City Hall Roll Call: February 20th, 2025
Mayor Parker Signs H.O.M.E. Executive Order
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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 Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Today’s City Council was an efficient one, with only one matter called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars, and the introduction of only one bill and a handful of non-honorary resolutions.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th) introduced Bill No. 250123, “An Ordinance amending Section 6-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Licenses and Permits," to provide for the suspension of licenses for businesses not in compliance with applicable state regulations and/or whose physical layout significantly differs from the originally approved floor plan.” The bill applies to businesses with food licenses and appears to target “stop and gos” that have become a nuisance in many neighborhoods.
Stop and gos, or “beer delis” are businesses that operate as convenience stores or delis with a restaurant license, but do not function as a legitimate restaurant with the required seating and bathroom access. Rather than purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a sit down meal, customers buy alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises. Reigning in this behavior was the focus of a bipartisan “Pennsylvania Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force” which met this summer. Bass’ bill would empower city officials to revoke licenses for businesses who fail to comply with state law regarding food service, seating and bathroom requirements mandated for restaurants serving alcohol.
Outside of the regular stated meetings, Council and the Mayor have remained busy with renewed focus on addressing the City’s affordable housing crisis.
Affordable Housing Access Examined
On February 11th, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) held a hearing before the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless “to examine how “affordable” the City of Philadelphia’s affordable housing programs truly are, who the City is actually serving through its affordable housing programs, and what needs to change to ensure those who need government’s help the most receive their fair share.”
Gauthier’s resolution authorizing the hearings made reference to the regional Area Median Income metric which is the standard metric used in determining income restricted eligibility for various housing programs. In an introductory speech at the hearing, Gauthier explained,
Our region’s area median income is just over $114,000 annually, but the typical household earns only half of that. This means that when the city subsidizes so-called “affordable housing” for residents earning 60, 80, 100, 120% of AMI, it is still too expensive for hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians.
However, she noted that the committee would “not be discussing…any idea of converting the area media income metric from a regional measurement to a Philadelphia one.” Gauthier noted that while her resolution referenced some text about that issue, “creating a Philly specific AMI was never meant to be the focus of the hearing and there is no plan to make any such change.”
City officials and housing advocates testified over the course of the two and half hour hearing. City officials provided data to the committee regarding the income profiles of participants in various programs, while advocates pled with Council to expand funding and access to housing programs.
Mayor Signs H.O.M.E. Executive Order
Meanwhile, on the second floor of City Hall, Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) signed Executive Order 3-25 titled, “H.O.M.E. Initiative: Housing Opportunities Made Easy.”
The Mayor’s order comes as part of her campaign promise of “creating and preserving 30,000 units of new and existing housing in Philadelphia.” The order notes that in order to accomplish that goal, “the City needs an over-arching strategy to continuously improve development policies and processes and to streamline and incentivize housing development and preservation without sacrificing the health and safety of builders or residents.”
The order creates Philadelphia Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Initiative “for the purpose of convening all relevant stakeholders to review and provide recommendations to reform government policies to achieve the City’s goal…and maintaining a commitment to sound principles of planning development.”
The order also establishes an Advisory Group to provide “guidance, recommendations and insight on the H.O.M.E Initative,” naming a variety of organization with ties to the development industry to the group, including the Building Industry Association, Philadelphia Housing and Development Corporation, the Building Trades and the Philadelphia Housing Authority. The order directs all relevant city agencies to provide input and help implement the H.O.M.E. Initiative.
At the Executive Order signing, Mayor Parker also announced the appointment of nonprofit leader Angela Brooks to lead the initiative. Brooks, who is also president of the American Planning Association, previously served as the Illinois director of the Corporation for Supportive Housing.
City Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 27th 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.
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1124 S 56th Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4701 Sansom Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 623 Rear N 55th Street located in the 4th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Jones)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill amending Section 6-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Licenses and Permits," to provide for the suspension of licenses for businesses not in compliance with applicable state regulations and/or whose physical layout significantly differs from the originally approved floor plan. (Bass)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct a hearing to evaluate progress on the implementation of the Philly Tree Plan, determine how to expedite progress and what, if any, additional policies might promote the City’s sustainable greening goals.
Resolution calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to immediately release Sereyrath “One” Van from Moshannon Valley Processing Center and calling on Philadelphia’s Members of the United States Congress to champion welcoming immigration policies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to recognize Philadelphia as a City of second chances, especially for formerly incarcerated non-citizens. (O’Rourke)
Resolution calling for the preservation of the University of the Arts’ Hamilton Hall and Furness Hall as vital spaces for the arts in the City of Philadelphia. (Johnson)
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.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R: Calling for the preservation of the University of the Arts’ Hamilton Hall and Furness Hall as vital spaces for the arts in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1124 S 56th Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4701 Sansom Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
R: Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct a hearing to evaluate progress on the implementation of the Philly Tree Plan, determine how to expedite progress and what, if any, additional policies might promote the City’s sustainable greening goals.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 623 Rear N 55th Street located in the 4th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
B: Amending Section 6-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Licenses and Permits," to provide for the suspension of licenses for businesses not in compliance with applicable state regulations and/or whose physical layout significantly differs from the originally approved floor plan.
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (I-AL)
R: Calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to immediately release Sereyrath “One” Van from Moshannon Valley Processing Center and calling on Philadelphia’s Members of the United States Congress to champion welcoming immigration policies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to recognize Philadelphia as a City of second chances, especially for formerly incarcerated non-citizens.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🏆 241097 (Bass): Honoring the Simon Gratz High School Football Team for winning the 2024 Public
League Championship and celebrating their resilience and excellence.
🏆 250### (Johnson): Commending and recognizing NFL Hall of Famer Merrill Reese for his nearly fifty-year career as the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles and his exceptional contributions to broadcasting in sports.
🏆 250### (Landau): Recognizing February 20th, 2025 as World Day of Social Justice in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Young): Honoring the Life and Legacy of legendary jazz host Bob Perkins.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Recognizing and celebrating Queen Judith Robinson for her tireless advocacy, insistence on being heard, and for her work to amplify voices of communities in North Philadelphia for the benefit of the entire City of Philadelphia, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Celebrating and commending Martha Williams for her commitment to her communities, family and people across Philadelphia, and for her insistence on seeing the humanity of people who are incarcerated, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Honoring and celebrating Patricia “Mama Patt” Vickers for her work to love and care for people across Philadelphia, her commitment to justice, and her resolve to reduce the suffering of incarcerated people, on the occasion of Black History Month.
⚖️ 250### (Gauthier): Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct a hearing to evaluate progress on the implementation of the Philly Tree Plan, determine how to expedite progress and what, if any, additional policies might promote the City’s sustainable greening goals.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Honoring and celebrating Patricia “Mama Patt” Vickers for her work to love and care for people across Philadelphia, her commitment to justice, and her resolve to reduce the suffering of incarcerated people, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Celebrating and recognizing Sandra “Nan” Hill for her relentless work to improve the lives of people around her and to recognize the dignity of every person, particularly people who are incarcerated, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Honoring and celebrating Yvonne Newkirk as a pillar of her community for her relentless work to improve the lives and protect the dignity of people who are incarcerated across Pennsylvania, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Honoring and celebrating the life of Brenda Harris, one of the Founding Members of the Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI), and a Black woman whose profound love of her communities improved the lives of her neighbors and people across Philadelphia, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Celebrating and honoring Lorraine “Mrs. Dee Dee” Haw for her constant pursuit of justice, her ability to speak truth to power across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, and for her infinite love for the people and communities around her, on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (O’Rourke): Honoring the public servants at the local, state, and federal level who made the unforgettable Eagles Super Bowl Parade possible and recognizing all public servants for their dedication to the communities they serve.
🏆 250### (Driscoll): Honoring and recognizing the Tesla Science Foundation (TSF) by declaring February 24th 2025 “Tesla Science Foundation Day” in the City of Philadelphia, celebrating the work of TSF in cultivating scientific innovation and advancing the legacy of Nikola Tesla in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 (Ahmad): Recognizing Friday, February 21, 2025, as International Mother Language Day to honor the brave souls who, on this day in 1952, sacrificed their lives to retain the right to use their mother language Bangla also known as Bengali.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, February 24th
Committee on Streets and Services, 1 PM - the committee will hear various bills related to easements, encroachments and the creation of three new bike lanes (N. 22nd, N. 23 and N. 13th Streets).
Tuesday, February 25th
Special Committee on Kensington, 10 AM - the committee will hold hearings regarding the year-end report on the Kensington Community Revival Plan (KCR) and its effects on the community.
Wednesday, February 26th
Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation, 11:30 AM - the committee will hold its quarterly meeting to discuss the fiscal position and overarching social impact goals of the City.
Special Committee on Kensington, 2:00 PM - the committee will convene and investigate the processes and effectiveness of the current and past diversion programs in relation to individuals suffering from substance use disorder in the Kensington area.
Monday, March 3rd
Committee on Streets and Services, 1:30 PM - the committee will hold hearings to examine the City’s response to illegal dumping, focusing on monitoring high-activity areas, enforcement strategies, and the development of effective tools to combat this issue.