Communication 180808

September 13, 2018 TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: I am hereby returning without my signature Bill No. 180465, which was passed by Council at its session on June 14, 2018. This bill would permanently ban any vendors seeking to do business with the City who have been found to be illegally dumping debris or short dumping. As a matter of policy, I am in support of any effort to maintain the integrity of our contracting process by preventing the City from doing business with vendors that engage in illegal activities, including short dumping. However, the appropriate way to address this type of violation would be to have a hearing in front of an independent body to determine the appropriate course of action in relation to that violation and that vendor. A permanent ban is an excessively punitive punishment, particularly when there are other fines that can be levied or actions that can be taken to address the behavior. For these reasons, I am returning without my signature, Bill No. 180465. Respectfully, James F. Kenney Mayor