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November 2020

CITY UPDATES

Office of Engineer

Updates on East-West Multimodal Project

The public is invited to view a virtual presentation and provide feedback on the East-West Multimodal Connection Project. The project involves major improvements to Walnut Street [between Front St & 4^th Street] and Chestnut Street [between 3^rd St & 4^th St].

The virtual presentation and public survey link is available at our Vision Zero Website.

Information Technology

Geographic Information System (GIS) Hub
The city has a GIS Hub page which can be utilized to access a lot of useful information like street closure maps, street cleaning areas, zoning and much more. Check it out here!

Mayor Papenfuse discusses the importance of GIS mapping with Evan Rubin, City of Harrisburg GIS Administrator.

Bureau of Police

Running Unattended Vehicle Reminder/Enforcement

With cold temperatures starting to approach, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police would like to remind residents and visitors that leaving your vehicle running and unattended is both dangerous and illegal.

The Harrisburg Police will begin to enforce both City Ordinance (chapter 3-121) and Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75-3701) in order to curb the number of vehicles stolen while running and unattended. Officers will be issuing warnings, but offenders (especially repeat offenders) are subject to fines and court cost up to $1,000. The Harrisburg Police would also like to remind drivers, that with colder temperatures approaching special considerations should be given to pets left inside of a vehicle (similar to considerations given during extreme heat).

Support our Furry Friends!
The Women Warriors of the Harrisburg Police Department are leading the charge and collecting items for two animal rescue groups this year, Speranza and the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area. Please help and support our furry friends that have been abandoned neglected and abused! Many of these neglected animals come from the city.

Collection Items:

Donation Locations:

Abrams and Weakley General Store for Animals - 3963 N 6th Street
Keystone K9 - located at 147 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg Police Station - 123 Walnut Street

Abrams and Weakley will give an additional 20% off any gift cards from their store to Speranza!

All donations must be received by December 13, 2020.

Business Development

Business Grant Program
The City of Harrisburg is providing federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds for eligible Small Businesses and Microenterprises which have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. These special CDBG-CV funds were appropriated through the CARES Act of 2020 and awarded to the City by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The city is intending to provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible, for-profit businesses.

More Information

Information on Small Business Grant Program

Virtual Workshop: Get your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

Events

New Year's Eve
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the traditional City of Harrisburg New Year’s Eve celebration will be modified to a virtual celebration.

*Families can sign-up to reserve a free balloon drop kit to enjoy a “Countdown to Kid-Night” celebration at home. A virtual countdown featuring a favorite local mascot will be available for families to ring in the new year. Balloon-drop kits are limited and must be reserved in advance for a socially distanced, limited contact pick-up. The deadline to reserve a balloon drop kit is Monday, December 14 or while supplies last.

A virtual countdown at midnight will feature iconic Harrisburg locations followed by a fireworks compilation from previous years.

*Registration will be available on our website and shared on social media in the coming week.

City Council

Harrisburg City Council is holding meetings as live-streamed video conferences. To submit comments that will be read into the record during the public comment period, residents are encouraged to email publiccomment@harrisburgpa.gov prior to 4 p.m. the day of the meeting. Comments should follow the same criteria as in-person sessions, including the following:

Must include the resident’s name and address
When read aloud, the comments should be under 2 minutes
One comment per resident

For meeting agendas, calendar, and other materials, visit harrisburgpa.gov/city-council
Watch the live-stream at Youtube.com/whbg20

Watch the latest City Council Legislative Session

2021 Proposed Budget Presentation

See the proposed budget here.

Building and Housing

Lead Safe Program Updates
The City’s Lead Safe program has met numerous challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis, but the LHRD staff is working tirelessly with our contractors and clients to continue to remove and contain hazardous lead that puts families and children at great risk.

Why should I be concerned about Lead Hazards in the home?
Children who absorb lead into the bloodstream (primarily through lead-based paint) may suffer developmental damage and persisting negative health outcomes. Even low blood levels may damage the nervous system, interfere with growth, lower I.Q. scores, cause behavior problems, and make learning difficult. At high blood levels it is toxic – leading to comas, convulsions and or death.
Where can I find more information?
Visit our updated website and digital application portal to check out some Lead Safe resources and see if your family qualifies for a FREE Lead Risk Assessment, which may lead to lead removal and containment activities at no cost to you.
Website and Digital Application Portal: http://harrisburgpa.gov/leadsafeprogram/

Parks & Recreation

Tree Planting in Camp Curtin
Earlier this month, community volunteers and property owners planted 30 new street trees in the Camp Curtin neighborhood.

It was a successful event and City officials look forward to organizing similar plantings in neighborhoods throughout the city. Property owners and residents can contact the City Forester, Ellen Roane, at earoane@harrisburgpa.gov for more information.

Parks Rec Desk

For programs and park facility updates, please visit our Rec Desk at
https://harrisburg.recdesk.com/Community/Home. This site can also be used to apply for park permits.

Communications

Follow us on Social Media!
Don't forget to follow the City of Harrisburg on social media and to check out our NextDoor postings to get the latest City updates!

Upcoming Virtual Meetings

Harrisburg Environmental Advisory Council

Next Meeting: December 3, 6:00 p.m.

Harrisburg Human Relations Commission

Next Meeting: December 14, 5:30 p.m.

Community Conversations

Mayor Papenfuse Leads Facebook Live Conversations Fridays at Noon

Mayor Eric Papenfuse is hosting community conversations live on Facebook and Channel 20 each Friday at noon during the coronavirus (COVID-19) disaster emergency.

The public is encouraged to submit questions and concerns in advance, which can be done as comments on the City of Harrisburg Facebook posts about the announcements.

WHAT: Facebook Live Community Conversations on Current Issues and Topics of Interest

WHERE: facebook.com/thecityofhbg, simulcast on WHBG-TV Channel 20

WHEN: Fridays at 12:00 p.m.
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Latest Facebook Live Videos

Businesses Development and Programs within the City of Harrisburg 11-27-20
Community Policing, Use of Force, Neighborhood Safety 11-13-20
Veterans Programming 11-6-20
Youth Programming 10-30-20

We want your input!
Let us know what topics/issues you want to see discussed on our weekly Community Conversations with Mayor Papenfuse. Please fill out our online form and let us know!

Monthly Highlights

November 11

Commonwealth Monument Project Completes Installation of Historic Monument at the Pennsylvania Capitol
Government and community leaders participated in a press conference to announce the completion of the historic monument “A Gathering At The Crossroads: For Such A Time As This” on the Capitol grounds.

Installation of the bronze figures depicting Thomas Chester and Jacob Compton completes the monument.