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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:
After a raucous session last Thursday in which City Council voted to ban Overdose Prevention Centers (“OPC”) from most of the city, the body returned to a more muted atmosphere in chambers today. The OPC bill, which passed 13-1, is currently sitting on the desk of Mayor Jim Kenney (D). Under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, the Mayor has ten (10) days to sign the bill into law or veto it. If the Mayor takes no action, the bill will automatically become law after the action period lapses. Kenney has stated that he is considering a veto of the measure, which would likely be a symbolic act given the veto proof majority (12 votes) with which Council passed the bill.
City Council also responded to ongoing attacks aimed at reproductive rights and voted to establish a Reproductive Rights Taskforce. Sponsored by Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL), the taskforce would “bring together providers, patients, experts and advocates along with City officials and elected leaders to coordinate government actions and advance recommendations” in order “to protect and expand access to abortion and reproductive care in Philadelphia.”
Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) and Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th) co-sponsored a resolution authorizing hearings on challenges facing the City’s 911 response system. The Committee on Public Safety will hold hearings on the 911 Unified Call Center and also investigate the system’s role in the Kingsessing mass shooting that shook the city last July.
Other News:
When he announced his retirement from City Council, Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th) hinted that he would continue to serve the public in some capacity. The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that Clarke’s continued service will likely take the form of a lucrative position on the Commonwealth’s Liquor Control Board (LCB). The board, which meets twice a month, is responsible for overseeing the issuance and transfer of liquor licenses across Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) nominated Clarke to the $89,000 a year position. The appointment will need to be approved by the state Senate prior to taking effect.
In election news, Governor Shapiro and PA Secretary of State Al Schmidt announced that the Commonwealth will make registering to vote automatic for individuals getting their drivers licenses. Currently, prospective voters must opt-in by checking a box when they complete their PennDOT paperwork. The change would require individuals to click the box in order to skip the registration process (opt-out). While voting access advocates lauded the change, not everyone was thrilled with the announcement. Republican lawmakers question the Governor’s authority to unilaterally make the switch arguing that such a change falls under the purview of the General Assembly.
Lastly, the behind the scenes jockeying for votes to replace Darrell Clarke in January as Council President continues. The Council President position, elected internally by members, comes not only with a pay raise, but tremendous power and authority in a governance system that has been slowly shifting from a strong mayor form of government to one in which Council has a larger role than that originally envisioned by the Charter.
Council insiders say that none of the prospective presidential candidates have close to a critical mass of the votes needed to make them a favorite for the position. Typically, leadership votes are won through individual negotiation with the favored currency being office space, committee assignments and staff budgets. It’s still early in the process and the final makeup of City Council won’t be decided until after the November general. Stay tuned as the horse race enters its first turn on the track.
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 development standards by revising bulk and massing controls within CMX-4 and CMX-5 zoning districts. (Squilla)
Bill amending the zoning of an area bounded by George Street and 2nd Street in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill amending the zoning designation of land located in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Bill authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
🚓 Public Safety
Bill repealing Section 10-900 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Criminal Registration.” (Phillips)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on Baltimore Avenue. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on 50th Street. (Gauthier)
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on Pine Street. (Gauthier)
Bill establishing no truck parking on a street located in the 4th Councilmanic District. (Jones)
Bill amending Section 9-208 of the Philadelphia Code titled “Sidewalk Cafes” by permitting sidewalk cafes in certain locations in the Sixth Councilmanic District. (Driscoll)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill approving a new plan of the Old City Special Services District. (Squilla)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to develop a strategy on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in city contracting. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine high-quality pre-k opportunities for Philadelphia children. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing on 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 this July’s mass shooting in Kingsessing. (Gauthier)
Resolution calling on the Administration to join together with Council for night time tours throughout the City to get a better understanding of how Philadlephia works at night and the different issues facing workers. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Development to hold hearings on the business practices of property management companies. (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 Mark Squilla (D-1st)
B - Amending development standards by revising bulk and massing controls within CMX-4 and CMX-5 zoning districts.
B - Amending the zoning of an area bounded by George Street and 2nd Street in the 1st Councilmanic District.
B - Approving a new plan of the Old City Special Services District.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R - Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to develop a strategy on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in city contracting.
R - Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine high-quality pre-k opportunities for Philadelphia children.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B - Authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on Baltimore Avenue.
B - Authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on 50th Street.
B - Authorizing an encroachment in the form of a sidewalk cafe on Pine Street.
R - Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing on 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 this July’s mass shooting in Kingsessing.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B - Establishing no truck parking on a street located in the 4th Councilmanic District.
R - Calling on the Administration to join together with Council for night time tours throughout the City to get a better understanding of how Philadlephia works at night and the different issues facing workers.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
B - Authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
R - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
B- Amending Section 9-208 of the Philadelphia Code titled “Sidewalk Cafes” by permitting sidewalk cafes in certain locations in the Sixth Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
B - Amending the zoning designation of land located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
B - Repealing Section 10-900 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Criminal Registration.”
Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL)
R - Authorizing the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Development to hold hearings on the business practices of property management companies.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 230589 (Thomas): Calling on the Administration to work collaboratively with CCLS, Philadelphia City Council, Defender Association of Philadelphia, and other relevant organizations to provide reentry supports to exonerated and wrongly convicted Philadelphians.
⚖️ 230594 (Brooks): Declaring Philadelphia’s commitment to protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare through the establishment of a Reproductive Rights Taskforce in the wake of increasingly severe attacks on the fundamental right to bodily autonomy.
🗣️ 230596 (Harrity): Urging the President of the United States and the United States Congress to reexamine foreign policy towards Ethiopia.
🔏 230597 (Driscoll): Initiating action to continue the Aramingo Avenue Shopping District beyond its termination date.
🏆 230598 (Squilla): Also naming South Quince Street between Locust and Walnut Streets in the “Gayborhood” as “Les Harrison Way” to honor the life and legacy of one of Philadelphia’s first and nationally famous African American Drag Queens.
🗣️ 230600 (Bass): Calling on SEPTA to investigate and create a public plan for addressing the SEPTA Key Card System’s numerous issues, including the compromising of the Kiosks which allows for the theft of riders funds who attempt to purchase Key Cards.
🔏 230603 (Bass): Initiating action to continue the Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District in the area that generally includes both sides of Germantown Avenue.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring the life and legacy of Constance Clayton.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring Memphis Councilmember Michalyn Easter-Thomas for her work on police reforms and driving equity.
🏆 230### (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week Zykee Scott for being offered a full scholarship to Penn State University.
⚖️ 230### (Johnson): Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to develop a strategy on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in city contracting.
⚖️ 230### (Johnson): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine high-quality pre-k opportunities for Philadelphia children.
⚖️ 230### (Gauthier): Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing on 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 this July’s mass shooting in Kingsessing.
⚖️ 230### (Jones): Calling on the Administration to join together with Council for night time tours throughout the City to get a better understanding of how Philadlephia works at night and the different issues facing workers.
⚖️ 230### (Harrity): Authorizing the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Development to hold hearings on the business practices of property management companies.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Friday, September 29th
Committee on Public Safety, 2:00 PM - The committee will conduct a hearing regarding the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as drones, as an additional law enforcement tool that would enhance public safety in the City of Philadelphia.