Harrisburg City Council - Budget Hearing Meeting 12/8/2025

Everyone,

we are going to look to start our

official third budget hearing, uh, which

would have been scheduled as our fourth,

but the first was rescheduled due to

weather. Um, Mr. Trudel, if you could do

the roll call.

[clears throat]

>> Miss Daniels.

>> Miss Davis,

>> present.

>> Miss Green,

>> present. Mr. Jones

>> here.

>> Miss Rolls

>> present.

>> Mr. Rodriguez

>> present.

>> Miss Hill

>> present.

>> Thank you. We're going to go ahead and

get things started. We're going to start

with the Bureau of Information and

Technology.

Good evening, gentlemen. If you wouldn't

mind introducing yourself, uh going

through your presentation, and then we

will open up for questions.

>> Good evening, city council. Um, I'm

Steve Bortner, IT director, and with me

is our fairly new deputy director, and

I'll let him introduce himself.

>> Hello, city council. Um, this is my

first council meeting, so pleasure to be

here. Um, I'm Aaron Schoffer, as Steve

said, deputy director. I've been here

since since May.

>> Thank you, Aaron.

Okay. So, um our the overall IT budget

for 2026 is uh 17.83%

lower than it was in 2025.

Um and there's uh three accounts that um

have a significant budget change from

2025 and all three of them are

decreases. Um the [clears throat] first

one is the maintenance services contract

account which uh decreased by 724,000

and of that 103,000 is uh a budget

transfer that was done earlier this

year.

uh 535,000

is for um maintenance that was not

renewed or we didn't enter into during

the year and the remaining 85,000 is for

several miscellaneous items within that

account. [clears throat]

Uh the software account decreased by

83,000 and that's for software that we

did not purchase and have no plans to

purchase next year. And then the third

account is office equipment which

decreased by 55,000 and again that's

equipment we did not purchase and do not

plan to purchase in 2026.

[clears throat]

Uh the departmental diversity this is

the same as 2025. Uh we have six males

one of which is Asian and we have one

female on the staff.

Uh vacancies. There's currently no

vacancies within the bureau.

Uh grants and special projects. Uh

currently we have no grants and no

special projects within the bureau.

Uh ARPA projects. Uh we currently have

no ARPA projects within the bureau.

Uh new positions. Um we have no new

positions that we have in the proposed

2026 budget.

uh year-to- date budgets. Um the the

current budget uh proposal for 2026 does

align with the year-to- date spending

for 2025

and um other than the three accounts

which I outlined in a previous slide and

great um and are there instances where

the current year-to- date spending

significantly exceeds the proposed

budget in 2026 and there are no

instances of that.

>> Excuse me. Mr. Warner, can you please

move the microphone closer to you?

>> I'm sorry.

>> Thank you.

>> Um, are there any roles exceeding the

standard salary increase rate for 2026,

and there are none within our budget?

Uh, departmental highlights. Uh, there

were many smaller items that we did

during the year, but I'm going to uh

outline a few of the significant ones

that we did. The [clears throat] first

one is that we replace the

uninterruptible power supply the UPS um

device in the data center along with the

um electrical cabinet. Uh the next one

is we began implementation of

multifactor authentication for some of

our city employees which will help to

reduce the chances of cyber security

attacks.

Uh the next one, we continued enhancing

the maps and apps within our ArcGIS

uh enterprise portal which is available

online.

Uh we continued working on

recommendations by the Pennsylvania

National Guard to strengthen our overall

cyber security uh practices.

Uh and we assisted with the migration

implementation and post implementation

support of the city's new website which

was launched um earlier this year.

Um we initiated uh 12 cyber security

training campaigns for all um management

employees within the city

and recently we completed the

installation and implementation of the

uh city's new network firewall.

uh performance metrics. Uh there's

really no specific metrics that we use

within the bureau, but we try to make

sure that all of our employees have

connectivity to the network and the

internet and that all of our systems are

functioning correctly.

Um how will the proposed 2026 budget

support our ability to achieve our

goals? Um, and it does support our

ability uh by funding the initiatives

that we're currently working on that

have not been completed and by improving

uh the overall infrastructure uh within

all of our operations including uh

processing capabilities,

operational efficiencies, storage

capacities and stronger cyber security

defense tools against digital threats.

Um the bureau's diversity compliment.

This is the same slide that we saw

previously.

Um any current employees that are

bilingual. Uh yes, we do have one

employee who knows Gurati and Hindi.

Think I said them correctly.

Um provide an overview of the city's

technology needs that are addressed in

the budget. Um there's many items, but

I'm going to highlight a few of the more

significant ones. Uh we plan to purchase

new network servers uh for increased and

enhanced computing cap capabilities in

both our primary and secondary data

centers. Uh we plan to replace the

network uh backup and data management

solution and that will help to uh

increase our defense against uh

ransomware attacks.

Um, next one, we plan to purchase any

new computers, printers, and other

peripheral devices that employees need

to do their job every day. And that

includes new employees as well as

existing employees who have aging

equipment.

Uh, we also plan to fund the completion

of the remaining phases of the Munis

migration project and finally uh

continued maintenance and support of our

existing systems and tools.

uh timeline for migration of the

mainframe and this is actually a

migration away from the mainframe as

most of you know um and that will

coincide with the migration of the

existing systems to munis as well as a

new human resource system

um but however there will be a need to

refer to these systems for a short time

after the migration just to make sure

the data that was converted is accurate

and complete.

So right now the tenative timeline is

mid 2027

[clears throat and cough]

and provide an update on the operation

municipal migration steering committee.

So the steering committee is scheduled

to meet um every two weeks unless

there's a conflict. We did have a

meeting earlier this morning

and the project itself is divided into

six phases uh which will migrate all of

our core systems to MUN as well as the

new um HR system that I mentioned. Um

and the phases are the first one is

financials and that was actually

implemented in January of 2023.

Uh phase two is the human capital

management phase and that was initially

intended to be migrated to Munis but a

decision was made to purchase a new

system. So the plan is to have that

implemented by the end of next year.

Uh phase three is our real estate tax

billing and that is in the process of

being implemented now and should be

completed by the end of next year.

Uh phase four is licensing permits and

codes enforcement and that is also in

the process of being implemented and

should be done by the end of next year.

Uh phase five is utility billing that's

in the process of being implemented as

well and again should be done by the end

of next year. And then the sixth and

final phase was uh asset maintenance and

that was implemented in February of

2024.

So that's her presentation and I'll turn

it back to you.

>> Thank you very much for your

presentation. Uh I am going to start

with President Hill as she is over top

of the administration committee.

>> Thank you Vice President Green. Thank

you both for being here this evening. I

don't have any questions. Many of my

questions were asked and answered around

the diversity compliment, the employee

who is bilingual, uh the overview of the

city's technology needs that are

addressed in the budget, um a tenative

timeline of the migration, and then an

update on the operation municipal

migration steering committee. So, thank

you very much.

>> Thank you. I will continue moving to the

left with Councilwoman Ross. Any

questions or comments?

We will come back to Councilwoman Ross.

I will go to Councilman Rodriguez.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you both

for joining us this evening and giving

us your presentation. Very informative.

Um I have no questions. Just a statement

for you gentlemen. Um, I definitely seen

um the progress this year as far as it,

the equipment, even the laptops have

been more on point, more reliable for

us. So, thank you for all your guys hard

work. Um, actually, uh, Mr. Steve, uh,

due to the flood, I know we had to get a

lot of hard drives kind of re-evaluated

and put up. Were we able to get all of

the data from some of those um, kind of

wrecked hard drives?

>> Yeah, we actually didn't lose any data

from that. So, every everything and all

that equipment has been replaced.

>> Awesome. Thank you. Nothing further,

manager.

>> Thank you very much, Councilman Jones.

Any questions?

>> Uh, not really. Vice President Green,

just want to say uh thank you for your

presentation. And it's always, and I

want to say this again, always a plus

when you can save the city some money.

So, thank you guys. And uh [laughter]

if you can actually give us uh I asked

um a department last week for the same

thing. um the amount of money saved, the

exact total amount versus what was there

would be great.

>> Okay, I can get that for you.

>> Thank you. No further questions.

>> Thank you very much, Councilwoman Davis.

Any questions?

>> Thank you, Vice President Green. Good

evening, Mr. Border, Mr. Shawhouser.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for

your presentation this evening. It was

pretty clear-cut to me. Um so, I don't

have any questions. Thank you.

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Daniels. Any

questions?

No questions. Thank you.

>> Thank you very much. Councilwoman Ross,

did you have any questions?

>> Seeing no further questions. Uh I don't

have any questions for you at the

moment. I appreciate all the work you do

uh to keep the city up and running. It's

a very important department that often

goes unnoticed unless like the Wi-Fi

goes down, right? So

>> that's why we're in the basement so

we're not noticed.

>> Thank you very much.

>> Thank you.

>> Moving right along. Our next will be the

department of building and housing.

I would just ask before we begin if you

could please move the microphone close

to you. I've gotten several text

messages from viewers who are unable to

hear the majority of the last

presentation. So everyone for everyone

presenting this evening, please move it

very close to you so that everybody can

hear. Thank you.

>> You're welcome.

>> And I guess I will be aiss to not call

the full name of the department which is

the department of community and economic

development in building and housing. So

if you wouldn't mind introducing

yourself, going over your presentation,

and then we will open up for questions

at the end.

I'm Gloria Martin Roberts and I'm

interim director for the department of

economic development and building and

housing. And to my right is

>> I am Mr. Jason Graves, a program manager

for economic development.

We have uh prepared answers uh to

questions received from uh council. And

uh one of those questions has been our

accomplishments. Our home improvement uh

program continues to provide results,

including 38 home repairs completed, 11

in progress, and eight waiting for

approval. Now that waiting for approval

means that their applications have been

approved. Uh we are now waiting for

walkth through by staff and contractors

to uh determine what has to be done in

those homes. 500,000 in bridge housing

has been dispersed for the use in our

community and that's for our unhoused

population. And that's when council

approved these dollars to go to um CCU

and downtown Daily Bread

economic development projects. Um the

question was asked uh if we have someone

on staff that handles economic

development. This is Jason Graves. He

introduced himself and I'm going to ask

Jason to go through some of these

projects uh that we have been intimately

involved in, still involved in some of

them uh to report out on you, Jason.

>> Yes. Um so five I picked five projects.

I could have probably had about like 30

pages of things, but picked five

projects that were um something that was

actually implemented for the past couple

years I've been working on. So first is

the blueprint communities initiative uh

which is based for Allison Hill. Um it's

communitydriven real revitalization plan

um focus on revitalization for Allison

Hill for small business uh affordable

housing and other resources and

services. Uh we had just finished up the

five-year strategic plan which was

submitted uh to DCED um and we're

waiting for the next phases for that.

Um, next is another project that has

been in the works probably for the past

three years. Um, which is the pin center

um, Pinmark project which was the old

pilot clinic hospital. Uh, it's $45

million project and I want to thank

everybody here for actually voting yes

to actually get that project done um,

for revitalization for the uptown area.

Um, next is the Mnt Business Lab. This

will be the fourth. It doesn't seem like

time is flying. Um, but this is the

fourth business lab that we have with uh

small business and entrepreneurs that we

host with Mnt and also with um with help

with Harrisburg University every year.

Um, next is the choice neighborhoods

plan with the help of revitalization of

the South Allison Hill section

southside. um the first steps for the

implementation plan for the first final

steps as far as the redevelopment and

help with the facade pieces for the Boys

and Girls Club on handover street. Um a

developer actually has been picked for

the second phase uh which will be for

Hoover Homes. Um and that will be moving

forward within the next year in 2026.

And last but not least, Heart of the

Hill. Um this is a another project that

has been working on with Allison Hill as

well. Drop the phone. Um this is a

community- based program that is dealing

with uh economic development uh

community engagement. This is a

partnership with Tri County Community

Action.

The uh department's mission is to assist

the development of viable community

while providing opportunities for its

citizens to have access to fair, safe,

livable, and affordable housing

opportunities.

Provides in-house programs and services

supporting nonprofit

That's okay. [laughter]

Nonprofit housing and development

organizations through partnering on

revitalization and redevelopment

projects.

Uh significant budget changes. There is

an 8.8% 8% reduction in the business

development budget for several

cost-saving efforts including reductions

in software services, miscellaneous

supplies, filing fees and office

equipment.

Uh diversity statistics um I have asked

uh human resources to provide um that

information

um because I'm not sure exactly what

that would entail. and um to avert any

lawsuits by misrepresenting people and

their diversity.

HR would have that information.

Bilingual employees, I have one employee

that's bilingual. She spoke uh speaks

both English and Spanish.

Vacancies. Uh there's one vacancy for a

program manager in our opera home

program. A candidate has been

interviewed and been selected. and she's

now going through uh the background

check. So, we're waiting for that

information to come in. Uh the

department continues to run uh normal

programming for the ARPA home repair

program which has been very very

successful. We um are waiting we have a

waiting list. Um, this past year we have

helped so many people um with their

homes, especially senior citizens that

do not have the income to replace a roof

on their house. Um, just in the last

couple months, we've had about four

requests for furnaces where people had

no heat. They're emergency requests that

we rush through so that make people make

sure people are not living in their

homes without heat.

Um we had a family um this past um fall

uh was a senior family who um their wall

on the outside uh was going to be

replaced. And when our contractors uh

took off the siding, the bricks started

to crumble. And then we found out that

there was no support at all in the house

and that the the wall literally would

have imploded if we had not started work

there. And so we were able to um put

support in the house um to fix the brick

and to put new siding on that house. But

that was an accident waiting to happen.

That's the kind of request we get uh and

the kind of issues that we resolve.

So, home repairs are still progressing

with 38 homes completing rehabilitation,

11 in progress, and eight more approved.

Uh, the full 1 million of brid bridge

housing. Um, and that really shouldn't

be in here because I've already spoken

to you about that, but you know, those

dollars because of council's approval

went to CCU and Downtown Daily Bread to

assist our unhoused population. The

senior programming will continue to be

analyzed and developed in 2026. So that

$250,000

that was in last year's budget um uh

will um we'll look at that and hopefully

the mayor has met with some council

members around that issue and we can get

it resolved and get that money out.

Uh there are no new positions in the

department.

So your to-do spending is uh in line

with the 2026 proposals with no lines

exceeding 86%

no positions exceed the standard rate

increases.

The department monitors performance

based on program goals, federal, state,

and city program guidelines and funding

limits and personnel goals set by the

interim director. The 2026 budget is in

line with the needs of the department to

accomplish the mission of economic

development and ARPA home rehab.

The organizational structure for the

community and economic development and

its related functions has not changed

under the current administration. It

remains within the department of

economic development and building and

housing. The name of the department has

been modified to better represent the

functions encompassed in said area of

responsibility. The interim director for

economic development and building and

housing has overall responsibility for

the functions. As with all functional

responsibilities under this department,

a program manager is assigned the daily

responsibilities for economic

development and receives work

assignments and direction from the

interim director under this function.

Thus, the staff person is assigned to

this task and that is Jason Graves who

is sitting to my right.

The city has and for several years has a

program director and I'm going to

abbreviate that because I'm talking

about Jason who's sitting here. Jason's

been uh with the city for several years

and has been uh working on economic

development for the years that he's been

here.

uh the the department of economic

development, building and housing uh is

one department. Economic development

will remain a part of the scope of this

department.

Um,

we are waiting right now to hear back

from the Pennsylvania legislature on

whether or not the bill was passed to

provide us with money to hire a

consultant that will assist in helping

us develop a comprehensive

plan for economic development. Um, as a

matter of fact, I have a couple meetings

coming up this week and hopefully

they'll give us some good news. um

repres uh Senator Patty Kim and a couple

of our representatives actually put

forth that legislation

um with encouragement um from uh Ryan

Anger Credic and some other um investors

in our community. So, we're hopeful that

we'll get those dollars so that we'll be

able to put forth uh the committee uh

that the the mayor has to work on

developing a comprehensive plan.

And by the way, uh the names of the task

force members have come from various

developers, uh lay persons in the

community and so forth. So, we will be

putting that committee together very

shortly.

interim to permanent director. Uh

speaking of my position and that's the

mayor's decision, I would suggested that

question be directed to her office. Area

of business development and a diversity

compliment human resources I as I said

earlier I think should report that out.

Um area of business development do we

have any bilingual persons in that area?

We do not.

IDIS. The question was asked about IDIS

number 3023 activity. The IDIS number

3023 is for Tri County for $250,000

which has been spent down in program

year 2021. The initial funding date is

11 to 2021. The dollar amounts in your

question does not match with the IDIS

number 3023.

The amounts for your question are

related to IDIS activities number 2759

and number 2806

which does involve Tri County. This

decision was ma was made to avert taking

funds out of the general fund. These

activities predate the current interim

director as they took place in program

years 2016 and 2017.

In November 2025, HUD notified the

department that corre corrective action

had to be made. Repayment for the two

activities for operating overage had to

be repaid. HUD notified us just before

the federal budget shutdown in mid July

of 2025. We were not able to respond

until federal employees were called back

to work in November of 2025. We

responded to HUD by notifying them that

in accordance with the required

corrective action, the city requested a

voluntary grant reduction from fiscal

year 2024 under our home grant

allocation to resolve the ineligible use

of home funds identified in these

activities. We are waiting to hear back

from HUD on their approval to use the

home funds to per to pay or repay the

correctional action in the amount of

$113,4960.

>> Thank you very much, Miss Mark Roberts

and Mr. Graves. I'm going to I have a

couple of questions, but I'm going to

open it up to my colleagues first. I'm

going to start to my immediate right

with the building and housing chair,

Councilwoman Davis.

>> Thank you, Vice President Green. Thank

you, uh, interimm director,

um, Martin Robertson, Mr. Graves. Um, I

have been reviewing the quarterly

reports, so I'm pretty um, up to date on

everything that's been going on. I've

also met with you in your department and

uh I was the one who asked about the

EDIS IDIS3023

um based on the quarterly report. So

thank you for answering

>> that question. It's a little bit more

clear. Um,

so and I'm glad you mentioned that the

total amount is 113,4960

>> because there was two amounts and I was

confused. Um,

okay. So, we're waiting on HUD

>> on their approval to use the home funds

to pay the corrective action.

And that's for the

balance.

>> That's for the the 113,000.

That total amount was they um used money

in in both those fiscal years or program

years inappropriately for administration

and that they were not allowable

expenses. And so um HUD caught the

mistake or and and and now we have to

pay it back. And that was in 2016 and

17. That was before your time.

>> Oh yeah.

>> Okay.

>> Um well, thank you for your

presentation. You're

>> welcome.

>> I'm very impressed with the work that

you've done since you've been here.

>> Again, I've met with you. Your team is

highly uh motivated. They work together

very well. And I just want to say thank

you for all that you both are doing um

for our residents with all of the

programs

>> that you operate. Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you very much. I'm going to

continue to the right with our community

economic development chair with

Councilwoman Daniels. Any questions or

comments?

>> Yeah, no questions. Thanks.

>> Thank you very much. I'm going to move

to my immediate left now to President

Hill.

Thank you, Vice President Green. Thank

you both for being here and for your

presentation. I do have a few follow-up

questions. Um, I think some of my

questions were partially answered, so

I'll just read them as they're stated.

Uh, you noted that the department's

diversity compliment and the

um bilingual employee you will defer to

HR.

I would like to note for the meeting

record that as of today, Monday,

December 8th, 2025,

Miss Gloria Martin Roberts has been

present as an interim director of this

department for 551 days, 78 weeks, and 5

days, 18 months and 5 days, 39 full

bi-weekly pay periods, but we're

currently in the middle of the 40th pay

period. Just wanted to note that for the

meeting record in reference to the lead

program. What is the status of the lead

program?

>> Uh this is a a meeting I understand for

the general fund. The lead program is a

federal project and I brought no

information down on my lead program.

However, we do submit to council a

quarterly report

>> and I've read it

>> that's up to date and so the lead

program is current in its data in a

quarterly report. If you have other

questions concerning lead, I'll be more

than happy to respond to them in

writing.

>> Okay. The next one is how many families

have been served through this program

and have we met our benchmarks?

>> Are you talking about the lead program

again?

>> Yes, you asked about the lead program.

>> I will respond to you in writing. That's

a federal program.

>> I I know I generally ask these

questions. I guess this would be your

second time going around with this. I

did submit them in advance of the

meeting. The next questions are in

relation to the home program. What is

the status of the home program? How many

families have been served? Have we met

our benchmarks? Were any local

businesses contracted through this

program? Were any minorityowned or

womenowned businesses contracted through

this program?

>> We have um completed 31 homes uh to date

um and 11 more houses are in progress

and we have eight approved

um that will re be receiving services

from us. Um

we you we have a list of minority

contractors and quite an impressive

list. That information has also been

included in our quarterly report. Um and

so yes, we have uh several contractors

that are local and they are

minorityowned businesses and not just

women but minorityowned people of color.

>> Okay.

>> Businesses.

>> Thank you. the quarter three report. I

don't it didn't translate very well in

the PDF. It's a little mangled. So, some

of it is difficult to read just for your

reference.

>> Well, I'll provide that information to

you tomorrow so you'll have a clean

copy.

>> Okay. Thank you.

>> Uh let's see. For the ARPA home repairs

program, how many applications have been

received?

>> Uh over 265

applications have been received.

>> Okay. And how many have been completed?

>> I I I will repeat the data.

>> Okay. Thank you.

>> To you again. 38

>> have been completed, 11 houses in

progress, and eight approved for work.

>> Oh, I think no, I did write that down,

but I thought

>> the home the home repairs program, is

that not separate from the ARPA home

repair?

>> We have ARPA home and then we have ARP.

Yes, I was talking about ARP, not the

ARPA home, but you responded.

>> Okay. Um,

you mentioned that the mayor met with

council members. Who did she meet with

and what was discussed?

>> It was my understanding that she had a

conversation with council about the

senior program. I wasn't in that

meeting, so that's something that the

mayor would have to answer. Maybe some

council members up here that talk

discussed it with her can tell.

>> You mentioned it so I thought you could

answer.

>> Um

so

again my question lies the

home repairs program non-ARPA

application. So is that over 265 or is

that the ARPA home repair?

>> That's the ARPA home.

>> Okay. So, how many

>> how many non-ARPA home repair

applications?

>> The ARP applications. I'll get that for

you tomorrow. Once again, that's federal

funds. I didn't come prepared to answer

federal fund questions.

>> Okay. Yes. I'd like to know how many of

those applications have been completed

because I believe $5 million was

allocated.

>> So, I' I'd just like to know.

>> Yeah. Five million was allocated for

ARPA home.

>> I know. Yes. Mhm.

>> But it seems like you are combining the

two in your responses. So that's why I

want to be clear. Non-ARPA versus ARPA.

>> That's all. I don't have any other

questions.

>> Thank you, Councilwoman Ross. Any

questions?

>> Good evening everyone. Uh first I

apologize. Um I direct um or Miss

Can you hear me?

Oh, no. Okay. Um, I can try to call in

on my phone. I'm on my computer. I did

have IT questions for this matter

because these computers do not work well

at all. Um, but I could not get any

sound, which is proof of how these

computers are very

Is that good?

Well, now I can't hear anything you're

saying.

>> Yes, that's good. I don't think anyone

was using a microphone when they said

it.

>> Okay, that Okay. Well, I apologize for

any muffled sounds. I'm on the the

city's computer.

Um, but I apologize for interrupting

you, uh, Miss Martin Roberts, when you

were speaking. I didn't even know I was

off of mute trying to test it.

>> It's okay. U,

>> thank you. But um I did have uh most my

questions were answered. I had the same

ones as uh President Hill uh did and I

know you said you would get that to us

in writing.

>> I will

>> through email because it was a they were

both federal programs with the lead in

the home.

>> Correct. Yes, I'll get that to you.

>> Okay. Thank you. You're very make sure

you're in the mic because my speaker is

very loud.

>> I'm sorry. Can you hear me?

>> I'm doing it. I'm doing everything but

kissing this mic. So, can you hear me?

>> Yes.

>> All right. I'll make sure you get that

email.

>> Thank you very much.

>> Okay. Thank you. Sorry, I have to turn

myself down to speak so that I don't

screech. [laughter]

>> Okay. Um

uh

then the other thing I wanted to say was

I was one of the council members in the

meeting with the mayor and I did I was

going to ask you any follow-up questions

to see if uh she had spoken to you about

the $250,000.

Um I did speak with her was myself,

Councilman Rodriguez and then I think it

was one more member and um we did give

some parameters on how we uh we

suggested some things on how to be fair

with that money

>> um moving forward application processes

also about um whoever did get that money

needed to turn in receipts showing how

they were using the money just holding

people accountable. I have not heard

anything since that meeting. So, did you

do you have any updates on that

$250,000?

Has she filled you in at all since it is

in um your current department?

>> I don't have an update, but I will speak

with the mayor tomorrow and see if I can

get you an update and send that along

with the other information.

>> Okay. Thank you very much. I think that

would be helpful to everyone on council

because they weren't all in that

meeting. They didn't the only thing they

know about it is what what we've told

them. But again, that's um from the

meeting we had with her, but nothing has

come down after those suggestions.

>> Okay.

>> Um so yes, a update would be great. Um

and all my questions other than that

have been asked and answers and I'll

just wait for the emails and I

apologize. Well, I don't apologize for

this faulty computer because I didn't I

can't control this, but I apologize for

any interruptions or screeches that are

happening with my mic.

>> That's okay. I'll make sure you get an

update.

>> Thank you.

>> Okay. Thank you very much. You're

welcome. That's it for me.

>> Thank you very much, Councilwoman Ross.

Sorry about the technology updates.

Hopefully, uh I'm just going to blame

Jared for choosing the computers.

Uh Councilman Rodriguez, any questions

or comments? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

>> Thank you, Vice President Green. Sorry

if I cut someone off again.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh thank you, um

Director Graves and Interim Director

Martin Roberts for joining us with the

presentation. Really appreciate your

time. And yes, to council woman's uh

councilwoman Ros's point, I too was in

the meeting and um we had stated uh what

it was about on the record, but I could

reiterate some of those points. Uh we

did come to an agreement that not one

organization as far as the senior living

should have those funds allocated to

them. It should be an open process where

there are uh es and flows and checks and

balances to it. And yes, we also spoke

about once the organization was awarded,

there should be a receipt followup. This

way we could see an itemized um kind of

list of how they're allocating the funds

because we did speak about how we do

understand there is a limited space when

we talk about senior living and senior

services. But we did want to be as

protective as we could with those funds

because doesn't come around as much as

you know it usually does and we wanted

to make sure not only the right

organization gets the money but it's

being utilized correctly. Um so that was

the agreement but I have not heard any

followup from that meeting as well. So

it just be great to see how that uh gets

taken care of or what organization um

comes out with the winnings from that or

the award. Uh also I wanted to just see

what was credic's role in the comp plan

and once um I guess the collaboration

comes and moves forward what would be

the timeline as far as the duration of

the formalities forming it all the way

through

>> for the committee.

>> Uh yes ma'am.

>> Um well hopefully by next week we'll be

able to um put out an invitation to

participate with the committee. Uh I'm

meeting with Mr. stronger next week. As

a matter of fact, they're very excited.

Now, their focus is mainly downtown, but

for us in this administration, economic

development is the entire city for us.

>> Yes.

>> Um, so I'll be meeting with him uh next

week. He will be participating

uh as a a member of the committee at

some point. He also offered names of

persons that he suggested to be on the

committee also.

>> So, Mr. Unger will just be like a member

on the committee. Mhm.

>> Okay. With his best interest, of course,

downtown. Yes.

>> Um, so we're definitely ensuring that

there's members sitting at that table

who has the whole city at home.

>> Correct. Of state. Cuz that, of course,

I

>> I would like to say I speak for the

whole council, but I'm pretty sure they

all feel the way I do.

>> We would love to see the whole city, you

know, revitalized, rejuvenated. You

know, Harrisburg is beautiful, and for

far too long, we concentrate just in one

area or one or two areas. So, it'd be

great to see the city as a whole at that

table. Um, also,

>> and we agree with you, by the way.

>> Thank you. Thank you. And then just for

my own edification and clarification, I

believe the presentation stated as Jason

Graves as the director for building

housing,

>> he's a program manager for economic

development.

>> Okay. I just want to my apologies. Thank

you for the correction. And then my my

other questions were um around like the

lead and the ARP, but as you stated, you

don't you're not prepared for that. So,

similar to Madam President, just wanted

to find out more for that. Um and that

that's all I had right now. Thank you

both for your time.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> I also did send to council. I don't know

if you remember receiving it, but I sent

a memo because I talked with the

executive director of uh Harrisburg

Housing Authority in terms of uh whether

they could receive funding to do um uh

the pro senior programs and they cannot

>> as far as the housing

>> Harrisburg Housing Authority.

>> Okay. HHA. So you reached out to

>> So So if if they put out an RFP, we

wouldn't be getting anything from that

system is what I'm saying to you. Okay.

And but as of right now, you're not sure

where that stands as far as the senior

>> That's correct. Okay.

>> But I will find out for you.

>> Thank you.

>> You're welcome.

>> Thank you very much, Councilman Jones.

Any questions or comments?

>> Yes, Vice President Greens, good

evening. Uh first, let me start by

saying uh one of my favorite things

again, as I said to the last department,

great to see this 8.8% reduction. Um I

know you guys don't get a lot of funding

over there anyway. So again, any saved

uh coin is great for the city of

Harrisburg. Uh secondly, um I want to

ask a question because I know that we

hear a lot of all of these uh when we

talking about economic development, all

of these developments that's been

happening um is being touted as we did

these things. And um to the contrary, my

question would be um what initiatives

did we create? Who did we reach out to

to bring these developers? From the most

part, the developers have been coming in

and come through council. Council

approves and these things get done. I

know you've been very intricate in

Pinmark um with their project and a

couple other projects. Um so I will give

credit in that regard. Uh so are there

any initiatives that we are reaching out

to businesses and uh developers to come

in to do uh business here in the city of

Harrisburg?

>> That answer is yes. Um the thing

[clears throat] is it's just trying to

find the right project. That's the

that's really the the whole in a

nutshell is find the right project,

finding the right property. So a lot of

times the properties that we're looking

at um [clears throat] they're either

maybe held up with somebody else or it's

just an issue with maybe leans that's

always come into effect and also is it

going to be the right fit for that area.

Um just recently last Wednesday I met

with a few developers uh that were

actually here that I know um from

another area for um the homes within

reach conference. So there are like a

lot of people from Philadelphia from

Maryland come in. Um but they're just

they want to invest in the city of

Harrisburg because uh I mean the reality

of the price of uh property here is a

lot lower than a lot of places. It's

just trying to find the right project.

That's that's that's really it. So you

mentioned like the Pinmark um project

that was a pro that I've been working on

that project probably for man three

years. So the original people that were

actually supposed to do their business

developers they were from Scranton and

actually did court them to actually come

down here.

>> That was the question.

>> So yeah so um that was a whole um

>> basically this miscommunication with the

previous owner and with that developer

from that city and that's why that

project didn't happen and then they

ended filing for bankruptcy. Pin

Morgan's apartment property and then

they get me in contact with a consultant

that they hired to talk to me because

they were not really a development

company. So that's where we're at right

now.

>> Okay. So, uh that's good and I and again

I appreciate that because I think that's

what this department should be doing is

going out and attracting people to our

wonderful city. Um I know it seems dire.

Uh however, I see nothing but

opportunity when we look in the

condition that we're in right now. um

especially with the repurposing or the

refinancing

re uh of these buildings that are empty.

Um, but my question may be to you. Um,

and I know you were around at this time.

You were probably serving. Uh, Miss, um,

Martin Payne Roberts, I'm sorry. Uh, and

Neil, maybe you can answer this

question. Um, I know we're in a

revitalization period of our city. Um, I

see a lot of things um, that's happening

with Credic, Orion. Um, they're talking

about looking at downtown and doing all

of these things and we're talking about

a comprehensive plan. is am if if am I

correct that we've purchased one for

$200,000

um that was presented to us in around

2017

um and why isn't that not being

utilized?

Uh there is a comprehensive plan that

the commonwealth gave us money to do

that took a very long time. It's still

tied up in litigation actually uh at

this point. Um but it was approved by

council ultimately um and

my own experience is is the the phrase

comprehensive plan doesn't mean what it

says.

>> It's a living document should be anyway.

>> Yeah. But I'm saying but but the whole

point of it was there's going to be then

some followup smaller plans that come

about. So I think the comprehensive plan

when Ryan's talking about it is business

yet which is not the same thing as the

comprehensive zoning plan that comes

there that comes out of the municipal

planning act. I think we're talking at

two different things and people are

using the same label.

>> Yeah, those are so the comp plan is

basically with land use, zoning, um this

official use without throughout the city

of Harrisburg the plan is just for

strictly business development

revitalization.

>> Okay. So when I'm what what I'm talking

about is that document but it covers the

city in its entirety for for our parks

for our downtown for all that's the

document I'm referring to.

>> Yeah. For immediate use is that what you

can use for future use? Yes.

>> Right. So, I'm asking um I heard you say

it was tied up in litigation, but that

means we can't look at it. We can't use

it. We got to reinvent the wheel.

>> I I think they're saying they're two

different plans for two different

things.

>> So, if you read the the comp plan, so

for the economic development piece in

the comp plan, there may be what they'll

make me a page because it basically

focus on the entire scope of the city

for a future plan. I can't remember how

many years it actually goes out. Um but

it basically pertains to zoning, land

use, and future bills for the city. not

particularly on like business or

economic development structure. It's a

piece of it, but it's not

>> right. So, all right, I get what you're

saying now. All right. But what I'm

saying, I'm looking at this thing in its

entire in its entirety, but I still

Okay. So, let's narrow it down. Why

aren't we using the piece that is there

for business? Is that because it's in

legal? Is that

>> No, no, no. It's passed. It's adopted.

I'm just saying we're just still tied up

with the person who was doing it in

litigation. the uh but Jeff uh Knight

uses it I think references on a regular

basis through his hearings.

>> Yeah, there are there as far as the

plans go now because some of the plans

are probably about almost like five

years out probably longer than when that

plan was created. So there are there are

pieces in that plan are actually in

focus now over the past four years prior

from when that plan was actually

created. It just I guess it just took

time from some of the pieces that they

get for funding and also um partner

projects. I know a lot of those deal

with pendot. So that's one of the things

too with that with that comp plan. So

some of those pieces are actually

happening within that comp plan. Now

that's basically just bas infrastructure

things.

Um okay. Uh

only other question I have for Mr.

Roberts. Um Martin Roberts I apologize.

Um, you did mention in here about your

overextended stay as intram and you said

that was a question for administration

instead of you.

>> Well, personally, as far as I'm

concerned, as long as the mayor needs

me, I'll be here to help her. And yes,

whether or not she wants me here, only

she can answer that.

>> Okay. Uh, you know, I just I just find

it a a problem with our process and not

particularly with you. Um, as an

individual, I know we've had our

differences. However, um, just how we do

our process. Um, we have things on the

books that we I think that we should be

following and um, and especially as us

being able to write the law. Um,

the administration being able to enforce

the law. Uh

this I was told this is a great landing,

but I'm very serious when I say this. We

should all be abiding by it. And and and

and that's just um the concern that I

have in in regards to this area. Um it's

nothing personal. I just think that if

we're asking our uh residents to follow

things and implement things and do the

right thing, I think we as um elected

appointed um employees should also be an

example to do such. So that's where I am

with that. But

>> may I respond?

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> You know, I think what troubles me about

this is that not very many of you have

asked me what I have accomplished since

I've been in this position. How many

things uh issues that I have had to go

in and clean up as a result of previous

administration's failure to follow HUD

laws and rules.

It's all been my time here. My time here

has been very productive.

The mayor asked me to come here to help

out in this bureau. I do find it

personal. I absolutely do.

I do my job and I do it well. I would

think, especially as people of color

sitting up there, you would I would

think that you would respect that

and be appreciative of somebody coming

in and doing a good job. I see what's

happening in Washington. I think your

energy could be expended on things

that's happening in Washington

and not focus on whether or not I'm

here. I'm doing a job. I have some

council members that have taken the time

to come to me, talk to me, meet with me,

meet with my staff, ask questions.

But some of you who have been the

hardcore

of me sitting in this seat as interim

director have not done that. But yet you

judge. I say judge, not least they be

judged. I'm here to do a job and I do it

and I do it well.

And I would ask that this council

appreciate that fact.

>> It is the mayor's and it satisfa

>> and it is the mayor's prerogative to

have me be here. Thank you.

>> Okay. Um I'm not going to get into a

back and forth session. Um I respect you

as a person and in your position. I mean

you can roll your eyes all you want, you

know. Um but this isn't about the

position. It's the process. That's what

I started out saying. This isn't about

you. And if you want to talk about what

you've done, I'm looking at it. I'm

looking at it right here.

>> Only a piece.

>> Excuse me. I didn't I didn't interrupt

you. I let you speak. I'm looking at

you. You present to us. Um we've we've

summoned you to come in front of

council. You have disregarded that. Yet

someone that has been council president,

someone that has been council president

should have respect enough for us as

council to do our jobs. And when I

question, I'm only asking a question

that you brought up. I didn't ask that

question. You brought it up. I just

asked the question.

>> You know what? This is your meeting.

This is your mic. This is your show.

>> Let me tell you something. I'm going to

put in writing to the public the two

times that this council asked me to come

here. It was four

>> and I had I had a reason for not being

here both times. Any other time that you

have summoned me to come here, I was

here. I am sick and tired of being lied

on and I am going to provide a public

comment on the times that I have

received.

>> I have no further questions. I have no

further questions. And anything else

regarding um personnel? I believe that

Miss Martin Roberts falls under the

purview of the mayor's office who will

be coming to see us tomorrow. So any

questions regarding that position or the

process for it? I just asked that we

hold it off until

>> Well, that's what I asked cuz she said I

was asking for clarity. Is that what she

was saying? That's it.

>> Yes. I'm I'm simply saying that I think

that that's a better question for the

mayor's office. So, uh if we can move

forward with this, we don't have

anything else for community and economic

development or building and housing.

before I ask my questions.

>> Thanks. Yeah, go ahead. I I don't

appreciate being cut off because I

didn't interrupt anyone. I don't

appreciate that. Um and I'm allowed to

say what I need to say from this seat.

I'm not speaking just from Lamont. I'm

speaking for the public as well. That's

who I

citizen. And you know what? I work for

the mayor. I don't work for you. And I'm

tired of coming.

>> I don't work for you and I don't work

for the mayor. I would just appreciate

if we can stop the back and forth so we

can continue on with the meeting. I

don't want to interrupt anyone. I would

like everyone to just respect each other

in their positions and so that we can I

mean for the public this back and forth

is no help. It's just like arguing back

and forth. Nothing's getting solved as

far as our budget. Nothing's moving

forward. You know, it it just um it

doesn't make much sense at this moment.

So, I'll just ask everyone if we could

move on uh with the meeting. I'm going

to go to my questions and then I'll open

it up to see if anyone else has any

other questions.

Um, Councilman Jones did ask one of the

questions that I I kind of had which was

uh what projects have we done as a city

that we've led? Uh, because a lot of the

projects that were highlighted in the

community economic development projects

were projects led by other entities that

we've participated in. Um, I do

understand that Mr. Graves, I do

believe, is the only person in that

office. So, I understand that um time

may be limited. Um it's the reason why I

will continue to advocate for having a

separate community economic development

director. Nothing against you. You could

be the director, but simply saying that

having that focus uh I think would be in

the best interest of the city because

it's a very important part of our growth

and we need to make for sure we're

focusing and spending the right amount

of time on that because building and

housing does take up a lot of time. Um

especially since it is federal money.

Um,

kind of curtailing from that, uh, what

have we done to develop small businesses

in the city? I know we've talked several

times about having trainings for our

small businesses to try to allow them to

know about contracting opportunities,

how to apply, how to start businesses in

the city.

>> So, um, like I said with the MT project,

it's another thing. Um, again, it's a

combined joint thing, but I also meet

with businesses at least, man, several

times a week. I can actually probably

put a number together. I just a lot of

times I get walk-ins. Um so with the

developments um as far as like people

trying to start a business one of the

biggest things I go through is tell

people ask the entrepreneurs to tell me

exactly what they're doing um with the

process as far as like they may be

starting with the business plan but then

I go and critique it and actually go

through everything to show them exactly

what they have to do to be sustainable

not just have a business. Um, I would

say within

this week and last weekend itself, I

probably met with four potential

business owners. Uh, I do meet with

current ones as well. Um, looking at

trying to get more funding. So, a lot of

times when people come down to the city,

um, they're looking for funding and a

lot of times when a business comes down

here, that's the main thing they're

looking for is for funding. So, I tried

to guide them in the right direction and

actually try to get them the funding

they need if they're willing to do it.

The main thing is starting with an

actual business plan itself. Um business

plan is very detailed. Um especially

when you're looking for grant funding.

That's a lot of times when people are

looking for funding. Um you do have to

show every single thing that you're

doing as far as like what the actual

initial impact is with the community and

with your area when especially when

you're looking for grant money because

it's free money because they want to

know exactly what you're doing and how

you're actually going to impact the

community. Um, I could probably put

together a list for you exactly how many

businesses I've met with this year

because I just go through a tell basis

because a lot of times I get a lot of

walkins. Let's say somebody calls me

directly. Um, like right now I'm working

with four businesses right now trying to

work on actual business plans to help

them out for funding.

>> Thank you very much. If you could

provide that, it would be appreciated.

Um, I will just say going back to

limited amount of time and only having

one person doing it, uh, it seems like a

lot of time could be spent on that and

maybe finding a way to automate the

process or create things that people

don't need you and your time in

particular for, uh, that they can kind

of walk through themselves

>> would be very helpful. Um, unless we're

looking to expand the department.

>> Yeah, because well, what I do too, I

also I have templates set up. So a lot

of times I go off of a template that I

made many years ago and I also have um

actual packets and booklets that I

actually hand to people that actually

create it. It's just the fact if they

actually want to go through the packet

and booklet and actually do it. So the

just for foresight anybody comes to see

me if anybody's watching this now. So

the packets that I give you, they are an

actual business plan. So all you have to

do is implement your own information and

it's a good to go. But a lot of times a

lot of people don't know where to start

and they look at it and it's a lot it's

very it may be very overwhelming but the

read is very easy when they actually

look at it. That's one of the one of the

things too.

>> All right. Uh if you could provide that

to to at least me, I think the rest of

council would appreciate having it too.

Um and then just making it as accessible

as possible to the public so that they

can go online and just look at it

themselves and try to, you know, go

through it and then maybe reach out to

you once they kind of have an idea of

what they want to do or what's going to

be asked. uh instead of the starting

point being having to talk to you uh

because once again that just takes a lot

of time. Um

sticking with community economic

development. Um I know last year around

the same time I want to say it was

budget hearings. Um it was budget

hearings. Uh there was a question about

a community economic development plan.

The year before there was a question

about a community and economic

development plan. We were given

a community economic development plan

draft. Um last year we got kind of went

backwards and was like no draft. We're

not even there anymore. Uh but we were

creating a committee. Um and now it's

2025 and I was supposed to sit on that

committee. Um and there haven't been any

meetings yet and I know we're still

looking to create that committee looking

at 2026. I guess what progress has been

made? I know a lot of different things

have been going on, but um I think I

mean this is a pretty important part of

moving the city of Harrisburg forward.

Uh the A talks about it and their

response to the five-year plan, the

response to the budget. I mean, it's a

very important thing and it seems like

every year it's like next year and um at

some point, you know, four years goes by

fast. This administration's been in for

four years. Um the administration is

looking to be in for another four years

as they have just won the mayor just won

her re-election. So those four years can

go by really fast if if we're always in

the weeds and never building that

overarching picture. Uh to Councilman

Jones point, we do have a comprehensive

plan that was created, but it's not

specific enough as far as economic

development. And that's why we've been

talking about creating a economic

development plan, but it kind of seems

like we just keep talking about it and

nothing's moving forward. In the

meantime, we have lots of developers,

lots of businesses that are coming in

implementing their own small plans in

the city. When they come before council,

there's no overarching plan we can talk

about, right? So, if they're like, "Hey,

I want to put a a grocery store on Sixth

Street." It's nothing that says, "We

don't want a grocery store on Sixth

Street. We're looking for a grocery

store more in Allison Hill area." You

know, we don't have anything to kind of

guide people with. And I feel like the

city is continuing to let people come in

and guide them because we haven't put

that plan or you know even started to

create it. So long- winded speech

question is where we are as far as

progress.

>> So we've had I want to say there was a

meeting I had back in May and this was

uh was four meetings. Um I had to send a

mass email out to um potential uh

committee members that may want to be

not this committee but also wanted to be

a part of the plan as well. Um people

who actually do a lot of work with

inside the city of Harrisburg and that

was the starting point. Um very well

attended um again four meetings spread

out through u like a few days. Um but

again the halt was put on again Mimi we

have talked about this as well as talk

about as far as um what is are we going

to do as far as like getting to consult

and then the came the call came up as

far as getting the consultant with a

also with credic so the focus has been

on that but also again to um everybody's

point as far as like what was going to

be the focus point and a lot of them

want to look at downtown is a focal

point but again it's the entire city um

I think going forward and again I know

going over to the next here, but this

should be a combination of a different

um of a few different um stakeholders

along with credic, along with the state,

along with the reps, um along with the

business owners. And again, I think this

piece right here is actually going to

put it together so we can actually get

it done. Um I would say probably

hopefully soon again after the few

meetings that we're going to have in the

next few weeks so we can actually start

the timeline um to see where everybody's

heads are at and what they want to do.

But again, the focus is the entire city.

we us doing it by ourselves again what's

going to end up happening we're going to

get a lot of feedback of why you're not

doing this why you're not doing that but

we need to hear everybody's part so we

can get it done I think this will be it

in the time

>> and um um Councilwoman Green you are

also on that list the list I was

speaking of before then having the

members of the team list you're on that

list so you will be invited to

participate

>> I appreciate it I look forward to the

invitation Um, I know when a request was

put out last year, um, if any council

member was interested, I did respond.

Uh, so I'm glad to know I'm on the list.

Um, this is it seems like a pretty

exclusive list if it took me a year to

get an invite and I still don't have it.

Um, and I think for me that's the

concern is that, you know, it's just I

understand some of it was state

budgeting issues. Um, I think I could

speak for most people in the city. Um,

but

if the issue is simply funding, I'd

rather get rid of some of these things

that we're not utilizing in the city,

right? Some of the things that are in

the budget that year after year after

year get moved to something different

because they're overfunded. Um, rather

than continue to go, we're we're we're

looking at making a plan. We're looking

at making a plan. uh because it it

doesn't really equate to anything except

after a while it just seems like lip

service um that we hear around budget

season like okay we're we're looking to

grow the city um and it's a good talking

point but at at a certain point talk

becomes cheap um so I really look

forward um I can't even say I have high

hopes at this time just because this is

four years in a row that we've gotten

the exact same answer of January and

January comes and goes and January comes

and goes and four times January has come

and gone and we kind of keep getting the

same answer. I look forward to being on

the committee. Um but when the committee

forms I look forward to reporting out to

my fellow council members about what's

going on. Um I looked forward to it last

year as well and it still hasn't

happened. So

I really don't know what else to say

except I look forward to it but uh at a

certain point it starts to seem fairy

talish. Um, and kind of seems like we

have more meetings coming from outside

entities about community economic

development in the city of Harrisburg

than we have from the city of

Harrisburg. Um, and I think part of it's

because when people don't see anything

happening, they kind of assume that they

can take the reigns, right? We can have

our own meetings. We can decide what we

want to see here because obviously it's

not a priority for the city. The

priorities on different things. Um, and

I can't really say uh what they might

say those things are, but I will say

that people feel emboldened to make the

choices for us because we don't seem to

be planning or looking to make any

choices for oursel. Uh, so that's kind

of my spiel on that. Um, I'm looking

forward to working with you. Uh, if

that's the direction we're going in and

if not, um, I guess we need to figure

out how to do it ourselves, right?

>> I've been waiting for some news all day.

I just got it. We are going to be given

$100,000 to get a consultant to come in

and help us with our planning. I was

hoping to have that information to you

before I got here tonight, but uh the

contact in the governor's office was not

available. So, um Sam just told me it's

100,000.

>> Thank you. Um that's obviously good

news. Um I suppose that should get the

ball rolling before the end of the year.

I would look forward to having meeting

dates set. um having you know starting

to look at I mean I wouldn't see why we

haven't already started looking at

writing RFPs because I mean we've been

knowing wanting to do it for the last

four years so we should already kind of

be on the move with that. Um I look

forward to getting those dates out as

soon as possible so that we can really

start moving forward with it. So thank

you for that part.

>> You're welcome.

>> Um

next question comment. Um there was a

some discussion about a meeting as as

far as the senior programming funds. I

was not a part of that meeting. Um so

I'll just make that part clear. I wasn't

a part of that meeting. Uh, but I did

speak with someone in the mayor's office

last week and I believe they said that

the application was in the process of

being finalized and that it is in the

legal department um waiting for

confirmation of something and once legal

approves it that the application should

be coming out.

The senior programming funds application

is uh being vetted by the legal

department. Um I'm not sure what it's

being, but I'm just telling you what was

relate to me. Um and so they're looking

to get that out pretty soon. Uh so they

that that was the the response to that.

Um

>> we will respond to the administration's

request.

I appreciate that. Uh Solicitor Grover.

Um,

sticking with ARPA funds, uh, for the

ARPA home repair program, uh, I believe

the last time you came and gave us an

update about ARPA programming, uh, I I

had a question about

revising the guidelines to ensure we

encompass people that don't just fall

within that federal programming because

it's a it's a large cohort of people

that don't qualify for the federal ARPA

fund or federal home repair funds um,

that we're looking to be able to service

with some of the ARPA funds that are uh

coming from the general fund of the city

and you said that you would look into

that. So, has it been any type of

progress on that?

>> You're talking about the income

guidelines?

>> Yes,

>> the the federal income guidelines,

[clears throat]

excuse me. we um uh are trying to get

ourselves caught up on the applications

that are already in before we change any

of the requirements because that

wouldn't be fair to the people that have

already had their applications in um

once we get through that process and

hopefully we'll be able to do that in a

a few months because I do have a

candidate that I've selected to fill the

vacancy. There's only one person in this

program right now and it's been that way

for several months. Um, that person's

going through a background check right

now. We did have some other applicants

in the past, but they didn't pass the

background check.

So, um, and once we do that and we catch

up with the current applications, then

we can look at

um, the guidelines and how we would

associate income with the requirements.

Because I think what you're looking for

maybe is people that may be in a middle

income bracket.

>> Yes. People that might be just over that

income line where they don't qualify for

the the federal program that that uh is

administered through us.

>> Uh but they could still use that help,

right? They might still be on a fixed

income, but they retire from a good job.

And so they don't meet those income

guidelines, but they're still 70 years

old and need a roof on their house

because it's leaking. Uh and I thought

that this would be a great opportunity.

Um I know it was discussed with the

previous director uh about making sure

that we can you know hit those people so

they have the opportunity to get the

much neededed repairs as well.

>> Well I don't know this maybe legal can

answer this but you know that those

dollars were originally ARPA funds and

then they were put into the general

fund. I don't know whether or not we

would be permitted to change the income

guideline if the feds still consider

them to be federal dollars no matter how

we've placed them in our budget process.

I don't know that maybe uh

>> they they are no longer federal dollars.

They are general fund dollars in the

state grant fund. That's where they

ended up. Um I don't know and I think

it's a question for bigger the bigger

picture of the budget whether there's an

appropriation in the 2026 budget for it

or the plan for the roll forward of

those funds in January. That is the two

tools there where you would see that

money for that program continue. But if

they don't make it into the 2026 budget

and they don't make it into the January

roll forward, then they're then they're

not appropriated for that purpose

anymore. So, um, I think, you know,

that's that's a larger budget question.

>> Thank you, Solicitor Grover.

>> You're welcome.

>> Are there any other questions or

comments for the community economic

development and building and housing

department?

>> Yes.

>> I'll start with Councilwoman Davis and

then we will roll to the left.

Councilman Daniels, did you have any

comments or questions? I'll start with

you.

Uh, no. This is an embarrassing

presentation. That's the only comment.

>> Councilman Davis, any any uh comments or

questions?

>> Thank you, Vice President Green. I'm

glad to know that we're getting some

funding and we'll be able to get going

with this economic development for small

businesses in the community. Um, because

I have been quite frustrated with every

one coming down here myself. um you know

doing projects and developments and so

I've been wondering also but this my

question is for Mr. Graves where is the

Mnt Bank business lab located at

>> Oh the Harrisburg University.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

>> Are there specific hours for

>> No, it's a so it's a it's a yearly

thing. So it's like a it's like probably

about two months. So, it's a two-mon

process from May until June going into

July. So, it's um uh roughly probably

around an average around 30 businesses.

So, you get the um basically knowledge

as far as like starting the business

plan by marketing. Um also with there at

the end of it, you actually get grant

funding awarded at the end of that. So

you get a participant of three different

awards um ranging from one to three and

each one of those get um a grant prize

at the end whoever it's like a pitch

competition basically um and it shows

you sustainability your business.

>> Do you foresee this o expanding or

opening up because two months I mean

people are trying to find help with

starting businesses all year long.

>> Yeah. Um we there are some avenues like

I said I just actually had a meeting

today with um with Harristown and some

of their cohorts is actually starting up

a business meeting going into January.

So we're probably looking at the first

week of January. We're just looking at

scheduling um and looking at doing a

monthly meeting talking about those same

things and have a quarterly meeting that

will actually break down to a workshop

to have a larger group.

>> And how will how do you get the

information out to the community? Uh

right now it's just basically uh for me

from me um I get in information from

credic also from anybody who actually

gets basically almost like word of mouth

but I get referred. Um I know we just

had the website redone so a lot of those

things still have to give implemented to

the website as far as the pages so

everybody can look at it to see what's

going on. Um but for as of right now um

a lot of times I get referred. I get a I

get a lot of calls. I get a lot of

calls.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, President

Hill. Any questions?

>> Thank you. I have a question and a

comment, I guess. Um

I I do share the same sentiments as uh

Councilwoman Daniels. I I think that I

don't know how else we can articulate

the need for a an economic development

plan. I think it's something that we've

continued to ask. My question was, does

the city have a functioning economic

development plan? But I can answer it

from this discussion. It it's no. The

$100,000,

I don't understand why that's needed.

Mr. Graves, I thought that that was a

portion of your role.

>> So when I was actually tasked to do the

economic development plan, again, I'm by

myself. So again I had my director was

again she was split between two

different departments and I was tasked

about by myself along with other

function that were going on with

economic development and also helping

with the housing department. So um also

the city has never had an economic

development plan. They've always had

comp plans. So over the past probably

since 74 there have been over probably

20 plans. You may have one piece that

has been done out of each one of those

plans. So the city actually physically

has not actually had a functional

economic development plan ever. you have

multiple comp plans or development

plans, but as far as an economic

development plan, there has not been

one.

>> Well, I think times have changed

drastically since 74. So, I think

perhaps

something should be implemented. The

other thing I wanted to say, oh, two

things. Um, interim director Martin

Roberts, if you've done something in 551

days, that's great. Share it. Um the

other thing was Vice President Green, I

think you're going to be waiting on that

workg group. It was touted in the

quarter one

um

of this year 2025

quarterly report that you were the only

one that responded and that was on

February 19th of 2025.

these issues are supposed to be a

priority, but it just sounds like it's

it's like Groundhog Day with this

conversation because we ask the same

questions and maybe it's insanity on on

our part. We ask the same questions, we

expect a different result, but we're it

it's just not there. And I think that um

it's terribly terribly unfortunate, not

only for the residents of the city, um

for those that work in the city. It's

just it's just not it's unacceptable

quite frankly. So I don't have any other

questions. Thank you.

>> I do want to make I'm sorry. Go ahead.

>> Councilwoman Ross, any questions or

comments?

>> Uh thank you, Vice President Green. Uh

thank you uh both for coming tonight to

um give us a report for the budget for

uh the Department of Community Economic

Development and Building and Housing.

Um,

I just think that uh the state of our

city right now

uh we we we know public works and uh

safety are important like everyone sees

that right away but this is a a silent

department that is just as important of

moving our city forward and I feel like

um I I don't feel any excitement of

what's to come, what's happening.

Um, I I just wish we had or your

department had a plan developed on what

it is that we can see that is is going

to happen, what we can look forward to,

so we on council can help, so the

community can help. But it's as if we

just don't know what that plan is and

we've been waiting for one. And um I

just hope that after this meeting uh

people go back to the table and honestly

get something together to help move our

city because the state that it is in now

is is sad. And to think that that

doesn't move the administration even

more to say we need a plan is a little

bit sadder. Um, so I I thank you for

coming tonight and for all that that

you've been doing over this last month

before I mean last year, excuse me,

since the last budget. But I hope that

um you this department can go back to

the drawing board with the mayor, with

the administration, and really get a

clear cut plan on on how you're going to

move this city forward for the residents

because that is what they're looking

for. They're asking us, but that's not

we we can't develop that plan, but we do

help pass the things that go with it.

So, I just hope that you all come up

with a better direction. And that's just

it for me. It was just a little

disheartening tonight.

>> Thank you very much, Councilman

Rodriguez.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair, and I also thank

you both for uh joining us this evening.

Um, I just look forward to a lot of the

questioning around the uncertainties of

the ARP, the lead program, where we are

with the senior programming, um, the

comp um,

[sighs]

yeah, I'm sorry, the comprehensive plan

and the uh, the group that will be

meeting and I look forward to

Councilwoman Green or Madame Vice

President joining so she can fill us in

on the day-to-days. and um there's just

a lot of uncertainties and I know you

don't have the ability or or are you

prepared um to answer a lot of these

federal questions as well. So, I just

hopefully look forward to us being

forwarded that information and

continuing the conversation to continue

the revitalization and the rebuilding of

Harrisburg because I definitely see a

lot of potential and I just hope we

could all come together as a

conglomerate and get a lot of things

done. So, thank you.

>> Thank you, Councilman Jones.

Uh yeah. Um first I just want to

apologize to my colleagues. Um I I don't

come to these meetings to end the public

that's watching. Um because you know we

all want to see our city move forward.

Um if you feel I disrespected you, I

apologize to you as well. Um however, I

should be allowed to um ask my questions

and do my job to represent the people of

this city. And these are not just my

questions. These are questions that are

coming from the community that have

concerns about which direction our city

is going in and I think that it's my job

and my duty to ask those questions um

respectfully as possible. So um thank

you guys again for coming down and again

I apologize to my colleagues and I also

apologize to the community um because

this is not becoming of a government. Um

nobody wins when a family feuds.

>> Thank you very much. Councilwoman Davis,

did you have a follow-up question?

>> Thank you. Vice President Green. Uh not

a question, but um just a um a statement

for the uh residents in the meantime

while we're waiting for our uh community

economic development department to um

you know add more services. And there

are places that people can go to get

help with starting their business in the

city. Career Link is one. They will

actually answer questions and help uh

our residents with starting a business.

Uh the Chamber of Commerce up on Front

Street, they also provide services to

our residents to help them uh start a

company. You have the community action

center. So, I just wanted to uh give the

residents, you know, just some

additional information. And there's

there's other programs too throughout

the city. If you really want to start

something, you don't have to wait. There

are opportunities

uh in our city. Um but again, I do

understand the severity of us getting a

program going here with the city. So,

thank you.

>> Thank you very much. Um did you have

something? you like you want to say

something?

>> Yeah, I was I didn't know what. Yeah,

I'm sorry. So, yeah, there are so you

have SCORE, you have SPDC, um again, you

have CRE and we all piggyback off of

each other because they refer to me and

I refer to them as well. So, there is

there is a a whole circle of life going

on when you're actually talking about a

lot of these businesses. They're

actually looking for help. A lot of

times, again, it's up to the business if

they actually want to go forward and

actually get the stuff done. So, a lot

of times when they're coming to these

programs, they're looking for funding.

And again, if you don't have an initial

plan, again, you're going to me, you're

going to credic, also across the street

over at Strawberry Square. You have the

um the CIE through Parisburg University,

which we refer back and forth with each

other. Um but again, you have to be able

to do a lot of the business pieces that

they don't have. A lot of times

business, and this is I mean, no

disrespect to anybody who's already

started a business, but a lot of people

are looking for shortcuts, and there's

no shortcuts when it comes to funding,

especially when you're looking for

alternative funds. So you do have to

actually have a physical plan showing

from beginning to end how you're

actually going to sustain your business

because a lot of business a lot of

people are not going to give funding to

you if you do not know how to sustain

your business. You can start a business

without a business plan. But if you

don't have a plan, you you're not going

to you're not going to be around for a

long time.

>> Thank you very much. Um I don't really

have any more questions for you. Um, I

appreciate you both being here tonight

to uh listen to some of our concerns and

answer questions where the the

information is available. Um, just kind

of as a statement overarching, not just

to you, but to the city in general, uh,

it kind of seems like community economic

development in the city has been

abandoned for a long time as far as like

an organized manner. Uh, and that's a

disservice to the residents. It's a

disservice to the city in general. Um, I

will continue to say I think part of it

is a structural problem by not having

someone whose core focus is community

economic development. Uh, as far as like

a director themselves, um, I think that

that would also help to pull in other

funding. um you know looking at ways or

places we might be able to get grant

funding from or things like that just

because having someone who's focused on

that as their their core job um in a

director position I think is something

that's sorely needed in the city and has

been needed for a long time. So I thank

you all for being here tonight uh and

for the answers you've provided. And it

looks like Councilwoman Davis has

another comment. I just wanted to u

mention that I was not in on the um

senior programming meeting with the

mayor. I was not there. Um yes, that was

it.

>> Thank you very much. Anyone else?

>> All right. Thank you.

>> Well, I was and we're still waiting to

see where that's going to go.

>> Thank you. I appreciate it. Um, I'm

going to go ahead and close this portion

out for now. I appreciate you being here

tonight. I look forward to the responses

you'll be providing in writing. Um, we

will move on to our next point of

discussion which will be the Bureau of

Communications because I believe we've

covered the Department of Building and

Housing and the Bureau of Business and

Economic Business and Resource

Development. Right. Just trying to make

for sure we're following the agenda.

Um, next will be the Bureau of

Communications.

Councilwoman

RS, you wanted excitement. Here I am.

>> [laughter]

>> I just want to tell you I want to um

madame president, madame vice president,

council woman, council gentlemen, I just

want to um tell you that I am excited to

be here. Uh it's Christmas. I love

Christmas. I'm like a mentos in a 2

liter bottle. Uh and I love my job and I

love this city. So whenever that becomes

uh the opposite, then it'll be time for

me to go. But I really love what I do

and um I appreciate being here. My name

is Michelle Moyer. I'm the director of

communications

and um I am here exactly uh one year

this week. I came in during these budget

hearings last year and the um deputy

director did did the I just sat here. So

So I'm happy to be here. I do have Asher

here with me um tonight because later

you might have questions about the

studio as well as the um um

audio system for in here. So when you

have those specific questions, I'll ask

for him to come up if that's okay. Okay.

So what do I have? Um a lot of times

I'll speak right into this. Um a lot of

times what I found in the last year is

that communications was sort of

compartmentalized. Um,

I really didn't see them working across

departments. Um, and I think it's

because not everybody really knows what

we do, what all we really do. So, I made

it my mission to reach out to

departments to make my make our services

known, make make us known. And I think

I've done a pretty good job of that. I

can honestly say I think that I've

worked with every single department that

we've had in one sense or another over

this past year. And I I'll share some of

that with you. So our our mission is to

deliver timely, accurate, and excessive

communication, not just for the mayor's

office, not but but for every department

to give accolades to make my job when I

wake up in the morning is to make this

city shine. And that is my goal every

day. Now some days are harder than

others depending on what's happening

here, but that I want you to know that

that is my goal no matter what.

So slide next slide. Um what we do what

we do is website management. I'll talk

about this in a little bit a little bit

further what that entails.

We have WHGB

channel 20. If they have Comcast, which

may change, we'll talk about that as

well. [clears throat] If they have

Comcast, they get channel 20. If not, we

have our YouTube channel, which is what

we're on right now. Um, both of them, we

create individual production

experiences. Asher works a lot with

nonprofits. They don't have money to do

anything. So, we help them advertise.

They come to us, we talk to them, we get

a feel for their mission, and we help

them advertise with a with a brief uh

segment on channel 20, and I usually

will advertise their organization if

it's a 501c3

[clears throat] on our website and then

I will direct them to to uh the website.

Uh we do live stream council meetings

and any other meetings that we're asked

to record. Social med social social

media

I don't want I don't want you to hear

it. [clears throat] Um we do all social

media management. I'll talk further

about that as well. We filter citywide

media requests and appearances. All

media goes through us. So when you see

public's works talking on TV, when you

see parks and wreck talking on TV, they

cleared it with us. We made sure that we

make sure that we have a unified

statement, a unified message and it's

always cleared through our department

and that can be a lot. Uh we write all

press releases and speeches. Um that can

go for for example when Carl Singleton

was here and he went down to um christen

the Harris the SSS Harrisburg I wrote

his speech for him. You know what I

mean? We have a unified message coming

out of the city. All [clears throat]

photography and videography of course

drone operations. We have the only

licensed drone operator in Emily.

uh bilingual communications. We have

taken off with that this year. I don't

know. Um I I don't I'm not going to say

it was non-existent before this year,

but it certainly wasn't as prevalent as

it is now. We are in all departments

translating documents into Spanish.

[clears throat]

311 public information system.

We do uh we're we're 247 operation. Um,

we support every department 24 hours a

day. My phone is never off. My ringer is

my my ringer's off now. But, um, my

ringer is never off. Uh, community and

and to be honest with you, a lot of

times I'm most active on the weekend

because that is when social media is the

most active. Uh, and whether

[clears throat] they love us, they hate

us, or they're indifferent, they let us

know on social media. We we I've really

really grown that platform

so [clears throat] they they'll tell us

exactly what they think and that's what

we want. Um we oversee all city

messaging, crisis communications, press

briefings, and public information. For

example, something cutting edge um

today, it's going to be released

tomorrow, but I just found out before I

came down here, uh Park Harrisburg is

initiating a new parking system. Did

they give us warning? No, I just found

out that it's going to be you type it

in. Uh you you type in your information

and it records your license plate when

you when you're there and when you

leave. So there's not going to be

tickets. Instead of tickets, you'll be

charged for that whole amount. I don't

know the ins and outs of it, but that's

something I have to deal with as soon as

I leave here because tomorrow when it

goes in, the public will be beating down

our door social media. So, I have to be

I have to get on top of that tonight.

That's just an example of some things

that we [clears throat] deal with

quickly.

Our bilingual access and language

equity. Um, we're killing it here. We

really are. Um, we have two translators.

We have Aisha at the front desk and we

have Melissa. Um, our team completed

just this past quarter 6311 bilingual

calls and they conducted over a 100

walk-ins that needed interpretation in

quarter three.

Excuse me. What that means is that

Aisha, if she can't deal with it at the

front desk, someone that's if if they

have to get past the front desk, then we

call Melissa and she travels with them

to whatever department they're going to.

We're very hands-on. Um I think we we're

getting a gold star in the in the

bilingual department. Um bilingually

just this past year we've strongly been

represented in codes, taxation, planning

and HR. That's where we've really helped

out a lot bilingually. Uh we created uh

Londo Coningo literacy initiative for

channel 20. Um, that's where we were

reading children's stories in Spanish

and putting it on channel 20. I think we

got through three of those. Um, that was

a popular, uh, you know, I I track our

social media and that was that was very

popular. [snorts] Um, and our team

members, um, they we we travel with

codes. um Melissa or in some cases when

Melissa wasn't here or available, Aisha

actually travel offsite on codes visits

to translate.

Um

so we've been uh ensuring equitable

access to city services for thousands of

Spanish-sp speakaking residents.

Uh the transformation a huge huge

savings that I want to bring up to um to

um your wonderful council is the website

transport transformation and fiscal

savings.

When I came here uh December 2nd um I

did not know the website was in

transition. I was not told that. So

there was a committee of three all of

whom are no longer here. um that were

supposed to be it was it was in the beta

phase which means they were supposed to

be proofreading it and telling revise

what changes they wanted. I did not find

out we we were even in this transition

until almost February and they're asking

me where's the changes, what's this,

what's that. So I go in in February and

we're supposed to launch March the last

day of March and I'm supposed to

proofread and do every this and and find

out which documents are missing from the

old site before they before it

disappears. It was very taxing. It was

incredibly overwhelming. Steve Bortner

um who was not a part of the original

uh three his assistant uh Grumbine was.

So Steve was completely in the dark as

well. So [snorts] between the two of us,

we hunkered down and we went through

this website and we were able to get it

up only two weeks late. We launched it

April 15th, the new website.

And what I decided to do because I had I

had experience in this in the past was

instead of us paying anywhere from 40 to

$60,000 a year for website changes and

updates, I brought it all inhouse and I

make all of the changes. The departments

report to me what needs changed and I do

it. For example, President Hill, when

your name changed, I would Jared

contacted me and I did it within 30

seconds. If we were if we were

contracting out, that could have taken

two or three weeks. Okay. So, we're

doing it inhouse now. It is very time

consuming, very taxing, um, but very

worth it in my opinion. Uh, and I do a

lot of that on nights and weekends, but

uh, I've worked with every single

department, which I've loved because it

has really given me an inside look at

what each department does down to the

nitty-gritty because I'm posting their

documents. Now, some of them, like Jeff

Knight, I think he's here tonight, he

posts his own, he's gotten very savvy

with it. He posts his own minutes, his

own agendas. Some people decide to do

that. Like for example, parks and

recreation is very hands-on. Okay, the

young young people are really quick with

the visuals and and doing all that on

the website. Some people want no parts

of it. So I do all of that. So So there

is some of both. Um but what what we c

what we what we're charged for them to

host our website, which somebody always

has to host your website, is $6,400 a

year. That's what we pay for our website

because we've brought everything in

house. Um, it saves the city 40 to

$60,000 a year depending on the amount

of updates you have. Uh, the website is

ADA compliant which is super huge

because um you can you can get lawsuits

over that now with so with social media

and the like. Um, I also I serve as the

as an adviser to Harrisburg University

strategic AI certificate program. Um, so

they give us considerable discounts on

training uh on our staff wanting to get

trained and the like. Um, I took I took

that that certificate program course.

It's a $5,000 course. They gave me 80%

off which meant that we were going to

have to pay like $2,000 and they gave me

a $1,000 scholarship and I paid $1,000

to take a $5,000 course. Um and and

they'll they'll do that for anybody.

They'll do it for you if you would like

to take it. So that and I don't just

mean the strategic AI certificate

program. I mean uh women in business

management, anything they have those

that's a certificate program, continuing

education.

[snorts]

Um bringing home the gold. Uh we are so

proud of this and I didn't get with

Emily and Asher to actually bring it

here to you. I think I was more excited

than they were. or I think this is

because they do it every day, but we won

an Emmy award.

Our little city compared to it's the

East, it's the um Midatlantic Regional

Conference Emmy Award and we got it um

Emily and Asher created building a

bridge in Harrisburg.

Um the the Gary Gillum story and his his

dream was never brought to fruition. We

know that. However, we were able to to

create a document that stood the

testament of storytelling, gave the

promise of challenge, and shows what our

little tiny production studio can do.

They won an Emmy award. Um, I I was so

proud of them. We are one of the

smallest bureaus in the city, but we are

mighty. We are small, but we are mighty.

We are out there. We're in the trenches.

They're here all the time in the

evenings. They're at every single event

on the weekends. Um, and we just we just

really work like a welloiled machine.

[clears throat]

[snorts]

Our highlights, our kudos for 2025 was

our website overhaul redesign. We posted

265 social media posts created and

in-house everything created in-house on

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn X, and our

website.

uh strong WHBG production output with

over 120 original vid videos,

70 live streamed events,

Spanish business and permit

documentation translations.

Launched a Harrisburg hometown hero

series that went over really really

well. Um, I decided way back in March,

right before the website went went full

force. I wanted something special,

something um, everybody recognizes

certain name, okay? Like Shady McCoy um,

or uh, Tariq Castill. We hear their

names all the time. my hometown heroes.

They they were uh Tariq was one of them,

but I tried to find the little person

that's doing a lot, but we don't hear

from all the time. And I really really

am very strong in representing

minorities. It's always it always has

been I've always been the the the

go-getter for the under represented.

That's just always been me. whether it's

drugs and alcohol, whether it's people

of color, whether it's religious

beliefs, I just am really I really rally

behind that. And if you look at um our

our u hometown heroes, there's 16 of

them for this past year. You'll see that

they're very representative of our of

our city. Uh they're in the newsletter

that just came out as well. Um, and we

have consistent communications with our

311 system, which I'll talk about in a

minute. Uh, again, WHB, uh, HBG, I don't

want to, um, I won't rehash the things I

already said, but we do provide free

media support and advertising for

nonprofits, community partners. Someone

said, well, how do you choose them? We

don't. They choose us. They they contact

us. Sometimes the mayor may meet with

them and she'll call me in to hear their

story.

Sometimes they'll call me sometimes. Um

right now I am um the the outreach,

what's it called? Um the community

outreach. They're really really having a

hard time. There's a box by my office

door. They're having a hard time

collecting turkeys. Ham. They have a

whole list of kids. They need to get

Christmas gifts for disadvantaged kids.

And nobody is donating. They don't have

toys. They don't have non-p perishable

goods. They don't have coats and winter

mittens. So today, you'll see right

before I came in here, I put [snorts] a

social media post out helping them

advertise.

Uh, and I'm collecting it. You know, I

can't put it on anybody else. So, they

need a home base to collect the items.