Philadelphia City Council members continue to approve more and more bills and resolutions during this week’s regularly stated meeting as Council gets closer to its summer recess in mid-June.
Among the legislation approved were:
Resolutions #240254, #240255, #240256, #240257, #240258, #240259, #240260 and #240262 confirming the appointments of Crystal Cubbage, Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Joan Stern, Reginald Streater, Wanda Novales, Whitney Jones, Chau Wing Lam and Cheryl Harper to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
On April 1, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced her choices for the Philadelphia Board of Education by appointing five new people to the nine-member body. The new members are Cubbage, Harper, Jones, Novales, and Stern. The three people reappointed to the board and confirmed by Council are current Board Chairman Streater, Andrews, and Lam.
Under law, Parker’s selections has to be submitted to the City Council for possible confirmation. The confirmed board members are expected to take office on May 1 to start four-year terms.
Additional Resolutions approved during the April 25 meeting were:
Resolution numbers #240306 (introduced by Council President Johnson), #240308 (introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Fourth District), #240309 (Jones), #240318 (introduced by Councilmembers Mike Driscoll, Sixth District, Nina Ahmad, At-Large and Rue Landau, At-Large), #240321 (introduced by Councilmember Brian O’Neill, Tenth District), and #240322 (introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass, Eighth District).
No bills/ordinances were voted on during the April 25 session.
COUNCIL CONTINUES FOURTH WEEK OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET HEARINGS INCLUDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY FROM CITIZENS THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA
Council’s Committee of the Whole held its fourth week of hearings on the proposed FY’ 25 Budget on April 24 with testimony that day from SEPTA and District Attorney’s Office.
City Council members also heard public comments on the City’s budget from more than 100 constituents that day.
Additional budget hearings in Philadelphia City Council Chambers will take place on April 29 with the Office of Property Assessment and Board of Revision Taxes.
The budget hearings are currently scheduled to end on May 1 and the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget must be approved by June 30. Fiscal Year ‘25 starts on July 1.
City Council will allow public comment on the School District of Philadelphia’s funding request to the City will be on Wednesday, May 1 from 1:30-4 p.m.
The general public can testify in person at City Council chambers during the May 1 budget hearing in City Hall.
The public can sign up on site at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor).
The public can also watch the City Hall budget hearings live on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, or online.
Check out Mayor Parker’s budget address, Operating and Capital Budgets, proposed FY ‘25-30 Five Year Plan and other information at City Council’s FY’25 Budget Center. The FY’25 Budget Hearing Schedule is subject to change so check Council’s Budget page often for updates.
CITY COUNCIL HELD THE THIRD OF SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD BUDGET TOWN HALLS THIS WEEK
Council President Johnson was joined by Councilmembers Anthony Phillips (Ninth District), Quetcy M. Lozada (Seventh District), Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), Laudau and Bass on April 25 at the John F. Street Community Center in North Central Philadelphia for the third in a series of Neighborhood Budget Town Halls for constituents to provide feedback on Mayor Parker’s proposed $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) budget.
The Budget Town Hall, hosted by Councilmember Jeffrey Young, Jr. (Fifth District), took place at the John F. Street Community Center, which is in the heart of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Richard Allen Housing Development. More than 150 people attended.
During all the Neighborhood Budget Town Halls, the public hears a brief FY ‘25 Budget overview from City Council’s Chief Financial Officer. After the presentation, members of the public give remarks and input on the FY ‘25 budget. Council will hear public feedback from as many people as possible at each event.
The public must register on site to be called up to provide feedback on the budget. Council also welcomes constituents to leave written and online feedback via survey at every Town Hall.
Additional “Neighborhood Budget Town Halls” will be held during the following dates, locations, and times:
Town Hall hosted by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Third District
Date: Monday, April 29th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: West Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut Street (corner of 49th and Chestnut Street), Philadelphia, PA 19139
Town Hall hosted by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, Seventh District
Date: Wednesday, May 1st
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location Philadelphia Charter School of Arts and Sciences School, 1197 Haworth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19124 (Enter through 1100 block of Dyer Street, near Dyer and Large Streets)
SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL TO AIR ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27 ON WURD RADIO
This week’s episode features Councilmember Nicolas O’ Rourke (At-Large) discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. Tune in on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Listen to the show at 900 AM/96.1 FM in Philadelphia or online.
The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. The meeting will take place in person in Council’s Chambers on the 4th floor of Council. It will also air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40, and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
