City Hall Roll Call: December 8, 2022
Council to Hold Hearings on Worker Misclassification
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
Subscribe to the Committee of Seventy's newsletter for weekly news and insights on local elections, redistricting, and efforts to improve our state and local government, all delivered directly to your inbox.
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:
With winter recess looming, City Council’s Stated Meeting was a very efficient affair, with a few noteworthy introductions by Councilmembers.
Worker Misclassification Hearings Authorized
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd) introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on “worker misclassification, otherwise known as ‘payroll fraud.’” This past spring, the same committee held hearings on a similar resolution introduced by then Councilmember Cherelle Parker. Parker’s resolution focused on worker misclassification as it related to the construction industry. However the worker misclassification resolution introduced by Johnson appears to take a broader approach to the issue, instead of targeting a single industry. The debate around worker classification has intensified in past months with the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposal a new rule that would “return to [the] longstanding interpretation” of whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. The resolution passed unanimously.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Nominations Transmitted by Mayor
Mayor James Kenney (D) transmitted the names of individuals for appointment, or reappointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). Council received resolutions appointing the following individuals to the ZBA, however, the resolutions were not formally introduced at today’s session.
James Snell (current member)
Ismail Shahid (current Board Secretary)
Crystal Morris
Samantha R. Lyons
Kenneth Johnson
Thomas Holloman (current member)
William Bergman (current Board Chair)
In 2021 Council passed a ZBA overhaul which expanded the board from five to seven members, required Council confirmation of the appointees and required that board members possess certain qualification. Previously, the five-person Board was appointed by and served at the pleasure of the Mayor, without City Council approval.
New Member Tackles Quality of Life Issue
In what he called his “opening salvo,” newly elected Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th) introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at tackling the spate of commercial trucks (semis and tractor trailers) parking in residential neighborhoods in the 9th Councilmanic District. Phillips called the issue one of the “top quality of life” issues facing neighbors in the 9th. He stated that while he was very “business friendly” and recognized the positive local economic impact of commercial trucking, that there had to be a way to alleviate the burden these commercial vehicles impose on residents. Phillips first resolution requests the Philadelphia Parking Authority and Administration perform an audit to determine the extent of the problem, as well as authorizes the Committee on Streets to hold hearings to evaluate current and potential enforcement solutions. The second piece of legislation would restrict the ability of commercial vehicles to park on residential blocks in the 9th District.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, December 15th.
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 zoning of an area located at 17th and Indiana Streets in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the disposition of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing the disposition of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the disposition of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the disposition of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District.(Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
🚦Streets
Bill prohibiting truck tractor parking in the 9th Councilmanic District. (Phillips)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill establishing a two-way regulation in streets located in the Second Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
💸 Budget / Finance
Bill: Increasing the amount of funding any entity can receive from the Philadelphia Activity Fund. (O’Neill)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept a historical building from 2000 Arch Associated, to move and install the building on City property. (Clarke)
Resolution approving the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation as an applicant on behalf of the City for funding.
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution calling on the administration and PPA to perform an audit on tractor trailer parking in Philadelphia; authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearing regarding enforcement of commercial vehicle parking. (Phillips)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Transportation to hold hearings to examine the approach and expected impacts of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on worker misclassification otherwise known as payroll fraud. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the City Council Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings to develop a comprehensive approach to supporting youth who are at risk of being involved in or are currently involved in gun violence. (Gauthier)
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)
R: Authorizing the disposition of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
B: Establishing a two-way regulation in streets located in the Second Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Transportation to hold hearings to examine the approach and expected impacts of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on worker misclassification otherwise known as payroll fraud.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
R: Authorizing the City Council Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings to develop a comprehensive approach to supporting youth who are at risk of being involved in or are currently involved in gun violence.
R: Authorizing the disposition of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the disposition of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept a historical building from 2000 Arch Associated, to move and install the building on City property.
R: Approving the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation as an applicant on behalf of the City for funding.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
R: Authorizing the disposition of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
B: Amending the zoning of an area located at 17th and Indiana Streets in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
B: Prohibiting truck tractor parking in the 9th Councilmanic District.
R: Calling on the administration and PPA to perform an audit on tractor trailer parking in Philadelphia; authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearing regarding enforcement of commercial vehicle parking.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
B: Increasing the amount of funding any entity can receive from the Philadelphia Activity Fund.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
💸 220954 (Clarke): Approving the 2022-2023 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program Statement and Budget, which addresses the expenditure of $100 million by various agencies in the second year of the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program.
🏆 220956 (Jones): Naming the 600 block of N. 66th Street as “John Skief Way,” in honor of John Skief, the founder the Harambee Institute of Science & Technology Charter School.
💸 220957 (Jones): Initiating action to continue the Roxborough Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date...
🔏 220959 (Johnson): Approving the action of the Boards of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to sell a property at 7411 Holstein avenue in the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area.
🔏 220960 (Squilla): Authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Opioid Response Task Force.
🔏 220961 (Squilla): Approving the 1st Amendment to 2nd Amended and Restated Parking Garage Development Agreement and Lease and Estoppel of the Phila Redev Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market St East Urban Renewal Area…
⚖️ 220### (Phillips): Calling on the administration and PPA to perform an audit on tractor trailer parking in Philadelphia; authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearing regarding enforcement of commercial vehicle parking.
🏆 220### (Thomas): Honoring Champion of the Week, Jacob Beccles, for being the first basketball player from Philadelphia Public League to receive admission to an Ivy League university in 40 years.
⚖️ 220### (Johnson): Authorizing the Committee on Transportation to hold hearings to examine the approach and expected impacts of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution.
⚖️ 220### (Johnson): Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on worker misclassification otherwise known as payroll fraud.
⚖️ 220### (Gauthier): Authorizing the City Council Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings to develop a comprehensive approach to supporting youth who are at risk of being involved in or are currently involved in gun violence.
🏆 220### (O’Neill): Recognizing and honoring Nicholas DeBenedictis for his eighteen (18) years of service as chair of the board of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Bills:
🏗️ 220638 (Squilla): Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by adopting the 2018 edition of the "International Residential Code" as published by the International Code Council, including maintenance of previously adopted amendments to the 2015 International Residential Code, as adopted under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act.
💸 220742 (Clarke): Authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit...
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, December 9th
Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative/Innovative Economy, 10:00 AM - As of publishing, no agenda has been publicly posted for this committee hearing.
Wednesday, December 14th
Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, 9:30 AM - Council will hold public hearings “examining MV Realty of Pennsylvania LLC and their Homeowner Benefits Agreement and the impact these agreements may have on Philadelphia homeowners.” (Res. 220819)
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.