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 quick and uneventful, with even Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) noting that they were “sailing” through today’s agenda. Councilmembers introduced a smattering of bills and congratulatory resolutions. Of note, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) introduced legislation to add criteria for the evaluation of non-competitively bid land dispositions. Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st) introduced a bill which appears to expand the number of stations that qualify under the Transit Oriented Development overlay in his district.
Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL) spoke on his resolution calling for state and federal emergency resources to address the ongoing “humanitarian crisis” in Kensington. Citing ever rising overdose death rates, the Councilmember said that, “We must acknowledge our approach isn't getting the results Kensington deserves." Calling the situation “unbearable” for those living in or near Kensington, and for those who have loved ones impacted by the drug trade, Domb issued an all-hands-on-deck call for resources, stating that “The scale of this crisis exceeds the city's capacity."
With no speakers signed up for public comment and a short voting calendar, Council wrapped up its stated meeting in around an hour. Council continues budget meetings next week, however, there will be no Stated Meeting in light of the Easter and Passover holidays. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, April 21st 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 adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive land dispositions of city-owned properties. (Gauthier)
Bill amending the Transit Oriented Development Overlay by designating additional transit stations. (Squilla)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (Clarke)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing a bike lane on Woodland Avenue. (Gauthier)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution calling on the Mayor, Governor and PA General Assembly to use all available powers to declare a state of emergency to address the humanitarian emergency in Kensington. (Domb)
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
Bill - Amending the Transit Oriented Development Overlay by designating additional transit stations.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Authorizing a bike lane on Woodland Avenue.
Bill - Adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive land dispositions of city-owned properties.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Resolution - Authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL)
Resolution - Calling on the Mayor, Governor and PA General Assembly to use all available powers to declare a state of emergency to address the humanitarian emergency in Kensington.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 220301 (Clarke): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to transfer properties in the Fifth Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🏆 220302 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing and supporting the health and wellness of Black mamas and birthing people by acknowledging April 11-17, 2022, as “Black Maternal Health Week”.
🏆 220304 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Recognizing and honoring the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary of service and leadership in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220305 (Brooks): Honoring and recognizing the service and leadership of retired nurse, activist, and current President of the Cecil B. Moore Freedom Fighters, Karen Asper Jordan, who has led a life-long commitment to civil rights activism by protesting, picketing, marching, registering voters, and leading countless direct actions under the guidance and, later, inspiration of the legendary civil rights leader, Cecil B. Moore.
🏆 220306 (Brooks): Honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Paula Peebles, whose dedication to advocacy, organizing, and leadership has empowered Philadelphia’s movements for class and race equity.
🏆 220307 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Women’s History Month’s Champion of the Week, the Cheyney State College “Lady Wolves” on their 40th Anniversary of Historic 1982 NCAA Basketball Division I National Championship Game.
🔏 220308 (Bass): Authorizing the Hospital and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia (formerly known as the Hospitals Authority of Philadelphia)…to extend its term of existence.
Bills:
🔏 220225 (O’Neill): Authorizing the Chief Information Officer to purchase licenses for email, cloud services, enterprise software, data services, security software, and other related computing products and services.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, April 8th
Committee on Streets, 10:00 AM - The Streets Committee will hear six bills regarding rights of way and the revision of lines and grades, including a bill that would revise “the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services.” (220190)
Monday, April 11th
Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, 1:00 PM - The Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to better understand the local purchasing goal set by the Administration in response to Council Member Thomas’s Keep it Local bill.
Monday, April 25th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - The Committee will hear bills matters related to zoning and the Manayunk Special Services District.
Thursday, May 5th
Public Safety (Agenda not yet published), 2:00 PM - The Public Safety Committee will hear Bill No. 210802 to authorize Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles and Resolution No. 220232 “to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures, and potential solutions necessary to address the widespread illegal dumping taking place in the City of Philadelphia, and to explore ways to collaborate with City agencies to address this problem.”
💸 📆 Budget Hearing Calendar (as of 4/5/22)
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department of Human Services
Office of Homeless Services
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Behavioral Health
Public Health
Tuesday, April 19th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Office of Public Property
City Commissioners
Office of Procurement
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Aviation
Fleet Management
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Commerce
Office of Human Resources
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Chief Administrative Office
Office of Innovation & Technology
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Police
District Attorney’s Office
Defender’s Association
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
First Judicial District
Law Department
Sheriff
Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Register of Wills
City Controller
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Licenses and Inspections
Water Department
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