Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," by adding a new chapter with provisions relating to how and when required notices shall be published and advertised; all under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

TITLE 21. MISCELLANEOUS.

* * *

CHAPTER 21-1700. PUBLICATION OF NOTICES BY CITY.

§ 21-1701. Notice of public hearings on bills; notice of bills reported from committees of Council.

(1) This section, enacted pursuant to Section 2-201(5) of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (“Charter”), supersedes the notice requirements specified in that Section of the Charter, provided that the provisions of this section shall lapse on October 31, 2009.

(2) Notice of public hearings on bills introduced in Council and notice of bills reported from Council committees shall be given by advertising in the three daily newspapers of the City having the largest paid circulation, the title of the bill, and in the case of a public hearing, the time and place of the hearing, not less than five days before the public hearing or before the bill comes up for final consideration, as the case may be.

(3) If three daily newspapers of the City with a paid circulation are not publishing at the time notice is required to be advertised, notice shall be given in as many such newspapers as are then publishing. If no such newspaper is then publishing, notice shall be given on the City's official website, or in such other manner as designated by Council by ordinance, and in accordance with applicable law.

(4) In addition, such other notice may be given as will bring public hearings or reported bills to the attention of interested citizens. There need be no advertisement of ordinances after their passage.

§ 21-1702. Notice of certain procurement contracts available for bid.

(1) This section, enacted pursuant to Section 8-200(2)(a) of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (“Charter”), supersedes the notice requirements specified in that Section of the Charter, provided that the provisions of this section shall lapse on October 31, 2009.

(2) The following notice requirement applies to any purchase or contract for which competitive bidding is required pursuant to Section 8-200(1) of the Charter and which is subject to Section 8-200(2) of the Charter:

(a) The Procurement Department shall advertise for sealed bids at least once a week for two weeks in one of the three newspapers having the largest paid circulation in the City and in such other newspapers as it deems necessary, provided that if no newspaper having a paid circulation in the City is then publishing, notice shall be published on the City's official website, or in such other manner as designated by the Finance Director.

(b) In addition, such other notice may be given as will bring purchase or contract opportunities to the attention of interested bidders.

§ 21-1703. Notice of regulations proposed by departments, boards and commissions.

(1) This section, enacted pursuant to Section 8-407(b) of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (“Charter”), supersedes the notice requirements specified in that Section of the Charter, provided that the provisions of this section shall lapse on October 31, 2009.

(2) The following notice requirement applies to any proposed regulation that must be filed with the Department of Records and made available for public inspection for thirty days pursuant to Section 8-407(a) of the Charter:

(a) The Department of Records shall give public notice of such filing by advertising in the three daily newspapers of the City having the largest paid circulation the fact that regulations relating to a particular subject have been filed with it, and that any person affected thereby may request a hearing.

(b) If three daily newspapers of the City with a paid circulation are not publishing at the time the Department seeks to provide the required public notice, notice shall be given in as many such newspapers as are then publishing. If no such newspaper is then publishing, notice shall be given on the City's official website, or in such other manner as designated by the Managing Director.

(c) In addition, such other notice may be given as will bring proposed regulations to the attention of interested citizens.

§ 21-1704. Other notice requirements.

The notice requirements set forth in this chapter are in addition to any other notice requirements under applicable law, if any.

_____________________________________

Explanation:

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End