[0:08] Members, please take your seats. All visitors, please retire to the seats

[0:13] outside the rails.

[0:20] I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this city council is present.

[0:31] I ask all those who are present

[0:35] to please set your cell phones to silent and or vibrate.

[1:00] to give our invocation this morning. The chair recognizes

[1:07] Archbishop Dr. Mary Floyd Palmer,

[1:12] presiding prate of the Philadelphia Council of Clergy and the founding

[1:18] pastor of the Samaritan Temple. She is here today as the guest of

[1:25] Councilwoman Dr. Nina Amed. She's also a member of the illustrious

[1:31] sarity Zeta 5 Beta Incorporated. I will ask all members and guests to please

[1:38] rise.

[1:42] Archbishop, the floor is yours. >> Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:48] » Good morning, everyone. >> Good morning.

[1:51] » Let us pray.

[1:56] God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has

[2:02] brought us thus far on the way, thou who has by thy might led us into the light,

[2:08] keep us forever in the path. We pray, oh God, our help in ages past, our hope for

[2:16] years to come, a shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. It is a good

[2:25] day, God, that we have come here together to carry on the business of

[2:31] this August body. First, we thank you for all of the leadership of our city,

[2:38] our mayor and the leadership of this council, our council president, majority

[2:44] and minority leaders, and all of those members in their respective places. Now

[2:49] God, as we continue to do business on behalf of the people for those who have

[2:55] been elected and chose to serve, we pray God that you will endow them with

[3:01] wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and even common sense.

[3:06] » Amen. We pray God that they will be doing it for the better part of the

[3:10] whole and not for the selfish part, but that those that are relying on them to

[3:16] be their voice, they will do so with fidelity and integrity.

[3:21] » Amen. >> We ask God that you will continue to

[3:24] cover and keep them in a time where violence and political violence is

[3:29] bringing about division and it's being targeted. We pray that you will cover

[3:34] each one attached to them. cover their families and those that know them by

[3:39] blood or law. We pray that you will carry them from here to there without

[3:43] incident or accident. And we pray God that because they are a servant serving

[3:48] for you according to Romans chapter 13 in which they are called to do the work

[3:54] of the government. We pray that you will continue to lead them and guide them in

[4:00] all truth and that the truth shall win. We do speak against those with ulterior

[4:06] motives who may bring about harm, destruction, and/or division. But unite

[4:12] us even the more even right now. And despite what may be happening all around

[4:17] the rest of this nation, let the cradle of liberty, the city of Philadelphia,

[4:22] become more united than divided. And that your grace, your mercy, and your

[4:27] peace will fall upon this city. that as violence deescalates and that as

[4:33] neighborshoods blossom once again, we will all be able to come together with

[4:38] the common good for the common man, the common woman, the old, the young, and

[4:44] those that are hope, the least, the last, and the lost will not be

[4:48] forgotten. And if you do this through us, in us, and to us, we will be careful

[4:54] to give you the honor, the glory, and the praise that is due you. We thank you

[5:00] in the name of God the father who is our creator. In the name of Jesus Christ our

[5:06] savior in whom I believe and in the name of the holy ghost that covers and keep

[5:11] us. And to all others who may call God by the name of which they love. We will

[5:17] say amen. >> Amen.

[5:19] » Amen and amen. God bless you. >> The chair thanks the archbishop for the

[5:24] invitation. Council will now be at ease.

[9:45] The next order of business is the approval of the journal of the meeting

[9:48] of Thursday, May the 14th, 2026. The chair recognizes

[9:55] Council Member Majority Deputy with Cindy Bass.

[10:01] » Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the journal of the meeting of Thursday,

[10:04] May 14th, 2026 be approved. It has been moved and property seconded

[10:10] that the journal of the meeting of Thursday, May the 14th, 2026 stand

[10:14] approved. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[10:19] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the journal is approved.

[10:24] The next order of business is request for leave of absence and the chair

[10:29] recognizes majority leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

[10:33] » Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no

[10:36] requests for leave of absence today. >> The chair thanks the majority leader.

[10:41] The chair now recognizes council member minority leader Kendra Brooks.

[10:47] » President on behalf of the m minority. There are no requests for leaves or

[10:50] absence today. >> Thank you very much.

[10:54] The chair now recognizes majority leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a

[10:59] motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course

[11:04] of today's session of council and that were not listed on the calendar

[11:08] circulated prior to today's council session.

[11:13] » Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if

[11:16] considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of council and

[11:20] as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the

[11:24] consideration of those matters. Resolutions authorizing hearings.

[11:28] Amendments to bills on first reading. The reconsideration of a bill veto by or

[11:32] recall from the mayor. Amendments to bills recall from the mayor. Resolutions

[11:36] taking substantative action to be voted on in this session. A motion to withdraw

[11:40] a bill or resolution that is not on the calendar. And a motion placing a bill or

[11:44] resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the suspension calendar

[11:48] that is not listed on today's calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide

[11:51] the public with notice concerning possible actions by council that arose

[11:55] too late to be included on the calendar that was published prior to today's

[11:58] session. >> It has been moved and properly seconded

[12:02] that the legislative matters stated by council member majority leader Katherine

[12:06] Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters

[12:11] arise during the course of this session of council. All those in favorable

[12:16] indicate by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the motion carries.

[12:24] The chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the

[12:28] guests and visitors joining us in city council chambers this morning. On behalf

[12:34] of all members of city council, I welcome you to our council session. We

[12:38] appreciate you taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative

[12:43] affairs of our great city. We certainly invite you to come again.

[12:49] At this time, the chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore

[12:52] Richardson.

[12:56] Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, please join me in welcoming eighth grade

[13:01] language arts students from Baldi Middle School who are visiting us in city

[13:05] council today to see the ins and outs of their local government firsthand. I ask

[13:09] you all to stand. Stand up, Baldi.

[13:20] They they are here with their teacher, Mr. Matthew Mandel, who I had the

[13:24] pleasure of meeting when I moderated a discussion on the AFT president, Randy

[13:29] Weingarten's new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, a few months ago, and it's a

[13:33] good book. Mr. Mandel has brought his class to city hall for years. uh in fact

[13:39] he still remembers the very first time he visited this body uh with his

[13:43] students. But today's visit is extra special because this year Mr. Mandel is

[13:50] retiring. He's a national board certified teacher since 2010. He has

[13:56] also served on the executive board for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

[14:00] since 2002. And in 2025, he received a limbback award for distinguished

[14:06] teaching. Though today's visit is bittersweet, we thank you so much, Mr.

[14:10] Mandel, for your years of service to our young people and to our city. You are

[14:15] leaving a lasting legacy that will shape students for years to come. Again,

[14:19] please join me in welcoming these bright students to Philadelphia City Council

[14:23] today and congratulating Mr. Mandel [applause]

[14:26] on a welldeserved retirement.

[14:35] Welcome to city council chair recognizes council member

[14:42] minority whip Nicholas Oor. >> Thank you Mr. President. Would like to

[14:47] welcome to the chamber about a year ago uh uh a little bit later in the day uh I

[14:53] was watching my life change before my eyes uh where that was the day that I

[14:58] witnessed the the birth of my son. Um, so today it's crazy because the the the

[15:03] days after that were a bit challenging for us. Many of you know that and I

[15:06] shared as much and many of the folks in this institution [clears throat]

[15:11] as well as folks around this city prayed for us, my family, my wife, myself as

[15:17] well as my son. But today is the first birthday of Augustine Leslie or Leslie.

[15:21] Can you stand up and show our son?

[15:27] » Y'all show some love to my baby boy. Thank you, Mr. President. You're

[15:31] » welcome.

[15:34] I'm going to also acknowledge the first lady. Sir,

[15:38] » you want to go ahead, sir?

[15:42] » And the queen of my life. >> Here you go. Here you go.

[15:46] » The peanut butter to my jelly, [laughter]

[15:49] the hummus to my pea bread, my wife for life, uh, Miss Leslie Oort.

[15:57] » Welcome to city council. chair recognizes Council Member Jamie

[16:02] Gartier. >> Thank you, Council President. I'd like

[16:06] to take this opportunity to acknowledge two of the guests that I have here

[16:10] today. Um, first, Mr. Jamal Johnson. Um, many of you might remember Jamal. Jamal,

[16:17] in addition to being a veteran who served our country for many years, all

[16:22] throughout the pandemic, people could see Jamal protesting the gun violence

[16:27] that was skyrocketing in our communities, encouraging people to come

[16:31] out on their own blocks to keep the peace in their neighborhoods. And he

[16:36] even launched a 26-day hunger strike in 2020 to support my resolution that Mayor

[16:43] Kenny um uh declare a gun violence emergency. He is somebody who I will

[16:47] always consider a friend and who is very inspiring to me. And today Jamal is

[16:53] actually here with his uncle, Mr. Null George Miles Jr. who we are honoring

[17:00] with a resolution today. Mr. Miles is a veteran and a renowned painter who among

[17:06] his many accomplishments painted the picture of city hall that we use on

[17:12] every single city council citation and engrossed uh resolution. And I you all

[17:18] will um remember seeing this all the time.

[17:21] » Can we give him a real big round of applause? Especially members of council.

[17:25] Thank you. >> We are so glad to have Mr. Miles here

[17:29] today. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, sir. The chair recognizes

[17:35] Majority Deputy Whip Councilman Cindy Bass.

[17:39] » Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to uh ask everyone to join me in welcoming

[17:44] Captain Stuart McCollum from the 14th Police District who is here today. We

[17:48] are recognizing

[17:52] we are recognizing uh Northwest Police brass and leadership

[17:57] and we wanted to say thank you so much for being here and for your dedicated

[18:01] service. Um Captain McCullum joined the 14th Police District in 2025, bringing

[18:08] more than 27 years of distinguished service within the Philadelphia Police

[18:12] Department. and we really just wanted to recognize him uh for his dedication,

[18:18] professionalism, uh always available and and willing to help work out situations

[18:24] and just really being accessible and just a great person. So, thank you so

[18:27] much, Captain, for all of your work for the Philadelphia Police Department. On

[18:31] behalf of the citizens of Philadelphia, thank you for being here today.

[18:34] » Thank you very much.

[18:39] I also see the Philadelphia flag lady who's giving out the city of

[18:44] Philadelphia flags today. Let's give her a round of applause, please. Good

[18:47] friends of our Councilman Mark Squiler.

[18:53] Thank you for being Let's give her a round of applause, everyone.

[18:57] Thank you. Appreciate your support.

[19:02] » No, we can't do that when the day over. Thank you for being here, though.

[19:06] Appreciate that. Council member Dr. Anthony Phillips.

[19:12] » Thank you, Council President. Uh I am pleased to welcome, we'll be doing a

[19:18] presentation for her later. Um it is in the district of Council Member Young,

[19:22] but Miss Lorita Buyers, uh is here today.

[19:25] » Uh and so we'll be talking about her later. But I'm also very very pleased uh

[19:31] to welcome the leader of the Tukan Takone uh Frankfurt watershed uh just

[19:39] Justin Dertinez uh who is here today with there he is uh with all of these

[19:48] individuals uh from different parts organizations

[19:52] um in the city of Philadelphia who were beginning this uh work with me and city

[19:56] council to push for more funding uh for our parks, reoccurring funding at an

[20:02] equitable level uh for all of our parks. And we understand how important that is.

[20:06] So, we want to thank all of them for coming to begin this campaign so that we

[20:10] could really fund our parks so they could be among the best in the nation.

[20:15] Thank you so much, Council President. >> Good job, member Phillips.

[20:23] Every child deserve a great part. Councilman Jeffrey J. Young.

[20:29] » Thank you and good morning, Mr. President. Um, today I I just want to

[20:33] honor and acknowledge uh some students from Community College of Philadelphia's

[20:37] Gateway to College Leadership Council. Um, these are students that are aged 16

[20:41] to 21 who for some reason um may have disengaged from high school, but now

[20:46] they're back on track at CCP um earning uh their high school diploma as well as

[20:51] getting college credits as well. So, just want to acknowledge you students

[20:54] and thank you all for being here today in city council.

[21:05] » Thank you very much. At this time, the chair recognizes

[21:11] Council Member Jamie Gautier, who will present a resolution

[21:16] recognizing and honoring the Sustainable Business Network, other known as SBN, of

[21:23] Greater Philadelphia on its 25th anniversary, for its outstanding

[21:27] leadership in advancing a just, green, and thriving local economy, and for its

[21:33] enduring commitment to the independent businesses. and communities that make

[21:39] Philadelphia thrive. Would Zora Cordiero, executive director,

[21:45] and those accompanying her, please join the council member at the podium.

[21:51] Joining Council Member Jamie Gautier are the following council members,

[21:55] Councilman Ruandal, Council Member Marker, Council Member Ketsy Lazada,

[22:00] Council Member Nicholas Soror, Council Member Dr. Nina Med, and Council Dr.

[22:06] Anthony Phillips.

[22:35] Good morning everyone. >> For 25 years, the Sustainable Business

[22:41] Network of Greater Philadelphia has been proving that businesses can do well by

[22:46] doing good. And it all started in the third council district at White Dog Cafe

[22:53] where White Dog and SBN founder Judy Wixs proved that a restaurant couldn't

[22:59] just survive but thrive by buying local sustainable inseason products and

[23:05] treating their workers well. This presentation is personal to me

[23:10] because, as some of you may know, I served as the executive director of SBN

[23:15] earlier in my career. During my tenure, SPN championed Green City Clean Waters,

[23:22] worked with former council member Maria Kenyon Sanchez to expand the sustainable

[23:27] business tax credit, partnered with the commerce department on the business

[23:32] owners bill of rights, and even broke from the rest of the business community

[23:37] by fighting for the soda tax because of all of the impact it would make in our

[23:41] neighborhoods. And this is just a snapshot of how the Sustainable Business

[23:46] Network and their members fight for a more prosperous and inclusive inclusive

[23:51] economy. And this is important right now because our economy is broken and

[23:57] Washington keeps putting billionaire interests ahead of ours. So it is up to

[24:02] us to create an economy that works for everyday people. And the sustainable

[24:07] business network of greater Philadelphia proves that we do not need to choose

[24:12] between making money, uplifting our communities, and protecting our planet.

[24:18] Today is a celebration, but I also encourage us to use this occasion to

[24:23] recommmit to the role we must all play in supporting a triple bottom line of

[24:28] profit, people, and the planet. This means buying local, especially

[24:34] along our neighborhood commercial corridors, so that we can keep our

[24:38] hard-earned money in our communities and out of the pockets of billionaires. We

[24:43] need to encourage more businesses to join our movement and to support

[24:48] aspiring entrepreneurs who share our values. And we as a city need to

[24:53] continue to make smart and targeted investments that grow our economy while

[24:59] also protecting our planet and and uplifting Philadelphiaians.

[25:03] Congratulations to Zarida Cordiero, Judy Wixs, Alex Koopo, Nemaati, and every

[25:11] current and former SBN member, board member, and staff member for 25 years of

[25:18] excellence. I know that we are all committed to making sure that SBN's next

[25:23] 25 years are even more impactful than its first. And with that, we will now

[25:28] read the resolution.

[25:34] Whereas for the past 25 years, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater

[25:39] Philadelphia, SBN, founded in 2001, has championed an economy where independent

[25:46] valuesdriven businesses can thrive, communities prosper, and the environment

[25:51] is protected, guided by the triple bottom line framework of people, planet,

[25:56] and prosperity. And

[26:00] whereas SBN's work is organized across three interconnected pillars, business

[26:06] growth and stability, environmental stewardship, and people, community, and

[26:11] prosperity, supported by a crosscutting commitment to legislative advocacy,

[26:16] education, financial opportunity, and community building. And

[26:23] » whereas SBN serves more than 135 member businesses, the majority of which are

[26:30] womenowned, BIPOC owned, LGBTQ plusowned, and immigrant-owned, and

[26:37] reaches thousands more annually through programs, partnerships, and policy

[26:42] advocacy that strengthens the city and its regional independent businesses

[26:46] community and

[26:50] Whereas SBN serves valuesdriven multi-industry

[26:56] businesses across Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia region, including

[27:00] [clears throat] independent retailers, restaurants and

[27:03] food businesses, service providers, and environmental enterprises across Bucks,

[27:08] Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania,

[27:12] Burlington, Camden, Glouster, Mercer, and Salem counties in New Jersey, and

[27:18] Newcastle counties. in Delaware, having become a trusted convenor, educator, and

[27:22] advocate that advances local, state, and federal policy supporting small

[27:27] businesses, environmental protection, and equitable economic development.

[27:32] hand.

[27:37] And whereas through initiatives including the urban forestry initiative,

[27:42] green storm water infrastructure partners, the climate action campaign,

[27:47] business for impact, and its cohort learning and mentorship programs. SBN

[27:54] has equipped entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and networks they need to

[27:59] succeed while protecting the environment and uplifting the neighborhoods these

[28:04] businesses serve.

[28:08] Whereas the organization's achievements are the result of the dedication and

[28:14] vision of its founders, board members, past and present, staff, member

[28:19] businesses, community partners, funders, and civic leaders who have supported its

[28:25] mission over the past 25 years. Now therefore be it

[28:32] resolved by the council of the city of Philadelphia that it hereby honors and

[28:37] recognizes the 25th anniversary of the sustainable business network of greater

[28:42] Philadelphia and commends the organization for its steadfast

[28:46] commitment and dedication to all Philadelphiaians. Please welcome Zorida

[28:51] Cordiero to the podium.

[28:56] The chair recognizes Zorada Cordiero for remarks. Welcome to

[29:02] city council.

[29:06] » Good morning everyone. My name is Arredo Cordderero and I have

[29:11] the privilege of serving as the executive director of the sustainable

[29:15] business network of greater Philadelphia. This year SPN celebrates

[29:19] 25 This year SPN is celebrating its 25th anniversary. A quarter of century spent

[29:26] building a more just, green and thriving economy,

[29:30] ensuring that all businesses in the local area and greater Philadelphia area

[29:34] are supported, that communities are thriving, and that they feel partnered

[29:37] and rooted in this work. For 25 years, SPN has worked at the intersection of

[29:43] environment, economy, and community. We represent local and regional businesses

[29:48] that believe sustainability is more than environmental impact. is also about

[29:53] people and prosperity. It is about helping businesses stay strong, helping

[29:58] communities thrive, and making sure opportunity is shared broadly across our

[30:03] region. Today's resolution means so much more because it recognizes not just an

[30:09] organization, but an entire network of people who have spent a decade building

[30:14] something meaningful together. I want to take a moment to thank council member

[30:19] Jameier and all the the other council representatives for sponsoring and

[30:24] recognizing the importance of local businesses and a sustainable economic

[30:28] development in our city. Your support means a great deal to us. I also want to

[30:33] acknowledge everyone who helped bring SPN to this moment. To our founders,

[30:38] thank you for planting the seeds of this organization 25 years ago, for believing

[30:43] that businesses could be a force for community well-being and long-term

[30:47] change. To the executive directors who have carried this work forward over the

[30:52] years, thank you for your leadership, your vision, and your dedication to

[30:56] strengthening this network. To our board members, past and present, thank you for

[31:01] your guidance and stewardship. And to our members, partners, funders,

[31:05] sponsors, and supporters. Thank you for believing in this mission and for

[31:10] continuing to invest in the future where businesses and communities can thrive

[31:14] together. Most importantly, thank you to the independent businesses across our

[31:19] region who continue to show up every day with resilience, creativity, and

[31:23] commitment to their communities, even though in these incredible times. As we

[31:28] celebrate this milestone, we're also looking into the future. The next 25

[31:32] years are about continuing to build a regional economy where businesses can

[31:37] grow and stay rooted locally, where sustainability is practical and

[31:42] accessible, where opportunity reaches more people, and where communities are

[31:47] stronger because we chose to invest in one another. We are incredibly honored

[31:52] by this recognition, and we look forward to continuing this work together. Thank

[31:56] you. Council will be at ease.

[32:02] » Congratulations.

[32:07] [music]

[32:15] » [music]

[32:27] [music]

[32:40] » Hey, hey, hey. [music]

[33:18] Hey, hey,

[33:24] hey. [music]

[34:09] keep bringing all these cops from the northwest

[34:12] city council. I think that's great. Thank you,

[34:17] officer. Appreciate your hard work and dedication.

[34:21] Captain, excuse me. I stand corrected. Captain

[34:26] um chair [snorts] recognizes Councilman Dr. Anthony Phillips,

[34:31] who will present a resolution honoring and recognizing

[34:38] the Russell Buyers Charter School on the occasion of his 25th anniversary and

[34:44] celebrating 25 years of educational excellence, civic purpose, and service

[34:50] to children and families in the city of Philadelphia.

[34:54] and further recognizing Loretta Buyers for her visionary

[34:59] leadership and enduring impact. With Jessica Ramos and those accompanying

[35:04] her, please join the council member at the podium.

[35:08] Joining Council Member Dr. Anthony Phillips are the following council

[35:12] members. Council member Mark Squila, Council Member Jim Harity, Council

[35:18] Member Jeffrey J. Young, and Council Member Ky Lazada.

[35:25] Can we give our youth a round of applause for playing in the right place

[35:29] at the right time?

[35:36] » Hopefully our news outlets are covering the positivity.

[35:39] » Oh, >> of young people here in the city of

[35:41] Philadelphia. In this case, particularly African-American young people. I know

[35:46] they was covering them flash mobs last week. So, let's cover our young people

[35:50] being honored here in the city of Philadelphia.

[35:55] This floor is yours, Dr. Phillips.

[36:00] » Are they final? Good. Okay. Perfect. [sighs] All right.

[36:04] [gasps] Well, good morning everyone. I will be

[36:08] brief. I'm happy to join here with the district council person representing

[36:12] Russell Buyers Charter School. Several years ago when I worked at Teen Sharp,

[36:18] which is a college access and mentorship program, I met Loretta Buyers. And I

[36:24] will tell you, it was probably one of the best uh meetings I've ever had in my

[36:29] life. This woman in 2001, Loretta, determined to turn her late husband's

[36:36] tragedy from tra from tragedy into triumph, founded the Russell Buyers

[36:41] Charter School, which has served thousands of students here in

[36:45] Philadelphia from over 40 zip codes in the city. She is also the founder of the

[36:51] Philadelphia Film Festival and also the past chair of the Alliance for

[36:56] Philadelphia Chartered Schools in which I work with her in my capacity as the

[37:01] vice chair of education here on Philadelphia City Council. What I love

[37:06] about Miss Loretta Buyers is that she has this unbounded enthusiasm for

[37:12] education. And that idea is that children not only have to be really

[37:18] strong academically, but it was about educating the whole child. And we will

[37:23] see that today in the character of all of the children here, students here from

[37:28] Russell Buyers Charter School because they have great character and they have

[37:32] great leadership and all of that is a tribute to the founding mission of Miss

[37:36] Lorita Buyers. She also believed in partnerships for young people, making

[37:41] sure that they had experiences outside of the classroom, making sure that they

[37:45] had opportunities that can help them understand their full future. She pushed

[37:51] for children to have the roots to fly and to grow. And she created a welcoming

[37:57] when I tell you Russell Byer Charter School is one of the most welcoming

[38:00] school environments ever and for their for families to grow and prosper. We're

[38:06] so proud of you, Miss Lorita Buyers. We're so thankful for you and your

[38:12] leadership and what you have done for the city of Philadelphia. Your husband

[38:17] talked about education oftentimes in the inquire and you made education a reality

[38:23] of what he wanted to see through the Russell Buyers Charter School. Your

[38:27] legacy is going to live through all of these children and many more to come.

[38:31] You and your husbands for so many years and this was just a small token of our

[38:35] app appreciation from the city of Philadelphia to recognize and honor you

[38:39] today. I will yield the rest of my time for remarks from the district council

[38:42] member Jeffrey Young. Thank you, Dr. Phillips. Um, I just

[38:47] [clears throat] want to say it's an honor and privilege to stand here today

[38:50] to recognize an institution that's in the fifth council district that has

[38:54] changed the trajectory of so many students um and families across the city

[38:58] of Philadelphia. Um, as someone who deeply believes in that our future is

[39:02] shaped by what we pour into our young people today, I understand how important

[39:07] schools like Russell Buyers are to the strength and future of our uh

[39:11] communities. Uh for 25 years, Russell Buyers has been a place where children

[39:15] are challenged, encouraged, protected, and reminded that their voices, their

[39:19] ideas, and their futures matter. Real community investment is about people,

[39:24] about creating environments where young people feel seen, supported, and

[39:27] empowered to become the next generation of leaders, thinkers, change makers.

[39:32] That's the impact of Russell Buyers. What makes it more important and more

[39:36] meaningful um is that through vision, care, and purpose, uh Mrs. buyer saw the

[39:41] importance of creating an educational environment that nurtures both

[39:44] excellence and humanity because every child deserves more than just survival.

[39:49] They deserve opportunity, exposure, encouragement, and the freedom to dream

[39:53] bigger than themselves. In many ways, schools like Russell Buyers create

[39:57] stability for families. They build confidence in children. They strengthen

[40:00] communities one student at a time. And especially during times when families

[40:04] are navigating uncertainty around school closures, institutions that lead with

[40:07] compassion, innovation, and purpose become even more important for the

[40:11] future of our city. Um, as a council member, I believe we have the

[40:14] responsibility not only to respond to challenges, but to uplift people and the

[40:18] institutions that are doing the work to move Philadelphia forward. And that is

[40:22] what Russell Byer Charter School has been doing for the last 25 years. Uh

[40:25] today we celebrate not just an anniversary but a lasting impact of

[40:29] educational excellence, civic purpose, and belief in the potential of

[40:33] Philadelphia's young people. At this time, it's our honor to present a

[40:38] resolution honoring Russell Buyer Charter School.

[40:42] » Thank you. And thank you to all the children here and all of the family and

[40:45] friends and supporters of Melissa Rita Buyers.

[40:49] Honoring and recognizing Russell Byer Sharter School on the occasion of its

[40:52] 25th anniversary and celebrating 25 years of educational excellence, civic

[40:58] purpose and service to children and families in the city of Philadelphia and

[41:02] further recognizing Lorita Buyers for her visionary leadership and enduring

[41:06] impact. Whereas the council of the city of Philadelphia recognizes that schools

[41:11] play a vital role in shaping learners, citizens, and communities. And that

[41:16] Russell Buyers Charter School was founded by Loretta Buyers and her family

[41:20] in tribute to her late husband William Russell Grace Buyers who passed away in

[41:25] 1999. A Philadelphia Daily News columnist who believed in civic

[41:29] responsibility, urban improvement, and the transformative power of education

[41:34] and

[41:37] Whereas established in 2001 by Larita Buyers as a tribute to her late

[41:42] husband's legacy, Russell Buyers Charter School opened on September 11, 2001 with

[41:47] 120 students in grades preK through 2. And through her visionary leadership and

[41:51] enduring commitment has grown into a thriving educational community serving

[41:55] approximately 700 students in grades preK through 8th grade from across

[42:00] Philadelphia. And whereas guided by the belief that the greatest gift one can

[42:05] give a child is roots and wings, Russell Byer Charter School has provided a

[42:09] rigorous and joyful education that cultivates self assurance, curiosity,

[42:14] strong character, and academic foundation students need to thrive in

[42:17] school and in life. And

[42:24] » whereas Russell Buyers Charter School demonstrates a deep commitment to early

[42:28] childhood education as one of only two schools in Philadelphia to offer a

[42:34] 2-year full day kindergarten program beginning with four-year-olds, ensuring

[42:38] that students build strong academic and social foundations from the earliest

[42:43] stages of their educational journey. And whereas through its expeditionary

[42:48] learning model, Russell Buyers Charter School embraces an innovative hands-on

[42:54] approach inspired by outwardbound empowering students to become creative

[42:58] problem solvers, effective communicators, and responsible citizens

[43:03] through teamwork, chartered character development, and real life learning

[43:08] experiences. Amen.

[43:13] Whereas through its ours for life initiative and strong community

[43:19] partnerships, Russell Buyers Charter School extends learning beyond the

[43:23] classroom by providing comprehensive college track support, guiding students

[43:29] through critical academic transitions, and leveraging the resources of

[43:35] Philadelphia to deliver dynamic realorld education experiences that prepare

[43:40] prepare students for long-term success. And whereas on the occasion of its 25th

[43:47] anniversary, Russell Buyers Charter School stands as a lasting example of

[43:53] educational purpose, community investment, and the enduring legacy of

[43:58] both William Russell Grace Buyers and Loretta Buyers vision for Philadelphia's

[44:05] children. Now for be it

[44:14] resolved by the council of the city of Philadelphia that hereby honors and

[44:18] recognizes Russell Byer's Charter School on the occasion of its 25th anniversary

[44:23] for its enduring commitment to educational excellence, civic

[44:27] responsibility and the growth and well-being of Philadelphia's children

[44:31] and further celebrates Loretta Buyers for his visionary leadership and

[44:35] lifelong dedicate dedication to education and community. Further

[44:39] resolved that this engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the

[44:42] Russell Buyers Charter School and Larita Buyers as evidence of the sincere

[44:46] admiration and appreciation of this legislative body. Congratulations.

[44:56] » Chair recognizes Jacus Ramos for remarks.

[45:03] Let me tee you up. >> Good morning everyone. My name is

[45:06] Jessica Ramos and I have the the privilege of serving as a chief

[45:10] executive officer at Russell Buyers Charter School. I want to thank council

[45:13] president as well as council members Phillips and Young. We are indeed

[45:17] honored to receive the proclamation in celebration of the 25th anniversary

[45:22] of the Russell Bias Charter School. We share this honor with our founder

[45:25] Loretta. And personally, I just want to say thank you because in a moment when

[45:29] many people faced tragedy and turned inwards, you did the opposite. You and

[45:34] your family turned outwards and created a space where all of the students who

[45:37] stand beside me, in front of me, behind me, and for years to come have an

[45:41] opportunity to explore the world in a different way. I want to thank the

[45:47] council for celebrating this milestone, and I'm pleased to welcome eighth grader

[45:52] student council member Quincy Blinkley, who will have a few words.

[46:00] Good morning everyone. I'm I am Quincy Blakey. I'm in eighth grade and I attend

[46:04] Russell Buyers Charter School. I am so thankful that Mrs. Byer chose to bring

[46:08] bring the school to life. The four Rs, respect, responsibility, and resilience

[46:12] have helped shape me into the person I am today. I feel ready for the bright

[46:16] future that awaits me. I have participated in so many unique

[46:20] experience during my time at Russell Buyers. One memorable experience is

[46:23] running for a student council leadership position. The support from staff

[46:27] classmates helped me push me out my comfort zone and leave with confidence.

[46:31] I'm looking forward to starting my high school career at West Catholic High

[46:35] School in the fall with a scholarship from the Bar School Foundation. I will

[46:40] always be a part of the Russell Bars community. Thank you.

[46:50] Congratulations. Council will be at ease.

[47:09] » [music]

[47:24] [music]

[48:47] [music]

[48:57] [music]

[49:04] [music]

[49:13] [music]

[49:21] » Hey, [music]

[49:30] hey, hey.

[49:37] » [music]

[50:21] » The next order of business is communications. The chair recognized

[50:25] that the sergeant-at-arms deliver the messages from the mayor to the chief

[50:29] clerk. Would the chief clerk please read the messages from the mayor and any

[50:33] other communications in his possession?

[50:38] » To the president, the members of the council of the city of Philadelphia, I'm

[50:41] transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body the following

[50:44] proposed. A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

[50:49] 1304 and 1310 South 28th Street and 1314 through 20 South 28th Street, including

[50:56] 1313 through 23 South Newkerk Street, located in the second council manic

[51:02] district in accordance with the terms of chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.

[51:07] A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

[51:10] 1716 North 42nd Street, 4137, 4145, 4163, 4187, 4189, 4245, and 4273 Lidy

[51:23] Avenue located in the third council manic district in accordance with the

[51:26] terms of chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.

[51:31] A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of

[51:34] 1802, 1804, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1824, 1826,

[51:43] 1828, 1830, 1831, 1835, 1837, 1839, 1850, North Ringold Street, 1812, 1839,

[51:54] 1844, North Taylor Street, 2411, 2427, West Montgomery Avenue, located in the

[52:01] fifth council manic district in accordance with the terms of chapter

[52:04] 16-700 of the Philadelphia code. A resolution authorizing the commissioner

[52:08] of public property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia

[52:11] Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 855 North Orcne

[52:16] Street in the fifth council manic district of the city of Philadelphia and

[52:19] further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to

[52:22] the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to

[52:26] section 16-405 of the Philadelphia code. A resolution authorizing the

[52:32] commissioner of public property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia

[52:35] redevelopment authority deeds conveying fees simple title to 916 920 924 West

[52:42] Auburn Street in the fifth councilmatic district of the city of Philadelphia and

[52:45] further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to

[52:48] the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to

[52:52] section 16-405 of the Philadelphia code. A resolution authorizing the

[52:57] Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia

[53:00] Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1941 through 47 East Huntington Street

[53:05] located in the first council manic district pursuant to the requirements of

[53:08] the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. A resolution authorizing the

[53:13] Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia

[53:16] Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1718 through 26 North 52nd Street located in

[53:21] the 4th Council manic district pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth

[53:24] Land Bank Act. A resolution authorizing the

[53:29] Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia

[53:32] Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the fifth

[53:35] Council Manic District, including on the following streets: North 6th Street,

[53:39] North 15th Street, North 30th Street, Paris Street, Seabert Street, West Style

[53:44] Street, West Somerset Street, North Marshall Street, North 9th Street, North

[53:49] 27th Street, North 19th Street, North 23rd Street, North Bucknell Street, West

[53:54] Norris Street, North Ringled Street, North Eding Street, Street, North 16th

[53:58] Street, and West Auburn Street pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth

[54:01] Land Bank Act. A resolution adopting the 2026 hazard

[54:06] mitigation plan as the official hazard mitigation plan of the city of

[54:10] Philadelphia. And pursuant to section 4-604

[54:16] and 2-307 of the home rule charter, I am today transmitting to the council the

[54:21] recommendation of the city planning commission. The commission voted to

[54:24] extend its review 45 additional days on the following bill. Bill number 260381.

[54:32] And I am pleased to advise you that on May 26th, 2026, I signed the following

[54:37] bills which were passed by council at its session on May 7th, 2026. Bill

[54:41] number 2550 806. Bill number 2550836. Bill number 2550918.

[54:47] Bill number 251070. Bill number 260026.

[54:52] Bill number 260134. Bill number 260216.

[54:57] Bill number 260217. Bill number 260240.

[55:01] And bill number 260267. There are no further communications in

[55:05] my possession. Council President. >> Thank you very much. The messages will

[55:09] be printed in the journal. The chair recognized Council Member Jamie Gartier.

[55:13] » Thank you so much, Council President. I would be remiss if I didn't recognize uh

[55:18] two more guests with me today. Um, I have Reverend Dr. Andy Jenkins, who's a

[55:24] longtime community leader in the neighborhood of Manua. Um, he has fought

[55:29] against violence for many years. He's one of the co-founders of the Young

[55:32] Great Society. He led the Redevelopment Authority for u many years and brought

[55:38] so much in terms of affordable housing and fighting against displacement in

[55:42] Manua. And we are also joined by Jim Brown, another Manua community leader

[55:48] and historian. and they're actually here today to speak on a resolution that

[55:53] honors Manua as the birthplace of the Philadelphia Mur mural arts program um

[55:58] through the anti-graffiti program being started in that neighborhood many years

[56:02] today. Can can you all uh stand up or give a wave so you can be recognized?

[56:14] » Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. be remiss if I

[56:18] didn't acknowledge in the same spirit the late great Tim

[56:22] Spencer from the Manua West Philadelphia and work that he did with the rest of

[56:27] the leaders regarding the mirror arts program. Great job member Gartier.

[56:41] » The next order of business is the introduction of bills and

[56:46] resolutions. Mr. Chair, recognize Council Member Dr. Anthony Phillips.

[56:51] » Thank you, Council President. I have one privilege resolution and also one

[57:00] nonprivilege resolution for recognition today.

[57:03] » Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please read the title of the resolutions.

[57:14] a privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on

[57:18] Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings on the condition

[57:22] of the city's public park system, including funding, maintenance,

[57:26] infrastructure, staffing, safety, and opportunities to establish sustainable

[57:30] long-term revenue streams to support Philadelphia's parks, recreation

[57:34] centers, and public green spaces. This resolution will be placed on today's

[57:39] final passage calendar >> and a non-privileged resolution

[57:42] nominating 25 individuals for consideration by the mayor as appointees

[57:47] to the commission on parks and recreation.

[57:50] » This resolution we place on the final pastor's calendar for consideration our

[57:54] next session of council. Chair recognizes majority Katherine Gilmore

[57:58] Richardson. >> Good morning council president. Today I

[58:01] offer one nonprivilege resolution on your behalf. Thank you very much. The

[58:06] chief clerk, please read the title of the resolution.

[58:10] » A non-privileged resolution appointing Patrick Christmas to the board of

[58:13] directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

[58:16] » This resolution will be placed on the final pastor's calendar for

[58:20] consideration the next session of council. Chair recognized council member

[58:23] Jamie Garcier. >> Thank you, council president. Today I

[58:26] have two privileged resolutions and six non-privileged resolutions on your

[58:31] behalf. >> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

[58:33] read the title of the resolutions.

[58:47] A privileged resolution honoring and celebrating Noel George Miles Jr. AWS

[58:53] for a distinguished career as one of Philadelphia's most accomplished and

[58:57] civically minded painters. This res resolution will be placed on

[59:02] today's final passage calendar. >> A privileged resolution recognizing the

[59:06] Manua community in West Philadelphia as the birthplace of Philadelphia's

[59:10] anti-graffiti network and mural arts program, now known as Mural Arts

[59:14] Philadelphia. >> This resolution will place on today's

[59:18] final passage calendar. >> A non-privileged resolution confirming

[59:23] the reappoint of Sophia Lee as member of the board of the Philadelphia Energy

[59:28] Authority. This resolution will be placed on the

[59:30] final passage of this calendar for consideration at the next session of

[59:34] council >> and a non-privileged resolution

[59:36] confirming the reappoint of Barbara Moore as a member of the board of the

[59:39] Philadelphia Energy Authority. >> This resolution may be placed on the

[59:43] final passage calendar for consideration the next session of council

[59:46] » and a non-privileged resolution confirming the appointment of Matthew

[59:50] Bowman as a member of the board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. This

[59:54] resolution will be placed on the final passage of this calendar for

[59:56] consideration of the next session of council

[59:59] » and a non-p privileged resolution confirming the appointment of Guar Mecca

[1:00:04] as a member of the board of Philadelphia energy authority.

[1:00:08] » This resolution will be placed on the final passage calendar for consideration

[1:00:11] then at the next session of council >> and a non-privileged resolution

[1:00:15] confirming the appointment of Sante Rivas as a member of the board of the

[1:00:18] Philadelphia Energy Authority. This resolution will be placed on the final

[1:00:22] passage calendar for consideration at our next session of council.

[1:00:26] » And a non-p privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank

[1:00:30] to dispose of 1304 and 1310 South 28th Street, 1314 through 20 South 28th

[1:00:36] Street, including 1313 through 23 South Newkerk Street, located in the second

[1:00:42] council medic district in accordance with the terms of chapter 16-700 of the

[1:00:46] Philadelphia Code. This resolution will be placed on the final pastor's calendar

[1:00:50] for consideration at the next session of council.

[1:00:55] Chair recognizes majority whip council Isaiah Thomas.

[1:01:01] Good morning council president. Today I have uh two privilege resolution one on

[1:01:06] your behalf and I would also like to take a moment of personal privilege to

[1:01:10] say congratulations to the PFT on celebrating 85 years and the resolution

[1:01:15] for the PFT today is sponsored by all 17 members of city council. We love our

[1:01:20] teachers. Thank you council president. >> Thank you very much.

[1:01:28] » Will the chief clerk please read the title of the resolutions? a privileged

[1:01:32] resolution honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on

[1:01:36] the occasion of its 85th anniversary for extraordinary service, advocacy, and

[1:01:40] dedication to the students, educators, and schools of Philadelphia.

[1:01:44] » This resolution will be placed on today's final pastor's calendar. and a

[1:01:49] privileged resolution honoring Jane Golden for her 42 years of visionary

[1:01:52] leadership of Mural Arts Philadelphia during which she championed countless

[1:01:57] murals and public art initiatives that have strengthened the cultural fabric of

[1:02:01] the city of Philadelphia. >> This resolution may place on today's

[1:02:04] final passage calendar chair recognized council member Curtis Jones Jr.

[1:02:08] » Thank you, Mr. President. Today offer one bill and one privileged heavy

[1:02:13] resolution on your behalf. >> Thank you very much. Will the chief

[1:02:16] clerk please read the title of the bill and the resolution?

[1:02:25] » An ordinance amending title nine of the Philadelphia code entitled regulation of

[1:02:29] businesses, trades, and professions to establish security requirements for

[1:02:33] senior housing facilities under certain terms and conditions.

[1:02:38] This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee

[1:02:41] » and a non-p privileged resolution adopting the 2026 hazard mitigation plan

[1:02:46] as the official hazard mitigation plan of the city of Philadelphia.

[1:02:52] » This resolution will be placed on the final pastor's calendar for

[1:02:57] consideration at the next session of council. Chair recognizes Councilman

[1:03:02] Ruandal. >> Good morning, Council President and the

[1:03:06] public. Uh today I have four privilege resolutions and one privileged

[1:03:10] resolution and one non-privileged resolution on your behalf.

[1:03:14] » Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please read the title of the resolutions.

[1:03:19] » A privileged resolution honoring and celebrating Gay Bingo, an iconic

[1:03:23] Philadelphia cultural institution and one of its most recognizable LGBTQ plus

[1:03:29] traditions and HIV fundraisers on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. This

[1:03:34] resolution will be placed on today's final passage calendar.

[1:03:38] » And a privileged resolution recognizing, congratulating, and honoring William Wei

[1:03:42] LGBT Community Center on the occasion of its 50th anniversary for its

[1:03:46] life-changing work in the city of Philadelphia.

[1:03:48] » This resolution will be placed on today's final passage calendar. a

[1:03:53] privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the Pride Visitor Center on

[1:03:56] its opening for being a welcoming and visionary hub that will make all LGBTQ

[1:04:01] plus Philadelphiaians and visitors feel seen and safe when they come to this

[1:04:05] city. This resolution will be placed on today's final passage calendar

[1:04:10] » and a privileged resolution rec recognizing and honoring the incredible

[1:04:13] work of Philly Queer Fundy in organizing and activating Philadelphia's LGBTQ plus

[1:04:19] community for direct action, mutual aid, and community safety in a beautiful

[1:04:23] display of solidarity and intersectionality in action. This

[1:04:28] resolution will be placed on today's final pastor's calendar

[1:04:31] » and a privileged resolution recognizing July 5th, 2026 as Martyr's day in

[1:04:36] Philadelphia to honor the memory of five Philadelphiaians, Octavius Ko, Levi

[1:04:42] Balden, Jacob Gordon, Moses Wright, and Isaac Chase, who were slain while

[1:04:46] attempting to exercise their right to vote after the passage of the 15th

[1:04:50] amendment. This resolution will be placed on today's final passage calendar

[1:04:55] » and a non-p privileged resolution condemning the US Supreme Court

[1:04:58] majorities further gutting of key voting rights act protections in Linui in

[1:05:03] Louisiana versus callous thereby making it more difficult to establish majority

[1:05:08] minority districts weakening minority voting power and un voting power and

[1:05:13] undermining our democracy. This resolution will be placed on the final

[1:05:17] pastor's calendar for the next session of council.

[1:05:25] » Chair recognizes Council Member Ketsy Lazada.

[1:05:28] » Thank you, Council President. I have one bill.

[1:05:31] » Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please read the title of the bill.

[1:05:35] » An ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 6238

[1:05:40] Bustleton Avenue under certain terms and conditions. This bill be referred to the

[1:05:44] appropriate committee. Chair recognizes Council Member Jeffrey

[1:05:50] J. Young. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Today, I offer

[1:05:53] one privileged resolution and four non-privileged resolutions.

[1:05:56] » Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please read the title of

[1:06:01] the resolutions.

[1:06:05] A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Miss Anna Jenkins on the

[1:06:09] occasion of her retirement after decades of distinguished service as an educator

[1:06:13] and school teacher in the school district of Philadelphia. This

[1:06:16] resolution we place on today's final passage calendar

[1:06:19] » and a non-p privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank

[1:06:23] to dispose of 1802 1804 1808 1810 1812 1824 1826

[1:06:32] 1828 1830 1831 1835 1837 1839 and 185 1850 North Ringold Street 1812 1839 and

[1:06:46] 1844 North Taylor Street and 2411 and 2427 West Montgomery Avenue located in

[1:06:53] the fifth Councilmatic District in accordance with the terms of chapter

[1:06:56] 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code. This resolution will be placed on the final

[1:07:01] patches calendar for consideration at the next session of council

[1:07:05] » and a non-p privileged resolution authorizing the commissioner of public

[1:07:08] property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia redevelopment authority

[1:07:11] deeds conveying fee simple title to 916 920 and 924 west Auburn Street in the

[1:07:17] fifth council district of the city of Philadelphia and further authorizing the

[1:07:21] Philadelphia redevelopment authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank

[1:07:25] fee simple title to such properties pursuant to section 16-4. 45 of the

[1:07:29] Philadelphia code. This resolution will be placed on the final passage calendar

[1:07:34] for the next se session of council >> and a non-p privileged resolution

[1:07:38] authorizing the commissioner of public property to execute and deliver to the

[1:07:41] Philadelphia redevelopment authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 855

[1:07:45] North Orne Street in the fifth council district of the city of Philadelphia and

[1:07:49] further authorizing the Philadelphia redevelopment authority to transfer to

[1:07:53] the Philadelphia Land Bank fees simple title to such properties pursuant to

[1:07:56] section 16-405 of the Philadelphia code. This resolution will be placed on the

[1:08:01] final passage calendar for consideration at our next session of council.

[1:08:05] » And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia

[1:08:08] Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank

[1:08:12] deeds conveying title to various properties located in the fifth council

[1:08:15] medic district, including on the following streets. North Sixth Street,

[1:08:19] North 15th Street, North 30th Street, Paris Street, Seabbert Street, West

[1:08:24] Style Street, West Somerset Street, North Marshall Street, North 9th Street,

[1:08:29] North 27th Street, North 19th Street, North 23rd Street, North Bucknell

[1:08:34] Street, West Nar Street, North Ringold Street, North Eding Street, North 16th

[1:08:40] Street, and West Auburn Street. Pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth

[1:08:44] Land Bank Act, >> this resolution will be placed on the

[1:08:47] final pastor's calendar for consideration at our next session of

[1:08:51] council.

[1:08:54] » Chair recognizes minority de Kendra Brooks.

[1:08:58] » President, I have one privilege resolution to introduce today.

[1:09:02] » Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please read the title of the privilege

[1:09:05] resolution.

[1:09:08] A privileged resolution congratulating Fab Youth Philly on the occasion of

[1:09:12] their 10-year anniversary and honoring a decade of visionary, dedicated, and

[1:09:16] impactful work to empower teens and improve communities.

[1:09:20] » This resolution we place on today's final passage calendar. Chair recognizes

[1:09:24] Council Member Jim Harity. >> Good afternoon, Council President. I

[1:09:29] have two nonprivileged resolutions on your

[1:09:33] behalf. >> Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please

[1:09:35] read the title of the resolutions. >> A non-p privileged resolution confirming

[1:09:40] the appointment of Leila Bby to serve on the zoning board of adjustment. This

[1:09:45] resolution will be placed on the final passage calendar for consideration at

[1:09:49] our next session of council. >> And a non-privileged resolution urging

[1:09:52] the general assembly to pass legislation allowing cities of the first class to

[1:09:56] raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour, an essential step toward ensuring that

[1:10:01] all Philadelphiaians are able to keep up with the rising cost of living and have

[1:10:05] the opportunity to build a better future.

[1:10:08] » This resolution will be placed on the final passage calendar for consideration

[1:10:12] at next session of council.

[1:10:23] Chair recognizes Council Member Nicholas Oor.

[1:10:26] » Thank you, Mr. President. Nothing today. >> Thank you very much. Recognize

[1:10:30] Councilman Mike Driscoll. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the

[1:10:34] Committee on Licenses and Inspections reports out seven bills with a favorable

[1:10:38] recommendation. reports will be in a minute, but any

[1:10:42] bills introd bills you would like to introduce or resolutions, sir?

[1:10:45] » Okay. >> Oh, nothing today.

[1:10:48] » Thank you [laughter] very much, sir. >> Chair recognizes Council Member Brian

[1:10:53] O'Neal. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I have no

[1:10:55] bills or resolutions. >> Okay. Chair recognizes Councilman Mark

[1:10:58] Squillan. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two

[1:11:01] bills and one non-privilege resolution. >> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

[1:11:04] read the title of the bills and resolutions.

[1:11:16] an ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewall cafe in the

[1:11:20] vicinity of 2351 South Front Street under certain terms and conditions. This

[1:11:26] bill will be referred to the appropriate committee

[1:11:32] » and an ordinance renaming and designating Gerard Fountain Park located

[1:11:36] on the 300 block of Art Street as Janet Coulter Park. This bill will be referred

[1:11:41] to the appropriate committee >> and a non-p privileged resolution

[1:11:45] authorizing the Philadelphia redevelopment authority to execute and

[1:11:48] deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1941 through 47

[1:11:53] East Huntington Street located in the first count first councilmatic district

[1:11:57] pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.

[1:12:00] » This resolution will be placed on the final passage calendar for consideration

[1:12:05] the next session of council. The chair recognizes council member Cindy Bass.

[1:12:09] » Thank you, Mr. President. and I offer five priv privileged resolutions and one

[1:12:13] bill today. >> Thank you very much. Chief clerk, please

[1:12:15] read the title of the bill and resolutions.

[1:12:20] » An ordinance designating the 21st day of May as the holiday owner judge day all

[1:12:26] under certain terms and conditions. >> This bill will be referred to the

[1:12:30] appropriate committee.

[1:12:36] » Just just one second. Council be at ease.

[1:12:59] » Please proceed. >> A privileged resolution honoring and

[1:13:02] recognizing Captain Dana Bradley and the officers and staff of the 39th Police

[1:13:06] District for their service. community engagement and commitment to public

[1:13:10] safety in the city of Philadelphia. >> This resolution we place on today's

[1:13:14] final passage calendar and a privileged resolution honoring and

[1:13:19] recognizing Captain Walter Burks and the dedicated officers and staff of the 35th

[1:13:24] Police District for their leadership, commitment to public safety, and service

[1:13:28] to the residents of Philadelphia. This resolution will be placed on today's

[1:13:32] final passage calendar. >> And a privileged resolution honoring and

[1:13:35] recognizing Captain Steuart McCullum and the officers and staff of the

[1:13:39] Philadelphia Police Department's 14th district for their leadership, service,

[1:13:42] and commitment to public safety and community engagement. This resolution we

[1:13:46] place on today's final passage calendar >> and a privileged resolution authorizing

[1:13:50] the committee on public safety to hold hearings on implementing CPR and

[1:13:54] emergency overdose awareness training for all city employees to strengthen

[1:13:58] emergency preparedness and situational awareness across city government. This

[1:14:03] resolution replaced from today's final passage calendar

[1:14:07] » and a privileged resolution authorizing the committee on public safety to hold

[1:14:10] hearings on implementing mandatory conflict resolution and deescalation

[1:14:13] training for all city employees. >> This resolution will be placed on

[1:14:17] today's final passage calendar. Chair recognizes council Dr. Nina Matt.

[1:14:23] » Thank you council president. I am co-introducing one privilege resolution

[1:14:27] with council member Quilla today. >> Thank you very much chief clerk. Please

[1:14:32] read the title of the resolution. >> A privileged resolution recognizing and

[1:14:35] celebrating the 2026 Philippine Independence Week celebration in

[1:14:39] Philadelphia taking place from June 6th to June 20th.

[1:14:45] » Chair Councilman Dr. Name. >> Uh thank you, Council President. I would

[1:14:50] like to request a leave of absence to attend other council business and I

[1:14:54] would like to be marked as voting I on all bills and resolutions under

[1:14:58] consideration today. >> Duly recorded. leave is granted.

[1:15:02] » Thank you. >> The previous resolution will be placed

[1:15:06] on today's final passage calendar.

[1:15:12] The next order of business is reports from committee. The chair recognizes

[1:15:17] council member Cindy Bass for report from the committee on rules.

[1:15:22] » Thank you, Mr. President. The committee on rules reports out one bill with a

[1:15:26] favorable recommendation. Thank you very much, chief clerk. Please

[1:15:30] read the report. >> The committee on rules to which was

[1:15:33] referred the following bill. Bill number 260207,

[1:15:38] an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning

[1:15:41] designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by I76,

[1:15:46] the Skookul Expressway ramp, Harton ramp street, and the Conra Rail right of way.

[1:15:51] Respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the

[1:15:54] attached bill to council with a favorable recommendation. There are

[1:15:58] there are no further bills to report out from the committee on rules. Council

[1:16:01] President, >> thank you very much. The chair

[1:16:03] recognized Council Cindy Bass for a motion on the bill.

[1:16:09] » Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of committee of council be

[1:16:12] suspended to permit first reading this day of the bill just read into the

[1:16:16] record by the chief clerk. It has been moved in property seconded that the

[1:16:20] rules of council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the bill

[1:16:25] just read by the chief clerk at today's session of council. All those in favor

[1:16:29] of the motion will signify by saying I. >> Those opposed the eyes have it. The

[1:16:33] motion carries. The bill will be placed in our first reading calendar for the

[1:16:37] day. The chair recognizes council member majority Katherine Gilmore Richardson

[1:16:41] for a report from the committee on law and government.

[1:16:44] » Thank you Mr. President. The Committee on Law and Government reports out three

[1:16:48] resolutions and six bills with a favorable recommendation.

[1:16:52] » Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please read the report.

[1:16:55] » The Committee on Law and Government to which will refer the following

[1:16:58] resolutions and bills. Resolution 260270,

[1:17:02] a resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to

[1:17:06] provide for the creation of Creative Philadelphia and providing for the

[1:17:10] submission of the amendment to the Electors of Philadelphia. Resolution

[1:17:15] 260467, a resolution proposing an amendment to

[1:17:19] the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to change city procurement procedures and

[1:17:23] requirements and providing for the submission of the amendment to the

[1:17:26] electors of Philadelphia. Bill number 26076,

[1:17:30] an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of

[1:17:33] the city of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by

[1:17:38] council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating

[1:17:42] to the creation of the Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission and authorizing

[1:17:46] and directing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make

[1:17:50] arrangements for the special election. Bill Number 260264,

[1:17:55] an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of

[1:17:58] the city of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by

[1:18:02] council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to

[1:18:06] provide for the creation of a creative Philadelphia, to provide for the powers

[1:18:10] and duties of such office, and to otherwise provide for incorporation of

[1:18:14] the office into city government and authorizing the appropriate officers to

[1:18:18] publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election, all under

[1:18:21] certain terms and conditions. Bill Number 260458, an ordinance

[1:18:25] amending section 17-103 of the Philadelphia Code entitled bonds

[1:18:29] relating to procurement contracts to amend requirements related to

[1:18:33] performance and payment bonds on certain contracts and providing for disclosure

[1:18:37] and monitoring of the bond acquisition cost all under certain terms and

[1:18:41] conditions. Bill Number 260460, an ordinance amending chapter 17-1400 of

[1:18:47] the Philadelphia Code entitled non-competitively bid contracts

[1:18:51] financial assistance by updating references and exclusions all under

[1:18:55] certain terms and conditions respectfully reports it has considered

[1:18:58] the same and returns the attached resolutions and bills to council with a

[1:19:01] favorable recommendation. And resolution number

[1:19:06] 26094, a resolution proposing an amendment to

[1:19:10] the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, providing for the creation of the

[1:19:13] Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission, and providing for the submission of the

[1:19:17] proposed amendment to the Electors of Philadelphia. Bill number 260457, an

[1:19:21] ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the city of

[1:19:25] Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia home rule charter to change

[1:19:28] city procurement procedures and requirements, fixing the date of a

[1:19:31] special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of a ballot

[1:19:35] question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish

[1:19:38] notice and to make arrangements for the special election. and bill number

[1:19:41] 260459, an ordinance amending section 17-109 of

[1:19:46] the Philadelphia Code entitled local bidding preferences by establishing a

[1:19:49] new category of bid preference for businesses that are both local, small,

[1:19:53] and amending definitions, certifications, goal setting, and

[1:19:56] reporting requirements, all under certain terms and conditions,

[1:19:59] respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same, and returns the

[1:20:02] attached resolution and bills to council with a favorable recommendation. There

[1:20:06] are no further resolutions or bills to report out from the committee on law and

[1:20:09] government. Council President. >> Chair recognizes Council Katherine

[1:20:15] Gilmore Richardson for

[1:20:20] » Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of council be

[1:20:23] suspended as to permit first reading this day of the bills just read into the

[1:20:27] record by the chief clerk. Second, >> it has been moved properly seconded that

[1:20:31] the rules of council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of these

[1:20:35] bills just read by the chief clerk at the day session of council. All those in

[1:20:39] favor, the motion will signify by saying I. I.

[1:20:42] » Those opposed, the eyes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be

[1:20:46] placed on the first reading calendar for today. The resolutions will be placed on

[1:20:50] the final pastor's calendar at our next session of council. The chair recognized

[1:20:55] Councilman Mike Driscoll for a report from the committee on license and

[1:20:58] inspections. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The the

[1:21:02] committee on licenses and inspections reports out seven bills with a favorable

[1:21:06] recommendation. Thank you very much, Chief Clerk, please

[1:21:09] read the report.

[1:21:13] » The Committee on Licenses and Inspections to which were referred the

[1:21:16] following bills. Bill number 2550645, an ordinance amending title four of the

[1:21:22] Philadelphia Code entitled Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code

[1:21:26] by adopting the 2021 edition of the International Plumbing Code as published

[1:21:30] by the International Code Council, including introduction of new amendments

[1:21:34] and maintenance of previously adopted amendments to the 2018 International

[1:21:38] Plumbing Code as adopted under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code

[1:21:42] Act, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill Number 260391,

[1:21:46] an ordinance amending title four of the Philadelphia Code entitled the

[1:21:49] Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code by amending Subode M, the

[1:21:54] Philadelphia Mechanical Code, and adopting the 2021 edition of the

[1:21:57] International Mechanical Code as published by the International Code

[1:22:01] Council with amendments thereto as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform

[1:22:05] Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill number

[1:22:09] 260392, an ordinance amending title four of the

[1:22:12] Philadelphia Code entitled the Philadelphia Building Construction and

[1:22:16] Occupancy Code by amending Subode G, the Philadelphia Fuel Gas Code, sub code PC,

[1:22:21] the Philadelphia Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities, and Subode EB,

[1:22:25] the Philadelphia Existing Building Code, and adopting the 2021 editions of the

[1:22:29] International Fuel Gas Code Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities and

[1:22:34] International Existing Building Code as published by the International Code

[1:22:38] Council. with amendments there too is authorized by the Phil Pennsylvania

[1:22:41] Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill

[1:22:45] number 260393, an ordinance amending sub code A, the Philadelphia Administrative

[1:22:49] Code of Title 4 of the Philadelphia Code, the Building Construction and

[1:22:53] Occupancy Code by revising and clarifying certain provisions, making

[1:22:57] corrections for compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code

[1:23:00] Act, and making technical changes all under certain terms and conditions.

[1:23:05] Bill Number 260394, an ordinance amending title four of the

[1:23:09] Philadelphia Code entitled the Philadelphia Building Construction and

[1:23:12] Occupancy Code by amending sub code B, the Philadelphia Building Code, and

[1:23:16] adopting the 2021 edition of the International Building Code as published

[1:23:20] by the International Code Council with various amendments there too, as

[1:23:24] authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain

[1:23:27] terms and conditions. Bill Number 260395, an ordinance amending title four

[1:23:31] of the Philadelphia Code entitled the Philadelphia Building Construction and

[1:23:35] Occupancy Code by amending sub code R, the Philadelphia Residential Code and

[1:23:39] adopting the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code as

[1:23:42] published by the International Code Council with amendments there too as

[1:23:46] authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain

[1:23:49] terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and

[1:23:52] returns the attached bills to council with a favorable recommendation. and

[1:23:56] bill number 2550644, an ordinance amending title four of the

[1:23:59] Philadelphia code entitled the Philadelphia Building Construction and

[1:24:03] Occupancy Code by adopting the 2021 edition of the inter international

[1:24:07] energy conservation code and the international residential code part 4

[1:24:11] energy conservation as published by the international code council with

[1:24:15] previously adopted amendments thereto as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform

[1:24:18] Construction Code Act all under certain terms and conditions. respectfully

[1:24:22] reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill

[1:24:25] to council with the favorable recommendation. There are no further

[1:24:27] bills to report out from the committee on licenses and inspections council

[1:24:30] president. >> Thank you very much the chair recognized

[1:24:32] council Mike Driscoll for a motion. >> Thank you Mr. President. I move that the

[1:24:37] rules of council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bills just

[1:24:41] read into the record by the chief clerk. It has been moved in property seconded

[1:24:46] that the rules of council be suspended so who have to permit the consideration

[1:24:49] of these bills just read by the chief clerk at today's session council. All

[1:24:53] those in favor the motion was signified by saying I.

[1:24:57] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The motion carries these bills will be

[1:25:00] placed on our first reading calendar for today.

[1:25:05] Chair recognizes council member Phillips for a report from the committee on parks

[1:25:08] and recreation and cultural affairs. >> Thank you council president. The

[1:25:13] Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs reports two bills with

[1:25:16] a favorable recommendation. >> Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please

[1:25:20] read the report.

[1:25:24] » The Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, to which we're

[1:25:28] referred the following bills. Bill number 260424,

[1:25:31] an ordinance establishing temporary parking regulations and enforcement

[1:25:35] thereof and temporary residential and guest parking permits for the vicinity

[1:25:39] of the area bounded by the intersection of North 21st Street and North College

[1:25:43] Avenue, North 21st Street, Master Street, North 25th Street, Cecil Bemore

[1:25:48] Avenue, North 33rd Street, West Oxford Street, West Glennwood Avenue, North

[1:25:53] 32nd Street, and continuing along the railroad boundary south from North 32nd

[1:25:59] Street at West Thompson Street to the intersection of Aspen Street,

[1:26:02] Pennsylvania Avenue, Hamilton Street, North 21st Street, Fairmount Avenue,

[1:26:07] Corinthian Avenue, Brown Street, North 21st Street, Popppler Street, Corinthian

[1:26:12] Avenue, South College Avenue, Popppler Street, West College Avenue, North

[1:26:16] College Avenue to the intersection of North College Avenue and North 21st

[1:26:20] Street, all under certain terms and conditions.

[1:26:25] respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the

[1:26:28] attached bill to council with a favorable recommendation. And bill

[1:26:31] number 260430, an ordinance authorizing the

[1:26:34] commissioner of parks and recreation on behalf of the city of Philadelphia to

[1:26:38] enter into a multi-leas agreement with Fairmont Park Conservancy under which

[1:26:41] the city would lease the conservancy portions of the city-owned premises

[1:26:45] known as Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park for the consery's use, operation,

[1:26:48] management, maintenance, and repair all under certain terms and conditions.

[1:26:52] respectfully reports it as considered the same and returns the attached bill

[1:26:55] to council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further

[1:26:57] bills to report out from the committee on parks, recreation, and cultural

[1:27:00] affairs. Council President, >> thank you very much. The chair

[1:27:03] recognized Councilman Phillips for a motion.

[1:27:06] » Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of council be suspended

[1:27:10] to permit the first reading this day of the bills just read into the record by

[1:27:14] the chief clerk. It has removing property seconded that

[1:27:18] the rules of council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of these

[1:27:22] bills just read by the chief clerk at today's session of council. All those in

[1:27:26] favor of the motion will signify by saying I.

[1:27:29] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be

[1:27:32] placed on our first reading calendar for today. The chair recognizes councilman

[1:27:37] Mark Squiler for report from the committee on commerce and economic

[1:27:41] development. >> Thank you Mr. President. The com

[1:27:44] committee on commerce and economic development reports three bills with the

[1:27:47] favorable recommendation. >> Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please

[1:27:51] read the report. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to

[1:27:55] which were referred the following bills. Bill number 260162,

[1:27:59] an ordinance amending chapter 9-600 of the Philadelphia Code Service and Other

[1:28:03] Businesses by adding a new section 9-631.1

[1:28:07] to establish requirements for commercial landlords to take remedial action

[1:28:10] against commercial tenants who engage in tobacco retailing without a required

[1:28:15] tobacco retailer permit and establishing penalties all under certain terms and

[1:28:19] conditions. Respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the

[1:28:23] attached bill to council with a favorable recommendation. and bill

[1:28:27] number 260163, an ordinance amending title nine of the

[1:28:31] Philadelphia Code entitled regulation of businesses, trades, and professions to

[1:28:34] establish restrictions and regulations related to the sale of certain

[1:28:38] intoxicating substances and providing for associated penalties and enforcement

[1:28:41] all under certain terms and conditions. and bill number 260465,

[1:28:46] an ordinance amending chapter 10-100 animals of the Philadelphia Code to

[1:28:51] restrict the operation of carriage horse businesses and to provide for penalties

[1:28:54] for violations all under certain terms and conditions. Respectfully reports it

[1:28:58] has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to council

[1:29:01] with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from

[1:29:04] the committee on commerce and economic development council president.

[1:29:08] » Thank you very much. The chair recognizes council Mark Squiller for a

[1:29:11] motion. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And I move the

[1:29:13] rules of council be suspended and submit the first reading this day of the bills

[1:29:16] just read into the record by the chief clerk.

[1:29:18] » Second. >> It has been moved properly seconded that

[1:29:21] the rules of council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of these

[1:29:24] bills just read by the chief clerk at today's session and council. All those

[1:29:28] in favor of the motion will signify by saying I. Those opposed the eyes have

[1:29:33] it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed in our first reading calendar

[1:29:37] for today. The chair recognized Councilman Ru

[1:29:40] Landau for report from the committee on technology and information.

[1:29:46] » Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Technology and Information Services

[1:29:49] reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.

[1:29:52] » Thank you very much, Chief Clerk. Please read the report.

[1:29:55] » The Committee on Technology and Information Services, to which we're

[1:29:58] referred the following bills. Bill Number 260385,

[1:30:02] an ordinance authorizing the chief information officer on behalf of the

[1:30:05] city to enter into a multi-year agreement to purchase support for

[1:30:09] mainframe and database software protocols and applications under certain

[1:30:13] terms and conditions. and bill number 260386,

[1:30:16] an ordinance authorizing the chief information officer on behalf of the

[1:30:20] city to enter into a multi-year agreement to purchase licenses for

[1:30:23] email, cloud services, enterprise software, data services, security

[1:30:27] software, and other related computing products and services under certain

[1:30:31] terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same, and

[1:30:35] returns the attached bills to council with a favorable recommendation. There

[1:30:38] are no further bills to report out from the committee on technology and

[1:30:40] information services. Council President, >> thank you very much. Chair recognized

[1:30:44] Councilman Ruland for a motion. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I move that

[1:30:48] the rules of council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the

[1:30:52] bills just read into the record by the chief clerk.

[1:30:56] » It has been moved properly seconded that the rules of council be suspended so as

[1:30:59] to permit the consideration of these bills just read by the chief clerk at

[1:31:03] the day session and council. All those in favor, the motion will signify by

[1:31:07] saying I. Those opposed, the eyes have it. The motion carries. These bills will

[1:31:12] be placed on our first reading calendar for today.

[1:31:16] The next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. I note

[1:31:20] that the bills reported from committees with the suspicion of rules have been

[1:31:25] deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the second

[1:31:29] reading and final passage calendar for the next session of council. The chair

[1:31:34] recognizes council member Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion

[1:31:37] concerning bills on the first reading calendar,

[1:31:42] resolutions on the final passage calendar, and bills on the second

[1:31:46] reading of final passage calendar. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. The

[1:31:51] following bill on the first reading calendar is being held. Bill number

[1:31:55] 260298. The following resolutions are being

[1:31:58] called up from the final passage calendar. And the following bills are

[1:32:02] being called up from the second reading and final passage calendar today.

[1:32:06] Resolution numbers 260545,260546

[1:32:11] 260548 and bill numbers 2603-

[1:32:16] A 26021260296

[1:32:20] 260297 260301

[1:32:24] 26034 and 260379. The following resolutions and bills on

[1:32:29] the calendar are being held. Resolution number 260481

[1:32:33] and bills number 2550768,250807

[1:32:38] and 260238 260302 is being amended. And with that,

[1:32:43] Mr. President, I'd like to respectfully request uh a leave uh of council for

[1:32:48] other very important council business. And I'd like to be recorded as voting I

[1:32:53] on all bills and resolutions. Thank you. >> DY recorded. Thank you very much. Leave

[1:32:57] is granted.

[1:33:01] Before considering the resolutions and bills, we will consider public comment

[1:33:06] as follows. Your public comment must concerns matters on the second reading

[1:33:10] of final passage calendars for possible action at today's session of council.

[1:33:15] All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed

[1:33:20] up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Miss Hash at the

[1:33:25] table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called

[1:33:28] in the order in which your name appears on the signup sheet. Under ideal

[1:33:32] circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak.

[1:33:35] However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Today, the time

[1:33:39] limit will be two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I

[1:33:44] attend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin

[1:33:47] speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds

[1:33:51] remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to

[1:33:55] conclude your remarks. Once two minutes have passed, the light

[1:34:00] will turn red, and the sergeant-at-arms will disconnect the microphone.

[1:34:05] The sergeant-at-arms is only doing his job.

[1:34:13] Respectfully, please do not give him a hard time. He's just doing his job. At

[1:34:17] that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already

[1:34:21] done so. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of city council to

[1:34:26] limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter.

[1:34:31] I will now ask the chief clerk to please call the first person for public

[1:34:35] comment. Will Renee Quarterman, William Small,

[1:34:41] Dennis Barnaby, David Anker, Malai Galves, John Maui, William Tongue, Ren

[1:34:53] Gayy, Jeremy Blatstein, and Javanni Newton. Please make your way to the

[1:35:00] podium.

[1:35:15] Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of

[1:35:19] resolution 260545. My name is Renee Quarterman. I am a

[1:35:25] surgical breast oncologist and the leader of Philadelphia for Cuba. I have

[1:35:29] traveled to Cuba several times on humanitarian aid missions and have

[1:35:33] observed firsthand the suffering that the United States has caused. Cuba has

[1:35:39] some of the best trained physicians in the world and their medical brigades

[1:35:42] have supported small and large communities on almost every continent.

[1:35:47] Cuban scientists invented medications to treat lung cancer, diabetic ulcers, and

[1:35:52] Alzheimer's disease. It has done all of these things while being thoroughly

[1:35:56] opposed by the United States. Since 1959, the United States government has

[1:36:02] blocked Cuba from development and trade, limiting its potential and wearing away

[1:36:07] its resources. Cuba's crime was putting its own interests before those of the

[1:36:12] United States. The first Trump administration placed Cuba on the state

[1:36:16] sponsors of terrorism list, which decimated Cuba's ability to do business

[1:36:21] with the world. Cuba is no threat, and Cuba is no enemy. The US has most

[1:36:28] recently cut off all shipments of oil to the island, and Cubans are without power

[1:36:33] for over 20 hours a day. There are no fans, stoves, or refrigerators. My

[1:36:39] friends and colleagues can't sleep and they don't know where their next meal

[1:36:43] will come from. Over 100,000 people are waiting for

[1:36:47] surgery. And I can tell you that by the time the resources are available, many

[1:36:52] of the people on that list will be dead or inoperable.

[1:36:56] The infant mortality rate in Cuba, once among the lowest in the world, has now

[1:37:01] tripled thanks to the blockade. Why should this city council endorse this

[1:37:06] resolution? Because like other cities around the world,

[1:37:13] sorry, I think my time is up. Got distracted.

[1:37:18] So, I just ask that you please endorse and approve this resolution. Thank you.

[1:37:21] » Thank you very much.

[1:37:34] Good morning everybody. My name is William Small. I'm a part of a

[1:37:38] grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. But today I am here on

[1:37:42] behalf of my fellow property owners along Kensington Avenue. And I rise

[1:37:48] today in opposition to resolution 260545 because with all due respect, I cannot

[1:37:55] understand why Philadelphia City Council is spending time debating Cuba while

[1:38:00] Philadelphia itself is in a crisis. This is not the government of Cuba. This is

[1:38:05] not the United Nations. This is Philadelphia city hall. And the people

[1:38:09] of this city are asking a simple question. Why does it feel like this

[1:38:13] council fights harder for people outside of this country than citizens living in

[1:38:18] Philadelphia right now? Philadelphia residents are struggling every single

[1:38:22] day. Kensington is collapsing. It is a war zone. Councilwoman, drug markets are

[1:38:28] still open. Families do not feel safe. Businesses are leaving. Working people

[1:38:33] are barely surviving. But somehow this council has all the energy for symbolic

[1:38:38] resolutions, foreign politics, and performative activism. I called this

[1:38:43] months ago. I said once the primaries were over, the energy around the schools

[1:38:48] would change. Working families and the real issues facing Philadelphia would

[1:38:52] disappear. And that is exactly what is happening now. The election is over and

[1:38:56] the primaries are clear. and respectfully. When residents walk in

[1:39:00] this chamber and still see ice out signs sitting on desks while our communities

[1:39:04] are suffering, it sends a message whether you intend to or not. It tells

[1:39:09] Philadelphiaians we have more passion for political slogans and federal

[1:39:13] immigration than fights in fixing the conditions in your neighborhoods. That

[1:39:17] is the message we're hearing. And in my opinion, if Congress should investigate

[1:39:21] anything, it should be why Philadelphia residents feel neglected by the very

[1:39:26] officials sworn to serve us. Because the American people have already seen public

[1:39:31] officials in this country accused of putting foreign interests ahead of

[1:39:35] people they represent. Thank you.

[1:39:48] Good afternoon, council um and council president and council members. My name

[1:39:53] is Dennis Barnaby. I'm a longtime resident of Germantown and spent my

[1:39:57] career in the school district of Philadelphia where I did many

[1:39:59] testimonies both here at uh the schoolboard meetings and at the state

[1:40:04] level. I'm here on the not a dissimilar issue. The harm being done by our

[1:40:09] country and the money being wasted there instead of being spent here on taking

[1:40:15] care of the needs we have here in our own city and our own country. The

[1:40:19] cruelty of the Trump administration seems to know no bounds. their actions

[1:40:22] unrestricted by as a silence. Congress continue to be directed not towards

[1:40:26] safeguarding our country or spending on our own needs, but pursuing a foreign

[1:40:31] policy that seeks cooperative um a foreign policy that seeks

[1:40:38] cooperative relations, but instead one that takes advantage of weaknesses,

[1:40:41] enjoys bullying where possible, and shows force beyond legal limits. Cuba is

[1:40:45] no threat to the United States. We are wasting our money in unnecessary actions

[1:40:49] like this. The sanctions imposed in Cuba, if not criminal, are of the

[1:40:53] highest immorality, dare I say unamerican, and need to be reversed. To

[1:40:58] encircle a small nation, starving its residents and its children, is inhuman.

[1:41:05] We know change happens through travel, trade, and conversation, not by

[1:41:09] isolation, and fear-mongering. In spite of many disagreements on governing

[1:41:13] policy, Cuba has made outstanding biomedical and education advances, which

[1:41:17] we know practically nothing about. And for this administration, which has been

[1:41:21] responsible for innumerable illegal arrests, racist screeds, demonizing

[1:41:26] anyone of color, was moved to this country while welcoming white South

[1:41:30] Africans, ignoring its own procedures for legitimizing residency, using our

[1:41:35] tax dollars to fund its friends with government contacts for prisons, while

[1:41:38] mistreating those who have illegally been forced into them, and even now

[1:41:42] responsible for the deaths of our own citizens. To call another guil another

[1:41:45] another country guilty of state sponsored terrorism is beyond the pale.

[1:41:49] Please support this resolution.

[1:41:59] Good morning. Thank you for your time and your interest. My name is David

[1:42:03] Anker. I live in East Oak Lane. This is a very personal topic for me and one

[1:42:06] that I have direct knowledge and experience in. I first traveled to Cuba

[1:42:10] in 2004. I've lived I visited the country dozens of times in the in the

[1:42:15] last 22 years. Why? My wife's family lives in Havana and through their lives

[1:42:20] and households, aunts, cousins, parents, we understand all too well the daily

[1:42:25] lives and challenges of common people in Cuba. That is to say, my impression is

[1:42:30] not based on a book I read or one conversation I once had. It's a lived

[1:42:34] experience, one shared in Cuba with Cuban people, waiting in long lines for

[1:42:39] food or at the bank or simply sitting in a dark home without electricity, with no

[1:42:44] cooking gas, wondering when or if the water will run out. Daily life in Cuba

[1:42:48] and the many hardships, shortages, and challenges are the direct intended

[1:42:52] result of USA policy towards Cuba. The United States policy towards Cuba began

[1:42:58] in the 60s and though it has taken twists and turns, it has been largely

[1:43:02] unchanged in that we use sanctions as a form of collective punishment. Cuba is

[1:43:07] the second most heavily sanctioned country in the world. I have to ask how

[1:43:11] successful this policy really is if for 60 years it has not achieved its

[1:43:16] intended result. More importantly, how fair is the policy of collective

[1:43:20] punishment? How reasonable is it to use s collective suffering of the common

[1:43:24] folk to pressure the very few who rule? It is profoundly unfair and it is a

[1:43:29] violation of the principles of humanity and basic human rights. The sanctions on

[1:43:33] Cuba should be lifted. New policy based on trade between two equal nations

[1:43:37] should be adopted. And most importantly, the threats and bluster of military

[1:43:41] action or intervention in Cuba must end. Regime change is something that any

[1:43:46] student of history knows is not just wrong but deeply flawed. I ask you to

[1:43:51] help Philadelphia shine on this topic as it has done in so many matters of

[1:43:56] importance through its illustrious history. Please speak up. Please support

[1:43:59] this resolution. Thank you.

[1:44:08] Thank you for the opportunity um to speak today. My name is Mille Galves A

[1:44:13] Costa and I was born and raised in Cuba. So, but I have the fortunate to call

[1:44:19] Philadelphia home for the past 20 years, but most of my family lives in Cuba.

[1:44:25] Cubans have suffered way too much for way too long. The current humanitarian

[1:44:31] crisis is not only unfair, but is also unproductive. We need new policy of

[1:44:38] engagement and diplomacy. As a Cuban, I have many, many objections with the

[1:44:44] government in Havana. Trust me, I do. But plenty of uh economic econometric

[1:44:51] studies have shown that the US embargo affects the Cuban people and not the

[1:44:57] government. Collective punishment is wrong and unfair and the illusion that

[1:45:02] the US military intervention in Cuba will achieve freedom for the citizens of

[1:45:08] Cuba is a fallacy. Violence will not lead us to a free and democratic Cuba.

[1:45:16] Trade, diplomacy, engagement is what we need. And as a Philadelphia Cuban, I ask

[1:45:22] you to support this this resolution. Thank you.

[1:45:39] Good morning everyone. My name is John Elante Macaulay. I'm with a grassroots

[1:45:43] organization called Flip Philly Red. We're here to offer you something

[1:45:47] different because you've been voting Democrat for the mayor's office for the

[1:45:50] past 70 years. In regard to resolution 260545,

[1:45:55] a resolution urging the Trump administration to remove Cuba from the

[1:45:59] list of state sponsors of terrorism. I ask, why does the Democratic and Working

[1:46:04] Families Party support communism? Thank God Barack Hussein Obama is not in

[1:46:10] office. Cuba is known for harboring terrorists and protecting cop killers

[1:46:15] who killed the New Jersey state trooper. We stand with the Cuban people, not its

[1:46:20] government. Who is responsible for economic mismanagement, centralized

[1:46:25] control, infrastructure decay, and political repression? Electricity,

[1:46:31] blackouts often last 12 to 20 hours per day. Many families only eat once a day.

[1:46:37] One study showed 89% of the population is in extreme poverty. Over 1,000

[1:46:42] political prisoners reported in recent years for criticizing their government.

[1:46:47] This includes activists, artists, and journalists. But Democrats don't care

[1:46:52] about that. Their whole message is Trump bad or man an idiot and we love

[1:46:57] communism. We should give direct aid to the Cuban people, not lift economic

[1:47:01] sanctions for their government. With all of those American tax dollars that went

[1:47:05] to US aid, why are those people still in poverty? Cuba stands with American

[1:47:10] enemies, Iran, Russia, China, and I guess Councilman Aor clearly stands with

[1:47:18] them as well. Democrats in the Working Families Party control government in

[1:47:22] Philadelphia. Malcolm X called black voters who gave unwavering support who

[1:47:28] without demanding results chumps. And I quote, "You put them first and they put

[1:47:33] you last cuz you're a chump, a political chump." End quote. But you could change

[1:47:38] that in November. November. Stacy Gity for governor.

[1:47:48] » Hi. Good morning. Good morning. Tough act to follow there. My name is Will

[1:47:52] Tong. [laughter]

[1:47:56] Hey. Okay. Hey. All right. My name is Will Tong. Uh I'm I'm a a volunteer over

[1:48:00] at Fifth Square Advocacy. Uh I'm here in support of uh Council Member Phillips

[1:48:04] resolution calling on hearings toward more parks and wreck funding. This is a

[1:48:09] issue that's deeply personal to me. Yeah. Thank you guys. Round of applause.

[1:48:13] Um I live around the corner from case King Rec Center which just had a ribbon

[1:48:17] cutting, right? $27 million. Beautiful facility. I never thought it would look

[1:48:22] like that. Um unfortunately a couple weeks ago there was a leak, right? and

[1:48:27] it ruined the it ruined the basketball gym floor. It was a month after the

[1:48:32] ribbon cutting. And now that now the gym floor is closed because just because of

[1:48:37] maintenance and I am deeply concerned that if we don't keep up this investment

[1:48:42] that we made in the community that is just going to it's just going to go back

[1:48:46] the way it was, right? And so we need to follow up these historic investments in

[1:48:51] rebuild with parks and wreck maintenance funding so that we can keep our parks

[1:48:58] and wreck facilities open and you know available to the community. Um I also

[1:49:03] want to talk a little bit about transit oriented communities. I'm so glad that

[1:49:07] transit oriented communities has has made it into council. We look forward to

[1:49:11] uh speaking on it at the rules committee uh next week. And you know, development

[1:49:16] is here and we have a growing city again and we want to make sure that growth is

[1:49:20] around public transportation to support SEPTA writership to make sure our city

[1:49:24] is sustainable. Um, and that is just where housing should go naturally to to

[1:49:30] decrease the negative impacts of it um on the city toward congestion and

[1:49:34] environmental um and all that. So, thank you so much guys.

[1:49:47] Good morning, Council President Johnson and Philadelphia Council members. Thank

[1:49:50] you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Ren Gayy and I'm here to

[1:49:54] voice strong support for the resolution authorizing a hearing on our city's park

[1:49:57] system. As advocacy manager for Pen Future, my work in Philly is deeply

[1:50:02] focused on quality of life issues and protecting and expanding our green

[1:50:05] spaces is a top priority. I'm grateful to Council Member Phillips for his

[1:50:09] leadership and commitment to our parks and for introducing this legislation.

[1:50:13] Our parks are not just amenities. They are essential public infrastructure.

[1:50:17] They cool our neighborhoods during extreme heat, absorb rain water, and

[1:50:20] protect our homes from flooding, provide safe places for families to gather, and

[1:50:25] support the health and resilience of all of our communities. But we also know

[1:50:28] that access to high-quality parks is not experienced equally across our city.

[1:50:32] Some neighborhoods enjoy well-maintained, vibrant green spaces,

[1:50:36] while others face aging facilities, limited programming, and chronic

[1:50:40] disinvestment. Authorizing this hearing is a critical first step towards

[1:50:44] understanding those disparities and building a park system that truly serves

[1:50:47] all residents. A hearing will allow us to bring forward data, community

[1:50:51] experience, and breast practices from other cities so that we can evaluate

[1:50:55] what's working, where gaps remain, and what long-term investments are needed.

[1:50:59] It creates a space for residents, community organizations, and experts to

[1:51:03] speak directly to council about the conditions in their neighborhoods and

[1:51:06] the opportunities that they see for improvement. This is a conversation

[1:51:10] about public health, climate resilience, youth opportunity, and quality of life.

[1:51:14] By moving this resolution, council signals that our parks matter, equity

[1:51:18] matters, and the planning for the future of our green spaces deserves thoughtful

[1:51:22] and transparent discussion. I ask you to support this resolution and I look

[1:51:26] forward to the conversation that will lead to actionable strategies for

[1:51:29] strengthening our park system. On behalf of Pen Future, thank you for your time

[1:51:33] and thank you again to Council Member Phillips

[1:51:41] will Lynn Landez, Michelle Lee, Dr. J. Arzu, Carolyn Moini,

[1:51:51] Cooper Bard, Jason Massie, and Rebecca Fabino. Please make your way to the

[1:51:58] podium.

[1:52:02] » Good morning, Phil. Good morning, Philadelphia City Council. My name is

[1:52:05] Jeremy Bladstein. I am a little flabbergasted right now. I don't care

[1:52:09] what side you're on. Yeah, this body shouldn't be talking about Cuba. Like

[1:52:13] respectfully, it really doesn't make any sense that we're talking about Cuba in

[1:52:18] this when respectfully we should be holding hearings on the Philadelphia

[1:52:21] Sheriff's Department. Maybe we should be holding hearings on the parks and

[1:52:24] wrecks, right? We got to fund our public things. We need to talk about gun

[1:52:27] violence, right? House of Emojia. Shout out to my guy right here, right? He came

[1:52:31] up through Queen Mother Fak Fat and House of Emojia. It's really important

[1:52:34] for gun violence. But respectfully talking about Cuba right now is not even

[1:52:39] the top hundred of the issues facing Philadelphia today.

[1:52:43] Next, we're talking about spot zoning. Isn't spot zoning illegal in

[1:52:47] Philadelphia? Yes, it is. But isn't it that maybe there's like five or six,

[1:52:51] seven, eight different bills today that reszone a piece of property, but you I

[1:52:56] support that today, right? Why do I support spot zoning today? Because it

[1:52:59] helps small businesses. We need a process to help small businesses get

[1:53:03] legal. How do you do that? upzoning our transit quarters and changing our zoning

[1:53:08] regulation instead of having to either go to the ZBA or because of councilmatic

[1:53:13] prerogative you're spot zoning individual lots to change the zoning to

[1:53:18] allow that business. That's what's happening right here with this bill and

[1:53:21] we need to change that so that we can help small businesses. Additionally,

[1:53:24] small businesses, right? We need to get rid of BERT. You hear it all the time

[1:53:28] from your small businesses in your community. They're getting affected

[1:53:30] right now and this body is not doing enough and this budget's not doing

[1:53:33] enough. And last but not least, we're talking about sub

[1:53:39] and especially more homes near transit, right? This bill, transit oriented

[1:53:45] communities, does not go far enough right now because there's not enough

[1:53:48] stops in this bill. Each and every district member should be looking at the

[1:53:52] stops in their districts to add to this bill in order to upzone. Additionally,

[1:53:57] we should be eliminating parking minimums across the board in the TOC's.

[1:54:02] Ride the ride, grow Philly to Millie. Thank you.

[1:54:11] » Good morning everyone. My name is Javanni Asante Newton. I am a member of

[1:54:15] the fine organization called Flipfully Red Resolution number 260546.

[1:54:22] The reason I oppose to this resolution is that if nobody gets over 50% of first

[1:54:27] choice votes, the last place candidate is eliminated. Those votes ballots

[1:54:33] transfer to the next choice and the process repeats until someone has a

[1:54:38] majority. For example, if candidate A gets eliminated, your vote automatically

[1:54:45] goes to candidate B. I also disagree with this resolution is that if

[1:54:50] Pennsylvania passed legislation allowing local RCV systems, Philadelphia could

[1:54:56] potentially adopted for Mario election, city council races, primary elections,

[1:55:02] or special elections. Supporters argue it could reduce vote splitting in

[1:55:07] crowded primaries, can confuse voters, makes count uh slower and may not

[1:55:14] significantly change outcomes. Would it automatically change Philadelphia

[1:55:19] election? No. The resolution itself does not voting immediately. It's more like

[1:55:25] we urge the state legister to let local governments decide. So the immediate

[1:55:30] effect is political pressure, not a direct change to ballots. Under the

[1:55:34] current system, someone can win with only a plurality the most votes, even if

[1:55:40] most folks prefer someone else. Thank you.

[1:55:53] » Good morning. I'm Lynn Landis of Philly's Republican Network. I'm opposed

[1:55:57] to resolution 260546, which calls on the Pennsylvania

[1:56:02] legislature to allow ranked choice voting. As if our ballots aren't long

[1:56:08] and confusing enough already. Ranked choice voting is well known as a

[1:56:12] backdoor method by which the most popular candidates can lose elections

[1:56:17] due to the complexity of the process. We should be simplifying our elections, not

[1:56:22] making them more complicated. Ballot fatigue is a real thing. For example, we

[1:56:28] should follow the federal model and eliminate elections for judges and for

[1:56:32] all elective um executive branch offices except governor, mayor, and county

[1:56:37] commissioners. And elections for board of uh board of elections and committee

[1:56:42] people should be replaced with an election for ward leaders instead who

[1:56:47] can then coordinate with the county commissioners to [clears throat] fill

[1:56:51] those positions. But what really bothers most voters is that they're never really

[1:56:55] sure that their votes were counted at all. The paper ballots produced by the

[1:57:00] machines are not handcounted unless an election is close, which is 0.5%.

[1:57:06] But that simply tells those who want to rig an election to do so by a sufficient

[1:57:10] margin as should not trigger a recount. And audits are not a reliable method to

[1:57:16] guard against this kind of election fraud. Why not handc count all ballots

[1:57:20] at the polls on election day, whether the ballots are produced by a machine or

[1:57:25] mailed in? That can be done more easily, of course, if we simplify our elections.

[1:57:31] It's time to rethink our election process and most importantly, the wisdom

[1:57:35] of relying solely on machine counted ballots. Ballots that can be easily

[1:57:40] miscounted by accident or design. Thank you.

[1:57:53] Good morning and thank you. My name is Michelle Lee. I'm speaking in favor of

[1:57:56] the parks funding resolution. I'm a parent in South Philly in the first

[1:58:00] district and I've been a parks volunteer for over 25 years. I have two little

[1:58:04] kids. They're three and five. We're in parks almost every single day, every

[1:58:07] season. Last weekend we were in four parks in one day. I love our city's park

[1:58:11] system. It's really worldclass and in the past few years we've shown that we

[1:58:15] can build amazing flagship projects like the new FDR park playground, the Penn's

[1:58:19] Landing Cap Park, Borski Park, the whole rebuild program. Um, but just like Will

[1:58:24] said, you know, we see the cracks immediately. Just last weekend, we went

[1:58:27] to the Anacey Verna playground. It's one of the crown jewels. The water fountain

[1:58:31] was broken. There was broken fencing all around it. When I go to my neighborhood

[1:58:35] park at Dickinson Square, the sidewalk is so cracked. The stroller tips over.

[1:58:39] the grass has been scratched to dust, you know, and and this can go on and on.

[1:58:43] We all I live very close to Washington A. We all know the parks and playgrounds

[1:58:47] north of Washington Nav have open bathrooms and and water fountains. The

[1:58:50] ones south of it tend not to. Um the ribbon cutings are what make headlines.

[1:58:55] We get a nice photo op, but maintenance is what makes promises real. We're

[1:58:59] really starve for maintenance in our parks, big and small. For every dollar

[1:59:02] Baltimore invests in its parks per person, Philly spends 54 cents. So, I'm

[1:59:07] not talking New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles. Let's compare ourselves to our

[1:59:10] peer cities and match at least that energy. I'm a volunteer with two friends

[1:59:14] groups. Philly volunteers at more than twice the national average. So, we're

[1:59:18] running our worldass system on love and fumes and duct tape. But duct tape can't

[1:59:22] be the only answer. There are many things volunteers just can't do.

[1:59:25] Chainsaw work, mowing, skilled trades work like fixing gates, benches,

[1:59:29] sinkholes, and street lights. And a lot of problems run deeper than any friends

[1:59:34] group can solve. I've I've been hauling the same hundred tires out of a ditch in

[1:59:37] Fairmont Park for 10 years where we've been sweeping broken glass. So, let's

[1:59:41] invest in our parks. Let's invest in health. Um the immune benefits, the

[1:59:46] community benefits, mental health benefits, uh benefits on reducing crime,

[1:59:50] nature is not a luxury. When we underinvest in parks, we pay for it

[1:59:53] somewhere else. So, please vote yes on this resolution. Thank you.

[2:00:03] » Thank you. Yes. >> Yeah. Good afternoon. Um, I'm Dr. J.

[2:00:09] Arzu. I am here in full support of the resolution by council member AOR. Rank

[2:00:15] choice voting is a national best practice where it has been enacted

[2:00:20] across the United States from the big city to the north to the great north

[2:00:25] Alaska. It has worked. The adoption of rank choice voting tends to happen in

[2:00:30] three phases. First, when it is initially introduced, some voters are

[2:00:35] understandably unfamiliar with the process. It becomes our responsibility

[2:00:40] to educate voters to help bridge this gap. Second comes understanding. Voters

[2:00:46] begin to appreciate that their preferences can be reflected more fully

[2:00:51] and more thoughtfully in the democratic process. Third comes appreciation, even

[2:00:57] enthusiasm. Cities and states that have adopted rank

[2:01:01] choice voting have not repealed it because once voters become familiar with

[2:01:06] the system, they recognize its value and support it. I'll conclude by saying

[2:01:11] this. Rank choice voting is a proven best practice and the Commonwealth of

[2:01:16] Pennsylvania should enact the legislation to allow local jurisdictions

[2:01:20] to adapt rank choice voting. Thank you. and I'll be back next week to testify in

[2:01:27] support of transit oriented communities bill 260517.

[2:01:31] I'll see you then. Thank you very much.

[2:01:44] Hello, my name is Caroline and I'm here to express my support of resolution

[2:01:49] 260545.

[2:01:52] I recently traveled to Cuba, April, May of this year for the first time. And

[2:01:57] while for me, I haven't had any other experience but seeing relatively empty

[2:02:00] streets, other travelers who have been to Cuba many times noted to me this is

[2:02:04] not normal. The Cuban people have experienced an economic, technological,

[2:02:08] and commercial blockade as a result of the United States for over 60 years,

[2:02:13] which has now escalated to oil fuel shortages resulting in 20-hour

[2:02:17] blackouts. As other people have noted, blackouts that not only leave the Cuban

[2:02:21] people without electricity to cook for themselves and their children, but also

[2:02:24] operate machinery and do various everyday tasks needed to live. One

[2:02:29] person noted it having psychological effects as when in the dark for so long

[2:02:33] when finally in the light and you see yourself, you need to adjust to seeing

[2:02:37] yourself. This is all while the structure within

[2:02:41] Cuba is present to support the Cuban people. From a teacher in an elementary

[2:02:45] school noting they don't have bad grades so as not to have the children

[2:02:48] internalize a bad grade as them being bad to a school for children with

[2:02:52] physical and mobility needs having dentists, physical therapists and other

[2:02:56] physicians at schools to support them to the point where they can get their

[2:02:59] annual checkups at school to the maternity clinic for pre pregnant people

[2:03:03] with any level of risk who also have a team of doctors from psychologists to

[2:03:07] OBGYNS nurses that meet weekly to talk about each case they have so they don't

[2:03:12] miss any change in vital vital signs across medical disciplines which

[2:03:16] resulted in this clinic having a 0% transmission of HIV and syphilis to

[2:03:20] infants last year. Each of these examples shows how Cuba prioritizes the

[2:03:25] care of its people. There were 33 maternal deaths in 2023. 33 across the

[2:03:31] country and this is after I described just a little bit of the holistic care

[2:03:34] at the maternity clinic. 33 deaths in 2023 is contrasted by the 148% increase

[2:03:40] in infant deaths as a result of this continued increase in sanctions in the

[2:03:44] blockade. Vote in favor to end the US blockade,

[2:03:48] remove Cuba from the state sponsored list terrorist list, and oppose any

[2:03:51] military actions against the island.

[2:04:03] Hello counselors. My name is Cooper.

[2:04:09] » My name is Cooper Bard. I'm a rank and file teamster and a local resident.

[2:04:13] Thank you for the opportunity to speak on resolution 260545.

[2:04:17] This resolution is about the future of the Cuban and US people. As a working

[2:04:22] person in the United States, I have the right to speak out against the actions

[2:04:25] of my own government, which has carried out nothing less than a

[2:04:28] multigenerational assault against the working people of Cuba. It is our

[2:04:32] responsibility to end this assault. US working people were never cut off from

[2:04:37] the outside world and starved literally and metaphorically by a hostile foreign

[2:04:41] power. But the Cuban people live that daily. They cannot get fuel, which means

[2:04:46] they cannot run hospitals, can't use farm equipment, water pumps are

[2:04:50] inoperable. nor can they like their homes. This is not a deprivation brought

[2:04:54] about by their government, but by ours. We must also stand against our own

[2:04:59] government when it pursues an unjust war. We have all seen how our

[2:05:02] government's irresponsible wars lead to more global chaos. Not peace, not

[2:05:07] security. We can't be silent when the federal government squanders trillions

[2:05:11] of dollars destabilizing other countries while refusing to fund basic programs

[2:05:15] for public health, education, and mass transit in our cities. The Cuban working

[2:05:20] people fight for civil liberties in their country. Working people in the US

[2:05:24] are also fighting our own for our own civil liberties. We have to fight this

[2:05:29] new McCarthyism in the universities that target students and faculty who speak

[2:05:33] out against the genocide of Palestinians. We have to fight for the

[2:05:37] families who are separated by ICE and inhumane holding cells deprived of their

[2:05:41] constitutional rights to due process and against cruel punishment. In places like

[2:05:45] Louisiana and Tennessee, black workers still have to struggle to be represented

[2:05:49] in Congress to have their vote even matter.

[2:05:53] Our government should not be dictating to other countries at gunpoint what

[2:05:56] democracy looks like. Uh counselors, you have an opportunity to join cities and

[2:06:01] municipalities around the world who recognize as long and justice. Thank

[2:06:05] you.

[2:06:13] Will Dr. Samuel White, Adriana Thomas, Summer Freeman, C.

[2:06:21] Michael Robinson, Jamil Johnson, David Alexander Jenkins, Pereie Peters, Rachel

[2:06:31] Meyers, and Misy Ingram. Please make your way to the podium.

[2:06:40] My name is Jason Massie. He him. I'm here on the behalf of March on

[2:06:44] Harrisburg and I'm here to urge you to vote yes on 260546

[2:06:49] to resolve to enable rank choice voting in Pennsylvania and improves elections

[2:06:53] for voters and for candidates like yourselves.

[2:06:57] I stopped by uh the city c one of the city council members offices today and

[2:07:01] they were excited about rank choice voting and shocked to hear that May's

[2:07:05] primary turnout was only 22%. Not even one in four people voted. Can

[2:07:11] we do better? Yes. Rank choice voting will help win with uh reluctant voters.

[2:07:19] They will move off the fence and into the polls. Why? More choices.

[2:07:24] They they hate the winner take all elections and this helps them a lot. No

[2:07:29] more lesser of two evils voting. You may have gotten a flyer from me at the

[2:07:34] caucus about this effort. You will notice that the first bullet point is

[2:07:38] about spoilers. What's a spoiler? Here's an example. James Malone narrowly won a

[2:07:45] special election for state senate. Three candidates ran, a Republican, a

[2:07:49] Democrat, and a Libertarian. If the Libertarian gave their votes to the

[2:07:53] Republican, Malone would have still won by only two votes.

[2:07:58] Spoilers draw away votes. And it only takes a couple candidates to threaten

[2:08:03] your jobs here. Rank choice voting is non-controversial. It's a self-defense

[2:08:09] plan for democracy. Special elections in Philly already use

[2:08:13] it. This is how Chris Rap was elected for a state rep and now he's going to

[2:08:19] Congress. Are you going to clap for Chris Rap?

[2:08:22] » There you go. Yeah. Thank Lastly, at least one of you here has run against a

[2:08:28] wellfunded business person in the primary. This will happen more because

[2:08:32] there are people like Jeffrey Yaz around. He's PA's richest man and he

[2:08:35] sees his meddling intellectuals as bets. And as you can see from billionaires are

[2:08:40] already funding grassroots organizations like turn PA dead. So they're coming for

[2:08:44] you. RCV discourages this meddling by eliminating the winner take all part of

[2:08:49] elections when there's no winner with 50% or more to vote like the last

[2:08:52] mayoral primary. 10 candidates the perfect chance to use RCV. Thank

[2:08:56] » you.

[2:09:03] » Good morning. My name is Rebecca Fabiano. I'm the executive director of

[2:09:06] Fab Youth Philly. And I'd like to thank Council Member Brooks and Lozada for the

[2:09:10] recognizing Fab Youth Philly's 10-year anniversary through the resolution this

[2:09:14] morning. Nonprofits like Fab Youth Philly are integral to the safety and

[2:09:18] vibrancy of our city. It's worth noting that Fab Youth Philly is part of a vast

[2:09:22] ecosystem made up of hundreds and hundreds of youth serving nonprofits

[2:09:25] that serve the hundreds and thousands plus young people and their families all

[2:09:29] across Philadelphia. Whether our organization serves six-year-olds or

[2:09:32] 16-year-olds, whether we offer sports programming, mentorship, or photography,

[2:09:36] we all want our young people to have positive relationships with caring

[2:09:39] adults and their peers. We want them to have opportunities to explore their

[2:09:42] passions and interests to enter into young adult young adulthood as

[2:09:45] confident, capable, critical thinkers and contributors to our city and our

[2:09:49] world. Our approach at Fab Youth Philly includes identifying gaps and

[2:09:52] opportunities, then using a strength-based disroach approach as we

[2:09:56] identify and collaborate with cross- sector and values aligned partners. This

[2:10:00] results in all pools opening for four years in a row. Young adults lifted up

[2:10:06] as leaders and role models, neighborhoods that are safe and vibrant,

[2:10:08] and hundreds of thousands of dollars in being generated in wages. Our

[2:10:13] programming is guided by evidence-based frameworks, rigorous data collection and

[2:10:16] evaluation, and facilitated by incredibly talented, capable, caring

[2:10:20] youth workers. They prepare young people for the workforce to live life on their

[2:10:24] own terms by centering positive relationships, providing encouragement,

[2:10:27] and holding teens to high expectations. To date, we've paid we've created paid

[2:10:31] training and employment opportunities for more than 600 young people. Last

[2:10:35] year alone, we paid out more than $150,000 in salaries to teens. Each

[2:10:39] summer on one of the play streets, a seven, eight, or 11 year old will look

[2:10:42] up at me and say, "How old do I have to be to be a play captain?" And last year,

[2:10:46] we hired two teens who once were children on the play streets. and we

[2:10:50] hired two former um program participants as group leaders. Back in 2020, you

[2:10:54] heard Donald Trump say, "Bad things happen in Philly." We reclaim that to

[2:10:58] say fab things happen in Philly. Not just about our organization, but to

[2:11:02] remind everyone that we are a city filled with fabulous opportunities,

[2:11:05] people, institutions, and especially young people and the organizations that

[2:11:08] support them. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you.

[2:11:16] Go ahead. For the record first. >> Good afternoon. I'm Dr. Samuel Phip

[2:11:21] Weights, Jr. [clears throat] I'm here to speak in support of Bill 260548.

[2:11:27] I would like to start by expressing my sincere appreciation to the city of

[2:11:30] Philadelphia City Council for the recognition of by way of this

[2:11:34] proclamation honoring our father for the years of service he devoted to public

[2:11:38] service. Detective Samuel Phelp White Senior was noted for his valor, courage,

[2:11:43] and distinction as a member of the Philadelphia Police Department.

[2:11:47] As brief as possible, I'd like to share with you how all the accolades mentioned

[2:11:51] in the proclamation were carried out, not only in the police force work, but

[2:11:55] also when not on duty and a part of the of his legacy. Detective White was a

[2:12:00] family man first, a husband, a father, brother, son, grandfather,

[2:12:04] great-grandfather, and great great-grandfather, teacher, and friend.

[2:12:08] On a police force officer salary, he graced the and with the grace of God,

[2:12:14] all six children completed college and went on to even higher education because

[2:12:18] of the fun foundation he established at home. He was a man of integrity and

[2:12:24] honesty with high values and morals, conviction. At times it was what he did

[2:12:29] and not what he said that had the deepest impact. I would now give you one

[2:12:33] example of his influences. His influence on me and my siblings. As

[2:12:38] the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Following his service on the

[2:12:42] police force. He worked on the board of education. At one point all of my

[2:12:46] siblings were teaching in the teaching field. They held positions as special

[2:12:50] education teachers, principles, counselor of Vietnam, a veterans in

[2:12:55] prison, and lawyers. It was our father that got up early each

[2:12:59] morning and made sure that each morning before leaving the house.

[2:13:07] I see a yellow light. before leaving the house that we would have food in our

[2:13:13] stomach and wear the right clothes. It was knowing that following the death

[2:13:17] of his of his first wife due to diabetes, leaving him with two children

[2:13:22] to raise before he met and married our mother that he grew drew my strength

[2:13:29] from him when my first wife died due to toxic shock syndrome leaving me with two

[2:13:34] children to raise before meeting and marrying my current wife Leslie. His

[2:13:39] work as a homicide detective was the force behind my interest in serving as a

[2:13:43] deputy coroner autopsy technician for five years in Alageney County. His work

[2:13:46] in homicide and his fighting crime was also influent influential in my serving

[2:13:51] as director of psychiatry greater prison to understand the criminal mind for

[2:13:56] within. It was knowing of his work in quarter masters during the Second World

[2:14:00] War that influenced my brother's service in the Vietnam War and my service as

[2:14:04] captain in the 108th Combat Support Hospital Army National Guard. Lastly, I

[2:14:09] will say that it was his devotion and distinction as a plain closed detective

[2:14:15] working in intelligence on the Philadelphia Police Force that resulted

[2:14:19] in him being handpicked to protect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When Dr. King

[2:14:24] visited Philadelphia. It was the impressions of my father's dedication

[2:14:28] and investment in the civil rights movement that influenced me to work to

[2:14:32] better understand and find a way to dis dismantle racism. During the movement in

[2:14:38] the 60s, there were many voices raised by polit politicians, lawyers, teachers,

[2:14:42] people in business, people in medicine, performing arts, laborers, and

[2:14:46] activists. The one voice not heard loud enough was that of mental health

[2:14:50] workers. It's through my many years of work mental health that I can say

[2:14:54] without a doubt in honor of my father who lived through and survived racism.

[2:15:00] Racism has nothing to do with the way we look. It has everything to do with the

[2:15:05] way we think. Racism has nothing to do with what we see. Racism has absolutely

[2:15:12] everything to do with what we learn to think about what we see. Thank you.

[2:15:19] » Thank you.

[2:15:34] You pull it down. >> Um, thank you to city council and to uh,

[2:15:39] President Johnson for the support and introduction of bill. I'm sorry.

[2:15:44] [laughter] My name is Summer Freeman. Um,

[2:15:48] thank you for having us here and thank you for your support of the bill uh

[2:15:51] 260548. Um, on behalf of 17 grandchildren of

[2:15:56] Detective Wes and another 19 great grands um, two of whom are here. Three

[2:16:00] of whom are here. I'm sorry. Three [laughter] of whom are here. Um, thank

[2:16:05] you for this honor. You gave it to the right person. There is no one like my

[2:16:10] pop. Um he led from the front with sacrifice and

[2:16:15] standards and service and it shows through all of his children who are all

[2:16:19] public servants and believe you should leave the world better than you came

[2:16:23] here. Um I will say also that I don't believe

[2:16:27] that someone passes away on the day that their heart stops. They pass away when

[2:16:33] their name is spoken for the very last time.

[2:16:37] And you have introduced a bill that makes it so that we can continue to

[2:16:40] speak his name and keep his spirit alive. And it deserves to be kept alive

[2:16:45] because there are not many made like that anymore.

[2:16:49] He was honorable. He was precious. And he made a personal relationship with

[2:16:54] every single one of us so that all of us could call him our pop.

[2:16:58] Um I'm raised in Jersey, went to Temple in Central 255. Where's my girl at? Um,

[2:17:07] and there was nothing like driving up Lincoln Drive and making the right onto

[2:17:12] Hoarder Street and knowing it was about to go down with my cousins. And I hope

[2:17:17] to keep that spirit alive every time I turn that black. Bad place to tear up,

[2:17:21] but a wonderful place to be. And thank you for embracing my family,

[2:17:25] Philadelphia. Thank you for honoring my papa.

[2:17:28] » 33 years was not long enough. [laughter] >> It's our p our pleasure to introduce the

[2:17:32] resolution to honor him.

[2:17:47] Good morning, Council Robinson. I am a proud Winfield resident. I rise today on

[2:17:52] in support of bill number 2550768 because as a former burough manager in

[2:17:58] neighboring Delco, I have seen this system from the inside. I'm ashamed to

[2:18:03] admit I have been a part of the problem and every single person in this room is

[2:18:06] also a part of the problem because we all consume and we all produce trash.

[2:18:11] I've watched municipalities across southeastern Pennsylvania spend millions

[2:18:16] of dollars in tax uh millions of taxpayer dollars sending waste to

[2:18:20] incinerators while black and workingclass families continue paying

[2:18:24] the real cost with their air quality, their health outcomes, and their

[2:18:29] futures. In Colondingale alone, we sent hundreds of thousands of tons of waste

[2:18:33] and nearly half a million dollars annually into a system where many

[2:18:38] residents increasingly argue is poisoning their region for convenience

[2:18:43] of government. So, let me say this plainly. Our municipal boundaries may

[2:18:47] stop at the county line. Our pollution does not. Their asthma does not. The

[2:18:53] environmental injustice does not. Philadelphia is the largest city in the

[2:18:58] Commonwealth. What this council does here has the power to influence the

[2:19:03] entire region. We have grown way too comfortable

[2:19:07] treating poor and black communities as sacrifice zones in the name of

[2:19:11] operational convenience. That must end today. I urge council and the mayor to

[2:19:18] hear the calls of organizers, advocates, and leaders like Mayor Roots who have

[2:19:22] been sounding the alarm for years because residents are watching. And

[2:19:27] ahead of another election cycle, people want to know whether this government is

[2:19:31] serious about justice or merely comfortable talking cyclically about it.

[2:19:36] Thank you.

[2:19:43] » Okay. In place of Jamal Johnson. Hi, my name is Lorraine Miles and I'm in

[2:19:50] place of Jamal Johnson and I'm calling I'm sorry I'm speaking

[2:19:56] for my dear brother Noah Miles who has been an advocate, a teacher, a professor

[2:20:05] of art his entire life from the time he lived in Richard Allen projects

[2:20:12] right up until now. I am just so proud of you. I just wanted to say this is

[2:20:18] something welld deserved. His prints are all over city hall. They used it for the

[2:20:23] 2001 a Republican convention which we have

[2:20:28] forgiven him for. But it's wonderful. Thank you, Noah.

[2:20:35] » Yes. I just want to say real quick since we

[2:20:38] do have some extra time that I think that it's important that people do know

[2:20:43] that he's alive, that he's here, and the people that see his photo should know

[2:20:47] who the man is. And I personally am proud of him. I want everyone else here

[2:20:52] to recognize him. And if you don't mind, he's 90 years old. He earned the right.

[2:20:56] Can we please give him a round of applause?

[2:21:17] I cannot any of this without Greta Greenberger.

[2:21:25] And if you've lived as long as I have, and hopefully she will live longer,

[2:21:34] » [groaning and snorts] >> uh she has the kind of creative

[2:21:41] in [clears throat] uh energy

[2:21:44] that has called for the beautiful case uh beautifification

[2:21:51] of city hall. So ban the politicians and let the

[2:21:57] artists go ahead because after all ancient Rome would never have lived

[2:22:07] without Claudius or whoever that other jerk was.

[2:22:36] I don't think the microphone is on.

[2:22:46] What's that? >> In this room for years. My name is Greta

[2:22:53] Greenberger. I've been a tour guide at city hall for almost 30 years. years

[2:23:01] ago, Noel came to me and asked if he could do some paintings in rooms like

[2:23:08] this and other major rooms in the building. And we composed a book in 2002

[2:23:18] with his beautiful watercolors. Um, I don't know where the one example

[2:23:23] went. Um, I am in the process of reprinting

[2:23:28] it. You should all have it for your knowledge about our history of these

[2:23:34] beautiful rooms. And Noel is so gifted and we have about 15 of his paintings in

[2:23:43] the visitor center on the ground floor. If you have not been into room 121, the

[2:23:50] walls are covered with Noel's original watercolor paintings. We have a gift in

[2:23:57] this man and thank God he's still with us and thank you for letting me tell you

[2:24:03] this. Thank you.

[2:24:14] » Madame chair, members and guests David Alexander Jenkins and I rise per the

[2:24:18] resolution as presented by member Herity on the chair's behalf to raise the damn

[2:24:22] wage. I recall speaking to this very truth, standing behind Representative

[2:24:26] Green as she championed the fight in Harrisburg to correct this injustice. I

[2:24:30] was then that I begged the assembly to remember that the truths held

[2:24:34] self-evident that created us equal, that we, the people of the United States of

[2:24:38] America, the truths that endowed us with unaliable rights, those of life,

[2:24:42] liberty, and the pursuit of happiness could not be realized by a people

[2:24:46] shackled by poverty. Brothers and sisters of love, what happiness could be

[2:24:50] achieved with a minimum wage of $7.25? 25 cents per hour or just under $15,000

[2:24:56] a year. It was then, as now, that I took to the liberty to share that I interpret

[2:25:01] the protections of our four our fifth and 14th amendment which prohibit the

[2:25:05] deprivation of life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness without due

[2:25:09] process. And I applied to such an unlivable wage that for me and perhaps

[2:25:13] many of you, this meets the standard of what I call enttrapment. as the wage is

[2:25:18] grossly negligent in addressing the need which we know to be no less than $23.26

[2:25:23] per hour just to meet the standard of living life. The current minimum wage

[2:25:28] invites the behaviors of impropriety forced upon those whose wages lead to

[2:25:32] actions that breed the consequences that will and do strip them of the very

[2:25:36] liberty, property, and their lives without process. members. We must never

[2:25:42] relegate the people we are sworn to protect to uh to lives that are struck

[2:25:46] into survival mode, lives that demand criminality to survive. As the heart of

[2:25:51] this commonwealth and the cultural core of its economic engine, let us rise with

[2:25:55] moral clarity and practical urgency, protecting the dignity of our neighbors.

[2:26:00] As I said then and say now, raise the damn wage.

[2:26:11] Thank you, city council. My name is Pierre Lee Peters. I live in Brewery

[2:26:14] Town, and I'm sure you can tell from my shirt that I'm supporting the resolution

[2:26:17] on Cuba. I share the message of previous supporters and reiterate that Cuban

[2:26:22] people deserve self-determination. We do must do everything in our power to

[2:26:26] stop the economic isolation and energy starvation of Cuba enforced by the Trump

[2:26:31] administration. This resolution will push the needle towards normalizing

[2:26:35] relations between our two countries, releasing this beautiful island nation

[2:26:39] from our strangle hold. Cuba's radicalization was daring to liberate

[2:26:43] itself from foreign occupation. Its extremism was announcing that it

[2:26:47] belonged to those who would nurture it, not who those who exploited it. Cuba's

[2:26:52] act of terror was giving land to those who labored over it for generations. Our

[2:26:58] own revolutionary project 250 years ago conveniently forgot about the millions

[2:27:03] who actually built this country. And instead of bombs, Cuba sends doctors

[2:27:09] to forgotten corners of the world. They offered aid to families who lost

[2:27:13] everything in Hurricane Katrina and treated 911 first responders when the

[2:27:17] United States cast them aside. Cubans do this because they feel a debt

[2:27:22] owed in continued service to humanity. Designating Cuba as a state sponsor of

[2:27:27] terrorism is one of many efforts to tighten the grip of a false narrative.

[2:27:31] Cuba is not has never been and will never be a threat to American society.

[2:27:36] We cannot keep allowing the United States to bully independent nations

[2:27:40] through retribution. I had the opportunity to visit Cuba this month

[2:27:44] where I witnessed firsthand the conditions that these people live under.

[2:27:48] Although this energy crisis was engineered by the Trump regime, it was

[2:27:52] crucially built over decades of American foreign policy. What we have done to

[2:27:57] this vibrant country and culture is thoroughly unforgivable. Just like in

[2:28:01] parts of Philadelphia, homes and infrastructure are crumbling and

[2:28:03] economic opportunities have decimated.

[2:28:08] Cubans share what they have, not what they have left over. And for this

[2:28:12] reason, Cuba is vital to the health of the global community. Thank you.

[2:28:22] Will Rose Johnson, Ethan Blackwood, Reverend Molen, Osborne Hart, Drew Tiff,

[2:28:33] Jack Mars, Megan Dunn, Keith Krippen, Oana Paul Hagens, and Meta.

[2:28:44] Please make your way to the podium.

[2:28:49] Uh thank thank you. Uh my name is Rachel Meyers and I am privileged and

[2:28:54] incredibly proud to serve as a member of Fab Youth Philadelphia's board of

[2:28:58] directors and I'm delighted to speak today in regards to the resolution

[2:29:01] recognizing Fab Youth Philly's 10-year anniversary. I want to thank Council

[2:29:05] Member Brooks and Lozado for putting forth this resolution and for the other

[2:29:09] members of council for recognizing a decade of impactful work for young

[2:29:13] people across Philadelphia. I wanted to take a moment and just share with those

[2:29:17] assembled today a bit about the impact that Fab Youth Philly has had um across

[2:29:23] Philadelphia and continues to have for young people providing opportunities to

[2:29:27] learn, to play, and to lead across our community. And so I'd like to share a

[2:29:32] few words from former play captains who are unable to be here today and speak

[2:29:36] way more eloquently about this work than I'm able to. Um, as they as they've

[2:29:41] written, as a play captain, I learned how to adapt quickly, to think

[2:29:45] creatively, and to create a positive environment where kids feel safe,

[2:29:49] included, and excited to participate. Being in that role showed me how

[2:29:54] meaningful it is to give back to my community and to support younger youth

[2:29:57] in having fun while learning. I learned that being a play c with being a play

[2:30:02] captain with Fab Youth Philly helped me grow into a more confident and

[2:30:06] responsible person. It gave me real world experience. It strengthened my

[2:30:11] teamwork and leadership skills and showed me the importance of community

[2:30:15] involvement. And as these words highlight, if they don't give you

[2:30:19] goosebumps, the power of play, the work of Fab Youth Philly, creating ripples

[2:30:24] through the community, strengthening relationships, building a stronger

[2:30:27] Philadelphia for us all, and preparing young people with the skills of

[2:30:31] confidence, competence, compassion, and contribution to bridge into a bright and

[2:30:37] successful adulthood. Um, I thank council for considering this resolution

[2:30:41] as a demonstration of your continued investment in young people across our

[2:30:45] communities.

[2:31:02] Good morning. Good morning, council. My name is Mazi Ingram. I'm a nationally

[2:31:08] recognized environmental justice advocate and educator. I'm also the

[2:31:13] founder of Climate Action Careers, but most importantly, I'm a FAB youth.

[2:31:18] Thank you. I joined Fab Youth Philly in 2021 as a safety captain where I

[2:31:23] expanded my scope of knowledge of violence prevention and offered a

[2:31:27] solution. Mine being educational opportunity.

[2:31:30] That same summer, I felt empowered to take action and hosted a back- tochool

[2:31:34] drive to help underresourced college students. Fab Youth Philly helped me

[2:31:38] acquire donations as one and was one of my strongest supporters. We helped send

[2:31:43] 11 college students or 11 students to higher education, including myself.

[2:31:48] Shortly after, I shipped off to Brandeise University and told everyone

[2:31:52] that my goal was to learn as much as I could and bring it back to the hood. Fab

[2:31:57] Youth Philly heard me and supported me by connecting me with the National

[2:32:01] Summer Learning Association summer internship in our nation's capital where

[2:32:05] I worked as an out of schooltime policy intern with the afterchool alliance.

[2:32:10] When I geared up to return home to Philly after graduating May of last

[2:32:14] year, Fab Youth Philly welcomed me home warmly as a play captain group leader.

[2:32:21] You know, there's nothing that compares to the filling when you get a dozen kids

[2:32:26] of Kensington rushing up to you with smiles as wide as their tiny arms spans

[2:32:32] or watching them turn cardboard into carnival games or painting rocks into

[2:32:37] pets. Most recently, Fab Youth Philly supported and partnered with me on my

[2:32:42] vision for sustainable fashion workshops through my current role as a facilitator

[2:32:47] for our makers lab. I presented the idea and FAB helped make it happen. I am

[2:32:52] living proof that fab things are happening in Philly. Thank you.

[2:33:00] Thank you for your testimony. Before you proceed, chair recognized as council

[2:33:04] member Jamie Gothier. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I request a

[2:33:08] leave of absence to take care of other council business and I'd like to be

[2:33:12] recorded as voting I on all bills and resolutions. Thanks so much.

[2:33:16] » You're welcome. Thank you. Julie noted. Please proceed with your testimony.

[2:33:20] State your name for the record and proceed.

[2:33:23] » Good afternoon. My name is Rose Johnson. I live in Mount Airy. Um, and I would

[2:33:28] like to start by thanking council member AOR uh for introducing the resolution on

[2:33:34] rank choice voting and also council members Goutier and Landau and Brooks

[2:33:40] for co-sponsoring the resolution. Um, I'm a regular voter. I don't think

[2:33:45] I've missed a election or even a primary in more than 30 years and I believe that

[2:33:51] it's really important for moving our society forward and bringing forth some

[2:33:56] of the things that are important to us. [clears throat] But I also do a lot of

[2:34:01] talking to my neighbors and canvasing for issues or candidates and I know that

[2:34:07] a lot of people are frustrated um and some give up. Um, I myself feel

[2:34:14] frustrated sometimes with our electoral system and I believe that rank choice

[2:34:20] voting is not the only thing we need to fix things, but it's an important thing

[2:34:24] that will move us forward. Uh, when people rank uh candidates,

[2:34:30] [clears throat] they don't feel forced to just go with one of the leading folks

[2:34:36] to avoid wasting their vote. Um, it gives people more choice. um and makes

[2:34:42] them feel more confident that they can really express their own values uh at

[2:34:48] the polls. Studies have shown that where where rank

[2:34:53] choice voting exists, voter enthusiasm goes up um and voter turnout is

[2:35:00] increased. And certainly, you know, I've heard that Philly has really the lowest

[2:35:06] voter turnout, voter participation in the state. So, um, anything that helps

[2:35:13] us get turnout and get people engaged, I think is an important thing. Um,

[2:35:20] I would also say, you know, someone expressed how rank choice voting is

[2:35:24] confusing, but we rank things all the time. And um even they have rank choice

[2:35:31] voting in Alaska and there um when f a group tried to get rid of it,

[2:35:40] the people kept it. Um so I encourage council to do everything you can to

[2:35:45] support and move the state forward on this.

[2:35:49] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[2:35:58] Hello, council. My name is Ethan. I'm a resident of Philly and a volunteer with

[2:36:02] March on Harrisburg, a pro-democracy group here in Pennsylvania. Uh, council

[2:36:06] members, by voting yes to resolution 260546

[2:36:10] for rank choice voting, you have the important opportunity today to stand up

[2:36:13] for voters rights to express their true preferences and decide between all their

[2:36:18] options for themselves at the ballot box rather than lose most of their choices

[2:36:23] in the run-up to the election. We all know what happens when two candidates

[2:36:27] for office are too similar to each other. For example, think about Helen

[2:36:31] Gim and Rebecca Reinhardt in the mayoral primary or perhaps Street and Stanford

[2:36:35] in the recent congressional race. These candidates suffered losses because our

[2:36:39] traditional plurality system has a limitation and forces voters to withhold

[2:36:44] their vote from one candidate if they want to support the other. Since

[2:36:47] candidates know this, people like Morgan Sephus running for Congress or Maria

[2:36:52] Maria Kinon Sanchez running for mayor in 2023, would rather drop out if they're

[2:36:56] behind in the race than continue and risk crowding the field. To see how much

[2:37:01] better it could be, we only need to look at our neighbor New York, which uses RCV

[2:37:05] for its mayoral and other local elections. When spoiling is not a

[2:37:09] concern, we see this beautiful thing called co-endorsement. Brad Lander was

[2:37:13] behind uh Mdani, but he didn't have to make the hard choice of whether to drop

[2:37:17] out or not. He just said, "Hey, if I'm your guy, Mamani should be your second

[2:37:21] choice. Please rank him after me, and one of us will win this thing." In

[2:37:25] summary, rank choice voting is nothing scary. All it does is create more good

[2:37:30] choices for voters and candidates alike. So, let's take this simple step towards

[2:37:35] bringing this better system to elections here in Philly.

[2:37:46] My name is Reverend Gregory Holston. I'm the executive director of Just Nation.

[2:37:50] I'm here about the the trash going in tr Chester as we continue to burn that

[2:37:56] trash in Chester. That story is my story. I grew up in

[2:38:01] South Philadelphia. The church I was my home church is Church Redeemer Baptist

[2:38:06] on 25th and Dickerson Streets. I lived for the first 14 years of my marriage

[2:38:12] and raising our children at 24th and Morris streets. Every day we will come

[2:38:17] out of our porch and see a puff of smoke come from the refinery.

[2:38:22] They told us it was steam. Years later we learned it was cancer.

[2:38:28] And I watched members of that congregation, people I loved dearly who

[2:38:33] believed in me. I watched their bodies deteriorate of cancer year after year

[2:38:40] and I saw this city do nothing about it. So when I saw the black women of Chester

[2:38:46] saying exactly the same thing that cancer after cancer was destroying

[2:38:54] their community, the people they love so dearly, toxins coming and coming from us

[2:39:02] where we have a city that's a has a black woman mayor, a black person as

[2:39:07] city council president, a majority black council, yet we are poisoning people who

[2:39:13] are poor and black right in the town next to us.

[2:39:19] And I don't know what to say. Too many times I've come here and I I've

[2:39:25] said, "Isn't it obvious that you can't do that?

[2:39:28] Isn't this obvious that we can't do that? Are we so tied into the structure

[2:39:36] of this government? Are we so tied now in to the system, the system that we

[2:39:41] came in to change and transform that we're going to let that happen?

[2:39:49] Stand up against this. Vote to vote to stop it. Stand up to your mayor and tell

[2:39:54] her no. You cannot stand and keep telling you care deeply about poor black

[2:39:59] [singing] people. And every time you turn your face away from when poor black

[2:40:03] people come to you and tell you to stop.

[2:40:20] My name is Osborne Hart. I'm the Socialist Workers Party candidate for

[2:40:24] lieutenant governor of uh Pennsylvania. Our campaign in the strongest possible

[2:40:30] terms condemns the US rulers accelerated acts of aggression against the Cuban

[2:40:35] people and their government. We condemn the total oil blockade designed to

[2:40:39] punish every woman, man, and child on the on the island. Thank you.

[2:40:46] Um, our campaign calls on working people here in the United States and worldwide

[2:40:51] to organize emergency picket lines, rallies, and other public protests now

[2:40:56] to demonstrate our rejection of the US government's decades, 67 years

[2:41:01] bipartisan attacks that are aimed at strangling the Cuban people and

[2:41:05] dismembering their socialist revolution. Washington sharply escalates economic

[2:41:11] military measures against the Cuban people. also target working people and

[2:41:16] the working class and other oppressed and exploited in the United States.

[2:41:20] We've seen our hard one constitutional rights to organize, speak out, and act

[2:41:25] against US uh policies abroad and in this country, including the expanding

[2:41:30] war moves that are under assault today. Working people in Cuba face enormous

[2:41:35] difficulties produced by cognitive damage for decades through 13 US

[2:41:40] presidents over 67 years. economic sanctions, other assaults now topped by

[2:41:46] the escalating military threats and five months of nearly 100% naval blockade of

[2:41:51] oil deliveries. Contrary to the lies of the US government and the media,

[2:41:56] millions of Cubans are determined to fight Washington's brazen efforts to

[2:42:00] impose a new plat amendment on their sovereignty of their country. That was

[2:42:05] the message conveyed by hundreds of thousands of Cubans across island on

[2:42:09] Mayday and again May 22nd. Our job here and elsewhere all over the world is to

[2:42:15] take action alongside them to refute every one of Washington's lies to

[2:42:19] mobilize the widest possible opposition to in the streets. So I urge those US

[2:42:25] hands off Cuba, defend the Cuban revolution, build these actions. Thank

[2:42:29] you very much.

[2:42:34] Will will Erica Brown, Miguel K. Johnson, Leo Keschette, and Lorraine

[2:42:42] Miles please make your way to the podium?

[2:42:50] » Good afternoon, Philadelphia. How's everyone feeling?

[2:42:53] » All right, cool. How's it going? I'm Drew Raldi Subittz. I'm the director of

[2:42:56] landare and workforce development at TTF watershed partnerships servicing Takoney

[2:43:02] Creek Park, the community surrounding that area. We're also building a nature

[2:43:06] preserve open to the public right behind Friends Hospital off the Roosevelt

[2:43:09] Boulevard to put 50 more acres of publicly accessible nature back into the

[2:43:14] hands and and places for Philadelphiaians to go. I'm here in

[2:43:18] support of Council Member Phillips bill on park funding. Really appreciate the

[2:43:22] support on that. Councilman Driscoll. Also want to give a shout out to Council

[2:43:26] Member Lazada who's been a great advocate of ours and who jumped in the

[2:43:29] creek a couple a month or two ago to help clean it. Appreciate that. Respect

[2:43:32] that. I've been out in the park system for over a decade now. And what's become

[2:43:36] abundantly clear is that these are not just parks to go throw a Frisbee in or

[2:43:41] hang out for a little bit. These are spaces of absolutely essential mental

[2:43:46] health wellness. People go to these parks to find some peace and quiet.

[2:43:51] People go to these parks just to breathe. Philadelphia is loud. There's

[2:43:56] lots of violence. There's struggle everywhere. Well doumented. People need

[2:43:59] a place that they can just go and breathe and feel safe. That's what these

[2:44:04] parks serve as. They are absolutely indispensable indispensable

[2:44:09] infrastructure for our city. And I also want to kind of point out that I think

[2:44:14] there's a misconception that these parks, you see a green space on a map

[2:44:17] and you're like, "Oh, park, we got parks. Check." Parks are living

[2:44:21] infrastructure, biotic infrastructure, if you will. They are living and

[2:44:24] breathing. All infrastructure requires maintenance, but parks require even more

[2:44:29] frequent maintenance because they're a living and growing. The majority of

[2:44:32] things in there are living. Here at TTF, we're doing workforce development. We

[2:44:37] have a young crew of folks who we're training to do this work. Got Liam over

[2:44:40] here. I think Kyrie, we got Elijah and Damian somewhere. We're training people

[2:44:45] how to do this work so they can take this as a career, make their

[2:44:48] neighborhoods safer, create those spaces so people can go to get that reprieve,

[2:44:53] to breathe, to get that mental health support and and have a place to recreate

[2:44:57] and enjoy themselves. So, I want to urge you to support this, not only mental

[2:45:01] health support, recreation, jobs for our communities. Historically, this work has

[2:45:06] been done only by contractors and a lot of times that money then leaves town.

[2:45:09] Invest in our parks, invest in our young people. Thank you.

[2:45:21] Hi, I'm Jack Maruse, uh, speaking in favor of 260545.

[2:45:25] I'm a Cuban American, a Philadelphiaian, and I am sick of watching our government

[2:45:29] carry out a genocidal campaign against the people of Cuba. The US has been

[2:45:33] waging a one-sided war against the Cuban people for 67 years now. This war comes

[2:45:37] in the form of a blockade, severely restricting the country's economy, and

[2:45:41] functionally cutting off Cuba from trading with the entire world. The

[2:45:44] blockade blocks Cuba from acquiring essential medical supplies, humanitarian

[2:45:48] aid and necessary resources for daily life, like oil for its electricity grid,

[2:45:52] creating an urgent starvation and medical crisis. Major hospitals right

[2:45:55] now don't even have a single functioning electroc cardiogram machine because of a

[2:45:59] forced lack of resources to power and fix them. Babies are dying right now,

[2:46:03] this very second, because of us and our government. This blockade doesn't just

[2:46:08] hurt the Cuban people, but the entire world. Cuba has sent over 100,000 hos uh

[2:46:12] health professionals to more than 70 countries in uh with over 22,000 doctors

[2:46:17] currently serving uh providing critical health services to underserved

[2:46:21] communities in more than 50 countries including the United States right now.

[2:46:25] Currently, due to pressure from the United States uh to expel these

[2:46:28] lifesavers for the crimes of being born Cuban, people in countries around the

[2:46:32] world are suddenly unable to have life-saving medical care that they need.

[2:46:36] to respond to the speakers from earlier asserting that this is irrelevant to

[2:46:39] Philly. The embargo also prevents people in the US from accessing Cuban biotech

[2:46:43] medications which have no American analoges, including those which prevent

[2:46:46] diabetic foot amputations, a vaccine for treating advanced lung cancer and the

[2:46:50] only medicine in the world which can delay or stop the advancement of early

[2:46:54] stage Alzheimer's disease which could save the lives of many Philadelphiaians

[2:46:57] suffering unnecessarily today. Instead of focusing on killing Cubans, our

[2:47:01] government should be focusing on improving the lives of Philadelphiaians.

[2:47:04] Although it may be symbolic, this resolution will put Philadelphia on the

[2:47:07] right side of history and will put us in line with the 117 resolutions that have

[2:47:11] been passed already by governmental bodies in the US representing more than

[2:47:14] 60 million people, including Pittsburgh. We can't let Pittsburgh show us up.

[2:47:17] Please vote in support of resolution 260545.

[2:47:21] Thank you.

[2:47:31] » Hello, my name is Megan Dunn. Thank you. Uh my name is Megan Dunn and I am here

[2:47:38] to ask all the council people to support the bill 260545.

[2:47:46] Um Cuba is not a threat. Um I know there's

[2:47:52] a lot of disinformation on this, but the more you look into it, the more you'll

[2:47:56] realize. Um in fact, they've sent doctors across the sea to provide health

[2:48:00] care to those who need it. um and have unili universalized their own health

[2:48:06] care um which is something the United States has not done um right now the

[2:48:12] economic sanctions have killed many people in Cuba um and it's important to

[2:48:18] talk about it here and pass this resolution in Philly um because this

[2:48:23] small change can lead to larger national change and ultimately

[2:48:29] free the Cuban people as well as free the American people we can learn from

[2:48:33] them um and their example in healthcare um in community and in being a better

[2:48:41] denison of the world. Thank you.

[2:48:55] » Oona Hagens, fourth generation child slavery survivor. I want to be clear

[2:49:00] about what is being proposed. Rank choice voting is not a minor procedural

[2:49:06] adjustment. It is a structural change in how political power is counted and

[2:49:12] distributed in this city. Before we even discuss that, we must address what

[2:49:17] Philadelphia has yet to establish. The 13th amendment is uh did not only

[2:49:23] abolish slavery. It also prohibits the badges and incidents of slavery,

[2:49:29] including the political disempowerment of a free class and its descendants. The

[2:49:34] Civil Rights Act of 1866 guarantees equal benefits of all laws and

[2:49:40] proceedings, including the electoral processes. Today I will be providing

[2:49:46] council member Curtis Jones with an ordinance recognizing the distinct

[2:49:50] political status of American freedman and establishing the office of freedman

[2:49:56] affairs as soon as possible. Right now, Philadelphia has no office of

[2:50:02] freedman affairs and no institutional mechanisms to evaluate unequal political

[2:50:07] impact or protect the group that historically built this city under

[2:50:12] bondage and Jim Crow. In this vacuum vacuum, rank choice voting is not a

[2:50:18] neutral reform. It becomes a structural change imposed without the safeguards

[2:50:25] required to ensure equal political protection. While rank choice voting may

[2:50:31] function in jurisdictions where political agency is already

[2:50:35] institutionally secured, here in Philadelphia is at risk fracturing

[2:50:41] cohesive voting blocks, increasing ballot exhaustion and already burdened

[2:50:46] communities and allowing uh coordinated majority advantage to shape outcomes

[2:50:53] under neutral appearance. That is not reform. It is reproduction of political

[2:50:59] disadvantage through system design. Uh Oona Hagens, we cannot change how we

[2:51:07] vote until the American freed men have agency like every other group. Oona

[2:51:13] Hagens, over and out. >> Thank you, Jer.

[2:51:19] Okay. >> My name is Meta. Uh I'm talking

[2:51:23] about rant uh rank choice voting. Um, council president, thank you very much

[2:51:29] for this opportunity. City council, thank you for this opportunity. Rank

[2:51:32] choice voting has to evolve beyond picking the the elected official. It has

[2:51:38] to evolve to policy. We need to start saying rank choice voting at policy

[2:51:42] level because it doesn't matter now. No matter what you do, you can play by the

[2:51:48] game. You can get as many people to support you. We're working for, you guys

[2:51:54] understand the Burke policy that we're we've been working for. People are

[2:51:57] suffering, suffering. We have people that are giving up their 401ks, their

[2:52:02] retirement. People are giving up their savings

[2:52:06] for the city of Philadelphia. I love this city. Everybody here loves this

[2:52:10] city. But because of the fact that it doesn't matter if you follow the

[2:52:16] process, if at the end of the day, if at the end of the day, no matter what you

[2:52:20] do, it takes a simple decision, a political decision to decide that you're

[2:52:25] not going to be able to get a hearing when you've been promised a hearing.

[2:52:29] You're not going to be able to get a vote when you've been promised a vote.

[2:52:33] And all those people that have been watching, paying attention, that have

[2:52:37] hope in their heart is taken away. Right now, Dr. King, what he talked about was

[2:52:42] a knock at midnight. A knock at midnight. That was about the persistence

[2:52:47] of prayer. It was also about the middleman. It's about when people that

[2:52:53] don't have a voice, that right now can't even afford to come to this room. They

[2:52:57] can't afford it. They count on people like us to help knock on the doors for

[2:53:02] them. So what I'm asking for is that let's evolve the entire system. Let's

[2:53:08] make it so that we have a choice around what policy actually comes up for a

[2:53:14] vote. We can set up civic assemblies. It's been done before where now the

[2:53:19] people's voice matters not just for who gets elected, sir, but also what policy

[2:53:24] actually gets voted on. So, I am in favor for rank choice voting, but I want

[2:53:28] to evolve it so it includes policy as well. And please, by the grace of God,

[2:53:34] please help these people. Go to liftfilly.org.

[2:53:38] These are over 400 people that are saying they are struggling in our city.

[2:53:43] We haven't even gone to social media yet. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank

[2:53:46] you. Sorry. Thank you.

[2:53:57] My name is Erica Brown and I love all of you.

[2:54:02] Um, I'm here especially to thank Council Member Phillips for the resolution to

[2:54:07] add funding to rec centers and Council President Johnson.

[2:54:12] I have this rose I want to give you when we're when we're done.

[2:54:16] » Thank you. >> And thank you for your strong

[2:54:18] negotiations with the mayor. Um, as you may know, this is day eight of our

[2:54:23] hunger strike to make Philly affordable. And the city and the mayor has $1.1

[2:54:28] billion in surplus that can be spent on us right now. [clears throat] And uh, we

[2:54:33] want to add fire to your negotiations and help you get what this city needs

[2:54:39] right now. Uh, plus 120 million for food to help 50,000 people get food who are

[2:54:46] kicked off of food stamps. plus 20 million to preserve deeply affordable

[2:54:50] housing. Plus 25 to keep full-time substitute teachers their jobs who are

[2:54:57] going to be fired. To double the rec center budget like the mayor said she

[2:55:01] would do on her campaign trail. To double the library budget. To add 30

[2:55:07] million to zero fairs so people can get where they need to go. and to add 50

[2:55:12] million to the Philadelphia Energy Authority, which would give the city 88

[2:55:17] 86 million because whenever you give them money, they multiply your money by

[2:55:21] 1.7 times. So, I love you all. I love the mayor and we got to show how we can

[2:55:26] love this city together. Free Cuba, free Sudan, free Ron, free Palestine, free

[2:55:33] Philly. Make Philly affordable. >> Thank you.

[2:55:49] You have two minutes. State your name for the record, please.

[2:55:53] » Sergeant Arn Lopez, could you make sure I get my rose, please?

[2:56:04] » Nigel Johnson, please begin. >> Okay. Hey. Hello. My name is him is my

[2:56:09] Joel K. Johnson and I'm here in support of the resolution for martyr's day July

[2:56:13] high 5th if I'm the institutional liaison for the 1838 black metropolis

[2:56:19] project and we are in support of of the resolution calling for martr's day July

[2:56:24] 5th if in recognition of the slain hayne five individuals of the election day

[2:56:30] massacre of 1871 and including Octavius Valentine Ketto

[2:56:35] the 1838 black metropolis project and assala hala Hala the association for the

[2:56:40] study of African-American life in history history the Philadelphia healthy

[2:56:44] and Montgomery County honey Pennsylvania branches and will be hosting hosting

[2:56:48] events hence for voter voter registration Haitian and rights

[2:56:52] education on July 5th that on July 5th for martyrs harder day we've reached out

[2:56:57] to the city commissioner's office as well as the committee of 70 in support

[2:57:02] of these efforts but have yet to hear back here back but we are in full

[2:57:06] support of the resolution for martr's day July 5th. That's it. Thank you.

[2:57:16] » Uh hello city councilors. I'm Leo Chiat. I'm here as a private citizen. I'm here

[2:57:20] in support of 260546. Uh I believe we need more voter turnout.

[2:57:27] I believe that rank choice voting is the way to get more voter turnout. And our

[2:57:32] current model does not guarantee that whoever gets in that position has 51% of

[2:57:37] the vote. As an example, we had a congressional district election in PA3

[2:57:42] where the winner had 41% of the vote. Now, in a four-person election, that's a

[2:57:48] big deal. However, there's no guarantee that of all the people voting in that

[2:57:53] election, they wanted Chris Rab to win the most, right? There's no way of

[2:57:59] knowing that unless we had a rank choice voting where people would get their

[2:58:02] input and rank their choices. uh it opens up a more nuanced choice of

[2:58:09] their leaders and it removes the incentive for leaders to not team up.

[2:58:15] With a rank choice voting system, you can have cross endorsements and not lose

[2:58:19] out on any individual policies you want to make. You can make the the question

[2:58:23] of what's the best way for me to leave lead a city and instead make it a

[2:58:28] question of what's the best way for us to lead the city? What are our policy

[2:58:32] decisions? And you can shift the conversation away from a me to an us.

[2:58:38] In America, we have a couple of states that have banned rank choice voting.

[2:58:44] These states, such as Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana are notorious for

[2:58:50] undemocratic processes. They've been in the news about gerrymandering very

[2:58:55] heavily. Uh it's no mistake that they ban rank choice voting in some or in all

[2:59:01] capacities. Okay, we should make the choice to push forward rank choice

[2:59:06] voting to incentivize people to come out to vote for their choice so it does not

[2:59:10] get thrown away. Um, I thank you for your time. I seed my time.

[2:59:20] » Thank you, >> Council President. That concludes our

[2:59:23] list for public comment for today. >> Thank you very much. This concludes the

[2:59:29] today's public comment period. We will now consider the resolutions on

[2:59:34] the final passage calendar and bills on the second reading of final passage

[2:59:39] calendar. Would the clerk please read the title of resolution number 260545?

[2:59:46] » A resolution urging the Trump administration to remove Cuba from the

[2:59:50] list of state sponsors of terrorism and urging Congress to vote to end all

[2:59:54] economic sanctions against Cuba.

[3:00:04] The chair recognizes Councilman Nicholas will work for a motion regarding

[3:00:07] resolution number 260545. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

[3:00:12] adoption of the resolution. >> As the move and properly seconded, the

[3:00:16] resolution number 260545 be adopted. All those in favor of the

[3:00:20] motion will signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed?

[3:00:26] » One nay. Councilman O'Neal. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted.

[3:00:30] Would the clerk please read the title of resolution number 260546.

[3:00:34] » A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact legislation

[3:00:38] that would allow local jurisdictions to adopt ranked ranked choice voting.

[3:00:43] » Chair recognizes Council Member Nicholas Ooric for a motion regarding resolution

[3:00:46] number 260546. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move for the

[3:00:50] adoption resolution. Second. >> It has been moved properly seconded. The

[3:00:54] resolution number 260546 be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:01:00] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

[3:01:05] motion one. Council member O'Neal. The eyes

[3:01:09] have it and the motion carries. Resolution is adopted.

[3:01:16] Will the clerk please read the title resolution number 260548.

[3:01:21] » A resolution honoring the life, legacy, and distinguished service of Detective

[3:01:25] Samuel P. White senior who served on the first all black detective unit the Dick

[3:01:30] Anderson squad in recognition of National Police Week 2026.

[3:01:35] » Chair recognized Councilman Cindy Bass for a motion regarding resolution number

[3:01:39] 260548. >> Thank you Mr. President. I move for the

[3:01:43] adoption of the resolution. >> It has been moved properly seconded. The

[3:01:48] resolution number 260548 be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:01:53] Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The motion carries. Resolution is adopted.

[3:01:57] Would the clerk please read the title of bill number 260 063- A.

[3:02:03] » An ordinance renaming and designating the properly commonly referred to as

[3:02:07] Penady Playground located at 31 North 22nd Street to the Alageney West

[3:02:12] Recreation Center in recognition of the community and neighborhood that it

[3:02:16] serves. >> This bill had me read on two different

[3:02:19] days. The question now is, should the bill pass finally? Chief clerk, please

[3:02:22] call the role. >> Council member Phillips. I

[3:02:25] » council member Gilmer Richardson was I council member Gautier was I council

[3:02:28] member Thomas >> I

[3:02:30] » council member Jones >> I

[3:02:32] » council member Landau >> I

[3:02:33] » council member Lada >> I

[3:02:36] » council member Young >> I

[3:02:38] » council member Brooks >> I

[3:02:39] » council member Har >> I

[3:02:41] » council member Oor >> I

[3:02:43] » council member Driscoll >> I

[3:02:45] » council member O'Neal >> I

[3:02:47] » council member >> I

[3:02:48] » council member Bass >> I council member Amed was I council

[3:02:53] President Johnson. >> I eyes are 17 and these are zero.

[3:02:57] Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative. The bill passes. Chief

[3:03:01] clerk, please with the title of bill number 260212.

[3:03:05] » An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning

[3:03:08] designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by

[3:03:12] McKinley Street, Leonard Street, Deo Avenue, and Bustleton Avenue.

[3:03:18] » This bill had me read on two different days. The question now is should the

[3:03:21] bill pass finally. Chief clerk, please call the role.

[3:03:23] » Council member Phillips, >> I.

[3:03:25] » Council member Gilmer Richardson was I. Council member Gotautier was I. Council

[3:03:29] member Thomas. >> I.

[3:03:31] » Council member Jones. >> I.

[3:03:32] » Council member Landau. >> I.

[3:03:34] » Council member Lada. >> I.

[3:03:36] » Council member Young. >> I.

[3:03:37] » Council member Brooks. >> Hi.

[3:03:39] » Council member Har. >> I.

[3:03:41] » Council member Oor. >> Hi.

[3:03:43] » Council member Driscoll. >> Hi.

[3:03:44] » Council member O'Neal. >> Hi.

[3:03:46] » Council member Squella. >> Hi.

[3:03:48] » Council member Bass. >> Hi.

[3:03:49] » Council member Amed was I. Council President Johnson.

[3:03:52] » I The eyes are 17. The names are zero. Majority of all members having voted in

[3:03:57] the affirmative. The bill passes. Chief clerk please with the title of bill

[3:04:00] number 260296. An ordinance to approve amendments to

[3:04:04] the University of Pennsylvania master plan in the area bounded by Walnut

[3:04:08] Street, 36th Street, Spruce Street, 39th Street, related to the class of 1920

[3:04:12] Commons Building at 3800 Locust Walk, and the Steuart Whitesman Theater

[3:04:16] addition to the Annenburg Center for Performing Arts, ACPA at 3680 Walnut

[3:04:21] Street. >> This bill had me read on two different

[3:04:24] days. The question now is, shout the bill passed finally. Chief clerk, please

[3:04:28] call the role. >> Council member Phillips,

[3:04:30] » I. Council member Gilmore Richardson was I. Council member Gautier was I. Council

[3:04:34] member Thomas. >> I.

[3:04:35] » Council member Jones. >> I.

[3:04:37] » Council member Landau. >> I.

[3:04:39] » Council member Lada. >> I.

[3:04:40] » Council member Young. >> I.

[3:04:42] » Council member Brooks. >> Hi.

[3:04:44] » Council member Harity. >> Hi.

[3:04:45] » Council member Oor. >> Hi.

[3:04:47] » Council member Driscoll. >> Hi.

[3:04:49] » Council member O'Neal. >> I.

[3:04:50] » Council member Squila. >> Hi.

[3:04:52] » Council member Bass. >> Hi.

[3:04:53] » Council member Amed was I. Council President Johnson.

[3:04:56] » I. The eyes are 17 and these are zero. majority of all members having voted in

[3:05:01] the affirmative. The bill passes. Chief clerk, please read the title of bill

[3:05:05] number 260297.

[3:05:08] » An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning

[3:05:11] designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spruce

[3:05:15] Street, 34th Street, Civic Center Boulevard, and University Avenue.

[3:05:19] » This bill had been read on two different days. The question now here, should a

[3:05:22] bill pass finally. Chief clerk, please call the role.

[3:05:25] » Council member Phillips >> I.

[3:05:26] » Council member Gilmore Richardson was I. Council member Gotautier was I. Council

[3:05:30] member Thomas >> I.

[3:05:32] » Council member Jones. >> I.

[3:05:34] » Council member Landau. >> I.

[3:05:36] » Council member Loada. >> I.

[3:05:38] » Council member Young. >> I.

[3:05:39] » Council member Brooks. >> Hi.

[3:05:41] » Council member Har. >> I.

[3:05:42] » Council member Oor. >> Hi.

[3:05:44] » Council member Driscoll. >> I.

[3:05:46] » Council member O'Neal. >> Council member O'Neal.

[3:05:50] » Hi. >> I.

[3:05:52] » Council member Squila. >> I.

[3:05:53] » Council member Bass. >> I.

[3:05:55] » Council member Amed was I. Council President Johnson. I the eyes are 17 and

[3:05:59] knees are zero. Majority all members having voting affirmative. The bill

[3:06:02] passes. Chief clerk, please read the title of bill number 260301.

[3:06:08] An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning

[3:06:11] designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Milner

[3:06:15] Street, Cotman Avenue, Cotman Avenue extended, the Delaware River, Unrew

[3:06:19] Avenue extended, Unrew Avenue with Soming Street and New State Road.

[3:06:24] » This bill had me read on two different days. The question now is, should a bill

[3:06:27] pass finally? Chief clerk, please call the role.

[3:06:30] » Council member Phillips, >> I.

[3:06:32] » Council member Gilmer Richardson was I. Council member Gotier was I. Council

[3:06:36] member Thomas. >> I.

[3:06:37] » Council member Jones. >> I.

[3:06:39] » Council member Landau. >> I.

[3:06:41] » Council member Lada. >> I.

[3:06:43] » Council member Young. >> I.

[3:06:44] » Council member Brooks. >> I.

[3:06:46] » Council member Howard. >> Hi.

[3:06:48] » Council member Oor. >> Hi.

[3:06:49] » Council member Driscoll. >> Hi.

[3:06:51] » Council member O'Neal. >> Hi.

[3:06:53] » Council member. >> Hi. Council member Bass

[3:06:56] » I. Council member Amed was I. Council President Johnson.

[3:06:59] » I. The eyes are 17. The names are zero. Majority of all members having vote in

[3:07:03] affirmative. The bill passes. Chief clerk, please read the title of bill

[3:07:07] number 260302. >> An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia

[3:07:10] zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land

[3:07:13] located within an area bounded by Lipincot Street, 20th Street, Toronto

[3:07:18] Street, and 22nd Street. >> Chair recogniz Bass for a motion. Thank

[3:07:24] you, Mr. President.

[3:07:28] » I move for the adoption of the resolution.

[3:07:30] » No. Okay. >> Council, be at ease.

[3:07:39] » We're going to do an amendment right now. We got you.

[3:07:43] » You're welcome.

[3:07:52] » Mr. Mr. President, I would like to offer an amendment to bill number 260302.

[3:07:56] A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of council and

[3:08:00] I move for the adoption of the amendment.

[3:08:02] » It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to bill number 260302

[3:08:07] be adopted. All in favor signify by saying I.

[3:08:11] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the bill has been amended. This bill will be

[3:08:15] placed on the final passage calendar for our next session of council. Would the

[3:08:18] clerk please with the title of bill number 260340?

[3:08:22] » An ordinance authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 323

[3:08:25] North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 under certain terms and

[3:08:29] conditions. >> This bill had been read on two different

[3:08:31] days. The question now is, shall a bill pass? Chief clerk, please call the role.

[3:08:36] » Council member Phillips, >> I.

[3:08:38] » Council member Gilmer Richardson was I. Council member Gotier was I. Council

[3:08:41] member Thomas, >> I.

[3:08:42] » Council member Jones, >> I.

[3:08:44] » Council member Landau, >> I. Council member Lada.

[3:08:48] » Hi. >> Council member Young.

[3:08:49] » I. >> Council member Brooks.

[3:08:51] » Hi. >> Council member Harity.

[3:08:52] » Hi. >> Council member Oor.

[3:08:54] » Hi. >> Council member Driscoll.

[3:08:55] » Hi. >> Council member O'Neal.

[3:08:57] » I. >> Council member Swella.

[3:08:59] » I. >> Council member Bass.

[3:09:00] » Hi. >> Council member Amed was I. Council

[3:09:02] President Johnson. >> I. The eyes are 17 and these are zero.

[3:09:06] Majority of all members having vote in affirmative. The bill passes. Chief

[3:09:10] clerk please read with the title of bill number 260379.

[3:09:14] an ordinance amending section 14-500 of the Philadelphia code entitled overlay

[3:09:19] zoning districts by amending section 14-520 entitled 9th district overlay

[3:09:24] district by making technical changes all under certain terms and conditions

[3:09:28] » this bill haven't been read on two different days the question now is sh

[3:09:32] pass filing chief clerk please call the role

[3:09:34] » council member Phillips >> I council member Gilmore Richardson was

[3:09:38] I council member Gautier was I council member Thomas

[3:09:40] » I council member Jones >> I council member Landau.

[3:09:44] » Hi. >> Council member Lada.

[3:09:46] » Hi. >> Council member Young.

[3:09:47] » I. >> Council member Brooks.

[3:09:49] » Hi. >> Council member Harry.

[3:09:50] » Hi. >> Council member Oor.

[3:09:52] » I. >> Council member Driscoll.

[3:09:54] » I. >> Council member O'Neal.

[3:09:56] » I. >> Council member Squa.

[3:09:57] » I. >> Council member Bass.

[3:09:59] » I. >> Uh, Council Member Amed was I. Council

[3:10:01] President Johnson. >> I. The eyes are 17. The are zero.

[3:10:05] Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative. The bill passes. Will

[3:10:09] the clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's calendar?

[3:10:19] A privileged resolution authorizing

[3:10:24] authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation,

[3:10:27] and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings on the condition of the city's

[3:10:31] public park system, including funding, maintenance, infrastructure, staffing,

[3:10:35] safety, and opportunities to establish sustainable long-term revenue streams to

[3:10:39] support Philadelphia's parks, recreation centers, and public green spaces.

[3:10:43] Introduced by Council Member Phillips. the outstanding chair of Parks and

[3:10:47] Recreation Committee, Council Member Dr. Anthony Phillips.

[3:10:51] » Thank you, Council President. I I proudly move for the adoption of the

[3:10:54] resolution. It

[3:10:57] » It has been moved properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in

[3:11:01] favor will signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

[3:11:06] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please call up the next resolution. A

[3:11:10] privileged resolution honoring and celebrating Noel George Miles Jr. AWS

[3:11:15] for a distinguished career as one of Philadelphia's most accomplished and

[3:11:19] civically minded painters introduced by council member Gotautier. Chair

[3:11:23] » recognizes Councilman Isaiah Thomas for a motion on the resolution on behalf of

[3:11:26] Councilman Jam Gotautier. >> Thank you council president on behalf of

[3:11:30] council member Gautier I move for the adoption of the resolution.

[3:11:33] » It has a move and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in

[3:11:37] favor signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have and the

[3:11:41] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please call up the next resolution.

[3:11:44] » A privileged resolution recognizing the Manua community in West Philadelphia as

[3:11:48] the birthplace of the Philadelphia Anti-graffiti Network and Mural Arts

[3:11:52] Program, now known as Mural Arts Philadelphia. Introduced by Council

[3:11:55] Member Gotaier. Chair recognizes Council Isaiah Thomas for a motion. On behalf of

[3:11:59] Councilman Jamie Gotautier. >> Thank you, Council President. On on

[3:12:02] behalf of Council Member Gautier, I move for the adoption of the resolution. It

[3:12:06] has been moving properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in

[3:12:09] favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. And the

[3:12:14] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please read the title of the next

[3:12:17] resolution. >> A privileged resolution honoring and

[3:12:19] recognizing the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on the occasion of its 85th

[3:12:23] anniversary for extraordinary service, advocacy, and dedication to the

[3:12:27] students, educators, and schools of Philadelphia. Introduced by Council

[3:12:30] Member Thomas. chair recognize a hardworking chairman

[3:12:34] of education, council member Isaiah Thomas for a motion.

[3:12:37] » Thank you, council president, and I also like to thank our chair of labor,

[3:12:41] council member Herity, and on both of our behalfs, we move for the adoption of

[3:12:44] the resolution. >> It has been moved properly seconded that

[3:12:48] the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:12:52] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:12:55] please read the title of the next resolution. A privileged resolution

[3:12:59] honoring Jane Golden for her 42 years of visionary leadership of mural arts

[3:13:03] Philadelphia during which she championed countless murals and public art

[3:13:06] initiatives that have strengthened the cultural fabric of the city of

[3:13:09] Philadelphia introduced by council member Thomas on behalf of council

[3:13:12] president Johnson. >> Should recognize council Thomas for a

[3:13:15] motion on the resolution. >> Thank you council president. If I had

[3:13:18] more energy I'd jump up and down right now like Jane does but um we love you

[3:13:22] Jane. Thank you for your leadership council president. On your behalf, I

[3:13:26] move for the adoption of the resolution. >> It has been moved and properly seconded

[3:13:30] with a lot of energy. The resolution is adopted. All those in favor signify by

[3:13:34] saying I. >> We just for Jane Gooden. All those in

[3:13:39] favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[3:13:41] » Anyone oppose? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:13:45] please read the title of the next resolution, please. a privilege

[3:13:48] resolution honoring and celebrating gay bingo, an iconic Philadelphia cultural

[3:13:52] institution and one of its most recognizable LGBTQ plus traditions and

[3:13:56] HIV fundraisers on the occasion of its 30th anniversary introduced by council

[3:14:01] member Landau. >> Chair recognized Council Ruandal.

[3:14:04] » Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution.

[3:14:07] » It has a move of property second. The resolution is adopted. All those in

[3:14:10] favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

[3:14:14] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please call up the next resolution.

[3:14:18] » A privileged resolution recognizing, congratulating, and honoring William Wei

[3:14:22] LGBT Community Center on the occasion of its 50th anniversary for its

[3:14:26] life-changing work in the city of Philadelphia introduced by council

[3:14:29] member Landau. >> Chair recognized councilman Ru Landau

[3:14:32] for a motion and resolution. >> I move for the adoption of the

[3:14:35] resolution. >> It has a move and properly seconded that

[3:14:38] the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:14:42] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. Resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes

[3:14:45] Council Member Curtis Jones. >> Thank Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like

[3:14:48] to be excused uh for duties outside of city hall and be recorded as voting on I

[3:14:55] on all bills and resolutions. >> Will be recorded and leave is granted.

[3:14:58] Thank you very much, sir. Chief clerk, please read the title of the next

[3:15:01] resolution. a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the incredible

[3:15:04] work of Philly queer funy in organi in organizing and activating Philadelphia's

[3:15:09] LGBTQ plus community for direct action, mutual aid, and community safety in a

[3:15:15] beautiful display of solidarity and intersectionality in action introduced

[3:15:19] by council member Landau. >> She recognized council Landow for a

[3:15:22] motion on the resolution. >> I proudly move for the adoption of the

[3:15:25] resolution. >> It has been moved and properly seconded

[3:15:28] that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:15:33] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:15:36] please read the title of the next resolution. A privileged resolution

[3:15:39] honoring and recognizing the Pride Visitor Center on its opening for being

[3:15:43] a welcoming and visionary hub that will make all LGBTQ plus Philadelphiaians and

[3:15:47] visitors feel seen and safe when they come to this city. Introduced by Council

[3:15:51] Member Landau. >> Chair recognizes Council Randow for a

[3:15:54] motion on the resolution. >> I move for the adoption of the

[3:15:56] resolution. >> Second. It has been moved in properly

[3:15:59] seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:16:03] Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:16:07] please read the title of the next resolution. a privileged resolution

[3:16:10] recognizing July 5th, 2026 as Martyr's Day in Philadelphia to honor the memory

[3:16:15] of five Philadelphiaians, Octavius Ko, Levi Balden, Jacob Gordon, Moses Wright,

[3:16:21] and Isaac Chase who were slain while attempting to exercise their right to

[3:16:25] vote after the passage of the 15th amendment introduced by Council Member

[3:16:29] Landau on behalf of Council President Johnson.

[3:16:31] » Chair acknowled. >> I move for the adoption of the

[3:16:36] resolution. It has been moved and properly seconded

[3:16:39] that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:16:43] [sighs] >> Anyone opposed? Eyes have it. The

[3:16:45] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please read the title of the next

[3:16:48] resolution. >> A privileged resolution honoring and

[3:16:50] recognizing Miss Anna Jenkins on the occasion of her retirement after decades

[3:16:54] of distinguished service as an educator and school leader in the school district

[3:16:57] of Philadelphia. Introduced by Council Member Young.

[3:17:00] » Cheering. Council member Jeffrey J. Young for a motion on the resolution.

[3:17:03] » Thank you, Mr. President. I'll move for adoption.

[3:17:06] » Second. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted.

[3:17:10] All those in favor will signify by saying I.

[3:17:13] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:17:17] please call up the next resolution. >> A privileged resolution

[3:17:22] congratulating Fab Youth Philly on the occasion of their 10-year anniversary

[3:17:25] and honoring a decade of visionary, dedicated, and impactful work to empower

[3:17:29] teens and improve communities. Introduced by Council Member Brooks.

[3:17:32] » Chair recognized Council Member Brooks for a motion on the resolution. I move

[3:17:36] for the resolution to be adopted. >> Second.

[3:17:38] » It has been moved in property seconded that the resolution be adopted. All

[3:17:41] those in favor signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

[3:17:46] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please call up the next resolution.

[3:17:49] » A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Captain Dana Bradley and the

[3:17:53] officers and staff of the 39th Police District for their service, community

[3:17:56] engagement, and commitment to public safety in the city of Philadelphia.

[3:18:00] Introduced by Council Member Bass. Chair >> recognizes Councilman Cindy Bass for a

[3:18:03] motion on the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

[3:18:07] adoption of the resolution. >> It has been moved in properly seconded

[3:18:10] that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:18:14] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:18:17] please read the title of the next resolution.

[3:18:19] » A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Captain Walter Burks and the

[3:18:23] dedicated officers and staff of the 35th Philadelphia Police District for their

[3:18:27] leadership, commitment to public safety, and service to the residents of

[3:18:30] Philadelphia. Introduced by Council Member Bass. Chair recognizes council

[3:18:33] member Cindy Bash for a motion on the resolution.

[3:18:36] » Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.

[3:18:39] » It has been moved in property second that the resolution be adopted. All

[3:18:42] those in favor signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. And

[3:18:47] the resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please pull up the next resolution.

[3:18:50] » A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Captain Steuart McCullum and

[3:18:53] the officers and staff of the Philadelphia Police Department's 14th

[3:18:56] district for their leadership, service, and commitment to public safety and

[3:18:59] community engagement. introduced by council member Bass.

[3:19:03] » Chair recognizes Councilman Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.

[3:19:06] » Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption.

[3:19:09] » It has been moving properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All

[3:19:12] those in favor signify by saying I. >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it and the

[3:19:17] resolution is adopted. Chief clerk, please put up the next resolution. A

[3:19:20] privileged resolution authorizing the committee on public safety to hold

[3:19:23] hearings on implementing CPR and emergency overdose awareness for

[3:19:27] training for all city employees to strengthen emergency preparedness and

[3:19:30] situational awareness across city government introduced by council member

[3:19:33] Bass. >> Chair recognizes council member Cindy

[3:19:35] Bass for a motion on the resolution. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

[3:19:39] adoption. >> It has been moving properly seconded

[3:19:42] that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:19:46] » Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief clerk,

[3:19:49] please settle the next resolution. >> A privileged resolution authorizing the

[3:19:53] committee on public safety to hold hearings on implementing mandatory

[3:19:55] conflict resolution and deescalation training for all city employees

[3:19:59] introduced by council member Bass. >> Chair recognizes council city Bass for a

[3:20:03] motion on the resolution. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the

[3:20:06] adoption of the resolution. >> Has the move properly second that the

[3:20:10] resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:20:14] » All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? The eyes haven't.

[3:20:19] Resolution is adopted. That's a good resolution though. I think I think all

[3:20:24] city workers and council staff and even members should have conflict resolution

[3:20:29] mandatory training. >> Absolutely.

[3:20:31] » Good job. >> Thank you, Mr. President.

[3:20:33] » Chief clerk, please call up the next resolution.

[3:20:35] » A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 2026 Philippine

[3:20:39] Independence Week celebration in Philadelphia taking place from June 6th

[3:20:44] to June 20th. introduced by council member Ahmed.

[3:20:47] » Chair recognize council Isaiah Thomas for a motion on behalf of council member

[3:20:52] Dr. Nina Ahmed. >> Thank you council president. On behalf

[3:20:55] of council member Ahmad, I move for the adoption of the resolution.

[3:20:58] » It has been moved properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in

[3:21:02] favor please signify by saying I. I. [sighs]

[3:21:05] » Anybody oppose? The eyes have it and the resolution is adopted. Chief clerk

[3:21:09] please call up your next resolution. Council President, there are no further

[3:21:12] resolutions in my >> That completes our calendar for today.

[3:21:21] » Where you going, Mr. Herity? Where you going?

[3:21:25] » Okay, sir. All right. [laughter]

[3:21:31] Any speeches on behalf of the minority? The chair recognizes

[3:21:37] minority leader Council Member Kendra Brooks. Thank you, council president.

[3:21:41] Today I brought forth a resolution with council member

[3:21:44] » Excuse me just for one [clears throat] second. Member Brooks, could you speak

[3:21:46] into the microphone, please? >> You don't mind?

[3:21:51] So here. All right. Today I brought forth a resolution with

[3:21:56] council member Lazada to honor and celebrate Fab Youth Philly on their 10th

[3:22:01] anniversary. FAP Youth Philly encourages young people to take the lead in

[3:22:06] creating meaningful opportunities for service, development, and employment.

[3:22:10] Their initiatives include Play Captains Program, which trains and pays teenagers

[3:22:16] to lead playgroups for younger children during the summer, a youthrun thrift

[3:22:20] store called Bad Fits, a successful program that addresses the lifeguards

[3:22:26] shortage in Philadelphia by training young people to become lifeguards. These

[3:22:31] programs are not only to benefit of the young people who participate, but they

[3:22:36] benefit the entire city. And I'd like to thank Rebecca Fabiano, the founder of

[3:22:41] Fab Youth Philly, for 10 years of her vision and leadership. I'd also like to

[3:22:47] recognize my legislative director, Glenn Forester, who is a founding member of

[3:22:53] another organization we are celebrating today, Philly Queer Fundy. When Gruin

[3:22:58] told me that he was starting a new organization to provide immigrate

[3:23:03] immigrant defense training, raise funds to support marginalized communities and

[3:23:07] build a culture of solidarity amongst queer folks in Philly and throwing

[3:23:12] amazing parties. I was very impressed. And since then, Philly Ger Fundy has

[3:23:17] become a political home for hundreds of queer Philadelphiaians. They have raised

[3:23:22] over $20,000, trained countless patrons and staff members of the neighborhood

[3:23:27] businesses on immigrant defense and shown us all what solidarity looks like.

[3:23:33] As an organizer myself, I am thrilled to see this work advancing in our city, and

[3:23:38] I'm looking forward to seeing what faithfully Queundy does next. Uh, with

[3:23:43] summer being around the corner, I want to share some of my upcoming events. My

[3:23:47] office is partnering with state rep. Chris Rap on a shredding event in

[3:23:52] Germantown on Saturday, June the 6th. I am also looking forward to a high tea

[3:23:57] and town hall event for seniors that I am co-hosting with council member

[3:24:02] Anthony Phillips on Monday, June the 8th. Um, and all of my colleagues are

[3:24:07] invited to join me on the Parkway for Disability Pride on Saturday, June the

[3:24:12] 13th. And finally, my office will be hosting the 9th annual autism play date

[3:24:18] this year on Saturday, August the 8th at Smith Memorial Memorial Playground.

[3:24:24] Thank you so much, Council President. >> You're welcome.

[3:24:28] Speech is on the I'm sorry, Councilman Nicholas Oort.

[3:24:32] » Thank you, Mr. President. Um, today we passed a resolution that I introduced a

[3:24:38] few weeks ago calling on the Trump administration to take Cuba off the

[3:24:43] state sponsors of terrorism list and it urged the end of the economic sanctions

[3:24:49] on the island nation of Cuba. Cuba is firmly in the White House's sights as

[3:24:54] the US has increased financial and legal pressure in the hopes of overthrowing

[3:25:00] the communist party political class that holds power in Cuba. They're now facing

[3:25:04] a severe oil shortage as well as dwindling supply of many basic

[3:25:09] commodities. 32 city councils, including the

[3:25:14] aforementioned Pittsburgh, have passed resolutions calling for the end of the

[3:25:19] embargo and for removing Cuba from the state sponsors of terror list.

[3:25:25] Governmental bodies representing more than 60 million Americans have called

[3:25:28] for these demands. If you've been paying attention to the

[3:25:31] news recently, you'll probably see that Trump has been threatening military

[3:25:34] action against Cuba since the capture of uh Venezuela's uh Venezuela's

[3:25:41] Venezuela's Nicholas Maduro uh as part of the trumped up Monroe doctrine or uh

[3:25:46] Donro doctrine as he calls it designs for stricter control over the

[3:25:50] hemisphere. Many will remember that before President

[3:25:53] Obama worked to open up a better relationship between our nations, it was

[3:25:58] Jesse Jackson, the late now Jesse Jackson who actually reached across that

[3:26:03] divide. Another example of that international power, soft power that he

[3:26:07] exercised. Preceding that, some will know that the towering leaders like uh

[3:26:13] uh now deceased President Nelson Mandela never forget the role Cubans played in

[3:26:17] the South African liberation struggle. uh the Cubans who paid with their lives

[3:26:21] for Africans to be free. Even further back, there are the iconic images of uh

[3:26:27] Fidel Castro's uh visit to Harlem with Malcolm X, where he and his delegation

[3:26:32] formed real, surprisingly lasting relationships with that community. My

[3:26:38] preferred black leaders of the last century never let go of a robust,

[3:26:42] unflinching internationalism.

[3:26:45] And those leaders always seem to be excited and inspired by the audacity of

[3:26:49] the Cuban people to defy the giant in their backyard, the big old USA. And I

[3:26:54] have to say that that has inspired me as well. I'm not going to insist on how you

[3:26:59] feel about Cuba. I know that there are mixed feelings and understandably so,

[3:27:02] but I earnestly suggest that everyone learn about the nation beyond what this

[3:27:08] president or any president really has to say about the island and its people.

[3:27:12] consider the injustice of possible military action against Cuba and then

[3:27:17] make your voice heard. Uh lastly, to the listening public,

[3:27:21] especially those seniors west of the Skookul, I want to invite you to my

[3:27:25] office's first senior resource fair. I'm excited to be joining forces with

[3:27:30] Philadelphia Corporation for Aging this Saturday to fellowship with the backbone

[3:27:34] of our communities, the seniors who g who have given so much of themselves to

[3:27:38] our city over time. We'll have workshops with the register of wheels and others.

[3:27:44] Um, yoga. We'll have chair uh, aerobics. We'll have a grocery giveaway. So much

[3:27:50] more. So, please come out. Come one, come all. We'll be at the Firehouse

[3:27:54] Active Adult Center at 54th in Herford starting at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Sort of

[3:27:59] like council does. 10 a.m. sharp. I also want to shout out my colleague uh in her

[3:28:04] absence, Majority Leader Gimmel Richardson uh who will be serving

[3:28:08] seniors through her own fair on Friday up at the Northeast Older Adult Center.

[3:28:13] Philly, there's no shortage of opportunities to connect with your

[3:28:15] representatives. We are doing the work uh even as we slip into the summertime.

[3:28:19] But once again, this Saturday, 54th in Havford, 10 a.m. join us for a senior

[3:28:25] resource fair. Be there. Yeah, be there. Thank you so much, Mr.

[3:28:30] President.

[3:28:38] Thank you very much. Chair recognizes speeches on behalf of the majority.

[3:28:43] Council member Cindy Bass. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um,

[3:28:49] you know, we know that um public safety is not just about enforcement. There's

[3:28:54] so much more that goes with public safety. It's about prevention and

[3:28:59] preparedness, communication and care for one another. And that is why today I was

[3:29:04] proud to introduce and support and get support for our hearings to the

[3:29:07] committee on public safety to examine mandatory conflict resolution training

[3:29:12] and deescalation training for all city employees. And Mr. President, if you

[3:29:16] remember last summer, we uh introduced a program at playgrounds and rec centers

[3:29:21] in the ETH district calling calling it playing it safe in the ETH. And that was

[3:29:27] all about conflict resolution and deescalating tensions before something

[3:29:32] jumped off in our recreation centers. And so we would like to based on how

[3:29:37] successful that was last summer with bringing trusted trusted messengers um

[3:29:42] out to our rec centers and having them uh resolve conflict among young people

[3:29:47] uh particularly among young people. We thought that this was something that the

[3:29:51] entire city could benefit from with a proper deescalation training given

[3:29:56] through um the city of Philadelphia to city employees. So, we're really excited

[3:30:01] about the possibilities and um are going to be doing some work on that this

[3:30:05] summer as well in the ETH council district. So, it's it's very exciting.

[3:30:10] Um we should not assume that people are naturally equipped with the skills to be

[3:30:16] able to deescalate a situation. We al have seen um you know a situation where

[3:30:22] someone may be well-meaning but may end up adding actually um uh you know

[3:30:28] lighter fluid to a flame instead of water and things getting out of control

[3:30:33] very very quickly. And so every interaction between government and the

[3:30:37] public matters. Whether someone works at a recreation center, a library, a city

[3:30:42] office and sanitation, parks and rack, public safety, employees deserve the

[3:30:48] tools to manage conflicts calmly, communicate effectively, and reduce

[3:30:53] unnecessary escalation. These trainings can strengthen work workplace culture,

[3:30:59] improve security and service delivery, reduce violence, and help create a

[3:31:05] healthier and more respectful city for both workers and residents. Uh, and in

[3:31:10] addition, we're also calling for hearings on CPR and emergency overdose

[3:31:16] awareness training for city employees because we know that immediate action

[3:31:20] can save lives before first responders actually arrive. And when we were

[3:31:26] working on this bill, what came to mind was um a lobbyist who I I haven't seen

[3:31:32] down here in a minute, but he used to be a a regular. I won't call his name out

[3:31:35] because I haven't spoken to him, but I remember him telling me his story that

[3:31:39] he was actually in a movie theater and had a heart attack. And he said the only

[3:31:44] thing that saved his life was that there was a nurse sitting in the row in front

[3:31:48] of him who knew how to do CPR. And so it made me wonder, what if any one of us

[3:31:54] was in the movie theater and was either the person having a heart attack or the

[3:31:58] person sitting in front of them, would we know what to do and would we be able

[3:32:03] to be helpful? And so we think it makes sense to have this sort of training um

[3:32:10] offered occasionally for all city employees if we do it once a year, once

[3:32:14] every two years, you know, um but something of that sort so that people

[3:32:18] have the skill set to be able to be helpful in case there's not a nurse

[3:32:22] sitting right in front of you. Um, and also I wanted to finally acknowledge the

[3:32:28] importance of the ONA judge legislation which is before council. And by formally

[3:32:33] designating May 21st as ONA judge day, the city of Philadelphia will forever

[3:32:37] honor the courage and resistance of owner judge who escaped enslavement

[3:32:43] while living in our city and fought for her freedom against impossible odds. We

[3:32:48] did a resolution last session, but this bill will immortalize the holiday every

[3:32:53] single year. ensuring future generations continue to learn her story and reflect

[3:32:58] on both the painful truths and enduring resilience that shaped our nation's

[3:33:04] history. Uh, one other thing I just wanted to bring to everyone's attention

[3:33:08] which I just read about today was uh awareness around the state fight for

[3:33:13] animal rights and welfare which is going to be done through House Bill 1816 if

[3:33:19] passed which is called Victoria's Law. This bill was introduced by

[3:33:24] Representative Janine McNeel, and it represents an important step forward for

[3:33:28] animal welfare, consumer protection, and humane breeding practices across

[3:33:33] Pennsylvania. Victoria's Law is named after a German Shepherd who was rescued

[3:33:38] from a Pennsylvania puppy mill after producing uh after nearly a decade of

[3:33:43] suffering and producing more than 150 puppies while living with a serious

[3:33:48] medical condition caused by irresponsible commercial breeding

[3:33:52] practices. Her story is heartbreaking but also a call to action. This

[3:33:57] legislation will prohibit the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, and

[3:34:01] rabbits in pet stores. helping to reduce the demand for animals raised in

[3:34:06] inhumane puppy and kitten mills. At the same time, it promotes

[3:34:11] partnerships with shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders who prioritize

[3:34:16] animal health and ethical care. And I want to thank Representative McNeel for

[3:34:21] her leadership on this issue. And as you remember, we ha introduced um a few

[3:34:26] sessions ago and this body passed unanimously our backyard breeding bill

[3:34:30] um to also cut down on irresponsible breeding happening here in the city of

[3:34:35] Philadelphia. So, um a lot of really good things happening, Mr. President,

[3:34:39] and I just really really want to say thank you to my colleagues for all of

[3:34:42] their support. And uh one last thing is a big thank you to Captains Burks, Dana

[3:34:48] Bradley, and Captain Stuart McCullum of the 35th, 39th, and 14th Police

[3:34:54] Districts. We thank them for their service. We work very closely myself,

[3:34:57] and I know Councilman um Phillips works very closely uh with the 35th and the

[3:35:03] 39th uh the 35th and the 14th as well. They do an outstanding job, and we just

[3:35:08] really wanted to give them their flowers. So, thank you, Mr. President.

[3:35:12] Thank you very much, Council Member Dr. Anthony Phillips, then Councilman

[3:35:17] Rulandal, and then Jeffrey J. Young. I just wanted to be very brief. I just

[3:35:24] wanted to say, you know, congratulations. Last week, we weren't

[3:35:27] in session. And I just want to say congratulations to our returning state

[3:35:32] senators and state representatives. And also uh congratulations to our newly

[3:35:38] minted uh congressperson because there will won't be an opponent in November um

[3:35:44] and state representative Chris Rab at we are all uh working together to make

[3:35:49] Philadelphia better and I just think it's really important that when these

[3:35:53] things when elections pass uh it's important for us to think about what is

[3:35:59] what are people saying and what do we need to do uh to work together after an

[3:36:04] election. to ensure that whatever agenda was

[3:36:08] pushed forward on that day um that we actually listen to it and we work

[3:36:12] together. So I think it's important for us to just uh think more closely about

[3:36:18] how can we uh find ways uh to take moments like Tuesday's election as

[3:36:24] opposed to say, "Oh man, we we didn't get this. We didn't lose. We lost it."

[3:36:28] No, it's sometimes it's not a loss. sometimes is actually a victory uh for

[3:36:32] all of us to be able to think about what's next on how we can move

[3:36:35] Philadelphia forward. So, I think it's important to acknowledge that. So,

[3:36:38] thanks a lot, Council President. >> Thank you very much, chair. Recognize

[3:36:42] Captain Rou. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh today,

[3:36:46] ahead of Pride Month, I introduced several resolutions honoring and

[3:36:50] uplifting the queer leaders, organizations, and trailblazers who are

[3:36:54] helping create a continued legacy of queer excellence here in Philly. Stay

[3:36:59] tuned for even more as I have a presentation here in city council

[3:37:03] session on June 11th celebrating the awesome contributions of these leaders

[3:37:08] and more throughout our city's LGBTQ plus community. As we kick off the

[3:37:12] summer and the 250th is underway, it's more vital than ever that we let our new

[3:37:17] visitors know that the city of brotherly love, sisterly affection, and sibling

[3:37:23] solidarity is here. Queer and welcoming to all, regardless of who they're

[3:37:28] rooting for in the World Cup. I'd also like to let everyone know that next

[3:37:33] weekend my office will be hosting an LGBTQ plus resource fair um for

[3:37:40] Philadelphiaians from across the city at St. Luke's Church of the Epiphany in the

[3:37:44] neighborhood. A lot of wonderful opportunities and resources there and I

[3:37:47] encourage everyone from colleagues to cont constituents to join. And finally,

[3:37:53] um, thank you, Council President, for the opportunity to, uh, co-sponsor with

[3:37:58] Council Member Nina Ahmed your quality of life, uh, town hall tour that you've

[3:38:03] been doing throughout the city. Uh, the next one that we are doing is Tuesday

[3:38:10] um, at 22nd, the church at the 22nd in Banebridge. It's Tuesday at 6 PM at the

[3:38:16] Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic

[3:38:21] All right. >> Okay. Apostolic faith.

[3:38:23] » Give this one to your only Jewish member. Thank you. Faith, whatever.

[3:38:28] » We love everybody. >> Anyway, thank you. I hope to see you all

[3:38:31] there. Uh, Tuesday, 6 p.m. 22nd in Bay Bridge. Thank you.

[3:38:36] » Thank you. Member Land, Councilman Jeffrey J. Young.

[3:38:41] » Thank you, Mr. President. Um today I want to thank my colleagues for passing

[3:38:45] a resolution um honoring uh principal Anna Jenkins of Adair Elementary School.

[3:38:51] Um you know I'm proud to honor her for her years of dedicated service and

[3:38:55] unwavering commitment to the young people um and families of Philadelphia.

[3:39:00] Principal Jenkins has been more than an educator uh but a steady leader, a

[3:39:04] mentor and community pillar um in Fishtown. Um her impact will be felt for

[3:39:09] generations through the lives she's helped shape. Um so much so that uh

[3:39:13] every eighth grader at Adair um which is a neighborhood catchment school uh got

[3:39:18] into their first choice for high school. Every single eighth grader. Um so on

[3:39:23] behalf of city council um and our community, we want to thank Principal

[3:39:27] Jenkins for her leadership, compassion, and service. Um and we wish wish her um

[3:39:32] a joyful and well-deserved retirement. Um, as a reminder to residents in the

[3:39:37] Lemon Hill area, so residents in uh, Strawberry Mansion, the Southern

[3:39:41] Portion, Fairmont, Brewery Town, Spring Garden, um, our office u, and Councilman

[3:39:46] Jones also wants to remind you that Philadelphia Parking Authority is

[3:39:50] hosting a series of upcoming parking permit popup events uh, to help

[3:39:54] neighbors prepare for the temporary parking changes during the FIFA FanFest

[3:39:58] festival period. Uh these pop-ups are an opportunity for residents to apply for

[3:40:02] their free temporary residential permit parking, uh ask questions directly to

[3:40:07] PPA representatives and get assistance with uh their documents, their visitors

[3:40:11] passes, enforcement concerns, um and the overall process right in their own

[3:40:16] neighborhoods. Uh so today um at Eastern State uh Penitentiary um at the farmers

[3:40:22] market on 22nd Street from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Park authority representatives

[3:40:27] will be there. and also uh at the city school for the Fairmont Civic

[3:40:31] Association meeting tonight uh from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Park authority

[3:40:35] representatives will be there uh next week, June 2nd, at Vogs Big Picture High

[3:40:40] School from 400 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Park authority representatives will be there.

[3:40:45] And also at our town hall that we're hosting next week at Prince of Peace

[3:40:49] Church, uh from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on June 4th, parking authority

[3:40:54] representatives will be there to help you on the spot. Um, this Saturday, uh,

[3:41:01] May 30th, our office is proud to host our first all about youth mental health

[3:41:07] awareness conference at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center uh, at

[3:41:12] 22nd in Cebu Bmore. Uh, this is about creating a safe space and uplifting and

[3:41:18] empowering young people ages 12 to 18 to focus on healing, self-expression, and

[3:41:24] community. Young people will participate in interactive workshops centered around

[3:41:29] breath work and designed to encourage wellness, confidence and healthy

[3:41:33] emotional expression in a supportive environment. Um there was a statistic uh

[3:41:39] there was a a study done by doctors at University of Penn that said one in

[3:41:44] eight black boys um at age 14 will be shot or be killed before they become

[3:41:52] before they reach 25. one in eight black 14 year old males in this city. And

[3:41:57] their study found that the first thing they talked about to reducing this was

[3:42:02] youth engagement. And so that's what we are focus focusing on uh with this

[3:42:07] conference and other things we've done throughout the fifth council district uh

[3:42:10] is youth engagement uh to reduce these levels of gun violence that still

[3:42:15] plagues our community and the young people um in our city. So, uh, as we

[3:42:20] continue to recognize mental health awareness month, this conference is a

[3:42:24] reminder that investing in youth mental health means showing up for our young

[3:42:27] people, showing them that they are seen, supported, and valued, and that they are

[3:42:32] never alone. Uh, so no registration is required. We encourage families and

[3:42:36] organizations from across the city to join us for this important day of

[3:42:41] healing and empowerment. We do ask that if you are bringing young people that

[3:42:45] you stay with the young people um as uh throughout the day for the conference.

[3:42:52] Also at the Martin Luther King uh recreation center there is a survey

[3:42:56] going around. We have uh invested money uh to restore um that playground at

[3:43:03] Martin Luther King Rec Center. So we have a survey. We want your input to see

[3:43:07] how this new playground should be designed.

[3:43:11] On Thursday, June 4th, our office is proud to host an upcoming housing

[3:43:15] resource workshop um from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Prince of Peace uh Baptist Church.

[3:43:21] Uh that's at 32nd and Burks. Uh bringing together housing agencies,

[3:43:27] organizations, and service providers uh directly to the community to connect

[3:43:31] residents with those critical resources. Um, we have invited representatives from

[3:43:36] PHDC, uh, Attorney Key, Pico, the water

[3:43:40] department, LNI, OPA, uh, and parking authority, um, and others will be

[3:43:45] available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help residents navigate

[3:43:50] housing, utility, property, and neighborhood concerns. Um, as housing

[3:43:54] affordability and neighborhood stability continue to impact families across

[3:43:58] Philadelphia, our office remains committed to making government more

[3:44:02] accessible, responsive, and community centered by ensuring residents can get

[3:44:06] real information, real assistance, and real support um, all in one place.

[3:44:12] Um yesterday we celebrated the completion of Triangle Square Park um

[3:44:18] which turned and transformed a broken and often hazardous traffic island into

[3:44:24] a beautiful green space at 24th and green. Um so I want to thank the

[3:44:29] residents of the Philadelphiaian um who supported this project. This was a true

[3:44:35] public private partnership. um those residents put their own dollars in to

[3:44:40] ensure that this space gets transformed. I want to thank the streets department

[3:44:44] uh for ensuring that uh this work has is uh gotten completed on time. Um and I

[3:44:50] want to take this as a model to use throughout our council district to work

[3:44:54] with communities to beautify um just you know eyes of spaces um in our community.

[3:45:02] I want to acknowledge Council Member Oor for his resolution on Cuba. Um, in March

[3:45:08] of 2015, I had an opportunity to visit Cuba, uh, where I participated in a

[3:45:13] program with some law students from my law school, Rucker School of Law,

[3:45:16] Newark, um, and my professor, Charles Aant, where I received a certificate in

[3:45:21] the Cuban legal uh, system from the National Union of Cuban Jurists. And

[3:45:26] while in Cuba, I really learned about why their conditions exist on the

[3:45:31] ground. And it's a lot of propaganda that we hear in America that we were

[3:45:35] taught here in America um on what Cuba is. But when you go there and you talk

[3:45:40] to the people on the ground, it's our fault that Cuba is the way that it is to

[3:45:45] be quite honest, right? And so I really want us to to think about doing our own

[3:45:53] research as council member or work um suggested to really see why things are

[3:45:59] how they are. I mean America is an imperialist country, right? So we have

[3:46:04] to understand and recognize that. Um and you know how ironic while I was on a

[3:46:10] Cuban beach um I was reading uh to Die for the People, the writings of Huey P.

[3:46:16] Newton, right? So, just let that sink in. Um, and to understand, you know, why

[3:46:24] I'll say this the American empire um has such uh a bad rep across the world,

[3:46:31] right? We have to really look inward and look at our own political system and our

[3:46:35] own structures and our own leadership to see why uh other countries, other

[3:46:41] nations, other third world countries um have the problems and issues that they

[3:46:46] face um because they just will not allow um America to come in and dictate their

[3:46:51] own policy. We need to have countries to be free, to choose how they want to be

[3:46:56] governed, to choose their uh economic system, um to choose what freedom looks

[3:47:00] like for them. >> Um and last but not least, uh Mr.

[3:47:04] President, um this past weekend, uh my wife and I celebrated our anniversary,

[3:47:08] so I want to say happy anniversary. Congratulations. I'll see you soon.

[3:47:11] Thank you.

[3:47:16] » I think I said congratulations while you were saying it. So, let me let me hear

[3:47:20] you say it again so the misses can hear you. Go ahead.

[3:47:22] » Yes. Yes. My wife and I celebrate our anniversary this weekend. So, I want to

[3:47:26] say happy anniversary, babe. And I'll see you soon.

[3:47:34] » As there are no more speeches, the chair recognizes Council Member Isaiah Thomas

[3:47:39] for a motion to adjourn. >> Thank you, Council President. I move

[3:47:44] that council stands adjourned until Thursday, June 4th, 2026 at 10 a.m.

[3:47:49] » It has been moved and properly seconded that the council stand adjourned until

[3:47:52] Thursday, June the 4th, 2026 at 10 a.m. All in favor will signify by saying I.

[3:47:58] » I. [sighs and gasps] >> Anyone opposed? The eyes have it. The

[3:48:01] motion carries. Thank you all very much and especially Council Member Jim

[3:48:04] Harity. See y'all next Thursday.

[3:48:18] » [music]

[3:48:23] [music]

[3:48:29] [music]

CITY COUNCIL

Agenda

Transcript