Welcome to Thursday’s Tuesday’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. 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:
On Thursday, Mayor Jim Kenney delivered his seventh and penultimate budget address to Philadelphia City Council in a pre-recorded speech. The Mayor proposed $5.6 billion in spending, including a $184 million aimed at abating the city’s gun violence epidemic. Included in this funding are additional resources for Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants, modernizing the Police Department’s forensic unit and additional spending on Community Evening Resource Centers.
The Administration is not proposing any tax increases, however, the new citywide property reassessments are expected to be released this spring. With rising home values nationwide, accurate assessments could provide a windfall to the city’s coffers. In his speech, the Mayor stated,
[a]s we navigate the impacts of potentially increased real estate values, our Administration will continue to work closely with City Council on tax relief and reforms that are scaled to the magnitude of the changes as the data becomes available during the budget process.
The proposed budget includes additional investments in the Free Library, but fall short of what advocates say is needed to have a stable and fully functional system. Under the Mayor’s proposal, the Free Library system will add an additional $48 million over the course of the Five Year Plan. Free Library advocates and supporters say this $10 million annual investment is far short of the $30 million increase they are asking for to ensure “more staffing, improved building safety, access to services during the evenings and on weekends and so much more.”
While the Mayor’s budget does not propose any tax increases, Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL) introduced a “Wealth Tax” that she believes, citing a study by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, could generate an additional $200 million annually for the city. Per a press release, “The tax would enact a maximum rate of 0.4%, or $4 per $1,000 on the value of direct holdings in the stock market, excluding pensions, retirement accounts and checking and savings.” Councilmember Brooks received some high profile support for her proposal from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), but it remains to be seen where the rest of her colleagues stand on the proposal.
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 No. 220299: “An Ordinance amending Subcode ‘F’ of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘The Philadelphia Fire Code,’ to require the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in additional high-rise buildings, all under certain terms and conditions.”
Bill No. 220298: “An Ordinance to approve amendments to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Master Plan related to a new Proton Therapy Center building at 10800 Knights Road.”
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution No. 220301: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
🚦Streets / Utilities
Bill No. 220289: “An Ordinance requiring the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to convert certain water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure on West Country Club Road, Mimi Circle, and East Country Club Road, between Conshohocken Avenue to Conshohocken Avenue, and a portion of Lankenau Avenue, from private to public infrastructure.”
Bill No. 220290: “An Ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Water and Sewer,’ by adding a new Chapter 13-700, entitled ‘Conversion of Private Water, Sewer and Stormwater Lines to Public Ownership,’ to establish reporting, maintenance, improvement and repair requirements with respect to water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure converted to public ownership, all under certain terms and conditions.”
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Resolution No. 220308: “Authorizing the Hospital and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia (formerly known as the Hospitals Authority of Philadelphia), incorporated pursuant to the Municipality Authorities Act…to extend its term of existence.”
Bill No. 220293: “An Ordinance amending Bill No. 190412, entitled ‘An
Ordinance approving City participation in the Commonwealth’s Property Assessed Clean Energy Program…to modify the C-PACE program in conformity with Commonwealth legislation and to make other conforming changes.”
Bill No. 220294: “An Ordinance amending Bill No. 100163-AA, entitled ‘An Ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to organize an authority to be known as The Philadelphia Energy Authority, pursuant to the terms of the Municipalities Authorities Act of 2001… as amended, to reaffirm the responsibilities and powers of the Authority; authorizing and directing certain actions in connection with fulfilling the procedural requirements for the formal documentation of the related Articles of Amendment…”
👷♀️ Labor / Employment
Bill No. 220295: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 20-300 of The Philadelphia Code (‘Compensation and Benefits’) to provide for a program to incentivize the recruitment of certain City employees and to make other technical changes...”
Bill No. 220296: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 20-100 of the Philadelphia Code (‘General Provisions’) to revise the residence requirement of prospective City employees…”
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill No. 220284: “An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2023-2028 inclusive.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220285: “An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2023 Capital Budget.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220286: “An Ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220287: “An Ordinance amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Fees of Commissioner of Records,’ to increase certain fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220288: “An Ordinance amending Section 19-1403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Imposition of Tax,’ by creating a Philadelphia County Demolition Fund to increase and encourage economic development by demolishing blighted properties within the City, imposing a related fee for recorded documents and related items.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220292: “An Ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-
electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale…”
Resolution No. 220300: “Providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027…which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority...”
Bill No. 220291: “An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund…to the General Fund....”
Bill No. 220297: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-1100 of The Philadelphia Code (‘Personal Property Taxes’) to impose an annual tax on certain intangible personal property...”
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution No. 220303: “Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the use of technology to solve shootings in the neighborhoods surrounding the 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015.”
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
Bill No. 220299: “An Ordinance amending Subcode ‘F’ of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘The Philadelphia Fire Code,’ to require the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in additional high-rise buildings, all under certain terms and conditions.”
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill No. 220289: “An Ordinance requiring the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to convert certain water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure on West Country Club Road, Mimi Circle, and East Country Club Road, between Conshohocken Avenue to Conshohocken Avenue, and a portion of Lankenau Avenue, from private to public infrastructure.”
Bill No. 220290: “An Ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Water and Sewer,’ by adding a new Chapter 13-700, entitled ‘Conversion of Private Water, Sewer and Stormwater Lines to Public Ownership,’ to establish reporting, maintenance, improvement and repair requirements with respect to water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure converted to public ownership, all under certain terms and conditions.”
Resolution No. 220303: “Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the use of technology to solve shootings in the neighborhoods surrounding the 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015.”
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill No. 220284: “An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2023-2028 inclusive.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220285: “An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2023 Capital Budget.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220286: “An Ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220287: “An Ordinance amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Fees of Commissioner of Records,’ to increase certain fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220288: “An Ordinance amending Section 19-1403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Imposition of Tax,’ by creating a Philadelphia County Demolition Fund to increase and encourage economic development by demolishing blighted properties within the City, imposing a related fee for recorded documents and related items.” (Admin.)
Bill No. 220292: “An Ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-
electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale…”
Resolution No. 220300: “Providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027…which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority...”
Resolution No. 220301: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th)
Bill No. 220291: “An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund…to the General Fund....”
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Resolution No. 220308: “Authorizing the Hospital and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia (formerly known as the Hospitals Authority of Philadelphia), incorporated pursuant to the Municipality Authorities Act…to extend its term of existence.”
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill No. 220298: “An Ordinance to approve amendments to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Master Plan related to a new Proton Therapy Center building at 10800 Knights Road.”
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
Bill No. 220297: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-1100 of The Philadelphia Code (‘Personal Property Taxes’) to impose an annual tax on certain intangible personal property...”
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Bill No. 220293: “An Ordinance amending Bill No. 190412, entitled ‘An
Ordinance approving City participation in the Commonwealth’s Property Assessed Clean Energy Program…to modify the C-PACE program in conformity with Commonwealth legislation and to make other conforming changes.”
Bill No. 220294: “An Ordinance amending Bill No. 100163-AA, entitled ‘An Ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to organize an authority to be known as The Philadelphia Energy Authority, pursuant to the terms of the Municipalities Authorities Act of 2001… as amended, to reaffirm the responsibilities and powers of the Authority; authorizing and directing certain actions in connection with fulfilling the procedural requirements for the formal documentation of the related Articles of Amendment…”
Bill No. 220295: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 20-300 of The Philadelphia Code (‘Compensation and Benefits’) to provide for a program to incentivize the recruitment of certain City employees and to make other technical changes...”
Bill No. 220296: “An Ordinance amending Chapter 20-100 of the Philadelphia Code (‘General Provisions’) to revise the residence requirement of prospective City employees…”
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🏆 220252 (Brooks): Resolution honoring and recognizing the contributions of service worker, administrator, and faith leader, Bonnie Camarda, whose leadership and talent for relationship-building has bolstered the work of Philadelphia’s most instrumental public interest organizations, uplifted Philadelphia’s Latino community, and empowered underserved populations across the City.
🏆 220253 (Brooks): Resolution honoring and recognizing the voice, vision, and contributions of movement activist and organizer Ellen Somekawa, whose fearless and transformative leadership within Philadelphia’s Asian American community has advanced major victories for racial and economic justice, built multiracial coalitions across the City, founded historic institutions, and redefined Asian American activism particularly in the area of youth leadership, education justice, and civil rights
🗣️ 220262 (Gilmore-Richardson): Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt the Whole-Home Repairs Act (Senate Bill 1135) and thanking Senator Nikil Saval for his commitment to creating safe, efficient, resilient housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
🏆 220263 (Gym): Resolution declaring March 31, 2022 as International Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220273 (Thomas): Resolution honoring and congratulating Women’s History Month’s Champion of the Week, Masterman Girls Swim Team on the league championship, and the 10 Philadelphia Public League Girls Swimmers on qualifying for the PIAA State Championships.
🏆 220274 (Oh): Resolution recognizing and honoring the life and service of Pennsylvania State Troopers Martin F. Mack III and Branden T. Sisca.
🏆 220275 (Oh): Resolution urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens.
⚖️ 220303 (Jones): Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the use of technology to solve shootings in the neighborhoods surrounding the 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, April 8th
Committee on Streets, 10:00 AM - The Streets Committee will hear six bills regarding rights of way and the revision of lines and grades, including a bill that would revise “the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services.” (220190)
Monday, April 11th
Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, 1:00 PM - The Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to better understand the local purchasing goal set by the Administration in response to Council Member Thomas’s Keep it Local bill.
Thursday, May 5th
Public Safety (Agenda not yet published), 2:00 PM - The Public Safety Committee will hear Bill No. 210802 to authorize Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles and Resolution No. 220232 “to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures, and potential solutions necessary to address the widespread illegal dumping taking place in the City of Philadelphia, and to explore ways to collaborate with City agencies to address this problem.”
💸 📆 Budget Hearing Calendar (as of 3/25/22)
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Five-Year Plan
Capital Program
Mayor’s Office (including Deputy Mayors and Office of Labor)
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Finance Director
Tax Bills, Budget, Revenue, Treasurer, Sinking Fund, Pensions
Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Office of Property Assessments
Board of Revision of Taxes
Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Public Testimony - Tax Bills
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
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Department Callbacks