In this week’s council session, Mayor Parker delivered her historic first budget address to City Council, as the first woman to do so in Philadelphia’s more than 300-year history.
Mayor Parker proposed a $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY’ 25) operating budget that calls for no new tax increases, adds resources for law enforcement, and increases funding for priorities such as commercial corridor cleaning. In what the Mayor is calling her “One Philly” budget, she also plans to invest $2 billion over five years on Parker’s top priorities ¬– making Philadelphia safest, cleanest, greenest, big city in the nation with economic opportunity for all.
She also proposed spending $250 million for the Streets Department to increase street repaving, $33 million in new spending on public safety, $36 million in funding for housing programs, and $36 million for initiatives such as cracking down on illegal dumping. The budget also calls for no planned cuts to wage and business taxes.
The budget proposal includes millions of dollars in anti-violence funding, something spearheaded by Council President Kenyatta Johnson over the years.
To view Mayor Parker’s budget address, Operating and Capital Budgets, and Proposed FY25-30 Five Year Plan, click here.
Following her address, Council will now hold a series of public hearings on the proposed operating and capital budget. All budget hearings are held before the Committee of the Whole.
“While the Mayor and her team are tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of City departments, they must work directly with City Council to pass the budget,” Johnson said. “Council takes the duties of vetting and approving a balanced budget seriously, and as a legislative body, we are looking forward to robust discussions with the Parker administration about the budget in the weeks ahead.”
The first budget hearing is scheduled to be held at Philadelphia City Council Chambers (Room 400, Fourth Floor) on Tuesday, March 26 starting at 10 a.m. That day will feature testimony on the Mayor’s Five-Year Financial Plan, Capital Program, and the Mayor’s Office.
The FY’25 Budget Hearing Schedule is subject to change so get the latest updates by going to PHLcouncil.com.
COUNCIL APPROVED A VARIETY OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS DURING THE MARCH 14 CITY COUNCIL SESSION
While the Mayor’s budget address was the featured event during the City Council session, Councilmembers did approve a variety of bills and resolutions, this week:
Ordinance #240014: An Ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section 9-203 relating to street vendors, by prohibiting street vending in the 54th Ward. Sponsor: Councilmember Lozada
Ordinance #240016: An Ordinance amending Chapter 11-708 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Traffic Calming Measures for Schools,” by authorizing the Department of Streets to additionally install traffic calming measures in the vicinity of recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, and libraries. Sponsor: Councilmember Lozada
Resolution #240029: Confirming the appointment of Adam N. Geer as the Chief Public Safety Director. Geer becomes the first Chief Public Safety Director in Philadelphia history. A former deputy inspector general who previously worked in the district attorney’s office, Geer will coordinate communication between departments including police, fire, prisons, and emergency services. Sponsor: Council President Johnson
Resolution #240038: Confirming the appointment of Renee Garcia, Esq., as the City Solicitor. The City Solicitor is the City of Philadelphia’s chief legal officer and serves as general counsel to the Mayor and her Administration, City Council, and all City departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. Sponsor: President Johnson
Resolutions #240075 and #240079: Confirming the appointment former Center City District Executive Director Paul Levy to serve on the Board of Directors of the Center City District and Elizabeth Woods to serve on the Board of Directors for Old City Special Services District. Sponsor: Council President Johnson
Resolution #240161: Urging the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to reverse its decision to place Cheyney University on probationary status and calling on the Commission to work collaboratively with the University’s leadership to restore the Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ academic status. Sponsor: Council President Johnson
Resolution #240169: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2147 N. 5th Street in the Seventh Councilmanic District and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties. Sponsor: Councilmember Lozada
Resolution #240197: Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to conduct hearings concerning the rapidly evolving and worsening crisis of overdose deaths and their impact on neighborhoods, particularly in Black communities across Philadelphia. Sponsor: Minority Leader Brooks
Resolution #240198: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to more than a dozen properties in the Third Councilmanic District and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties. Sponsor: Minority Leader Brooks
Resolution #240199: Recognizing and congratulating Philadelphia Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and for her exceptional journey and contributions to the fine visual and performing arts. Sponsor: Minority Whip O’Rourke
Ordinances #240014 and #240016 now go to Mayor Parker for her signature into law or veto.
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS HELD SEVERAL TOWN HALLS THIS WEEK TO ADDRESS THE RECENT UPTICK OF GUN VIOLENCE IMPACTING YOUNG PEOPLE
Peace Not Guns – 8th Councilmanic District
President Johnson and Deputy Majority Whip Bass held a “Peace Not Guns” Healing Town Hall meeting at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Northwest Philadelphia.
The purpose of that Healing Town Hall was to foster unity and resilience in response to the recent uptick in violent crimes affecting our youth. The Town Hall at Imhotep High School was standing room only and included appearances by Councilmember Young Jr., State Representative Darisha Parker (198th District) and Reginald L. Streater, Esq., President of the Philadelphia Board of Education.
Various community organizations were also present to offer grief counseling and trauma support resources on-site.
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate a shooting that happened at a nearby SEPTA bus stop on March 4 in the West Oak Lane neighborhood that killed 17-year-old Dayemen Taylor, an Imhotep Institute Charter High School student, and injured two teenagers and two adults.
Emergency Town Hall – 5th Councilmanic District
Councilmember Young Jr. also held an emergency townhall meeting in his district at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, in collaboration with Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas and State Senator Sharif Street (Senate District 3), to address gun violence.
The meeting facilitated discussions involving members of the public, community leaders, law enforcement officials, and advocates for gun violence prevention. Attendees voiced their perspectives, proposed initiatives, and engaged in meaningful conversation with invited guests.
Also attending were Council President Johnson, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Chief Public Safety Director Geer and State Representatives Malcolm Kenyatta (181st District) and Donna Bullock (195th District).
Peace Not Guns – 6th, 9th, and 10th Councilmanic Districts
President Johnson and Councilmembers Phillips (9th District), Brian O’Neill (10th District) and Driscoll (6th District) will host a second Peace Not Guns Healing Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, March 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Northeast High School, located at 1601 Cottman Avenue.
The event is open to the public. For additional information, contact Councilmember Phillips’ office at (215) 686-3455.
Philadelphia Police have made several arrests in connection with the shooting of eight Northeast High School classmates on March 6 at a nearby SEPTA bus stop after school.
This week’s episode features Councilmember Landau discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. Tune in on Saturday, March 18 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, March 21, 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.
