City Hall Roll Call: May 19, 2022
Property Tax Relief Proposed
About last week…
We’re sorry to have missed (for the first time!) City Hall Roll Call last week. I was traveling internationally and was unable to produce the newsletter. This week’s newsletter includes the bills and resolutions passed at last week’s session for those keeping their 👀 on specific legislative matters.
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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:
In addition to picking the party nominees for the November election, voters approved four City Council ballot measures on Tuesday, including a Charter change that makes three major changes to the the current Zoning Board of Adjustment whose members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The ZBA bill increases the number of members from five (5) to seven (7), requires certain qualifications for service and would require City Council approval of any Mayoral appointees. Ballot measures making Philadelphia’s laws gender neutral and enshrining the Fair Housing Commission permanently in the Charter were also approved by voters.
Today’s Council session was the busiest for introductions so far this year, a sure fire sign that its summer recess is drawing closer. With only four Council Stated Meetings left on the calendar, Councilmembers introduced a slew of bills and resolutions with hopes of passing their legislation prior to the final June 23rd session date.
Property Tax Hike Relief Proposed
With the newly released property assessments generating significant ire amongst residents, Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th) introduced legislation to increase the City’s Homestead exemption. While Mayor Jim Kenney’s budget proposal would raise the Homestead exemption from $45,000 to $65,000, O’Neill’s bill would increase the exemption to the maximum allowed by state law, $90,000 or fifty percent (50%) of the median assessed value of properties granted a Homestead exemption. The current Homestead exemption saves homeowners about $629 annually on their Real Estate Tax bill. O’Neill’s proposal is in response to the Office of Property Assessments release of the new citywide property values last week and the City’s 31% overall increase in valuation.
Delaware River Waterfront Park Authorization Introduced
The Administration sent City Council two pieces of legislation to advance the construction of a public park at Penn’s Landing that would cap part of I-95. The legislation, introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st) on behalf of the Kenney Administration, would amend zoning in the waterfront parts of Old City in order to “facilitate development of public open space” above I-95 and Delaware Avenue and would authorize the City’s Department of Public Property to take necessary administrative action to facilitate the development of the Delaware River waterfront. As reported by WHYY, the ambitious capping project has suffered significant delays as a result of engineering complexities, complicated land use approvals and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project rendering courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.
Prison Gerrymandering Fix Introduced
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) fulfilled Council’s commitment to address the issue of “prison gerrymandering” that Council declined to incorporate when it passed new district drawn boundaries earlier this year. The issue stems from jurisdictions counting individuals as residents in the correctional facilities where they are incarcerated, rather than at their listed home addresses. Citing lack of necessary population data, Council delayed taking action on the issue in February when it considered the redistricting bills. Today’s introduction should address the concerns raised by residents advocates during public hearings, without requiring Council to amend the boundaries of the newly drawn districts.
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 zoning in the Old City area to facilitate development of public open space above I-95 and Delaware Avenue. (Squilla / Admin.)
Bill authorizing Public Property to make changes to leases and authorize conveyances to facilitate the development of the Delaware River waterfront. (Squilla / Admin.)
Bill amending provisions of the SPMH (“South Philadelphia Municipal Hub”) Overlay District. (Squilla / Admin.)
Bill amending zoning in the area of 39th and Ludlow Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill amending zoning in the area of Woodland and 49th Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill amending zoning in the area of Arch and 50th Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill amending the “Transit Oriented Development” Overlay to designate additional TOD stations. (Gauthier)
Bill amending zoning in the area of Cottman and Oxford Avenues in the 9th Councilmanic District. (Parker)
Bill revising the “Ninth District” Overlay. (Parker)
Bill providing a height allowance for solar collectors. (Green)
🏘️ Housing
Bill providing for limited expansion of single room residences. (Green)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing a bike lane on West Market Street from 20th to 23rd Streets. (Clarke)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
Bill authorizing the vacating of a city street located in the 10th Councilmanic District. (O’Neill)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization / Adoptions / Approvals
Resolution adopting the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official Hazard Mitigation Plan of the City of Philadelphia. (Clarke / Admin.)
Resolution approving the Rebuild Project statements for years 2020, 2021 and 2022. (Clarke).
Bill amending the population counts of Councilmanic district to incorporate prisoner data. (Clarke)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill increasing the amount of the Homestead exclusion. (O’Neill)
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)
Bill - Amending zoning in the Old City area to facilitate development of public open space above I-95 and Delaware Avenue.
Bill - Authorizing Public Property to make changes to leases and authorize conveyances to facilitate the development of the Delaware River waterfront.
Bill - Amending provisions of the SPMH (“South Philadelphia Municipal Hub”) Overlay District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Amending zoning in the area of 39th and Ludlow Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Amending zoning in the area of Woodland and 49th Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Amending zoning in the area of Arch and 50th Streets in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Amending the “Transit Oriented Development” Overlay to designate additional TOD stations.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Authorizing a bike lane on West Market Street from 20th to 23rd Streets.
Resolution - Adopting the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official Hazard Mitigation Plan of the City of Philadelphia. (Admin.)
Resolution - Approving the Rebuild Project statements for years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Bill - Amending the population counts of Councilmanic district to incorporate prisoner data.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of city-owned land in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Bill - Authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)
Bill - Amending zoning in the area of Cottman and Oxford Avenues in the 9th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Revising the “Ninth District” Overlay.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill - Authorizing the vacating of a city street located in the 10th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Increasing the amount of the Homestead exclusion.
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Bill - Providing for limited expansion of single room residences.
Bill - Providing a height allowance for solar collectors.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 220422 (Bass): Urging the School District of Philadelphia to enhance its maternity leave program.
🏆 220426 (Gym): Honoring twelve of Philadelphia’s emerging Asian American leaders: Lan Dinh, Chi-Ser Tran, Neil Makhija, Dr. Esther Hio-Tong Castillo, Stephanie Sun, Anne Ishii, Jennie Nam, Sreymum Sok, Sinta Storms, Thi Lam, Sheila Maddali, and Maia Weintraub for their deep commitment to empowering their communities, and their work in fighting for food sovereignty, dismantling barriers in social services, expanding economic opportunity and justice, investing in community-based arts, advancing representation in sports, and protecting civil rights on the occasion of Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month.
🏆 220427-A (Gym): Honoring Philadelphia-born author, podcaster, cultural critic, media trailblazer, and Peabody award winner Phil Yu, founder of “Angry Asian Man,” a destination website on Asian American pop culture, politics, sports, and more, and co-author of the New York Times best seller Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the 90s to Now.
🏆 220428 (Jones): Celebrating Joel Embiid as MVP: “Most Valuable Philadelphian.”
🗣️ 220430 (Johnson): Urging the United States Congress to pass the Judiciary Act of 2021, to restore the integrity of the United States Supreme Court by adding four new seats.
🗣️ 220431 (Green): Calling upon the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass HB140, the Parking Protected Bike Lane and Plaza bill, to empower municipalities to buffer bike lanes with parking on state roads.
🏆 220432 (Green): Recognizing May 15-20, 2022 as the inaugural Multicultural Media Professionals Week in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220433 (Green): Applauding Philadelphia’s selection as a participant city in the Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative.
🏆 220434 (Oh): Honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who passed away on May 3, 2022, during Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
🏆 220435 (Gauthier): Designating May 15, 2022 the Inaugural Day of Serenity in the City of Philadelphia, providing communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence the opportunity to gather in peace and healing.
🔏 220### (Clarke / Admin): Adopting the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official Hazard Mitigation Plan of the City of Philadelphia.
Bills
🏗️ 210685-AA (Green): Amending Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 (The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code) of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section A-703, entitled “Special Certificate of Inspection,” to enhance building safety requirements for educational occupancies.
🚦210802 (Clarke): Amending Section 12-1120 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Abandoned Vehicles,” to authorize Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at the May 12th Stated Meeting
Resolutions:
🗺️ 220385 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer title to the Philadelphia Land Bank of various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220386 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer title to the Philadelphia Land Bank of various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
🏆 220388 (Gym): Honoring twelve of Philadelphia’s trailblazing Asian American leaders: Lily Yeh, Aisha Khan, Ali Zakar and Nanjeen Kabita, Hor Chou, Pastor Aldo Siahaan, Anna Perng, Nancy Nguyen, Su Ming Yeh, Chef Chris Cho, Wei Chen, and Le-Quyen Vu for their transformative work in building community, expanding educational opportunity, preserving culture and the arts, investing in youth leadership, and upholding civil rights on the occasion of Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month.
🗺️ 220389 (Johnson): Authorizing transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank of title to 3009 Wharton Street, 1554 S. Dover Street, 6052 Kingsessing Avenue, 6050 Kingsessing Avenue, 1926 S 60th Street & 6032 Chester Avenue, in the Second Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220390 (Johnson): Authorizing transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank of title to 2628 Titan Street and 2630 Titan Street in the Second Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220391 (Johnson): Authorizing transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank of title to 1900-02 Point Breeze Avenue and 2111 Sigel Street in the Second Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220392 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1210, 1212 and 1214 S. 27th Street, 2723, 2725, 2727, 2729, 2731, 2733, 2735, 2737 and 2739 Ingram Street, 2704, 2706, 2710, 2712, 2716, 2720, 2724, 2726, 2738 and 2740 Manton Street, 2705 and 2720 Oakford Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220393 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1543 S. Dover Street, 1545 S. Dover Street, 1547 S. Dover Street, 1549 S. Dover Street, 1551 S. Dover Street, 1553 S. Dover Street, 1554 S. Dover Street, 1555 S. Dover Street, 1540-54 S. Myrtlewood Street, and 1546 S. 30th Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220394 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District.
🏆 220395 (Green): Recognizing and congratulating Barbara Silzle for her years of dedicated, vital, and transformative leadership as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.
🏆 220396-A (Brooks): Honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Shakeda Gaines, whose years of service as President of the Philadelphia Home and School Council has immeasurably shaped parent and family engagement in public schools, set a precedent for how to incorporate social justice values into positions of leadership, and established a clear expectation for how public schools should educate, inspire, and empower students and families in Philadelphia.
🏆 220397 (Brooks): Honoring the 125th anniversary of the education justice and parent and caregiver advocacy organization, the Philadelphia Home and School Council, which continues its long legacy of establishing diverse and representative Home and School Associations, sponsoring workshops to train advocates, and empowering marginalized school communities, by giving Philadelphians voice and power in the decisions that shape their childrens’ schooling.
🏆 220398 (Gauthier): Renaming the 4000 block of Filbert Street “Elsie Wise Way,” to honor the life and legacy of Elsie Wise, civic leader and founder of the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Team.
🏆 220399 (Thomas) Honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Neumann-Goretti High School’s Girls Basketball team, on their successful 2021-2 season and winning the 2022 PIAA Girls’ Basketball 3A Championship title.
🏆 220400 (Oh): Proclaiming May 2022 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our country, state, and city.
🏆 220401 (Oh): Recognizing and honoring the Settlement Music School on the occasion of its 114th anniversary.
⚖️ 220### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings addressing the findings of the Enough is Enough gun violence service.
Bills:
🏘️ 220186 (Clarke): Amending Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Community Development,” by adding new provisions related to workforce housing programs, amending the applicability period, and making other technical changes.
👷♀️ 220261 (Clarke): Amending Section 20-101 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Residence Requirements,” by clarifying that temporary residence outside the City, including for military service or educational purposes, does not prevent a person, including a police recruit, from meeting the Residence Requirement.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Thursday, May 19th
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 1:00 PM - Council will consider Bill No. 210677, “modifying when notice must be given regarding demolitions,” Bill No. 210740, “to create a license requirement for Mechanical System Contractors and to modify licensing requirements applicable to Sheet Metal Systems Technicians,” Bill No. 220110 “to add additional requirements for the issuance of demolition permits for structures currently or previously used as religious facilities,” Bill No 220115 “to modify licensing requirements applicable to Fire Suppression System Workers,” and, Bill No. 220221 “to revise definitions related to drinking fountains and water dispensers.”
Friday, May 20th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the Committee will consider a bill entitled the “/AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District” to add certain areas, within the area bounded by Haverford Avenue, 38th Street, Walnut Street and 46th Street, to the district and making other changes (Bill No. 220007).
Monday, May 23rd
Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, 10:00 AM - the Committee will consider Bill No. 220337, to add “Employee Commuter Transit Benefit Programs,” to require certain employers to provide a mass transit and bicycle commuter benefit program.
Committee on Law and Government, 1:00 PM - the Committee will consider ten (10) matters, including amendments to campaign finance and ethics rules, and Charter changes related to local hiring, the creation of a Department of Aviation and a Division of Jobs and Training Opportunities within the Department of Commerce.
💸 📆 Budget Hearing Calendar (as of 5/13/22)
Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
First Judicial District
Law Department
Art Museum
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Public Testimony
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022
Morning and Afternoon (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
School District of Philadelphia
Office of Property Assessment
Police Department