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Committee advances PEA energy contracts, PGW budget amendment and a short-term payroll banking contract
Summary
Finance Committee reported favorably on bills to allow PEA-guaranteed energy-savings contracts and related financing (250953, 250981, 251019), a PGW FY2026 capital-budget amendment (251018), and a payroll banking agreement with Citizens Bank (250954); the committee asked for subcontractor and small/local participation details.
The Committee on Finance reported favorably on a set of measures related to city energy projects, PGW capital budget amendments and a short-term payroll banking services contract.
Emily Shapiro, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, described bill 250953 as authorization for an intergovernmental agreement enabling PEA to pursue a Guaranteed Energy Savings Act performance contract for energy-efficiency and capital improvements at Philadelphia Water Department wastewater plants. Shapiro said the project aims to reduce energy and water consumption, limit biogas flaring by converting biogas to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas, and generate revenue streams to lower ratepayer-funded capital needs.
City Treasurer Jackie Dunn appeared for two items. On bill 250981 she described a proposed service agreement between the city and PEA that would permit issuance of bonds "in an aggregate amount up to $40,000,000 plus related cost of issuance, credit enhancement, and discount" to finance energy-conservation improvements at specified properties; the bonds would be secured by the city's obligation to budget and appropriate annual service fees. On bill 250954 Treasurer Dunn and her staff recommended authorizing a short-term payroll banking agreement with Citizens Bank for the period 01/01/2026–06/30/2026 following an RFP that ranked Citizens as most qualified, citing the bank's competitive fees, broad branch network and prior service to the city.
Jamila McClendon and William Gallagher testified in support of bill 251018, a PGW capital-budget amendment that reauthorizes ten line items to extend project timelines and requests $30 million for a CIS project (approximately $25M immediate spending and $5M contingency). PGW asked the committee to report the bill favorably and to suspend rules to permit first reading at the next Council meeting.
Council members asked for a detailed breakdown of subcontractors and small/local business participation across PEA and PGW projects; Emily Shapiro said Johnson Controls (JCI) committed in solicitation materials to 50% minority-owned participation and at least 20% local business participation in the Quadplex Plus Community Health Project, and staff agreed to provide a full subcontractor list to the committee.
Each of the described bills was reported from the committee with a favorable recommendation by voice vote; the committee requested the usual memos and subcontractor breakdowns before final Council action.
