COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 20, 2025 1:10 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA, CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON, VICE-CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here. Welcome to the hearing on the Committee of Appropriations. I note that the hour has come and a quorum of the Committee is present. To my left, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson. To my right, Councilmember Cindy Bass and Councilmember Brian O'Neill. We now have a quorum and the hearing is called to order. This is a public hearing on Appropriations regarding Bill Nos. 250071, 250072, 250073. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bills.
Bill No. 21 250071, to amend Bill No. 240182 (Approved June 14, 2024) entitled, "An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for six Fiscal Years, 2025-2030 inclusive," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250072, authorizing transfers and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from 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 the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. And Bill No. 250073, to amend Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024) entitled, "An Ordinance to adopt the Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. We'll now call our first witness for Bill No. 250071. Sabrina Maynard, please come -- state your name for the record and then proceed with your testimony. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Good afternoon. Sabrina Maynard, Budget Director. Going -- all right. Good afternoon, Chair Squilla and members of the Appropriations Committee. I'm Sabrina Maynard, Budget Director. I'm joined by representatives from each department that has a request in the transfer ordinance. I'm here to testify in support of Bill No. 250072, a proposed FY25 spring midyear transfer ordinance; Bill No. 2 250071, amending Bill No. 240182, entitled "An Ordinance to adopt Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive," and Bill No. 250073, amending Bill No. 7 240181, entitled "An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget," by revising various appropriations amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions. The proposed investments are for critical legal needs in FY25 both for outside counsel and for indemnities and on making immediate term event preparedness investments in advance of 2026 special events. The operating ordinance is being amended to add additional funds for partner organizations in advance of special events in 2026. The Administration has been working with Philadelphia Soccer to ensure that the Lemon Hill site is prepared to host the World Cup's Fan Fest. The departments included in this request for the World Cup's Fan Fest preparation include the Office of the Director of Finance, the Managing Director's Office, the Office of Innovation and Technology and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. This work will include tree brush pruning, ADA ramps and pedestrian access improvements, site grading and drainage improvements, design of sidewalk and traffic signal improvements for pedestrian safety and work on the Lemon Hill overlook structure. It's critical that this work begins in FY25 so that any additional construction work can be done in '26 and be ready for the May 2026 kickoff of events. You have my testimony for all three bills laying out the various requests in the operating ordinance 5 and in the two capital ordinances, so I'm happy to take any questions. And we'll call on colleagues if there are questions for colleagues in the audience.
Thank you, Sabrina. And thank you and your team for working with Council and the Appropriations Committee to go over those amendments. And I appreciate the Administration and Council supporting the amendments to this legislation. Are there any questions from members of Council?
I just want to second that. I think it was a very healthy negotiation.
Thank you. If there's no other questions, is there anyone else here to testify on any of the three bills? Kristen Clark. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Kristen, just state your name for the record and you can proceed.
Not a problem. Kristen Clark spelled K-r-i-s-t-e-n, C-l-a-r-k. Forgive me, guys. I didn't know we were going this quickly. Good afternoon, Chairperson, members of the Committee and Councilmembers. My name is Kristen Clark. I'm the founder and Executive Director of the Germantown Arts District. I'm here today to urge your support for funding for the Germantown 250 project. Hi, Councilwoman. This is a vital initiative preserving our city's history while investing in its future. This project is a result of the Germantown 250 Committee's desire to create a plan in alignment with our current Mayor's priority of maximizing the long- term impact, positive impact on residents and businesses. The Germantown Arts District has been a key driver and influencer in uniting our community through arts, culture and narrative building. We were complementary to the historic profile of Germantown by advocating that Germantown is where history of tomorrow is being made today. Our goal is to highlight the Germantown as an arts and culture hub for the city of Philadelphia. We're going to be a beacon for all innovative arts education. We are creating a model ecosystem where community assumes its role in supporting the individual's right to need and create. Germantown is one of the most historically significant neighborhoods in the country. We can all agree home to the first written protest, first bank run by Black Americans. It also has a thriving arts ecosystem. Through Germantown 250, we are not just celebrating history, we're ensuring that arts and culture remain a catalyst for economic and social impact. As Philadelphia prepares for the nation's 250th Anniversary in 2026, Philadelphia has naturally been chosen as a go-to stage for many national and global entities. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure Germantown's story is told at the scale it deserves. Germantown 250 will activate historic corridors, engage artists and businesses and draw national attention to Philadelphia's role in shaping America. Without City Council's investment, Germantown, one of Philadelphia's most historic and culturally-rich neighborhoods, risks being left out of the conversation. I urge this Committee to support the funding of the Germantown 250 project. Investing in its initiative is not just about history. It's about equity, tourism and ensuring that all of Philadelphia benefits from the social, economic and cultural impact of all 2026 celebrations in the city of neighborhoods. It is imperative that we honor Germantown in this moment because, as history has proven and my neighbors will confirm, America's story, the culture story, Philadelphia's story are found in Germantown. The story starts here. Thank you for your time.
Thank you so much for your testimony. And I do want to say that as we work through our amendments, and we are working with Philadelphia 250 to work with all our community partners in making sure that we have access and then listening to them and they have resources along the way. So thank you for that and thank you for your testimony. Any questions? Councilmember Bass.
I just really wanted to say thank you, Kristen, for coming down. We've had a lot of conversation and she's been an amazing partner. Her and her entire team have been an amazing partner in terms of making sure that Germantown and Northwest Philadelphia is not forgotten in this big celebration that's going to be happening here in the city, so thank you.
Thank you. And also I'd like to recognize present at the hearing are Councilmember Thomas and Councilmember Gauthier. Councilmember Thomas.
Yep. I just wanted to echo the sentiments of my colleague. I do not represent Germantown or the 8th District, but I do live very close and I think our District Councilperson does a phenomenal job at any time we can fight for organizations in the uptown part of the city of Philadelphia, specifically our conversation today around Germantown. I just want to say thank you, colleague, for your leadership. I want to thank you for coming down to City Hall to take the time to advocate, to talk about the importance of not just Center City and some of the areas that's around here as it relates to 2026 but making sure neighborhoods are able to take advantage of this opportunity, making sure Black and Brown organizations, making sure women-led organizations are also able to take advantage this opportunity as well too. So I just wanted to take a moment to let you know we appreciate your advocacy. We appreciate your effort. We appreciate you being here. And also, thank my colleague who represents the amazing area of Germantown, because we know Germantown is going to put on a display that's going to make the City of Philadelphia proud in 2026. So thank you.
And one other thing I just want to add to that. And you know, listen, I don't really publicly say thank you as much to my colleagues because some of the work that we do I feel like this is what we signed up for. But I do want to especially thank Chairman Squilla because I really had quite a few conversations with him. I really spent a lot of time talking to him about this and working him over, although he wasn't hard to work over for the Northwest. But I really wanted to take a moment and say thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, for being understanding. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And I too just wanted to thank you for coming down to provide testimony and thank our Chairman for all of his work with the Administration on this transfer ordinance and give kudos to Councilmember Thomas for his laser being focused on all activities 2026 and to our colleague Councilmember Bass for ensuring that we were paying special attention to our local communities and neighborhoods and ensuring that we have an opportunity to also participate in 2026. Just want to shout out and thank the Budget and Finance team and Michael Newmuis as well. And while I have the opportunity because we are addressing some of the needs of some of the additional departments that are here and represented, I wanted to thank the Office of Emergency Management, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Police Department and all of the City departments who have worked with our residents around the unfortunate incident that occurred in Northeast Philadelphia with the plane crash. You all acted in excellence in a moment that we have never really seen in our lifetimes here in Philadelphia. So I just wanted to say thank you publicly while each of you are here. While for us to run away from a scene like that, you all had to go to the scene and show up for the community. So for that, we say thank you. And I too wanted to thank Commissioner Slawson for the work that we are working on in our community as well, and just each and every one of you who have been helpful over the last several months. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilmember. And I too want to thank the City for really dealing with not only the tragedy, but then right back into a parade that was back-to-back. And to be able to turn that around, we were able to do that with our first responders and with our Parks & Rec, Public Property and everybody that was included. An amazing job and kudos to the Administration and the City departments for making that happen. And we want to thank Councilmember Isaiah Thomas for his great leadership on Celebration 250 along with Michael Newmuis of the Administration. And really want to thank the Finance team for working with Council and meeting with us. Is there any other questions from members of -- (No response.)
Thank you so much. That will now conclude our public hearing for the Committee. I just want to -- for the record, Councilmember Lozada is also present for the hearing. That concludes our hearing for the Committee. As we now go into a public meeting to consider action to be taken on these bills before the Committee today, the Chair recognizes Vice- Chair Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Bill No. 250071.
Before we vote, I just wanted to take a moment just to give a few remarks and say thank you to all of my colleagues. I know I've been a real pain over the last month or so as it relates to the Appropriations Committee and specifically the midyear transfer. I also want to say thank you to the Administration, especially Michael Newmuis who I've also been a pain to and Rob. Of course, Rob and your team, thank you so much. The reason I've been such a pain is because this is important. I had an opportunity to speak with the leadership from the Mayor's team, and I talked to them about my perspective of 2026 and I'm going to just be very short. A lot of times in government you have the opportunity to make a significant difference that requires a lot of time. I think about my colleagues to my left and my right and the work that you all do around housing, right. When you're talking about housing, that's something that takes sometimes up to a decade to see the impact of the work that you're really doing. When I think about the Neighborhood Preservation Initiatives and other things that we voted on, those things, they take a long time to produce an outcome. 2026 is our opportunity where we can have a snapshot impact right away. It's a legacy moment. And at the end of the day if we can get 2026 right, this will be a time when someone's going to look back 50 years from now. They're going to look at this City Council, they're going to look at this Mayor and going to say, what did you do at the 250-year celebration. Throughout the course of the last couple months, we've been looking back. We looked at what was done in 1976. We looked at what was done in 1876. And so, in 50 years someone's going to look back at 2026 and say what did you do, how was the money spent and what difference did you make for the city of Philadelphia. And I think today's vote is the beginning of a legacy moment for us where someone is going to look back in 50 years and say we got it right in the city of Philadelphia. And today is the first step in that direction. So, colleague, I just wanted to say thank you for your leadership similar to what everybody else said. I know it's been a very difficult last couple of weeks dealing with all the different pools and different directions that people are going in. But as we take this vote today, I'm proud to say that I think the City of Philadelphia is going to get it right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Councilmember. And I too want to thank our Finance team, Helen and Council President Johnson, for their leadership on this as they guided us through the process. So thank you again. We will consider action to be taken. The Chair recognizes Vice-Chair Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Bill No. 250071.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 16 250071 be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
The bill has been moved and properly seconded. The motion has -- the bill has been moved and properly seconded. The motion has been moved. Bill No. 250071 will be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Ayes have it and the motion carries. Chair recognizes Vice- Chair Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Bill No. 250072 as amended.
I offer an amendment to Bill No. 250072. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the Committee. And I move that the amendment to Bill 8 No. 250072 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Lozada seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 250072 be approved. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair now recognizes Vice-Chair Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Bill 250072 as amended.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 8 250072 as amended be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Gauthier seconds the motion. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 250072 as amended be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. And the Chair recognizes Kath -- Vice-Chair Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion on Bill No. 250073.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 23 250073 be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. I note for the record Councilmember Thomas seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 12 250073 be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further moves that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. There are no additional remarks from the Committee. Thank you to the guests and people testifying. This concludes our business for the Committee on Appropriations today. Thank you for your attendance. Have a great day. (Committee on Appropriations concluded at 1:30 p.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. __________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL