§ 4-103. Legislative Functions.

   The Mayor shall have the power to call special meetings of the Council when required by public necessity, and to approve or disapprove ordinances in whole or in part as provided in the article on the Council.

ANNOTATION

   Sources:   Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article II, Section 6.

   Purposes:   1.   The Mayor is empowered to require Council to meet in special sessions to act upon legislation required by public necessity so that any adjournment or recess of Council cannot serve as an excuse for a failure of legislative action.

      2.   The Mayor's veto power over legislation is a traditional attribute of the chief executive.

§ 4-104. Cabinet Meetings. 142

   The Mayor shall call the Mayor's Cabinet together periodically for the purpose of receiving reports on the condition of the City and making plans for the better administration of its government and for the progress of the City.

ANNOTATION

   Sources:   Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article II, Section 6.

   Purposes:   The Mayor is empowered to convene his Cabinet for the review and planning of governmental measures and operations. No particular time for cabinet meetings is fixed because meetings at fixed periods might be unnecessary and burdensome.

 

Notes

142	Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on May 17, 2022, and certified on June 6, 2022. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022).

§ 4-105. Promotion of the City. 143

   It shall be the duty of the Mayor to exercise the powers of the Mayor's office and to encourage among all the executive officers in the City the use of their official powers, to promote and improve the government of the City, to encourage the commercial and industrial growth of the City and of the Port of Philadelphia, and to promote and develop the prosperity and social well-being of its people.

ANNOTATION

   Sources:   No specific source.

   Purposes:   The Mayor is charged specifically with the duty of directing the efforts of the City government towards making the City a better place for its inhabitants. This envisages measures for commercial, industrial, economic and social well-being and development.

 

Notes

143	Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on May 17, 2022, and certified on June 6, 2022. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022).

§ 4-106. Information and Complaints. 144

   The Mayor shall establish an agency in the Mayor's office for receiving and answering all requests for information about the City or its government. Such agency shall also receive and investigate complaints concerning the operation of the City government.

ANNOTATION

   Sources:   New York City Charter, 1938, Chapter 34.

   Purposes:   1.   Information about the City and its government should be readily available to citizens. To accomplish this, the Mayor is required to establish a public information center in his office.

      2.   The information agency is also to serve as the investigating arm of the executive branch. Its function is limited to investigations of the operation of the City government. However, the scope of such inquiries may encompass such matters as poor municipal services, corruption of City officials, and misapplication of City funds or property.

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Notes

144	Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on May 17, 2022, and certified on June 6, 2022. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022).