Philadelphia City Council, November 2 2023
November 2, 2023
At today's session of the City Council, Mayor Kenney proposed his final Mid-Year Transfer Ordinance (Bills 230765, 230766, 230767, and 230768). The ordinance is typically undertaken halfway through the fiscal year to balance the budget and provide additional funding to programs. The FY24 transfer ordinance is smaller than last year's transfer ordinance, which was in the amount of $275M. Of those dollars, $210M went to shore up the pension fund and over $24M in funding was allocated to the city's arts and cultural institutions.
The FY24 transfer ordinance details $93,413,608 in operating expenses that specifically provides for a transfer from the General Fund and the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund, the County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund, the Municipal Pension Fund and the Transportation Fund. Additionally, the FY24 capital budget increased from $4,353,389,000 to $4,401,676,000; and the FY24-29 capital program increased from $13,303,022,000 to $13,351,309,000. The Council will deliberate on amendments to the budget bills in the days following the November 7th election.
Highlight of Introductions:
Councilmember Johnson introduced an ordinance authorizing the Director of Aviation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest in all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Executive Avenue, Enterprise Avenue, I-95 and Penrose Avenue, more commonly known as 8350 Enterprise Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all under certain terms and conditions.
Councilmember Lozada introduced an ordinance amending Section 7-202 of Title 7 ("Housing Code") of The Philadelphia Code to modify the definition of "affordable housing property," under certain terms and conditions.
Councilmember Bass introduced 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 senior housing; all under certain terms and conditions.
Councilmember Thomas introduced a resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to discuss problems and systemic biases in oversight that create inequalities between Black and white-led schools, resulting in less support for Black founded and led institutions that are highlighted in the recently released report to the Philadelphia School Board.
Councilmember Jones introduced a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining the use of vehicle-immobilizing "window barnacles" as a form of predatory parking by private entities to understand the impact they have on Philadelphia's residents.
Councilmember Gauthier introduced a resolution recognizing and honoring the dedicated and loyal service of Diana Cortes, Esquire.
Upcoming Hearings:
The Streets and Services Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., to hear testimony on Bill Nos. 230249, 230511, and 230717.