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:
Welcome back to City Hall Roll Call, a weekly recap and debrief of City Council’s Thursday Stated Meeting. I’ve had a lot of new subscribers over the last few weeks and look forward to getting your feedback about how Roll Call can best serve your needs.
New Look Council
For the first time in over a decade, Council’s gavel was wielded by a new leader, Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd). Johnson’s first order of business was starting Council on time, a departure from the previous decade. Also notably, Council has returned to its pre-pandemic practice of an in-person caucus prior to the start of the 10 a.m. Stated Meeting. Those used to rolling into City Council meetings after ten will find themselves spectating from the upstairs gallery - this new look Council starts on time and visitor seats get claimed early.
The start of today’s term brought a number of new faces behind the rails, with four freshmen members joining the body - Jeffery Young (D-5th), Nina Ahmad (D-AL), Rue Landau (D-AL) and Nicolas O’Rourke (I-AL). Four other members returned for the start of their first full terms, after winning special elections to serve out partial terms - Mike Driscoll (D-6th), Quetcy Lozada (D-7th), Anthony Phillips (D-9th), and Jim Harrity (D-AL). This means that almost half of Council has fewer than one full term under its belt.
Despite the relative greenness of the body, today’s session ran smoothly. There were a number of note-worthy introductions by members, with a data-centric approach to public safety and the ongoing opioid crisis at the top of their agenda.
Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson introduced a bill requiring chain retail establishments to maintain a certain standard of video surveillance over any customer parking spots reserved for customers..
Councilmember Rue Landau introduced a resolution authorizing hearings to explore how the city can make better use of data to identify and implement place-based solutions to gun violence. As reported by Technical.ly,
Her new resolution is based on her experience working with the 57 Blocks Coalition, a collection of community organizations that are focused on reducing violence in Philadelphia. This coalition was formed after The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article identifying 57 blocks in the city where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015.
Councilmember Lozada introduced a trio of bills aimed at addressing and tracking issues caused by the ongoing drug addiction crisis in Kensington. The first bill would “regulate the hours of operation of certain establishments” in an area bounded by East Leigh Avenue., Kensington Avenue, D Street, East Tioga Street and Frankford Avenue. The bill, which would apply to take-out restaurants, convenience stores and certain food establishments, prohibits their operation between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The other bills mandate data collection related to the opioid epidemic. One bill would require the Managing Directors Office (MDO) to submit to Council anonymized reports tracking the number and location of First Responders’ administration of opioid antidotes, such as Narcan. The second bill defines “impermissible camping” and requires the MDO to submit anonymized reports regarding the location and frequency of impermissible camping.
Council also took aim at the City’s current eviction process. While the Sheriff’s Office is empowered to perform evictions, many landlords rely on “deputy landlord-tenant officers” (LTOs) to enforce eviction notices. This private eviction process made headlines this year after three separate incidents where deputy LTOs discharged guns during evictions. One such incident resulted in a deputy LTO shooting a woman, Angela Davis, in the head. The bill, the Angel Davis Eviction Accountability bill, would require LTOs to obtain a license. As explained by The Philadelphia Inquirer,
In order to obtain a license from the city, deputized contractors would have to pay a $500 fee and complete a 189-hour basic training course, roughly based on use-of-force course requirements for sworn law enforcement officials who typically conduct evictions, such as deputy sheriffs and constables. They would further be required to present proof of liability insurance and display the license while performing evictions.
The Eviction Accountability bill was introduced by freshman Councilmember O’Rourke, on behalf of the bill’s primary sponsor, Councilmember Kendra Brooks. Brooks and O’Rourke hold the two At-Large seats the Home Rule Charter sets aside for a minority party. Prior to 2019, the seats were held by republicans until Brooks, a Working Families Party member, claimed one of them. Her running mate, O’Rourke, unsuccessful in 2019, was elected this past November. Their victory leaves Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th) the sole republican member of Council.
Parker Appointments Introduced
Council also took the first steps towards approving two key members of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s cabinet. Council introduced resolutions confirming the appointments of Adam Geer for Chief Public Safety Director and Renee Garcia for City Solicitor.
Geer would be the first to take on this new role, created by Council and approved by voters last May. As Chief Public Safety Director, Geer would be responsible for coordinating safety initiatives among various city agencies. Garcia, who is currently Acting City Solicitor, would continue to serve as the City’s top attorney, overseeing the City Law Department and advising the Mayor and Council on legal matters. Both resolutions will have hearings before the Committee of the Whole, the full body of Council. If approved, the resolutions would then be eligible for a final vote.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 1st at 10 a.m.
🧰 City Council Toolkit 🛠️
With all the new faces joining Council, I put together some useful links to help you navigate the new term and to stay engaged with your lawmakers.
City Council Committee Assignments and Contact List: Here you’ll find a handy spreadsheet containing all of City Council’s standing committee assignments, as well as identifying the leadership of each committee. On a separate tab, contact information for each of the Councilmembers is provided, including links to their social media handles.
City Council Rules: Click to download the full rules governing City Council and the legislative process.
How Philly Works: This is a useful guide I wrote in partnership with the Committee of Seventy to help explain how your government works. In it, you’ll learn everything from how a bill becomes law to how you can influence the City budget. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to get more engaged with local government.
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 the zoning of land located around Queen Lane, Wissahickon Avenue, Roosevelt Blvd. and Henry Avenue as part of an amendment to the Fourth District Overlay. (Jones)
Bill amending Title 14, the Philadelphia Zoning Code. (Bass)
🚓 Public Safety
Bill requiring the Managing Director’s Office to make certain reports to City Council regarding opioid antidote use. (Lozada)
Bill requiring the Managing Director’s Office to make certain reports to City Council regarding prohibited camping activities. (Lozada)
Bill adding requirements that retail customer parking lots maintain video surveillance. (Gilmore-Richardson)
🏘️ Housing
Bill amending Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code by providing for the licensing of persons responsible for performing tenant evictions. (Brooks)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
📜 Charter Change
Bill proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the office of Homeless Services Omsbudsperson. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the office of Homeless Services Omsbudsperson. (Gilmore-Richardson)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Section 9-5900 by adding additional prohibitions on certain skills games. (Jones)
Bill mending Philadelphia Code 9-600 by regulating the hours of operation of certain businesses in Kensington. (Lozada)
Bill prohibiting street vending in the 54th Ward. (Lozada)
Bill adding requirements that retail customer parking lots maintain video surveillance. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Bill amending the Philadelphia Code to add a new chapter entitled Youth Name Image and Likeness. (Thomas)
🚦Streets
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill authorizing Streets Department to install traffic calming measures near recreation centers, libraries and playgrounds. (Lozada)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
Bill amending the boundaries of certain residential permit parking district. (Bass)
😇 Ethics / Campaign Finance / Public Notice
Bill amending Chapters 11 and 21 of the Philadelphia Code to requirements concerning publications of notices in newspapers. (Gilmore-Richardson)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing the extension of existence of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation by a period of fifty years. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into a multi-year agreement with Bennet Compost for a compost facility located on city-owned property. (Phillips)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution authorizing the appointment of a Chief Ethics officer for Council. (Johnson)
Resolution confirming Adam Geer as Chief Public Safety Director. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution confirming the appointment of Renee Garcia as City Solicitor. (Thomas)
💸 Finance / Budget
Resolution approving the 2023-2024 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Statement and Budget. (Gauthier)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the city’s capacity to prepare individuals for careers in the growing life sciences industry. (Gauthier)
Resolution calling on Philadelphia leadership to implement the 140+ recommendations found in the “Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia.” (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings regarding the usage of the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act (Act 135). (Young)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Finance to investigate the operations and significant overspending of the Office of Homeless Services and the quality of services provided. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the practice of leveling and its impact on students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings to use data to examine placed based strategies for combating gun violence. (Landau)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearings regardin the rise in moving violations and traffic deaths since 2020, and to explore solutions to making Philadelphia’s streets safer. (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.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill: Authorizing the extension of existence of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation by a period of fifty years.
Resolution: Authorizing the appointment of a Chief Ethics officer for Council.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Resolution: Authorizing the Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the city’s capacity to prepare individuals for careers in the growing life sciences industry.
Resolution: Approving the 2023-2024 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Statement and Budget.
Resolution: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Resolution: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Amending Philadelphia Code Section 9-5900 by adding additional prohibitions on certain skills games.
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Amending the zoning of land located around Queen Lane, Wissahickon Avenue, Roosevelt Blvd. and Henry Avenue as part of an amendment to the Fourth District Overlay.
Resolution: Calling on Philadelphia leadership to implement the 140+ recommendations found in the “Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia.”
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
Resolution: Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings regarding the usage of the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act (Act 135).
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
Bill: Amending Philadelphia Code 9-600 by regulating the hours of operation of certain businesses in Kensington.
Bill: Prohibiting street vending in the 54th Ward.
Bill: Requiring the Managing Director’s Office to make certain reports to City Council regarding opioid antidote use.
Bill: Authorizing Streets Department to install traffic calming measures near recreation centers, libraries and playgrounds.
Bill: Requiring the Managing Director’s Office to make certain reports to City Council regarding prohibited camping activities.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Bill: Amending Title 14, the Philadelphia Zoning Code.
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Amending the boundaries of certain residential permit parking district.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
Bill: Authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into a multi-year agreement with Bennet Compost for a compost facility located on city-owned property.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
Bill: Amending Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code by providing for the licensing of persons responsible for performing tenant evictions.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
Bill: Amending Chapters 11 and 21 of the Philadelphia Code to requirements concerning publications of notices in newspapers.
Bill: Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the office of Homeless Services Omsbudsperson.
Bill: Adding requirements that retail customer parking lots maintain video surveillance.
Resolution: Confirming Adam Geer as Chief Public Safety Director.
Resolution: Authorizing the Committee on Finance to investigate the operations and significant overspending of the Office of Homeless Services and the quality of services provided.
Resolution: Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the practice of leveling and its impact on students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia.
Resolution: Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the office of Homeless Services Omsbudsperson.
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL)
Resolution: Authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings to use data to examine placed based strategies for combating gun violence.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
Bill: Amending the Philadelphia Code to add a new chapter entitled Youth Name Image and Likeness.
Resolution: Authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearings regardin the rise in moving violations and traffic deaths since 2020, and to explore solutions to making Philadelphia’s streets safer.
Resolution: Confirming the appointment of Renee Garcia as City Solicitor.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
⚖️ 240001 (Gauthier): To provide Rules for the Government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 240### (Johnson): Recognizing January 22nd as National Gun Violence Survivors Week.
🏆 240### (Gilmore-Richardson): Honoring the African-American Childrens’ Book Project on occasion of its 32nd Annual Book Fair.
🏆 240### (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
⚖️ 240### (Gilmore-Richardson): Authorizing the Committee on Finance to investigate the operations and significant overspending of the Office of Homeless Services and the quality of services provided.
⚖️ 240### (Gilmore-Richardson): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on the practice of leveling and its impact on students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 240### (Gauthier): Authorizing the Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the city’s capacity to prepare individuals for careers in the growing life sciences industry.
⚖️ 240### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Streets to hold hearings regardin the rise in moving violations and traffic deaths since 2020, and to explore solutions to making Philadelphia’s streets safer.
🏆 240### (Thomas): Recognizing Champion of the Week, Adrian Smith, the creator of the Blitz Champs Football-themed card game.
🏆 240### (Thomas): Honoring the life and legacy of Rich Yankowitz, the legendary public league coach at Dobbins High School.
🏆 240### (Jones): Honoring Jerry Jordan, President of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on the occasion of his retirement.
🏆 240### (Jones): Honoring Philadelphia’s Living Legends.
⚖️ 240### (Landau): Authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings to use data to examine placed based strategies for combating gun violence.
🏆 240### (Landau): Honoring and congratulating the Philadelphia restaurants and chefs named as semi-finalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards.
🏆 240### (Lozada): Congratulating Officer Pedro Rosario for becoming the first Latino Deputy Police Commissioner in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 240### (Young): Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings regarding the usage of the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act (Act 135).
🏆 240### (Ahmad): Recognizing January 2024 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Philadelphia.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Committee 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 on its calendar