My apologies again about yesterday’s technical difficulties causing a delay to this week’s newsletter. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated!
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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 two major pieces of legislation called up for a vote yesterday, the Council Stated Meeting saw a lengthy public comment session, as well as a rare floor debate amongst members.
The first big piece of legislation was Councilmember Derek Green’s bill to authorize the creation of the “Philadelphia Public Financial Authority,” often referred to as “public banking.” In a Philadelphia Citizen op-ed published last month, Green explained why he believed the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority (PPFA) would be critical to helping Philadelphia’s economy grow, not only significantly, but equitably as well. Green noted that despite the city being 44% Black and 15% Latinx, only 6% of businesses with employees were Black-owned and only 4% Latinx owned.
He observed, “Among the many reasons for these disparities is the lack of access to credit. Because of the shocking differentials in racial wealth, Black and Brown business owners typically have far more limited ability to raise startup capital from friends and family.” Green argued that the creation of PPFA would help close this gap and help fill the traditional role of small-business lender.
A number of supporters of and advocates for public banking spoke in favor of the bill during public comment, including one resident who delivered her testimony in the form of a poem. The fanciful prose did not appear to move Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th), who was the sole “no” vote on the matter, which passed by a final vote of 15-1. With this critical step behind it, the PPFA now moves to its next planning and organizational stage.
The other major piece of legislation that was voted on yesterday was Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ Covid-19 paid leave extension bill. This was the second proposed extension of the pandemic paid sick leave measure, the most recent extension which expired at the end of last year. Under previous iterations, only businesses with 50 or more employees were subject to the bill. As introduced, the Brooks bill would have expanded coverage of the Covid-19 leave requirements to businesses with 10 or more employees and extended the sunset provision of the requirement until December 31, 2023. After hearing some concerns from colleagues and meeting with representatives from the business community, Councilmember Brooks amended her bill to apply to businesses with 25 or more employees, stating that she firmly believed that this compromise struck an appropriate balance that would benefit employees and business owners alike.
Despite the amendment offered last week, members from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Diverse Chambers coalition testified against the bill. They stated that the bill would hurt small businesses still struggling to recover from the pandemic and that the sunset provision contained in the bill was too far out given that the City announced the lifting of mask mandates.
These concerns were echoed by a number of Councilmembers, many of whom questioned the impact on the city’s struggling hospitality and tourism industry and Black and brown-owned businesses. A number of members who expressed concerns stated that they would be voting for the bill, but that they wanted to monitor its real time impact on small businesses. When the bill was finally called up for a vote, it passed with a veto proof majority of 12-4, with members Allan Domb (D-AL), David Oh (R-AL), Brian O’Neill (R-10th) and Green (D-AL) voting no on the matter.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, March 10th at 10AM.
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 adding new provisions related to workforce housing programs. (Clarke)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing transfer of land located in the 2nd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 8th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank. (Bass)
📜 Charter Change
Bill - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Aviation. (Admin./Clarke)
Resolution - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Aviation. (Admin./Clarke)
🚦Streets
Bill striking from the City Plan and abandonment of a right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes. (Gauthier)
Bill - Authorizing the Streets Department to collect fees for costs incurred in reviewing plans for and constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks. (Admin./Clarke)
Bill revising the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services and exempting owner-occupied duplexes from the annual neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services fee requirements. (O’Neill)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Resolution conveying an interest in a redevelopment agreement for property located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution - Calling on Mayor Kenney to conduct an annual review of the impact of the elimination of the Rule of 2 on hiring and promotions in the city workforce. (Parker)
Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Wolf to raise or remove the cap on tax credits available for film tax credits in Pennsylvania. (Green)
Resolution authorizing the committees on Streets and Global Opportunities to hold hearings on public Electric Vehicle charging stations. (Oh)
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)
Resolution -Conveying an interest in a redevelopment agreement for property located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Resolution - Authorizing transfer of land located in the 2nd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - striking from the City Plan and abandonment of a right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Adding new provisions related to workforce housing programs.
Bill - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Aviation. (Admin.)
Resolution - Proposing an Amendment to the Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Aviation. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing the Streets Department to collect fees for costs incurred in reviewing plans for and constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks. (Admin.)
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 8th Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.
Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)
Resolution - Calling on Mayor Kenney to conduct an annual review of the impact of the elimination of the Rule of 2 on hiring and promotions in the city workforce.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill - revising the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services and exempting owner-occupied duplexes from the annual neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services fee requirements.
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Resolution - Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Wolf to raise or remove the cap on tax credits available for film tax credits in Pennsylvania.
Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)
Resolution - Authorizing the committees on Streets and Global Opportunities to hold hearings on public Electric Vehicle charging stations. (Oh)
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 220169 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 809 W. Firth Street and 2955 N. 8th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
🏆 220170 (Gilmore-Richardson): Declaring March 6 -13, 2022, during Women’s History Month, as Women in Construction (WIC) Week in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) for their commitment to support, increase, and advance the participation of women in construction, manufacturing, and transit careers in the Philadelphia region.
🏆 220171 (Jones): Honoring and congratulating Philadelphia native Arthur “Art” McNally, for his career’s astounding impact on modern football officiating and his revolutionary induction into the Pro- Football Hall of Fame as the first ever on-field official to be enshrined.
🏆 220172 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring former Philadelphia Eagles coach Richard Albert “Dick” Vermeil for his distinguished 15-year NFL coaching career and congratulating him on being inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
🏆 220173 (Johnson): Honoring the life and legacy of comedy legend Bob Saget, a Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, on the occasion of his passing.
🏆 220174 (Johnson): Recognizing Philadelphia’s own DJ Diamond Kutz for her selection as a co-host of the upcoming reboot of the seminal television program, “Yo! MTV Raps”.
🏆 220175 (Green): Recognizing Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law on the 125th Anniversary of its founding.
🏆 220176 (Brooks): Expressing the Philadelphia City Council’s firm support for workers at Starbucks in Philadelphia who are attempting to form a union, and urging Starbucks to accept card check neutrality.
🏆 220177 (Brooks): Honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Jacqueline “Jackie” Wiggins, whose dedication to serving, teaching, and advocating for marginalized populations has immeasurably strengthened Black communities and the City of Philadelphia as a whole.
🏆 220178 (Gauthier): Honoring the life and work of Reverend Dr. Evelyn C. Graves, for her lifetime of dedication to community activism and innovation in the creative and performing arts through the founding and leadership of Evelyn Graves Ministries.
🏆 220180 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week and Black Business Crawl organization, the Philadelphia 76ers Buy Black program, and past recipients Spergo and Girl Contracting, Inc.
🏆 220181 (Squilla): Recognizing and honoring Michael J. Bradley Jr. as the Grand Marshal of the 250th Annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
🏆 220182 (Bass): Honoring the Philadelphia Tennis Club for being the oldest Black-owned tennis club in the country.
🏆 220183 (Oh): Recognizing and honoring Dr. Delana Wardlaw and Dr. Elana McDonald - the “Twin Sister Docs” - for their outstanding contributions to the City of Philadelphia and crucial leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
🏆 220184 (Oh): Recognizing and celebrating March 6th as Lithuanian Independence Day in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 220### (Oh): Authorizing the committees on Streets and Global Opportunities to hold hearings on public Electric Vehicle charging stations.
Bills:
💸 210956-A (Green): Signifying the intention of the City of Philadelphia to organize the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority pursuant to authority established under state law…
💼 220051-A (Brooks): Amending Section 9-4116 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "2021 Public Health Emergency Leave," to establish additional leave time under certain circumstance, modify existing provisions concerning the paid sick leave
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Thursday, March 10th
Committee on Streets and Services, 1:00 PM - the Committee will hear testimony regarding Beets, Brine and Salt and the recipe for Philadelphia’s Streets in Winter.
Friday, March 11th
Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, 9:30 AM - the Committee will conduct hearings to examine the correlation between domestic violence and gun violence.
Monday, March 14th
Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation, 9:30 AM - the Committee will hold its quarterly hearing that include monthly reporting requirements and to discuss the fiscal position and overarching social impact goals of the City.
Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, 1:00 PM - the Committee will consider an ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the "Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park” in the City of Philadelphia.
💸 📆 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