City Hall Roll Call: September 15, 2022
City Hall Roll Call: September 15, 2022
Democrats choose replacements for vacant district City Council seats
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:
Wave of Resignations on Council Prompts Special Elections
City Council returned from its summer recess with a heavy agenda and a light Council roster. With the resignations of Councilmembers Allan Domb (D-AL), Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th), Derek Green (D-AL) and Cherelle Parker (D-9th) this summer pursuant to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter’s “Resign to Run” rule, Council only has thirteen of its seventeen seats filled. Under the Charter, legislation must receive support from half of the total number of members of Council, regardless of whether those seats are occupied. This means that legislation must still receive 9 votes to pass, with amendments to the Home Rule Charter and Mayoral veto overrides still requiring 12 votes.
With such thin operating margins, City Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) has called for special elections to fill the vacancies in the two district seats left by the resignations of Quiñones-Sánchez and Parker. Quetcy Lozada, former Chief of Staff to Quiñones-Sánchez, who currently serves as Vice-President of Community Engagement and Organizing for Esperanza, has reportedly won the Democratic Party nomination for the 7th District which covers parts of North Philadelphia and Fishtown.
Another nonprofit leader, Anthony Phillips, executive director of Youth Action, reportedly received unanimous support from the Democratic Ward Leaders in the 9th District for his nomination, including that of the outgoing councilmember, Parker. The special elections will be held on November 8th to coincide with the Pennsylvania General Election.
Council Takes Legislative Action in Response to SCOTUS’ Dobbs Decicions
At their first session back, Councilmembers Helen Gym (D-AL), Kendra Brooks (I-AL) and Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd), continued their progressive partnership and introduced a legislative package designed to defend abortion rights and reproductive care in Philadelphia in light of the dismantling of Roe v. Wade.
The package consists of three bills and a resolution authorizing a taskforce to advance recommendations and coordinate resources to ensure access to reproductive care. Gym’s bill seeks to limit the sharing of information on reproductive healthcare decisions for the purposes of prosecution or civil suits. Brooks’ bill would update Philadelphia’s anti-discrimination laws to protect reproductive health decisions from workplace discrimination and retaliation. Finally, the bill introduced by Councilmember Gauthier would protect patients and providers from “vigilante” lawsuits related to reproductive healthcare decisions by enacting a right to counter-sue. The three bills are cosponsored by the other two remaining women on Council, Councilmembers Cindy Bass (D-8th) and Katherine Gilmore Richardson (D-AL).
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, September 22nd at 10am. when it will return to in-person Stated Meetings. Committee hearings will remain remote for the time being.
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 9-3300 requiring brakes for operators of mobile cranes and towers. (Squilla)
Bill creating Nelson Brown People's overlay district in 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Bill creating Yorktown Overlay District in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Bill creating Nehemiah Homes Overlay District. (Clarke)
🏘️ Housing
Bill revising requirements for residential eviction program. (Gym)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing Land Bank disposition in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing Land Bank disposition in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing Land Bank transfer in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing Land Bank transfer in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing transfer of land to Land Bank in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing transfer of land to Land Bank in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
Resolution authorizing disposition of land by the Land Bank in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
🏥 Public Health
Bill establishing legal protections to entities who provide, or individuals who help or receive reproductive health care. (Gauthier)
Bill amending the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance to protect against discrimination related to reproductive health. (Brooks)
Bill establishing privacy protections related to reproductive healthcare. (Gym)
🚔 Public Safety
Bill revising evening curfew hours for minors. (Gilmore-Richardson)
🚦Streets
Bill providing for no truck parking regulations for 4th District for blocks surrounding churches, recreation centers and playgrounds. (Jones)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Resolution approving the redevelopment contract for portion of Haddington Urban Renewal Area. (Gauthier)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution making an appointment to board of the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
Resolution making an appointment to board of the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill providing tax credits for volunteer community service. (Clarke)
Bill correcting typographical error in Net Profits Tax code. (Clarke)
Bill correcting typographical error in tax code. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution requesting the Mayor return Bill No. 220517-A, authorizing an encroachment on 1 Convention Center Avenue. (Gauthier)
Resolution declaring City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect and defend reproductive rights and authorizing a task force. (Gym)
Resolution authorizing the Public Safety Committee to hold hearings on relocating victims who are targets of deadly violence and determine how the $500k budgeted for their relocation was utilized. (Oh)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to examine the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s customer convenience and accessibility to remedy parking violations. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing the Education Committee to hold hearings on the Philadelphia Youth Network's Work Ready Program and delays in making payments to participants. (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)
B: Amending Philadelphia Code Section 9-3300 requiring brakes for operators of mobile cranes and towers.
R: Authorizing Land Bank disposition in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing Land Bank disposition in the 1st Councilmanic District.
R: Making an appointment to board of the Old City Special Services District.
R: Making an appointment to board of the Old City Special Services District.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R: Authorizing Land Bank transfer in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing Land Bank transfer in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Establishing legal protections to entities who provide, or individuals who help or receive reproductive health care.
R: Requesting the Mayor return Bill No. 220517-A, authorizing an encroachment on 1 Convention Center Avenue.
R: Approving the redevelopment contract for portion of Haddington Urban Renewal Area.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: No truck parking regulations for 4th District for blocks surrounding churches, recreation centers and playgrounds.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
B: Providing tax credits for volunteer community service.
B: Creating Nelson Brown People's overlay district in 5th Councilmanic District.
B: Correcting typographical error in Net Profits Tax code.
B: Correcting typographical error in tax code.
B: Creating Yorktown Overlay District in the 5th Councilmanic District.
B: Creating Nehemiah Homes Overlay District.
R: Authorizing transfer of land to Land Bank in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
R: Authorizing transfer of land to Land Bank in the 8th Councilmanic District.
R: Authorizing disposition of land by the Land Bank in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
B: Amending the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance to protect against discrimination related to reproductive health.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
B: Revising evening curfew hours for minors.
Councilmember Helen Gym (D-AL)
B: Revising requirements for residential eviction program.
B: Establishing privacy protections related to reproductive healthcare.
R: Declaring City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect and defend reproductive rights and authorizing a task force.
Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)
R: Authorizing the Public Safety Committee to hold hearings on relocating victims who are targets of deadly violence and determine how the $500k budgeted for their relocation was utilized.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to examine the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s customer convenience and accessibility to remedy parking violations.
R: Authorizing the Education Committee to hold hearings on the Philadelphia Youth Network's Work Ready Program and delays in making payments to participants.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🏆 220643 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, The Philly Phantomz and the eight all-pro players, Kia Ivery, Candace Walker, Dominique Williams, Star Wright, Monique Wilson, Angela Wells, Latasha Richardson, and Hannah Degraffinreid for making the Women’s National Football Conference All-pro list.
🏆 220647 (Gauthier): Renaming North 33rd Street, between Chestnut and Arch Streets as “Squash Way,” in recognition of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center.
🗺️ 220649 (Squilla): Confirming Approval of Resolution No. 210975, adopted December 9, 2021, authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2148, 2150, 2154, 2156 E. Birch Street, 2032 E. Lehigh Avenue, 2055, 2057 E. Rush Street, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158, 2159, 2160, 2161 E. Stella Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16- 700 of The Philadelphia Code, after certain changes in conditions.
🗺️ 220650 (Squilla): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to transfer fee simple title to 2863 Amber Street in the First Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
🗺️ 220651 (Squilla): Confirming approval of Resolution No. 210976, adopted December 9, 2021, authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1739 S. 5th Street; 1919 S. 6th Street; 2612 S. 9th Street; 411, 418, 424, 432-34, 624, 626 Cantrell Street; 424, 426 Mercy Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 220### (Gym): Honoring and recognizing Juntos on their 25th anniversary.
🏆 220### (Gym): Honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
🏆 220### (Thomas): Honoring the life and memory of Champion of the Week, Clifton E. Hubbard, Jr.
⚖️ 220### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to examine the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s customer convenience and accessibility to remedy parking violations.
⚖️ 220### (Thomas): Authorizing the Education Committee to hold hearings on the Philadelphia Youth Network's Work Ready Program and delays in making payments to participants.
⚖️ 220### (Gauthier): Requesting return of Bill No. 220517-A authorizing encroachments at 1 Convention Center Blvd. from the Mayor's office for purposes of reconsideration.
⚖️ 220### (Oh): Authorizing the Public Safety Committee to hold hearings on relocating victims who are targets of deadly violence and determine how the $500k budgeted for their relocation was utilized.
Bills
💸 220120 (Bass): An Ordinance continuing the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District beyond its termination date…; approving a final plan and report for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District…; and authorizing the Mt. Airy Improvement District, Inc. to assess certain property owners within the District a special property assessment fee to be used in accordance with the approved final plan; all in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act, and under certain terms and conditions.
👶 220239 (Gym): Adding new provisions related to screening and application for benefits for foster youth; limiting the use of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans or other various benefits; and providing notice to the foster child for certain actions taken with respect to Social Security and other benefits.
💸 220365 (Squilla): An Ordinance continuing the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District beyond its termination date…; approving a final plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District…all in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act, and 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.)
Tuesday, September 20th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - Council will hold public hearing on Bill No. 220634, an ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district, to be known as the North Broad Business Improvement District (“District”).