Philadelphia City Council this week approved Resolution #240512, sponsored by Councilmember Jeffery Young (5th District), that will authorize Council to hold hearings on the use and occupancy of the former Philadelphia Nursing Home at 2100 W. Girard Avenue by the City of Philadelphia and its contractors.
The resolution also calls for authorizing the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Parker Administration officials to attend the hearings and to produce documents detailing its plans for the facility.
In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Parker Administration has proposed an initial $100 million to build capacity for triage centers for individuals experiencing substance use disorder to combat open-air drug markets in Kensington. The Administration has recently expanded services at 2100 W. Girard Avenue in Fairmount without any input from residents in the surrounding neighborhood.
Hearings on Return to Office Policy
Council also approved Resolution #240514 which will allow the Labor and Civil Services Committee to hold a hearing on Mayor Parker’s proposed Return to Office Policy and its impact on the City of Philadelphia workforce.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large), comes days after the mayor announced that her administration was requiring all city employees to transition back to full-time, in-office work effective July 15. Hearing dates have yet to be set.
Final Passage
Among the items listed on the final passage calendar and approved this week was Bill #240118, introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large), which would add a new chapter to the Philadelphia Code concerning protections for consumers against unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and providing remedies.
Additional ordinances approved by Council this week were the following bills:
- #240012-A (Councilmember Curtis Jones, 4th District)
- #240119 (Young)
- #240183 (Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, At-Large, on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, 2nd District),
- #240184 (Gilmore Richardson for President Johnson)
- #240191 (Councilmember Mark Squilla, 1st District)
- #240221 (Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District, for Jones)
- #240239 (Gilmore Richardson for President Johnson),
- #240240 (Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier, 4th District and Mike Driscoll, 6th District)
- #240243 (Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District)
- #240250 and #240335 (Squilla)
- #240282 (Bass and Landau)
- #240301 (Councilmember Anthony Phillips, 9th District)
- #240302 and #240329 (Jones)
- #240331 (Landau)
- #240334 (Councilmember Brian O’Neill, 10th District)
Council also approved the following resolution on the final passage calendar this week: Resolutions #240477 (Councilmember Nina Ahmad, At-Large), #240484 (Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, At-Large), and #240486 (Harrity and Young).
Bills approved this week now go to Mayor Parker for her approval or veto. Council only has three Stated Meetings left until summer recess in mid-June.
PHILADELPHIA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE IN 2026 FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) joined Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and regional leaders at the Franklin Institute Science Museum earlier this week to officially kick off the nation’s 250th Anniversary of Independence in 2026 and to announce the first wave of events and activities that will start this July and continue through 2026.
Councilmembers Young, Jones, Landau, Ahmad, O’Rourke, and Harrity also attended.
Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy, and as our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, the city and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be center stage. Philadelphia is expected to host millions of visitors and showcase what makes it special.
This summer, Philadelphia will host its annual Welcome America celebration which begins on Juneteenth (June 19) and ends with a concert featuring Ne-Yo and Kesha and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4th.
On July 2, Philadelphia’s Old City Historic District will host a patriotic celebration including parades, concerts, and more.
The celebration continues in October 2025, wherein Philadelphia will partner with the US Navy and the US Marine Corps to host the 250th birthday celebration for both branches of the Military.
And, in 2026, Philadelphia will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Wells Fargo Center, World Cup Soccer matches at Lincoln Financial Field, and the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.
Learn more about Philadelphia’s activities for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MET THIS WEEK, LEGISLATION TO RECEIVE FINAL PASSAGE VOTES SOON
City Council’s Committees on Law and Government, Rules, Public Property and Public Works and Housing, Neighborhood Development, and The Homeless met earlier this week. They voted out of committee a variety of bills and resolutions that will be eligible for possible final passage votes as soon as the May 30 City Council session.
Visit Council’s Legislative Information Center website for information on all Council bills and resolutions.
Council’s Public Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Councilmember Ahmad, held a hearing on Resolution #240197 to look into the rapidly evolving and worsening crisis of overdose deaths and their impact on neighborhoods, particularly in Black communities across Philadelphia.
Panelists testified that criminalization, stigma, and deep disinvestment in housing, healthcare, and education all contribute to high rates of overdose among Black Philadelphians. Experts highlighted the promise of evidence-based strategies such as door-to-door outreach initiatives, mobile health vans for providing services, and expanded access to housing and healthcare in the most impacted neighborhoods.
The information collected during the Public Health and Human Services Committee hearing will help Councilmembers craft future policies on dealing with overdose deaths in Philadelphia’s communities of color.
PHILADELPHIA REPARATIONS TASK FORCE MEMBERS ARE ANNOUNCED, HOSTED LISTENING SESSIONS AT CITY HALL
Members of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force (Rep215 Task Force) were introduced by Councilmembers Gauthier, Brooks, and their City Council colleagues this week in the City Council Caucus Room.
After the announcement, the Task Force met for the first time and hosted a public listening session where Philadelphians were able to share their perspective on reparations with Rep Task Force members.
This event marked the formal launch of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force, which is studying and developing reparations proposals and programs for Black Philadelphians whose ancestors endured chattel slavery and Jim Crow in the United States.
Philadelphians can get involved with the Rep Task Force by volunteering for one of its committees. To learn more and apply, residents can visit ww.rep215.com. The Rep Task Force plans to host additional meetings and public engagements soon.
SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL TO AIR ON SATURDAY, MAY 25 ON WURD RADIO
This week’s episode features Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. Tune in on Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can catch the show at 900AM/96.1FM WURD or online at wurdradio.com.
WEDDING BELLS RING FOR COUNCIL THIS WEEK
Council sends congratulations to Councilmember Young on his wedding day!
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND
Council wants to wish everyone a safe Memorial Day Weekend. Please also take a few minutes this weekend to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
All City Council offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in honor of Memorial Day. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 28.
The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 30, 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.
