City Hall Roll Call: September 30, 2021

Session Recap:

City Council quickly dispatched with its weekly business, delaying a vote on two public safety bills designed to address the racial disparities in police motor vehicle stops. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ “Driving Equality Agenda” was eligible for final passage today, but was held by the bill’s sponsor. Under the law, officers would not be authorized to stop a driver based solely on one of eight “secondary” violations, including things like expired registration sticker or a broken headlight.

Meanwhile, At-Large Councilmember Allan Domb introduced a set of bills to establish new regulations to allow for permanent outdoor dining across every city neighborhood, providing oversight and enforcement for sidewalk cafes and streeteries. The current law which expanded outdoor dining opportunities for restaurants in response to the pandemic expires at the end of the year.

“With the emergency approvals expiring at the end of 2021, we need to establish legislation that would continue this great city amenity that we’ve enjoyed as a result of the pandemic,” said Councilmember Domb. “Restaurants of all sizes across the city utilized this opportunity and because of it, they were able to keep their doors open and employees working -- all while continuing to overcome the challenges with maintaining a safe and healthy environment.”

The legislation makes some changes to the current system, requiring new applicants to publicly post their applications for at least 10 days prior to obtaining a license, thereby providing citizens and neighborhood organizations an opportunity to relay concerns to Streets and L&I prior to a decision on licensure. The legislation also provides additional enforcement powers to the City, allowing for the removal of any structures that are not up to code and/or not being used as a streetery or sidewalk café.

While the lengthy list of co-sponsors demonstrates significant support amongst councilmembers, Council President Clarke has expressed concern with the proposal and the delegation of certain authority to administrative agencies. With tomorrow’s calendar page reading October, Council will be left with ten sessions to resolve their differences on the issue before the current allowances for outdoor dining expire.

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 regulating parking in the 6th District. (Henon)

• Bill authorizing streeteries and amending the regulations related to sidewalk cafes. (Domb)

• Bill revising the standards and requirements for sidewalk cafes. (Domb)

• Bill authorizing encroachments in the form of a sidewalk plaque at 447 North Broad Street. (Squilla)

• Bill regulating parking in the 1st District. (Squilla)

• Bill regulating parking in the 1st District. (Squilla)

💼 Business Regulation

• Bill expanding property owner liability. (Henon)

💸 Finance

• Bill amending the Retirement Code by codifying pension board’s policy of performing an annual stress test on the system. (Parker)

• Bill amending Bill No. 201320, “Capital Program Ordinance” related to Safe Play Zone security cameras. (Clarke)

• Bill amending Bill No. 201321, “Capital Budget” related to Safe Play Zone security cameras (Clarke)

• Bill adding a new chapter to the Philadelphia Code titled “Film Industry and Digital Media Incentives,” establishing financial incentives for the film industry. (Oh)

🗺️ Land Acquisition / Disposition

• Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to convey deeds to the Land Bank in the 3rd District. (Gauthier)

🏗️  Zoning and Construction

• Bill amending the Zoning Code to add “AHP - Affordable Housing Preservation” Overlay District in the areas around 39th and Ludlow Streets and establishing a temporary demolition moratorium in the area. (Gauthier)

🔏 Contract Authorization

• Bill authorizing Water Commissioner to enter into contract with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to act as a city agent for purposes of green stormwater infrastructure projects. (Clarke)

• Bill authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to contract for the construction of sewer infrastructure in the 6th Councilmanic District. (Henon)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)

• Resolution expressing support for federal contract workers under Triple Canopy contractor who believe they have been discriminated against based on race and religion related to hair rules. (Parker)

• Resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing to hold hearings on the provision of emergency housing vouchers to those experiencing homelessness. (Quiñones-Sánchez)

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 - Authorizing encroachments in the form of a sidewalk plaque at 447 North Broad Street.

• Bill - Regulating parking in the 1st District.

• Bill - Regulating parking in the 1st District.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

• Bill - Amending the Zoning Code to add “AHP - Affordable Housing Preservation” Overlay District in the areas around 39th and Ludlow Streets and establishing a temporary demolition moratorium in the area.

• Resolution - Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to convey deeds to the Land Bank in the 3rd District.

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

• Bill - Authorizing Water Commissioner to enter into contract with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to act as a city agent for purposes of green stormwater infrastructure projects.

• Bill - Amending Bill No. 201320, “Capital Program Ordinance” related to Safe Play Zone security cameras.

• Bill - Amending Bill No. 201321, “Capital Budget” related to Safe Play Zone security cameras.

Councilmember Bobby Henon (D-6th)

• Bill - Regulating parking in the 6th District.

• Bill - Authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to contract for the construction of sewer infrastructure in the 6th Councilmanic District.

• Bill - Expanding property owner liability.

Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-6th)

• Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Housing to hold hearings on the provision of emergency housing vouchers to those experiencing homelessness.

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

• Bill - Amending the Retirement Code by codifying pension board’s policy of performing an annual stress test on the system.

• Resolution - Expressing support for federal contract workers under Triple Canopy contractor who believe they have been discriminated against based on race and religion related to hair rules.

Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL)

• Bill - Authorizing streeteries and amending the regulations related to sidewalk cafes.

• Bill - Revising the standards and requirements for sidewalk cafes.

Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)

• Bill - Adding a new chapter to the Philadelphia Code titled “Film Industry and Digital Media Incentives,” establishing financial incentives for the film industry.

Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session

Resolutions:

• 📛 210585 (Clarke): Appointing George Pegram to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• 📛 210586 (Clarke): Appointing Jacqueline Dunn to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• 📛 210588 (Clarke): Appointing Michael Hill to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• 📛 210589 (Clarke): Reappointing Robert Zuritsky to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• 🏆 210747 (Clarke): Also naming the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue between 23rd Street and 24th Street, as “Harold Malcom McCoy Way” to honor the life and entrepreneurship of Harold Malcolm McCoy and his dedication to the North Philadelphia-Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor.

• 🏆 210748 (Clarke): Also naming the 1800 block of North 23rd Street from West Berks Street to West Montgomery Avenue, “Helen Brown Way” to honor and commemorate the life of Helen Brown, a community organizer and activist for her work with Project HOME and her lasting impact on her North Philadelphia community.

• 🏆 210749 (Henon): Honoring Venkat Balumuri for his incredible leadership and contributions to the health and wellbeing of Philadelphians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 🏆 210753 (Johnson): Also naming the 2000 block of Christian Street “John Van de Paer Way” to honor the life and legacy of Father John Van de Paer.

• 🏆 210756 (Gauthier): Designating September as International Underground Railroad Month in Philadelphia.

• 🏆 210758 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week and Community College of Philadelphia Alumni, Anais Barnes, for her scientific research and her valuable discoveries of a rare plant and bee species.

• 🗺️ 210759 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to title to certain properties located in the First Councilmanic District to the Land Bank.

• 🗺️ 210760 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• 🏆 210761 (Bass): Also renaming the 3900 block of N 17th Street in front of Gratz High School in Huntington Park “Rasheed Wallace Road”, to honor Rasheed Wallace, a philanthropist, former NBA player, and entrepreneur.

• 🏆 210763 (Oh): Honoring the life of civic leader and former Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Anthony J. Wong.

• 210764 (Oh): Recognizing October 2021 as the 40th Annual Polish American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.

• 210###(Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing Committee on Homelessness to hold hearings on the provision of emergency housing vouchers to those experiencing homelessness.

Bills:

• 210474-AA (Quiñones-Sánchez): Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising certain provisions of Section 14-702, entitled "Floor Area, Height, and Housing Unit Density Bonuses"; and by making related changes, 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.)

Monday, October 4th

• Joint Committees on Law and Government & Commerce and Economic Development, 10:00 AM - hearing examining the relationship between public safety and the economic vitality of neighborhood commercial corridors, and further to explore any and all broad-based, neighborhood-focused, and inter-governmental public safety initiatives that have worked in the City in the past, and have worked or are working in other cities.

Wednesday, October 6th

• Committee on Finance, 9:00 AM - the Committee on Finance will hear three bills regarding the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, payroll banking services and the sale of bonds by PGW.

Tuesday, October 19th

• Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the Rules Committee will consider a bill creating a “Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District.” (210633)

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