§ 4-500. Functions. 151

   The Department of Commerce shall have the power and its duty shall be to perform the following functions:

   (a)   Promotion of economic development activity within the City of Philadelphia. It shall promote and develop opportunities for business growth in the City and the City's commerce and industry, and shall encourage the increased use of the Port and airports of Philadelphia and Philadelphia's workforce. 152

   (b)   Promotion of workforce development activity within the City of Philadelphia through the Division of Workforce Solutions. The Division shall provide information to the public related to job training and skills development; coordinate efforts to connect Philadelphians to job training and employment opportunities in the public and private sectors; and as may be further defined by ordinance, develop information regarding City and other workforce development programs. The Division of Workforce Solutions shall be led by member(s) of Department of Commerce leadership. 153

   (c)   Wharf, Dock and Harbor Facilities. The Department shall itself, or by contract, maintain, improve, repair and operate City wharf, dock and harbor facilities; when authorized by the Council, acquire, design and construct additional such facilities; and conduct necessary harbor cleaning, deepening, dredging and ice-breaking operations and maintain and operate equipment for such purposes. The Department may grant leases and licenses for the use of City wharf, dock and harbor facilities.

ANNOTATION

   Sources:   Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article VI, Section 3, as amended, Article IX.

   Purposes:   1.   A new Department of Commerce is established to foster and promote the commercial and industrial growth of the City and of the Port of Philadelphia.

      2.   City wharf, dock, harbor and airport facilities are to be managed by the Department of Commerce because of their relationship to the flow of commerce from and to the City. The utilities were formerly managed by the Department of Wharves, Docks and Ferries and the Department of Public Works.

      3.   The general powers and duties of the Department of Commerce relating to wharf, dock and harbor and airport facilities include the maintenance, improvement, repair and operation of such facilities. The Department may itself perform these functions or enter into contracts for their performance. The Department is specifically authorized to grant leases and licenses for the use or operation of commerce facilities. Thus the Department will be able to provide food at City airports by restaurant concession contracts; grant licenses for loading or unloading at City docks; and license the use by commercial airlines of City airport facilities. Expansion of facilities may be undertaken only upon the authorization of Council since it would involve, as a rule, substantial expenditures.

 

Notes

151	Subsection (c) deleted by approval of the voters at the election held on November 8, 2022, and certified on December 4, 2022. See Bill No. 220187 (approved July 6, 2022); Resolution No. 220197-A (adopted June 23, 2022). See Charter subsection A-200(24) for effective date.
152	Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on April 22, 2008, and certified on May 19, 2008. See Bill No. 080006 (approved March 6, 2008); Resolution No. 080041 (adopted March 6, 2008).
153	Added and subsequent subsection renumbered by approval of the voters at the election held on May 16, 2023, and certified on June 5, 2023. See Bill No. 220864 (approved March 1, 2023); Resolution No. 220872 (adopted February 16, 2023).