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. Also, don’t forget to tune in on Tuesday mornings at 10:25 a.m. to WURD Radio and Reality Check’s “City Council Calendar with Lauren Vidas.” Show host Charles Ellison and I preview the issues and break down the legislation that Council will tackle at its Thursday meeting.
Session Recap:
Today’s Council session was a relatively routine affair, with a couple of noteworthy pieces of legislation introduced. Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL) introduced a trio of bills related to elections, campaign finance and Council boundaries. The first is a Charter Change proposal that would create a Redistricting Commission to handle the drawing of Council District boundaries. Currently, Councilmembers are charged with the redrawing of their district lines every ten years following the release of the decennial U.S. census data. Under Green’s proposal, a Redistricting Commission would be established “to solicit public input regarding the composition of Council districts, propose new district boundaries to City Council, and produce a report regarding its decision making process and methods.” The Commission would consist of eleven Philadelphia residents.
Green also introduced a bill expanding whistleblower protections to individuals participating in the work of the Board of Ethics. In addition, the proposed ordinance provides, “No person shall interfere with or obstruct any Board inquiry, investigation, hearing, or other proceeding, nor shall any person interfere with or obstruct any other person from participating in any Board inquiry, investigation, hearing, or other proceeding.”
Lastly, Green introduced a bill cleaning up and clarifying language around the City’s campaign finance laws. While the bill does not make any major substantive changes, it does provide additional clarity regarding the City’s campaign finance limits in advance of the 2023 election.
Council also voted to approve the appointments of the nine members to the newly created Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 5th at 10 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 approving amendments to the Temple Master Plan. (Clarke)
Bill amending Phila. Code 14-503 related to the Ridge Avenue Overlay District. (Jones)
Bill amending zoning in University City and amending the University City Master Plan. (Gauthier)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land in the Third Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
📜 Charter Change
Bill proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter establishing a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts. (Green)
Resolution proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter establishing a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts. (Green)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill amending the prohibition on the use of plastic bags to require retail establishments to charge a fee for the provision of a bag. (Squilla)
Bill continuing the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Improvement District. (Squilla)
Resolution initiating the process to continue the Continuing Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Improvement District. (Squilla)
😇 Ethics / Campaign Finance
Bill revising and extending the prohibition on retaliation and adding protections against interference with Board of Ethics proceedings. (Green)
Bill amending Chapter 20-1000 of the Philadelphia Code (“Political Contributions and Expenditures”) to revise provisions and to make technical changes. (Green)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing Parks and Recreation to execute a lease with non-profit CP2023 for the construction of a museum building to display works of art created by the Calder family at no cost to the city. (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill authorizing the execution of a guaranteed energy savings contract for municipal street lighting. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing hearings on PGW operations. (Clarke)
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 - Amending the prohibition on the use of plastic bags to require retail establishments to charge a fee for the provision of a bag.
Bill - Continuing the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Improvement District.
Resolution - Initiating the process to continue the Continuing Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Improvement District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Amending zoning in University City and amending the University City Master Plan.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land in the Third Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill - Amending Phila. Code 14-503 related to the Ridge Avenue Overlay District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Approving amendments to the Temple Master Plan.
Bill - Authorizing Parks and Recreation to execute a lease with non-profit CP2023 for the construction of a museum building to display works of art created by the Calder family at no cost to the city. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing the execution of a guaranteed energy savings contract for municipal street lighting.
Resolution - Authorizing hearings on PGW operations.
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Bill - Revising and extending the prohibition on retaliation and adding protections against interference with Board of Ethics proceedings.
Bill - Amending Chapter 20-1000 of the Philadelphia Code (“Political Contributions and Expenditures”) to revise provisions and to make technical changes.
Bill - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter establishing a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts.
Resolution - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter establishing a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🏆 220329 (Green): Resolution recognizing April 2022 as Autism Acceptance & Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, and commending the creators of the Autism 365 Collection at the Wynnefield Library.
🏆 220339 (Clarke): Resolution approving the appointment of Debra McCarty to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board.
🗺️ 220340 (Jones): Authorizing the transfer of title to 3438 West Allegheny
Avenue in the Fourth Councilmanic to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🏆 220341 (Clarke): Honoring and recognizing Attorney Michael Sklaroff for his profound imprint on the legal history of Pennsylvania and the development of the City of Philadelphia on the occasion of his retirement.
🏆 220342 (Domb): Honoring the life of Bobby Rydell and recognizing his lifetime of achievement in entertainment which delighted millions and made Philadelphia proud.
🏆 220343 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, scientists Taku Kambayashi and Ruth Choa from the University of Pennsylvania’s Biomedical Research Team, on their victory in the STAT Madness competition.
🗣️ 220344 (Thomas): Calling on The Pennsylvania Legislature to use Federal COVID-19 Relief Money to fund Freedom Schools across the state, and in Philadelphia.
🚦 220345 (Squilla): Naming 5th Street between Cantrell Street and Snyder Avenue as “Rev. Enos Mackey Way”.
📛 220264 (Jones): Appointing Afroza Hossain to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220265 (Jones): Appointing Benjamin Lerner to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220266 (Jones): Appointing Haakim Peay to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220267 (Jones): Appointing Hassan Bennett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220268 (Jones): Appointing Jahlee Hatchett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220269 (Jones): Appointing John Solomon to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220270 (Jones): Appointing Maryelis Santiago to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220271 (Jones): Appointing Melanie DeBouse to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
📛 220272 (Jones): Appointing Rosaura Torres-Thomas to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
⚖️ 220### (Clarke): Authorizing hearings on PGW operations.
Bills:
🚦211020 (Johnson): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 762 South 10th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
♻️ 220190 (O'Neill): Amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Refuse and Littering," by revising the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services and exempting owner- occupied duplexes from the annual neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services fee requirements.
🚦 220222 (Jones): Authorizing the relocation of the southwesterly curbline of Ridge Avenue…, authorizing the plotting on said City Plan of an area for public pedestrian use extending along the northwesterly side of Calumet Street, from Ridge Avenue to a point southwestwardly therefrom, and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said area for public pedestrian use.
🚦 220223 (Johnson): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on South 61st Street, both sides between Lindbergh Boulevard to just past Eastwick Avenue.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, April 29th
Joint Committees on Finance & Transportation and Public Utilities, 9:00 AM - the joint committee will hold hearings regarding the sustainability and diversification of the Philadelphia Gas Works.
Monday, May 2nd
Committee on Labor and Civil Service, 1:00 PM- the committee will hold a hearing on Bill No. 220186 which adds new provisions related to workforce housing programs, Bill No. 220261 which clarifies that temporary residence outside the City does not prevent a person from meeting the residence requirement, and Resolution No. 220249 to examine the enforcement of and the City’s response to worker misclassification.
Thursday, May 5th
Committee on Public Safety, 2:00 PM - the committee will hear testimony on bill 210802 to authorize Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles, all under certain terms and conditions and 220232 examining enforcement practices, preventative measures, and potential solutions necessary to address the widespread illegal dumping taking place in the City of Philadelphia.
Friday, May 6th
Special Committee on Child Separation In Philadelphia, 10:00 AM - the committee will hold a public hearing to further understand the role of community umbrella agencies (CUA), such as Turning Points for Children, in the local child welfare system, and further investigate the systemic failures that resulted in three girls being returned to their sexually abusive father.
💸 📆 Budget Hearing Calendar (as of 4/5/22)
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Mural Arts Program
Free Library
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
SEPTA
Parks & Recreation
Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
School District of Philadelphia
Community College
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony - School District
Monday, May 9th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Office of Property Assessment
Board of Revision of Taxes
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Public Testimony ‒ Tax Bills
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Managing Director’s Office
Mayor’s Office of Children & Families
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Planning and Development
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Streets Department
Fire Department
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Prisons
Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department Callbacks
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department Callbacks
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Department Callbacks
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