City Hall Roll Call: April 29, 2021

Session Recap:

City Council had an impassioned session today, inspired by President Joe Biden’s address to Congress last night which outlined his infrastructure plan to “Build Back Better.” There were a number of speeches by members touting the work that Council did through the pandemic in mitigating the eviction crisis, as well as recognizing the hard work that still lay ahead with this year’s budget. Council Majority Leader Cherelle Parker committed City Council to doing everything in its power to ensuring housing stability for Philadelphia residents, including continuing to fight for a long-term moratorium on foreclosures and Sheriff’s sales.

Legislatively, Council passed a number of substantive bills today, including a bill designed to provide additional support to restaurants as they struggle to comeback from the pandemic. Bill 210135-AA would allow certain restaurants with sidewalk seating to apply to have live, outdoor entertainment. After weeks of negotiations with various City departments and multiple amendments, the bill will now make its way to the Mayor’s desk for signature.

Council also set its sights on the proliferation of corner stores that prioritize the sale of hashish pipes over hoagies. Bill 210159, introduced by Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson, is designed to stop stores from marketing and selling drug paraphernalia without the proper permits and city approval. Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson stated this bill was the result of constituent concerns that “unregulated sales [were] really impacting the quality of their commercial corridors.” The unanimously passed bill was crafted with the help of the Planning Commission, Managing Director’s Office and the other enforcement agencies of the City.

Lastly, Council voted 16-1 to expand domestic violence protections to victims of coercive control. These protections, offered by Councilmember Brooks, would apply to housing, employment and other situations where victims of domestic violence may face discrimination. Councilman Oh was the lone no vote, recognizing the important and worthy goal of the legislation but believing that the definition of coercive control was too broadly written, with the potential for serious unintended consequences. (Bill 210249).

Council will kick-off budget hearings next week, with the top Administration officials laying out the Mayor’s Five-Year plan for the city.

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.

🏗️ Zoning and Construction

• Bill modifying contractor licensing requirements (Henon / Admin)

• Bill revising provisions in construction code related to excavation of properties and creating an excavation contractor license (Henon / Admin)

🚦 Streets and Right of Way

• Bill establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill Authorizing Bike Lanes in area of N. 5th Streets and Race Streets

• Bill Authorizing the operators at 941 S. 8th to maintain a Sidewalk Cafe

🗺️ Land Transfer / Disposition

• Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer property to the Land Bank (Bass)

• Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer property to the Land Bank (Squilla)

• Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st District (Squilla)

• Resolution authorizing transfer of deeds to certain properties in 5th district (Clarke)

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 establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill establishing parking regs in 1st District

• Bill Authorizing Bike Lanes in area of N. 5th Streets and Race Streets

• Bill Authorizing the operators at 941 S. 8th to maintain a Sidewalk Cafe

• Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer property to the Land Bank

• Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 1st District

Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

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

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

• Resolution authorizing transfer of deeds to certain properties in 5th district

Councilmember Bobby Henon (D-6th)

• Bill modifying contractor licensing requirements (Admin)

• Bill revising provisions in construction code related to excavation of properties and creating an excavation contractor license (Admin)

Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)

Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)

• Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer property to the Land Bank

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

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)

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:

• 🏆 210365 (Gilmore-Richardson): Resolution honoring and recognizing Philadelphia’s public gardens.

• ⚖️ 210366 (Clarke): Resolution authorizing the creation of a “Special Committee on City Infrastructure Projects under the American Jobs Plan”, to develop and recommend strategies for implementing, leveraging, and ensuring inclusion in City infrastructure projects funded under the American Jobs Plan.

• 🏆 210367 (Henon): Resolution honoring and recognizing Sister Maureen McGarrity for her commitment to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, leadership to Holy Family University and service to Philadelphia.

• 🏆 210368 (Henon): Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Sister Francesca Onley and acknowledging her lifelong commitment to her faith, family, and Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Holy Family University, and Philadelphia.

• 🏆 210369 (Henon): Resolution congratulating the St. Huberts Cheerleading team for winning the 2021 PIAA Competitive Spirit State Championship.

• 🏆 210370 (Henon): Resolution recognizing Tarik Khan’s incredible leadership and contributions to the health and well-being of Philadelphians and extending appreciation and admiration for his efforts to vaccinate Philadelphia residents against COVID-19.

• 🗣️ 210371 (Jones): Resolution calling for the establishment of a "Philly Youth Act" to reduce gun violence and foster, coordinate, and promote peace treaties amongst our Philadelphia youths.

• 🗣️ 210373 (Green): Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to admit Washington, District of Columbia as the 51st state in our Union.

• 🗣️ 210374 (Green): Resolution calling upon the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to reject Senate Bill 275, which would restrict municipalities from addressing climate change through legislating energy and heating infrastructure requirements.

• 🏆 210376 (Bass): Resolution also naming the 2700 block of N. 21st Street “Dr. Ala Stanford Way”, to recognize, honor, and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Ala Stanford and her dedication to the people of Philadelphia.

• 🏆 210377 (Oh): Resolution recognizing April 30th as Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Day as a Symbol of the Contributions of the Vietnamese-American Community in the City of Philadelphia.

• 🏆 210378 (Oh): Resolution honoring historian and educator Kerry L. Bryan on the occasion of her 70th birthday.

• 🏆 210379 (Oh): Resolution proclaiming the Week of May 7, 2021 to May 15, 2021 as the 11th annual Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast, and honoring the broad and vibrant Philadelphia technology community.

Bills:

• 🚦 210135-AA (Gilmore-Richardson): An Ordinance adding new provisions allowing restaurants applying for a sidewalk café permit or temporary lot uses permit to allow outdoor entertainment.

• 🏗️ 200348 (Johnson): An Ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by creating the “/WCS, West Chestnut Street Overlay District,” all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🏗️ 210159 (Gilmore-Richardson): An Ordinance amending Chapter 14-600, entitled “Use Regulations,” by amending the Retail Sales Use Category and Use-Specific Standards; all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🏗️ 210207 (O’Neill): An Ordinance changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Cottman Avenue, the Montgomery County Line, the Bucks County Line, Interstate 95, Grant Avenue, and Roosevelt Boulevard.

• 🏗️ 210228 (Squilla): An Ordinance to changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spruce Street, 5th Street, South Street, and 8th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🏗️ 210246 (Henon): An Ordinance changing the zoning designations of certain portions of the land located within an area bounded by Delaware Expressway, Richmond Street, Lewis Street, Delaware Avenue, and Castor Avenue.

• 🏗️ 210247 (Jones): An Ordinance changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 63rd Street, Lansdowne Avenue, Felton Street, Haddington Lane, Edgewood Street, Lansdowne Avenue, 54th Street, Girard Avenue, 59th Street, and Callowhill Street.

• 🏥 210249 (Brooks): An Ordinance amending various chapters of the Philadelphia Code to provide protections for persons affected by coercive control, including in the context of employment discrimination, employment leave, and housing protections.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

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

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.

Friday, May 7th

• Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative / Innovative Economy, 9:00 a.m. - The Committee will hold public hearings on plans, procedures, and global best practices for restarting the economy in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (200339).

• Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, 1:00 PM - The Committee will hold hearings on the City of Philadelphia’s Landmarks and Monuments Review process to propose changes to any landmarks or monuments in Philadelphia that are reminders or symbols of racism or bigotry and consider the proposed renaming of the Winter Street Dog Park, the Rob Stuart Dog Park. (210308 / 210360)

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.