City of Philadelphia  
City Council  
Chief Clerk's Office  
402 City Hall  
Philadelphia, PA 19107  
Meeting Minutes (Long)  
Thursday, January 29, 2026  
10:00 AM  
Room 400, City Hall  
CITY COUNCIL  
ROLL CALL  
PRESENT:  
EXCUSED:  
15 - Councilmembers Bass, Brooks, Driscoll, Gauthier, Harrity, Jones,  
Lozada, O'Neill, Phillips, Thomas, Ahmad, Landau, O'Rourke, Young and  
Council President Johnson  
2 - Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson and Squilla  
INVOCATION  
Council met, a quorum being present.  
Bishop Derric J. Wright, Senior Pastor of Infinite Wonders Ministries, was introduced and offered an  
appropriate prayer.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL  
COUNCILMEMBER BASS MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOURNAL  
of the meeting of Thursday, January 22, 2026.  
THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO.  
LEAVES OF ABSENCE  
Councilmember Thomas requested leave of absence for  
Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson and Squilla.  
THE REQUEST WAS GRANTED.  
COMMUNICATIONS  
The Sergeant-at-Arms presented messages from the Mayor as follows:  
January 22, 2026  
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF PHILADELPHIA:  
I am pleased to advise you that on January 22, 2026, I signed the following bill, which  
was passed by Council at its session on January 22, 2026:  
Bill No. 251065  
Respectfully,  
Cherelle L. Parker  
Mayor (File No. 260053)  
THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED.  
January 27, 2026  
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF PHILADELPHIA:  
I am pleased to advise you that on January 27, 2026, I signed the following bill, which  
was passed by Council at its session on January 22, 2026:  
Bill No. 251027  
Respectfully,  
Cherelle L. Parker  
Mayor (File No. 260054)  
THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED.  
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS  
Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Councilmember Gauthier,  
Sponsored by Councilmember :  
Bill No. 260055: An Ordinance Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Zoning and Planning” by revising and clarifying certain provisions and making technical  
changes to text that has expired, all under certain terms and conditions.  
THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES.  
Bill No. 260056: An Ordinance Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code by  
adding  
a
new Chapter 21-3600 entitled “Non-Intervention with Respect to  
Immigration Enforcement” to place certain restrictions on the collection and use of  
information related to citizenship and immigration status, prohibit certain forms of  
discrimination in City services, and provide for remedies for violations, all under certain  
terms and conditions.  
Bill No. 260057: An Ordinance Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code by  
adding  
a
new Chapter 21-3600 entitled “Non-Intervention with Respect to  
Immigration Enforcement” to establish certain limits on how personal information may  
be handled by the City with regard to immigration enforcement, create reporting  
requirements, and provide for remedies for violations, all under certain terms and  
conditions.  
Bill No. 260058: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia  
Code, entitled "Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,"  
to add protections against discrimination on the basis of citizenship and immigration  
status, all under certain terms and conditions.  
Bill No. 260059: An Ordinance Amending Title 17 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Procurement Contracts,” and Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Miscellaneous,” to prohibit the acceptance of bids on City contracts from, or the  
execution of contracts with, entities that do business with immigration enforcement  
authorities; bar City participation in, resource expenditures to, and involvement in any  
agreements or activities in furtherance of immigration enforcement, including through the  
conduct of its employees, contractors and funding recipients; require annual reporting  
of City immigration-related activities, and provide for civil enforcement of violations, all  
under certain terms and conditions.  
Bill No. 260060: An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity,” to prohibit law enforcement officers  
from concealing their identity, require officers to visibly display their badge and other  
official identifying information, prohibit the impersonation of law enforcement officers,  
and provide for civil and criminal enforcement of violations, all under certain terms and  
conditions.  
Bill No. 260061: An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity,” and amending Title 11 of The  
Philadelphia Code, entitled “Streets,” to prohibit immigration enforcement on City and  
City-related property and facilities, to prohibit immigration enforcement in the  
right-of-way and provide for civil enforcement of violations, all under certain terms and  
conditions.  
Bill No. 260062: An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled  
“Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity,” to restrict the use of community  
spaces for government purposes not expressly authorized by the City or the courts and  
provide for civil enforcement of violations, all under certain terms and conditions.  
Councilmember Bass Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember  
Bass:  
Bill No. 260063: An Ordinance Renaming and designating the property commonly  
referred to as Panati Playground, located at 3100 N 22nd Street, to the “Allegheny  
West Recreation Center” in recognition of the community and neighborhood that it  
serves.  
THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC WORKS.  
Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution for Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Sponsored by Councilmembers  
Thomas, Jones, Landau, Lozada, Brooks, Harrity, O'Rourke, Driscoll and Bass:  
Resolution No. 260064: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold  
hearings on the decrease in Black student enrollment at School District of Philadelphia  
special admission schools.  
Councilmember Jones Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution for Council President Johnson, Sponsored by Councilmembers Jones,  
Phillips, Gilmore Richardson, Gauthier, Thomas, Landau, Lozada, Brooks, Harrity, O'Rourke,  
Driscoll, Bass and Ahmad:  
Resolution No. 260065: Resolution Recognizing the life and legacy of Joseph R.  
Syrnick for his distinguished career of public service to the City of Philadelphia and his  
visionary leadership in transforming the Schuylkill River Corridor, Trail, and  
Waterfront.  
Councilmember Landau Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Landau:  
Resolution No. 260066: Resolution Urging U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave  
McCormick, as well as all United States Senators committed to upholding the  
Constitution of the United States and the Rule of Law, to vote "No" on H.R. 7147, and  
to reject increased funding for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.  
Councilmember Young Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Young:  
Resolution No. 260067: Resolution Recognizing January 20 - 23, 2026 as “Social  
Justice Week” in the City of Philadelphia, and further honoring Friends Select School  
for its contributions and dedication to being an antiracist school with a culture and a  
curriculum that encourage and empower awareness of and response to issues and  
events in the City of Philadelphia.  
Councilmember Brooks Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Brooks:  
Resolution No. 260068: Resolution Recognizing the lives and legacies and expressing  
condolences for the deaths of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good, Alex Pretti,  
Chaofeng Ge, Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir, Parady La and the countless individuals who  
have been killed, disappeared or tortured in the past year.  
Councilmember Harrity Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar  
the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Harrity:  
Resolution No. 260069: Resolution Recognizing January as National Substance Use  
Disorder Month and honoring the resilience of individuals, families, and communities  
impacted by substance use disorder in Philadelphia and nationwide.  
Councilmember O'Rourke Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage  
Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember O'Rourke:  
Resolution No. 260070: Resolution Honoring WURD Radio for being nationally  
recognized as a nominee for an NAACP Image Award for its limited podcast series  
“Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction,” which explores life after wrongful  
conviction in Philadelphia, exemplifying local journalism’s mission to explain, clarify,  
and nuance the diverse experiences of Philadelphians.  
Councilmember O'Neill Introduced the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember  
O'Neill:  
Resolution No. 260071: Resolution Authorizing Councilman Brian O’Neill’s appeal,  
on behalf of and as representative of City Council, of the decision of the Department of  
Licenses and Inspections with respect to 451 Rhawn St.  
COUNCILMEMBER O'NEILL MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO  
PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF RESOLUTION NO. 260071.  
THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO.  
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES  
There were no reports from Committees.  
CONSIDERATION OF THE CALENDAR  
BILLS ON FIRST READING  
There were no Bills on First Reading.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
Lynn Landes  
David Jenkins  
Brooks Introducing  
241070  
Cesar Ruiz De Castilla  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Lydia O  
Erica M.  
Curtis Walker  
Isaac Shane (215) 407-8582 Young Introducing  
Kauveri Shah  
Jonny Rashid  
Van Sam  
Young Introducing  
KB Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Jeremy Blatstein  
Vivian Chang  
241056  
Brooks Introducing  
Steven Morley  
Brooks Introducing  
Jasmine Rivera Brooks Introducing  
Jeannine Cicco Barker  
Brooks Introducing  
Lauren Loe Brooks Introducing  
Joanna Ferrino Brooks Introducing  
Ethan Win Brooks Introducing  
María Serna  
Tsehaitu Abye  
Turner Halle  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Ethan Tan Brooks Introducing  
Peter Ahn  
Brooks Introducing  
Brooks Introducing  
Orena Rogers  
Stephanie Dorenbosch  
Brooks Introducing  
Whitney Rooch Brooks Introducing  
Reve. Gregory Holston  
Brooks Introducing  
Ashanti Martin & 2 Collegaues  
WURD Resolution  
Rev. Tharkus Hermawan Brooks Introducing  
Ogbonns Hagins Brooks Introducing  
SEE NOTES OF TESTIMONY FOR FULL COMMENT FROM STATED MEETING OF THURSDAY,  
JANUARY 29, 2026.  
Please note that this is an in-person meeting, and it is open to  
the public. This meeting may also be viewed on Xfinity Channel  
Public comment will be received in-person regarding those  
matters printed on the agenda on the following pages. Speakers  
interested in participating in public comment at this meeting  
may call 215-686-3406 by no later than 3 p.m. the day before the  
meeting and they must submit the following information:  
• Full name (including proper pronunciation and spelling)  
• Identify the bill number or resolution number that will be  
addressed  
• State whether you support or oppose that particular bill or  
resolution  
• Telephone number where you can be reached  
Speakers may also sign-up to participate in public comment on  
the day of the meeting in Room 400, City Hall. Speakers who  
submitted the above information within the required time frame  
will be added to the list. Speakers will have up to three minutes  
to speak; the Council President, however, reserves the right  
based on circumstances to establish a different time limit. The  
Council President may also limit testimony where repetitious  
comments are offered on an agenda item.  
ORDER OF BUSINESS IN A COUNCIL SESSION  
Note: Some items do not occur at every session:  
Invocation.  
Approval of the journal of the preceding meeting.  
Requests by Councilmembers for permission to be absent from  
the session.  
Reading of communications from the Mayor.  
Introduction of bills and resolutions (to be referred to  
appropriate Committees of Council).  
Reports from Committees of Council.  
Special business.  
Bills on first reading.  
Public comment on bills and resolutions on the Second  
Reading and Final Passage Calendars - titles are printed below.  
Bills that Council passed but that need to be returned by the  
Mayor for reconsideration.  
Consideration of bills and resolutions on the Second Reading  
and Final Passage Calendars.  
Bills and resolutions on the Suspension Calendar.  
Speeches by Councilmembers.  
.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON FINAL PASSAGE  
Councilmember Gauthier called up:  
Resolution No. 260033: Resolution Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property  
to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying  
fee simple title to 2045 S. 56th Street; 5123, 5125, 5127, 5129 Baltimore Avenue in  
the 3rd Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the  
Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee  
simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Jones called up:  
Resolution No. 260034: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 134, 138, and 140 N 58th St located in the 4th Councilmanic District in  
accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Harrity called up:  
Resolution No. 260036: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 2039 E. Fletcher Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in  
accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Harrity called up:  
Resolution No. 260037: Resolution Approving the Third Amendment to  
Redevelopment Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the  
redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the American Street Industrial  
Corridor Urban Renewal Area, designated as Revised Parcel No. 8, Revised Parcel  
No. 9 and Parcel No. 10A, also sometimes identified by house numbers and street  
addresses for Revised Parcel No. 8 as 1700-34 N. American Street, for Revised  
Parcel No. 9 as 1703-69 N. Bodine Street (including 229-33 Cecil B. Moore  
Avenue), and for Parcel No. 10A as 1736-54 N. American Street; and authorizing the  
Redevelopment Authority to execute the Third Amendment to Redevelopment  
Agreement with 1700 North American Street, LLC and to take such action as may be  
necessary to effectuate the Third Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Young called up:  
Resolution No. 260039: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 1909 N. Van Pelt Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in  
accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Young called up:  
Resolution No. 260040: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 1437, 1438, 1539, 1544, 1546, and 1610 Ogden St; 863 N 15th St; 841,  
845, and 851 N 16th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance  
with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Young called up:  
Resolution No. 260041: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 1802-04 N. Franklin Street, 1803, 1807-25 N. 8th Street located in the  
5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The  
Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Young called up:  
Resolution No. 260042: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to  
dispose of 1403, 1409, 1415, 1428, 1436, 1441 N. 17th Street, 1624, 1626  
Jefferson Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms  
of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Bass called up:  
Resolution No. 260045: Resolution Honoring Father Joseph J. Kelley by renaming  
the 2400 block of South 17th Street as “Father Joseph Kelley Way” in recognition of  
his dedicated Pastoral leadership at Saint Monica Parish and his longstanding service to  
the South Philadelphia community.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Bass called up:  
Resolution No. 260046: Resolution Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property  
to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying  
fee simple title to 2726 N. 15th Street in the 8th Councilmanic District of the City of  
Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to  
transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to  
Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL  
PASSAGE  
All Bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar were held.  
RESOLUTIONS  
Councilmember Thomas called up:  
Resolution No. 260064: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold  
hearings on the decrease in Black student enrollment at School District of Philadelphia  
special admission schools.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Jones called up:  
Resolution No. 260065: Resolution Recognizing the life and legacy of Joseph R.  
Syrnick for his distinguished career of public service to the City of Philadelphia and his  
visionary leadership in transforming the Schuylkill River Corridor, Trail, and  
Waterfront.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Young called up:  
Resolution No. 260067: Resolution Recognizing January 20 - 23, 2026 as “Social  
Justice Week” in the City of Philadelphia, and further honoring Friends Select School  
for its contributions and dedication to being an antiracist school with a culture and a  
curriculum that encourage and empower awareness of and response to issues and  
events in the City of Philadelphia.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Brooks called up:  
Resolution No. 260068: Resolution Recognizing the lives and legacies and expressing  
condolences for the deaths of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good, Alex Pretti,  
Chaofeng Ge, Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir, Parady La and the countless individuals who  
have been killed, disappeared or tortured in the past year.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Harrity called up:  
Resolution No. 260069: Resolution Recognizing January as National Substance Use  
Disorder Month and honoring the resilience of individuals, families, and communities  
impacted by substance use disorder in Philadelphia and nationwide.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember Harrity called up:  
Resolution No. 260070: Resolution Honoring WURD Radio for being nationally  
recognized as a nominee for an NAACP Image Award for its limited podcast series  
“Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction,” which explores life after wrongful  
conviction in Philadelphia, exemplifying local journalism’s mission to explain, clarify,  
and nuance the diverse experiences of Philadelphians.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
Councilmember O'Neill called up:  
Resolution No. 260071: Resolution Authorizing Councilman Brian O’Neill’s appeal,  
on behalf of and as representative of City Council, of the decision of the Department of  
Licenses and Inspections with respect to 451 Rhawn St.  
THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.  
SPEECHES  
Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Ahmad,  
Councilmember Young, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Lozada, and  
Councilmember Landau  
SEE NOTES OF TESTIMONY FROM STATED MEETING OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026.  
ADJOURNMENT  
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS MOVED TO ADJOURN  
until Thursday February 5, 2026, 10:00 AM.  
THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO.