Tag Archives: Timothy East

November News Digest

November 27, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Spradley Appointed Treasurer

Tyrell Spradley was named Harrisburg’s treasurer last month, ending a search that spanned more than two months.

A divided City Council selected Spradley following four rounds of voting, which included two other candidates—attorney Karen Balaban and former city councilman and controller Dan Miller.

Following his appointment, Spradley, 30, said he was eager to learn about and take on the part-time position, which pays $20,000 per year.

Harrisburg needed to name a new treasurer following the arrest in August of then-city treasurer John Campbell, who has been charged with theft from two organizations where he also served as treasurer.

Council first appointed accountant Timothy East to serve as Campbell’s replacement, but East withdrew his name after a personal bankruptcy came to light.

Spradley’s own eligibility was briefly called into question last month over issue involving his residency and the lack of a business license for an accounting company he owns. City officials later indicated those issues had been resolved.

Spradley will serve the remainder of Campbell’s four-year term, which runs until the end of next year.

Sinkhole Money Available

Some Harrisburg residents may benefit from a decision last month that allows federal assistance to be used to buy out homes endangered by sinkholes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ruled that municipalities could apply for aid to acquire sinkhole-prone structures.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said the city immediately would apply for a grant to provide relief for homeowners along the 1400-block of S. 14^th St., which has been devastated by sinkholes. There is no guarantee that Harrisburg will receive the money, as fierce competition is expected around the country for the grants.

Separately, Camp Hill-based Gannett Fleming last month issued more results of its sinkhole study in South Harrisburg.

The engineering firm told City Council that it had two options. The city could either buy out 27 houses in the middle of the most affected block or it could inject a substance beneath the surface to help stabilize the ground and prevent future sinkhole formation. Either option, both of which would include extensive road repair and relocating of residents, would cost about $4 million.

FEMA has put a cap of $3 million per project on its disaster allowance for sinkholes.

Schools Fail to Meet Performance Goals

Harrisburg public schools failed by a wide margin to meet academic standards set by the state-appointed chief recovery officer, according to state academic performance measures released last month.

None of Harrisburg’s schools met the academic goals for the 2013-14 school year set forth by Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno in an April 2014 amendment to his recovery plan for the district.

The state’s “Building Level Academic Score” uses a 100-point scale to measure school performance. Much like a student report card, a score above 90 is considered excellent, while a score below 70 is deemed poor.

The following list shows each school’s performance, followed by a bracketed number that includes Veno’s goals for each school for the 2013-14 academic year.

Math Science Academy: 75.9 [94.2]
Harrisburg High School SciTech Campus: 63.8 [72.3]
Foose School: 57.8 [59.8]
Scott School: 57 [62.4]
Melrose School: 53.1 [69.7]
Downey School: 49.4 [67.5]
Benjamin Franklin School: 44.6 [63.5]
Marshall School: 44.4 [61.4]
Rowland School: 42.6 [56.5]
Harrisburg High School: 39.7 [57.6]
Camp Curtin School: 39.6 [60.3]

Scores were based upon several measures, including students’ performance on state standardized tests, improvement since the previous year, graduation and attendance rates and, in the case of high school students, SAT and ACT scores.

Lighting Grant Approved

Harrisburg’s plan to upgrade its streetlights took a step forward last month, as the city announced that it had received a $500,000 grant for its LED streetlight project.

Several months ago, the Papenfuse administration applied for the Pennsylvania Energy Department Authority grant, which City Council then approved.

In related matters, the administration last month asked council to approve the hiring of Doylestown-based Suburban Lighting Consultants to provide engineering services for the LED project. It also asked council to OK the engagement of Pittsburgh-based The Efficiency Network, which would conduct an inventory of existing streetlights, as well as an audit of streetlight and exterior light utility bills.

Green Infrastructure Grant Received

Capital Region Water has been awarded a $125,000 state grant to develop a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan for Harrisburg.

The grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will allow Capital Region Water to evaluate using green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of runoff on the Harrisburg community, the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek, and the underground infrastructure it operates, according to Andrew Bliss, Capital Region Water’s community outreach manager.

Green infrastructure is a broad term for trees, gardens and other ways to help reduce runoff by absorbing rainwater.

Last month, Capital Region Water also marked the one-year anniversary of its takeover of city water and sewer operations.

In addition to the DCNR grant, Bliss said, the year included several other achievements, including a “Top 5” designation for best drinking water in the country; a bond refinancing that will save the authority $4 million over two years; progress on a comprehensive GIS mapping project; and the beginning of a $50 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment facility.

Midtown Distillery Proposed

Two city residents announced plans last month to open a small-batch distillery in Midtown Harrisburg in the blighted, historic “Carpets and Draperies” building.

Alan Kennedy-Shaffer and Stanley Gruen are due to appear this month before the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board in an effort to get a variance for the site at 1507 N. 3^rd St., which is not zoned for industrial use.

The partners plan a full renovation of the century-old building, which has sat empty for more than a decade. Their plan includes a bar and tasting room, in addition to a craft distillery that would make such spirits as whiskey, vodka, gin and rye.

If all goes well, they hope to open in mid-2015.

Parking Ordinances Updated

Motorists are on the hook to pay their parking fines, as the Harrisburg City Council last month updated its parking ordinances to conform to the city’s financial recovery plan.

Council needed to make technical changes to the city code to give operator Standard Parking the legal authority to enforce penalties. It also changed language to increase fines and allow non-currency forms of payment, such as credit and debit cards.

Standard Parking took over the city’s parking system in January, but council did not immediately update the city code. As a result, Harrisburg will receive about $200,000 less in parking revenue than anticipated this year.

The city said it expects to receive as much as $2.5 million in parking revenue next year.

Playground Safety Grant

Harrisburg has received a grant that could lead to improved safety at five of the city’s playgrounds.

The $10,000 grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program will fund an inspection and safety audit of the Cloverly Heights and Royal Terrace playgrounds, as well as playgrounds at Norwood and Hollywood streets; N. 4^th and Dauphin streets; and Penn and Sayford streets.

The grant also will fund the creation of a routine playground maintenance and safety program and the training of city staff on program implementation.

Kim Re-Elected to 103^rd

Incumbent Rep. Patty Kim will serve a second term in the state legislature, as voters returned her to office last month in an uncontested race.

Kim ran unopposed in the general election for the 103^rd legislative district after beating challenger Gina Roberson in the Democratic primary in May.

In other election news, former Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson lost in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Scott Perry to represent the 4^th House district in Congress.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2423: B. Bisbano to C. Warble, $49,300

Benton St., 527: R. & A. Della Croce to S. Rea & M. Urgiles, $98,500

Berryhill St., 1954: C. Frater to M. Frater, $65,000

Cumberland St., 119: JB Buy Rite LP to S. Pritchard, $73,500

Duke St., 2614: PI Capital LLC to W. & A. Rivera, $88,900

Fulton St., 1710: N. Culver to Cartus Financial Corp., $107,000

Green St., 1615: R. & S. Aulakh to J. Scott, $92,500

Green St., 1902: WCI Partners LP to B. Garner, $180,000

Green St., 2024: Fulton Bank NA to J. Workman & J. Arawj, $139,000

Harris St., 213: J. Counterman to 8219 Ventures, $52,000

Herr St., 215: R. & E. Simons to Crested Enterprises LLC, $77,500

Hoffman St., 3206: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Skynet Property Management LP, $43,000

Holly St., 1840: Tassia Corp. to Capital Properties LLC, $40,000

Kensington St., 2422: PA Deals LLC to C. & S. Feggins, $68,000

Mulberry St., 1936: C. Doran & A. Burnett to I. Peredo, $64,900

N. 2^nd St., 513: T. & J. Male to Cricket Real Estate Enterprises LLC, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 2527: N. Myers to S. & A. Andrus, $193,500

N. 3^rd St., 2304: Harrisburg Ventures LLC to FD Harrisburg Holdings LLC, $2,213,700

N. 4^th St., 1733: PI Capitol LLC to G. Laudenslager, $100,000

N. 4^th St., 2336: S&T Renovations LLC to A. & A. Barras, $58,000

N. 4^th St., 2400 & 2402: M. Reed to E&K Homes LLC, $57,000

N. 4^th St., 2547: PA Deals LLC to J. Tucker, $61,000

N. 4^th St., 3228: A. Wlazlak to J. Tyson, $105,000

N. 4^th St., 3231: J. Crutchfield to J. Grant, $79,900

N. 7^th St., 2324 & 2350; 655 Seneca St.; 648 Curtin St.: M. Spangler to DAP 7 Curtin LP, $260,000

N. 16^th St., 1205: D. Griffin to C. & B. Orellana, $35,000

N. 17^th St., 817: G. Andrews to J. Jacob & T. Byrd, $120,000

N. 20^th St., 14: Kirsch & Burns LLC to LMK Properties LLC, $32,000

N. Cameron St., 1914: D. Marino to J. Pagliaro, $72,000

Norwood St., 916: M. Flickinger to Crist Holdings LLC, $38,000

Penn St., 1509: D. & D. Dreher to D. Walker, $127,000

Penn St., 1703: B. Houtz to L. Colestock, $155,000

Penn St., 1921: S. Vanscoyc to H. Elliot, $123,000

S. 3^rd St., 27: E. & R. Shore to Dewberry LLC, $190,000

S. 17^th St., 38: S. Ledesma & M. Figueroa to J. Renteria & C. Figueroa, $30,000

S. 25^th St., 713: S. Mosley to Kirsch & Burns LLC, $30,000

S. Front St., 595; 106 Tuscarora St. & 601 Showers St.: J. Barton to Dunkin & Associates LP, $250,000

State St., 231, Unit 202: LUX 1 LP to M. Abuel Jr., $134,900

Tuscarora St., 104: R. Rammouni & Touch of Color to J. Jones, $182,500

Verbeke St., 112: PA Deals LLC to M. & G. Modi, $125,000

Walnut St., 126: Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Assoc. to 126 Walnut Street LLC, $75,000

Walnut St., 128: Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Assoc. to 126 Walnut Street LLC, $75,000

Walnut St., 1854, 1856, 1858 & 1860: T. Vu & T. Tran to T. Van et al, $145,000

October News Digest

October 29, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Treasurer Turmoil Continues

Harrisburg’s newly appointed treasurer stepped aside last month after the city learned that he had filed for personal bankruptcy.

City Council selected accountant Timothy East in late September to fill the post left vacant following the resignation of former city Treasurer John Campbell. East was one of six applicants deemed qualified for the office and one of four ultimately nominated by members of council.

East did not reveal the 2011 bankruptcy during his interview before council. The issue arose later when he needed to be bonded for the job. He was never sworn in.

The city now must re-start the process of selecting a city treasurer.

Campbell resigned in early September following his arrest on charges of theft from two nonprofit organizations unaffiliated with the city. The new treasurer will fill out the remainder of Campbell’s term, which runs through next year.

Note: An October news digest article about the city treasury incorrectly attributed a comment to the controller’s office, saying the office had reviewed the treasurer’s books and “found no anomalies.” To date, the controller’s review of treasury, involving questionnaires about treasury’s internal controls, has not yet been completed.

Arborist Position Created

Harrisburg soon will have someone looking after its trees, as City Council approved the new position of arborist.

The post, which will pay no more than $50,000 a year, including benefits, will be funded by the city’s Host Municipality Benefit Fee Fund, money that Harrisburg receives for being the host site of a regional waste facility, namely the incinerator now owned and operated by the Lancaster Solid Waste Management Authority.

The arborist will help ensure the health of the city’s extensive tree canopy. Among the arborist’s first jobs: the removal of about 200 dead trees identified in the city’s recently completed tree inventory.

In addition to hiring an arborist, City Council approved other administration priorities for the Host Fee Fund: $55,000 for a portable road salt shelter; $32,000 for liners for several leaking trash trucks; and $25,000 for charges relating to the city’s comprehensive plan.

Before the allocation, the city’s Host Fee account totaled about $400,000, according to Bill Cluck, chairman of city’s Environmental Advisory Council. The city should receive another $100,000-plus into the fund soon, said Cluck.

The city receives $1 for every ton of trash processed at the facility. The money then is set aside for environmental projects.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse admitted that the spending from the Host Fee Fund had been ad hoc this year. However, he said he would propose a 2015 budget that will set priorities for use of the monies going forward.

School Resource Officers Urged

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month urged the city school district to reinstate the school resource officer program, saying it would help make the student environment safer.

The administration has drafted a proposal for rebooting the program, which was suspended several years ago by the school district for budgetary reasons. The administration’s proposal would cost about $500,000 a year, the cost borne by the district.

He made the proposal following the sexual assault last month of a student just a block away from Harrisburg High School. He reiterated it after four teenagers, including three high school students, were arrested for allegedly trying to hold up two state assemblymen on a Midtown street, an altercation that resulted in gunfire between the suspects and the lawmakers.

Collection Agency Hired

Harrisburg last month agreed to hire a collection agency to recover some of the back business taxes and fees owed to the city.

City Council voted unanimously to engage Pittsburgh-based eCollect Plus to collect delinquent taxes such as the business privilege tax, business license fee, mercantile tax, zoning review fee, health license fee, amusement tax and parking tax.

The company’s fee will range from 20 to 25 percent of the amount recovered. However, it must recover at least $376,000, which is 10 percent of the city’s average business and mercantile tax collections over the past three years, to receive any compensation.

eCollect specializes in tax collections for Pennsylvania municipalities. Its client list includes Chester, McKeesport and Hanover Township.

HMAC Gets Funding

After years of trying to secure financing, the owners of the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center have received the funding that they believe will allow them to complete the renovation of the expansive arts space.

Michael Giblin, an HMAC principal, confirmed that he and his partners—John Traynor, Gary Bartlett and Chuck London—closed on financing that will allow them to add a restaurant, a 700-person entertainment space and a rooftop bar to the building at N. 3^rd and Herr streets. The restaurant will be designed and managed by Rehoboth Beach, Del.-based Highwater Management.

HMAC opened in 2009 with a single entertainment space and bar called Stage on Herr. However, the project remained uncompleted after hitting funding snags as banks scaled back lending in the wake of the financial crisis. The facility has been on the sheriff’s sale list numerous times over the past five years, though was never publicly auctioned.

The century-old building was originally Harrisburg’s Jewish Community Center. It later housed the city’s Police Athletic League. It had sat empty for many years before Traynor, Bartlett and London bought it from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority in late 2007.

SAM Opening Set

The Susquehanna Art Museum has set Jan. 16 for the opening of its new building in Midtown Harrisburg.

SAM will debut the 20,000-square-foot facility with an exhibit titled, “Open: Icons of Pop Art from Niagara University.” The show will feature art on loan from the university’s Castellani Art Museum, including works from such seminal mid-20^th century figures as Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Marisol and Roy Lichtenstein.

The new museum includes the original, fully renovated Keystone/Fulton bank building at N. 3^rd and Calder streets, plus an addition built in the former bank parking lot. It also will feature the Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art, a sculpture garden and a new mural by Messiah College professor Daniel Finch.

For the past several years, SAM has been without a permanent home, mounting exhibits in a gallery in the State Museum. It long exhibited in the Kunkel building downtown before that building was redeveloped.

Enterline Appointed Chief

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month named department veteran Brian Enterline as the new chief of the city’s Fire Bureau.

Enterline had been acting chief since his appointment a year ago by former Mayor Linda Thompson. He has served for 14 years with the department.

Heavy Equipment Bought

Harrisburg last month purchased two pieces of heavy equipment: one for road maintenance and the other for firefighting.

City Council approved the lease/purchase of a new Case 580 SN Loader Backhoe from Mechanicsburg-based Groff Tractor and Equipment. After a trade-in of an existing backhoe, the net sales price will be $47,425, amortized over 60 months.

Council also OK’d an intergovernmental agreement to buy a 1984 Sutphen Pumper Fire Engine from Swatara Township. The used pumper will cost $3,500.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2252: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. to E. Waters, $58,000

Adrian St., 2445: C. & T. Phillips to G. Goneste & G. Niguse, $70,000

Adrian St., 2459: M. Sopp to B. Rotta, $70,000

Barkley Lane, 2524: J. Paul to Codi Tucker, $53,200

Bellevue Rd., 2042: L. & S. Freeman to D. Miller & M. Heagy, $91,000

Brookwood St., 2610: Scottsdale Commercial Partners LP & Brickbox Enterprises Ltd. to University Park Plaza Corp., $230,000

Capital St., 1200: J. & D. Fuhrman to 8219 Ventures LLC, $70,000

Elder St., 821 & 808 S. 26^th St.: GR Sponaugle & Sons Inc. to AIS Property Management LLC, $939,500

Green St., 1900: WCI Partners LP to J. Bovender & J. Van Horn, $192,500

Green St., 1938: WCI Partners LP to I. Brea to O. Sanchez, $201,000

Green St., 2133: D. Ware to M. Brown, $40,000

Hale Ave., 420: V. Ly to Luckylan Properties LLC, $30,000

Harris St., 205: Arthur A. Kusic Real Estate Investments to J. Heinly, $100,000

Herr St., 256: C. Wilson to N. Hench & R. Wetzel Jr., $125,000

Hillside Rd., 109: L. & K. York to W. Morgan Jr. & A. Winans, $254,900

Hoffman St., 3133: S. Harvey to M. Sobkowski, $62,000

Hoffman St., 3235: Harrisburg Television Inc. c/o Allbritten Communications to WHTM Acquisitions LLC & Revac Inc., $598,400

Holly St., 1823: J. Johnson to S. & D. Fenton & Exit Realty Capital Area, $56,000

Hudson St., 1152: PA Deals LLC to Amboy MAA Properties LLC, $104,000

Kensington St., 2241: F. Marsico to L. Murphy, $40,500

Kensington St., 2400: M. Eck to R. Murphy, $49,000

Lewis St., 101: R. Alexander to T. Arora, $75,000

Market St., 2048: S. St. Clair Jr. to R. Monzon & L. Trinh, $35,000

North St., 216: E. & R. Maff to R. Lamberson, $75,000

N. 2^nd St., 1307: B. Winpenny to V. McCallum, $68,900

N. 2^nd St., 2101: JAD Development to SMKP Properties LLC, $229,000

N. 3^rd St., 1126: Cornerstone Realty Management LLC to BCG Holdings LLC & Lehman Property Management, $310,000

N. 3^rd St., 1200: Cornerstone Realty Management LLC to Keuka LLC & Lehman Property Management, $575,350

N. 3^rd St., 1626: C. Hoffman to C. Grilli, $119,000

N. 4^th St., 1630: PA Deals LLC to M. & J. Leahy, $48,000

N. 4^th St., 2032: M. Stransbaugh to A. & A. Gault, $81,000

N. 12^th St., 54: D. Schubert to J. Achenbach, $44,000

N. 19^th St., 43: Kirsch & Burns LLC to LMK Properties LLC, $52,669

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 202: C. Shoemaker to R. & A. Chappelka, $185,000

Reel St., 2719: J. Eby to E. Tilahun, $51,000

Reily St., 255: C. Ruegsegger & S. Kauffman to E. Harman, $139,000

S. 19^th St., 901: L. Zaydon Jr. to CSP Group LLP, $285,000

S. 19^th St., 1101: PA Deals LLC to Amboy MAA Properties LLC, $98,000

S. 27^th St., 701: Fannie Mae to A. Brinkley, $87,900

S. Cameron St., 535: J. Strohecker to Capitol City Holdings LLC, $175,000

Susquehanna St., 1622: D. Remm & E. Goshorn to R. & G. Harris, $116,000

Wilson Parkway, 2600: A. Sias Jr. & S. Gibbs to M. Cabrera, $50,000

Harrisburg property sales for September 2014, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

TheBurg Podcast, Oct. 24, 2014

October 24, 2014 | by Admin

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

Oct. 24, 2014: This week, Larry and Paul discuss turmoil in the treasurer’s office, the school board’s public meeting on tax abatement, and the recovery plan for Harrisburg’s schools.

Applicants for City Treasurer

September 23, 2014 | by Paul Barker

On Tuesday morning, the city clerk released the applications and resumes of six applicants for city treasurer. Individual applications are linked to the names below, listed in the order in which they were received from the city and excluding contact information the city redacted. City Council will interview applicants at a public meeting in city hall on Monday, Sept. 29, at 5:30 p.m.

1. Daniel C. Miller

2. Timothy R. East

3. Peter V. Marks, Sr.

4. Karen M. Balaban

5. Joseph M. Gilpatrick

6. Tyrell Spradley

Tag Archives: Timothy East

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