Authorizing City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee to hold hearings to examine the effectiveness of current ordinances in addressing illegal dumping and littering in Philadelphia's business corridors and to explore ways to collaborate with City agencies to address this problem.

WHEREAS, The litter, garbage and debris which covers the sidewalks in business corridors throughout Philadelphia poses a public health problem for residents, detracts from the aesthetics of Philadelphia neighborhoods, and impacts public perception of the City; and

WHEREAS, Current Philadelphia ordinances provide penalties for littering and illegal dumping on public and private property, obligate businesses to maintain their premises free of litter, and establish a reward program for the provision of information regarding short dumping; and

WHEREAS, § 10-710 of The Philadelphia Code provides that individuals caught illegally dumping debris are subject to a $300 fine. Commercial operators caught illegally dumping are subject to a fine of up to $5,000. The Managing Director may also announce the availability of funds to provide rewards for information leading to an illegal dumping conviction; and

WHEREAS, § 10-704 of The Philadelphia Code provides that owners of private premises

shall make reasonable efforts to keep the sidewalk in front of such premises free of litter

, and places of business that sell takeout food shall maintain receptacles in such a manner as to keep the adjacent public areas free of litter; and

WHEREAS, Several business corridors throughout the City are plagued by litter and debris which covers business properties as well as the adjacent public sidewalks and streets; and

WHEREAS, Under § 10-716 of The Philadelphia Code

the Department of Licenses and Inspections is authorized to notify the owner of any open or vacant private premises to remove litter located on such premises, and upon noncompliance, the Department is authorized to dispose of the litter and charge the owner of the property for the cleanup; and

WHEREAS, Along with public health and environmental concerns, such litter and debris damages our local economy by deterring residents and visitors from shopping and spending time in Philadelphia's business corridors. Studies have also linked litter and debris to decreased property value and increased crime rates; and

WHEREAS, City Council should make it a priority to enforce ordinances that forbid littering and illegal dumping in order to stimulate the local economy, improve public health, conserve our environment, protect property value and decrease crime; now therefore,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee is hereby authorized to hold hearings to examine the effectiveness of current ordinances in addressing illegal dumping and litter in Philadelphia and to explore ways to collaborate with City agencies to address this problem.

End