Philadelphia City Council, February 15 2024
Highlight of Introductions:
Councilmember Young introduced an ordinance that seeks to amend the requirements associated with Economic Opportunity Plans by requiring large scale developments to submit certain documentation. Greater details of the bill are forthcoming.
Councilmember Thomas introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine the recent report on high teacher attrition and understand its root causes, impact on teacher and student morale, as well as its effects on learning outcomes.
Councilmember Thomas also introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine recent high profile violent incidents between parents, faculty and students at middle and high schools.
Councilmember Thomas on behalf of Council President Johnson introduced a resolution authorizing the creation of a Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies to examine the impact of such policies and to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to enhance policy effectiveness in the promotion of minority, women and disabled-owned businesses in the City of Philadelphia.
The Special Committee’s duties would include, but not be limited to:
Convening regular meetings for planning and coordination;
Tracking the City’s progress in addressing barriers for M/W/DSBEs;
Examining the efficacy of current programs and policies;
Identifying regional and national best practices; and
Holding public hearings to obtain public input.
The Council President would appoint the members of the Special Committee. The Special Committee would also submit a full report to the Council and the Mayor and make its findings and recommendations available to the public.
Councilmember Thomas on behalf of Council President Johnson introduced a resolution authorizing the reconvening of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission and its Advisory Committee to conduct an updated comprehensive analysis of all taxes imposed in the City of Philadelphia, and to make recommendations concerning tax reforms that support the City's economic growth and competitiveness.
The original Tax Reform Commission was established in 2002 and it consisted of "community and business leaders, the various local chambers of commerce, institutions of higher education, and trade organizations." The Commission was created to recommend methods to reduce taxes for Philadelphia residents, workers, and businesses. The Commission issued its final report in 2003.
Council President Johnson stated, "A new Tax Reform Commission analysis is necessary to consider today’s socio-economic realities, including the uneven Post COVID-19 Pandemic recovery among communities of color and the end of the federal COVID-19 stimulus programs."
The fifteen member Commission shall be selected in accordance with Section 3-805 of the Home Rule Charter:
Four members each are appointed by the Mayor and the Council President;
One member shall be appointed by the City Controller; and
The remaining members (one each) are selected by various local Chambers of Commerce in Philadelphia.
The Commission will also have asn Advisory Committee, consisting of 23 members appointed by a cross section of various community organizations in Philadelphia.
Councilmember Jones introduced a resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass the bipartisan Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act, which will give law enforcement the support they need to investigate violent crime and increase the closure rate of homicide cases.
Councilmember O'Rourke introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings to explore Philadelphia's existing guaranteed income pilot programs and the potential for their expansion.
Councilmember Ahmad introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings examining proposed solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in the City of Philadelphia.
**The Council adjourned until Thursday, February 22nd at 10 AM.
Upcoming Committee Meetings:
The Committee on Public Safety will meet on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 1pm to hear testimony on Bill 240010.
The Committee on Education will meet on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10am to hear testimony on:
Bill 240007: An Ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code to add a new Chapter 21-3400, entitled “Youth Name, Image, and Likeness Protection,” to establish provisions related to education and counseling for certain Philadelphia youth and their families who are considering licensing publicity rights, all under certain terms and conditions.
Resolution 240028: Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings concerning the practice of “leveling” and its impact on students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia, especially following the learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections will meet on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10am to hear testimony on:
Bill 240013: An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Service and Other Businesses”, by adding a new section regulating the hours of operation of certain establishments and providing for penalties within an area bounded by East Lehigh Avenue, Kensington Avenue, D Street, E Tioga Street and Frankford Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.