Tag Archives: Harrisburg City Council

Come Back Next Week: Battle still on for empty City Council seat.

August 31, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

Brian Ostella (left) and Dave Madsen (center) emerged as the final two nominees for an open Harrisburg City Council seat.

Harrisburg City Council nominated two candidates on Thursday night to fill a vacant short-term seat, but ultimately failed to summon a majority to make a final appointment.

Brian Ostella, a longtime member of the city’s audit committee, and Dave Madsen, a technician with the state Department of Revenue, each garnered a nomination from council members at the end of a special session this evening. But since Councilwoman Destini Hodges was absent, the remaining five members split the ballot 3-2 in favor of Madsen – one vote short of the four-member majority it needed to appoint him.

Council recessed and will attempt another round of voting at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday with all four finalists back in contention: Ostella, Madsen, former mayoral candidate Jennie Jenkins and former congressional candidate Joshua Burkholder. Council members can nominate any of the four for the seat.

The purpose of Thursday’s meeting was to hear from six residents hoping to replace Jeff Baltimore, a councilman who resigned on Aug. 11, two years into his four-year term. Following procedure set by the city charter, the special session consisted of three rounds to select a replacement: introductions, interviews and nominations.

Each of the six candidates who applied for the position — Burkholder, Jenkins, Madsen, Ostella, Christopher Conroy and Patricia Stringer — was permitted two minutes to address council about their experience and qualifications. Burkholder, Madsen, Ostella and Jenkins were all invited to appear for interviews, but, in the end, only Madsen and Ostella received nominations from council members.

Council President Wanda Williams said that the council tried to reach Hodges by phone for voting, but lost their connection before the nominating round. Hodges wasn’t present because of previously planned trip.

The candidate that council selects on Tuesday will serve through January.

Separately, the Democratic and Republican county committees are allowed to nominate one candidate each to appear on the general election ballot in November for the seat. The winner will take office in January and serve the remaining two years of Baltimore’s council term.

This story was updated to clarify that all four finalists will be back in contention on Tuesday when City Council reconvenes.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

August News Digest

August 31, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Councilman Baltimore Resigns

Harrisburg City Councilman Jeffrey Baltimore resigned last month from Harrisburg’s seven-member City Council.

In his resignation letter, Baltimore said he made a “difficult” decision after “person reflection” and “deliberation with his family,” according to Joyce Davis, the city’s communications director. He further said that he was “proud” to have served with “a creative, talented, caring and enthusiastic team” on council, Davis stated.

Baltimore was appointed to his council seat in 2014 following the death of Councilwoman Eugenia Smith. The next year, he was elected to a four-year term.

Baltimore has chaired both the Public Safety Committee and the Community & Economic Development Committee.

“Councilman Baltimore was a great asset to Harrisburg City Council,” said Council President Wanda Williams. “He is very passionate about public service, community development and an outstanding role model to the youth of our city. On behalf of City Council, we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Council now must pick a replacement for Baltimore. Council members have begun accepting applications to fill the vacant seat. The person selected will serve until January, and an election for a two-year council term will take place in November.

Security Camera for Midtown

A wireless security camera will be coming soon to Harrisburg’s Midtown neighborhood, as a community group last month received a grant to extend the city’s video surveillance system.

Midtown Action Council (MAC) announced it received a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help fund the extension of Harrisburg’s wireless security infrastructure to N. 2^nd and Forster streets. Currently, the system’s downtown component ends at 2^nd and Pine streets.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority as a community group, and it’s on the mind of every resident in Harrisburg,” said MAC President Jonathan Hendrickson. “This grant will help us access the infrastructure we need to eventually place wireless security cameras in the neighborhood.”

Before the system can be installed, MAC must raise $4,120 in matching funds. However, the organization is confident it can secure the funding for deployment this fall, said Dan Fulton, MAC’s secretary/treasurer.

In 2013, Harrisburg began deployment of a wireless security infrastructure, including 10 cameras downtown, Uptown and on Allison Hill, which allow city police and Dauphin County to conduct real-time surveillance. The $425,000 system was funded by Dauphin County’s Crime Task Force.

In Midtown, the first wireless camera will be installed facing north on 2^nd Street, from the intersection with Forster Street.

Fulton said this project “sets the stage” for future wireless cameras to be installed strategically through Midtown.

“This is just a first step, but it’s arguably the most important step because it gives us a foundation to build on,” Fulton said.

Airbnb Confab

Proponents and opponents gathered last month in Harrisburg’s Government Center at a city-sponsored meeting on all things Airbnb.

Harrisburg officials hosted the gathering to hear from a select group of business owners, as to how—or if—the city should regulate the run-your-own hospitality service.

“We’re here tonight to take information from you, the current operators,” said Michael Hughes, Harrisburg’s tax and enforcement administrator.

Over 90 minutes, Hughes and other officials, including Fire Chief Brian Enterline, Planner Geoffrey Knight and Solicitor Neil Grover, heard arguments for and against so-called short-term rentals, which include Airbnb and other Internet-based room reservation services. The wide-ranging discussion included such issues as zoning, taxation and safety.

Dee Fegan, chair of the board of the PA Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns, was the first to speak up, objecting that Airbnb hosts do not currently pay the Dauphin County hotel tax or, in many cases, other taxes, such as sales and mercantile taxes, which apply to traditional B&Bs.

“I just want to point out that rules are already in place,” she said. “It’s just up to people to follow them.”

Ted Hanson, who owns a short-term rental on Boas Street, said that he long has leased out his two-bedroom Airbnb house, which is next door to his own home, on an annual basis, but now is just renting it in a different way. Besides, he said, he’s helping to stimulate the local economy.

“I feel like I’m doing a service for the city,” he said. “I send people to businesses all over Midtown.”

Following the meeting, Hughes said the city now needs to ponder what changes, if any, to make to laws and regulations to accommodate short-term rentals. He’d like any changes to take effect on Jan. 1.

“Airbnbs were never contemplated when the rules were passed,” Grover said. “Now, we have to answer the question—do those rules apply or not?”

Home Sales Flat

The region’s hot real estate market took a breather in July, with sales nearly flat compared to last year.

Residential sales totaled 936 units, two fewer than in July 2016, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors. The median price rose to $180,000 from $175,500, GHAR said.

In Dauphin County, sales actually increased to 317 units in July versus 308 the year earlier, with the median price jumping to $164,900 compared to $155,900 in July 2016. Notably, average days on the market fell markedly to 44 days from 72.

Cumberland County sales decreased to 323 units versus 374, though the median price rose to $199,900 compared to $190,000 in the year-ago period. In Perry County, sales totaled 52 units, a rise from 34 units, with the median price falling to $164,000 versus $187,400 in July 2016.

GHAR covers all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties and parts of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.

So Noted

BI Solutions has received the 2016 Admiral Stanley R. Arthur Award for Logistics Excellence for its work on behalf of the U.S. Navy. The Harrisburg-based company is the prime contractor of the LOGCELL project, which supports the P08A Poseidon, the Navy’s maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

Harrisburg International Airport announced last month that it will receive a $10.9 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. HIA said it will use the funds to rehabilitate the airport’s primary runway, prolonging the life of the pavement, replacing centerline lights, upgrading lead-on lights, reconfiguring the Surface Movement Guidance and Control System and upgrading runway surface monitoring equipment.

Mecum Auctions reported $20 million in sales last month from its fourth trip to the PA Farm Show Complex. The company said the highest bid came in at $415,000 for a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird. More than 20,000 people, including spectators, bidders and consignors, attended the show.

Penwell Bowman + Curran LLC, a newly formed law firm, opened last month at 215 Pine St. in Harrisburg. Scott Penwell, Brandt Bowman and Matthew Curran are the founding partners of the firm, which specializes in business law.

PinnacleHealth plans to open a primary care doctor’s office inside Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg, according to the company. The 3,000-square-foot office, located next to Rite Aid, will have six exam rooms, a community/conference room, a patient check-in and waiting area, a laboratory area and several offices. It is expected to open in mid-November.

S&T Bancorp this month will complete the final stage of its acquisition of Integrity Bank. As of Sept. 5, all Integrity Bank branches will make the name change to S&T Bank.

Sara K. Weiser, PSECU financial education manager, was recently honored by Junior Achievement USA with a 2016-17 Bronze Leadership Award. This award recognizes people in the community who have demonstrated a sincere commitment to JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is the new name of the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitor’s Bureau. The organization changed its name to offer better and more consistent brand identity, said President Mary Smith.

Wildwood Park is seeking applications for its 2018 “Art In The Wild” environmental art exhibit, with the theme of “Natural Abstraction.” Most of the materials used for the installation should be natural. Exhibit applications and information can be found at wildwoodlake.org.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2505: E. & I. Gonzales to Y. White, $71,000

Berryhill St., 1944: G. Domon to E. Cruz, $72,900

Berryhill St., 2334: S. Kemble to W., J. & J. Morrow, $35,000

Caledonia St., 1921: M. Schreck to Cardinal Investments LLC, $32,000

Conoy St., 108: P. Marks to D. Noll, $114,000

Cumberland St., 272: M. Walsh to B. Hall & K. Humen, $128,000

Derry St., 2426: S. Rimal to P. & C. Ambrose, $38,000

Edgewood Rd., 2301: D. Butler to New Holland Enterprise Management LP, $144,000

Ellersie St., 2350: B. Fuhrman to PA Double Deals LLC, $44,000

Elm St., 1707, 1709 & 1711; and 1706 & 1708 Walnut St.: I. Cox to Q. Webster & N. Brunner, $45,000

Emerald St., 248: M. Chapman to C., A. K. & K. Thompson, $80,000

Forster St., 216: Thomas Mark Mustio Trust to F. Farry & K. Erway, $115,900

Green St., 1730: A.J. Fedore and Co. Inc. to T. Zingman, $199,000

Green St., 1816: G. Brown to D. Leaman, $92,500

Green St., 1938 & 1940: I. Brea & O. Sanchez to D. & C. Varno, $212,000

Green St., 2011: M. & E. Hunter to E. & S. Orndorff, $225,000

Green St., 2022: Cartus Financial Corp. to M. Crider, $224,000

Green St., 2152: Kusic Financial Services LLC to J. Barker, $54,308

Green St., 2438: Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to R. Diggs Jr., $60,500

Harris St., 240 & 242: David Kaminski IRA to Heinly Homes LLC, $215,000

James St., 1315: W. Cropper to J. Brinks & C. Wise, $40,000

Kelker St., 425: Wells Fargo Bank NA to D. & K. Steiner, $95,000

Maclay St., 330: A. Clay to Keystone Properties Group LLC, $35,000

Mercer St., 2430: M. Janos to PA Deals LLC, $40,000

Midland Rd., 2316: J. & S. Kalnasy to S. Agyeman, $280,000

Muench St., 276: K. Lannon to S. Garraty, $122,000

N. 2^nd St., 607: Bricker Boys Partnership to DelPenn Partners LLC, $335,000

N. 2^nd St., 2241: D. Kray to K. Shubert & L. Christopher, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 2345: L. Whitcomb & M. Quinn to L. Vaughan & M. Henry, $193,000

N. 2^nd St., 2410: C. Bennet to M. Sheaffer, $167,000

N. 2^nd St., 2534: J. Erb to M. Tuck, $149,900

N. 3^rd St., 1308 & 1310; 1313 & 1315 Green St.; and 1318 Susquehanna St.: P. & M. Navarro to James Family Holdings, $415,000

N. 3^rd St., 1615: Joshua Group to Heinly Homes LLC, $75,000

N. 3^rd St., 1623½: G. Neff & J. Shopf to Heinly Homes LLC, $75,000

N. 3^rd St., 1625: Gary Neff Inc. to Heinly Homes LLC, $75,000

N. 3^rd St., 2116: Katamin Properties LP to N&R Group LLC, $47,500

N. 4^th St., 1644: 1515 Associates to Z. & L. Engle, $57,500

N. 4^th St., 2452: V. Burkholtz & D. Cooper to Lifeline 1 LLC, $47,000

N. 5^th St., 1702A: V. Dincher to S. Kent, $82,000

N. 6^th St., 3001: R. Vogel to B. Yanez, $75,000

N. 7^th St., 2632: P. Chacon to T. Krone, $62,000

N. 18^th St., 714: C. Frey to E. Sanchez & R. Hidalgo, $36,900

N. Cameron St., 1914: J. Pagliaro to E. Maher, $98,500

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 212: T. Grumbine to D. Taylor, $142,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 213: L. Mundy to B. Esworthy, $85,000

Penn St., 1928: LSF9 Master Participation Trust to S. Burgin, $125,000

Race St., 554: N. Batholomaei to T. Corl, $125,000

Reily St., 210: P. & H. Jackson to J. Manzella, $103,000

Rudy Rd., 2017: A. Meppurathu to A. Saldana, $177,900

Rudy Rd., 2307: C. & E. Kerns to J. & K. Klein, $162,000

South St., 110: E. Comp to M. O’Neill, $110,000

S. 13^th St., 445: RWM Properties LLC to H. Yap, $59,900

S. 13^th St., 30; and 401 & 403 S. 14^th St.: San Pef Inc. to Round Rock Investments LLC, $226,000

S. 18^th St., 1304: S. Lee to H. Noh, $120,000

S. 19^th St., 1215: F. & B. Matjasic to C. Turner, $102,300

S. Front St., 573: T. & C. Hinkson to B. & K. Crews, $144,900

S. Front St., 577: E. Taylor to M. Kuhns, $139,900

S. Front St., 633: T. Imswiler & H. Jones to S. & P. Benjestorf, $90,000

S. Front St., 635: T. Imswiler & H. Jones to S. & P. Benjestorf, $90,000

S. Front St., 705½: J. Foreman to J. & A. Juratovic, $125,000

Susquehanna St., 1610: S. Uhrinek to D. Lawyer & S. Flagle, $156,000

Susquehanna St., 1839: J. Cremo to S. Conover, $104,000

Tuscarora St., 104: J. Jones to S. Muniz, $189,900

Author: Lawrance Binda

2 and Out? Harrisburg Council introduces term limits for mayor.

August 30, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse (left) confers with members of his staff following last night’s City Council meeting.

Former Harrisburg Mayor Steve Reed served seven full terms, leaving financial devastation in his wake when he finally left office after 28 years.

City Council President Wanda Williams says she now wants to prevent a future mayor from staying in office too long, accumulating too much power and thus endangering the welfare of the city. So, she introduced an ordinance last night that would limit future Harrisburg mayors to two terms.

“I don’t want that to happen again,” she said following the council meeting. “It’s not fair to residents or to City Council.”

The ordinance further would prohibit anyone who has served more than two years of a partial term from serving more than a single full term.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that, in general, he supports term limits for officeholders and might even consider them as part of a new Home Rule charter. However, he does not support this proposal because, he said, one branch of government cannot use term limits “to control” another.

“I think it’s unconstitutional as currently written,” he said.

In contrast, he said he might support a proposal that subjects all municipally elected officials to term limits.

Williams said that she might go for that.

“If he wants to consider council members, that’s fine with me, too,” said Williams, who, with 12 years on council, is the longest-serving elected official in the city government.

She emphasized that this proposal is not a dig at Papenfuse, who, in May, was nominated for a second term as mayor.

“If it had been (former) Mayor (Linda) Thompson, I would have considered it too,” said Williams, who placed the ordinance into the administration committee, which she chairs, for further discussion.

Williams took pains last night not to be too critical of Reed. However, the language of the ordinance plainly states that his longevity in office and consolidation of power created “a longtime imbalance of power between the legislative and executive branches of city government.” The proposed ordinance further asserts:

“The council of the city of Harrisburg hereby recognizes that this historical imbalance of power arose in part from the unchecked exercise of power by a prior mayor who, by serving seven consecutive terms of office, amassed extraordinary powers over governmental and non-governmental affairs within the city.”

In the end, it seems that Papenfuse and Williams may have grounds for a possible compromise.

“I’m not sure if it should be two or three terms,” Papenfuse said. “But I think there’s a benefit to term limits.”

Author: Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Council Backs Police, Votes for Protective “Riot” Gear

August 29, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

A large group of residents tonight unsuccessfully beseeched the Harrisburg Council to vote against funding new protective gear for police.

A resolution passed by City Council on Tuesday will allocate $65,000 for the Harrisburg Police Bureau to update its protective riot gear, but not until the city takes steps to create a policing task force.

Thanks to a last-minute amendment by Councilman Ben Allatt, the police will not receive their $65,000 until the city solicitor submits an additional resolution to council. That resolution will call for the creation of an eight-member task force, which will address community policing initiatives, police training and the creation of a civilian review board.

Police first requested new gear in June of this year, saying that Harrisburg’s status as a capital city makes it a frequent site of protests. They also said that their current stock of protective riot gear is 25 years old and inadequate.

The $65,000 will buy 30 head-to-toe armored suits, with individual shoulder, hand, leg, chest and shin guards that can be detached and deployed as needed. The suits also come with helmets, shields and riot sticks, according to Captain Derric Moody.

Council’s 5-1 vote on the amended bill, opposed only by Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels, came after a lengthy public discussion during which many residents criticized the funding request. Some said that a “militarized police force” could agitate hostile crowds, while others called for police to invest the money in programs that would build public trust.

Hillary Henson said that the goal of policing should be to prevent riots from occurring in the first place. She suggested that the funds be used for training instead of equipment.

“Police have many ways of limiting protesters other than riot gear,” Henson said. “They can coordinate with community organizers. A less adversarial relationship would increase everyone’s safety, including police.”

Others spoke about what they perceive as the community’s widespread mistrust of the police force.

“We all know that there is a deep mistrust between police and community, and that’s our reality,” said city resident Amanda Arbour. “We want to invest in building trust, so use the money to provide training that the community has been asking for.”

Tara Stark Mueller said that the resolution should not pass unless the bureau holds open meetings with the community. Before council adjourned in July, Councilman Allatt asked Police Chief Tom Carter to organize public meetings with the mayor and representatives from the police force.

“If there have been meetings, I have been unaware,” she said. “To have this vote tonight would be a sign of mistrust between community and police,”

In private remarks, Carter said that he did not hold the meetings because Mayor Eric Papenfuse was on vacation. He said he would be open to planning them in the future if council requested it.

While the vast majority of residents who spoke on Tuesday opposed the funding measure, some said that protective gear is a necessity for any police force.

“We want our police to come home safely,” said Sharice Breyer, whose husband is a retired officer.

Breyer thinks that modernizing police equipment should be a priority now that the city has improved its finances.

“It’s time for our community to be on the same level as everyone else,” she said. “Officer Carter will have enough sense to know when to bring the riot gear out, and our officers need to be prepared.”

Jayne Buchwach, a resident of Allison Hill, made a unique request when she asked for more police on her street.

“You can get the gear and wear it in our neighborhood,” Buchwach said, pointing to shootings and drug activities as examples of recent crime. “We need police presence.”

Carter thanked the residents who spoke out against the legislation. He said their concerns opened an important conversation about the bureau’s community relationships. He then made a final case for why the police needed new gear.

Citing recent protests in Charlottesville, Va., where one woman died after violence erupted between white supremacists and counter-protesters, Carter said that police need to protect Harrisburg citizens from “outsiders” who join local protests. He added that since Pennsylvania is an open-carry state where protesters can lawfully carry firearms, the police need to take every precaution to keep the public safe.

“Charlottesville was bad because the police were not prepared,” Carter said. “If open-carry people turned weapons against the citizens of this city, you’ll look to police to do something. Our protective gear is to do that.”

After hearing final comments from the public, Council President Wanda Williams said that the resolution would “provide the city with the necessary tools” for facing hostile crowds. She said she would vote yes on the resolution, at which point Allatt submitted his amendment.

Under the amendment, the police will not receive their funds until council receives the resolution creating the citizen task force. That task force will include three community members (to be nominated by the mayor or council), two members of the city administration, one member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and two representatives from city council.

Council expects to have that resolution before its next legislative session on Sept. 12.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

Your Next Rep.: Six residents apply for open Harrisburg council seat.

August 25, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Next week, Harrisburg City Council will select from six applicants to fill the vacant council seat.

Six city residents want to be the next Harrisburg City Council member, as the deadline passed today to submit applications for the open seat.

The applicants include a former city councilwoman and several residents who have run previously for elected office. They are:

Joshua Burkholder, a former CBS21 News reporter who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress last year and now works as a multimedia digital artist at Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

Christopher Conroy, a political newcomer who manages a medical practice affiliated with PinnacleHealth.

Jennie Jenkins, a former Harrisburg police officer who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for mayor last May.

Dave Madsen, a tax account collections technician with the PA Department of Revenue who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for council in May.

Brian Ostella, a long-time member of the city’s audit committee who previously ran unsuccessfully for Harrisburg treasurer.

Patricia Stringer, a former city councilwoman who since has run unsuccessfully for another seat on council.

Residents had until noon today to declare their interest and submit applications to serve on the seven-member body. The seat became vacant earlier this month following the resignation of former Councilman Jeffrey Baltimore.

On Thursday, beginning at 5:15 p.m., council will choose from among the six applicants. Candidates will be given one to two minutes to explain why they’re interested in the seat. Afterwards, council members will nominate one candidate of their choice. Council then will interview the nominees before voting for their selection.

The new council member will only serve a four-month appointment. The Dauphin County Democratic and Republican committees are slated to select their own nominees, who will appear on the general election ballot in November for a two-year council seat to serve out the remainder of Baltimore’s term. The winner of the election will take office in early January.

In their applications, candidates were asked to state why they want to serve on City Council. Their responses were as follows:

Burkholder: Working closely with the public in the media and during my run for Congress, I recognized in myself the strong desire to become involved in my community and take part in issues that affect so many lives. I listened to the people and began to realize that their voices weren’t being heard, and they were not being represented by those they trusted to do so. It is vital to stay close to the community and listen to the concerns of the constituents and to make government and its process accessible to all people. I have been a part of the Harrisburg community for many years and I would like to take on a role that will improve the quality of life for our people.

Conroy: I am born and raised in Harrisburg, and feel a strong commitment to the continual improvement of our city. I believe that as the city continues to grow and change, we citizens must contribute all of our personal skillsets to our government so that it is fully responsive to the needs of each and every person living here. I would like to bring my understanding of new technologies to engage new avenues of growth for Harrisburg. The committee on which I would chair, if chosen, is working on precisely the issue for which I have ideas.

Jenkins: I want to represent the public, while balancing the well-being and interests of the city.

Madsen: I want to be a councilman that works for everyone and makes sure every voice is heard in city hall. If elected to the council, I will push for real change that will preserve our city for future generations. I would like to work with members of council and the mayor’s office to ensure that Harrisburg is set on a stable path.

Ostella: I am interested in serving on Council because I want to help the citizens of Harrisburg. I believe true leadership is found in serving others and Harrisburg needs more leaders who are willing to serve and do what is best for the whole, not just what is best for themselves. I believe that my government, corporate and nonprofit experience make me qualified to help serve all of the stakeholders in Harrisburg. Whether they are a citizen, a business owner, a government official, and/or a visitor to our city, they all have a voice in how the city’s policy decisions impact them.

Stringer: I have always wanted to serve the residents of Harrisburg by representing them in a professional manner, engaging them civically, speaking out on their behalf and assisting them with any concerns relating to the city of Harrisburg.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Open Seat: Jeffrey Baltimore Resigns from Harrisburg City Council

August 4, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Jeffrey Baltimore, far left, at a recent Harrisburg City Council meeting.

Harrisburg City Councilman Jeffrey Baltimore announced his resignation today from Harrisburg’s seven-member City Council.

In his resignation letter, Baltimore said he made this “difficult” decision after “person reflection” and “deliberation with his family,” according to Joyce Davis, the city’s communications director. He further said that he was “proud” to have served with “a creative, talented, caring and enthusiastic team” on council, Davis stated.

Baltimore was appointed to his council seat in 2014 following the death of Councilwoman Eugenia Smith. The next year, he was elected to a four-year term.

Baltimore has served as chairman of council’s Public Safety Committee and currently is chairman of the Community & Economic Development Committee. His resignation is effective Aug. 11.

Council now must pick a replacement for Baltimore. Council members will begin accepting applications on Aug. 14 to fill the vacant seat. The person selected will serve until January, and an election for a two-year council term will take place this November.

Author: Lawrance Binda

July News Digest

July 31, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Housing Funds Disbursed
Harrisburg City Council doled out some $1.9 million in federal housing funds last month, but not before making tweaks to the administration’s proposal.

Council provided $25,000 to the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center from the city’s portion of annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, a program of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The city administration had denied funding for the center, saying its application scored too low to merit a grant.

To make room for the Heinz-Menaker grant, $15,000 was taken from a proposed allocation for the city’s Police Bureau, which still will receive $90,000 to help pay for a new community policing van and a police cadet program.

Another $10,000 was taken from the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development, which still will receive about $43,000 to cover unreimbursed costs related to the sinkhole project on S. 14th Street.

Like last year, the greatest single amount of money, $562,248, went to repay federal loans the city backed during the Reed administration for several development projects, including the disastrous Capitol View Commerce Center project.

Other CDBG recipients included:

City Housing Rehabilitation Programs: $330,000
Tri-County HDC: $150,000
City Emergency Demolition: $120,000
Harrisburg Fire Bureau: $51,686
Habitat for Humanity Greater Harrisburg Area: $30,000
Rebuilding Together: $15,000
Christian Aftercare Recovery Ministries: $25,000
A Miracle 4 Sure: $25,000
Latino Hispanic American Community Center: $25,000
Fair Housing Council: $25,000
Mid Penn Legal Services: $15,000
Neighborhood Dispute Settlement: $3,900

While the city undertook the annual process of distributing CDBG money, funding is not assured as the Trump administration has threatened to end the program.

Riot Gear Debated

Harrisburg City Council last month left for summer break without voting on a plan that would supply the city’s police with new protective gear.

Council members said they would take up the matter once more after they returned from hiatus in late August and, in the interim, urged police to engage with residents to discuss the issue.

The Police Bureau is seeking to transfer $65,000 from unspent personnel funds to purchase 30 “top to toe” protective suits. The bureau’s current gear is old and inadequate, police say.

Some city residents have urged council not to approve the transfer, saying that so-called “riot suits” would escalate tense situations. Police, though, say that protests, particularly at the state Capitol, have become more frequent and more violent, and that officers need the equipment for personal protection.

College Plans Move to City Hall

Eastern University announced last month that it would like to move its satellite campus into the basement of Harrisburg city hall.

“I want to be in the city,” said Wesley Bunting, an official with the St. Davids, Pa.-based Christian college, whose satellite campus currently is located in Lower Paxton Township.

Therefore, the university approached the city with a novel offer. It would spend about $615,000 to fully renovate the mostly empty, worn-out basement of the MLK Jr. City Government Center on N. 2nd Street.

The city would be able to use a portion of the space for a new, state-of-the-art emergency operations center. It also would get access to classroom space when not in use and to the lounge, which could be used as a break room. The city would receive the improvements but no monetary rent during the 10-year lease term.

If approved by council, the project could start immediately and would take less than a year to complete, Bunting said.

“This is a substantial investment in the building with resources that we otherwise would have to draw from somewhere else,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Papenfuse said the project also would bring more people downtown, would boost building security, especially after hours, would offer technology upgrades in the building and would help create a “critical mass” of colleges downtown, adding to the existing presence of Harrisburg University, Temple University and Messiah College.

HDID Seeks Renewal

The Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District last month asked City Council for a five-year reauthorization, a plan that would expand the district to State Street.

Executive Director Todd Vander Woude outlined a few recent activities by the group, including last year’s “Dino-Mite Summer” public art project, this year’s “Discover the Ducks Downtown,” the St. Patrick’s Day parade, several new murals, more bike racks, brightly painted planters and a new safety substation.

“Our focus is making downtown clean, safe and beautiful,” said Vander Woude, who received a generally positive reaction from council.

In 2015, council refused to grant a full, five-year term, offering only two years with instructions to become more visible and active. Back then, some council members said that HDID wasn’t doing enough to attract people downtown.

Getting firm council support is particularly important this year, as the HDID is seeking to expand its northern boundary from Pine Street to State Street, bringing 58 more properties into the district and upping the organization’s annual budget by $40,000 to $820,000. Each commercial property is assessed a 1.75 mil surcharge on its city property taxes to cover the cost of HDID services, which also include cleaning, safety and beautification measures.

Property owners within the proposed district have 45 days from last month’s council hearing to vote against the district. Forty percent of properties within the boundary must vote against it for reauthorization to be defeated.

City Payment Restored

Harrisburg will receive its full state funding after all, as the legislature passed a budget re-inserting a $5 million payment to the city.

The $32 billion state budget for 2017-18 includes full funding of the “Capitol fire protection” line item, a type of payment in lieu of taxes that the city counts on to help fund emergency services.

Gov. Tom Wolf included the payment in his proposed budget in February, but it was later stripped out by the state Senate.

Over the decades, this annual payment has ranged widely from nothing to the current $5 million, an amount decided upon while the city was under state receivership. However, the money is not guaranteed, meaning that Harrisburg isn’t certain it will receive the funds until the always-fraught state budget is passed.

The money lands in the city’s general fund, but Harrisburg officials say it offers compensation for services that the city provides to about 30,000 state workers. The state pays no property taxes on its massive holdings in the city, which include some 50 state-owned buildings on about 42 percent of the city’s land.

New Grocery Store

If you’ve been hungering for an urban-style grocery store in Harrisburg, your wait is almost over.

In a few months, Provisions will open in Strawberry Square, emphasizing natural, organic and locally produced goods, mostly sold in bulk.

Provisions will occupy 2,350 square feet of space next to Fresa Bistro with a storefront entrance on N. 3rd Street, said Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square.

“You’re going to be able to get fresh food that you can shop daily for,” said Jones, who described the market as a “locally grown Trader Joe’s.”

Jones expects the build-out of the space to begin immediately, with the store opening in mid-October.

Provisions is the brainchild of Shaun Donovan, the owner of the online grocery store Appalachian Organics, and Adam Porter, co-owner of the co-working space, StartUp Harrisburg.

Steelton Redevelopment

A new development called Renaissance Row soon will begin to rise in downtown Steelton, in part thanks to a tax incentive program.

Dauphin County and Steelton officials last month credited property tax abatement for enabling the project, which will feature 80,000 square feet of commercial space and 46 one-and two-bedroom apartments across the street from Steelton Borough Hall.

“Providing property tax relief for new construction and renovation can make the difference between making it viable to move forward on a project,’’ said county board Chairman Jeff Haste.

Philadelphia-based developer Chariot Companies will build Renaissance Row. A second development featuring 12 new townhouses on Adams Street should break ground later this year.

All of Steelton is part of a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program, which provides tax breaks on property improvements for 10 years.

Home Sales Climb

The Harrisburg area scored another solid month for home sales, as purchases increased 4.2 percent year over year.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors reported 1,147 sales in June compared to 1,101 sales in June 2016 for its coverage area, which covers all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties and parts of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.

The median price also rose, increasing to $183,000 versus $175,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR said.

In Dauphin County, 389 homes sold, an increase of 23 units, with the median price rising to $163,500 from $160,000. In Cumberland County, sales totaled 398 units versus 388, with the median price jumping to $210,000 from $190,900.

Perry County had 51 home sales against 33, with the median price rising to $143,000 from $129,900 a year earlier.

So Noted

Fine Wine and Good Spirits will open an 11,500-square-foot retail store at the Capital City Mall this fall, according to mall owner PREIT. Next year, a Dave & Busters also will open, offering a casual dining and entertainment option.

Harrisburg University is relocating its Philadelphia campus, which will more than quadruple its space. The new site at 1500 Spring Garden St. in Center City will allow the university to offer full, four-year bachelor degrees at the campus without students needing to transfer to the main campus in Harrisburg.

Merit is the new name of the Harrisburg-based marketing and innovation firm, Sacunas. The company, founded by Nancy Sacunas, said it changed its name to better reflect its mission under now-owner Adam Vasquez.

Mom’s Tamales & Papusas is expected to open this month at 263 Reily St., across from Midtown Cinema. Owner Josue Osorto, a veteran of many Harrisburg restaurants, will run the eatery specializing in food from El Salvador.

PinnacleHealth has completed the acquisition of four hospitals in three surrounding counties. The Harrisburg-based company bought Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of York.

Rite Aid and Walgreens have dropped their plans to merge. Instead, Walgreens will buy 2,186 Rite Aid stores for $5.2 billion, leaving East Pennsboro Township-based Rite Aid with 2,350 stores after the deal is complete.

In Memoriam

Robert Marquette, long-time president and CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union, died last month, said the Mechanicsburg-based company. Marquette, 68, also was the face of the Members 1st, donning a superhero-type outfit and making homespun pitches during numerous advertisements.

Benjamin Olewine III, lifelong Harrisburg resident, businessman and philanthropist, has died at the age of 95. Olewine grew his family’s food business into one of the top food distributors in the country, selling it in 1988 to giant Sysco Corp., where he continued to work until a few years ago.

Changing Hands

Allison Ct., 7: B. Schaeffer to Flipside Home Renewal LLC, $32,000

Barkley Lane, 2503: F. Scott to L. Holloway, $62,500

Bellevue Rd., 2026: M&N Associates LLC to N. & S. Diehl, $70,000

Berryhill St., 1621: G. Campos to B. Brown, $30,000

Capitol St., 901: G. Ulrich to C. Lenz Jr., $117,900

Capitol St., 1003, 414 Forster St. and 919 & 923 N. 2nd St.: PLM Real Estate Investments & M. Stuski to AON LLC, $265,000

Chestnut St., 1822: G. Neff to A. Brown, $43,900

Derry St., 1408: M. Neidigh to J. & D. Judge, $30,000

Derry St., 2334: R. Miller & D. Shellenhamer to N. Hanna, $35,000

Derry St., 2400: J. Seibert to 2400 Derry Street LLC, $65,000

Edgewood Rd., 2315: R. Everngam Jr. & D. Bottini to I. & A. MacFarlane, $204,900

Fulton St., 1418: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to PA Deals LLC, $61,960

Fulton St., 1733: J. & R. Gregoire to M. Shelleman, $121,000

Grand St., 919: L. Bolan to A. Chen, $114,900

Green St., 1809: M. & R. Monticchio to D. Caley, $140,000

Harris St., 342: Keystone Properties Group LLC to D. Shelley, $89,000

Herr St., 211: M. Rudderow to G. Broome, $119,900

Herr St., 259: B. Eppley to J., J., & P. Millner, $150,000

Holly St., 1946: M. Naranjo to A. Mercado, $105,500

Hudson St., 1106: J. Raab to K. Fernandez, $60,000

Hudson St., 1215: A. Powers to PI Capital LLC, $33,500

Kelker St., 231: A. DeHoff to D. Rubenstein, $174,900

Lewis St., 303: E. Gadsen to E. Torres, $124,000

Market St., 810, 812 & 900; 24 & 26 N. 10thSt.; and 12, 21 & 23 N. 9th St.: Patriot News Co. to 812 Market Street LLC & Twenty Lake Holdings, $644,286

Market St., 1848: Kusic Financial Services to E. Lewis, $37,100

Muench St., 212: K. & K. Warner to C. Kim, $169,900

Mulberry St., 1162: Stoute Housing Inc. to Evidence Group LLC, $73,000

N. 2nd St., 1225: M. & L. Day to S. Shaffer, $125,000

N. 2nd St., 2011: M. Patterson to S. Gallagher & C. Prestia, $139,000

N. 2nd St., 2915: K. & K. Russell to L. Whitcomb & M. Quinn, $315,000

N. 2nd St., 3004: S. Jusufovic to L. Bolan, $219,000

N. 3rd St., 1722: M. Kravanis Jr. & N. Melton to A. Glickman, $112,000

N. 3rd St., 1728: Leonard J. Dobson Family Limited Partnership to Keystone Brothers Investments, $106,000

N. 3rd St., 1730: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development and Information Systems & Networks Corp. to S. Bernhard, $72,000

N. 3rd St., 1928: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to J. Hobbs, $70,000

N. 6th St., 3107: E. Willis to S. & K. Wright, $99,500

N. 6th St., 3136: M. Naranjo to L. Seay, $55,000

N. 12th St., 47: Hobbeze Inc. to E&K Homes LLC, $35,000

N. 16th St., 521: D. Taylor to Wells Fargo Bank NA, $38,262

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 413: H. Michels to J. Becker, $93,900

N. Front St., 2201, 2225 & 2229; and 2200, 2214, 2216 & 2218 N. 2nd St.: 2201 Partners LP to 2201 NFS LLC, $1,800,000

Penn St., 1805: L. Urban to T. & K. Hand, $93,000

Penn St., 1933: WCI Partners LP to D. Ranson, $139,900

Rudy Rd., 2145: M. & K. DeRosa to G. Broadnax, $178,000

Rudy Rd., 2409: N. Ishman to W. & A. Krahn, $149,900

Rumson Dr., 2843: N. & I. Nanov to C. Rojas, $35,000

S. 13th St., 340: JKC Properties LLC to Round Rock Investments LLC,, $101,000

S. 17th St., 927: M. Maniari & Z. Erroudi to A. Mejia, $89,900

S. 18th St., 1128: J. Buzby to T. Ro & J. Musa, $95,000

Verbeke St., 116: H. Reynolds to M. Zecharya & B. Macavoy, $30,000

Verbeke St., 215: J. & S. Bircher to J. & & E. High, $215,000

Verbeke St., 235: S. Will to A. & C. Maset, $146,000

Author: Lawrance Binda

Bigger Duck Pond: Downtown Improvement District seeks renewal, expansion.

July 8, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Under an expansion plan, State Street would become part of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

What a difference a couple of years can make.

The last time the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) was up for renewal, the city government put the nonprofit through the wringer—and on a short leash.

This year? Smooth sailing.

“I’m impressed with what you’ve done,” City Council President Wanda Williams told Executive Director Todd Vander Woude during a hearing last week. “You’ve done good work.”

The HDID is seeking a five-year reauthorization of the district, which expires at year-end. In 2015, council refused to grant a full, five-year term, offering only two years with instructions to become more visible and active. Back then, some council members—along with several business owners—said that HDID wasn’t doing enough to attract people downtown and make it more of a destination.

Given the positive reaction of council, it appears—mission accomplished.

During the hearing, Vander Woude outlined a few recent highlights: last year’s “Dino-Mite Summer” public art project, this year’s “Discover the Ducks Downtown,” the St. Patrick’s Day parade and run, several new murals, more bike racks, brightly painted planters, a new safety substation.

“Our focus is making downtown clean, safe and beautiful,” he said.

Property owners within the proposed district have 45 days from last week’s council hearing to vote against the district. Forty percent of properties within the boundary must vote against it for reauthorization to be defeated.

This summer’s “Discover the Ducks Downtown” is one of many recent projects spearheaded by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District.

With three properties on State Street, WCI Partners will have to kick in an extra $10,000 in annual tax, representing one-quarter of the total revenue for new properties in the expanded territory, said company President Dave Butcher. Nonetheless, he supports the proposal, as State Street, he said, is one of the most visited and photographed streets in the city.

“It’s helpful because we’ll have long-term institutional support for the (State Street) median in maintaining it and keeping it beautiful,” said Butcher, a member of the HDID board.

Currently, Butcher passes the hat among his fellow State Street property owners to help maintain the two-block long, landscaped median that runs from Riverfront Park to the state Capitol building. If its boundaries are extended, HDID will maintain the median, while also offering street cleanup, planters, flowers and other benefits.

Despite the proposed expansion, at last week’s meeting, no property owners told council that they object to the plan. Council President Williams made the only critical remark, pleading with the HDID to do what it can to bring retail back to downtown Harrisburg.

Vander Woude was optimistic. Over the past few years, several developers have converted worn-out office buildings into high-end residential space, and there’s now a waiting list for those apartments.

“I’m hopeful that, with the residential growth downtown, retail will follow,” he said.

To learn more about the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, visit www.harrisburgdid.com.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Cost of Protection: More protests lead Harrisburg police to request riot gear.

June 20, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Mounted state police and sawhorses block the entrance to State Street during recent “anti sharia” protests.

For the past six months, protesters have flocked to Harrisburg to demonstrate against everything from the Trump administration’s proposed travel ban to sharia law—and now it’s beginning to take a toll on the city’s budget.

In a work session tonight, police Capt. Deric Moody asked City Council for $65,000 to pay for 30 “top to toe” riot suits as, he said, the city’s current riot gear is old and inadequate. The money would be transferred from unspent personnel funds.

“We’ve been pulled into almost every demonstration,” Moody said. “Whether (the protest) is at the Farm Show Complex or the Capitol, the streets are ours.”

While state and Capitol police take the lead during protests on state grounds, city police supplement their forces and take the lead outside of state-owned buildings and property.

Currently, city police riot gear consists mostly of aging helmets, shields and gas masks, Moody said. The requested money would buy full riot suits, which Moody described as “scalable,” meaning that parts—individual pieces for shoulders, hands, legs, chests, shins, etc.—could be deployed as needed. The suits also come with helmets, shields and riot sticks, which are longer than standard police sticks, Moody said.

“It’s a fully functional suit,” he said.

Council is expected to act on the request during its legislative session next week.

Earlier this year, the city Police Bureau had asked for more than $200,000 in Dauphin County gaming funds to pay for several items, including the riot suits and a training simulator. However, the county commissioners did not approve their request.

The city is also on the hook for about $7,000 to cover four hours of police overtime pay just for a recent event—the dueling protests over sharia, or Islamic, law, in which masked protesters fought with masked anti-protesters at several places in the city. Another major protest occurred just today, as more than 1,000 union members gathered in front of the Capitol to protest proposed anti-union “right to work” legislation.

Moody told council members that he’s never experienced so many protests during his 25 years as a police officer, a situation he expects to continue.

“As a capital city, we will continue to see more and more and more people come here to exercise their rights,” he said.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Affordable Housing: City Council approves apartment development plan for low-income seniors.

June 15, 2017 | by Danielle Roth

This empty lot will be the future home of Paxton Place, a low-income senior building.

An undeveloped lot soon will transform into a new affordable housing option for Harrisburg seniors.

Last night, City Council unanimously approved a development plan to turn 1100 S. 20^th St. into Paxton Place, a three-story, 37-unit dwelling for low-income seniors run by Paxton Ministries, despite a neighbor voicing concerns about the project.

City Councilman Jeff Baltimore, chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee, declined to recommend a vote for or against the building, urging council members to “vote their conscience.”

“It’s a struggle to balance economic development and the neighborhood makeup,” he said. “We can’t place barriers on development, and we have to find ways as a neighborhood to get along with each other.”

In the end, council voted 7-0 for the project, allowing it to proceed. The city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board previously had approved it.

The $8.4 million investment on the empty, 1.6-acre site, which is currently not taxable, would bring in a projected $18,787 in city taxes, according to the resolution. The property sits next to the Paxton Street Home, a home run by Paxton Ministries for adults who need support services.

View of the empty lot from S. 20th Street.

Council’s vote disappointed Hudson Street resident Kay Ann Wetzel, who voiced concerns about neighborhood stability at last night’s meeting.

“I’m not against elderly housing, but I’m against putting that neighborhood at risk,” she said after the meeting.

Wetzel, who said she’s been opposing this development for more than a year, said the low-income housing property would disrupt lifelong residents and attract more traffic to already-congested streets. She also noted concerns about crime and trash, which she said would go along with the low-income project.

“People are going to start moving away,” she said. “I don’t have confidence that this company will maintain the property.”

Council Vice President Shamaine Daniels said the development would increase the city’s housing options for seniors. This would keep residents in the city, leading to more money spent at city businesses, she said.

“I think it’s a good project,” she said. “That area hasn’t had any economic development for a decade. For neighbors, it’s a bit jarring.”

Author: Danielle Roth

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