May 30, 2025
PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL APPROVED 11 BILLS AND MORE THAN A DOZEN RESOLUTIONS THIS WEEK
BILLS APPROVED:
Bill #250325 (introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, 3rd District) that will amend subsection 9-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Street Vendors,” by permitting vendors licensed to operate on certain City streets despite it being prohibited conduct otherwise, all under certain terms and conditions. This will impact street vendors on the Drexel University campus in West Philadelphia that had been previously forced to leave their spaces overnight.
Other bills approved were Bill #250266 (Gauthier), #250267 (Gauthier), #250327 (introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., 4th District), #250367 (introduced by Councilmember Anthony Phillips, 9th District), #250368 (introduced by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, At-Large, for Council President Kenyatta Johnson, 2nd District), #250369 (Gilmore Richardson for Johnson), #250370 (Gilmore Richardson for Johnson), #250374 (introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District), #250377 (introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, 6th District), #250381 (introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, 1st District), and #250382 (Squilla).
RESOLUTIONS APPROVED:
- Resolution #250583, introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, At-Large) recognizing Philadelphia as America’s original music city-celebrating its dedication to the arts, its legacy of producing world-class musicians across genres, and its powerful economic impact, generating billions in revenue, jobs, tourism, and local business growth.Dozens of Philadelphia musical performers and others attended this week’s Council session to speak in support of the resolution.
- Resolution #250585 (introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau, At-Large, for President Johnson) recognizing the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month in Philadelphia.
Other resolutions approved were #250403 (introduced by Squilla for Council President Johnson), #250404 (Squilla for Johnson), #250405 (Squilla for Johnson), #250406 (Squilla for Johnson), #250547 (introduced by Young, Jr.); #250548 (Young, Jr.); #250550 (introduced by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, At-Large), #250554 (Squilla), #250584 (Jones, Jr. for Johnson), #250591 (introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District) and #250592 (introduced by Councilmember Nina Ahmad, At-Large)
Resolution #250505, introduced by Councilmember Quetcy M. Lozada (7th District), was formally withdrawn from the calendar, but has been reintroduced as Bill #250526. The bill will rename the Wissinoming Recreation Center to the “Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center” to honor the life and legacy of the late Margaret “Marge” Tartaglione, former chairwoman of the Board of City Commissioners and Democratic Ward Leader.
BILLS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK
Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson introduced Bill #250574 that would allow victims of deed fraud to request a refund for any transfer taxes paid to the City of Philadelphia by the fraudulent party. The bill is supported by Community Legal Services.
Deed fraud, also known as an extreme example of a tangled title, occurs when someone unlawfully transfers ownership of a property to themselves without the knowledge or permission of the true owner. Deed fraud typically occurs through forgery, coercion, or deception.
Resolving a deed fraud case can not only be time consuming, but expensive as it can involve legal action and often requires consulting and hiring an attorney. Victims can easily spend thousands of dollars on attorney fees, court fees, and other related expenses. This bill would allow victims to recoup some of their costs while preventing the fraudulent party from requesting the refund.
This legislation builds on Gilmore Richardson’s advocacy for equitable housing in Philadelphia. Following the Pew report noting that there were more than 10,000 homes with tangled titles in Philadelphia, she secured $7.6 million in additional funding to connect residents with legal aid to help them avoid deed fraud, keep their family homes, and preserve their generational wealth.
Gilmore Richardson said the bill will have a hearing sometime this fall and she hopes for a final passage vote before the end of this year.
BILLS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK:
Council’s Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless Committee voted out of committee bills #250043, #250044 and #250045.
Bill #250043, sponsored by Gauthier, would amend Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), by defining affordable housing projects and establishing specific application and permitting procedures for such projects, all under certain terms and conditions.
Bills #250044 and #250045 are all sponsored by Landau (At-Large) and a part of her Move-in Affordability Plan.
The plan proposes key reforms to ease these costs, including:
- Capping rental application fees to prevent excessive, predatory charges that discourage or disqualify prospective tenants from securing a home.
- Allowing renters to pay security deposits in four installments over time, replacing the burdensome lump sum requirements that can total thousands of dollars
Councilmember Landau’s plan is part of her broader efforts to ensure fair and affordable housing as well as consumer protections for all Philadelphia residents. The proposed reforms will provide relief to renters, making it easier for individuals and families to secure stable housing without excessive financial strain.
Council had the first reading of the three bills this week meaning the bills can come up for a final passage vote during the June 5 Council session.
Council’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee held a hearing on May 29 on Bills #240671, #241082, and #250379. The three bills were voted out of committee with first reading expected at the June 5 Council session and a final passage vote during the June 12 Council session.
Council’s Committee on Public Property and Public Works held a May 30 hearing on Bills #250483, #250526, #250537 and #250538. The four bills were voted out of committee with first reading expected at the June 5 Council session and a final passage vote during the June 12 Council session.
Finally, the Special Committee on Kensington heard testimony on two resolutions—one examining the current state of transportation infrastructure and services in Philadelphia in response to the opioid crisis (#240720) and the other one on the implementation of Art Therapy Programming as a low-barrier intervention method in addressing substance abuse disorder and serious mental illness during and after incarceration (#240164). This was just an informational hearing, and no legislation was voted out of committee.
For a complete rundown of all bills and resolutions currently before Council, go to City Council’s Legislative Information Center.
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS EXPRESS ANGER CONCERNING MASS SHOOTING AT LEMON HILL IN EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK ON MEMORIAL DAY
Philadelphia Police are still searching for the motive that led to a mass shooting near Lemon Hill Mansion that killed two people and injured 9 others, ranging in age 15-27, on Memorial Day Monday this week.
Investigators recovered shell casings and believe that five firearms were used in this incident. They are looking for several shooters that fired into a large group of young people and adults that had gathered near Lemon Hill and Sedgley Drive on Memorial Day. Mikhail Bowers, 21, and Amya Devlin, 23, died in the shooting. The nine others are recovering from their wounds.
“It is totally unacceptable and as a city we have to do more and come together and finding ways to address the issue of give violence in Philadelphia,” Council President Kenyatta Johnson said. “We must continue finding ways to keep the guns out of the hands of young people. We have to use our annual City budget to invest in programs to help young people. We must promote a message of peace not guns in our city and change the culture in our city when it comes to gun violence.”
Lemon Hill Mansion is in Councilmember Jones Jr.’s District. He and Councilmember Young Jr. (5th District) joined Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker at a press conference earlier this week to denounce the shooting.
“I want to emphasize (that) as the chair of Council’s Public Safety Committee that the vast majority of Philadelphians are law abiding citizens and the vast majority of young people are law abiding citizens, “ Jones, Jr. said. “… We want to send this message to you (young people)—we love you, but we love you enough to sit you down. We are not going to concede Lemon Hill…and we are going to fight to keep that safe space for the citizens of Philadelphia.”
“Gun violence on our holidays is becoming an unacceptable pattern in Philadelphia, and it’s one we must break,” Councilmember Young, Jr. said in a written statement. “.. We need bold, immediate investments in the communities most impacted by this violence: in prevention programs, in youth outreach, in mental health, and in real opportunities… We cannot stay silent while this violence continues, and we will not be held hostage in our own city. This city belongs to all of us and I won’t stop fighting to make it safer.”
Police believe Glock switches were likely used by the shooters. A Glock switch converts a semi-automatic Glock pistol into a fully automatic weapon. In a standard semi-automatic Glock, one pull of the trigger fires one bullet. The switch alters this so that holding the trigger causes the gun to be fired continuously until the trigger is released or the magazine is empty.
Switch devices are outlawed in more than half of U.S. states but are legal in Pennsylvania. Rapid-fire gun devices, also known as auto sear or bump stock, were banned by Philadelphia City Council under Bill/Law # 240472 in June 2024. The lead sponsor was Councilmember Jones and it was supported by all 17 members of Council.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Homicide Detectives at 215-686-3334. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Police Department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477), and all tips will remain confidential. A reward of $20,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
CITY COUNCIL HELD ITS FINAL NEIGHBORHOOD BUDGET TOWN HALL THIS WEEK TO HEAR THE PUBLIC’S THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
Councilmembers Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District), Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) and Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) hosted the final Neighborhood Budget Town Hall on May 27 at the Hope Partnership for Education school in North Philadelphia.
More than 150 people attended the meeting. The Councilmembers at the Town hall meeting were Johnson, Young, Gilmore Richardson, Thomas and Landau.
Council has held five City Council Neighborhood Budget Town Halls this year (starting April 1) in the Council Districts represented by Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th District), Quetcy Lozada (7th District), Anthony Phillips (9th District) and Young’s 5th District.
More than 800 people showed up for all five Budget Town Halls this year.
All five Neighborhood Budget Hearings have been recorded by PHL GovTV and air on Channel 64 at various times throughout the week. The Budget Hearings are also available to watch on City Council’s FY 2026 budget page.
Councilmembers and the Mayor Cherelle Parker Administration are negotiating a final Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026) operating budget by mid-June. Under Council’s current meeting schedule, a final FY 2026 budget bill must be done by June 5 so it can have a first reading during the June 5 Council session and a final passage vote by the June 12 Council session, which is scheduled to be the final Council session before the start of summer recess.
Council’s Committee of the Whole is in recess until June 4, 9 a.m.
The City’s budget is the mayoral administration’s plan for spending, adjusted as needed to obtain City Council approval and passage before the start of each fiscal year beginning on July 1.
Before the budget is approved, City Council may adjust funding levels for departments and programs.
City Council passes legislation approving the new budget before the end of the current (Fiscal Year 2025) budget on June 30, and the mayor signs the adopted budget legislation. Fiscal Year 2026 starts on July 1.
To learn more about Mayor Parker’s budget, visit City Council’s FY2026 budget page for Mayor Parker’s budget address, the Operating and Capital Budgets and the proposed FY25-30 Five Year Plan.
BILLS THAT ARE PART OF MAYOR CHERELLE PARKER’S HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EASY PLAN HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES FOR HEARINGS
Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, on behalf of Council President Johnson, introduced Bill #250568 this week, which will authorize the sale of $800 million in bonds to pay for Mayor Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E, initiative, which aims to build or preserve 30,000 housing units in the city.
The bill includes Council oversight of the spending. The bond bill would be a service agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (RDA), which will be the bondholder. Since RDA would be the bold holder, the loan can be secured with just a Council vote and without voters first approving a ballot measure.
Bill #250568 has been assigned to Council’s Finance Committee and the hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. in City Council chambers.
Three zoning bills that are part of the H.O.M.E, initiative are in the Rules Committee. They are Bills #250523, #250524, and #250525 and they would all amend the City’s Zoning code.
Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District) introduced Bill #250432 several weeks ago and it has also been assigned to the Rules Committee. Bills #250432, #250523, #250524, and #250525 will all have a hearing on June 4 at 1:30 PM inside City Council Chambers.
According to the City Charter, although legislation is suggested by the mayor, she cannot introduce it herself. That task must be performed by a councilmember. The Parker administration is pushing to have the H.O.M.E plan advance alongside the yearly budget, which must be adopted by July 1.
Council President Johnson said he is hopeful Council can finish all the FY 2026 budget and the H.O.M.E. legislation by June 12 but will consider adding an extra session if needed.
MAYOR CHERELLE PARKER SIGNED THE POWER ACT AND MOBILE SERVICES PROVIDERS IN KENSINGTON BILLS INTO LAW THIS WEEK
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed into law Bills #250065 and #240665-AA in two separate signing ceremonies this week.
Bill #250065, sponsored by Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large), Minority Leader of City Council, is also known as the Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights (POWER) Act. This bill provides significant updates to Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code as it pertains to paid sick leave, wage theft, protection of domestic workers, fair work week, protecting victims of retaliation, and enforcement of all these worker protection ordinances.
The City’s Department of Labor and Commerce Department is currently working to release educational materials for the business community in partnership with external stakeholders.
The POWER Act signing was done in Philadelphia City Hall and was attended by Councilmembers Brooks, Landau and Ahmad.
Bill #240665-AA, sponsored by Councilmember Lozada (7th District), now designates where mobile medical and non-medical providers can operate in Kensington. City Council approved the bill on May 8, and it will become law on July 27, 60 days after being signed. The bill signing took place at the Kensington Free Library Branch at 104 West Dauphin Street and Councilmembers Lozada, Jim Harrity (At-Large) and Ahmad participated in the event.
This bill defines various types of mobile services, regulates areas where mobile service providers may operate in the 7th Council District, and calls for a permitting system for those providing certain medical services.
Through mobile units, providers have supplied services that have saved lives and connected individuals to long-term care. However, concerns over the practices of providers that impact the well-being of residents, children, and the individuals being treated have been raised. Residents of Kensington and the surrounding area have voiced concern over the presence of mobile service providers contributing to litter, nuisance behavior, and safety concerns. This bill was drafted to improve the relationship between providers and the community, enhance the quality of life of residents, protect children, and connect people with services.
The bill permits services at the PAD lot located at 265 East Lehigh Avenue. The bill permits services to be conducted on East Allegheny Avenue between Kensington Avenue and F Street.
THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL SESSION WILL BE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 5
The next Stated City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.
Tune in live on May 29 by watching Xfinity Channel 64 and Fios Channel 40 if you have cable TV in Philadelphia, stream online at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch or listen to WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
