City Hall Roll Call: March 30th, 2023
Council to look at impact of Short Term Rental regulations
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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 budget hearings underway, Council’s attention is focused on vetting the Mayor’s proposed FY24 budget. Budget season coupled with the fact that the municipal election is only forty-seven days away, has resulted in few broad policy proposals introduced in the last few weeks. Rather, Council has stuck to regular business, clearing its calendar of ministerial ordinances, city land transfers and other routine authorizations.
Traffic Calming Legislation Passed
At today’s session, advocates for safe streets celebrated the passage of Bill No. 230103, which authorizes the Department of Streets to install traffic calming measures in the vicinity of schools. Testifying in support of the bill was Mount Airy resident Mack Duncan. Duncan told Councilmembers that he and neighbors have been working for the last six years to slow the traffic near their neighborhood school, Hill-Freedman. Even with flashing 15 MPH warning lights, Duncan noted that people still speed, going so fast as to flip a car in front of the school. Duncan thanked Council for its work on the issue and asked them to continue to “cut the red tape for traffic calming.”
Hearing on Short Term Rental Market
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 5th to examine the impact of new regulations on the short term rental market in Philadelphia. In recent years, Philadelphia has tightened regulations on the market by requiring certain licenses and zoning compliance. The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL), states that “the Licensing and Inspections process as well as the zoning process recently imposed is showing heavier than expected impacts on owners of color in particular and a heavy depressive impact on the short term rental sector at large.” No changes to current regulations are currently being considered by the body. This hearing will likely serve as a fact finding mission for any further amendments to the Short Term Rental law.
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 disposition of land in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
🚦Streets
Bill establishing a no truck parking zone in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill supplementing a service agreement with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority related to a Neighborhood Transformation program. (Clarke)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing an individual to the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending a general obligation bond ordinance. (Clarke)
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: Appointing an individual to the Old City Special Services District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill: Establishing a no truck parking zone in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill: Establishing parking regulations in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Bill: Amending a general obligation bond ordinance.
Bill: Supplementing a service agreement with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority related to a Neighborhood Transformation program.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
Resolution: Authorizing the disposition of land in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Bills:
🚦 220906 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 67th Street between Callowhill Street and Girard Avenue.
🚦 220939 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 63rd Street between Malvern Avenue and Wynnewood Road.
🚦 220943 (Johnson): Authorizing the paving of 34th Street from Maiden Lane to Jackson Street, Forten Way from Maiden Lane to Jackson Street, and Jackson Street from 34th Street to Vare Avenue.
🚦 220944 (Johnson): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 24-S, 25-S and 32-S by relocating the existing curblines and houselines along the western side of Vare Avenue from Maiden Lane to 28th Street, along the southern side of Maiden Lane from 34th Street to Vare Avenue, and at the intersection of Vare Avenue and Maiden Lane to accommodate the widening of certain streets and various intersection improvements, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of all widened portions of the aforementioned streets.
🚦 220945 (Johnson): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on portions of City Plan Nos. 25-S and 32-S by placing on the City Plan 34th Street from Maiden Lane to Jackson Street, Forten Way from Maiden Lane to Jackson Street, and Jackson Street from 34th Street to Vare Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the said beds of 34th Street, Forten Way, and Jackson Street.
🚦 220946 (Johnson): Authorizing the striking from City Plan Nos. 25-S and 32-S and abandonment of a certain right-of-way reserved for sewer and drainage purposes, located along the former Jackson Street, west of Vare Avenue, and extending westwardly therefrom to 34th Street.
🚦 220947 (Johnson): Authorizing the paving of Frances Harper Drive from Passyunk Avenue to Penrose Avenue, Hartranft Street from 26th Street to Schuylkill Avenue, Schuylkill Avenue from Passyunk Avenue to Penrose Avenue, and an extension of Passyunk Avenue Service Road (aka Frontage Road) from its current terminus to Schuylkill Avenue.
🚦 220948 (Johnson): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 32-S, 33-S, 39-S, 40-S, 46-S, 47-S, and 53-S by relocating the existing curblines and houselines along the southern side of Passyunk Avenue at its intersections with South 28th Street and Passyunk Avenue Service Road (aka Frontage Road), along both sides of Passyunk Avenue Service Road (aka Frontage Road) at its intersections with Frances Harper Drive and Passyunk Avenue, along the western side of 26th Street and center median of South 26th Street at its intersections with Passyunk Avenue, Hartranft Street and Penrose Avenue, along both sides of the northwesterly Service Road of Penrose Avenue (aka Lanier Avenue), and along the northern side of Penrose Avenue and center median of Penrose Avenue at its intersections with the northwesterly Service Road of Penrose Avenue (aka Lanier Avenue), Frances Harper Drive, Schuylkill Avenue, and 26th Street, to accommodate various intersection improvements, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of all widened portions of the aforementioned streets.
🚦 220949 (Johnson): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on portions of City Plan Nos. 32-S, 33-S, 40-S, 47-S, 48-S, 53-S, and 56-S by placing on the City Plan Frances Harper Drive from Passyunk Avenue to Penrose Avenue, Hartranft Street from 26th Street to Schuylkill Avenue, Schuylkill Avenue from Passyunk Avenue to Penrose Avenue, and an extension of Passyunk Avenue Service Road (aka Frontage Road) to Schuylkill Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the said beds of Frances Harper Drive, Hartranft Street, Schuylkill Avenue, and the said extension of Passyunk Avenue Service Road (aka Frontage Road).
🚦 220950 (Johnson): Authorizing the striking from City Plan Nos. 40-S, 47-S, 48-S, 53-S, and 56-S and abandonment of certain rights-of-way reserved for water and gas main purposes, located along the former Lanier Avenue from Penrose Avenue to former Schuylkill Avenue and located along the former Schuylkill Avenue from Lanier Avenue to Passyunk Avenue.
🚦 220968 (Phillips): Amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts,” to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Ninth District of Council.
🚦 220970 (Jones): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 167 by relocating the curblines and a portion of the southerly houseline of Arch Street, between Sixty-Third Street and Gross Street, in order to conform more closely with existing conditions, and by striking from the City Plan Arch Street from Gross Street to Sixty-Fourth Street and authorizing the opening of the area being added to the bed of Arch Street, being land owned by the City.
🚦 220971 (Johnson): Establishing a two-way regulation on the southwesterly cartway of Vare Avenue, extending along the southwesterly side of The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), from South 28th Street to Maiden Lane, and establishing a two-way regulation on South 28th Street, from Vare Avenue to Porter Street.
🚦 230002 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of North 57th Street between Lansdowne Avenue and Media Street.
🚦 230003 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of North Parkside Avenue between Wynnefield Avenue and Monument Road.
🚦 230009 (O'Neill): Amending Chapter 12-2800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations,” by further providing with respect to monetary penalties for on-street parking of semitrailers and truck tractors.
🚦 230033 (Gauthier): Authorizing the vacating of Sloan Street from Ogden Street to its terminus northwardly therefrom and the reserving and plotting upon City Plan No. 106 of a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes and public utility purposes within the lines of said Sloan Street being vacated and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way.
🚦 230035 (O'Neill): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 370 by striking from the City Plan Southampton Road from Bustleton Avenue to its terminus southeastwardly therefrom.
🚦 230078 (Gauthier): Authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 3317-33 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
🚦 230103 (Phillips): Amending Chapter 11-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Right-of-Way Management,” by authorizing the Department of Streets to install traffic calming measures in the vicinity of School District schools, Charter schools, and private schools.
🔏 230108 (Clarke): Authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into a concession agreement with Slice Wireless Solutions, Inc. for the operation, maintenance and expansion of a neutral-host radio, cellular and WiFi system and other wireless services.
🚦 230128 (Clarke): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 125 by placing on the City Plan Boston Place from Tenth Street to Eleventh Street, north of York Street
🚦 230130 (Jones): Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 66th Street between Morris Park Road and Sherwood Road.
🚦 230131 (Johnson): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Mifflin street, and S. 20th street; S. 17th street, between Wolf street and Jackson street; S. 18th street and Snyder avenue; Mole street, between Moore street and McKean street; Carlisle street and Jackson street; Rosewood street and Tasker street.
🚦 230153 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Morris street and S. 6th street; Fernon street and S. 6th street; S. 7th street and Wharton street; Latona street and S. 12th street; Ellsworth street and S. 12th street; Broad street and Dickinson street; Annin street and S. 7th street.
🚦 230154 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Passyunk avenue to Queen street; Queen street and S. 5th street; Washington avenue to S. Front street; League street and S. Front street.
🚦 230155 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Daly street and S. 8th street; Emily street and S. 6th street; McKean street and S. 6th street to S. 9th street; Mifflin street and S. 7th street; Warnock street and McKean street.
Resolutions:
🗣️ 230225 (Jones): Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to temporarily suspend firearm preemption for cities of the first class to allow Philadelphia to enforce measures that will reduce gun violence.
🏆 230344 (Clarke): Naming the 1700 block of West Montgomery Avenue, as “Christopher Fitzgerald Way”, to honor the life and sacrifice of Temple University Police Sergeant, Christopher David Fitzgerald, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on February 18, 2023.
🏆 230### (Gilmore-Richardson): Celebrating selection of Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu for the One Book One Philadelphia program.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring Champion of the Week Giana Massi for her successes as a student athlete.
🏆 230### (Brooks): Honoring and recognizing Joann Bell for her decades of service.
🏆 230### (Brooks): Declaring 3/31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility in Philadelphia.
🏆 230### (Gauthier): Proclaiming March 2023 as National Social Work Month.
🏆 230### (Squilla): Recognizing April as Arab American Heritage Month.
🏆 230### (Squilla): Declaring May 2023 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia.
🏆 230### (Squilla): Honoring the American Planning Association and declaring April 1 City Planning day in the city of Philadelphia.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Wednesday, April 5th
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM - Council will hold hearings examining the impact of new regulations on the short term rental market in Philadelphia
📆 Budget Schedule (Updated: 3/20/2023)
Monday, April 3rd
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Streets Department
Licenses and Inspections
Office of Public Property
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Prisons
Fleet Management
Tuesday, April 4th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Law Department
District Attorney’s Office
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Sheriff
First Judicial District
Tuesday, April 11th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Managing Director’s Office
Police
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Behavioral Health
Public Health
Office of Homeless Services
Wednesday, April 12th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Chief Administrative Office
Office of Procurement
Office of Human Resources
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Office of Innovation & Technology
Planning and Development
Tuesday, April 18th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Commerce Department
Aviation Department
Mural Arts Program
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Fire Department
Public Testimony – Tax Bills
Wednesday, April 19th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Mayor’s Office of Children & Families
Parks & Recreation
Department of Human Services
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Sustainability
Philadelphia Energy Authority
Free Library
Tuesday, April 25th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Register of Wills
City Controller
City Commissioners
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
SEPTA
Water Department
Defender’s Association
Wednesday, April 26th
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Department Callbacks
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony
Tuesday, May 2nd
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM) / Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
School District of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia
Wednesday, May 3rd
Morning Session (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM) / Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony - School District of Philadelphia