5 Bills Passed by Philly City Council Without Mayor Cherelle Parker's Signature

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The Philadelphia City Council recently passed five significant bills that became law despite not being signed by Mayor Cherelle Parker. While the Mayor expressed reservations about each bill, they are now set to take effect, shaping various aspects of the city's governance and community services.

1. Nonprofit Vendor Exemption

One of the bills that Mayor Parker chose not to sign concerns the nonprofit vendor exemption, which allows certain city departments to bypass the standard procurement process in emergency situations. This measure was used during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. Mayor Parker expressed concerns that the bill's broad scope might increase administrative costs for nonprofits and create challenges for smaller organizations. She noted that the bill could be antithetical to her administration's vision of maintaining an efficient partnership with nonprofits. Despite these concerns, the bill became law and will continue to streamline the contracting process during emergencies.

2. Zoning Rule Changes

Another bill focuses on changes to the city's zoning rules, specifically targeting the allocation of payments from developers who opt out of including affordable housing in their projects. The new law mandates that these payments be directed to the city's Housing Trust Fund, ensuring that the funds are used for affordable housing within the same council district. Although the Philadelphia City Planning Commission did not recommend this change, the bill still passed into law, reflecting the council's commitment to bolstering affordable housing efforts.

3. Housing Trust Fund Amendment

City Council also passed a bill proposing an amendment to the city's home rule charter that would require a fixed annual appropriation for the Housing Trust Fund. Mayor Parker raised concerns that this measure could limit the city’s budgetary flexibility by binding future administrations to specific appropriations, potentially impacting other essential services like education and violence prevention. Nonetheless, the bill became law, and voters will have the opportunity to decide on this charter amendment in the upcoming primary election.

4. Neighborhood Zoning Change

A fourth bill establishes a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay in the Chestnut Hill area, providing local groups with more control over the design and materials used in new developments. This measure is intended to preserve the neighborhood's historical character. Although the Philadelphia City Planning Commission did not support this change, citing potential challenges in implementation, the bill still became law.

5. Neighborhood Health Clinic Lease

The final bill prohibits the city from extending its lease on a building along West Girard Avenue, which formerly housed a long-term care nursing facility. Mayor Parker had planned to use the site for a network of triage health centers to address the drug crisis in Kensington. However, the council's bill prevents this plan from moving forward, reflecting concerns from neighborhood groups about the proposed use of the property.

Mayor Parker has indicated a willingness to continue working with the City Council to address her concerns and refine these new laws as they are implemented. Despite her reservations, the passing of these bills highlights the council's strong stance on issues such as affordable housing, neighborhood preservation, and public health.