Calling for the establishment of the "Restaurant and Hospitality Task Force" which shall be co-chaired by the City Commerce Director and the President of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and comprised of representatives of the Philadelphia Hospitality and Business Alliance; restaurant, tourism, hospitality and hotel industry representatives; municipal tax professionals; and, the City Revenue Department; and whose purpose shall be to evaluate and develop recommendations on various economic incentives which reduce the financial costs that may be related to certain provisions of Bill No. 000314 and to submit a report to the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development no later than July 1, 2001; and, authorizing the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings on the findings and recommendations contained in the report of the "Restaurant and Hospitality Task Force."

WHEREAS, Bill No. 000314 amends Chapter 10-600 of The Philadelphia Code by prohibiting smoking in certain public places and in the workplace with certain exceptions; and

WHEREAS, A study group was convened by the Health Commissioner to study methods of and develop recommendations with respect to preventing, to the greatest extent possible, second-hand smoke from drifting or recirculating to smoke-free areas; and

WHEREAS, The study group report which was submitted to City Council on November 1, 2000 included a recommendation that "Council could consider tax incentives to encourage creating smoke-free restaurants;" and

WHEREAS, Any such economic incentives would need to be authorized in separate legislation amending a different chapter of The Philadelphia Code; and

WHEREAS, Business and hospitality industry groups, in conjunction with City agencies, should jointly evaluate and develop recommendations on any such economic incentives; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the "Restaurant and Hospitality Task Force" be established and co-chaired by the City Commerce Director and the President of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and comprised of representatives of the Philadelphia Hospitality and Business Alliance; restaurant, tourism, hospitality and hotel industry representatives; municipal tax professionals; and, the City Revenue Department; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the "Restaurant and Hospitality Task Force" shall evaluate and develop recommendations on various economic incentives which reduce the financial costs that may be related to certain provisions of Bill No. 000314 and submit a report to the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development no later than July 1, 2001; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is authorized to hold hearings on the findings and recommendations contained in the report of the "Restaurant and Hospitality Task Force."

End