[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6701143,"mediaKeyId","3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1","parentId",3638622,"title","Committee approves raising Philadelphia Activities Fund cap from $9,000 to $9,500","audioSeconds",928,"startMs",1123000,"endMs",2051000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1&start=1123&end=2051","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1/thumbnail_1123000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701143/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-approves-raising-Philadelphia-Activities-Fund-cap-from-9000-to-9500","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701143-785cce3a949949ddfeeac9457ecc572e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155433&Signature=ICsKlu5dXA3xSngsF1dg9~IGpuL22xzUPMpZGQlS1P1FjE5kc1PXxjYqG5NiAlrlz4Ox4cuHaIpdIKC1hbltUtYeibrEXD7xgvO1vAfDvdYHwehIi2c-j7gF2oLoyNfmpsCDydXEZlnYRwCzUvMxgtqNt5CWy4kUJzL0c8-XsKQvMSTR6VG0Br4psg9jRuRnWFgV93XtWgK5oEradjXYAcm6d63jqWb2uaYNTyqkCm9aW8CP2G5w3Su0JcL~TP6U~Ru2lwVgFpzvwqkqZhcwKt9MUj9TQAe3L~ZGe-RSgJURlWkk8A0Fz6~Q3IU1nzcf~~kBhb6a5L~Z9DkGbrVhzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Philadelphia City Council","date","2025-05-30T17:01:44Z","article","The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs voted to report favorably a bill that would raise the annual maximum grant an entity may receive from the Philadelphia Activities Fund from $9,000 to $9,500.

Marissa Washington, first deputy commissioner, read Commissioner Susan Slauson’s testimony in support of the measure and reiterated that the Department of Parks and Recreation supports the modest increase. “Currently, the maximum activities fund grant is $9,000. This bill would raise it to $9,500,” the testimony stated.

There were no substantive questions from committee members. The committee moved the bill out with a favorable recommendation and a request that the rules of council be suspended to permit first reading at the next council session; the motion carried on a voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs 05-29-25","oneSentenceSummary","A committee voted to report a bill that would increase the maximum annual grant any entity may receive from the Philadelphia Activities Fund from $9,000 to $9,500; testimony indicated department support and no substantive debate followed.","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},6701147,"Committee advances bill encouraging contingency measures for park event permits; safety plans required for events of 2,000 or more",1887,55000,1942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1&start=55&end=1942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1/thumbnail_55000.jpg","/articles/6701147/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-advances-bill-encouraging-contingency-measures-for-park-event-permits-safety-plans-required-for-events-of-2000-or-more","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701147-b646de8a135c62ed1f1bc28600d161ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155433&Signature=BGNlBdqV0k3irOTIVIbR0zIt2xEupumIAYHrFKmIAmGXefZvDdK0UHmxEGsgsjQ~tdtPMAownDZdy2GdXMsuFhOI6Ifvos4McJdi~T4ICk8JbMmpdbJ0MPirwGlbHt0Qf95wD0cPM105S3gvZmSmxSq8ugeuRIeS3kHXnYdoftTR2RzOWFC~H9FIPD5sR98G0PTm7y78w3b9IDU5N7V61W76RsU69VULvCmH~~ysLnfa~OYlWQqpeXd1FhDbYMhiK0U7YBNYyODipg75vuH~kDGbZ0DrRWT5QJBKBwKDZT8Jy2k1HQk53lBiIC3Qd6oodnypRR4Dnb74m8q3v1l1zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs voted to report a bill that would amend Title 15 of the Philadelphia Code to encourage applicants for event permits on parkland to include contingency and safety measures.

Deputy Commissioner Susan Buck read Commissioner Susan Slauson’s testimony for the Department of Parks and Recreation and told the committee the bill is intended to “encourage applicants for event planning permits to establish contingency measures.” The administration said it supports steps to make public events safer and more accessible.

Councilmember Curtis Jones asked for clarification about the bill’s aim after referencing a recent incident at Lemon Hill and said he wanted assurance that permit applicants would include practical measures such as perimeter controls, access-and-egress plans or wristbands to distinguish attendees. Jones said, “I don’t mean for you to have fences and military‑style trenches, but tell me … something that you hired a security guard or you have an access and egress plan or wristbands to know who is within your group and who is not.”

When Councilmember Jeffrey Young asked whether a size threshold already triggers required safety planning and insurance, Buck answered that “for events … where people note that it would be 2,000 or more, you would be required to have a safety plan and proper insurance.”

The committee moved the bill out with a favorable recommendation and requested suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next council session. The motion carried on a voice vote.","Council committee reported favorably a bill that would encourage applicants for event permits on parkland to include contingency measures. Testimony emphasized public-safety planning after a recent Lemon Hill incident and confirmed that events of 2,000 or more already require a safety plan and insurance.",{"_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},6701152,"Committee backs bill letting Parks designate animal-free areas and raising fines to $2,000",1461,545000,2006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1&start=545&end=2006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638622-84bb43f32bf42648c45032cdae37e8a1/thumbnail_545000.jpg","/articles/6701152/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-backs-bill-letting-Parks-designate-animal-free-areas-and-raising-fines-to-2000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701152-6afea4179385af7ba102e65cda506829/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155433&Signature=f0YZd5FVqxzFMllIbZgflEdlbpofbDwpa~Dt8Wv6GzGN5RICniu52JizD1OqGk3-RdRKCl7oX5-afExuncMshH02gUs~C1nt9I8YPThz7p66yc2IWhJAvosp0y0l-AF5NU05LMq81mO8Wri9d4IELyvdhJeTxCJK6DvBYvrEQKhSrpIUSeMGZCPqj1z8NkdCvUWDlv1D9XFZJYEX5bV-4ioMUcF6SCIpIr5z8yLffP3Qks4hoJkqJGPfleDwo3EInri~M8poAGb9FugClb46k~EDHRdrGZflx8g0ZQEseXkZI~wRpd64j1FA28K4aT1d~0wXNS7bmfN4YaddLrqfvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs on a voice vote reported favorably a bill that would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to designate certain parks and recreation centers as animal-free areas and impose penalties of up to $2,000 for violations.

Deputy Commissioner Leanne Campbell read Commissioner Susan Slauson’s testimony and told the committee that the measure would allow the department to manage animal-free sites and adopt related rules. “The full implementation of this ordinance would require hiring more staff and posting appropriate signage, which would necessitate additional appropriations as described in the fiscal note attached to my testimony,” Campbell said.

Committee members and witnesses emphasized enforcement limits and the practical burdens on recreation staff. Councilmember Jeffrey Young said playgrounds and fields are already dog-free in practice but that enforcement has been limited; Campbell said recreation leaders can serve as “the eyes and ears” but “they don’t have the authority to write tickets,” and that actual ticketing would rely on park rangers or the Philadelphia Police Department.

Brett Bessler, vice president and business agent for AFSCME District Council 47 Local 2186, representing recreation leaders and park ranger supervisors, told the committee that signs alone will not solve the problem. “These signs are all bark and no bite,” Bessler said. He urged a clearer enforcement plan and more rangers, noting that for fiscal year 2026 the department has 25 rangers budgeted to cover about 54 sites.

Councilmember Young asked whether signage could display the fine amount; Campbell said the fine “is intended to go on the signage” and that the fiscal note accounts for signage updates. The department and union witnesses repeatedly described the measure as a codification of existing rules with an increased penalty, not a stand-alone enforcement program.

The committee moved the bill out with a favorable recommendation and requested suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next council session. The motion carried on a voice vote.","The committee voted to report a bill that would let the Department of Parks and Recreation designate parks and recreation centers as animal-free areas, set penalties up to $2,000 and require staffing and signage; testimony and public comment emphasized enforcement challenges and the need for more park rangers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves raising Philadelphia Activities Fund cap from $9,000 to $9,500

Committee advances bill encouraging contingency measures for park event permits; safety plans required for events of 2,000 or more

Committee backs bill letting Parks designate animal-free areas and raising fines to $2,000