WEEKLY REPORT – CONCERNS OVER TRUMP PRESIDENCY EXPRESSED DURING COUNCIL SESSION

Philadelphia City Councilmembers overwhelmingly approved Resolution #250021, introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large), that condemned President Donald J. Trump for his selection of underqualified cabinet, subcabinet, and leadership nominees to further advance his Project 2025 agenda and undermine the integrity of American democracy, equity, human rights, and freedom.

Councilmember Brian O’ Neill (10th District), who is a Republican, voted against the resolution.

Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20th, has signed dozens of executive orders affecting immigration and eliminating federal diversity programs, directives defining gender and more. A federal judge earlier this week temporarily blocked a push from Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts a review of spending.

Councilmembers Landau, Curtis Jones (4th District), Quetcy M. Lozada (7th District), Kendra Brooks (At-Large) and Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large) expressed concerns about the Trump administration and stated that Philadelphia must be prepared to fight back on his policies if necessary.

Councilmembers also approved the following legislation during the January 31 session:

• Resolution #250014, introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
• Resolution #250018, introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large), that amends Resolution #240834-A, which the Council adopted on December 19, 2024, entitled “Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia,” to make a technical correction.

• Resolution #250019, introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th District), authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to properties in the Fourth 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.
• Resolution #250027, introduced by Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large), authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post-trial probation and parole sentences.
• Resolution #250029, introduced by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large), recognizing the devastation caused by the wildfires to the Los Angeles community, the accelerating rate of climate change, and calling on the City of Philadelphia to provide the funding and resources necessary to fully update and implement human-centered climate mitigation and resilience plans.
• Bill #240817, introduced by Thomas, providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. The vote on this proposed ballot question could happen as soon as the May 2025 primary election.
• Resolution #250052, introduced by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), that authorizes the Committee on Licenses and Inspections and the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on enforcement against drug paraphernalia stores.

• Resolution #250053, introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District), honoring the life and legacy of the late Sid Booker, a Philadelphia businessman and community icon who left an indelible mark on North Philadelphia and beyond.
• Resolution #250055, introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District), recognizing Patricia Reilly, SEPTA’s first female conductor.
• Resolution #250056, introduced by Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large), which recognizes the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause of death and disability and supporting the recognition of February 2025 as American Heart Month.
• Resolution #250057, introduced by Harrity, honors January as National Poverty in America Awareness Month and recognizing the severe conditions of poverty that many Americans experience day to day.
• Resolution #250059, introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District), authorizes the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings regarding the operation of Philadelphia 311, non-emergency hotline and its engagement with city departments.
• Resolution #250050, introduced by Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District), that honors the Juvenile Law Center on its 50th Anniversary.
• Resolution #250051, introduced by Phillips, that honors the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Clean and Green for their exceptional contributions to a cleaner and greener Philadelphia.

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GAUTHIER INTRODUCES BILLS TO CUT RED TAPE, SPEED UP AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION

Councilmember Gauthier, Chair of Council’s Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless Committee, introduced phase two of her Defying Displacement campaign, which combats gentrification through the preservation and creation of affordable housing.

Gauthier introduced three bills (#250041, #250042 and #250043) that will speed up the approval process for affordable housing developments making it easier for homeowners to build generational wealth and remain in their homes by turning extra space into bonus units. A hearing on the bills will be scheduled at a yet-to-be determined date.

Last year, Councilmember Gauthier unveiled phase one of Defying Displacement, which Council enacted almost in its entirety. Thanks to Defying Displacement, more than 2,100 homeowners and counting applied for the City’s new low-income tax freeze. More landlords welcome tenants using housing vouchers, and voters in the May 2025 primary will decide whether to compel the City to stop underfunding affordable housing programs.

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LANDAU INTRODUCES MOVE-IN AFFORDABILITY PLAN TO CUT RENTAL FEES AND EASE HOUSING COSTS FOR RENTERS

Landau introduced the Move-in Affordability Plan, a package of legislation aimed at reducing excessive rental fees and making housing more accessible for Philadelphians.

The Move-in Affordability Plan includes two key bills (Bills #250044 and #250045) designed to ease the financial burden on renters. The first caps rental application fees at $20—eliminating excessive charges that force tenants to pay hundreds just to apply for housing.

The second bill allows renters to pay their security deposits in up to four installments, making it easier for people to move in without needing thousands of dollars upfront. Together, these measures will work remove unnecessary barriers to housing, protect renters from predatory fees, and help more Philadelphians secure safe, affordable homes.

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MAYOR CHERELLE PARKER SIGNS BILL SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER MIKE DRISCOLL ENABLING AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS ON STATE ROUTE 13 TO IMPROVE SAFETY

Mayor Parker this week ceremonially signed Bill #241030 into law allowing for the use, administration, and enforcement of automated speed cameras on State Route 13 within Philadelphia.

The prime sponsor of the bill was Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) and unanimously passed City Council on December 5, 2024.

Pennsylvania Route 13 is comprised of sections of Baltimore Avenue, 38th Street, Powelton Avenue, 33rd and 34th Street, Girard Avenue, Hunting Park Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard, Levick and Robbins Street, and Frankford Avenue. Route 13 passes through Driscoll’s 6th District, but also the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th Council Districts, and borders the 9th and 10th Districts.

The City is expected to install 42 speed-enforcement cameras along the aforementioned roads as soon as possible.

Tickets for violations are $100 for speeding 11-19 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit; $125 for up to 20 m.p.h. over, and $150 for 30 m.p.h or more. No points are assessed against a driver’s license for camera-captured violations.

Automated speed cameras were first used by the City, in partnership with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), in 2020 along Roosevelt Boulevard through a pilot program permitted by the Pennsylvania state legislature to curb speeding on the city’s most dangerous road. A state law enacted in 2023 made the Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras permanent and authorized Philadelphia to designate five more dangerous corridors for the technology.

The PPA announced this week they plan to have 30 cameras operating along Broad Street starting in March.

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SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL RADIO SHOW IS BACK ON THE AIR IN 2025

Tune in and listen to the next Saturdays with City Council show on Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time for Saturdays with City Council on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) or online at wurdradio.com

The show is hosted by Council Communications Director Vincent Thompson and features Councilmembers and civic leaders discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. The featured guest is Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District).

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HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

Councilmembers this week approved a resolution recognizing January 29th as the Lunar New Year and celebrating the cultural and historical significance of Philadelphia’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Resolution #250060 was sponsored by Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large).

A list of Lunar New Year celebrations in Philadelphia are listed here.

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THE NEXT COUNCIL SESSION WILL BE ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.

During the session, Councilmembers and staff will show their support for the Philadelphia Eagles as they prepare to play (and defeat) the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday, February 9th in New Orleans.

Tune in by watching Xfinity Channel 64 and Fios Channel 40 if you have cable TV in Philadelphia, stream online at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch or listen to WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.