Jones Wants Council and Administration to Ride Along with Night Workers
Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a resolution “Calling on Representatives of the Administration to join with Members of City Council to better understand how Philly works at night by doing nighttime tours with various City Departments.”
The resolution laments the dearth of knowledge regarding the city’s nighttime operations, and suggests councilmembers and members of the administration shadow city employees who work at night.
Read More
“For example, this could mean shadowing opportunities with officials in the Department of Human Services, trips on SEPTA transportation to understand the role of transit workers, or “ride-alongs” with members of the police and fire departments;” the resolution states. and
“(A) Better understanding of how Philly works at night, can be an invaluable resource to City Council as it works to understand the needs of departments during budget hearings and discussions about the biannual transfer of appropriations.”
Johnson Calls for Education, Commerce Hearings
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson introduced two hearing resolutions, the first “authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings examining the City’s strategy for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in public contracts.”
With Philadelphia still the poorest large city in America, despite a recent drop in overall poverty, the hearing will continue city council’s efforts to ensure more city contracts are offered to diverse applicants.
Read More
Currently, the city has set a goal of 35% for M/W/DSBE (minority/women/disabled) contracts. However, city agencies typically fall short of this mark.
Johnson also offered a resolution “authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings to evaluate existing support services for Early Childhood Education and Pre-K Centers and Providers and to examine the role of high-quality Early Childhood Education and Pre-K opportunities in addressing childhood poverty and promoting the future academic success of children in Philadelphia.”
With the population of children under 5 over 100,000, the hearing will look to examine how Early Childhood Education centers and Pre-K programs prepare children for academic success that can eventually be a bridge out of poverty.
Harrity to Convene Neighborhood Services Hearing
Councilmember Jimmy Harrity introduced a resolution “authorizing the Committee on Neighborhood Services to hold hearings regarding the business practices of property management companies in the City of Philadelphia.”
According to the resolution, “rental properties account for 48% of Philadelphia’s housing stock, with 55,000 landlords owning 288,000 rental units in the city. Most of the city’s landlords engage property management companies to manage their rental properties.
Read More
While these property management companies have a responsibility to act in the best interest of the landlord, the resolution states many overcharge landlords for routine repairs. The goals of the hearing are to “understand the ways in which property management companies affect the Philadelphia rental market and (ii) finding possible solutions to business practices that inhibit fair and equitable rental practices.”
Renewed Criticism of 911 Dispatch
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a resolution “authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing on solutions to ongoing challenges facing the 911 Unified Call Center and the Philadelphia Police Department’s investigation into the police response to a 911 call about the first victim in this July’s mass shooting in Kingsessing.”
Over three years ago, city council held a hearing regarding the challenges in recruiting and retaining 911 dispatchers. Now, according to the resolution, “the city faces a situation where many 911 dispatchers feel overworked, exhausted, and underappreciated.”
Accordion item title
Regarding the July 2nd mass shooting in Kingsessing, 911 dispatch erroneously deplpyed police offivers to the wrong address, which was three miles away from the scene, allowing the shooter to return the next day and and murder four more people.
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
