CITY HALL

Indoor Mask Mandate Ends in Philadelphia

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that the indoor mask mandate ended. Two weeks ago, the city established benchmarks that would determine COVID-19 safety restrictions, and conditions have been met that allow mandated masking indoors to cease. However, if the spread of COVID-19 rises, restrictions can be mandated again.

Mandated Sick Leave for COVID-19 Up for Final Passage Today 

Last week, Councilmember Brooks amended her sick leave bill so that it would apply to businesses with 25 or more employees. However, Councilmembers Quiñones-Sánchez and Green expressed concern about how this would impact diverse businesses. The amended bill is up for final passage at today’s City Council session. 

Washington Avenue Redesign Gets Final Plans

After years of research, planning, and redrafting, the city formally unveiled final plans for a redesign of Washington Avenue Tuesday. As proposed, sections of Washington Avenue will have three car lanes and others will have four or five. The latest plan comes after some residents of the neighborhoods around Washington Avenue accused the city of ignoring the voices of residents of color and businesses.

PHA Seeks Expansion of Savings Account Program for Potential House Buyers

The Philadelphia Housing Authority will expand a program allowing low-income renters to save up to buy a house to 4,000 participants, making it the largest program in the nation. Since 2019, over 100 renters have graduated from the program, which includes financial coaching.

Philadelphia Retained More Residents Than Other East Coast Cities

New population data showed that Philadelphia lost fewer residents during the COVID-19 pandemic than other major cities like Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. Property sales in greater Center City contributed to the growth.

City Council Approves New Tax Refund Notification System

With a unanimous vote of City Council, Philadelphia will now require businesses to notify employees of tax refund programs. The initiative was authored by Councilmember Domb and is  designed to help Philadelphia workers collect over $600 million in owed refunds. 

New Law to Require Rat Abatement Plans for Development Projects

City Council voted to require all major real estate development works, including rehabs and new constructions, to have a rodent abatement plan in place before work commences. The initiative is supported by the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia, which said that this was just a formalization of business best practices.

Upcoming Hearings 

Philadelphia City Council holds several hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.

• On Friday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m., the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention will hold a hearing on gun violence in the city.
• On Monday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m., the Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation will hold a hearing on the city’s five-year strategic plan.
• On Monday, March 14, at 1:00 p.m., the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will hold a hearing on renaming the 11th and Venango Playground as the "Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park.”