City Controller Christy Brady spoke at last week’s Holme Circle Civic Association meeting, telling the crowd that her office is working on a performance audit of the Board of Revision of Taxes and Office of Property Assessment in regard to their property valuation and homeowner appeal processes.
Brady also mentioned her report on speed cushions.
“All but one were installed improperly,” she said.
Brady said the Department of Streets is having contractors fix the cushions. A man in the crowd asked for details on the contractors.
“We don’t name names,” Brady said.
To seek reimbursement for damages caused by the cushions, motorists can fill out a form at https://www.phila.gov/media/20240920104240/Risk-general-claim-form-en.pdf
A woman suggested an audit of the city’s 311 system, explaining that she called the number 113 times to report a sinkhole on Mower Street. The 311 workers know her by name, she said.
In other news from the Sept. 23 meeting:
• City Councilman Mike Driscoll said it should be simple for the streets department and contractors to properly install speed cushions.
“We’re not talking about putting a man on the moon,” he said.
Driscoll also said he opposes repeated property assessment increases and called the city’s 311 system an “absolute disaster.”
In regard to rising utility bill costs, Driscoll said he opposed PECO Energy’s proposed steep increase. Ultimately, PECO withdrew its request and replaced its CEO.
The deadline to appeal property tax assessments is Oct. 5. Driscoll’s office, at 7552 Frankford Ave., can help constituents fill out the necessary forms.
• State Sen. Joe Picozzi said he will be opening a new office on Oct. 5 at 8400 Bustleton Ave., Unit 301. In response to questions, Picozzi said he supports an increase in the minimum wage, noting that all of Pennsylvania’s border states have a higher minimum wage. He also supports a bill sponsored by Sen. Tim Kearney that would set an age minimum of 16 for e-scooter riders, require helmets for 16- and 17-year-old riders, set a statewide speed limit of 20 mph for e-scooters, prohibit more than one rider on an e-scooter and require e-scooters to follow bicycle traffic rules.
• State Rep. Ed Neilson and Register of Wills John Sabatina will hold a shred event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9-11 a.m. in the St. Jerome Church parking lot, 3031 Stamford St.
• Holme Circle Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at its new location, Penn-Crisp Gym, 9151 Academy Road. The group is leaving its longtime home of St. Jerome parish hall. ••
