Harrisburg Receivership to End
The state last month submitted a petition to end Harrisburg’s 26-month-old receivership, stating that “critical components” of the city’s financial recovery plan had been completed.
If the petition is approved by the Commonwealth Court, the receivership would conclude on March 1, concurrent with the end of the state-declared “fiscal emergency” for the city. At that time, an Act 47 coordinator would replace the receiver to oversee and help guide implementation of the rest of the Harrisburg Strong Plan.
Just last November, the receiver’s term was extended for two years.
“The receiver is no longer vital and necessary to successful implementation of the remaining components of the Harrisburg Strong Plan in the absence of a fiscal emergency, and the remaining components of the plan can be successfully implemented by a coordinator appointed by the secretary (of DCED),” according to the petition by C. Alan Walker, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
While most of the plan has been implemented—including the sale of the incinerator and the long-term lease of the city’s parking assets—a few parts remain unresolved, such as a new labor agreement with the city’s firefighters’ union.
The state imposed receivership on Harrisburg in November 2011 after the squabbling city government could not reach an agreement to resolve its financial crisis. Bond lawyer David Unkovic served several months in the post, drafting the initial recovery plan.
After Unkovic resigned, Air Force Maj. Gen. William Lynch took over as receiver, overseeing the creation of the final recovery plan and its implementation to date.
Officials Sworn In
The leadership of Harrisburg’s municipal government changed dramatically last month as several recently elected officials took the oath of office.
Eric Papenfuse became the city’s 38th mayor at a brief swearing-in ceremony in City Hall, replacing one-term Mayor Linda Thompson in the office.
At the same event, Charles DeBrunner took the oath as the new city controller, and Ben Allatt and Shamaine Daniels were sworn in as new council members. Returning Councilwomen Wanda Williams and Eugenia Smith also began four-year terms.
Following the ceremony, City Council held its reorganization meeting. Williams was re-elected council president, while Sandra Reid became council vice-president.
In addition, council made committee assignments. The new committee chairs are:
- Administration Committee: Wanda Williams
- Budget and Finance Committee: Ben Allatt
- Building and Housing Committee: Shamaine Daniels
- Community and Economic Development Committee: Brad Koplinski
- Parks, Recreation and Enrichment Committee: Susan Brown-Wilson
- Public Safety Committee: Eugenia Smith
- Public Works Committee: Sandra Reid
Each committee is made up of three council members except for the administration committee, which includes all council members.
Papenfuse Announces Cabinet
Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month announced his choices for most of the top administrative posts in city government. These include:
- Neil Grover, who took over as city solicitor from Jason Hess. An attorney in private practice, Grover had served recently as special counsel to City Council.
- Aaron Johnson, who replaced Kevin Hagerich as director of the Public Works Department. Johnson, previously the department’s deputy director, ran against Papenfuse as a write-in candidate for mayor in November, garnering about 17 percent of the total vote.
- Bruce Weber, director of budget and finance, a post last held by long-time director Bob Kroboth. Weber formerly served on City Council.
- Joyce Davis, a key Papenfuse advisor, as director of communications.
- Jackie Z. Parker, a former mayor of Lebanon, as director of community and economic development.
- Roy Christ, former president of the Harrisburg school board, as director of building and housing.
- Lenwood Sloan as director of the newly named and reorganized Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism.
- Carlesha Halkias, former deputy city solicitor, as director of human resources.
In addition, Karl Singleton was named as senior advisor on education and youth and Catherine Stetler as scheduler.
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC) will fund Parker’s position in full for the first year and at 50 percent for the second and third years. The city will take over full funding of the position in year four.
Budget Revisited
Harrisburg City Council last month reopened the 2014 budget to better reflect the spending priorities of the Papenfuse administration.
The $78.5 million budget is about $280,000 more than the budget passed in December, reflecting a slight increase in projected revenues from the earned income tax and intergovernmental transfers.
The greatest changes came on the spending side.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed abolishing the post of chief operating officer, which paid $110,000 a year. Instead, he wants to establish the position of chief of staff/business administrator at an annual salary of $79,500. A new post of community services coordinator, paying $50,000 a year, would replace the position of assistant to the COO, which paid $41,000 annually.
Other proposed changes included:
- Creation of several new posts, including director of arts, culture and tourism, director of sustainability and director of planning.
- Raises for a number of management-level positions, including for the director of building and housing development, the director of financial management, the director of human resources, the police chief and the communications director.
- Consolidating certain positions, decreasing salaries for others and not filling several vacant posts.
The council’s first budget review committee hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30. A final vote on the new budget is currently slated for Feb. 11.
Transition Report Released
The Papenfuse administration last month released a report with dozens of recommendations on how to improve government performance.
The 17-page report contained suggestions ranging from aggressively seeking grant money to making greater use of technology to tighter integration and communication between segments of government.
A few of the recommendations include:
- Adequately staffing the finance unit by filling vacant positions and completing financial reporting on a timelier basis.
- Appointing or designating an arts, culture, heritage and tourism liaison officer to oversee programs, activities and events.
- Developing and implementing a plan for upgrading the city’s website, improving content and implementing social media.
- Negotiating public/private partnerships to supplement resources.
- Creating a new department focused on education, youth, recreation and related matters, hiring a qualified director and staff and securing new funding and partnerships.
- Adopting a “broken windows” law enforcement approach to reduce crime and preserve order in targeted neighborhoods.
- Conducting an independent feasibility assessment of alternative ways of providing sanitation service.
More than 70 people served on Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s transition teams and contributed to the report, which was compiled by consultant Robert Melville.
“This report represents hours of hard work from very dedicated people who want to see Harrisburg rise out of its problems and become the model capital it should be,” Papenfuse said.
The report contains many more ideas to improve the city government’s functions and operations. Read the entire report on TheBurg’s website, www.theburgnews.com, under the “News” category.
Brewery Eyes Midtown Building
If all goes right, a new brewery will debut in the heart of Midtown Harrisburg in the early fall.
Alter Ego Brewing Co. hopes to open a brewhouse in long-vacant space at the corner of Susquehanna and Boyd streets, at the rear of Midtown Cinema. The 3,500-square-foot brick building would house a beer-making operation, in addition to a tasting room with a limited menu featuring small plates, paninis and finger foods, said Brandalynn Armstrong, who operates Alter Ego with her husband, Theo.
The Armstrongs have numerous hurdles to overcome before they can open, including securing a liquor license and probable land use approvals. The building also requires a complete renovation, which should begin in late spring.
The couple took their first step late last month, holding a community meeting at Midtown Cinema, where they presented their plan and answered questions.
“We want to be good neighbors and an active member of the community,” said Brandalynn. “We think it’s a good fit for Harrisburg and that Harrisburg is a good fit for us.”
In addition to offering Alter Ego beers and a limited menu, the Armstrongs will feature local Pennsylvania wines and art gallery space. No liquor will be served.
The building is owned by Lift Development LLC, which includes two partners of GreenWorks Development. A couple of years ago, the state tried to relocate the former Midtown magisterial district justice’s office and courtroom to the building, but an agreement could not be reached.
More information on Alter Ego Brewing is at www.alteregobrewing.com.
Changing Hands
Berryhill St., 1940: PA Deals LLC to S. Maurer, $75,000
Briggs St., 1823: Wells Fargo Bank NA to S. Dial, $99,000
Brookwood St., 2420: P. White to M. Rodriguez, $63,900
Chestnut St., 2403: H. & L. Miller to L. & M. Walton, $149,000
Green St., 1703: Wells Fargo Bank NA & J. Landis to PA Deals LLC & J. Etzle, $116,500
Green St., 2013: WCI Partners LP to L. Binda, $209,000
Green St., 2135: D. Boyle to V. Brown, $35,000
Green St., 2233: R. Shokes Jr. & Shokes Enterprises LLC to R. & D. Requa, $60,000
Kelker St., 213: J. Henning to M. Porter, $124,500
Lewis St., 228: D. Hartman to C. Moss, $59,000
Manada St., 1903: PA Deals LLC to M. & D. Graeff, $90,000
N. 2nd St., 606: D. Brown Jr. to 606 Dalmatian House LP, $754,000
N. 2nd St., 1311: Susquehanna Bank to J. Feldman, $36,000
N. 2nd St., 1313: Brick City Investments LLC to 1313 Real Estate Holdings LLC, $245,000
N. 2nd St., 1522: T. & A. Magrory to J. Cantarell & A. Meck, $168,900
N. 2nd St., 2731: Sierra Real Estate LLC to T. & N. Schmitt, $240,000
N. 6th St., 2667: J. Vogelsong to G. Di Bosco, $31,500
N. 15th St., 1603, 249 Maclay St., 438 Muench St. & 614 Wiconisco St.: R. Shokes Jr. & Shokes Enterprises to R. & D. Requa, $266,000
N. Cameron St., 1817: Integrity Bank to 1817 Cameron St. Associates LLC, $100,000
N. Front St., 1721: Susquehanna River Basin Commission to Hersha H. & Hasu P. Shah Family Foundation, $875,000
North St., 263: B. Josephs to B. Minner, $84,000
North St., 2009: J. & C. Mills to K. Snoke, $42,000
Paxton St., 1638: T. & A. Ferguson to CNC Realty Group Inc., $55,000
Penn St., 1612: J. & E. Rosentel to A. La Laz, $152,500
Penn St., 1703: Fannie Mae to B. Swisher Houtz, $63,000
S. 13th St., 342: K. & S. Probst to B. & R. Lehman, $53,000
S. 13th St., 502: PA Deals LLC to J. & A. Garbanzos, $45,000
S. 15th St., 446 & 141 N. Cameron St.: G. Neff to San Pef Inc., $45,000
S. 17th St., 325: R. Ekvall to J. Tran & D. Nguyen, $50,000
S. 18th St., 1115: K. & W. Watson to M. Kaman & A. Phatimah, $68,000
S. 19th St., 1670: The Harrisburg Authority to the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, $121,898,000
S. 28th St., 806: DML Properties LP to AWK Consulting Engineers Inc., $225,000
Swatara St., 2025: Mussani & Co. to I. Fernandez, $65,000
Valley Rd., 2301A: F. & J. Haas to S. Thornsley, $195,000
Vine St., 114: F. Hutchinson to J. Robles, $135,000
Walnut St., 407: J. Brown & Graci LaPorta Partnership to J. & C. Bowen, $50,000
Harrisburg property sales for December 2013, greater than $30,000. Source Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
