City Hall Roll Call: April 25th, 2024
Residential Permit Parking reform
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Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to follow me on Twitter.
Session Recap:
Last week’s Council Stated Meeting saw City Council sign-off on eight of the nine of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Board of Education appointees, while introducing a couple of noteworthy pieces of legislation.
After a heated debate over the reappointment of Joyce Wilkerson to the Board of Education, she failed to receive the nine votes necessary to confirm her reappointment. City Council formally withdrew her nomination at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. Wilkerson, whose reappointment was criticized by Charter school proponents and some members of Council, retained the support of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. However, despite the last minute lobbying attempts of supporters, she failed to sway enough members to support her nomination. Notwithstanding the failed reappointment, Wilkerson will remain on the Board of Education until a replacement is nominated and approved by Council.
Residential Parking Permit Reform
Philadelphia’s patchwork Residential Parking Permit system could see some sweeping reforms should a bill introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st) pass. Under Squilla’s legislation, a number of major changes to the program would occur.
First, the number of vehicles per residence would be capped at three (3). Currently, there is no limitation on the number of vehicles that can be registered to a single address.
Second, the price of the residential permit would increase to $75 per vehicle. Under the current system, the first vehicle permit costs $35, the second $50, the third $75 and any subsequent vehicle $100. More significantly, the bill would grant the Philadelphia Parking Authority the ability to increase the permit application fee by regulation, rather than requiring a Council ordinance. The bill would restrict increases to once every three years and cap the increase to no “more than the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) All Items Index, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Consumer Price Index for the immediate three years preceding the date of the proposed increase.”
Lastly, the legislation also updates the city’s guest parking system increasing the fees and making other related changes to the guest pass program.
Streetery Expansion, Literally
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL) followed up on her hearing regarding the bureaucratic hurdles to the opening of streeteries by introducing a measure to expand the program, literally. Currently, restaurants are entitled only to take up the right-of-way for the street in front of their building. Under the proposed amendment, restaurants would have the option of expanding into the right-of-way “abutting the adjacent property to that restaurant.” For many small restaurants throughout the city, there is not enough restaurant frontage to make a streetery worthwhile. Even where the neighboring property is supportive, the current scheme does not allow the restaurant to expand beyond its frontage footprint. While it is unclear whether further reforms are planned, this bill is a great first step in reviving Philadelphia’s outdoor dining scene.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 2nd at 10:00 AM.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill No. 240333: Amending Section 14-533 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/MIN, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District,” to update the illustrative maps to reflect recent redistricting changes. (Lozada)
Bill No. 240332: Approving the sixth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Berks Street and Montgomery Avenue on the north, by Second Street and Philip Street on the east, by Girard Avenue, Oxford Street and Jefferson Street on the south and by Germantown Avenue, Sixth Street and Third Street on the west, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan which provides, inter alia, for changes that would make it consistent with the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Area Plan… (Lozada)
Bill No. 240336: Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” by adding definitions; and creating a new Chestnut Hill Lower East /NCO in the area generally bounded by the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street, and Springfield Avenue. (Bass)
🚓 Public Safety
Bill No. 240330: Amending Chapter 21-1200 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Citizens Police Oversight Commission," to modify the procedure by which members of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission may be removed, providing a procedure to suspend members, and clarifying terms in that Chapter. (Jones)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution No. 240337: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third 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. (Gauthier)
Resolution No. 240338: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia. (Gauthier)
Resolution No. 240350: Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Mechanic Street, Musgrave street, East Phil Ellena street, East Sharpnack street, and East Ashmead street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. (Bass)
Resolution No. 240351: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1532 W. Loudon Street in the Eighth 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. (Bass)
Resolution No. 240352: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 6657-59 Blakemore Street (including the former 530-34 Vernon Road), 50 Collom Street, 56 Collom Street, 60-74 Collom Street, 101 Collom Street, 67 Church Lane, 83 Church Lane, 85 Church Lane, 87 Church Lane, 45 E. Garfield Street, 47 E. Garfield Street, 51 E. Garfield Street, 5417 Lena Street, 5423-27 Lena Street, 5429-43 Lena Street, 5513 Lena Street, 5515 Lena Street, 4949 Germantown Avenue, 4951 Germantown Avenue, 6526-34 Germantown Avenue, 117 Manheim Street, 36 E. Wister Street, 38 E. Wister Street, 40 E. Wister Street, 42 E. Wister Street, 44 E. Wister Street, 46 E. Wister Street, and 63 E. Wister Street in the Eighth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia. (Bass)
Resolution No. 240353: Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Mechanic Street, Musgrave street, East Phil Ellena street, East Sharpnack street, and East Ashmead street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. (Bass)
Resolution No. 240354: Title:Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 49 E. Earlham Street, 207 E. Penn Street, 313 E. Bringhurst Street, 292 E. Bringhurst Street, 278 E. Bringhurst Street, 260 E. Bringhurst Street, 226 E. Bringhurst Street, 5222 Wakefield Street, 429 E. Ashmead Street, 5514 Morton Street, 5515 Morton Street, 5608 Heiskell Street , 5642 Morton Street, 53 E. Pastorius Street, 261 E. Sharpnack Street, 263 E. Sharpnack Street, 112 E. Springer Street, 111 E. Springer Street, 4925 Wakefield Street, 326 Shedaker Street, 342 Shedaker Street, 4951 Sheldon Street, 4957 Sheldon Street, 4961 Sheldon Street, 4975 Sheldon Street, 4635 Germantown Avenue, 44 Reger Street, 42 Reger Street, 4946 Keyser Street, 1532 W. Loudon Street in the Eighth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank… (Bass)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill No. 240238: Amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Farmers’ Markets,” by adding a permissible location on Baltimore Avenue, between 58th Street and 59th Street. (Gauthier)
🚦Streets
Bill No. 240335: Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Permit Parking Districts,” by extending the authorized duration of temporary parking permits and setting new permit application fees. (Squilla)
Bill No. 240329: Establishing a no parking regulation on the west side of North 34th Street between Indiana Avenue and Clearfield Street. (Jones)
Bill No. 240334: Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by changing certain boundaries and establishing new permit parking districts. (O’Neill)
Bill No. 240331: Amending Section 9-215 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Streeteries,” modifying requirements related to the City’s revised standards and requirements associated with the use of portions of the Right-of-Way for outdoor dining. (Landau)
⚖️ Non-Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution No. 240347: Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold hearings to examine the progress made since introduction of the Philadelphia Urban Agriculture Plan, to convene agencies and stakeholders needed to make further progress, and to create an implementation strategy to expeditiously meet the goals of the Plan. (Brooks)
Resolution No. 240344: Urging the Biden Administration to immediately release the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" rule. (Landau)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
Bill No. 240335: Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Permit Parking Districts,” by extending the authorized duration of temporary parking permits and setting new permit application fees.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill No. 240238: Amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Farmers’ Markets,” by adding a permissible location on Baltimore Avenue, between 58th Street and 59th Street.
Resolution No. 240337: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third 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.
Resolution No. 240338: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill No. 240329: Establishing a no parking regulation on the west side of North 34th Street between Indiana Avenue and Clearfield Street.
Bill No. 240330: Amending Chapter 21-1200 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Citizens Police Oversight Commission," to modify the procedure by which members of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission may be removed, providing a procedure to suspend members, and clarifying terms in that Chapter.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
Bill No. 240333: Amending Section 14-533 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/MIN, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District,” to update the illustrative maps to reflect recent redistricting changes.
Bill No. 240332: Approving the sixth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Berks Street and Montgomery Avenue on the north, by Second Street and Philip Street on the east, by Girard Avenue, Oxford Street and Jefferson Street on the south and by Germantown Avenue, Sixth Street and Third Street on the west, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan which provides, inter alia, for changes that would make it consistent with the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Area Plan…
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Bill No. 240336: Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” by adding definitions; and creating a new Chestnut Hill Lower East /NCO in the area generally bounded by the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street, and Springfield Avenue.
Resolution No. 240350: Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Mechanic Street, Musgrave street, East Phil Ellena street, East Sharpnack street, and East Ashmead street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
Resolution No. 240351: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1532 W. Loudon Street in the Eighth 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.
Resolution No. 240352: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 6657-59 Blakemore Street (including the former 530-34 Vernon Road), 50 Collom Street, 56 Collom Street, 60-74 Collom Street, 101 Collom Street, 67 Church Lane, 83 Church Lane, 85 Church Lane, 87 Church Lane, 45 E. Garfield Street, 47 E. Garfield Street, 51 E. Garfield Street, 5417 Lena Street, 5423-27 Lena Street, 5429-43 Lena Street, 5513 Lena Street, 5515 Lena Street, 4949 Germantown Avenue, 4951 Germantown Avenue, 6526-34 Germantown Avenue, 117 Manheim Street, 36 E. Wister Street, 38 E. Wister Street, 40 E. Wister Street, 42 E. Wister Street, 44 E. Wister Street, 46 E. Wister Street, and 63 E. Wister Street in the Eighth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
Resolution No. 240353: Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Mechanic Street, Musgrave street, East Phil Ellena street, East Sharpnack street, and East Ashmead street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
Resolution No. 240354: Title:Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 49 E. Earlham Street, 207 E. Penn Street, 313 E. Bringhurst Street, 292 E. Bringhurst Street, 278 E. Bringhurst Street, 260 E. Bringhurst Street, 226 E. Bringhurst Street, 5222 Wakefield Street, 429 E. Ashmead Street, 5514 Morton Street, 5515 Morton Street, 5608 Heiskell Street , 5642 Morton Street, 53 E. Pastorius Street, 261 E. Sharpnack Street, 263 E. Sharpnack Street, 112 E. Springer Street, 111 E. Springer Street, 4925 Wakefield Street, 326 Shedaker Street, 342 Shedaker Street, 4951 Sheldon Street, 4957 Sheldon Street, 4961 Sheldon Street, 4975 Sheldon Street, 4635 Germantown Avenue, 44 Reger Street, 42 Reger Street, 4946 Keyser Street, 1532 W. Loudon Street in the Eighth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank…
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill No. 240334: Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by changing certain boundaries and establishing new permit parking districts.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
Resolution No. 240347: Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold hearings to examine the progress made since introduction of the Philadelphia Urban Agriculture Plan, to convene agencies and stakeholders needed to make further progress, and to create an implementation strategy to expeditiously meet the goals of the Plan.
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL)
Bill No. 240331: Amending Section 9-215 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Streeteries,” modifying requirements related to the City’s revised standards and requirements associated with the use of portions of the Right-of-Way for outdoor dining.
Resolution No. 240344: Urging the Biden Administration to immediately release the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" rule.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
📛 240254 (Johnson): Confirming the appointment of Crystal Cubbage to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240255 (Johnson): Confirming the reappointment of Sarah-Ashley Andrews to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240256 (Johnson): Confirming the appointment of Joan Stern to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240257 (Johnson): Confirming the reappointment of Reginald Streater to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240258 (Johnson): Confirming the appointment of Wanda Novales to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240259 (Johnson): Confirming the appointment of Whitney Jones to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240260 (Johnson): Confirming the reappointment of Chau Wing Lam to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
📛 240262 (Johnson): Confirming the appointment of Cheryl Harper to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
🏆 240306 (Johnson): Establishing the month of April as Philadelphia Histories Month in the City of Philadelphia, commencing in 2025 and continuing annually thereafter.
🗣️ 240308 (Jones): Calling on the Pennsylvania State Senate to pass House Bill 1130 to create the Safer Communities Grant Program, which will make Philadelphia safer by providing funding for lighting and security cameras around schools, playgrounds, community centers, and other high crime areas.
🗣️ 240309 (Jones): Supporting the Biden Administration’s finalized rule that aims to expand certain background check requirements for firearm purchases and close the “gun-show loophole.”
🏆 240318 (Driscoll): Proclaiming May 2024 as Dual Asian American Pacific Islander and Jewish American Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Jewish Americans to our Country, Commonwealth, and City.
🔏 240321 (O'Neill): Authorizing and ratifying Councilmember O’Neill’s appeal, on behalf of and as representative of City Council, of the decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with respect to 4100 Orchard Lane.
🗺️ 240322 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: West Manheim street, East Wister street, East Garfield street, Collom street, Blakemore street, Vernon road, Lena street, Germantown avenue, and Church lane, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🏆 240340 (Gauthier): Honoring and recognizing Edward “Lee” Morgan, whose soulful melodies and blazing improvisations continue to inspire musicians and bring joy to his legions of fans worldwide.
🏆 240341 (Thomas): Recognizing and congratulating the Champion of the Week, Buddy Martinez of Timoteo Sports, which utilizes athletics to engage with and mentor young people in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 240342 (Jones): Honoring Cynthia Kishinchand as a Champion of Urban Greening and Community Empowerment for her leadership of the East Falls Tree Tenders.
🏆 240343 (Jones): Honoring and celebrating the meaningful work conducted by the Friends of the Wissahickon, for 100 years of service to the City of Philadelphia, The Wissahickon Valley Park, and the surrounding areas.
🏆 240345 (Haynes): Recognizing and honoring Stephanie Haynes for her impact as Executive Director of Philadelphia Family Pride.
🏆 240346 (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services for their collaborative commitment to bring healing and justice to victims of child abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2024 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 240347 (Brooks): Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold hearings to examine the progress made since introduction of the Philadelphia Urban Agriculture Plan, to convene agencies and stakeholders needed to make further progress, and to create an implementation strategy to expeditiously meet the goals of the Plan.
🏆 240348 (Brooks): Honoring and expressing gratitude to Philly Black Pride for its ongoing work to center and support underserved Black and Brown folks in the LGBTQ+ community, and recognizing Thursday, April 25th through Sunday, April 28th as Philly Black Pride Weekend in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 240349 (Squilla): Honoring and congratulating Settlement Music School on its 116th Anniversary and recognizing and commending its directors, officers, faculty, staff and students, both past and present, for making Settlement Music School an institution known world-wide for its excellence.
🏆 240356 (Ahmad): Honoring the Founding of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the occasion of its 120th Anniversary
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, May 3rd
Committee on Rules, 11:00 AM - the Committee will hear testimony on Bill No. 240220 An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Red Lion Road, the Montgomery County line, the Bucks County line, and Roosevelt Boulevard.