[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6616184,"mediaKeyId","2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a","parentId",2853832,"title","Council recesses budget hearing until April 2025; motion carries","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",6850000,"endMs",6888000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a&start=6850&end=6888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a/thumbnail_6850000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616184/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Council-recesses-budget-hearing-until-April-2025-motion-carries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616184-e2f4cc523a1882b4e31a7e1ab80b3ac1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162101&Signature=i7qCGZQdKEeDflUo7Xe5jrRayAQea6mq-4pEFmDbqpP9n~KmqPmi-ofAXInJsYKCMaWZcLj3H8cyN2tH-KfspM4s5qr9IcIGUVhwLuhlIHSEdpmkczPG6R9QWag9TBBgo8c15KBNl3RTi7YvP1depdaxCL~BJw4Kgdcbo5nsMz0aYXEr0pV4avgs5Iz0fY0j7ILs5BHEq-rBqGCp6Knbc8NNwvJWbgVA4NJCACbfrb2nEnak9pnxTJTQUa7IvYCBDIjLyg62uhivyrlAp7OUhr3DQ2ygdFz2KoeY4Vgv18~~1z1JvaDSYpNfIYWgoTuzrO4KHH9S9Rw9yxuYutR90g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Philadelphia City Council","date","2025-04-02T22:55:55.503Z","article","During the closing of the continuance of the budget hearing, Council Member Gilmore Richardson moved that “the public hearing and meeting on the bills and resolution before the committee today stand in recess until April 2025 at 10 a.m.” The motion was seconded. The chair called for the ayes, members responded “Aye,” and the chair said “Those opposed, the ayes have it, and the motion carries.”

No roll‑call tally or named yea/nay votes were recorded in the hearing transcript; the motion was passed by voice vote and the committee recessed until the date announced on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-02-25 Afternoon","oneSentenceSummary","At the end of the hearing the council approved a motion to recess the public hearing and meeting on bills and resolutions until April 2025 at 10 a.m.; the motion was moved, seconded and the ayes carried.","taxTitle","Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County , Pennsylvania","taxId",80615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616188,"Water Department requests $607.5M operating budget, outlines accelerated replacement and affordability work",5896,744000,6640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a&start=744&end=6640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a/thumbnail_744000.jpg","/articles/6616188/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Water-Department-requests-6075M-operating-budget-outlines-accelerated-replacement-and-affordability-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616188-8ee335a53cabe8d1a74abaef592478c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162101&Signature=KlOBHIT7hGerNPIA~KIQu~CQOVqE4rMiQ0psWohwHwDqj-TDg5h0uouvU1m7Q9hRorT6Q0dDaJ8T5VUez7j3L5cydA4qoEJKX6P-nxDp3-Yt5GoEI9V0x8V-k57GRtlGfYUTfdHniv61e183ruTsCGJuzDp~lpdVP6cHHZncMREzm0RR37gt0801pP5rje2K1oyQWtirFHSqd69bzWaqsr67WHJ63~Z5no3a9pIfG2MsZiR99hIu165YI~3eMcck2p1Z-TFNbi0gzYlPQ3yHXBm0SDMJjlkmrWD4uemvDGh9zC6chnGzLqKi2ROyHxMEpiKU4pb6k3NTAxxP2VEl5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Randy Hayman, Water Commissioner, presented the Philadelphia Water Department’s proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget and explained increases driven by personnel, compliance, maintenance and vehicle replacement needs.

Hayman said the FY26 operating component of the water fund totals $607,500,000, an increase of about $71,000,000 (13%) over FY25 estimated obligations. He attributed the increase to class‑100 personnel costs (including hiring to meet regulatory compliance), class‑200 purchase‑of‑service costs for permit compliance and critical maintenance and class‑400 vehicle replacement.

Hayman described the scale of the system the department operates: three drinking‑water treatment plants, three water‑pollution control plants, dozens of pumping stations, roughly 3,200 miles of water mains, about 3,700 miles of sewers and more than 25,000 fire hydrants. He said the department is ramping replacement activity to combat aging infrastructure: over the last 29 years water‑main replacement averaged 19 miles per year and the department intends to increase that toward a goal of roughly 32 miles per year; sewer replacement historically averaged 7.8 miles per year and the department is increasing to 14 miles in FY25 with a plan to grow that by one mile per year toward 20 miles per year. Hayman gave per‑mile cost figures cited in testimony of about $5,250,000 per mile for distribution work and about $9,000,000 per mile for sewer reconstruction.

Hayman said the department applied for $951,000,000 in state and federal funding, has been approved for $941,000,000 in low‑interest loans and $4,800,000 in forgivable loans, and is pursuing $223,000,000 in grant applications (about $107,000,000 awarded so far). Councilmembers asked for details on how PENVEST (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority) funds would be allocated; Hayman said prioritization is based on infrastructure need and pipe age rather than specific neighborhoods, although two PENVEST‑funded lead‑replacement pilots totaling $9.9 million each target lead lateral removal in Kensington.

On affordability, Hayman said approximately 64,000 customers are enrolled in the tiered assistance program (TAP) and that the department is increasing outreach. Susan Crosby, deputy revenue commissioner for water, told council that auto‑enrollment pilots and administrative data partnerships helped expand TAP participation substantially: a LIHWAP pilot enrolled roughly 3,200 customers in late 2023 and subsequent administrative‑data auto‑enrollment added roughly 37,500 more customers.

Council members asked about reserves and rate pressures. Lawrence Yangeli, deputy commissioner for finance, said the rate stabilization (restabilization) fund had been above $200 million in 2017 and is now about $125 million; industry guidance cited in testimony recommends a fund balance on the order of 135 million and roughly a 363‑day cash target, while PWD currently maintains about 154 days of cash on hand. Officials said if a pending rate increase is approved it would replenish reserves but also that continued TAP expansion and other affordability measures reduce near‑term revenue.

Ending: Water officials committed to provide written details requested by council on PENVEST allocations, minority participation figures for bond financings, and follow‑up materials on reserves and rate scenarios.","Water Commissioner Randy Hayman presented a proposed FY26 water operating budget of $607.5 million, described accelerated water main and sewer replacement targets, loan and grant activity (including PENVEST applications), and steps to expand enrollment in the tiered assistance program (TAP).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616191,"Aviation seeks $564 million for FY26; $500 million capital push readies airports for 2026 events",4706,486000,5192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a&start=486&end=5192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a/thumbnail_486000.jpg","/articles/6616191/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Aviation-seeks-564-million-for-FY26-500-million-capital-push-readies-airports-for-2026-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616191-f4caca262aa7b8fb35511ac83aad80a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162101&Signature=PptoUWhCFqkgOlQtY1J7Q8zH3LI0OwfEPoUA6l~8FZmq3I-RSo8kjzu2RI-zRO8HYXauyr~uRS05R6NIbnlduu6iuko3m4cuGs-lpxs43TMlv7rqG24HUmbLeyAbY5UIheWRHVJy1hciAaagnwPbnhOS-a9olQ7u3iHxgF29u2etCtcQ1QOpvwuj2EWz~BInJ0WNvMW75fxZ5Afbctt29rsRJjb-R4WS0wzzvD9VKMiFjLAIGnn73M7hz2rWQkQzUBRKE848Mn9BXfqL~pUa~KrlUHl5HtIFi5a1GkqpjQBnoIUd6welhY-L4BXfajWdiqWd-R4WgI4U3cW9I7EvZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atif Saeed, chief executive officer of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Aviation, told council the department’s fiscal year 2026 operating request is $564,062,025, a roughly 0.3% increase over FY25 estimated obligations, and that both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) operate as enterprise funds without general‑fund support.

Saeed said an updated 2023 economic‑impact study estimated the airport system generates roughly $18.7 billion annually for the regional economy, supports more than 102,000 regional jobs, and contributes about $119 million annually in tax revenues to the city. “We facilitate commerce within our four walls that makes businesses successful,” Saeed said.

Saeed and Appy Appalingam, the department’s chief development officer, described a $500 million capital program focused on customer‑facing terminal, landside and airfield projects intended to be largely completed before the 2026 events. Appalingam said the program includes a restroom renovation program (about $20 million to renovate roughly eight restroom sets and a custodial operations center), a $15 million SEPTA Airport Line platform modernization completed last fall, terminal refreshes across seven terminals, and nighttime rehab of the primary runway intended to conclude this summer.

Saeed said the capital plan is funded primarily by airline rates and charges under an agreement with carriers that increased capital commitments; he described the $500 million as a prioritized subset of a larger capital portfolio. Appalingam said the department is modernizing visible customer elements — painting, lighting, seating, flooring — and that three new restroom sets opened recently with five more scheduled through July.

Saeed described airport workforce and customer‑service investments such as PHL Works, a department‑wide program to elevate customer service, and a workforce development program to retain and upscale staff. He also described efforts to expand local vendor participation in concessions, noting 19 local businesses are currently featured and two more (Federal Donuts and Oyster House) planned to open.

On future aviation technology, Appalingam said the department has long‑term planning work identifying potential roof‑top locations for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) facilities and reiterated that eVTOL operations would need to be independent of fixed‑wing operations and generally not interrupt existing taxiway/runway functions. Council members asked about equity opportunities for small‑business participation in the capital program and about human‑trafficking prevention work connected to large events; Saeed said the department has an action plan and named Cassie Schmidt as a strategy officer leading anti‑trafficking efforts during major events and pledged to provide written follow‑ups.

Ending: Aviation officials agreed to provide additional written breakdowns of the $500 million capital portfolio, minority participation statistics for recent bond financings when available, and a written plan on human‑trafficking prevention and workforce development tied to the 2026 schedule.","Atif Saeed, CEO of the Department of Aviation, outlined a $564,062,025 FY26 operating request, described a $500 million customer‑facing capital program tied to 2026 preparations, and highlighted airport economic‑impact figures and service growth.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616196,"Streets Department seeks $79.6 million for FY26, cites resurfacing gains and expanded traffic-safety work",4304,138000,4442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a&start=138&end=4442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853832-de23c4e2304dcdd9db4c0cd726dad53a/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6616196/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Streets-Department-seeks-796-million-for-FY26-cites-resurfacing-gains-and-expanded-traffic-safety-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616196-7a7c9d78f43842d09778aab06296f279/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162101&Signature=KA8WC31vuCzH005xKhrPorNr9MxY8fkDGouEDzELwewExLq6bdjigU3jxyw-Sl3lx8XsAZw0oAKLVMWnVM~001InX6KDz~Vbn5A6M3n~fzGKQxTcIDGxhIqni42nSdxsLC6HXn9mQ-3oncYfM91hlujfvYN7dhzpZshrKcOfl~y5VuEXksfOmoU64lG~hOfmv6behu~MHj~eRiMyLHEWAKvHuybyAUGCX2EoLFG4JwMNsOsDYACeAAjfDxa34LNArQTEGVvAyJmGi25NlBUxK7bFd9iIoUIXZUuJyJO76DmzyTU2-2AtnKcxWCTDPyQn9gYXI-vZdklRX4UdjwMIXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Del Rossi, Streets Commissioner, told the City Council continuance of the budget hearing that the Department of Streets is requesting $79,600,000 from the transportation fund for fiscal year 2026 and that the request supports staffing and core maintenance functions.

Del Rossi said the department is budgeting 832 full‑time and 846 part‑time positions and plans to add a second line‑striping crew to expand capacity for pavement markings. “Traffic safety is at the core of every service and project we deliver,” she said, and described the department’s work to “plan, design, build, maintain, repair, and manage the operation of our city's transportation network.”

The department reported several measurable achievements in the past year. Del Rossi said crews repaired more than 50,000 potholes and that “every pothole reported to 3‑1‑1 gets addressed in an average of three days.” Streets has resurfaced more than 50 miles so far this fiscal year and expects to exceed 100 miles by June, which Del Rossi said would be the first time the city reached that mark since February 2004. She credited prior administration and council investments and the department’s crews for the increase.

Del Rossi described the city’s traffic‑calming program as addressing speeding on 738 blocks and said that staff work across planning, paving, signage and striping to implement requests. On school crossing guards, she told council the department assigned “over 800 guards this year,” the largest number since Streets assumed the program. Deputy Commissioner Christopher Newman added that a pre‑orientation and other recruitment steps have reduced crossing‑guard turnover from 15% to 9% year‑over‑year and that hourly pay is $17.89.

Council members pressed for specifics about remaining backlogs and prioritization. Del Rossi said the department will publish its paving list following the hearings and that prioritization considers condition assessments, the age of pavement and on‑the‑ground inspections. Deputy Managing Director Michael Carroll said inspectors’ “eyes on the street” are heavily relied upon alongside a condition index, and the city is piloting machine‑vision tools to scale inspections.

On speed cushions, Del Rossi said about 108 have been installed near schools and 85 are in design. Council members asked whether the department has a staff person focused on community outreach around traffic‑calming; Carroll and Del Rossi said traffic engineers, the Office of Multimodal Planning and the Vision Zero task force collaborate on measures and that the city is working on public‑facing mapping tools to show status and improve transparency.

Council members also raised several infrastructure and operational concerns. Streets officials acknowledged an ongoing effort to stand up an ADA curb‑ramp construction crew after a recent curb ramp settlement and said the city will take on some ramp work but will continue to contract parts of the program while building capacity. On bridges, Carroll said an element of the Wyoming Avenue bridge deteriorated unexpectedly and forced an unplanned closure; the department said a limited traffic restoration project is being designed, timelines remain provisional, and the city is coordinating with PennDOT to increase inspection frequency and avoid similar surprises.

Del Rossi described the Philly street light improvement project, delivered in partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority, as a 30,000‑fixture LED conversion she said uses 50% less electricity and reduces emissions by roughly 10% while improving lighting and safety. She said the new line‑striping crew and other staffing changes are intended to sustain pavement marking and crosswalk maintenance.

Ending: Streets leaders committed to provide council members with the department’s paving list, district‑level breakdowns for traffic‑calming around schools, a crossing‑guard staffing report, and follow‑up information on specific bridge timelines and curb‑ramp delivery. They said some details — such as full cost estimates to clear the backlog of speed cushions — will be provided after further analysis.","Streets Commissioner Kristen Del Rossi told City Council the Department of Streets is requesting $79.6 million for FY26 transportation operations, highlighted progress on resurfacing, pothole response, expanded school crossing guard hiring and traffic-calming work, and outlined remaining backlogs for speed cushions and curb ramps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council recesses budget hearing until April 2025; motion carries

Water Department requests $607.5M operating budget, outlines accelerated replacement and affordability work

Aviation seeks $564 million for FY26; $500 million capital push readies airports for 2026 events

Streets Department seeks $79.6 million for FY26, cites resurfacing gains and expanded traffic-safety work