City Council Thursday, October 31, 2024
Invocation
Recognizing the young people who bring fresh, innovative, and life-changing ideas and solutions to our city and beyond is always welcome and encouraged. This is the next generation to whom the torch is being passed.
Councilmember Rue Landau Introduced a Resolution honoring the Sunrise Movement of Philadelphia hub for their outstanding work and contributions to their fight to confront climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Launched in 2017, the Sunrise Movement was instrumental in ousting some 2018 midterm candidates who wouldn’t refuse funding from the fossil fuel industry and elect proponents of renewable energy, with over half of the group’s 20 endorsements winning their elections.
State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184th District) said, “I’m honored to be here to speak about one of my favorite topics, Solar For Schools. I’m honored to also be here to help recognize Sunrise Movement and your amazing climate advocacy. Congratulations!
Back in April, I was invited to come before this legislative body because Councilmembers Gilmore-Richardson and Gauthier were kind enough to introduce legislation supporting Solar For Schools, creating a new state grant program to help K through 12 public schools and community colleges install solar panels on the roofs of their buildings or on their grounds, saving the districts tens of thousands of dollars each year, eventually adding up to millions of dollars in savings, creating good-paying local construction jobs, reducing our reliance on fossil fuel–a benefit to the environment, and allows schools to generate their own electricity.” “The legislation passed in the State House and State Senate in July and now has a 25 million dollar appropriation. The governor signed the bill into law, and applications for the new program begin on November 1, 2024.”
“I joined the Sunrise Movement at age 16 because I want my parks to keep existing. I love nature, animals, clean water, and fresh air, but young people–we have to learn at a young age that’s not a guarantee for us, and unless we fight back, it’s all going to be gone,” said Erica Brown of the Sunrise Movement.
ESOLUTION 240999 ADOPTED
The vote was 11 to 5, with Councilmember Squilla absent for the Vote. Councilmembers Gauthier, Landau, Young, Brooks, and O’Rourke registering Nay votes.
The 76ers Arena project continues to be a seriously contentious topic in Council as many Philadelphia citizens voice opposition to it, citing a lack of public input into the process and the harried pace with which the project is being pushed through.
Judging by the public testimony, Philadelphians and some outlying suburban communities–aren’t at all supportive of this project, and they’re making their voices heard.
Jenny Zang said, “I live in Chinatown, and I’m opposed to Resolution 241000, which would create the Neighborhood Improvement District and start the process of destroying our Chinatown. As a member of the Chinatown community, I was appalled when I first found out about the so-called Community Benefits Agreement (CBA’s). I know that this body tried to pass a Resolution years ago that said in part that a CBA must be negotiated by communities. It passed unanimously. Now Mayor Cherelle Parker (who was then a member of Council) and Councilmember Mark Squilla believed in that bill, which was unfortunately vetoed by former Mayor Kenny, yet you’re looking at the beginning of a process where legislation is being pushed forward without the consent or agreement of the community that’s most affected.
“Some of you say, it’s Chinatown’s fault for not being at the table to negotiate the CBA’s. The only table the city created was for people who are pro Arena, and the only seat we could even get at the table was to say come take my home.”
In a procedural vote, Council moved forward, with Council President Johnson’s acknowledgment that it’s a Resolution that’s required as it relates to the process in order to be put in a position to have a conversation.
“I want to also note for the record that based on today’s testimony, myself and other members of Council are committed to meeting with the residents of Chinatown, other parties, and stakeholders who truly care about this issue prior to the actual hearing,” said Council President Johnson.
For the entire meeting, please visit www.phlcouncil.com. The next Council session will resume at 10 am on November 14, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Philadelphia City Hall.
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