Title
Authorizing the City Council Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold public hearings to examine the progress of implementing Section 906 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code entitled "Necessary Urgent Repair Program," understand the impact it would have if fully funded, and further exploring partnerships and programs that could assist in successfully executing this initiative.
Body
WHEREAS, On March 11, 2021, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., along with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and former Councilmember Bobby Henon introduced Bill #210205 to amend Chapter 9 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code to create a program entitled the "Necessary Urgent Repairs Program," which would allow the City of Philadelphia to perform critical repairs on qualifying multi-family and vacant single-family buildings and charge the property owners for repayment of those repairs (Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, The legislation was unanimously passed by City Council on October 28, 2021, and was returned to Council unsigned by the Mayor on November 18, 2021. Pursuant to Section 2-202 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, the Ordinance became law, and became effective on November 18, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Under the terms of the legislation, the City is empowered to repair critical violations that have become public nuisances. These include violations of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code concerning plumbing systems, mechanical and electrical heating systems, mechanical equipment, or other violations that the Department of Licenses and Inspections shall deem necessary; and
WHEREAS, In the more than a year since the legislation has been effective, the City has not implemented this program, leaving dozens of public nuisance properties to slip further into disrepair. In his letter that was submitted to Council providing an explanation for not signing the legislation, Mayor Kenney affirmed his support for the intention of the legislation but also noted that ...
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