Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance And Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
York City Council approves series of budget, grant and contract measures; union pact cleared
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting, York City Council approved an ordinance amending the 2025 parks budget, adopted the county hazard mitigation plan, authorized several grant and construction agreements, approved insurance contracts and ratified a three-year union agreement.
York City Council on Jan. 21 approved multiple items including an ordinance to amend the 2025 parks and recreation budget, adoption of the York County Hazard Mitigation Plan, authorization to apply for a PennDOT Green Light-Go grant, a preconstruction agreement for the Sylvia Newcomb Center and a three-year collective bargaining agreement for municipal employees.
The council voted unanimously on several measures intended to fund maintenance and upgrades across the city and to position projects for construction. Key votes included final passage of Bill 1, which adds $10,097.72 to the parks and recreation budget for maintenance of war monuments and sculptures; adoption of the county hazard mitigation plan; approval to apply for a $100,700 PennDOT Green Light-Go grant with a required 20% local match; a $35,000 ARPA-funded preconstruction addendum for Wagman Construction related to the Sylvia Newcomb Center; approval of routine insurance contracts; and ratification of a labor agreement covering Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027 with the New York Public Employees Association, AFSCME District Council 989.
The ordinance to amend the parks budget was introduced at the Jan. 7 meeting and drew little debate on Jan. 21. Council members thanked local funders, naming York County Community Foundation and the Wolf Center as contributors. Council also approved a correction to a certificates-of-appropriateness resolution to add a previously omitted property at 200 West Market Street.
Council members discussed the PennDOT grant application during the meeting and heard that the city had already budgeted about $4,000 to address traffic-signal cabinet needs; the grant would allow broader upgrades at U.S. Route 30 intersections and reduce local costs. The hazard mitigation plan item prompted a brief clarification about the plan’s labeling: staff noted the plan was prepared/approved in late 2024 and is effective for five years.
The Wagman Construction preconstruction services item drew praise from councilors and a lengthy presentation from police department leadership and project partners about intended community programming at the Sylvia Newcomb Center. Council approved a $35,000 ARPA addendum for seven months of preconstruction services.
Council also approved insurance renewals; staff said core coverage remained unchanged while the city was exploring supplemental terrorism coverage. The administration reported that insurance and risk-management claims are handled centrally by human resources and a broker, Willis Towers Watson.
On labor relations, council voted to authorize the mayor and controller to execute the bargaining agreement with the New York Public Employees Association (AFSCME District Council 989) covering 2025–2027.
Votes at a glance: Bill 1 (parks budget ordinance): approved; Resolution 4 (certificates of appropriateness for 215 S. George St., 113 S. Pine St., and added 200 W. Market St.): approved; Resolution 5 (York County Hazard Mitigation Plan): approved; Resolution 6 (PennDOT Green Light-Go grant application, $100,700 with $20,140 local match): approved; Resolution 7 (Wagman Construction preconstruction services and $35,000 ARPA addendum, Sylvia Newcomb Center): approved; Resolution 8 (insurance contracts): approved; Resolution 9 (collective bargaining agreement, Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027): approved.
Council members called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. and adjourned at about 6:50 p.m.
