City Hall Roll Call: June 17, 2021

Session Recap:

Council is down to its last few hours to reach a budget deal with the Administration regarding the various tax reduction proposals. A Committee of the Whole meeting was scheduled this morning in advance of the weekly Stated Meeting. It was anticipated that Council would move the tax bills out of committee in order to allow them to have the required first reading at that morning’s Stated Meeting. However, rather than move the bills out of committee, Council recessed the Committee of the Whole until the afternoon, to allow for further negotiations.

Earlier this week, Councilmember Parker announced that she was withdrawing her proposed Parking Tax reduction (17%) bill from consideration after loud protests from the Urbanist and Progressive communities. Councilmember Parker’s bill was offered with the hopes of securing wage and benefits increases for parking industry workers in exchange for the tax reduction. With only a handful of garage operators committing to the improved working conditions, and no ability to legally mandate those benefits, Councilmember Parker pulled the bill.

The current budget deadlock is regarding the various proposals floating around that would lower wage and business taxes in the City. Councilmember Domb is whipping votes for the most aggressive of the tax reduction proposals with cuts to wage and business taxes. As part of his budget, the Mayor offered similar, but more modest reductions to the various tax rates which he is also struggling to achieve a majority of support.

There are a number of different camps in Council, none of which has yet achieved the necessary nine-votes required to pass legislation. One group of members is opposed to any tax cuts, calling the reductions “debunked” “trickle down economics.” One group of members is supportive of the more aggressive reductions believing that the drop in revenue will be replaced by taxes generated by new businesses and jobs. The third group appears willing to consider some modest tax reductions on the wage side, but focused on residents instead of non-resident and business taxes.

Council will stand in recess until later this afternoon, at which point the Committee of the Whole will be required to take action on the tax measures for them to be voted on. Following the conclusion of the Committee of the Whole Public Meeting, the Stated Meeting will resume to ensure that the bills are read and able to be voted on prior to the expiration of the fiscal year.

Stay tuned for further updates regarding this ongoing stalemate.

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 establishing no truck parking. (Squilla)

🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition

• Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties in the 5th District. (Clarke)

• Resolution conveying land located in the 5th District. (Clarke)

• Resolution authorizing Public Property to convey land in 4th District. (Jones)

• Eight (8) Resolutions authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District. (Gauthier)

• Resolution authorizing conveyance of land in 1st District. (Squilla)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)

• Resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt House Bill 953. (Parker)

🔏 Contract Authorizations

• Resolution approving redevelopment plan for properties in 5th District. (Clarke)

📛 Board or Commission Appointments

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. (Clarke)

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. (Clarke)

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. (Clarke)

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. (Clarke)

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority. (Clarke)

• Resolution approving appointments to the Philadelphia Sewer and Water Rate Board. (Clarke)

• Resolution approving appointments to the Philadelphia Sewer and Water Rate Board. (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 no truck parking.

• Resolution authorizing conveyance of land in 1st District.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

• Resolution authorizing land conveyance to Land Bank / authorizing redevelopment agreements / disposal of properties in 3rd District.

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

• Resolution authorizing Public Property to convey land in 4th District.

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• Resolution appointing an individual to the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.

• Resolution approving redevelopment plan for properties in 5th District.

• Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties in the 5th District.

• Resolution conveying land located in the 5th District.

• Resolution approving appointments to the Philadelphia Sewer and Water Rate Board.

• Resolution approving appointments to the Philadelphia Sewer and Water Rate Board.

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

• Resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt House Bill 953.

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

Resolutions:

• 📛 210551 (Clarke): Confirming the appointment of Matthew Stitt to the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority to serve in the term ending January 1, 2024.

• 🗺️ 210552 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to convey title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.

• 🏆 210553 (Gilmore-Richardson): Honoring and recognizing Adam Agalloco for his service to the City of Philadelphia.

• 🗣️ 210554 (Gym): Urging the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health to restore funding to the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, and recognizing the SCDAA/PDVC’s nearly 39-year dedication to providing culturally competent services and to raising awareness of the serious condition of sickle cell disease.

• 🗣️ 210555 (Johnson): Urging Congress to pursue reconciliation and reparations regarding the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the lasting devastation it caused.

• 🗺️ 210556 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1931-33, 1939, 1943 N. Lawrence Street, 431, 433, 434, 438, 443 Arlington Street, 415, 417, 418, 424 W. Norris Street, N. Orianna Street, and 2914, 2916-2924, and 2926 N. 2nd Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.

• 🗺️ 210557 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1908 N. Leithgow Street and 2547 N. Mutter Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.

• 🗺️ 210558 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1611-1641 Ruan Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District.

• 🏆 210559 (Brooks): Recognizing and honoring the staff of the Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation for their dedicated service as essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 🗺️ 210561 (Gauthier): Authorizing Public Property to conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots in the Third Councilmanic District the Philadelphia Land Bank.

• 🏆 210562 (Gauthier): Recognizing Saturday, June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth Independence Day in the City of Philadelphia, in honor of June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved Black people were finally freed in the United States of America, declaring the annual Juneteenth Philly Festival and Johnson House Historic Site Festival as Philadelphia’s official Juneteenth celebrations, and advocating for the City of Philadelphia to become the official home of the National Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration.

• 🏆 210563 (Gauthier): Celebrating the life and honoring the memory of Saboor Muhammad.

• 🏆 210564 (Thomas): Honoring and congratulating 19-year-old R&B singer and Philadelphia native, Cam Anthony, for winning season 20 of The Voice, $100,000, and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.

• 🗺️ 210565 (Squilla): Authorizing Public Property to convey 2553 Kern Street in the First Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.

• 🗺️ 210566 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1921 S. 6th Street and 2544 S. 5th Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• 🗺️ 210567 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2201 E. Tioga Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.

• 🗣️ 210568 (Bass): Proposing the establishment of the Philadelphia Promise Trust Fund.

• 📛 210517 (Jones): Reappointing Jeffrey B. Goldstone to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District.

• 🗳️ 200079 (Clarke): Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Fleet Services, to transfer the functions of certain City agencies with respect to motor vehicles to the newly-created Department and to provide for additional duties of the Department.

• 🗳️ 210514 (Parker): Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise provisions related to the manner of selection from eligible lists for vacancies and promotions in the civil service system.

• 🗳️ 210524 (Green): Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for a mandatory annual appropriation for the Housing Trust Fund.

Bills:

• 🚦 210332-A (Squilla): Prohibiting street vending on certain portions of East Passyunk Avenue and surrounding areas.

• 👷 210421 (Johnson): Amending Section 17-107 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contractors: Labor Management Relationships” to 5; to extend prevailing wage requirements to third-party contracts with City-related agencies, lessees and sublessees of the City, recipients of City financial assistance, and purchasers of City property; to further provide for administration and enforcement, including reporting on contractor compliance with prevailing wage requirements; and to provide for a civil action to remedy violations, all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🔏 210475 (Clarke): Authorizing the Director of Planning and Development, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant.

• 💸 210476 (Green): Approving the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works.

• 💸 210477 (Green): Approving the Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works.

• 🗳️ 200075 (Clarke): Providing for the submission to the qualified electors proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Department of Fleet Services, to provide for the powers and duties of such Department, and to otherwise provide for incorporation of the Department into the City government.

• 🗳️ 210501 (Parker): Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise provisions related to the manner of selection from eligible lists for vacancies and promotions in the civil service system.

• 🗳️ 210507 (Green): Providing for the submission to the qualified electors an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for a mandatory annual appropriation for the Housing Trust Fund.

• 🔏 200662 (O'Neill): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use of a portion of the premises located at 11311 Roosevelt Boulevard.

• 🔏 200677 (Squilla): Authorizing the Department of Public Property to acquire, on behalf of the City, an easement in the area bounded by Chestnut Street, 12th Street, Market Street, and 11th Street.

• 🔏 210076 (Johnson): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey a parcel of land situate at 2401 Chestnut and authorizing a right-of-way for bridge repair, maintenance and/or reconstruction purposes and for stormwater sewer and drainage purposes.

• 🔏 210248 (Johnson): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with St. Agnes MOB, LLC, for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1930 South Broad Street.

• 🔏 210281 (Henon): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to land bordered by Richmond Street to the north/northwest, Wheatsheaf to the east/northeast, I-95 to the west and the Northeast Treatment Plant to the south/southeast for water treatment or supply purposes.

• 🗺️ 210282 (Henon): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire title to parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Tacony-Holmesburg section of the Delaware River Trail.

• 🔏 210293 (Squilla): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with Chestnut Street Realty Limited Partnership, LP, for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1327-29 Chestnut Street.

• 🗺️ 210418 (Henon): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Kingston Street, I-95, East Venango Street and Bath Street.

• 🔏 210419 (Henon): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a temporary construction easement on a portion of the parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Richmond Street, East Butler Street, I-95 and Castor Avenue, commonly known as 3721 Richmond Street.

• 🔏 210424 (Squilla): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with The Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1101 Market Street.

• 🗺️ 210444 (Henon): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire title to parcels of land connecting Tacony Street to the Frankford Arsenal Boat Launch, for public recreational purposes.

• 🔏 210450 (Squilla): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into an amendment to a lease agreement with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (“SEPTA”), for use by the City, of a portion of the premises located at 1234 Market Street.

• 👷 210117 (Henon): Amending Chapter 9-3700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Bouncers,” by revising definitions of covered establishments and personnel.

• 🏗️ 210388 (Henon): Amending Chapter 9-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Trades,” to modify licensing and conduct requirements applicable to contractors.

• 🏗️ 210389 (Henon): Amending provisions relating to excavation work and work impacting historic structures, create an excavation contractor license, and institute additional safeguards for property adjoining certain construction activities.

• 👷 210481 (Clarke): Amending the requirements to operate a self-service laundry; all under certain terms and conditions.

• 🏥 210510 (Clarke): Adding a new section offering gift certificates to citizens and property owners of Philadelphia who received vaccinations for COVID-19 in order to incentivize immunizations against the disease.

• 🏥 210511 (Clarke): Adding a new section offering vouchers for rebates on City gas and water charges to citizens and property owners of Philadelphia who received vaccinations for COVID-19 in order to incentivize immunizations against the disease.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

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

Monday, June 21st

• Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs, 1:00 PM - the Committee will hold hearings regarding services for people with disabilities and general compliance with and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (210128) and regarding the Community Autism Peer Specialist program, also known as CAPS. (210372).