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:
Today’s Council session kicked off with a somber observation of the one year anniversary of the killing of Walter Wallace, Jr. at the hands of Philadelphia police officers. Councilmember Gauthier introduced a resolution remembering the young man who was shot in front of his family while experiencing a mental health crisis. The shooting prompted a number of proposed reforms, which were highlighted by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier who envisioned creating a world where “black men are protected and loved not just by their families, but by the city as well.”
Once again Council watchers were treated to an efficient and quick City Council session featuring a couple of noteworthy legislative introductions. Councilman Mark Squilla (D-1st) introduced a number of bills targeting quality of life issues centering on our city streets and a bill designed to crackdown on workarounds to the city’s long-delayed, but newly enforceable single-use plastic bag ban.
Squilla, who represents some of the city’s largest commercial corridors in South Philadelphia, Center City and parts of Fishtown, introduced a bill which appears aimed at improving parking turnover. The bill authorizes the creation of pilot programs, through regulation, of “Dynamic Parking Pricing in any parking areas served by a Parking Meter.”
Currently, metered rates are flat - drivers pay the same hourly rate during peak times as they do when parking is plentiful. Dynamic pricing typically relies on the installation of parking sensors to track occupancy rates of on-street spaces. Prices are then raised and lowered based on supply and demand. While such a system would be new to Philadelphia, many other jurisdictions rely on dynamic pricing to help manage their on-street parking availability and revenue stream.
The bill also sets its sights on bringing innovation to the city’s longstanding loading zone system. Currently, businesses can apply to have a loading zone established outside of their location “in order to facilitate loading and unloading of material and people” by submitting an application to the Parking Authority and paying an annual fee. Under the proposed legislation,
The Department is authorized to establish by regulation, for renewable periods of up to one year, experimental rules for the use of any parking space designated as a ‘loading zone’ in specialized ways, including with systems for payment for priority use and other means useful to facilitate optimal use of such parking spaces.”
Councilman Squilla also introduced a bill targeting noise violations from motor vehicles that impact the quality of life (and sleep) of many residents, especially during open window season. The city of Paris (yes, we’re looking to France for best practices and I am here for it), recently announced plans to implement technology designed to crack down on noise pollution in dense residential communities. As reported by, Quartz
The [Parisian] devices, called “Medusa,” use a combination of four microphones and two cameras to maps noise levels when sounds exceed a certain decibel level, like a motorcycle backfiring or an engine revving. It triangulates the sound and, similar to a red-light camera, uses closed-circuit television to automatically take a picture of the license and fine the driver.
Like the other measures related to dynamic pricing and loading zone innovation, It is too early to report what the Philadelphia model of this system could look like.
Businesses trying to skirt the new plastic bag ban that went into effect this month will face new challenges to their efforts. After a number of businesses switched to extra-thick bags for their customers in an attempt to continue distributing plastic bags, Councilmember Squilla introduced a bill that eliminates the thickness standard from the plastic bag ban (previously only bags thinner than 2.25 mils were subject to the ban). The bill also includes a provision that would allow the city to impose a 15 cent per bag fee should the use of single-use bags fail to decline by 80% by January 1, 2023.
Also of procedural note at today’s session, Council President Clarke held a resolution called up to the final passage calendar that would have authorized a redevelopment contract with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia to construct four affordable units on a parking lot in the 5th District (Resolution No. 210848). The Council President removed the resolution from the voting calendar after multiple residents spoke out during public comment about concerns related to parking and the impact on quality of life of nearby residents, particularly the elderly. The Council President stated he would hold the resolution pending further conversations with the community.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
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.
🚦 Streets
Bill prohibiting loud noises coming from vehicles and authorizing the use of automatic devices to determine violations. (Squilla)
Bill allowing for the establishment of programs, by regulation, for use of loading zone parking spaces and metered parking spaces in innovative ways. (Squilla)
Bill amending the boundaries of residential parking district 19. (Squilla)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill further defining “single-use plastic bag.” (Squilla)
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Section 17-111 by updating requirements for environmental design in buildings. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Bill increasing the Parking Minimums and Eliminating Height bonuses in the Far Northeast (“FNE”) Overlay District. (O’Neill)
Bill amending the Zoning Map in the area near Huntington Avenue and Howard Street in the 7th District. (Quinones-Sanchez)
Bill amending the Zoning Map in Fishtown. (Clarke)
Bill clarifying provisions related to the South 9th Street Market District. (Squilla)
🔏 Contract Authorization
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Section 19-2604(6) to clarify number of CDC contribution agreements that can be entered into by the City. (Green)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing land transfer in 4th District. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing disposition by Land Bank in 1st District. (Squilla)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing Maria Gonzalez to the Land Bank Board of Directors. (Quinones-Sanchez)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities to hold hearings to receive report from Arts and Culture taskforce. (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)
Bill - Allowing for the establishment of programs, by regulation, for use of loading zone parking spaces and metered parking spaces in innovative ways.
Bill - Amending the boundaries of residential parking district 19.
Bill - Further defining “single-use plastic bag.”
Bill - Clarifying provisions related to the South 9th Street Market District.
Bill - Prohibiting loud noises coming from vehicles and authorizing the use of automatic devices to determine violations.
Resolution - Authorizing disposition by Land Bank in 1st District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Resolution - Authorizing land transfer in 4th District.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Amending the Zoning Map in Fishtown.
Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)
Bill - Amending the Zoning Map in the area near Huntington Avenue and Howard Street in the 7th District.
Resolution - Appointing Maria Gonzalez to the Land Bank Board of Directors.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill - Increasing the Parking Minimums and Eliminating Height bonuses in the Far Northeast (“FNE”) Overlay District.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
Bill - Amending Philadelphia Code Section 17-111 by updating requirements for environmental design in buildings.
Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)
Bill - Amending Philadelphia Code Section 19-2604(6) to clarify number of CDC contribution agreements that can be entered into by the City.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities to hold hearings to receive report from Arts and Culture taskforce.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 210851 (Johnson): Urging the U.S. Congress to maintain the proposed $5 billion in funding for gun violence prevention and other community violence interventions in the Build Back Better Act.
🏆 210852 (Domb): Honoring Stephen K. Klasko upon the occasion of his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Jefferson University (“Jefferson”) and congratulating him on his many accomplishments.
🏆 210853 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, student-athlete Donta Scott, on his book, “Wired Differently: My School Journey” which helps young student-athletes and parents prepare for the recruitment and school selection process.
🏆 210854 (O’Neill): Honoring Counseling or Assistance Services (CORA) for their semicentennial and their service to the City of Philadelphia.
🗺️ 210855 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2505 Emerald Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 210857 (Oh): Recognizing NE Phila Connected, a community based non-profit organization, for piloting a catalytic convertor theft prevention program in Northeast Philadelphia.
⚖️ 210### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities to hold hearings to receive report from Arts and Culture taskforce.
Bills:
🏗️ 210205 (Jones): Amending Chapter 9 of Subcode PM (“The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code”) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Additional Special Requirements,” to establish a program in which the City may perform certain urgent repairs and bill the property owner; all 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, October 29th
Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, 9:00 AM - the committee will conduct hearings to identify barriers and solutions to permanently preserving community gardens and open spaces in the City of Philadelphia.
Monday, November 1st
Committee on Public Safety, 1:00 PM - the committee will consider a bill authorizing Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles. (210838)
Wednesday, November 3rd
Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, 10:00 AM - the Committee will continue to hold hearings to address Philadelphia's enduring plague of gun violence by facilitating coordination among stakeholders and formulating a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy. (170609)
Friday, November 5th
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM- the Committee will consider three bills related to the expansion of business owner liability and expanded potential mitigation measures for nuisance behavior (210674 / 210775) and amendments to the construction code to enhance building safety requirements for educational occupancies (210685).
Monday, November 8th
Committee on Streets and Services, 10:00 AM - the Committee will consider fifteen bills related to parking regulations and encroachment authorizations.
Monday, November 15th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the Committee will. consider one bill. related to the creation of the “/MIH, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District.” by revising certain provisions of Chapter 14-702, entitled “Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses.” (210633)