City Hall Roll Call: January 23rd, 2025
City Council Returns from Recess
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 Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Today marked City Council’s first stated meeting after its winter recess. Council had voted on most of its pending bills at the last session, so today’s voting calendar was very short. Instead, the focus was on the introduction of new matters and the authorization of Council hearings on a variety of topics including:
the existence, purpose, use and procedure surrounding the School District of Philadelphia's reassignment rooms, sometimes called the “rubber rooms;”
the implementation of a mandatory millage rate adjustment to ensure recent property reassessments remain revenue neutral to the city’s coffers; (Jones)
the sugar sweetened beverage tax and its impact on Philadelphia businesses, trades and consumers; (Harrity)
and, the City and First Judicial District’s detainer policy for undocumented immigrants in light of the recent Presidential Executive orders. (Brooks)
Council also formally elected Elizabeth McCollum as its Chief Clerk. Lizz took over the role last year upon the sudden death of Mike Decker, who served for decades in the Chief Clerk’s office under former Clerk Pat Rafferty, before taking over the position upon her retirement. Council enthusiastically elected Lizz the new Chief Clerk, where she will continue to be responsible for handling the numerous administrative and public notice matters required to keep the legislative body functioning.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, January 30th at 10:00 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 properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of properties located in the 4th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Jones)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing various encroachments in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing encroachments in the nature of a side wall cafe in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill amending an ordinance, Bill No. 230577 to extend the timeline for compliance.(Jones)
Bill amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 22nd street from Spring Garden Street to Green Street, and remove a travel lane on North 22nd street. (Young)
Bill amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 13th Street from Cecil B Moore Avenue to Diamond Street. (Young)
Bill amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 23rd Street, between Race Street and Market Street. (Young)
Bill authorizing the vacating of an area and the reserving and plotting upon City Plan No. 308 of a right of way for sewer and drainage purposes. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 542 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147. (Squilla)
🔏 Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas, and motor fuel for use by the city and city facilities and vehicles. (Johnson / Admin)
📜 Charter Change
R: Amending Resolution 240834-A which the Council adopted on December 19, 2024 entitled, “Proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia,” to make a technical correction. (Thomas)
R: Requesting the Mayor to return to Council. Bill No. 240817, entitled, “Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election, all under certain terms and conditions.” for the purpose of reconsideration by council of the vote by which said bill passed Council. (Thomas)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the existence, purpose, use and procedure surrounding the School District of Philadelphia's reassignment rooms, sometimes called the rubber rooms. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to conduct hearings to assess the implementation of a mandatory millage rate adjustment review in response to citywide property assessments conducted by the Office of Property aAssessment with the goal of maintaining revenue neutrality to alleviate increasing tax burdens on Philadelphia taxpayers. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post trial vacation and parole sentences. (Brooks)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor to hold hearings exploring the sugar, sweetened beverage tax its impact on Philadelphia businesses, trades and consumers. (Harrity)
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: Authorizing the vacating of an area and the reserving and plotting upon City Plan No. 308 of a right of way for sewer and drainage purposes.
B: Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 542 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
B: Authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas, and motor fuel for use by the city and city facilities and vehicles.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Authorizing various encroachments in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
B: Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a side wall cafe in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Amending an ordinance, Bill No. 230577 to extend the timeline for compliance.
R: Authorizing the transfer of properties located in the 4th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
R: Authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to conduct hearings to assess the implementation of a mandatory millage rate adjustment review in response to citywide property assessments conducted by the Office of Property aAssessment with the goal of maintaining revenue neutrality to alleviate increasing tax burdens on Philadelphia taxpayers.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 22nd street from Spring Garden Street to Green Street, and remove a travel lane on North 22nd street.
B: Amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 13th Street from Cecil B Moore Avenue to Diamond Street.
B: Amending Chapter 12-701 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Designation of Bicycle Lanes” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 23rd Street, between Race Street and Market Street.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post trial vacation and parole sentences. (Brooks)
Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Labor to hold hearings exploring the sugar, sweetened beverage tax and its impact on Philadelphia businesses, trades and consumers.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Amending Resolution 240834-A which the Council adopted on December 19, 2024 entitled, “Proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia,” to make a technical correction.
R: Requesting the Mayor to return to Council. Bill No. 240817, entitled, “Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election, all under certain terms and conditions.” for the purpose of reconsideration by council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the existence, purpose, use and procedure surrounding the School District of Philadelphia's reassignment rooms, sometimes called the rubber rooms.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 240724 (Bass): Calling upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to strengthen enforcement against illegal activity in merchants that impact neighborhoods throughout the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 241098 (Bass): Honoring Central High School for Winning the 2024 PIAA District 12 AAA Team Title for the fourth consecutive year and celebrating their impressive sweep of team, singles, and doubles championships.
🏆 241099 (Bass): Honoring Imhotep Charter High School for winning the 2024 Public League 6A and PIAA District 7 Football Championships and celebrating their legacy of excellence.
🏆 241### (Johnson): Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
🏆 241### (Johnson): Celebrating the life and legacy of Rabbi Solomon Isaacson.
🏆 241### (Ahmad): Recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
🏆 241### (Gilmore-Richardson): Honoring the African American Children’s Book Project.
🏆 241### (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Dr. Tony Wattlington for being recognized as Superintendent of the Year by the District Administration Leadership Institute.
⚖️ 241### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the existence, purpose, use and procedure surrounding the School District of Philadelphia's reassignment rooms, sometimes called the rubber rooms.
⚖️ 241### (Jones): Authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to conduct hearings to assess the implementation of a mandatory millage rate adjustment review in response to citywide property assessments conducted by the Office of Property Assessment with the goal of maintaining revenue neutrality to alleviate increasing tax burdens on Philadelphia taxpayers.
🏆 241### (Young): Congratulating the Temple University men's basketball team for winning their 2,000th game.
🏆 241### (Young): Honoring the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter.
🏆 241### (Young): Honoring and congratulating Jackie Pettyjohn, the First Lady of SEPTA, on the occasion of her retirement after 40 years.
🏆 241### (Brooks): Honoring the work of the Philadelphia Trafficking Coalition and the Salvation Army to raise awareness of victims and survivors of human trafficking during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
⚖️ 241### (Harrity): Authorizing the Committee on Labor to hold hearings exploring the sugar sweetened beverage tax its impact on Philadelphia businesses, trades and consumers.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to see the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Wednesday, January 29th
Committee on Streets and Services, 10:00 AM - the Committee on Streets will hear testimony on number of bills related to street encroachments, as well as a resolution examining the “City’s response to illegal dumping.”