GBCA PARTNERS WITH PHILADELPHIA LEADERS, NAVIGATING PHILADELPHIA’S CHANGING L&I LEGISLATION

GBCA PARTNERS WITH PHILADELPHIA LEADERS, NAVIGATING PHILADELPHIA’S CHANGING L&I LEGISLATION

BY ERIN DWYER HARVARD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS | GBCA

In 2023, GBCA joined the Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, with the goal of developing findings and recommendations to enhance Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). This includes improving the regulatory framework and suggesting changes to protect the health, safety and well-being of both workers and residents in the City of Philadelphia.

Joining the taskforce allowed GBCA to serve as a valuable voice in shaping the future of the department and it continued to enhance relationships within the City of Philadelphia.

L&I Task Force Background

Created by City Council Resolution 235034, the Task Force was assembled to share findings and recommendations on improving Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections with Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Over a six-month period, the task force identified three goals to build their research and report on:

• Build upon the successes of the previous administration at L&I;

• Address any remaining issues and concerns at L&I as identified by the Task Force;

• Provide the next administration with a blueprint to facilitate the ability of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to fulfill its chartered mission

To meet the short deadline, union leaders, city officials and building association leaders on the task force were broken into subcommittees corresponding to four areas of concern: analyzing the current regulation’s scope of work, retention and recruitment when staffing employees, employee training and enforcement of existing regulations. Each subcommittee then met with various stakeholders within and from outside of city government to better understand the effectiveness of the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Through GBCA’s existing relationship with Philadelphia’s government leaders and its presence within the labor industry, GBCA President and CEO Ben Connors was invited to join the 11-member Task Force, serving on the Retention and Recruitment Subcommittee and the Enforcement Subcommittee.

Task Force Findings

Over six months, members identified “mission creep” as the main area of concern in L&I.

“Mission creep,” is the term used when an organization increasingly gains more responsibilities outside its original purpose. As a result, the organization’s original goal or purpose is not met. The task force found that L&I was consistently overwhelmed with increasing responsibilities, preventing L&I regulators from executing L&I’s original goal, upholding building safety standards and code requirements in Philadelphia.

Through interviews with Philadelphia leaders like former L&I Commissioner, Ralph DiPietro, individuals within L&I code enforcement, representatives from Philadelphia’s Commerce Department and more, the task force found that L&I gained more responsibilities without the necessary tools and staff to effectively uphold its regulations.

In a 38-page report, the task force stated that they believe L&I’s strength is in its inspectors and administrators, but the organization lacks the necessary tools to support its staff. The report cited staffing and retention problems as well as the lack of available professional development training.

To mitigate this issue, the task force’s overall recommendation was to divide L&I into separate departments. This would distribute each of the responsibilities to the department with which it most closely aligns and would ease the burden on the L&I staff.

A New Day For L&I

On February 8, 2024, Mayor Cherelle Parker presented the findings of the final report during a press conference and announced the adoption of one of the task force’s main recommendations, separating the L&I into two departments.

GBCA was present at the press conference, alongside various elected officials, staffers, unions and builders.

The L&I would be divided into the L&I Quality of Life Issue division, led by Commissioner Bridget Collins-Greenwald and the L&I Inspection, Safety and Compliance division, led by Basil Merenda, former director of labor.

Mayor Parker praised the Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform for Licenses and Inspections, noting that the recommendation to split L&I was crucial in allowing city departments to better serve Philadelphia.

Under the L&I Quality of Life, Commissioner Collins-Greenwald will manage the city’s legislation regulating Airbnb, bedbug infestations and other regulations like the city’s plastic bag ban.

Commissioner Merenda will lead the L&I Inspections, Safety and Compliance division in enforcing the City’s building codes and construction.

On March 14, 2024, Commissioner Merenda joined members of GBCA at GBCA’s Spring Membership Dinner, where he and CEO and President Ben Connors answered questions about the Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform for Licenses and Inspections.

Merenda discussed the task force findings, providing insight into the goals of the Parker Administration and the overhaul of L&I. Basil assured members that changes brought to light due to the report are intended to improve the construction industry in Philadelphia and cited GBCA as an integral part of the task force’s findings meant to improve Philadelphia’s industry.

GBCA is excited about the direction L&I will take under the leadership of Mayor Parker and Commissioners CollinsGreenwald and Merenda. GBCA looks forward to being active partners with leaders in Philadelphia, working to improve our government and our city’s legislation.