[0:12] Chamber. I'm calling to order this
[0:15] meeting. Legislative meeting of the
[0:16] council of the district of columbia.
[0:18] this is the 28th legislative meeting of council period 26.
[0:23] and I believe all the members are participating in person.
[0:29] I think well, we'll see. We'll determine a quorum in a
[0:32] minute. This is an additional meeting.
[0:35] that is to say, it's not a regularly scheduled meeting.
[0:38] the next regular meeting of the council legislative meeting will
[0:41] be on may 5th. We always begin our legislative
[0:44] meetings. With a moment of silence.
[0:45] I would ask that members on the dais, as well as everyone in the
[0:50] chamber, respect a moment of silence, an opportunity for
[0:56] reflection. Madam secretary, would you
[1:16] please call the roll? Council member allen here.
[1:20] councilmember bonds here. Councilmember crawford here.
[1:23] councilmember felder, present. Councilmember frumin.
[1:27] present. Councilmember henderson here.
[1:29] councilmember louis. George here.
[1:31] here. Chairman mendelson.
[1:33] present. Councilmember nadeau.
[1:37] here. Councilmember parker here.
[1:40] councilmember pinto. Present councilmember robert
[1:45] white. Councilmember robert white,
[1:48] councilmember trayon white, sr. Present.
[1:50] mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, madam secretary.
[1:55] the agenda says consent agenda. I'm going to assume it's a non
[2:01] consent agenda unless there's objection.
[2:04] and so we will proceed to first reading and vote on proposed
[2:08] bills. We have bill 20 6-461 entitled
[2:12] the juvenile curfew amendment act of 2026, reported out of the
[2:16] committee on judiciary and public safety, chaired by
[2:19] council member pinto councilmember.
[2:21] pinto. Thank you, mr. Chairman.
[2:24] as discussed in the cao today, we have before us the permanent
[2:27] version of the juvenile curfew amendment act, and we must
[2:32] continue ensuring that our kids are engaged in positive
[2:36] activities and keep them safe from dangerous situations.
[2:42] again, over the last eight months, this tool to allow mpd
[2:44] to declare specific juvenile curfew zones and extend the
[2:48] applicability to 17 year olds has proven to be successful in
[2:53] keeping youth, residents, visitors and others safe and
[2:55] preventing harm. We have seen an uprise in
[2:59] so-called teen takeovers, and we need to similarly be responsive
[3:04] with new tools ourselves. Curfew violations in dc do not
[3:09] result in arrests and the curfew zones themselves only apply to
[3:15] groups of eight or more unsupervised kids under the age
[3:20] of 18. And I want to reiterate that.
[3:22] so people know that even when a zone is declared, kids in
[3:26] smaller groups are still free to be in those spaces and enjoy
[3:30] them as they can with any other space across the city.
[3:35] I also want to note two questions that have come came up
[3:38] earlier in the discussion. One is that the national guard
[3:41] is not authorized to make arrests, and two to
[3:45] councilmember louis george's questions of opc complaints.
[3:48] there has been one that I'm aware of, which is the one
[3:51] instance that happened over this past weekend that we are
[3:55] tracking closely. And concerned about.
[4:00] so I won't repeat everything I said about the at the cao of the
[4:04] importance of this bill, but I do think that as all adults
[4:09] throughout our city, whether you're on the council or whether
[4:12] you work in an agency, whether you're a parent, a teacher,
[4:15] anyone who works with young people, we all should be on the
[4:19] same team that it is incumbent on all of us to do everything we
[4:22] can to support and invest in our young people, and to set clear
[4:27] standards of safe behavior to keep them safe.
[4:30] and I know that we're all committed to that goal.
[4:33] and so I ask my colleagues to support this bill today.
[4:38] thank you, councilmember. The agenda states that you are
[4:44] moving an amendment nature of a substitute.
[4:47] yeah. So thank you very much.
[4:49] I was moving an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
[4:51] but after close collaboration and work with councilmember
[4:55] crawford and mayor bowser, I'm happy to say that we have come
[4:59] to a compromise and I'm withdrawing this as today,
[5:03] councilmember crawford and I have found a workable solution
[5:05] to move this legislation forward with one combined ans and so I'm
[5:11] going to be accepting her as friendly, but I'll defer to her
[5:15] to to speak to some of those elements.
[5:19] and then I'll have some some other comments.
[5:21] but I want to thank councilmember crawford for her
[5:24] partnership and her leadership on this important issue.
[5:27] then I'm going to recognize you, councilmember crawford.
[5:30] thank you, mr. Chairman. And procedurally, I'll also have
[5:33] an amendment to the ins that councilmember pinto and I worked
[5:36] on. After I speak to the ans, I have
[5:40] no idea what you just said. Okay, so I'll start with the
[5:44] ans. So first I'm moving to an ans to
[5:48] build 26 461. This ans is the result of
[5:52] spending a significant amount of time listening to residents who
[5:55] are concerned about safety, to advocates and importantly, the
[5:58] young people themselves. What we heard was not one sided.
[6:02] everyone wants to and deserves to feel safe in their community.
[6:05] but we also have to recognize that feeling safe can be
[6:08] experienced differently by different members of our
[6:11] community. Too often, efforts to create
[6:13] safety for some can unintentionally create harm for
[6:16] others. This ans reflects an effort to
[6:19] take that feedback seriously and strike a more thoughtful
[6:21] balance. First, the ans streamlines and
[6:24] clarifies authority. It consolidates the mayor's and
[6:27] chief of police powers into a single framework and removes
[6:31] duplicative processes. It also eliminates eliminates
[6:33] the ability for business improvement districts and main
[6:36] street organizations to petition for curfew zones.
[6:39] as korea notes, expanding that type of authority to individuals
[6:43] and entities that are not elected risk reinforcing spatial
[6:48] injustice and neighborhood tensions between youth and their
[6:51] community leaders, particularly when decisions about who belongs
[6:55] in certain spaces are not made with youth input or broader
[6:58] community accountability. Second, this ans removes the
[7:02] ability to impose temporary citywide extended curfew hours
[7:06] starting as soon as 8 p.m. The intent here is to keep curfew as
[7:10] a targeted tool. We know from the committee's
[7:14] committee report and mpd that these curfew zone extensions are
[7:17] most often used to respond to specific gatherings, like teen
[7:22] takeovers, where there is credible intelligence about time
[7:25] and place. If we are at a point where we
[7:28] need a citywide restriction of that magnitude, that is an
[7:32] emergency and the mayor already has emergency authorities for
[7:35] that. This ans makes that distinction
[7:38] clear. Third, this ans also updates the
[7:41] language of the statute by replacing the term juvenile with
[7:44] youth. That is a deliberate shift away
[7:47] from terminology rooted in the criminal legal system and toward
[7:50] language that reflects how we should be engaging young people
[7:53] as members of our community to be supported, not just manage or
[7:57] penalize. Fourth, it strengthens notice
[7:59] requirements, but I'll address this more in my subsequent
[8:02] amendment because we made some changes here.
[8:05] fifth, it establishes guardrails on enforcement.
[8:08] we've seen and heard from youth serving community organizations
[8:11] that increase reliance on police interaction, particularly for
[8:15] black youth, can exacerbate disparities and erode trust,
[8:18] even when policies are intended to improve safety.
[8:22] the ans makes clear that young people cannot be stopped or
[8:25] dispersed simply for being present, for being in small
[8:28] groups, or for reasons that do not actually constitute a
[8:31] violation of the curfew or existing law.
[8:34] one more minute, chairman. Without objection, these are
[8:38] common sense protections that ensure enforcement is tied to
[8:41] behavior, not perception. And finally, this ans recognizes
[8:45] something that the research is very clear about.
[8:48] enforcement alone does not address the underlying
[8:50] conditions driving these gatherings.
[8:52] if we are telling young people where they cannot be, we should
[8:56] simultaneously be a part of creating spaces where they can
[8:58] be. So this ans requires youth
[9:01] programing. When a curfew zone is in effect,
[9:03] but it does so in a practical way.
[9:05] it does not assume the district must stand up entirely.
[9:09] new programing overnight. The district can work with
[9:11] community based organizations, and as the mayor noted in her
[9:15] letter, the district already offers a range of late night and
[9:18] youth focused activities through dpr and community partners.
[9:21] the af. The ans also ensures that young
[9:24] people can travel to and from those activities without being
[9:28] penalized, and that their voices are included in shaping what
[9:31] those opportunities look like. So at its core, this ans shifts
[9:34] the approach from one that relies primarily on restriction
[9:38] and enforcement to one that is more targeted, transparent, and
[9:41] grounded in engagement. It keeps curfew as a tool, but
[9:44] uses it more precisely and pairs it with the kind of supports
[9:47] that we know actually make a difference.
[9:49] and finally, I want to thank rania dinkins, my legislative
[9:52] director, and lauren mendoza of ogc, for the time and
[9:56] consideration that they spent on drafting this ans and
[9:59] councilmember pinto and her team and the executive for working
[10:02] collaboratively with me on this. So I move this amendment and
[10:05] urge my colleagues to support. So let me see if I understand
[10:08] what we're doing here procedurally.
[10:10] so you circulated an amendment in nature of a substitute
[10:13] yesterday. Yes.
[10:13] that's what you're moving. And then you're going to move an
[10:16] amendment to that? Yes.
[10:17] and the amendment at 1230? Well, I have two.
[10:21] I have one at 1230 and one at 129.
[10:24] this is the 1231. This is to the permanent bill.
[10:31] okay. Because the 1230 is to the
[10:35] permanent bill, which is what we have before us.
[10:37] yes. Okay.
[10:39] so what we have now before us is the amendment nature of a
[10:43] substitute. Now, you want me to recognize
[10:45] you for an amendment to that? Unless.
[10:48] councilmember pinto. I didn't know if you had
[10:49] something else that you were adding.
[10:51] I think we want to get the amendment.
[10:53] we want to get on the floor. What?
[10:54] we're going to get on the floor. But you don't get to give a
[10:57] whole nother four minute speech. I was just going to hit the
[11:02] points in the notice for the amendment speech.
[11:05] all right. So so that all members
[11:09] understand councilmember pinto has moved the committee print.
[11:14] councilmember crawford has moved an amendment initiative, a
[11:17] substitute. And I'm now recognizing you to
[11:19] move an amendment to that. A n s yes.
[11:24] so this amendment, which I circulated at 12:30 p.m., makes
[11:27] the following changes in collaboration with councilmember
[11:30] pinto. It updates the findings section
[11:32] of the code to include a mention of team takeovers and the rise
[11:36] in social media use to. To disseminate this information,
[11:41] it reverts the citywide curfew hours back to what the hours
[11:44] were prior to the first emergency, which passed in july
[11:48] 20th, 2025. So that is midnight on weekends
[11:50] and during the summer months. It defines youth to add clarity
[11:54] to the term extended youth curfew zone, it only requires
[11:58] the new components of the zone notice, including a plain, plain
[12:03] language description of lawful activities and details about
[12:06] alternative youth events to be posted online instead of on the
[12:11] physical signs. It allows the police to issue
[12:13] verbal warnings. No sooner than 30 minutes before
[12:17] the start of curfew, and then it requires the chief of police to
[12:21] consider several statistics concerning youth, specifically
[12:25] before determining whether to designate an extended youth
[12:28] curfew zone, aligning with the most recently passed language in
[12:32] b 26 460. So that is what is before us.
[12:39] I'll recognize councilmember pinto.
[12:46] I will just say, you know, thank you again to councilor crawford
[12:50] for working so closely with us on this and to ensure that this
[12:54] language adopts the intention that you were trying to do, and
[12:56] also ensures that it is workable for mpd and for the community.
[13:01] and so I will be accepting both the a n's and the amendments to
[13:06] the a n's as friendly to the underlying permanent.
[13:10] okay. Now the only way something is
[13:13] friendly is if there's no objection, I can ask if there's
[13:16] any objection. Is there any objection to the
[13:19] amendment to the a n's hearing? None.
[13:24] it is accepted. Now, that's what was circulated
[13:27] at 1230 by email today at 12:30 p.m.
[13:31] that's accepted. Without objection.
[13:32] we have the a n's as amended before us.
[13:37] is there a discussion on that? Similarly, I'm accepting the a
[13:41] n's as friendly. I can ask.
[13:47] objection. Yes.
[13:48] council member tran yeah I have a question in regards to the
[13:53] amendment you sent. I guess.
[13:59] 129. That is to the emergency which
[14:03] is not before us. Okay.
[14:06] it's confusing on which what what are we.
[14:08] which one are you talking about? What time frame?
[14:10] 1230. 1230.
[14:12] wait, because that's the question I have is about the
[14:14] next one. So.
[14:16] so my question is, is there any objection to the amendment
[14:20] nature of a substitute, as amended?
[14:25] hearing none, that is accepted. So now we have the print as
[14:32] amended. Is there discussion?
[14:35] and sorry, to make matters more complicated, I have one oral
[14:39] amendment. Oh.
[14:40] not yet. Oh never mind, that's on the
[14:45] emergency. We have the amendment in the
[14:51] nature of a substitute, as amended before us.
[14:56] no, we have the bill as amended before us.
[15:01] the bill as amended before us. Councilmember allen, do you want
[15:04] to be recognized? I do, thank you.
[15:08] I want to thank councilmember crawford for the work to put
[15:12] this in and to put it as together.
[15:14] I'll be very frank. This is what should have come
[15:15] out of the judiciary committee to begin with.
[15:18] the committee would allow curfews citywide.
[15:22] it would give an unaccountable organizations the ability to
[15:27] request curfews, no requirement for alternative programing.
[15:31] I've said consistently that a narrow, precise and time limited
[15:35] curfew can be a tool, but it simply cannot be the only tool
[15:39] that our city has or uses. Part of the reason that we are
[15:43] here is the result of a lack of investment in the very teens
[15:46] that we are, that are the subject of this conversation.
[15:49] so what scenario of allowing citywide policies saying that
[15:54] they cannot gather in public space makes sense.
[15:57] it's that kind of overly broad provision that would not allow
[16:00] me to vote for the committee print without councilmember
[16:03] crawford's important and substantial changes.
[16:05] when pushed, we have seen dpr put together meaningful and
[16:09] positive experiences. I can note that around greenleaf
[16:12] rec center and randall rec center, the activities taking
[16:16] place inside were largely very positive, and I think there's a
[16:18] lot of lessons learned about what happened when the events
[16:21] ended, and a lot of lessons learned that dpr can continue to
[16:23] work on. But unquestionably, I heard
[16:26] positive feedback from young people who were at the events
[16:29] and inside. We also can't limit this just to
[16:36] dpr. We know that we have incredible
[16:38] community organizations that can partner and I think councilor
[16:41] crawford's legislation does that.
[16:44] I have to note, though, this is the same system, the same dpr
[16:48] that closes most of its rec centers at the exact hours that
[16:51] we are concerned about. So the city has been lacking
[16:55] with imagination and creativity to reach the very people it's
[16:58] concerned about. I think councilmember crawford's
[17:01] amendment changes. This requires the city to
[17:03] provide and promote alternatives whenever they want to be able to
[17:06] use this tool. And again, I'm grateful for the
[17:09] work that councilmember crawford and her team did to put this in
[17:11] and put it before us today. Thank you.
[17:14] thank you, councilmember henderson.
[17:17] thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me just say at the top that
[17:20] I'll be supporting this measure today.
[17:22] as former mayor marion barry said in 1995, when he first
[17:27] signed this original curfew legislation into law, that this
[17:29] is a tool, one that I think has been useful.
[17:33] one of the interesting things about american life is that
[17:36] there's some collective things that have happened in all of our
[17:39] upbringings, regardless of where we grew up, but mainly for those
[17:42] of us who were raised in cities, one of those was the parental
[17:46] and community expectation that when the street lights came on,
[17:49] kids needed to be headed towards the house.
[17:52] but somewhere along the way, in 2026, that has become a bit
[17:57] controversial. And I know that growing up today
[18:00] is different than growing up, as many of us did in the 90s and
[18:03] early 2000. But some of those dangers still
[18:05] exist in dc you all had gogos in new york city.
[18:07] there were skating rinks in columbus, georgia, where I went
[18:10] to high school. There was the mall and all of
[18:12] these scenarios, all of these businesses closed.
[18:14] at a certain point, there were no more movies to be played, no
[18:17] more starbucks coffees that you can buy.
[18:18] and even if you were at someone's house, eventually,
[18:21] carl's mom didn't want us in her den anymore because she was
[18:23] trying to go to bed. At some point, the activities
[18:28] ended and folks had to go home. Now, a curfew cannot be the only
[18:32] thing. And that's why I sent a letter
[18:35] to the mayor's office back in march asking for the district's
[18:38] plans to engage the district's youth this summer and spring,
[18:41] especially given so many other events that will be going on.
[18:44] they responded a few weeks ago, dpr did roll out a very
[18:48] successful and engaging teen spring jam and programing.
[18:51] during spring break, I followed up with dpr about how things
[18:55] went, what it took to pull that off from a resources standpoint,
[18:58] because while it may seem seamless, it actually required
[19:01] lots of staff manpower and also questions around what this looks
[19:05] like from a sustainability standpoint so that we could
[19:08] continue to plan for some of these in the future.
[19:10] I've also started a conversation with some of our bid leaders
[19:13] about how they can adapt some of their spring and summer
[19:15] programing to offer something geared toward teens and their
[19:19] general lineup. They were open to those
[19:21] conversations, and we have a follow up meeting with some
[19:23] youth serving organizations to further brainstorm in coming
[19:26] weeks. The expanded curfew legislation
[19:28] that we're voting on today is not a panacea.
[19:29] it is a tool. It is a tool that mpd has not
[19:33] employed every day. They have not employed every
[19:35] weekend. And I will certainly admit that
[19:37] the coordination between dpr and pd and metro transit pd, when
[19:41] these sponsored events in need to be refined, but also we need
[19:45] to continue working with parents and community members as well.
[19:48] in terms of what are our expectations around young people
[19:51] when they're in public spaces and what happens in the evening
[19:55] times. But there are events going on
[19:56] all the time, even this weekend on kingman island, there's going
[19:58] to be a teen band summit, featuring eight bands from
[20:01] teens. Suggest these spaces to your
[20:04] young people in your life separately.
[20:06] I do want to call on dc public schools this summer to work with
[20:10] high school student government organizations to work through
[20:13] some of the issues such that safe third spaces like football
[20:17] games and basketball games are not closed off as options next
[20:21] school year. Because I feel like that has led
[20:23] to where we are today. And with that, I will stop and
[20:27] say, I hope that we can move this forward today.
[20:29] thank you. Thank you.
[20:32] councilmember henderson. Councilmember felder.
[20:35] thank you, mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, everyone.
[20:38] first and foremost, I would like to take a moment to thank
[20:41] council members pinto and crawford for their leadership on
[20:44] this matter. It's also important to reflect
[20:48] on how we got here as a city. Last summer, the council voted
[20:52] to implement the juvenile curfew emergency amendment act of 2025.
[20:57] we did so because there was a clear need for intervention in
[21:01] order to mitigate the rise in levels of violence and vandalism
[21:05] that we were seeing from youth in the district.
[21:08] now, as a native washingtonian, I remember what it was like
[21:11] being a teenager in our city. And here's what I know to be
[21:15] true. Teenagers want to have fun.
[21:18] teenagers want to spend time with their families and friends.
[21:22] teenagers want to keep a little bit of money in their pockets,
[21:25] and teenagers want to explore new places across our city.
[21:29] we also took advantage of the city's kids ride free program,
[21:33] the summer youth employment program, and activities
[21:36] happening in our local neighborhoods and recreation
[21:39] centers. Many of those same programs
[21:41] still exist today, and some have expanded.
[21:44] now, in addition to the troubling videos of youth
[21:47] captured at navy yard, which let me be clear, those videos are
[21:52] not a reflection of all of our youth.
[21:55] there are also videos of law enforcement interactions with
[21:58] youth that are extremely concerning and should be
[22:02] investigated, which is why I support this bill today because
[22:06] it makes no sense for us to put any of our youth in harm's way.
[22:10] now, here's the reality. This bill is not a tool, but
[22:14] it's not. Or rather, this bill is a tool,
[22:17] but it's not the only tool. If we all can agree that there
[22:20] needs to be a holistic approach when creating more constructive
[22:25] ways for our youth to gather in a positive and productive
[22:28] manner, we also can agree that the government cannot substitute
[22:32] in the role of being a parent, and that at some point, there
[22:35] needs to be a broader discussion about what parental
[22:39] accountability looks like in the district of columbia.
[22:41] as city leaders, we have a responsibility to protect our
[22:45] residents of all ages, and that includes making the best
[22:49] informed decisions on behalf of our young folks.
[22:51] while I'm in favor of extending the juvenile curfew, I also look
[22:55] forward to working with my council colleagues and community
[22:58] members to develop a holistic approach that includes
[23:02] programing and activities that that allow our youth to
[23:06] congregate and safe and productive environments.
[23:08] and I too look look forward to my colleagues supporting this
[23:11] bill as well. Thank you, mr. Chairman.
[23:15] thank you. Councilmember felder.
[23:17] councilmember robert white. Thank you, chairman.
[23:20] I want to thank councilmember pinto and councilmember crawford
[23:24] for working on an amendment while while the amendment in the
[23:29] nature of a substitute does improve the legislation, it
[23:34] still doesn't address a fundamental fact, which is that
[23:37] the curfews are not working right.
[23:41] so people want to be able to go out, go out to dinner, feel
[23:44] safe. We all deserve that.
[23:47] but as my colleague said, we started these curfews last
[23:51] summer for the better part of a year.
[23:53] we've had the curfews and the things that we're pointing to
[23:56] saying, these are the reasons we need.
[23:57] the curfews are things that have happened while we've had
[24:00] curfews. If it's not working, why would
[24:03] we keep doing this? But to make it worse?
[24:05] and this is why the strategy matters, right?
[24:08] the proposed budget that we got last week cuts over $6 million
[24:13] from the department of behavioral health, including
[24:15] school based behavioral health. Is this going to make it better
[24:19] or worse? It's going to get worse.
[24:21] the budget the proposed budget cuts $35 million from the
[24:25] department of human services, including for family support
[24:28] services. This is going to make it worse.
[24:32] the proposed budget we received last week cuts over $5 million
[24:35] from the department of parks and rec, which we're saying is going
[24:38] to come save the day. This makes the issue worse.
[24:42] but on the other side of the ledger it adds $90 million for
[24:46] mpd. How is it that we always have
[24:49] the money to incarcerate and handcuff, but we don't have the
[24:53] money to prevent? The reason I'm voting no is
[24:56] because I'm not going to be part of a system that always says, we
[25:00] have the resources for consequences, but not the
[25:04] resources for prevention. We can't keep going in this
[25:07] circle and expect anything other than what we have.
[25:11] and not only will it get worse, the cost will go up.
[25:15] when we don't invest in these spaces.
[25:17] dpr mental health, family services parenting doesn't get
[25:21] better. Outcomes don't get better, they
[25:22] get worse. And then they're going to say,
[25:24] you know what we need? We need more police.
[25:26] it is insanity. So I understand the political
[25:31] pressure to not be seen as soft on crime, but at some point we
[25:34] have at least got to be logical. This is not logical.
[25:38] and we cannot forget that these young people are seeing this
[25:42] conversation. They're seeing us pointing
[25:44] fingers at them saying, look, these young people, what they're
[25:46] doing, the vast majority of them are not involved with them, but
[25:49] they're getting the same finger pointed at them.
[25:52] they're using the same resources, and they're seeing
[25:54] the resources go to consequences.
[25:57] this cannot be the way that we operate.
[25:59] this cannot be the way that we govern.
[26:01] so while I do want to see an end to the bad behavior that happens
[26:07] in these groups, I've got to recognize that this is not a
[26:10] path to a better outcome. It is a reinvestment in the
[26:14] outcome that has gotten us here. And I don't be a part of it, so
[26:17] I can't vote for it. Thank you.
[26:18] chairman. Thank you.
[26:22] councilmember white councilmember nadeau.
[26:28] I know. You know, I'm looking for who
[26:32] else wants to be recognized. Councilmember.
[26:33] nadeau. You have the floor.
[26:39] we can't hear him. Councilmember.
[26:43] nadeau. Hold on a second.
[26:51] ask her to check her. Can you check your mic?
[26:54] councilmember. Nadeau because we can't hear
[26:56] you. You're not muted.
[27:02] say something. I'm talking.
[27:05] can you hear me? Oh, yes.
[27:06] it's beautiful. Oh, wonderful.
[27:10] I'll take it. Maybe I should quit while I'm
[27:11] ahead. No.
[27:12] just kidding. Okay.
[27:14] thank you chairman. Other colleagues today have
[27:16] explained how this policy is not effective, harms our kids, and
[27:20] disproportionately impacts black and brown children.
[27:22] so I'm not going to repeat that. We need to be serious about
[27:26] safety and not play politics with our communities and kids.
[27:30] as a mom of two kids and one who has significant resources, even
[27:34] I struggle with parenting sometimes.
[27:36] but one thing I've learned, especially as my kids get older,
[27:40] is that kids need to be treated with respect, they need to be
[27:43] heard, and more than anything, they need the adults responsible
[27:45] for them. And I consider that all of us to
[27:48] be there for them when they're struggling and to help them make
[27:50] good choices for themselves and for those around them.
[27:53] this bill doesn't do that, in my opinion.
[27:56] instead, it doles out punishment and makes things worse.
[27:58] maybe not immediately, because I know a lot of people think that
[28:01] we have to be tough and that we get results that way, but
[28:03] there's just way too much evidence about the long term
[28:06] negative impacts on kids in our communities.
[28:07] with these types of policies, for me to ignore it.
[28:09] and this may be my last year on the council, but that makes it
[28:12] all the more important to me that I do not contribute to
[28:14] taking our city down the wrong path when it comes to our youth.
[28:18] in 2016, I introduced the legislation that established the
[28:21] current out of school time office that offers kids after
[28:24] school and summer programs, and later I introduced legislation
[28:28] that would have expanded out of school time programing to all
[28:30] d.c. Public schools and charter school students, with an
[28:32] emphasis on access for youth who are at risk, low income and
[28:35] criminal justice involved. I supported creation, expansion
[28:38] of violence interruption programs in my ward and district
[28:41] wide, finding money in the budget to make sure those
[28:43] programs continue and expand. We make choices in how we spend
[28:47] our money. The mayor has also made choices.
[28:50] the mayor's proposed fy 27 budget cuts, over $6 million
[28:54] from the department of behavioral services, including
[28:57] school based behavioral health, $35 million from the department
[29:00] of human services, including for family support services and $5
[29:04] million from the department of parks and rec for site based
[29:07] programing. Her budget adds $6.5 million to
[29:11] youth rehabilitative services, including for secure detention
[29:13] of youth. And as council member allen
[29:15] mentioned, 90 million for mpd. She's now choosing with her
[29:19] emergency declaration last week to double down on what does not
[29:22] work youth curfews. Even as she takes away funding
[29:24] from the programs that we know do work, and this legislation
[29:28] before us today does the same. For months, we extended the
[29:31] emergency curfew legislation, and each time we said we needed
[29:33] to work on a comprehensive plan that includes the programs and
[29:36] initiatives I listed, and that we need a permanent piece of
[29:38] legislation that could get a hearing and vetting.
[29:40] I've said no to the emergency extensions, but have always been
[29:43] open to a comprehensive solution.
[29:45] the bill before us today is not it.
[29:48] I thank my colleagues for attempting some improvements on
[29:51] this bill by adding programing and checks on the curfews.
[29:54] it is not enough though. What we have here is a rebranded
[29:58] version of the tough on crime laws of the past.
[30:01] a curfews first approach that's ineffective because it fails to
[30:04] support our youth. I can't in good conscience vote
[30:07] for something that is tried and proven as bad policy.
[30:10] thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you.
[30:14] councilmember nadeau councilmember louis george.
[30:17] thank you. Chairman.
[30:20] adding and utilizing this tool. While this city is currently
[30:24] under federal occupation is dangerous.
[30:27] it is dangerous for our young people.
[30:29] it is dangerous for our community as a whole.
[30:32] and the risk, the risk does not outweigh the perceived benefits.
[30:39] what we have seen since these expanded juvenile curfews have
[30:43] gone into effect this weekend. Videos and headlines circulated
[30:48] showing officer pulling away young women forcefully off a
[30:51] bike riding pass that was two not in a group of eight.
[30:54] two young women pulled off their bikes.
[30:57] we've received reports and videos of officers and armed
[31:01] guards threatening youth with pepper spray and paint guns,
[31:05] things we vow to get rid of after the george george floyd
[31:08] era of protest and actions that were taken.
[31:11] and yet these things pepper spray and paint guns are being
[31:15] utilized in this moment to threaten and enforce these
[31:18] curfews. I've also heard reports of
[31:21] officers outside of the randall teen center event.
[31:24] this is from youth saying they were being herded toward the
[31:28] youth curfew zone in navy yard, where they would be in violation
[31:33] of the curfew. And we've seen videos of
[31:36] national guard troops and officers interrogating youth
[31:39] coming off the metro in southeast as early as 4 p.m.
[31:43] we've seen it with one officer even taunting a metro rider.
[31:48] we're going to get you before they even came up the escalator.
[31:54] this is what our young people are experiencing, and this is
[31:57] what we are telling them that their government believes is
[32:01] necessary for them to be safe. And this is what we're telling
[32:04] them, their their government and their community thinks about
[32:08] them as young people without fully formed brain cells.
[32:11] they are the ones who have to be curfew and police.
[32:14] now, this is a city that has first amendment protests happen
[32:18] every single day, and our officers are trained at handling
[32:21] first amendment protests every single day and can plan for it.
[32:25] so I'm not sure why we can't do the preventative planning like
[32:28] we do for first amendment protests, without having to put
[32:31] a curfew in place. That puts our young people at
[32:33] this risk. This type of coordination
[32:36] between federal forces and mpd is a threat to young people, but
[32:40] it is also a threat to home rule.
[32:43] no other city has national guard troops, federal agents who are
[32:46] not trained in de-escalation and enforcing curfews for their
[32:51] youth. We are the capital city and we
[32:54] are a testing ground. And if we want autonomy, we have
[32:57] to handle our own enforcement. And until we can do that, we
[33:00] should not be utilizing a tool that continues to put our young
[33:04] people at risk and allows us to passively allow for autonomy to
[33:08] be treaded on in this moment. Now we're being asked to vote on
[33:12] a permanent version, despite evidence that the expanded
[33:14] curfews are escalating and not ameliorating the situation.
[33:18] and it's not surprising because research from juvenile curfew
[33:22] laws in other jurisdictions, ten more seconds have shown that
[33:25] curfews did not result in fewer instances of the youth involved.
[33:28] crime, public disturbances or high risk behaviors.
[33:31] so we know the things that work, and there are alternatives to
[33:34] this bill. This is not the right time to
[33:36] use this tool, and I would urge my colleagues not to support
[33:39] doing so. Thank you.
[33:42] thank you. Councilmember.
[33:43] councilmember. Trayon white, sr.
[33:45] thank you, chairman. We all know that doing the same
[33:50] thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is
[33:53] insanity. Since 2025, we've practiced this
[33:59] model of juvenile curfew and it hasn't worked consistently week
[34:05] after week, month after month. We've seen the youth gathering
[34:08] without real intervention and prevention.
[34:12] in 2024, during the secure dc omnibus amendment act of 2024, I
[34:17] offered an amendment that passed the council.
[34:20] but when we got the budget in 2025, that particular part was
[34:24] taken out and not funded, and that amendment asked for a real,
[34:29] comprehensive plan to address public safety in washington, dc,
[34:32] which we still don't have. We are throwing things to the
[34:36] wall, hoping that it sticks and hopes that we can create a safe,
[34:41] lovable, friendly, walkable environment for district
[34:45] residents. We've heard the quote that when
[34:48] youth don't feel loved from the village, they will burn it down
[34:51] to feel its warmth. And we're seeing their actions.
[34:55] we must meet them where they are, hear their needs, and use
[35:00] our $22 billion to address their issues.
[35:02] we have seen consistent divestments in youth, young
[35:08] adults services all across the district year after year.
[35:10] they say they want recreation centers.
[35:13] I consistently put money in ward 8 for recreation centers will
[35:16] happen. Even this council voted to take
[35:18] money out of two recreation centers just a month ago, and a
[35:22] ward that has the most issues and the most youth out of
[35:25] anywhere in washington dc. We cannot wait until young
[35:28] people end up in the justice system to decide that we care.
[35:31] we need real investment in our youth through literacy,
[35:36] recreation, mentorship, mentorship, interns, access to
[35:40] careers and spaces where they can grow and be productive.
[35:45] I admire councilmember crawford's amendments to create
[35:51] more wraparound services and intentional how policing is
[35:54] done, but I'm concerned we are not going further enough.
[35:57] we have more money than we ever had in dc history, yet we're
[36:00] doing the least than we ever did.
[36:01] I heard a quote by marion barry. Marion barry believed in
[36:04] investments on the front end. When we had a $9 billion budget.
[36:08] today we have a $22 billion budget in less for more.
[36:11] so I'm going to vote no in support of this bill today and
[36:14] hopes that we can come back to the table to create a real
[36:17] solution to address our youth issues, which not just a youth
[36:20] problem, but also an adult problem, because we are raising
[36:22] our young people directly and indirectly.
[36:24] thank you, chairman. Thank you, council member.
[36:29] further on the. On the bill, councilmember
[36:34] parker thank you, mr. Chairman. We have all seen the scenes
[36:39] across the district, large crowds, fights, breaking out,
[36:42] officers chasing young people through the streets.
[36:45] and there is no question that the behavior is troubling and
[36:49] demands a serious response. What I grapple with is the
[36:55] debate feels overly simplified. It's either yes, give us a
[36:59] curfew or no, let's do nothing. But I want to be equally clear
[37:02] about something. Declining to extend the curfew
[37:05] is not the same as excusing what we are seeing play out in the
[37:08] streets of the district. We can hold two truths at once.
[37:11] the behavior is unacceptable, full stop.
[37:13] and this policy is not the right solution.
[37:16] as a long term application. Instead, I'm hoping we can
[37:20] finally assemble a youth agenda that centers on expanding
[37:24] recreational outlets, job, mental health, and
[37:27] accountability. I voted for the curfew last year
[37:29] on an emergency basis to give the government time to implement
[37:32] a long term, sustainable strategy.
[37:35] you may remember then chief pamela smith said they needed
[37:38] more time to implement a long term solution.
[37:41] a year later, we are back in the same place.
[37:44] the incidents are continuing and the curfew has not delivered
[37:48] what we were promised. This tells me their approach is
[37:51] not working now. I think folks are well, but I
[37:55] think we ought to be a little bit more creative.
[37:58] I genuinely worry that more young people are being stopped
[38:01] and are at risk of being pulled into the justice system, and if
[38:05] we the only way we can make this policy more effective is to
[38:08] punish more kids than. We should question whether the
[38:11] policy is the right one to begin with.
[38:13] and let me also say this government.
[38:17] government cannot substitute for parents, families and guardians
[38:21] have a fundamental responsibility to guide and
[38:25] supervise their children. I'm going to say that one more
[38:28] time because it takes a village. Families and guardians have a
[38:32] fundamental responsibility to guide and supervise their
[38:35] children. That role cannot be outsourced
[38:37] to a city wide curfew or to the government.
[38:41] and so while I do not plan to support a further extension of
[38:45] the curfew, I do not plan to vote for a permanent application
[38:49] of the curfew. I am inviting my colleagues, the
[38:53] mayor's team, for us to all sit down to come up with a youth
[38:56] centered agenda that will really address the root causes of what
[38:59] is playing out. And I saw something also, I
[39:02] think it was in the mayor's letter that, oh, when you say
[39:04] root causes, that's really code language for doing nothing.
[39:08] no, actually it's addressing the root causes so that we can have
[39:11] a real solution that works and takes hold.
[39:14] if we have applied more and more curfews and we're seeing more
[39:17] and more young people being detained by cops or running
[39:20] around on national tv by the national guard, that is not only
[39:23] an embarrassment to the district, it lets us know this
[39:25] policy is not working. I digress, I will not support
[39:30] this, but again, I stand ready to work with my colleagues to
[39:33] come up with a solution that actually works.
[39:36] thanks. Thanks.
[39:38] you okay? Believe me.
[40:00] further on, the. The force has amended
[40:05] councilmember frumin. Thank you very much, mr.
[40:07] chairman. I joined in with many of my
[40:11] colleagues who are focused on addressing root causes and
[40:15] investment in our children. I think that is critically
[40:20] important. I think we're doing better than
[40:22] we're giving ourselves credit for.
[40:24] I think that the city has invested significantly.
[40:28] we can do more, much more. But I don't think we should run
[40:32] it down as if we've not done anything in this space.
[40:36] I find this discussion. I feel like there are straw men
[40:42] that have been set up here about a curfew or not a curfew, and
[40:46] that the curfew that gets described is something that is
[40:50] more draconian than the thing that is on the table, honestly.
[40:54] and this idea that where there are groups of people who have
[40:59] come together, large groups and have made clear that it's about
[41:06] behaviors that are going to be negative, the idea that we
[41:09] wouldn't step in and say, no, you can't do that.
[41:12] you got to go someplace else. You can't be in that kind of a
[41:15] grouping. I think it.
[41:18] I don't understand why we would not empower ourselves to do
[41:24] that. I am struck by what
[41:29] councilmember crawford has come up with in terms of the
[41:32] refinements to this bill, and I think so impressive that three
[41:37] months in that you played this kind of a leadership role on
[41:41] this. I think the bill that we're
[41:43] going to vote on is much, much better than what we have seen
[41:48] before and goes to those radioactive spots and tries to
[41:54] get at it and improve it. And I think that that's
[41:57] important. But we also can't just sit on
[42:01] our hands when we have these kinds of gatherings that go
[42:06] south in the way that they have. And I also think while there
[42:11] have been bad episodes and I am deeply troubled by the things
[42:14] that we saw in the recent episodes, it's not the same as
[42:20] it was before the curfew. I mean, when the curfews got put
[42:25] in place, the behaviors went down and there weren't arrests.
[42:29] I don't think we should pretend that that is not the case.
[42:32] when the curfew went away briefly, there was concern about
[42:37] it flaring up. But it isn't that this has
[42:41] absolutely not worked. This has frankly worked pretty
[42:45] well. And to the extent that we keep
[42:48] it surgical in the way that council member crawford has, has
[42:53] moved this bill, it can be a positive tool.
[42:57] but going back to where I started, we can't for a minute
[43:01] think this is the end of what we do.
[43:03] we need to be lifting up these kids, but we also need to be
[43:08] protecting our communities and our kids.
[43:10] so I will be supporting this bill.
[43:47] further, further on the bill, as amended.
[43:50] sure. To my community does midnight
[43:54] basketball. Let me just say that.
[43:59] I urge colleagues to vote for this.
[44:03] I would note that over the last number of months, there have
[44:07] been some members who have expressed concerns about the
[44:13] curfew language and the committee in its markup made
[44:17] some changes. And then today we have accepted
[44:22] unanimously further changes so that the bill that's before us
[44:26] does reflect concerns that members have articulated.
[44:31] I think it's fair to say that the bill that is before us, as
[44:35] amended, is an improvement and has addressed done everything
[44:43] that we can think of to address concerns that have been raised
[44:47] by individual members. I want to note as well that many
[44:53] years ago, I chaired our committee on the judiciary, and
[44:57] one of the concerns I had was juvenile violence, because when
[45:05] juveniles are committing criminal acts, I think that's
[45:09] actually sort of more terrifying to residents than adults.
[45:13] that may not make sense, but I think it is more terrifying.
[45:19] and the issues that we dealt with, the issues that I dealt
[45:24] with were very different than what we're dealing with right
[45:27] now. Now, I'm not saying there aren't
[45:29] the same kinds of criminal acts by some juveniles that there
[45:35] aren't today, what there were before, but we're dealing with a
[45:39] phenomenon that didn't exist ten years ago or 15 years ago, and
[45:43] that's these large gatherings that seem to be fueled by social
[45:47] media. And we're struggling as other
[45:51] cities are struggling with. How do you address these large
[45:56] assemblies, assemblies, two kind of word gathering is two kind of
[46:00] word, two kind of a word. How do we address?
[46:03] yes, I'm hearing in my ear takeover.
[46:04] how do we address these takeovers?
[46:08] and I get it that we do not want to be criminalizing juvenile
[46:14] behavior, but we have to address these gaps, these large
[46:18] takeovers. And that's what this legislation
[46:21] is about, is addressing something that hasn't happened
[46:25] in the past, something that is very, very present and that
[46:31] we're seeing other jurisdictions struggling with.
[46:34] I'm thinking of national harbor last year, which I believe is
[46:39] private property and therefore was able to do what we can't do,
[46:42] which is to just simply ban. Individuals from the property.
[46:47] and we can't do that. So this is our own attempt.
[46:51] and as I said, what is before us now is different, maybe very
[46:56] different than what was before us when we first debated this
[47:00] last summer on a vote that I think was at the time, 8 to 4,
[47:07] maybe 9 to 4. No, because there were only 12
[47:10] members. And so I would urge that members
[47:14] support this bill, as amended. That's before us.
[47:17] if there's no further discussion, roll call.
[47:23] the secretary will call the roll.
[47:26] the vote is on this. The vote is on bill 20 6-461, as
[47:33] amended. Councilmember crawford.
[47:37] yes. Councilmember crawford votes
[47:39] yes. Councilmember felder yes.
[47:41] councilmember felder votes yes. Councilmember frumin.
[47:44] yes. Councilmember frumin votes yes.
[47:47] councilmember henderson yes. Councilmember henderson votes
[47:50] yes. Councilmember lewis george no.
[47:52] councilmember louis george votes no.
[47:55] chairman mendelson. Yes.
[47:56] chairman mendelson votes yes. Councilmember nadeau no.
[48:00] councilmember nadeau votes no. Councilmember parker no.
[48:04] councilmember parker votes no. Councilmember pinto yes.
[48:08] councilmember pinto votes yes. Councilmember robert white no.
[48:12] councilmember robert white votes no.
[48:15] councilmember trayon white, sr. No.
[48:16] councilmember trayon white, sr. Votes no.
[48:18] councilmember allen yes. Councilmember allen votes yes
[48:22] and councilmember bombs. Yes.
[48:24] councilmember bonds votes yes. Mr. Chairman, there are eight
[48:27] yes's and five no's. The bill, as amended, is
[48:34] approved. First reading.
[48:37] we will turn. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask if
[48:40] we can take a five minute recess.
[48:43] if there's no objection, we'll take a five minute recess.
[48:46] the time is 352, let's say till 4:00.
[1:22:14] five minutes. I believe our five minutes are
[1:22:46] up. I'm not sure why everybody is
[1:22:49] laughing. So we are reconvened.
[1:22:52] we had a brief recess. Just to recap.
[1:22:57] we have voted on the one bill that was for first reading, and
[1:23:00] we are now turning to emergency legislation, which on the agenda
[1:23:05] as circulated, I'll note, was originally the consent agenda.
[1:23:10] we have as the next item, the juvenile curfew, sunset
[1:23:14] emergency declaration, resolution of 2020 6pr 26 586
[1:23:20] councilmember pinto. Thank you, mr. Chairman.
[1:23:23] I think at this point everyone is familiar with the juvenile
[1:23:28] curfew amendment act that this would extend the emergency,
[1:23:32] which is especially important because it's sunsetted on april
[1:23:36] 15th. And we want to prevent a gap in
[1:23:40] the law. I thank my colleagues for
[1:23:41] passing the permanent version, but as that goes through a
[1:23:44] process, it's going to take a little bit of time to implement.
[1:23:47] and so we want to make sure that there's no gap.
[1:23:50] I also want to note the mayor did declare a public emergency
[1:23:54] last week, but that expires on may 1st, which is before our
[1:23:59] next legislative meeting. And cannot continue.
[1:24:04] another piece I will say is I'm moving an oral amendment to this
[1:24:07] bill, which is unrelated, but very important.
[1:24:10] this is to address a passed bill from the fall that was attached.
[1:24:15] so the oral amendment removes the sunset for the volunteer
[1:24:19] services act. As a reminder, the volunteer
[1:24:21] services act allows the office of attorney general to use
[1:24:26] volunteer legal services, which is especially important this
[1:24:32] year and in every year. And we want to ensure that that
[1:24:36] authority continues if we do not pass this oral amendment and act
[1:24:41] today, that authority will sunset.
[1:24:45] and the reason for being is it was tied to our temporary from
[1:24:49] the fall, which sunsetted on april 15th.
[1:24:52] and so I hope there's no objection to me making an oral
[1:24:56] technical amendment to remove the sunset entirely from the
[1:24:59] volunteer services act. Did I hear you say so?
[1:25:04] moved. So moved.
[1:25:06] we have the declaration before us, and I think I will speak
[1:25:12] next. So this is the state of play we
[1:25:16] have on this agenda. The permanent bill, juvenile
[1:25:20] curfew amendment act, and we now have before us this emergency
[1:25:24] version of that, eight members voted for the permanent bill,
[1:25:30] first reading, as amended. As I noted earlier in
[1:25:35] discussion, a number of changes have been made to the curfew
[1:25:39] measure. So what we adopted last summer
[1:25:42] is not what is before us now. We've made what I think many
[1:25:46] members would characterize as improvements to deal with
[1:25:51] concerns about whether all we're doing is just criminalizing
[1:25:55] youth, or whether we're actually trying to look at this more
[1:26:00] holistically with different strategies, or recognizing that
[1:26:04] there need to be different strategies.
[1:26:07] but I want to add what I also said, which is that we're
[1:26:09] dealing with something that is new and different, and it is
[1:26:13] these large gatherings, takeovers, I think was the way
[1:26:17] one colleague put it, that we haven't seen before.
[1:26:20] so we're struggling with finding new tools to deal with these
[1:26:27] gatherings or takeovers. I am concerned that as members,
[1:26:38] know, we are not alone in this discussion.
[1:26:41] and by that I mean there are folks who are not friends to the
[1:26:45] district who are looking very intently at what we are doing or
[1:26:49] what we are not doing, and I'm not interested in giving them
[1:26:53] any talking points or ammunition, which is a reason
[1:26:57] why I have tried to make clear to colleagues that this issue
[1:27:00] and this vote is important, because it's not just about how
[1:27:05] we deal with these gatherings, which is the paramount concern,
[1:27:10] but it's also whether we are self-inflicting some wounds on
[1:27:16] ourself, which we don't need, given all of the other fights
[1:27:20] that we are having with regard to the district and its ability
[1:27:26] to operate as we know best. I've been a little oblique, but
[1:27:31] I think people understand what I'm saying.
[1:27:33] so that is very concerning. And I would add as well that I'm
[1:27:39] not interested in wha I would call a twisted message, which is
[1:27:44] that we as a majority, the council is saying we want this
[1:27:49] curfew and there will be a second reading.
[1:27:51] so there's opportunity for more improvements to it.
[1:27:54] if members want that. And then struggling with this
[1:27:58] emergency and whether we go forward with the emergency.
[1:28:01] so having said all that, with 13 seconds left, I'm going to move
[1:28:05] to table this to the next legislative meeting.
[1:28:12] so there's a motion to table. I can't remember.
[1:28:15] is it debatable. It's debatable as to time.
[1:28:21] so the motion is to table to the next legislative meeting.
[1:28:25] I will call for a vote. Mr. Chairman, when is the next
[1:28:27] legislative meeting scheduled? The next legislative meeting is
[1:28:31] may 5th. I will tell you that somebody
[1:28:34] has suggested maybe even you suggested maybe it wasn't you.
[1:28:39] somebody else suggested looking to see if we could have a
[1:28:42] meeting before then. That's not a commitment like
[1:28:44] next week. Could be.
[1:28:47] I'm not trying to be glib. I'm just saying next legislative
[1:28:52] meeting, mr. Chairman. And as you know, I this issue, I
[1:28:56] feel this issue is very important, not just because of
[1:29:00] the issue of the juveniles, but the issue, maybe I should say
[1:29:04] youth, not just because of this issue of how we deal with these
[1:29:08] youth takeovers, but also. How this is looking to folks who
[1:29:14] are not our friends. Councilmember bonds as to the
[1:29:19] time. Yes, as to time.
[1:29:22] chairman, I'm wondering if the time if we need maybe an
[1:29:28] additional 15 minute recess today so that we can move
[1:29:32] forward. We continue to kick the can down
[1:29:35] the road and wondered if the time could be set 15 minutes
[1:29:40] from now. Point of clarity 15 minutes from
[1:29:43] now to do what? I'm looking okay, I can look at
[1:29:48] the clock. Why don't we say.
[1:29:54] 4:48 p.m. Today? Councilmember essentially
[1:29:59] saying, can we recess? And we just had a five minute
[1:30:03] recess that lasted for 34 minutes.
[1:30:08] yeah. I, you know, sometimes I feel
[1:30:12] that, you know, we kick the can and the can doesn't move very
[1:30:17] far and we kick it again. And it may be a half of an inch.
[1:30:22] and we continue to put off what we cannot put off.
[1:30:30] this is our community. And if we have to be here till
[1:30:35] midnight, we do that sometimes with our hearings on subject
[1:30:40] matter. This is subject matter.
[1:30:44] so I think we should try to come to a consensus, because this is
[1:30:51] like the fourth time we've talked about this, and we could
[1:30:56] not reach conclusion by putting it off for days for us to go
[1:31:02] away and have dinner and have breakfast the next day, and meet
[1:31:08] and chat and do the things that we do.
[1:31:11] and I'm just suggesting if it's important to our community,
[1:31:19] let's treat it with the importance that it has.
[1:31:24] you said that we don't follow robert's rules of order.
[1:31:27] we follow something else, what they do in congress.
[1:31:30] well, in congress, they keep at it until they reach whatever
[1:31:36] that crescendo is. Mr. Chairman, point of order.
[1:31:38] this part of the motion is not debatable, mr. Chairman.
[1:31:43] all right. So.
[1:31:43] well, he gave me the floor. That is why I was debating it.
[1:31:48] so I'm going to ask councilmember, are you making a
[1:31:51] motion to recess for 15 minutes? I'm making a motion regarding
[1:31:56] the time. Yes.
[1:31:58] well, no, you're making a motion to recess.
[1:32:00] let me be clear on this. So a motion to table to a time
[1:32:05] certain is debatable as to the time certain.
[1:32:08] a motion to reset. No, you're not a motion to
[1:32:11] recess does take precedence over a motion to table.
[1:32:15] so it would be an order. You want to give me a little
[1:32:20] more push on it. Okay.
[1:32:23] to recess. To recess for 20 minutes, which
[1:32:29] is debatable. And I hope nobody else debates
[1:32:31] this, but I will argue that we should not.
[1:32:34] we have. If you don't think there were
[1:32:37] discussions to try to work this out during the five minute
[1:32:40] recess, there were discussions so we could have another 20
[1:32:43] minute recess. And I can guarantee you that
[1:32:45] there will not be further progress today.
[1:32:48] so I would urge members not to vote or to recess for another 20
[1:32:53] minutes. The vote will be on the motion
[1:32:55] to recess. All those in favor, say aye.
[1:32:58] all those opposed say no, no, no, no.
[1:33:01] the nos have it. Cool.
[1:33:03] so we have the motion to mute my mic, man.
[1:33:06] somebody need my mic. That's crazy.
[1:33:09] motion to table to a time certain.
[1:33:11] which is to the next legislature chairman.
[1:33:13] I asked for roll call on last vote.
[1:33:14] it was ignored. Question is that it does not
[1:33:17] have to be the next legislative session.
[1:33:20] it could be within this session. Time is time, 24 hours.
[1:33:26] make that whole day. And that's what I'm trying to
[1:33:30] get to. Okay, so on the motion to table
[1:33:34] to the next legislative meeting, mr. Chairman.
[1:33:38] yes, I just wanted to speak to your motion.
[1:33:42] I don't support tabling this discussion.
[1:33:44] I think that it's very important.
[1:33:47] we want to make sure that we keep our young folks safe.
[1:33:50] and I think by voting today shows our seriousness as a
[1:33:53] council. And I will urge my colleagues to
[1:33:57] not support the table but move forward today.
[1:34:01] oh, the discussion that's in order is as to when the date
[1:34:06] certain, which is the next legislative meeting.
[1:34:09] so the vote is on the roll call. Chairman.
[1:34:12] madam secretary, call the roll. The vote is on the motion to
[1:34:15] table to the next legislative meeting.
[1:34:17] council member felder no. Councilmember felder votes, no.
[1:34:22] councilmember frumin. Yes.
[1:34:24] councilmember frumin votes yes. Councilmember henderson no.
[1:34:27] councilmember henderson votes no.
[1:34:29] councilmember lewis george. Yes.
[1:34:31] councilmember lewis george votes yes.
[1:34:33] chairman mendelson yes. Chairman mendelson votes yes.
[1:34:36] councilmember nadeau no. Councilmember nadeau votes no.
[1:34:40] councilmember parker yes. Councilmember parker votes yes.
[1:34:44] councilmember pinto no. Councilmember pinto votes no.
[1:34:48] councilmember robert white yes. Councilmember robert white votes
[1:34:52] yes. Councilmember trayon white, sr.
[1:34:55] no. Councilmember trayon white, sr.
[1:34:56] votes no. Councilmember allen yes.
[1:34:59] councilmember allen votes yes. Councilmember bonds no.
[1:35:02] councilmember bonds votes no. Councilmember crawford yes.
[1:35:06] councilmember crawford votes yes.
[1:35:08] mr. Chairman, there are seven yeses and six nos.
[1:35:11] the motion to table passes that's going to conclude the
[1:35:16] business for this legislative meeting.
[1:35:19] the time is 4:39 p.m., and this meeting is adjourned.