City Hall Roll Call: April 8, 2021
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City Hall Roll Call: April 8, 2021

Will Tax Reform be on Council's Spring Agenda?

Man dropping a ballot into a voter box

Session Recap:

In an otherwise routine Council session, Councilmember Allan Domb stirred things up by dropping in a package of tax reform bills that aim to overhaul the City’s much maligned tax structure. In a speech explaining the bills, Domb observed that we face a unique time and a choice between continuing along the same path or taking “bold action to change the trajectory of the city.” He notes, “Now is the time to examine what is working and what isn’t working - this crisis is an opportunity to make change.”

The first bill in the package would reduce the Wage Tax over the course of twenty years. Starting in FY2023, the legislation would take the Resident Wage Tax rate from 3.87% to 2.9% and the Non-Resident rate from 3.5% to 2.8%.

Philadelphia’s corporate income tax rate, one of the highest in the country, is also in Domb’s reform crosshairs. The second bill would reduce the Net Income portion of the Business Income and Receipts Tax over 10 years starting in FY 2022, taking the rate from 6.20% to 3.00%. The third bill aims to simplify and reduce the tax burden on businesses by allowing businesses to pay the higher of Net Income or Gross Receipts – no longer having to pay both.

Councilmember Parker also introduced a resolution authorizing hearings on the recently announced Sheriff’s Office program which would move Sheriff’s Sales online. Councilmember Parker cited concerns about how the online sales process will impact individuals without the technology to access the bidding site, invite out-of-town speculation and the potential impact on land use and the acceleration of gentrification in the City. The Committee on Law and Government will hear testimony on this resolution on Wednesday, April 21st at 1pm.

Council also cleared off their growing Second Reading and Final Passage calendar by passing dozens of the ceremonial resolutions that have been introduced over the last few weeks.

Next Thursday, the Mayor will present his belated FY2022 Budget to City Council. Typically, the Council Chambers would be filled with Administration officials and public as the Mayor delivers what amounts to a “State of the City,” touting the accomplishments of the last year and laying out his vision for the future. This speech is the kick-off of budget season, which will see dozens of hearings as individual City departments come before Council to have their budgets and performances examined.

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.

💸 Taxes and Finance

  • Bill amending how the city imposes the Business Income and Receipts Tax. (Domb)

  • Bill revising BIRT rates. (Domb)

  • Bill revising Wage and Net Profit Tax rates. (Domb)

🚦 Streets

  • Bill prohibiting street vending on certain portions of East Passyunk. (Squilla)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District. (O’Neill)

🗺️ Land Acquisition / Disposition

  • Bill authorizing Public Property to enter into sublease for use of premises on Chestnut Street. (Squilla)

  • Bill authorizing Public Property to obtain title to land in the 6th District for water treatment purposes. (Henon)

  • Bill authorizing Public Property to obtain title to land in Tacony-Holmesburg section of the Delaware River Trail. (Henon)

  • Resolution authorizing Public Property to execute deeds for land located in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings)

  • Resolution authorizing Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings on the City’s landmarks and review process and to propose process for changes to landmarks that are symbols of bigotry. (Bass)

  • Resolution authorizing hearings on lack of diversity of corporate boards in Philadelphia. (Bass)

  • Resolution authorizing Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings examining the decision to move Sheriff's sales online and to explore the ramifications of that decision. (Parker)

🔏 Contract Authorizations

  • Bill authorizing Procurement Department to enter contract to construct sewer. (behalf of 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 authorizing Public Property to enter into sublease for use of premises on Chestnut Street.

  • Bill prohibiting street vending on certain portions of East Passyunk.

Councilmember Bobby Henon (D-6th)

  • Bill authorizing Public Property to obtain title to land in the 6th District for water treatment purposes.

  • Bill authorizing Public Property to obtain title to land in Tacony-Holmesburg section of the Delaware River Trail.

Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)

  • Resolution authorizing Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings on the City’s landmarks and review process and to propose process for changes to landmarks that are symbols of bigotry.

  • Resolution authorizing hearings on lack of diversity of corporate boards in Philadelphia.

  • Resolution authorizing Public Property to execute deeds for land located in the 8th Councilmanic District.

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

  • Bill authorizing Procurement Department to enter contract to construct sewer. (behalf of Clarke).

  • Resolution authorizing Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings examining the decision to move Sheriff's sales online and to explore the ramifications of that decision.

Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

  • Bill establishing no truck parking regulations in the 10th District

Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL)

  • Bill amending how the city imposes the Business Income and Receipts Tax.

  • Bill revising BIRT rates.

  • Bill revising Wage and Net Profit Tax rates.

Councilmember Helen Gym (D-AL)

  • Resolution urging the U.S. Senate to pass the PRO Act and recognize right of workers to form unions.

Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)

  • Resolution calling on the Philadelphia School District to include AAPI history as part of its curriculum to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and to act as a tool to combat racism and harassment surge against members of the AAPI community

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)

  • Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to grant the City of Philadelphia the ability to provide regulatory relief (extended bar hours and happy hours) to local bars to help bars and restaurants make full recovery from Covid.

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

Resolutions:

  • 🏆 210251 (Bass): recognizing March 31, 2021 as International Transgender Day of Visibility to celebrate transgender and gender non-conforming people around the world, raise awareness about the unique struggles and discrimination they face, and honor their resilience and success.

  • 🏆 210253 (Parker): congratulating Esteban Vera Jr., on his appointment to SEPTA’s board of directors, making him the first Latino person to serve on the transit agency’s governing body.

  • 🏆 210254 (Parker): recognizing and congratulating Marcia L. Fudge on her confirmation to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • 🏆 210255 (Parkeer): recognizing Philly Tech Sistas on their work to diversify the tech scene in Philadelphia, with special acknowledgement to Ashley Turner for leading the group and her dedication to this effort.

  • 🏆 210256 (Gilmore-Richardson): celebrating the Selection of Jericho Brown's Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of poems, The Tradition, for the 2021 “One Book, One Philadelphia” Program.

  • 🏆 210258 (Henon): honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

  • 🏆 210259 (Henon): honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick.

  • 🏆 210260 (Jones for Clarke): honoring and recognizing Fred Jenkins, Sr. for his work as a boxing coach and youth mentor and his retirement from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation after 45 years of service.

  • 🏆 210261 (Jones): honoring and congratulating Diana C. Medley on the occasion of her retirement following 25 years of relentless dedication and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

  • 🏆 210262 (Jones): recognizing and honoring Herb Douglas, the oldest living African American Olympic medalist, for his many life achievements, on and off the track.

  • 🗺️ 210263 (Johnson): authorizing Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds to certain City-owned lots in the Second Councilmanic District and authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties.

  • 🏆 210264 (Johnson): honoring the life and legacy of Charlie “Uncle Bip” Bernard, Dean of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, Political Director, Chief Moral Officer, and the Grandfather of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, for his lifelong dedication to Philadelphia politics.

  • 🗣️ 210265 (Johnson): calling all social media companies to take a proactive role in fighting the Gun Violence epidemic nationwide by monitoring and removing inciting posts off platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

  • 🗺️ 210266 (Quiñones-Sánchez): authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2001 N. Orianna Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.

  • 🏆 210267 (Quiñones-Sánchez): recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services for their collaborative commitment to bring healing and justice to victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2021 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.

  • 🏆 210268 (Green): honoring and congratulating Deb Haaland on the occasion of her becoming the 54th United States Secretary of the Interior and the first Native American woman to lead a cabinet-level department, particularly one that is existential for Native tribes and people.

  • 🏆 210270 (Thomas): honoring and congratulating Philadelphia’s 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition Program Semifinalists. Thirty-eight students from nine of Philadelphia’s schools were named as semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition Program, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence.

  • 🗺️ 210271 (Squilla): authorizing Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds to certain City-owned lots in the First Councilmanic District and authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties.

  • 🏆 210272 (Bass): recognizing April 6, 2021 as National Library Workers Day to honor the commitment of library workers and the unique services they provide to local communities; and to support greater compensation and equality in libraries.

  • 🏆 210273 (Bass): recognizing the week of April 5, 2021 to April 11, 2021 as National Public Health Week to celebrate public health, highlight issues critical to building healthier communities, and thank public health workers during an especially unique year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • ⚖️ Resolution 210### (Parker): authorizing Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings examining the decision to move Sheriff's sales online and to explore the ramifications of that decision.

  • ⚖️ Resolution 210### (Bass): authorizing Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold hearings on the City’s landmarks and review process and to propose process for changes to landmarks that are symbols of bigotry.

  • ⚖️ Resolution 210### (Bass): authorizing hearings on lack of diversity of corporate boards in Philadelphia.

Bills:

  • 🚦200658 (Jones): authorizing the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Upland Way and Berks Street.

  • ✒️ 210079 (Green for Clarke): authorizing PGW through PFMC to enter into a lease of the premises located at 5000 Summerdale Avenue and 5501 Whitaker Avenue for the use of PGW.

  • 🚦210001 (Jones): establishing various parking regulations in the 4th Councilmanic District.

  • 🚧 210002 (Quiñones-Sánchez): amending an authorizing the revision of lines and grades by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cayuga Street and placing a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes.

  • 🚦210118 (Johnson): establishing various parking regulations in the 2nd Councilmanic District.

  • 🚦210119 (Johnson): establishing various parking regulations in the 2nd Councilmanic District.

  • 🚦210135 (Gilmore-Richardson): allowing restaurants applying for a sidewalk café permit or temporary lotuses permit to allow outdoor entertainment.

  • 🚧 210136 (Jones): authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work, required to provide public sewer service, in the unit block of Osborn Street.

  • 🚦210178 (Parker): Ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Frontenac Street from Levick Street to Devereaux Avenue.

  • 🚦210179 (Parker): establishing a no truck parking regulation on Hammond Avenue between East Nedro Avenue and Crescentville Road.

  • 🚦210180 (Jones): amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Farmers’ Markets,” by adding a permissible location.

  • 💸 210137 (Johnson): amending the “Public Employees Retirement Code,” by creating an early retirement program for certain employees working in or with the Department of Commerce, Aviation Division.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

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

Thursday, April 8th

  • Committee on Children and Youth, 1:00 p.m. - public hearings regarding the establishment of an independent Youth Services Ombudsperson office to receive, investigate, and report on concerns from youth and families about safety or services for young people in any institutional facility. (Resolution 210126)

Friday, April 9th

  • Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, 9:30 a.m. - public hearings to obtain an update on the status of the City’s security camera program for the parks and recreational facilities as well as the City’s plan to ensure all City parks and playgrounds are inclusive and accessible for all disabilities and special needs.

Monday, April 12th

Tuesday, April 13th

Wednesday, April 14th

  • Committee on Education, 10:00 a.m. - The committee will conduct a hearing exploring the benefits of the School District of Philadelphia mandating conflict resolution training at all curriculum levels.

Friday, April 16th

Monday, April 19th

  • Committee on Rules, 10 a.m. - The Rules Committee has nine (9) bills on its meeting agenda:

    • Creating the West Chestnut Street Overlay District. (200348)

    • Changing the zoning designations of land located within an area bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Frankford Avenue, Master Street and 6th Street. (200713)

    • Revising provisions related to the collection of hotel rental taxes in connection with private short term rentals. (210081)

    • Amending the Retail Sales Use Category and Use-Specific Standards. (210159)

    • Changing the zoning designations 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. (210207)

    • Establishing and adding a new sub-area within the CTR Center City Overlay District Broad Street Area, entitled “South Broad Street Gateway.” (210225)

    • Changing the zoning of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spruce Street, 5th Street, South Street, and 8th Street.(210228)

    • Changing the zoning of certain portions of the land located within an area bounded by Delaware Expressway, Richmond Street, Lewis Street, Delaware Avenue, and Castor Avenue. (210246)

    • Changing the zoning 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. (210247)