{HARRISBURG} — Harrisburg City Council held its first legislative session of the new year on Tuesday, setting forward its year-long calendar in the process of putting forth a new rule impacting residents.
Council will continue to meet Tuesday evenings. Work sessions will take place every first and third Tuesday of the month, starting at 5:30 p.m. Legislative sessions will be held every second and fourth Tuesday, beginning at 6 p.m.
A motion had been proposed, and was declined, to hold meetings on Monday so to not conflict with Harrisburg School District school board meetings. Meeting dates will be reassed prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year beginning in August.
Months in which a fifth Tuesday is on the calendar will be held as an open date for special sessions or emergency reschedules.
In addition, Council also approved a rule establishing only Council members and staff are allowed on the raised platform where councilors sit during meetings.
The rule, set forth under a “Decorum” section in Resolution 1 of 2024, establishes, “No member of the public shall be allowed on the dais during Legislative or Work sessions. Members of the public shall not approach the dais without first seeking and obtaining the permission of the Clerk or the presiding officer.”
Members of the public will also have four minutes for public comment, though Council President Danielle Bowers indicated she has power to limit it to two minutes depending on the amount of individuals planning on speaking.
