Hello. My name is Juniper Sweeney. I am also a member of Power Interfaith and a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church in Center City. I'm here testifying in support of Bill 260907. As a fellow unionized worker, I fully support UNITE HERE Local 274 in their contract negotiations and thank Councilmember Landau for introducing that bill and for her support of the We Make Philly agenda. Every Philadelphian deserves a living wage and we deserve to live here comfortably as we support union members getting a favorable contract. I want to advocate for general affordability through the We Make Philly agenda. With costs rising in all directions, comfortable living and homeownership can grow farther out of reach for average working Philadelphians. Freezing some utilities and expanding the Homestead Exemption can lessen those financial squeezes and let people choose either fewer working hours actually meeting all their needs, choosing meaningful work or contributing more of their time and energy into their communities. I'm a rare young millennial homeowner and I want others to have what I have. I've had the opportunity to step back from higher-earning work and chase a passion of teaching, and I just started as a teacher in the SDP this year. So students hear from both -- I commend you all for advocating for your better school lunches. And I'm also from District 1, one of many districts that is full of small, affordable rowhomes and the owners of those homes are going to feel the expansion of the Homestead Exemption really strongly in a large portion of the reduction of their property taxes. Overall, I want to bring homeownership and affordable living in Philadelphia closer to reach for more people like me, young people who will have the opportunity to cement their healthy, comfortable meaningful lives in this city for as long as they want to be here. Thank you all so much. Have a great day.
Good morning. My name is Steve Wilhite. I'm a member of Power Interfaith and Old First Reformed Church of Christ located in Center City. I am testifying in support of Bill 17 260907. I fully support UNITE HERE Local 274 in their contract negotiations and I join in thanking Councilmember Landau for introducing the bill. The bill is consistent with Power's We Make Philly agenda for property tax relief, a gas bill 1 freeze and a wealth tax. The property tax and gas bill freeze will directly address the affordability crisis in the city, but I know that the city will need increased revenue to offset the cost of these relief measures. Therefore, I support the wealth tax even though because of my investments, it will impact my retirement income. I have owned a home in the Fairmount section of the city since 1985. And when I retired in 2025, I could have moved out of the city. I chose not to because I value the invigorating diversity of this city and the opportunity to introduce my granddaughter, who lives outside the region, to this vibrant city. The continued vibrancy of the city is however dependent on providing many residents with relief from the affordability crisis through the We Make Philly agenda. I join in thanking Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for leading on our agenda and I look forward to other members of Council joining us on this agenda. Thank you. (Applause.)
Honor to our Majority Deputy Whip, that concludes our listing for public comment today.
I'm sorry. Honor to our Council President, that concludes our listing for public comment today. Thank you.
I thought I was getting demoted. Thank you, Tonya. Great 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING job. Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for permission to be excused and vote aye on all bills and resolutions as -- that are --
I just want to clarify for the wider public during the public comment section we really would like to ask individuals to really speak to issues that are germane to the resolutions put forth. At least try to find a way to tie it into the actual topics that are put forth as well. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING And so, I just want to state that for the record and I'll continue as we move forward to be a little more laser-like focused on asking individuals to keep their comments within the confines of the actual resolutions that they say they are actually speaking on, just for conformity of all members of City Council and the wider public as well. We will now consider resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
We will consider resolutions for the record on Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 4 260903.
A resolution 6 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5415 Florence Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 16 260903.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 1 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING 260903 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the 11 resolution is adopted. 12 Chief Clerk, please read 13 the title of Resolution No. 260904. 14
A resolution 15 authorizing the Philadelphia Land 16 Bank to dispose of 322 North 41st 17 Street located in the 3rd 18 Councilmanic District in accordance 19 with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of 20 The Philadelphia Code. 21
Chair recognizes 23 Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a 24 motion regarding Resolution No. 1 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING 260904.
4 Thank you, Council President. 5 I move for the adoption 6 of the resolution. 7 (Duly seconded.) 8
It has been moved and 10 properly seconded that Resolution 11 No. 260904 be adopted. 12 All those in favor of 13 the motion will signify by saying 14 aye. 15 (Aye.) 16
The ayes have it. The 21 motion carries. The resolution is 22 adopted. 23 Chief Clerk, please read 24 the title of Resolution No. 260905. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution 3 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5228 and 5230 Chester Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion regarding Resolution No. 13 260905.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 22 No. 260905 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 12 260906.
A resolution 14 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2715 N. Dover Street, 2716, 2718, 2729, 2817, 2820 N. Newkirk Street, 2710, 2720, 2722, 2738, 2758 N. 28th Street, 2719, 2731 N. 29th Street, 2649, 2651, 2655, 2700, 2730, 2738, 2746 W. Silver Street, 2632, 2645, 2646, 2654, 2700, 2703, 2705, 2706, 2710, 2711, 2714, 2715, 2716, 2717, 2719, 2723 2726, 2727, 2729, 2731, 2733, 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING 2747, 2749 W. Sterner Street, 2520, 2532, 2621, 2627, 2635, 2639, 2640, 2651, 2654, 2655 W. Seltzer Street, 2547, 2621, 2623, 2624, 2626, 2628 W. Silver Street, 2539, 2602, 2608 W. Sterner Street located in the 4th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260906.
Moving a step closer to those 30,000 affordable housing units, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 24 No. 260906 be adopted. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I apologize for missing some votes. I would just like to be recorded as aye on all votes and/or resolutions I may have missed. Thank you, sir.
Thank you very much, Member Thomas. It will be 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING recorded. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills or resolutions I may have missed while I was out of chambers.
Thank you very much, Member Young. Votes will be recorded. Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Okay. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution 22 No. 260907.
A resolution 24 supporting the workers of UNITE 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING HERE Local 274 and calling on the management of the Hilton Garden Inn to reach a deal as the only unionized hotel in Center City without a new contract.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion regarding Resolution No. 11 260907.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I ask that -- I move for the motion to be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you very much. It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 260907 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, would you please read the title of Resolution 13 No. 260908.
A resolution 15 authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1936, 1940, 1944, 1952-54 N. 19th Street, 1913, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1949 N. 20th Street, 1907, 1919 W. Berks Street, 1901, 1915, 1919, 1937 W. Norris Street, 1912, 1914, 1918, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952 N. Uber Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young for a motion regarding Resolution No. 8 260908.
I move for its adoption -- I thought we held it. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 16 No. 260908 be adopted. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
For the record, 260908 will be held. Okay. Just for clarity. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to be acknowledged as aye on all bills and resolutions that I may have missed to vote on in my absence.
Thank you very much, Member O'Rourke. Votes will be recorded. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 14 260567.
An ordinance 16 renaming and designating Girard Fountain Park located at on the 300 block of Arch Street as "Janet Kalter Park."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
The ayes are 16 -- Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Just for the record, were there any nay votes recorded? Okay. Thank you very much. 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Chief Clerk, please read the title of Bill No. 260638.
An ordinance 9 renaming and designating the building located on the property of the Dorothy Emmanuel Recreation Center, commonly referred to as the Dorothy Emmanuel Playground Building, located at 8501 Pickering Avenue, as the "Marlene Trice Neighborhood Center" in the City of Philadelphia.
This bill having been on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Aye. The ares are and 16 the nays are 0. Majority all 17 members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Chief Clerk, please read the title of Bill No. 260763.
An ordinance 22 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING lease or sublease agreements with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for all or a portion of the premises that includes certain parcels of land, generally referred to as Victory Gardens and Emerson Landfill, for environmental remediation of the land, development of a facility at said premises, and use as a training facility, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read in two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Squilla was aye. Councilmember Bass.
Aye. The ayes are and 13 the nays are 0. Majority of all 14 members having voted in the 15 affirmative, the bill passes. 16 Chief Clerk, please read 17 the title of Bill No. 260798.
An ordinance 19 renaming the Penrose Recreation Center to the "Shirley M. Kitchen Recreation Center" to honor the life and legacy of Shirley Kitchen, a pioneering public servant and civic leader with an immeasurable 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING impact on the Greater North Philadelphia community.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
And, Council President Johnson. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: The ayes are and nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in affirmative, the bill passes. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
9 Thank you, Council President. 10 I'd like to be excused 11 to handle other Council business 12 and I would like to be recorded as 13 voting aye on all bills and 14 resolutions. 15
Will be recorded. Thank 17 you very much. Chair recognizes the Clerk. Please read the title of Bill No. 260799.
An ordinance 22 authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter 10/29/26 - STATED - 2ND READING into a multiyear agreement with Broad Street Love Park, LLC for the design, construction, management and operation of a food and beverage concession at the Welcome Center Building (“Saucer”) in Love Park, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.