Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to conduct hearings for the purpose of investigating the procedures utilized by City departments and agencies to monitor compliance with all City, State and Federal statutory and regulatory requirements on construction projects so as to insure that Philadelphia residents and businesses, and women, minorities and youth have the maximum opportunities possible to participate in such projects; and to insure that all workers are legal U.S. citizens, that all wages and benefits are paid in accordance with area standards, that all taxes are properly withheld and remitted, that such projects employ the most qualified workforce of trades people and workers in the area, and that certified apprentice training programs are made available for Philadelphia residents and especially neighborhood residents who live near such projects in order to increase diversity in construction workforces; and, further authorizing the Committee in furtherance of such...

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is experiencing a significant amount of construction activity, primarily in the residential sector, but also in the renewal of our commercial corridors; and

WHEREAS, In the very near future, the City will also experience the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the expansion of the Central Branch of the Free Library, significant capital improvements to school buildings by the School District of Philadelphia, and the development of two gaming facilities; and

WHEREAS, This development activity is generated by both public and private interests and investments; and

WHEREAS, The development "boom" should translate into increased employment for our citizens, more diversity at construction sites, and prevailing wages and benefits for workers; and

WHEREAS, Despite this positive economic activity, Philadelphia's employment growth has lagged national employment growth over the past three decades; and

WHEREAS, According to the final Five-Year Plan for 2006-2010, "the City's employment trend in 2004, in particular, failed to improve significantly, despite a significant improvement at the national level”; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Legislative Oversight is authorized to conduct hearings for the purpose of investigating the procedures utilized by City departments and agencies to monitor compliance with all City, State and Federal statutory and regulatory requirements on construction projects so as to insure that Philadelphia residents and businesses, and women, minorities and youth have the maximum opportunities possible to participate in such projects; and to insure that all workers are legal U.S. citizens, that all wages and benefits are paid in accordance with area standards, that all taxes are properly withheld and remitted, that such projects employ the most qualified workforce of trades people and workers in the area, and that certified apprentice training programs are made available for Philadelphia residents and especially neighborhood residents who live near such projects in order to increase diversity in construction workforces.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee is authorized in furtherance of such investigation to issue subpoenas as may be necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.

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