Authorizing Council's Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining diversity and inclusion in SEPTA capital project spending, and its economic impact in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The SEPTA Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 is $549 million, much of which will be spent on station improvement and infrastructure repair projects. These investments are crucial to ensuring that the City of Philadelphia is prepared to compete in the modern economy; and

WHEREAS, Major projects currently underway include station renovations at the City Hall Concourse, and at other stations along the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines. SEPTA is also replacing and modifying many of its vehicles to enhance efficiency and accessibility on the trolley and bus routes; and

WHEREAS, SEPTA’s transit network is the 6th largest in the United States and serves over 1 million riders daily. SEPTA also employs more than 9,000 individuals and contributes an estimated $3 billion annually for the regional economy according to a 2013 study published by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, a year in which SEPTA’s Capital Budget was just over half the amount budgeted for FY 2017, spending on SEPTA capital project created over 4,000 jobs, according to an Economy League study. Major infrastructure investments create jobs for working class families, and the City must seek to encourage economic diversity within these projects; and

WHEREAS, Ensuring diversity in contracting opportunities helps small, local businesses build capacity and compete with major firms. By providing members of historically disadvantaged communities with the ability to grow their business and pursue their dreams, the City of Philadelphia is helping to create a more just economy that truly works for everybody; and

WHEREAS, This investment provides the City and its partners in Harrisburg the opportunity to grow local businesses and M/W/DBE firms through smart contracting practices. By ensuring that these firms are ready and able to compete for public contracts, this historic investment in SEPTA’s modernization efforts can provide opportunities for local and disadvantaged businesses as well; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby authorize Council’s Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining diversity and inclusion in SEPTA capital project spending, and its economic impact in the City of Philadelphia.

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