Philadelphia City Council, February 29 2024
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker shared her vision for Philadelphia at her first Mayoral Luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. The Mayor discussed how she plans to make Philadelphia "Safer, Cleaner, Greener City, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All" by focusing on the following initial priorities:
PHL Open for Business Initiative that will address the barriers that often make it difficult for small, diverse businesses to access opportunities;
Eliminating the college degree requirement for certain municipal jobs;
Convening of a Faith Based and Intergovernmental Roundtables to serve as interfaces between the Administration, communities, and other governmental agencies;
Establishment of a Business Roundtable led by Donavan West, with all of the Chambers having a seat at the table;
Creating an Office of Minority Business Success headed by Rachel Branson;
Workforce Development - Provide a path to self-sufficiency where people earn while they learn at the beginning of their careers or looking to upskill for more opportunity;
Expansion PHL Taking Care of Business;
Creating a comprehensive plan to address both Public Safety and Public Health for Philadelphia;
Affordable Housing - Produce 30,000 more units of housing in Philadelphia;
Public Education:
The State Basic Education Funding Commission has recommended an infusion of $1.4 billion for Philadelphia schools over the next seven years, and Governor Shapiro proposed $242 million more in education funds for Philadelphia this year.
Full day and year-round schooling to allow students to get the educational enrichment they need through the year.
Tax Reform; and
Return to in-office work.
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At today's session of the PHL City Council, Interim Chief Clerk, Elizabeth McCollum assisted Council President Clarke with presiding over the City Council. Her tenure comes after the sudden passing of Chief Clerk Mike Decker on February 20th. The role of Chief Clerk is essential to the Council by overseeing Council’s Stated Meetings, maintaining the legislative record and managing the public notice requirements to conduct Council business.
Highlight of Introductions:
Councilmember Landau introduced a resolution authorizing the Council to hold hearings to “investigate the efficiency, implementation and enhancement of the outdoor dining program and improve opportunities for restaurants to operate streeteries and sidewalk cafes.
Councilmember Landau also introduced a comprehensive Consumer Protection Ordinance. If passed, the ordinance would empower the Law Department to "investigate potential violations, working alongside an agency designated by the mayor. If violations are found, the Law Department can take action in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, seeking remedies such as injunctive relief, civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation, and compensatory damages and restitution for affected consumers." At its core the ordinance seeks to target practices, such as misleading financing plans and false advertising of product conditions.
Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Council President Johnson introduced a resolution authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Taskforce on Food Insecurity.
Highlight of Final Passage:
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.
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.
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 an 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.
Upcoming Committee Hearings:
The Committee on Legislative Oversight will be meeting on Monday, March 4th at 11am to hear testimony on Resolution 240069.
The Committee on Streets & Services will be meeting on Tuesday, March 5th at 10am to hear testimony on Bills 240008, 240009, 240011, 240014, 240016, and 240089.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services will be meeting on Friday, March 8th at 10am to hear testimony on Resolution 240115.