October 10, 2025
COUNCILMEMBERS INTRODUCED 20+ BILLS AND APPROVED DOZENS OF RESOLUTIONS DURING THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL SESSION
The Philadelphia City Council approved four resolutions this week, as listed on the final passage calendar. They are #250812 (introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., 4th District), #250817 (introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District), #250818 (Young, Jr.), and #250823 (introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District, on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, 2nd District).
Councilmembers introduced more than 20 bills during this week’s session. Among the notable bills are:
- #250833 (sponsored by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District) that would explicitly require the Philadelphia Land Bank to submit an annual report to Council that details the disposition of all land subject to the Land Bank.
- #250834 (Lozada) that would amend Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” to establish the Seventh District Overlay District, restrict certain commercial uses, and make other related changes.
If the bill is approved, it would mean that any new “sundries, pharmaceuticals, and convenience sales” businesses would need to get approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment before they could open.
- #250843 (sponsored by Councilmember Mark Squilla, 1st District) required to lock dumpsters.
- #250849 (sponsored by Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, At-Large) that would amend Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,” to explicitly protect employees from discrimination on the basis of menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.
The other ordinances introduced were Bills # 250830, #250831, #250832, #250834, #250835, #250836, #250839, #250840, #250841, #250842, #250844, #250845, #250846, #250847 and #250848. All of the bills will be referred to a Council Committee for further consideration.
Councilmembers approved nearly 30 resolutions that were introduced at Thursday’s Council session. Among the resolutions are:
- #250880 (introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, 6th District) authorizes the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to investigate SEPTA Regional Rail’s Silverliner IV fleet.
- #250861 (sponsored by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, At-Large) authorizes the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings to determine the current state of planning and readiness for the traffic flows caused by events and visitors during the historic 250th Anniversary celebration of the United States and the many events coming to town.
- #250862 (Thomas) authorizes the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings considering how Philadelphia will handle over half a million extra visitors during 2026 and the feasibility of allowing short-term rental rule holidays as other cities have done around large-scale events.
- #250863 (introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., 4th District on behalf of Council President Johnson) authorizes the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing to examine whether death by suicide for first responders (Police and others) should be considered as occurring in the line of duty, and to explore mental health initiatives aimed at preventing suicide and supporting the overall well-being of first responders.
The other resolutions introduced and approved on the same day were Resolutions #250850, #250851, #250852, #250854, #250855, #250856, #250857, #250858, #250859, #250860, #250864, #250865, #250866, #250867, #250871, #250872, #250873, #250874, #250875, #250876, #250877, #250881, #250883, #250884, and #250885.
BILLS HAD THEIR FIRST READING THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE ON TRACK FOR FINAL PASSAGE VOTES IN THE COMING WEEKS
Two dozen bills had their first reading on the Council floor this week and can come up for final passage as soon as the October 16 Council session. The bills came out of Council’s Rules, Licenses and Inspections and Streets and Services Committees.
Among the bills that had a first reading were:
- Bill ##250718, introduced by Councilmember Young, Jr. on behalf of Council President Johnson, would authorize loading zones for Spruce and Pine Streets only, bounded by the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
The amendment also aligns with the implementation of the “Get Out The Bike Lane” law that Johnson sponsored and was signed into law by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in December 2024. The Get Out The Bike Lane law bans stopping, standing, or parking in bike lanes across the city. The law was enacted following the death of Dr. Barbara Friedes in July 2024 in a bike lane crash along Spruce Street in the Second Council District.
- Bill #250770, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll on behalf of Council President Johnson, that would put new automated speed cameras on designated state routes in Philadelphia.
- Bill #250774, sponsored by Councilmember Ahmad, would amend Section 9-3903 of The Philadelphia Code (“Certificate of Rental Suitability; Required Tenant Documents”) to include the provision of voter registration information to tenants.
The other bills scheduled for final passage on October 16 are Bills #250493, #250706, #250719, #250721, #240872, #250575, #250576, #250652, #250653, #250710, #250711, #250712, #250713, #250714, #250715, #250716, #250723, #250724, #250725, #250771, and #250772.
To find all the bills and resolutions in progress at City Council, visit City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site offers quick and simple public access to information about Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions.
COUNCIL WAS BUSY WITH COMMITTEE HEARINGS THIS WEEK
The City Council hearing that drew the most attention this week was the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs, which reviewed Resolution #250753. This resolution looked at the City of Philadelphia’s progress in preparing to support individuals with disabilities for the historic programming scheduled for 2026. Minority Leader Kendra Brooks (At-Large) is Chair of the Committee.
According to Brooks, the City of Philadelphia is expecting millions of visitors and has invested over $120 million in public funding to prepare for 2026. Federal law dictates that city-sponsored events must be open and accessible to everyone, including the one-in-four American adults who have some disability.
During the hearing, advocates presented a variety of suggestions for organizers of 2026 events, including:
- Seating space that accommodates wheelchairs and walkers
- Ramped entrances and exits
- Subtitles, ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, and printed materials in accessible formats
- Accessible bathrooms (most portable restrooms are not accessible)
- Sensory-friendly zones
- Ample handicapped parking
- Coordination with SEPTA and rideshare companies to ensure availability of accessible transportation
- Free or discounted event tickets for medical assistants accompanying people with disabilities.
Work is currently underway at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, where Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival will host watch parties for next year’s World Cup games. Meg Kane, the host city executive for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, said the city is installing new accessible paths and other amenities, emphasizing that “accessibility is the cornerstone of our operational planning.”
Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi stated that infrastructure improvements will be implemented around Lincoln Financial Field and nearby neighborhoods hosting celebrations for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Council’s Licenses and Inspections and Rules Committee also met this week and voted bills out of committee.
COUNCILMEMBER DR. NINA AHMAD GIVES $100,000 INVESTMENT TO SAVE MOTHERS AND BABIES IN PHILADELPHIA
Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad (At-Large) presented a $100,000 check this week in the City Council Caucus Room to Once Upon a Preemie, the nonprofit chosen by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to train doctors and nurses to deliver fairer, safer care to Black and Brown mothers and babies. The funds come from the City’s operating budget.
According to Ahmad, Black and brown mothers in Philadelphia are about three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mothers. Too often, their concerns are dismissed or ignored because of assumptions made by healthcare providers — and when mothers aren’t listened to, the result can be deadly.
This $100,000 investment will fund training to help doctors and nurses recognize how unconscious assumptions influence the care they deliver. Dr. Ahmad chairs Council’s Public Health and Human Services Committee.
For more information on Once Upon a Preemie, https://www.onceuponapreemie.org/
COUNCILMEMBER NICOLAS O’ROURKE LAUNCHED HIS “AFFORDABLE PHILLY NOW” INITIATIVE THIS WEEK
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large), the Council’s Minority Whip, hosted a launch event on October 9 to kick off his Affordable Philly Now initiative, a commitment to address the City’s affordability crisis. He announced the creation of Philadelphia’s first “Cost of Living Task Force” and introduced a package of legislation this week that he says tackles the affordability of housing, transportation, and utilities.
The legislation includes:
- Resolution # 250879 authorizes the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to establish a Cost-of-Living Task Force and hold hearings to examine conditions and develop recommendations that ensure Philadelphia is a city where all residents can afford to live and thrive.
- A Charter Change Bill #250837 and Resolution #250878 would propose an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to ensure perpetual City ownership and operation of the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) supply system and facilities. This charter change will not affect current PWD operations but will guarantee that PWD remains publicly owned forever. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s Administration has no plans to sell PWD.
- Bill # 250838 would establish a “Philadelphia Rent Refund” that expands the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to offer city refunds of property taxes paid through rent by low-income seniors, widows, and individuals with disabilities.
The launch event took place at LOVE Park in Center City.
MAJORITY LEADER KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON AND PRESIDENT JOHNSON HOST PHILADELPHIA MED WEEK EVENT THIS WEEK
Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) and Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) hosted a Micro Economic Development (MED) Week event, titled “Positioning Your Small Business for Big Wins in 2026,” on October 7 at the IBEW Local 98 headquarters inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.
An estimated 100 people attended, and they learned how to access partnerships in the Navy Yard and discovered best practices for working with the City of Philadelphia.
This event is part of the City of Philadelphia’s 41st Annual MED Week. MED Week (October 6-10) recognizes the outstanding achievements of Philadelphia’s small, local, and underrepresented businesses.
For more info on MED week, go here.
WINGOHOCKING NEIGHBORS DAY HAPPENING ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
The 5th annual Wingohocking Neighbors Day will take place on Saturday, October 11, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., along the 1500 and 1600 blocks of West Wingohocking Street in the Nicetown neighborhood. It is free and open to everyone. If postponed due to bad weather, the rain date is October 18 at the same time and place.
The event will include live music, food trucks, a play street for kids, health screenings, a criminal record clearing clinic, job opportunities, and resources and information.
This year, the event will honor one of Nicetown’s brightest stars, the late rap artist LGP Qua, known as “the voice of the youth.” LGP Qua attended Edward T. Steel School, and after signing his first record deal, he returned to Steel to make a $10,000 donation. He used his platform to bring hope, resources, and recognition to the young people in our neighborhood, but his life was cut short by gun violence earlier this year.
SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL RADIO SHOW AIRS LIVE ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 11
Tune in and listen to the Saturdays with City Council radio show on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) or online at wurdradio.com.
Council Communications Director Vincent Thompson hosts the show, which features news and updates about the City Council and government issues at the local, state, and federal levels.
Vincent’s guests this week will include Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Chair of the Council’s Housing Committee, to discuss Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Plan, and George Leone, President of Homecoming 250, a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, both founded in Philadelphia in 1775.
THE HOMECOMING 250 NAVY MARINE CORPS EVENTS START THIS WEEK
The Homecoming 250 Navy and Marines Corps celebration commemorates the founding of two military services in Philadelphia that helped the United States gain and defend its independence for 250 years.
Events surrounding the Navy’s anniversary take place from October 9 to 16, followed by the Marine Corps’ celebration from November 7 to 11.
The Navy events this week include a performance by the U.S. Navy Band Commodores on October 10 at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Military & Veteran Suicide Prevention Walk on October 12, the Homecoming 250 All Veterans Picnic & Victory at Sea Concert at Independence National Historic Park also on October 12, and the Navy & Marine Corps 250 Parade in Center City on October 13.
For the complete list of events and updates, visit homecoming250.org
PHILADELPHIA CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
The City of Philadelphia and City Council offices will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is also celebrated by many Philadelphia residents as Columbus Day. City Council offices will reopen at their regular times on Tuesday, October 14.
NEXT COUNCIL SESSION IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
City Council’s next Stated Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.
The public can watch City Council sessions live in Philadelphia on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, streamed live at PHLCouncil.com/watch or heard on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1FM) from 10a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Thank you to the Offices of Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Dr. Nina Ahmad, Nicolas O’Rourke, and Kendra Brooks for providing information for this edition of the Weekly Report.
