WEEKLY REPORT – PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL RETURNS FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FALL 2024

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Bicycle advocates, Sixers arena supporters and opponents and concerned Philadelphia citizens packed City Council chambers yesterday (September 5) as Council kicked off its fall session.

Council has been on summer recess from holding Council sessions since mid-June, but Council offices remained open and operating during June, July, and August serving constituents and addressing their concerns.

During the recess, Councilmembers - who were busy in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia holding resources fairs and special events - also held three Committee hearings looking at issues impacting Kensington, the closure of the University of the Arts in Center City, and Mayor Cherelle Parker's Administration Return-to-Office policies and its impact on City of Philadelphia employees.

During yesterday's Council session, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) introduced proposed Bill #240657 on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) that would prohibit vehicles from stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.

The current law, which went into effect in January 2013, prohibits parking in a bike lane and penalizes parking in a bike line with a fine of $75 in Center City and University City and $50 in other parts of the city.

The Council President's bill, known as the "Get Out The Bike Lane" legislation, would penalize stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other parts of the city.

In mid-August, a petition led by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia in partnership with 5th Square, Philly Bike Action and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia was given to Parker, Johnson, and other members of Council in support of fully protecting Philadelphia's protected bike lanes with permanent concrete barriers. The Coalition urged for the legislation that was introduced by Council President Johnson.

During a meeting with bicycle advocates and their families earlier this week, Johnson continued to support additional funding for Vision Zero Philadelphia and will work with the Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems and the Parker administration to explore what additional safety measures can be installed for cyclists throughout the Second Council District and citywide.

Minority Whip Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) introduced a Resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings concerning the City's progress towards Vision Zero.

Councilmembers Mark Squilla (1st District) and Cindy Bass (8th District) introduced Bills #240670 and #240673 that would add bike lanes to their Council Districts.

Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District) sponsored Bills #240664 and #240665 regarding mobile service providers operating in her Councilmanic District, which includes Kensington.

Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) introduced a Resolution authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to hold hearings regarding the current state of transportation infrastructure and services in Kensington.

Below, the following bill and resolutions already on the final passage calendar were approved during the September 5 session. They were:

• Bill #240368 (introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, 1st District) continuing the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District.

All Bills approved during the September 5 session on now go to Mayor Parker's desk for consideration. Bills can either be vetoed, sign it into law or allow it to become law without her signature.

Visit Council's Legislative Information Center website for information on all Council bills and resolutions.

2025 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT: HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Property Tax Assessments have been mailed out by the City's Office of Property Assessments (OPA) citing an increase in property taxes.

These increases can significantly impact household budgets, and Council members are committed to help Philadelphians. City Council has approved various Tax Relief Programs over the years designed to help residents stay in their home and relieve financial burdens.

Among the programs are the Homestead Exemption, Longtime Owner-Occupied Program (LOOP), Senior Tax Freeze and the Low-Income Tax Freeze. The public can find details about each program by going to PHLCouncil.com and clicking on the top link.

If you believe your home value assessment is incorrect, an option to appeal is available by either filing for a First Level Review (FLR) or a Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) appeal. The FLR process is an informal appeal, while the BRT appeal is more formal and involves a hearing.

For more information or to apply for these programs, please contact the Revenue Department at 215-686-6442 or email [email protected]. You can also contact your District Councilmember or any At-Large Councilmember for assistance.

City Council members will hold property tax relief workshops throughout the various Council Districts throughout Philadelphia over the next few weeks.

The first one will be held on Monday, September 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Grand Yesha Ballroom, 2308 Snyder Avenue, in South Philadelphia. The second workshop will be sponsored by Councilmember Gauthier (3rd District) and it will be held on Thursday, September 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Salt and Light Church, 5736 Chester Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

The workshops are open to anyone in Philadelphia. At each workshop, representatives from OPA, Revenue Department, Community League Services. Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds will be on hand to answer questions and sign people up for programs on the spot. Citizens are asked to bring their ID, proof of income and property tax assessment letter, if available.

COUNCILMEMBERS AND CITIZENS CELEBRATE THE PURCHASE OF BRITH SHALOM HOUSE BY THE PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

On September 4, The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) announced that it has completed its deal to buy Brith Sholom House, a 12-story dilapidated senior housing complex in the Wynnefield Heights neighborhood, represented by Councilmember Curtis Jones (4th District)

As a result, approximately 100 tenants will now have a more secure future as PHA has pledged to improve and maintain the 356 affordable housing units at the site. The deal between PHA and the mortgage holder, New World Commercial Credit, concludes years of neglect and dysfunction at the property.

Brith Sholom tenants approached PHA at a Board meeting last May asking that the housing authority step in by buying Brith Sholom House. In August, the PHA Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the building for an amount not to exceed $24 million.

Among those attending the event were Council President Johnson, former City Council President Darrell Clarke, a member of the PHA Board of Commissioners, Councilmember Jones Jr., Councilmember Rue Landau, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, Pennsylvania State Representative Amen Brown and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

"Government works best when we work together," Jones said. "The Parker Administration, PHA and Philadelphia City Council stood ten toes down on behalf of the residents of the Brith Sholom House. This effort started in 2010, as a result of power failures, numerous (Philadelphia) License & Inspection violations and ended with PHA coming to the rescue."

PHA's focus over the coming months will be to perform a detailed physical needs assessment, then bring the dilapidated apartment building up to code and embark on renovations. PHA's goal will be to minimize any disruptions to current residents. A timeline for the work will not be known until the assessment is complete. The Parker administration has committed to providing $8 million toward the renovations.

The proceeds from the sale will be used to cover settlement agreements with lienholders.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. meeting will take place in person in Council's Chambers on the 4th floor of City Hall. It will also air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40, and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.

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