City Council seeking to increase accountability in wake of building collapse

SPURRED BY the 2013 Center City building collapse that killed six and last week's criminal conviction of the building's demolition contractor, a City Council bill was introduced yesterday to foster greater accountability in the construction industry.

Councilman Curtis Jones, the bill's sponsor, said he was disturbed that only contractor Griffin Campbell and excavator operator Sean Benschop were convicted, while building owner Richard Basciano and building architect Plato Marinakos Jr. were not charged.

"What part of the game is that?" Jones said, quoting a constituent he recalled chatting with in a barbershop.

"I would say to you, everyone should be held accountable for what they do. The bill that I introduced today will begin that process," said Jones, whose 4th District includes Overbrook, Manayunk, Wynnefield and Roxborough.

The legislation calls for fines, professional license suspensions and revocations and referrals to law enforcement officials for "responsible" persons who fail to promptly notify the city by calling 9-1-1 to report violations of law or substandard practices at construction sites that present substantial threats of death or serious injury.

Among those who would be required to act are contractors, construction supervisors, foremen, site safety managers, expediters, architects, engineers, property owners and their representatives, according to the bill.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson has rebuffed a request to hold a special hearing to air racial discrimination allegations against a company awarded a state license to build a $400 million casino and hotel in his South Philadelphia district.

Though members of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Action Network told Johnson during a private meeting this week that they plan to bring witnesses from Louisville, Ky., to testify against the Cordish Companies next month and therefore needed a special hearing, Johnson nixed that request.

"We're just going to have the Rules [Committee] hearing. During that hearing, we will address all the issues regarding racial discrimination, the quality of life in neighborhoods the casino is going to be placed in and give all parties ample opportunity to address the issues, their concerns, their support regarding the Cordish project," Johnson said yesterday after Council's weekly meeting.

Two zoning bills introduced by the 2nd District councilman this month must win Council approval for the casino project to move forward.

Members of the National Action Network contend that Baltimore-based Cordish should be kicked off the project because of racist company practices they have investigated and found to be credible - including unfair enforcement of dress code policies in Louisville, Ky., and Kansas City, Mo., venues.

"We believe a line has been drawn in the sand. We had hoped that the councilman would have been more supportive around the issue that we have brought forth - not just sensitive but supportive of the fact that we're talking about racial discrimination against black people," said Paula Peebles, local chairwoman of the National Action Network.

She said a one-day hearing with other topics on the agenda is not enough time for her group to make its case against Cordish, which she suggested has been buying off black leaders in the city. Cordish officials have denied the allegations.

"This company is racist and they don't belong in our city, plain and simple," she said, "and we're going to provide the people to confirm that."

Also yesterday, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the creation of a special committee to "explore the social, economic and legal benefits and burdens of policies aimed at reducing student loan debt" in the city.

"We really have to look at the staggering amount of debt that people face these days, and how it's being financed," said at-large Councilman Dennis O'Brien, who introduced the resolution.

From 2000 to 2014, student debt at Temple University rose by almost $3 billion, while at Penn State University it rose by $4.4 billion, according to a Brookings Institution study cited in the resolution.

O'Brien said one idea that could come from the committee is a debt forgiveness program for graduates who commit to working in public sector jobs.

District Attorney Seth Williams, who said he is still paying off student loans, and former Gov. Ed Rendell, participated in a news conference prior to Council's meeting to support the resolution.

Council President Darrell Clarke introduced a bill that would allow residents to purchase temporary parking permits for guests that would be valid for six months and for five consecutive days at a time. Some residential streets require parking permits.

"This is clearly for a guest visitor for a short period of time - a family member comes from out of town or a health-care worker," said Clarke, whose 5th District includes North Central Philadelphia and parts of Fishtown, Northern Liberties and Center City.

Currently, when residents need temporary permits for overnight guests, they have to go to the Philadelphia Parking Authority office. "That is not only cumbersome, but I think it's kind of bordering on somewhat ridiculous," Clarke said.

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