again. Our incarcerated

2:44:04constituents don't just rely on us. They

2:44:08are at our mercy.

2:44:11I use that word intentionally.

2:44:13They are at our mercy. We set the

2:44:15conditions for their lives on the

2:44:17inside. We do. And frankly, we contract

2:44:20a lot of that work out. If that's the

2:44:22route we're going to take, these should

2:44:24be the most scrutinized contracts signed

2:44:28by the most scrupulous providers.

2:44:30Anything less is playing with people's

2:44:32lives. As too many people's deaths have

2:44:35shown us, we need real prison oversight

2:44:38in the city of Philadelphia. It's the

2:44:40moral and ethical thing to do for sure

2:44:42for our neighbors on the inside.

2:44:45Continuing on with a few other things,

2:44:48uh this is a bracing moment uh in the

2:44:50fight against hunger. Um, many folks are

2:44:52aware of what's happening at the federal

2:44:54level because the federal government is

2:44:55fighting to be less accountable for

2:44:56feeding neighbors in need. At the same

2:44:58time, we all know that groceries are

2:45:00facing steady inflation. Mr. President,

2:45:03you are fully aware of this. So, I want

2:45:05to thank Phil Abundance for working with

2:45:07my office to introduce this resolution

2:45:09to make sure that we dwell on these

2:45:11facts. I applaud our governor for

2:45:13increasing what our state spends on

2:45:15SNAP. But we are still facing a steep

2:45:17struggle, particularly with next year's

2:45:20supposed quote reforms in mind. To all

2:45:23the organizations fighting to end hunger

2:45:25in Philadelphia, for the smaller acts of

2:45:27care Philadelphiaians perform every day

2:45:30across all of our neighborhoods, I want

2:45:32to say thank you. I believe that God

2:45:34smiles on you for being mindful to feed

2:45:36those who are hungry. Few things are

2:45:38holier than feeding those who are

2:45:40hungry. And we are better uh we are a

2:45:42better city thanks to Philadelphiaians

2:45:43who join into that holy work. My team

2:45:46recently joined sharing excess in what

2:45:48uh in that work at one of their food

2:45:50giveaways and I'm proud to say that food

2:45:52access is one of the points of focus in

2:45:55the Philadelphia cost of living for uh

2:45:57task forces report. George Matsik and

2:45:59the share food program led that piece of

2:46:01the report for us and included the

2:46:03insight he gained through his work and

2:46:05participation on Philly's food and

2:46:07nutrition security task force. Again,

2:46:09shout out to the president for your

2:46:11unwavering focus on this issue for some

2:46:13time. George was one of the nine experts

2:46:15who helped my office draft this report

2:46:17and I want to share some more about it

2:46:19before I wrap up. Everybody's talking

2:46:21about fighting the affordability crisis,

2:46:23but my office wanted to do what the WFP

2:46:25does and make that very material, not

2:46:28just lip service, make it very concrete.

2:46:31So, every proposal in the report is

2:46:33something that the city of Philadelphia

2:46:34can do unilaterally. No waiting on

2:46:37Harrisburg. No waiting on Washington.

2:46:39And for that reason, colleagues, I hope

2:46:40that you give the report a thorough

2:46:42read. We put a a copy on everyone's desk

2:46:44last week. I know we had an eventful

2:46:46last week, but hopefully you can find

2:46:47that somewhere in the pile of your notes

2:46:49and give it a gander because there are

2:46:50so many steps that we can take to

2:46:52continue to address the cost of living

2:46:53in Philadelphia. Just want to recount

2:46:55that some of the task force members

2:46:57included Sister Mary Scullian, Art

2:46:59Steinberg, Professor Leslie Richards,

2:47:01Eva Gladstein, Dr. Tyra Bryant Stevens,

2:47:04Maryanne Frey, Dr. Dr. Naja our Vic Ron

2:47:07Patel George Matsik if that resonates

2:47:09with any of you their work their

2:47:11intellects their mind their expertise

2:47:13experience went into putting this

2:47:14together. This is real good material and

2:47:16good reading for those of us who are in

2:47:18the business of making law. I want to

2:47:20thank the members of the committee on

2:47:21global opportunities and the creative

2:47:23innovative economy and their staff for

2:47:25your early input and feedback. And I

2:47:26want to thank the entire task force for

2:47:28their participation. And I want to thank

2:47:29my colleagues in advance for reading and

2:47:31considering the proposals in the report.

2:47:33Our hearing on this report comes next

2:47:35week, so this won't be the last that you

2:47:37hear of it. Lastly, I want to thank my

2:47:39team for your hard work over the summer

2:47:41finalizing the report. And an extra note

2:47:44of gratitude is due to Sarah Rivera, a

2:47:47former intern in our office who was led

2:47:49who who has led the design for the

2:47:51entire affordable Philly Now initiative

2:47:52to date and also formatted and designed

2:47:54the entire report for us. even when she

2:47:57didn't have to do that and she was going

2:47:58on about her business, she thought it

2:48:00not, Robert, to to put forth her

2:48:02artistic skills to make sure that what

2:48:04you were reading also looked appealing

2:48:05to the eye. So, thank you, Sarah. I know

2:48:07that you hear us. Thank you, Mr.

2:48:08President, for the time. I'll see y'all

2:48:10next week.

2:48:13>> Thank you very much. Speeches on behalf

2:48:16of the majority. The chair recognizes

2:48:17Councilman Curtis Jones.

2:48:20>> Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues and

2:48:22listening audience. Every now and then,

2:48:26if we're patient enough, if we're

2:48:28persistent enough, if we stay on our

2:48:31grind enough, good things happen. We

2:48:34have come to the end of the road for

2:48:38illegal gambling machines in the city of

2:48:40Philadelphia.

2:48:41The city solicitor's office, through the

2:48:43mayor, uh this body standing steadfast,

2:48:47the governor, uh Shapiro not wavering on

2:48:51the issue. We have come to the

2:48:54conclusion that they are not games of

2:48:57skill. They are games of chance and

2:49:01deserve to be out of our neighborhoods.

2:49:03And as of the second week of October, we

2:49:06get to

2:49:08work with the uh nuisance business task

2:49:10force to begin the removal the removal

2:49:13of those machines.

2:49:17Mr. President, there's not a district,

2:49:20not a district in the city of

2:49:22Philadelphia that has not been dealt

2:49:25with, had to deal with these machines.

2:49:27Some worse than others. In a VFW, that's

2:49:30all right. I'm okay with people of adult

2:49:34consenting age. But in a corner store

2:49:36500 ft away from a school, it's

2:49:40unacceptable. When Mrs. Johnson, Grandma

2:49:44Johnson, who has on social security,

2:49:46goes in there and the ATM is right next

2:49:48to the gambling machine where they take

2:49:50a stool and don't have to move and watch

2:49:53their social security go down the drain

2:49:56on a pipe dream.

2:49:58That's criminal and it is now really

2:50:01criminal. So, I look forward to being a

2:50:04part. Uh, if any of you have ever

2:50:06watched the untouchables,

2:50:09there's a scene where Elliot Nes goes in

2:50:11and start removing gambling machines. I

2:50:14I intend to be a part of that,

2:50:17be a part of that party. But I would say

2:50:19to you and to all of you, if you we have

2:50:23to deal with a number of issues all the

2:50:25time,

2:50:27but if we stay persistent and stay on

2:50:29it, good things happen. Ketsy Lazada who

2:50:33uh had to deal with that. She could have

2:50:35easily uh ignored it, but she stood 10

2:50:39toes down to improve the quality of life

2:50:42of her neighborhood. Uh Kathy Gilmore

2:50:44Richardson walked in those stores and

2:50:47you don't want to really walk in stores

2:50:48with Kathy. I I warn you. She is a

2:50:53Winfield girl that is unafraid and goes

2:50:56toe-to-toe about what is right for the

2:50:59condition of the school. Cindy Bass who

2:51:01fought against liquor by the drink. All

2:51:03of this is a continuation of that and if

2:51:07we are patient enough

2:51:10the heroes become the villains and the

2:51:14villains become the heroes. Thank you

2:51:16very much.

2:51:17>> Very well said. Member Jones chair

2:51:19recognizes Council Member Jim Herity.

2:51:22>> Thank you, Council President. Uh, first

2:51:25want to thank Katy, too. Uh, for

2:51:28yesterday, uh,

2:51:31I had been in such a good mood from

2:51:35yesterday morning all day. Nobody's

2:51:37ruined it yet except that idiot that

2:51:38just got up and messed with me. Uh, he

2:51:41got lucky. I would have been suspended

2:51:43again or something because I was about

2:51:45to light him up, but the council

2:51:46president seemed fit to be the higher

2:51:48power and didn't recognize me. So,

2:51:53>> [laughter]

2:51:54>> But, uh, just want to let people know

2:51:56that we we had to postpone the, uh,

2:51:59wellness expo, uh, this week because of

2:52:02the rain, but we did, uh, get a new

2:52:05date. It will be Tuesday, October 13th

2:52:08from 11:00 a.m. to 300 p.m. in City Hall

2:52:11Courtyard. Uh, all the vendors will

2:52:13still be out there. We've had over 30

2:52:16vendors sign up. Uh so uh please come

2:52:21out and check us out uh Tuesday. Thank

2:52:24you.

2:52:26>> Thank you very much. You recognize

2:52:27Councilman Jeffrey J. Young.

2:52:30>> Thank you uh Mr. President. Uh first I

2:52:33want to know echo some of the sentiments

2:52:35of my colleague Council Member Oor when

2:52:37it comes to Starbucks. Um folks know

2:52:40last year um on this on this floor I've

2:52:43called Starbucks the world's largest

2:52:46legal drug dealer. Right. [snorts]

2:52:48And and you know, they make a whole lot

2:52:51of money selling drugs to our community,

2:52:54to our people. And so I think they

2:52:56should do uh right by um the people um

2:53:01who sell their product ultimately. Um,

2:53:05I want to thank my colleagues for um,

2:53:09passing a resolution today um, where we

2:53:12are transferring land to historic

2:53:15Fairill uh, to preserve for open space

2:53:18in North Philadelphia. Uh, they're going

2:53:20to use this open space for a lot of

2:53:21their programming. Um, they have the

2:53:24great programming for our youth um, of

2:53:26North Philly in in that fair hill

2:53:29section. I'm just glad to be able to

2:53:31support uh that uh community. Um I know

2:53:35last week we had a day. Um so I didn't

2:53:40get a chance to say everything that I

2:53:41wanted to say uh last week, but I want

2:53:43to just uh talk about some of the things

2:53:45that we did over the summer. Um

2:53:46throughout the summer, um our office

2:53:48hosted quality of life town halls

2:53:51throughout the district, uh bringing

2:53:53residents together with community, uh

2:53:55with city departments to address issues

2:53:58like sanitation, public safety, parking,

2:54:00vacant properties, development, um and

2:54:03everyday issues that shape how people

2:54:05experience their communities. Uh we also

2:54:08partner with organizations to host

2:54:10housing resource workshops helping

2:54:12residents navigate uh rising property

2:54:14assessments uh tax relief programs

2:54:17appeals and other resources that help

2:54:19them maintain their homes. Of course,

2:54:22Philadelphia welcomed uh the world um to

2:54:25to FIFA FanFest uh which is uh in the in

2:54:28the uh fourth district. Uh but I that I

2:54:31share that uh the interest in that

2:54:32neighborhood with Council Member Jones.

2:54:34Um, you know, we've also, uh, had the

2:54:37summer nightlight series in the 22nd

2:54:39Police District, um, which brought

2:54:42created positive spaces for young people

2:54:45and our families in North Philadelphia.

2:54:47We celebrated ma we celebrated major

2:54:49investments in our public spaces. After

2:54:53seven plus years of closures, uh, we

2:54:56spent money to open up two pools in our

2:54:59district at 12 and Camber and Amos. Um,

2:55:02these are more than just swimming pools.

2:55:04There are places where children can

2:55:05learn, families can gather, and seniors

2:55:08can stay active. Uh Amos Rec Center

2:55:10specifically has a senior swim time uh

2:55:14where the seniors were able uh to to

2:55:16enjoy the pool. Um over the summer, we

2:55:19also celebrated renaming Jake and Sarah

2:55:21Adams Way near the new Barbara's Hall uh

2:55:24to recognize a family legacy that is

2:55:26deeply connected to North Philly. Um

2:55:29this past Labor Day, uh we honor Samuel

2:55:32Stton Jr. which we will be passing that

2:55:35resolution uh next week.

2:55:38Our neighbors continue to demonstrate

2:55:39what community looks like through

2:55:41celebrations like the spring garden

2:55:43sunflower fest. Uh we also had

2:55:46strawberry mansion day. Um we're also um

2:55:50we've also moved into a different phase

2:55:52in development of the ceil library.

2:55:56Right. We held a meeting to talk about

2:55:58those improvements. Um and I'm urging

2:56:00community to stay active in that. Um we

2:56:03want to make sure that this building can

2:56:05remain safe, accessible, and open to the

2:56:08public uh for years to come.

2:56:12You know, we had a meeting with the free

2:56:13library, capital projects, um capital

2:56:16programs office, and I want to thank

2:56:18everyone who attended, everyone who

2:56:19asked questions, and everyone who

2:56:21continues to be an advocate for the

2:56:23future of this essential neighborhood

2:56:25institution. Um, I know the community

2:56:28wants more for this library and so do I.

2:56:30Right. Our residents deserve a 21st

2:56:33century welcoming space that supports

2:56:36literacy, education, technology, and

2:56:38opportunity. And I'm glad that we are

2:56:41continuing this important conversation

2:56:43and moving forward with the critical

2:56:45improvements uh for this library.

2:56:49And on a personal note, um, one of my

2:56:52staffers, uh, over the summer, uh, left

2:56:55our office. Um, and I just want to say,

2:56:59um, you know, congratulations to Haley

2:57:01Anderson. Uh, from the beginning, uh,

2:57:04Haley has been one of my office's most

2:57:07dedicated and impactful advocates uh,

2:57:10for residents. Um, Haley is a native of

2:57:13Fairmont in the fifth council district.

2:57:15Uh she brought compassion,

2:57:17professionalism, and persistence to her

2:57:19work and the countless constituents

2:57:21benefited from her commitment to helping

2:57:24people navigate very very difficult uh

2:57:27situations. Um, while I'm sad to see her

2:57:29leave, I'm proud that she has moved on

2:57:32to my alma mater, uh, to Gerard College,

2:57:35um, an institution that helped shape my

2:57:36own life. And I'm especially glad to

2:57:39know that she will remain nearby and

2:57:41continue to serve young people here in

2:57:43the fifth council district, uh,

2:57:45community.

2:57:48[sighs and gasps] Today we also

2:57:50introduced legislation that

2:57:54would amend the fifth district overlay

2:57:57um in the areas near the Ben Franklin

2:57:59Parkway uh including a parcel where the

2:58:02Academy of Natural Science sit uh to

2:58:05restrict land usage to cultural and

2:58:07civic purposes. Right. This legislation

2:58:10um in addition to the hearing uh that um

2:58:14that that was introduced um with my

2:58:17colleague Council Member Nina Ahmad is

2:58:19part of our commitment to explore every

2:58:21available path to preserve the academy

2:58:24as a place where Philadelphia can learn,

2:58:26discover, and connect with our natural

2:58:30history. It's important that we preserve

2:58:33our history. Right. Over the weekend,

2:58:36uh, I had an opportunity to take my son

2:58:37on a neighborhood tour that was

2:58:39sponsored by the Philadelphia Cultural

2:58:42Center. Um, this was a North Philly

2:58:44civil rights, history, and freedom tour.

2:58:47Um, and we rode through North

2:58:49Philadelphia learning about all the

2:58:51different uh, spaces in North Philly

2:58:54that are historic uh, specifically for

2:58:56for black Philadelphiaians. And we ended

2:58:58the tour at the museum um, on Gerard

2:59:02College's campus. And it's so crazy that

2:59:05they have an exhibit on me in that

2:59:07museum um where my son was able to see

2:59:09that, right? That's history. That's

2:59:12culture, right? So, if we continue to

2:59:14take away these learning spaces from our

2:59:16babies, how will they learn this

2:59:18history? How will they learn this

2:59:20culture? Right, if it's gone, right?

2:59:23This the academy has been here for over

2:59:26200 years, right? It's it's dedicated to

2:59:29civic and like to civic and and and

2:59:31cultural education. to science to

2:59:35science. We take that away, how will our

2:59:38kids learn? Um, and so I'm going to

2:59:42continue to be an advocate, continue to

2:59:44fight for the public good that the

2:59:47academy brought to our city of

2:59:49Philadelphia. Um and we're going to

2:59:51again explore every avenue, every option

2:59:54uh that is available to us um to m to

2:59:58make sure that we maintain learning

3:00:00spaces in the city of Philadelphia.

3:00:04Uh I want to thank my colleagues for

3:00:05passing a resolution today um you know

3:00:08urging the general assembly to enact

3:00:10House Bill 168. And you know, we've

3:00:12heard commentary from some folks today

3:00:15about this legislation, but ultimately

3:00:17it's to provide our seniors who are

3:00:20being priced out of neighborhoods that

3:00:22they help built opportunity and relief

3:00:25from property taxes. And just to be

3:00:27bipartisan with those folks too, this

3:00:30body, you know, I passed a res um I

3:00:32introduced a resolution that this body

3:00:33passed um supporting a a proposed bill

3:00:38by Republican Doug Mastriano that would

3:00:42exempt eligible seniors from having to

3:00:45pay property taxes at all. Right. I am a

3:00:47supporter of our seniors not paying

3:00:50taxes because for the most part when

3:00:51they're retired, they're on social

3:00:53security, they will never earn another

3:00:55dime again.

3:00:57So to have their taxes continue to go up

3:01:00um I think is is criminal. Um so I do

3:01:03think we need to work on ways to help

3:01:05our seniors out. I do think our senior

3:01:07tax freeze that we have here in this

3:01:09city is too low. We should explore other

3:01:11programs that uh we can base that uh

3:01:14that program off of because our seniors

3:01:17are literally the backbone of our of our

3:01:19communities. They've helped build this

3:01:21up and they deserve the honor and

3:01:23dignity to stay in their homes as as

3:01:26long as they choose to.

3:01:30And uh have a last but not least uh Mr.

3:01:32President, I have a couple of

3:01:33announcements. Last week we held our

3:01:36intergenerational game night at the

3:01:38Lenny on Ridge Avenue. It was a great

3:01:40time. Um there were young people as as

3:01:43as young as four years old and our

3:01:46seniors as you know as old as you can

3:01:49think of as a senior um at this place

3:01:52all together playing games, interacting,

3:01:56talking. I mean my son was playing

3:01:58bingo. Right. Right. It it was amazing.

3:02:01It was a great time to be there to see

3:02:04different generations of people

3:02:06interacting and building community. Um I

3:02:08look forward to make to to our future

3:02:11intergenerational game nights that we

3:02:13have um in North Philadelphia.

3:02:16Uh today we are continuing our quality

3:02:19of life town hall series um in

3:02:20Strawberry Mansion uh hosted by the

3:02:22Strawberry Mansion faith-based

3:02:24coalition. Um this will be at 5:30 today

3:02:27at 31st and Cumbland. We will be outside

3:02:29today um talking to community um giving

3:02:33them providing them information uh to

3:02:35help them maintain their communities.

3:02:37That's again today at 5:30 at 31st in

3:02:41Cumberland. Uh this weekend uh we will

3:02:44be at Broaden Green to rename uh the

3:02:48Green Street after coach Kenneth Ham uh

3:02:52who by who was a legendary coach,

3:02:54mentor, and educator uh for Ben Franklin

3:02:57High School. And at the time of his

3:02:59retirement, he was a uh he was the most

3:03:02win he had the most wins out of any

3:03:04coach in the Philadelphia public league

3:03:06history. Uh, so we want to honor that

3:03:07history at Ben Franklin. Um, and of

3:03:10course, uh, next weekend, October 3rd,

3:03:13North Philly day, the family reunion is

3:03:15taking over Charmer's Playground. I look

3:03:17forward to joining residents,

3:03:19businesses, the artists, the community

3:03:20organizations, the families to help

3:03:23celebrate North Philadelphia culture,

3:03:24history, um, and what makes North Philly

3:03:27special. Again, that's October 3rd,

3:03:30North Philly day, 29th in Chalmers. We

3:03:33hope everyone can come and make it out.

3:03:35Thank you, Mr. President,

3:03:37>> thank you very much. Chair recognized

3:03:39Council Dakame.

3:03:41>> Thank you, Council President and

3:03:42colleagues. Uh, happy World Perry

3:03:45Menopause Day and Per Menopause

3:03:47Awareness Month. As we get closer to

3:03:50January 1st, 2027, when my bill number

3:03:542550849,

3:03:56which guarantees reasonable

3:03:57accommodations for those of us who

3:04:00silently suffer from menstruation, per

3:04:02menopause, and menopause, uh, as well as

3:04:04protection from discrimination when

3:04:06seeking those accommodation goes into

3:04:09effect. I want to continue to uplift

3:04:11this often unagnowledged condition that

3:04:15so many of us go through between our

3:04:17late 30s and early 50s. Uh World Perry

3:04:20menopause day and Perry menopause

3:04:23awareness month both happen in September

3:04:26and they're established to raise

3:04:27awareness and to share knowledge about

3:04:30this transitional phase many people

3:04:32experience. I also want to shout out all

3:04:35my colleagues who read through my

3:04:37legislation and voted unanimously in

3:04:39favor of the of the legislation. We are

3:04:42the first municipality in the country to

3:04:46take action on menstruation,

3:04:48permenopause and menopause and that is

3:04:51in part because of your support of this

3:04:53bill. I am so very grateful. I would

3:04:55also like to say that today was a

3:04:57beautiful day in council chambers.

3:04:59Especially beautiful because we were

3:05:01joined by many current and former

3:05:03powerful and engaging Miss Philadelphia.

3:05:07These incredible women are an example of

3:05:10what it looks like to be your whole

3:05:11self. These are women who do it all.

3:05:14They're accomplished, have pursued

3:05:16education and careers, and are leaders

3:05:18in their communities. They are role

3:05:20models. And I want to thank the Miss

3:05:21Philadelphia Scholarship Organization on

3:05:24its 105th anniversary for supporting

3:05:27these women with long-standing

3:05:28commitment to scholarship, service,

3:05:31leadership, and empowerment of women. I

3:05:34also introduced a resolution recognizing

3:05:36September 2026 as cerebral visual

3:05:40impairment uh awareness month in the

3:05:42city of Philadelphia and commend uh the

3:05:46Overbook School for the Blind which

3:05:48officially launched it in 2020 launched

3:05:51this in 2025 for your commitment to

3:05:54improving care education and research

3:05:57for children with CVI. Many people don't

3:06:00quite understand CVI. It is a brainbased

3:06:03vision condition where the eyes can see

3:06:07but the brain struggles to process and

3:06:10interpret the visual signals. This is

3:06:12often an underrecognized condition and

3:06:1510.5% of all children with developmental

3:06:19disabilities have CVI. Early detection

3:06:23and intervention are crucial for

3:06:25improving outcomes as CVI impacts

3:06:29learning, social relationships, and

3:06:31quality of life. Uh this week I had the

3:06:34privilege of attending the special

3:06:36committee on gun violence that the

3:06:38council president uh convened. It was an

3:06:41honor to participate in this

3:06:42conversation and to hear from our gun

3:06:45violence experts in the city. I was

3:06:47proud to also raise up in the

3:06:49conversation of the intersection of gun

3:06:52violence and sexual assault and domestic

3:06:54abuse. We cannot talk about gun violence

3:06:57without exploring all the ways that it

3:07:00harms Philadelphiaians and I look

3:07:02forward to working with my colleagues

3:07:03and city officials to better protect

3:07:06residents from violence. I have also

3:07:08continued to work behind the scenes on

3:07:10the closure of the Academy of Natural

3:07:13Sciences and I want to commend my

3:07:14colleague uh Council Member Jeffrey

3:07:17Young for introducing the overlay uh

3:07:19bill today and we are still fighting and

3:07:22we will we will

3:07:25save the academy. I plan to share

3:07:27updates on our next steps for this

3:07:29critical work soon and I encourage

3:07:31everyone to stay tuned for more. Thank

3:07:34you, Council President, and my

3:07:36colleagues, and I yield back my time.

3:07:38>> Thank you, Chair. Now, Councilman Katy

3:07:40Lazada.

3:07:42>> Thank you, Council President. Um, I'd

3:07:44like to begin by thanking uh my

3:07:46colleague, Council Member Jimmy Harity,

3:07:48as well as Representative Dan Lo, um,

3:07:51members of the Philadelphia Police

3:07:52Department and the, uh, Peace Day Philly

3:07:56Committee um, for joining um, our

3:08:00schools. uh John Welsh, Esparansa

3:08:03Charter, Julia de Bulgos, and

3:08:05Pan-American Charter School for our

3:08:08international day of peace. Uh an event

3:08:11that I have uh had the honor of

3:08:14coordinating and planning and

3:08:16participating in for uh over 15 years um

3:08:21long before I became a council member.

3:08:23Um you know, my colleagues oftentimes

3:08:25tell me, Katz, don't read the social

3:08:28media comments. don't read the post um

3:08:31because it's gonna it's it's not going

3:08:34to make you happy. Uh but I can't help

3:08:36it because just like I read the post um

3:08:39young people in my community read the

3:08:41post as well. Um many of those comments

3:08:44while while many were positive, some

3:08:46were really um were really frustrating,

3:08:50right? Um many of the comments asked,

3:08:53you know, who's raising those kids? um

3:08:56why are those bad kids or those um bad

3:09:00behind kids walking for peace when

3:09:02they're creating havoc in other places,

3:09:04right? Um it's easy. It's easy to be a a

3:09:08keyboard bully. It's easy for you to

3:09:10stand up in certain spaces and talk

3:09:13about what somebody is doing and they're

3:09:14not doing. Um and um it's easy to point

3:09:18the finger, right? Um, I will say

3:09:23publicly to those individuals who have

3:09:25so much to say about what our youth is

3:09:29and is not doing to get up off their

3:09:31tush, turn off the computer, go find a

3:09:36young person or two in your community

3:09:39and be the light for them. Mentor them.

3:09:43Have conversation with them. provide

3:09:46them guidance with positive things to do

3:09:49and connect them with opportunities that

3:09:52will allow them to be better uh future

3:09:55leaders of our community. Um you know

3:09:59the the kids in my community uh many of

3:10:03whom live within a block or two from

3:10:06where we walked experience many many

3:10:10challenges like many other young people

3:10:12in this community in our city. But in

3:10:14that community specifically

3:10:16where the homicide and the the shootings

3:10:20were up for a really long time, um,

3:10:24every day experienced challenges and for

3:10:27them to stand up and decide that they

3:10:30are going to choose peace over violence

3:10:33regardless of what is happening around

3:10:35them says a lot about them young people.

3:10:38I can't wait to see what those young

3:10:40people will do in the future with all

3:10:42that they have experienced. All they

3:10:44need is a little bit of light. All they

3:10:46need is a little bit of guidance. And so

3:10:48I will continue to stand with them and

3:10:50fight for peace in our community

3:10:53regardless of what those who are cyber

3:10:56bullies have to say.

3:10:58Um I also uh would like to invite all of

3:11:02you. Um you all have this

3:11:05flyer on your desk. It shows all of the

3:11:08upcoming events uh for this weekend

3:11:11while we're celebrating Hispanic

3:11:12Heritage Month until October 15th. This

3:11:15weekend is Puerto Rican Festival Week.

3:11:17Uh you will see many beautiful Puerto

3:11:19Rican flags um uh in in the community. I

3:11:23invite you to join me uh this evening

3:11:26for our Puerto Rican festival mass at

3:11:28St. Peter and Paul at the Cathedral at 6

3:11:30p.m. Um you don't have to be a Catholic

3:11:33to participate. It is a beautiful mass

3:11:35um to to partake in. I also invite all

3:11:38of you to stand with me tomorrow as we

3:11:40raise the Puerto Rican flag right here

3:11:42in the North Apron um with many um of

3:11:45our brothers and sisters from all around

3:11:48uh Latin America. And I also invite you

3:11:51to join me for the after or for the

3:11:53parade in the morning on the Benjamin

3:11:55Franklin Parkway at 12 uh p.m. We're

3:11:58going to line up and then um our after

3:12:01parade um concert on 4th and Lehi where

3:12:06you will be able to enjoy food, music,

3:12:08culture, and dance um until 8:00 p.m. It

3:12:12is a vibe. It is a whole vibe. So, you

3:12:14want to make sure that you don't miss

3:12:16it. um please let me know if you're

3:12:18coming and I'll make sure um that we

3:12:20make the appropriate accommodations for

3:12:21that. We are also working um with the

3:12:25office of with the mayor's office of

3:12:27community engagement on um Latinos in

3:12:30government, an event that will take

3:12:32place um on October 15th he right here

3:12:35in city hall from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. And

3:12:37so I invite you all to take um the

3:12:40opportunity to get to know um some of

3:12:43the Latinos who are working in city

3:12:44government and all of the contributions

3:12:46that we make not just to government but

3:12:48to the city of Philadelphia. Thank you,

3:12:50Council President.

3:12:51>> Thank you.

3:12:52chair recognizing Councilman Dr. Anthony

3:12:54Phillips.

3:12:55>> Yeah.

3:12:57>> Thank you, Council President. Greetings

3:12:59to all of our colleagues here today and

3:13:00most importantly to the neighbors across

3:13:02Philadelphia. We and I am for sure

3:13:06absolutely tired of hearing people say

3:13:09there is nothing out there for young

3:13:11people to do. I'm absolutely tired of

3:13:14hearing from parents and caregivers who

3:13:16want to connect their children with

3:13:17opportunities but do not know where to

3:13:19begin. One year ago, uh, we released a

3:13:22report of our parent and guardian

3:13:24engagement task force. The report was

3:13:27shaped by direct conversations with

3:13:29families about what they needed to help

3:13:32their children thrive. One of the

3:13:34clearest messages we heard was that

3:13:36programs and resources may exist, but

3:13:39families often struggle to find them,

3:13:42access them, and get their children

3:13:43there. So, we listened, and Philly after

3:13:46school height was born from that work.

3:13:49So this Saturday, September 26th, in

3:13:52partnership with Council Member Isaiah

3:13:53Thomas, the school district of

3:13:55Philadelphia and Philadelphia Youth

3:13:57Basketball, and also thanks to all of

3:14:00the members of Philadelphia City Council

3:14:02who have been supportive of this, we are

3:14:04proud to present the second annual

3:14:06Philly after school height,

3:14:08Philadelphia's largest out of school

3:14:10time fair. is going to be from 11:00

3:14:12a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Sixman

3:14:15Center located at 4250 Wahhicken Avenue.

3:14:19Families are going to be able to connect

3:14:21with after school programs that include

3:14:23mentorship, athletics, arts, culture,

3:14:26academic enrichment, workforce

3:14:28development, and other opportunities for

3:14:31our young people. There will be

3:14:32activities for families to engage in,

3:14:35workshops, food, and plenty of

3:14:38opportunities to explore.

3:14:40Last year, families told us

3:14:42transportation was a barrier and so we

3:14:45heard you and this year we delivered an

3:14:48uh free roundtrip bus transportation

3:14:52from five locations across Philadelphia.

3:14:54That is free roundtrip bus

3:14:57transportation from five locations

3:14:59across Philadelphia. Thanks to other

3:15:01council members who've helped us, we've

3:15:03extended the trans transportation

3:15:05registration deadline and there are

3:15:07still seats available at Edison High

3:15:09School and council member Kessie Lazada

3:15:117th district West Philadelphia High

3:15:14School and council member Jamie Gadier's

3:15:16eighth third district

3:15:18McDaniel School and council president

3:15:20Kenyatta Johnson second district the low

3:15:23school in our district and West Oak Lane

3:15:25charter school also in our district. So,

3:15:28I want to thank all of our colleagues

3:15:29for helping us connect families across

3:15:31the city with this opportunity. Parents

3:15:33and caregivers, take advantage of the

3:15:35remaining seats. Register to trans

3:15:39register for transportation. Bring your

3:15:41children. Bring your children. And make

3:15:44sure our young people are in the

3:15:46building this Saturday, September the

3:15:4826th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. uh at

3:15:52the Sixman Center. I will now just

3:15:55conclude by saying this. We will be

3:15:58having most likely a special guest

3:16:01making an appearance for our young

3:16:02people that you don't want to miss.

3:16:04Also, as the chair of committee children

3:16:06and youth, I believe we have a

3:16:08responsibility to listen to families and

3:16:11turn what we hear into action.

3:16:13Philadelphia after school hype is what

3:16:16that commitment looks like. Colleagues

3:16:18and neighbors, please help spread the

3:16:20word. Let's fill the building this

3:16:23Saturday and show our young people that

3:16:25Philadelphia is ready to invest in them.

3:16:28Thank you, Council President.

3:16:30>> Thank you very much.

3:16:32Chair recognize Councilman Ruland.

3:16:36>> Thank you, Council President. Uh today,

3:16:38I introduced a resolution recognizing

3:16:40Philadelphia VIP for their 45th

3:16:43anniversary. This organization has

3:16:45served as a beacon of community

3:16:47community empowerment. Whether it's

3:16:50housing, family, income, or so many more

3:16:52basic needs, they've been there to serve

3:16:55as the necessary civil servants, giving

3:16:57their legal expertise to the most those

3:17:00most in need. Our majority leader,

3:17:02Katherine Gilmer Richardson, has worked

3:17:04so hard on tangled title work uh with

3:17:07VIP as well. So, thank you to the board

3:17:10vice president for being here. and their

3:17:12anniversary party is this weekend.

3:17:15Additionally, I'd like to remind

3:17:17everyone that I'll be holding a briefing

3:17:19immediately after council session very

3:17:21soon in the caucus room. This briefing

3:17:24is held in partnership with community

3:17:26legal services and will cover the

3:17:28impending changes to Medicaid in 2027.

3:17:32We're seeing major infrastructure

3:17:34changes and with those changes will be a

3:17:37lot of confusion from constituents. So,

3:17:40I hope to see you all there as we learn

3:17:41how to navigate these new waters. And

3:17:44finally, my resolution calling for guard

3:17:47rails at the state level around the use

3:17:50of automate automated license plate

3:17:53readers like Flock passed today. Thank

3:17:55you, colleagues. Emerging technologies

3:17:59are huge risk to our civil liberties if

3:18:01left unchecked. Flock is just one of the

3:18:04names we've seen in this place in this

3:18:06space, but there are more out there and

3:18:08more coming. This technology is widely

3:18:11unregulated, unknown, and unencumbered.

3:18:14It's here, and Harrisburg needs to step

3:18:17up to the plate to to control it. Thank

3:18:20you.

3:18:22>> Thank you very much, Council Member

3:18:23Cindy Bass.

3:18:25>> Thank you, Mr. President, and good

3:18:28afternoon, everyone. I wanted to remind

3:18:30everyone about a few events taking place

3:18:31this weekend. And the first is that

3:18:33we're going to have a ribbon cutting for

3:18:34Happy Hollow Playground at 10 a.m. And

3:18:38Happy Hollow is the oldest playground in

3:18:40the city of Philadelphia. Uh so we're

3:18:43very much looking forward to that. Uh

3:18:45we're going to follow that with a street

3:18:46renaming ceremony honoring our former

3:18:49council woman Donna Miller at 1 p.m.

3:18:52That's going to be at the intersection

3:18:53of Haynes and Morton Street. So, we want

3:18:55to encourage folks to come out and

3:18:58please keep an eye out on our social

3:19:00media for any weather related updates as

3:19:02it might rain. Uh we think we'll be fine

3:19:05uh that the rain will come later, but

3:19:08just in case, please uh check our social

3:19:10media throughout the day. Uh but we will

3:19:13we do intend to be at Hannes and Morton

3:19:17uh in Germantown for the Donna Reed

3:19:19Miller Street renaming ceremony. And uh

3:19:24I also just wanted to take a second and

3:19:26thanks uh give thanks to It Takes a

3:19:29Village. Last night they had their uh

3:19:31hunger village awards and I received

3:19:34their civic award. Uh myself and Mayor

3:19:37Parker uh both were acknowledged for our

3:19:39work uh in government around uh food

3:19:43insecurity and hunger issues. um

3:19:46primarily for myself, stemming from the

3:19:48pandemic

3:19:50when we jumped into action and started

3:19:53giving peanut butter and baloney

3:19:55sandwiches and anything and everything

3:19:57to make sure that when the city shut

3:19:59down, when things shut down, that there

3:20:02were opportunities to make sure that

3:20:03there were food resources in North

3:20:05Philadelphia and throughout our

3:20:06neighborhoods. And so, u I just wanted

3:20:08to give a thanks to the founder, the

3:20:10Wayne, uh Mr. uh Mark Wayne Wright and

3:20:14uh his uh executive uh director uh Brian

3:20:18Williams. So big shout out to them and

3:20:21thank them for acknowledging our work

3:20:23yesterday. And um also thanks to the

3:20:27Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. We're

3:20:29proud to have this historic institution

3:20:31in our district and grateful for the

3:20:33dedicated educators and staff who serve

3:20:35deaf and heart of hearing students. And

3:20:37today we recognize September 2026 as

3:20:40deaf awareness month in Philadelphia.

3:20:43And we honor the school for its historic

3:20:45leadership, educational excellence, and

3:20:47commitment to empowering students and

3:20:49advancing deaf culture and community.

3:20:52Also, a shout out to Utheran United

3:20:55Lutheran Seminary celebrating its 200th

3:20:57anniversary. Um, Philadelphia has been

3:21:01central to the seminary's history since

3:21:031864.

3:21:04And for generations, its mounter campus

3:21:07have prepared pastors, chaplain,

3:21:09educators, advocates, and public leaders

3:21:12who serve Philadelphia and communities

3:21:14around the world. And finally, we

3:21:17introduced a resolution today uh

3:21:20authorizing hearings on chronic nuisance

3:21:22businesses, signage, and window covering

3:21:24laws. These hearings will examine how

3:21:27these regulations are being implemented

3:21:28and enforced, including issues involving

3:21:31repeated violations, business signage,

3:21:34window coverings, neighborhood

3:21:36appearance, pedestrian visibility, and

3:21:38public safety. The Committee on Licenses

3:21:40and Inspection will also examine current

3:21:43enforcement practices, and potential

3:21:45legislative or administrative changes.

3:21:47And Mr. President, you know, like I know

3:21:49these stop and goes, these nuisance

3:21:51business have been a real problem in our

3:21:52communities for a very long time.

3:21:55We passed our nuisance business bill

3:21:57back in 2016. We passed our stopandgo

3:22:00legislation in 2017 and we're still at

3:22:03this fight. We still have not been able

3:22:05to sort of crack this code to be able to

3:22:08figure out how do we as a city get in

3:22:10front of this issue that really plagues

3:22:11a lot of our neighborhoods and stops

3:22:13other businesses from wanting to come in

3:22:15on commercial corridors because of what

3:22:19they see happening in these particular

3:22:20businesses. I was at a meeting last

3:22:22night, a community meeting, and heard

3:22:25from residents about why we can't do

3:22:26certain things on some of our corridors.

3:22:28And to be quite honest, one of the

3:22:30reasons is if they see

3:22:33um you know, open narcotic sales from

3:22:35what looks like a convenience store,

3:22:37bro, you know, a corner store, whatever.

3:22:40If they see

3:22:42these narcotic sales are happening,

3:22:44people are coming on a regular basis,

3:22:45it's a steady flow of traffic, they

3:22:47don't want any parts of that. and it's

3:22:49hard to recruit businesses when they see

3:22:51that kind of activity. So, we've been

3:22:54working closely with the Philadelphia

3:22:56Police Department. Uh, we want to bring

3:22:58LNI back to the table and we also want

3:23:00to bring the health department back to

3:23:02the table because some of these folks

3:23:04have restaurant licenses. Um, you know,

3:23:07and and the products that are being sold

3:23:09are definitely detrimental to our

3:23:11community. So, we look forward to having

3:23:13that conversation. So, thank you, Mr.

3:23:15President.

3:23:15>> Thank you very much.

3:23:18This concludes speeches for the day. The

3:23:21chair recognizes Council Member Isaiah

3:23:23Thomas for a motion to adjourn.

3:23:29>> Thank you, Mr. President. And I move

3:23:30that council stands adjourned until

3:23:31Thursday, October 1st, 2026 at 10:00

3:23:34a.m.

3:23:36>> It has been moved in property seconded

3:23:38that city council stand adjourn until

3:23:40Thursday, October the 1st, 2026 at 10:00

3:23:44a.m. All those in favor will signify by

3:23:47saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have

3:23:52it and the motion carries. Thank you all

3:23:54very much.

3:23:56[music]

3:24:11>> [music]

3:24:13>> Heat. Heat.