Council approves zoning changes, confirms board appointments and funds Hall Manor survey; Safe Streets grant moved to committee

Harrisburg City Council voted on several ordinances, resolutions and appointments during its legislative session.

Zoning ordinances: The council adopted two zoning-map amendments after prior public hearings. Bill 3 of 2025 (rezone 640 Ulrich Street from industrial to residential medium density) and Bill 4 of 2025 (rezone 320 Riley Street, 1511 North Third Street and 329 Harris Street from industrial to commercial neighborhood) each passed on final reading by recorded votes of 7 to 0.

Board appointments: The council considered two appointments to the board of directors of Capital Region Water (CRW). Resolution 22 (appointing Shay Swerver) passed 5 to 2; Resolution 23 (appointing Pierre O. McCoy) passed 4 to 3. Several council members said they supported the nominees’ qualifications but raised concerns about existing board service and the desire to give other residents opportunities to serve. The council amended both resolutions to assign term end dates: Swerver’s term was set to end in 02/2027 and McCoy’s to end in 02/2028, with those amendments passing on recorded votes.

Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee: Resolutions 25 and 26, confirming the appointments of Leon Hudson Sr. and Amici Walker Sr. to the Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee (CLIAC), passed unanimously, 7 to 0.

Hall Manor aquatic facility survey: Resolution 27 authorizes the city to negotiate a professional-services agreement with Beta Environmental (listed in the committee report as Veta/Beta Environmental Associates) to perform an environmental and geotechnical survey for the Hall Manor aquatic facility project. Kevin Burns, a professional geologist with Veta Environmental Associates, said the survey is expected to take “approximately 4 to 6 months.” Director Dave Baker told council the survey cost is $57,810 and will be paid from ARPA funds; the city previously designated $8,000,000 for pool revitalization, including $2,000,000 for design. Resolution 27 passed 6 to 1.

Safe Streets grant application: The administration requested a resolution (Resolution 29) authorizing submission of a USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application for up to $5,000,000 to improve safety and accessibility along Division Street. Miss Vollmer (administration) said the application would seek up to $5 million and requires a 20% local match; the administration proposed using liquid fuels and general-fund assets for the match. Council suspended the rules to discuss the item and then moved Resolution 29 to the administration committee for further documentation and action; the administration clarified the federal application deadline is July 20.

Other committee referrals: The council read first readings of Bill 5 (zoning map amendment for 2601 North Third Street), Bill 6 (amendments to the city's electrical code to implement certain fees) and Bill 7 (amendments regarding vehicle removal and towing) and referred them to the appropriate committees. Several other resolutions were referred to committee or noted for future action.

Votes at a glance (recorded votes as read into the record): - Bill 3 (640 Ulrich St rezoning): passed 7–0. - Bill 4 (320 Riley St / 1511 N 3rd / 329 Harris rezoning): passed 7–0. - Resolution 22 (appoint Shay Swerver to CRW): passed 5–2; term amended to end 02/2027 (5–2). - Resolution 23 (appoint Pierre O. McCoy to CRW): passed 4–3; term amended to end 02/2028 (4–3). - Resolution 25 (appoint Leon Hudson Sr. to CLIAC): passed 7–0. - Resolution 26 (appoint Amici Walker Sr. to CLIAC): passed 7–0. - Resolution 27 (authorize geotechnical/environmental consultant for Hall Manor aquatic facility, $57,810 from ARPA): passed 6–1. - Resolution 29 (USDOT Safe Streets grant application, up to $5,000,000 with 20% local match): motion to suspend rules succeeded; item moved to administration committee for documentation and further action; application deadline confirmed as July 20.

Council members who spoke during the votes restated procedural details, requested supporting documents (some council members asked to receive cost estimates and design breakdowns in advance) and emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination on grant applications and construction projects.