Controller: City contracts were exempt from public bidding
City Controller Christy Brady issued a special report on the City’s contracting process that found departments awarded contracts totaling more than $15 million that were not competitively bid, violating the Philadelphia Code. The departments utilized the City’s exemption rule for nonprofits to award the contracts, but they were not authorized to do so.
The Department of Aviation, the Managing Director’s Office and the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer spent $15,178,134 over fiscal years 2021 and 2024 on the identified contracts without adhering to the city’s proper bidding process. The Philadelphia Code requires an open and public process for contracts that fall under these departments. The Code allows for an exemption for some departments if the services are being provided by a nonprofit and are deemed emergencies or meet other exceptions.
“We conducted this review to determine whether contracts exempt from the public bidding process are being awarded properly and fairly as stipulated in the Philadelphia Code,” Brady said. “When non-exempt departments use the nonprofit exemption, those departments are bypassing the City’s procurement rules and disregarding the code.
“This practice can also lead to the City overspending for services because other service providers did not have an opportunity to bid, and the City might not have received the best costs for the services.”
The City Controller’s review also found encumbrances were improperly recorded in the City’s accounting system, with a few initially recorded as $1 rather than the contract amount. Additionally, the review identified four out of 10 contracts tested for the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services where the department encumbered almost $85 million less than total amount of the contracts.
Encumbrances are a budgetary tool used to compare anticipated spending against the City’s appropriated budget. According to Brady, “when departments enter into contracts with vendors, they should encumber the maximum potential expenditure to ensure budgetary compliance.
“If encumbrances are not accurately recorded in the City’s accounting system, there is a risk that a department could spend more than its allocated budget.”
City leaders applaud passage of Solar For Schools
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, House Speaker Joanna McClinton and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris visited City Hall to celebrate the passage of the Solar for Schools Act. They were joined by lawmakers from both chambers of the state legislature, city councilmembers and leaders in education, energy and labor.
Solar for Schools is a grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project — while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact and helping to keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17.
“I am excited to support the Solar for Schools grant program, a transformative initiative that not only promises to reduce energy costs but also fosters a sustainable future for our schools and communities,” said Harris. “This legislation will enable us to save significant funds — money that can be reinvested into classrooms and educational resources. Thanks to Rep. Fiedler’s dedication, we’re paving the way for a greener future for Pennsylvania’s students and communities.”
In Philadelphia, 63 schools had to close during the first week of school due to inefficient cooling in extreme heat. Energy efficiency from on-site solar will help school districts lower high energy bills and redirect funds to students and staff, which can be used to make necessary infrastructure updates, the legislators said.
The grant program will cover up to 50% of solar projects for schools and can be paired with federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring Pennsylvania is positioned to take advantage of federal funding.
“The success of this program proves that intergovernmental collaboration can achieve amazing things for our schools and our children,” Fiedler said. “From City Council’s resolution all the way up to the bill’s integration of federal Inflation Reduction Act money, Solar for Schools is a win at every level.”
Impact of elections on labor unions
The Philadelphia Building Trades and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 8 will present The Impact of Elections on Labor Law, Unions and its Members on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the IATSE Ballroom, 2401 S. Swanson St.
Doors open at 4 p.m. The event starts at 5. There will be a watch party afterward for the Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays game. Food and drinks will be provided. ••
Landau backs resolutions
City Councilwoman Rue Landau is co-sponsoring a resolution to authorize the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing examining the progress of Vision Zero’s goals and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
Landau is also introducing a resolution urging the Board of Revision of Taxes and the Office of Property Assessment to adopt a policy of accepting all informal and formal property assessment appeals filed for Tax Year 2025 by March 31, 2025. The resolution concerns the impact of rising property assessments, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, and emphasizes the need for fair appeal opportunities, given the short timeline between receiving notices and the current appeal deadline of Oct. 7.
Landau introduced a resolution declaring Sept. 10, 2024, as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day. This proclamation is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce stigma and affirm the necessity for accessible mental health services. September is recognized nationally as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, a campaign dedicated to educating the public about the warning signs of suicide, advocating for preventative services and supporting those affected by suicide. ••
Buddy Holly tribute concert
Zachary Stevenson brings his Buddy Holly Tribute to the Philadelphia region for the first time on Sept. 14, at 2 p.m., at Sellersville Theater 1894.
Tickets are available at https://www.st94.com/events/oh-boys-buddy-holly-tribute/
The Buddy Holly Tribute one-act show will feature hits such as That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.
Stevenson will be backed by Philadelphia psychedelic-rock trio Echo Kid as the Crickets. Echo Kid features Brendan McHale on bass, Christian Turzo on guitar and Kieran McCabe on drums. ••
Hero Thrill Show is Sept. 21
The 69th annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot.
Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Marine Unit, firearms instructors, Police Academy and SWAT Unit.
Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five).
Proceeds pay for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
For more information, go to herothrillshow.org. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Sign up for Philly Bike Ride
The third annual Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Riders will pass Independence Hall, City Hall, Love Park, Chinatown, Old City, Penn’s Landing and Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. They can choose between a 20-mile course or a 7.6-mile version, both ending at the art museum.
The free post-ride festival features live music, wellness activities, a beer garden and food trucks.
The cost is $69, with various add-ons available.
A portion of proceeds will support the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and its Youth Cycling Program.
For more information, visit www.phillybikeride.com ••
A space for UArts student work
Councilwoman Rue Landau, in collaboration with Creative Philadelphia, is launching an initiative to support students and faculty affected by the recent closure of the University of the Arts.
The project aims to transform City Hall into a welcoming hub for these displaced artists’ work, providing them with a space to showcase their work in City Hall and in the office of Landau (Room 592) and the corridors.
Students and faculty of UArts are invited to submit their artwork for consideration through an online submission form, with a deadline of Oct. 4.
“The closure of UArts is a significant loss for our city, but it also presents an opportunity for us to uplift and support these talented artists,” Landau said. “I’m honored to provide a space for their work alongside the Creative Philadelphia so that they know the city values their contributions to our arts scene.”
The submission form for UArts students and faculty to have their work featured can be found here. ••
After-school program for sophs
Applications have been extended until Friday, Sept. 20, for local students seeking educational experiences in science and healthcare fields to apply to The College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program.
There is no cost to apply for any of the college’s science-focused youth programs.
Founded in 2009, the George and Judy Wohlreich Junior Fellows program is a summer and after-school program for Philadelphia high school students from “historically excluded” communities who have an interest in health. The program seeks to foster interest in careers in healthcare and medicine through hands-on learning and interaction with professionals. The program also provides academic counseling and support to better prepare these students for college and their future careers.
The program is open to students entering 10th grade who are Philadelphia residents, enrolled in a Philadelphia high school, have an interest in science and healthcare professions, will be the first in their immediate family to graduate from a college or university, qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, and have no disciplinary problems on their school record. There are no costs to participate in the program.
The program goes for three years.
Apply here: Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program | The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Learn more at https://collegeofphysicians.org/programs. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
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