Philadelphia City Council, March 21 2024
Today's session of the Council was the last before the start of the budget hearings, which begins on Tuesday, March 26th. The focus of the first budget hearing will examine the Mayor's Office, the five year budget plan, and the proposed capital program.
The City Council passed the following bills:
Bill 240013-A, introduced by Councilmember Lozada that would restrict hours of activity between 11 PM and 6 AM for all businesses in the Kensington neighborhood with the exception of 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. Councilmember Lozada stated, "The ordinance is an emergency measure which aims to reduce crime, prevent trash from piling up, and calm after hours activity." 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 240089-A, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll, which would ban “tag flipping” devices. These devices allow a driver to change a license plate on a car with the push of a button, using a fake, stolen, or expired license plate. The legislation will impose a $2,000 fine for people who violate the law.
Bill 240010-A, introduced by Councilmember Jones. "The bill bans businesses from having so-called skill games, or digital gaming machines, unless they also have a casino or liquor license and an area for at least 30 patrons to eat or drink."
Resolution 240194 introduced by Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for Council President Johnson. The resolution urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to allocate full funding for Governor Shapiro's proposed Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the anti-violence initiatives that the Office would coordinate to address the epidemic of gun violence across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Upcoming Committee Hearings:
The Committee on Appropriations will be meeting on Monday, March 25th at 1pm to hear testimony on:
Bill 240176: An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and to the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Bill 240177: An Ordinance amending Bill No. 230145, entitled “An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2024 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.
Bill 240178: An Ordinance amending Bill No. 230144, entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Capital Program for the Six Fiscal Years 2024-2029 Inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2024 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development will be meeting on Monday, March 25th at 2pm to hear testimony on:
Resolution 240031: Authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to conduct a hearing on the City of Philadelphia’s capacity to prepare individuals of all educational backgrounds for careers in the growing life sciences industry, with a focus on the cell and gene therapy subsector.