Harrisburg council approves appointments, grant sponsorships and education contract; 10‑unit conversion passes 4–2

Harrisburg City Council read and voted on multiple resolutions at its Oct. 28 legislative session, approving appointments and project sponsorships and voting 4–2 to approve a 10‑unit conversion that drew affordability objections.

The council approved Resolution 34 of 2025, appointing Yvonne Marie Jackson to the Harrisburg Housing Authority board; the vote was 6–0. Resolution 68 of 2025, authorizing a professional services agreement with Ellen Freeman Schultz and Associates LLC to develop an urban forestry and watershed education curriculum with the Harrisburg School District, passed 6–0. Resolution 69 of 2025, affirming the city’s desire to be included in the federal Highlands boundary for Highlands Conservation Act eligibility, passed 6–0.

Resolution 71 of 2025 authorizes the city to apply for and serve as project sponsor for a PennDOT Transportation Alternatives set‑aside grant awarded to the Capital Area Greenbelt Association in the amount of $746,390 for Paxtang Parkway Trail restoration phase 2; council approved the corrected caption and passed the resolution 6–0. Council members noted the project’s prior phase and multiple funding sources including a $30,000 Tunnels to Towers grant and Dauphin County gaming funds; the city will serve as grant administrator.

Resolution 60 of 2025 approved the preliminary/final land development plan to convert 315 North Second Street into a 10‑unit multifamily dwelling. That measure passed 4–2 after one council member said only two of the ten units would meet affordability thresholds and stated she would vote no. On the roll call, Daniels, Davis and Jones voted yes; Rawls and Hill voted no; Rodriguez voted yes. The vote tally was announced as 4–2.

Several other resolutions were referred to committees: Resolution 72 (intergovernmental solid waste agreement with Paxtang) moved to the public works committee; Resolutions 73–76 (various land‑development plans) moved to the community and economic development committee; Resolution 77 (fire station renovations) moved to public safety; Resolution 78 (fire bureau software) moved to public safety; and Resolution 79 (PennDOT acquisition compensation) moved to administration.

Council members asked for corrected captions and administrative follow‑up where needed; staff noted a corrected caption for Resolution 71 was posted on the eCode website.