PHILADELPHIA — City Council will hold a remote meeting this Thursday, April 2nd, to give final consideration and vote on an emergency $85 Million appropriation to help the city contain and mitigate the Coronavirus outbreak across Philadelphia.
The emergency appropriation measure, Bill 200258, was requested by the Kenney administration to fund an array of operations and initiatives essential to fighting the outbreak in Philadelphia. More information on the bill can be found here.
On March 13, the city issued a Declaration of Emergency relating to Coronavirus COVID-19 in Philadelphia. On March 16, Mayor Kenney ordered a halt to all nonessential city government operations, and ordered City Hall closed to the public. Those orders remain in effect as the outbreak continues to spread citywide. As of Monday, the City Department or Public Health reported 1,072 positive cases of Coronavirus in Philadelphia, with nine deaths. Pennsylvania has 4,087 positive cases, and 49 people have died.
Councilmembers will participate in Thursday’s Meeting remotely, with the assistance of City Council’s Information Technology department. The Council is using existing Microsoft Teams technology to hold the remote session. Press coverage and public viewing are encouraged by watching Xfinity Ch. 64, Verizon Ch. 40 or livestream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
Because of the ongoing pandemic, public comment for Thursday’s session has been adjusted to meet with social distancing recommendations from the Health Department, while still allowing the public to weigh in on the emergency appropriation bill on Council’s Calendar.
The emergency appropriation measure, Bill 200258, is the only bill or resolution being considered by Council on Thursday. Public comment will be limited to this bill.
Speakers interested in making public comment on Bill 200258 must call 215-686-3406 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 and submit their name, a call-back number, and state whether they are for or against the bill. Speakers who submit this information by April 1 will be called during the session and invited to speak during the meeting.
For more information on public comment, go to: https://phlcouncil.com/offering-public-comment-at-council-sessions-temp/
City Council is exploring holding subsequent meetings and hearings remotely during the pandemic, particularly as they pertain to the city’s proposed FY 2020-21 budget. Further information about subsequent meetings will be released as soon as it becomes available.
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