City Hall Roll Call: December 2, 2021

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.

Session Recap:

With only two more Council sessions left until its winter recess, Council dispatched with much of its Second Reading and Final Passage calendar while taking a final vote on compromise Streeteries legislation.

Earlier this fall, Councilmember Domb introduced expansive legislation that would make permanent the option to erect a by-right streetery citywide. Council President Clarke introduced competing legislation that would allow only certain areas to permit streeteries, by right, with other parts of the city requiring council approval through ordinance. Today, Council passed a version of the bill that limits by-right streeteries to Center City and certain Councilmember-selected commercial corridors. In a break from her fellow district colleagues, Councilmember Gauthier included the entirety of her third district in the legislation. As reported by the Inquirer,

Gauthier said expanded outdoor dining has helped businesses and created a more vibrant atmosphere in the city. And she said she was concerned about equity. “I didn’t want to have winners and losers across my district,” she said.

The map below, created by @aaronbauman, depicts the areas where by-right streeteries are permitted under the newly passed legislation. The areas not highlighted will need to seek City Council approval in order to take erect a streetery.

In other news, Council President Clarke’s proposed charter change legislation that would change the number of Zoning Board Adjustment members, impose qualifications for service and require Council sign-off on appointees, is scheduled for a public hearing before the Committee on Law and Government. The bill is in response to Council concerns that the ZBA is ignoring community concerns regarding development. In a note to colleagues, Clarke asserted that “[f]ar too often, the board is condescending to the community and dismissive of legitimate issues raised by neighbors.”

The hearing is set for Monday, December 6th at 1:00 p.m. The bill, even if passed by Council, would need to head to voters for final approval before taking effect.

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 no truck parking on street in 4th District. (Jones)

😇 Ethics

• Bill adding and modifying provisions related to the disclosure of financial interests by Councilmembers. (Clarke)

• Resolution amending council rules related to recusals from conflict of interest. (Clarke)

💸 Finance / Budget

• Bill recognizing the City’s intent to create the Philadelphia Public Authority to serve as a municipal public bank, and amending rules regarding lobbying and non-competitively bid contracts as related to the proposed municipal bank. (Green)

🏗️ Construction / Zoning

• Bill approving amendments to the University of Pennsylvania master plan. (Gauthier)

🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition

• Resolution authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)

• Resolution authorizing the transfer of deeds from the PRA to the Land Bank for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)

• Resolution authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)

• Resolution authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District. (Johnson)

• Resolution authorizing the transfer of deeds from the PRA to the Land Bank for properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)

• Resolution authorizing Land Bank disposition of properties in the 4th District. (Jones)

• Resolution authorizing Land Bank disposition of properties in the 7th District. (Quinones-Sanchez)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)

• Resolution authorizing hearing on diversity and inclusion in contracting by the School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA, PIDC and other city-related agencies. (Johnson)

• Resolution authorizing the committee on Education to hold hearings regarding the School District’s recently announced new criteria for admissions for middle and high school students. (Oh)

• Resolution authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the sources of funding and investment priorities related to the recently passed federal infrastructure bill. (Domb)

• Resolution calling on Mayor to establish and implement an academic expert advisory team to guide disposition of funds related to anti-violence programming. (Domb)

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)

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of deeds from the PRA to the Land Bank for properties located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank dispositions for properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.

• Resolution - Authorizing hearing on diversity and inclusion in contracting by the School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA, PIDC and other city-related agencies.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

• Bill - Approving amendments to the University of Pennsylvania master plan.

• Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of deeds from the PRA to the Land Bank for properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.

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

• Bill - No truck parking on street in 4th District.

• Resolution - Authorizing Land Bank disposition of properties in the 4th District.

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

• Bill - Adding and modifying provisions related to the disclosure of financial interests by Councilmembers.

• Resolution - Amending council rules related to recusals from conflict of interest.

Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th)

• Resolution -Authorizing Land Bank disposition of properties in the 7th District.

Councilmember Allan Domb (D-AL)

• Resolution - Calling on Mayor to establish and implement an academic expert advisory team to guide disposition of funds related to anti-violence programming.

• Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the sources of funding and investment priorities related to the recently passed federal infrastructure bill.

Councilmember Derek Green (D-AL)

• Bill - Recognizing the City’s intent to create the Philadelphia Public Authority to serve as a municipal public bank, and amending rules regarding lobbying and non-competitively bid contracts as related to the proposed municipal bank.

Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)

• Resolution - Authorizing the committee on Education to hold hearings regarding the School District’s recently announced new criteria for admissions for middle and high school students.

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

Resolutions:

• 🗺️ 210934 (Clarke): Authorizing the conveyance of deeds in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Redevelopment Authority.

• 🗣️ 210935 (Gilmore-Richardson): Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt House Bills 2034 and 2043, House Resolution 151, Senate Resolution 201, and Senate Bill 189 and thanking Governor Tom Wolf, Representative Donna Bullock, Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Representative Chris Rabb, and Senator Vincent Hughes for their commitment to addressing Environmental Justice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• 🏆 210936 (Gilmore-Richardson): Celebrating the expansion of solar energy offerings through Philadelphia Energy Authority's Solarize Philly Program.

• 🚦 210937 (Jones): Also naming the 5600 block of W. Master Street as “David Fattah Way,” in honor of David Fattah, to commemorate his legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja, as well as his community and youth leadership in the City of Philadelphia.

• 🚦 210938 (Jones): Also naming the 1400 block of N. Frazier Street as “Queen Mother Falaka Fattah Way,” in honor of Falaka Fattah, to commemorate her legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja and her leadership in mentoring over 3,000 African American youth in her lifetime.

• 🏆 210939 (Johnson): Recognizing Annette John-Hall on the occasion of her retirement from journalism after a distinguished and celebrated career.

• 🗣️ 210940 (Johnson): Urging the U.S. Congress to pass House Resolution 5768, the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act, which would provide $1 Billion in federal funding over the next 10 years to help local and state police raise their clearance rates for both fatal and non-fatal shootings.

• 🏆 210942 (Domb): Congratulating David L. Cohen on his confirmation as the United States Ambassador to Canada and recognizing his many contributions to public life and service in Philadelphia and beyond.

• 🏆 210943 (Domb): Honoring 6ABC Action News’ Jim Gardner upon his upcoming retirement and recognizing his years of service to the people of Philadelphia and the region to whom he delivered urgent news and information every day since 1976.

• ⚖️ 210944 (Gauthier): Recognizing and determining that Bill No. 210778-A remains under active consideration by this Council.

• 🏆 210945 (Thomas): Honoring the legacy of Champion of the week, Norm Eavenson, for an inspiring life and recruiting career of more than 40 years scouting the best young basketball players all across Pennsylvania, New York, D.C., and Baltimore as a Middle Atlantic Recruiter.

• 🏆 210946 (Oh): Recognizing the 88th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933.

• 🏆 210947 (Oh): Proclaiming November 24, 2021, as Pierre Robert Day in Philadelphia in commemoration of his 40th Anniversary at 93.3 WMMR.

• ⚖️ 210### (Johnson): Resolution authorizing hearing on diversity and inclusion in contracting by the School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA, PIDC and other city-related agencies.

• ⚖️ 210### (Oh): Resolution authorizing the committee on Education to hold hearings regarding the School District’s recently announced new criteria for admissions for middle and high school students.

• ⚖️ 210### (Domb): Resolution authorizing the Committee on Fiscal Stability to hold hearings to discuss the sources of funding and investment priorities related to the recently passed federal infrastructure bill.

Bills:

• 🚦 210584 (Squilla): Establishing no truck parking regulations in the vicinity of Weccacoe street and Oregon avenue.

• 💼 210671-A (Gilmore-Richardson): Requiring certain businesses or professions provide disclosures regarding tangled titles.

• 🚦 210675 (Henon): Amending Section 12-2809 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Civil Penalties and Costs,” to change certain penalties for parking on sidewalks.

• 🚦 210678 (Jones): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Allens lane and Wissahickon avenue.

• 🚦 210679 (Jones): Permitting vending on certain sections of 49th street.

• 🚦 210690 (Bass): Establishing a one-way regulation on Bryan Street, from West Mount Pleasant Avenue to Allens Lane, northbound.

• 🚦 210746 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Wildey street and Hancock street; Wildey street and Marlborough street; Salmon street and Columbia avenue; Montgomery avenue and Wildey street.

• 💸 210772 (Parker): Codifying the Pension Board’s preexisting policy and practice to perform an annual stress test of the Retirement System in accordance with industry standards.

• 🚦 210773 (Henon): Establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the 6th Councilmanic District.

• 🔏 210774 (Henon): Authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a water main and appurtenant work in the 6th Councilmanic District.

• 🚦 210776 (Domb): Adding a new section entitled “Streeteries” to allow for expansion of business uses, including outdoor dining, in portions of the public right-of-way, such as at certain curbside parking locations.

• 🚦 210798 (Clarke): Amending Bill No. 200351, entitled “An Ordinance authorizing the operation of sidewalk cafes during the COVID-19 emergency until December 31, 2020 in areas of the City where such activity currently must be otherwise authorized by special ordinance, and allowing expanded activity by currently licensed sidewalk café operations,” as amended by Bill No. 200497, to further extend the date Bill No. 200351 will remain in effect, all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🚦 210779 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk plaque in the vicinity of 447 N. Broad Street, under certain terms and conditions.

• 🚦 210780 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• 🚦 210781 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• 🏗️ 210808 (O’Neill): Amending the zoning maps in the 10th Councilmanic District.

• 🚦 210826 (Jones): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades for sewer and drainage purposes within the 4th Councilmanic District.

• 🚦 210846 (Henon): Establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Tulip street and Robbins street, and Longshore avenue and New State road.

• 🚦 210847 (Jones): Establishing no truck parking regulations within the 4th Councilmanic District.

• 🏗️ 210862 (Gilmore-Richardson): Amending Section 17-111, entitled “Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design in Construction of Buildings,” to update requirements and make technical changes.

• 💸 210900 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 within the General Fund.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

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

Thursday, December 2nd

Committee on Public Safety, 2:00 PM - the Committee will take testimony on Bill No. 210923 to prohibit the operation of any casino-style or skill game that accepts cash payment for the chance of a cash reward and is not otherwise regulated by the State of Pennsylvania.

Monday, December 6th

Committee on Finance, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hear three bills two of which are related to the capital budget and one bill which would clarify the number of contribution agreements that may be entered into through the “Credit for Contributions to Community Development Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations Engaged in Developing and Implementing Healthy Food Initiatives and Nonprofit Intermediaries” program.

Committee on Law and Government, 1:00 PM - the Committee will consider a charter change to increase the number of members on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, require certain expertise for service and require council approval of the Mayoral appointees.

Tuesday, December 7th

Committee on Streets and Services, 10:00 AM - the Committee will consider ten bills, including a proposal to establish a prohibition on loud noise emanating from a motor vehicle and to add a section authorizing use of an automated system for determining violations of that prohibition.

Committee on Rules, 2:00 PM - the Committee will consider three bills related to a demolition moratorium and zoning change in the area bounded by Henry Avenue, Roxborough Avenue, Silverwood Street, and Fountain Street, and a zoning change for the land located within an area bounded by Crispin Street, Willits Road, Academy Road, and Frankford Avenue.

Wednesday, December 8th

Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, 9:00 AM - the Committee will consider a bill to provide for an eviction diversion program, to make associated changes related to the landlord and tenant relationship, and making certain technical changes.