City Hall Roll Call: December 15, 2022
City Hall Roll Call: December 15, 2022
Council Targets Affordable Housing in Last Session of 2022
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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:
In its last session before winter recess, City Council moved a large number of resolutions and bills off of its final passage calendar onto the Mayor’s desk. Today’s meeting was also marked by a number of heartfelt good-byes to long time staffers advancing in their career paths. Both Samantha Williams (Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. D-4th) and Joshu Harris (Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson D-2nd) will be leaving their legislative aide positions. We wish them well in their future endeavors.
Affordable Housing Tax Abatement
City Council did not let the looming winter recess dampen their legislative drive, offering a number of significant policy proposals. Through Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th), Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) introduced a bill that would provide for affordable housing property tax relief for a portion of his district as authorized by a recently enacted state law.
The Affordable Housing Unit Tax Exemption Act, passed earlier this year by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, authorizes local taxing authorities to exempt improvements to, or construction of affordable housing units in declared “deteriorated areas.” While the entirety of the city of Philadelphia has been declared a deteriorated area, Clarke’s bill would apply only to a portion of the 5th Councilmanic District, specifically:
The area bounded by John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 15th Street, Roosevelt Boulevard, Old York Road, Pike Street, 13th Street, Germantown Avenue, Ontario Street, 13th Street, Clearfield Street, 12th Street, Glenwood Avenue, 13th Street, Spring Garden Street, and Broad Street…
It is unclear whether other Councilmembers will follow suit and introduce limited affordable housing abatements in their district, or take a broader approach and authorize district wide relief opportunities to help fuel the pipeline of affordable housing.
Affordable Housing Preservation Package
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) also had her sights set on the growing affordable housing crisis. In response to the upcoming wave of expiring various Housing and Urban Development affordability agreements, Gauthier introduced legislation that would create a directory of existing affordable housing units in the city and “modify certain requirements for change in ownership with respect to certain Affordable Housing Properties.” Gauthier also introduced a resolution to authorize hearings on federal housing voucher discrimination and its impact on residents’ ability to access affordable housing. The goal of the legislative package, Gauthier shared in a floor speech, was to allow for the city to get ahead of and combat future loss of affordable units in the city.
New Council Committees Authorized
In addition to the Affordable Housing Abatement, Clarke also sponsored a resolution authorizing the creation of a special Council Committee on the retention and recruitment of workers. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, approximately 1 in 7 city jobs is unfilled, with the Philadelphia Police Department alone short over one thousand officers. In addition to this special committee, Council also amended its rules to create a new standing committee, the Committee on Neighborhood Services.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, January 19, 2023.
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.
🏘️ Housing
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Section 7-200 to modify certain requirements for change in ownership with respect to certain Affordable Housing Properties. (Gauthier)
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Section 7-200 to provide for a city directory of certain Affordable Housing. (Gauthier)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Lozada)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors. (Clarke)
Resolution appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors. (Clarke)
Resolution appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors. (Clarke)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Finance, Taxes and Collections”, to incentivize Affordable Housing development by authorizing tax exemptions pursuant to the Affordable Housing Unit Tax Exemption Act. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution amending Council rules by establishing a new standing committee, the Committee on Neighborhood Services. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the status of the City’s recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. (Clarke)
Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass H.R. 8105, the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act, to ensure fair wages and benefits for airport workers in Philadelphia and across the nation. (Johnson)
Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine to the controlled substances list in Pennsylvania. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing to hold hearings regarding discrimination against households holding tenant-based vouchers. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the creation of a special committee on the retention and recruitment of City workers (Clarke).
Resolution adopting the Philadelphia Music Industry Taskforce’s report and recommendations. (Oh)
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 Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Resolution - Urging the United States Congress to pass H.R. 8105, the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act, to ensure fair wages and benefits for airport workers in Philadelphia and across the nation.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Amending Philadelphia Code Section 7-200 to modify certain requirements for change in ownership with respect to certain Affordable Housing Properties.
Bill - Amending Philadelphia Code Section 7-200 to provide for a city directory of certain Affordable Housing.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Housing to hold hearings regarding discrimination against households holding tenant-based vouchers.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Resolution - Appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors.
Resolution - Appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors.
Resolution - Appointing an individual to the Center City District Board of Directors.
Bill - Amending Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Finance, Taxes and Collections”, to incentivize Affordable Housing development by authorizing tax exemptions pursuant to the Affordable Housing Unit Tax Exemption Act.
Resolution - Authorizing the creation of a special committee on the retention and recruitment of City workers.
Resolution amending Council rules by establishing a new standing committee, the Committee on Neighborhood Services.
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the status of the City’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Resolution - Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine to the controlled substances list in Pennsylvania.
Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)
Resolution - Adopting the Philadelphia Music Industry Taskforce’s report and recommendations.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🔏 220976 (Clarke): Approving the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation as the City’s applicant to receive funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the Whole Home Program.
🗺️ 220977 (Clarke): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3548 Germantown Avenue in the Fifth 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.
🗺️ 220978 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Clifford street, Cecil B. Moore avenue, North Darien street, Morse street, North Eighth street, North Ninth street, North Tenth street and North Thirty-first street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 220979 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: North Myrtlewood street, North Thirtieth street, North Marston street, North Bailey street, and Cecil B. Moore avenue, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 220980 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: North Seventh street, North Eighth street, North Ninth street, North Tenth street, North Thirtieth street, North Thirty-first street, North Thirty second street, North Thirty-third street, North Franklin street, Melon street, East Norris street, West York street, West Arizona street, North Camac street, Parrish Street, North Perth street and Turner street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 220983 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1308 South Hollywood street, 1310 South Hollywood street and 1312 South Hollywood street, located in the Second Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 220984 (Lozada): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3418, 3420, & 3422 Kensington Avenue located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 220986 (Gauthier): Renaming the 5500 Block of Christian Street “Gene Lett Way,” to honor the life and work of activist and community leader, Eugene ‘Gene’ Lett, Sr.
🗺️ 220987 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1834, 1837, 1840, 1846, 1848 S. Allison Street; 5517 Paschall Avenue; 5804 Hazel Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 220988 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 239 N. Paxon Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 220990 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2544 S. 5th Street and 1921 S. 6th Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 220991 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 2868 Amber street, 2118 East Monmouth street and 2132 East Monmouth street, located in the First Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 220992 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the First Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: South Fourth street, South Sixth street, Agate street, Blair street, Cantrell street, East Clearfield street, Frankford avenue, Kensington avenue, Mercy street, Tree street, East Westmoreland street, Winton street and Wolf street, located in the First Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🏆 220### (Phillips): Honoring Kyasha Tyson for her tireless service to the people of Philadelphia.
🏆 220### (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, St. Joseph’s Preparatory high school football team, for their success in winning a PIAA 6A title, in Harrisburg.
🔏 220### (Clarke): Amending Council rules by establishing a new standing committee, the Committee on Neighborhood Services.
🔏 220### (Clarke): Authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the status of the City’s recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
🏆 220### (Jones): Honoring the historic leaders of the PA House of Representatives and Philadelphia Delegation Joanna McClinton, Jordan Harris, Morgan Cephas, Danilo Burgos and Malcom Kenyatta.
🏆 220### (Johnson): Recognizing Africatown, a broad-based economic development initiative in Southwest and West Philadelphia led by the African Cultural Alliance of North America.
🏆 220### (Johnson): Recognizing City Year for its 25 years of service in Philadelphia.
🗺️ 220### (Lozada): Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🗣️ 220### (Lozada): Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine to the controlled substances list in Pennsylvania.
🏆 220### (Jones): Designating Wednesday December 21, 2022 as National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220### (Jones): Honoring Samantha J. Williams, Esq. recognizing her service to the City of Philadelphia and wishing her well.
🏆 220### (Bass): Recognizing December as Write a Business Plan month.
🏆 220### (Bass): Recognizing December as National Impaired Driving Prevention month
🏆 220### (Oh): Proclaiming 1/13/23 as Korean American Day.
Bills:
🚦 220118 (Squilla): Authorizing an encroachment upon East Passyunk Avenue and Moore Street in the vicinity of 1801 East Passyunk Avenue Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, under certain terms and conditions.
🗺️ 220322-AAA (Gauthier): Amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Surplus Properties,” by adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive dispositions, all under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220639 (Squilla): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 27-S by striking from the City Plan the easterly twenty feet wide portion of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Snyder Avenue, striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Vandalia Street from Wolf Street to Weccacoe Avenue, and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within the portion of Swanson Street being stricken and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of the remaining unopened portions of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Jackson Street and from Jackson Street to Snyder Avenue.
🏥 220656-A (Gym): Adding a new Chapter 6-1400 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Privacy of Certain Health Information,” to establish privacy protections for information related to reproductive healthcare, all under certain terms and conditions.
🏥 220664 (Brooks): Amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,” to protect against discrimination related to reproductive health, modify and harmonize related provisions of the Chapter, and make other related or technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions
🏥 220665-A (Gauthier): Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Health Code,” to establish legal protections related to entities or individuals seeking, providing, or assisting others to obtain reproductive services, all under certain terms and conditions.
🏗️ 220666-A (Squilla): Amending Chapter 9-3300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use and Inspection of Tower and Mobile Cranes in Construction,” to require breaks for operators, all under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220775 (Driscoll): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 291 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Shelmire Avenue from State Road to the centerline of the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad, under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220814 (O'Neill): Amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts,” to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Tenth District of Council, all under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220844 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Haverford Avenue between N. 67th Street and N. 68th Street.
🔏 220846 (Squilla): Approving the plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment and charges of the Center City District (the "Authority") for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the central business district of the City of Philadelphia for 2023-2027; amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 1069, approved November 2, 1990, as amended by Bill No. 960631, approved November 25, 1996, as further amended by Bill No. 120800, approved December 21, 2012, and as further amended by Bill No. 170927, approved December 20, 2017) adopted pursuant to the "Municipality Authorities Act of 1945," P.L. 382, as amended (the "Act"); and approving estimated costs for debt service through 2045; all under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220870 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Malvern Avenue between 63rd Street and Wynnewood Road.
🚦 220871 (Squilla): Authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 435 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220904 (Clarke): Authorizing the installation, ownership, replacement, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 1700-1720 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
🏆 220907 (Gauthier): Naming and designating the Mill Creek Recreation Center, located at 4700 Brown Street as the ‘Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center.’
🏗️ 220913 (Clarke): Amending Section 14-504(11) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/NCO Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (11) Strawberry Mansion,” all under certain terms and conditions.
🏗️ 220915 (Jones): Amending Chapter 14-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Base Zoning Districts,” and Chapter 14-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Regulations,” by revising provisions related to Utilities and Services and Water Treatment Facilities, all under certain terms and conditions.
🏗️ 220917 (Jones): Changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by City Avenue, Stout Road, Monument Road, and Belmont Avenue, and to authorize Basic Utilities and Services in a section of Fairmount Park.
🏗️ 220919 (Jones): Changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Henry Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard Extension, Scotts Lane, and Indian Queen Lane.
🏗️ 220921 (Gauthier): Amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by amending Section 14-534, entitled “/AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District,” and by making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
🚦 220922 (Driscoll): Amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts,” to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Sixth District of Council, all under certain terms and conditions.
🚓 220923-A (Bass): Amending Titles 9 and 10 of The Philadelphia Code to establish procedures and requirements to prevent the theft of motor vehicles and parts, including catalytic converters and other precious-metal car parts and to impose penalties for non-compliance, all under certain terms and conditions.
🔏 220938 (Squilla): Authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Director of Finance to enter into amendments to multiyear agreements with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (“PAID”), the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, formerly known as the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia (“PRA”), and other parties as necessary concerning the parking garage project constructed as part of the overall Market Street East - Gallery II Redevelopment Project, including an additional amendment to the agreement between the City and PAID, as amended, originally authorized by Bill No. 546 (approved June 15, 1993), and further authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Director of Finance, where necessary or prudent, to enter into ancillary agreements with any or all of PAID, PRA, Parametric Garage Associates (“Parametric”), a new lender to Parametric, and other parties under certain terms and conditions.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, December 16th
Committee on Education, 2:00 PM - the Committee will hold a hearing “to understand Pennsylvania Act 158’s changes to state graduation requirements and their impact on Philadelphia students and to learn more about the School District of Philadelphia’s plan to implement and support schools and students with these new requirements.” (Res. 220928)
Monday, December 19th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - As of publishing, no agenda has been publicly posted for this committee hearing.