Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced (via Majority Leader Curtis Jones) legislation that would change the city charter to create the Office of Chief Public Safety Director.
According to a press release issued by the Council President’s office, the office would be responsible for “ensuring public safety by coordinating resources with various city agencies, including Police, Prisons, Recreation, and other departments.”
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“We know we need better coordination and collaboration in how Philadelphia departments and agencies respond to gun violence,” Clarke said via press release. “A Chief Public Safety Director – whose chief responsibilities include fostering better collaboration among all relevant agencies in our city – is a policy initiative well worth trying.”
The position would coordinate efforts and resources among various city agencies and would perform the following functions:
Operational Guidance. The Director shall provide relevant City agency leaders with guidance and initial approvals of operational policies, work programs, and budgetary policies. The Director shall provide consultation on the budgets of safety-related departments and agencies.
Evaluations. The Director shall prepare reports regarding public safety measures as directed by the Mayor. When necessary, they shall undertake studies related to public safety functions, evaluating the effectiveness of work programs and procedures of safety-related City departments.
City Facility Security. The planning and implementation of security in all City-owned facilities shall be overseen by the Director (i.e., all municipal offices and facilities, recreation spaces, and school district buildings). Additionally, all City and School District contracts for security services are to be developed and overseen by the Director.
Relationship Maintenance. The Director shall establish and maintain cooperative relations with civic and business organizations, schools, court offices, emergency services in other jurisdictions, and others interested in the maintenance of public safety.
Education Committee Hearing
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings regarding the recent Commonwealth Court decision on educational funding and how that may impact Philadelphia schools.
The resolution calls for “stakeholders, experts, and community members to come together to define what a basic education for Philadelphia students should looks like, and what that education actually costs.”
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On February 7th, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court declared Pennsylvania’s current educational funding formula unconstitutional. The Public Interest Law Center, in collaboration with O’Melveny and Myers law firm, successfully argued the case, resulting in the following court order:
The Education Clause, article III, section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, requires that every student receive a meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically, which requires that all students have access to a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary system of public education;
Respondents have not fulfilled their obligations to all children under the Education Clause in violation of the rights of Petitioners;
Education is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Pennsylvania Constitution to all school-age children residing in the Commonwealth;
Article III, section 32 of the Pennsylvania Constitution imposes upon Respondents an obligation to provide a system of public education that does not discriminate against students based on the level of income and value of taxable property in their school districts;
Students who reside in school districts with low property values and incomes are deprived of the same opportunities and resources as students who reside in school districts with high property values and incomes;
The disparity among school districts with high property values and incomes and school districts with low property values and incomes is not justified by any compelling government interest nor is it rationally related to any legitimate government objective; and
As a result of these disparities, Petitioners and students attending low-wealth districts are being deprived of equal protection of law.
Phillips Introduces Traffic Calming Bill
Councilmember Anthony Phillips introduced an ordinance authorizing the Department of Streets to install traffic calming measures near schools in Philadelphia.
The measures available to the Streets Department “shall include, but not be limited to, speed cushions, speed tables, soft rumble strips, and other measures the Department deems to be necessary.”
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“It is my hope that this legislation will allow the Streets Department to more easily, and more
readily, install traffic calming measures around all schools — public, charter, and private — in our city,” said Councilmember Anthony Phillips via press release. “I have heard from too many neighbors that they are frustrated with the slow pace of the installation of traffic calming measures. So, I look forward to partnering with the Streets Department to ensure we keep all our students safe.”
Lozada Introduces Kensington Resolutions
Invoking the post-World War II American effort to help rebuild Euorpe, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada introduced legislation calling for the establishment of a ‘“Marshall Stabilization and Recovery Plan’ to combat the issues facing Kensington and the surrounding areas in Philadelphia.”
The resolution cites the well-known issues plaguing Kensington; gun violence, open-air drug sales, and unresolved blight, and calls on the Mayor, community members, “anti-violence partners, rehabilitation centers, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Housing organizations, The Police Department, The Department of Public Health, The Department of Behavioral Health and disAbility Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Defender Association” to work in a collaborative manner to solve the many problems facing the area.”
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Lozada said while there were significant resources and funds going to Kensington, there is little collaboration between various agencies and groups.
“And when you meet with them,” Lozda said. “Everyone points the finger in different ways, and we can’t ever get clear answers regarding the why if there are so many resources going into that community, why can’t we see the difference?
Lozada also introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety “to hold public hearings to examine the open-air drug market and other barriers to clean, safe, crime-free streets in Kensington.”
The resolution makes mention of the 1276 fatal overdose deaths that occurred in Kensington in 2021, and how the thousands of weekly drug deals have earned the neighborhood the pejorative moniker “The Walmart of heroin.”
Legislation Passed in City Council on February 16th, 2023
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Resolution No. 230086
Expressing Philadelphia City Council’s support for graduate student workers at Temple University and urging Temple University to return to the table and bargain a fair and equitable contract with its graduate student workers. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 230087
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1736 North 22nd Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 230092
Honoring and recognizing Chris DeShields, a SEPTA bus operator, for his heroism and the bravery he exhibited while stopping a carjacking and protecting his fellow citizens. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 230097
Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 4993 W. Girard Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to read more.
Resolution No. 230098
Initiating action to continue a neighborhood improvement district, known as the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, in an area that generally includes both sides of North 2nd Street from the north side of Callowhill Street to the south side of Girard Avenue, both sides of North 3rd Street from Spring Garden Street to the south side of Wildey Street, Spring Garden Street from North 2nd Street to the eastern side of North 5th Street, and certain blocks of streets that intersect portions of these streets; for which the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Inc., which has… Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220743
Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter changing the requirement for contributions and minimum balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve and making other technical changes; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220872
Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the Division of Workforce Solutions within the Department of Commerce, to promote workforce development activity serving Philadelphians seeking jobs and training opportunities in the public or private sectors; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 230016
Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for exemption from civil service for staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220733
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to change the requirements for contributions and minimum balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve and make other technical changes; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220864
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Division of Workforce Solutions within the Department of Commerce, to promote workforce development activity serving Philadelphians seeking jobs and training opportunities in the public or private sectors; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 230004
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to civil service exemptions for staff of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election; all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
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