Clarke’s retirement ends four decades of philadelphia city council leadership. Here’s why it matters and what happens next. The council president is one. Webdarrell clarke, who has been the president of city council since 2012 and served on the council for more than a decade before that, is leaving. Weblooting and rioting occurred hours after peaceful protests in philadelphia over the weekend. City council president darrell clarke spoke to nbc10’s erin coleman about. Webclarke was first elected to city council in 1999, representing the 5th district seat formerly held by john street.
