City Hall Roll Call: April 22, 2021
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City Hall Roll Call: April 22, 2021

Kenney Administration eyes dangerous excavation practices for heightened regulation.

image of Philadelphia's City Hall

Session Recap:

Today’s Earth Day edition of City Council was relatively routine and subdued. The Mayor’s office transmitted a number bills to Council that appear to be aimed at cracking down on dangerous construction excavation practices. As the City’s real estate boom continues, older homes are being torn down and replaced at a rapid clip. The Administration appears to be seeking to create a new type of contractor license, an “excavator license,” to provide further oversight over this aspect of the construction process.

Council also passed a bill that would prohibit employers from requiring marijuana drug tests from prospective employees as a condition of employment. The bill provides for a number of exceptions, including a general exception for positions in which “the employee could significantly impact the health or safety of other employees or members of the public.” The bill passed 15-1, with Councilmember Oh voting “no.”

Councilmember Gym, on behalf of Council President Darrell Clarke, introduced a bill renaming the Winter Street Dog Park the “Rob Stuart Dog Park.” Rob was a fixture at City Council, who helped win greater public access to the Schuylkill River Park, fought against illegal guns, and led efforts to improve his Logan Square neighborhood. Rob passed away suddenly from a heart attack a ten years ago and his loss continues to be felt by his friends and loved ones.

Council’s full attention soon will be occupied by the City budget, with hearings scheduled to kick off on May 3rd. The current budget schedule can be found below in the “Upcoming City Council Public Hearings” section.

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.

🏥 Public Health

  • Bill amending various chapters of the City-Code related to mandating the availability of free feminine hygiene projects in city buildings like libraries and recreation centers. (Bass)

🏗️ Zoning and Construction

  • Bill Amending Section 14-504 - Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Amendment for land located in the 4th Councilmanic District (Jones)

  • Bill amending Section 14-502, “/CTR, Center City Overlay District” to create a Mid-Walnut Street Area. (Squilla)

  • Bill amending zoning designations around Broad and Erie streets. (Bass)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings)

  • Authorizing the creation of a “Special Committee on City Infrastructure Projects Under the American Jobs Plan” to develop strategies for ensuring inclusion in City infrastructure projects.

  • Authorizing the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold hearings on the CAPS program (Community Autism Peers Specialist Program)

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 amending Section 14-502, “/CTR, Center City Overlay District” to create a Mid-Walnut Street Area.

Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)

  • Amending Section 14-504 - Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Amendment for land located in the 4th Councilmanic District.

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

Councilmember Bobby Henon (D-6th)

Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)

Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)

  • Bill amending zoning designations around Broad and Erie streets.

  • Bill amending various chapters of the City-Code related to mandating the availability of free feminine hygiene projects in city buildings like libraries and recreation centers.

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

  • Resolution on behalf of Council President Clarke authorizing the creation of a “Special Committee on City Infrastructure Projects Under the American Jobs Plan” to develop strategies for ensuring inclusion in City infrastructure projects.

Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)

Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)

Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL)

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)

Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)

  • Authorizing the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold hearings on the CAPS program (Community Autism Peers Specialist Program)

Councilmember Helen Gym (D-AL)

Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)

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

Resolutions:

  • 🏆 210337 (Parker): Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Frank L. Stephens, Jr., and recognizing his work at the Free Library of Philadelphia and his dedication to elevating Black Art and Stories.

  • 🏆 210339 (Gilmore Richardson, Squilla and Gauthier): Resolution honoring and recognizing community garden leaders for their stewardship and service on the occasion of Earth Day 2021.

  • 🗣️ 210340 (Gilmore Richardson): Resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia Office of Fleet Management to develop and execute a Request for Proposals for additional electric vehicles and charging station infrastructure for such vehicles in the City of Philadelphia’s fleet.

  • 🏆 210341 (Gilmore Richardson): Resolution recognizing April 22, 2021 as Earth Day in the City of Philadelphia.

  • 🏆 210342 (Gilmore Richardson): Resolution honoring and thanking the Philadelphia Energy Authority for its Solar Savings Grant Program.

  • 🏆 210343 (Henon): Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Donald McGrogan, and recognizing his lifelong dedication to family, friends, and advancing the labor movement of Philadelphia.

  • 🏆 210345 (Gauthier): Resolution standing in solidarity with residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the midst of repeated eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano, and encouraging Philadelphians to offer their support in whatever ways they can.

  • 🏆 210346 (Thomas): Resolution honoring and congratulating the Imhotep Charter boys basketball team, on their successful 2020-2021 season and overall undefeated record in the Philadelphia Public League boys basketball championships.

  • 🏆 210347 (Bass): Resolution recognizing and honoring One Million Black Women, an initiative launched by Goldman Sachs, Black women-led organizations, and other partners, which will commit $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to address gender and racial biases Black women have faced for generations.

  • 🗣️ 210348 (Bass): Resolution calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association to reevaluate its policies and practices related to gender equity; and to implement steps to close gender gaps in all sports and divisions.

  • ⚖️ 210###: Authorizing the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold hearings on the CAPS program (Community Autism Peers Specialist Program)

Bills:

  • 👷 200625 (Green and Jones): An Ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,” by adding a new Chapter 9-4700, to prohibit employers from requiring prospective employees to undergo testing for the presence of marijuana as a condition of employment, under certain terms and conditions.

  • 💸 210226 (Quiñones-Sánchez for Clarke): An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, for the purpose of further implementing Council’s “New Normal Jobs Initiative” and adjusting Council’s internal appropriations.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)

Thursday, April 22nd

  • Committee on Law and Government, 1 p.m. - The Committee on Law and Government will hold hearings examining the decision to permanently move sheriff sales online, and further to explore the ramifications of and any unintended consequences that may arise from this decision. (210295)

Friday, April 23rd

  • Committee on Public Health and Human Services, 1 p.m. - The Committee will assess the City of Philadelphia’s efforts, as coordinated by the Managing Director’s Office and human services departments, to prevent and treat abuse, addiction, and disease related to the use of opioids; and to assess the City’s response to the 2020 Restorative Investment Plan for Kensington Residents. (200403)

Monday, April 26th

Wednesday, April 28th

  • Committee on Education, 1:00 p.m. - Public hearings to consider the equitable allocation of resources for the School District of Philadelphia under the American Rescue Plan. (210235)

Friday, April 30th

  • Committee on Finance, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee will consider the approval of a Service Agreement between the City and the PRA relating to the financing of a Neighborhood Preservation Initiative and the approval of issuance bonds to finance such initiative (210203) The Committee will also examine the potential of land-value taxation in and for Philadelphia. (210191)

  • Committee on Streets and Services, 1:00 p.m. - The Committee will hear consider (7) “no truck parking and tow away zone regulations.” (210286, 210287, 210288, 210289, 210290, 210291, 210292)

Monday, May 3rd

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover the City Administration / Enterprise Funds and will include testimony regarding: Five-Year Plan, Capital Program, Mayor’s Office, Aviation and Water.

Tuesday, May 4th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover Finance, Commerce and the City Commissioners and include testimony regarding: Finance Director, Tax Bills, Budget, Revenue, Treasurer, Sinking Fund Commission, Pensions, Office of Property Assessment, Commerce and the City Commissioners.

Wednesday, May 5th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover Health and Human Services and the Office of Children and Families and include testimony regarding: Public Health, Behavioral Health, Homeless Services, Human Services, the Free Library, Parks and Recreation. The Committee will also take public testimony in the afternoon.

Monday, May 10th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover the Managing Directors Office (operations) and Law Department including: Streets Department, OTIS, Licenses & Inspection, Office of Emergency Management, SEPTA, Fleet, Public Property, Mural Arts, Law Department, Chief Administrative Office, Innovation and Technology, Human Resources, Procurement and the Civil Service Commission.

Tuesday, May 11th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover the School District of Philadelphia and the Community College of Philadelphia. The Committee will also hear public testimony in the afternoon.

Wednesday, May 12th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover the Public Safety and Housing including: the Fire Department, Police Department, Prisons Department, Planning and Development, Zoning and DHCD.

Wednesday, May 19th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover the Independently Elected Row Offices including: the Sheriff’s Office, First Judicial District, District Attorney, and the Office of the Public Defender.

Monday, May 24th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover TBA Department Callbacks.

Wednesday, May 26th

  • Committee of the Whole, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee of the Whole will meet to consider the Mayor’s FY2022 Budget. This budget hearing will cover TBA Department Callbacks in the morning and public testimony in the afternoon.