Philadelphia City Council members approved various bills and resolutions during this week’s regularly stated meeting.
Among the legislation approved were:
- Resolution #240223 (sponsored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Third District) approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the 44th and Aspen Urban Renewal and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with North 40th Street LP and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract.
- Resolution #240227 (sponsored by Councilmember Rue Landau, At-Large) calling on President Joe Biden and Congress to prioritize a permanent reauthorization and funding of the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program.
- Resolution #240229 (sponsored by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, Seventh District) authorizing the participation of Philadelphia in the 2024 cohort of the Pennsylvania Blueprint Communities Program.
- Resolution #240230 (sponsored by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Fifth District) authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to three properties along Cecil B Moore Avenue in the Fifth Councilmanic District and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer the properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
- Ordinance #240019 (sponsored by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, Sixth District for Council President Johnson) that would adopt an Amendment to Section V of the Articles of Incorporation of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development by increasing the Authority’s term of existence to a date fifty years from the date of approval of Articles of Amendment by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, under certain terms and conditions.
All ordinances approved during the April 4 Council session will now be sent to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s desk to either receive a veto or be signed into law.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION INTRODUCED DURING THE APRIL 4 COUNCIL SESSION
Councilmembers Kendra Brooks (At-Large), Gauthier, O’Rourke, and Landau introduced several bills this week as part of their “Our Philly Neighborhoods” platform. One bill would make the City’s Eviction Diversion Program permanent, and the lawmakers would like $100 million spent in the city budget over the next two years for rental assistance.
The Eviction Diversion Program has helped thousands of renters and small landlords to resolve issues without going to court. It is scheduled to expire on June 30.
Councilmembers and advocates are also calling for an increase in funding for rental assistance, also known as Targeted Financial Assistance, and more robust investments in home repair programs, including Built to Last, the Basic Systems Repair Program, and the Rental Improvement Fund.
In addition to preventing evictions and repairing homes, the Our Philly Neighborhoods platform includes legislation to extend property tax relief to more Philadelphia homeowners.
The bills will now be assigned to a committee(s) for hearings. No word when those hearings will take place.
Also, Council’s Appropriations Committee early this week voted out of committee several bills that will transfer more than $170 Million to various City Departments in the current Fiscal Year 2024 budget to jumpstart initiatives supported by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.
Bills #240176, #240177 and #240178 had their first reading at this week’s Council session and are scheduled to come up for final passage as soon as the Thursday, April 11 Council session.
CITY COUNCIL TO HOST NEIGHBORHOOD BUDGET TOWNHALLS STARTING ON APRIL 10
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson invites Philadelphia residents and community leaders to a series of Neighborhood Budget Town Halls to review and provide feedback on Mayor Parker’s proposed $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) budget.
The “Neighborhood Budget Town Halls” will be held during the following dates, locations, and times in April:
Town Hall #1: Hosted by Councilmember Mark Squilla, First District
Date: Wednesday, April 10th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: South Philadelphia High School, 2101 South Broad Street (corner of Broad Street and Snyder Avenue), Philadelphia, PA 19148
Town Hall #2: Hosted by Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Eighth District, and Anthony Phillips, Ninth District
Date: Monday, April 15th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Town Hall #3: Hosted by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District
Date: Thursday, April 25th
Time:6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: John F. Street Community Center, 1100 Poplar Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Town Hall #4: 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.
“Council takes the duties of vetting and approving a balanced and fiscally sound budget that is equitable for all very seriously,” Johnson said. “It is also very important for Councilmembers to hear from Philadelphians about what they want to see in the final FY ’25 Operating and Capital Budgets.” He continued “The overwhelming majority of Philadelphians cannot come down to City Hall to testify about the budget and that is why Councilmembers are coming to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Hearing directly from the residents that live in neighborhoods that all 17 Council members represent will play an important role in helping Councilmembers shape the final version of the FY ’25 budget.”
During the Neighborhood Budget Town Halls, the public will first hear a brief FY ‘25 Budget overview from City Council’s Chief Financial Officer. After the presentation is over, members of the public can testify about what they would like to see or not see in 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. The public will also be able to leave written and online feedback via survey at every Town Hall.
PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL’S FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET HEARINGS CONTINUED THIS WEEK
Council’s Committee of the Whole held its second week of hearings on the proposed FY’ 25 Budget on April 2-3. Councilmembers heard testimony this week from Chief Administrative Office, Office of Human Resources, Office of Innovation & Technology, Procurement, Aviation (Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Airport), Water Department, Office of Children & Families, Free Library, Parks and Recreation, Department of Human Services, Commerce and Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Additional budget hearings in Philadelphia City Council Chambers will happen on April 9-10, 15-17, 24, 30 and May 1. 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 City’s budget at City Hall on Wednesday, April 24 from 1:30-4 p.m. and testimony 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 April 24 and May 1 budget hearings. Speakers interested in making public testimony should call 215-686-3407 or email [email protected] by 3 p.m. the day before the public hearing and submit the following information:
- Full name
- Callback telephone number where you can be reached
- Identify the bill number or resolution number or numbers that will be addressed.
The public can also come to the hearing at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), and sign up to testify on site.
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’25Budget Center. The FY’25 Budget Hearing Schedule is subject to change so check Council’s Budget page often for updates.
MAYOR PARKER SIGNS LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBERS QUETZY LOZADA, MIKE DRISCOLL AND CURTIS JONES INTO LAW THIS WEEK
Mayor Parker signed three bills into law that will restrict business hours in Kensington, tag flipping devices and a ban on so-called skill games in Philadelphia.
During a bill signing ceremony in City Hall, Parker said the bills shows her commitment to reducing crime rates and improving the quality of life.
“We are not going to tolerate chaos and disorder in our city” Mayor Parker said. She continued, “We will restore a sense of order and public safety.”
Councilmembers Jones, Young, Driscoll, Lozada and Jim Harrity (At-Large) attended the bill signing.
Bill #240013-A, sponsored by Councilmember Lozada, restricts hours of activity between 11 PM and 6 AM for all businesses in the Kensington neighborhood except for restaurants with liquor licenses.
The hours restriction will impact the area bounded by East Lehigh Ave, Kensington Ave, D St, East Tioga Street and Frankford Ave. This bounded area will include all businesses located on both sides of the boundary blocks. However, any food establishment with a restaurant liquor license will not be subject to the restriction in the targeted area; current law allows them to operate until 2 AM.
Councilmember Lozada’s office estimates that approximately 90 businesses are in the footprint where this bill will take effect. Of those 90 businesses, less than 20 currently run past 11 PM. The legislation calls for a fine of $500 for each offense for each day the violation continues. The emergency measure is set to expire January 1, 2028.
Bill #240010-A, sponsored by Councilmember Jones, amends Chapter 9-5900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Prohibition on Certain Gambling Machines and Skills Games,” to add additional prohibitions and provide remedies.
The bill bans businesses from having so-called “skill games” unless they also have a casino or liquor license and an area for at least 30 patrons to eat or drink. Skill games are digital gaming machines that have popped up in gas stations and convenience stores in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police and community advocates supported the regulation, while game manufacturers and business owners pushed back against what they say is an unfair prohibition. A lawsuit was filed last week in the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court seeking to have bill #240010-A ruled unconstitutional.
Bill #240089-A, sponsored by Councilmember Driscoll (6th District), bans “tag flipping” devices that allow drivers to switch or conceal their license plate and imposes a $2,000 fine for people who violate the ordinance. The devices allows a driver to change a license plate on a car with the push of a button, using a fake, stolen, or expired license plate to avoid tolls and tickets with the flip of a switch.
The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 11, 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.
