NO CITY COUNCIL SESSION THIS WEEK, BUT COUNCIL WAS BUSY WITH COMMITTEE HEARINGS

The Philadelphia City Council did not have a weekly Thursday session this week, but it remained busy with Committee hearings.

Council’s Streets and Services Committee, chaired by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District), voted 19 bills out of committee on September 29, and those bills will have their first reading during the October 9 Council session.

The bill that had the most attention was Bill #250718, which was introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District) on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson.

Council made it illegal last year for vehicles to stop in bike lanes following a series of rider and pedestrian deaths. The Streets Department added loading zones to the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets in Center City to allow residents space to briefly park their vehicles when dropping off passengers or unloading groceries without idling in the bike lanes.

A lawsuit from residents on those blocks resulted in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas Street ordering the city to stop taking parking spaces on Spruce and Pine for the loading zones. Thomas Street stated that the city does not have the authority to create the loading zones without a specific ordinance from the Council. Bill #250718 would be that specific Council ordinance.

The original bill was drafted by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration and, if it had passed it its original form, would have allowed the Streets Department to create new loading zones and legalize all existing loading zones throughout Center City that have happened over the past 40 years.

Councilmembers amended Bill #250718 so that loading zones would be authorized for Spruce and Pine Streets only, bounded by the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, and the Streets Department would put in any additional regulations necessary to carry forward the purpose of the ordinance. This ensures community input and consultation with Council for future loading zones. The new amended bill would go into law immediately upon Mayor Parker’s signature.

Council also voted out of Committee Bill #250770, introduced by Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) on behalf of Council President Johnson, that would put new automated speed cameras on designated state routes in Philadelphia.

The other Bills voted out of the Streets are Services Committee were Bills #240872, #250575, #250576, #250652, #250653, #250710, #250711, #250712, #250713, #250714, #250715, #250716, #250723, #2507245, #250725, #250771 (amended) and #250772.

Bills #250606 and #250649, which would allow the creation of a bike lane and the removal of a travel lane around City Hall, were held. No word when the two bills will come up for a vote in the Streets and Services Committee.

COUNCILMEMBER NINA AHMAD HELD A HEARING LOOKING AT THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Council also held a Public Health and Human Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 30 to hear testimony on Resolution #250362, which looked at the policies of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding child welfare protections. This hearing was a continuation of a hearing that was first held this past summer. The Committee is chaired by Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large).

Over the years, DHS has had chronic understaffing, workforce turnover and accusations of needlessly separating families. Members of the community are urging reforms to DHS, citing years of problems.

For a link to all the bills and resolutions working their way through City Council, visit City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site provides quick and easy public access to information concerning Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions.

COUNCILMEMBERS CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Greater Philadelphia’s sizable Hispanic and Latino community. It started on September 15 and will end on October 15.

Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic demographic in Philadelphia. Councilmembers participated in the annual raising of the flag of Puerto Rico outside of City Hall, the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Center City, and Salsa Fest 2025 in Kensington.

The flag raising, led by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District), honored world-renowned percussionist Pablo Batista. He was honored for his decades of work in various music genres and his significant contributions to both the international music scene and the Philadelphia community. He was presented a Council citation at the event by Lozada, Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) and Councilmembers Mark Squilla (1st District) and Nina Ahmad (At-Large).

Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large), Ahmad and Squilla attended the Puerto Rican Day Parade this year. 

Salsa Fest has happened for more than 20 years, first under former Seventh District Councilmember Maria Q. Sanchez and continues under current 7th District Councilmember Lozada. It was a celebration of music, culture, and unity.

Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District), Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District), Ahmad and Council President Johnson attended Salsa Fest.

For more info on Hispanic Heritage Month events happening in Philadelphia, go to click here.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND COUNCILMEMBER CURTIS JONES MEET NAMIBIA’S PRESIDENT

Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the president of Namibia, was in Philadelphia recently. She met with Council President Johnson, Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jr. (4^th District) and Ahmad (At-Large) and Mayor Cherelle Parker to discuss possible future partnerships between Philadelphia and Namibia.

Johnson presented President Nandi-Ndaitwah a Council citation in recognition of her leadership and commitment to advancing international cooperation. Mayor Parker presented President Nandi-Ndaitwah with a symbolic miniature Liberty Bell, reflecting the shared values of freedom and democracy between the United States and Namibia.

Namibia is a country in Southern Africa. It has a population of nearly three million people, and its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah from the governing South West Africa People's Organisation (British English), also known as Swapo, was elected as the country's first female president in December 2024. Swapo has been in power in the country since independence in 1990.

Under the Namibia constitution, the president shares executive power with the cabinet and is limited to two five-year terms.

PEACE NOT GUNS FESTIVAL HAPPENING IN SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Council President Johnson is hosting his Peace Not Guns Festival on Saturday, October 4. It will happen from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 58th and Kingsessing Avenue near the Francis Myers Recreation Center.

The event will bring together neighbors, community leaders, and special guests for a full day of unity, peace, and family fun. The event will include a Kids’ Zone with rides, live entertainment, free produce and food, free diapers and baby wipes, free winter coats and community resources.

This Peace Not Guns festival celebrates community, supports families, and sends a clear message of peace. For more info, call Johnson’s Second District office at 215-686-3412.

COUNCILMEMBER JAMIE GAUTHIER IS CO-SPONSORING A CANCER AWARENESS WALK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Traci’s Bio Paint The Streets Pink annual 2k Cancer Awareness Walk will take place on October 4 at Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, in West Philadelphia. The events will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) is one of the sponsors. 

Traci’s Bio is a non-profit breast cancer awareness organization whose mission is to help survivors maintain a level of normalcy.

For more information about the walk, contact Traci’s Bio at (267) 897-1050.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to create awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer.

COUNCILMEMBER MIKE DRISCOLL IS SPONSORING THE NORTHEAST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NIGHT MARKET ON OCTOBER 5

Join Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) at 7300 Frankford Avenue from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 for the Northeast Philadelphia Development Corporation’s (NPDC) 7th Annual Mid-Autumn Night Market. It's a joyful celebration of culture, community, and tradition in Northeast Philly.

Enjoy live music, cultural performances, a traditional fashion show, raffles, children’s activities, food, and so much more. This event brings neighbors together to celebrate the rich heritage of the Asian American community and is always a great time for the whole family.

For more information, contact NPDC at (267) 348-7123 or online at https://npdc.us/

COUNCILMEMBER CINDY BASS LAUNCHES NEW SATELLITE OFFICE AT THE CHESTNUT HILL LIBRARY ON OCTOBER 6

Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District) is pleased to announce the launch of satellite office hours for her constituents at the Chestnut Hill Library beginning Monday, October 6, 2025. This initiative is part of her continued commitment to making city government more accessible and responsive to the community. The new satellite hours will allow residents to conveniently access help with neighborhood concerns, city service referrals, and a variety of constituent needs without traveling to City Hall.

The Chestnut Hill location will be open on October 6 and every Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it is located at 8711 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118.

No appointment is necessary. Residents are encouraged to drop in and speak directly with Councilmember Bass’s team about issues affecting their families and neighborhoods.

Bass’ North Philadelphia location (2761 N. 22nd Street) is also open Mondays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The Councilmember plans to open a third location in her District sometime in the future.

For more information, please contact Councilmember Bass’ office at 215-686-3424.

COUNCILMEMBER JEFFERY YOUNG IS HOSTING A NON-PROFIT RESOURCE FAIR ON OCTOBER 6

Councilmembers Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District) and Kendra Brooks (At-Large) is inviting everyone to his Non-Profit Resource Fair on Monday, October 6 at Community College of Philadelphia from 12 noon to 3 p.m.  It will be held in the Bonnell Auditorium at Community College of Philadelphia, 556 North 17th Street in the Spring garden section of Philadelphia.

This event is all about connecting local nonprofits with the tools, resources, and guidance they need to grow and succeed. Come meet experts, explore workshops, and build your network.

To register for the event, click here or contact Councilmember Young’s office at 215-686-3442. 

MAJORITY LEADER KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON AND PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO HOST PHILADELPHIA MED WEEK EVENT ON OCTOBER 7

Join Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) and Council President Johnson (2nd District) to unlock big opportunities for your small business.

The “MED Week 2025: Positioning Your Small Business for Big Wins in 2026” event will happen on October 7 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the IBEW Local 98 headquarters, 4960 S 12th Street inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.

Learn how to access partnerships in the Navy Yard, discover best practices for working with the City of Philadelphia, and get ready to own 2026—a year packed with major events, including the FIFA World Cup matches and more.

To register for the event, go to https://tally.so/r/3XaJGO

This event is part of the City of Philadelphia’s 41st Annual Micro Economic Development (MED) Week. MED Week (October 6-10) honors the exceptional achievements of Philadelphia small, local, and underrepresented business enterprises.

For more information on MED Week, click here.

COUNCILMEMBER BRIAN’ O’NEILL IS HOSTING SEVERAL COMMUNITY EVENTS IN HIS DISTRICT THIS FALL

Councilmember Brian O’Neill (10th District) is hosting a variety of events this fall. He is having a city recycling bucket giveaway on October 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, 11630 Caroline Road in Northeast Philadelphia.

The Councilmember is also hosting a free shredding on October 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the American Heritage Credit Union (Fox Chase Office), 432 Rhawn Street in Fox Chase. The shredding limit is for paper bags/boxes per household. No paper from businesses will be shredded.

For more information on the events, contact O’Neill’s office at (215) 686-3422.

NEXT COUNCIL SESSION IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

City Council’s next Stated Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.

The public can watch City Council sessions live in Philadelphia on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, streamed live at PHLCouncil.com/watch or heard on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1FM) from 10a.m.-1 p.m.



Note: Thank you to the Offices of Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Brian O’ Neill, Jeffery Young Jr., Jamie Gauthier and Mike Driscoll, Visit Philly, Traci’s Bio  and www.bbc.com for contributing information to this edition of the Weekly Report.