York City Council approves multiple resolutions, passes codification bill and introduces budget and ordinance measures

The York City Council approved several resolutions and completed final passage of a codification bill at its May 6 legislative session. Council also introduced three bills that will sit for future consideration.

Key outcomes

- Resolution No. 30 (certificate of appropriateness for work at 127 North Broad Street) — approved by roll call (all voting members recorded as "Yes"); moves forward. (Introduced by Theresa Johneskew.)

- Final passage, Bill No. 10 — approved by roll call (all "Yes"). The bill authorizes inclusion of the 2024 ordinances into the codified ordinance book.

- Introduction, Bill No. 11 (amendments to FY2025 budget) — introduced. The bill, introduced by Queen Washington, would amend the FY2025 budget to add: $420,000 for the police department (vehicles, reporting software, surveillance, a small drone, overtime for the violence intervention team), $334,509 for fire duty officer vehicles, and $115,491 for the health bureau medical director. No vote was taken on final passage; the bill will "sit."

- Introduction, Bill No. 12 (Public Works/bridge maintenance) — introduced. Introduced by Felicia Dennis; appropriates $60,793 from fund 10 for bridge maintenance.

- Introduction, Bill No. 13 (rental supervision ordinance amendment) — introduced. Introduced by Betsy Buckingham; would amend Article 17-61 of the codified ordinances to establish requirements for local supervision of residential rental units and provide definitions.

- Resolution No. 31 (authorize agreement with Madden Fabrication for two Portland-style public toilets) — approved by roll call (all "Yes"). The city allocated ARPA funds and received a quote of $349,450 from Madden Fabrication for purchase and installation; the budget includes $500,000 in ARPA for the project. Sarah O'Brien of Downtown Inc. described the units and their proposed locations (Penn Park and the Lafayette parking lot at Pershing and Philadelphia). Public comment included both support and concern over the price and placement.

- Resolution No. 32 (award contract for dumpster/solid-waste services) — approved by roll call (all "Yes"). The resolution text lists Casella Waste Systems, ESD Management Services and 10 Waste with a contract amount of $184,199.40; the clerk later clarified the award language in discussion.

- Resolution No. 33 (authorize agreement with Reprogram for therapeutic performing-arts after-school programming) — approved by roll call (all "Yes"). The resolution authorizes a $196,300 agreement with Reprogram to supply therapeutic performing-arts programming in York City School District after-school programs for the 2025–26 school year. Diaz Woodard, CEO of Reprogram York, described plans to serve several schools and an expected 400–500 children in the coming year.

- Resolution No. 34 (authorize workers' compensation insurance agreement with PMA/Old Republic General Insurance Group) — approved by roll call (all "Yes").

Voting summary

For recorded roll-call votes shown in the transcript, all items presented for a vote in the legislative session were approved unanimously by the attending council members as read by the clerk. The transcript records each clerk call with affirmative "Yes" votes from the roll-call sequence called that evening.

Next steps

Introduced bills (11–13) will remain on the agenda for future consideration. Council or administration staff may return with budget details, ordinances in final form, or additional backup during future meetings.