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 has returned to a number of pre-pandemic traditions, including caucusing before its stated meeting. Members and the public filled the caucus room at 9:30 to ensure a prompt 10 a.m. meeting start time. Another tradition from the before times is the comeback of public presentations before the start of regular Council business. Today’s honoree was the African-American Children’s Book Project, in celebration of its annual book fair, scheduled for Saturday, February 3rd.
Council Takes Aim at Displacement
Today’s Council Session saw the introduction of a major package of legislation designed to tackle Philadelphia’s increasing housing affordability crisis and to stem displacement throughout the City. Introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd), the “Defying Displacement Campaign” covers a range of issues, including housing voucher discrimination, real property tax liabilities, and the allocation of density bonus payments within the Housing Trust Fund.
As explained in a press release issued by the Councilmember’s office, the package of bills aims to:
Increase protections for residents using housing vouchers:
Explicitly identifies rental vouchers, including PHA’s Housing Choice “Section 8” voucher as an example of a “housing assistance program” protected from discrimination.
Prohibits property owners from purposely failing to process rental vouchers in a timely manner.
Allows tenants to take a private right of action after 100 days instead of 1 year.
Instructs the Human Relations Commission to provide tenants with a Notice of Right to Sue if the commission cannot complete its investigation within 100 days.
Freeze property taxes for low-income homeowners:
Sets ‘low income’ eligibility at the maximum allowable income for the state’s PACENET Pharmaceutical assistance program (approximately $33k annually)
Freezes property taxes at their current level for homeowners within the eligible income range.
Invest revenue generated by developers buying “Density Bonuses” back into neighborhoods:
Would amend the Home Rule Charter to mandate that “payment in lieu of affordable housing” must be added to the Housing Trust fund the following year as new additional deposits on top of the City’s other allocation requirements.
Requires density bonus payments be spent within specific geographic boundaries to direct resources to area of the city seeing increased development.
Lowers the maximum household area median income (AMI) benefiting from density bonus payments to 100% AMI.
Gauthier, who chairs Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless spoke about the package, saying:
The very thing that makes Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is under attack. Many of our neighborhoods are becoming hostile to the Black and brown families who stewarded them for generations. The City has a choice, will our communities finally be able to look to their local government as their protector, or will we let the displacement tidal wave wash them away?”
The bill was co-sponsored by Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL), who serves as Vice-Chair of the Housing Committee. Landau observed, “These bills are not just legislation; they are a commitment to ensuring every Philadelphia has access to safe, stable and affordable housing.”
The package of bills will be referred to committee for the public hearing process.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 8th, 2024 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 amending zoning maps of land locating in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill amending section 14-702 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses,” to add requirements related to the use of payments in lieu of affordable housing. (Gauthier)
Bill amending Title 14, Zoning and Planning, to create a distinction between hospitals and alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities. (Jones)
Bill amending zoning maps, changing zoning of land located in 6th Councilmanic District. (Driscoll)
Bill amending zoning maps, changing zoning of land located in 6th Councilmanic District. (Driscoll)
🏘️ Housing
Bill amending Fair Practices Ordinance to clarify and enhance protections from discrimination for housing assistance program participants. (Gauthier)
📜 Charter Change
Bill proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter providing for mandatory annual appropriations to the Housing Trust Fund. (Gauthier)
Resolution proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter providing for mandatory annual appropriations to the Housing Trust Fund. (Gauthier)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing member to the Board of Directors of the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
Resolution appointing member to the Board of Directors of the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
Resolution appointing Paul Levy to the Board of Directors to the Center City District. (Johnson)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code, providing for the refund or forgiveness of real estate tax liability for certain low income related to real estate tax or assessed value. (Gauthier)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Health and Human Services to hold hearings to explore the effects of recent Rite Aid and pharmacy closures understand the impact this has on prescription access. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and Health and Human Services to hold hearings investigating trauma centers in the city and how they are transporting shooting victims. (Jones)
Resolution establishing the Kensington Caucus to represent a united legislative front in addressing the crisis of the Kensington Area. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing Council to hold hearings to investigate stop and go establishments that violate restaurant and liquor license requirements. (Bass)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings investigate the City’s progress towards carbon neutrality. (Thomas)
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)
B: Amending zoning maps of land locating in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Appointing member to the Board of Directors of the Old City Special Services District.
R: Appointing member to the Board of Directors of the Old City Special Services District.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R: Appointing Paul Levy to the Board of Directors to the Center City District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Amending section 14-702 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses,” to add requirements related to the use of payments in lieu of affordable housing.
B: Amending Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code, providing for the refund or forgiveness of real estate tax liability for certain low income related to real estate tax or assessed value.
B: Amending Fair Practices Ordinance to clarify and enhance protections from discrimination for housing assistance program participants.
B: Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter providing for mandatory annual appropriations to the Housing Trust Fund.
R: Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter providing for mandatory annual appropriations to the Housing Trust Fund.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Amending Title 14, Zoning and Planning, to create a distinction between hospitals and alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities.
R: Authorizing the Council Committee on Health and Human Services to hold hearings to explore the effects of recent Rite Aid and pharmacy closures understand the impact this has on prescription access.
R: Authorizing the Joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and Health and Human Services to hold hearings investigating trauma centers in the city and how they are transporting shooting victims.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
B: Amending zoning maps, changing zoning of land located in 6th Councilmanic District.
B: Amending zoning maps, changing zoning of land located in 6th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
R: Establishing the Kensington Caucus to represent a united legislative front in addressing the crisis of the Kensington Area.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
R: Authorizing Council to hold hearings to investigate stop and go establishments that violate restaurant and liquor license requirements.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings investigate the City’s progress towards carbon neutrality.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
💸 240032 (Johnson): Approving the 2023-2024 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program Statement and Budget, which addresses the expenditure of $150 million by various agencies in the third year of the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program.
🗺️ 240033 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5906 Market Street and 5908 Market Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 240034 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4320 and 4322 Lancaster Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
🗣️ 240042 (Councilmember Jones) Calling on the leadership of the City of Philadelphia to implement the over 140 recommendations and next steps found in the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia, such as expanding the safe school corridor program, ensuring witness relocation, creating a “helping hand” release program, examining firearm restrictions, reducing retail theft, examining drones, increasing the closure rate of homicides, supporting Philadelphia’s youth, and instituting “The Promise Initiative.”
😇 240045 (Johnson): Authorizing the appointment of a Chief Ethics Officer for the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 240048 (O'Neill): Renaming the 10900 block of Kirby Drive "Tony Caruso Way" in recognition of his decades of service to the Far Northeast Philadelphia Community.
🏗️ 240049 (Johnson): Authorizing requests to the Law Department to represent City Council in appeals from decisions of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment and, if the Law Department declines to render such services to City Council, authorizing the retention of outside counsel to provide such services.
🏆 240050 (Bass): Renaming the 2900 block of North 22nd Street “Ray Murphy Way” to honor Ray Murphy for his tireless service to the North 22nd Street Community.
🏆 2400## (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing February 2024 as Career in Technical Education month in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 2400## (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings investigate the City’s progress towards carbon neutrality.
🏆 2400## (Thomas): Honoring the life and legacy of Charisse McGill.
⚖️ 2400## (Jones): Authorizing the Council Committee on Health and Human Services to hold hearings to explore the effects of recent Rite Aid and pharmacy closures understand the impact this has on prescription access.
⚖️ 2400## (Jones): Authorizing the Joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and Health and Human Services to hold hearings investigating trauma centers in the city and how they are transporting shooting victims.
🏆 2400## (Harrity): Recognizing February 2024 as American Heart Month.
🏆 2400## (Driscoll): Celebrating the Lunar New Year in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 2400## (Bass): Authorizing Council to hold hearings to investigate stop and go establishments that violate restaurant and liquor license requirements.
🏆 2400### (Ahmad): Recognizing and honoring Professor Dr. Bernard P. Anderson on the occasion of Black History Month.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Council has no upcoming committee hearings scheduled as of publication..