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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Introducing: How Philly Works
I’m proud to have partnered with Committee of Seventy to bring you “How Philly Works: A Guide to Our City Government.” Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American democracy, yet far too many Philadelphians feel disconnected from their local democratic process. Whether you’ve stepped into the voting booth and felt uninformed about the offices on the ballot, or you want to learn how to be an effective resident advocate, we hope this guide serves as a valuable tool.
Session Recap:
Today’s Council Stated Meeting was uneventful with few noteworthy introductions by members and only a couple of non-ceremonial resolutions passed. Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL) introduced a resolution “authorizing a “Joint Task Force on City Flag Reform” to reexamine and recommend a process to reform the flag of the City of Philadelphia in line with vexillological conventions and an aim to promote Civic Pride.”
Philadelphia’s flag features the city seal on a striped blue and yellow triband background, which commemorates the original Swedish colonization of the area. Vexillologists often refer to the style of Philadelphia’s flag as a version of an “SOB,” or a “Seal on a Bedsheet” a “derogatory term for a flag which uses a solid color (most commonly blue or white) background and the official seal or coat of arms of whatever it is representing, as the main feature.”
For those of you interested in the design standards touted by vexillologists (vexillology is the study of flags), check out this episode of 99% Invisible which walks through the five principles of good flag design. Spoiler alert: Washington, D.C. has got us beat when it comes to our city flag.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, October 12th at 10:00 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.
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Res. 230684: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2609-27 Sears Street (including 1308-14 S 26th Street) located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Johnson)
Res. 230685: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1324 S. Bancroft Street; 1213 S. Bonsall Street; 1202, 1223 S. Bucknell Street; 2117, 2221 Earp Street; 2007 Ellsworth Street; 2537 Oakford Street; 1818, 2229 Latona Street; 1730, 2014, 2114, 2236, 2426, 2532 Manton Street; 1545 S. Ringgold Street; 1506, 1511, S. Stillman Street; 1519, 1527, 1529 S. Taney Street; 1702 S. 20th Street; 1419 S. 22nd Street; 1230, 1303 S. 23rd Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Johnson)
Res. 230686: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1811, 2114, 2123 Fernon Street, 1930, 1932 Norwood Street, 1629, 1642, 1648, 1652 Point Breeze Avenue, 1824 S. 20th Street, 1835 S. 22nd Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. (Johnson)
🚦Streets
Bill 230676: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Belmont Avenue, Ford Road & Overbrook Avenue. (Jones)
Bill 230677: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Kelly Drive & Falls Bridge. (Jones)
Bill 230678: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 17th Street & Washington Avenue. (Johnson)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Res. 230682: Authorizing City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public Utility to hold public hearings to investigate the impact SEPTA’s Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and explore SEPTA’s commitment to contracting minority owned businesses for its projects. (Clarke)
Res. 230694: Authorizing a “Joint Task Force on City Flag Reform” to reexamine and recommend a process to reform the flag of the City of Philadelphia in line with vexillological conventions and an aim to promote Civic Pride. (Harrity)
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 Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill 230678: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 17th Street & Washington Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Res. 230684: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2609-27 Sears Street (including 1308-14 S 26th Street) located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Res. 230685: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1324 S. Bancroft Street; 1213 S. Bonsall Street; 1202, 1223 S. Bucknell Street; 2117, 2221 Earp Street; 2007 Ellsworth Street; 2537 Oakford Street; 1818, 2229 Latona Street; 1730, 2014, 2114, 2236, 2426, 2532 Manton Street; 1545 S. Ringgold Street; 1506, 1511, S. Stillman Street; 1519, 1527, 1529 S. Taney Street; 1702 S. 20th Street; 1419 S. 22nd Street; 1230, 1303 S. 23rd Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Res. 230686: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1811, 2114, 2123 Fernon Street, 1930, 1932 Norwood Street, 1629, 1642, 1648, 1652 Point Breeze Avenue, 1824 S. 20th Street, 1835 S. 22nd Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill 230676: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Belmont Avenue, Ford Road & Overbrook Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Bill 230677: Amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,” by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Kelly Drive & Falls Bridge, all under certain terms and conditions.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Res. 230682: Authorizing City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public Utility to hold public hearings to investigate the impact SEPTA’s Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and explore SEPTA’s commitment to contracting minority owned businesses for its projects.
Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL)
Res. 230694: Authorizing a “Joint Task Force on City Flag Reform” to reexamine and recommend a process to reform the flag of the City of Philadelphia in line with vexillological conventions and an aim to promote Civic Pride.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 230656 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4817 Old York Road located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗣️ 230661 (Johnson): Urging Governor Josh Shapiro to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in Pennsylvania.
🏆 230679 (Jones): Honoring Science Leadership Academy at Beeber 10th Grader, Zoe Smith, for winning the Individual Women’s Public League Golf Championship.
🏆 230680 (Jones): Honoring war-hero Waverly Bernard Woodson, Jr., for his courageous and selfless service during World War II and further calling on Overbrook High School to induct him into their Hall of Fame.
🏆 230681 (Jones): Honoring and Commemorating the 13th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 230682 (Clarke): Authorizing City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public Utility to hold public hearings to investigate the impact SEPTA’s Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and explore SEPTA’s commitment to contracting minority owned businesses for its projects.
🏆 230683 (Johnson): Recognizing October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring those who have fought and continue to fight against breast cancer.
🏆 230687 (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring Doctor Daphne Owen, MD, for her ability to bridge relationships for the common good and her humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to the people, all with a powerfully inspiring dream of doing better by our most vulnerable communities.
🏆 230688 (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring Joan N. Stern, one of Philadelphia’s finest public finance attorneys, concentrating her practice in the areas of general government and education, transportation and utilities, tax and revenue anticipation financing, health care and housing finance, refinancing and working capital finance, project finance, and derivatives transactions.
🏆 230689 (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring Roberto Lugo for his contributions to the Arts, and in celebration of his exceptional achievement in securing a prestigious Heinz Awards for Arts.
🏆 230690 (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring Doctor Steven Larson, MD, for his humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to underserved communities, bringing a dream of care and compassion into the world that moves forward with every life saved.
🏆 230691 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone, of FathersRead365, for their service and dedication to our local communities by expanding literacy and access to quality books for young people.
🏆 230692 (Brooks): Commemorating National Coming Out Day on October 11th, 2023 in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 230693 (Harrity): Proclaiming September 16, 2023 as Masha Amini Day in the City of Philadelphia to Commemorate the Recognize the one-year anniversary of her death in custody after being detained by Iranian Morality Police.
🏆 230695 (Squilla): Designating the week of Sunday, October 8 through Saturday, October 14, 2023 as “Italian American Heritage Week” in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Gaetano (Guy) Pigliacelli and Gerald “Jerry” Blavat (posthumously) as the Grand Marshalls of the 2023 Philadelphia Italian American Parade.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, October 10th
Committee on Children and Youth, 2:00 PM - the committee will hold a public hearing examining the response to human trafficking in the City of Philadelphia. (Note: Hearing will be held in Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 West Cheltenham Avenue)
Wednesday, October 11th
Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, 1:00 PM - the committee will hold a public hearing to examine the impacts of and funding alternatives for an extension of the existing Broad Street Subway Line into the underserved Northeast along the Roosevelt Boulevard.
Wednesday, October 18th
Committee of the Whole, 10:00 AM - the committee will hear testimony on the Bill No. 200253, amending Section 20-303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Salaries of Specified Officers,” to establish salaries based on an Annual Compensation Plan.
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.