City Hall Roll Call: April 27th, 2023
City Hall Roll Call: April 27th, 2023
Council to explore independent authority to manage school modernization
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
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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.
As both an honoree and Advisory Board Member, I wanted to invite you to join me in celebrating the City and State Pennsylvania 2023 Pride Power 100! The Pride Power 100 list will debut in a special May edition of City & State PA magazine recognizing and ranking the most influential figures in the LGBTQIA+ community in Pennsylvania.
Join us on June 1st , 2023 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM for an open bar and light nibbles at Cockatoo in Philadelphia as we acknowledge and celebrate these remarkable individuals. Highlighting the movers and shakers in the LQBTQIA community, City and State Pennsylvania is thrilled to spotlight best in the Keystone State with a power packed list of guest speakers and a formal list presentation.
By purchasing a ticket on Eventbrite, you can help our mission to support Covenant House to aid LGBTQIA youth facing homelessness, many of whom are victims of human trafficking. Even if you can’t make the event, please consider a donation to support the important work of Covenant House.
If you’re interested in sponsoring an ad for this edition, please contact advertising@cityandstatepa.com.
Session Recap:
Today’s Stated Meeting was one of the quickest of the year, marked by a number of zoning overlay introductions as well as the authorization of hearings to explore whether an independent authority could be the solution to the city’s ongoing school modernization crisis.
Three councilmembers introduced bills related to zoning “overlays.” The zoning code provides land use and building standards for properties throughout the city (often referred to as “base zoning.” An overlay applies additional standards to all buildings and land within a defined geographical boundary.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr (D-4th) introduced a bill expanding the Fourth District Overlay Area, which amongst other things, prohibits accessory dwelling uses and establishes heightened permissions for certain commercial activity.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) introduced a bill creating the “East Poplar Overlay.” If enacted, this overlay would apply to all residential buildings in the area between Girard Avenue, 6th Street, Spring Garden Avenue and 9th Street. The overlay restricts the height of residential buildings to the height of the tallest adjoining building (up to 38 feet) and prohibits the construction of roof decks.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) introdced two bills related to overlays in her district. The first modifies the geographical area subject to the Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay in her West Philadelphia District (text of bill not yet available). The second would create a mechanism for use standards for the Mixed Income Neighborhood overlay, which requires a percentage of affordable housing in areas seeing increased housing market pressures (text of bill not yet available).
Seizing on a topic that has become a main point of contention in the heated Mayor’s race, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL) introduced a resolution to explore a potential solution for the dangerous and derelict state of many of the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities.
As reported by Kristen Graham of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
Philadelphia’s school system cannot manage the massive scale of its facilities needs, so an independent authority should bond and manage building repairs and new construction projects, City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said Tuesday.
Thomas…wants to fast-track the process to take advantage of a historic budget surplus in Harrisburg, the education committee chairman said. Thomas and others want the state to give $5 billion over five years for improvements to school buildings across Pennsylvania, with a significant chunk dedicated to Philadelphia.
The resolution introduced today does not create or authorize the independent authority, but rather allows Council to have a public conversation about the feasibility and potential efficacy of such an idea.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 4th at 10 a.m.
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 amending the Philadelphia Code to create the “East Poplar Overlay District.” (Clarke)
Bill amending 14-500 of the Philadelphia Code to modify the area subject to the Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay. (Gauthier)
Bill amending 14-533 of the Philadelphia Code to create a mechanism for use standards for the Mixed Income Neighborhood Overlay. (Gauthier)
Bill amending the Philadelphia Code by extending the boundaries of the 4th District Overlay. (Jones)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
🏞️ Parks and Recreation
Bill renaming Bridesburg Park as Robert A Borski Park. (Driscoll)
🚦Streets
Bill establishing no truck parking in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill authorizing street encroachments in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing the Northern Liberties BID to own and operate certain lighting encroachments on N. 2nd Street. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing encroachments in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing a contract for the construction of a sewer in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
📛 Boards and Commissions
Resolution adopting the Report issued by Council’s Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment of Municipal Workers. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to investigate the environmental justice impact of the City’s waste disposal contracts. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution authorizing hearings investigating the use of an independent authority to bond and manage the school facilities modernization that safety calls for and students, parents, teachers and communities deserve. (Thomas)
Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to Pass House Bills 338, 714, 731, and 1018 which address reasonable firearms restrictions that will enhance the safety of all Pennsylvanians and Philadelphians. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings on supplier diversity issues. (Squilla)
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)
B: Authorizing street encroachments in the 1st Councilmanic District.
B: Authorizing the Northern Liberties BID to own and operate certain lighting encroachments on N. 2nd Street.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings on supplier diversity issues.
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Amending 14-500 of the Philadelphia Code to modify the area subject to the Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay.
B: Amending 14-533 of the Philadelphia Code to create a mechanism for use standards for the Mixed Income Neighborhood Overlay.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Amending the Philadelphia Code by extending the boundaries of the 4th District Overlay.
B: Establishing no truck parking in the 4th Councilmanic District.
R: Calling on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to Pass House Bills 338, 714, 731, and 1018 which address reasonable firearms restrictions that will enhance the safety of all Pennsylvanians and Philadelphians.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
B: Amending the Philadelphia Code to create the “East Poplar Overlay District.”
R: Adopting the Report issued by Council’s Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment of Municipal Workers.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
B: Renaming Bridesburg Park as Robert A Borski Park.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
B: Authorizing a contract for the construction of a sewer in the 7th Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
B: Authorizing encroachments in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to investigate the environmental justice impact of the City’s waste disposal contracts.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Authorizing hearings investigating the use of an independent authority to bond and manage the school facilities modernization that safety calls for and students, parents, teachers and communities deserve.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🔏 230311 (Clarke): Authorizing and ratifying Council President Clarke’s participation, on behalf of and as representative of City Council, in all proceedings relating to the decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with respect to 1600 East Berks Street.
🗺️ 230313 (Lozada): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3418, 3420, and 3422 Kensington Avenue located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 230314 (Lozada): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2032 E. Boston Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 230315 (Gauthier): Renaming the 700 Block of N. 39th Street “Hon. Charles L. Durham Way” to honor the life and legacy of the late Common Pleas Judge, Civil Rights Leader, community advocate, and Philadelphia City Councilmember, the Honorable Charles L. Durham.
⚖️ 230### (Gilmore-Richardson): Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to investigate the environmental justice impact of the City’s waste disposal contracts.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Congratulating the Champions of the Week, the students of Northeast High School, who established Afro Day when students wear their hair naturally to eliminate the historical stigmas associated with Black hair.
⚖️ 230### (Thomas):Authorizing hearings investigating the use of an independent authority to bond and manage the school facilities modernization that safety calls for and students, parents, teachers and communities deserve.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring the many public servants of the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and declaring May 2023 Public Service Month in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 230### (Squilla): Authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings on supplier diversity issues.
🏆 230### (Squilla): Welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Boat to Philadelphia, on tour to promote the treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons.
Bills:
🔏 220969 (Bass): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to accept a historically-designated building from 2000 Arch Associates LP, which will move and reinstall the building on City property.
💸 230150 (Clarke): Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2023 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Hotel Room Rental Tax Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, May 1st
Committee on Finance, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hear three bills regarding the issuance of municipal bonds and other instruments of debt.
Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, 1:00 PM - the Committee will hold hearings to examine the Philadelphia Water Department request to increase water, sewer and stormwater rates and charges and its impact on the citizens of Philadelphia.
Friday, May 5th
Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, 9:30 AM - the Committee will hear a bill amending the “Cashless Retail Prohibition,” by providing an exemption for gym membership transactions and an ordinance approving three multiyear agreements concerning the participation of the City in hosting and staging the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Monday, May 8th
Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, 12:00 PM - the Committee will hold hearings on tangled titles’ impact on Philadelphia neighborhoods as well as the role and responsibilities of Philadelphia’s Landlord-Tenant Officer position.
📆 Budget Schedule (Updated: 3/20/2023)
Tuesday, May 2nd
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM) / Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
School District of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia
Wednesday, May 3rd
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM) / Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony - School District of Philadelphia