You may have heard that the Philadelphia City Council held an significant vote on Thursday.
Yes, lawmakers passed legislation that allows the 76ers to build a new arena in Center City. But amid opposition in the chambers around the bill from anti-arena advocates, the council also passed other notable legislation during its final meeting this year, including a bill to establish an oversight board for the city’s prison system, which has been mired in violence and chaos.
Here’s what (else) was adopted during Thursday’s Council session.
What was the highlight of the week (besides the 76ers stadium approval vote)?
Establishment of a prison oversight board: Council members approved legislation establishing an independent oversight board to monitor and examine the city’s prison system amid a years-long crisis.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, a Democrat representing the entire city, proposed legislation to establish a community oversight board and an accompanying Office of Corrections Oversight, expressing concern about “human and civil rights” violations in city jails. He cited a federal judge’s August decision to hold the city in contempt and fine it $25 million for violating an agreement reached in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of incarcerated people.
“I know there are a lot of other things going on,” Thomas said at the end of the council meeting. “But ultimately, since Thanksgiving alone, there have been four stabbings in prisons and two guards have been charged with smuggling contraband.”
The board of supervisors will have nine members – four appointed by the mayor, four by the City Council president and one by the City Comptroller – and must hold public meetings at least once a month. A separate Office of Corrections Oversight would be headed by a director and would have the authority to investigate Department of Corrections policies and practices.
The legislation does not give any entity subpoena power, but the measure allows the Council to grant additional powers in the future.
The adoption of the act does not guarantee the creation of a new management board and office, which would require an amendment to the City Statute, a document governing the city similar to the constitution. Changes to the bylaws must be approved by voters via a ballot question, meaning the electorate will be able to vote on them in May.
What else happened this week?
Regulations on mobile service providers are delayed: Council members delayed a vote on legislation that would impose new regulations on Kensington’s mobile service providers who provide medical care and supplies in the heart of the city’s largest open-air drug market.
Council member Quetcy Lozada, who represents part of the district, authored regulations that prohibit mobile units from operating in apartment buildings and near schools, as well as within 30 meters of each other. City-provided services are exempt from restrictions that apply only to Council Districts 6 and 7, which cover parts of Kensington and stretch from Hunting Park to the Lower Northeast.
The bill was scheduled for a final vote after the committee introduced it earlier this month.
However, the council will wait until next year to present the regulations. Lozada’s office is currently conducting meetings with residents and service providers and may change the regulations based on their opinions.
Quote of the week
“We will never all agree on everything because we are all individuals who were sent here by our own constituencies. Each of us has our own particular issues that we focus on. However, our shared goal is to improve the quality of life for all Philadelphians, and I want to thank each Council member for their hard work and dedication. Contrary to popular belief, we walked around and chewed bubble gum.”
Council President Kenyatta Johnson thanks members at the end of the last meeting of the year
