Harrisburg City Council - Legislative Session 09/09/2025

We will conduct our legislative caucus

prior to

beginning our legislative session. I

will call the meeting to order. Mr.

Parker will lead the roll call. The

invocation this evening will be led by

Councilman Rodriguez, followed by the

pledge of allegiance, which will be led

by Councilwoman Davis.

We have uh two presentations this

evening for communications. The first

presentation will be delivered by Gloria

Merik, executive director of the Latino

Hispanic American Community Center

regarding the 15th annual Hispanic

Heritage Festival. And the second

presentation will be the midyear

financial report uh that will be

conducted by our finance director Robert

Kenn. We will then move to courtesy of

the floor followed by approval of

minutes. This is the appro approval of

the minutes for the legislative session

that occurred on August 26, 2025.

Then we will move to reports

subcommittees. I will deliver the first

report on behalf of the administration

committee on the work session of

September 2nd, 2025.

The next report will be delivered by

Vice President Green, our budget and

finance committee chair on the work

session of September 2nd, 2025.

The next report will be delivered by

Councilwoman Ross, our parks,

recreation, and enrichment committee

chair on the work session of September

2nd, 2025. And the final committee

report will be delivered by Councilman

Jones, our public safety chair, on the

work session of September 2nd, 2025.

We do not have any ordinances for first

reading. We have an ordinance for

amendment, bill nine of 2025,

and one ordinance for final passage,

which is bill 9 of 2025, which we will

vote upon.

We will then move to resolutions.

Uh resolution 49 of 2025, we will vote

upon. Resolution 50 of 2025,

we will vote upon. Resolution 51 of

2025, we will vote upon. Resolution 54

of 2025, we will vote upon. Resolution

58 of 2025, we will vote upon.

Resolution 60 of 2025 will move to the

community and economic development

committee. Resolution 61 of 2025

will move to the public works committee.

Resolution

62 of 2025 will move to the budget and

finance committee.

Resolution 63 of 2025 will move to the

budget and finance committee.

Resolution 64 of 2025 will move to the

community and economic development

committee.

Is there any old business for

discussion, council members?

No.

Okay,

seeing hearing none, any new business?

>> Yes, Madam President, I just wanted to

send out a reminder for the Saturday's

Hotspot Saturdays.

>> Okay, thank you. Any other new business?

Thank you. Then we will adjourn.

So, the time is 6:07 p.m. I'd like to

officially call our legislative session

to order.

Mr. Parker, could you please call the

role?

>> Miss Daniels.

>> Miss Davis,

>> present.

>> Miss Green,

>> Mr. Jones,

>> here.

>> Miss RWS,

>> present.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> present.

>> Miss Hill,

>> present. Please note that Councilwoman

Daniels is excused this evening.

The invocation will be led by Councilman

Rodriguez, followed by the pledge of

allegiance, which will be led by

Councilwoman Davis.

>> Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to

uh concentrate today on some positivity

for our invocation. Um, let's all

celebrate Mr. Michael Parker's

retirement as today will be his final

session with us. We just want to thank

you, Mr. Parker for years of dedication

and just being a great man and all of

our fishing stories and conversations

cuz you may not know it but you got me

and my kids excited about spending more

bonded time fishing too. So for that you

know you always be in my heart. Thank

you beautiful mother and your aunts for

being here with us this evening. Good to

see you ladies.

>> So I just wanted to see if we could all

give Mr. Parker a round of applause for

his wonderful service.

[Applause]

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for that. And I

just wanted to remind everyone as we

gear towards the fall, um always look

forward to seeing what you can do for

your neighbors, for those down the

block, because as it gets colder, the

need will even uh raise. So, as we gear

closer to the fourth quarter and those

leaves turn brownish to orange and the

pumpkin lattes pop up in more retailer

stores, the need will be even greater in

our our demographic. So, I just pray for

all those during the holiday times and

um wish you all the best. Thank you,

Madam President.

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Davis.

>> Thank you, President Hill. Let us all

stand for the pledge of

>> 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.

>> Thank you, Councilman Rodriguez, and

thank you, Councilwoman Davis.

We will move forward with our meeting

agenda. Uh, as I mentioned, our first

presentation under communications will

be delivered uh by Miss Gloria Merik,

executive director of the Latino

Hispanic American Community Center

regarding the 15th annual Hispanic

Heritage Festival.

>> Hello everyone.

>> Can you hear me? Okay.

>> Yes, we can hear you.

>> Okay. Thank you for this opportunity. I

really appreciate it. I apologize. I

planned on being there in person, but I

have a problem with my knee now. So,

hoping it gets better by Saturday. I

think um I'm going to be going on a

bunch of steroids after my meeting here.

I think that's what they prescribed. But

anyway, so I apologize that I couldn't

be the person as planned, but I'm

excited to tell you about the Hispanic

Heritage Festival that we have going on

this Saturday. Um we are expecting over

2,000 people again. Uh the festival has

really grown. It's been uh phenomenal.

Um it's been phenomenally received by

our our vendors, our exhibitors, our

sponsors and uh again I'm excited to

share with that with you. So I have a

slide presentation that I believe was

sent to Cedra Cedric and uh Cedric if

you could share that now.

>> Yes, we have the opening slide 15th

annual Hispanic Heritage Festival.

Oh, it's already showing on screen.

>> Yes.

>> Could you share your screen with me?

>> I'm sorry.

>> Could you share your screen with me,

Cedric?

>> I can see what you're seeing.

>> We're in the process of doing that right

now.

Okay, we're moving to the first slide.

Thank you.

>> And this is our program. I'm sorry. This

is our flyer for the day. We have

everything that we've done is in Spanish

and English. You know, all of our flyers

and everything. We have all the bedas

and just put them all around and uh I

noticed that ABC27 has been doing some

coverage and pen Live has been doing a

lot of coverage. they've they do that as

an incline for us and I think that helps

to get our um you know our um

people there um not only from the

immediate area but from the surrounding

area and it's grown so much we have

people come from Philadelphia now from

New York even New York like people will

find out that our festival is going on

and they will come visit their relatives

that live in Allison Hill and they say

call me when that festival is taking

place. So, we have people from all over

now, even Baltimore. So, we're really

excited about that. Uh, next slide.

So, our festival includes a lot of

different things. There's a lot of

components to the festival. One of the

biggest components is the uh the music,

the entertainment. As you can see here,

we have a little sponsor coming back

again. We also have Dancing in the

Street. We have this year the renowned

Tito Poente Jr. who is coming uh live

and that's on the next slide. You'll see

Tito and we also again we have Los

Monstros.

Next slide. That is on the next slide

and that's Tito Poente Jr. Some of you

are familiar to him with him. He's been

here to do a couple of uh sessions, a

couple of programs for us uh over the

last 15 years. This is our 15th year.

And uh for those of you that are

Hispanic and Ralph, I guess you would

know that it's our kinsenedia. Our

kinsenedia is a traditionally celebrated

15-year

when when a do a daughter or you know

turns 15 and someone turns 15, they have

a big party and it's like a big wedding.

Well, that's what we're hoping to have

this coming Saturday. A big celebration

of our 15th anniversary at the center.

Next slide.

So, we're going to do that in a festive

way with a lot of music. All of our

restaurants in our Allison Hill row,

they will all be coming out into the

street. As you can see, this ad carousel

is out in the street and they will be

make cooking their food not only inside

the restaurants, but bringing it outside

and it's an opportunity to taste all the

authentic Hispanic uh foods that uh we

have to offer in Allison Hill. So we

have El Carasel, we have Le Chapin, we

have uh La Chapin restaurant, we have

Anteos,

uh we have 136 ministry and a lot of

others. And so it's going to be, you

know, if you come out to the festival,

come with a good appetite.

>> Next slide.

>> I got to ask what's on the skewers.

>> Those are pinchos. And pinchos are

really like, you know, chicken shish

kebabs.

Uh they're like the they're shish kebabs

up there on the uh on the top right

you're saying?

>> Yes.

>> Yeah. They're they're in America we call

them shish kebabs in Puerto Rico and

other places we call them um we call

them pinchos.

>> And so we have someone that's be making

pinchos and uh so yeah it's the same

thing.

>> Any other questions?

delicios.

And uh then we have tacos and we have

other people making that like some

pastries and desserts and um of course

our typical rice and beans as you can

see there. And then she's making poas

pulsas on the uh on the grill outside.

Next slide.

And here, I can't see the caption at the

top, but I'm thinking that this is the

kids activities.

>> We have a lot of kids activities going

on throughout the day. And it's just

going to be, you know, kids come from

all the from Scitec, they come from

Harrisburg High, they're coming from DCT

Tech. And the kids really just enjoy

being immersed in their culture for the

day in a fun kind of way. So, we have

again a lot of art activities. We have

we always do an art on canvas. Uh, all

of our games, everything is free except

for food. I mean, some vendors do give

away food for free, but our restaurants,

it's an opportunity for them to make a

little bit of money. It's not very

expensive food. Um, but you know, you

can get pinchos probably for three or

four dollars and you can get a plate of

food for like seven maybe $10. I don't

think you get you pay much more than

that for the food. Um, so over here you

see our students from Scitec. They're

helping to run the games and uh yeah, we

just have a lot of activities for the

kids. And the kids that are all dressed

up are from Juan 316 uh children's

ministry and they come every year.

There's 12 of them. Of course, they're

older now because you've been there for

15 years. So, we have we recycle. We

have all these younger generations that

come up and the kids just love to be

there. So, we'll have uh them dressed in

their clothing. And uh we also we won't

have Curious George. We'll have uh WITF

is bringing um uh TF Florida. TF Florida

is is another uh puppet that is a

bilingual. She speaks Spanish and the

kids will enjoy that. Next slide.

Uh we also have our domino tournament. I

mean do how many of you play dominoes? I

don't know if you know how to play

dominoes are easy. You just follow the

dots. you know, somebody puts two dots

down, you put two dots down, they put,

you know, whatever's on the end, that's

you match that up. It's a very easy

game, but you know, it's a huge

traditional game in the Caribbean and in

Puerto Rico and in other parts. Um, and

so we will have our because it is very

traditional in Puerto Rico in our Puerto

Rico pavilion, we will be set up with

three domino tables and we have a domino

tournament which a lot of people look

forward to to win the trophies for

first, second, third prize and so forth.

And so come out and play dominoes or

learn how to play do we'll have a table

where you can learn how to play

dominoes. Next slide.

Uh we also have a program at noon time.

Uh this year it'll be starting at 12:15

and you're all welcome to be there for

the program at 12:15. Right now we have

Honorable Mayor Williams will be there.

We also have uh Representative Matson,

Representative Hartwick, and I'm not

sure who else is going to be there. We

always have surprises. Um Patty Kim

can't be there this year, I don't think.

Um, so you see a lot of familiar faces

there. But our noon time program is very

brief. We honor our sponsors. We also

give some shoutouts to our elected

officials that are in attendance and we

just have like again a brief program

where we give shoutouts. Most of the

time it's about 15 20 minutes.

Next slide.

Oh, and here's our flag parade. So

immediately following the immediately

following the uh program, it's

traditional that our children do the

flag parade and that just goes from uh

15th Street because the parade goes from

13th to 15th. So they start at the very

end of the parade and then they march up

to the stage and we have a lot of music

and there's pictures and everybody's

looking for the flag from their country.

We have all 24 Latin Hispanic countries

represented by our flags and it's just a

very I have any of you ever been to that

to the flag parade?

>> Yeah.

>> Was that a Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't

hear.

>> Councilman Jones uh

>> Yes. Yes. And so you know how lively

that gets and it's just so exciting and

uh the kids just love to do it and the

whole community that's kind of like a

highlight of the day for them. And I

think on the next slide that we have

some more pictures from the flag parade.

Yeah. So you can see the little kids

from Juan 316 and kids from just the

community dress up and come out and

celebrate their culture, their heritage.

And that's kind of like the whole point

of this event really is we want our kids

to be immersed in their culture and to

learn about their culture if they don't

already but to understand you know about

their roots and their heritage

traditions and you know the foods and

you know maybe it's once a year that the

kids get immersed in all this but you

know it's really important because

that's how we bring to life our heritage

and our culture uh at this huge event in

September each year. Next slide.

And these are our sponsors. We have a

lot of sponsors. Our main sponsors are

PNC, Capital Blue. Um this year we

picked up Explore Harrisburg, uh

Connector to Hershey. Hershey Company

gives us all the candy. Pepsi gives us

all our drinks. And uh all these

companies that are sponsors will

actually be there at the event. I'm

trying to push my slide up. Um, and so

any questions about our sponsors or how

we get our sponsors or anything?

No. Okay. So that's uh basically, you

know, I reach out to all of these

companies. That's my job is to reach out

to all of these companies and ask them

to sponsor. And people forget that our

festival is a fundraiser. And so we will

raise about $50,000 through all of these

companies that you see listed here and

through the this year we have the

tourism uh commission the economic

development tourism uh gave us uh a

little bit of funds this year and then

we are also highly endorsed through the

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in

Pennsylvania. We're often called to be

judges and so forth on other uh ethnic

heritage uh applications that come in

through PA Council on the Arts and we

are at the last level now. We are next

to the last level for PA Council on the

Arts. So next year if we do this again

we will be required to bring in a very

famous uh act. Not that we didn't bring

one this year because Tito Poente is a

renowned national uh performer, but um

that's also a big help to us and again

that helps to pay for a lot of the

overhead so that a lot of the

sponsorships that we're getting from PNC

and capital can actually help pay for

the operations at the center. So a lot

of people lose sight of that. They don't

realize that this is not just a festival

for us. This is our annual fundraiser

and is very very important to us. So we

appreciate your support and what you do

to support the center. And on that last

slide, we welcome you to come to be a

part of it and to witness a lot of these

things that you see in these pictures

and to see, taste, and hear all about

our culture and and see and look at

Allison Hill in a very different light

than maybe you're used to looking at

Allison Hill in. And like I said, uh

Allison Hill is very near and dear to my

heart and uh I'm there because I want to

support Allison Hill and I hope you will

too. So, thank you.

>> Thank you. Thank you very much for your

presentation. We hope that you heal soon

from your injury.

>> Thank you.

>> You're welcome.

>> Okay. Well, get some rest. Thank you.

Our next communications and presentation

this evening will be delivered by the

finance department, the midyear

financial report.

Hi, my name is Bob Kenn. I'm the finance

director.

>> Do you mind using a different

microphone? I'm sorry. We're

experiencing some difficulties with

channel 20 right now. So, I just want to

make sure that everyone can at least

hear on YouTube. Thank you.

>> It's karaoke night

members of council. My name is Bob Kenn.

I'm the finance director for the city of

Harrisburg. I want to thank you guys for

the opportunity to present some of the

highlights of our midyear uh financial

report.

And u because of the state my voice is

in, I'm I'm going to let some of my team

members do most of the talking, but um

again, thank you guys for having us.

>> Hello, I'm Alexander Burstein, the

assistant to the finance director.

>> Timothy Brooks, the budget manager.

>> Brian Brian McCussen, county manager.

Well, welcome council. Thank you for

being with us today and thank you for

allowing us to be with you. Um before

you is the 2025 midyear fiscal um report

and going on to pages three where we see

table one. Uh we'll get right on into

it.

So here on table one um as you can see

and let me kind of reiterate this is the

midyear report. This is reporting from

January 1st through June 30th of uh uh

this year. Um through June 30th, um our

revenues sit at 39,281,263

representing 42% of our budget while our

expenses sit at 35,551,62

or $62 representing just 38% of the

budget. Um that change in cash fund

balance is around that 3.7 3.7 million

um resulting in a ending cash fund

balance of $22,199,454

at the end of uh June 30th 2025.

Uh a lot of the change and what we have

here in the mill report is it it

compares from last year this time to

this year this time. uh and the change

that we see in terms of the the large

dollar amounts for both expenditures and

revenues is all wrapped around the ARPA

money that we received that 26.8 I

believe um and we have that mentioned in

our footnotes down in um one two and

three just below this table here. If you

move along right into the next report

which is uh the next table which is

table number two it just goes into the

details of the revenue. So um each

detailed revenue that we have in terms

of real estate taxes and where it stands

terms of percent of budget. Um I'm

looking at just the high the the ones

that that stand out as being extremely

high and and coming in um pretty

aggressive over the first six months. Uh

which is the real estate tax coming in

at about 85%. Uh the real estate uh real

estate transfer tax uh also at that 113%

and the hotel tax uh which also is

around that 100%. Everything else is uh

coming in at its normal pace. Um those

are largely

just because we were able to collect a

little bit more uh on those tax revenues

sooner. Um moving all the way down to

the rest of the detail on the revenue.

Um the only one that I also wanted to

mention because it it has to do with

that ARPA money at 26.8 8 million which

is the inner fun transfer that um if we

go down you see it's at 3% where last

year it was way higher and because of

that 26 million um transferring from uh

the state grants or from the the the

fund where it is to to the areas in

which it's needed to be appropriated

um resulting in the um the already

mentioned revenue amount of 39,281,000

$263 representing that 42%. Moving down

to table three, which is our

expenditures uh for 2025 up to um and

it's doing the same thing comparing from

24 this time to 25 this time. Um

everything except for I guess the debt

service looks normal. Uh the debt

service we just obligated and we took

our debt services through the first six

months. Um that's what that represents

there with that 111% there.

um supply, services, medical, everything

else seems to be tracking or um on on

anticipated for what we budgeted. Uh

again, that total results to what we

already mentioned the 37 million. Well,

I mentioned a different number in the re

and expenditures earlier, but I'll

explain here just a second. Um resulting

in a 37,340

thou 341,952

um in terms of all expenditures. Now

this number is different from the table

one um number because of debt service

being in this um in this table here.

Debt service is in a different fund.

When you add that debt service along

with the capital expenditures that you

see netting at 158,000

um that brings us to those two together

are 1.79 million. Um but when you back

off that 1.79 million, it takes us back

down to the three 35 million um figure

on table one. 3551,000.

Um

moving right along to our neighborhood

services.

Um, our revenues at at this at the

six-month period or at the midway period

is currently 9 million just over the 9

million mark representing uh 40 40% of

their budget while their expenditures

are just over the 9.1 million figure and

representing 41% of the budget. Uh the

remaining other funds uh capital

projects fund debt services state liquid

fuels most municipality um Harrisburg

senators neighborhood mitigation special

projects we have listed on the pages

ensuing after um and we won't go into

detail of all of those u that

information is there for you to see the

status at six months at the sixmon

period for those uh moving right on to

the back of that we go right into uh

2025 revenue revenue and expenditures

forecast. We would like to see where

we're going to land or project where

we're where we're going to land at. So,

in 2025, actually, I'll turn it over to

Mr. McCutchen, or did you want me to

finish this part? You want to

>> uh No, that's fine. Yeah, thank you,

Tim. Um, yes. Good evening, council

members. Uh, again, these last two pages

forecast and nature. Uh, the one that's

up on the screen right now represents

revenue and this is the general fund.

And uh the categories are listed there

and of course going out that far to 2029

that's uh kind of a sizable undertaking

but it's it's based there is a

methodology there. Um so this page has

the revenues the total is at the bottom

of course uh there is some use of fund

balance which is not really a revenue

it's it but it's defined as a as a

source when it comes to building the

budget. So those totals are reflected

there. Uh the following page

includes

the other side of it, the expenses, and

it's broken down by the the city's major

budget major object categories

um including some breakouts for as Tim

mentioned debt service and capital

expenditures and the total at the

bottom.

Just to tie in here, the the city

recently submitted at at the very end of

August to the the Intergovernmental

Cooperation Authority, the AA is

required uh the the development of this

city's five-year financial plan. And

these projection these projections are

projections are included in that

document uh as to how the city goes

about forecasting uh for future years

and also current year 2025.

Okay. Thank you.

And that will conclude the midyear

report.

>> Thank you. Um I'll defer to Vice

President Green. I don't know if you

have any questions or comments regarding

the midyear report.

>> Um thank you, President Hill, and thank

you all for being here tonight. I don't

really have any questions. If we could

just go over the senator's fund um

that's in there just because it shows

such a large deficit. Um obviously we

could know why, but just so that the the

residents can have an insight into that.

Absolutely.

Uh through the six-month period at the

Harrisburg Senators Fund,

uh looks as if we are in terms of

revenue at $379,738

representing just 2% of the budget while

expenses are at 5.4 million 5.4 million

representing 32% of the budget. Uh and

I'll defer to Brian. And I know largely

it's just has to do with the FMB field,

but Brian would be the better person to

speak on.

>> All right, you're giving me the

challenging one. All right. Um, okay.

Uh, Harrisburg Senators Fund, as we

know, uh, the ongoing FNB field stadium

upgrade project. So what's not reflected

here on this page is that really this is

a multi-year

uh project that that essentially began

uh the funding of it began in 2023 from

the general fund. So there is a huge

buildup of uh there's a significant cash

balance at the beginning of this year

which abs um the the deficit that shows

up there. uh Vice President Green is

being absorbed by that beginning cash

fund balance of the fund and it's being

funded by uh the the general fund over

over starting in 2023. Uh the the

original in vision of this project was

$12 million which relates to the general

fund with half of that and then the

other half pertains to a um active and

pending rack uh award that we're

anticipating before the end of this

year. Um, so that's I I know this

schedule is is limited as far as what

what you're seeing, but it's not a

deficit in terms of like there's no

money in in the fund. It's it's been

previously funded and uh has also been

funded this year uh leading up to the uh

soontobe conclusion of that construction

project.

>> Thank you very much. I don't have any uh

other questions or comments at this

time. Could um could I just follow up on

on just to give you an update if I may

uh on again the midyear of course as we

know runs through June 30 and um with

with timing and and schedules and

everything here we are now in September

uh and actually we've uh reconciled

through the end of August. So I thought

I'd just take a couple minutes to go

over both the general fund and the

neighborhood services fund to give you

an idea of where we are currently the

end of August.

So for the general fund um through

August and of course eight months we're

talking 2/3. So that's a meaningful

percentage. Um total revenue for the the

general fund is 48.2

million versus expenses of 49.8. So

there's a a deficit there of about 1.6

million. And this is a segue. The the

the timing of the senator's fund

funding, we the city moved 1.95 million

recently to the senator's fund. That

transfer in the prior year did not

happen until November of last year. So

there's there's a a reason why there's a

timing delay on there on on on the

funding. Um

on on the revenue side of the fund, I I

mentioned the twothirds. A lot of our

revenue, our big ticket revenue items

are coming in

um reasonably when when compared to

that. Our real estate tax revenue uh

we're forecasting we're pretty much on

the mark for between um 16 or 16 million

and 16.7

million for the year. I think we're

we're on a good pace. uh our earned

income tax, local services tax,

mercantile tax, which includes the

parking tax. They're very encouraging

percentage right now of already achieved

revenue. They can they range uh uh

between 68 and 74%

already. So those are good percentages.

Um also the city's there there's

departmental revenues that are hovering

around those those rates as well. and uh

the city's interest income is right

around 68

uh 3% already achieved. So there's I'm

I'm saying that just to indicate that

our budgeting for the current year was

uh very favorable on those particular

lines.

Um,

as far as the the the city's cash

position goes, when we look at where the

city was,

uh, at August of last year, we were

right at $20 million.

Currently, at the end of August of this

year, we are at 16.9. Now, that's a drop

of 3.1, but there's three big pieces

that make up that decrease. I I

mentioned the uh the FNB field

transfer of 1.95 million. It it's

happening earlier this year compared to

last year. Uh also Broad Street Market

through the end of August comparatives.

We we've the city has expended about

$500,000 more compared to prior year.

And then also the city has experienced

settlement of legal lame litigation uh

liabilities at an increase of about

$750,000.

So those three pieces make up the draw

down as far as why cash has dropped

August last year compared to August of

this year.

That's the general fund. uh neighborhood

services uh

revenue total revenue is a little over

14 million so far for current year and

our expenses are 14.8. So that's a

deficit of about $833,000.

Uh the biggest out um reason for that is

uh the settlement finally of the Brener

Motors eminent domain litigation matter

that was one point over 1.9 million. So,

if you think about it, that fund

experienced an extraordinary uh

expenditure of 1.9, but we're only down

a little over 800,000. So, that's that's

somewhat encouraging when you when you

compare the two. And of course, that

fund, as you know, every month is uh

experiencing revenue when it comes to uh

the collection of trash uh refuge and

disposal uh charges.

The cash position of this fund um

again this time last year was right

around 5.2 million and it's down right

now to around 4.5 and that's that's

overall that includes the three burough

municipalities that the city provides uh

trash services. So again that's a drop

off in cash

um around about $650,000.

But you but when you weigh that against

the the settlement, the the Brener

Motors of 1.9, it's it it takes it kind

of takes the sting out of that drop off

in cash.

That's all I have on on those two funds.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

>> Thank you. Are there any other

questions? I don't want to miss anyone.

Councilman Jones.

>> Yes. Thank you, President Hill. How are

you guys? Everyone okay? Everybody cool?

Wait till I get done. No, I'm messing

with you. Um, I do have a question

though, just for the general public. Um,

regarding our budget, I I see a lot of

projections and some of the lines stayed

the same like the 165 165 165 once this

ARPA money is gone. What will our budget

look like?

Anybody?

Um,

well, I I I can comment unless, but

respectfully, uh, Bob, are you okay if I

comment?

>> I think I knew he was going to say that.

Um,

>> are um, so

>> I mean, let me not call it ARPA funding

because I know a lot of people

originally it started out as ARPA

funding, then it turned into revenue

replacement. I want to make that clear

so everybody doesn't think that ARPA

money is ARPA money. You get it?

Um so really uh in within last year's

budget um the general fund transferred

money over to the one of the cities it's

the state grants fund um to track and

accommodate the various activities

initiatives programs

um affordable housing uh delinquent

trash plan um um demolition needs and so

on. Um so really I that really for the

general fund it's done its part. Uh it

was sourced

in large by our federal grants fund when

the money was received. Uh, a

significant piece of it was revenue

replacement and we're required and we

we've been uh and we have been doing

quarterly reporting at the the federal

um portal website and there's a report

that shows, you know, we're calling it

revenue replacement, but it it breaks up

how it was applied. uh a lot of it has

to do with uh public safety uh personnel

costs.

So it was applied that way and then the

the city develops its budget uh last

year of course and there was an

appropriation made to transfer what and

what I just said about moving a

significant amount over to the the state

grants fund. So that is where we are

right now as far as the extent of

utilizing

the general fund uh for that for that

purpose. So the money has been

transferred over to the grants fund and

it's been it's been start it not

starting but it has been used and but

there are still uh it's it's still an in

progress or in process

uh work work in progress of of funding

the various initiatives that are

>> right that's that's what that's where

I'm asking because there's a significant

amount of money being proposed to go out

the door right now rather it's the 8

million with the housing project uh the

2 million with the trash, all of the

things you afford mentioned. Um, so I'm

just trying to get because when you look

at your u budget as it is today and the

projections that you just proposed to

us, um, I'm saying I didn't see too many

changes in that once this money goes out

the window. I'm trying to say, do we

have do we do we have a

>> an estimate of where we going to be far

as budget wise?

Uh well the again I mentioned these

projections are part of the A five-year

plan and just please bear in mind that's

not a formalized budget. It's a plan but

it it it serves as uh guidance for for

developing budgets and and the key there

is to be mindful of the city's

normal recurring revenue sources. you

know, I mentioned a few earlier about

where we are. Um, so at at at this

point, of course, the budget is being is

being thought out. It's being it's being

developed. Um, and I to me it's being

this really falls more on the, you know,

the budget side of the house. But, um, I

think I'm thinking you start with

revenue and then you just see what you

can do. You know, what what your what

your means are to accommodate

what uh the potential expenditures might

be. Um, again, there may be an

initiative out there that's similar to

the ones that are in play right now that

can be considered, but at the same time

that I wouldn't call it, oh, another

ARPA

uh program. It would be the general

fund.

um

>> that's the point they're making.

>> Budgeting for such an additional program

if that is even being considered or um

you know as as a potential item.

>> So like coupled with the A um they're

plan I think they plan out what five

years of what we we what we can do uh

moving forward. Um I'm saying far as

again once this money goes out how are

we going are we bringing I mean maybe

this may be for a later date. I just

wanted to, you know, give the uh public

because I had some uh questions asked

and proposed to me as well um about

this, but I know that that number would

change over time far as our budget. I

think last year we passed it what it was

89 and then with the extra 20 or what

what not it was like 109 or something

like that. And um I know we won't see

that again. And that's what I was trying

to get out to make sure that you can

share that with with the public to make

because again they see a lot of this

money me moving or being proposed to be

moved out of the city and they want to

know where this money is coming from. So

go ahead. The 109 represents the general

fund and all the other funds. All right.

including the state grants fund which

houses the ARPA funds or the revenue

replacement essentially it's two

different things essentially it's not

but it is

that would probably be the best way to

say so when the ARPA funds is no longer

we still have our general fund we're

still generating 68 million we're still

going to spend around 70 or 68 million

to keep it balanced

that helps.

>> Okay. So, again, when we get down closer

to we're getting around the budgets, I

guess we'll go a little deeper, but

that's that's good. But I I understand

that where again, you just have um our

regular budgets without that those funds

that we're we're were giving to us at at

a certain time. I know it just I'm

talking about the city's budget where we

normally operate off around 80 75

million somewhere around there. 80 89

80, you know, somewhere around there. I

just know those numbers won't look the

same and I just wanted to uh be able to

share some of that information with with

the general public because they were

very inquisitive of where all this money

is coming from. So, um thank you.

>> Okay.

>> Now, I will ask um will the ARPA not

ARPA revenue replacement funds

um is that represented in the inter fun

interf

so you can see where that does tail off

as the years go down. So, is that

represented there?

>> Um, I I know what I know what you're

referring to and um

the um Yeah, thank you. So you that

it's not so much really about American

Rescue Plan money that really is

reflecting

um

Broad Street Market. Um and when I say

that where that that 12.3

million right there and that I think

that's the 2025

forecast column. Um,

we're currently been going through

analyzing and evaluating

the project expenses. So, um, that's

consistent with what was put into to the

five-year plan, but there's various

sources from other funds that would be

contributing revenue to the general

fund, but that's not ARPA.

I I'll put it that way. But you're right

on the trail. You can see how it

diminishes over the projection years um

from, you know, all the way down to uh

my eyesight's not as good as I'd like it

to be, too. Yeah. Uh so, but but 2025 is

is really the the heavier anticipation.

Now, that's not all Broad Street. I'm

being remiss. That includes six million

of the ARC of the RC cap u for the

stadium. And and the way that works is

the money is the senator's fund is is

containing all the activity. When the

RCAP realizes, it goes into the

senator's fund, but then it's to be

transferred over to the general fund to

reimburse the general fund because the

general fund has funded that project. So

$6 million comes right off the top. So

I'm sorry I didn't mean to convey that

that 12 million is all about Broad

Street Market.

Okay.

Thank you. Are there any other

questions?

>> Okay, seeing and hearing none, thank you

for your presentation.

>> Next, we have courtesy of the floor. Um,

just a few housekeeping notes before we

begin. 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 four minutes to share your

comments. Mr. Parker will serve as our

timekeeper. I'll 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, please.

Hi, I'm Brian Fm on Cafe Fresco in level

two on uh at 215 North Second Street. Um

this is Lori. She'll let her speak as

well.

>> Uh Lori Butina, Brick House, 229 North

Second.

>> So, I'm I'm sure everyone's aware of the

uh the meetings and press conferences in

regards to the uh curfews downtown. Um

we wanted to kind of address that

because we've been told as business

owners that the curfew there's I know

there was a gray area or some confusion

there. Um we'd like to clarify if we

could with you what they are and then

make a request for possible change.

Okay. Um, if you wouldn't mind staying

till after the meeting to discuss

further with Councilman Jones. The Okay.

Um, bill is currently in the public

safety committee, so we have time for

amendments and review.

>> Okay. So, that's something we discuss

after.

>> Yes, please. Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> Is there anyone else in the middle

section that would like to offer public

comment?

>> Good evening. Um, my name is Libby

Profett, 2025 Chestnut Street in

Harrisburg. There's a couple of things

on my mind and I would like to um offer

those thoughts to you. One is I'm

listening to the budget and it seems to

be a lot of moving things around from

one budget, one fund, whether it's

coming from the federal government, you

know, those line items, or it's coming

from the general fund, the citizen

through taxes and such. Um, what is the

council's position on auditing the

financial status of the individuals that

you have

allocated

to trust with all this money that

taxpayers are giving to you? Who audits

them?

And if you don't have anyone, I have a

master's degree, so I am fully capable.

Um, Aside from that,

there is lots of property that I realize

in the Harrisburg area that is not being

utilized and there's this hunger for

housing.

Now, what I'm going to do as a citizen

and as a veteran, because we have no

choice,

is ask you guys if um if there's a list

that you can give me that I can work

with to make these properties what you

want it to be. As a um yeah, you sending

money to the senators, that's all fine

and dandy. I don't play baseball.

So as a taxpaying citizen, I have a

problem with that and I have a problem

with other things. I think as taxpayers,

we want to fund things that are

interested to us, not interesting to our

um policy makers, you know. So again, my

name is Libby Profit and thank you for

giving me this opportunity. Um, two

things that's interesting of me that I'm

interested in right now is auditing

financially

because a few years ago, maybe 10 15

somebody or the next because Harrisburg

was in bankruptcy and there was some

issue with trash and anyways

and I know where these things come from.

outsider looking in can see can see the

um the nonsense that you guys are having

to vote on. So please if you have

questions guidance for me kindly um I'll

be here till the end. So housing

and um our financial situation is my

concern.

>> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the

middle section that would like to offer

public comment?

Seeing and hearing no one, anyone to my

left?

Thank you. We will move forward with our

meeting agenda. Next, we have the

approval of minutes for the legislative

session that occurred on August 26th,

2025. Council members, are there any

revisions to those meeting minutes?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, the

minutes stand approved. We will now move

to reports of committees. I will deliver

the first report on behalf of the

administration committee on the work

session that occurred on September 2nd,

2025.

On Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025, the

administration committee met to discuss

one bill and two resolutions. First,

Bill 9 of 2025 is an ordinance forgiving

and discharging 2023 city real estate

taxes, including interest, penalties,

and costs, and striking off tax leans

for certain historically taxexempt

properties. Deputy City Solicitor Ti

Cameron was present on behalf of the

administration to discuss Bill 9 of

2025.

Deputy Solicitor Cameron reminded

council members that we've taken action

on another bill related to taxes.

Dolphin County has a reertification

program for nonprofits. Several churches

missed the deadline to forgive their

2023 taxes. Other taxing bodies,

including the Harrisburg School District

and Dolphin County, have taken action on

this matter. Council members did not

have any questions regarding the bill.

Next, resolution 54 of 2025 is a

resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to serve as the project

sponsor for the department of

Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation or PennDOT Transportation

Alternative Set aside Grant awarded to

the Capitol Area Green Belt Association

in the amount of 1,435,400

for the Paxtang Parkway trail

restoration phase three project and to

enter into all required agreements to

administer the funds.

Mr. Sam Socowski, interim business

administrator, Joel Siders, uh, city

engineer, and Deb Rey, project manager,

were present on behalf of the

administration to discuss resolution 54

of 2025.

Scott Shepler, program manager for KAGA

was also present uh to share on behalf

of Kaga. Mr. Scowski provided an

overview of the grant noting that it has

already been received in the amount of

1,435,000

[Music]

400 $35,400.

He misspoke there. Mr. Shepler shared

that the parkway restoration grant will

pave about twothirds of the parkway

toward the south end. Mr. Skowski noted

um that there was no local match and Mr.

siders noted that there was no cost to

the city. Council members did not have

any questions regarding this resolution.

Finally, uh, resolution 58 of 2025 is a

resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to petition for and support

the appointment of Midtown Asset

Consulting LLC as receiver over the

residences of Governor Square to enter

into all required agreements with the

receiver and to appropriate and expend

city funds as necessary to stabilize,

restore, and preserve the properties

subject to reimbursement.

Deputy Solicitor Ti Cameron shared that

the law bureau was recently in court

regarding the courtapp appointed

receiver. Midtown Asset Consulting LLC

has been appointed uh by the Court of

Common Please for Dolphin County to

serve as the receiver. Uh Deputy

Solicitor Cameron noted that the city of

Harrisburg will be fully reimbursed for

any money uh that is spent. Mr. Justin

Heinley is a 15-year resident and owner

of Midtown Property Management, and he

was approached between six to eight

months ago to deter to determine his

interest in being considered for

receiverhip.

Council members had a series of

questions for both the law bureau and

Mr. Heinley. Um, what are your

intentions for the property? uh

regarding the operating revenue, who

will be collecting the rent, how much

money is coming in, staff capacity as

receiver, will there be reports given to

council during the process,

reimbursement estimates,

um how are residents going to be treated

during this process and do you have any

receivership experience? Um why wasn't

it an open process to consider a

receiver? Mr. highly shared that the

process will be uh will occur over a

phase plan that will take approximately

10 years. Um phase one will begin within

the first six months and will be an

indicator moving forward. Phase two will

be a strong implementation plan and

phase three uh will focus on capital

improvements.

I encourage my colleagues to support

Bill 9 of 2025, resolution 54 of 2025,

and resolution 58 of 2025. We've already

taken action on similar legislation to

bill 9 of 2025.

Resolution 54 of 2025 will assist in

Kaga's Parkway improvements. And

finally, resolution 58 of 2025 will work

to begin the restoration of Governor

Square. This concludes the

administration committee report. The

next committee report you will hear will

be delivered by our budget and finance

committee chair, Vice President Green,

on the work session of September 2nd,

2025.

>> Thank you, President Hill. During the

work session held on Tuesday, September

2nd, 2025, the budget and finance

committee discussed resolution 50 of

2025, a resolution authorizing the

submission of a Dolphin County local

share municipal grant application of up

to $250,000

to fund the renovation of bedroom

accommodations and bathroom facilities

at Fire Station 1 located at 1820 North

6th Street. There were a few questions

regarding if there was a match required

by the city. It was confirmed that there

is no match requirement for this grant.

Uh but if the cost would exceed the

amount of the grant, the city would need

to make up the shortfall. Councilman

Ross did voice some concerns with the

cost and potential impact to the uh

budget. Chief Interline did note that

the fire bureau has been diligent on

spreading the required upgrade cost over

multiple years to reduce the impact on

the city's coffers. Uh I would ask that

my colleagues support this resolution to

submit the grant applications needed to

improve fire station one. Thank you.

Thank you, Vice President Green. The

next report you will hear will be

delivered by our parks, recreation, and

enrichment committee chair, Councilwoman

Ross, on the work session of September

2nd, 2025.

Thank you, President Hill, and good

evening, everybody.

The Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment

Committee met on Tuesday, September 2nd,

2025 to discuss resolution 49 of 2025. a

resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to enter into a reimbursement

agreement amendment with the

Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation to accept an increased

award amount of $27,173

and transportation out alternative

alternatives set aside funding for the

purpose of funding the Capitol area

green belt paxing parkway trail

restoration project.

Representatives present included Deb

Reinhardt, senior project manager for

Harrisburg facilities, facilities

director Dave Baker, and a

representative from the Capitol Area

Green Belt Association.

The committee was the committee um

was informed that construction bids for

the Paxane Parkway Trail Restoration

Project came in slightly higher than

initially estimated. To address this,

PennDOT agreed to increase the award by

27,000

$27,173

to fully fund the project.

Discussion and questions that council

had um council members inquired as to

why the bids were higher than

anticipated.

Um

it was anticipated they were higher due

to inflation and rising construction

cost

contributed to the higher thanex

expected bids. This resolution

ensures that the Paxane Parkway trail

restoration project can move forward

without financial gaps, maintaining

progress on improving Harrisburg's trail

system and supporting recreational

opportunities for our residents. With

that in place, I ask that my fellow

council members support resolution 49 of

2025. And that concludes the business of

the parks, recreation, and enrichment

committee.

Thank you. Our final committee report

this evening uh will be shared by our

public safety committee chair,

Councilman Jones, on the work session of

September 2nd, 2025.

>> Thank you, President Hill. On September

2nd, um the public safety committee held

a work session where we discussed bill 8

of 2025 and resolution 51 of 2025. Bill

8 of 25 is an ordinance amending chapter

3-33

of codified ordinances of the city of

Harrisburg's entitled curfew providing

an adjustment of hours of curfew for

minors and increasing penalties for

curfew violations.

Um, present to discuss bill 8 was

Commissioner Carter and Deputy Chief

Young. We discussed Bill 8. And among

um, that discussion, many questions were

asked in regard to Bill H, I mean Bill

8, which ultimately prompted me to place

Bill 8 in the committee. Um, some of

those questions were

um, how is this going to be administered

to youth? How are you going to be able

to tell the difference between who's 17

and 18 years old? So ultimately, um,

it's we're going to have it in committee

right now, and we will we are continuing

discussions with Commissioner Carter to

work on a solid plan that benefits the

city as a whole.

on bill uh I mean resolution 51 of 2025

a a resolution ratifying the submission

of a grant application to the

Pennsylvania office of state fire

commissioners municipal fire department

capital grant program and authorizing

the city of Harrisburg to execute any

agreements forms and documents related

to the award of $83,475

for the purpose of funding the

renovation of the bathroom facilities at

fire station 2 located at 140 North6

Street.

Um, present to discuss was Chief

Interline. Um, as we discussed

resolution 51 and council had a clear

understanding of this resolution and

there were no questions and I would ask

that my colleagues support resolution

51. And that concludes

Yeah, they had no questions for you. And

that concludes the work session uh for

public safety.

>> Thank you. We do not have any ordinances

for first reading. We have one ordinance

for amendment. That's bill nine of 2025.

Mr. Parker, could you please read it

into the record? Bill nine of 2025,

an ordinance forgiving and discharging

2023 city real estate taxes, including

interest, penalties, and costs, and

striking off tax leans for certain

historically taxexempt properties.

>> Thank you. We have one ordinance for

final passage. That's bill nine of 2025.

Mr. Parker, could you please read it one

more time?

>> Sure. Bill 9 of 2025, an ordinance for

giving and discharging 2023 city real

estate taxes, including interest

penalties and costs and striking off tax

leans for certain historically taxexempt

properties.

>> Thank you. Council members, are there

any questions, comments, or concerns

related to Bill 9 of 2025?

Okay, seeing and hearing none, Mr.

Parker, could you please call the vote?

Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Ms. Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Ms. RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

>> Ms. Hill,

>> yes. Bill 9 of 2025 passes unanimously

with a vote of six yays to zero nays,

including the abs excused absence of

Councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you. We will now move to

resolutions. The first resolution for

consideration is resolution 49 of 2025.

Mr. Parker, could you please read it

into the record? Resolution

49 of 2025, a resolution authorizing the

city of Harrisburg to enter into a

reimbursement agreement amendment with

the Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation to accept an increased

award amount of $27,173

in transportation alternatives set aside

funding for the purpose of funding the

capital area green belt-

Paxton Parkway Trail Restoration

Project.

Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to resolution 49 of

20125?

Seeing and hearing none, Mr. Parker,

could you please call the vote?

>> Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Miss Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Ms. RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

>> Ms. Hill,

>> yes. Resolution 49 passes unanimously

with a vote of six yays to zero nays,

including the excused absence of

Councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you. Next, we have resolution 50

of 2025. Mr. Parker, could you please

read it into the record? Resolution

50 of 2025, a resolution authorizing the

submission of a Dolphin County local

share municipal grant application of up

to $250,000

to fund the renovation of the bedroom

accommodations and bathroom facilities

at Fire Station 1 located at 1820 North

6th Street.

>> Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to resolution 50 of

2025?

Seeing and hearing none, Mr. Parker,

could you please call the vote?

>> Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Miss Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Miss RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

>> Miss Hill,

>> yes. Resolution 50 of 2025 also passes

unanimously with a vote of six yays to

zero nays, including the excused absence

of Councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you. Next, we have resolution 51

of 2025. Mr. Parker, could you please

read it into the record? Resolution

51 of 2025, a resolution ratifying the

submission of a grant application to the

Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire

Commissioner's Municipal Fire Department

capital grant program and authorizing

the city of Harrisburg to execute any

agreements, forms, and documents related

to the award of $83,475

for the purpose of funding the

renovation of bathroom facilities at

Fire Station 2 located at 140 North 16th

Street.

>> Thank you. Council members, are there

any questions, comments, or concerns

related to resolution 51 of 2025? Okay,

seeing and hearing none, Mr. Parker,

could you please call the vote?

>> Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Miss Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Ms. RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. uh Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

Oh, did he I didn't hear him.

>> Oh, yes.

>> He said yes.

>> Okay. Okay. Might be my ears. Miss Hill.

>> Yes.

>> Resolution 51 of 2025 passes unanimously

with a vote of six yays to zero nays,

including the uh excused absence of

Councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you. Next we have resolution 54 of

2025. Mr. Parker, could you please read

it into the record? Resolution 54 of

2025,

a resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to serve as the project

sponsor for the Pennsylvania Department

of Transportation, PENDOT,

Transportation Alternatives Set Aside,

TASA grant awarded to the Capital Area

Green Belt Association, KAGA, in the

amount of $1,435,400

for the Paxtine Parkway Trail

Restoration ation phase 3 project and to

enter into all required agreements to

administer the funds.

>> Thank you. Council members, are there

any final questions, comments, or

concerns related to resolution 54 of

2025?

Seeing and hearing none, Mr. Parker,

could you please call the vote?

>> Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Miss Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Miss RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

Ms. Hill.

>> Yes.

>> Resolution 54 of 2025 passes unanimously

with a vote of six yays to zero nays,

including the uh the excused absence of

councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you. Next, we have resolution 58

of 2025. Mr. Parker, could you please

read it into the record? Resolution 58

of 2025,

a resolution authorizing the city of

Harrisburg to enter into a professional

services agreement with Midtown Asset

Consulting LLC as courtapp appointed

receiver over the residences at Governor

Square and to appropriate and expand

city funds as necessary to stabilize,

restore, and preserve the properties

subject to reimbursement.

Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to

suspend the rules for further

discussion. So move.

>> Is there a second?

>> Second.

>> Thank you. Uh so before us we have

resolution 58 of 2025. Thank you, Mr.

Heinley, for joining us again. Um and

Solicitor Grover is present. I believe

council members had some questions um

for you, Mr. Grover. So I will begin

with Councilman Jones.

>> Thank you, President Hill. How you

doing, sir?

>> I'm very good, sir. How are you?

>> Great to see you again. Uh seriously,

the question is um you know uh as we

were in our last session, one of the

concerns that I have is um I think what

was 250,000 that we were putting up

first. And if I'm if and my question is

for you yet is um maybe you can answer

it. So if I'm getting a clear

understanding of what you're saying. So

you said there was a timeline of six

months, okay, that you'll be able to

assess the actual what we we what we

will need to put in. So at that point,

would you come back in front of council

before we dish out any further more

monies

after you you get your report and we get

to uh review that? Is that what is that

what you were saying?

>> That is correct.

>> Okay. Yeah. because my concern was, you

know, I wasn't prepared to actually vote

on this today unless I got that clarity

because um like I said, you there was um

the money that was coming in far as uh

the rent collection. I think it was up

up upwards of 800,000 and I think you

were only 400 40,000 46,000 per month

and then 36 was only collected but

ultimately it equaled it up to like 800.

So, one of the problems, and there's

where you come in, Celestia Grover, uh

the the actual owner of of Governor

Square, um I'm sure he's been sued and

taken to court and all of that. Not

sued, but taken to court. There was a

lot of bills that weren't paid upwards

of over a million dollars. And so, I'm

worried about the city being reimbursed.

That's what uh my concern was. And not

only my concerns from residents as well.

>> Sure. And and I guess the best way I can

articulate this is to compartmentalize

what's going on, right? There is still a

bankruptcy case for the owner's

corporation. That's they're up in US

bankruptcy court under chapter 11, which

is scheduled then to convert to what's

called a chapter 7, which is a

liquidation. The city, CRW, HRA, and

many, many, many others are the

creditors of that entity. Um, this is

not to meant to solve the owner's

problems. That is not what this is

about. Owner has the owner's problems.

Um, it is our anticipation, frankly,

that the bankruptcy will be thrown out

by the court. We had a motion to that

effect pending and about to be heard

when we entered into a stipulation to

move over to county court to appoint a

receiver. It is an extraordinary thing

for the city to ask for a receiver. But

basically, it became Mayor Williams

determination. What else can we do?

these people need help and that was what

was in our power to make that petition.

Um the quarter million dollars as you

know this council already voted to

appropriate not another penny can be

spent without a further appropriation.

That is a penny by the city. The idea is

that that someone needs to get in there

and fully assess the situation.

um in 2019 2020 H and housing authority

went in together with a third party and

were only given access if I understand

correct to 37 of the units to do their

assessment out of 222. Um so no one

who's an outside entity has assessed it.

Our codes people have been locked out.

Our office with codes has attended

hearings on 1900 separate violations. Um

and we've attended every bankruptcy

proceeding there is. Um so the the way

>> collected it can't be collected. It's

tied up in bankruptcy. That becomes the

question. Um the and frankly, we were

never trying to collect the money for

fines. We were trying to get the money

put back into the property for repairs.

>> We use that that leverage to try and

say, listen, instead of giving the

government this money, fix your

property. Um and that we were really

just banging our heads against the wall.

Frankly, this is what happens when LLC's

get control of things and no one else

can can do anything to pierce it. Um, we

have not given up on the idea that the

owner will be responsible someday, but

I'm not going to overpromise that that

can happen.

>> So, my question,

>> but how does the money come back? Right.

>> That's there we go.

>> So, no. So, no. So, here there's two two

potentials and one of them is more

realistic than the other. First, you

assess and stabilize the property. Um,

there was more than 100 vouchers from

the housing authority that used to go

into there. They're down to, I believe,

below 50. And, and Mr. highly probably

speak to that better than I can right

now. CCing data. You don't lose those

because of of they're not available. You

lose them because there's not it's not

fit to live, right? So those number of

vows are still available to the housing

authority. Idea is to restore this and

bring back that guaranteed revenue

stream that would come from that.

Whether that gets the city's money back

maybe, but doubtful. What will get the

money back eventually because it'll be

secured with a court order

>> is the sale. Now, there's a 800 and I

want to say point4.6 million mortgage

held by the Harrisburg Redevelopment

Authority with federal money, which also

is the leverage to keep this low and

moderate income housing. That's part of

the deed restriction. Um, so there's a

lot of entities to satisfy to transfer

this property. So ultimately the

transfer would be where there is a sale

to a qualified entity from HUD's

perspective hopefully additional federal

money into it which will extend the

period of low and moderate income

housing requirements and at that

transfer both the mortgage to HR and

whether that then goes back into the

property we'll see and the seed money

the city puts into it at that transfer.

Now that is a ways down the road. Um but

the uh the estimates back in 2018 and

1920 was somewhere I forget it was in

the high teens of what it would cost

then in terms I mean teens of millions

like somewhere between 17 and 20 million

to restore it then. Obviously the cost

has gone up. Um, we have never had a

doubt that the money was available

through existing programs, including tax

credit programs and others to leverage

to get the money to repair it. The

current owner was unwilling to put

themselves in it to do it. Um, when and

before they went to bankruptcy, the

mayor's office when our office and a lot

of people sat through a bunch of

presentations.

>> Can you move the microphone closer to

you?

>> Sure. I'm sorry. Thank you. So on people

that said they could either buy it,

restore it, one after the other refused

to comply with what HUD required, that

is to

>> housing the individuals and all that.

>> Showing they're going to put up money to

relocate the people that live there,

which is what the city's priority was.

These people need a place to live that's

a healthy, affordable place to live.

>> So that is to keep us in this program.

Uh this this method, is it a guarantee?

No. But I think it's a fairly solid

approach. Um I I think I I watched the

tape today from last week's hearing and

Mr. Heinley is not incorrect

because we were coming through the court

systems. People don't tend to want to

step in to the middle of someone else's

legal battle.

>> Ask them to volunteer and step up.

>> Hey, that's why I said he had a lot of

courage stepping in there.

>> So, so I asked a lot of people who

laughed in our face. You know, the

criteria of those that wouldn't do it

were people that were local, people that

knew our market, people that knew the

people that lived here, people that did

business here with with here. The ones

who volunteered and wanted basically, as

far as we could tell, to flip it to

market rate housing, they came from

Vegas, New Jersey, New York, they

they're calling, eager to be either the

owner or the receiver, but the bids were

$500,000 in in bankruptcy court. We were

ignored by the uh bankrupts debtor, by

the broker they appointed to try and

sell the property. Every issue that we

raised to us at H together and the

tenants came to pass that these were the

realities on the ground. They were

trying to get a bankruptcy sale to clear

them out and they didn't care what

happened to the people that lived there.

So, we have hung into this fight for a

long time. Again, no guarantee this is

perfect. you know, literally the last

fire there was 20 minutes after the

judge had the hearing on receiverhip,

right? Um it it was insane that that

that was going on that fast. Um but our

money comes back most likely from a

sale. The best case scenario is the cash

flow becomes positive enough

>> that they start paying that out of that

cash flow.

>> And thank you for the um the lengthy uh

explanation because I think our viewers

need to hear that as well. I was pretty

much up to uh to speed with with that

through having conversations with you.

But my concern is just um the city

getting its money back and that's the

major part for me. So being that you're

able to come back um in and you know the

time frame that you said um before

anything else goes out and I think we

can make a a better assessment from

that. So those are the questions I have.

I know my colleagues have some other

questions so I'm fine on that. Thank

you.

Thank you, Councilman Rodriguez. Any

questions?

>> Um, the one question I did have uh last

week, actually, Solicitor Grover just

answered, it was more to the uh fact of

how did we come across the specific

receiver that you called, but you just

alluded to you calling quite a few

people and they pretty much laughed in

the city's face. So, that was the answer

I was looking for. I just wanted to

ensure the process was not only fair,

but equitable to anyone that wanted to

come to the table. But, it's a huge

overhauling. So, I understand

>> to to those that know him, the first

person I asked was Brian Hudson.

>> Okay.

>> And uh he was not taking his retirement

down this road.

>> Got

>> But to to that point, um you actually

did attempt to reach out to numerous

people or individuals

>> and and and and we knew we were asking a

lot. Yeah.

>> Of anyone who could do it. Um and if

this gives the council and maybe the

public any comfort, um the the Midtown

business that has been built by Mr.

Hindley, our office sees properties and

landlords that are in trouble. Not a

single one of them has ever crossed our

office. Not a single unit that he has.

Other ones are in our office every week,

every month being dragged in with codes.

We've not had a single one, which I

think goes to something about how the

properties are being managed.

>> Y and Mr. Highley, I I do appreciate you

doing the best with the information you

had last week, ensuring we can get

whatever answers we could. So, thank you

and thank you for solicit. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Ross. Any

questions?

>> Thank you, President Hill. Um, thank

you, uh, Solicitor Grover, for saying

that Mr. Hanley's properties have never

come in front of us. That was one of the

things I asked, not exact question last

week, but just saying, have you had

experience? What are you like as a

property owner? And I think that's

important for the residents to know. Um,

because there are a lot of slum

landlords in the city. Um, the one small

question that I just had was with Mr.

Heley's payment. I know we had spoke

about phase one. I think it was about

12,000 a month for phase one. And I was

just wondering, is this payment coming

out of the $250,000

we already designated towards the

project or is it coming be coming out of

another budget?

>> No.

>> No, that is the funding for this

payment. And and if another payment was

needed, and I think I was frank about

this when we asked for 250 eventually,

>> yeah,

>> there'll probably be requests for more.

And the but the design,

>> of course.

>> Yeah. But the design

>> be 40 million in is to do it well. Most

of the money should not come anywhere

close to coming from us, right? It's a

matter of getting it up and stabilized.

But um and then there are financial

resources that can be put to bear on

this thing,

>> which Mr. Harly, he did explain like

with fundraising once we get to I think

phase three. Um so I I mean I know this

is important and I think

the residents we need to figure out what

how much is it what is it going to look

like? like there needs to be an

assessment like you said and I think we

have to get something started for these

residents. I think they've lived in this

muck for too long and it's just um it's

disturbing. So I understand why this

resolution is front of in front of us. I

think I just want a clarification on

money like everybody else did because at

the end of the day it's a huge project

but it's needed for these residents who

have to live in what they're living in

currently. So that was it for me. Thank

you. Thank you, Vice President Green.

Any questions?

>> Thank you. I don't have any further

questions. They've all kind of been

asked and answered.

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Davis. Any

questions?

>> Thanks, President Hill. No, I don't have

any questions either. They have been

answered. Thank you.

>> Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for

joining us again. I will entertain a

motion to resume our legislative

session.

>> So move.

>> Is there a second?

>> Second.

>> Thank you. Oh, we had multiple. So

before us we have resolution 58 of 2025.

Mr. Parker, could you please read it one

more time?

Resolution

58 of 2025, a resolution authorizing the

city of Harrisburg to enter into a

professional services agreement with

Midtown Asset Consulting LLC as

courtappointed receiver over the

residences at Governor Square and to

appropriate and extend city funds as

necessary to stabilize, restore, and

preserve the properties subject to

reimbursement. Thank you. Council

members, are there any final questions,

comments, or concerns?

Seeing and hearing none, Mr. Parker,

could you please call the vote?

>> Miss Davis,

>> yes.

>> Ms. Green,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Jones,

>> yay.

>> Ms. RWS,

>> yes.

>> Mr. Rodriguez,

>> yes.

>> Ms. Hill,

>> yes. Resolution 58 passes unanimously

with a vote of six yays to zero nays,

including the exclu including the

excused absence of Councilwoman Daniels.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you for your confidence.

>> You're welcome. Best of luck to you.

>> Next, we have resolution 60 of 2025. Mr.

Parker, could you please read it into

the record? Resolution

60 of 2025, a resolution approving the

preliminary slashfinal land development

plan for 315 North Second Street,

submitted by Adam Brenamman with

Brenamman Properties LLC to con to

convert the existing office building

into a 10-unit multifamily dwelling and

associated site and access improvements.

>> Thank you. Resolution 60 of 2025 will

move to the Community and Economic

Development Committee. Resolution 61 of

2025. Mr. Parker, could you please read

it into the record?

>> Yes. Resolution 61 of 2025,

a resolution ratifying a professional

services agreement with Wallace

Montgomery and Associates LLP for the

purpose of providing engineering and

design services for multimodal

improvements along Walnut Street.

>> Thank you. Resolution 61 of 2025 will

move to the public works committee.

Resolution 62 of 2025, Mr. Parker, could

you please read it into the record?

Resolution 62 of 2025, a resolution

approving the fifth proposed 2025 budget

reallocation.

>> Thank you. Resolution 62 of 2025 will

move to the budget and finance

committee. Resolution 63 of 2025. Mr.

Parker, could you please read it into

the record? Resolution 63 of 2025, a

resolution approving the sixth proposed

2025 budget reallocation related to the

rebuild of the Broad Street Market brick

building.

>> Thank you. Resolution 63 of 2025 will

move to the budget and finance

committee. Our final resolution for

consideration this evening is resolution

64 of 2025. Mr. Parker, could you please

read it into the record? Resolution 64

of 2025,

a resolution approving the final slash

uh the preliminary/final land

development plan for 508 and 510 North

Second Street submitted by WCI Partners

LP to convert the existing office

buildings into multifamily dwellings and

expanded site and access improvements.

>> Thank you. Resolution 64 of 2025 will

move to the community and economic

development committee. Is there any old

business for discussion? Council

members,

seeing hearing none new business.

Councilman Rodriguez.

>> Thank you, Madam President. I just

wanted to send out a reminder to all

that wanted to join city council this

Saturday for our community cleanup known

as Hotspot Saturdays as we gear towards

uh 200 tons of illegal waste removed

throughout the city. You can join us

from 10 to 12 at the Southside uh Boys

and Girls Club. We will have pickers, um

wagons, gloves, everything needed. So,

join uh the team as we continue our goal

to have clean and safe streets

throughout the city of Harrisburg. So,

one more time, we will meet from 10 to

12 at the Southside Harrisburg. I

believe that's Handover Street from 10

to 12. So, we hope to see you there.

Thank you.

>> Thank you. Um, I have a few notes for

uh, new business, so please bear with me

for a second. Um, we are in the midst of

the first week of Harrisburg Restaurant

Week. Um, hosted annually by the

Harrisburg Downtown Improvement

District. There are 16 restaurants

participating with special curated menus

specifically for restaurant week. To

learn more information about Harrisburg

Restaurant Week, please check out their

website at www.harrisburg Harrisburg

rest at restaurantweek.com.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10th,

2025, at 5:30 p.m., uh, city council

will host a policy work session

regarding spending priorities outlined

in bill 5 of 2025,

um, which is the former American Rescue

Plan Act funds. So, please join us or

listen in for that. And my final order

of new business this evening, we'd like

to acknowledge the retirement of our

city clerk, Mr. Michael J. Parker.

I will ask for the assistance of our

research analyst, but while he's making

his way, I do have a proclamation I'd

like to read, so please bear with me.

the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,

Office of City Council, and Office of

City Clerk.

Proclamation. Whereas the residents of

the city of Harrisburg and the members

of Harrisburg City Council are honored

to share in the retirement of Mr.

Michael J. Parker, city clerk. And

whereas Mr. Parker is a native of

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he received

his formal education in the Sescana

Township School District. He is a member

of the class of 1976.

During his educational career, he was

the only black student who attended

Progress Elementary School. Mr. Parker

furthered his education at Millersville

State College and graduated on December

20th, 1980 with a bachelor's degree in

secondary education with an emphasis in

foreign language. And whereas Mr. Parker

began teaching Spanish at John Harris

High School in 1981, the same year he

met his wife, returning to the city

where he resides. His career educating

inner city youth spans 17 years,

including three years teaching in an

alternative school setting. Over the

course of his career, Mr. Parker worked

as a counselor supervisor in a

residential setting for juvenile

offenders and as a children's bilingual

mental health case manager. Mr. Parker

has been employed by the city of

Harrisburg previously serving as a

community relations specialist and

director of community policing. He twice

received the mayor's award for

distinguished public service. And

whereas Mr. Parker currently serves as

the city clerk for Harrisburg City

Council. In this role, he has assisted

Harrisburg City Council in translating

our meeting agendas and social media

graphics into Spanish, allowing

Harrisburg City Council to reach our

Spanish-speaking neighbors and community

members. And whereas Mr. Parker recently

celebrated 40 years of marriage with the

love of his life, Patricia. Together

they have raised four children, one of

whom is deceased as a result of gun

violence. They also have eight

grandchildren and three greatg

grandandchildren. Mr. Parker is very

fortunate and blessed to still have both

living parents, Miss Joyce Annette Scott

Parker and Mr. James Horus Parker.

And whereas Mr. Parker's hobbies include

traveling with his lovely wife, fishing,

and watching his beloved Indianapolis

Colts and Philadelphia Sixers. He is

very active in his church, Wesley Union

AM Zine Church, where he serves as a

class leader, minister, superintendent

of Sunday school, and a member of the

sanctuary and men's choirs. And now

therefore, be it hereby resolve that on

behalf of Harrisburg City Council, I

Danielle L. Hill with great pride and

joy commend Mr. Parker for his dedicated

service to the city of Harrisburg and

Harrisburg City Council. We wish you

more life, more grace, and more favor

ahead in your retirement. Signed and

attested in the city of Harrisburg,

Pennsylvania. Jared Trudale, city clerk.

Danielle Elhill, Harrisburg City

Council. We do have

Y.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you. We do have a a slideshow we

wanted to share, too.

>> Is it working?

>> Oh, no.

Okay.

So,

>> while he's trying to get that together,

if I could make a few um comments.

First of all,

thanking you, President Hill,

for being by my side

the whole time.

When others doubted me, you stood by my

side. And for that I'm grateful.

Thank you city council

for your love, your support

um and your friendship.

Um, friendship means a lot to me

and um, I've always we've always greeted

each other with handshakes,

hugs, and and smiles.

Um, to my remaining staff,

this office is being left in very

capable hands.

Um

Jared and Cedric,

we knew when we hired them

that they were exceptional employees and

have lived up to their expectations and

more.

So rest assured that this office will be

uh well taken care of and and for that

I'm thankful. I want to thank my family

for being here.

Family

means the world to me.

And I thank God

that

he

has enabled us to be together,

to love one another.

and to support each other no matter what

the situation.

I want to thank my mother especially

regardless

of my behaviors

of of my um

being a teenager. She has seen me

through hard times and was there

unconditionally

as my wife has been with me

unconditionally.

And I I words cannot express

the

level of gratitude

that I have for the women in my life.

my uh my friends

Larry Moore, my line brother Alfred

Sloan.

Uh all of you, thank you for showing

your love for being present here today.

My child Shantel, my grandchild

Shantiier and her friend, my gr two my

grandson

Princeton James Denton. He has my middle

name

and my

my pretty girl

Zuri uh praure Faith Dent.

My mother's two sisters

uh Cindy Aunt Cindy and Aunt Marsha

alias known as Ky.

Thank you for attending. This means the

world to me. I'm about to enter a new

phase of my life

and I just thank God for bringing me

thus far and that he continues to stay

with me uh as I journey further and grow

with him. Thank you.

>> Thank you.

U

Mr. Parker, I just want to say cuz u I

know we had some great conversations

since I've been here. You made a

statement right in uh the foyer out here

when I first got here. Um and you told

everyone you knew I was going to do a

good job here, right? Um I appreciate

that. But I want to direct this first

part to your family. You know, um it's

not easy being um a servant.

So I thank you. I know my colleagues

thank you for allowing him to be with us

to share him with the world. It's a

tough task. It's a sacrifice. If if if

one hasn't been a servant, they wouldn't

know this feeling. It's hard. You know,

you have to give up time with family

members, loved ones, the children, the

wife to serve. And that's what God's

purpose was for you. So, I want to thank

you guys for allowing him to share

sharing him with us. I want to thank you

guys for that. All right.

But I'll say to you, you have um uh a

great journey a ahead of you. Um and I

know this won't be the last I see of

you. I enjoy your mentorship. I enjoy uh

the conversations that we have even when

you know I may be in a state where and

you say the right things to uh

you know keep me on the path. I

appreciate that and I look forward to

continuing to having those

conversations. So, I just wanted to say

thank you and thank you for your

service, sir.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Oh, there it is. See,

little faith. Our technology has been a

little weary in here tonight, but here

we go.

Okay. It's

okay. Manually. Okay.

Yeah.

I know. I don't have it.

We know.

>> Oh, that's nice.

>> Mhm.

Uh

>> oh.

Okay.

[Laughter]

[Music]

Okay, we'll end here. Sorry, we're

having technical difficulties, but we

will play it when we can.

Okay, everyone, the time is 7:47

p.m. I will entertain a motion to

adjurnn.

>> So moved.

>> Is there a second?

Yo, what's up?