James A. Absher

The agenda for this session centers on reviewing the City Department Goals, Projects, and Programs for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Discussions are structured around several key areas, including Public Safety (Fire, Police, Court), Enterprise Funds (Public Works, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment Plant), Hospitality Fund (Events & Promotions, Marketing & Development), and General Fund (Building, Planning, Zoning, & Licensing, Finance, Human Resources). The session will commence with an Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Citizen Comments.

The work session covered several key administrative actions. The Council proceeded with the appointment of a Mayor Pro Tempore, nominating Council Member Harris. The determination regarding Council Standing Committee Appointments was deferred until the subsequent meeting on January 27th, 2026. Several judicial and administrative officers were re-appointed, including the City Attorney, City Solicitor, Municipal Judge, and Associate Municipal Judges. The Council also reviewed openings on various City Boards and Commissions, requesting that candidates be proposed at the next meeting. Finally, the Council approved the First Reading of an Ordinance (O26-01) to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 operating budget to adjust police and fire recruit pay scales to be more competitive regionally.

The key discussions and actions during this regular session included special presentations recognizing Fire Chief McLellan for receiving the Fritz Turner Award and presenting a Mayoral Proclamation to Police Captain Davis upon his retirement after 28 years of service, which also involved authorizing the city to gift him his service sidearm. The Red Rose City Development Corporation presented the Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program, designed to support downtown property improvements through reimbursement grants. Monthly reports prompted inquiries regarding blighted properties, the start of the leaf collection season, recent crime trends, and the status of the Police Department's CALEA accreditation process. Financially, the Council authorized the purchase of 2,934 square feet of land for the Bypass Pump Station Project and passed two ordinances on their second reading: one amending the Business License Ordinance and another annexing a 1.996-acre parcel of land. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss Project Philadelphia, after which no votes were taken.

The work session included citizen comments expressing concerns regarding a Council Member's low attendance record and a request for enforcement of the City Code. The primary agenda item involved a resolution authorizing the public possession and consumption of beer and wine at the upcoming Red Rose Watch Party event scheduled for November 29, 2025, in Downtown Lancaster.

The City Council meeting included discussions on various topics. A citizen voiced concerns about the absence of a council representative for district 5 and its impact on representation. The council approved the minutes from a previous work session. Updates were provided on city operations, including leaf removal efforts and police activities. The police chief discussed crime statistics, community policing strategies, and the implementation of a community violence intervention program. The council also received updates on the police department's accreditation process and the installation of Shot Spotter technology to detect gunshots.