City Hall Roll Call: May 13, 2021

Session Recap:

Today’s Council session was a packed one with a rare heated public debate over what seemed like an innocuous resolution, a moment of somber reflection on a dark day in Philadelphia’s history and a proposal to lower the nation’s highest parking tax.

Minimal Force Directive Debate

Councilmember David Oh introduced what seemed on its face an innocuous resolution “Calling on the City of Philadelphia to implement minimum force training for all law enforcement officers.” (Resolution 210434). Before the resolution could be voted on, a number of members requested points of clarification regarding the language and the intent of the resolution.

Councilmember Gym stated that she had serious concerns about language of the resolution which suggested that some of the Police reforms instituted following the murder of George Floyd “are questionable and may result in unintended consequences that increase crime and injury…” Councilmember Gym stated that she was not comfortable supporting a resolution “so broadly disparaging” the work that City Council has done on Police reform (banning chokeholds, tear gas, etc.) She also noted that the Philadelphia Police Department already had an existing minimal force directive, making this Resolution unnecessary.

Councilmember Oh responded that the intent of the Resolution was to improve officer training on existing policies and ensure that officers had enough training to “overcome their natural reactions through training and discipline.” After a lengthy debate, Council moved to table the resolution and no vote was taken.

Parking Tax Roll Back?

Council Majority Leader Parker also introduced a bill that would lower the City’s Parking Tax to 17% starting in FY2022. This bill is follow-up legislation to last year’s budget Parking Tax increase and the creation of the “Good Parking Jobs Committee.” Councilmember Parker stated that this tax reduction bill “is a tool in the tool box to get visitors to come back to Philadelphia” and designed to support our tourism and hospitality industries. However, she stated that this bill would be called up for a vote only if the Committee determines that the parking industry “supports stable jobs and provides a path for advancement for workers.” The Good Parking Jobs committee is scheduled to meet in early June and review parking industry conditions and discuss the potential impacts of the tax reduction on workers and the City’s economy.

A Somber Day of Remembrance

Today also marked the 36th Anniversary of the MOVE Bombing. As a result of last year’s Resolution adopted by Council, May 13th is an official day of remembrance for the victims of the City’s assault on Osage Avenue in the Cobbs Creek section of the City. Councilmember Gauthier led Council in a moment of silence to remember the eleven victims who died in the bombing, as well as the 250 residents who were made homeless by the ensuing fire. Councilmember Gauthier noted, "It is vital we reflect on these painful moments in our history. We need to recognize the pain and trauma these actions have wrought on the Cobbs Creek community and the Black community as a whole.”

Council continues its budget hearings next week with the independently elected row offices scheduled to appear before the body next week. Also reminder, Tuesday is election day! Check out the Committee of Seventy’s Voter Guide to learn more about the candidates and to find your polling place.

70 Voter Guide

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.

💸 Tax and Finance

• Bill - Reducing Philadelphia Parking Tax rate to 17%. (Parker)

• Bill - Revising financial penalties for littering and illegal dumping. (O’Neill)

👷 Labor

• Bill - Requiring hiring entities providing covered individuals with workforce and career pathways information sheet. (Gilmore-Richardson)

🚦 Streets

• Bill - No Truck Parking Regulation. (Johnson)

• Bill - No Parking Regulation. (Johnson)

• Resolution - Naming the 1600 Block of South Street “Ronald K. Washington Way.” (Johnson)

🗺️ Land Acquisition / Disposition

• Resolution - Authorizing PRA to convey property in the 2nd District. (Johnson)

• Resolution - Authorizing conveyance of land to Public Property. (Gauthier)

• Resolution - Authorizing Landbank to dispose of property in 3rd District. (Gauthier)

• Bill - Authorizing the City to acquire parcel of land connecting Tacony Street to Frankford Arsenal boat launch for recreation. (Henon)

⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)

• Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on Pennsylvania standardized testing. (Squilla)

• Resolution - Authorizing Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on mobile health crisis units. (Bass)

• Resolution - Urging the inclusion of flag of Azerbaijan on the Parkway. (Oh)

🔏 Contract Authorizations

• Bill - Authorizing Public Property to enter into a lease with SEPTA at 1234 Market Street. (Squilla)

• Bill - Authorizing Water Department to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to act as a City agent for green stormwater infrastructure projects. (Clarke)

🏗️ Zoning and Construction

• Bill - Revising Chapter 14-701 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code related to the Dimensional Standards Table. (Johnson)

• Bill - Revising 4th District Overlay and Wynnefield Overlay District. (Jones)

• Bill - Revising Use Standards for historically designated properties. (Jones)

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 a lease with SEPTA at 1234 Market Street.

• Resolution - Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on Pennsylvania standardized testing.

Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)

• Bill - No Truck Parking Regulation.

• Bill - No Parking Regulation.

• Bill - Revising Chapter 14-701 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code related to the Dimensional Standards Table.

• Resolution - Naming the 1600 Block of South Street “Ronald K. Washington Way.”

• Resolution - Authorizing PRA to convey property in the 2nd District.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)

• Resolution - Authorizing conveyance of land to Public Property.

• Resolution - Authorizing Landbank to dispose of property in 3rd District.

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

• Bill - Revising 4th District Overlay and Wynnefield Overlay District .

• Bill - Revising Use Standards for historically designated properties.

Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)

• Bill - Authorizing Water Department to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to act as a City agent for green stormwater infrastructure projects.

Councilmember Bobby Henon (D-6th)

• Bill - Authorizing the City to acquire parcel of land connecting Tacony Street to Frankford Arsenal boat launch for recreation.

Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)

• Resolution - Authorizing Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on mobile health crisis units.

Councilmember Cherelle Parker (D-9th)

• Bill - Reducing Philadelphia Parking Tax rate to 17%.

Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)

• Bill - Revising penalties for littering and illegal dumping.

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)

• Bill - Requiring hiring entities providing covered individuals with workforce and career pathways information sheet.

Councilmember David Oh (R-AL)

• Resolution - Urging the inclusion of flag of Azerbaijan on the Parkway.

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

Resolutions:

• 🗺️ 210426 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to convey title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.

• 🗣️ 210427 (Gilmore-Richardson): Urging the Pennsylvania state legislature and Governor Tom Wolf to reject House Bill 972, intended to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in high school and/or collegiate sports according to their gender identity.

• 🏆 210428 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring West Philadelphia and Wynnefield native Shaka Toney on being drafted to the Washington Football Team in the 2021 NFL Draft.

• 🗺️ 210429 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1329 S. 15th Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.

• 🏆 210430 (Johnson): Honoring Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson for his lifelong pursuit of justice, vindicating the rights of the accused, and fighting mass incarceration.

• 🗺️ 210432 (Quiñones-Sánchez): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 E. Somerset Street, 3022, 3024, 3026, 3028 N. American Street, 2907 Gransback Street, 413 W. Norris Street, 419 W. Norris Street, and 2152 N. Randolph Street, located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.

• 🏆 210433 (Thomas): Honoring the non-profit organization, The Block Gives Back, for their successful Youth Internship Program for 12-18 year old’s aimed at growing nonprofit operation skills and providing support for community events.

• ⚖️ 210### (Squilla): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings on Pennsylvania standardized testing.

• ⚖️ 210### (Bass): Authorizing Committee on Public Health to hold hearings on mobile health crisis units.

Bills:

• 🔏 210203 (Clarke): Authorizing and approving the execution and of one or more Service Agreements between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority relating to the financing of a Neighborhood Preservation Initiative which includes housing, commercial corridors, and neighborhood infrastructure programs; approving the issuance by each such Authority of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness.

• 🚦 210286 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Haldeman Avenue, both sides, from Clark Street to Red Lion Road.

• 🚦 210287 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Tomlison Road, both sides, from Bustleton Avenue to Lindsay Stree.

• 🚦 210288 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Brookmont Road, both sides, from Ferndale Street to Medway Road.

• 🚦 210289 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Bridle Road, both sides, from Brookmont Road to Bartlett Street.

• 🚦 210290 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Chesworth Road, both sides, from Verree Road to Ferndale Street.

• 🚦 210291 (O’Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Ferndale Street, both sides, from Jeanes Street to Red Lion Road.

• 🚦 210292 (O'Neill): Establishing no truck parking and tow away zone regulations on Greymont Street, both sides, from Jeanes Street to Ferndale Street.

📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings

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

Friday, May 14th

• Committee on Public Health and Human Services, 10:00. a.m. - The Committee will consider an ordinance establishing reporting and employment requirements related to changes in ownership or of the license holder of long-term care facilities and hospitals (210331)

Monday, May 17th

• Committee of the Whole, 10:00 AM - The Committee will consider the appointment of the following individuals to the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District: Chris Barnes, Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, Adam Zaken, Allison Harvey Hindman, Monica Thompson, and Adam Shapiro. The Committee will also take testimony regarding the reconstitution of the “Police Advisory Board” as the “Citizens Police Oversight Commission.”

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.

Thursday, May 20th

• Committee on Labor and Civil Service, 1:00 p.m. - The Committee will consider a number of bills including legislation modifying the circumstances when certain City of Philadelphia employees are entitled to service-connected death benefits during the pandemic (210325) and creating a new classification of covered airport service employees to receive prevailing wages (210421).

Friday, May 21st

• Committee on Appropriations, 10:00 a.m. - The Committee will consider a bill transferring funds within the General Fund. (210328)

• Committee on Public Health and Human Services, 2:00 p.m. - the Committee will hear a bill targeted at ending “period poverty” which would address matters related to the availability of feminine hygiene products in City facilities (210364).

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.

Tuesday, May 25th

• Committee on Rules, 9:30 a.m. - The Committee on Rules will hear public testimony on a number of bills including ordinances:

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

  • Amending provisions related to the use of properties for limited lodging and hotel purposes and to the collection of hotel rental taxes in connection therewith (210081).

  • Changing the zoning of an area located within an area bounded by Cottman Avenue, Milnor Street, Princeton Avenue, and the Delaware River (210204).

  • Establishing and adding a new subarea within the Broad Street Area Overlay, entitled “South Broad Street Gateway” (210225).

  • Crating the “Mid- Walnut Street Area” of the “/ CTR, Center City Overlay District” (210362).

  • Revising certain provisions of Section 14-514, entitled “/FNE, Far Northeast Overlay District” (210425).

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.