City Hall Roll Call: May 15th, 2025
Budget Process Final Stretch
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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 be sure to follow me on Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Council session last week was a relatively tame affair, with few new substantive bills or resolutions either introduced or on the final passage calendar. Council wrapped its formal budget hearing process and now moves into the behind the scenes negotiations typical of the last few weeks of Council session. Council leadership and the Parker Administration will work to negotiate the final terms of the FY26 budget.
What are the major points of negotiation at this stage in the process?
Tax Cut Bills: After holding tax rates flat last year, Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) proposed modest cuts to the city’s Wage Tax and Business Income and Receipts Tax. These proposed reductions follow the recommendations of the recently reconvened Tax Reform Commission, which issued its final report in February. However, there is a chance that the numbers proposed by the Mayor change before a final budget is adopted. Some members of Council are pushing for more aggressive cuts, arguing that lowering these taxes will make the city more attractive to businesses which will help improve the city’s long term economic outlook. On the other hand, a number of members of Council are advocating for no tax reductions, arguing that the federal cuts are creating too much uncertainty to risk foregoing revenue which provides critical services.
H.O.M.E. Initiative: Shortly after her budget address, the Mayor unveiled the details of her Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative - an ambitious $2 billion plan to create or preserve 30,000 units of housing. Much of the plan’s price tag would require the city to borrow money and add to its longterm debt obligations in order to boost the funding of existing programs that have proven track records, such as Turn the Key and the Basic Systems Repair Program. On the policy side, the Mayor also transmitted a series of bills which aim to reduce friction on moving land through the Land Bank process and to amend the zoning code to encourage the creation of additional units of housing throughout the city. During the public hearing process, Council kicked the tires on the Mayor’s proposal and it remains to be seen whether Council will adopt the plan in a wholesale manner, or pick and choose which policy and funding requests the Mayor has sent to the body.
Council will not meet for its Stated Meeting on Thursday, May 22nd because of Tuesday’s Primary Election. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 29th.
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 No. 250523, amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” by revising and clarifying certain provisions and making technical changes.
Bill No. 250524, amending Section 14-802 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Motor Vehicle Parking Ratios," by removing residential parking ratio minimums for the CMX-4 and CMX-5 Zoning Districts.
Bill No. 250525, amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning, for the creation of a new zoning district entitled "RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached."
🏞️ Parks and Recreation
Bill No. 250256, renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center to the "Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center" to honor the life and legacy of Margaret "Marge" Tartaglione, a pioneering public servant and leader in Philadelphia's politics. (Lozada)
🚓 Public Safety
Bill No. 250533, amending Section 10-810 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Weapons and Dangerous Devices," by revising and clarifying unlawful weapons and dangerous devices and unlawful conduct, and making technical changes. (Young)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Bill No. 250537, authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 4368, 4370, 4372, 4374 Germantown Avenue. (Bass)
Bill No. 250538, authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927 Cayuga Street. (Bass)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill No. 250531, amending Section 9-4103 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to "Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces," to provide that employees covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement are eligible for paid and unpaid leave. (Thomas)
📛 Board / Commission Appointments
Resolution No. 250539, confirming the appointment of Ryan McAdams to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. (Johnson)
🚦Streets
Bill No. 250536, authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 762 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. (Squilla)
Bill No. 250532, amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets" by changing the boundaries of a permissible location on North 22nd Street. (Young)
Bill No. 250535, amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to add provisions related to vehicle parking in front of a fire hydrant, to provide for the removal or immobilization of such vehicles and for other penalties, and to make related technical changes. (O’Neill)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill No. 250528, Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds in connection therewith, and acknowledging receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031. (Johnson)
Bill No. 250529, approving the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith) subject to certain constraints and conditions and acknowledging the receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030. (Johnson)
Bill No. 250530, authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions. (Johnson)
Bill No. 250534, continuing the Mayfair Business Improvement District ("District") beyond its termination date… (Driscoll)
Resolution No. 250553, initiating action to continue the Mayfair Business Improvement District beyond its termination date… (Driscoll)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution No. 250527, calling for the creation of a Special Committee on Early Childhood Development to evaluate, support, and strengthen Philadelphia’s early childhood care and education systems, with the goal of improving outcomes for children from birth through age five and addressing the broader issues of poverty, equity, and economic opportunity. (Johnson)
Resolution No. 250540, authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate challenges and make recommendations for a strategic plan for the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. (Johnson)
Resolution No. 250555, authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold a hearing to explore strategies for incorporating youth voices in Parks and Recreation advisory councils and decision-making processes. (Bass)
Resolution No. 250556, authorizing the Special Committee on Child Separation and the Committee on Health and Human Services to hold a joint hearing to investigate the recent provisional licensing status of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, and to examine the implications of alleged misconduct, breaches of confidential information, and overall child safety within Philadelphia’s juvenile detention and child welfare systems. (Bass)
Resolution No. 250550, calling on the Federal government to maintain its antitrust litigation that would break up Meta's social media monopoly. (Brooks)
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)
Bill No. 250536: Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 762 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill No. 250523: Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” by revising and clarifying certain provisions and making technical changes.
Bill No. 250524: Amending Section 14-802 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Motor Vehicle Parking Ratios," by removing residential parking ratio minimums for the CMX-4 and CMX-5 Zoning Districts.
Bill No. 250525: Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning, for the creation of a new zoning district entitled "RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached."
Resolution No. 250527: Calling for the creation of a Special Committee on Early Childhood Development to evaluate, support, and strengthen Philadelphia’s early childhood care and education systems, with the goal of improving outcomes for children from birth through age five and addressing the broader issues of poverty, equity, and economic opportunity.
Bill No. 250528: Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds in connection therewith, and acknowledging receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031.
Bill No. 250529: Approving the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith) subject to certain constraints and conditions and acknowledging the receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030.
Bill No. 250530: Authorizing an increase in the non-electoral indebtedness of the City within the Pennsylvania constitutional limit; authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; and authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions.
Resolution No. 250539: Confirming the appointment of Ryan McAdams to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Resolution No. 250540: Authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate challenges and make recommendations for a strategic plan for the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
Bill No. 250532: Amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets" by changing the boundaries of a permissible location on North 22nd Street.
Bill No. 250533: Amending Section 10-810 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Weapons and Dangerous Devices," by revising and clarifying unlawful weapons and dangerous devices and unlawful conduct, and making technical changes.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
Bill No. 250534: Continuing the Mayfair Business Improvement District ("District") beyond its termination date…
Resolution No. 250553: Initiating action to continue the Mayfair Business Improvement District beyond its termination date…
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
Bill No. 250256: Renaming the Wissinoming Recreation Center to the "Margaret Tartaglione Recreation Center" to honor the life and legacy of Margaret "Marge" Tartaglione, a pioneering public servant and leader in Philadelphia's politics.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
Bill No. 250537: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 4368, 4370, 4372, 4374 Germantown Avenue.
Bill No. 250538: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the properties known as 1911, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927 Cayuga Street.
Resolution No. 250555: Authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold a hearing to explore strategies for incorporating youth voices in Parks and Recreation advisory councils and decision-making processes.
Resolution No. 250556: Authorizing the Special Committee on Child Separation and the Committee on Health and Human Services to hold a joint hearing to investigate the recent provisional licensing status of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, and to examine the implications of alleged misconduct, breaches of confidential information, and overall child safety within Philadelphia’s juvenile detention and child welfare systems.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill No. 250535: Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," to add provisions related to vehicle parking in front of a fire hydrant, to provide for the removal or immobilization of such vehicles and for other penalties, and to make related technical changes.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
Resolution No. 250550: Calling on the Federal government to maintain its antitrust litigation that would break up Meta's social media monopoly.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
Bill No. 250531: Amending Section 9-4103 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to "Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces," to provide that employees covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement are eligible for paid and unpaid leave.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Thursday’s Session
Resolutions:
250461 (Squilla): Naming South Broad Street between Pine and Lombard Streets as “Teddy Pendergrass Way” to honor the life and legacy of South Philadelphia legendary entertainer Teddy Pendergrass.
250504 (Lozada): Renaming the 4700 block of Rising Sun Avenue between Wyoming and Mascher Streets to "Officer Lauretha A. Vaird Way" in honor of her bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to public service.
250507 (Harrity): Declaring the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
250509 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 423-27, 429-39 (incl. 429-39 Rear) East Ashmead Street; 226, 260, 278, 313 (a/k/a 313-15) East Bringhurst Street; 49 East Earlham Street; 4635 Germantown Avenue; 30 Good Street; 5608, 5618, 5619, 5642, 5669 Heiskell Street; 4946 Keyser Street; 5514, 5515, 5642 Morton Street; 6672, 6674 Musgrave Street; 53 East Pastorius Street; 207 East Penn Street; 248 East Phil Ellena Street; 42, 44 Reger Street; 35 East Seymour Street; 227, 261, 263 East Sharpnack Street; 218, 326, 342, 343 Shedaker Street; 4951, 4957, 4961, 4975 Sheldon Street; 111, 112 East Springer Street; and 4925, 5222 Wakefield Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
250510 (Bass): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1520-40 Venango Street and 1600-20 Venango Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
250540 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate challenges and make recommendations for a strategic plan for the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts.
250541 (Landau): Declaring May 21, 2025, as Frank Kameny Day in the City of Philadelphia.
250542 (Landau): Recognizing May 28, 2025 as LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia to shed light on domestic, family, and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ communities.
250543 (Landau): Declaring May 16, 2025 as National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day in the City of Philadelphia, a day to recognize and celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ elders who have been pivotal in the fight for justice, equity, and rights for every member of the LGBTQ+ community.
250544(Landau): Declaring June 2025 LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia.
250545 (Johnson) Honoring the life and legacy of Qidere Johnson, known professionally at LGP Qua - a Philadelphia Rapper who used his platform to speak out against gun violence and became widely recognized as the Voice of the Youth.
250546 (Young): Recognizing the month of May 2025 as "National Foster Care Month" in the City of Philadelphia.
250549 (Brooks): Recognizing May as Lupus Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
250551 (O’Rourke): Honoring the election of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Pope and celebrating his connections to the Philadelphia area.
250552 (Driscoll): Proclaiming May 2025 as Dual Asian American Pacific Islander and Jewish American Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Jewish Americans to our Country, Commonwealth, and City.
250555 (Bass): Authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold a hearing to explore strategies for incorporating youth voices in Parks and Recreation advisory councils and decision-making processes.
250556 (Bass): Authorizing the Special Committee on Child Separation and the Committee on Health and Human Services to hold a joint hearing to investigate the recent provisional licensing status of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, and to examine the implications of alleged misconduct, breaches of confidential information, and overall child safety within Philadelphia’s juvenile detention and child welfare systems.
250557 (Ahmad): Recognizing and celebrating the 2025 Philippine Independence Week Celebration in Philadelphia, taking place from June 7th to June 21st.
💼 🏆⚖️🗣️
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, May 19th
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hear testimony on two bills, one which adds requirements related to electrical contractors and another to “add business hour restrictions in the First, Seventh, and Eighth Councilmanic Districts.”
Committee on Public Property and Public Works, 2:00 PM - the Committee will hear testimony on eleven different matters related to the authorization of various agreements on behalf of the city.
Wednesday, May 21st
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hear testimony on seven (7) different bills related to zoning.
Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, 2:00 PM - the Committee will hold a hearing to investigate the potential locations of new intercity bus terminals in the City of Philadelphia.
