City Council

Council Chambers

Agenda — 35 items

1. 1 Invocation: ▶ jump to 0:01
2. 2 Pledge to the Flag
3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:50
4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Courtesy and Privilege of the Floor Rules ▶ jump to 1:18
5. 5 Contract Approvals
6. 6 R82 Authorization for a contract increase in the amount of $10,000.00; an increase from an estimated $40,000.00 per year to an estimated $50,000.00 per year, for a contract previously bid and awarded to Gilboy Ford, Inc., Ross Body & Frame Works, Inc., and Stengel Bros. Inc. to provide vehicle suspension, steering, and alignment for City vehicles. Upon Written notification, these contracts can be extended for an additional four (4) one (1) year terms beyond the contract expiration period. It has been requested to utilize the third of four (4) renewal terms and extend the contracts to June 20, 2027. 15-8516 ▶ jump to 2:22
7. 7 R83 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000.00 to provide the City with various goods/services, for Johnson Controls Fire Protection and Gorski Engineering, Inc. 15-8517
8. 8 R84 Authorization for a contract increase in the amount of $156,084.66; an increase from $2,258,522.18 to $2,414,605.84, for a contract previously bid through the State as a result of a PennDOT TASA Grant and awarded to H & P Construction to provide rehabilitation of Bogert’s Bridge. 15-8518
9. 9 R85 Authorization for a contract increase in the amount of $139,682.00; for a contract with Michael Baker International, Inc. to provide consulting and engineering design services related to the D&L Trail: Allentown East Segment Design. The contract sum before the change order was $270,792.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $410,474.00. 15-8519 ▶ jump to 8:55
10. 10 Minutes of Previous Meeting
11. 11 June 3, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-8510
12. 12 Communications Chasers – If you parked in the city lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a voucher.
13. 13 Old Business
14. 14 REPORTS President Napoli: Council is continuing meeting with our partners: A meeting is scheduled with the Housing Authority Meeting on August 12th – the time is to be determined. Public Hearing: City Council has scheduled a public hearing on Wednesday, August 5 at 6 PM on Bill 52 - Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 660 Zoning, Article 5 Uses, Table 660-4 Use Table and Section 660-38 Manufacturing & Industry Group, adding public notice requirements and amending the use category Data Center Use. The bill will be on the council agenda that follows for action. Special Meeting: City Council has scheduled a public meeting on July 24 at 6 PM to review: Bill 54, a citizen initiative, which amends the Public Health Code by adding Chapter 421, Paid Sick Leave Act, to improve the public health by requiring certain businesses to allocate sick time to employees. Budget and Finance: Chair Pungo, Mota, Gerlach The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 22nd at 5:45 PM. Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Binder, Napoli The Committee met on June 24th, the next meeting is scheduled for July 22nd at 5:30 PM to consider two bills being introduced this evening: Bills 53 and 56. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Binder, Santos, Affa The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for August 12th – time to be determined, topics will include a review of the travel report, personnel manual update, and a discussion of the city website. Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Pungo, Binder The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Mota, Santos The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Public Works: Chair Mota, Pungo, Affa The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is scheduled for August 5th at 5:30 – the committee will be looking at the city’s ‘tree replacement/requirement’ policies. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Napoli, Mota, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Controller’s Report: The Controllers Office has submitted reports that are on the council agenda. Mayor: No submission.
15. 15 Controller's Reports 15-8530
16. 16 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 9:50
17. 17 Bill 33 Repealing Chapter 135, “Abandoned Real Property; Blight” in its entirety and adopting Chapter 611, “Vacant and At Risk Property” 15-8404 ▶ jump to 12:11
18. 18 Bill 49 Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) to fund the purchase of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon crosswalk warning sign to be installed at a mid-block crosswalk on 14th Street between Allen and Tilghman Street as part of the AARP Community Challenge Grant the City was awarded. 15-8487
19. 19 Bill 50 Amending the 2026 General Fund budget to accommodate the upgrade of the Opioid Prevention Manager and the Health Director in the Bureau of Health within the Department of Community & Economic Development. The Opioid Prevention Manager, currently an s09, would be upgraded to a proposed pay grade of s11 to align with the similar levels of responsibility, autonomy and workload as five (5) other s11’s in the Bureau. The permanent wages of this position are fully grant funded. The Health Director, currently an s18, would be upgraded to a proposed pay grade of s21 to acknowledge the addition of three (3) new program areas since the position was last graded in 2017 and the cabinet level responsibilities of this position while remaining in the supervisory pay scale. This position is partially grant funded. 15-8490
20. 20 Bill 51 Amending the 2026 General Fund budget to accommodate the downgrade and title change of the vacant Grants Compliance Administrator to an Assistant Grants Compliance Administrator in the Bureau of CDBG Administration within the Department of Community & Economic Development. The Grants Compliance Administrator, currently an s11, would be downgraded to a proposed pay grade of s07 to align with the level of responsibility, autonomy and workload that the office currently needs for this vacant position. The permanent wages of this position are 60% HUD grant reimbursable and 40% General Fund funded. 15-8489
21. 21 CONSENT AGENDA: No items on consent agenda.
22. 22 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):
23. 23 R80 Authorizing the expenditure of council funds for an independent five-year financial analysis and providing for the temporary deferral of certain capital projects pending completion of said analysis 15-8503
24. 24 R86 Authorizes the submission of a Formal Application for funding from the Pennsylvania Multi-Modal Transportation Fund Grant Opportunity in the amount of approximately Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00) for safety improvements along 15th Street Corridor. 15-8522
25. 25 R87 Transfers placing money in the proper accounts: $21,140.89 Fire Transfer – For the renewal of the Fire Department’s online Reporting System $117,163.00 Fire Transfer – For the cost of repairs necessary to preserve the safe use of the training tower. $100,000.00 Risk Transfer – Funds are needed to cover the cost of replacing the gate and control box at the Streets Department yard after they were damaged by a delivery truck. $30,000.00 CED Transfer – At-Risk Property Registration $21,330 CED Transfer – XRF analyzer for the inspection of lead based paint for the Community Housing–Lead Program. Beginning with the 2026 budget, equipment purchases with a unit cost greater than $5,000 must be budgeted under the Fixed Assets account. $100,000 CED Transfer – To cover a contract for consulting services with Urban Design Ventures, LLC. $29,599.00 Parks Transfer – Due to a change in the plan by the Allentown School District, a portion of the grant funds for Midway Manor to invest in a playground are no longer required by the organization to enhance the playground. DCED has asked that the city use the funds to support recreation and programming. The department will be purchasing new backboards for basketballs courts and various programming supplies for recreation needs. 15-8523
26. 26 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral)
27. 27 Bill 53 Amending the 2026 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars from Community Action Lehigh Valley as repayment of a HUD approved loan issued in 2025 to provide for the installation of new roofing for qualifying owner-occupied homes in the City of Allentown. 15-8520
28. 28 Bill 54 Amending the City of Allentown Public Health Code by adding Chapter 421, Paid Sick Leave Act, to improve the public health by requiring certain businesses to allocate sick time to employees. 15-8524
29. 29 Bill 55 Amending Part 1 – Administrative Legislation, Chapter 75 – Pensions and Retirement, Article III – Police Pension Fund, by adding a new section “Pension Service Credit for Prior Service with a Police Department”. 15-8521
30. 30 Bill 56 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 400 Noise, Section 400-6 Sound levels by receiving land use, to add regulations for continuously operating uses and Section 400-7 Regulations, to add a compliance verification method. 15-8528
31. 31 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee):
32. 32 NEW BUSINESS
33. 33 GOOD AND WELFARE
34. 34 ADJOURN
35. 35 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577