Full Transcript

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Harrisburg City Legislative Session - 2/24/2026

2:36:14698 summary words · ~3 min readEnglishBy The City of Harrisburg - WHBG20Transcribed Jun 15, 2026
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Summary

Harrisburg City Council amended and unanimously passed Bill 1 of 2026 (the Harrisburg Trust Act) to restrict city resources from assisting federal civil immigration enforcement. The session also saw intense public debate over the tax-related closure of the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC), drawing a clarifying response from the city's tax administrator regarding compliance and the 10% amusement tax.

This session marks a major milestone in local immigration policy via the passage of sanctuary-style restrictions, while highlighting deep tensions over local business survival, tax compliance, and the future of Midtown's cultural scene.

Section summaries

0:00-3:55

Intro and Agenda Overview

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The council calls the legislative session to order, conducts roll call, offers condolences, and notes an executive session was held regarding legal matters.

This section contains purely administrative roll calls and agenda readouts.

3:55-23:30

Susquehanna Art Museum Presentation

optional

Alice Anne Schwab presents on the history of the Susquehanna Art Museum, their 'Van Go' mobile museum on wheels, and upcoming exhibitions on the Susquehanna River. Council issues a celebratory 10-year proclamation.

It offers an interesting overview of local cultural outreach, but contains no legislative decisions.

23:30-50:55

Public Comment: Trust Act and HMAC

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Midtown residents deliver public testimony urging council to strengthen ICE restrictions and save the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) from closure.

This shows the passionate community-driven demand behind the evening's main legislative topics.

50:55-1:26:10

Opposing Views and Veteran Testimonies

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Includes testimonies opposing undocumented immigration, personal stories of how HMAC served as a community sanctuary, and reports of ICE sightings in the city.

It highlights the deep-seated polarization and neighborhood tensions surrounding sanctuary ordinances.

1:26:10-1:34:00

Tax Administrator's Clarification

watch

Mike Hughes clarifies the mechanics of the 10% amusement tax, corrects rumors of local business closures, and recounts HMAC's unfulfilled payment promises.

Provides the essential fiscal facts and city counterpoint to public claims.

1:34:00-1:49:40

Trust Act Amendments (1-4)

watch

Council debates and adopts amendments to Bill 1, including restricting data collection and striking the word 'solely' from cooperation limits.

Crucial legislative work where the specific legal restrictions of the bill are actively shaped.

1:49:40-2:09:15

Debating ICE Bans in Public Facilities

watch

Extended debate on restricting ICE from public properties. Councilwoman Ross withdraws the proposal due to civil liberty and litigation warnings.

Exposes the legal constraints and debates over the limits of local municipal powers.

2:09:15-2:24:55

Adding Disciplinary 'Teeth' to Bill 1

watch

Council designs an amendment to penalize city employees who violate Bill 1 without infringing upon union contracts, adopting it as Amendment 5.

Shows how council navigates collective bargaining and municipal labor law to enforce ordinances.

2:24:55-2:32:45

Trust Act Final Vote & Billboards

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Council unanimously passes Bill 1 of 2026 as amended and refers billboard lease resolutions to committees.

Contains the historic final vote and passage of the Trust Act.

2:32:45-2:32:45

New Business & Adjournment

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Council notes the downtown survey, honors Black History Month, and adjourns the legislative session.

Wraps up with minor informational announcements and standard adjournment procedures.

Key points

  • Passage of the Harrisburg Trust Act (Bill 1 of 2026) — Council passed a modified version of Bill 1 of 2026, restricting city resources, funds, and personnel from assisting in federal civil immigration enforcement. Key amendments barred collecting immigration data on municipal forms and set disciplinary measures for non-compliant city staff under union procedures.
  • Legal Boundaries of Restricting Federal Officers — Council members debated banning ICE from all public city properties but withdrew the proposal after Solicitor Grover warned that barring individuals from public areas poses severe constitutional challenges and risks lawsuits.
  • HMAC Tax Compliance Conflict — Midtown residents and patrons rallied to save the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC), currently closed due to unpaid taxes, advocating for a lenient payment plan to save a vital cultural hub.
  • Amusement Tax Under Fire — Tax Administrator Mike Hughes clarified that Harrisburg's 10% amusement tax (split equally between the city and school district) is a pass-through tax levied on patrons, not the venue itself, and noted that HMAC's operator has a history of unkept financial promises.
This tax is a transitional tax similar to sales tax. It's not on the venue. It's on the patron. The person coming to the door, the person purchasing the ticket, they are paying this tax. Mike Hughes
We have to protect ourselves as a community, not always depending on government to do that. Vice President Jones

AI-generated from the transcript. May contain errors.

0:57

Thank you for your patience this

0:59

evening. Um, Harrisburg City Council

1:01

will conduct a legislative caucus prior

1:04

to the start of the legislative session.

1:06

So following this caucus, I will call

1:09

the meeting to order. Mr. Humphrey will

1:12

call the role. The invocation this

1:14

evening will be led by Vice President

1:16

Jones, followed by the pledge of

1:18

allegiance, which will be led by

1:20

Councilman Lawson. For communications

1:23

this evening, we are joined by an Alice

1:26

Anne Schwab, who serves as the executive

1:29

director of the Suscuana Art Museum. We

1:32

will then move to courtesy of the floor

1:35

followed by the approval of the minutes

1:37

for the legislative session that

1:38

occurred on February 10th, 2026.

1:43

We have one committee report that will

1:46

be shared this evening by our public

1:49

safety committee chair, Councilwoman

1:51

Green, on the work session of February

1:54

17th, 2026.

1:58

We have three ordinances for first

2:00

reading. Bill 2 of 2026,

2:05

Bill 3 of 2026, and Bill 4 of 2026.

2:11

We will then move to ordinances for

2:12

amendment, bill 1 of 2026.

2:17

And then ordinances for final passage,

2:19

bill 1 of 2026, which we will vote upon.

2:25

Then resolutions. Uh the first

2:28

resolution for consideration is

2:29

resolution 10 of 2026

2:32

which will move to the public works

2:34

committee. Resolution 11 of 2026 which

2:38

will move to the public works committee.

2:41

Resolution 12 of 2026 which will move to

2:44

the administration committee. Resolution

2:47

13 of 2026 will move to the

2:49

administration committee. Resolution 14

2:52

of 2026 will move to the administration

2:55

committee. and resolution 15 of 2026

2:58

will move to the administration

3:00

committee.

3:02

Is there any old business for

3:03

discussion? Council members,

3:09

we have invited Mr. Mike Hughes um to

3:14

discuss the amusement tax. Any new

3:17

business, council members?

3:21

Okay. And then we will adjourn.

3:24

So, let's get started. The time is 6:19

3:27

p.m. I would like to call our

3:29

legislative session to order.

3:33

I would like the meeting record to

3:35

reflect um we are a little late um

3:38

getting started this evening. We um

3:40

Harrisburg City Council hosted an

3:42

executive session to discuss legal

3:44

matters prior to the start of this

3:46

meeting. Mr. Humphrey, could you please

3:48

call the role?

3:50

>> Miss Davis,

3:51

>> present.

3:52

>> Miss Green,

3:53

>> present.

3:55

Mr. Jones

3:56

>> here.

3:57

>> Mr. Lawson

3:58

>> here.

4:00

>> Miss RWS

4:01

>> present.

4:02

>> Mr. Rodriguez

4:03

>> present.

4:04

>> Miss Hill

4:05

>> present. Thank you. The invocation this

4:08

evening will be led by Vice President

4:10

Jones.

4:12

>> Thank you. Uh just want to send out um

4:15

some healing energy to a few families.

4:18

Um a couple of them are uh grieving the

4:21

loss. One in particular is uh Terasa

4:25

Cameron, our uh deputy solicitor. Um so

4:29

definitely want to say some prayers for

4:31

her. Also want to send um you know my

4:34

condolences and prayers to the Riley

4:37

family, the Cookie family, the Clark

4:40

family, and also some healing energy for

4:43

our very own uh Ross family,

4:46

Councilwoman Ross. I send prayers out

4:48

for Mr. Jesse Ross. Um, so and for those

4:52

families that lost loved ones, I just

4:54

want to say uh just get a moment of

4:56

silence for them, but also just to uh

4:59

the public, you know, there's some

5:00

trying times that we're facing right

5:02

now. And um we're losing people every

5:05

day. Just make sure you get an

5:07

opportunity to tell your friends and

5:08

your loved ones that you love them. Um

5:11

so please join me in a moment of silence

5:13

for a second.

5:18

Thank you.

5:20

Thank you, Vice President Jones. The

5:22

pledge of allegiance will be led by

5:24

Councilman Lawson.

5:43

exercising their first rights and it's

5:46

something that we will stand

5:56

to the flag of the United States of

5:58

America and to the republic for it

6:01

stands one nation

6:04

indivisibley

6:06

andice for all

6:12

>> thank Thank you, Councilman Lawson. We

6:14

are joined this evening by Miss Alice

6:17

Anne Schwab. She serves as the executive

6:20

director of the Suscuana Art Museum.

6:23

Please. Thank you. Thanks for inviting

6:26

me as well to be here and tell you a

6:29

little bit about our Suscuana Art

6:31

Museum. Um it's not lost on me that I'm

6:34

here on a night when there are people

6:37

from our neighborhood and um I honor our

6:41

neighbors. um in in the spirit of third

6:45

street celebration and um also sometimes

6:49

not so much. Um so Susuana Art Museum

6:54

was founded in 1989

6:58

and we were considered a museum without

7:01

walls. A museum without walls sounds

7:03

strange perhaps, but the founders wanted

7:06

to have something that would be for

7:08

educating youth and in the visual arts.

7:11

We were the only state capital in the

7:14

United States that did not have a

7:17

dedicated art museum in 1989.

7:20

So knowing that a bricks and mortar

7:22

establishment was going to cost a whole

7:24

lot of money and

7:27

be something that they couldn't afford,

7:29

they got a bus donated by area transit

7:32

and we're still on number two. And that

7:35

bus was uh retrofitted to be a museum

7:40

and we traveled around starting in 1992

7:44

in that the one that's down with the

7:45

rainbow um that says Van Go. Um since

7:50

that one and the one that's just above

7:52

it, uh we have had four generations of

7:56

Vanos. So traveling museums with wheels.

8:00

Um, our current Bango is on the next

8:03

slide and it's a 2022 Winnebago that was

8:07

customdesigned to be a traveling art

8:09

museum as opposed to retoled um, you

8:12

know, mobile home. Um, we visit schools,

8:15

we visit festivals, um, children's camps

8:18

and many locations throughout the year

8:21

bringing art to about 10,000 students

8:23

each year.

8:24

We try and before COVID were successful

8:28

in visiting every elementary school and

8:30

some of the um middle schools as well in

8:33

the Harrisburg school district, but I'm

8:34

not going to lie, since co it's been an

8:37

additional challenge to be able to get

8:38

to every school, but it is a goal that

8:40

we have.

8:44

So, those of you that have been around

8:46

Harrisburg for a while um might

8:48

recognize this corner. This is Third and

8:51

Market Streets diagonally across from

8:53

Whitaker Center. And this was one of the

8:56

museum's earlier bricks and mortals

8:58

mortar locations. It was a rented space.

9:01

Um, and the museum called that home for

9:04

about 10 years. When the owner of that

9:07

building decided that uh he was going to

9:09

sell the property in 2010, the museum

9:12

had to move. And that then we started

9:16

existing nomadically for about five

9:18

years. I Hey, we I wasn't there, but

9:22

I've heard the story. Um,

9:26

in January of 2015,

9:28

Sesuan Art Museum opened as a

9:30

non-collecting entity at Third and

9:33

Calder Streets. And you've all been

9:35

there, I'm sure.

9:40

So,

9:42

we converted uh what had been a branch

9:45

of the Fulton Bank most recently and

9:48

added a new addition that was really

9:51

worldclass museum space.

9:55

There were some financial issues with

9:57

regard to Saskuana Art Museum. Perhaps

9:59

you've heard about them.

10:03

At the end of 2017,

10:06

a recently reinvigorated museum board

10:08

member, by the way, we are um governed

10:11

by a nonprofit board of amazing people.

10:14

Um this board member, Tom Phillips,

10:17

announced that he believed in our

10:19

mission. He believed in our

10:20

sustainability. And he made us a

10:22

challenge. You raise $1 million

10:26

in a year, and I will give you $2

10:29

million over 20 years.

10:33

So that was very amazing for us. Um it

10:38

was transformational obviously and so

10:41

now we are called Susuana Art Museum at

10:45

the Marty and Tom Phillips Family Arts

10:47

Center. We shortened that sometimes to

10:50

say Sam at the Marty after Marty

10:52

Phillips.

10:55

The museum has received additional

10:58

naming grants from community members. In

11:00

2018, the Dodto family vault was named

11:04

and an unusual but now highly popular

11:08

exhibition area was made of the inside

11:10

of the bank's original vault.

11:14

In 2019, Suscoan Art Museum's main

11:17

gallery, where we exhibit the most

11:19

precious exhibitions, was renamed

11:22

Beverly and Bill Lair Gallery in

11:24

recognition of the countless hours of

11:27

time and funds that Bill Lair gave to

11:30

help write the ship when we needed it

11:33

most.

11:36

Also in 2019, the Pollock Foundation

11:39

named our education center gallery.

11:43

The Pollock Foundation has been a

11:45

consistent partner in developing our

11:47

educational programming.

11:50

And speaking of educational programming,

11:53

Sescuana Art Museum is a partner for the

11:56

Pennsylvania Steam Academy, which is

11:58

located just north of our facility, we

12:01

serve as a visual arts component that

12:04

helps make up that A in the word steam.

12:07

And we believe we have the only

12:09

museum-based elementary education

12:12

program uh museum-based education

12:15

program curricula in the United States.

12:20

So we welcome all school groups many of

12:23

whom uh make an exhibition related art

12:26

project while they're there at the

12:27

museum. We have Saturday morning art

12:29

classes. They take place in the context

12:32

of the exhibitions themselves. all our

12:35

classes tie in with the work that's

12:37

currently on exhibit.

12:41

Now, our main event, so to speak, uh we

12:46

um just closed this past weekend if her

12:49

street could talk. And you all know

12:51

where her street is. Um

12:56

Elron Scumby graduated from Harrisburg

12:58

High School in 2004. There's an awful

13:01

lot of people who know Gumby family

13:03

members and he has a huge extended

13:05

family. They are all incredibly proud of

13:08

their son uh and their son of

13:10

Harrisburg. Um Mr. Gumby has made a

13:14

serious and important mark on the

13:16

international art scene. The exhibition

13:20

was, I'm sorry to say, was a fabulous

13:23

homecoming for Altron and for the

13:25

community and they've really showed up.

13:28

Our exhibition statistics have been

13:31

tremendous while he was here. And I

13:33

couldn't resist but to do a video and

13:35

we'll see how Cedric is is so talented.

13:38

I'm not. So, he can play an embedded

13:40

video for you. This is Alterance's

13:43

documentary, the first documentary made

13:45

about

13:47

>> Cool. So, we're ready. Come on in.

13:52

>> This is just a trailer. Hold up.

13:57

>> This is a journey into color.

14:02

Color is all around us. It's full of

14:05

information. Sometimes we just take it

14:07

for granted. I think that's a part of

14:08

why I wanted to make this documentary is

14:10

to not only educate an audience, but

14:13

also to educate myself.

14:16

My name is Al Terance Gumby, kind of a

14:18

multi-disipline artist.

14:24

What you're going to see in this

14:25

documentary is an experience of color.

14:28

You're going to go on a journey to

14:30

places like Marty Gro, the Holly

14:32

Celebration in India, places around New

14:35

York City, from my studio to the Museum

14:38

of Metropolitan Art.

14:41

>> Cara, take one. So, I'm trying to bring

14:45

us back

14:45

>> and let's go back. Let's go. We're

14:47

bringing it back.

14:49

>> I wanted to go to Martyra because Marty

14:51

Gro is also deemed as one of those

14:53

celebrations of color.

14:55

>> Welcome to New Orleans.

15:00

>> With the costume, the people, the food,

15:03

the drinks, the excitement. There's so

15:05

much color to experience. The Great

15:09

Barrier Reef is another place that we'll

15:11

be going to. The water actually creates

15:14

a filter for how color is experienced.

15:17

For us

15:19

in Norway, we will see the northern

15:22

lights phenomenon that happens when

15:24

solar rays interacts with the earth's

15:27

magnetic field that then causes these

15:30

interaction of color and light.

15:41

I'm here with Nab talking about gula.

15:47

>> How many colors are there usually?

15:50

>> 20 to 25 different colors.

15:52

>> Yeah.

15:56

>> Traveling to Morocco and experiencing

15:58

the spice market is something I've

16:00

always wanted to do.

16:02

The color that is manifested within

16:05

food. We get this new realization of

16:08

color through food.

16:10

>> Tamashi, take one.

16:12

>> Color is just color, you know. They

16:14

communicate temperature. They

16:15

communicate tone. Um, and they help us

16:18

have fun.

16:21

>> We're here with Michael Ambbron, the

16:23

pigment guru. This is magic. I can't

16:27

stop looking at this paint.

16:31

Who doesn't love fashion? We wake up and

16:33

the first thing we do is we put on

16:35

clothes. Within this documentary, you

16:37

will see Jerome Lamar in the

16:39

Metropolitan Museum of Art. You're going

16:42

to see us going to the Great Hall of

16:43

Gems at the Museum of Natural History

16:46

and have a conversation about gemstones

16:48

and color and the history of this

16:50

planet.

16:53

This is a journey into color.

17:01

There's a second documentary. They're in

17:03

postp production now called um Color in

17:07

Nature. So, be on the lookout for that.

17:09

I'm just so proud that we were able to

17:12

be able to do this exhibit with Altron.

17:15

Um, as I mentioned, we're founded as a

17:18

non-collecting museum, and that means

17:21

that we don't have a collection. There's

17:24

not not a basement full of stuff. We're

17:26

always bringing new things for the

17:28

public to see and enjoy and exhibitions

17:30

change every three to four months um in

17:34

each of our five exhibition areas.

17:36

Sadly, if you did not get to see

17:37

Alterance's If Her Street Could Talk, um

17:40

you missed it. And that's just how

17:42

things go at Susan Art Museum. You have

17:44

to keep coming back to see us. Um, we

17:47

recently became a nonprofit partner of

17:49

America 250 Pennsylvania as we prepare

17:53

to help our nation celebrate its

17:55

semiquinn centennial,

17:57

American Identity, which I some of you

18:00

have a postcard I put in front of you.

18:03

Um, is our next exhibit, Restoring the

18:06

Artistic Legacy of the Suscuana River.

18:08

It opens to the public on March 14th.

18:11

And this exhibition is uh historical in

18:14

nature and it features art made about

18:17

our river. The Suscuana, as you might

18:20

know, is the fifth oldest river in the

18:22

world. And the beauty has inspired

18:25

artists for centuries. It seemed

18:28

incredibly timely to bring this

18:29

exhibition to Harrisburg

18:31

um for our 250th celebration.

18:35

So why have an art museum in Harrisburg?

18:39

Museums are, according to statistical

18:41

research, a highly trusted source of

18:44

information, bringing beauty and joy to

18:47

the world that frankly needs it.

18:51

People who spend time with art in

18:53

museums are purported to be more

18:55

empathetic, certainly more creative, and

18:58

better able to assimilate information.

19:01

Museums like Susuana Art Museum are

19:04

community resources and we are delighted

19:06

to be able to share the beauty of art

19:08

from all over the world, contemporary

19:11

and historic, international, and from

19:14

artists that are right here in our

19:16

neighborhood.

19:17

While we're located in a rather imposing

19:19

100-year-old bank building,

19:24

we've got the only painted Verizon 5G

19:26

pole in the entire United States. It was

19:29

designed by local artist even Michael

19:31

Hos whose ubiquitous style you may

19:33

recognize from all over town. Um there

19:37

is a story behind that. I'd be glad to

19:38

share it another m moment if you want to

19:41

hear about it. Um, I do hope you'll come

19:43

to visit us, visit us soon, visit us

19:46

often, and um, I want to say thank you

19:50

to council because um, you did approve

19:53

uh, at a recent meeting our plans to

19:56

move forward with a new courtyard in the

19:59

area just north of the museum's

20:00

footprint. Um,

20:04

in this space that you see here, uh,

20:07

Roguel plans to begin work mid-March,

20:10

and by this summer, we intend to have a

20:13

lovely new outdoor flat courtyard area.

20:18

Um, we look forward to welcoming the

20:20

community to be able to be a part

20:23

indoors and outdoors of Sesuana Art

20:26

Museum. Thank you so much for

20:29

>> Thank you. Thank you very much for

20:31

sharing.

20:38

We do have a proclamation for you in

20:40

celebration of your 10 years um and your

20:44

third street location. So bear with me

20:46

for a moment. The city of Harrisburg,

20:48

Pennsylvania office of city council and

20:51

office of city clerk

20:54

proclamation.

20:55

Whereas the city of Harrisburg applauds

20:58

the Suscuana Art Museum for their

21:00

dedicated commitment to sharing modern

21:02

art with the greater Harrisburg area for

21:04

10 years. And whereas the Suscuana Art

21:07

Museum carries out its mission to

21:10

promote art appreciation and education

21:13

by bringing a rotation of exceptional

21:16

exhibitions to South Central

21:18

Pennsylvania.

21:20

And whereas the dream of the Suscuana

21:23

Art Museum began in 1989 when a group of

21:27

central Pennsylvania art educators who

21:30

felt strongly that the capital city

21:32

needed an art museum. The art educators

21:35

worked with community leaders,

21:37

businessmen and women, and volunteers to

21:40

make their dream a reality.

21:43

And whereas the Suscuana Art Museum is

21:46

central Pennsylvania's only dedicated

21:48

art museum, a permanent facility in

21:51

Midtown Harrisburg opened in January of

21:54

2015.

21:56

And whereas the Sesuana Art Museum

21:58

offers drawing, painting, sculpture, art

22:02

history, and art appreciation for

22:04

children, a kids art club, open figure

22:07

drawing, and summer camps. And whereas

22:10

the Suscuana Art Museum hosts an

22:13

outreach program, the Van Go Museum on

22:15

Wheels, which is a 34 foot custom

22:18

Wnebago equipped with an onboard museum

22:22

gallery teaching all children that

22:25

creativity lies within each of us. And

22:28

whereas the Suscuana Art Museum hosts

22:31

classes, lectures, workshops, and

22:33

discussions for adults.

22:36

And now therefore, be it hereby proclaim

22:38

that Harrisburg City Council commends

22:41

the Suscoana Art Museum for their vision

22:44

to be a leading cultural institution

22:47

that inspires and engages diverse

22:50

communities through extraordinary art

22:53

expanding perspectives and presenting

22:56

new ways of seeing our world. And be it

22:59

further proclaimed that Harrisburg City

23:01

Council wishes to extend best wishes for

23:04

successful years to come. Signed and

23:07

attested in the city of Harrisburg,

23:09

Pennsylvania. Cedric Humphrey, assistant

23:12

city clerk. Danielle Elill, Harrisburg

23:15

City Council. Of course, we'd like to

23:17

take a picture if you wouldn't mind.

23:19

>> I wouldn't mind. And you all you said it

23:21

so much better than I did.

23:23

>> Thank you.

23:37

Okay.

24:30

Thank you. We will move forward with our

24:32

meeting agenda by opening the floor for

24:35

courtesy of the floor. Just a few

24:38

housekeeping notes before we begin.

24:41

Please state your name and your address

24:43

for the meeting record. If you don't

24:45

feel comfortable sharing your address,

24:47

please share the vicinity in which you

24:49

live within the city, you will have four

24:52

minutes to share your comments.

24:56

Mr. Humphrey has added a for your

24:59

reference. I will begin to my right. Is

25:02

there anyone that would like to offer

25:04

public comment?

25:11

One more reminder. In our council rules,

25:14

it notes that if um many people or a

25:18

group of individuals are speaking on the

25:21

same topic, we would ask that you please

25:23

designate a spokesperson. Thank you.

25:28

>> Uh good evening, council. I am Brian

25:30

Keysling from Midtown. Last week, ICE

25:34

murdered a black woman. Her name was

25:36

Linda Davis. She was a special education

25:38

teacher down in Georgia. ICE initiated a

25:41

car chase against a different

25:43

individual. Uh she was hit, she was

25:46

pinned, they saw that she was hurt and

25:48

they denied her medical care and she

25:49

died. She was loved by her family and

25:52

her community and her students. And to

25:55

our government, she's collateral damage

25:57

in a white supremacist attack on

26:00

immigrants, citizens, anybody.

26:04

and her murder highlights the importance

26:07

of legislation protecting the people of

26:10

this city from ICE because what happened

26:13

to her could h any single one of us in

26:15

this room. It could happen to any one of

26:17

us in this room. So I see on the agenda

26:20

tonight that there is room for

26:22

amendments to be added to the

26:23

legislation. I know you have received

26:25

recommendations from a variety of

26:27

people, a variety of different groups

26:29

who have suggested a bunch of different

26:31

things. I urge you to take each of those

26:33

into consideration and any of them that

26:35

make this bill stronger, add them to the

26:38

bill. I urge you specifically to ban ICE

26:42

from all public property in the city,

26:44

not just non-public city property.

26:47

Because what they did to her, if they

26:49

can access public property in this city,

26:52

it makes it all the easier for any

26:53

single one of us to suffer the same

26:55

fate. Because to them, we're either

26:58

targets or collateral damage, and that's

27:00

all it is.

27:02

I urge you to pass the bill tonight

27:04

and to not let this be the end of it. It

27:07

can continue to be stronger going

27:08

forward. It doesn't have to be a

27:10

oneanddone thing. This is an evolving

27:12

situation. I urge you as a body to write

27:16

letters or contact the mayor, the county

27:19

commissioners, the governor, the people

27:21

who are inside, the people who are

27:23

outside. They're all going to contact

27:25

higher levels of office, too. But as a

27:27

body, we need you to say as a city to

27:30

work with you so that you can work with

27:32

us and give us what we need to do

27:34

because we're going to continue to push

27:35

at all levels. And we're also going to

27:36

continue to take self-defense seriously

27:38

as a community regardless of what we end

27:41

up getting from the governor or any

27:43

other elected official. Uh, I urge that

27:47

if now or any time in the future you're

27:50

advised that what we've got is the best

27:53

that we can get to please seek better

27:55

advice because this is evolving. It's

27:57

going to be ongoing and we can make it

27:59

stronger. Uh,

28:02

that's that's the most important thing.

28:04

We can make it stronger. We can keep

28:06

people safe. There are really specific

28:08

things we can do like banning them from

28:10

public property, like addressing

28:12

surveillance issues, like addressing

28:14

data protection issues, keeping ICE out

28:17

of our community to make sure that the

28:19

people who live in this city can live

28:23

lives of dignity and not be under threat

28:25

by a fascist government that has said,

28:27

"We don't care who you are. We will come

28:29

for you." They're coming for everybody.

28:32

So, thank you again for your

28:33

consideration on this issue. Thank you

28:35

for your diligence and taking the time

28:37

on it. Thank you to those who have

28:39

spoken out publicly about this.

28:42

We know that it's a step forward. We

28:44

know it's a step in the right direction,

28:45

but we can always do more. So, thank you

28:47

very much. And we're we're watching and

28:50

we're listening and we're we're hoping

28:52

for the best that we can get because

28:53

it's a long fight ahead of us. Thank

28:54

you.

28:56

>> Thank you.

29:05

Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

29:08

right that would like to offer public

29:09

comment?

29:14

>> Hi, my name is Sarah Pinter. I'm a

29:16

resident of Midtown. Um, I wanted to

29:18

thank council for the opportunity to

29:20

speak tonight. Um, I'm just here as a

29:23

concerned citizen. Um, and I wanted to

29:25

say that I appreciate the efforts of

29:26

council to take action to stop the

29:29

abduction of our neighbors and the

29:31

transfer of human beings to

29:33

concentration camps at the hands of ICE.

29:35

While the proposed resolution on

29:37

tonight's agenda is a step in the right

29:38

direction, it's no secret that such a

29:41

policy does not do nearly enough to

29:43

protect the people of Harrisburg from

29:45

the unspeakable violence and cruelty ICE

29:47

inflicts in all places they are present.

29:51

Restriction on cooperation with ICE is

29:53

the absolute bare minimum. Protecting

29:55

our immigrant neighbors and all

29:56

residents of Harrisburg requires

29:58

proactive policies like those sent in

30:00

the example welcoming ordinances sent to

30:03

council a few weeks ago and other

30:05

measures that would help to uh make this

30:09

resolution a little bit more robust and

30:11

strong. I would strongly encourage

30:13

um I understand that council may only

30:15

act within its authority, but I do urge

30:18

robust creative solutions that not only

30:21

help to keep people safe, but help them

30:23

thrive here in Harrisburg, which is

30:25

their home.

30:27

At a minimum, I urge council to ban ICE

30:30

presence in any public space uh in line

30:33

with the comments of the gentleman

30:34

before me um and to refuse their entry

30:37

into city affiliated events. Such a

30:41

policy is critical to keep all

30:42

Harrisburgers, especially immigrants and

30:44

people of color safe, and it upholds the

30:47

city's autonomy over this fascist

30:49

incursion at the hands of the federal

30:50

government.

30:52

I also urge council to completely ban

30:55

any data or information sharing with ICE

30:57

in any form, including for law

30:59

enforcement purposes.

31:01

I will remind all present as we gather

31:04

here on the ancestral land of the

31:05

Saskuhan people that no one is illegal

31:08

on stolen land. And we owe it to each

31:11

other to stand together to oppose

31:13

imperialism, fascism, and all forms of

31:16

white supremacy. Because to paraphrase,

31:19

that which they will do to the least of

31:21

our neighbors, that they do unto us. To

31:24

our immigrant neighbors, your community

31:26

loves you and we will stand with you.

31:27

Thank you.

31:38

Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

31:39

right that would like to offer public

31:41

comment?

31:53

Hi there. My name is Paty Simpson. and I

31:55

live in Susquana Township, but I am

31:57

speaking tonight on behalf of HMAC and I

31:59

kind of feel bad following after these

32:02

past two people who have been talking

32:04

about such important things. But what

32:06

I'm talking about is important as well.

32:08

I've been going to HMAC for a long, long

32:11

time. And I uh it's a part of my life.

32:14

It's part of my community. I um my

32:17

family, my friends get together there to

32:19

celebrate birthdays. We sit on the porch

32:20

with our dogs. Uh, I've seen concerts at

32:23

comedians there, but a apart from my

32:26

personal feelings about HMAC. Um, I do

32:29

want to point out that everyone should

32:31

be concerned about the issue of why so

32:33

many restaurants and businesses are

32:35

closing and leaving the city. We lost

32:37

Burger Yum. Um, we also lost I lost my

32:40

pace there. We lost Aruga's Home 231.

32:44

The anchor of Somo El Soul is leaving.

32:47

Uh ABC's Brew Club closed the Vegetable

32:50

Hunter, Masa, Aroma on Second, Zero Day

32:53

Tap Room, Taco Amigos, Oldtown Delica,

32:57

Pastorant, and there's so many more. And

32:59

no one's been able to make a go of the

33:01

space on Second Street that was a

33:03

one-time the quarters. And throw in all

33:05

the uh lost businesses and chaos

33:08

surrounding the Broad Street Market. I'm

33:10

sure I'm missing people, but you do get

33:12

the point. Each one of these closed

33:14

businesses represents lost income for

33:16

the city, the owners, the employees, the

33:19

community like myself and the loss of

33:21

the familiar and sense of community of

33:24

the patrons.

33:26

Um, I don't know why these restaurants

33:28

have closed and businesses have closed

33:30

or moved out of the city, but it's above

33:32

my pay grade, but someone needs to

33:34

figure this out before our city looks

33:36

like the pre-rest row era. City Council,

33:39

I charge you with figuring out what our

33:41

city is doing wrong, that we can't keep

33:43

these restaurants and businesses, why we

33:45

can't have nice things here, and please,

33:48

please find a way to keep me from having

33:50

to add HMAC to my ever growing list of

33:53

businesses that's were important to my

33:55

life that is no longer here. Thank you

33:56

very much.

33:58

>> Thank you.

34:04

>> Is there anyone else to my right that

34:06

would like to offer public comment?

34:12

Uh, hello. My name is Toby. Um,

34:16

a really big thing that I've been

34:19

dealing with is um, oh, sorry, I live in

34:22

Midtown. Um,

34:25

landlords are

34:28

wanting people to make three times the

34:31

rent before they even get qualified to

34:34

like give the landlord any money.

34:37

Um, I believe that there should be some

34:41

type of rule. Um, I'm not sure if the

34:44

city council can make it, but some type

34:47

of rule that makes it so uh

34:52

having three times the rent isn't a

34:54

qualifi qualification

34:56

um to even for them to even think about

34:59

um renting out to somebody.

35:02

Um,

35:04

I honestly I think it's very

35:06

discriminatory

35:08

and uh that's all. Thank you.

35:12

>> Thank you, Toby.

35:17

Is there anyone else to my right that

35:19

would like to offer public comment?

35:22

>> Uh, good afternoon everybody. Hope

35:24

everyone is having a wonderful day

35:26

today. Uh, my name is Estrea Lopez. Uh I

35:28

am a proud member of we are Kasa

35:30

committee today and I just want to

35:32

comment on a similar issue to my two

35:34

peers over here. Um, as someone who has

35:37

been born and raised in Harrisburg,

35:38

Pennsylvania for 18 years now, I want

35:40

you guys to take in in consideration and

35:43

please support the Harrisburg Trust Act,

35:46

also known as Bill 2026

35:48

because it is I just want you guys to

35:51

take ination that as someone who has

35:53

been living here and seen all the

35:56

diversity and all the freedom, it is

35:59

very sad to see that we are living in

36:01

chaos and fear. Um, I just want you guys

36:05

to see the issues that's going on to

36:08

please look at it. Um, I also uh want to

36:12

uh for the safety of our community, for

36:14

our safety of our community, and to

36:16

please continue the legacy and the

36:18

freedom that Harrisburg has always been

36:20

known for. And that's um also where I

36:23

have been born and seen in. So, I'm a

36:26

little nervous today. So, but I just

36:28

want you guys to please take in

36:29

consideration especially for our

36:31

community, our people who are living in

36:34

fear, who are not going out of their

36:36

houses. Um, especially my family, our

36:39

neighbors. We know that Harrisburg is

36:42

known for people knowing each other, for

36:45

uh bonding. We know that Harrisburg, the

36:48

city, the city is small, but we all know

36:50

each other. We all love each other. And

36:53

it will be a shame that that spark will

36:55

go away because of the fear, because of

36:58

the chaos that's going on. And that is

37:00

why we want to uh keep fighting and for

37:03

you guys to keep in consideration. Thank

37:05

you.

37:07

>> Thank you.

37:12

Do you mind stating your address or the

37:14

vicinity in which you live? It's just

37:16

for our meeting record, Miss Lopez.

37:20

>> The city.

37:22

Yes. Where your address or where you

37:25

live?

37:25

>> Uh, I live in Bear Hill Street Hill

37:27

Street. Harrisburg.

37:28

>> That's good. Thank you.

37:33

>> How you doing? My name is Antoine. I'm

37:35

from Midtown. Um, I a come up here and

37:38

speak about a lot of different things. I

37:39

thought I don't like the parking on

37:40

Second Street in front of my house. I

37:41

don't like paying for it. But my issue

37:43

at hand uh hmat I mean uh a lot of young

37:47

talents from the city get to come there

37:49

and

37:51

even get a stage presence to even build

37:53

their heart up to even express yourself

37:55

and try to start to live out their

37:57

dreams there. It's also a place where uh

38:00

a lot of um different cultures and

38:02

communities get together. You know what

38:03

I mean? political LBG. Uh, no matter

38:07

where you anywhere else you going to go

38:08

to see a rap concert and a rock and roll

38:10

concert at the same spot and sit there

38:12

in the gallery with politicals and

38:14

everybody, you know, I mean, sharing

38:15

their own mental mentals and and

38:17

expanding mind frames and business

38:19

frames and and networking. That's the

38:21

word for doing a lot of networking. It's

38:22

a it's a good spot to come together and

38:24

get things right in the community if you

38:26

use it for that. You I mean, you got you

38:28

got to look at you got to look at a lot

38:29

of a lot of different different aspects

38:31

of the game here. You know what I'm

38:32

saying? There's people outside in the

38:34

city that come to me. What's wrong with

38:35

the H? What's going Because a lot of

38:36

people in the city love the HMAP. They

38:38

don't want it to go. They they come

38:40

there for certain things like people

38:42

come there with their family for trivia

38:43

every week. Poetry, you know, I mean,

38:45

come poetry every week. They do things

38:47

every week. Karaoke, people get on stage

38:49

and and and get their get their styles

38:51

right, get get themselves together. I

38:53

mean, Harrisburg needs stuff like that.

38:54

We need places to people can go and and

38:57

and get their and get their craft

38:58

together. They don't have that no more.

38:59

We don't got after school program a lot

39:01

of after school programs and five on f5s

39:03

and three on threes and different things

39:05

that we had in the 90s coming up in the

39:06

80s coming up. We don't have that no

39:08

more. We need that back in the city.

39:09

Sorry about that. Work on but um y'all

39:12

need y'all need to uh look at the HMAC

39:15

situation. You know what I'm saying? And

39:16

like keep that there. We need that in

39:17

our community. You know what I'm saying?

39:18

Because they bring a lot of people from

39:20

different areas from York, Lebanon, and

39:22

Lancaster to come outside and express

39:23

their talents and get together with

39:25

people and take that to other places.

39:26

Bring bringing money into the city from

39:28

outside of the city. That's what it's

39:29

all about. You want the city to grow.

39:31

You want to get the kids off the street.

39:32

Nah, they got they got things going on

39:34

there for people. You I mean, people sit

39:36

there, nah, they got them wild young

39:38

boys in the street. They want to be

39:39

musicians. They want to be rap stars.

39:41

You know what they going to do? They

39:42

going to take some of that time off of

39:43

the street and go and get their craft

39:44

right to get on stage. You know what I'm

39:46

saying? And get people for community

39:47

that's going to be on their back about

39:48

that. You know what I mean? Don't take

39:50

it away from them. Help them out. If

39:52

y'all want to see to get it right, y'all

39:53

want y'all want to get get it right.

39:54

Y'all got to know what y'all doing. But

39:57

don't try to take the HMAC away from a

39:59

lot of people gonna be mad and then

40:00

y'all gonna be mad when they turn up.

40:02

That's all I got to say.

40:09

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

40:10

right that would like to offer public

40:12

comment?

40:14

>> Hi, my name is Kevin Knox. I'm from

40:16

Midtown Harrisburg. I just wanted to

40:18

reiterate um right now HMAC is closed

40:22

and we're trying to pay the back taxes

40:24

that we owe to the city and the city

40:27

doesn't seem to be helping us out or

40:29

coming to any agreement with us. And I

40:32

just want to mention that there is a lot

40:34

of support. If everyone anyone who's

40:36

here for HMAC, please stand up.

40:40

It has a lot of support in the community

40:42

and without HMAC there won't be that

40:45

community. So, please, city council,

40:48

help the city and the owners get

40:51

together and come up with a plan. Thank

40:53

you very much.

40:55

>> Thank you.

40:59

>> Is there anyone else my right that would

41:01

like to offer public comment?

41:04

>> Hi. Um, my name is Taylor from North

41:07

Street Harrisburg.

41:09

And I'm gonna be real. I'm so freaking

41:12

nervous. But literally the only reason

41:14

I'm even brave enough is because of the

41:17

space HMAC lent.

41:20

Um

41:23

so I was an employee, a patron, um just

41:29

a community member there and the one

41:31

thing I need is a staple in our

41:34

community to be given the chance to

41:35

still be a part of it. Um, I started

41:38

coming to HMAC in August 2021 for poetry

41:43

and I was a new mom. Um, I needed to get

41:48

out of the house and find something for

41:50

myself, find myself. Um, enjoy a hobby

41:54

and find some community because being a

41:57

stay-at-home mom is really lonely.

42:02

So, um, I found that there and Sorry.

42:07

I'm sorry.

42:09

Um, but I've gained like so many friends

42:12

there. Like all of my friends are there

42:15

and now I'm like stuck in my apartment

42:18

like trying to figure out what to do.

42:20

Um,

42:25

I don't know why I'm shaking

42:28

but you mean

42:30

I usually don't do this. Um, but I met

42:34

like so many people there. There's so

42:36

many different walks of life there. Um

42:38

you there's so many activities to do

42:41

that like it literally turned into a

42:43

weekly routine.

42:45

Mind you, I should also be at Kevin

42:47

Knox's trivia tonight.

42:49

Uh and I hate that I'm missing poetry

42:52

nights that give me the courage to like

42:55

have a voice and share my art. Um and I

42:59

miss hearing everybody else's art. Last

43:02

year I faced unemployment and was

43:04

looking for work and you know who took

43:06

me in HMAC. So um they gave me a chance

43:11

to stay on my feet and in that I have

43:13

learned new skills, new purpose, a way

43:15

to be a part of my favorite community.

43:18

And this is literally the only place

43:20

I've worked that said your family and I

43:21

actually believe them.

43:24

Um this is not just a bar or music

43:27

venue. This is a safe space, a home, a

43:29

place to catch up with friends to shoot

43:31

pool, a place to celebrate each other.

43:35

You celebrate weddings, birthdays,

43:37

everything. Um, a place to share your

43:40

art and not be scared that you're being

43:42

judged. A place where we celebrate

43:45

differences, no matter your age, race,

43:47

sexual orientation, size, or gender.

43:51

We have industry nights, drag brunches,

43:54

trivia nights, poetry, and even local

43:57

bands. So, we even

43:59

celebrate the people that are literally

44:01

in our community to try and come out and

44:04

show us what they got. Like,

44:08

and so like all I really ask is like

44:11

maybe there can be something worked out.

44:18

So, I want to I hope that we can find

44:22

some solution.

44:24

I like I understand why this happened.

44:26

Like obviously there's a lot of money

44:30

that is owed. So, I hope like some

44:33

something can come up. But honestly, we

44:37

also really as a city we can't afford to

44:40

watch Midtown deteriorate into abandoned

44:42

buildings that were once lively.

44:46

And so if we could please find a

44:49

solution, keep the city alive, and look

44:52

at the entertainment tax in general

44:54

because we all know like it's so low

44:56

everywhere else, but here it's 10%.

44:59

Um, so if we can't save the city,

45:03

um, we can't even try to keep a staple

45:06

if we can't do that. Thank you.

45:09

Thank you.

45:12

Is there anyone else to my right that

45:14

would like to offer public comment?

45:19

>> Not yet. We'll get to the middle. I I

45:22

assume momentarily. Not sure yet.

45:24

Please.

45:25

>> Hello. Hello. My name is Gabriel Gavara.

45:28

I live in Midtown. Uh and I'm still

45:30

learning how city council works, so

45:32

forgive me if I'm jumping the gun. Uh

45:34

but it's my understanding that today's

45:35

legislative session will be used to make

45:37

amendments to bill 1 2026 to better

45:40

reflect what the community has been

45:42

asking of the council. Uh last week you

45:45

each went around and stated that you had

45:47

high hopes for collaborating with the

45:49

community on this bill that us coming

45:52

together in this room is democracy in

45:54

action. So, please remember that today

45:57

while working on this legislative

45:58

session because as the bill currently

46:00

stands, it doesn't include any of the

46:02

suggestions that many of the fellow

46:05

community members have brought forth in

46:07

this room, such as refusal from the city

46:09

to enter into any contractual agreement

46:12

to provide access to databases or

46:14

equipment to be used in immigration

46:16

operations, prohibiting ICE from using

46:19

public city property such as our parks

46:21

to stage traps for our neighbors, or any

46:23

of the non-intervention and prohibited

46:26

action items laid out in the alternative

46:28

legislation that was sent to all of you.

46:30

Your constituents took the time to lay

46:32

out these ideas that could be used to

46:35

help make our community safe. Those

46:37

protections need to be reflected in this

46:39

bill. We appreciate that each one of you

46:42

shares the sentiment that we should

46:43

protect our community from ICE, but just

46:45

saying that you look forward to working

46:47

together and not choosing to include any

46:50

ideas we've suggested cannot be called

46:52

collaboration. And please remember, even

46:55

if the bill is passed today that we are

46:57

all pleased with, the road ahead is

46:59

still a long one. With the evershifting

47:02

power theft this current DHS is

47:04

conducting, we need to continue coming

47:07

up with new legislation that meets this

47:09

dire moment and keeps our communities

47:11

and families safe. I look forward to

47:14

seeing what we can all work together to

47:16

come up with. Thank you.

47:24

Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

47:26

right that would like to offer public

47:27

comment?

47:34

Hi, my name is Ava Swift Warner from

47:37

Midtown Harrisburg. I'm the daughter of

47:39

Chris Warner, the owner of Harrisburg

47:41

Midtown Arts Center, HMAC. I'm standing

47:43

here tonight as I did last week and as I

47:45

will any other week I may have to on

47:46

behalf of Hback to try and save my home.

47:49

HMAC isn't just a building or a bar to

47:51

me. It's the place where I grew up

47:52

watching my dad put everything he has

47:53

into making something special for

47:55

Harrisburg. Before HMAC was a venue, it

47:57

was a vision. My dad continues to hope

47:59

for more culture, creativity, and

48:01

opportunities in already

48:03

disintegrating city. A place where

48:05

anyone from anywhere can come together.

48:07

He didn't just build a business, he

48:09

built a dream. A dream he has had since

48:11

he was very little. My dad and my

48:13

grandpa had loved the arts for as long

48:14

as I can remember. Once HMAC became a

48:17

part of our lives, it made the best,

48:18

most unforgettable memories they've ever

48:20

experienced. So, he sacrificed all the

48:22

time and money he had to keep the dream

48:23

alive. Watching his dream unfold has

48:26

made it mine. HMAC truly has his entire

48:29

heart, but also mine. Just seeing the

48:30

way HMAC has helped so many people will

48:32

forever be my dream. HMAC has always

48:34

been my safe place. It's where I see my

48:36

future. It's where I learned everything

48:37

I know. As I graduate this year, I plan

48:39

to go to college for business so I can

48:42

come back and take over HMAC one day. I

48:44

want to keep my dad's legacy alive, but

48:46

right now it feels like my future is

48:47

being taken away from me. Closing HMAC

48:49

for good would be destroying a home away

48:50

from home for my family and many

48:52

citizens of Harrisburg. These aspects

48:54

may not be our biggest concern, but

48:55

they're all of ours. On the other hand,

48:57

HMAC is a staple of the city. It's one

48:59

of the only places in Harrisburg where

49:00

arts, culture, and live music truly live

49:03

together. It's a place where anyone, no

49:04

matter who they are, can walk through

49:06

the doors and feel like they belong

49:07

without any judgement. HMAC host poetry

49:09

nights, comedy nights, live music, and

49:11

so much more that bring together the

49:13

people of Harrisburg. Not to mention,

49:14

lots of these events are free for the

49:16

entire community. I know this there is a

49:19

big dispute about taxes right now, but I

49:21

want you to look at what Harrisburg

49:22

loses if we stay closed. According to my

49:24

research, independent venues in our area

49:26

bring in 14.5 million million dollars

49:29

every year in off-site spending, which

49:31

includes spending at hotels,

49:32

restaurants, and stores. When people

49:34

come to HMAC for a show, they eat at

49:35

restaurants next door and support other

49:37

local businesses. Some people even drive

49:39

hours to see their favorite artists

49:40

perform. If we close, dozens of people

49:42

bartenders, security, and many more lose

49:44

their jobs immediately. This is the

49:46

reason we have that GoFundMe and one of

49:48

the many reasons we have employees

49:49

standing here today. In addition, there

49:51

are approximately 12,200 unemployed

49:54

individuals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

49:56

The more businesses you shut down, the

49:58

more this number will increase, the more

49:59

people who lose their homes, their cars,

50:01

and their ability to live happily.

50:03

Lastly, it's important to understand the

50:04

weight of the 10% amusement tax we face

50:06

here in Harrisburg. While I'm fully

50:09

aware of the responsibility HMAC has to

50:11

pay it, it is a massive burden compared

50:12

to larger cities where the rate is only

50:14

around 5%. Only 12% of independent

50:17

stages in Harrisburg are reported a

50:19

steady profit. This tax isn't just a

50:21

fee, it's a barrier, making it nearly

50:23

impossible for local culture to survive.

50:25

We aren't making excuses for the past,

50:27

but we're asking for a fair chance to

50:28

catch up under a system that doesn't set

50:30

venues up to fail. My dad and his team

50:33

have a real plan to pay the taxes owed.

50:35

There were lots of misinterpretations

50:36

and generally false information given to

50:38

the city in the past and I've personally

50:40

heard my dad admit that. However, lately

50:42

there have been Lately they've reached

50:44

out many times just wanting to talk and

50:46

find a way to make this right. But

50:47

helping us come to a resolution. By

50:50

helping us come to a resolution, you

50:52

aren't just helping out a business in

50:53

Harrisburg. You're taking the next step

50:55

to continue my dream forever. Regardless

50:57

of my family, you're protecting the

50:59

culture, arts, and opportunities of many

51:01

people in our city after the drastic

51:03

downfall of businesses in Harrisburg.

51:05

And again, all it takes to continue this

51:07

path is your help. Thank you for

51:08

listening.

51:11

>> Can you please state your address or the

51:13

vicinity in which you live, please?

51:15

>> Midtown Harrisburg.

51:16

>> Thank you.

51:18

>> Is there anyone else to my right that

51:19

would like to offer public comment?

51:28

I would. Stephen Gristo, 2531 Bow

51:31

Street. Having been born in this city,

51:34

being raised by my parents with eight

51:36

children, my dad fought in World War II

51:40

for a country to be free

51:42

from those that want to pervert the

51:45

country, twist the country, invade the

51:48

country.

51:49

When we had the national election 14

51:52

months ago,

51:54

a big factor had to do with the fact

51:56

that our country is being invaded by

51:58

illegal immigrants.

52:01

My grandfather came over here in 1905

52:06

in the proper way through Ellis Island.

52:11

We've got the plaque.

52:14

He didn't come in illegally

52:18

and they're not socalled name of

52:20

whatever they want to use. Undocumented,

52:22

excuse me. Illegal means just that. You

52:25

broke the law.

52:27

We got people in our campuses being

52:29

murdered by illegal immigrants.

52:35

That should have never happened

52:38

under the Biden administration. They

52:40

weren't vetted. It's interesting to note

52:45

that everybody

52:47

is okay with this certain law. One

52:50

woman, she was all for the so-called

52:53

transgenderism.

52:55

She went into a Target store. Her two

52:58

daughters went into the bathroom. She

53:00

goes shopping.

53:02

This was a black woman. Three Caucasian

53:05

men walked into that bathroom.

53:09

The two girls came out and met their

53:11

mother. They were visibly shaken. They

53:15

told her what happened.

53:17

>> She was all, "Excuse me. I got the

53:20

floor. Thank you.

53:23

>> Excuse me.

53:25

>> Thank you."

53:26

They were visibly shaken. She was all

53:29

for the transgenderism for males going

53:32

into a woman's bathroom until that

53:34

happened. Now she's against it.

53:38

Why is it that we're forced something

53:41

that goes against God's law, God's will,

53:44

God's way, God's word until it hits

53:49

home. Oh, then they're against it.

53:53

>> Then they're against it. Somebody ought

53:55

to arrest that guy with a foul language.

53:58

>> Somebody ought to arrest that guy with a

53:59

foul language. Somebody go after him.

54:01

>> Excuse me. Are you finished with your

54:03

comments? So my point is there needs to

54:06

be laws in a city

54:10

>> to stand against

54:13

those that want to break the law. We

54:14

already got pedophiles out here in the

54:17

city streets. They're coming in the city

54:20

over the borders. Pedophiles. We got

54:22

human trafficking

54:24

right here in the city of Harrisburg. I

54:27

know

54:29

the woman was in trouble. She stopped me

54:32

to pick her up

54:34

and I picked her up. She was from

54:35

another country. Human trafficked at the

54:38

Harrisburg airport. That's what's

54:40

happening. Come through our borders.

54:43

Only a person with the twisted,

54:45

demented, dark mind

54:48

would want to support people coming over

54:50

here that are pedophiles,

54:52

human trafficking,

54:55

and then MS13.

54:58

that'll actually cut your heart

55:00

literally out of your body. And we would

55:03

allow this kind of people to come in

55:04

unvetted.

55:06

I don't see the American flag out there

55:08

flying that my dad almost lost his life

55:11

over in World War II.

55:15

The soldiers that gave their life.

55:18

I don't see you looking at immigrants

55:20

fighting for this country to keep it

55:21

free like my dad did.

55:25

America needs to wake up. Thank God they

55:28

voted the personnel that allowed them to

55:30

commit.

55:30

>> Thank you for your comments. Your time

55:32

has expired. Thank you.

55:34

>> Thank you.

55:35

>> Is there anyone wake America up?

55:37

>> Is there anyone else to my right that

55:38

would like to offer public comment?

55:40

Okay. Seeing and hearing no one. Anyone

55:42

in the middle section?

55:46

>> Wow. Hi, my name is Carrie Fowler. I

55:48

live in Midtown Harrisburg. Um, thank

55:50

you city council for taking this time. I

55:52

want to sincerely thank you for the work

55:54

you've done on the recent ICE related

55:57

resolution. Your willingness to address

55:59

this issue that demonstrates leadership

56:02

and a commitment to the safety, dignity,

56:04

and rights of our community members.

56:07

Taking this step really matters and I

56:09

really want to thank you for taking it

56:10

seriously. At the same time, I believe

56:13

this resolution could be and should be

56:16

strengthened. Given the seriousness of

56:18

the concerns surrounding immigration

56:20

enforcement and its impact on families

56:23

in Harrisburg, we have an opportunity to

56:25

make the policy more robust, clearer in

56:28

its protections, and stronger in its

56:31

accountability measures.

56:33

I respectfully urge the council to

56:35

continue building on this foundation by

56:38

engaging and being transparent with

56:41

community members with ongoing review

56:44

and insight. A stronger worker a

56:47

stronger resolution would send a clear

56:50

message that Harrisburg prioritizes

56:53

public safety, constitutional rights,

56:56

and trust between residents and local

56:58

government. Thank you again for taking

57:01

this important step. I hope you will

57:03

continue refining and repro improving

57:06

the resolution to ensure it fully

57:09

reflects our community's values and

57:12

protects all who call Harrisburg home.

57:14

Thank you.

57:15

>> Thank you.

57:20

There anyone else in the middle section

57:21

that would like to offer public comment?

57:28

>> Good evening. My name's Ralph Core and

57:29

I'm from the 25th Street area of

57:31

Harrisburg. I'm a lifelong Harrisburg

57:33

resident and in fact I spent the first

57:35

two years of my life in the apartments

57:36

right above the stage on her at what's

57:39

now the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center.

57:41

I've watched the city change for the

57:43

better for my formative years. But over

57:45

the last 15 years or so, it's been for

57:47

the worse. Harrisburg is a government

57:49

town and according to the Bureau of

57:51

Statistics, government makes up about

57:53

20% of all non-farm jobs, 60,000 out of

57:57

about 375,000 total positions. It's one

58:00

of the biggest slices of our local

58:02

economy. It brings stability, but we

58:05

also need venues and other businesses to

58:07

bring that stability to the city.

58:10

Most of the revenue in the city comes

58:12

from taxes paid by the people that live

58:14

here, the businesses that operate here,

58:16

and the government workers who spend

58:18

their paychecks right in our

58:19

neighborhoods along with fine citations

58:22

and fees that keep the lights on. And my

58:24

childhood, this city failed its young

58:26

people. There is no safe, positive

58:29

places for kids to go, no venues for

58:32

music, no spaces for creativity, nothing

58:35

for independent artists. That void, I

58:38

believe, is still reflected in the

58:39

challenges my generation, those after

58:42

us, have faced with crime.

58:45

Opportunities for artists have been far

58:47

and few between. Finding a spot in

58:49

Harrisburg that truly felt like it

58:51

belonged to everyone was rare. That

58:54

started to change in 2009.

58:56

The Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

58:58

opened its doors and created something

59:00

different. It built an environment where

59:02

everyone could belong. hip-hop nights,

59:05

heavy metal shows, rock bands, DJs,

59:08

digital artists, even professional

59:11

wrestling, every race, every culture,

59:14

every artistic passion found a home

59:16

there. This isn't just a venue. Notice I

59:19

speak of the presence as I don't give up

59:21

hope for a change in the current status.

59:24

It's a community hub that felt inclusive

59:27

for the first time in a long time. I

59:29

know how a city like Harrisburg ends up

59:31

distressed. And that's exactly why the

59:34

amusement tax was forced passed back in

59:36

1982 to help a city that was struggling.

59:39

We left that struggle under Mayor Reed.

59:42

By the late 90s, Harrisburg was a place

59:44

to be. But here's the dangerous pattern

59:47

I want to highlight today. That tax

59:49

never went away. All the places that

59:52

once made Harrisburg great, they're

59:54

gone. the Metron, the Hardware Bar, the

59:58

Dragonfly, the Gingerbread Man, Mars, so

1:00:01

many others. That 10% tax, which is 5%

1:00:05

to the fitt city and 5% to the school

1:00:08

district, takes a huge bite out of every

1:00:10

ticket sold. After paying the artists,

1:00:13

the staff, and the rent, and the lights,

1:00:15

which all those bills have gone up. As

1:00:17

an artist and a wrestling promoter, I

1:00:19

can tell you booking a $1,000 guy

1:00:21

pre-COVID is now $4,000. We've seen a

1:00:24

four-fold on entertainment costs.

1:00:28

Keeping that revenue so high is just

1:00:30

hurting everybody involved.

1:00:32

It's a self-destruction cycle. The tax

1:00:36

that was meant to help the city is

1:00:37

slowly choking the very entertainment

1:00:39

and culture that makes a city worth

1:00:41

living in and visiting. I could stand

1:00:43

here today as a wrestling promoter, talk

1:00:45

about my own selfish games, how HMAC

1:00:48

gave me the chance to share the stage

1:00:49

with my wonderful children who are here

1:00:51

with me today to write some of the best

1:00:53

storylines in independent wrestling. But

1:00:55

that's not why I'm here. I'm here for my

1:00:57

community. I'm here for the artists who

1:00:59

finally had a stage and for the parents

1:01:01

who can bring their kids to a proper

1:01:03

adult supervision to experience live

1:01:06

music. for the wrestling fans roughly

1:01:08

half of whom have disabilities who find

1:01:11

an escape from reality for just one

1:01:13

night every couple of months instead of

1:01:15

staring at a screen in four walls. In a

1:01:18

city that still struggles with far too

1:01:20

much crime, we need the arts now more

1:01:22

than ever. We need places that bring

1:01:24

people together instead of pushing them

1:01:25

apart. And we need venues that give our

1:01:28

young people something positive to do,

1:01:30

something to dream about, and something

1:01:31

to belong to. Now more than ever, we

1:01:33

need Hback.

1:01:36

>> Thank you.

1:01:40

Is there anyone else in the middle

1:01:41

section that would like to offer public

1:01:43

comment?

1:01:49

Siller Steelenber.

1:01:52

Council members, I'm here once again to

1:01:53

voice my support for bill one of 2026 as

1:01:57

I am glad that we have a basic

1:01:58

structure, but I am urging council to

1:02:01

amend it to close some potential

1:02:03

loopholes and vulnerabilities,

1:02:05

especially in places that ICE has been

1:02:06

known to maliciously loiter, such as

1:02:08

places of worship, medical facilities,

1:02:10

and schools. I'm here to encourage and

1:02:13

plead for council to include more robust

1:02:15

language utilizing the likes of the

1:02:17

welcoming city ordinance as seen in

1:02:19

Langster and Philadelphia. I'm also

1:02:21

here, not only on my behalf, but on

1:02:23

behalf of Kia Fowler of Fifth Street,

1:02:25

who is unable to join us this evening,

1:02:27

to pass a blanket ordinance requiring

1:02:30

all law enforcement agents, whether

1:02:32

local, state, or federal, to publicly

1:02:35

display badges, identification, and

1:02:37

agency affiliation. They demand we all

1:02:40

present our papers while they obscure

1:02:42

their identity for fear of repercussions

1:02:44

of their actions. council. When the law

1:02:46

is lawless, we as citizens and you as

1:02:49

our representatives trusted to represent

1:02:51

the best interests of we the people must

1:02:54

recognize that established rules and

1:02:56

norms become irrelevant. And it comes

1:02:58

down to you as well as representatives

1:03:00

on all levels above you to make a stand

1:03:03

alongside us and with your power say

1:03:06

enough is enough.

1:03:09

Thank you for your time.

1:03:14

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

1:03:16

middle section that would like to offer

1:03:17

public comment?

1:03:23

>> All right.

1:03:26

>> Hey, how y'all doing? Uh, my name is

1:03:29

Anthony Floyd. I live on six and Boas. I

1:03:32

grew up in Enola and I graduated high

1:03:35

school. I joined the United States Army.

1:03:37

I served on active duty for 10 years and

1:03:40

I did two tours in Iraq. I was on ISF

1:03:43

mid team. my first tour and a convoy

1:03:46

security team. My second tour at my

1:03:48

third and final duty station, I was

1:03:50

tasked to drive for the company

1:03:52

commander and be the combo room uh NCO.

1:03:57

So, I pretty much sat in an office and

1:03:59

did nothing until the commander needed a

1:04:02

ride. So, I kind of lost purpose in life

1:04:04

and what I was doing in the military.

1:04:06

So, I got into acting. I first started

1:04:09

in theater and it uh

1:04:14

and I was told I was pretty good. So I

1:04:16

took a leap and I decided to get out of

1:04:18

the military and go into college at the

1:04:20

New York Film Academy in New York City.

1:04:23

I studied acting for film, film making

1:04:25

and photography for a year a piece.

1:04:27

After I graduated, I got into I got an

1:04:30

agent and I started doing acting gigs

1:04:33

and photography. It was fun and I I

1:04:35

finally found a purpose, a drive in life

1:04:37

again, you know. Uh, I first went to

1:04:40

HMAC doing photos for certain hip-hop

1:04:42

artists. I fell in love with the place

1:04:44

for its diversity and everything from

1:04:46

the art to the kind of people that go

1:04:48

there. They're open to everyone, you

1:04:50

know, and uh then then co hit and

1:04:53

everything I worked so hard for came to

1:04:56

a halt. It was a terrible time for us

1:04:58

all. I then got into a four-year

1:05:01

relationship with someone and ended

1:05:03

really, really bad. But uh I was in a

1:05:06

really dark place and then I met my

1:05:09

friend Chris and his beautiful family.

1:05:12

They opened their life, their love and

1:05:14

their friendship to me. He motivated me

1:05:16

to pick myself up and keep moving

1:05:18

forward. Uh and and then I started

1:05:21

acting and doing photography again. I

1:05:24

saw a purpose in life again, you know.

1:05:26

And look, I know there is a financial

1:05:29

situation here, but there has to be a

1:05:32

way to have a signed agreement with

1:05:34

Chris or maybe a two-year extension with

1:05:37

a payment plan or something. Look, I

1:05:39

don't know much about business, but I

1:05:41

know art. Art is a way for us all to

1:05:44

have a self-expression. There's an

1:05:46

artist in all of us in a way, one way or

1:05:48

another, you know.

1:05:50

So I plead with the the powers that be

1:05:53

um that uh you know give this amazing

1:05:57

house of art a chance. Please thank you

1:06:01

for your time.

1:06:03

>> Thank you.

1:06:04

Is there anyone else in the middle

1:06:06

section?

1:06:08

>> Hello everyone. My name is J.R.

1:06:10

Geronimo. I live in Midtown. I wanted to

1:06:12

touch upon a refrain that I see

1:06:14

mentioned again and again and that's

1:06:16

community. you see people wanting to

1:06:18

protect their communities via v visa v

1:06:21

the uh the the ICE bill that's brought

1:06:23

before you and also with HMAC myself I

1:06:27

uh I was born in New York City grew up

1:06:29

there grew up in New Jersey lived down

1:06:31

in Maryland I came here for work I'm a

1:06:33

federal attorney um and one thing that I

1:06:36

found when I lived here was poetry night

1:06:39

at HMAC and this happens every Thursday

1:06:42

and it's something where the community

1:06:44

truly presents themselves and is able to

1:06:47

discuss and present ideas. This is

1:06:50

something that I have not encountered in

1:06:52

all those other places that I lived, you

1:06:54

know, across the country. It's a unique

1:06:56

thing. It actually is a testament to the

1:06:59

capacity for our community to be able to

1:07:02

express themselves and actually have a

1:07:04

forum and a place to do so. I'm aware

1:07:07

that HMAC had an outstanding grant for

1:07:09

about two million $2 million. Now, you

1:07:11

don't know this. I do a lot of grant

1:07:13

approval and that kind of thing in my

1:07:14

capacity. uh if that money is there,

1:07:17

that's money that could be reinvested

1:07:19

and and committed to the community. Um

1:07:22

you know, I I know that the

1:07:23

entertainment tax uh is about 10% which

1:07:26

is over what most other uh surrounding

1:07:29

areas have. And it's about what do we do

1:07:32

to make sure that we aren't having this

1:07:35

city in a death spiral. I live right by

1:07:37

Broad Street Market. That building's

1:07:39

been burned down since three years. I

1:07:41

remember going outside when it did and

1:07:43

it's a shock to me that it hasn't been

1:07:45

reconstructed. I that street's been

1:07:47

blocked off on Verbeck. Do you know how

1:07:49

many times I see cars go the wrong way

1:07:51

down that street? It's just a failing

1:07:53

over and over and over again. You see

1:07:56

businesses close and you see the this

1:08:00

community which I thought was brilliant

1:08:02

and beautiful is just dying on the

1:08:04

inside and we need to do more to prevent

1:08:07

that from happening. I came here and

1:08:09

it's one of the most physically

1:08:10

beautiful places that you'll see in the

1:08:12

country. When you walk along the

1:08:14

riverbank and you go to the Susuana,

1:08:16

it's absolutely gorgeous. And what are

1:08:18

we doing with that? What are we doing as

1:08:20

a city, right? Why can't we be more,

1:08:23

right? And and and there's no reason why

1:08:25

it can't be. And anyway, thank you so

1:08:28

much for your time. I just wanted to

1:08:29

highlight that we are a community, all

1:08:32

of us. And if we let parts of ourselves

1:08:35

die, you know, you can't just grow that

1:08:37

back. You can't just get a new business

1:08:39

to come in. You can't just replace, you

1:08:42

know, she had a list of what, 14, 16

1:08:44

businesses. Come on, we have to do

1:08:46

better. Thank you.

1:08:52

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

1:08:54

middle section that would like to offer

1:08:56

public comment?

1:09:05

How you guys doing? I'm uh Michael

1:09:07

Klein. I live on Allison Hill. Um I

1:09:11

think it's

1:09:13

safe to say we live in some dark times

1:09:15

today, you know.

1:09:18

And if you look around, I see

1:09:22

so many diverse individuals, amazing

1:09:25

people here sharing their voice, you

1:09:28

know.

1:09:29

And uh there's a lot of concerns, man.

1:09:32

You got the ice stuff going on out

1:09:34

there. It's dark. Which means what we

1:09:37

need right now is love, positivity,

1:09:40

strength,

1:09:42

one place that highlights all of that

1:09:44

and one

1:09:46

space, the Harrisburg Midtown Arts

1:09:49

Center. You know, and I know it's crazy.

1:09:53

We got so many people speaking on this

1:09:55

and it's beautiful really. It's poetic

1:09:57

in a way. And this is a place that you

1:10:00

know so many people have said it you

1:10:03

know so many people can come together

1:10:05

and share what they do in every

1:10:08

different art form there is there's no

1:10:09

place like it you know it's a place that

1:10:13

has given me a lot of opportunity among

1:10:15

hundreds and thousands of others. It

1:10:18

draws so many people not just from this

1:10:20

city but outside the city coming in

1:10:23

spending their money in the city you

1:10:26

know now one thing I do want to

1:10:28

highlight is it's to my understanding

1:10:30

that HMAC is not owned by just one

1:10:33

person it's three people now I don't

1:10:36

know the dynamic there but what I can

1:10:38

tell you is the 15 years that I've been

1:10:41

attending this venue and doing my own

1:10:43

musical business at this venue and

1:10:46

performing there. I've only ever met one

1:10:48

man. That man is Chris Wernern right

1:10:50

there.

1:10:52

That man has one of the biggest hearts

1:10:54

I've ever seen. That man cares. The

1:10:57

other two guys, I can't even tell you

1:10:59

their names. I've never met them. They

1:11:02

don't care, you know. But one guy who

1:11:05

does is that man right there. If there's

1:11:08

some kind of way to make something

1:11:10

happen, we got to do it, man. We got to

1:11:12

try something. This is something that

1:11:14

the community really needs. You know,

1:11:17

Harrisburg's dying. Look at all these

1:11:19

buildings everywhere.

1:11:21

We can't let this happen, you know.

1:11:24

Thank you.

1:11:31

Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

1:11:33

middle section that would like to offer

1:11:34

a public comment?

1:11:43

>> Hello, my name is Ashley Deetsz. Um, I

1:11:45

actually live in Lebanon now. I used to

1:11:48

live in Harrisburg on and off. Um,

1:11:51

obviously I'm here for one purpose and

1:11:54

one purpose only. And obviously it's for

1:11:56

AIDS MAC. Um, I'm not going to lie, I've

1:12:00

been raped, held hostage numerous of

1:12:03

times here in Harrisburg. I had FBI

1:12:06

involved. I had FBI legit knock on the

1:12:11

door and threaten to lock me up because

1:12:15

they thought it was a fake hostage

1:12:18

situation. Um, I'm not going to lie.

1:12:21

Each and every single time that I went

1:12:24

to ADMAC

1:12:26

was to relieve myself to know that I

1:12:30

belonged somewhere that was more of a

1:12:33

second home to where numerous of us,

1:12:37

thousands and millions of us actually

1:12:39

come back to Harrisburg because of

1:12:42

Acemack. If it wasn't for Acemack, I

1:12:45

would not be coming to Harrisburg. I

1:12:48

actually came here last week to show my

1:12:50

support to Chris and his family that was

1:12:52

there. I'm not going to lie, every

1:12:56

single day is on my mind. Ace Mac this

1:12:59

Ace Mac can't go. Ace Mac, you know. Um

1:13:02

I'm actually friends with numerous of

1:13:05

brands locally to Harrisburg, locally to

1:13:10

Lebanon, locally to Elizabeth Town. We

1:13:12

actually have a national band in

1:13:16

Elizabeth Town that loves Chris. I'm not

1:13:20

gonna lie. Chris knows exactly who I'm

1:13:22

talking about. And I'm here representing

1:13:23

them for you. They reached out to me to

1:13:26

let you know they love you. For you. If

1:13:30

it wasn't for you,

1:13:32

they wouldn't know where they're at

1:13:33

today. I'm not going to lie. There's

1:13:35

another band down here that's physically

1:13:38

from Harrisburg

1:13:40

and they reached out to me to let you

1:13:42

guys know this is their home just like

1:13:45

it's our home and we will be super

1:13:49

devastated. This is another abandoned

1:13:51

building that Chris built from the

1:13:53

ground back up. So, we thank you guys

1:13:56

and we hope to God you guys reconsider

1:13:59

and make a plan to work with Chris.

1:14:03

I guarantee he will work with you. Thank

1:14:05

you.

1:14:12

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

1:14:13

middle section that would like to offer

1:14:15

public comment?

1:14:18

>> Good evening. My name is uh Jeff

1:14:20

Mitchell. I live in Mechanicsburg. I'm a

1:14:22

local uh artist and art educator. I'm

1:14:26

also a frequent patron uh and performer

1:14:29

at HMAC. And one thing that hasn't been

1:14:31

brought up tonight that I would like to

1:14:33

just address quickly is uh HMAC is a

1:14:37

vital part of our community and in terms

1:14:40

of them uh providing a safe space has

1:14:43

been talked about but they've also been

1:14:45

very generous in giving back to the

1:14:47

community. I am also part of the um

1:14:50

Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania

1:14:52

organization and they have uh generously

1:14:56

donated the space of HMAC and operating

1:14:59

costs for several of our um big

1:15:02

celebration events and fundraising

1:15:04

events. So, I want to um acknowledge

1:15:08

that and uh let you know how much I

1:15:10

appreciate them in our community for how

1:15:14

well they welcome and embrace the entire

1:15:16

diversity of the Harrisburg area. And I

1:15:20

too want to add my name to the list of

1:15:22

uh hopeful people that want this to be

1:15:25

worked out and resolved so that HMAC can

1:15:28

stay open. Thank you.

1:15:34

Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

1:15:36

middle section that would like to offer

1:15:38

public comment?

1:15:40

Okay, seeing hearing no one, anyone to

1:15:43

my left.

1:15:54

I'll keep it under two minutes.

1:15:58

Bossier Vincent uh 315 South Front

1:16:00

Street.

1:16:03

Again, I want to thank everybody for the

1:16:04

discussion tonight. Um just really want

1:16:07

to focus on encouraging how we move

1:16:09

forward and taking some next step steps

1:16:12

um and just passing some recommendations

1:16:14

on. I actually emailed these to

1:16:16

Councilman Lawson. Um but making sure

1:16:19

that we actually have uh concrete steps

1:16:21

to move forward on any type of plan and

1:16:23

action. Um, one of the things that I

1:16:26

strongly suggest, especially around bill

1:16:28

one of 2026, is making sure those

1:16:31

elements are um, potentially initiated

1:16:33

as minor amendments to the comprehensive

1:16:36

plan. Not just bill one, but even both

1:16:38

issues that are talked about today.

1:16:40

Making sure that we're utilizing the

1:16:42

tools of city government to hold uh, the

1:16:45

next business administrator accountable,

1:16:47

uh, our econ our next economic

1:16:49

development director. And part of that

1:16:51

is having clear concrete goals that are

1:16:53

listed in that plan. Um so you tie those

1:16:56

goals um right into the city's vision

1:16:58

for inclusive public services, equitable

1:17:00

access and opportunity and trust in

1:17:02

government. These things will help tie

1:17:04

with the goals of becoming a welcoming

1:17:06

city. Um clarifying how limiting local

1:17:09

involvement um supports broader quality

1:17:12

of life goals that are already laid out

1:17:13

in the comprehensive plan. Um, this

1:17:16

allows it just not to be the bill, but

1:17:18

integrated in the living document that

1:17:20

is the comprehensive plan. Capturing

1:17:23

action steps in the integration um

1:17:26

section that hasn't been reviewed. We

1:17:28

should be reviewing that um on a yearly

1:17:30

basis. So, making sure that we're

1:17:32

reinforcing that planning framework that

1:17:35

maps our community values. So, um,

1:17:39

taking all of the energy that everybody

1:17:40

is having and making sure that we're

1:17:43

taking steps that can be continued and

1:17:46

followed up on. Um, it helps both, uh,

1:17:49

council and staff operationalize the

1:17:51

goals rather than just treating these

1:17:54

different things as standalone documents

1:17:56

or standalone bills. um signaling

1:17:59

signaling um to the immigrant

1:18:01

communities and stakeholders uh that it

1:18:04

ties into Harrisburg's long-term vision

1:18:05

of equity inclusion which is already

1:18:07

listed um in that plan. So it could be a

1:18:10

trigger uh for coordinated plan and for

1:18:14

coordinating official um plan

1:18:16

implementation and performance

1:18:18

evaluations. Um that way again we can

1:18:21

hold not just this city council but

1:18:23

everybody down the line. So, your

1:18:25

business administrator, your mayor, and

1:18:27

then you can actually then utilize those

1:18:29

uh documents to put pressure on your um

1:18:32

to your police commissioner and

1:18:33

everybody up who will be affected by

1:18:36

these uh potential bills and

1:18:38

legislations.

1:18:39

That's all. Thank you.

1:18:46

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

1:18:48

left that would like to offer public

1:18:49

comment?

1:19:04

Good evening, council. Uh Pamela Parson,

1:19:08

Allison Hill. Um these are dark times in

1:19:12

many ways and there's no really no

1:19:16

neutrality right now,

1:19:19

but there is light.

1:19:23

this area. Earlier, Alice Schwab talked

1:19:27

about 250th anniversary of the founding

1:19:32

of our country and she talked about the

1:19:33

Suscoana River and that river was

1:19:36

flowing long before we were here and it

1:19:39

will flow long after we are gone and it

1:19:42

was the

1:19:45

traditional hunting grounds for the

1:19:48

Knesogga and Sescuana people and those

1:19:52

people were nearly massacred. occurred

1:19:55

by the Paxton boys out here on Dair

1:19:58

Street is where they were together. And

1:20:02

this was part of the pamphlet wars

1:20:06

before our country became a country. But

1:20:10

despite that attempt at massacre,

1:20:14

those people survived.

1:20:17

In 1850, when we have the fugitive slave

1:20:20

law and black people were snatched off

1:20:22

the street in this city, the black

1:20:26

community survived.

1:20:30

And in 1969, in February of 1969,

1:20:34

400 students at John Harris walked out.

1:20:40

two days, three days later, they were

1:20:42

joined by 300 students,

1:20:46

black students and allies at William

1:20:48

Penn and they walked out and the

1:20:51

students at John Harris walked out of

1:20:54

class in solidarity, but they stayed

1:20:57

there and those students brought forth a

1:21:02

lot of conversation about what is was

1:21:06

happening in Harrisburg around race

1:21:08

relations. Just like now we have

1:21:11

students who have been out front of city

1:21:15

hall for the last three four council

1:21:19

meetings who are also setting the

1:21:22

conversation for us.

1:21:25

And I say this to you um as the daughter

1:21:30

of as the great great granddaughter of a

1:21:34

man who fought in the Civil War and who

1:21:37

was a P He was from Lebanon County,

1:21:41

which was at that time was from Paul

1:21:44

Myra. That was still part of Dolphin

1:21:46

County.

1:21:48

My two uncles

1:21:51

fought great anti-fascists. They fought

1:21:54

in the Second World War. One was a

1:21:56

driver for Patton at the Battle of the

1:21:58

Bulge and the other was in the Pacific

1:22:02

laying laying lines, phone lines.

1:22:07

My father and my uncle were Korean War

1:22:10

veterans.

1:22:11

So, I come from a long line of

1:22:13

anti-fascists. So, I'm looking to you,

1:22:16

the elected officials of the city of

1:22:19

Harrisburg, to remember that there is

1:22:22

light and we can take care of everyone.

1:22:24

Thank you.

1:22:32

Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

1:22:34

left that would like to offer public

1:22:35

comment?

1:22:52

>> Hi. Uh, my name is Keith Bence and I'm

1:22:55

from Allison Hill as well.

1:22:57

I have come inside to let you know that

1:23:01

we have had our first visit of ice out

1:23:04

front.

1:23:09

Let it sink in.

1:23:19

I have um

1:23:22

been down on Derry Street last week

1:23:26

and witnessed Harrisburg police officers

1:23:30

in conjunction with an individual in

1:23:34

unmarked uniform

1:23:36

all of drag.

1:23:39

Okay. didn't look like any of our people

1:23:42

who do wear all of occasionally,

1:23:45

so beware.

1:23:52

Thank you. Your flashlight on your cell

1:23:55

phone is on.

1:23:57

>> Oh, okay. That's okay. Just want to let

1:23:59

you know. Is there anyone else to my

1:24:01

left that would like to offer public

1:24:03

comment?

1:24:16

Hello. Um, my my name is Akira Louisa

1:24:19

Solomon Nelson. Um, I go to school at

1:24:21

Cassa in Strawberry Square. Um, I'm

1:24:24

speaking on behalf of Students Against

1:24:26

Injustice. I I wasn't going to speak

1:24:28

tonight. I was just going to come. But

1:24:31

um after seeing everyone come up and uh

1:24:35

set a great example on how we can work

1:24:37

together to make things happen and make

1:24:39

changes happen in our community, um I

1:24:41

just wanted to come up and just give my

1:24:43

opinion again like I have been like you

1:24:45

guys have known for the past uh few

1:24:47

weeks. Students in Harrisburg are very

1:24:50

scared of ice. Students in Harrisburg

1:24:52

are terrified of ice. I know people that

1:24:55

are scared to go to school. I know

1:24:57

people that aren't going to school. I

1:24:58

know people that um have al alternative

1:25:01

rides to school than their parents

1:25:02

because they don't want to bring their

1:25:04

parents out um into Harrisburg like

1:25:06

that. Um it's disheartening and it just

1:25:10

shows that we as a community do not have

1:25:13

it together. Um I can repeat what

1:25:16

everyone has been saying, but I won't.

1:25:17

I'm just going to tell you to please

1:25:19

trust us. Please listen to us. Um, and I

1:25:23

also

1:25:24

just wanted to say that um, I am proud

1:25:27

of the time that I have been uh, sitting

1:25:31

on these city council meetings. They

1:25:33

usually run very peaceful. Um, maybe I

1:25:35

missed something because I usually don't

1:25:36

stay to the end. Um, but I don't know if

1:25:40

I'm allowed to do this, but today I'm

1:25:42

very disappointed on how this went. Um

1:25:45

when I first walked in uh and we did the

1:25:47

pledge of allegiance, I heard someone

1:25:49

say foreigners behind me. Um referring

1:25:52

to I guess the people that didn't stand

1:25:53

up. Um it was completely disrespectful

1:25:57

and um I don't understand why people

1:26:00

just haven't gotten into their brain

1:26:02

that we are all human. We are all one.

1:26:05

Um I'm a student. I'm a teenager. I

1:26:07

think that no grown man should be

1:26:09

talking to anybody that way.

1:26:10

Nevertheless, a teenage girl that way.

1:26:12

Um, and I wish that in the future

1:26:15

everyone on every side can have more

1:26:17

respect for each other. Um, that's all.

1:26:19

Thank you very much.

1:26:21

>> Can you please state your address or the

1:26:23

vicinity in which you live just for our

1:26:25

meeting record?

1:26:26

>> I live um on Fishing Creek Valley right

1:26:28

outside of Harrisburg, but I go to

1:26:29

school in Harrisburg. Thank you.

1:26:30

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else to my

1:26:32

left that would like to offer public

1:26:34

comment?

1:26:41

Okay.

1:26:42

Seeing and hearing no one, we will move

1:26:44

forward with our meeting agenda.

1:26:47

Actually, before we continue with our

1:26:48

agenda, I would like to take some

1:26:50

privilege and move to old business. Um,

1:26:54

given some of the public comments that

1:26:56

were made, I would like to invite Mr.

1:26:59

Mike Hughes, um, tax and enforcement

1:27:02

administrator for the city of

1:27:04

Harrisburg, um, to briefly discuss the

1:27:07

amusement tax.

1:27:26

Uh, good evening, city council. Uh, Mike

1:27:28

Hughes,

1:27:30

>> tax administrator, longtime city

1:27:32

resident, longtime city employee, Uptown

1:27:35

Harrisburg.

1:27:39

Uh, before I start, I just do want to

1:27:41

provide one clarification.

1:27:44

Burger Yum is still open, 400 North

1:27:47

Second Street, everyone. Thank you.

1:27:49

Thank you. But Burger

1:27:52

is

1:27:52

>> has closed. Correct. Correct.

1:27:54

>> Correct. Which which leads me as a segue

1:27:58

to the topic facts, not Facebook.

1:28:04

So, we're going to talk about the facts

1:28:07

and not just what we read on a Facebook

1:28:10

page without obtaining the true

1:28:13

information.

1:28:16

So, let's start with the amusement tax

1:28:19

rate. 10% combined,

1:28:22

5% goes to the city, 5% goes to the

1:28:26

school district. We collect for the

1:28:28

school district. We remit that portion

1:28:30

to them. This tax is a transitional tax

1:28:36

similar to sales tax. It's not on the

1:28:39

venue. It's on the patron. The person

1:28:42

coming to the door, the person

1:28:43

purchasing the ticket, they are paying

1:28:46

this tax. The venue is charged with

1:28:48

remitting the tax. Just like a sales

1:28:51

tax, just like any other type of

1:28:54

withholding tax, it has to be remitted

1:28:56

because it was taken from the patron or

1:29:00

the taxpayer. So that's the truth on on

1:29:05

that particular issue.

1:29:09

I would also like to just let people

1:29:12

know,

1:29:13

spend some time, do the research before

1:29:16

you speak on the topic like what

1:29:17

happened at last week's city council

1:29:19

meeting. There are public places you can

1:29:22

go. Check the Dolphin County website.

1:29:25

Check the PLCB liquor license status

1:29:28

site. This is public information. You

1:29:30

you can find some interesting things

1:29:32

there. Don't go by just what you've read

1:29:34

in an article. you're seeing many

1:29:37

numbers thrown out there in different

1:29:39

media posts.

1:29:41

Probably probably not the right numbers.

1:29:43

So,

1:29:45

you shouldn't believe what you're

1:29:46

reading either. We can't talk about

1:29:49

specific tax numbers. That's between us

1:29:51

and the and the taxpayer themselves.

1:29:54

Um

1:29:57

people were talking about the number of

1:29:58

businesses closure.

1:30:00

Businesses are closing everywhere. It's

1:30:02

a nationwide problem.

1:30:05

Carisper, we do have our own unique

1:30:06

challenges, but if you read and and

1:30:10

check social media, there's businesses

1:30:13

closing every day. This week alone,

1:30:15

World Cafe in Philadelphia,

1:30:18

closed for serious tax violations.

1:30:19

They've been there a long time. For

1:30:22

Monty Brothers just came out yesterday,

1:30:24

these are chain restaurants closing.

1:30:26

Duck Donuts, Hulahans, Grateful Goat. I

1:30:28

mean, the list goes on on and on. And

1:30:30

they're not citybased. It's happening

1:30:32

everywhere. So, let's not just say it's

1:30:35

just Harrisburg.

1:30:36

We're enrolling new businesses every day

1:30:38

and we're losing business. That's true,

1:30:40

but

1:30:42

it's not just a Harrisburg thing. That

1:30:44

That's what we need to be clear on.

1:30:46

Um, this morning an article came out on

1:30:49

pen live. Where did HMAX money go?

1:30:55

It's a very good question. Um,

1:30:59

I don't hear anyone giving that answer.

1:31:02

They should be asking is the current

1:31:04

business model sustainable?

1:31:06

That that should be the question. So I

1:31:10

would also like to point out there's

1:31:12

other venues, other places, other

1:31:14

outlets within the city. We have Club

1:31:17

XL, the new Capitol City Music Hall,

1:31:19

Whitaker Center, the Forum, the Farm

1:31:21

Show Complex, Zebo, Scottish Wright.

1:31:25

These are all venues that that hold

1:31:26

shows and concerts. We also have theater

1:31:29

options. We have the Hack Rose Laram. We

1:31:31

have the Kresy theory. We have open

1:31:33

stage. We have the improv. So there are

1:31:36

successful businesses out there. I think

1:31:38

people really need to look at the whole

1:31:41

picture and paint it not just on one

1:31:45

thing that they read, but check out all

1:31:47

the items involved. Check out past

1:31:50

filings. I mean, there's there's a

1:31:52

picture here. It's not just one item

1:31:54

that that you're uh talking about here.

1:31:56

So,

1:31:58

um

1:32:00

I I don't I never met Chris. Sounds like

1:32:03

a nice man. And we've heard lots of

1:32:04

great stories tonight. I don't want to

1:32:06

take that away from anyone. Um

1:32:09

but we've been dealing with John Trainer

1:32:11

for many years, many conversations.

1:32:15

And the last couple years, we've we've

1:32:17

been in contact with John many times.

1:32:20

And we've had many conversations. Many

1:32:22

promises were made. None were kept.

1:32:28

Um,

1:32:32

I think that's all I have to say about

1:32:33

this right now. So,

1:32:35

>> no, thank you. I appreciate uh that

1:32:37

clarity. So, thank you uh for your

1:32:39

participation this evening.

1:32:41

>> Thank you. We will move forward with our

1:32:43

meeting agenda. Next, we have the

1:32:46

approval of the minutes for the

1:32:47

legislative session that occurred on

1:32:49

February 10th, 2026. Council members,

1:32:53

are there any revisions to those meeting

1:32:55

minutes?

1:32:57

Okay, seeing and hearing none, the

1:32:59

minutes stand approved. Next, we have

1:33:01

the reports of committees. Um, as I

1:33:05

mentioned during our caucus, um, we have

1:33:07

one sole committee report this evening

1:33:10

that will be delivered by our public

1:33:12

safety chair, Councilwoman Green, on the

1:33:15

work session of February 17th, 2026.

1:33:20

>> Thank you, President Hill. I'll try to

1:33:22

keep it brief uh but also make sure I

1:33:24

summarize the sentiments of everyone.

1:33:26

During the work session of February

1:33:27

17th, the public safety committee met to

1:33:30

discuss bill 1 of 2026, an ordinance

1:33:32

amending part three of the

1:33:34

administrative code under chapter 2-301,

1:33:37

adding there to chapter 2-301,

1:33:42

period 16, providing for a framework to

1:33:45

restrict and otherwise limit city

1:33:47

intervention in matters regarding

1:33:50

immigration status. There was an

1:33:52

enormous showing from the public to

1:33:53

discuss this bill. Most residents and

1:33:55

members of the public came out to

1:33:56

support the legislation, but noted that

1:33:58

they would like it to be stronger and to

1:34:01

protect the residents of Harrisburg and

1:34:02

everyone who frequents our city. We did

1:34:04

have at least one resident who did not

1:34:06

seem to support this bill. City council

1:34:08

members spoke in support of the

1:34:10

resolution, but were interested in

1:34:11

hearing from the public. Council members

1:34:13

noted that the there will be more

1:34:15

opportunities uh to amend the bill, such

1:34:17

as tonight, and make it more consistent

1:34:19

with the sentiments of the residents

1:34:20

that they had expressed. I will note

1:34:22

that the legislation does state no city

1:34:25

official or employee shall use city

1:34:26

funds, personnel, equipment, data,

1:34:28

technology, property, or facilities to

1:34:31

assist in the investigation, detention,

1:34:33

or arrest of any person solely related

1:34:35

to a violation of federal civil

1:34:37

immigration law. Um, just because it was

1:34:40

a comment tonight about uh the 278G

1:34:43

agreements. Uh, and this in essence

1:34:45

would ban any agreement with ICE or

1:34:47

federal civil immigration enforcement.

1:34:49

Um, but after listening and hearing from

1:34:51

everyone who came out, who emailed and

1:34:53

called, um, I will be offering some

1:34:55

amendments to this bill tonight. And I

1:34:57

will ask my colleagues to support this

1:34:58

resolution and its potential amendments.

1:35:01

Thank you.

1:35:02

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Green.

1:35:05

We have three ordinances for first

1:35:07

reading. Bill 2 of 2026. Mr. Humphrey,

1:35:11

could you please read it into the

1:35:12

record?

1:35:14

Bill two of 2026, an ordinance for

1:35:17

giving and discharging 2024 and 2025

1:35:20

city real estate taxes, including

1:35:22

interest, penalties, and costs, and

1:35:25

striking off tax leans for certain

1:35:26

historically taxexempt properties.

1:35:29

>> Thank you. Bill 2 of 2026 will move to

1:35:32

the administration committee. Next, we

1:35:34

have Bill 3 of 2026. Mr. Humphrey, could

1:35:38

you please read it into the record? Bill

1:35:40

3 of 2026, an ordinance amending chapter

1:35:43

2-301 of part three of the

1:35:46

administrative code regarding

1:35:47

departments heads, appointment and

1:35:49

duties and acting heads to update and

1:35:52

clarify provisions regarding such

1:35:53

appointments.

1:35:54

>> Thank you. Bill 3 of 2026 will also move

1:35:58

to the administration committee. Our

1:36:01

final ordinance for first reading is

1:36:03

bill four of 2026. Mr. Humphrey, could

1:36:06

you please read it into the record? Bill

1:36:09

4 of 2026, an ordinance amending chapter

1:36:12

9-301 of Title 9 of the Harrisburg City

1:36:15

Code regarding the municipal waste,

1:36:17

recycling, and composting code to

1:36:20

authorize the identification and

1:36:21

designation of business establishments

1:36:24

for the placement of city designated

1:36:25

litter receptacles, hotspot cans outside

1:36:29

public exits, consistent with the

1:36:30

findings of the Pennsylvania Litter

1:36:32

Action Plan.

1:36:35

>> Thank you. Bill 4 of 2026 will move to

1:36:38

the public works committee.

1:36:42

We will now move to ordinances for

1:36:43

amendment. We have bill 1 of 2026. Mr.

1:36:47

Humphrey, could you please read it into

1:36:49

the record? Bill 1 of 2026, an ordinance

1:36:52

amending part three of the

1:36:54

administrative code under chapter 2-301,

1:36:57

adding there to chapter 2-301.16

1:37:01

providing for a framework to restrict

1:37:02

and otherwise limit city intervention in

1:37:04

matters regarding immigration status.

1:37:07

>> Thank you.

1:37:10

I will defer to Councilwoman Green. She

1:37:14

mentioned she has some amendments to

1:37:16

bill one of 2026.

1:37:19

Thank you, President Hill. Um, the first

1:37:21

amendment I would like to offer is I

1:37:23

would like to offer an amendment uh to

1:37:25

add that all applications,

1:37:26

questionnaires, and interview forms used

1:37:29

in relation to city benefits,

1:37:30

opportunities, or services shall be

1:37:32

promptly reviewed by the pertinent city

1:37:34

office, department, and bureau. And that

1:37:37

any questions regarding citizenship or

1:37:39

immigration status other than those

1:37:41

required by ordinance, court order, or

1:37:43

state or federal law shall be deleted

1:37:45

within 60 days of the adoption of this

1:37:47

chapter.

1:37:50

Thank you. Is there a second? I second

1:37:53

that. Thank you. I'll entertain a motion

1:37:55

to suspend the rules for discussion.

1:37:58

>> Motion.

1:37:59

>> Is there a second?

1:38:00

>> Second.

1:38:00

>> Thank you.

1:38:02

Before

1:38:04

us, we have the first amendment to Bill

1:38:07

1 of 2026. Are there any questions,

1:38:11

comments, or concerns related to

1:38:13

amendment one? Uh, I'll just kind of

1:38:15

say, um, I'm offering this amendment,

1:38:18

uh, to kind of limit the data

1:38:19

collection. Um, I think that it's it's

1:38:21

best kind of not to even put our

1:38:22

employees in the situation of having the

1:38:24

information. That way, someone can't ask

1:38:25

them for it and they're not put in like

1:38:27

kind of that that crosshair of uh, now

1:38:29

being asked to give information that

1:38:31

they have and now they have to kind of

1:38:32

be caught in the middle and go back

1:38:34

against whether it's a federal

1:38:35

immigration officer or someone. And so I

1:38:37

think just not having the information

1:38:39

available because it's if it's not

1:38:40

something we need on file then it's not

1:38:42

really a need for us to collect it. I

1:38:44

don't think that there are many um

1:38:46

applications or interview questions or

1:38:47

anything that the city uses at this time

1:38:49

but just kind of to make sure that if

1:38:51

there are that we go ahead and get those

1:38:52

removed.

1:38:54

>> Thank you. Are there any any other

1:38:56

questions, comments or concerns related

1:38:59

to amendment one?

1:39:02

>> Okay, seeing hearing none, I will

1:39:04

entertain a motion to resume our

1:39:06

legislative session. No move.

1:39:07

>> Is there a second?

1:39:08

>> Thank you. So before us we have

1:39:10

amendment number one.

1:39:14

>> Do you mind reading it again? I'm not

1:39:16

sure Mr. Humphrey captured it.

1:39:18

>> I've read it slow the first time

1:39:19

>> for reference.

1:39:20

>> But um I would like to add that all

1:39:22

applications, questionnaires, and

1:39:24

interview forms used in relation to city

1:39:27

benefits, opportunities, or services

1:39:29

shall be promptly reviewed by the

1:39:31

pertinent city office, department, and

1:39:34

bureau. Any questions regarding

1:39:36

citizenship or immigration status other

1:39:38

than those required by ordinance, court

1:39:40

order, or state or federal law shall be

1:39:42

deleted within 60 days of the adoption

1:39:44

of this chapter.

1:39:46

>> I can send it to you.

1:39:47

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:39:50

>> Second that.

1:39:50

>> Thank you. Uh council members, are there

1:39:53

any final questions, comments, or

1:39:55

concerns related to amendment number

1:39:57

one?

1:39:59

>> Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

1:40:00

Humphre, could you please call the vote?

1:40:02

>> Miss Davis? Yes,

1:40:05

>> Miss Green.

1:40:06

>> Yes,

1:40:07

>> Mr. Jones.

1:40:10

>> Mr. Lawson.

1:40:11

>> Yes,

1:40:13

>> Miss RWS.

1:40:14

>> Yes,

1:40:15

>> Mr. Rodriguez.

1:40:17

>> Yes,

1:40:18

>> Miss Hill.

1:40:19

>> Yes.

1:40:21

>> Amendment one passes by a vote of six

1:40:23

yays, zero nays.

1:40:25

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Green. Um, I

1:40:29

would like to offer a second amendment

1:40:30

that is similar to the first, but it's

1:40:32

kind of a little more overarching, uh,

1:40:34

just in case information will be

1:40:36

stumbled upon accidentally. Uh, but it

1:40:38

says the city shall not retain

1:40:39

information related to an individual's

1:40:41

citizenship or immigration status unless

1:40:43

required to do so by state or federal

1:40:45

law or court order.

1:40:48

>> Thank you, council members. Is there a

1:40:51

second?

1:40:52

>> I second that.

1:40:53

>> Thank you. I'll suspend the rule or

1:40:55

excuse me, I will entertain a motion to

1:40:58

suspend the rules for discussion.

1:41:00

>> No move.

1:41:00

>> Is there a second?

1:41:01

>> Second.

1:41:02

>> Thank you.

1:41:03

>> Councilwoman Green, do you have any

1:41:05

other comments?

1:41:06

>> No, I think I kind of explained it.

1:41:07

>> Okay. Are there any questions regarding

1:41:11

amendment two?

1:41:13

Okay. Seeing hearing none, I'll

1:41:14

entertain a motion to resume our

1:41:16

legislative session.

1:41:17

>> So move.

1:41:17

>> Is there a second?

1:41:19

>> Second. Thank you. So before us, we have

1:41:21

amendment number two. Would you mind

1:41:25

reading it again?

1:41:27

>> The city shall not Yeah. The city shall

1:41:30

not retain information related to an

1:41:31

individual's citizenship or im

1:41:33

immigration status unless required to do

1:41:35

so by state or federal law or court

1:41:37

order.

1:41:38

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:41:40

>> Second.

1:41:41

>> Thank you. So before us we have

1:41:43

amendment number two. Council members,

1:41:45

are there any final questions, comments,

1:41:47

or concerns?

1:41:48

>> Yes, I have a question. President Hill.

1:41:50

>> Yes.

1:41:50

>> I was going to ask uh Mr. Grover. Um, on

1:41:55

the applications when anyone applies for

1:41:58

employment, is that a question whether

1:42:01

they're a citizen?

1:42:04

>> Every application under federal law has

1:42:06

to fill out an I9 form

1:42:08

>> which which regards your immigration

1:42:10

status.

1:42:11

>> Okay.

1:42:12

>> So, that is a it's a mandatory

1:42:15

>> it's mandatory that

1:42:16

>> for all employers.

1:42:18

>> Got it. I thought so. Yeah. But that's

1:42:19

why it says in here unless required by

1:42:21

law. So that that covers that.

1:42:24

>> And and those go into personnel files

1:42:26

which are not public documents in any

1:42:27

way. They don't they're not releasable

1:42:29

uh without a subpoena.

1:42:32

>> Okay.

1:42:34

>> Which is also part of what your your

1:42:36

amendments are saying. If don't just

1:42:39

willingly give up this information

1:42:40

because what you're seeing on paper

1:42:42

unless by law that's

1:42:45

>> Yes. I think that's the sentiment of

1:42:47

this entire bill.

1:42:50

Are there any other questions?

1:42:53

>> It's just a little confusing because you

1:42:56

said it's mandatory. So, how do we get

1:42:59

around that?

1:43:00

>> No. No. Mandatory the amendment says we

1:43:05

don't do it unless required to do it by

1:43:07

law.

1:43:08

>> So, okay. So, we keep it by law because

1:43:11

we have to and that's consistent with

1:43:13

that language. Um, but we're not in any

1:43:16

other forms. The idea is not to be

1:43:18

retaining that information, right,

1:43:20

>> in like a grant application or in

1:43:22

something else like that.

1:43:22

>> Okay.

1:43:23

>> Um things like that.

1:43:24

>> I just wanted to

1:43:26

be clear on that. Thank you.

1:43:28

>> Thank you.

1:43:30

>> Any other questions?

1:43:33

Okay. Seeing and hearing none, I'll

1:43:34

entertain a motion to resume our

1:43:36

legislative session.

1:43:37

>> So moved.

1:43:37

>> Is there a second?

1:43:38

>> Second.

1:43:39

>> Thank you. So before us, we have

1:43:40

amendment number two. Um, council

1:43:43

members, are there any final questions,

1:43:45

comments, or concerns relating to

1:43:47

amendment number two? Okay, seeing

1:43:50

hearing none, Mr. Humphrey, could you

1:43:52

please call the vote?

1:43:54

>> Miss Davis,

1:43:55

>> yes.

1:43:56

>> Miss Green,

1:43:58

>> yes.

1:43:59

>> Mr. Jones.

1:44:01

Mr. Lawson,

1:44:02

>> yes.

1:44:04

>> Miss RWS,

1:44:07

>> yes. Sorry,

1:44:09

>> Mr. Rodriguez. Yes, Miss Hill.

1:44:12

>> Yes.

1:44:14

>> Amendment two passes by a vote of six to

1:44:16

zero naz.

1:44:18

>> Thank you. Do you have any more,

1:44:20

Councilwoman Green?

1:44:22

>> Yes, I do have one final one.

1:44:24

>> Okay. Um, and this one says, um, so I

1:44:28

would like to make a motion, uh, to add

1:44:30

that officials or employees of the city

1:44:32

shall not initiate an investigation or

1:44:34

take law enforcement action solely on

1:44:36

the basis of actual or perceived

1:44:38

citizenship or immigration status,

1:44:40

including but not limited to the initi

1:44:42

initiation of a stop, apprehension,

1:44:44

arrest, or any other contacts.

1:44:48

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:44:50

>> Uh, second.

1:44:51

>> Thank you. Um, I will entertain a motion

1:44:54

to suspend for discussion. Thank you. Is

1:44:57

there a second?

1:44:57

>> Second.

1:44:58

>> Thank you. So, before us, we have

1:45:00

amendment number three. Are there any

1:45:03

questions?

1:45:04

>> Yes, madame president. Um, and this may

1:45:06

be a solicitor question. I'd like to see

1:45:09

if we could amend the current amendment

1:45:12

on the floor by adding some teeth to

1:45:15

maybe something by way of if the

1:45:17

individuals are let's say I don't want

1:45:20

to say caught but seen doing these um

1:45:23

certain things there needs to be some

1:45:24

type of subpoena process or they may

1:45:27

have to come in front of council or some

1:45:29

kind of just do if they are seen

1:45:31

violating this amendment.

1:45:34

How would that be worded or how can we

1:45:36

come to that conclusion this way there's

1:45:38

some teeth to it not only for the

1:45:39

citizens the residents the city but you

1:45:42

know if if if an individual knows

1:45:44

there's some teeth to it and I may be

1:45:46

punishable by committing this act I may

1:45:48

be more reluctant to do it

1:45:49

>> I understand what you're saying sir um

1:45:52

there's a couple different procedural

1:45:53

ways to do it okay

1:45:54

>> one is you can ask the moving member if

1:45:56

they were they will accept an amendment

1:45:59

to their motion

1:46:00

>> the other is to just let this motion

1:46:02

through and then simply make a separate

1:46:04

motion, okay, to add to the code. Um, I

1:46:07

will say it now because I was going to

1:46:08

say it when they were done with

1:46:09

amendments. There's going to have to be

1:46:10

another motion to authorize the law

1:46:12

bureau and the city clerk's office to

1:46:14

reumber and reorganize the uh what's

1:46:16

there now. Okay.

1:46:17

>> So, just figuring out where logically

1:46:19

this goes. It's going to take a few

1:46:20

minutes to figure that out.

1:46:21

>> Okay.

1:46:22

>> Councilwoman Green, should we just do

1:46:24

that as a separate amendment?

1:46:26

>> Yes, we do it as a separate amendment.

1:46:27

>> Yep. All right. We'll do that. So, I'll

1:46:29

withdraw the amendment on the floor or

1:46:31

the proposed. Thank you. Thank you. Um,

1:46:34

okay. Are there any other questions on

1:46:37

amendment number three? Okay, seeing and

1:46:39

hearing none, I will entertain a motion

1:46:41

to resume our legislative session.

1:46:43

>> So moved.

1:46:44

>> Is there a second?

1:46:44

>> Second.

1:46:45

>> Thank you. So before us, we have

1:46:47

amendment number three. Councilwoman

1:46:48

Green, could you read it one more time,

1:46:50

please?

1:46:51

Amendment number three states that

1:46:53

officials or employees of the city shall

1:46:55

not invest in initiate an investigation

1:46:58

or take law enforcement action solely on

1:47:00

the basis of actual or perceived

1:47:02

citizenship or immigration status

1:47:04

including but not limited to the

1:47:06

initiation of a stop apprehension arrest

1:47:08

or field contact.

1:47:10

>> Thank you council members. Are there any

1:47:12

final questions, comments or concerns

1:47:15

related to amendment number three? Okay,

1:47:18

seeing hearing none, Mr. Mr. Humphrey,

1:47:19

could you please call the vote?

1:47:22

>> Miss Davis?

1:47:23

>> Yes.

1:47:24

>> Miss Green?

1:47:25

>> Yes.

1:47:26

>> Mr. Jones.

1:47:28

>> Mr. Lawson?

1:47:30

>> Yes.

1:47:31

>> Miss RWS?

1:47:33

>> Yes.

1:47:34

>> Mr. Rodriguez?

1:47:35

>> Yes.

1:47:36

>> Miss Hill?

1:47:37

>> Yes.

1:47:38

>> Amendment three passes by a vote of six

1:47:39

yays to zero naz.

1:47:41

>> Thank you. Are there any other

1:47:44

amendments? Councilwoman Ross? Yes, I do

1:47:47

have a few amendments to bill number one

1:47:49

of 2026.

1:47:51

Um,

1:47:55

I wanted to move to amend on

1:48:01

page five, line 90,

1:48:04

um, section 2-301,

1:48:07

um, 164, strike the word solely, and

1:48:11

just have it say, um,

1:48:15

no city official employee shall use city

1:48:18

funds, personal

1:48:20

equipment, data, technology, property,

1:48:22

or facilities to assist in the

1:48:24

investigation, detention, or arrest of

1:48:27

any person related to a violation of

1:48:30

federal or civil immigration law. So, I

1:48:32

just wanted to strike the word solely.

1:48:36

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:48:38

>> Second.

1:48:39

>> Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to

1:48:42

suspend the rules for discussion. Is

1:48:43

there a second?

1:48:44

>> Second.

1:48:45

>> Thank you. So, before us, we have

1:48:47

amendment number four. Um, make sure I

1:48:50

got it right. Page five, line 90. Yes.

1:48:54

Section 2-301. And we are striking the

1:48:58

word solely.

1:49:00

>> Are there any questions

1:49:03

on amendment number four?

1:49:07

Okay. Seeing hearing none, I'll

1:49:09

entertain a motion to resume our

1:49:11

legislative session.

1:49:12

>> So move.

1:49:12

>> Is there a second?

1:49:13

>> Second.

1:49:14

>> Thank you. Um,

1:49:17

Councilwoman Ross, would you mind

1:49:19

restating your amendment because um,

1:49:24

>> did we have a second?

1:49:25

>> Yes.

1:49:26

>> Okay.

1:49:27

>> Okay.

1:49:27

>> I will restate it. I won't read the

1:49:29

whole thing as I did, but I'll restate

1:49:31

exactly what I want to strike. I want to

1:49:34

strike on page five, line 90 in section

1:49:37

2-301,

1:49:39

strike the word solely.

1:49:41

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:49:44

Second.

1:49:45

>> Thank you. Just wanted to make sure. Um,

1:49:48

council members, are there any final

1:49:50

questions, comments, or concerns related

1:49:52

to amendment number four?

1:49:56

>> Hey, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

1:49:58

Humphrey, could you please call the

1:49:59

vote?

1:49:59

>> Miss Davis,

1:50:01

>> yes.

1:50:02

>> Miss Green,

1:50:02

>> yes.

1:50:03

>> Mr. Jones,

1:50:04

>> yay.

1:50:05

>> Mr. Lawson,

1:50:07

>> yes.

1:50:07

>> Miss RWS,

1:50:08

>> yes.

1:50:09

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

1:50:11

>> yes.

1:50:11

>> Miss Hill,

1:50:12

>> yes. Amendment four passes by a vote of

1:50:15

seven yays to zero nays.

1:50:17

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Ross.

1:50:20

>> Thank you. Yes, I just have two more

1:50:22

also on page five but in section um

1:50:27

uh 2-30167

1:50:29

I wanted to strike the subsection C that

1:50:33

says restrict any provision of 8 USC uh

1:50:38

1373 which restricts and otherwise

1:50:41

governs the sharing of information. Um,

1:50:45

so I wanted to strike subsection C in

1:50:48

its entirety which references title 8 of

1:50:51

the United States Code section 1373.

1:50:56

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:50:58

>> Second that.

1:50:59

>> Thank you. Um, I would entertain a

1:51:00

motion to suspend the rules for

1:51:03

discussion.

1:51:03

>> So move.

1:51:04

>> Is there a second?

1:51:06

>> Thank you. Um, before us we have

1:51:07

amendment number five.

1:51:10

>> Um, hope let me make sure I got it

1:51:12

right. This is on page 5, section 2-301.

1:51:17

Um, and we are striking subsection C in

1:51:20

its entirety.

1:51:22

>> Yes.

1:51:22

>> Okay. Are there any questions regarding

1:51:25

amendment number five?

1:51:28

>> Could you just explain um the section a

1:51:31

little more and why why you're choosing

1:51:33

to strike it? I believe it's the entire

1:51:34

section about federal immigration

1:51:36

enforcement in its entirety. So, if you

1:51:39

could just explain a little bit more. Uh

1:51:41

so when I was speaking with um a member

1:51:44

of CASA um it was just it was

1:51:48

unnecessary

1:51:49

in um its entirety of that just that

1:51:53

portion cuz everything else was um

1:51:56

already in engage with it. So they said

1:51:59

that section wasn't

1:52:04

>> okay. Um

1:52:07

I don't know much about federal

1:52:08

immigration enforcement only a little

1:52:09

bit. Um, but I do believe that there are

1:52:13

certain uh individuals that

1:52:18

>> the communication benefits in the sense

1:52:20

of if someone's a victim of a crime, um,

1:52:22

the city of Harrisburg would need to

1:52:24

communicate with federal agencies that

1:52:26

that person was a victim of a crime and

1:52:28

it then allows them to apply for certain

1:52:30

um certain status uh, in the US. So,

1:52:34

will that affect that? Will we not be

1:52:35

able to share information if someone was

1:52:36

like the victim of a crime?

1:52:39

I was told no, but you know what? I'm

1:52:41

going to get some more clarification, so

1:52:42

I'm going to withdraw that.

1:52:45

>> Okay. Solicitor Grover, do you have any

1:52:47

feedback?

1:52:49

>> Yeah.

1:52:49

>> Once or twice a year, we get letters

1:52:51

from um attorneys for immigrant who are

1:52:55

attempting to get a particular visa. And

1:52:58

there is a provision that provides if

1:53:00

they were the victim of a crime, where

1:53:01

they assisted in the prosecution of of

1:53:05

somebody that they can be eligible for

1:53:07

that status. So we get about one or two

1:53:09

a year that come through the city.

1:53:11

>> Okay. And so this is where it gets a

1:53:13

little fuzzy where you start, you know,

1:53:15

which thing are you doing? And frankly,

1:53:17

we can't do anything about federal

1:53:19

immigration law. It is what it is. Um,

1:53:21

but you know, the obligations I think

1:53:24

that we're trying to restrict are simply

1:53:25

the ones that force or allow our

1:53:29

participation as a local government with

1:53:33

ISIS's attempt to enforce civil arrest

1:53:36

in our city.

1:53:40

>> I'm going to um withdraw that one. I'm

1:53:42

going to get some more information

1:53:44

on it and like we said, we can always

1:53:46

bring over more amendments.

1:53:48

Frankly, we just borrowed it from

1:53:50

someone else's home. That's what we did.

1:53:52

>> So,

1:53:54

>> okay.

1:53:55

>> And I just I just have one more. And

1:53:57

this actually goes with a a little bit

1:54:00

more of what Miss Green had brought

1:54:02

forward with not um giving out certain

1:54:05

data, but this one is going to be

1:54:07

talking about um also allowing them

1:54:09

access on property. Um so

1:54:14

on page five in section um 2-301

1:54:20

166 I wanted to strike the existing

1:54:23

language in it in its entirety and I

1:54:25

wanted to instead have it say no city

1:54:28

official or employee shall provide

1:54:30

access to any city facilities property

1:54:33

surrounding any facility equipment

1:54:36

records database or funds not accessible

1:54:39

to the public unless mandated. by

1:54:41

federal or state law or regulation of

1:54:44

pursuit of to a judicial warrant spec

1:54:48

specifically the information or

1:54:50

individuals sought. So I know that was

1:54:53

something that was um brought up about

1:54:55

um

1:54:57

art facilities and property. So that's

1:55:00

why I'm bringing that amendment forward.

1:55:02

>> Okay. First, let me entertain a motion

1:55:04

to resume our legislative session

1:55:06

because we stopped during the line of

1:55:08

questioning.

1:55:09

>> Oh, my apologies.

1:55:10

>> That's okay. So move.

1:55:11

>> Is there a second?

1:55:12

>> Second.

1:55:12

>> Thank you. So, um, Councilwoman Ross, if

1:55:15

you wouldn't mind reading your amendment

1:55:17

again, and then we can get someone to

1:55:19

second it.

1:55:20

>> Yes. On page five in section 2-301, I

1:55:22

wanted to strike the existing language

1:55:24

in its entirety and replace it with the

1:55:26

following. No city official or employee

1:55:29

shall provide access to any city

1:55:32

facilities, property surrounding any

1:55:34

facility, equipment, records, database,

1:55:37

or funds not accessible to the public

1:55:39

unless mandated by federal or state law

1:55:42

or regulation or pursuit to a

1:55:47

judicial warrant, specifically the

1:55:49

information or individuals sought.

1:55:52

>> Thank you. Is there a second?

1:55:54

>> Second.

1:55:55

>> Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to

1:55:58

suspend the rules for discussion.

1:56:00

>> So move.

1:56:01

>> Is there a second?

1:56:02

>> Second.

1:56:02

>> Thank you. Before us, we have the new

1:56:05

amendment number five. So that's page 5,

1:56:08

section 2-301,

1:56:11

uh, subsection 16.6,

1:56:14

uh, strike the existing language and add

1:56:17

all of the language that Councilwoman

1:56:19

Raw has mentioned. Are there any

1:56:21

questions relating to the new amendment

1:56:24

number five?

1:56:29

Is there a specification for um the

1:56:32

space around the facility?

1:56:35

>> I mine was to say

1:56:39

don't the access on our not a

1:56:42

specification on it but just saying the

1:56:44

surrounding area.

1:56:47

I think that that was something

1:56:48

community members are asking for and

1:56:51

saying in the sense of

1:56:53

not letting anyone on the the property

1:56:56

without a warrant. Um so that's where I

1:57:00

was um pushing to be able to place some

1:57:04

type of language in there um for that

1:57:09

reason.

1:57:09

>> Okay. because I think that is what a lot

1:57:11

of people are nervous about of them

1:57:13

coming into public areas um public

1:57:16

facilities around um any public uh

1:57:20

government buildings without any

1:57:22

warrants.

1:57:24

>> Okay,

1:57:24

>> that's where I that's why I wanted to

1:57:26

put that in there.

1:57:27

>> Did we I'm sorry. It was a lot in that.

1:57:30

Did you say around like like

1:57:31

non-publicly accessible areas or just

1:57:34

like including publicly accessible

1:57:35

areas?

1:57:36

>> I said city facility. show property

1:57:40

surrounding any facility.

1:57:42

>> So,

1:57:43

>> so like it will ban them from coming out

1:57:44

front.

1:57:45

>> Yes.

1:57:46

>> Okay. All right.

1:57:47

>> I I was going to say if it's a public

1:57:49

area,

1:57:49

>> if you do that,

1:57:51

>> if the government can do that, not just

1:57:53

you,

1:57:54

>> they can ban anyone from public

1:57:56

facility. I mean, you know what I'm

1:57:59

saying? But that's exactly

1:58:00

>> I do. But I can understand the

1:58:05

the fear of of I understand what you're

1:58:08

saying. I do. I do. I do. I do.

1:58:12

I do. I'm I'm putting it forth. If it

1:58:15

passes, it passes. If it doesn't, it

1:58:17

doesn't. But I can I just um

1:58:21

>> Yeah. We just remember when we're doing

1:58:23

these things um that we're not going to

1:58:25

put ourselves as as a city in jeopardy

1:58:28

of um these lawsuits, you know, um

1:58:31

understand that.

1:58:32

>> But but I think the protection is there.

1:58:35

>> Okay.

1:58:35

>> As far as um like you said, if you if

1:58:37

you tell people, it's kind of like the

1:58:39

the mask, the the shy mask. They wanted

1:58:41

us to pass the bill, right? And I was

1:58:44

like, I understand it, but we can't we

1:58:47

can't tell people what to wear right

1:58:49

now. if they enter the public facility,

1:58:52

we can ban them from doing that, right?

1:58:55

But yeah, you just got to be careful.

1:58:57

And again, some of these things we're

1:58:58

we're gonna we're not going to get it

1:59:00

all in one shot. Just let me say that,

1:59:03

right? I think um looking down the road

1:59:05

again cuz this thing is moving fast. So,

1:59:08

we just got to keep up the best way we

1:59:09

can. I mean, I think there's there's

1:59:11

nothing wrong other than that portion,

1:59:13

that sentence or a few words.

1:59:17

everything else seems to be if if I'm if

1:59:20

I'm

1:59:22

>> I think everything else is kind of what

1:59:24

um and I I hear what everyone is saying.

1:59:26

Um and I am definitely up for amendments

1:59:30

on it, but I also want to try to find a

1:59:32

way to protect even us. And I um this is

1:59:38

not easy. It's not easy. The wording is

1:59:40

not easy. I don't want any lawsuits, but

1:59:43

um

1:59:46

I mean they anyone's up for grabs and I

1:59:49

I but um

1:59:53

I do know Councilwoman Green had put in

1:59:56

with like access to databases.

1:59:59

Um I did just add the this one added

2:00:03

with the facilities city facil

2:00:05

facilities and properties surrounding.

2:00:09

But like I said, if it if I'm up for

2:00:12

>> I think you're very close. It's just the

2:00:14

area surrounding problem, which

2:00:16

basically means the public sidewalk

2:00:18

where anyone's allowed to speak,

2:00:20

>> right? That that's that's the problem.

2:00:22

But the nonpublic portions of the

2:00:25

facilities is a very good idea. You

2:00:27

know,

2:00:28

>> it's already in there. The non-public

2:00:30

portion is already in there.

2:00:31

>> The non I'm sorry, I hear you, council.

2:00:33

The non-public portion is what you're

2:00:35

striking out that they can't come into

2:00:37

non-public city facilities. You're

2:00:39

striking that and saying they can't come

2:00:41

into public areas either.

2:00:43

>> Can can we

2:00:46

>> put a a a stop on the facility but not

2:00:50

necessarily the the area around? meaning

2:00:54

such as when we have our our building,

2:00:56

we will close it for certain days of the

2:00:58

week and the public is not able to

2:01:00

access the building during that time

2:01:03

frame, although it's still a public

2:01:04

building. Um, would

2:01:08

would it hold up better in court if it

2:01:10

were just not access to public to the

2:01:14

city's facilities where we don't

2:01:16

distinguish between public access,

2:01:20

private access? We just we and I I think

2:01:23

the surrounding would be a problem in in

2:01:24

in a in a lawsuit, but I but I don't

2:01:27

know if we can't say you you can't enter

2:01:31

for the purposes of an arrest without a

2:01:34

warrant into the facility and just leave

2:01:36

it blank.

2:01:38

>> I think that that portion is there. I

2:01:40

think right

2:01:43

>> but I think it gets into saying the

2:01:45

>> nonpublic

2:01:46

>> I think that the surrounding area is the

2:01:51

you know gray area right there because

2:01:54

it's a public it's public it's anyone

2:01:56

can

2:01:57

>> go out on the surrounding areas it's

2:02:00

public

2:02:01

>> property it's anyone can freely

2:02:04

>> so removing property surrounding any

2:02:06

facility

2:02:08

>> that's the part

2:02:09

>> would that be the part that could

2:02:11

>> Yeah.

2:02:11

>> Okay.

2:02:14

>> Um I I I

2:02:16

um if it do I would I make that

2:02:18

amendment to remove it? I'm fine with

2:02:20

that. But I do want to find other as we

2:02:23

continue to amend it. I do want to find

2:02:25

>> it is totally your call. And when I say

2:02:26

you can't do it, I don't mean you can't

2:02:28

do it. I mean if you do do it

2:02:30

constitutional issue

2:02:33

>> I Yeah. No. And I understand and I don't

2:02:36

want us to to fall in any lawsuits. I'm

2:02:38

just trying to find a way to protect us

2:02:40

as a community. So,

2:02:42

>> and if I could follow the very big

2:02:44

picture portion of this, I mean, the

2:02:46

reason you're doing this

2:02:48

>> is because the federal government has

2:02:50

gone down a path that is trampling on

2:02:54

rights.

2:02:55

>> And it's hard not to react back and come

2:02:59

up with things to push back, but then

2:03:01

you're also trampling on rights. And if

2:03:03

any government can tell anybody here

2:03:05

they can't be in a public area, is the

2:03:08

same thing as martial law. You know, you

2:03:10

are now closing your streets to select

2:03:13

classes of anyone and you are you are

2:03:16

just in deep water. But non-public

2:03:18

things, you could do that. And frankly,

2:03:20

you could pass a thing authorizing the

2:03:22

mayor to close a structure,

2:03:25

you know, on her on her judgment uh to

2:03:28

prevent uh access if necessary. um you

2:03:31

know she has she controls the any mayor

2:03:34

controls the access to buildings and

2:03:36

decides opened and closed. So

2:03:39

>> h how was this similar to martial law? I

2:03:42

>> no no if you can ban if you can block

2:03:45

people from being in public areas any

2:03:47

group of people you're closing the

2:03:50

streets you're closing your government

2:03:52

is telling you

2:03:53

>> that that people can't be on the street

2:03:55

if you have the power to do that.

2:03:58

>> Okay

2:03:58

>> that's what I'm saying

2:03:59

>> because we didn't order to militarize

2:04:00

the streets at all. I just want to do

2:04:02

>> but no but I'm saying that's when you

2:04:03

close the streets you close everything

2:04:05

down you know and frankly I think that's

2:04:07

the worry people have where we're going

2:04:09

>> so

2:04:10

>> and and and what are we actually saying

2:04:12

here right where where um and I'm

2:04:15

speaking with you guys as well you guys

2:04:17

probably can't hear me but um what are

2:04:22

we really talking about with this

2:04:23

portion um people coming into the

2:04:25

building I'm talking about regular

2:04:27

people in the building um that may be

2:04:29

undocumented are or or not and then

2:04:32

someone coming in grabbing them out of

2:04:33

here. Is that what we're talking about?

2:04:37

>> I'm trying to prevent that from

2:04:38

happening by saying

2:04:39

>> exactly. So that's what we're talking

2:04:40

about.

2:04:41

>> That's why I had the judicial warrant.

2:04:42

Yes. I what I'm saying is

2:04:44

>> so again I think the portion of where

2:04:46

there is um if they don't have a

2:04:49

warrant, what happens?

2:04:53

>> What happens if they come into a public

2:04:55

building and they don't have a warrant?

2:04:57

>> Yes.

2:04:58

>> Then it becomes a confrontation.

2:05:02

Right. So, if they do have a warrant,

2:05:04

>> they'd have to show it. You ask them to

2:05:05

show a warrant. Anyone who comes in the

2:05:07

building, you know, the building's not

2:05:09

just walk through. They have to have a

2:05:11

purpose to be here. They have to sign

2:05:12

in. And I'm saying so there, you know,

2:05:14

people show up here with subpoenas,

2:05:16

warrants, all kinds of things for

2:05:17

different things. But someone chasing

2:05:19

someone in here or looking for someone

2:05:21

would be a very unusual event.

2:05:23

>> Yeah. But but let's be clear. If ICE was

2:05:25

to do that, there's no one in this

2:05:26

building that's going to stop them from

2:05:28

forcifully kicking these doors open,

2:05:30

coming straight up to a floor they need

2:05:31

to.

2:05:32

>> We we agree. I

2:05:33

>> there's no one in this building that's

2:05:34

going to stop them or prevent that from

2:05:36

happening.

2:05:36

>> The real issue is going to be in the

2:05:38

streets

2:05:38

>> hypothetically. Yeah. I don't even

2:05:40

>> Yeah. So, I think again my

2:05:42

recommendation I I would just say um

2:05:44

that surrounding area part until we can

2:05:46

figure out another portion to put some

2:05:49

protection around it. I think, you know,

2:05:52

that would work.

2:05:54

>> I would agree with that as long as we

2:05:55

find some way to find some protection

2:05:58

around it because my thought is even I

2:06:00

don't want them or anyone walking around

2:06:03

the building f trying to find people and

2:06:06

cuz that's my nerv that's what I'm

2:06:08

nervous about too, you know. So, I was

2:06:10

trying to find a way, but I understand

2:06:12

and I I am fine for now until we find

2:06:16

the language to um take out property

2:06:19

surrounding any facility, but I would

2:06:21

still like to um

2:06:23

So, I will take that part out. So, would

2:06:25

you like me to

2:06:27

>> the non-public portion of that in the

2:06:30

city in the facility? Um if if we strike

2:06:33

the nonpublic, it it says facility. So,

2:06:37

we're not talking about outside. what

2:06:39

we're talking about in the building. And

2:06:42

when you when you just say city facility

2:06:45

now, it doesn't leave it to uh the

2:06:47

interpretation. Okay, you're not allowed

2:06:49

to access the elevators to go upstairs,

2:06:51

but you're allowed to to get into the

2:06:52

the atrium and and chase someone. That

2:06:55

that that scenario of someone being

2:06:57

chased into the building. Um when we say

2:07:00

just facility, that may give more of

2:07:03

what Councilwoman Ross is looking for.

2:07:06

>> Oh, you're saying take out. So, so

2:07:07

you're saying um take out city and just

2:07:10

leave facility.

2:07:11

>> I just see No, no, I mean non-public. It

2:07:13

says uh

2:07:14

>> Oh, at the bottom the Yes.

2:07:16

>> not access to non-public city facility.

2:07:18

So, um what I'm doing is introducing a

2:07:22

little bit more ambiguity so that you

2:07:24

you can say that we are now protecting

2:07:28

you in the facility as opposed to

2:07:30

non-public may be interpreted as going

2:07:32

back to offices or or whatever.

2:07:36

Okay. So, how about if I strike property

2:07:40

surrounding any facility and then you

2:07:41

give an amendment to what you are saying

2:07:44

to add into it.

2:07:47

>> I just don't want to misspeak what

2:07:48

you're saying.

2:07:49

>> What I'm what I'm just saying is trying

2:07:50

to find a way for you to to where the

2:07:54

>> right

2:07:54

>> the round hole is figure out just like

2:07:57

saying, "Hey, I I I can't tell you you

2:07:59

can't walk out on the sidewalk, but I

2:08:01

can tell you you can't chase someone

2:08:03

into the building."

2:08:04

>> Right. Nope. I I do I get what you're

2:08:06

saying. I just didn't want to I didn't

2:08:09

want to say it incorrectly if there was

2:08:10

a wording you wanted to put in there.

2:08:12

>> I'm just saying if you were adding that

2:08:14

amendment just so we don't have

2:08:16

nonpublic in there so that way it it it

2:08:19

leaves you to a broader area.

2:08:25

>> And if you want more time to think about

2:08:26

it, you could withdraw this one too and

2:08:30

offer it another at another time. Yes,

2:08:32

I'm gonna do that

2:08:34

>> some time

2:08:35

>> because I had a lot of suggestions and I

2:08:38

want to make sure I get this right.

2:08:39

>> Okay, that's fine.

2:08:42

>> If there's no further discussion, I

2:08:45

would like to um

2:08:48

request

2:08:49

a motion to resume our legislative

2:08:52

session.

2:08:52

>> So move.

2:08:53

>> Is there a second?

2:08:54

>> Second.

2:08:55

>> Thank you. Okay. So, both amendment

2:09:00

number five were um withdrawn. So, now

2:09:06

we have

2:09:08

the final amendment. You said that's

2:09:10

needed for the clerk's office and the

2:09:13

law bureau to reorganize.

2:09:15

>> I thought Mr.

2:09:16

>> I have one more.

2:09:17

>> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I forgot

2:09:18

yours. Yes.

2:09:19

>> Um, do I need to make a motion first?

2:09:22

>> Uh, yes, please.

2:09:24

>> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to add

2:09:26

an amendment to the legislation to

2:09:28

Should I read it off initially or

2:09:31

>> Yes, please second.

2:09:32

>> Um something along the lines of this is

2:09:35

the TE portion of it. Um not sure, Madam

2:09:37

Chair, if this exists, but I wanted to

2:09:39

add a little bit of TE to it. um

2:09:42

something along the lines of any

2:09:43

individual or entity within the public

2:09:45

safety department and/or within the city

2:09:47

of Harrisburg that does participate,

2:09:49

engage, or unlawfully displays acts of

2:09:52

immigration duties or collaboration

2:09:54

shall be up for a 30-day review and if

2:09:56

found guilty shall be punishable by

2:09:58

either a fine or career displacement for

2:10:00

violation of this ordinance. something

2:10:02

with teeth that will maybe or possibly

2:10:05

prevent individuals from acting or

2:10:07

engaging into these acts because I feel

2:10:09

like without it without some kind of

2:10:11

mechanism where they like whoa I'm not

2:10:12

even getting involved in it then we're

2:10:15

running the the luck and chance of it

2:10:17

happening over and over just my thoughts

2:10:22

>> the motion was moved and

2:10:24

>> second

2:10:25

>> second okay

2:10:26

>> before we do that can we just make it

2:10:28

any city employee instead of

2:10:29

specifically pointing out public safety

2:10:31

and then saying the uh public safety

2:10:33

department or within the city of

2:10:34

Harrisburg that does participate engage

2:10:36

and I'm pretty sure the solicitor will

2:10:38

kind of

2:10:38

>> okay due

2:10:39

>> I was just hoping not to specifically

2:10:41

point out public safety because that's

2:10:42

police, fire and codes, but we also have

2:10:44

building and housing that um does some

2:10:46

of these questions and things. So I just

2:10:48

think it's unfair to only point towards

2:10:50

public safety and then wait and then say

2:10:52

everybody else. If we're saying

2:10:54

everybody, I think we should everybody

2:10:55

>> take public safety out like any

2:10:58

employee. That way it's fair across the

2:11:00

board to any employee that does it.

2:11:01

Yeah,

2:11:01

>> that's fair. I'll entertain a motion to

2:11:03

suspend the rules for discussion.

2:11:06

>> So move.

2:11:06

>> Is there a second?

2:11:08

>> Second.

2:11:09

>> Thank you. So we have the third

2:11:11

amendment number five. Solicitor Grover,

2:11:13

do you have a response to the amendment

2:11:14

on the floor?

2:11:16

>> Um

2:11:17

>> should I re

2:11:18

>> I agree that there could be teeth in

2:11:20

here.

2:11:21

>> I would suggest that would violate all

2:11:23

three of our union contracts.

2:11:24

>> Okay. um because you have the right to a

2:11:27

due process hearing as a union member

2:11:29

and from there it's progressive

2:11:31

discipline depending what it is. So by

2:11:33

opposing a discipline in an ordinance

2:11:36

you're basically wiping out that right

2:11:39

which will we will we will lose that

2:11:42

question. Um I don't have I don't have

2:11:44

sitting here on the fly what a penalty

2:11:47

could properly be. I'm happy to work

2:11:49

with you to come up with one,

2:11:51

>> but it's kind of hard to do

2:11:53

>> just off the top of my head.

2:11:55

>> And I I'd rather I don't know. I don't I

2:11:57

don't want to say I'd rather uh I'd

2:11:59

rather ask for forgiveness than

2:12:00

permission when it comes to this

2:12:02

specific one, but I do understand your

2:12:04

sentiments. I just don't want it to be

2:12:05

that thing where we say we're going to

2:12:07

build on this and it never happens

2:12:09

>> or it's 2028 and we're still talking

2:12:11

about I'm going to get back to you on

2:12:12

that amendment. No, what I'm saying is

2:12:15

if you for me to do that, I would say

2:12:18

you would end up not voting on the final

2:12:20

bill tonight. Okay. If you're have if I

2:12:22

think two of you are trying to come up

2:12:24

with amendments, you know, that's up to

2:12:26

your you collectively, but uh

2:12:28

>> so you're saying if if we just without

2:12:31

any FOP um

2:12:34

let's say uh agreements and we're just

2:12:36

putting employment employees at the city

2:12:38

of Harrisburg,

2:12:38

>> all three unions would basically have

2:12:41

they have progressive discipline. all

2:12:43

three unions as public employees, they

2:12:44

have rights um to a to a hearing. They

2:12:47

have a right to, you know, so I'm saying

2:12:49

and then that determines what the

2:12:51

discipline is.

2:12:51

>> So then even in that regard, this this

2:12:54

bill alone really wouldn't have the T

2:12:56

for traction to prevent anyone from

2:12:57

engaging regardless because those

2:12:59

contracts will prevent them.

2:13:01

>> No. No. But if they're violating a city

2:13:03

ordinance, right,

2:13:06

>> and their supervisor finds they're

2:13:08

violating it, then you start the

2:13:10

disciplinary process just like any other

2:13:12

city ordinance. You can be disciplined

2:13:14

for not following the law as a city

2:13:17

employee, but it's done under the

2:13:19

contract process for that. A manager can

2:13:21

be terminated. They're employees as

2:13:23

well. Well, can't we create a mechanism

2:13:26

maybe for them to maybe for there to be

2:13:28

a case load about it so council can be

2:13:30

privy to the information? There has to

2:13:32

be a way to hold these individuals

2:13:34

accountable. There has to be a way

2:13:38

without violating any agreements without

2:13:40

>> But we add in um that if a city employee

2:13:43

violates this bill that they will be

2:13:46

subject to disciplinary disciplinary

2:13:49

action per the union contract.

2:13:52

And do does does do these contracts even

2:13:54

forbid them from engaging in immigration

2:13:57

within the city? I don't think so.

2:13:58

>> But they require them to follow the law,

2:14:01

>> right? That's what I was saying. You an

2:14:02

ordinance is a law

2:14:04

>> and and then you can be disciplined for

2:14:06

failing to follow a law,

2:14:07

>> you know.

2:14:07

>> But if there's no actions in the law

2:14:09

that say what the discipline is. No, the

2:14:11

the the law the law you're trying to

2:14:14

pass if it's a in Pennsylvania under

2:14:16

labor law, it would be considered an

2:14:18

unfair labor practice to put into an

2:14:20

ordinance a particular punishment for a

2:14:22

public employee has a property right in

2:14:24

their in their job. That's simply the

2:14:26

established law.

2:14:27

>> And so if you put a discipline in an

2:14:29

ordinance, you're violating the

2:14:31

contract. You're basically overriding

2:14:32

it.

2:14:34

>> So where would the teeth and liability

2:14:36

portion come from? I what you come from

2:14:38

I think which is not a bad suggestion is

2:14:40

to say that that this ma a violation of

2:14:43

this ordinance shall be considered

2:14:44

subject to discipline uh of the employee

2:14:48

and then it takes it where a discipline

2:14:50

only goes to the individual department

2:14:52

there's a chain it goes to HR if it's

2:14:54

severe it comes up to to us and the

2:14:56

mayor

2:14:56

>> so if you say that is your legal opinion

2:14:58

for me I would go with it I just feel

2:15:00

it's very vague and doesn't give enough

2:15:02

of that that power that where people

2:15:05

would even be reluctant to engage But if

2:15:07

that's your legal opinion, I would have

2:15:09

to go with it as a city solicitor. I

2:15:11

just feel it's very vague in my opinion.

2:15:13

>> Yeah, I I maybe it's the hour. I don't

2:15:16

know. I you know, you can write a book

2:15:19

on labor law.

2:15:20

>> I understand.

2:15:21

>> You're right. It's uh um

2:15:24

and I can give you examples. I mean, if

2:15:26

you if you uh

2:15:29

um

2:15:30

ran a stop sign and got caught at work,

2:15:32

you broke a traffic law. You can be

2:15:34

disciplined. I mean, there's a whole

2:15:35

series of just normal There's laws and

2:15:37

accountability measures for running that

2:15:39

stop sign. Right now, there is none for

2:15:41

engaging in the immigration process.

2:15:42

>> So, it's two things. There's laws and

2:15:45

accountability that aren't just with

2:15:47

your employment. That's the that's

2:15:49

that's the vehicle code.

2:15:51

>> That's the one form. So, the employment

2:15:56

is above and beyond that. It's a

2:15:58

discipline in your job.

2:15:59

>> Okay?

2:15:59

>> You know, so so that's where that's

2:16:01

where the union contract comes in. Um,

2:16:03

and you have the right to have a

2:16:05

hearing, all those things as an employee

2:16:06

for a discipline. Um, and uh,

2:16:11

that's where that's where the that's

2:16:12

where the wrinkles are here.

2:16:13

>> So, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, your uh,

2:16:16

your advice was to add what um, how how

2:16:19

did you want to word it again? Um, I

2:16:22

believe it was something to the effect

2:16:24

of uh any city employee that violates

2:16:27

this bill would be subject to

2:16:30

disciplinary action per the union

2:16:32

contract.

2:16:33

>> And um for the sake of the bill, I I

2:16:36

would agree to that and to also further

2:16:39

look into what the possibilities could

2:16:41

be for disciplinary actions. So, I'd

2:16:43

love to work with you on that as you

2:16:44

said you would be willing to.

2:16:46

>> Sure. Um, Solicitor Grover, would would

2:16:48

you like the the stop sign um example uh

2:16:52

be able to add something that was

2:16:54

punitive outside of uh employment law?

2:16:58

you know, something as if there was a

2:16:59

fine or or or so that would come along

2:17:02

with this just to kind of give you like

2:17:06

that secondary

2:17:09

teeth that's that that wouldn't be quite

2:17:11

a part of, you know, the the employer or

2:17:14

employee um agreement since we are

2:17:17

passing a law and not just um an HR

2:17:20

standard,

2:17:20

>> but it's directed specifically at city

2:17:24

employees, the law.

2:17:27

So, it has to be under employment law.

2:17:30

>> We don't have a portion of this that's

2:17:32

that's non city not that's non city city

2:17:35

employee, right? We're not saying like a

2:17:37

citizen can't,

2:17:38

>> you know, restrict citizens from what

2:17:41

they can do. It doesn't directly

2:17:43

restrict anybody what they can do except

2:17:45

city employees. That's so it you have to

2:17:48

use employment law in the analysis.

2:17:57

Uh, Councilman Rodriguez, if you're okay

2:17:59

with that language, we can add that in

2:18:00

and then look to to strengthen it in the

2:18:02

future. Yeah. But that way something's

2:18:04

in

2:18:04

>> to add the teeth to it currently and we

2:18:06

can get this bill passed. I I'd be

2:18:07

agreeing to that under the contingency

2:18:10

of uh Solicitor Grover working with us

2:18:12

to figure out what those measures and

2:18:14

mechanisms can be moving forward without

2:18:16

violation of any agreements because I do

2:18:18

understand that. But I definitely I've

2:18:20

seen a lot of bills coming forward, but

2:18:21

there's no real uh like power to

2:18:24

enforce, right? They're just kind of

2:18:25

bills. They're just there. And if people

2:18:27

violate them, hey, sorry. It's kind of a

2:18:30

tap on the wrist. I don't want this bill

2:18:32

to kind of be that way. Um so I I would

2:18:35

agree to that, Madam Chair, and um under

2:18:38

the contingency that we could look

2:18:39

forward and see what those measures

2:18:41

could be.

2:18:41

>> Yeah. And I definitely agree with you

2:18:43

because I mean there are um there are

2:18:46

caveats in in a lot of um jobs where you

2:18:49

hold sensitive information that if you

2:18:51

step outside of your role in that job,

2:18:53

right? And I think that's kind of what

2:18:54

you're saying that if you violate this

2:18:55

and you're stepping outside of what your

2:18:57

job permits. Um, so I think we

2:18:59

definitely can look into that, uh, and

2:19:01

see what we can get in there because I

2:19:02

can I can see how that can fit in there

2:19:03

that if you go outside of this and you

2:19:06

hand over information that you're

2:19:07

specifically told not to hand over as

2:19:09

part of your job, then now you've

2:19:11

stepped outside of the scope of your

2:19:12

job, but um,

2:19:14

>> somewhere in the parameters, trust me.

2:19:16

And I know the administration does a

2:19:17

great job working on these agreements

2:19:18

and I by no means want to, you know,

2:19:21

degrade um any FOP agreements by any way

2:19:23

of public safety, but I do want for some

2:19:26

reason in my brain I see some type of

2:19:28

implementation of mechanism to enforce

2:19:30

this to enforce this bill. I

2:19:32

>> I understand what you're saying. So, and

2:19:34

if this gives you any comfort, if the

2:19:36

bill is adopted, our office could send

2:19:38

out an all employee email

2:19:42

>> that says this has been adopted. it

2:19:44

regards the actions of city employees

2:19:47

and supervisors are hereby advised that

2:19:50

a violation would be a disciplinary

2:19:51

matter. Um and so there it's in the

2:19:54

record from the beginning that every

2:19:56

every supervisor knows that it's subject

2:19:59

to discipline if they violate this.

2:20:00

>> So yeah I I'll be to agree with that

2:20:02

madam chair. Thank you.

2:20:03

>> And I think that city uh employee wide

2:20:05

email will be definitely needed because

2:20:07

um we c we keep looking at this as just

2:20:10

public safety, but um it this also

2:20:12

covers ask me employees that uh handle a

2:20:15

lot of administrative paperwork and

2:20:16

different things or and are engaging

2:20:18

with um with residents on many levels.

2:20:21

Uh and we might want to make sure that

2:20:22

they're aware of it too because um

2:20:24

police fire codes might be a little more

2:20:27

stringent on making sure that their

2:20:29

employees understand all the caveats of

2:20:32

this. But um for instance, the person

2:20:34

sitting at the front desk might not pay

2:20:36

any attention to it, but they're they're

2:20:38

also covered by by the union as well,

2:20:39

and they're also covered by this um this

2:20:42

bill as well. So, we want to make sure

2:20:43

all employees are aware of um this being

2:20:46

passed and what it means.

2:20:48

>> So, you said you're okay with that

2:20:50

language.

2:20:51

>> Absolutely.

2:20:51

>> Um so, do we need to amend the

2:20:54

amendment? Do we How does that work?

2:20:56

>> Well, I just need to reward it. Right.

2:20:58

>> Right. you can restate it because we

2:21:00

haven't voted on it. So, he doesn't need

2:21:02

to uh withdraw it or we don't have to

2:21:04

vote it down. But I had one clarifying

2:21:06

question before we resume the

2:21:08

legislative session. So, enforcement is

2:21:10

not that is outside of the purview of

2:21:13

our role as council members. Is that

2:21:15

correct?

2:21:15

>> That's correct. Function.

2:21:17

>> Thank you. I just wanted to clarify

2:21:18

that. I will entertain a motion to

2:21:21

resume our legislative session.

2:21:23

>> So, move.

2:21:24

>> Is there a second?

2:21:26

>> Second.

2:21:26

>> Thank you. So before us we have the

2:21:28

third amendment number five. Uh

2:21:31

Councilman Rodriguez, did you want to

2:21:33

restate your amendment

2:21:36

>> um within the language? Um Madame Chair

2:21:39

may have to say it because my language

2:21:41

wouldn't obviously pass.

2:21:43

>> Okay?

2:21:43

>> Because I I understand we we don't we

2:21:45

don't uphold or enforce, but we write

2:21:48

the laws to be enforced.

2:21:50

>> So if we write the laws very vague,

2:21:52

there's nothing to be enforced. So I'm

2:21:53

just trying to make sure there's a

2:21:54

backbone to it. That's all. But as we

2:21:57

always say, at least

2:22:04

something in writing is what's always

2:22:06

needed. Absolutely. Now, Councilwoman

2:22:08

Green, do you want to offer this fifth

2:22:10

amendment?

2:22:11

>> Uh, yes. I could offer it or I could I

2:22:12

could say it and you could restate it,

2:22:14

however, whichever is easiest. Uh, but I

2:22:16

believe it it will read um that any city

2:22:19

employee who violates bill one of 2026

2:22:24

um in any part will be subject to

2:22:27

disciplinary action per their governing

2:22:30

union policy.

2:22:32

>> Could I make one recommendation

2:22:34

>> please?

2:22:34

>> That you say anyone who violates chapter

2:22:38

2-3016

2:22:40

as opposed to bill one.

2:22:43

>> I accept that change.

2:22:47

A second.

2:22:48

>> And there's a second. Okay.

2:22:51

Are there any final questions on the

2:22:54

third amendment number five? Questions,

2:22:56

comments, or concerns? Councilwoman

2:22:58

Davis.

2:22:59

>> Thank you, President Hill. Okay. So,

2:23:02

turn my speaker off. Um, whenever this

2:23:06

email goes out to all the city

2:23:08

employees, will this chapter be depicted

2:23:13

in the language there so that they know

2:23:16

exactly what

2:23:18

>> it will be attached?

2:23:20

>> It will be attached.

2:23:21

>> The whole thing will be converted when

2:23:23

you adopt it. It goes to the mayor. She

2:23:26

has 10 days to veto it or or adopt it or

2:23:29

do nothing and it becomes law. it then

2:23:31

comes back to the clerk who puts it in

2:23:33

ordinance form

2:23:34

>> and when it comes into ordinance form it

2:23:36

takes effect 20 days after that the

2:23:38

mayor signs it becomes effective as a

2:23:40

matter of law. So in that 20-day period

2:23:42

we end up with an ordinance once it's in

2:23:44

ordinance form we would then send that

2:23:46

document to everybody.

2:23:47

>> Okay great because it's important that

2:23:50

everyone understands exactly what bill

2:23:52

one is per se. So thank you for that.

2:23:56

>> You're welcome. Um, and all legislation

2:24:00

that we vote on is shared with the all

2:24:04

city employees like the next day. So, I

2:24:07

just want to note that. Um, okay. Any

2:24:11

other questions related to the third

2:24:13

amendment number five?

2:24:16

Okay. Seeing hearing none, Mr. Humphrey,

2:24:18

could you please call the vote?

2:24:20

>> Miss Davis?

2:24:21

>> Yes.

2:24:22

>> Miss Green?

2:24:23

>> Yes.

2:24:24

>> Mr. Jones?

2:24:26

>> Yay.

2:24:26

>> Mr. Lawson,

2:24:28

>> yes.

2:24:28

>> Miss RWS,

2:24:29

>> yes.

2:24:30

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

2:24:31

>> yes.

2:24:32

>> Miss Hill,

2:24:32

>> yes.

2:24:33

>> Amendment five passes by a vote of seven

2:24:35

yays to zero nazs.

2:24:37

>> Thank you.

2:24:40

Now, there's a sixth amendment that's

2:24:43

needed for the

2:24:45

reordering and the numbering of the

2:24:47

bill. So, so basically it would just be

2:24:49

a motion to authorize the law bureau and

2:24:52

the city clerk to reorganize and

2:24:53

renumber the bill consistent with the

2:24:55

amendments adopted.

2:24:57

>> Okay. Would anyone like to offer the

2:24:59

amendment that solicitor Grover just

2:25:01

stated?

2:25:03

>> You want to do it?

2:25:04

>> I'd like to make a motion to offer the

2:25:08

amendment and reorganize the bill

2:25:10

>> and reumber

2:25:11

>> and reumber the bill.

2:25:13

>> Authorizing the clerk and the law bureau

2:25:16

to undertake that task. authorizing the

2:25:18

clerk and the law bureau to undertake

2:25:20

the rewriting.

2:25:21

>> So moved.

2:25:23

>> Okay.

2:25:24

Are there any questions related to

2:25:27

amendment number six?

2:25:30

>> Okay. Seeing and hearing none, Mr.

2:25:32

Humphrey, could you please call the

2:25:34

vote?

2:25:36

>> Miss Davis,

2:25:37

>> yes.

2:25:38

>> Miss Green,

2:25:39

>> yes.

2:25:39

>> Mr. Jones,

2:25:40

>> yay.

2:25:41

>> Mr. Lawson,

2:25:43

>> yes.

2:25:44

>> Miss RWS,

2:25:45

>> yes.

2:25:45

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

2:25:46

>> yes. Miss Hill.

2:25:48

>> Yes.

2:25:48

>> Amendment six passes by a vote of seven

2:25:50

yays to zero naz.

2:25:52

>> Thank you.

2:25:56

>> Okay. So now before us we have bill one

2:26:00

of 2026 as amended.

2:26:06

Are there any final questions, comments,

2:26:09

or concerns

2:26:11

related to bill one of 2026 as amended?

2:26:15

>> Okay. Um, I would just like to say thank

2:26:17

you to everybody for coming out. Um,

2:26:19

thank you to everybody for your input.

2:26:21

Um, and just being patient with us as we

2:26:24

work through the process. Thank you to

2:26:25

all the council members uh for

2:26:27

undertaking this and thank you to the

2:26:28

the law bureau and um the city in

2:26:31

general for being a part of this

2:26:32

process. I look forward to the mayor

2:26:34

signing this into law and for us getting

2:26:36

this on the books.

2:26:38

>> Thank you. Are there any other comments?

2:26:41

>> Yes.

2:26:42

>> Yes. Thank you. Um, same sentiments.

2:26:44

just thanking everyone. I also just want

2:26:46

to thank community members who work with

2:26:48

me on some of my amendments. Um I will

2:26:50

be looking over my last one just to find

2:26:53

a way to um protect our residents and

2:26:57

workers within the buildings and

2:26:59

surrounding areas. I think that's very

2:27:01

important. I think a lot of residents

2:27:03

spoke about that tonight. But of course

2:27:05

trying to do it in a way where we don't

2:27:07

get involved in any lawsuits the city.

2:27:09

We don't want to lose any more money.

2:27:12

Um, and I think that is a big piece and

2:27:14

I do understand that. But I do look

2:27:16

forward to working with council members

2:27:18

and the law bureau and um other patrons

2:27:21

to figure out um what what we can do and

2:27:24

how we do protect um the facilities and

2:27:27

and surrounding areas of it um so people

2:27:31

feel safe when they come to work and

2:27:34

when they come here to do business

2:27:36

within our um city offices. So that is

2:27:39

my reason for that. the amendment I

2:27:41

gave, but I will find a way so that it

2:27:44

is passed. So, thank you.

2:27:46

>> Thank you. Are there any other final

2:27:48

comments on bill one of 2026 as amended?

2:27:51

Vice President Jones.

2:27:53

>> Yes. Thank you. I I again would say uh

2:27:55

thank you to council and um the

2:27:58

community, everyone that's coming out

2:28:00

and um trying to make sure that we we're

2:28:02

uh putting some protective measures

2:28:04

around us. But I also will offer to the

2:28:06

community as well to make sure that we

2:28:08

as residents can also protect each

2:28:10

other. Um there's not always just the

2:28:12

law that that's that's in place because

2:28:15

if if if all of these laws worked, if

2:28:17

we're being honest, people wouldn't have

2:28:19

illegal guns, right? We have laws in

2:28:21

place that they can't carry guns. So um

2:28:24

we we have protected we have to protect

2:28:26

ourselves as a community, not always

2:28:29

depending on government to do that. I

2:28:30

want to make sure that we always make

2:28:33

sure that we can stand arm and arm with

2:28:35

each other and not always depending on

2:28:37

that. But again, I thank you for your

2:28:38

patience and um we will continue to work

2:28:40

on this as this grows because I don't

2:28:42

think it's going to slow down anytime

2:28:44

soon. So those are my sentiments.

2:28:49

>> Any other thoughts?

2:28:50

>> Yes, Madame President. I just wanted to

2:28:52

thank everybody for coming out, not this

2:28:53

evening, but every evening um leading up

2:28:56

to this decision tonight. And it it also

2:28:58

showed and displayed how much more

2:29:00

similar than we are than separate. Um

2:29:02

tonight I like to think although

2:29:04

tensions may rise, you know, we are

2:29:06

living in the dream of Martin, the peace

2:29:08

of Mahatma, the journeys of Marcus

2:29:10

Garvey, so on and so on. And uh if

2:29:13

everyone could just be this forward,

2:29:15

this proactive when it comes to all city

2:29:18

business instead of just pertinent items

2:29:19

that affect our front door, I think

2:29:21

Harrisburg will grow into the beautiful

2:29:23

place that we all know it truly is. So,

2:29:25

I look forward to seeing this building

2:29:27

full of capacity every Tuesday night.

2:29:29

And, uh, I thank you for the great works

2:29:31

that everyone's done. Um, thank you.

2:29:33

>> Thank you. So, before us, we have one

2:29:36

ordinance as amended for final passage.

2:29:39

Bill one of 2026.

2:29:43

As amended, Mr. Humphrey, could you

2:29:45

please read it into the record? Bill 1

2:29:47

of 2026, an ordinance amending part

2:29:50

three of the administrative code under

2:29:52

chapter 2-301,

2:29:54

adding there to chapter 2-301.16

2:29:57

providing for a framework to restrict

2:29:59

and otherwise limit city intervention in

2:30:01

matters regarding immigration status.

2:30:04

>> Thank you, council members. Are there

2:30:05

any other comments, questions related to

2:30:09

bill one of 2026 as amended? Okay,

2:30:13

seeing hearing none, Mr. Humphrey, could

2:30:14

you please call the vote?

2:30:16

>> Miss Davis,

2:30:17

>> yes.

2:30:18

>> Miss Green,

2:30:19

>> yes.

2:30:21

>> Mr. Jones,

2:30:22

>> yay.

2:30:23

>> Mr. Lawson,

2:30:25

>> yes.

2:30:26

>> Miss RWS,

2:30:28

>> yes.

2:30:30

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

2:30:31

>> yes.

2:30:32

>> Miss Hill,

2:30:33

>> yes.

2:30:35

>> Bill one of 2026 passes by a vote of

2:30:37

seven yays to zero nays.

2:30:39

>> Thank you.

2:30:41

Next, we have resolutions.

2:30:43

Resolution 10 of 2026. Mr. Humphrey,

2:30:47

could you please read it into the

2:30:48

record?

2:30:49

>> Resolution 10 of 2026, a resolution

2:30:52

authorizing the city of Harrisburg to

2:30:54

negotiate and enter into a lease

2:30:56

agreement with Lamar Advantage GP

2:30:58

Company LLC for the purpose of

2:31:00

constructing and maintaining a billboard

2:31:02

on a portion of city property fronting

2:31:04

Paxton Street located at 1812 Paxton

2:31:07

Street.

2:31:08

>> Thank you. Resolution 10 of 2026 will

2:31:12

move to the public works committee.

2:31:14

Next, we have resolution 11 of 2026. Mr.

2:31:18

Humphrey, could you please read it into

2:31:19

the record?

2:31:20

>> Resolution 11 of 2026, a resolution

2:31:24

authorizing the city of Harrisburg to

2:31:25

negotiate and enter into a lease

2:31:27

agreement with Lamar Advantage GP

2:31:29

Company LLC for the purpose of

2:31:31

constructing and maintaining a billboard

2:31:33

on a portion of city property fronting I

2:31:35

83 located at 1812 Paxton Street.

2:31:38

Thank you. Resolution 11 of 2026 will

2:31:42

also move to the public works committee.

2:31:45

Next, we have resolution 12 of 2026. Mr.

2:31:48

Humphrey, could you please read it into

2:31:50

the record? Resolution 12 of 2026, a

2:31:54

resolution authorizing the city of

2:31:55

Harrisburg to negotiate and enter into a

2:31:57

lease agreement with Lamar Advantage GP

2:31:59

Company LLC for the purpose of

2:32:02

maintaining an existing billboard on a

2:32:03

portion of city property located along

2:32:06

South Cameron Street north of the

2:32:07

intersection of Magnolia Street.

2:32:09

>> Thank you. Resolution 12 of 2026 will

2:32:12

move to the administration committee.

2:32:15

Next, we have resolution 13 of 2026. Mr.

2:32:18

Humphrey, could you please read it into

2:32:20

the record?

2:32:21

>> Resolution 13 of 2026, a resolution

2:32:24

authorizing the city of Harrisburg to

2:32:26

negotiate and enter into a lease

2:32:27

agreement with Lamar Advantage GP

2:32:29

Company LLC for the purpose of

2:32:31

maintaining an existing billboard on a

2:32:33

portion of city property located along

2:32:35

South Cameron Street south of the

2:32:37

intersection of Magnolia Street.

2:32:39

>> Thank you. Resolution 13 of 2026 will

2:32:43

move to the administration committee.

2:32:45

Next we have resolution 14 of 2026. Mr.

2:32:49

Humphrey, could you please read it into

2:32:51

the record?

2:32:52

>> Resolution 14 of 2026, a resolution

2:32:55

authorizing the city of Harrisburg to

2:32:56

negotiate and enter into a lease

2:32:58

agreement with Lamar Advantage GP

2:33:00

Company LLC for the purpose of

2:33:02

maintaining an existing billboard on a

2:33:04

portion of city property located along

2:33:06

South Cameron Street near the

2:33:08

intersection of Elliot Street.

2:33:10

>> Thank you. Resolution 14 of 2026 will

2:33:13

move to the administration committee.

2:33:15

Our final resolution this evening is

2:33:17

resolution 15 of 2026.

2:33:20

Mr. Humphrey, could you please read it

2:33:22

into the record?

2:33:23

>> Resolution 15 of 2026, a resolution

2:33:26

ratifying and approving the 2026 through

2:33:29

2028 basic labor agreement between the

2:33:31

city of Harrisburg and Local 521

2:33:34

American Federation of State, County,

2:33:36

and Municipal Employees Council 13.

2:33:39

>> Thank you. Resolution 15 of 2026 will

2:33:42

move to the administration committee.

2:33:45

We heard old business earlier. Is there

2:33:47

any new business for discussion? Council

2:33:50

members,

2:33:51

>> I have something. President Hill.

2:33:53

>> Yes.

2:33:53

>> I would just like everyone, all

2:33:56

residents, to uh remember to go on to

2:34:03

the website is hbgcervey.com.

2:34:08

That's hbgservey.com.

2:34:12

It's a site where you can give your

2:34:15

perspective on downtown Harrisburg.

2:34:19

It's uh being led by the city of

2:34:22

Harrisburg and Credic

2:34:25

and it's important to uh so that we can

2:34:28

hear from everyone in regards to their

2:34:32

perspective on the development and

2:34:35

revitalization

2:34:37

of Harrisburg or downtown going forward.

2:34:41

Thank you.

2:34:43

>> Thank you. Is there any other new

2:34:45

business?

2:34:47

Okay, I just have one item before we

2:34:49

close. Just wanted to again acknowledge

2:34:52

Black History Month. Uh the theme for

2:34:57

2026

2:34:59

according to the Association for the

2:35:01

Study of African-American Life and

2:35:03

History

2:35:04

is a century of Black History

2:35:08

commemorations.

2:35:10

So the first um Negro History Week was

2:35:14

established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G.

2:35:18

Woodson. Later he and his fraternity

2:35:21

brothers of the Omega Sci-Fi Fraternity

2:35:24

Incorporated expanded

2:35:27

um to Negro History Week and now to what

2:35:31

we know as Black History Month. Um, I

2:35:34

would like to encourage everyone there

2:35:36

are a few more days left in the month of

2:35:38

February. Um, so Historic Harrisburg

2:35:42

Association has a full display um of the

2:35:47

Old Eighth Ward and other significant uh

2:35:50

areas and individuals um that have been

2:35:54

prominent within the city of Harrisburg.

2:35:56

So I'd encourage you to go check it out

2:35:58

before the end of the month. Okay. If

2:36:01

there's no further business for

2:36:04

discussion, the time is 8:52 p.m. I will

2:36:08

entertain a motion to adjourn.

2:36:10

>> So moved. Is there a second?

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