Council bill would broaden responsibility to report dangerous buildings
The architect on site before the deadly 2013 Market Street building collapse told a jury this month that he knew the conditions were unsafe and reported his concerns to the contractor, but not to the city.
The architect on site before the deadly 2013 Market Street building collapse told a jury this month that he knew the conditions were unsafe and reported his concerns to the contractor, but not to the city.
He should have been legally required to do so, according to a member of Philadelphia City Council who has proposed legislation that would compel architects and others to report dangerous conditions on construction and demolition sites.
"If you don't like the shade of the color of the drapes, that's not what I'm talking about," said Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. "But if there is something structurally unsound that could cause a catastrophe, then you have the responsibility to say something."
The bill was introduced Thursday at a Council meeting, where members also submitted a bill to change how the Philadelphia Parking Authority provides guest parking permits; called for hearings on the state of student loans; and authorized transfer of $25 million to the Philadelphia School District, putting to rest a months-long fight.
Jones said the idea for his bill came out of the special committee on demolition practices Council convened after the Market Street collapse and also from testimony during the trial of contractor Griffin Campbell.
Campbell on Monday was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted of third-degree murder in the collapse, which buried a Salvation Army thrift store, killing six people and injuring 13.
During the trial, Plato A. Marinakos Jr., the architect hired to monitor the razing, and three of Campbell's workers testified that they had told Campbell the wall that ultimately collapsed was dangerous. None called the city.
Jones' bill would require any "responsible person" - including general contractors, expediters, architects, and engineers - who knows of or should know of a violation that presents a substantial threat of death or injury to call 911.
Not complying could result in a $2,000 fine and suspension or revocation of any license issued by the city. The bill also clears the path for individuals who do not comply to be sued. Where appropriate, the city's managing director would be able to refer the case to law enforcement officials.
In other matters before Council:
Guest parking. Council President Darrell L. Clarke introduced a bill that would allow residents to purchase a guest parking permit for $100, which would be good for six months and could be used for up to five days consecutively. Clarke said the five-day limit is meant to limit the potential of fraud if people were to sell the guest placards.
The city currently offers two kinds of temporary parking permits. Residents can buy day passes, at $35 for a book of five, with a maximum of two booklets per 90 days. Or they can purchase a $15 pass for 15 days, with a limit of two passes for 30 consecutive days' use.
Both passes must be bought in person or by sending in a request form and waiting for the passes to be mailed back, a process Clarke called "extremely cumbersome."
"The issue is, if you have a friend, a guest, a health-care worker, or any other individual come to visit you, you will be subject to getting a ticket because you did not have a permit parking sticker," he said.
$25 million transfer. Council voted to transfer $25 million to the School District. Council has been holding the money since it approved a package of tax increases to fund the city's schools in June.
Clarke had said the money was being held until district officials addressed Council's concerns with the district's governing and finances. But after the district this month agreed to a data-sharing deal with Council, tensions calmed. The bill was passed unanimously.
Student debt. Councilman Dennis O'Brien called on Council to convene a special committee to study the impact of student loan debt in Philadelphia and make policy recommendations for ways to lessen the burden.
215-854-2730@TriciaNadolny