City Hall Roll Call: April 24th, 2025
New Standards for Job Applicant Screening Proposed
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
Subscribe to the Committee of Seventy's newsletter for weekly news and insights on local elections, redistricting, and efforts to improve our state and local government, all delivered directly to your inbox.
Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Yesterday’s Council session got off to a late start, a rare occurrence under the clock watching eye of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd). Council’s scheduled start was impacted by a recessed Appropriations Committee hearing from the day before. The recessed Appropriations Committee reconvened immediately prior to the start of Thursday’s Stated Meeting. This is a procedure often used when time is of the essence in passing bills. By holding a hearing right before the Stated Meeting, the Committee is able to report the bills out on the same day, allowing for the bare minimal seven (7) day turnaround time between the committee hearing and final vote.
Even with its delayed start, Council faced a full agenda yesterday, with a significant volume of new matters introduced by members, and a relatively robust final passage calendar.
In terms of new introductions, there are few bills and resolutions worth noting.
New Employee Screening Rules Proposed
Employers looking to hire in Philadelphia will have to update their applicant screening processes should legislation introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL) become law. Yesterday, Landau introduced a bill to amend the city’s “Fair Chance Hiring” law which governs how employers may use information gleamed in criminal background checks to make hiring decisions. Landau’s bill makes a number of key changes to the existing law, summarized below.
Amendment to the 7-Year Rule
Under current law, employers are prohibited from taking into account an applicant’s conviction record if the conviction occurred more than seven years from the date of the job inquiry. Landau’s proposal would get rid of the one-size fits all date, and sets new time guidelines based on the level of the conviction. Felony convictions would remain ripe for consideration if younger than seven years, but misdemeanor convictions would only be allowed to be considered if they occurred fewer than three years prior to the application. The bill prohibits the consideration of summary offense convictions or expungements for employment purposes, regardless of the date of the underlying offenses.
Three Week Notice Requirement
The proposed legislation also makes significant changes to the notice provisions hiring entities are required to provide applicants rejected on the bases of their criminal records. Under the current law, if an employer rejects a job applicant in whole or in part based on the applicant’s criminal record information, the employer must notify the applicant in writing of that decision and its basis and provide the applicant with a copy of the record the employer is relying on. The applicant then has ten (10) days to provide evidence of the record’s inaccuracy or an explanation.
Under the proposed bill, the employer would be required to provide notice to the applicant once the employer “intends to reject” an applicant. In addition to sending the record and its basis for rejecting the applicant, employers would be required to provide a “written explanation of how the employer considered each of the assessment factors” required by the law. These factors include: the nature of the offense, the time that has passed since the offense, the employment history before and after the offense, the particular duties of the job being sought, any character or employment references and any evidence of the applicant’s rehabilitation since the conviction.
The employer must also provide a plain language explanation of the law, including how the applicant provide evidence or explanation to the employer. Under the existing law, applicants would have ten (10) days to provide evidence or explanation. The proposed law provides:
The employer shall allow the Applicant or Employee fifteen (15) business days to provide evidence of the inaccuracy of the information or to provide an explanation before it may make a final determination concerning the Applicant or Employee’s employment.
In other words, while the existing law requires employers to provide ten day notice to the Applicant of their actual rejection for the role, the proposed law would require employers to provide fifteen business days notice of the employers intent to reject them for the role, before the employer can make a final determination.
Private Right-of-Action and Liquidated Damages
Seeking to beef up enforcement of the Fair Hiring Law, the proposed legislation would also create a private right of action for applicants who allege violations of the law. As explained in a fact sheet issued by Councilmember Landau’s office, the goal of the legislation is to “Provide more options for people to assert their rights of the fair chance hiring law by allowing people injured by violations to go directly to court, instead of waiting for their case to be considered by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR), where cases can take years to resolve, first. The bill also allows PCHR to provide liquidated damages directly to the injured party to make them whole.”
The legislation will be referred to committee for a public hearing before it can advance to City Council for a final vote. Stay tuned.
Transit Access Fund
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke introduced a package of bills aimed at creating a “Transit Access Fund.” The package included a bill and resolution to propose a charter change, and a proposed companion ordinance codifying the fund. The text of the legislation is not yet publicly available, but Councilmember O’Rourke has publicly stated that his legislation would set aside 0.5% of the city’s general fund revenues for transit access for low income Philadelphians.
Why a Charter Change?
Under the Home Rule Charter, money flows in and out of the General Fund - it’s one giant pot of money where residents pay taxes into, and the city appropriates its spending out of. It’s up to the Mayor and City Council to decide which departments, agencies and programs should get money from the general fund and how much to give them.
However, there are some limited exceptions to that rule. Within the General Fund, there are certain special funds - for example the Housing Trust Fund. These special funds are restricted, meaning that the city is obligated to put money into the fund, and the money must be spent a certain way. Because this is such a departure from the budget process set forth in the Home Rule Charter, the Charter must be amended in order to create these restricted funds. These special funds are often frowned upon by Mayoral Administrations, because they require that the city allocate a certain amount of dollars for use in a specific way no matter how good or bad the city’s budget situation is, or whether there are greater needs elsewhere. In short, special funds restrict the flexibility and discretion in the city’s budgeting process.
Council will hold public hearings on Councilmember O’Rourke’s proposal to create the Transit Access Fund. Council would need to approve the fund’s creation by a super-majority (12 votes) before voters would have the chance to weigh in at the polls for final approval.
Homestead Exemption Expanded
Finally, Council President Kenyatta Johnson introduced a bill via Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th) to raise the amount of the Homestead Exemption from $100,000 to $110,000. Meaning that if it passes, homeowners in Philadelphia would not pay property taxes on the first $110k of value of their home. So if your house was valued at $310,000 - your taxable property would be only valued at $200,000.
Mayor Cherelle Parker has not proposed any property tax increases as part of her budget, and the Office of Property Assessment has announced that it will be skipping reassessments this year. This means that most homeowners will see their property taxes remain flat this year. Should the higher exemption pass, homeowners would see around $140 in additional savings on their real property tax bills.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 1st at 10:00 AM.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill amending the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Poweltown Avenue, Preston Street, Filbert Street and 41st street, and to amend Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code by adding section 14-544, entitled, “CSI Forensic Laboratory Overlay District,” and making other related changes. (Gauthier)
Bill amending Section 14-533 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District” to expand applicable areas of the overlay in the vicinity of 49th Street and Woodland Avenue. (Gauthier)
Bill amending the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Fox Chase Road, Castor Avenue, Hoffnagle Street and Alma Street. (O’Neill)
🏥 Public Health
Bill amending Title 10 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity.” by adding a new chapter concerning vehicular mobile service providers and providing for penalties. (Lozada)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority fees conveying fee simple title to 2045 and 2054 East Auburn Street, 2051 East Rush Street, 518 Pierce Street and 2315 South Marshall Street, in the First Councilmanic District of the city of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia and fee simple title to such properties pursuant to section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 100 Emily Street, 2315 South Marshall Street, 518 Pierce Street, 2549 South Third Street, 2117 South Sixth Street, located in the First Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code. (Squilla)
Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3101 North Eighth Street in the Fifth Councilmanic district of the city of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank, fee simple title to such properties pursuant to section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code. (Young)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1412, 1416, 1421, 1429, and 1435 North 17th Street, located in the Fifth Councilmanic district, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code. (Young)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill amending Chapter 9-3500 of title nine of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” to amend definitions, add clarifications and enhance remedies. (Landau)
📜 Home Rule Charter Amendment
Bill providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the city of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to provide for a mandatory annual appropriation for the Transit Access Fund, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. (O’Rourke)
Resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter, providing for a mandatory annual appropriation through the Transit Access Fund, providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. (O’Rourke)
📛 Boards and Commission Appointments
Resolution appointing Chris Cullom to the board of directors of the Center City District. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Allan Domb to the board of directors of the Center City District. (Johnson)
Resolution appointing Jim Pearlstein to the board of directors of the Center City District. (Johnson)
Resolution reappointing Carol Watson to the board of directors of the Center City District. (Johnson)
Resolution reappointing Tina Byles Williams to the board of directors of the Center City District. (Johnson)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the nature of pedestrian lights in the vicinity of 416-38 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19123. (Squilla)
Bill establishing parking regulations on the 1000 block of Ludlow Street between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters and benches in the vicinity of 2300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2700 South 10th Street, Philadelphia. PA, 19148. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing an encroachment in the nature of a staircase in the vicinity of 1855 Gladstone Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 115 East Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA, 19125. (Young)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Number 306 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Brill Street from Richmond Street to salmon Street. Striking from the city plan and vacating Salmon Street from Brill Street to the northeasterly required right of way line of Bridge Street, and reserving and placing on the City Plan rights of way for public utility purposes and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the city of state of said public utility rights of way. (Driscoll)
Bill regulating the direction of movement of traffic on North 20th Street, between Erie Avenue and West Tioga Street. (Bass)
Bill establishing a one-way regulation on Winona Street, from Lawrence Street to Morris Street Eastbound. (Bass)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 9th Councilmanic District. (Phillips)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending section 19-1301.1 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Homestead Exclusion,” to increase the amount of the Homestead Exclusion. (Johnson)
Bill amending an Ordinance, Bill Number 887, approved September 16, 1994 by amending an exhibit thereto in order to increase the limit of the amount of funding any entity may receive in any fiscal year from the Philadelphia Activities Fund. (O’Neill)
Bill adding Chapter 21-3500 of the Philadelphia code entitled, “The Transit Access Fund,” to establish the purposes for which appropriations to the Transit Access Fund may be used and to establish public reporting requirements related to the fund. (O’Rourke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution condemning the act of arson committed against Governor Shapiro at the historic Pennsylvania Governor's residence, and expressing gratitude to the first responders for their heroic efforts responding to the fire and denouncing all forms of political violence. (Johnson)
Resolution calling for the committee for Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine the feasibility of a city wide daylighting initiative and help determine best practices to protect cyclists, ensure pedestrian safety and prevent needless traffic deaths. (Johnson)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to investigate rail operators’ responsibilities for cleanup, maintenance and beautification of transit entry points into Philadelphia. (Young)
Resolution directing the City’s Pension Fund to review investments in El Salvador, ensuring transparency, accountability and fiscal Responsibility in light of recent developments. (Bass)
Resolution urging the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing cities of the First Class to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, an essential step toward ensuring that all Philadelphians are able to keep up with the rising cost of living and have the opportunity to build a better future. (Harrity)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
B: Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of pedestrian lights in the vicinity of 416-38 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19123.
B: Establishing parking regulations on the 1000 block of Ludlow Street between 10th Street and 11th Street.
R: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority fees conveying fee simple title to 2045 and 2054 East Auburn Street, 2051 East Rush Street, 518 Pierce Street and 2315 South Marshall Street, in the First Councilmanic District of the city of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia and fee simple title to such properties pursuant to section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code.
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 100 Emily Street, 2315 South Marshall Street, 518 Pierce Street, 2549 South Third Street, 2117 South Sixth Street, located in the First Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R: Condemning the act of arson committed against Governor Shapiro at the historic Pennsylvania Governor's residence, and expressing gratitude to the first responders for their heroic efforts responding to the fire and denouncing all forms of political violence.
B: Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters and benches in the vicinity of 2300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103.
B: Authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2700 South 10th Street, Philadelphia. PA, 19148.
B: Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of a staircase in the vicinity of 1855 Gladstone Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145.
R: Calling for the committee for Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine the feasibility of a city wide daylighting initiative and help determine best practices to protect cyclists, ensure pedestrian safety and prevent needless traffic deaths.
B: Amending section 19-1301.1 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Homestead Exclusion,” to increase the amount of the Homestead Exclusion.
R: Appointing Chris Cullom to the board of directors of the Center City District.
R: Appointing Allan Domb to the board of directors of the Center City District.
R: Appointing Jim Pearlstein to the board of directors of the Center City District.
R: Reappointing Carol Watson to the board of directors of the Center City District.
R: Reappointing Tina Byles Williams to the board of directors of the Center City District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Amending the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Poweltown Avenue, Preston Street, Filbert Street and 41st street, and to amend Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code by adding section 14-544, entitled, “CSI Forensic Laboratory Overlay District,” and making other related changes.
B: Amending Section 14-533 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District” to expand applicable areas of the overlay in the vicinity of 49th Street and Woodland Avenue.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 115 East Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA, 19125.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to investigate rail operators’ responsibilities for cleanup, maintenance and beautification of transit entry points into Philadelphia.
R: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3101 North Eighth Street in the Fifth Councilmanic district of the city of Philadelphia, and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank, fee simple title to such properties pursuant to section 16-405 of the Philadelphia Code.
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1412, 1416, 1421, 1429, and 1435 North 17th Street, located in the Fifth Councilmanic district, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Number 306 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Brill Street from Richmond Street to salmon Street. Striking from the city plan and vacating Salmon Street from Brill Street to the northeasterly required right of way line of Bridge Street, and reserving and placing on the City Plan rights of way for public utility purposes and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the city of state of said public utility rights of way.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
B: Amending Title 10 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity.” by adding a new chapter concerning vehicular mobile service providers and providing for penalties.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
B: Regulating the direction of movement of traffic on North 20th Street, between Erie Avenue and West Tioga Street.
B: Establishing a one-way regulation on Winona Street, from Lawrence Street to Morris Street Eastbound.
R: Directing the City’s Pension Fund to review investments in El Salvador, ensuring transparency, accountability and fiscal Responsibility in light of recent developments.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 9th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
B: Amending the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Fox Chase Road, Castor Avenue, Hoffnagle Street and Alma Street.
B: Amending an Ordinance, Bill Number 887, approved September 16, 1994 by amending an exhibit thereto in order to increase the limit of the amount of funding any entity may receive in any fiscal year from the Philadelphia Activities Fund.
Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL)
R: Urging the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing cities of the First Class to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, an essential step toward ensuring that all Philadelphians are able to keep up with the rising cost of living and have the opportunity to build a better future.
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL)
B: Amending Chapter 9-3500 of title nine of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” to amend definitions, add clarifications and enhance remedies.
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (I-AL)
B: Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the city of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to provide for a mandatory annual appropriation for the Transit Access Fund, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
B: Adding Chapter 21-3500 of the Philadelphia code entitled, “The Transit Access Fund,” to establish the purposes for which appropriations to the Transit Access Fund may be used and to establish public reporting requirements related to the fund.
R: Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter, providing for a mandatory annual appropriation through the Transit Access Fund, providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 250337 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 705, 709, and 713 N 35th St; 3712 and 3714 Wallace St; and 3810 Haverford Ave located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
⚖️ 250339 (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Education to create a taskforce investigating the current state of higher education as this pillar of the Philadelphia regional economy and cultural landscape undergoes generational change.
🗣️ 250342 (Johnson): Calling on the Trump Administration to reverse the mass termination of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff that manages the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which distributes $4.1 billion annually to state governments to assist low-income households in paying their utility bills, threatening the health and safety of vulnerable populations in extreme temperatures.
🗣️ 250343 (Landau): Calling on the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass the Ready to Rent Act and increase housing opportunities for Pennsylvanians by automatically sealing most eviction records.
🗣️ 250347 (Young): Calling on the National Football League to abandon proposed rule changes to halt the usage of the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature quarterback sneak, better known as the “Brotherly Shove” or the “Tush Push.”
⚖️ 250348 (Johnson): Authorizing the establishment of the Special Committee on Reform of ACT 135, the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, to develop recommendations for reforming the Act to prevent its use for exploitation of vulnerable communities.
🗣️ 250353 (O'Rourke): Urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to draft and pass bipartisan legislation that will secure necessary funding for SEPTA to prevent service closures, fare increases, and a decline in mobility and economic activity for the citizens of Philadelphia and neighboring counties.
📛 250354 (Johnson): Approving the appointment of James Lamont Rozier to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
📛 250355 (Johnson): Approving the appointment of Myra Ralph to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
📛 250356 (Johnson): Approving the appointment of Dave Jannette to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
📛 250357 (Johnson): Approving the appointment of Darby Ford to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
📛 250358 (Johnson): Approving the appointment of Angela Dunston to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
⚖️ 250361 (Bass): Authorizing the creation of a "Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia" to review child separation practices in Philadelphia's child welfare system and develop recommendations to ensure compliance with state child protective services law, protect children, uphold due process rights of families, and prevent the unnecessary break-up of families.
⚖️ 250### (Johnson): Calling for the committee for Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine the feasibility of a city wide daylighting initiative and help determine best practices to protect cyclists, ensure pedestrian safety and prevent needless traffic deaths.
🏆 250### (Gilmore-Richardson): Celebrating the selection of “the Upcycled Self: a Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are,” by Tariq Trotter for the 2025 “One Book, One Philadelphia” program.
🏆 250### (Gauthier): Honoring and congratulating the first graduating class of the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars Program for their outstanding accomplishments, leadership and dedication to the values of conservation, community and lifelong learning.
🏆 250### (Landau): Declaring April 2025 “Second Chance Month” in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance, (PCA) and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) for their collaborative efforts in providing healing and justice to child abuse victims during Child Abuse Prevention Month in Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Lozada): Honoring and congratulating principals in the Seventh Councilmanic district for their excellence in leadership as recipients of the 2025 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals.
⚖️ 250### (Young): Authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to investigate rail operators’ responsibilities for cleanup, maintenance and beautification of transit entry points into Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Honoring and expressing gratitude to Philly Black Pride for its ongoing work to center and support under-served Black and Brown folks in the LGBTQ+ community, and recognizing Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27 as Philly Black Pride weekend in the city of Philadelphia.
⚖️ 250### (Harrity): Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service and the Committee on Parks and Recreation to hold joint hearings investigating the city's enforcement of the “Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces” (HOPS law) and the risk that exposure to synthetic pesticides pose to the public and city employees.
🏆 250### (O’Rourke): Honoring SEPTA transit workers, the unsung heroes of Philadelphia, for their essential daily work to transport Philadelphians throughout the city, no matter the conditions.
🏆 250### (Johnson): Honoring the life and legacy of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the 260th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, known for his commitment to peace, social justice and humility on the occasion of his passing on April 21 2025.
🏆 250### (Bass): Recognizing Monique Moore Pryor's vision, leadership and unwavering dedication to the Free Library Foundation of Philadelphia, and ensuring that the Free Library of Philadelphia remains a beacon of hope, education and opportunity for all Philadelphians.
Bills:
🚦250102 (Squilla): Amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 220639), approved January 10, 2023, entitled “An Ordinance Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 27-S by striking from the City Plan the easterly twenty feet wide portion of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Snyder Avenue, striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Vandalia Street from Wolf Street to Weccacoe Avenue, and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within the portion of Swanson Street being stricken and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of the remaining unopened portions of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Jackson Street and from Jackson Street to Snyder Avenue,” by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.
🚦250148 (Thomas): Amending Chapter 12-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use of An Automated Speed Enforcement System to Improve Safety,” by providing for the use, administration and enforcement of automated speed cameras on routes located within specified school zones.
🚦250176 (Young): Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 118 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a widened portion of Warnock Street, on the westerly side thereof between Berks Street and Norris Street, and relocating the westerly houseline of said Warnock Street so as to align with the westerly houseline of the unaffected portions of Warnock Street as extending from Berks Street to Norris Street.
🚦250177 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 22 Wolf St., Philadelphia, PA 19148, under certain terms and conditions.
🚦250203 (Young): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Ogden street between N. 13th street and Camac street; Wood street between N. 18th street and N. 19th street; N. 21st street between Hamilton street and Pennsylvania avenue; Franklin Town boulevard between Callowhill street and Wood street.
🚦250208 (Squilla): Amending Section 12-1117 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Physically Handicapped and Disabled or Severely Disabled Veteran Parking,” as it will take effect pursuant to Bill No. 240613- AA (approved December 18, 2024), by revising the definition of disability parking space and further amending The Philadelphia Code by updating cross -references to Section 12-1117 that now appear in Title 9, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,” and Title 12, “Traffic Code.”
🚦250209 (Squilla): Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Traffic Code,” to clarify penalties and procedures associated with smart loading zone parking enforcement.
🚦250240 (O'Neill): Amending Chapter 12-900 (“Parking Regulations and Penalties”) and Chapter 12-2800 (“Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations”) of The Philadelphia Code revising penalties related to parking certain large vehicles, including boats, motor homes, house coaches, house trailers, truck campers, recreational cargo trailers, and recreational trailers.
🚦250241 (O'Neill): Amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 220454), approved November 30, 2022, entitled “An Ordinance Authorizing the vacating of Krewstown Road from Norwalk Road to its terminus southwestwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions,” by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.
🚦250271 (O'Neill): Amending The Philadelphia Code by increasing the penalties for the prohibited parking or maintaining of semitrailers and truck tractors at residential properties.
🚦250272 (Squilla): Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters in the vicinity of 322-40 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
🚦250274 (Bass): Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters in the vicinity of 219 West Rittenhouse St, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, April 29th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
School District of Philadelphia (10:00-12:30)
Community College of Philadelphia (1:30-4:00)
Wednesday, April 30th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Testimony - School District of Philadelphia (10:00-4:00)
Monday, May 5th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Health Group (10:00-12:30)
Office of Homeless Services
Public Health Group (1:30-4:00)
Department of Public Health
Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities
Tuesday, May 6th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Legal Group (10:00-12:30)
Law
District Attorney
Defender Association
Afternoon (1:30-4:00)
Sheriff
ROW
Wednesday, May 7th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Department Callbacks (10:00-12:30)
Department Callbacks (1:30-4:00)
Tuesday, May 13th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Testimony (10:00-12:30)
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)
Wednesday, May 14th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Testimony (10:00-12:30)
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)