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.
Session Recap:
Council had its final session before recessing for its winter break. The body stands adjourned until January 20th. At today’s session, Council dispatched with a host of routine bills and resolutions and through its consent agenda. On the regular calendar, there were a handful of bills worth note.
Councilmember Parker’s legislation, Bill No. 210917-A, that would require commercial lessors to provide certain disclosures before entering lease agreements and provide heightened protections to tenants passed, after being amended last week. Parker introduced this bill after hearing from business owners who signed leases for properties that they could not operate out of due to zoning issues. The bill is designed, in part, to make clear to prospective tenants what uses are permitted prior to signing.
With Covid-mandated eviction protections expiring, Council passed a bill that continued authorization for the operation of a “pre-filing residential eviction diversion program.” (Bill No. 210920) As reported by Axios Philadelphia, “The program encourages the landlord, the tenant and a mediator to resolve disputes before going to court. It helps tenants avoid having court filings on their records, which can negatively impact them getting housing in the future.” A number of organizations working on behalf of tenants and the elderly spoke in support of the bill, which passed unanimously.
Lastly, Council approved Council President Clarke’s Zoning Board of Adjustment reform proposal, weeks after the body begins a new chapter under recently appointed Chair Bill Bergman. (Bill No. 210669 and Resolution No. 210692) Much of Council’s public comment period was taken up by supporters and opponents of the measure. Supporters argued that the proposal would ensure a “more representative” ZBA that would be “more sympathetic to community concerns.” Opponents slammed the measure as “a transparent power grab by City Council” that will “increase the politicization of the development process.” Even with Council’s unanimous passage of the measures, the proposed changes to the Home Rule Charter will require referendum approval by voters at the next election to become law.
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.
🚦 Streets / Right-of-Way
Bill authorizing a sidewalk cafe for 762 South 10th Street. (Johnson)
Bill providing. for no truck parking in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
😇 Ethics
Bill amending laws around Conflict of Interest and Filing of Statement of Financial Interest by regulating and restricting outside income of Councilmembers. (Quinones-Sanchez)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Bill adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive dispositions of surplus property. (Gauthier)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings on the national youth mental health crisis and and the impact on gun violence. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing Housing Committee to hold hearings regarding expiring affordable housing subsidies. (Gauthier)
Resolution calling on the Mayor and the Administration to work collaboratively with Council on the creation of Local Job Placement Taskforce. (Clarke)
Resolution urging the Biden Administration and Department of Justice to finalize a rule that would close a loophole related to ghost guns’ lack of serial numbers. (Clarke)
Resolution calling for the creation of a School District of Philadelphia building authority workgroup. (Quinones-Sanchez)
Resolution calling on PA GA to vote down any bills that reduce funding to schools or create further inequities.
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)
Bill - Authorizing a sidewalk cafe for 762 South 10th Street.
Resolution - Authorizing the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings on the national youth mental health crisis and and the impact on gun violence.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive dispositions of surplus property.
Resolution - Authorizing Housing Committee to hold hearings regarding expiring affordable housing subsidies.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill - No truck parking in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Resolution - Calling on the Mayor and the Administration to work collaboratively with Council on the creation of Local Job Placement Taskforce.
Resolution - Urging the Biden Administration and Department of Justice to finalize a rule that would close a loophole related to ghost guns’ lack of serial numbers.
Council Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)
Bill - Amending laws around Conflict of Interest and Filing of Statement of Financial Interest by regulating and restricting outside income of Councilmembers.
Resolution- Calling for the creation of a School District of Philadelphia building authority workgroup.
Council Katharine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
Resolution - Calling on PA GA to vote down any bills that reduce funding to schools or create further inequities.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🏆 210960 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on its 102nd Founders’ Day and the upcoming International Convention being held in the City of Philadelphia, July 18- July 24, 2022.
🏆 210961 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 108th Founders’ Day and the upcoming Eastern Region Conference being held in the City of Philadelphia, March 31 - April 3, 2022.
🏗️ 210692 (Clarke): Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, by increasing the number of appointees, providing for confirmation by Council of appointees, and specifying qualifications that appointees must possess; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
🏆 210991 (Clarke): Recognizing and congratulating WHYY and the News and Information Community Exchange (N.I.C.E). collaborative on their steadfast commitment to diversify local news sources, and empower local, BIPOC, and underserved communities through grassroots news.
🗺️ 210992 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2929 N. 13th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 210993 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 210994 (Clarke): Authorizing the delivery of deeds to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
🏆 210995 (Parker): Honoring Philadelphia VIP on the Special Occasion of its Fortieth Anniversary.
🏆 210996 (Parker): Honoring the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity on the Special Occasion of its Tenth Anniversary.
🏆 210997 (Parker): Commending Patricia Wilson Aden on her Appointment as President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
🏆 210998 (Parker): Honoring the Local Initiatives Support Corporation on the Special Occasion of its Fortieth Anniversary.
🏆 210999 (Parker): Commending The Black Promoters Collective on their official formation as a 100 percent Black-owned organization.
🚦 211000 (Clarke): Also naming the 1500 block of West Cabot Street from 15th Street to 16th Street, “Vivian VanStory Way” to honor and commemorate the life of Vivian VanStory and her lasting impact on her North Philadelphia community.
🚦 211001 (Clarke): Also naming the 2500 block of West Stewart Street from 25th Street to 26th Street, “Warren McMichael Way” to honor and commemorate the life of Warren McMichael and his lasting impact on the Brewerytown- Sharswood community.
🏆 211002 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring Terrence Foley for fifteen years of committed service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the City Avenue Special Services District in the 4th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 211003 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring legendary sports journalist Donald Hunt on the occasion of his retirement after over thirty years of writing for the Philadelphia Tribune.
🏆 211004 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring Al Schmidt for his 10-year tenure as a Philadelphia City Commissioner, and wishing him well as he begins a new chapter in his career as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Committee of Seventy.
🗣️ 211008 (Johnson): Calling on the General Assembly to prohibit the use of deadly force to make a citizen’s arrest.
🗺️ 211009 (Johnson): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to deliver transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank properties located in the Second Councilmanic District.
🏆 211010 (Brooks): Recognizing the work and contributions of labor and grassroots community activist Ronald Whitehorne, whose leadership and mentorship has inspired generations of activists and leaders in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 211011 Designating Tuesday December 21, 2021 as National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 211012 (Squilla): Honoring, congratulating, and thanking Frank DiCicco on the occasion of his retirement from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and his many years of service to the citizens of Philadelphia.
🏆 211013 (Oh): Proclaiming January 13, 2022 as Korean American Day in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Korean Americans and their invaluable contributions to enhance the City’s culture, economy, and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.
🗣️ 210### (Clarke): Calling on Mayor to work collaboratively with Council on the creation of Local Job Placement Taskforce
🗣️ 210### (Gilmore-Richardson): Calling on PA GA to vote down any bills that reduce funding to schools or create further inequities.
⚖️ 210### (Johnson): Authorizing the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings on the National youth mental health crisis and and the impact on gun violence.
🗣️ 210### (Clarke): Urging the Biden Administration and Department of Justice to finalize a rule that would close a loophole related to ghost guns’ lack of serial numbers
🏆 210### (Johnson): Honoring the Inner City Youth Warriors team for their national championship.
⚖️ 210### (Gauthier): Authorizing Housing Committee to hold hearings regarding expiring affordable housing subsidies.
Bills:
🚦210629 (Clarke): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120.
🏗️ 210633-A (Gauthier): Creating the “/MIH, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District”; by revising certain provisions of Chapter 14-702, entitled “Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses.”
🏗️ 210669 (Clarke): Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, by increasing the number of appointees, providing for confirmation by Council of appointees, and specifying qualifications that appointees must possess; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
🏗️ 210689 (Bass): Changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Old York Road, Broad Street, and 65th Avenue.
💸 210782 (Clarke): Amending Bill No. 210320 (approved June 28, 2021), entitled “An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2022-2027 inclusive,” by adding, revising, and/or removing certain projects, amounts and sources, for the purpose of providing Safe Play Zone security cameras.
💸 210783 (Clarke): Amending Bill No. 210321 (approved June 28, 2021), entitled “An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2022 Capital Budget,” by adding, revising, and/or removing certain projects, amounts and sources, for the purpose of providing Safe Play Zone security cameras.
💸 210864 (Green): Amending Subsection 19-2604(6) of The Philadelphia Code (“Credit for Contributions to Community Development Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations Engaged in Developing and Implementing Healthy Food Initiatives and Nonprofit Intermediaries”) to clarify the number of contribution agreements that may be entered into.
🚦 210867 (Squilla): Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Permit Parking Districts,” by amending the boundaries for Permit Parking District 19.
🏗️ 210899 (Jones): Establishing a temporary demolition moratorium with respect to properties in the area bounded by Henry Avenue, Roxborough Avenue, Silverwood Street, and Fountain Street.
💼 210917-A (Parker): Adding a new Chapter 9-5700, entitled “Leasing of Commercial Property,” to require commercial lessors to provide certain disclosures before entering lease agreements and to provide related protections to tenants.
🚦 210918 (Parker): Regulating the direction of movement of traffic on Camac street between Wagner avenue and Fisher avenue.
🚦 210919 (Parker): Regulating the direction of movement of traffic on East Godfrey avenue between Summerdale avenue and Pratt street.
🏠 210920 (Gym): Providing for an eviction diversion program, to make associated changes related to the landlord and tenant relationship, and making certain technical changes.
🚦 210921 (Jones): Authorizing various encroachments at 3536 Calumet Street, Philadelphia, PA 19129.
🏗️ 210926 (Henon): Changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Crispin Street, Willits Road, Academy Road, and Frankford Avenue.
🚦 210929 (Clarke): Establishing parking regulations in an area located within the 5th Councilmanic District.
🚦 210930 (Squilla): Extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions of a bill allowing for an encroachment in the 1st Councilmanic District.
🚦 210931 (Squilla): Extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions of a bill allowing for an encroachment in the 1st Councilmanic District.
🚦 210932 (Squilla): Authorizing various encroachments on North Broad Street in the vicinity of 1344-1348 Arch Street.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.