Harrisburg City Legislative Session - 4/14/26

Mhm.

>> Mhm.

>> Mhm.

>> Mhm.

>> We're going to conduct our legislative

session, I mean our legislative caucus

prior to the start of our legislative

session. So, I will call the meeting to

order. Mr. Truesdale will call the roll.

The invocation this evening will be led

by Councilman Lawson, followed by the

pledge of allegiance, which will be led

by Councilwoman Green.

For communications this evening, we will

recognize Tri-County Community Action's

14th annual Great Harrisburg Litter

Cleanup. We are joined by Molly

Lindquist, director of community

development, Serena

Asakami?

Okay.

Chief program officer, she will correct

me um with her last name, and Darius

Davenport, community planning director,

who will share a presentation.

Um then we will open the floor for

courtesy of the floor, followed by the

approval of the minutes for the

legislative session that occurred on

March 24th, 2026.

You will hear three committee reports

this evening. I will deliver the first

report on behalf of the administration

committee on the work session of April

7th, 2026.

Next, uh

Chair Lawson will deliver

uh the report on behalf of the community

and economic development committee on

the work session of April 7th, 2026,

and Chair Rawls will deliver the Parks,

Recreation, and Enrichment Committee

report

um on the work session of April 7th,

2026.

We do not have any ordinances for first

reading.

We have one ordinance for amendment,

Bill 5 of 2026.

One ordinance for final passage, Bill 5

of 2026,

which we will vote upon.

Then we'll move we'll move to

resolutions.

Resolution 20 of 2026,

we will vote upon.

Resolution 21 of 2026,

we will vote upon.

Resolution 22 of 2026, we will vote

upon.

Resolution 23 of 2026,

we will suspend the rules for

discussion,

um and then we will vote upon Resolution

26 23 of 2026 this evening.

Resolution 24 of 2026

will move to the Public Works Committee.

>> [clears throat]

>> Resolution 25 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee.

Resolution 26 of 2026 will move to the

Administration Committee.

Resolution 27 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee.

Resolution 28 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee.

Resolution 29 of 2026 will move to the

Administration Committee. Resolution 30

of 2026 will move to the Administration

Committee.

Resolution 31 of 2026

will move to the Parks, Recreation, and

Enrichment Committee.

Resolution 32 of 2026

will move to the

Public Safety Committee.

Resolution 32 or 33 of 2026

will move to the Public Works Committee.

Resolution 34 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee.

And Resolution 35 of 2026

will move to the Public Safety

Committee.

Is there any old business for

discussion, council members?

Okay, any new business?

Okay, then we will adjourn.

The time is 6:14 p.m. I would like to

call our legislative session to order.

Please note for the meeting record that

Harrisburg City Council hosted an

executive session prior to the start of

this executive session to discuss of

this legislative session to discuss

legal matters.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please call the

roll?

Ms. Davis? Present. Ms. Green? Present.

Mr. Jones? Here. Mr. Lawson? Here. Ms.

Rawls?

>> Present. Mr. Rodriguez?

>> Present. Ms. Hill? Present. Thank you.

The invocation will be led by Councilman

Lawson.

Thank you, uh President Hill.

As we get to the uh the warmer weather,

as we're feeling it now, um as you walk

outside, I I want to take a moment um

in in we're walking into prom season,

we're walking into graduations very

soon. I want to uplift the the youth of

this city, um

let them know that they are

beautiful,

wonderful, and we and we need them. If

ever they feel alone, they they need to

know that we as a a council, as a city,

stand behind them, and I just want to

make sure that we exude support for the

youth of our city as we get to the

summer months. So, if we just take a

moment and I guess bask in the pride of

our of our youth.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Lawson. The pledge

of allegiance will be led by

Councilwoman Green.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

United States of America,

and to the republic for which it stands,

one nation under God,

indivisible, with liberty and justice

for all.

>> [clears throat]

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Green. For

communications this evening, we are

joined by Tri-County Community Action to

discuss their 14th annual Great

Harrisburg Litter Cleanup.

Everyone's not going to join you?

Okay, that's enough.

Can you please turn your microphone on

and closer much closer to you?

You can move it.

Yeah, there you go. Thank you.

Good evening, Council President Hill and

distinguished members of Harrisburg City

Council. Thank you for your kind

invitation and the opportunity to

address you this evening. My name is

Molly Lindquist and I am proud to serve

as the new director of community

development at Tri-County Community

Action.

This is a role that I stepped into just

last month.

With me tonight are Serena Asa-coombs,

chief program officer and Darius

Davenport, community planning

coordinator.

It is

It is through [clears throat] our

community development department and our

commitment to neighborhood

revitalization that we come before you

today.

On Saturday, April 25th this year,

Tri-County Community Action will host

the 14th annual Great Harrisburg Litter

Cleanup from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

As an affiliate of both Keep

Pennsylvania Beautiful and Keep America

Beautiful, we're proud to carry on this

tradition of community-led environmental

stewardship. This year's cleanup will

span three neighborhoods,

Allison Hill, Midtown and Uptown,

bringing volunteers together to take

visible collective action on litter and

illegal dumping across the city.

Last year, more than 400 participants

came together and collected over 6.4

tons of trash,

a powerful testament

to what this community can accomplish

when we work together.

We're aiming at building on that

momentum this year.

Both [clears throat] individuals and

groups are welcome and we ask that

everyone register in advance at the at

Well, yeah. So, you can use the QR code

up there, but there's also a on the

website.

We're deeply deeply grateful for this

Council's continued commitment to the

city of Harrisburg and we would welcome

your encouragement and your presence on

April 25th. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. And can you share the website

just in case someone may have missed it

and they're interested in registering?

>> No problem. cac.tricounty.org

/events.

Thank you. Excellent. Thank you. Thank

you for coming this evening.

We will now move forward with our

meeting agenda and open the floor for

courtesy of the floor. Um just a few

housekeeping notes before we begin. If

you're interested in offering any public

comments, we ask that you please state

your name and your address for the

meeting record. If you don't feel

comfortable sharing your address, please

share the vicinity in which you live

within the city.

You will have 4 minutes to share your

comments.

Mr. Truesdale has added a timer to the

screen for your reference.

Now, begin to my right. Is there anyone

that would like to offer public comment?

Seeing and hearing no one, anyone in the

middle section?

Okay.

Seeing and hearing no one, anyone to my

left?

Seeing and hearing no one, we will move

forward with our meeting agenda.

Next, we have the approval of the

minutes for the legislative session that

occurred on March 24th, 2026.

Council members, are there any revisions

to those meeting minutes?

Okay. Seeing and hearing none, the

minutes stand approved.

Next, we have the reports of committees.

I will deliver the first report on

behalf of the administration committee

on the work session of April 7th, 2026.

On Tuesday, April 7th, 2026,

the administration committee met to

discuss one bill and one resolution.

Bill 5 of 2026

is an ordinance forgiving and

discharging 2024

and 2025 city real estate taxes,

including interest, penalties and costs,

and striking off tax liens for certain

historically tax-exempt properties.

And resolution 22 of 2026,

a resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to negotiate and enter into a

professional services agreement with

McCormick Law Firm to serve as special

counsel for the purposes of reviewing

and revising the city's business

privilege and mercantile tax ordinance

and related regulations.

City Solicitor Neil Grover was present

to discuss Bill 5 of 2026.

Solicitor Grover shared that the

Pentecost Redeemer Church had been

operating since 2017.

Unfortunately, they did not timely

respond to the filing.

So, to date, they continue to operate

and they are exempt for tax years 2024

and 2025.

Council members asked the following

question. What facilities get exempt

from taxes? Solicitor Grover responded

that facilities that are tax-exempt

could include constitutionally

authorized government property for

public use, hospitals, churches,

religious-owned facilities, senior

centers that are publicly funded.

Next, we had resolution 22 of 2026.

Mr. Mike Hughes, business tax

administrator, and Nick Grimes, attorney

with McCormick Law Firm, were present to

discuss resolution 22 of 2026.

Mr. Hughes explained that there is a new

draft of rules and regulations

that's needed

and that

they would be completed by the law firm.

Um Council members asked a number of

questions.

First, the timeline for these services.

Attorney Grimes shared that January 1st

of 2027

was the final deadline to be effective

for the next tax year.

Solicitor Grover shared that the draft

will be prepared prior to the budget. Um

specific areas that are pertinent to

updating the rules and regulations as

the last update was in 2001.

Um there were examples

to better guide taxpayers

by bringing the document current.

Um is there There was a question related

to clarifying the fee proposal. So, the

fee proposal is $250 an hour for

attorneys and $150

per hour for paralegals.

Um

Attorney Grimes wasn't able to provide a

clear

um I guess overall budget of what would

be

assumed with that fee proposal.

I think he would have a better idea once

he and the paralegals begin the work.

What qualifies as a public charity?

Um interstate commerce sales, an

automatic update.

Um as I noted before, it was written in

2001. It took effect in January of 2002.

An automatic update would be too

stringent and there's no mandate.

Um the question was asked of Solicitor

Grover, why did you choose McCormick?

He shared that it's important to

affiliate with a firm that has specialty

in this particular area. It was also

noted that McCormick Law on their

website

was rated a best law firm for 2026.

Why was it important to contract with

outside counsel? And the response was,

this is not the law bureau's area of

expertise.

Have you seen in other municipalities a

tiered taxation and collection process?

>> [cough]

>> Um

Attorney Grimes shared that a tiered

service or physical scales

vary, but he has not seen it in his

practice.

I recommend that my colleagues support

Bill 5 of 2026

as we have done for other churches in

the city of Harrisburg here recently and

resolution 22 of 2026

as it provides an opportunity for our

Um

excuse me.

For our business privilege and

mercantile tax to

become current cuz it's 2001, 2002. It's

time. So, I'm hopeful that my colleagues

will support both Bill 5 of 2026

and resolution 22 of 2026.

This concludes

the report for the administration

committee.

Um the next report you will hear will be

delivered by Chair Lawson on behalf of

the community and economic development

committee on the work session of April

7th, 2026.

Thank you, President Hill.

Uh

the Community and Economic Development

Committee reviewed resolution um

Where is my

I don't know what the number is.

I didn't put my number in there for

2026.

Um

I'm sorry.

21. Thank you. Resolution 21

of um

of 2026, which proposes converting a a

long-vacant office building

at 1171 South Cameron Street into a

self-storage facility along with um

constructing additional storage units

and and site improvement. Director

Knight uh and the applicant Storage Five

was represented by uh Steven Taylor, who

is the engineer of the project, the

principal owner, Chris Catania, and the

architect, John Clark. They explained

that the the project re- would

rehabilitate a property vacant for about

6 years, improving traffic flow, and

adding safety features like uh

a better circulation through the the

parking lot, as well as uh pedestrian

access.

The Planning Commission recommended

approval with the conditions including

compliance with the flood plain

regulations and adding

a uh dedicated pedestrian uh stairway.

The council discussion focused on uh

flood plain concerns

um with assurances that the new

construction would meet elevation

requirements, and the existing building

is largely compliant as it sits today.

The existing building is already uh at

the required elevation, and new units

will comply with the flood plain uh

regulations to prevent water damage.

Um

the economic impact is

to be 6 to 7 million including um

a cons- with the construction

investment, and they expect 50 to 100

construction jobs, including um also

giving two permanent jobs at the

location.

Um

there was a strong emphasis from council

members um

that the

owner include minority, women, and

locally owned businesses on uh

their application, the developer noted

that they would not be working with MBE

contractors, but after questioning, the

developer said that uh they

misunderstood, and that they would um

work with uh

MBE

people. They thought they they were

talking just about using minority

engineers when they answered the the

question.

Um

Councilman Rodriguez and Councilwoman

Rawls uh

pressed to make sure that the uh the

applicant understood that being in a

majority-minority city, that it's

important that you are open to work with

MBE inclusion. Um

after being pressed by Vice President

Jones, the developer stated that he

would

present 50% of the construction jobs to

local um Harrisburg companies, um

especially for trades like plumbing,

HVAC, and electrical.

Um

the applicant said that he chose

Harrisburg due to the market

opportunity, the availabi- availability

of

uh a vacant building at that location

within a growing capital city. Um

and also with ongoing in- infrastructure

improvements um

they are a Texas-based company, but all

operate uh multiple projects in

Pennsylvania and nearby states. Um the

company

noted the developer's experience with

similar projects on a national stage,

and

as a response to Councilwoman Davis, he

stated that he will advertise the

permanent jobs um in the local um

uh

job platforms.

Council President Hill gained commitment

from the applicant to make sure that he

would follow the recommendations of the

the Planning Commission.

Um

most of our questions focused on flood

safety, the economic impact, and

equitable local participation. Um

the developer addressed his willingness

to collaborate, and the developer agreed

to connect with the city's diversity

officer, and consider local diverse

businesses. Overall, council members

were generally supportive um

citing the reuse of a vacant building,

the economic benefits, while encouraging

strong local business participation.

I recommend that uh council support this

um resolution as it will uh bring a

vacant building um

to new use, and provide an economic

impact in an area where development has

a little slow.

So,

thank you very much, and that concludes

the business of the Business and

Economic Development Committee.

Thank you, Chair Lawson. The final

committee report you will hear this

evening will be delivered by Chair Rawls

on behalf of the Park Rec- Parks,

Recreation, and Enrichment Committee on

the work session of April 7th, 2026.

Thank you, President Hill, and good

evening, everyone. On April 7th, 2026,

the Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment

Committee met to discuss resolution 21

of 2026,

which is a resolution authorizing the

submission of a grant application to the

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation

and Natural Resources

Community Conservation Partnership Grant

Program in conjunction with the Capital

Area Greenbelt Association for up to

$100,000

for funds to acquire real property

in order to relocate a portion of the

Capital Area Greenbelt in South

Harrisburg. Deb Rinehart, project

manager for the City of Harrisburg, and

Doug Hill, president of CAGA, were

present to provide an overview of the

project.

Mr. Hill outlined the current detour of

the Greenbelt and reviewed ongoing

efforts associated with phase one, which

construction will hopefully begin on by

spring next year. Mr. Hill then

explained that he is before council

today because the current grant

acquisition applies to phase two of the

relocation of the Greenbelt. He

described this portion of the project

more is more complex, but essential to

restoring full connectivity of the

Greenbelt.

This phase includes the development of a

ramp structure to facilitate a

continuous and accessible trail

connection. He explained that CAGA

intends to utilize the C2P2 funding to

partially support the acquisition of

property from Pennsy Supply

Incorporated. The proposed acquisition

includes approximately 1.3 acres, as

well as 8.4 acre right-of-way located

along both sides of Sycamore Street in

South Harrisburg.

>> [snorts]

>> The C2P2 grant program requires a

dollar-for-dollar match of up to

$100,000.

CAGA will be responsible for securing

the required match, and has indicated

its intent to apply for a $75,000 grant

through the Dauphin County Gaming Grant

Program as part of this effort.

There were no questions No questions

were raised by my um by members of

council, and I asked my fellow council

members to support resolution 21 of

2026,

and that concludes the business of the

Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment

Committee. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Rawls.

Uh we do not have any ordinances for

first reading. We have one ordinance for

amendment, Bill 5 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record?

Bill 5, 2026, an ordinance forgiving and

discharging 2024 and 2025 city real

estate taxes, including interest,

penalties, and costs, and striking off

tax liens for certain historically

tax-exempt properties.

Thank you.

We have one ordinance for final passage,

Bill 5 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record one final time? Bill 5,

2026, an ordinance forgiving and

discharging 2024 and 2025 city real

estate taxes, including interest,

penalties, and costs, and striking off

tax liens for certain historically

tax-exempt properties.

Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to Bill 5 of 2026?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

Truesdale, could you please call the

vote?

Miss Davis? Yes.

Miss Green? Yes.

Mr. Jones? Yay.

Mr. Lawson? Yes.

Miss Rawls? Yes. Mr. Rodriguez? Yes.

Miss Hill? Yes. Bill 5 of 2026 passes by

vote of 7 to 0. Thank you.

We will move forward with resolutions.

The first resolution for consideration

is resolution 20 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 20, 2026, a

resolution approving the

preliminary/final land development plan

for 1171 South Cameron Street submitted

by Chris Catania of Storage Five

Harrisburg LLC to convert the existing

office building into a self-storage

facility and to construct additional

storage unit buildings on site and

associated site and access improvements.

Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to resolution 20 of

2026?

Vice President Jones. Yes, thank you,

President Hill.

You know, I'm going to I'm going to vote

in the affirmative

for resolution 20. However, um I was a

little reluctant and I'm still a little

concerned just through the line of

questioning with Mr. Catina, um but I

know that this is a good move for for

for the city. However, my my concern is

is a is around a 52 100 jobs

in the local immediate local area of

city of Harrisburg. And what he did say

that he would be sharing 50% of that.

And I just hope that we as a body keep

our eye on that.

>> [clears throat]

>> You know, I know we're not compliance,

but you know, the responses I received

from that

made me a little skeptical of voting in

affirmative. However, uh I will be

voting in affirmative, and I just wanted

to share that. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other

questions, comments, or concerns related

to resolution 21 of 2026?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

Truesdale, could you please call the

vote? Ms. Davis? Yes.

Ms. Green? Yes.

Mr. Jones? Yay.

Mr. Loelson? Yes.

Ms. Rose? Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez? Yes.

Ms. Hill? Yes. Resolution 20 of 2026

passes by vote of 7 to 0. Thank you.

Next, we have resolution 21 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record?

Resolution 21 of 2026, a resolution

authorizing the submission of a grant

application to the Pennsylvania

Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Community Conservation

Partnership Grant Program in conjunction

with the Capital Area Greenbelt

Association for up to $100,000 for funds

to acquire real property in order to

relocate a portion of the Capital Area

Greenbelt in South Harrisburg.

Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to resolution 21 of

2026?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

Truesdale, could you please call the

vote? Ms. Davis? Yes.

Ms. Green? Yes. Mr. Jones? Yay. Mr.

Loelson? Yes. Ms. Rose? Yes. Mr.

Rodriguez?

>> Yes. Ms. Hill? Yes. Resolution 21 of

2026 passes by vote of 7 to 0.

Thank you. Next, we have resolution 22

of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record?

Resolution 22 of 2026, a resolution

authorizing the city of Harrisburg to

negotiate and enter into a professional

services agreement with McCormick Law

Firm to serve as special counsel for the

purpose of reviewing and revising the

city's business privilege and mercantile

tax ordinance and related regulations.

Thank you.

Council members, are there any final

questions, comments, or concerns related

to resolution 22 of 2026?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

Truesdale, could you please call the

vote? Ms. Davis? Yes.

Ms. Green? Yes.

Mr. Jones? Yay.

Mr. Loelson? Yes.

Ms. Rose? Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez?

>> Yes.

Ms. Hill? Yes.

Resolution 22 of 2026 passes by vote of

7 to 0.

Thank you.

Next, we have resolution 23 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record?

Resolution 23 of 2026, a resolution

confirming the appointment of Mr.

Antonio J. Magna to serve as business

administrator for the city of

Harrisburg. Thank you. I will entertain

a motion to suspend the rules for

discussion.

>> So moved.

Thank you. We had a

mover and a second. Thank you.

You're joined by Mr. Magna.

Um if you wouldn't mind taking a few

moments to introduce yourself, please.

Yes.

Nice seeing everyone in council again.

I'm Antonio Magna, special assistant in

the business administrator's office.

I can go a little bit of my background

if you want to or we can wait. Um you

can yes, please. Okay.

So yeah, before I was here at the city

of Harrisburg, I actually was born and

raised in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in

the area. I've lived here the majority

of my life. I've spent a lot of time

here in Harrisburg. I have many friends

and family that live here and that's

very dear to my heart. I think there's

two big things to know about me and my

background. First, um

I'm all I am my primary driver is to

help people. I I I find joy in in

serving for people and helping in any

way I can to make sure that there's

positive societal outcomes and that

people get the resources that they need.

The second aspect then is I'm a central

PA believer. I'm I'm someone that, you

know, in Pennsylvania, everyone hears

about Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and

there's nothing wrong with those cities,

but central PA should have resources,

too, and we deserve a seat at the table

as well in every aspect, and Harrisburg

is a is a driver in that, obviously, as

the biggest city in central PA. So,

with that in mind,

you know, I'm a graduate of

Mechanicsburg High School.

Went on to get a bachelor's in public

administration from the University of

Phoenix. I have a master's in public

policy from the University of Maryland.

I worked for Gannett Fleming actually

twice.

In the resume that I provided, it has

the relevant experience where I worked

on their energy department as a policy

analyst where I did many different

long-term strategic planning

for various municipalities and

authorities. I also worked for them

previously for 3 years in their human

resources department.

After Gannett Fleming, I was in the

campaign world for a little bit, and

then I came here because I wanted to to

serve the people of Harrisburg, and I

felt again this is the best way that I

can help people and make sure that

Harrisburg and central PA is on the map

and getting resources and and the things

that we need. So, that's a basic

background, and happy to answer any

questions.

Thank you.

So, your resume shares that you have

about 3 plus years of public policy

experience and 6 plus years of community

organizing experience and nearly 1 year

of service at the city of Harrisburg.

So, you began your current role in July

of 2025.

Correct. Yep.

>> Okay.

Okay. Well, I do have a few questions,

and then I'll open it up

the floor to my colleagues who may have

some additional questions for you.

This first one, I'm not sure who can

answer it. I was curious to know

how many applications were received for

the role.

Antonio may know that. Okay. But I I

will note that I'm aware of I believe

two.

One withdrew after the interview and

took a job elsewhere. They were coming

from out west and coming back to

Pennsylvania, at least that was the

interview. Whether that happened, I

don't know, but they withdrew after the

interview.

Antonio may be able to speak to whether

there is more.

I will note before I came down here this

afternoon, the mayor asked me, because

she had an event with the governor late

today, that if there were questions to

speak on behalf of Antonio at this

meeting, which I am prepared to do.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

So, what made you interested in working

for the city of Harrisburg

after your I guess your campaign manager

roles?

Yeah, I mean, again, I

but the biggest thing that drives me is

just helping people and doing so in

central PA.

Um

when I was looking at roles after I my

campaign experience, you know, like the

campaign world is a very

24/7 sprint to November and then take a

month off and then do it again kind of

thing. I I am not built for that world.

So, that that pathway of trying to help

people was just not meant for me. So, I

was looking at other opportunities, and

I was looking at specifically municipal

opportunities in the region, and one of

the first ones I looked at was the city

of Harrisburg because I felt that with

the being the biggest municipality here,

the one that everyone looks at for for

for guidance and leadership amongst all

the other municipalities, I thought

that, you know, my skill set would be

well served here

and that I could do a lot of good trying

to help the residents of Harrisburg. So,

when I saw that there was, you know, it

took a little while for a role to pop up

that I felt I was qualified for, but

once one did pop up within the business

administrator's office, I jumped on that

and and was able to get the job,

luckily.

Okay.

I I think this is my final question.

Why are you the best candidate for the

role of business administrator? I think

my background makes me the best

candidate. I think that's because I'm

from here, I understand not only the

people of Harrisburg, but people of the

entire region.

I also have experience working with, you

know, municipalities as large as the

city of Phoenix

to as small as some of the boroughs and

townships in Cumberland County.

That it brings a sort of like a

a unique wealth of knowledge and

experience to the position that not a

lot of other people could potentially

offer. Um and then all additionally, you

know, I've I've worked with a lot of

elected officials throughout the years.

So, I think there's a a unique

experience there where I can kind of

understand what all of you up there

sitting are you know, kind of questions

you're receiving, the kind of you know,

things you're going through on a

day-to-day basis as well as the mayor

and I can offer a lot of help with that.

Thank you. I don't think I have any

other questions.

Um I would like to open the floor to my

colleagues who may have some additional

questions for you.

Um I'd like to begin with Vice President

Jones.

Thank you, President Hill.

I really don't have any questions for

you.

Um but I will share this with you. I

will start out by looking at your resume

and

I really believe in you. I believe that

you will do a good job here working with

the city of Harrisburg. However, I just

also feel that at this time I don't

think I think it's too soon to take the

take on the business administrator

aspect just for the simple fact that

there's no one there with you.

Um I know we had the previous BA and

with you being a special assistant to

the BA is a good thing. It gave you an

opportunity to to learn some other

things and as President Hill stated in

your um

resume, you know, this is the longest

standing municipal job that you had.

Yes, you have some political background.

It's different than running a

municipality and you know, for me I hope

you don't leave if you're not voted up.

But for me it would be a no at this

time. I just think that you need someone

there with you. I think this is a huge

role

but I do believe and respect the work

that you do. I like your age in this

factor.

I think you have a great role to

a future ahead of you. But for me at

this time I would not be supporting

uh

this resolution at this time. Hopefully

we can give you a cuz I just don't know

what you've done on your own. Um there's

been a curtain up for us as council. So,

I I really can't say what you have done

on your own or what you haven't done.

But I know after the business

administrator left you have filled in

the role and took over some of the

things that he has set forth. But I just

don't know what you what you're able to

do.

So, I would like to see give you an

opportunity maybe in a 120-day role at

that time and then we can see what you

can do on your own. But at this time I I

can't support the resolution. But I do

thank you for your service and I think

you're a bright and intelligent young

man and I know that your future is

bright for you here in the city of

Harrisburg. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilwoman Green.

Thank you, President Hill. Good evening,

Antonio. Thank you for being here

tonight.

I'll start with the basic question of do

you live in the city of Harrisburg? I do

not. I live in Mechanicsburg and that is

one something that I would ask that

council if if approved consider a waiver

for me

because

I actually if I if I could truly pick I

would pick the city of Harrisburg to

live here but I'm involved in many

different Cumberland County based

organizations that require you to live

in Cumberland County to be involved in

and I would like to not leave those

organizations.

So, you won't be planning to relocate.

That was my next question.

>> Mhm.

Um

I know I've worked with you some before

in the the role as a special assistant

to the business administrator.

You're definitely good at what you do

and so I commend you for that.

You don't have a lot of

background as far as work in this area

which can can be good or bad, right? We

always talk about how we want fresh

faces. We want young people. We want all

of this, right? So, it's kind of hard to

look and say we want that and then also

say you don't have enough experience for

that.

So, I'm kind of torn here because you do

good work and I like the work you do.

You have the educational background for

it

but you don't have a lot of

long-term experience in any position.

Every position that's listed here is

like a year, right? And obviously I

would hope we were looking for someone

someone to be here longer than a year

in this role.

So, I'm kind of torn at this moment.

I'll continue to look at it.

I definitely think that this would be

something better on a a work session,

you know, like we could hold off on

voting on this tonight. I can tell you

I'm not ready to vote on it tonight. If

I would have to vote on it tonight it

probably would be

I don't even know. We'd have to wait.

But you know, just kind of seems like

we got the information and then it's the

vote tonight. So, I'm not ready to vote

on it tonight me personally. I'd like to

ask you a few more questions, pick your

brain a little more and kind of see how

you how I feel you doing this role just

looking at your resume.

It's not giving me the information I

need to see how you doing this role. But

knowing the work that you've done for

the city and how you filled this role in

in a large capacity since the absence of

the previous business administrator,

that makes me lean towards saying you

are ready for this role. But I'd have to

kind of ask around a little more and

see, you know, this is from the outside

looking in. So, I could go talk to

people that you worked with and they

could say he's done nothing. So, you

know, just having a little more

information would help me. I don't think

that'd be the case but

right now I'm not ready to make this

vote. I thank you for the work that

you're doing right now and I look

forward to continuing to work with you.

And can I can I address the concerns

about

me not working long in any roles?

So, if I take you back to 2017

which is the role that I didn't include

my resume cuz it's not really relevant

to this position but I worked at Gannett

Fleming from 2017 to 2020

and then I left that role because I was

furloughed due to COVID. So, I went and

got my master's degree during that time

period. After the master's degree I

worked again for Gannett Fleming in the

energy department.

That role I ended up leaving because

they let me go because they were bought

out by private equity firms and the

private equity firms determined that the

energy department was not worth

investing in. So, they laid off the

entire department which included me. And

then after that I filled in some

political roles which naturally have a

an end date with the election and then

now I'm here. So, I understand the

concern

but what I would say is that

you know, my priorities are to to help

people and and ideally to to serve the

city of Harrisburg and in that capacity

I would hope that I could stay as long

as possible.

Thank you. I don't have any other

questions at the time. Thank you.

>> All right. Thank you. Thank you. Before

I move to Councilman Lawson, Solicitor

Grover, could you please clarify why we

need to vote on this resolution tonight?

Certainly. The city code section

I wrote it down somewhere.

2-301.5A

has a provision in it and and I can't

speak to when it was formed cuz it's

been there a long time that the mayor

may ask the council in writing which she

did to uh

approve an appointment of one of the

department head levels

with 7 days written notice and approve

it at the next meeting or the person is

automatically approved. I can speculate

as to why that provision was put in the

city code way back when but it's there.

You know, my guess is it's

to keep it moving cuz someone has to

usually transfer into a job so that they

know they have the appointment and can

move forward and make the commitment. Um

but but I don't really know. It's been

on the books for a very long time.

That's so basically a new department

head comes in they get immediate

approval

so they can

government can move forward.

That's that is what it's there for as

far as I can tell. But but the mayor

exercised that authority. Her office

sent down a request I think last Monday

to the council to

consider Mr. Manga at this point in

time. It's basically because she's been

frank. They've had no resumes for

economic development director. They've

had no resumes for alert administrator

and she is concerned about getting you

know,

positions filled.

And this is someone there. I mean, you

know, this that's her operational

concerns are valid. I mean, it is it is

hard to fill positions right now not

just here.

So, she would like to basically know

that the future is set at least here for

this particular position so that she can

move forward in in pulling together

other management. I will say I think

Antonio's with what he does has done a

very good job. I've been here a long

time. I've been

practice of law for almost 40 years. He

is strong, diligent. He is good with

people. He is good at problem solving. I

have never met a person who applied for

the business administrator job who ever

met all of the credentials in law that's

laid out because if you did you'd be in

some private company making $350,000 a

year.

I mean, that's simply the reality. The

person who was hired under Mayor Patton

who was applied to be the deputy

solicitor.

Right? That was the application that

came in and he ended up being hired as

the business administrator.

You know, the it's just it's a tough

position to fill for what the demands

are for local government. That is

reality. Um

in the borough manager, township

manager, city manager world here and

nationally

they have moved to like associations and

and job boards and it's a position that

fights all over the country now to get

people filled and there's people that do

bounce around the country but then they

bounce. They stay it's basically a

ladder climbing thing to increase your

salary over the years

if you're there. So, they're tough and

we had one of those under Mayor

Thompson. That's exactly what we had. We

had someone that they brought in by the

receiver. They lasted about 14 months

and then they were gone.

And they ended up appointing a city city

employee for that job. So, but that is

why she was doing why she's made this

decision as I understand it. Thank you.

You're welcome. Thanks. I just wanted to

be clear that it was not just

willy-nilly. There was a reason. Okay.

Councilman Lawson, do you have any

questions?

Thank you, President Hill. Yes, I do.

Antonio, how are you doing tonight? I'm

doing good. How about yourself?

>> All right. You thought you were leaving

the political sphere but

>> [laughter]

>> you're not. You're here. Everything's

politics. Absolutely.

Um I I I do have a couple questions and

um

first we we want to One of the

questions, you know, of course on

everyone's mind is

uh

what what have you been doing, you know,

as you've been

quasi working this role. And and just to

get a sense for how far into this you're

you're you're in where you just working

with what was left behind and and you've

just kind of followed that or are you

um

currently working on new initiatives?

Give us like a

Just a quick summary of of what you're

doing. Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's

hard to do it quick cuz there's over 30

things on my list that I'm trying to

work on on a on a daily weekly at this

point monthly basis. Um but to just do

it really quick, I mean, yeah, the the

the big ticket items are we're we're

working on uh trying to get the budget

going earlier this year. That was an

initiative that I started. Um you know,

we're we're If If approved, we're

ideally moving forward May 1st with our

department meetings, which is about uh 1

to 2 months earlier than normal. Um

we're where you have to make sure that

we are long-term planning. That's the

biggest reason why I'm doing this early

is cuz

um

one of the things that I realized was

soon as I came in day one,

uh you know,

some departments do a great job at

planning out 5 plus years ahead of time.

Others, I think we need to start

thinking about it a little bit more uh

strategically. So, uh that's something

that we want to uh get started. Um on

other ends, you know, there's a lot of

different other initiatives that I did,

you know, have to kind of run with as

soon as we came in. One of those is uh

we're trying to look at our um you know,

our energy spending on on our various

accounts. Uh and with that, uh you know,

soon here hopefully there's going to be

a

a contract and a proposal made that uh

you know, will save us tens of thousands

of dollars per month on our energy

bills. So, you know, that's you know,

that's still in the works, but that's

something that was started, you know,

pre-January and that I've kind of picked

up and and and run with now to we're

about to be completed. So, there's a

there's a lot of things like that. What

I would say is that um

you know, I I have and as [snorts] you

might have seen my emails to to each of

you, you know, I have three main

priorities that I'm I'm hoping to to

kind of like take to take the torch and

and lead with um as new initiatives. One

of those is the is the budget one that I

just talked about. Um another one is

kind of improving and modernizing our

city uh processes. So, with that, you

know, what I saw at a lot of other

municipalities that I've worked with in

the past is that they uh even larger

ones can be uh pretty efficient because

of the way they do uh approvals, the way

that they have very strict, you know,

the these exact people are doing these

type of approvals. Here's the primary,

here's the secondary on that. We don't

really have a a super specific system

like that and that's something that I

would I'm I'm looking to potentially

implement. So, that way, you know, when

vendors maybe are looking for payment or

when we're trying to get something

pursue it for approvals, people know

exactly what to look for and and can

either

um deny something quickly because they

see something wrong cuz they they they

know about it or or they can approve it

quickly and keep it moving. Uh so,

that's something I want to look at. And

then lastly is the the communication

with with City Council, uh each of you,

uh and the clerk's office. Um I think

that the business administrator position

is the perfect bridge position uh to

kind of communicate with City Council,

the mayor, and the administration

because uh you know, frankly like I'm

involved in in every conversation at

some point in time basically that the

city is having. So, um I kind of know a

lot of the things that are going on.

With that, you know, I'm hoping to start

doing uh like at least monthly reports

that would go out to to um each of you

and the mayor as well so that you're

working off of um the same information

for decision making.

Um

if, you know, if I if I get approved and

I can get a special assistant, then

maybe I can do that even uh biweekly or

weekly depending on, you know, how

efficient we get.

But um with that, you know, it's also

just building up relationships. You

know, as I did with the email, that will

continue moving forward with offering

meetings with each of you. Um it's just

a matter of making sure that everyone is

informed and making the most uh informed

decisions. So, those would be my three

priorities and and all of those things

have kind of been

uh in the works in some capacity

already.

Okay, thank you. And

just for clarification, who who who

would you work for?

I mean,

I technically would report to the to the

mayor, but I mean, my primary concern is

making sure that the city is is

operating at a at an efficient level and

and a level that is best for the

residents of Harrisburg. Okay, great.

And

can you tell

the mayor no?

Uh yes.

>> [laughter]

>> Now, of course now the mayor does have,

you know, final say on nearly everything

cuz that's the that's the administrative

power of the mayor, but I can I can tell

her no on many things and I can at least

advise her no on others.

Right. Well, that's one of the concerns

what people will have with someone with

youth is would you be able to talk truth

to power when necessary because we need

to make sure that

uh the mayor is receiving good counsel

and not just

someone who wants to to keep their job.

And and that's that's going to be an

important aspect if you're selected for

that job that you understand that yes,

you do report to the mayor, but you work

for the people and sometimes even with

the best intentions, we must tell

our employer, "No, that's not a great

idea." Again, the mayor will have final

say, but if you're not giving her a no,

you're not servicing her and you're not

servicing the city. So, that's that's

why it's important that we we have that

in there.

Um and then

well, you actually answered uh the

question with the conversations with

council. So, you'll be

willing to stay transparent and give us

information as as we need it. Um so,

with that, um President Hill, that's all

that I have for questioning.

Thank you. Councilwoman Rawls, any

questions? Thank you, President Hill.

Good evening, Mr. Ragna. Um thank you

for joining us today and answering our

questions. I actually have a few

questions and some of mine have already

been answered, too. So,

um

my first question was um or is

uh what have you accomplished solely?

And you answered just a little bit, but

if you want to expand some more, but

what have you accomplished solely since

stepping up um

in this position?

Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of it is the

is the stuff that's kind of in the

works. You know, I've only kind of been

stepping into the role since since

January, but even that has been like,

you know, I take certain

responsibilities. Some of it is still

the mayor's final decision.

Um I would say that the the biggest

things are the are the budget-related uh

decisions and the

um the energy bills because uh those are

both decisions that are potentially

going to help save the city

tens of thousands to more dollars and

also help us uh kind of come up with

more long-term strategic planning, which

I think is is a very much needed thing

when we're talking about uh you know,

we're still Act 47. We need to work our

way eventually out of that. Uh we need

to find ways to to create more more

revenues. Um and with all of that, it's

just working with all the departments,

which I have uh begun with, but it just

hasn't simply been enough time in the

position to finish those roles. Um so,

that's, you know, effectively what I'm

asking for is time to do that, but um

yeah, other than that, I think a lot of

the other things have

frankly been things that have already

started. There's there's not too much

that has been able to to be new because

there's just so many things going on on

a day-to-day basis.

Or

as you said before, you were saying you

were completing some things that Mr.

Sakowski had started. And the two things

you just mentioned are things you would

like to implement, the energy bills and

the early um department speaking with

departments about the budget. So, those

are two things you would want to

implement and see come through, but as

of right now, you haven't been able to

start fully your own initiatives and

complete them. Right. Yeah, and some of

that is just because I'm simply not the

business administrator at the moment, so

I don't necessarily have the authority

to do that. Okay. Okay.

All right. I thank you.

Um

my other question was, what does being a

business administrator or the business

administrator of Harrisburg mean to you?

Yeah, I mean, I think a little bit what

[clears throat] I spoke before, it's

kind of like the bridge position. It's a

a decision It's a position that I think

uh you have to think of it like, what

what does the city need, but also what

do the residents need? And finding uh

the best path forward that that can help

both the city and the residents the best

way possible. Um so, it's a unique

position where I can kind of get to be

involved in a lot of different uh

capacities um in a lot of advisory ways

and a lot of approval ways

um where we can kind of look at and say,

you know, hey, is this something that is

ultimately good for the city and good

for the residents? If so, let's figure

out a way to get it done. And if not,

let's find a way to either adjust it or

not do it at all. Um and I think that's

uh the [clears throat] exact type of

position that I want to be in um to be

able to, like I said, help people and

and push Harrisburg forward.

Okay. Um

my other question was, how will you show

integrity in this position?

Yeah, I mean, I think

>> [clears throat]

>> uh the the integrity just comes through

getting the work done, um making sure

that I'm always responding to people,

which I always try to do. I make sure

that everyone is kind of in the loop

with what's going on, providing reports,

answering phone calls, things like that.

But then also making sure that the like

the confidentiality nature of this

position is respected. Um I think

there's a lot of information that

um

you know, is it comes through the office

that

and that's isn't necessarily public

information, isn't necessarily

information to be shared, and it's a

matter of making sure that uh you know,

I'm sharing the information that needs

to be shared and and frankly not for the

other their information. Um and I think,

you know, I've done a good job of that

and I I hope to continue that.

Okay.

Um,

I guess my my last question it might be

for um,

legal. I don't know, you might have kind

of already answered it with why this

resolution came down we have to vote on

it tonight.

Um, but I'm going to ask it anyway cuz

maybe um, it will clarify even more for

her us and the public.

Um,

I think my thing was I'm not ready to

vote on this that much either tonight.

Thank you for your questions. I don't

know if I'm a yes or a no. I

um,

I guess my concern is there are things

you have started that I would love to

see how you finish. I would love to see

how do you start those budget meetings

early. I think that's a great idea. Um,

so that we are proactive and not

reactive. So I love that idea that

you're starting them in May and starting

to see what department heads are

thinking about um, what they want in

their budgets, how they want to

accomplish these I mean that is like

goal setting at its finest. So I would

love to see how you interact with these

department heads and how you're able to

um, get that work done and what does

that look like when the budget comes up

that year? Does it look different for

us? Is it easier? Is it smoother?

Um, are you able to help us bring back

quarterly be um, meetings with the

directors where they come and speak to

us because that even helps with

budgeting. So I feel like um,

I'm not able to see you fully accomplish

that as in a probationary role. I think

that

100 or up to 120 days is so important to

see how people really complete task.

This is a huge role. This is not a hasty

decision.

Um, so I just would love to see um,

how you would you know, complete that

and how you would then implement the

three initiatives that you spoke about.

Like will you bridge the gap with the

communication and

um, you know,

So I I guess my my question is there's

no way that he's allowed that um, Mr.

Magna and and for his

um, for him as well being able to serve

in that position for 100 up to 120 days

and then for us to give our consent.

So the mayor has exercised her authority

under the code under the city law um,

and the thing I would differ with you

and I think it's because we've had the

120 day discussion is that's not about a

probationary period. That's about a

maximum time of appointment before

council gets to act. The the the council

previously has vote No, the council has

previously voted on people immediately

being brought in and part of that is so

you can get people to come in, right?

Because if they're leaving another job,

you know, I don't know too many people

would leave a job to come in for 4

months to see if it's works out. You

know, that especially if you're if they

have skill sets that are are valuable.

You know, I mean that's simply the

reality. But it's not a probationary

period. I mean you can see it that way

but that's not the design. That was the

maximum time for council had add that to

the code to leave someone in that role.

I mean you guys have had the the legal

argument about it, but it isn't a

probationary period. It's when the mayor

makes the appointment and and how the

person can fulfill the fill the duties.

The the the police and fire were pretty

much immediate when they were appointed

and they were there uh, you know, when

they came

>> I wasn't here for that. I I got I got

that the solicitor was immediate. I mean

that was the reality. Um, it's it's

simply not that way. I know how you

because of your time here you see that

can be how it can be.

>> Which should be. I think that's a great

way because in a way you get to see how

someone performs. So

I mean we can word play on what

probation means. Um,

but in a way it is to see

I would think it is to see how someone

performs in a certain role. Even for the

mayor if they don't do what it is

you know, she or he or she thinks

they're are performing up to, they may

even give us a recommendation of or they

may not they won't appoint them. They

won't send it down. So you saw what they

did in this amount of time and you

decided they're not a fit.

Right. I don't know. That sounds like

probation, but I don't if that's not the

legal word for it then um, fine, but it

is still to see how someone fits in a

certain role. But it's

it is for the mayor if if it's not

working out the mayor can fire a

director. Yes, I have. We've seen that.

Yes, I'm saying if it's not working out

that's the mayor's authority, right?

That's So it's not a probationary period

for the mayor. It's are you performing

the functions I've tasked you to do in

your role? I mean and that's any mayor

has that power, right? That's that's why

the voters put that executive power in

one person.

Um, and hiring and firing is an

executive power.

Okay.

Um,

still and so so would you okay, thank

you. So you answered no. Did I it's what

you said is the loophole is the the

she's given an executive decision um,

to have it voted on tonight. Yeah, she's

exercised the authority the law gave

her. Okay. Right. And you did say there

was so I was just seeing if there was

anything else. It's just hard to vote so

hastily. It's not it's not a hasty

decision. I don't want to just say okay

just because you know, you're there Mr.

Magna let's say yes.

I want you to

also have room to show all the things

you can do.

You know, and I think it's unfair to you

too to

just be like oh, yep, you're there. Here

you go. Without you being able to come

back and say listen, thank you for

giving me this time. Look what I can

show you that I was able to do on my

own. Not just because um,

you know, Mr. Sokalski was not confirmed

and that whole thing that happened and I

had to you stepped up which thank you.

So that was one thing you did show so

that you should put that as an

accomplishment. I had to quickly step up

and here's the things that I did when I

quickly stepped up. Here are some of the

things I finished. Now let me show you

all what I can do when I'm not just

quickly stepping up, but you place me in

this role and you're you're let me show

you in this amount of time what else I

can do. So I think it's unfair to you

too.

So well, I just don't have I don't have

any more questions. Um, I'm not ready. I

have no idea what I'm going to vote on

because

it's just unfair to Mr. Magna

and us

and the city.

Thank you. That's it for me President

Hill. Thank you.

Councilman Rodriguez. Thank you Madam

President. Um, thank you Mr. Magna for

joining us this evening and uh, your

dedicated you know, position and what

you've done thus far and your

willingness to serve in this new

capacity. I guess my uh, sentiments and

my lining of questioning is coming from

my experience cuz I have kind of worked

with you a bit since your role um,

I know

uh, this is a statutory position by a

third class city charter correct now? It

is and it's in the city code. It's not

mandated you have one. It's mandated

that if you have a

a department of business administration

you have a business administrator. Okay.

Um,

I'm just speaking from my experience. I

can't speak from all the departments,

but I know with the trash bill

forgiveness program when Sam was on his

way out anytime I reached out for

numbers or you know, the city clerk you

know, reached out on my behalf you were

you were expedited them over and was

able to come to some resolve which

helped me actually you know, present

those numbers live on the floor for

council and residents that asked. Um,

also there were quite a few residents

um,

that came in that had either abandoned

properties or you know, kind of vacant

properties that were getting charged and

you helped me with those resident

services as well. So I've actually seen

you on your feet you know, moving on the

fly. Um, I'm not sure if my fellow

colleagues were able to you know, get a

chance to work with you in that

capacity, but I've also sat in many

meetings whether it was regarding the

pool or other initiatives where you

actually spearheaded. So I do appreciate

that and I actually just got word that

you played a huge role in the bargaining

agreement and got those numbers

expedited over and played a big role.

Um, I do understand what council is

saying because experience means a lot in

this role. It's a pretty serious you

know, position in the city, but how do

we get experience giving the

opportunity? We got to you know, at one

point we all everyone up here needed

that chance you know, to gain the

experience. Um, but your education it

shows that you're a great fit and the

one year you've played in the role you

have played just from my personal uh,

experience you've done you know,

substantially great.

Um, so uh, I guess my one question

what how do you plan on working with you

know, the diverse group of directors

that are currently sitting in their

roles and bring them together and be

that great liaison for council? Cuz

that's a hiccup we've had quite often.

How do you plan to maybe not fix it, but

be that hero in that role? Right. Yeah.

I think one of the things I would like

to do is you know, something that

I had started talking about at the

beginning of the year is just from the

business administrator's perspective

having monthly meetings at a minimum

with with not only the directors, but

then their their deputies if they have

them and maybe in like their managers.

So that way that we have a good idea of

what's going on.

We can kind of help direct them to you

know, okay like like this is something

that's important that I think council

will will care about put that in your

report, you know, and then we can

highlight that when we send it over like

hey, this is what the department's

doing. On top of that that would be

another thing I'd like to do is when we

send over the reports not just send the

reports of here's a whole bunch of

documents. Here's like 100 pages. Good

luck finding the important information.

It's like okay, well here's here's all

the documents with all the information,

but here's also like the key some of the

key highlights in my opinion at least

that you might want to take a look at,

you know. Um,

on top of that you know, yeah, it's just

going to be as questions come in just

working between each of you and the

department heads and and the various

deputies and managers depending on who's

dealing with the issue and making sure

that you know, answers are getting

expedited and and making sure that you

know, everything is is uh you know,

being answered on a timely manner so

that you can respond to residents as

they have questions or you can come here

during council meeting and give a

report.

Now, I've had the opportunity to work

with a really good BA and you know, the

former Daniel Hartman that was here did

a phenomenal job and I didn't get too

much experience with Mr. Sokolowski. Um

it's just a bit, you know, uh difficult

to uh get on the same page. Um

are you willing you know, if council has

questions no matter what the time of

night because sometimes constituent

services really has no timeline um and

when they need answers we need to

present and produce. Uh would you be

willing to work with us in that

capacity, you know, regardless of time

of night or how tall the task is? Would

you be willing to go the extra mile with

us to try to get those constituent

services, you know, tended to?

Absolutely and that's one of the reasons

why I provided each of you with my

personal cell. You know, I want to be

accessible to each of you um so I can

answer the questions that you're

receiving as you're receiving them.

Awesome. Um well, thank you. I I have

nothing further, Madam President. Thank

you.

Thank you. Councilwoman Davis, any

questions? Thank you, President Hill and

good evening, Mr. Magna. Uh thank you

for being here this evening.

My questions were answered but I will

ask one.

The previous BA was very good at

obtaining grants. He was very well

knowledge and proficient at uh

at obtaining grants.

How do you feel about

applying for grants

and what are some of the other ways you

plan to create revenue for this city?

Yeah, I mean, I think the

>> [clears throat]

>> the with the grant question, I feel very

comfortable working with grants. I've

done it in previous roles especially

again at Fleming kind of uh looking at

any possibilities of getting any sort of

funding from there. Um but uh on top of

that, you know, we are working with

multiple different um you know, right

now multiple different grant

opportunities. We're looking at

uh you know, various opportunities in

the future about like, you know, can we

apply for a grant that we didn't before?

Does it apply to to anything here? You

know, we're looking at federal grants

even uh despite what may or may not

happen on the federal level on a daily

basis. Um so yeah, we're we're exploring

all options there and making sure that

the directors and their managers are all

uh in the loop on what might apply to

them. Um and as far as uh revenues are

concerned, I mean, we're certainly

exploring those options. Um I think one

of the the the big things and if I

remember correctly, I think this is

something that maybe um you know, uh Dan

Harmon might have might have been

starting um

was trying to get the the trash bill

collection rates a little higher. Um so

that's something that, you know, I think

I'd like to sit down with with the

public works uh team and try to figure

out um you know, well, obviously we have

the forgiveness program uh and that has

been uh you know, successful in making

sure that people are are paying more

than they are paying that when they

weren't before but um

you know, there's still some other

strategies that we could potentially

implement. But um

it's a little hard to to to

specifically say what we're going to do

because um

there's a lot of moving parts and it's

one of those things where there's

certain tax like uh tax revenues that if

we if we open up the change, we have to

be very careful about how we change it

um and that was why, you know, Mr.

Hughes was here with with the attorney

um you know, last week and and trying to

get uh you know, that review so that'll

all be part of our our our full review

of what we can do.

And so would you say that if this is a

priority for you, obtaining grants and

looking for money's for the city?

Absolutely. Yep. Okay.

My other questions were answered so

thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. I I have maybe two more

questions. Um one,

uh should you be successful in

um becoming the new business

administrator, do you feel that you have

your role your current role would be

vacant. Do you feel that you would have

enough support

um by moving on?

Yeah, absolutely. I I think yeah,

between

the directors [clears throat]

um you know, and their staff, I feel

fully supported from them

um and I'd also look to hopefully hire a

special assistant as well to to help

take some things off my plate so that I

can be just more efficient and and

answer questions faster even. But um

yeah, I do feel I would have the

support.

Okay. And then my final question, really

not a question, is there anything else

that you would like to share um before

we resume our legislative session and

vote on this resolution?

Uh

No, I don't think so. I think I've I've

covered my my background well and I

think I've covered what my priorities

would be

um and I just appreciate all of your

questions and consideration.

Thank you.

I will entertain a motion to resume our

legislative session.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Thank you.

Before us we have resolution 23 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdale, could you please read it

into the record one final time?

Resolution 23 2026, a resolution

confirming the appointment of Mr.

Antonio J. Magna to serve as business

administrator for the city of

Harrisburg.

Thank you. Um council members, are there

any final questions, comments or

concerns related to resolution 23 of

2026?

Sure. Councilwoman Ross. Um I just have

one thing to say. I mean, um

given the hasty decision I have to make,

I really just um

had to sit and just think about what

I've seen that Mr. Magna has done,

um the things he does want to

accomplish, but I'm going to vote yes

because I do like the way that he at

least stepped up

to um

try to fill the role

in an untimely manner for himself. Um so

but um

I'm just disappointed that we had to

make the decision so fast and that we

weren't given enough time and the city

wasn't given enough time to say this is

what he looks like in this role. I'm

going to move him up. Here he goes. This

is what he can do instead of having an

executive decision to fill it right now

because even if we were given the time,

he would have still been in the position

um

I know that the mayor said that she

needed this position filled so tasks

could be taken off of

um of her because there there was um

decisions that need to be made with the

with unions and contracts and things of

that nature and I agree to that. But he

still could have sat in the position for

up to 120 days. I know it's not a

probational period but it sounds like

one and been able to still

uh do those things for us to see as a

city how he performs. So we did not have

to make this decision tonight. He could

have been in that position and still

fulfill those roles and still um we

would have been able to see how he could

have performed. So but

I'm going to I'm going to say yes to it

when the vote comes around because he

did step up

and he didn't have to.

That's it for me.

Any other final

Yes, Councilwoman Lawson.

I'm I'm just reiterating um Councilwoman

Ross's sentiment. I I understand that we

didn't need to put him in a um acting

position but uh I I would have liked the

I the idea of going through a the

typical work session and and then

legislative to to make the decision

um but at the same time um

that's not an Antonio um thing. So I I'm

not going to blame that on Mr. Magna and

so that's I just wanted to put that out

there that um I do believe that he was

put in an unfair position because it may

sway the sentiment of of some of council

just because of the way that it was

presented. I understand it that's the

mayor's prerogative. She can do it as

she wants to and and and she should but

um I would have rather we had a typical

um

you know, just cycle on on this

discussion. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other final

questions, comments or concerns?

Um I do have some comments.

Uh

Councilwoman Green is correct. I have

said several times in the past that we

need fresh faces and youthful talent as

a part of our workforce and volunteers

on boards and commissions.

Um I believe that

these fresh faces and youthful talent

offer different perspectives that

sometimes we don't consider.

However, in this instance,

I also believe that a role should

have more than two applicants or one by

default because I think it's only fair

to determine to truly determine

someone's strengths.

Um much of Mr. Mr. Magna's work

experience is campaign related which

isn't really relevant to the role of the

business administrator as um

the campaign work is very temporary as

he mentioned of a role.

Um I also have some concerns regarding

his lack of interest in relocating to

the city of Harrisburg.

I feel maybe it's my personal passion

for the city. Um if you truly believe in

this city so much, why not reside here?

Um

I do share the sentiments of my

colleagues. I think that this is a

difficult decision. And then to know, of

course, that this is the default

candidate. You've been here and you have

been doing the work. So, thank you for

the work that you've done. However, I

believe in equity and I like options.

Um and to really not be given that

opportunity is frustrating. So, I wish

you well

um in your future endeavors in this role

or not.

Um

and I feel like

I was prepared to vote no. I'm being

very honest.

But I feel like

um

the city needs a business administrator.

We all know that. That's not

um it's not a surprise, right? So, if

you are passionate about this role, um I

do hope that you are here longer than a

year

um as some of your other roles. But I

think that I will be voting yes just so

that the role is filled. I'm hopeful

that we can work together and with your

assistance um we can work with the

department directors and the mayor and

all members of her administration to

improve communication and uh fulfill the

two goals that I've set around

transparency and accountability.

Um so, those are my final thoughts.

Any other

final comments, questions? Okay. Mr.

Truesdel, could you please call the

vote?

Ms. Davis? Yes.

Ms. Green?

Um

I'm going to go with a yes. I want to

see what he does in the role. He's um

ambitious and uh I like that. So, I want

to see what he does in it. So, it's a

yes.

Mr. Jones? Nay.

Mr. Lawson?

Yes.

Ms. Rose?

Yes.

Mr. Rodriguez? Yes.

Ms. Hill?

Yes.

Resolution 23 of 2026 passes by vote of

6 to 1.

Thank you. Next, we have resolution 24

of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 24, 2026. A

resolution of the city council of the

city of Harrisburg reestablishing

Hotspot Saturdays, a community

beautification and public safety

initiative designed to encourage city

residents and community partners to

participate in five community cleanup

events throughout the summer of 2026.

Thank you. Resolution 24 of 2026

will move to the Public Works Committee.

Next, we have resolution 25 of 2026.

Resolution 25, 2026. A resolution

appointing Ms. Rhonda E. Maze to serve

on the Redevelopment Authority Board of

the city of Harrisburg. Thank you.

Resolution 25 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee. Next, we have resolution 26

of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 26, 2026. A

resolution appointing Ms. Salima H.

Chapman to serve on the Redevelopment

Authority Board of the city of

Harrisburg. Thank you. Resolution 26 of

2026

will move to the Administration

Committee. Next, we have resolution 27

of 2026. Mr. Truesdel, could you please

read it into the record? Resolution 27,

2026. A resolution appointing Mr.

Patrick V. D. to serve on the Building

and Housing Code Board of Appeals of the

city of Harrisburg. Thank you.

Resolution 27 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee. Next, we have resolution 28

of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 28 of 2026.

A resolution reappointing Ms. Evelyn

Hunt to serve on the License and Tax

Appeal Board.

Thank you.

Resolution 28 of 2026 will move to the

Administration Committee.

Next, we have resolution 29 of 2026.

Could you please read it into the

record, Mr. Truesdel? Resolution 29 of

2026. A resolution appointing Mr.

Stephen M. Ketterer to serve on the

License and Tax Appeal Board.

Thank you. Resolution 29 of 2026 will

move to the Administration Committee.

Resolution 30 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the into the record? Resolution 30

of 2026. A resolution reappointing Mr.

Dan A. Shoulder, Esquire, to serve on

the License and Tax Appeal Board. Thank

you. Resolution 30 of 2026 will move to

the Administration Committee.

Next, we have resolution 31 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 31 of 2026.

A resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to negotiate and enter into a

lease agreement with the Harrisburg

School District for a certain tract of

land with a parcel ID of 09-063-005,

commonly known as the Vernon Street

Park.

Said tract of land being improved with a

playground, pavilion, and recreation

area in order to allow the city to make

certain improvements and continue the

operation thereof.

Thank you. Resolution 31 of 2026

will move to the Parks, Recreation, and

Enrichment Committee.

Resolution 32 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 32 of 2026.

A resolution ratifying the submission of

a grant application to the National

Environmental Health Association in the

amount of $16,500

for the purpose of attending training

opportunities and initiating a risk

factor study to determine trends in the

occurrence of foodborne illness in

certain facilities within the city of

Harrisburg. Thank you. Resolution 32 of

2026

will move to the Public Safety

Committee. Next, we have resolution 33

of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 33 of 2026.

A resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to submit and enter into a

sidewalk and mural maintenance and

roadway lighting agreement with the

Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation in relation to the

improvements to the McClay Street Bridge

and authorizing the designation of the

city engineer as the sole signatory of

the agreement. Thank you. Resolution 33

of 2026

will move to the Public Works Committee.

Next, we have resolution 34 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 34 of 2026.

A resolution ratifying an adoption

agreement amendment for the non-uniform

municipal employees retirement system

with the Pennsylvania Municipal

Retirement System to extend the

the superannuation retirement known as

the rule of 80, effective January 1st,

2026. Thank you. Resolution 34 of 2026

will move to the Administration

Committee. Our final resolution for

consideration this evening is resolution

35 of 2026.

Mr. Truesdel, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution 35, 2026. A

resolution of the council of the city of

Harrisburg ratifying and approving the

2026 through 2028 collective bargaining

agreement between the city of Harrisburg

and the Fraternal Order of

Oh, sorry.

Between the Fraternal Order of Police

Capital City Lodge number 12. Thank you.

Resolution 35 of 2026

will move to the Public Safety

Committee. Is there any old business for

discussion, council members?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, any new

business?

Seeing and hearing none, the time is

7:34 p.m. I will entertain a motion to

adjourn.

>> So moved. Is there a second? Second.

Thank you. We stand adjourned.