CITY HALL

Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson Pushes for Greener City Buildings

Philadelphia’s new public buildings may soon be held to a higher environmental standard than before. Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson introduced new legislation to require that all major city construction achieve LEED Gold certification, up from a previous minimum of a silver rating.

School District Announces Plans for School Safety and Vaccinations

This week, School District leaders announced two new plans to keep students safe. The first is a plan to pay community members to help students get to and from school safely, prompted by three shootings on or near school district property; they hope to establish this by the end of this school year. The second is a requirement that all student-athletes be vaccinated in order to participate in games or practices, which will take effect December 18.

Council Moves Forward on Plan to Force Landlords to Fix Deteriorating Properties

City Council voted 16-0 on a proposal which would require landlords to fix certain property issues that could cause harm to surrounding buildings. Under the proposal, if the landlord does not make the repairs, the City will arrange for the repairs and bill the landlord. Other major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, already have similar programs in place.

Councilmember Quiñones-Sánchez Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Philadelphia district Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez announced over the weekend that she was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer and had undergone surgery and treatment for it. In an Inquirer editorial, Quiñones-Sánchez urges Black and Latina women to undergo routine cancer screenings and said that she would maintain her workload during treatment.

Council Hearings Ahead:

·     Friday, November 5th at 10:00am: The Committee on Licenses and Inspections will hold a hearing on what constitutes nuisance behavior, issuing special building conditions, certifications for schools, and expanding property owner liability.

·     Monday, November 8th at 10:00am and Tuesday November 9th at 9:00am: The Committee on Streets and Services will hold hearings on making outdoor dining (or “streeteries”) a permanent part of Philadelphia’s code.

·     Tuesday, November 9th at 1:00pm: The Committee of the Whole will hold a special hearing to review the School District’s financial and strategic plans.

Suburban Spotlight: Delaware County to Review All Property Tax Exemptions

Delaware County announced last week that it would review all recipients of property tax exemptions for eligibility after reports surfaced that at least three for-profit organizations received such exemptions.

Suburban Spotlight: Bucks County Opens Next Round of COVID-19 Businesses Aid

Bucks County opened applications for $5 million in business aid this week, with grants available for up to $45,000. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which passed in March.