City Hall Roll Call: May 26, 2022
City Hall Roll Call: May 26, 2022
Are retirees the answer to City staffing crisis?
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. 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 only three sessions remaining, Council continued its furious sprint towards summer by introducing dozens of bills and resolutions that it hopes to pass prior to recessing until the fall on June 23rd. Today’s focus was the growing citizen uproar over skyrocketing property assessments, as well as the ongoing hiring challenges for City departments.
Parker Offers Solution to City Hiring Crisis
Calling the severe staffing shortages hitting every City department, including Police, Fire and Prisons, a “black swan event,” Council Majority Leader Cherelle Parker (D-9th) introduced a bill designed to respond to the employment crisis that would provide “a short-term solution to fill vacancies and deliver City services in a more efficient and effective manner.”
Parkers proposal would allow the City to rehire retirees while allowing them to continue to collect their monthly pension. As explained by the bills’ sponsor
In order for the legislation to be implemented, the Mayor would have to declare that an extraordinary circumstance exists which threatens the public health, safety, and welfare of the City; and identify specific departments and types of employees that need to be rehired without having their pension benefits suspended, and then City Council would have to approve such a declaration with a resolution.
The legislation provides certain restrictions on reemployment. The retirees would be limited to three years of additional service and would not earn additional service credit under their pension plan. While the rehired retirees would not have to pay into the pension fund, they would have to make contributions to the applicable health and welfare fund and pay union dues during their period of rehiring. The bill would apply to all retired employees, including retired police officers. In a speech on the floor of Council, Parker stated that the plan was designed “to protect the fiscal integrity of the pension plan” and warned her colleagues that “we do not have the luxury of time to recruit and train employees in order to fill vacancies. We have a crisis now and must respond accordingly."
More Property Tax Relief Proposed
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd) introduced a package of bills designed to provide property tax relief to residents. Calling it the “Save Our Homes” tax relief plan, Johnson explained the seven points of the proposal, which he stated was “revenue neutral” to the City’s budget. In a speech on the floor, Johnson explained that his legislation would:
Double the Homestead Exemption from $45,000 to $90,000;
Expand the Senior Citizen tax freeze to allow for a retroactive freeze back to 2018 assessment levels;
Expand the Longtime Owner Occupied Program to fix the regressive formula for calculating eligibility and address homeowners who have seen their taxes rise over the years;
Require that the Office of Property Assessment publish data sooner;
Provide $2.5 million in funding for outreach to homeowners about their new assessments;
Provide $12 million in funding for rental assistance programs; and,
Provide $2 million in funding for legal assistance for low income residents.
With Council adjourned until June 9th, we can expect negotiations between the Administration and Council regarding the various outstanding property tax relief proposals and their impact on the Mayor’s proposed budget to ramp up considerably prior to its next Stated Meeting on June 9th. Legally, Council must pass a balanced budget prior to the start of the next fiscal year which begins on July 1.
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 transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
📜 Charter Change
Bill proposing an amendment to the Home Rule Charter to establish City Council oversight over real property assessment increases. (Oh)
Resolution accompanying the proposed Charter change to establish City Council oversight over real property assessment increases. (Oh)
👷♀️ Labor / Employment
Bill extending protections for displaced contract workers. (Squilla)
Bill providing that certain airport operating agreements for use of airport gates shall include prevailing wage provisions. (Johnson)
Bill modifying the circumstances when City of Philadelphia retirees continue to receive retirement benefits following reemployment, providing for other related benefit requirements, and…modifying the circumstances when City of Philadelphia retirees who are reemployed must contribute to their Health and Welfare Benefits and to any applicable union. (Parker)
🚦Streets
Bill providing for the regulation of parking along Washington Avenue. (Squilla)
Bill adding provisions related to the removal of newsstands. (Squilla)
Bill providing for the relocation of curb lines located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Bill striking a street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District from the City plan. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing a bike lane on Grays Ferry Avenue from 34th Street to Washington Avenue. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing an easement to PECO at 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue. (Johnson)
Bill providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill establishing no truck parking. (Gauthier)
Bill adding permissible location for Farmers’ Market. (Gauthier)
Bill establishing parking regulations for 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing encroachments in University City. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue. (Gauthier)
Bill striking a street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District from the City plan. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing the Streets Department to designate certain areas for parking meters, establish hours of parking, rates and penalties. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing encroachments for a pedestrian underpass on City Line Avenue. (Jones).
Bill authorizing existing bulk front encroachment. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill delegating authority to the Streets Department for the regulation of the movement and direction of traffic for certain streets in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill regulating the movement and direct of traffic for a street located in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill regulating the movement and direct of traffic for a street located in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill establishing a parking district in an area located in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill authorizing the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue. (Quiñones-Sánchez)
Bill establishing no truck parking. (Parker)
Bill striking a street located in the 9th Councilmanic District from the City plan. (Parker)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing the transfer of property and entry into a sublease for property near 12th and Wharton Streets. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing lease agreement for property located within the I-95 Right of Way for sublease to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. (Squilla / Admin.)
Bill authorizing a conveyance to the Commonwealth near Front and East Allen Streets. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing the Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia International Airport to enter into use and lease agreements with the airline carriers. (Johnson / Admin.)
Bill authorizing the City to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services for emergency medical services (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill authorizing the City’s Chief Information Officer to enter into a perpetual services agreement (for up to 60 months) to obtain hosting and management services for the One Philly payroll system. (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill authorizing the City to enter into a service agreement with the PEA to provide for the financing of an energy efficient street lighting system. (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill authorizing PGW to enter into an agreement for the lease of property. (Clarke / Admin).
Bill authorizing the City to file Block Grant applications with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill authorizing the Treasurer to enter into payroll service amendment with Citizen’s Bank. (Clarke / Admin.)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution confirming a Mayoral appointment to the Board of Education (Clarke / Admin.)
Resolution confirming a Mayoral appointment to the Board of Education (Clarke / Admin.)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill modifying the eligibility parameters of the Longtime Owner Occupied Program. (Johnson)
Bill expanding the disclosure obligations of the Office of Property Assessments. (Johnson)
Bill modifying the parameters for participation in the Senior Tax Freeze for low income seniors, including the deadline for application to the program. (Johnson)
Bill amending the allocation of the apportionment of income and receipts inside and outside of the city. (Clarke)
Bill providing for refund or forgiveness of real estate tax liability of certain low-income residents attributable to real estate tax increases and increases in the assessed value of the taxpayer’s homestead. (Clarke)
Bill amending the City’s action plan to add $42 million in Home American Rescue Plan funding. (Clarke / Admin).
Bill approving Philadelphia Gas Work’s FY2023 Capital Budget. (Clarke / Admin.)
Bill requiring the OPA to publicize its methodology and specific formula prior to certifying annual property assessments. (Oh)
Bill establishing a rebate for the early payment of taxes. (Oh)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings to examine the state of Philadelphia’s park system and the causes of the precipitous drop in Trust for Public Land's National Rankings for park systems. (Johnson)
Resolution calling on the Department of Public Health to use its resources to enforce tobacco retail provisions of the Philadelphia Code, including those applicable to Hookah.
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 - Authorizing the transfer of property and entry into a sublease for property near 12th and Wharton Streets.
Bill - Providing for the regulation of parking along Washington Avenue.
Bill - Authorizing lease agreement for property located within the I-95 Right of Way for sublease to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing a conveyance to the Commonwealth near Front and East Allen Streets.
Bill - Extending protections for displaced contract workers.
Bill - Adding provisions related to the removal of newsstands.
Bill - Relocation of curb lines located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing transfer of land located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill - Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia International Airport to enter into use and lease agreements with the airline carriers. (Admin.)
Bill - Providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Providing that certain airport operating agreements for use of airport gates shall include prevailing wage provisions.
Bill - Striking a street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District from the City plan.
Bill - Authorizing a bike lane on Grays Ferry Avenue from 34th Street to Washington Avenue.
Bill - Authorizing an easement to PECO at 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue.
Bill - Modifying the eligibility parameters of the Longtime Owner Occupied Program.
Bill - Expanding the disclosure obligations of the Office of Property Assessments.
Bill - Modifying the parameters for participation in the Senior Tax Freeze for low income seniors, including the deadline for application to the program.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings to examine the state of Philadelphia’s park system and the causes of the precipitous drop in Trust for Public Land's National Rankings for park systems.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Bill - Providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Providing for the revision of lines and grades of property located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Establishing no Truck Parking.
Bill - Adding permissible location for Farmers’ Market.
Bill - Parking regulations for 3rd Councilmanic District.
Bill - Authorizing encroachments in University City.
Bill - Authorizing the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue.
Bill - Striking a street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District from the City plan.
Bill - Authorizing the Streets Department to designate certain areas for parking meters, establish hours of parking, rates and penalties.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill - Authorizing encroachments for a pedestrian underpass on City Line Avenue.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Resolution - Confirming a Mayoral appointment to the Board of Education (Admin.)
Resolution - Confirming a Mayoral appointment to the Board of Education (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing the City to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services for emergency medical services (Admin.)
Bill - Amending the allocation of the apportionment of income and receipts inside and outside of the city.
Bill - Providing for refund or forgiveness of real estate tax liability of certain low-income residents attributable to real estate tax increases and increases in the assessed value of the taxpayer’s homestead.
Bill - Authorizing the City’s Chief Information Officer to enter into a perpetual services agreement (for up to 60 months) to obtain hosting and management services for the One Philly payroll system. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing the City to enter into a service agreement with the PEA to provide for the financing of an energy efficient street lighting system. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing PGW to enter into an agreement for the lease of property. (Admin).
Bill - Amending the City’s action plan to add $42 million in Home American Rescue Plan funding. (Admin).
Bill - Authorizing the City to file Block Grant applications with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Admin.)
Bill - Approving Philadelphia Gas Work’s FY2023 Capital Budget. (Admin.)
Bill - Authorizing the Treasurer to enter into payroll service amendment with Citizen’s Bank. (Admin.)
Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th)
Bill - Authorizing existing bulk front encroachment.
Bill - Delegating authority to the Streets Department for the regulation of the movement and direction of traffic for certain streets in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Regulating the movement and direct of traffic for a street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Regulating the movement and direct of traffic for a street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Establishing a parking district in an area located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Bill - Authorizing the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)
Bill - Modifying the circumstances when City of Philadelphia retirees continue to receive retirement benefits following reemployment, providing for other related benefit requirements, and…modifying the circumstances when City of Philadelphia retirees who are reemployed must contribute to their Health and Welfare Benefits and to any applicable union.
Bill - Establishing no truck parking.
Bill - Striking a street located in the 9th Councilmanic District from the City plan.
Resolution - Calling on the Department of Public Health to use its resources to enforce tobacco retail provisions of the Philadelphia Code, including those applicable to Hookah.
Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)
Bill - Requiring the OPA to publicize its methodology and specific formula prior to certifying annual property assessments.
Bill - Establishing a rebate for the early payment of taxes.
Bill - Proposing an amendment to the Home Rule Charter to establish City Council oversight over real property assessment increases.
Resolution - Companion resolution to proposed Charter change to establish City Council oversight over real property assessment increases.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 220460 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2453 N. Carlisle Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220461 (Clarke): Authorizing the transfer of twenty-eight (28) properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🗺️ 220462 (Clarke): Authorizing the transfer of 1446 N. Dover Street, 1446 N. Newkirk Street, 1629 N. Marston Street and 1631 N. Bailey Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🏆 220464 (Gym): Celebrating Philadelphia’s breakthrough, Grammy nominated, experimental pop band Japanese Breakfast for its pioneering sound and recent critical acclaim, and recognizing the band’s frontwoman, Michelle Zauner, a powerful voice for AAPI women and Korean Americans, whose best selling memoir, Crying in H Mart-a tribute to her late mother and the Korean food and culture that bound their love-has moved countless readers across the globe.
🏆 220465 (Jones): Naming the 5700 Block of Wyndale Avenue as “Lady B Way,” in honor of Lady B, to memorialize her legacy as a pioneer of hip hop and an award-winning radio personality.
🏆 220466 (Jones): Naming the 6100 Block of Vine Street as “Mimi Brown Way” in honor of Mimi Brown, a well-known on-air personality and a trailblazer in the radio industry for over 40 years.
🏆 220467 (Johnson): Celebrating June as Reentry Awareness Month in Philadelphia and recognizing the accomplishments of returning citizens across Philadelphia.
🏆 220468 (Johnson): Naming 15th Street, between Lombard and South Streets, “Wesley Way” to honor the historic Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church.
🏆 220469 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Recognizing the Month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220470 (Green): Recognizing the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.
🏆 220471 (Green): Recognizing May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 220472 (Green): Recognizing MenzFit on the occasion of their 15th Anniversary celebration and expressing gratitude for their service to the men of Philadelphia.
🏆 220473 (Domb): Honoring American sportswriter, author, screenwriter, radio personality, and sports commentator Ray Didinger on the announcement of his retirement from NBC Sports Philadelphia and 94.1 WIP SportsRadio and congratulating him on an exciting and legendary career serving as a Philadelphia sports media icon for fifty-three years.
🗺️ 220475 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5026 N. 7th Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
🏆 220476 (Bass): Renaming the 1700 Block of Hunting Park Avenue in front of Simon Gratz High School “Rasheed Wallace Road” to honor Rasheed Wallace, a philanthropist, former NBA player, and entrepreneur.
🗣️ 220477 (Oh): Requesting the National Constitution Center give consideration to awarding the Philadelphia Liberty Medal to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, for his courageous leadership in defense of democracy, freedom, and self-determination.
🏆 220478 (Oh): Recognizing and celebrating the 2022 Philippine Independence Week Celebration from June 4th to June 18th.
220### (Johnson): Authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings to examine the state of Philadelphia’s park system and the causes of the precipitous drop in Trust for Public Land's National Rankings for park systems.
🏆 220### (Gym): Recognizing and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Philadelphia’s first gay pride march as a celebration of LGBTQ+ liberation and declaring June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Bills:
💸 220168 (Clarke): Amending Section 2-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Office of Property Assessment; Chief Assessment Officers; Powers and Duties,” by further providing with respect to the manner in which assessments are determined for certain properties that are subject to resale restrictions; and by providing for additional reporting requirements with respect to such properties.
💸 220220 (Gilmore-Richardson): Amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Finance, Taxes and Collections,” by adding a new Chapter 19-4500, entitled “Annual Reporting Relating to Unclaimed Property.”
🔏 220359 (Clarke): Authorizing the City of Philadelphia to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract for the evaluation and implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures designed to reduce energy, or other measurable consumption or operating costs of the City’s municipal street lighting system.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Thursday, June 2nd
Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, 9:00 AM - Council will hold a hearing to examine the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional services, specifically barbershops and beauty salons; to assess the impact of the SABER grants administered by the Commerce Department; and to explore the creation of a new specialized grant program for barbershops and beauty salons.
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM - Council will take testimony on four bills: Bill No. 210868 which further defines the term single-use plastic bag and adds reporting provisions, Bill No. 220008 which adds provisions relating to investigations concerning property adjacent to or adjoining certain construction activities and the provision of notice to owners and residents of such properties, Bill No. 220384 which amends provisions relating to allowable time extensions on a construction permit, and, Bill No. 220415 which would require satisfaction of certain plumbing facilities and fixture requirements as means of certifying compliance with certain water quality requirements for issuance of special certificates of inspection.
Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia, at 1:00 PM, - the Committee will hold a public hearing regarding its final report of findings and recommendations.