Votes at a glance: Harrisburg council approves multiple infrastructure, budget and service items
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Summary
Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including budget reallocations, grant applications, waterway safety measures, professional services contracts for street and traffic improvements, and an actuarial review of city health benefits; one budget reallocation passed 5–1.
Harrisburg City Council took votes on several ordinances and resolutions during the legislative session. Below are the items, the outcome recorded in the session, and the key details provided in committee reports or on the floor.
- Bill 6 of 2025 — Ordinance amending Chapter 8-103 (electrical code): Passed (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Amended on the floor to set inspection and reinspection fees; full details and implementation procedures were discussed in Public Safety Committee and at final passage (see separate article for Bill 6).
- Bill 7 of 2025 — Ordinance amending Chapter 3-135 (vehicle removal/impounding): Passed (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee materials emphasized updated procurement and guaranteed response-time provisions (see separate article for Bill 7).
- Resolution 28 of 2025 — Approving the proposed 2025 budget reallocation: Passed 5–1 (Miss Daniels voted nay; Rodriguez excused). Schedule A would reallocate $75,000 to fund a training program partnership with TLC Work Based Training Program Inc. (linked to Resolution 37 committee discussion) and $45,000 for custodial supplies omitted from the budget; funds were to be moved from unused insurance premiums. The budget reallocation also included use of state reimbursement funds in Schedule B to fund the placement of buoys across the Dock Street Dam.
- Resolution 29 of 2025 — Authorizing submission of a U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application for up to $5,000,000 to improve safety and accessibility along Division Street: Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee materials noted the grant requires a 20% local match to be funded from liquid fuels tax and general fund.
- Resolution 30 of 2025 — Authorizing the city to negotiate a reimbursement agreement with the Commonwealth to facilitate purchase and installation of waterway enhancements (buoys) for boater safety: Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee discussion noted this is a companion to prior intergovernmental work with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and funding via PennDOT; public safety and tourism impacts were raised during questioning.
- Resolution 36 of 2025 — Approving disposal/sale of certain city-owned personal property (vehicles/equipment): Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee emphasized public bidding opportunities and that a list of items would be publicly posted.
- Resolution 38 of 2025 — Renewed easement agreement with Harrisburg Cooling LLC for chilled-water infrastructure beneath public rights-of-way (commercial system): Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee clarified the easement pertains to commercial properties and does not affect residential services.
- Resolution 39 of 2025 — Authorizing a professional services agreement with Kimley Horn & Associates for multimodal improvements along Walnut Street: Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee materials cite a bike lane from Front to Fourth Street and ADA upgrades on Walnut and Chestnut corridors.
- Resolution 40 of 2025 — Authorizing a professional services agreement with Trans Associates Engineering Consultants for downtown traffic-signal retiming (Vision Zero action plan): Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee emphasized this supports the city’s Vision 0 action plan to improve safety and traffic flow.
- Resolution 41 of 2025 — Authorizing professional services agreement with Conrad Siegel Inc. for actuarial review of the city’s health care program (payment capped at $20,000): Passed unanimously (6–0, Rodriguez excused). Committee discussed confidential data review and potential vendor changes associated with contractor evaluation.
- Resolutions moved to committee (no final vote this evening): Resolution 42 (tree inventory and urban forestry services, to Public Works Committee), Resolution 43 (lease with Harrisburg School District regarding Jackson Lick Pool, to Parks Committee), and Resolution 44 (access control agreement with Commonwealth / Dept. of General Services regarding Geiger Street, to Administration Committee).
Committee chairs and staff answered questions across the package; several items were described as part of the city’s Vision 0 safety plan or as companion steps to previously authorized intergovernmental agreements. The council recorded votes and next steps vary by item (some proceed to contracting and procurement, others move to committee for further review).
