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.
Session Recap:
With budget in full swing, today’s Council Stated Meeting was relatively straightforward, with a few noteworthy introductions. Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) transmitted a number of resolutions related to the city’s capital budget and the Airport, which were introduced on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd). Johnson also introduced a number of Council appointments to the city’s beleaguered Land Bank, on the heels of the Mayor’s new appointments to the agency.
Board of Education Debate Continues
This week’s Council news cycle was dominated by City Council’s rejection of one of Mayor Parker’s nominees to the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia. On Monday, Council formally withdrew the resolution for Joyce Wilkerson after she failed to garner the requisite nine votes needed to approve her reappointment. Shortly following Council’s action, Mayor Parker announced that she had asked Wilkerson to remain on the board until a replacement was nominated and approved by Council.
Today, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL), one of the more vocal opponents of Wilkerson’s reappointment, introduced a resolution authorizing hearings to “explore alternatives to the current school board model.” The current model, under which the School District is overseen by a nine-member board appointed by the Mayor upon advice and consent of Council, was implemented in 2018. Prior to that the School District was overseen by the School Reform Commission, a state created body whose five members were appointed by the Governor and Mayor. Thomas is not the first Councilmember to call into question the current system, with former Councilmember and Mayoral candidate David Oh advocating for an elected board.
Tracking Funding in Kensington
Continuing her targeted focus on the addiction crisis in Kensington, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th) introduced a resolution “requesting the City Controller to conduct a performance audit on all allocations and funding distributed by the City in the Kensington area, and examine the policies and procedures of the recipients and their impact on the City of Philadelphia.” The resolution notes that millions of dollars have been and will be made available to addressing the issues facing Kensington. It provides,
With so much invested in the Kensington area, the residents who call Kensington home are hoping for a positive return on these investments and by evaluating the allocation of these funds, it will help determine if they align with the needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, By examining the policies, procedures and the impact of the recipients of the funding, it will help determine if they are effective and efficient in achieving their intended results; and
WHEREAS, With the findings of the Controller, the hope is to identify any areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to better serve the Kensington community that has been long overlooked.
Composting Facility Approved
Council also formally approved a lease agreement between the City of Philadelphia and Bennett Composting for the lease of a city owned building to be used as a composting center. Under the lease agreement, Bennett Composting will operate the facility and provide collection and composting of food waste from City facilities and events.
City Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 10 AM.
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 Philadelphia Code Section 14-104, providing further provisions on nonconforming structures. (Young)
Bill amending Title 4 of the Building Code to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees. (Phillips)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution transfering land located in the 8th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Bass)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing a sidewalk cafe at 944 North 2nd Street. (Squilla)
Bill amending zoning map, Snyder, 6th Street, Cantrell and 7th. (Squilla)
Bill adding a permissible farmers market location in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing the installation of various encroachments in Manayunk. (Jones)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Resolution authorizing the Chief Information Officer to enter into a cable TV franchise renewal agreement with Verizon Fios. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing the City Treasurer to enter into an amended agreement for payroll banking services with Citizens Bank. (Johnson)
Bill amending Title 17 to modify requirements for not for profit vendors. (Gilmore-Richardson)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing Jennifer Greenburg to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Michael Johns to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Maria Gonzalez to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Andre Goodman to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Nicholas Dema to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Johnson)
💸 Finance / Budget
Resolution initiating action to continue a neighborhood improvement district, East Passyunk BID. (Squilla)
Bill continuing the East Passyunk Business Improvement District. (Squilla)
Bill amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance. (Johnson)
Bill amending Gas Works Bond Ordinance. (Johnson)
Bill amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance. (Johnson)
Bill amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing bond sale for capital funding. (Johnson)
Bill approving an amendment to the FY24 PGW Capital Budget. (Johnson)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution requesting the City Controller to conduct a performance audit on all allocations and funding distributed by the City in the Kensington area, and examine the policies and procedures of the recipients and their impact in the City of Philadelphia.
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings on ensuring recreation centers have the full complement of staff needed to respond to the diverse challenges of Philadelphia neighborhoods.. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to explore alternatives to the current school board model. (Thomas)
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)
R: Initiating action to continue a neighborhood improvement district, East Passyunk BID.
B: Authorizing a sidewalk cafe at 944 North 2nd Street.
B: Amending zoning map, Snyder, 6th Street, Cantrell and 7th.
B: Continuing the East Passyunk Business Improvement District.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
B: Amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance.
B: Amending Gas Works Bond Ordinance.
B: Amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance.
B: Authorizing the City Treasurer to enter into an amended agreement for payroll banking services with Citizens Bank.
B: Amending an Airport Revenue Bond ordinance.
B: Authorizing bond sale for capital funding.
B: Approving an amendment to the FY24 PGW Capital Budget.
R: Appointing Jennifer Greenburg to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
R: Appointing Michael Johns to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
R: Appointing Maria Gonzalez to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
R: Appointing Andre Goodman to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
R: Appointing Nicholas Dema to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
R: Authorizing the Chief Information Officer to enter into a cable TV franchise renewal agreement with Verizon Fios.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Adding a permissible farmers market location in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Authorizing the installation of various encroachments in Manayunk.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Amending Philadelphia Code Section 14-104, providing further provisions on nonconforming structures.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
R: Requesting the Controller to conduct a performance audit of all the funding given out in Kensington.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
R: Transfering land located in the 8th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
B: Amending Title 4 of the Building Code to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
B: Amending Title 17 to modify requirements for not for profit vendors.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings ensuring recreation centers have the full complement of staff needed to respond to the diverse challenges of the city’s neighborhoods.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on. exploring possible alternatives to Philadelphia's current school board governance model.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 240337 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 240338 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4419R Market Street and 4310R Haverford Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 240339 (Gauthier): Also naming the 1100 block of S. 53rd Street as “Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul Way” to honor the life and cultural contributions of Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul to the City of Philadelphia.
🗣️ 240344 (Landau): Urging the Biden Administration to immediately release the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" rule.
🗺️ 240350 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Eighth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Mechanic Street, Musgrave street, East Phil Ellena street, East Sharpnack street, and East Ashmead street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
🗺️ 240352 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Housing Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 6657-59 Blakemore Street (including the former 530-34 Vernon Road), 50 Collom Street, 56 Collom Street, 60-74 Collom Street, 101 Collom Street, 67 Church Lane, 83 Church Lane, 85 Church Lane, 87 Church Lane, 45 E. Garfield Street, 47 E. Garfield Street, 51 E. Garfield Street, 5417 Lena Street, 5423-27 Lena Street, 5429-43 Lena Street, 5513 Lena Street, 5515 Lena Street, 4949 Germantown Avenue, 4951 Germantown Avenue, 6526-34 Germantown Avenue, 117 Manheim Street…
🗺️ 240354 (Bass): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 49 E. Earlham Street, 207 E. Penn Street, 313 E. Bringhurst Street, 292 E. Bringhurst Street, 278 E. Bringhurst Street, 260 E. Bringhurst Street, 226 E. Bringhurst Street, 5222 Wakefield Street, 429 E. Ashmead Street, 5514 Morton Street, 5515 Morton Street, 5608 Heiskell Street , 5642 Morton Street, 53 E. Pastorius Street, 261 E. Sharpnack Street, 263 E. Sharpnack Street, 112 E. Springer Street, 111 E. Springer Street, 4925 Wakefield Street…
🗺️ 240### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings on ensuring recreation centers have the full complement of staff needed to respond to the diverse challenges of Philadelphia neighborhoods.
🗺️ 240### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on. exploring possible alternatives to Philadelphia's current school board governance model.
🏆 240### (Thomas): Proclaiming the week of May 3rd-May 11th 2024 the 14th annual Philly Tech week and honoring the broad and vibrant Philadelphia technology community.
🏆 240### (Landau): Congratulating Temple University's mascot, “the Owl”, on winning the Philadelphia Inquirer’s first ever mascot bracket.
🏆 240### (Lozada): Honoring the life and legacy of Alfredo B. Calderon Santini Executive Director of Aspira, Inc. of PA for his life long commitment to advancing quality education for every child in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 240### (Brooks): Declaring May 2024 to be Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia.
🏆 240### (Brooks): Recognizing May as teacher appreciation month, May 6th-10th as teacher appreciation week, and May 7th as teacher appreciation day in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 240### (Johnson): Declaring May 2nd, 2024 “the Prince Hall Day” in Philadelphia.
🏆 240### (Driscoll): Celebrating the students and staff of Lincoln High School for their service in the 2024 Primary Election.
🏆 240### (Ahmad): Recognizing and congratulating the Central High Robo Lancers, winners of the 2024 First Robotics Championship
🏆 240### (Ahmad): Recognizing May 2024 as American Stroke Month in the cIty of Philadelphia.
Bills:
🔏 240003 (Phillips): Authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a multiyear agreement with Bennett Compost, Inc., for food scrap collection and management of a compost facility on City property located at 5650 Rising Sun Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, May 3rd
Committee on Rules, 11:00 AM - the Committee will hear testimony on Bill No. 240220 An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Red Lion Road, the Montgomery County line, the Bucks County line, and Roosevelt Boulevard.
Wednesday, May 8th
Committee on the Environment, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hold hearings to examine the progress made since introduction of the Philadelphia Urban Agriculture Plan, to convene agencies and stakeholders needed to make further progress, and to create an implementation strategy to expeditiously meet the goals of the Plan.
Friday, May 10th
Committee on Streets, 1:00 PM - the Committee will hold hearings on seventeen bills related to encroachments and the right of way.
Tuesady, May 21st
Committee on Rules, 11:00 AM - the Committee will hold hearings on four bills related to zoning, including Bill No. 240058, “An Ordinance amending Section 14-702of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses,” to add requirements related to the use of payments in lieu of building affordable housing to receive floor area, building height and dwelling unit density bonuses; and amending Section 14-533, entitled “/MIN, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District,” to add requirements related to the use of payments in lieu of building affordable housing to satisfy certain minimum affordable housing building requirements.”