About the Councilman
Councilman William Greenlee was born, raised, and has lived his whole life in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. He is a graduate of St. Joseph's Prep and attained a degree in journalism from Temple University. He and his wife Leslie have been married for the past 21 years.
Growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood Bill developed a strong interest in the affairs of his community and the city. This led to a natural progression to involvement in local politics. In 1980, he began a 26-year career working as chief aide to City Councilman David Cohen, concentrating on providing constituent services and working on legislative issues. In helping citizens with their problems, Bill dealt with many different city, state, and federal departments and agencies. This gave him detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the city and enables him to make meaningful suggestions in improving the delivery of government services.
Councilman Greenlee has been a participating member of the Fairmount Civic Association for thirty years, periodically serving on the board. Since 1982, he has been a Democratic Committeeperson. In 1994, he was elected Democratic Leader of the 15th Ward, an economically and racially diverse area composed of the neighborhoods of Fairmount, Francisville, and Spring Garden. Through these endeavors, Councilman Greenlee knows that all people's needs are important, regardless of their background.
After receiving over 82% of the vote in the November general election, the Councilman was sworn into office on November 27, 2006. Less than six months later, he secured the Democratic nomination for reelection in the May primary. The Councilman is chairperson of the Law and Government Committee and also serves on the Education, Ethics, Finance, Labor and Civil Service, Public Property and Public Works, Public Safety, Rules, Licenses and Inspection, Streets, Legislative Oversight, Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless and Transportation and Public Utilities committees.
Councilman Greenlee has been the prime sponsor of a bill to protect property owners and buyers from the growing number of thieves who have made it their business to steal properties. The legislation passed and signed by the Mayor in 2008 requires the Records Department to perform a records check of all deeds presented for recording to determine whether the named grantor on the deed matches the record owner and also requires additional documentation for certain deeds.
In order to further strengthen that law, the Councilman introduced Bill No. 100487 on June 17, 2010 which requires the Records Department not to record deeds when all the requirements are not met. In order to confirm the legal transfer, the bill also calls for a special certification if title insurance has not been obtained.
The Councilman was also the prime sponsor of a bill to protect victims of domestic violence from losing their jobs. The law mandates unpaid leave for up to eight weeks for employees of businesses of 50 or more and up to four weeks for businesses of 50 or less. To be eligible, the employee must provide certification to the employer if asked to do so.
A bill to regulate club promoters was also sponsored by the Councilman. The bill requires promoters to register with the City and if special assembly occupancy turns over operational control of the facility, they must notify police 14 days in advance.
Bill number 080130, sponsored by Councilman Greenlee and signed by the Mayor establishes a Transit Oriented Development District (TODD) in the City’s zoning code to help promote public transportation.
The Councilman was also a co-sponsor of legislation banning the use of cell phones while driving and a bill regulating trash dumpsters on city streets.
Growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood Bill developed a strong interest in the affairs of his community and the city. This led to a natural progression to involvement in local politics. In 1980, he began a 26-year career working as chief aide to City Councilman David Cohen, concentrating on providing constituent services and working on legislative issues. In helping citizens with their problems, Bill dealt with many different city, state, and federal departments and agencies. This gave him detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the city and enables him to make meaningful suggestions in improving the delivery of government services.
Councilman Greenlee has been a participating member of the Fairmount Civic Association for thirty years, periodically serving on the board. Since 1982, he has been a Democratic Committeeperson. In 1994, he was elected Democratic Leader of the 15th Ward, an economically and racially diverse area composed of the neighborhoods of Fairmount, Francisville, and Spring Garden. Through these endeavors, Councilman Greenlee knows that all people's needs are important, regardless of their background.
After receiving over 82% of the vote in the November general election, the Councilman was sworn into office on November 27, 2006. Less than six months later, he secured the Democratic nomination for reelection in the May primary. The Councilman is chairperson of the Law and Government Committee and also serves on the Education, Ethics, Finance, Labor and Civil Service, Public Property and Public Works, Public Safety, Rules, Licenses and Inspection, Streets, Legislative Oversight, Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless and Transportation and Public Utilities committees.
Councilman Greenlee has been the prime sponsor of a bill to protect property owners and buyers from the growing number of thieves who have made it their business to steal properties. The legislation passed and signed by the Mayor in 2008 requires the Records Department to perform a records check of all deeds presented for recording to determine whether the named grantor on the deed matches the record owner and also requires additional documentation for certain deeds.
In order to further strengthen that law, the Councilman introduced Bill No. 100487 on June 17, 2010 which requires the Records Department not to record deeds when all the requirements are not met. In order to confirm the legal transfer, the bill also calls for a special certification if title insurance has not been obtained.
The Councilman was also the prime sponsor of a bill to protect victims of domestic violence from losing their jobs. The law mandates unpaid leave for up to eight weeks for employees of businesses of 50 or more and up to four weeks for businesses of 50 or less. To be eligible, the employee must provide certification to the employer if asked to do so.
A bill to regulate club promoters was also sponsored by the Councilman. The bill requires promoters to register with the City and if special assembly occupancy turns over operational control of the facility, they must notify police 14 days in advance.
Bill number 080130, sponsored by Councilman Greenlee and signed by the Mayor establishes a Transit Oriented Development District (TODD) in the City’s zoning code to help promote public transportation.
The Councilman was also a co-sponsor of legislation banning the use of cell phones while driving and a bill regulating trash dumpsters on city streets.
Councilman Bill Greenlee
City Hall, Room 580
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-3446
Fax (215) 686-1927
Bill.Greenlee@phila.gov