City Hall Roll Call: February 3, 2022
Redevelopment Restrictions in the 8th; Bluestein Appointment Approved
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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:
A recessed Committee of the Whole met yesterday to resume the public facing part of the redistricting process, voting an amended map out of committee. After taking additional testimony, the Committee of the Whole amended the original bill making small tweaks to address drafting errors and population discrepancies in the original bill. The amended version does not address advocate’s concerns regarding prison gerrymandering, however, Council President Darrell Clarke stated that Council would attempt to resolve this issue with future amendments, after the bill is passed. At today’s session, Council took the next step at finalizing the new lines of its City Council Districts by placing the bill on today’s first reading calendar. The amended bill is now eligible for a final vote next week, just under the wire of the Home Rule Charter mandated deadline.
In furtherance of Council’s declaration of February as Environmental Justice Month, Councilmember Helen Gym introduced the “Community Health Act,” a bill designed to protect and address the adverse health effects experienced by communities from pollution. As explained in an accompanying press release:
Under this legislation, the Department of Health will undertake comprehensive environmental justice mapping, taking into account environmental, climate, health, and demographic indicators. The city will identify environmental justice communities — areas within the city which bear an undue burden of pollution and adverse health impacts. New industrial projects within or adjacent to these areas which would meaningfully and adversely impact community health will undergo a cumulative impact analysis. This will allow the city to better understand how the new project would shape the existing community landscape, and empower the Department of Health to potentially require further mitigating steps before the project can proceed.
The impact of development on communities was also at the forefront of Councilmember Cindy Bass’ mind as she introduced a bill that was described as a six-month ”moratorium on development” in the 8th Councilmanic District. In introducing the bill, which amends the Historical Preservation provisions of the Philadelphia Code, Councilmember Bass stated that “too often” developers circumvent processes designed to allow neighbors to provide public input. Per Bass, the bill would not apply to small renovations, but rather larger redevelopment projects. She stated that the bill was designed to give community members an opportunity to digest changes to their neighborhood. (Editor’s Note: A copy of the legislation has not yet been made publicly available, so the aforementioned description is based on comments made at today’s Council session).
Lastly, Council gave the nod to Acting City Commissioner Seth Bluestein to serve out the remainder of Al Schmidt’s term, who resigned to take the helm of the Committee of Seventy. Bluestein, who was nominated by Mayor Jim Kenney to fill out the term, has over a decade of service in the republican Commissioner’s office. Under the Home Rule Charter, two of the Commissioners are elected from the majority party and the third elected from the minority party. Bluestein’s appointment was opposed by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, who is a member of the Working Families Party. Brooks, the lone no vote, stated that her opposition was not “personal” but was about the idea that “third party voters outnumber republicans” in Philadelphia and that Council should not continue to give power to a party that is chipping away at democracy.
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 creating a Cumulative Impact Assessment to provide for identification of communities impacted by environmental justice issues. (Gym)
Bill amending the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Philadelphia Code to prohibit the demolition of buildings located in the 8th Councilmanic District for a certain amount of time. (Bass)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Bill authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire properties located in North Philadelphia in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located within the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located within the 7th Councilmanic District. (Quinones-Sanchez)
📜 Charter Change
Bill amending the Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Fair Housing Commission. (Parker)
Resolution amending the Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Fair Housing Commission. (Parker)
🔏 Contract Authorization
Bill authorizing PGW to renew a contract to provide for the the storage of natural gas. (Green)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill providing for Water Revenue Bond authorization. (Green)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on the transfer of the Somerton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the impact on workers. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings to investigate racial bias in development in the City of Philadelphia. (Bass)
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)
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located within the 2nd Councilmanic District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire properties located in North Philadelphia in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located within the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Bill - Amending the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Philadelphia Code to prohibit the demolition of buildings located in the 8th Councilmanic District for a certain amount of time.
Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings to investigate racial bias in development in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)
Bill - Amending the Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Fair Housing Commission.
Resolution - Amending the Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Fair Housing Commission.
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Bill - Water Revenue Bond authorization.
Bill - Authorizing PGW to renew a contract to provide for the the storage of natural gas.
Councilmember Helen Gym (D-AL)
Bill - Creating a Cumulative Impact Assessment to provide for identification of communities impacted by environmental justice issues.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
Resolution - Authorizing Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on the transfer of the Somerton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the impact on workers.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
⚖️ 210958 (Clarke): Amending Resolution No. 200001-A, which provides Rules for the Government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, by providing for rules regarding recusal from any legislation due to conflicts of interest.
📛 220013 (Clarke): Approving the appointment of Seth Bluestein as City Commissioner, to fill out the unexpired term of a vacant seat in the Office of the City Commissioners.
🗺️ 220055 (Clarke): Authorizing the transfer of land to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
🏆 220056 (Gilmore-Richardson): Honoring the African American Children’s Book Project on the occasion of its 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair.
🏆 220057 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing February 2022 as Career and Technical Education Month® in Philadelphia.
🏆 220058 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing February 2022 as Environmental Justice Month in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220059 (Johnson): Recognizing February 1-7, 2022, as National Gun Violence Survivor Week, in honor of survivors of gun violence and the lifelong burdens they carry.
🏆 220060 (Johnson): Honoring Penn’s Village for its work caring for Philadelphia’s aging population, and recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the national Village Movement.
🏆 220061 (Green): Recognizing the nomination of Arianna J. Freeman to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and encouraging her confirmation by the United States Senate.
🏆 220064 (Domb): Honoring the legacy of the Joseph Fox Bookshop located on Sansom Street upon its closure after over seventy years in business and recognizing its many contributions to the literary culture of Philadelphia.
🏆 220065 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Tina Sloan Green and the Eyekonz Lacrosse team, for being the first Philadelphian and all-black team to participate in the World Lacrosse tournament this year.
🗺️ 220066 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2046 Martha Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 220067 (Squilla): Authorizing the transfer of land to the Philadelphia Land Bank located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220068 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 152 Logan Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
🏆 2200## (Gym): Declaring 1/30-2/4 as National Black Lives Matter at School Week in the city of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 2200## (Bass): Authorizing the Committee on Commerce to hold hearings to investigate racial bias in development in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 2200## (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on the transfer of the Somerton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the impact on workers.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, February 7th
Commerce and Economic Development, 10:00 AM - Council will examine diversity and inclusion in contracting by the City and related public sector agencies, including the School District of Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.
Wednesday, February 9th
Joint Committees on Finance & Transportation and Public Utilities, 1:00 PM - Council will conduct joint hearings regarding the sustainability and diversification of the Philadelphia Gas Works. (210653)
Monday, February 14th
Committee on Public Health and Human Services, 1:00 PM - Council will hold a public hearing related to the abatement of rats and other vermin (210902), the provision of additional Covid-19 leave time (220051) and to examine the City of Philadelphia’s compliance with the Pennsylvania Firefighter Cancer Presumption Act. (210046).