City Hall Roll Call: February 24, 2022
Paid Sick Leave Bill Amended; Budget Schedule Set
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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:
With the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declining to push back the May 17th Primary Election, today marks the last session for proposals to the Home Rule Charter to receive Council approval in time to make the spring ballot. Council approved a number of ballot initiatives, including one that would create an independent and permanent Fair Housing Commission. Two other measures, also sponsored by Councilmember Cherelle Parker, would eliminate gender-based references throughout the Charter and Educational Supplements. These proposed amendments will join Council President Darrell Clarke’s Zoning Board of Adjustment reform in heading to voters for final approval.
Today’s final passage calendar was a lengthy one, with Council approving twenty-four (24) bills and resolutions. Councilmember Kendra Brooks amended her bill which would expand and extend the emergency paid sick leave benefits that employers must offer to employees during the pandemic. The bill, as introduced, applied to employers with ten (10) or more employees. After meeting with stakeholders, including the various chambers of commerce, Councilmember Brooks offered an amendment raising the applicability of the bill to employers with twenty-five (25) or more employees. In discussing the amendment, she stated that she believed this was a fair compromise between the original number and the recently expired emergency paid sick leave law which applies only to businesses with fifty (50) or more employees. The bill will be eligible for a final vote at next week’s session.
FY2023 Budget Schedule Released
Usually, by the end of February Council watchers shift into budget mode. However, it appears that the Mayor plans to delay his budget presentation until the very end of March. As reported by Axios, this would give the city additional time to release the new real property assessments, which have been frozen due to concerns regarding their accuracy.
With home values increasing rapidly over the last few years, both nationally and locally, homeowners could see a significant increase in the assessed value of their homes. A City spokesperson told Axios, “Homeowners should expect that their assessment will be more accurate and will reflect the changes that have occurred in the real estate market over the past several years.” Whether Council will consider adjusting the city’s tax rate downward to reflect the value growth remains to be seen. With significant American Recovery Act dollars still on hand, the city has some flexibility in addressing any projected shortfall in wage and business tax revenues.
Also today, City Council released its budget calendar, during which City departments appear before the Council Committee of the Whole to present their budget requests and answer questions on how their resources are spent. The process will commence with the Mayor’s delivery of the budget to Council, believed to be scheduled for Thursday, March 31st. The following week, Council will start its budget process, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays through May set aside for budget hearings before the Committee of the Whole. Click here to see the full schedule, or scroll to the bottom of this post to see the budget calendar, current as of today. Council must adopt a budget by the end of the City’s fiscal year - June 30th.
City Council stands adjourned until next Thursday, March 3rd.
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 properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill further providing the manner in which real property assessments are done for properties subject to resale conditions. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Special Committee on Gun Violence to hold hearings on the role of Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities in helping to reduce gun violence in the city. (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 Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Resolution - Authorizing the Special Committee on Gun Violence to hold hearings on the role of Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities in helping to reduce gun violence in the city.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Further providing the manner in which real property assessments are done for properties subject to resale conditions.
Resolution - Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
📜 220009 (Parker): Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the removal of gender-based references through the Charter.
📜 220010 (Parker): Proposing an amendment to the Educational Supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the removal of gender based references throughout the Educational Supplement.
📜 220082 (Parker): Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the establishment of a Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission.
🗣️ 220125 (Green): Encouraging the Philadelphia Board of Education to adopt and implement a civic participation and voter registration program, as proposed by PA Youth Vote.
🔏 220146 (Clarke): Authorizing the conveyance of an interest in and the assignment of the redevelopment agreement for 3252 Germantown Avenue located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
🏆 220147 (Parker): Congratulating Carol G. Stukes-Baylor on being elected Vice Chair for the City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement, making her the first woman and woman of color to hold this position.
🏆 220148 (Parker): Congratulating Eric Pryor on his appointment as President of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), making him the first Black President of PAFA.
🏆 220150 (Jones): Naming the 6300 block of Lancaster Avenue as Absalom Jones Way, to commemorate the Reverend Absalom Jones and his legacy as an abolitionist, clergyman and the founder of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, the first African American Episcopal Church in The United States.
🏆 220151 (Johnson): Naming 24th Street, between Wharton and Reed Streets, “Dorothy D. Allen Way,” to honor the life and legacy of Dorothy D. Allen.
🏆 220152 (Brooks): Recognizing the strength, determination, and contributions of renowned physician, Philadelphia City Councilmember, and Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Ethel Allen, whose medical expertise and dedicated public service prioritized the City’s most vulnerable residents and paved the way for future generations of independent Black women in Philadelphia politics.
🏆 220154 (Domb): Congratulating Dr. Amy Gutmann on her confirmation to the Administration of President Joe Biden as the Ambassador to Germany and recognizing her many contributions to public life and service in Philadelphia and beyond.
🏆 220155 (Gauthier): Honoring the life and legacy of civic leader Elsie Wise for her dedication to community empowerment and mentorship through the founding of the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Team, and leadership in West Philadelphia civic organizations for more than 60 years.
🏆 220156 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week and Black Business Crawl organization, Black Kidz Can Cook and Kidz Meals on Wheels, on their dedication to helping feed children across the city of Philadelphia and showing them the importance of culinary skills.
🗺️ 220157 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the First Councilmanic District.
🏆 220158 (Bass): Recognizing February 2022 as American Heart Month, encouraging Philadelphians to be mindful of their heart health, and honoring the American Heart Association for their advocacy on the issue of heart health.
🏆 220159 (Oh): Recognizing and honoring creative entrepreneur and activist Ant Brown for his work in combatting violence among at-risk youth.
🏆 220160 (Oh): Recognizing and honoring Louis Scaglione - President, CEO, and Music Director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute - on the occasion of his 25th Anniversary with the organization.
220### (Gauthier): R - Hearings by Gun Violence Prevention to explore role of roadmap as part of city's response to gun violence
Bills:
🏗️ 210902 (Clarke): An Ordinance amending The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code and other related sections of The Philadelphia Code to add provisions related to the abatement of rats and other vermin.
📜 220001 (Parker): An Ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the removal of gender-based references throughout the Charter, as approved by Resolution of the City Council.
📜 220002 (Parker): An Ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Educational Supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, relating to the removal of gender-based references throughout the Educational Supplement, as approved by Resolution of the Council.
💼 220006 (Domb): An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-4000, entitled “Income Inequality Initiative - Earned Income Tax Credit,” by requiring employers to provide notification to workers regarding the availability of certain additional federal and City tax benefit programs and extending the Department of Revenue’s notification and reporting requirements to such additional tax benefit programs.
📜 220077 (Parker): An Ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission; as approved by Resolution of the City Council.
💸 220079 (Green): An Ordinance constituting the Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell one or more series or subseries of tax-exempt or taxable water and wastewater revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds…
🔏 220080 (Green): An Ordinance authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation on behalf of the Philadelphia Gas Works of a Renewal of Service Agreement for Gas Storage and Transportation Under Rate Schedule GSS with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, March 1st
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - Council will consider six bills amending zoning maps throughout the city and one bill authorizing land transfer to the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
Committee on Streets and Services, 2:00 PM - the Streets Committee will take testimony on eighteen (18) bills, including legislation to authorize additional streetery locations and bike lanes. (Bill Nos. 210145 and 210927), and a bill that would create a qualified parking program for school employees (Bill No. 210800).
Wednesday, March 2nd
Committee on Appropriations, 9:00 AM - the Appropriations Committee will take testimony on Bill No. 220114, which authorizes inter-departmental transfers of general fund dollars.
Committee on Finance, 10:00 AM - the Finance Committee will consider two bills, one to authorize the sale of municipal bonds and the other related to PGW capital expenditures.
Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, 1:00 PM - the Committee will conduct a hearing to examine our national youth mental health crisis and its role in the ongoing epidemic of gun violence.
💸 📆 Budget Hearing Calendar (as of 2/24/22)
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Five-Year Plan
Capital Program
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Mayor’s Office (including Deputy Mayors and Office of Labor)
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department of Finance
Department of Revenue
Tax Bills
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Sinking Fund
Board of Pensions
City Treasurer
Public Testimony – Tax Bills
Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Full Day (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Office of Property Assessments
Board of Revision of Taxes
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department of Human Services
Office of Homeless Services
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Behavioral Health
Public Health
Tuesday, April 19th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Office of Public Property
City Commissioners
Office of Procurement
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Aviation
Fleet Management
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Commerce
Office of Human Resources
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Chief Administrative Office
Office of Innovation & Technology
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Police
District Attorney’s Office
Defender’s Association
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
First Judicial District
Law Department
Sheriff
Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Register of Wills
City Controller
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Licenses and Inspections
Water Department
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Mural Arts Program
Free Library
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
SEPTA
Parks & Recreation
Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
School District of Philadelphia
Community College
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony - School District
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Managing Director’s Office
Mayor’s Office of Children & Families
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Planning and Development
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Streets Department
Fire Department
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Prisons
Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department Callbacks
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department Callbacks