2026-10-08 - City Council

00:00Heat. Heat.

00:16[music]

00:30Visitors please.

00:34[music]

01:34Good morning everyone.

01:36>> Good morning everyone.

01:39>> To give our invocation this morning, the

01:43chair recognizes Bishop Danny Sutton,

01:47senior pastor of Kingdom Life Church

01:49Ministries. He is here today as the

01:53guest of council member and majority

01:56whip Isaiah Thomas. I will ask all those

02:01present to please rise.

02:07>> Good morning Bishop.

02:10>> The floor is yours, sir.

02:13>> Good morning.

02:14>> Morning. I greet you all with grace,

02:16mercy, and peace from God our father

02:18through Jesus Christ who is our Lord.

02:21Let me just take a brief moment and

02:22thank Council Chair and Council Thomas

02:26for this invitation to have this moment

02:28to offer a word of prayer uh for this

02:32August body. I am reminded of moment

02:36that recently occurred. My wife and I

02:39got into our car and she wanted to go

02:41somewhere. She immediately put in the

02:44address for where we were headed.

02:47Immediately in that GPS system, it

02:50prepared a route to that destination.

02:53What triggered my attention at that

02:55moment wasn't the route to the

02:57destination, but the fact that we didn't

03:00have to enter our present location.

03:04Immediately, we were identified based on

03:07the network we are connected on and a

03:09route was given. I suggest all of you

03:12today in that same manner as we look to

03:14the father in prayer in order for us to

03:17gain our route. We don't have to just

03:20tell the father where we are. He knows

03:22exactly where we are, what we're dealing

03:25with and what our concerns are. And he

03:29will guide us and give us what's

03:31necessary for where we are called and

03:33headed to go. Would you join me if you

03:36don't mind bowing your heads as we would

03:38seek the father and ask for his

03:40blessing, guidance, and direction for

03:43this great day. Our father in heaven, we

03:47come to you as humbly as we can. First

03:49of all, giving you all thanks, glory,

03:52honor, and praise for you are the lifter

03:55of our head. You are the king of our

03:56life. You are great, good and mighty.

04:00And we thank you for everything. We

04:02acknowledge that without you we would

04:05have nothing. We are nothing without

04:08you. But by you and through you, with

04:11you, all things are possible. And so we

04:14say thank you for this moment that we

04:17have gathered and for these leaders

04:19alike who have come to this moment to

04:22lead us, lead our city. We pray for your

04:25guidance and government. as Solomon

04:28sought you, asking for wisdom to discern

04:31that which is good from evil. In the

04:34same way, we pray now that you would

04:36give us not just your presence, but your

04:39wisdom, that we might be able to be

04:42clear on that which is necessary, clear

04:45on that which we are called to, clear on

04:48that which is needed for our times, our

04:51community, and our culture. and we would

04:54decide as you have called and saw fit.

04:58Bless each council person, each tier of

05:00leadership in this place and around our

05:04city. May you cover us in such a way

05:06that we have your warm embrace and your

05:09great power. Cover those who lead us.

05:12Cover those who protect us. Cover those

05:15who have to make great decisions today.

05:18and I pray you would guide them with

05:20your grace, your goodness, and your

05:22mercy. And Father, in all things, we'll

05:25give you thanks. Forgive us for thinking

05:27we can do it without you. And may we

05:30humble ourselves to realize nothing can

05:33happen without you. And as you lead and

05:36guide us, we make a commitment. We will

05:38trust in you with all our heart and lean

05:41not to our own understanding, but in all

05:43thy ways acknowledge you and we believe

05:46you will direct our path. We pray this

05:49prayer in faith in the name of the Lord

05:52Jesus who is our Christ, our sooncoming

05:54king. It is our desire that our latter

05:57would be greater than our past. Our

05:59future would be brighter than yesterday.

06:01What's coming to us will be better than

06:03all we've had and all we left. And with

06:06full faith and full assurance, we

06:08believe the worst is over and the best

06:10is surely yet to come in Jesus mighty

06:14name. And all who agree, would you say

06:16amen?

06:17>> Amen. The chair thanks the bishop for

06:20his invitation. Council will now be at

06:23ease.

09:42Thank you.

11:28There we go.

11:40Heat. Heat.

12:10>> [music]

12:36>> All right.

12:48Come on.

13:53Good morning.

14:16Hallelujah.

15:03You don't need

15:36>> [cheering]

16:03>> I got it.

16:25The next order of business is the

16:26approval of the journal of the meeting

16:28of Thursday, October the 1st,

16:322026.

16:34The chair recognizes,

16:39Deputy Majority Whip, Council Member

16:40Cindy Bass.

16:42>> Good morning, Mr. President. I move that

16:44the journal of the meeting of Thursday,

16:46October 1st, 2026 be approved.

16:49It has been moved and property seconded

16:51that the journal of the meeting of

16:53Thursday, October the 1st, 2026 stand

16:56approved. All in favor will indicate by

16:59saying I.

17:01>> Those opposed, the eyes have it and the

17:03journal is approved.

17:07The next order of business is request

17:09for leave of absence and the chair

17:11recognizes majority leader council

17:14member Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

17:16>> Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of

17:18city council, a leave of absence is

17:20requested for council members Young and

17:22O'Neal.

17:24>> Leave will be granted. The chair thanks

17:27the majority leader. The chair rec

17:29recognizes

17:31minority whip council member Nicholas

17:33Oor.

17:34>> Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of

17:36the minority, a leave of absence is

17:38asked and requested for council member

17:40Brooks.

17:41>> Thank you very much. The chair thanks

17:43the minority whip and leave will be

17:45granted.

17:46The chair now recognizes majority leader

17:49Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a

17:50motion concerning certain legislative

17:52matters that may arise during the course

17:55of today's session of council that were

17:57not listed on the calendar circ

17:59circulated prior to today's council

18:01session.

18:02>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

18:04any of the following matters if

18:05considered today may be added to the

18:07agenda for this session of council and

18:09as required by law subsequently

18:11published on an amended agenda after the

18:13consideration of those matters.

18:15Resolution authorizing hearings.

18:17Amendments to bills on first reading.

18:19The reconsideration of a bill veto by or

18:21recall from the mayor. Amendments to

18:23bills recalled from the mayor.

18:25Resolutions taking substantive action to

18:27be voted on in this session. A motion to

18:29withdraw a bill or resolution that is

18:31not on the calendar. And a motion

18:32placing a bill or resolution on or

18:34returning a bill or resolution from the

18:36suspension calendar that was not listed

18:38on today's calendar. The purpose of this

18:40motion is to provide the public with

18:42notice concerning possible actions by

18:44council that arose too late to be

18:45included on the calendar that was

18:46published prior to today's session.

18:50>> It has been moved and property seconded

18:52that the legislative matters stated by

18:53majority leader Captain Gilmore

18:55Richardson may be added to the agenda

18:57for today should those matters arise

18:59during the course of this session of

19:01council. All those in favor we signify

19:03by saying I.

19:05>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

19:07motion carries.

19:09The chair will dispense with a regular

19:11order of business to recognize the

19:13guests and visitors joining us in

19:15chambers this morning. On behalf of all

19:18members of city council, I welcome you

19:20to our council session. We appreciate

19:22you taking the time to join us as we

19:24attend the legislative affairs of our

19:26great city. We certainly invite you to

19:29come again.

19:33I want to take a moment of personal

19:35privilege to acknowledge um the head of

19:38Philadelphia um building trade school

19:40here with us, Mr. Ryan Buoyer. Thank you

19:42for joining us, sir.

19:51Want to also take a moment um to

19:53acknowledge also joining us um community

19:56leader, Mr. David Heyman, and also

19:59joined by Miss Farah Gimenez. Thank you

20:00for joining us in the council's session

20:02today.

20:08It's my Jewish big brother over there.

20:10Appreciate you, sir. The chair

20:11recognizes Councilman Isaiah Thomas.

20:15>> Good morning, Council President. Um in

20:17the same Good Morning Philadelphia

20:18colleagues on city council, in the same

20:20spirit, Council President, I wanted to

20:21take a moment uh to welcome um a couple

20:24different guests. First of all, I wanted

20:26to thank Ru Landal and council member

20:28council member Ruandal and council

20:29member Cindy Bass uh for supporting and

20:31standing at our press conference earlier

20:33today to advocate for more funding and

20:35more support for arts and culture space

20:37and to support different initiatives

20:39that's going to be happening um as it

20:41relates to tours. And I wanted to uh

20:43also thank um Tishka K. Smith, a

20:46Germantown photographer who was at our

20:47press conference that's here today. Can

20:49you stand up, Miss Smith?

20:52Thank you so much. Thank you for being

20:54in city council. Thank you for uh

20:56advocating for the arts. And I also um

20:58am very excited to welcome um the water

21:01dogs here. If you don't know, the water

21:03dogs have won their second PLL

21:05championship representing the city of

21:07Philadelphia. Today in city council, I

21:09have both Doc and Michael. Uh Doc is a

21:11twotime national champion from the

21:13University of Virginia and a graduate of

21:15Hav for school. Michael received the

21:18ACMAN of the year. Uh I'm sorry. Uh

21:21Michael received an award uh for being

21:24the league's leader in scoring um this

21:27season. Uh he's a local graduate of

21:29Upper Dublin and the Water Dogs have

21:31also earned a top seed in the Eastern

21:32Conference uh leading up to them winning

21:35a championship this year. Can you guys

21:37stand up and can we give a huge

21:38congratulations and thank you to the

21:40Water Dogs for winning the CH lacrosse

21:43championship representing the city of

21:45Philadelphia.

21:49>> Thank you, Council President. Thank you

21:51very much. Congratulations and welcome

21:53to city council. Chair recognizes

21:56council member Dr. Anthony Phillips.

21:59>> Thank you, council president. Uh today

22:01we have the privilege of recognizing as

22:03October as college awareness month and

22:07this month we will be honoring the

22:09Philadelphia Education Fund led by Miss

22:13Farah Jimenez. want to say I want to

22:15welcome all the individuals who here

22:18from the Philadelphia Education Fund who

22:20do work around college access and

22:22success. If you can please stand,

22:35Miss uh I I just want to say the they

22:38the Philadelphia College um the

22:41Philadelphia Education Fund does a lot

22:44of great work in making sure that

22:45there's clear understanding for young

22:48people to get into the get co get into

22:50college but also succeed in college and

22:53we want to thank them for all the work

22:55that they've done um for for young

22:57people in the city of Philadelphia.

22:58Thank you'all so much. And also I also

23:01want to recognize the new executive

23:03director of Phil Philadelphia for great

23:07uh for Philly for great schools. Uh

23:10Tamir Harper is here and his

23:11organization. I want to recognize him.

23:14He just start launched a program

23:17Philly for great schools.

23:19So, I want to say thank you all so much

23:21uh for uh coming today. Thank you,

23:23Council President.

23:24>> And also joined by Mr. Malik Boy. Thank

23:26you for joining us as well, sir. Chair

23:28recognized Council Member Ruandal.

23:31>> Good morning, Council President. Thank

23:33you. I wanted to just recognize that uh

23:37leadership and members of the of the

23:39Fringe Festival are here today because

23:41we are honoring them on their 30th

23:43festival. And please stand. We've give

23:45you a round of applause. Welcome.

23:46Welcome.

23:54Thank you very much, chair. Recognize

23:56Councilwoman Jamie Gartier.

23:58>> Thank you, Council President. I wanted

24:00to uh take a moment to recognize Kevin

24:04Finnel um from the men of Mil Creek. I'm

24:06not sure if he is here yet, but he will

24:08be here today speaking about

24:11>> Oh, Kevin, where is he?

24:14>> Ah, okay. He's up there. [laughter]

24:17He will be here today or he is here

24:19today to speak on a resolution um

24:22renaming the 700 block of North 47th

24:26Street um men of Mil Creek Way in honor

24:29of all of the contributions that the men

24:31of Mil Creek have made to that section

24:34of the third district, giving back to

24:37community constantly for decades,

24:39mentoring young people. um this street

24:41renaming is but a small token of our

24:44appreciation for all of the service

24:46they've um performed in our community.

24:48Thank you so much and welcome Kevin.

24:50>> Thank you very much. Welcome to city

24:53council. Let's give them a round of

24:54applause as well

24:58as there are no more

25:01welcome guests. At this time, the chair

25:04recognizes

25:05Council Member Cindy Baz, who will

25:07present a resolution honoring the Black

25:10Brain Campaign for a decade of dedicated

25:13work to dedic stigmatize mental health

25:17in the black community by providing

25:19mental health services and culturally

25:21competent training for clinicians

25:25with everyone who's joining the CEO and

25:27founder Ferto Ber accompanying her to

25:30the podium.

25:43joining council member Baz who will be

25:45doing this presentation on my behalf are

25:48the following council members. Council

25:51member Dr. Anthony Phillips, council

25:52member Jamie Gartier, council member

25:55Ruandal, Council Member Dr. Ina, Council

25:58Member Nicholas Soror, and Council

26:00Member Mark Squiller.

26:17>> Good morning. Good morning, everyone.

26:20So before we begin, I just wanted to

26:22give a couple of remarks uh regarding

26:24the Black Brain Campaign and how, you

26:26know, mental health in our communities,

26:28particularly in the African-American

26:29community, is just so um you you you

26:34can't say something's wrong. You know,

26:36you can't say uh I'm depressed. You

26:38can't say um you know, mentally I'm I'm

26:42feeling off. I don't feel right. I don't

26:44feel you know, comfortable within my own

26:46skin. and we have to really find ways to

26:50embrace the mental health challenges

26:52that exist within our community. And so

26:53I really want to give a round of

26:55applause to Farita Boyer for really

26:58making this happen today. This is so so

27:01so important because when we think about

27:05when we think about all of the

27:06challenges in our communities um

27:08particularly around violence around you

27:10know the breakdown of the family and the

27:11family structure um so much is related

27:14to uh mental health challenges and if we

27:17know that you can get sick in your body

27:19if you can have a physical ailment like

27:21a cold why is it that we don't think

27:23that we can have some sort of an ailment

27:25mentally um it just doesn't make sense

27:27and so I again I just really want to say

27:28thank you thank you thank Thank you for

27:30uh all of your work in this realm.

27:34So today we're honoring the Black Brain

27:37Campaign for a decade of dedicated work

27:40to destigmatize mental health in the

27:42black community by providing mental

27:44health services and culturally competent

27:47training for clinicians. And

27:52>> whereas nationwide, black individuals

27:55are underrepresented in mental health

27:57professions with only 2% of practicing

27:59psychiatrists, 4% of psychologists, and

28:0422% of social workers in 2017

28:07identifying as black. And

28:12>> whereas the Black Brain Campaign was

28:15founded in 2016 with the aim to

28:18destigmatize and raise awareness about

28:21mental health in the black community

28:24through advocacy, community education,

28:27and providing a holistic approach to

28:29therapy treatment. end.

28:34>> Whereas leading this effort as executive

28:37director and co-founder of the Black

28:39Brain Campaign is Ferita E. Boyer. Check

28:42this out. MS LMFT,

28:48a licensed marriage and family therapist

28:51and an approved supervisor who has

28:53dedicated her career to expanding access

28:56to culturally competent mental health

28:58care and

29:02And whereas the Black Brain Campaign

29:05offers free culturally competent

29:08therapy, case management, and mental

29:11health services, including individual,

29:14couples, family, and group therapy to

29:18residents of Pennsylvania. And

29:23whereas the black brain campaign's

29:26lensure education assistance program

29:28leap is a 12-month training program for

29:31social work graduates offering weekly

29:34lensure exam preparations individual

29:37supervision and the opportunity to gain

29:39clinical hours towards lensurers through

29:42LEAP. The Black Brain campaign covers

29:44the costs of training, study materials,

29:47supervision, and exam fees. And

29:53and whereas this legislative body is

29:55thankful for the work of the Black Brain

29:57Campaign and their efforts to raise

30:00awareness about mental health in the

30:02black community. Now, therefore, be it.

30:07Before I read my passage, I just want to

30:08take a moment um to not only

30:10congratulate Dr. Ber, but to say that

30:13I'm incredibly proud to have the

30:16headquarters of the Black Brain campaign

30:18in my district at 55th in Chestnut. And

30:20I just want to thank you for offering

30:23these critical services um to my

30:25constituents in a way that is um so

30:28accessible, but not only to my

30:30constituents, um far beyond. Um thank

30:33you so much. Therefore, be it resolved

30:36by the council of the city of

30:37Philadelphia that we hereby honor the

30:40Black Brain Campaign for a decade of

30:42dedicated work to destigmatize mental

30:45health in the black community by

30:47providing mental health services and

30:49culturally competent training for

30:51clinicians.

30:54And further resolved that an engrossed

30:55copy of this resolution be presented to

30:58Farita E. Ber as evidence of the sincere

31:01appreciation and gratitude of this

31:03legislative body and on behalf of the

31:06council and council president uh who was

31:08the author of this legislation uh

31:11congratulations.

31:20>> The floor is yours. Fredo Ber.

31:25>> Good morning honorable members of

31:27Philadelphia Council. Thank you. council

31:29president for recognizing me today.

31:31Thank you for the opportunity to speak

31:33to you all. I stand before you

31:35representing the Black Brain Campaign

31:38and I want to begin by expressing our

31:40deep gratitude for your leadership.

31:44Your recent investments into

31:46community-based organizations have been

31:48a lifeline. Because of your commitment,

31:51we are beginning to bridge the gap in

31:53mental health health access, providing

31:56our youth and families with the support,

32:00safety, and constructive outlets they

32:02desperately need. You have helped us to

32:06you have helped us significant

32:08significantly step toward our core

32:10mission, eradicating the stigma against

32:13mental health within the black

32:15community. However, while we celebrate

32:18this progress, we must also be clear

32:22about the work that remains. The data

32:25tells us a story of crisis that is still

32:28unfolding in our city. We are at stark

32:31disparity. While documenting diagnosis

32:35rate in majority black neighborhoods may

32:37appear lower, our reliance on emergency

32:40and crisis services for mental health

32:42care is disproportionately high. We are

32:46seeing an alarming rise in overdose

32:49deaths, particularly among our black

32:52residents. As this intersection of

32:54trauma, substance use, and lack of

32:56culturally competent care continues to

32:59claim lives, we are fighting against a

33:02system where clients are often forced to

33:04emergency rooms because they cannot find

33:06a therapist who understands the life,

33:09their lived experience.

33:12With less than 5% of black clinicians

33:14nationally identifying as black, the

33:17barrier of to culturally competent care

33:20is not just a buzzword. It is a daily

33:23reality that prevents our neighbors from

33:26seeking help until they are in a state

33:28of crisis.

33:30Council, you have shown us that you hear

33:33us. You have shown us that you are

33:35willing to invest, but we need you to do

33:38more.

33:40We are asking for a continued prioritize

33:43prioritized commitment to one expanding

33:45funding for community-based culturally

33:47competent mental health providers who

33:49are already doing the work on the

33:51ground. Two, standardizing mental health

33:54screenings across all city funded

33:57community centers to ensure we are in

33:59identifying needs before they reach the

34:02point of emergency intervention.

34:04Three, deepening the investment in youth

34:08centered behavioral health programs to

34:09break cycles of trauma before they take

34:12they take root. Four, a pathway to

34:16ensure we have a mental health therapist

34:18in every school in the city of

34:20Philadelphia so that we're meeting the

34:22needs of our students.

34:29The Black Brain campaign is ready to

34:32partner with you to ensure that every

34:34resident, regardless of their zip code

34:36or background, has access to the high

34:40quality, compassionate mental health

34:41care they deserve. Thank you to my team

34:45for your hard work. Thank you all for

34:47your vision and your continued

34:49partnership. We love this city. We're

34:51loving on Philly and we believe that by

34:54working together we can build an

34:55infrastructure that truly leaves no one

34:58behind. Thank you everybody.

35:03Council will be at ease.

36:28Congratulations.

37:15The next order of business is

37:17communications.

37:19The chair requests that the

37:20sergeant-at-arms deliver the messages

37:23from the mayor to the chief clerk.

37:33>> Would the chief clerk please read the

37:35messages from the mayor and any other

37:37communications in his possession?

37:40to the president and the members of the

37:41council of the city of Philadelphia. I'm

37:43transmitting for the consideration of

37:44your honorable body the following

37:46proposed a resolution confirming the

37:49reappoint of James Angler as a member of

37:51the board of ethics to serve in the term

37:53ending November 16th, 2013. There are no

37:56further communications in my possession.

37:58Council President,

37:59>> thank you. The messages will be printed

38:02in the journal.

38:08The next order of business is the

38:10introduction of bills and resolutions.

38:13The chair recognizes Council Member Dr.

38:15Anthony Phillips.

38:18>> Thank you, Council President. I have one

38:20privilege resolution

38:22recognizing October as college awareness

38:25month with the Philadelphia Education

38:26Fund.

38:27>> Will the chief clerk please read the

38:29title of the

38:31resolution?

38:36a privileged resolution recognizing

38:38October as college awareness month and

38:40honoring the Philadelphia Education Fund

38:42and the College Access and Success

38:44Ecosystem case for their commitment to

38:46ensuring Philadelphia students are

38:48informed, prepared, and supported

38:50throughout the college application

38:51process.

38:53>> This resolution will be placed on

38:55today's final passage calendar. Chair

38:58recognizes my majority leader, Katherine

39:00Gilmore Richardson.

39:02>> Good morning, Council President. Good

39:03morning, colleagues. Today I offer two

39:05bills on your behalf and two privilege

39:07and two resolutions on your behalf. One

39:09privilege and one nonprivilege.

39:11>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

39:12read the title of the bills and

39:15resolutions.

39:16an ordinance providing for the

39:18submission to the qualified electors of

39:20the city of Philadelphia of the proposal

39:22set forth and a resolution approved by

39:24council proposing an amendment to the

39:26Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating

39:28to the creation of the food office of

39:30food and nutrition security and the food

39:33and nutrition security advisory

39:34commission and authorizing and directing

39:36the appropriate officers to publish

39:38notice and to make arrangements for the

39:41special election.

39:43This bill will be referred to

39:44appropriate committee

39:46>> and an ordinance authorizing

39:47encroachments in the nature of a

39:48sidewall cafe in the vicinity of 2655

39:52South 18th Street under certain terms

39:54and conditions. This bill will be

39:56referred to the appropriate committee

39:59>> and a non-privileged resolution

40:01proposing an amendment to the

40:02Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing

40:04for the creation of the Office of Food

40:06and Nutrition Security and the Food and

40:08Nutrition Security Advisory Commission

40:10and providing for the submission of the

40:12proposed amendment to the Electors of

40:13Philadelphia.

40:17This bill will be referred to the

40:19appropriate committee.

40:26and a privileged resolution recognizing

40:28the French American Foundation's Young

40:30Leaders Program and its 2026 cohort

40:33convenes as its 2026 cohort convenes in

40:36Philadelphia.

40:38>> This resolution will be placed on

40:39today's final pastor's calendar. Chair

40:41recognizes Councilman Jamie Gautier.

40:44>> Good morning, Council President. Today I

40:46have one bill and two non-privileged

40:48resolutions.

40:49>> Thank you very much, Chief Kirk. Please

40:51read the title of the bill and

40:52resolutions.

40:54>> An ordinance authorizing and directing

40:55the changing of the name of Osler Circle

40:58from Civic Center Boulevard to a

41:00terminus northwestwardly there from and

41:02from Cury Boulevard to a terminus

41:04southeastwardly there from to Robert's

41:07Way under certain terms and conditions.

41:12This bill will be referred to

41:14appropriate committee

41:15>> and a non-privileged resolution also

41:18naming the 1200 block of 46th Street at

41:20the intersection of King Cessing Avenue

41:22the links incorporated lane to honor the

41:25service and impact of the links

41:27incorporated on the Philadelphia

41:29community.

41:36I know.

41:37>> I'm sorry.

41:37>> I had to process that. This resolution

41:40will be placed on the final passage

41:43calendar for consideration of next

41:44session of council. Very well done,

41:46member Gardier. Please proceed.

41:49>> And a non-p privileged resolution also

41:51naming the 3900 block of Lancaster

41:53Avenue as chosen 300 way to honor the

41:56legacy and impact of the chosen 300

41:58ministries on the West Philadelphia

42:00community.

42:02This bill I mean this resolution will be

42:03placed on the final passage calendar for

42:06our next session of council.

42:10Chair recognizes council member Isaiah

42:12Thomas.

42:14>> Good morning council. Good morning again

42:16council president. Today I offer two

42:17priv two resolutions.

42:19>> Thank you very much chief clerk. Please

42:21read the title of the resolutions.

42:27a privileged resolution honoring October

42:30as Black Male Educators Month in the

42:32city of Philadelphia, celebrating the

42:34Center for Black Educator Development

42:36for their leadership in the recruitment,

42:38development, and retention of black male

42:40educators. This resolution will be

42:43placed on today's final passage

42:44calendar.

42:45>> And a privileged resolution honoring the

42:47Philadelphia Waterd Dogs on the occasion

42:49of their 2026 Premier Lacrosse League

42:51PLL Championship, marking their record

42:54second win in the PLL in four years and

42:57earning top speed of the Eastern

42:58Conference.

42:59>> This resolution will be placed on

43:01today's finest patch calendar. Council

43:04member Curtis Jones Jr.

43:06>> Thank you, Mr. President. Today offer

43:08one bill.

43:09>> Thank you very much, sir. Chief clerk,

43:11please with the title of the bill.

43:14>> An ordinance amending section 14-505 of

43:17the Philadelphia code entitled

43:19Environmental Preservation Overlay

43:21District by expanding the boundaries to

43:23include Lanenol High School and creating

43:25additional use and dimensional

43:26restrictions all under certain terms and

43:29conditions.

43:31>> This bill will be referred to the

43:32appropriate committee. Well done, member

43:34Jones. Chair recognized Councilman

43:36Ruandal.

43:37>> Good morning, council president,

43:38colleagues, and the public. Today I have

43:40one privileged resolution and one

43:42privilege resolution on your behalf.

43:44>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

43:46read the title of the resolutions,

43:47please.

43:48>> A privileged resolution honoring and

43:50celebrating the Philadelphia Fringe

43:52Festival on the occasion of its 30th

43:54festival and recognizing its

43:55extraordinary contributions to

43:57Philadelphia artists, audiences,

43:59neighborhoods, and cultural life.

44:02This resolution will be placed on

44:04today's final passage calendar

44:06>> and a privileged resolution authorizing

44:08the committee on technology and

44:09information services to hold hearings to

44:11examine the use of emerging technologies

44:13including surveillance, algorithmic and

44:16dynamic pricing systems in the grocery

44:18industry to better understand how these

44:20technologies are being utilized and

44:22their potential impacts for consumers

44:23and retailers and to examine

44:25opportunities to support transparency,

44:27affordability, and consumer confidence.

44:30This resolution will be placed on

44:32today's final passage calendar.

44:36Chair recognizes council member Ketty

44:37Lazada.

44:38>> Good morning. Thank uh council

44:39president. I offer one privilege

44:41resolution today.

44:42>> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

44:44read the title of the privileged

44:45resolution, please. A privileged

44:47resolution authorizing the committee on

44:49education to hold public hearings to

44:51examine the state of charter education

44:53in Philadelphia, including charter

44:55school funding, authorization, and

44:57renewal practices, and the role charter

44:59schools play in providing educational

45:01opportunities for Philadelphia students

45:03and families.

45:05>> This resolution will place on today's

45:07final passage calendar. Well done,

45:09member Lazada. Chair recognizes Council

45:11Member Jim Harity.

45:15Thank you, Council President. I

45:18reluctantly have no bills or resolutions

45:21today.

45:21>> Thank you very much, sir. Chair recogniz

45:23Councilman Nicholas Oor.

45:24>> Thank you, Mr. President. I have one

45:26privilege resolution on your behalf and

45:28one privilege resolution on behalf of

45:30the minority leader, Kinder Brooks.

45:31>> Thank you very much. The chief clerk,

45:34please read the title of the

45:35resolutions, please. A privileged

45:38resolution authorizing the committee on

45:40public health and human services to hold

45:42hearings to examine the feasibility of

45:44establishing city supported grocery

45:46stores and food retailers through

45:48public, private, and community

45:50partnerships to expand access to

45:51affordable, nutritious, and highquality

45:54food in Philadelphia neighborhoods. This

45:56resolution we place on today's final

45:58passage calendar

45:59>> and a privileged resolution recognizing

46:01October 12th, 2026 as indigenous

46:03people's day in the city of

46:05Philadelphia, honoring and commemorating

46:07the achievements, traditions, and

46:09contributions of American Indians, also

46:11known as indigenous peoples, and

46:13affirming the city's commitment to

46:14historical truth, cultural respect,

46:17education, and partnership with

46:18indigenous communities.

46:20>> This resolution we place on today's

46:23final passage calendar. Chair recognizes

46:26Council Member Mike Driscoll.

46:29>> Morning, Mr. President. No bills or

46:30resolutions today.

46:32>> Chair recognizes Council Member Squila.

46:35>> Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or

46:37resolutions.

46:37>> Chair recognizes Councilman Cindy Baz.

46:40>> Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one

46:41non-privileged resolution.

46:43>> Chief Clerk, please read the title of

46:45the resolution, please. a non-p

46:47privileged resolution also designating

46:49and ceremonially renaming the corner of

46:52East Ashme Street and Wakefield Street

46:54as Enisway in recognition of his

46:57extraordinary accomplishments in boxing,

46:59his representation of Philadelphia on

47:01the world stage, and his commitment to

47:03inspiring and giving back to the young

47:05people of his hometown.

47:08>> This resolution will be placed on the

47:10final pastor's calendar for

47:11consideration at our next session of

47:14council. Chair recognized Councilman Dr.

47:16May

47:17>> thank you council president I'm

47:18introducing two privileged resolution

47:21and one bill on your behalf and one nonp

47:25privileged resolution on your behalf.

47:27>> Thank you very much chief clerk. Please

47:29read the title of the bill and the

47:30resolutions. an ordinance amending

47:33section 20-304 of the Philadelphia Code

47:35entitled compensation for members of

47:37boards, commissions, committees, and

47:39councils to provide for compensation for

47:41the members of the Food and Nutrition

47:43Security Advisory Commission and

47:45amending Title 21 of the Philadelphia

47:47Code miscellaneous by adding a chapter

47:49entitled Food and Nutrition Security to

47:52provide additional duties of the Office

47:53of Food and Nutrition Security, the

47:56composition and duties of the Food and

47:57Nutrition Security Advisory Commission

47:59for reporting requirements about food

48:01and nutrition security and an online

48:03portal, all under certain terms and

48:05conditions. This bill will be referred

48:07to the appropriate committee

48:09>> and a non-p privileged resolution

48:10calling upon the General Assembly of the

48:12Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to enact

48:14Senate Bill 1465, also known as the

48:17Pennsylvania Universal Healthc Care Act,

48:19which would establish the Office of

48:21Health Care and the Pennsylvania Care

48:23Board with responsibility to implement a

48:25comprehensive singlepayer health care

48:27model that would provide health care

48:29coverage to all Pennians. This

48:32resolution will be placed on the final

48:34passage calendar for consideration at

48:36the next session of council.

48:38>> And a privileged resolution recognizing

48:40October 10th, 2026 as World Mental

48:42Health Day and October 8th, 2026 as

48:45National Depression Screening Day in the

48:47city of Philadelphia.

48:50This resolution will be placed on the

48:54final passage calendar for today and a

48:58privileged resolution authorizing the

49:00committee on public health and human

49:01services to hold hearings examining the

49:03city's response to sexual violence,

49:05including support for survivors, law

49:07enforcement's response, the

49:09investigation and prosecution of sexual

49:11assault and prevention in light of

49:13recent sexual assault cases in

49:14Philadelphia and reopened investigations

49:16of school campus sexual assault

49:18elsewhere.

49:19Well done. This bill will be placed.

49:24>> This resolution will be placed on the

49:26day's final passage calendar.

49:36The next order of business is reports

49:38from the committee.

49:40>> The chair recognizes council member

49:42majority Katherine Gilmore Richardson

49:44for report from the committee on

49:45finance.

49:46>> Thank you, Mr. President. The committee

49:48on finance offers one bill out of

49:51committee with a favorable

49:52recommendation.

49:54>> Thank you very much. Would the chief

49:57clerk please read the title of the

50:00report?

50:02>> The committee on finance to which was

50:04referred the following bill. Bill number

50:06260691

50:08authorizing and approving the execution

50:10and delivery of a service agreement

50:11between the city of Philadelphia,

50:12Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia

50:14Authority for Industrial Development

50:16relating to the financing of the

50:17buildout, construction, equipping,

50:19installation, and implementation of

50:21improvements for the development of a

50:22forensics laboratory for the

50:24Philadelphia Police Department at a

50:26specified property or properties owned

50:28or leased and operated by the city.

50:31Approving the issuance by such authority

50:33of bonds, notes, or other evidences of

50:34indebtedness in one or more series to

50:36finance or refinance the cost of such

50:39project. And authorizing and approving

50:41the obligation of the city to pay in

50:43full when due the service fee and other

50:45amounts payable under the service

50:47agreement. Authorizing certain city

50:49officers to take certain actions

50:50required to issue such bonds, notes, or

50:53other evidences of indebtedness.

50:55covenanting that the city will make

50:56necessary appropriations in each of the

50:58city's fiscal years to provide for and

51:01will make timely payments of the service

51:03fee and other amounts due under the

51:05service agreement and authorizing city

51:07officials to take other necessary or

51:09appropriate actions to effectuate the

51:10purposes of this ordinance all under

51:12certain terms and conditions.

51:14Respectfully reports that it is

51:16considered the same and returns the

51:17attached bill to council with a

51:19favorable recommendation.

51:21There are no further bills to report

51:22from the committee on finance. Council

51:24President.

51:25>> The chair recognizes majority Katherine

51:27Gilmore Richardson for a motion.

51:29>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

51:31the rules of council be suspended as to

51:33permit first reading of this bill just

51:35read into the record by the chief clerk.

51:38>> Has been moved in property seconded that

51:39the rules of council be suspended so as

51:41to permit the consideration of the bill

51:44just read by the chief clerk at today's

51:46session of council. All those in favor

51:48of the motion will signify by saying I.

51:51Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

51:53motion carries. This bill will place on

51:56our first reading calendar for today.

52:05Want to take a moment of personal

52:06privilege to recognize

52:08also guest in the chambers today, Mr. Al

52:11Spidey representing Omega SciFi

52:15Incorporated as we celebrate HBCU month

52:18in Divine 9. Thank you for being here,

52:19SIR.

52:25THE CHAIR recognizes

52:27council member Mark Squila for a report

52:30from the committee on streets and

52:32services.

52:34>> Thank you, Mr. President. The committee

52:36on streets and service reports out 11

52:37bills with a favorable recommendation.

52:40>> Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please

52:41read the report.

52:45>> The Committee on Streets and Services to

52:46which we're referred the following

52:48bills. Bill number 2550649

52:51amending section 12-71 of the

52:53Philadelphia code entitled designation

52:55of bicycle lanes to authorize a bicycle

52:57lane and removal of a travel lane around

52:59city hall under certain terms and

53:01conditions. Bill number 260566

53:04authorizing various encroachments in the

53:05vicinity of 6238 Bustleton Avenue under

53:08certain terms and conditions. Bill

53:10number 2609

53:12amending section 12-71 of the

53:14Philadelphia code entitled designation

53:16of bicycle lanes to authorize a bicycle

53:18lane and removal of parking on Roberts

53:20Avenue from Henry Avenue to King Street

53:22under certain terms and conditions. Bill

53:24number 26092

53:26amending section 9-208 of the

53:28Philadelphia code entitled sidewalk

53:30cafes to authorize additional locations

53:33for sidewalk cafes all under certain

53:35terms and conditions. Bill number 260693

53:38authorizing encroachments in the nature

53:40of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of

53:424201 Manank Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

53:45under certain terms and conditions. Bill

53:47number 26076

53:48authorizing an encroachment in the

53:50nature of a staircase in the vicinity of

53:52319 through 25 North 11th Street,

53:55Philadelphia, PA under certain terms and

53:57conditions. Bill number 260707

54:00authorizing the encroachment authorizing

54:02encroachments in the nature of a

54:03sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 544

54:06East Gerard Avenue under certain terms

54:08and conditions. Bill number 260758

54:11regulating the placement of a truck

54:12loading zone on South 23rd Street

54:14between South Street and Noden Street

54:17all under certain terms and conditions.

54:19and bill number 260-762

54:21regulating the placement of a

54:22truckloading zone on 1716 Frankfurt

54:25Avenue between Palmer Street and East

54:27Colombia Avenue all under certain terms

54:29and conditions respectfully reports it

54:31is considered the same and returns the

54:32attached bills to council with a

54:34favorable recommendation there are no

54:36further bills to report out from the

54:37committee on streets and services

54:39council president

54:40>> thank you very much and chair recognize

54:42council marker for a motion

54:45>> thank you Mr. Mr. President, I move that

54:46the rules of council be suspended as

54:47permit the first reading this day of the

54:49bills just read into the record by the

54:50chief clerk.

54:52>> It has been moved properly seconded that

54:53the rules of council be suspended so as

54:55to permit the consideration of the bills

54:57just read by the chief clerk at today's

54:59session council. All those in favor the

55:01motion will signify by saying I.

55:03>> Thank you.

55:04>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

55:05motion carries these bills will be

55:07placed on our first reading calendar for

55:09today.

55:11The next order of business is the

55:13consideration of the calendar. I know

55:15that the bills just reported from

55:16committees with the suspension of the

55:18rules have been deemed to have had a

55:19first reading. These bills will be

55:21placed on the second reading of final

55:23passage calendar for the next session of

55:25council. The chair recognizes majority

55:27captain Gilmore Richardson for a motion

55:29concerning the bills on the first

55:31reading calendar.

55:41Thank you, Mr. President.

55:44We call a bill number 260298

55:47on the first reading calendar.

55:50>> Will the clerk please read bill number

55:52260298?

55:54>> An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

55:55zoning maps by changing the zoning

55:57designations of certain areas of land

55:59located within an area bounded by Ridge

56:01Avenue, Spring Lane, Hagy Hills Road,

56:04Port Royal Avenue, River Road, and the

56:05Montgomery County line.

56:08This bill will be placed on the second

56:09reading and final passage calendar for

56:12our next session of council. As there

56:14are no additional bills on the first

56:16reading calendar, the chair recognizes

56:18majority leader Katherine Gilmer

56:20Richardson for a motion concerning

56:21resolutions on the final passage

56:24calendar and bills on the second reading

56:25and final passage calendar.

56:27>> Thank you, Mr. President. The following

56:29resolutions are being called up from the

56:30final passage calendar and the following

56:32bills are being called up from the

56:34second reading and final passage

56:35calendar today. Resolution numbers

56:382-60766-

56:40A260819

56:42260821

56:4326082260825

56:47260826

56:48260827

56:50and bill number 260429.

56:53The following resolutions and bills on

56:55the calendar are being held. 260823 and

56:58260824.

57:00Bill numbers 2550768,250807

57:0426076

57:05and 260462.

57:07Bill numbers 260342,

57:10260343,

57:11260344,

57:13and 260345 are being amended.

57:17>> Before considering these resolutions and

57:19bills, we will consider public comment

57:21as follows. Your public comment must

57:23concern matters on the second reading of

57:25final pastor's calendars for possible

57:27action at today's session of council.

57:30All speakers must sign up in order to

57:32testify. If you have not already signed

57:34up for today's council session, please

57:36do so now by giving your name to Miss

57:38Hash at the table outside the rails to

57:41my left.

57:44Once you have signed up, you will be

57:46called in the order in which your name

57:48appears on the signup sheet. Under ideal

57:50circumstances, public commenters each

57:52will have three minutes to speak.

57:54However, this time limit may vary from

57:56session to session. Today, the time

57:58limit will be two minutes. In order to

58:01be fair to all those wishing to speak, I

58:02intend to hold faithfully to the

58:04two-minute limit. When you begin

58:06speaking, you will see a green light on

58:07the podium.

58:09When there are 30 seconds remaining to

58:11your time, the light will turn yellow,

58:13which is your reminder to conclude your

58:15remarks. Once two minutes have passed,

58:18the light will turn red and the sergeant

58:20at arms will disconnect the microphone.

58:22Please do not give our sergeant-at-arms

58:24a hard time. He is only doing his job.

58:27At that point, please yield the podium

58:29to the next speaker if you have not

58:31already done so.

58:33I also reserve the right, pursuant to

58:35our rules of city council, to limit

58:38repetitious comments on the very same

58:40subject matter. The right to comment

58:42does not mean the right to disrupt

58:44proceedings. I ask that all commenters

58:46refrain from using profanity that

58:48disrupts the meeting so we can maintain

58:50order in this forum through respectful

58:53discourse. I will now ask the chief

58:56clerk to please read the names of our

58:58speakers for public comment today.

59:02Will Small, John McCauley, Jeremy

59:06Bladstein, Ben Miller, Carolyn Mahina,

59:11Meredith Eliage,

59:15Britney Barbado, and Janice Stacy.

59:19Please make your way to the podium.

59:32John Alante Macaulay in regard to

59:34resolution 260825

59:37honoring the citywide tenant union of

59:39the Philadelphia Democratic Socialist of

59:41America and tenants, tenant leaders and

59:43tenant organizers. When did black people

59:46go from talking about private ownership

59:49towards embracing what leads to

59:50communism? Booker T. Washington must be

59:53turning over in his grave. A man who

59:55talked about private ownership, learning

59:57trades, and embracing commerce to a

59:59generation of black people crying over

1:00:01tenant issues and more government

1:00:03control. This tenant union made up a

1:00:05fake turn like junk fees. A $25 charge

1:00:08on top of your rent that nobody made you

1:00:11take. Crying about affordability when

1:00:13illegal aliens take your jobs doing

1:00:15deliveries for Uber. Sticking their

1:00:17translator apps in the cashier's face.

1:00:20The Democrats and the DSA job is to make

1:00:22you sick and keep you poor. One out of

1:00:24every four blacks are on food stamps.

1:00:27All that processed food led to one out

1:00:29of every two black people being obese,

1:00:31which leads to chronic disease. Now

1:00:33you're disabled and rely on government

1:00:35subsidies. Since the beginning, it was

1:00:37the Democrat party that fought for

1:00:39slavery. Same party that reversed our 40

1:00:41acres in a mule and gave it back to

1:00:43Confederate soldiers. Same party that

1:00:45fought for Jim Crow and segregation.

1:00:48Same party that created the clue Klux

1:00:50Clan. Same party who opposed black civil

1:00:52rights. They tell me the party switch.

1:00:55How? When out of the 21 Democrat

1:00:57senators who oppose black civil rights,

1:00:59only one switch. The Democrat Socialists

1:01:02of America now run the Democrat party.

1:01:04Same party that Hassan Per supports the

1:01:08Democrat

1:01:11and said that Americans deserve what

1:01:13happened on 911. Same party council

1:01:15member AOR supports your Christian mayor

1:01:18wearing hajibs paring for Muslim votes.

1:01:21Those women in Iran and Gaza don't get

1:01:23to take off their high jibs. They get

1:01:25beat or imprisoned for it. That's who

1:01:27DSA supports. Robin Bird for state

1:01:30representative in the 177th district.

1:01:37>> Will Sean

1:01:39Will Sha Rio make your way to the

1:01:41podium?

1:01:46This is Jeremy Bladstein at the podium.

1:01:49>> Hello, my name is Jeremy Bladstein.

1:01:53>> I'm gonna read a statement from

1:01:54yesterday.

1:01:55>> Today we remember the name.

1:01:57>> Mr. Blast, just real quick, just for the

1:01:59record, state your name and then also

1:02:01the actual topic on the agenda that

1:02:03you're going to be.

1:02:04>> Yes, I am. Just for the record.

1:02:05>> Oh, for the record. Hello. My name is

1:02:06Jeremy Bladstein. I'm speaking about the

1:02:08DSA

1:02:09um comment from yesterday. Right. So

1:02:12today we remember the victims.

1:02:13>> Are you referring to the DSA resolution?

1:02:15>> Yeah, the DSA resolution that were at

1:02:17the rally yesterday, sir. They were they

1:02:19were organizing the rally. Um they were

1:02:21there.

1:02:22>> Today we remember the victims of October

1:02:247th. Innocent civilians who were

1:02:26murdered, kidnapped, and taken hostage.

1:02:27Holding a rally in Renhouse Square that

1:02:29glorifies the massacre as resistance is

1:02:31unacceptable. The murder of civilians is

1:02:34not resistance, and it should never be

1:02:35celebrated. We should honor the victims,

1:02:38reject political violence, and work

1:02:39towards peace, dignity, and safety for

1:02:41Israelis and Palestinians alike. That

1:02:43was a statement put out by state rep

1:02:46yesterday.

1:02:48DSA was at this rally yesterday in

1:02:50Renhouse Square. They were walking

1:02:52through the streets chanting, "Long live

1:02:54the inif

1:02:56revolution." They were chanting, "No two

1:03:00states, we won 148." That is completely

1:03:02unacceptable and it's really

1:03:04disappointing and disgusting that this

1:03:06body and these members put out no

1:03:08statement. It's really hurtful to the

1:03:11Jewish people of Philadelphia that this

1:03:13rally was allowed to happen and it was

1:03:15not denounced by this body. Thank you.

1:03:18Thank you. Thank you to the Philadelphia

1:03:19Police Department for the job they did

1:03:21yesterday during the rally.

1:03:24The other thing that maybe you didn't

1:03:25realize was going on last week or this

1:03:26week was the $20 million, right? $20

1:03:29million was found by the Philadelphia

1:03:30Sheriff's Office. Where's the hearing?

1:03:33>> I don't mind um you speaking on the

1:03:35topic. Yes, sir. Also make it Germaine

1:03:37to what's on the

1:03:38>> Yeah, we're talking about the budget,

1:03:39right? We're talking about some money.

1:03:40There's that's on the budget today on

1:03:41this hearing. All bills and resolutions.

1:03:42>> What budget number is moving money, the

1:03:44PC thing today, right? We're moving

1:03:46money. So, in terms of the $20 million,

1:03:50where's this hearing on this sheriff's

1:03:52office? And then the last thing, the

1:03:53land bank. That's definitely on this on

1:03:55the the land bank is on the agenda

1:03:56today, right? removing land from the

1:03:57land bank. Sir,

1:04:00there's a rules and process that need to

1:04:02be followed. Some members of this body

1:04:04don't want to follow those rules and

1:04:05processes when it comes to the

1:04:06Philadelphia Land Bank. They want to

1:04:07hold RSCO meetings ahead of time. Be

1:04:11careful. You might get yourself in

1:04:12trouble. Last but not least, we're

1:04:14talking about SE.

1:04:17Not a single person rode participated in

1:04:20the week without driving. It would have

1:04:22been nice to see more members

1:04:23participate. Shout out to state rep. I

1:04:25mean, state senator Saval who

1:04:27participated Ride the Ride Grow Philly

1:04:29to Tim Milly and I really, really,

1:04:31really would like there to be a hearing

1:04:33on the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office to

1:04:35span the sheriff's office. Thank you.

1:04:38>> Thank you.

1:04:43>> Please proceed, sir.

1:04:48>> Good morning. Uh, my name is Shawn Rio

1:04:50and I live in West Philadelphia, Ward

1:04:5227. I'm here to speak in support of

1:04:54resolution 260825.

1:04:57This is a resolution honoring the

1:04:58citywide tenant union of the

1:04:59Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of

1:05:00America and tenants, tenant leaders and

1:05:02tenant organizers at the Emerson and

1:05:04Florence Gardens who are organizing to

1:05:06end rental junk fees and secure basic

1:05:08tenants rights and protections in the

1:05:10city of Philadelphia. I am a tenant at

1:05:12the Emerson and a member of the citywide

1:05:14tenant union. First, I want to thank

1:05:16council members Oor, Brooks, Landau,

1:05:18Gotautier, and Phillips for introducing

1:05:20this resolution. By passing this

1:05:22resolution, the city council of

1:05:23Philadelphia will stand strongly on the

1:05:25side of tenants as we exercise our

1:05:26rights to organize against a greedy

1:05:28corporate landlord known as New Age

1:05:29Realy Group. I'm a proud

1:05:31Philadelphiaian, excited to live in and

1:05:33contribute to this beautiful city. I

1:05:35deserve to live a dignified, affordable

1:05:37life. I deserve to have my rights

1:05:38respected. We all deserve those things.

1:05:41Unfortunately, corporate landlords don't

1:05:42seem to care about us, our quality of

1:05:44life, our financial stability. All they

1:05:47care about is making money. That's just

1:05:49what corporations do. They will squeeze

1:05:52as much money out of us as they possibly

1:05:53can. When I moved into the Emerson, I

1:05:55had no idea there was organizing going

1:05:57on, but when I learned about the union,

1:05:58I was happy to join. It's the first time

1:06:00I've ever lived in a building with a

1:06:01tenant union, and it felt good that I

1:06:03share a building with others who

1:06:04recognize that the only way to get our

1:06:06needs met is to come together and build

1:06:08power. We faced high utility bills,

1:06:10prolonged elevator outages, and

1:06:12egregious junk fees, and we're fed up.

1:06:15One week ago, on October 1st, myself and

1:06:18over 40 tenants across two New Age

1:06:19properties launched a junk fee strike

1:06:22and began withholding the mandatory $25

1:06:24a month charge. We are demanding the

1:06:26elimination of junk fees, which New Age

1:06:28Realy Management has so happily named

1:06:30the resident benefits package, for which

1:06:32we are forced to pay $300 per tenant

1:06:34each year for minimal so-called

1:06:35benefits. Not only are we asserting the

1:06:38right to withhold the benefits package,

1:06:39we are asking tenants to not rent from

1:06:41New Age Realy Group in solidarity with

1:06:42tenants and in support of our demand for

1:06:44New Age to end junk fees without

1:06:46increasing our rent. It has been one

1:06:48week since we launched our junk fee

1:06:49strike and we have heard nothing from

1:06:50New Age Realy Group. So, our work

1:06:51continues. Thank you to Philadelphia

1:06:53City Council for uplifting our struggle,

1:06:55honoring our work. I urge the council to

1:06:56support resolution 260825.

1:07:09Ben Scott Miller, well achie

1:07:16with the Delo tribe Indians in

1:07:18Blesville, Oklahoma. I My name is Ben

1:07:20Scott Miller. I'm a citizen of the

1:07:22Delaware tribe of Indians in

1:07:23Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We're a fally

1:07:25recognized tribe. This is Lapio, our

1:07:27homeland. I've approached the council to

1:07:29ask you to adopt and and resolute the

1:07:32resolution to have indigenous people's

1:07:34day here in Philadelphia. This is the

1:07:36birthplace of a nation and it's time to

1:07:38build a bridgekin to our communities. It

1:07:40would open opportunities for not only

1:07:41the Delaware people but the community

1:07:43here in P Pennsylvania and Philadelphia

1:07:45to work together to be together as a

1:07:48community. It's very important that we

1:07:50continue what our forefathers started

1:07:53off at. I am the direct lineage of Chief

1:07:55Tamand and Chief Kilsbuck who fought in

1:07:58the revolutionary army here in

1:08:00Pennsylvania.

1:08:01I'm here to speak for my people and ask

1:08:04you to bring and adopt Indigenous

1:08:06People's Day here in Pennsylvania and

1:08:07Philadelphia and lead the nation in a

1:08:09rebirth. Wanishi.

1:08:18>> Hello, my name is Karolene Mahia. I live

1:08:21and work in U. Jamie Gotautier's third

1:08:23district. Um, specifically like the West

1:08:26Palatin North Hford area. Um, I'm here

1:08:29in support of Council Member Brooks's

1:08:31privilege resolution recognizing

1:08:33Indigenous People's Day because

1:08:35recognizing this important day is an

1:08:37opportunity for Philadelphia to

1:08:39acknowledge the indigenous peoples, the

1:08:41histories, the cultures and communities

1:08:43that are part of the city and to

1:08:45contribute uh that contribute to its

1:08:47future as well. I'm a proud Afrocarveya

1:08:50woman born to loving parents from the

1:08:52Dominican Republic and across the Latino

1:08:55diaspora from my Puerto Rican cousins um

1:08:59to my Dominican siblings that are like

1:09:01somehow lighter than JLo but we have the

1:09:03same parents I don't know how that

1:09:05happened um to my Mexican partner uh we

1:09:08are all a beautiful concoction of

1:09:10African European and indigenous um

1:09:13ancestry

1:09:15uh the European ancestry that comes from

1:09:17colonization

1:09:18uh the African ancestry of the people

1:09:20who were enslaved and brought to the

1:09:22Americas through the transatlantic slave

1:09:24trade and the indigenous peoples who

1:09:26were here the whole time and whose

1:09:28descendants, cultures, and communities

1:09:30are still here today. Here in Philly, we

1:09:33have over 23,000 indigenous people. Um a

1:09:38large part of which are Puerto Ricans

1:09:40who really um identify with their dino

1:09:43roots. So, I just want to name that. Um,

1:09:46the history matters to me and it matters

1:09:48to how we understand ourselves and our

1:09:49communities and the place that we call

1:09:51home. Recognizing Indigenous People's

1:09:53Day also creates an opportunity for

1:09:55education, community dialogue, and

1:09:57continued partnership throughout the

1:09:58year. So, I'm here with a campaign to

1:10:01reinstate Indigenous People's Day. Um,

1:10:04and we want this to not just be a one

1:10:06day uh that we recognize it, but that we

1:10:09restore it as an official city holiday

1:10:12recognized every second Monday of

1:10:14October. Uh we have a petition signed by

1:10:17over,300 people in the Philly area um

1:10:21that also want a permanent resolution or

1:10:23ordinance to recognize indigenous

1:10:25people's day. So

1:10:26>> please consider that. Um

1:10:29>> yeah, Viva Puerto Rico.

1:10:36>> Yes,

1:10:41my name is Janice Stacy. I'm Dakota and

1:10:44Cherokee descent. I also have European

1:10:47ancestors. I'm a member of the

1:10:48Indigenous Two Spirit Society and on the

1:10:51board of directors of IPD Philly, which

1:10:53is run out of here in Philadelphia.

1:10:56I'm here today in support of the

1:10:58privileged resolution introduced by uh

1:11:00Council Person Brooks uh recognizing

1:11:03October 12th, 2026 as Indigenous

1:11:06People's Day in this in the city of

1:11:07Philadelphia.

1:11:10I may not look it, but I was born in the

1:11:1150s, late 50s. I'm only 12, right? Um, I

1:11:17grew up uh separated from my culture.

1:11:20Unlike many of the people you'll hear

1:11:21from me today, they're registered

1:11:22members of different nations. I'm a

1:11:24descendant thereof,

1:11:27right? Uh, I learned practices, words.

1:11:30and learned things from my culture

1:11:31growing up and was told not to tell

1:11:34someone so that my dad could keep his

1:11:35job so that the family wouldn't be

1:11:38discriminated against.

1:11:40Um, growing up that way degraded my

1:11:44sense of selfworth and it degrades I

1:11:47think everybody's sense of selfworth

1:11:48that grows up that way. I found a way to

1:11:51deal with it myself. Um, but I still

1:11:54live with the impact. Got my engineering

1:11:57degree and I work in fair housing now.

1:12:00Not everybody I know have found a way.

1:12:05Two spirit society is a culture uh we

1:12:08teach that culture is light. Connecting

1:12:09our people with their uh traditions and

1:12:12ancestors is a in a good way helps us

1:12:14build a sense of selfworth. We can find

1:12:16ways of managing everpresent cultural

1:12:18oppression rather than internalizing

1:12:20that oppression and bringing our people

1:12:22back to the circle is one of the ways

1:12:24the two spirit society helps to heal

1:12:26people. And I'm on the I'm on the thing.

1:12:28Here in Philadelphia,

1:12:30I'll skip that one. Uh we can do better.

1:12:33All right. We Here in Philadelphia, we

1:12:35still have people telling me that I

1:12:36don't exist or my people are extinct and

1:12:40I've been called inferior left and

1:12:42right. We can do better. And I want to

1:12:44thank you again for this resolution and

1:12:46hope that we can pass a permanent

1:12:47resolution in the

1:12:48>> future.

1:13:02My name is Meredith Elazald.

1:13:09This is my son, Nick Elazalde.

1:13:13He deserves everyone to not be on their

1:13:15phones.

1:13:20Good afternoon. My name is Meredith

1:13:22Elazald and I'm here in support of

1:13:24recognizing Indigenous People's Day in

1:13:26Philadelphia.

1:13:27Today is my son Nick's birthday.

1:13:32He would be 19.

1:13:35Nick was 14 when he was killed in the

1:13:38mass shooting at Roxboro High School.

1:13:41His last birthday on this earth fell on

1:13:43the long weekend for Indigenous People's

1:13:45Day.

1:13:47We went to the Poconos. We had his

1:13:49favorite Dairy Queen, Oreo Blizzard

1:13:51cake, and he told me how proud he was

1:13:54that his birthday fell at that time.

1:13:57Nick was proud of his indigenous

1:13:58heritage. On his first ninth grade all

1:14:02about me homework assignment at Saul

1:14:04High School just weeks before he was

1:14:05killed. He wrote about indigenous

1:14:07beliefs and our interconnectedness with

1:14:09the more than human world. While Nick

1:14:11attended Saul, he played football for

1:14:14Roxboro High School, whose mascot was

1:14:16the Indians.

1:14:18Nick couldn't wrap his mind around why a

1:14:21racist stereotype that would not be

1:14:23tolerated for other groups was still

1:14:25acceptable for indigenous people in

1:14:27sports. So, I'm the mascot. He asked me.

1:14:31He died in that uniform. I didn't know

1:14:34how to respond to him while he was

1:14:36alive, but I surely knew how after he

1:14:39was murdered. After a vote, we

1:14:41successfully changed the Roxboro Indians

1:14:43to the Roxboro Wolves, Nick's spirit

1:14:46animal. We also created a mural and

1:14:48native plant garden at Roxboro, and I

1:14:51invite you to go see it. I deliberately

1:14:53chose not to put an image of Nick on

1:14:56that wall. Instead, the mural is made of

1:14:59the things that he was, his indigenous,

1:15:01Latino, Arab, and Muslim heritage, the

1:15:04wolf, the sea turtle, and nature, so

1:15:06that other people could find themselves

1:15:08there, too. No one lost anything by

1:15:12making room for Nick. We let go of a

1:15:14stereotype and gain relationship,

1:15:16knowledge, and belonging.

1:15:19I saw what that could look like on a

1:15:21much larger scale while teaching and

1:15:23studying at the University of Montana.

1:15:25Indian education for all was required

1:15:28for educators and mandated curriculum

1:15:30for all students. Coming from the east

1:15:32coast, the difference was extraordinary.

1:15:35Indigenous history, knowledge, cultures,

1:15:37and people were visible throughout my

1:15:39community, and everyone benefited from

1:15:41knowing more about the place where they

1:15:43lived. Colonialism and capitalism have

1:15:46taught us to think in terms of scarcity,

1:15:48that recognizing one people somehow

1:15:51takes something from another. The

1:15:54distance colonialism created between

1:15:56indigenous peoples and settler

1:15:58descendants does not have to remain so

1:16:00wide. Knowledge and relationship can

1:16:02narrow it. No matter where your

1:16:04ancestors came from before they became

1:16:07Americans, they belong to particular

1:16:08lands and waters, communities and

1:16:10traditions. Those histories remind us

1:16:13that relationship to place is not

1:16:14foreign to any of us. Indigenous peoples

1:16:17of the Americas have faced centuries of

1:16:20deliberate eraser. And yet they are

1:16:22still here in Philadelphia today with

1:16:24roots in Lape Hoking, the Caribbean,

1:16:26Mexico, Central America, and South

1:16:28America. Indigenous peoples can

1:16:31recognize thousands of Philadelphiaians

1:16:32whose identities have too often been

1:16:34rendered invisible. When more of us are

1:16:37seen, our collective story gets bigger,

1:16:40not smaller. Philadelphia's public

1:16:42schools already recognize Indigenous

1:16:44People's Day. Our children are being

1:16:46taught that Indigenous people, history,

1:16:48and cultures deserve recognition. What

1:16:51are we teaching them if that recognition

1:16:53ends when they walk out the school

1:16:54doors? I'm grateful for this resolution,

1:16:57but it cannot be the end of this

1:16:58conversation. Philadelphia must take the

1:17:01next step and establish Indigenous

1:17:03People's Day permanently through

1:17:05ordinance. Indigenous presence should

1:17:07not have to be reaffirmed year after

1:17:09year. It should simply I my son has

1:17:12earned this.

1:17:14>> I'm sorry.

1:17:14>> Okay, I'm gonna I I have

1:17:17>> Let us wrap up. Go ahead. Let it wrap

1:17:19up, Lopez. Go ahead, man.

1:17:25I am grateful for this resolution, but

1:17:27it cannot be the end of this

1:17:28conversation. Philadelphia must take the

1:17:31next step and establish Indigenous

1:17:33People's Day permanently through

1:17:34ordinance. Indigenous presence should

1:17:37not have to be reaffirmed year after

1:17:38year. It should simply be part of who we

1:17:40understand ourselves to be as a city.

1:17:43Nick did not get to decide what happened

1:17:45to him, but those of us who walked the

1:17:47earth with him do get to decide what we

1:17:49carry forward from the life he lived. I

1:17:52tried to answer the question he asked

1:17:53me. So, I'm the mascot. My answer now is

1:17:56no. You were never a mascot. You were a

1:17:59child with a history, a culture, a

1:18:01relationship to the living world, and a

1:18:03way of understanding your place within

1:18:05it. And you deserve to see those things

1:18:07respected by the institutions around

1:18:09you. Today, on what would have been

1:18:11Nick's 19th birthday, I'm asking

1:18:13Philadelphia to offer that same

1:18:14recognition to every indigenous child

1:18:17who comes after him and to make it

1:18:19permanent. THANK YOU.

1:18:25CHAIR RECOGNIZES Councilman Isaiah

1:18:27Thomas.

1:18:29>> Oh, I'm sorry, Council President. I just

1:18:31would like to be recorded as a voting

1:18:33eye on all bills and resolutions and

1:18:35amendments that I may have missed.

1:18:37>> Shall be recorded. Thank you, Council

1:18:38President.

1:18:39>> Please proceed.

1:18:43>> Hi, my name is Gabrielle Ford. Thank you

1:18:45for hearing me speak today. I am a New

1:18:49Jersey resident living just five minutes

1:18:51away from the Walt Whittmann Bridge. Um,

1:18:55Philadelphia is a city that is very near

1:18:57and dear to my heart as well as my

1:18:59families. I often work in Queen Village

1:19:02and I volunteer with different

1:19:04nonprofits around Philadelphia. I am

1:19:07here representing Indigenous People's

1:19:10Day Philly. I am in support of Council

1:19:13Member Brooks's privilege resolution

1:19:16recognizing Indigenous People's Day.

1:19:20Reinstating Indigenous People's Day as a

1:19:23permanent city holiday is meaningful to

1:19:26me for these reasons.

1:19:30This is my son.

1:19:33I am raising a son with beautiful brown

1:19:35skin and I want him to know that people

1:19:38who look like him deserve to be

1:19:40represented and celebrated just as much

1:19:43as people who do not.

1:19:46I have been deeply saddened to witness

1:19:48history repeating itself such as forced

1:19:52removals. I truly believe that if our

1:19:56governmental leaders serve their

1:19:59community by holding equality to a

1:20:01higher bar, our communities will be more

1:20:04welcoming and safe to our children. I

1:20:07want my son to be surrounded by cultures

1:20:09that value integrity, sustainability,

1:20:13history, equality, and kindness. These

1:20:16are some incredible values that I have

1:20:18witnessed in the indigenous communities.

1:20:21And I want my son to know and to grow up

1:20:24in a country that values him, true

1:20:27history, and its people. I would love to

1:20:30see the city of Philadelphia recognize,

1:20:33value, learn from indigenous communities

1:20:36that have been here for thousands of

1:20:38years and can contribute so much for

1:20:41their beautiful country to from their

1:20:44beautiful cultures to this country.

1:20:46Thank you.

1:20:50Will

1:20:52Marie Manski,

1:20:54Sauna Huff, Sonoma Huff,

1:20:59Al Faroh,

1:21:01Eugene Black Crow, Oona Paul Hagens,

1:21:06Lynn Landez, Gerard Gerard Winters, and

1:21:12Aona Tomkins. Please make your way to

1:21:16the podium.

1:21:27Good morning, council. My name is Marie

1:21:30Mansky. I am of European and Middle

1:21:33Eastern heritage. I'm a resident of

1:21:35Point Breeze in District 2, Lape land,

1:21:38and I'm testifying today in full support

1:21:41of making Indigenous People Days an

1:21:43official holiday, a permanent city

1:21:46holiday on the second Monday of every

1:21:48October.

1:21:50We are living through a unique moment

1:21:52defined by overlapping crises in our

1:21:55environment, in our education system,

1:21:58and how we navigate information and

1:22:00truth. These crises are deeply rooted in

1:22:03centuries of colonial frameworks that

1:22:06prioritized extraction over stewardship,

1:22:09displacement over belonging, and

1:22:11hierarchy over care. We simply cannot

1:22:15solve our modern challenges using the

1:22:18very mindsets that created them.

1:22:21Indigenous communities hold centuries of

1:22:23lived wisdom, environmental balance,

1:22:26community care, and sustainable

1:22:29leadership.

1:22:30Establishing this holiday is far more

1:22:33than a symbolic gesture. It is an active

1:22:36commitment to center indigenous voices

1:22:38and follow their lead. Supporting the

1:22:41original stewards of this land is not

1:22:43merely appropriate. It is the bare

1:22:46minimum we owe them. Every culture

1:22:49carries a story. But progress begins

1:22:52when we choose to listen. We truly

1:22:54listen. We honor history. We restore

1:22:58dignity. We plant the seeds for genuine

1:23:01collaboration.

1:23:03There's a proverb that tells us the best

1:23:06time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

1:23:10The second best time is now.

1:23:14We are all in this room today because we

1:23:16share a call to build a better, more

1:23:18just Philadelphia. We get to choose what

1:23:21side of history we stand on. Making

1:23:24Indigenous People's Day an official

1:23:26permanent city holiday is an essential

1:23:28step towards truth, respect, and

1:23:29healing. And the time to plant that seed

1:23:32is now. Thank you.

1:23:40>> Good morning. My name is Soma Huff. I'm

1:23:42a 10th grade student and I'm here today

1:23:45to support the privilege resolution of

1:23:48by Council Member Brooks recognizing

1:23:51Indigenous People's Day.

1:23:54I am here as an indigenous young person

1:23:56and as someone who has grown up

1:23:58surrounded by my culture, my family, and

1:24:00the indigenous community. On October

1:24:0312th, indigenous people from many

1:24:05different tribal communities come

1:24:07together at at Penn Treaty Park. They

1:24:10will bring their own stories,

1:24:12traditions, clothing, art, food, and

1:24:14culture to share with the Philadelphia

1:24:16community. My personal favorite part is

1:24:19the fried bread, which is homemade by a

1:24:22native family every year. But what I

1:24:24love most is seeing hundreds of

1:24:26indigenous and non-indigenous people who

1:24:28come together to celebrate. Throughout

1:24:30my childhood, I've watched my mom um who

1:24:34put her whole her soul into advocating

1:24:37for native causes, communities. I've and

1:24:40I've grown up seeing how important it is

1:24:42to speak up and make sure indigenous

1:24:44people are represented to keep our

1:24:46cultures visible. Now I feel like it's

1:24:49my turn to be an activist. Every year,

1:24:53elementary school students, indigenous

1:24:55and non-indigenous, come to our

1:24:57celebration. They learn, ask questions,

1:25:00participate and experience indigenous

1:25:02cultures as some as something living and

1:25:05present. Not simp not simply something

1:25:08from a history book. Recognizing

1:25:10indigenous people's day tells indigenous

1:25:13young people like me our cultures, our

1:25:16communities, and our history matters.

1:25:18I'm asking city council to support this

1:25:20resolution to ensure that Indigenous

1:25:23People's Day continues to be recognized

1:25:25on the second Monday of October. Thank

1:25:28you.

1:25:34>> Oh, I'm so proud of my baby. She's only

1:25:3615 and that was a good job. I'm a

1:25:38lobbyist by trade, so I'm so proud of

1:25:40her. Good morning, council pre president

1:25:42and members of the council. My name is

1:25:44Sonia Huff and today I am supporting um

1:25:47of course everybody else behind me the

1:25:50council member Brooks privilege

1:25:52resolution to instate indigenous

1:25:54people's day. So this land is Lape

1:25:57Hokei.

1:25:57>> Would you speak into the microphone

1:25:58please?

1:25:59>> The land of my people. Um I am a member

1:26:02of the Delaware tribe of Indians. I was

1:26:05raised in Oklahoma on Cherokee Nation

1:26:08reservation. I ended up back in the

1:26:11homelands which my grandparents would be

1:26:14so proud of me. Uh I currently live in

1:26:17Chester County and then I work and work

1:26:19in advocacy in Philadelphia. So I just

1:26:22want to say you know Philadelphia has

1:26:24really tried to get this right. The city

1:26:26designated Indigenous People's Day in

1:26:282021 and then last year we all know the

1:26:30Commonwealth Court ruled that the change

1:26:33was an exercise of legislative authority

1:26:35that belongs to you, the city council.

1:26:38and that's where the decision is now and

1:26:40where it should be uh with you. So, I've

1:26:44spent 25 years working in government and

1:26:47public policy. So, I know resolutions

1:26:49and holidays can sometimes be dismissed

1:26:52as symbolic, but symbols actually matter

1:26:54and they're a really good step in the

1:26:56right direction. They tell people whose

1:26:58history is recognized, whose presence is

1:27:00acknowledged, and whose story is

1:27:02considered part of the public record.

1:27:04And indigenous people are not simply

1:27:06part of Philadelphia's history. We are

1:27:08here now. This resolution recognizes

1:27:10Lape, my people, on whose homeland this

1:27:12city was built and the many native

1:27:15people who call Philadelphia home today.

1:27:17Native kids in this city are watching

1:27:20which you honor. Tell them they're

1:27:22neighbors, not just footnotes in

1:27:25history. I respectfully urge you to pass

1:27:27this resolution and to make it a

1:27:28permanent annual recognition. Thank you.

1:27:45How good morning council members and

1:27:48thank you for allowing me to speak

1:27:50today. My name is Eugene Blackroll and

1:27:53I'm a Lakota from the tribe. I live and

1:27:56work in North Philadelphia in council

1:27:59member Young's fifth district. I'm a

1:28:01board member of the Indigenous People's

1:28:03Day. I am here to support council member

1:28:06Brook's resolution recognizing October

1:28:0912th, 2026 as Indigenous People's Day in

1:28:12Philadelphia.

1:28:14I believe this resolution is important

1:28:16step. It cannot be the final step.

1:28:19Permanent recognition should be more

1:28:21than a date on the calendar. Let it be a

1:28:24doorway. a doorway to deeper education,

1:28:27stronger relationships with tribal

1:28:29nations, and a Philadelphia where

1:28:31indigenous people are welcome,

1:28:33respected, and part of life of this day

1:28:36of the city throughout the entire year.

1:28:39>> [clears throat]

1:28:40>> We thank Council Member Brooks, Council

1:28:43Member Ouric, Council Member Johnson,

1:28:46Council Member Phillips, Council Member

1:28:48Garcy, Council Member Thomas, Council

1:28:51Member Jones, Council Member Landau,

1:28:54Council Member Lozada, Council Member

1:28:58Young, Council Member Herity, Council

1:29:01Member Squella, Council Member Bass for

1:29:04standing with the resolution and helping

1:29:06open that door for our community. This

1:29:09is about more than recognitions. It

1:29:11about it's about truth, dignity,

1:29:15belonging and relationship. Our

1:29:18ancestors carried these teachings

1:29:19through generations. They endured. They

1:29:22survived and they kept the knowledge

1:29:25alive so that we could stand here today.

1:29:28Now it is our responsibility to carry

1:29:30the knowledge forward not only for

1:29:33ourselves but for the generations who

1:29:35will come after us. Let this

1:29:39be the beginning of a new chapter in

1:29:42Philadelphia.

1:29:43One where the Lapia are not simply

1:29:45remembered as a people of the past but

1:29:48welcome as indigenous people with the

1:29:50living presence and right place in

1:29:53future of the city. We ask you walk with

1:29:57us and make the recognition permanent.

1:29:59Open the door wider. Build a

1:30:01relationship. teach the youth and

1:30:03together let us take the next step

1:30:05towards truth and reconciliations.

1:30:09>> Thank you.

1:30:18>> Good morning council members and thank

1:30:21you for allowing me to speak today. My

1:30:23name is Mar Negrete and I'm a Chileian

1:30:26of Pikuna Inca heritage. I live and work

1:30:30in North Philadelphia in Council Member

1:30:32Jan's fifth district. I am the second

1:30:35director and co-founder of Indigenous

1:30:37People's Day Philly. I am here to

1:30:40support Council Members Brooks

1:30:42resolution recognizing October 12, 2026

1:30:46as Indigenous People's Day in

1:30:48Philadelphia. For nearly 10 years, our

1:30:50organizations have worked to make

1:30:52indigenous people's day visible, heard,

1:30:56and recognized in the city we call home.

1:31:01Our annual celebration at Chakamax and

1:31:04Pen Treaty Park honors deap the deaw

1:31:07tribes, the renewer people of this land

1:31:09as well as theo indigenous peoples from

1:31:12across America who live here today. This

1:31:15is not simple about one day. It is about

1:31:18recognizing indigenous peoples and our

1:31:21history as permanent part of

1:31:22Philadelphia history.

1:31:25Today I'm also here on behalf of the

1:31:271300s people who has signed our petition

1:31:30supporting the permanent reinstatement

1:31:32of indigenous people's day as a

1:31:34Philadelphia city holiday.

1:31:36We respectfully ask council to take this

1:31:40next step beyond this year's resolution

1:31:42to introduce and pass a permanent

1:31:44ordinance reestablishing indigenous

1:31:46people as a official city holiday every

1:31:49year observed on the second Monday of

1:31:52October. But this step is only one part

1:31:56of the larger work for truth and

1:31:58reconciliation. We must en ensure that

1:32:01the Lape represented today by the Deawa

1:32:04tribe are welcome. We also need to move

1:32:06forward a toward a future where every

1:32:09school in Philadelphia teaches the

1:32:10history, cultures and temporary

1:32:12contemporary lives of native peoples.

1:32:15And Philia must recognize that

1:32:16indigenous peoples are not only part of

1:32:18the past. Indigenous peoples from across

1:32:20sort of island, aala, the Caribbean

1:32:22work, create and organize and contribute

1:32:24to the city today.

1:32:27>> Thank you.

1:32:37Uh, good morning. My name is Oona Hagens

1:32:40and I'm a a fourth generation child

1:32:42slavery survivor. Um, I I really want to

1:32:46say how inspired I was by Councilwoman

1:32:50uh Ketsy Lazada uh last week when I was

1:32:54speaking about the uh minimum wage and

1:32:57how you came out and told me how much in

1:33:01support you really are of the $25

1:33:03minimum wage. So, I wanted to let you

1:33:05know how you inspired me about that. But

1:33:08I I want to ask council president if his

1:33:11office is willing to work with my

1:33:14organization

1:33:15uh to develop uh with the the proper

1:33:18legislative language, constitutional

1:33:20framing, and community support necessary

1:33:24to advance the minimum wage structure

1:33:26that reflects Philadelphia's actual cost

1:33:29of living. So that's the uh question

1:33:32that I'm posing to council president

1:33:34this morning.

1:33:40speaking on a topic or a particular

1:33:42question.

1:33:43>> Well, I I wanted to ask that question.

1:33:45>> Oh, you can speak to my tech team and

1:33:47then I will follow up with you on in

1:33:49regards to if we decide to engage you or

1:33:52at not at all. You can talk to my chief

1:33:54of staff by the name of John Christmas

1:33:57on any legislative matters.

1:33:58>> Gotcha. Thank you.

1:33:59>> Thank you very much, sir.

1:34:00>> All right.

1:34:04Hi, I'm Lynn Landis of the Philly's

1:34:06Republican Network. Um, I want to uh

1:34:10support Councilman Phillips resolution

1:34:12260819.

1:34:14Um, but I do want to correct the record

1:34:17a little bit. Um, the infestation of

1:34:20rats and mice are everywhere in this

1:34:23city and it's in my neighborhood behind

1:34:26my house and we put all our trash away.

1:34:29There's no illegal dumping. Um, but one

1:34:32thing I want to say is that the

1:34:34neighborhoods that have outdoor cats

1:34:38don't seem to have this problem.

1:34:41And we used to have outdoor cats, but

1:34:45somehow they disappeared over time.

1:34:47>> I know it's like in South Philly, we

1:34:49have raccoons, and they've never been

1:34:51like that all my life.

1:34:52>> Yeah. So, so at any rate, the idea is to

1:34:56use nature against nature and um and

1:35:00some of the uh organizations that

1:35:03provide working cats they're called um

1:35:06only provide them to like farms or big

1:35:09businesses and warehouses and things

1:35:11like that and not for neighborhoods like

1:35:13ours. I did notice that it is legal to

1:35:16have an outdoor cat in Philadelphia as

1:35:18long as it's neutered and a good idea to

1:35:21have it chipped. Um but that's what our

1:35:24neighborhood is looking at because we

1:35:26have a neighbor who came from um

1:35:28Brooklyn in New York City and they had

1:35:31outdoor cats and they didn't have any

1:35:32mice or rat problems at all. So that's

1:35:36what I would suggest is that the city

1:35:38look at this um issue of using outdoor

1:35:42cats and let's let's learn about this

1:35:46together because it did work for us. Um,

1:35:49some people behind us did have an

1:35:50outdoor door cat, but one of the

1:35:52neighbors

1:35:54rescued it and then it was gone. And

1:35:57also, from personal experience, um, a

1:36:01very expensive bottle of Bobcat urine

1:36:04spray does not work. We need the cats in

1:36:08our neighborhoods. Thank you.

1:36:11>> Thank you, Lyn.

1:36:17Chair recognizes Council Member Cindy

1:36:19Baz.

1:36:20>> Thank you, Mr. President. As a board

1:36:21member of ACCCT, Animal Care and Control

1:36:24here in the city of Philadelphia, I felt

1:36:25compelled to respond to that um very

1:36:28well-meaning

1:36:29um but in my opinion misinformed uh

1:36:32statement around um uh outdoor cats.

1:36:36There's no such thing as outdoor cats,

1:36:37but they are stray cats. And we know

1:36:39that in the city of Philadelphia, we

1:36:41have a lot of populations of stray cats

1:36:42that are much more likely to be uh

1:36:45injured or killed. uh and have very

1:36:48short life expectancy. So, we don't want

1:36:50to encourage uh the um proliferation of

1:36:54out quote unquote outdoor cats or stray

1:36:56cats. Um so, but I'll be happy to talk

1:36:59uh to Lynn to uh you know help her find

1:37:02some remedy, but uh I certainly want to

1:37:04be clear that that's not something

1:37:06that's a good remedy for our

1:37:07neighborhoods. Thank you, Mr. President.

1:37:09>> You're welcome. Member Pass. Sir, please

1:37:11proceed.

1:37:13>> Cool. Uh hello, my name is Jared

1:37:16Winters. Uh I am here in support of

1:37:18resolution 260825

1:37:20about the junk fees and tenants rights.

1:37:23Uh I just have a little speech I

1:37:25prepared. Uh how y'all doing today?

1:37:27Doing good. Cool, cool, cool. Uh so

1:37:30roughly a month ago, I received an email

1:37:32from New Age Realy, the company that

1:37:34manages my building. Uh, and the email

1:37:36read that with or win a 55 inch Samsung

1:37:39flat screen TV to share your residence

1:37:41benefits experience. That email

1:37:44described all of the benefits included

1:37:46within the $25 a month package that I am

1:37:48unable to opt out of regardless of

1:37:50whether or not I am receiving those

1:37:51benefits and I can win a fancy TV if I

1:37:54tell them how much I love it. Well, some

1:37:57of those benefits include damage

1:37:59reimbursement, which is funny

1:38:00considering that we also are required to

1:38:02have uh rental insurance as well. $250

1:38:06towards emergency hotel stays, something

1:38:08I've never seen. I'll get to that later.

1:38:10Uh late fee forgiveness twice per month,

1:38:12which even when our human side catches

1:38:14up to us and we have been late, we have

1:38:16never seen that either. Um,

1:38:19and uh, my favorite, a discount on

1:38:22property brokerage if we were to ever

1:38:24buy a house through New Age because why

1:38:25not advertise to the poor people that

1:38:27you take advantage of. Um, the irony for

1:38:30me was that as I received this email, me

1:38:32and my roommate were in the process of

1:38:34moving from one apartment in the

1:38:36Florence Garden building to another as a

1:38:39result of our basement unit having

1:38:40dangerous levels of mold tested by a

1:38:42private company company hired by New

1:38:44Age. Uh, and we didn't see $250 or a

1:38:48hotel. We were just or when the mold was

1:38:50discovered, we were instead asked, "Do

1:38:52you have a friend you could stay with or

1:38:54do you just want to end the lease now?"

1:38:56We asked if there was a different

1:38:58apartment nearby that we could uh move

1:39:01to. And they did end up Sorry, I lost my

1:39:04place. I'm very nervous. Um, living

1:39:07situation nearly a month and a half we

1:39:09have been in that other apartment. Uh,

1:39:11and they told us 30 days at most,

1:39:13although I don't see that ending anytime

1:39:16soon. I've hit my time, but my speech

1:39:18isn't over. But again, thank you for

1:39:20letting me speak and thank you for your

1:39:21consideration.

1:39:22>> Thank you, sir.

1:39:25>> Will Brett Ashley Robinson,

1:39:29Eve Hippolyte,

1:39:31Michael Weise, Kevin Fenwell, Tiara

1:39:35Murray, and Christian Gant Madison.

1:39:39Please make your way to the podium.

1:39:55>> Please proceed.

1:39:56>> Hello. Hello everybody. Uh my name is

1:39:59Ariana Davia Tommpkins and I'm a youth

1:40:01peer specialist with the National

1:40:03Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI

1:40:05Philadelphia and I am here in support of

1:40:08the resolution recognizing World's

1:40:09Mental Health Day and National

1:40:11Depression Screening Day. So in both my

1:40:13personal life and my work life working

1:40:15with youth and families across

1:40:17Philadelphia, I see every day how early

1:40:19recognition, access to care, and mental

1:40:21health awareness can change and just

1:40:23truly save lives. When I share my own

1:40:26journey, people tend to listen. They

1:40:29they listen or lean in. They listen and

1:40:31they see the that strength and

1:40:32resilience are possible and that talking

1:40:34openly about mental health helps break

1:40:36the stigma for everyone. And let's be

1:40:38honest, we all go through something,

1:40:40right? But what I'm experiencing does

1:40:42not lessen what you are experiencing.

1:40:44So, it's important to have the avenues

1:40:45of support and access to care that we

1:40:47need. And that's why these conversations

1:40:49matter. Depression screenings and

1:40:51education are not just clinical tools.

1:40:53They are pathways to safety, connection,

1:40:55and hope. So, this resolution matters

1:40:57because it benefits community members in

1:40:59every neighborhood across Philadelphia.

1:41:01Whether someone lives in the North

1:41:02Phillies, West Philly, South, the

1:41:04Northeast, and even center city, mental

1:41:06health challenges touch every block and

1:41:08every family. So, by uplifting mental

1:41:10health awareness citywide, we can help

1:41:12ensure that no young person, adult, or

1:41:15caregiver feels alone or unsure where to

1:41:18turn. Recognizing these days sends a

1:41:20powerful message. Speaking up is

1:41:22strength. help is available and

1:41:24Philadelphia is committed to

1:41:25destigmatizing mental health so all

1:41:27residents can get the access and the

1:41:29support that they deserve. And thank you

1:41:32all for your time, support, and

1:41:34willingness to support a good cause.

1:41:36Thank you.

1:41:43Hello, my name is Brett Ashley Robinson

1:41:45and I'm speaking on the resolution

1:41:47celebrating the 30th anniversary of

1:41:49Fringe Arts. I'm a 2021 Pew Fellow, a

1:41:52member of the Hoth House, the resident

1:41:54acting company at the Tony Award-winning

1:41:56Wilma Theater, a company member of

1:41:58Applied Mechanics, an immersive theater

1:42:00company based here in Philadelphia, and

1:42:03one of the current Greenfield resident

1:42:05artists here at Fringe Arts. Um, the

1:42:07French Festival isn't just an arts

1:42:10organization or program. It's a civic

1:42:12infrastructure for Philly artists. No

1:42:15other arts event involves such a huge

1:42:17percentage of Philadelphia's creative

1:42:19community. Over 1,000 performers,

1:42:22designers, and technicians, all bringing

1:42:24their work to the public. Fringe creates

1:42:27a hub of cross-pollination.

1:42:29Younger artists are creating and

1:42:31performing in some of their first

1:42:32original works, seeing their teachers,

1:42:34meeting with more established artists,

1:42:36and their peers in the same buildings

1:42:38while they produce work as well. It's an

1:42:40opportunity to develop and create new

1:42:42ideas and experiment with new styles.

1:42:46All art needs a space for incubation, a

1:42:48place to move a creative idea into a

1:42:51performance. Fringe is that space and it

1:42:54has been for me as an artist. My solo

1:42:57work has been performed at Jack New

1:42:59York, Ars Nova, AntFest, Portland Center

1:43:01Stage, and had its first performance

1:43:03here in Philadelphia. Fringe is a

1:43:05powerful creative moment. It creates the

1:43:08opportunity to perform, see, and support

1:43:10work in a way that breaks down the

1:43:12traditional silos of Philadelphia arts.

1:43:15The atmosphere of the festival makes

1:43:16Fringe incredibly special. The potential

1:43:19of running into friends unexpectedly,

1:43:21grabbing a last minute ticket to a show

1:43:23you were dying to see, being shocked by

1:43:25how you love something or delighted by a

1:43:27sleeper hit. The electricity in the air

1:43:30is created by this event. fringe acts

1:43:32both as a platform for Philadelphiaians

1:43:34to tell their own stories and as an

1:43:36amplifier building awareness for these

1:43:38artists among a huge and still growing

1:43:40audience. Thank you all so much.

1:43:49>> Awesome. Thank you.

1:43:50>> Hi, my name is Eve Hippolite and I too

1:43:53am speaking on the resolution

1:43:54celebrating the 30th year of fringe

1:43:56arts. Um, I'd like to first thank

1:43:58Council Member Rue Lando for recognizing

1:44:03uh, Fringe Arts in the 30th year

1:44:05anniversary of the Philadelphia Fringe

1:44:07Festival. And one of the things I value

1:44:10most about Fringe is the way that it

1:44:12helps build the next generation of arts

1:44:15and audiences. As you just heard from

1:44:17Brett, it's an an incredible platform to

1:44:19really uh not only foster a a space of

1:44:23community, but an experience that is

1:44:25memorable, meaningful, and extremely

1:44:29fringy. Um,

1:44:31more than 50% of our audience is made up

1:44:34of millennials, Gen Z, and nearly twice

1:44:37the average of uh performing arts

1:44:39organizations in Philadelphia. Fringe

1:44:41offers an accessible, inclusive, and

1:44:43genuinely fun entry point for people who

1:44:46may be experiencing Philadelphiaian's

1:44:48performing arts scene for the first

1:44:49time. But its impact extends beyond the

1:44:53audience. It also gives artists and

1:44:55performers a space to take creative

1:44:57risks, reach new people, and build

1:45:00deeper connections within the

1:45:01Philadelphia's creative community. The

1:45:03exchange between artists and audiences

1:45:05is what makes Fringe so special. A first

1:45:08performance can become a long life

1:45:10relationship with the arts, which is

1:45:13extremely important as we all know. I'm

1:45:15sure we've all had interfaces with arts,

1:45:18music, and all of the creative uh uh

1:45:21aspects of life. So, by investing in

1:45:24both artists and audiences, French is

1:45:27helping ensure that Philadelphia remains

1:45:29a vibrant arts city for generations to

1:45:33come. Thank you.

1:45:35>> Thank you.

1:45:44Good morning everyone. My name is

1:45:46Christian G Madison and I'm the founder

1:45:49of Change the Narrative, a nonprofit

1:45:51focused on advancing AI literacy and

1:45:53civic education to empower Philly

1:45:55residents.

1:45:58I want to start by thanking everyone

1:45:59regardless of your political affiliation

1:46:02for being present here today civically

1:46:05engaged because this is what keeps our

1:46:07city and our country going.

1:46:12I rise here today to express my support

1:46:14for resolution number 260825.

1:46:18The tenants affected deserve recognition

1:46:20for organizing. But I also want to

1:46:23respectfully challenge this council

1:46:25because a resolution is not legislation.

1:46:28The resolution calls upon the landlord

1:46:30to negotiate with the tenants, which is

1:46:33worthwhile. But if council believes that

1:46:36quote unquote junk fees are

1:46:38fundamentally unfair, then why should

1:46:40Philadelphia's tenants have to win this

1:46:42fight building by building? Council has

1:46:46the ability through legislation to

1:46:49establish a clear citywide standard for

1:46:52landlords and tenants alike

1:46:55to remove any ambiguity. And I think

1:46:58this question goes beyond junk fees. We

1:47:00are living through a moment of

1:47:01historical juncture, a battle for the

1:47:04soul of the country along with the

1:47:06existential threats posed by artificial

1:47:09intelligence.

1:47:10Although I disagree with the broader

1:47:12political ideology of the DSA, I

1:47:14empathize with the deeper sentiments

1:47:16behind their advocacy

1:47:18along with those of other groups across

1:47:20the ideological spectrum that have made

1:47:22their voices heard in this chamber.

1:47:25People are frustrated and right now that

1:47:27frustration is increasingly manifested

1:47:30in ideological extremes due to the

1:47:32ineffectiveness of establishment

1:47:34governance.

1:47:35Politics as usual won't suffice for the

1:47:38challenges of our day. I argue that

1:47:40local government matters more than ever

1:47:43precisely because so much is uncertain

1:47:44at the federal level and across the

1:47:46globe.

1:47:48At a time when cities across the country

1:47:50are confronting issues of affordability,

1:47:52technological disruption brought on by

1:47:54AI and declining faith in institutions,

1:47:56Philadelphia can demonstrate what

1:47:58effective local governance looks like.

1:48:00Whether it's input from Democrats, DSA

1:48:02members, Republicans, or the Working

1:48:04Families Party, we can show that

1:48:06ideological differences don't have to

1:48:08prevent practical action. Prudence

1:48:10should be exercised to translate

1:48:12communal input into policy and

1:48:14institutions that move the city forward

1:48:16and protect everyone, not just those who

1:48:18have the ability to organize. And I'll

1:48:20end here. Philadelphia, the birthplace

1:48:22of our great nation 250 years in the

1:48:25making, has the opportunity to be a

1:48:27model for the country and by extension

1:48:29the world as we enter into this new

1:48:31historical epoch.

1:48:34But that will require more than

1:48:35resolutions. It'll require the courage

1:48:37to legislate and the urgency to meet the

1:48:39demands of the moment. Thank you.

1:48:41>> Very well said. Thank you, young man.

1:48:48He might be running for office one day.

1:48:51Very well said. Please proceed.

1:48:55Hello, my name is Tariq Murray. Um, and

1:48:58I'll be reflecting on bill 2550768

1:49:02presented by Jamie Goier last year. Uh

1:49:05this bill is reflecting on how we're

1:49:07going to be disposing of waste uh and

1:49:10basically terminating any possibility

1:49:12that we could ever use waste fuel

1:49:14resources. Um I want to start by

1:49:17mentioning something that I saw this

1:49:18morning. I did see an advisory this

1:49:20morning that the Wahhiken uh rivers and

1:49:22waterways are no longer able to fish in

1:49:25because of contamination by forever

1:49:27chemicals. That is a fact that it our

1:49:29airway our airways and our waterways are

1:49:31being contaminated. But it is also a

1:49:33fact that Singapore and Japan are ranked

1:49:35number seven and number eight in the

1:49:37quality of life per current per per

1:49:39current US news reports and uh Japan is

1:49:42actually rated number one for life

1:49:45expectancy. These nations heavily well

1:49:49let me not over exceed myself. They

1:49:51regularly utilize waste to energy

1:49:53resources. Them as well as Australia and

1:49:55many other high-erforming nations when

1:49:57it comes to the quality of life and

1:50:00longevity of their people. My concern

1:50:02with this bill is that I love the idea

1:50:05that we are finally addressing major

1:50:07corporations like Reorld. But this bill

1:50:10sadly lacks specificity. It lacks uh

1:50:13deadlines and it lacks parameters. Now I

1:50:16understand that this bill has been

1:50:17introduced last year. Um, I totally need

1:50:20and we I think we all need Reorld to be

1:50:22stopped, but I do believe that we should

1:50:25not, you know, proverbbally shoot

1:50:27ourselves in the foot for our bills that

1:50:30we all know are getting higher. Um, the

1:50:32fossil fuels that we currently use to

1:50:35source our fuel from, as well as our

1:50:37electricity, as well as pretty much so

1:50:38many different things under the sun,

1:50:39which is a vicious beast that compounds

1:50:41upon itself. Um, I only have a little

1:50:44bit of time left, but I need us to

1:50:46recognize that this also is not

1:50:47necessarily have to be a costy endeavor.

1:50:49I can already hear less uh brainstorming

1:50:53and suddenly the dollar signs start to

1:50:55come up. I really hope that we can look

1:50:57at this as a matter of effort,

1:50:58intention, focus, and that we can get

1:51:01something done somewhat in the spirit of

1:51:04what uh Councilman Squa presented of

1:51:06prevent providing alternatives to

1:51:08traditional waste management.

1:51:11That is my time. Thank you.

1:51:22Good morning everybody. My name is

1:51:24William Small and I am a member of Flip

1:51:27Philly Red. Um

1:51:30it's I'm challenging legislation

1:51:35260825.

1:51:39Something about the tenants union and

1:51:43the Democrat Socialists of America put

1:51:46together in the same sentence just

1:51:48doesn't sit right with me. This seems

1:51:51like another political ploy. Now, I

1:51:54understand we have two members on our

1:51:55council that align themselves with the

1:51:57Democrat Socialists of America. And

1:52:00because of that, that's why I oppose

1:52:02this bill. The Democrat Socialist of

1:52:05America, Megan Romer, that is their

1:52:07chair. She came out and she said that

1:52:12sexual offenses against women and

1:52:14children were crimes of poverty.

1:52:18Now, the councilman that pushed put this

1:52:20legislation forward, he's with them. And

1:52:23that just doesn't sit right with me

1:52:24because I've been in poverty my entire

1:52:27life. I know people that was in poverty

1:52:30and they've never committed a sexual

1:52:32crime against women and children because

1:52:34they were in poverty.

1:52:37The these people are very radical and

1:52:40you see what's going on in New York. All

1:52:42the council members here that align

1:52:44themselves with the Democratic party,

1:52:46beware because they are coming for your

1:52:48seats. You guys let the fox in the hen

1:52:51house and now he's running wild and

1:52:53there's nothing that you can do about

1:52:55it. They're bringing socialists from all

1:52:57over our country to come here and take

1:52:59all of your seats.

1:53:01So I advise any legislation that these

1:53:04two council members, Councilman O and

1:53:08Kendra Books put forward, I advise you

1:53:10guys to go against it because it will

1:53:13come back to bite you in the end. Thank

1:53:15you.

1:53:20>> Honor to our council president. That

1:53:22concludes our listing for the public

1:53:24comment for today.

1:53:41We will now consider

1:53:44resolutions on the final passage

1:53:47calendar and bills on the second reading

1:53:51and final passage calendar.

1:53:55Will the clerk please read the title of

1:53:57resolution number 260766-

1:54:03a excuse me a resolution also naming the

1:54:05200 block of South 50th Street as

1:54:08monumental way to honor the legacy and

1:54:10impact of the monumental Baptist church

1:54:12on the Walnut Hill community.

1:54:15Chair recognizes

1:54:17majority captain Gilmore Richardson who

1:54:19will provide a motion on behalf of

1:54:21Council Member Jamie Gautier regarding

1:54:23resolution number 260766-A.

1:54:28>> Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of

1:54:30Council Member Gardier, I move the

1:54:31adoption of the resolution.

1:54:33>> It has been moved and properly seconded

1:54:34that resolution number 260766-

1:54:38be adopted. All those in favor, the

1:54:40motion will signify by saying I.

1:54:42>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

1:54:44motion carries. The resolution is

1:54:45adopted. Would the clerk please read the

1:54:48title of resolution number 260819?

1:54:51a resolution urging the Philadelphia

1:54:53Department of Public Health, Department

1:54:55of Licenses and Inspections, Department

1:54:57of Sanitation, and other appropriate

1:54:58city agencies to immediately prioritize

1:55:01and coordinate efforts to address the

1:55:03growing rodent infestation in the lower

1:55:06northeast section of Philadelphia and to

1:55:08treat the current conditions as an

1:55:09urgent public health and quality of life

1:55:11emergency requiring immediate city

1:55:14action.

1:55:17>> Chair recognizes Council Member Dr.

1:55:20Phillips for a motion regarding

1:55:21resolution number 260819

1:55:26>> for the residents of lower northeast. I

1:55:29enthusiastically move for the adoption

1:55:32of this resolution.

1:55:34>> It has been moved in property seconded

1:55:36the resolution number 260819

1:55:39be adopted. All those in favor the

1:55:41motion will signify by saying I.

1:55:44>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

1:55:46motion carries. The resolution is

1:55:47adopted. Would the clerk please read the

1:55:50title of resolution number 260

1:55:55821?

1:55:56>> A resolution also naming the 700 block

1:55:59of North 47th Street as men of Mil Creek

1:56:02Way to honor the legacy and impact of

1:56:04the men of Mil Creek on the Mil Creek

1:56:06community. Chair recognized a council

1:56:08member and majority leader captain

1:56:11Gilmore Richardson to make a motion on

1:56:12behalf of council member Jamie Gartier

1:56:14on resolution number 260821.

1:56:17>> Thank you Mr. President. On behalf of

1:56:19council member Gardier, I move the

1:56:20adoption of the resolution.

1:56:23>> It has been moved properly seconded. The

1:56:25resolution number 260 821 be adopted.

1:56:29All those in favor of the motion will

1:56:31signify by saying I.

1:56:33>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

1:56:35motion carries. The resolution is

1:56:36adopted. Would the clerk please read the

1:56:38title of resolution number 260822?

1:56:41>> A resolution renaming the 5200 block of

1:56:44Lancaster Avenue Share Elmechi Way to

1:56:47honor Share Elmechi and his decades of

1:56:49distinguished service to Philadelphia

1:56:51students, educators, schools, and

1:56:53communities.

1:56:56>> The chair recognizes Councilman Curtis

1:56:58Jones Jr. for a motion regarding

1:57:00resolution number 260822.

1:57:02>> Thank you, Mr. President. in the

1:57:04tradition of people like Baba Keef early

1:57:08educated in um the charter school

1:57:11movement always fought for inclusion of

1:57:14a minority teachers. I move for the

1:57:16adoption.

1:57:19>> It has been moved and properly seconded

1:57:21that resolution number 260822 be

1:57:23adopted. All those in favor will signify

1:57:26by saying I.

1:57:28>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

1:57:29resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

1:57:31please read the title of resolution

1:57:32number 260825.

1:57:35>> A resolution honoring the citywide

1:57:37tenant union of Philadelphia, Democratic

1:57:39Socialists of America and tenants,

1:57:41tenant leaders and tenant organizers at

1:57:43the Emerson and Florence Gardens who are

1:57:45organizing to end rental junk fees and

1:57:47secure basic tenants rights and

1:57:49protections in the city of Philadelphia.

1:57:52>> Chair recognizes Council Member Nicholas

1:57:54Rook for adoption of the resolution.

1:57:56>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

1:57:57adoption of the resolution.

1:57:59It has been moved and properly seconded

1:58:01the resolution number 260825

1:58:04be adopted. All those in favor signify

1:58:06by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes

1:58:10have it. The motion carries. Resolution

1:58:12is adopted. Would the clerk please read

1:58:14the title resolution number 260826?

1:58:18A resolution authorizing the

1:58:19Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

1:58:212751 Kensington Avenue located in the

1:58:24first council medicic district in

1:58:25accordance with the terms of chapter

1:58:2716-700 of the Philadelphia code.

1:58:31>> Chair recognize Councilman Mark Skolo

1:58:33for a motion.

1:58:34>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for

1:58:35adoption of the resolution.

1:58:38>> It has the moving property second. The

1:58:39resolution number 260826

1:58:42be adopted. All those in favor of motion

1:58:44will signify by saying I.

1:58:46>> Anyone opposed? As the eyes have it, the

1:58:48resolution is adopted. Would the clerk

1:58:49please with the title of resolution

1:58:50number 260827?

1:58:54>> A resolution designating the week of

1:58:55Sunday, October 11th through Saturday,

1:58:58October 17th, 2026 as Italian-American

1:59:01Heritage Week in the city of

1:59:03Philadelphia. This is done in

1:59:04celebration of the countless

1:59:06contributions Italian-Americans have

1:59:07given to our country and honoring Rob

1:59:09Pantano as Grand Marshall of the 2026

1:59:12Philadelphia Italian-American Heritage

1:59:15Parade. Chair recognizes Councilman Mark

1:59:17Squiller for a motion regarding

1:59:18resolution number 260827.

1:59:21>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for

1:59:22adoption of the resolution.

1:59:24>> It has been moving property second. The

1:59:27resolution number 260827

1:59:31be adopted. All those in favor of the

1:59:33motion will signify by saying I.

1:59:36>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

1:59:37motion carries. The resolution is

1:59:39adopted. Would the chief clerk please

1:59:41read the title of bill number 260342?

1:59:46An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

1:59:47zoning maps by changing the zoning

1:59:49designations of certain areas of land

1:59:51located within an area bounded by East

1:59:53Washington Lane, Critan Street, East

1:59:56Tula Hawin Street, East Hane Street, and

1:59:58Arley Street.

2:00:02>> The chair recognizes Councilman Cindy

2:00:04Bass for a motion.

2:00:06>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like

2:00:08to offer an amendment to bill number 260

2:00:11342. A copy of the amendment has been

2:00:13circulated to all members of council and

2:00:15I move for the adoption of the

2:00:16amendment.

2:00:18>> It has been moved in properly seconded

2:00:20that bill that the amendment to bill

2:00:23number 260342 be adopted. All those in

2:00:26favor signify by saying I.

2:00:28>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:00:31bill has been amended. This bill will be

2:00:33placed on the final passage calendar for

2:00:35our next session of council. Would the

2:00:36clerk please read the title of bill

2:00:38number 260

2:00:40343?

2:00:42>> An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

2:00:43zoning maps by changing the zoning

2:00:45designations of certain areas of land

2:00:47located within an area bounded by East

2:00:49Washington Lane, Stanton Avenue, East

2:00:51Hane Street, and Arley Street.

2:00:55>> The chair recognizes Councilman Bass for

2:00:57a motion.

2:00:58>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like

2:01:00to offer an amendment to bill number 260

2:01:02343. A copy of the amendment has been

2:01:05circulated to all members of council and

2:01:07I move for the adoption of the

2:01:08amendment.

2:01:10>> It has been moving properly seconded

2:01:12that the amendment to bill number 260343

2:01:15be adopted. All in favor will signify by

2:01:18saying I.

2:01:19>> Those opposed the eyes have it and the

2:01:21bill has been amended. This bill will be

2:01:23placed on the final passage calendar for

2:01:25our next session of council. Would the

2:01:27clerk please retitle bill number 260344?

2:01:31An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

2:01:32zoning maps by changing the zoning

2:01:34designations of certain areas of land

2:01:36located within an area bounded by North

2:01:3818th Street, Colonial Street, North 17th

2:01:40Street, and Chelton Avenue.

2:01:44>> The chair recognizes

2:01:47Council Member Bass for a motion.

2:01:49>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like

2:01:50to offer an amendment to bill number 260

2:01:53344. A copy of the amendment has been

2:01:55circulated to all members of council,

2:01:57and I move for the adoption of the

2:01:59amendment.

2:02:00It has a moving properly seconded that

2:02:02the amendment to bill number 260344

2:02:05be adopted. All in favor will signify by

2:02:08saying I.

2:02:09>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:02:11bill has been amended. This bill will be

2:02:14placed on on the final passage calendar

2:02:16for our next session of council.

2:02:20Would the clerk please read the title of

2:02:21bill number 260345?

2:02:24an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

2:02:25zoning maps by changing the zoning

2:02:27designations of certain areas of land

2:02:29located within an area bounded by West

2:02:32Seymour Street, Knox Street, West Logan

2:02:34Street, and Kaiser Street.

2:02:37>> Chair recognized Council Member Bass for

2:02:38a motion.

2:02:40>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like

2:02:41to offer an amendment to bill number

2:02:42260345.

2:02:44A copy of the amendment has been

2:02:46circulated to all members of council and

2:02:48I move for the adoption of the

2:02:49amendment.

2:02:51It has been moved and properly seconded

2:02:53that the amendment to bill number 260345

2:02:56be adopted. All in favor signify by

2:02:58saying I.

2:03:00>> Those opposed. The eyes have it. And

2:03:03this bill has been amended and will be

2:03:05placed on the final passage calendar for

2:03:07our next session of council. Chair

2:03:08recognizes Councilman Jamie Gartier.

2:03:10>> Thank you, Council President. I'd like

2:03:12to be recorded as voting I on all bills

2:03:14and resolutions that I missed. Thank

2:03:15you.

2:03:16>> Thank you. Thank you very much. Will be

2:03:17recorded. Would the clerk please read

2:03:19the title of bill number 260429?

2:03:22>> An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

2:03:23zoning maps by changing the zoning

2:03:25designations of certain areas of land

2:03:27located with in an area bounded by

2:03:29Frankfurt Creek, Armingo Avenue, Butler

2:03:32Street, and Frankfurt Avenue.

2:03:35>> This bill have been read on two

2:03:36different days. The question now is,

2:03:39shall the bill passed finally? Chief

2:03:40clerk, please call the role.

2:03:42>> Council member Phillips,

2:03:43>> I.

2:03:44>> Council member Gilmore Richardson,

2:03:46>> I. Council member Gautier.

2:03:48>> Hi.

2:03:49>> Council member Thomas.

2:03:50>> Hi.

2:03:51>> Council member Jones.

2:03:52>> Hi.

2:03:53>> Council member Lando.

2:03:54>> Hi.

2:03:55>> Council member Loada.

2:03:56>> Hi.

2:03:58>> Council member Harity.

2:04:00>> Hi.

2:04:00>> Council member Oor.

2:04:01>> Hi.

2:04:02>> Council member Driscoll.

2:04:03>> Hi.

2:04:04>> Council member Squila.

2:04:06>> Hi.

2:04:06>> Council member Bass.

2:04:08>> Hi.

2:04:09>> Council member Amed.

2:04:10>> I.

2:04:10>> And council president Johnson.

2:04:13>> I. The eyes are 14 and these are zero.

2:04:16The majority of all members having voted

2:04:17in the affirmative, the bill passes.

2:04:21Would the clerk please re read any

2:04:23additional resolutions on today's

2:04:25calendar?

2:04:27A privileged resolution recognizing

2:04:29October is college awareness month and

2:04:31honoring Philadelphia education fund and

2:04:33the college access and success ecosystem

2:04:36case for their commitment to ensuring

2:04:38Philadelphia students are informed,

2:04:40prepared, and supported throughout the

2:04:42college application process. introduced

2:04:44by council member Anthony Phillips.

2:04:46>> Chair recognizes the good Dr. Anthony

2:04:48Phillips. Council member

2:04:51>> motion.

2:04:52>> Thank you so much. Uh you have a good

2:04:54voice, young man over there. Appreciate

2:04:56you. UM [laughter]

2:05:04All right, Council President, I move for

2:05:06the adoption of the resolution.

2:05:08[laughter]

2:05:09>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:05:11that the resolution be adopted. All

2:05:12those in favor signify by saying I.

2:05:16>> Those opposed, the eyes have it and the

2:05:17resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:05:20please read the title of the next

2:05:21resolution.

2:05:23>> A privileged resolution recognizing the

2:05:25French American Foundation's Young

2:05:26Leaders Program as its 2026 cohort

2:05:29convenes in Philadelphia. Introduced by

2:05:32Council Member Katherine Gilmore

2:05:33Richardson on behalf of Council

2:05:35President Johnson.

2:05:36>> Chair recognizes Council Member Majority

2:05:38Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for

2:05:39a motion.

2:05:40>> Thank you, Mr. President. On your

2:05:41behalf, I move the adoption of the

2:05:43resolution.

2:05:44>> It has been moved in properly seconded

2:05:46that the resolution be adopted. All

2:05:48those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:05:50>> Anyone opposed? The resolution is

2:05:52adopted. Chief clerk, please read the

2:05:54title of the next resolution.

2:05:55>> A privileged resolution honoring October

2:05:57is Black Male Educators Month in the

2:05:59city of Philadelphia, celebrating the

2:06:01Center for Black Educator Development

2:06:02for their leadership in the recruitment,

2:06:04development, and retention of black male

2:06:06educators. Introduced by Council Member

2:06:08Isaiah Thomas. Chair recognizes Council

2:06:11Isaiah Thomas for a motion on the

2:06:12resolution.

2:06:13>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:06:14the the irony of doing the resolution

2:06:16the same Thomas the street renaming. I I

2:06:18move for the adoption of the resolution.

2:06:21>> It has been moved in properly seconded

2:06:22that the resolution is adopted. All

2:06:24those in favor signify by saying I.

2:06:27>> Those opposed, the eyes have it and the

2:06:29resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:06:30please read the title of the next

2:06:31resolution. A privileged resolution

2:06:34honoring the Philadelphia Water Dogs on

2:06:35the occasion of their 2026 Premier

2:06:38Lacrosse League PLL Championship,

2:06:40marking their second win in the PLL in

2:06:42four years and earning top seed of the

2:06:44Eastern Conference introduced by Council

2:06:46Member Isaiah Thomas.

2:06:48>> Chair recognizes Council Isaiah Thomas

2:06:49for a motion on the resolution.

2:06:51>> Thank you, Council President. I'm Philly

2:06:53is a sports town and this is just

2:06:55another example of the great sports

2:06:56teams we have here. And with that being

2:06:58said, I move for the adoption of the

2:06:59resolution. It has been moved in

2:07:01property seconded that the resolution be

2:07:03adopted. All those in favor signify by

2:07:06saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have

2:07:09it. The resolution is adopted. Chief

2:07:10clerk, please read the title of the next

2:07:12resolution.

2:07:13>> A privileged resolution honoring and

2:07:14recognizing the Philadelphia Fringe

2:07:16Festival on the occasion of its 30th

2:07:18festival and recognizing its

2:07:19extraordinary contributions to

2:07:21Philadelphia's artists, audiences,

2:07:23neighborhoods, and cultural life.

2:07:25Introduced by Council Member Ru Landal.

2:07:28Chair recognizes Councilman Ru Landow

2:07:29for a motion on the resolution.

2:07:31>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:07:32the adoption of the resolution.

2:07:35>> It has been moved and property seconded

2:07:36that the resolution be adopted. All

2:07:38those in favor signify by saying I.

2:07:41>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

2:07:43resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:07:45please read the title of the next

2:07:46resolution. A privileged resolution

2:07:48authorizing the Committee on Technology

2:07:50and Information Services to hold

2:07:51hearings to examine the use of emerging

2:07:53technologies, including surveillance,

2:07:55algorithmic, and dynamic pricing systems

2:07:58in the grocery industry to better

2:08:00understand how these technologies are

2:08:01being utilized and their potential

2:08:03impacts for consumers and retailers and

2:08:05to examine opportunities to support

2:08:07transparency, affordability, and

2:08:09consumer confidence. Introduced by

2:08:11Council Member Ru Landau on behalf of

2:08:13Council President Johnson. She

2:08:15recognizes Councilman Ruland.

2:08:17>> Thank you, Council President. On your

2:08:18behalf, I move for the adoption of the

2:08:20resolution.

2:08:21>> It has been moved in property seconded

2:08:23that the resolution be adopted. All in

2:08:25favor signify by saying I.

2:08:27>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. And

2:08:29the resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:08:30please read the title of the next

2:08:32resolution. a privileged resolution

2:08:34authorizing the committee on education

2:08:35to hold public hearings to examine the

2:08:37state of charter education in

2:08:38Philadelphia, including charter school

2:08:40funding, authorization, and renewal

2:08:42practices and the role charter schools

2:08:44play in providing educational

2:08:46opportunities for Philadelphia students

2:08:47and families. Introduced by council

2:08:49member Ketsy Lazada.

2:08:50>> Chair recognizes council member Ketsy

2:08:52Lazada for a motion on the resolution.

2:08:54>> Thank you, Council President. I move for

2:08:56the adoption of the resolution.

2:08:58>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:09:00that the resolution be adopted. All

2:09:01those in favor signify by saying I.

2:09:04>> Anyone opposed. The I have it and the

2:09:06resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:09:08please read the title of the next

2:09:09resolution.

2:09:10>> A privileged resolution authorizing the

2:09:12committee on public health and human

2:09:13services to hold hearings to examine the

2:09:15feasibility of establishing city

2:09:17supported grocery stores and food

2:09:18retailers through public, private, and

2:09:21community partnerships to expand access

2:09:23to affordable, nutritious, and

2:09:25highquality food in Philadelphia

2:09:26neighborhoods. introduced by council

2:09:28member Nicholas Oor on behalf of council

2:09:30president Johnson.

2:09:32>> Chair recognizes councilman Nicholas Oor

2:09:34for a motion on the resolution.

2:09:35>> Thank you, Mr. President. On your

2:09:37behalf, I do move for the adoption of

2:09:38the resolution.

2:09:40>> Thank you very much. It has been moved

2:09:41properly seconded that the resolution be

2:09:43adopted. All those in favor will signify

2:09:45by saying I.

2:09:46>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:09:48resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:09:50please retitle the next resolution. a

2:09:52privileged resolution recognizing

2:09:54October 12th, 2026 as Indigenous

2:09:56People's Day in the city of

2:09:58Philadelphia, honoring and commemorating

2:10:00the achievements, traditions, and

2:10:01contributions of American Indians, also

2:10:03known as indigenous peoples, and

2:10:05affirming the city's commitment to

2:10:07historical truth, cultural respect,

2:10:09education, and partnership with

2:10:11indigenous communities. Introduced by

2:10:13Council Member Nicholas Oor on behalf of

2:10:15Council Member Kendra Brooks.

2:10:17>> Chair recognizes Council Member Nicholas

2:10:18Oor for a motion.

2:10:20>> Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of

2:10:21the minority leader in her absence, I

2:10:22move for the adoption of the resolution.

2:10:24>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:10:26that the resolution be adopted. All

2:10:28those in favor signify by saying I.

2:10:31>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:10:33resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

2:10:35please read the title of the next

2:10:36resolution. A

2:10:43a privileged resolution recognizing

2:10:45October 10th, 2026 as World Mental

2:10:48Health Day and October 8th, 2026 as

2:10:51National Depression Screening Day in the

2:10:52city of Philadelphia. Introduced by

2:10:54Council Member Nina Ahmed.

2:10:56>> Chair recognizes council member Dr. Nina

2:10:58Amed for a motion on the resolution.

2:11:00>> Uh thank you, Council President. I move

2:11:02for the adoption of the resolution. It

2:11:05has been moved and properly seconded

2:11:06that the res resolution be adopted. All

2:11:09those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:11:11>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:11:14resolution is adopted.

2:11:19>> Chief clerk, please read the title of

2:11:21the next resolution. A privileged

2:11:23resolution authorizing the Committee on

2:11:25Public Health and Human Services to hold

2:11:26hearings examining the city's response

2:11:28to sexual violence, including support

2:11:30for survivors, law enforcement's

2:11:32response, the investigation and

2:11:34prosecution of sexual assault, and

2:11:36prevention in light of recent sexual

2:11:38assault cases in Philadelphia, and

2:11:40reopen investigations of schools, school

2:11:42campus sexual assault elsewhere.

2:11:45Introduced by Council Member Nina Amed.

2:11:47>> She recognizes council member Dr. Amed

2:11:49for a motion on the resolution. Thank

2:11:51you, Council President. I move forth

2:11:53adoption of the resolution.

2:11:55>> It has been moved and properly seconded

2:11:57that the resolution be adopted. All

2:11:59those in favor will signify by saying I.

2:12:01>> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

2:12:04resolution is adopted.

2:12:07>> There are no further resolutions in my

2:12:09possession. Council President,

2:12:11>> thank you very much.

2:12:15Any

2:12:17brief speeches on behalf of the

2:12:18minority? Chair recognizes Councilman

2:12:20Nicholas Oor.

2:12:22>> Thank you, Mr. President. Tenants have

2:12:24been fighting for safe, secure, and

2:12:28affordable housing across the city with

2:12:30the support from the Philadelphia

2:12:33Democratic Socialist of America. I

2:12:35rallied with tenants at the Emerson

2:12:37building in West Philly back in March as

2:12:40we emerged from a very cold winter where

2:12:42they dealt with frequent power and heat

2:12:44outages. It is high time that their

2:12:47property manager, in this case, New Age

2:12:49Realy, negotiates in good faith with

2:12:52tenants who are tired of paying monthly

2:12:54fees on top of the rent

2:12:57for services they never actually

2:12:59receive. When tenants are suffering from

2:13:02power outages in the dead of winter,

2:13:05elevator um uh doors are are bolted shut

2:13:08for months, if not years in some cases,

2:13:11if they're still being asked to pay

2:13:14outrageous junk fees, you better bet I'm

2:13:16I'm going to back their organizing and

2:13:17their demands for accountability.

2:13:19Emerson tenants are now part of an

2:13:22effort that's going citywide, and I'm

2:13:23excited to see the movement actually

2:13:25grow. Now, there's plenty of synergy

2:13:28between the citywide tenants union's

2:13:32demands and Philly's cost of living task

2:13:34force report. Namely, we both highlight

2:13:37rubs or ratio utility billing systems,

2:13:42rubs, as an issue that's driving up

2:13:44utility costs for renters in a way that

2:13:46doesn't align with what they actually

2:13:48use. Third party companies are setting

2:13:51individual tenants utility bills through

2:13:53opaque algorithms splitting up the

2:13:55entire building's usage and we don't

2:13:57have any regulations on that in Philly.

2:14:00None. So I love the mutual focus on a

2:14:02problem that we need to solve. Speaking

2:14:04of mutual focus, as a member of the

2:14:07public health committee chaired by uh

2:14:09Dr. Nina Akmed, I was very excited to

2:14:11introduce legislation calling for

2:14:12hearings on municipal grocery stores on

2:14:15your behalf, Mr. President. And I know

2:14:17I'm not alone in taking great interest

2:14:19in the Philly Affordable uh excuse me,

2:14:20the Philly Food Affordability Act. Great

2:14:23interest that's reflected in the great

2:14:24need that exists across our city. So,

2:14:27thank you, President Johnson, for your

2:14:29steadfast focus on food and nutrition

2:14:32security and for advancing the package

2:14:34introduced today. I'm excited to

2:14:35advocate for its different parts as we

2:14:38uh deliberate and consider them uh

2:14:40further. um the separation of church and

2:14:42state uh is reflective of the

2:14:44institution of the church and the

2:14:46institution of the state not to be

2:14:47conflated or to suggest that that values

2:14:50and virtues uh should not inform the law

2:14:52makingaking process and that's the

2:14:54reason why I say and said to you that

2:14:56night that that is holy work that you

2:14:58are doing recognizing where there's a

2:15:00need and bridging that particular gap in

2:15:02our office we always remind ourselves

2:15:04that the people's needs are holy and

2:15:06whatever we're putting forward should be

2:15:08reflective of seeing their need being

2:15:10sensitive to it, treating it as if it's

2:15:12sacred because we believe that it is. As

2:15:14I said last week, my colleagues, our

2:15:17city wants to see us act together on the

2:15:19issues of pressing concern to them. So,

2:15:22any of the ideas that you find in the

2:15:24cost of living uh task force report that

2:15:26appeal to you are grounds for

2:15:28partnership. I would love to partner

2:15:30with you. Please see them. Take a grab

2:15:32at it. Take what you like. Let's let's

2:15:33work together. Um I I think that we

2:15:36understand that affordability is not a

2:15:37buzzword. It's a long-standing genuine

2:15:40concern in the lives of working people.

2:15:42So, let's not let affordability be a

2:15:43buzzword here. Let's make something

2:15:45material of affordability. For the love

2:15:47of Philly, as the Sixers say, I think

2:15:49the Philly Food Affordability Act is

2:15:51another good step in that particular

2:15:52direction. And one last thing, um,

2:15:54because it feels right to say, I know

2:15:56that today is the 8th of October, but

2:16:00I'm cognizant that many of us, from

2:16:02folks on my team and across council to

2:16:04Philadelphiaians of all stripes, now

2:16:06feel a certain sensitivity whenever the

2:16:08calendar swings around to October 7th.

2:16:11There's a lot that could be said.

2:16:13There's a lot of pain, genuine pain,

2:16:15being felt for reasons that vary widely.

2:16:18But above and beyond it all, my prayer

2:16:21as a disciple of the Prince of Peace is

2:16:24to pray for peace. Not the kind that

2:16:26papers over, but the kind that reveals.

2:16:30The kind of peace that actually heals in

2:16:31the hurting places. Peace doesn't exist

2:16:34in a vacuum and paradoxically is often

2:16:36fought for. In the course of reaching

2:16:39peace, sides are taken, lines are drawn.

2:16:42So no easy peace without justice and

2:16:45freedom also. But in the wake of three

2:16:47years of genocide, I continue to pray

2:16:49for the better angels of our nature to

2:16:51prevail. Because where life is precious,

2:16:53as has been said, life is precious. I

2:16:57pray we can make our city, first off,

2:16:59one such place. And that our influence

2:17:02can be infectious. I hope those who feel

2:17:04a certain pain when October 7th comes

2:17:07around the second most deadly year for

2:17:09Jews since the Holocaust, know that I am

2:17:12praying for all of y'all, too. May there

2:17:15be peace on earth. Let it begin with us.

2:17:18Thank you, Mr. President.

2:17:20>> Thank you very much.

2:17:22Any brief speeches on behalf of the

2:17:24majority? Councilman Dr. Anthony

2:17:27Phillips. Yes.

2:17:28>> Thank you, Council President, and

2:17:30greetings to the co all of my colleagues

2:17:32again and most importantly to neighbors

2:17:34across Philadelphia. Today, I introduce

2:17:36a resolution recognizing October as

2:17:39college awareness month and honoring the

2:17:41Philadelphia Education Fund in the

2:17:43College Access and Success Ecosystem for

2:17:46their work to help Philadelphia students

2:17:48prepare for life after high school. Now,

2:17:51many of you know that before serving on

2:17:53city council, I helped more than a

2:17:55thousand students access high quality,

2:17:58affordable college education at top tier

2:18:01schools. Knowing that hard work and

2:18:04education are pathways opportunities, I

2:18:07spent years leading a nonprofit I

2:18:09founded called Youth Action and also

2:18:11leading a nonprofit I directed in

2:18:14college access called Teen Sharp. Two

2:18:16educational nonprofits committed to

2:18:18building leaders and helping young

2:18:20people prepare for college and achieve

2:18:22their goals. Through that experience, I

2:18:25learned that talent is everywhere, but

2:18:27access is not. A student's ability to

2:18:30pursue higher education should not

2:18:32depend on whether someone in their

2:18:34family already understands the process

2:18:37or whether their school has enough

2:18:40resources. Every student deserves clear

2:18:43information, trusted guidance, and

2:18:45meaningful support. The Philadelphia

2:18:47College educ the Philadelphia Education

2:18:49Fund is helping close those gaps. Last

2:18:53year, approximately 3,000 Philadelphia

2:18:56students participated in the

2:18:58Philadelphia Education Funds programs.

2:19:01Its college access program provides

2:19:03full-time college and career advising

2:19:06and six Philadelphia public high schools

2:19:08with low graduation rates, while its

2:19:10Philadelphia Poke Secondary Success

2:19:12Program has indeed helped 15 public

2:19:15schools build stronger cultures of

2:19:18college readiness and career success.

2:19:21The organization is helping students

2:19:22overcome financial barriers. This year

2:19:24alone, Philadelphia Education Fund

2:19:26distributed $650,000

2:19:29in financial aid to 140 students through

2:19:33its scholarship program. And since the

2:19:351990, the Philadelphia Scholar Program

2:19:37has awarded $18 million in scholarships

2:19:41to undergraduate students. Its Philly

2:19:44goes to college portal makes college and

2:19:47career guidance available to every

2:19:49Philadelphia high school student and has

2:19:51already received approximately 57,000

2:19:54visits this year. During the last school

2:19:57year, 42% of school district of

2:20:00Philadelphia students submitted at least

2:20:01one college college application.

2:20:05Through the what's your plan campaign,

2:20:07students and families will have access

2:20:09to college fairs, college fit workshops,

2:20:12application and fast assistance, fee

2:20:15waiverss, and career exploration. So

2:20:17therefore, this year the goal is to

2:20:20increase the number of young people to

2:20:2360% who submit at least one college

2:20:26application and the what's your plan

2:20:29campaign should help with that. So, as

2:20:32someone who has spent much of my career

2:20:35helping young people access education

2:20:37opportunities and now as chair of the

2:20:39committee of children and youth and vice

2:20:41chair of the committee of education, I

2:20:43believe our responsibility is not simply

2:20:45to tell young people to aim high. We

2:20:47must make sure they have the

2:20:48information, resources, and support to

2:20:50reach those goals. I encourage students

2:20:52and families across Philadelphia to use

2:20:55college awareness month to ask

2:20:57questions, explore options, complete an

2:20:59application, and take a meaningful step

2:21:02towards their future. Thank you, Council

2:21:04President.

2:21:06>> Thank you very much. Chair recognizes

2:21:08Councilman Isaiah Thomas.

2:21:11>> Good afternoon, Council President. Very

2:21:13briefly, I wanted to um first and

2:21:16foremost say congratulations to all of

2:21:18the black male educators and to remind

2:21:21people that um we are recognizing black

2:21:23male educators this month because the

2:21:26annual conference is taking place this

2:21:27month. So for those who don't know um

2:21:30the annual black educators conference is

2:21:32taking place a little later this month.

2:21:34Uh we encourage educators um across the

2:21:37really across the country. I'm sorry the

2:21:39conference is next month November 14th

2:21:41to the 16th. But we recognize black

2:21:43educators as this month and we encourage

2:21:44educators across the country uh to come

2:21:47to Philadelphia, enjoy our city and have

2:21:48a great time. Council President, I'm

2:21:50also excited uh for next week. And so

2:21:53for those who don't know um next week is

2:21:56the week where I celebrate or we

2:21:58celebrate as a city uh five years of

2:22:00driving equality. And um for those who

2:22:03don't know, driving equality was passed

2:22:04out of this legislative body October

2:22:0614th, 5 years ago. And since then, the

2:22:09legislation has been replicated by over

2:22:1110 cities and states all across the

2:22:13country. Um, it's something that

2:22:15inspired me to run for office as a

2:22:17person who grew up during the era I grew

2:22:19up. We were basically the experimental

2:22:22generation for stop and frisk, not just

2:22:24in Philadelphia, but in major cities all

2:22:26across the country. And uh, when I think

2:22:28about what inspired me to run for office

2:22:29is really two things. It's the lack of

2:22:31support and funding for public

2:22:33education, which is something that a lot

2:22:35of us witness on a on a firsthand basis.

2:22:37And it was the fact that I was

2:22:38constantly pulled over by police uh my

2:22:41entire young adult life. I vividly

2:22:42remember being sworn in city council um

2:22:45and having been pulled over more times

2:22:47by police officers than years I had been

2:22:49on this earth. And that's a real story

2:22:50that I experienced and so many other

2:22:52people experienced growing up in urban

2:22:54cities across the country. So I'm very

2:22:56proud of driving equality. I'm very

2:22:58proud of the legislation. Um I'm looking

2:23:00forward to celebrating what other

2:23:02elected officials across the country

2:23:03who've replicated the legislation. And I

2:23:05want to just take a moment to thank

2:23:06Council Member Brooks, Gadierre,

2:23:09Gilmore, Richardson, Jones, Squila Bass,

2:23:12and of course you, Council President,

2:23:13because you all were here, as well as

2:23:15Mayor Parker. Uh, you all were here and

2:23:17helped me at a very difficult time vote

2:23:20that bill out. And when we passed that

2:23:21law, they said that it would make the

2:23:23city more violent. And over the last 5

2:23:25years, crime has dropped significantly

2:23:27since the law has been in place. Now,

2:23:28I'm not saying that the law is the

2:23:30reason that crime has been reduced.

2:23:34I'm saying that the law clearly is not

2:23:36one that creates more crime in the city

2:23:38of Philadelphia. So, I'm so excited

2:23:39about what we were able to accomplish.

2:23:41And if you Thank you, council president.

2:23:44And if you don't know, next week,

2:23:45October 13th, we'll be at the library uh

2:23:48right here at city hall for a a fireside

2:23:52chat about driving equality. And then

2:23:54October 14th, we will do a screening of

2:23:57the film Living in America. If you don't

2:23:58know, they made a documentary on driving

2:24:00equality. So, we'll be showing that

2:24:02driving equality and having a panel

2:24:04discussion on the day of the

2:24:05anniversary. I know it's a little longer

2:24:07than what you wanted, but thank you,

2:24:08council president. I appreciate the

2:24:10flexibility and I'll be quiet next week

2:24:12for speeches.

2:24:13>> Oh, you good. Congratulations, though,

2:24:15on the driving equality bill. I put a

2:24:20lot of hard work into that and I do

2:24:21remember the resistance as well. So,

2:24:23thank you for staying steady because I

2:24:25too have two African-American boys

2:24:27growing up in this city and I wouldn't

2:24:29know what I would do. I still perk up

2:24:31though when they get behind me. Anyway,

2:24:35it is what it is. But keep up the good

2:24:37work. Chair recognizes major leader

2:24:39Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

2:24:42>> Thank you. Uh thank you so much, Mr.

2:24:44President. I wanted to take a moment

2:24:45just to recognize a very special guest

2:24:48who will be joining us in council uh

2:24:50after she concludes her speech uh here

2:24:52in the city of Philadelphia. But I

2:24:54wanted to formally recognize um Council

2:24:57Member Tiffany Thomas uh who represents

2:25:00District F in Houston, Texas. Uh she is

2:25:03the first black woman and first woman

2:25:05under 40 elected uh to represent

2:25:08District F in Houston, Texas. Uh like

2:25:11you, Council Member Gardier, she's the

2:25:12chair of their housing and affordability

2:25:14committee. Uh their committees are set

2:25:16up a little differently than ours here.

2:25:18Uh and we share a lot in common. Of

2:25:20course, I'm a member of Zetafi Beta

2:25:22Sortity Incorporated and she's a

2:25:23devastating diva, Delta Sigma Theta

2:25:25Sorority Incorporated. Uh but most

2:25:27importantly, we both share a commitment

2:25:30uh to helping families protect their

2:25:31homes and preserve their generational

2:25:33wealth. We know that that's a major

2:25:35issue here, not only in the city of

2:25:37Philadelphia, but across our nation

2:25:39where they call it air properties and

2:25:41other localities. Um but I am grateful

2:25:43to our partners at Pew um for all the

2:25:46work that we've done together on this

2:25:48issue and for connecting me with Council

2:25:50Member Thomas. We have had the

2:25:51opportunity to have a meeting and

2:25:53collaborate uh on legislation uh to

2:25:56continue to work together to address uh

2:25:58this issue of tangled titles. Uh and we

2:26:01have been working together on

2:26:03legislation to figure out how we

2:26:05continue to move uh this issue forward.

2:26:08Uh Council Member Thomas has worked to

2:26:09protect family homes in historic

2:26:11communities in Houston uh like Piney

2:26:14Point uh and continue to raise awareness

2:26:16around heirs property. Uh she also

2:26:19successfully championed the community

2:26:21development block grant, what we know as

2:26:22CDBG, but their disaster recovery 2024

2:26:27amendment. She secured $100 million in

2:26:30disaster recovery housing funds um for

2:26:33the city of Houston. Uh through her

2:26:36work, uh she has a signature initiative

2:26:39that I'm working to replicate here uh in

2:26:41the city of Philadelphia called the

2:26:43annual faith and affordable housing

2:26:45summit. um which is really bridging the

2:26:47gap between faith institutions and

2:26:49development partners uh and bringing

2:26:51community education around air

2:26:53properties uh and generational land

2:26:55retention in historically black and

2:26:58brown communities. Uh she is a dynamic

2:27:00member of council, another council

2:27:03member Thomas uh yet serving in the city

2:27:05of Houston and I'm looking forward to

2:27:07welcoming her officially uh to

2:27:09Philadelphia City Council and also to

2:27:11our chambers in a few moments. Thank

2:27:13you, Council President. Thank you very

2:27:15much. Chair recognizer council Ketsy

2:27:17Lazada.

2:27:19>> Thank you, Council President. Uh, today

2:27:21I introduced a resolution uh calling um

2:27:25for the education committee to um help

2:27:28us gain more clarity on the effects of

2:27:31not just the school board, but the

2:27:32school district um and the limited

2:27:35charter renewals. And I want to be uh

2:27:37make sure that I say for the record that

2:27:39I have um that the public school system

2:27:42has my full support. I am Um I I believe

2:27:45in the public school uh uh education

2:27:49system. Uh but we have to accept the

2:27:52fact that uh the reality is that there

2:27:54are charter schools in many of our

2:27:56neighborhoods and charter schools are

2:27:58public schools. Um there are questions

2:28:01that have um consistently come up when

2:28:03we're talking to some of these providers

2:28:06uh at least in the seventh council

2:28:07district and they seem to be the same

2:28:09questions and concerns across the city

2:28:11of Philadelphia. And so I want to thank

2:28:13council member uh Thomas, the chair of

2:28:16the education committee for, you know,

2:28:18agreeing to at least allow us to ask

2:28:22those questions publicly. um uh because

2:28:26we believe that the 63,964

2:28:30young people who attend um a traditional

2:28:33charter school deserve answers as well

2:28:35as the 14,252

2:28:38cyber school charter uh children deserve

2:28:42answers too. Um and so we're just

2:28:45calling for basic transparency, a fair

2:28:47process and uh with as little disruption

2:28:50as possible. But, um, the fact that some

2:28:53of these charter schools don't get a

2:28:55typical 5-year renewal makes it really

2:28:57difficult for them to plan ahead. And

2:28:59so, um, our children deserve that. And

2:29:01I'm looking forward to a hearing and

2:29:04some of their questions being resolved.

2:29:06Um, I also want to um uh celebrate the

2:29:11fact that one of my residents in the

2:29:12seventh council district who was

2:29:14unjustly deported by ICE Vicente

2:29:17Calderon um is back in in Philadelphia.

2:29:21He's back home with his family. Um,

2:29:24thanks to the advocacy of many of my

2:29:26colleagues and their work as well as the

2:29:28work of Envina Melendez and Associates

2:29:31who is a on the ground um uh community

2:29:36uh organization that really helps um

2:29:40those who are going through the

2:29:42citizenship process. It makes they make

2:29:44it easier and they hold their hand

2:29:46through the process. Had it not been for

2:29:47their work, Mr. Calderon would not be

2:29:50home today. Um also like to uh on your

2:29:54behalf um and myself as well as with

2:29:57Creative Philadelphia and the city's

2:29:59office of arts and culture um invite

2:30:01everyone to join us tomorrow for art in

2:30:04city hall. The opening reception will

2:30:06showcase 32 Hispanic artists. Um the

2:30:10exhibit features 32 uh arts including

2:30:13participants from um Photography Without

2:30:16Border. It's a it's a group um that is

2:30:19made up of very young u um artists as

2:30:23well as artists from Nar Square

2:30:25Neighborhoods Projects. Um the reception

2:30:27begins um at 5 in the caucus room and we

2:30:32also invite you to check out all of the

2:30:35art that is displayed on in the cases on

2:30:37the second, third, and fourth floor. The

2:30:40art will be displayed through December

2:30:424th. Thank you, Council President.

2:30:46Thank you very much.

2:30:50Also want to acknowledge the presence of

2:30:53Antoine Little, vice president, district

2:30:55council 33, Ashley. Thank you for

2:30:57joining us here today as well. Chair

2:30:59recognized Councilman Dr. Nina Med.

2:31:01>> Thank you, Council President. Uh good

2:31:04afternoon everyone. Um yesterday I

2:31:07joined my colleagues on the finance

2:31:09committee uh for a hearing to uh

2:31:12recommend authorization of a $40 million

2:31:15bond for the new forensic lab, police

2:31:20forensic lab in West Philadelphia. Uh I

2:31:23am so excited that we are finally at a

2:31:26place where we're going to have a

2:31:28state-of-the-art uh forensic lab and

2:31:31that is going to make a huge difference

2:31:33in clearance of um crimes uh

2:31:36particularly u be very satisfactory to

2:31:40the victims of violent crime to actually

2:31:42understand how their cases can proceed.

2:31:46Um and so we've made this huge

2:31:49commitment. I want to make sure we're

2:31:51also staffing this new lab appropriately

2:31:54so they can do the work uh that is

2:31:57critical uh for our community. Um

2:32:00however, despite that victory, I am

2:32:03still uh I got fire in my belly on this

2:32:07that we have seen a disturbing rise in

2:32:10public cases of sexual violence, right?

2:32:13And this is connected to having a

2:32:15forensic lab that can uh process uh

2:32:18these crimes. So from the ongoing

2:32:21investigation of the Raymond Porsche um

2:32:25which has been going on from 2004

2:32:28in only we have a whole series of women

2:32:31who have disappeared. I don't understand

2:32:34how we are here today in 2026 when these

2:32:37people have been identified and been

2:32:40implicated in a whole series of u

2:32:43misconduct and yet we still don't have

2:32:46resolution on knowing what happened to

2:32:48those women. Um and we've just hearing

2:32:51in the news around the Cornell 7 and so

2:32:55much more. And then locally, more

2:32:57recently, there is a case of sexual

2:32:59assault that happened on a in a a spa on

2:33:029inth and Callahill. And somehow we

2:33:05haven't heard anything about it. We

2:33:07haven't heard what is happening to the

2:33:10uh perpetrators who were identified on

2:33:12camera. We have their faces. Um so this

2:33:16is extremely disturbing. So what I'm

2:33:18seeing is a growing culture of

2:33:20negligence and a real lack of

2:33:23understanding on what is rape culture

2:33:26and how to support victims and most

2:33:30importantly prevent it. Right? And we

2:33:33can't talk about declining gun violence

2:33:35homicide numbers in Philadelphia, which

2:33:38is great. But as of October 6, 2026, the

2:33:43Philadelphia Police Department reports

2:33:44there were 463

2:33:46cases of rape reported. And this doesn't

2:33:49even account for the under reporting

2:33:51when it comes to the cases of sexual

2:33:53violence. So that's why I introduced a

2:33:56privilege resolution authorizing the

2:33:58Committee on Public Health and Human

2:34:00Services to hold hearings examining the

2:34:03city's response to sexual violence,

2:34:06including support for survivors, law

2:34:08enforcement's response, and the

2:34:10investigation and prosecution of sexual

2:34:12assault and prevention of sexual

2:34:14violence. I look forward to scheduling

2:34:17this hearing. We have a very busy uh

2:34:19roster in front of us, but this is going

2:34:21to be our priority. Um I also wanted to

2:34:25quickly comment on um an update on the

2:34:30Academy of Natural Sciences the closure.

2:34:32uh very grateful to uh uh the chair of

2:34:35the legislative oversight committee for

2:34:38rescheduling uh very promptly the

2:34:40hearing uh to look into and get on

2:34:44public record Drexel's decision uh to to

2:34:48do the public closure to do the closure

2:34:50of the public part of the museum and

2:34:52what they're planning for the rest of

2:34:53the academy there and that is scheduled

2:34:55for October 26th from 2 to 5 right here

2:34:59in city hall advocates from all over the

2:35:02the country are clamoring for this

2:35:03hearing and I'm excited to show that

2:35:06city council responds to the need of our

2:35:09residents. And finally, I would like to

2:35:11remind everyone I'm holding a hearing on

2:35:13small business next week, Wednesday, 14

2:35:16uh October 14th from 2:00 to 5:00. The

2:35:19hearing coincides perfectly with this

2:35:21weekend's made in Philadelphia market

2:35:24right here in Dworth Park. I encourage

2:35:26everyone uh today to drop by the market

2:35:29and to support our entrepreneurs and pre

2:35:32please reach out to my office if you

2:35:34would like to provide testimony for next

2:35:36week's hearing. Uh with that, thank you,

2:35:38Council President, and you'll back my

2:35:39time.

2:35:41>> Thank you very much to recognize this

2:35:43majority Captain Gilmore Richardson.

2:35:45>> Thank you very much, Council President.

2:35:47and I wasn't certain it would work uh

2:35:48this week, but I'm so happy that our

2:35:51council member Thomas from District F in

2:35:54Houston, Texas, was able to join us here

2:35:56in council chambers. You all heard her

2:35:58bio uh that I shared earlier in our

2:36:00session, but I am so excited uh to

2:36:02welcome my sister, council member from

2:36:04the great city of Houston, Texas. Please

2:36:07rise and recognize council member Tom.

2:36:09>> Welcome.

2:36:11Welcome,

2:36:16madam majority leader. Just to make sure

2:36:18during her visit, get a cheese steak. I

2:36:22think we got a couple Rita water ice

2:36:25stands available as well. But welcome to

2:36:27the city of Philadelphia as well.

2:36:31With that being said, there are no more

2:36:33speeches. The chair recognizes majority

2:36:36whip council Isaiah Thomas for a motion

2:36:39to adjourn.

2:36:43Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

2:36:45council stands adjourned until Thursday,

2:36:47October 15th, 2026 at 10 a.m.

2:36:50>> It has been moving property seconded.

2:36:54That council stand adjourned until

2:36:56Thursday, October the 15th at 10 a.m.

2:36:58All in favor will signify by saying I.

2:37:02>> Those opposed, the eyes have it. The

2:37:04motion carries. Thank you all very much.

2:37:06Great job today.

2:37:14>> [music]

2:37:21[music]