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.
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Session Recap:
Today’s City Council Stated Meeting was dominated by public testimony on Resolution No. 230706, “Condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and calling for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.” Protestors and supporters of the resolution packed City Council chambers, with Council President Clarke frequently having to stop proceedings to restore control, at one point ordering the removal of some protestors. After over an hour of passionate speeches, public comment was cut short due to disruptions and Council resumed its business, passing its brief calendar which featured only resolutions and no bills.
In other Council news, the Committee on Streets advanced out a number of bills related to curbing bad driver behavior. Bill No. 230489 would authorize a camera-based enforcement system for parking, stopping and standing violations that interfere with mass transit. During a seventy-day trial this spring, SEPTA “used windshield-mounted video cameras to record 36,392 instances of illegally parked vehicles blocking Center City bus-only lanes and bus stops in West Philadelphia and Upper Darby.”
Illegally parked vehicles obstructing transit throw buses off schedule, slow down service, and create unnecessary dangers to riders and pedestrians. Blocked bus stops and curb ramps create serious safety and accessibility issues – especially for seniors and riders with disabilities – as bus operators cannot safely deploy the wheelchair access ramp when the bus stop is blocked.
The legislation allows camera-based citations to be issued by mail for stopping, standing and parking violations that impact mass transit operations. The citation would be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The Committee on Streets and Services also approved the expansion of the City’s red light camera program to three new intersections: 17th Street and Washington Avenue, Belmont Avenue-Ford Road-Overbrook Avenue, and Kelly Drive and Falls Bridge. After receiving a first reading today, the aforementioned bills are eligible for a final vote at Council’s next session.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, October 26th.
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 approving amendments to the University of Pennsylvania’s Master Plan. (Gauthier)
Bill amending zoning designations of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District near Roosevelt Blvd. (Lozada)
Bill amending zoning designations of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District near Pratt Street. (Lozada)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 1st Councilmanic District land to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. land to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill: Extending the term of the existence of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (Clarke / Admin.)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committees on Education and Parks and Recreation to hold hearings to examine the cost and liabilities to ease the barrier to accessing youth sports. (Jones)
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)
B: Extending the term of the existence of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
R: Authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 1st Councilmanic District land to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Approving amendments to the University of Pennsylvania’s Master Plan.
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. land to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
R: Authorizing the Committees on Education and Parks and Recreation to hold hearings to examine the cost and liabilities to ease the barrier to accessing youth sports.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
B: Amending zoning designations of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District near Roosevelt Blvd.
B: Amending zoning designations of land located in the 7th Councilmanic District near Pratt Street.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 230705 (Jones): Calling on the Administration to develop grant programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime.
🗣️ 230706 (Johnson): Condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and calling for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
🏆 230708 (Bass): Recognizing and honoring Sid Booker, by renaming the 4600 block of North Broad Street “Sid Booker Way,” to credit the life of the businessman he is today with the legacy that will forever live on.
🏆 230### (Phillips): Recognizing and Honoring Beneficial Services, LLC located in the 9th District for being a Comcast Rise Awardee.
🏆 230### (Phillips): Recognizing and honoring Brilliant Stars Learning Center located in the 9th District for being a Comcast Rise Awardee.
🏆 230### (Phillips): Recognizing and honoring Eagle Staffing Company located in the District for being a Comcast Rise Awardee.
🏆 230### (Phillips): Recognizing and honoring Vicky Riley on the occasion of her retirement.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week Student Activists Against Sexual Assault at Temple University.
🏆 230### (Lozada): Recognizing Friday, October 20th as Community Media Day.
🏆 230### (Lozada): Recognizing the heroism of Police Officer of Richard Mendez.
🏆 230### (Harrity): Honoring Carlos “King Arthur” Alvarez for his induction into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, October 23rd
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the committee will hold a public hearing to consider twelve (12) bills related to zoning and land use.
Tuesday, October 24th
Committee on Public Safety, 2:00 PM - the committee will take testimony on Bill No. 230510, which would prohibit certain facial coverings from being worn in certain spaces and Res. 230640 to explore solutions to ongoing challenges facing the 911 Unified Call Center and the Philadelphia Police Department’s investigation into the police response to a 911 call about the first victim in the July 2023 mass shooting in Kingsessing.
Wednesday, October 25th
Committee on Finance, 10:00 AM - the committee will take testimony on Bill No. 230654, approving a Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan.
Committee on the Environment, 1:00 PM - the committee will hold a hearing to evaluate the environmental justice impacts of the City’s waste management practices and potential alternatives to the City’s contract with Covanta Delaware Valley LP.