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August 6, 2025 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 44 items

  1. 1 Invocation: ▶ jump to 0:18
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:37
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 1:02
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Please observe the Rules of Council when given privilege of the floor. A copy of the Council Rules can be found on the council agenda on the website. If you would like to speak, we are asking that you fill out a card – they are on the back table provide them to the clerk before speaking. Include your name and address. When speakers have the privilege of the floor, personal insults, attacks, name calling or other behavior that is inconsistent with the purpose of conducting official business will not be tolerated. Courtesy of the Floor is meant to provide public comments on items that are not on the agenda. Public comment during consideration of ordinances, resolutions and motions are limited by topic – your comments must be relevant to the subject matter of the proposed legislation. Public comments are taken before council votes on legislation. You are given the privilege of the floor to provide public comment, it is not a question and answer session. State your position clearly and concisely for consideration. If you speak on behalf of yourself, you have three minutes and if you are speaking on behalf of a group that has several members present, you will be given five minutes in place of everyone coming to the podium. Please address the Council President not individual councilpersons or city staff. Refrain from insulting or defaming staff, officials, and the public; refrain from using offensive language, cursing, and making noises while other people are speaking. Please be aware that comments and/or behavior in violation of these rules will result in a forfeiture of all remaining time and you will be asked to return to your seat. ▶ jump to 2:00
  5. 5 Contract Approvals: The general idea for approving contracts is that the council acknowledges that proper procurement procedures were followed pursuant to the city code. A copy of the procedures are linked at the bottom of this agenda. ▶ jump to 48:08
  6. 6 R97 Authorization for Contract with Construction Masters Services, LLC. in the amount of $2,158,813.45 to secure a Contractor to construct the intersection improvements at the intersections of 7th Street & Hamilton Street and 7th Street and Linden Street. Work will include removal and disposal of pavement, sidewalk and/or concrete curb, located within the City limits, along with incidental work as may be authorized and required by the Contract Administrator. The improvements will be constructed primarily in commercial areas and in conjunction with the City Center Plaza redevelopment. One (1) bid was received. The contract shall commence upon full execution and shall cease on October 31, 2026. This contract can be extended for up to an additional twelve (12) months beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7872 approved Pass ▶ jump to 54:50
  7. 7 R98 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $4,180.00 with Philips & Donovan Architects, LLC to provide preliminary detailed consulting and engineering services for the preliminary design and cost estimates for the City of Allentown regarding the construction of a new Parks Operation facility located in the upper lot of our current Parks Maintenance facility located at 2050 Park Drive, Allentown 18103. The original contract was for $24,480.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $28,660.00. 15-7881 approved Pass ▶ jump to 56:00
  8. 8 R99 Authorization for Contract increase to the estimate yearly sum increase from $25,200.00 per contract year to $45,000.00 per contract year, that was previously Bid and Awarded under City Policies, with Biros Utilities, Inc. to provide rental and services of portable toilets on a monthly/as needed basis with cleaning/sanitizing and winterizing services. 15-7880 approved Pass ▶ jump to 64:01
  9. 9 R100 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $207,078.80 with Construction Masters Services to secure a Contractor to construct/reconstruct ADA Ramps in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act and remove and dispose of sidewalk and/or concrete curb, located within the City limits, along with incidental work as may be authorized and required by the Contract Administrator. The original contract was for $1,112,920.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $1,319,998.80. 15-7873 approved Pass ▶ jump to 65:51
  10. 10 R101 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000.00 to provide the City with various goods/services, for Condition One Commercial Roofing LLC. 15-7882 approved Pass ▶ jump to 66:33
  11. 11 R102 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $243,300.00 with Maher Duessel to perform financial and compliance audits for the City. The original contract was for $255,400.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $498,700.00. 15-7879 approved Pass ▶ jump to 72:36
  12. 12 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 72:56
  13. 13 June 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-7893 approved Pass ▶ jump to 73:00
  14. 14 Communications Chasers – If you parked in the city lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a voucher. ▶ jump to 73:16
  15. 15 Old Business ▶ jump to 73:29
  16. 16 REPORTS Committee of the Whole: President Hendricks A Committee of the Whole has been scheduled for August 13th at 6:30 PM, to review Bill 72 and to discuss the issues relating to the unhoused - we are in the process of working on an orderly agenda for that meeting with Councilperson Gerlach and the administration; and will publicized that by Friday afternoon. If you have any suggestions, please forward them to the City Clerk. Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Santos, Gerlach The Committee met this evening; there are no meetings scheduled at this time. Community and Economic Development, Chair Mota, Hendricks, Napoli The Committee met on July 30th and forwarded an item on tonight's agenda; there are no meetings scheduled at this time Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Santos, Napoli, Hendricks The Committee has not met since the last council meeting. There are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Parks and Recreation: Chair Gerlach, Santos, Affa The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Zucal, Mota The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled. Public Works: Chair Zucal, Gerlach, Affa The Committee met this evening; there are two items on the Agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for August 20th at 6:25 PM. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Controller's Report Mr. Jeffrey Glazier thanked Mr. Hendricks and stated that he does not have a Report tonight, but he would like to inform you that we would be preparing a new Report to be presented to Council. The Reporting Period will start in the month of August, but the first Report will undoubtedly will be in September or possibly in October. He stated that one of the things that the Controller's office is charged in is reviewing all warrants that the city issues. That is language probably from the 40s which they should update that to checks and wires. He stated for a long time they really just saw the accounts payable checks, but over time they have expanded that so they do fire escrow checks. He stated that they do any other kinds of checks and they also started doing the checks to pay grantees from the CDBG grants and also from for instance the Community Reinvestment Grants. CED sends them those checks for approval. They review them and sometimes the documentation runs 100 pages for some of these. It is time consuming procedures to try to get it as right as they can. They have decided that these programs are important and having confidence that these groups are spending both city money and federal money properly. It is important to know and it is time for them to begin to report on this to Council. He stated keep your eyes and ears open for that. He stated that he is sure it will be interesting. He thank Mr. Hendricks. Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Glazier. The mayor has not submitted anything for the agenda. ▶ jump to 79:34
  17. 17 Controller Reports 15-7901
  18. 18 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 82:58
  19. 19 Bill 47 The bill was forwarded favorably by the Community and Economic Development Committee, Chairperson Mota. Request from Cedar Crest College to Rezone 2851-2865 College Drive from Low Density Residential (R-L) to Institutional-Governmental (I-G) 15-7713 approved Pass ▶ jump to 83:40
  20. 20 Bill 60 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Eighteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars and Sixty-Six Cents ($18,178.66) from the 2024 Springwood Trust operating budget to the 2025 Springwood Trust operating budget. These funds will be used to complete projects at Trexler Memorial Park. 15-7852 approved Pass ▶ jump to 84:50
  21. 21 Bill 61 Amending 2025 General Fund Budget to provide a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand Dollars ($182,000.00) from the Commonwealth of PA Economic Development & Community Development Initiatives Program to the City of Allentown Police Department to utilize the funding for replacement of Police Academy range tower. 15-7853 approved Pass ▶ jump to 85:46
  22. 22 Bill 62 Amending the 2025 Fire Department budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Two Hundred Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars ($200,375.00) from the County of Lehigh grant. These funds will be used to update and repair the Fire Academy Training Tower. 15-7854 approved Pass ▶ jump to 86:35
  23. 23 Bill 63 Amending the 2025 Fire Department budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development grant. These funds will be utilized to support the Public Affairs Office, The Honor Guard, and the Underwater Recovery Team. 15-7855 approved Pass ▶ jump to 87:25
  24. 24 Bill 64 The bill was forwarded favorably by the Community and Economic Development Committee, Chairperson Mota. An Ordinance providing for the expenditure of certain monies received by the City of Allentown under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1976, as amended; The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009; and Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended; for the purpose of undertaking programs of housing and community development within the City. 15-7856 approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:23
  25. 25 Bill 65 Amending the 2025 General and Liquid Fuels Fund Budgets to provide for a transfer of Five Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-One Dollars and Thirty-One Cents ($567,951.31) from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to the Liquid Fuels Fund. This transfer stems from an audit finding on the Liquid Fuels funding from 2016-2020 stating that the paving of more than one inch required prior approval from the Department of Transportation and that prior approval was not received. This was not found in previous audits and has since been corrected once the city was made aware. 15-7857 approved Pass ▶ jump to 89:14
  26. 26 Bill 66 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,750,000.00) to a newly created Capital Account to complete the Center Square Project at 7th & Hamilton as part of the Public Improvement Project in accordance with ANIZDA guidelines. The City entered into a Reimbursable Agreement with PennDOT for up to $2,500,000 for the improvements at 7th & Hamilton Street and 7th & Linden Street to include new traffic signals, paving, and pavement markings. The City’s match is Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) for inspection fees and construction oversight. The City will be reimbursed up to Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) from PennDOT through discretionary funding for this project. 15-7862 approved Pass ▶ jump to 89:58
  27. 27 Bill 67 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Two Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and Eighty Cents ($293,546.80) from various capital accounts to the Traffic Signals-Upgrade capital account to repair traffic equipment at 7 intersections in the City due to accident damage. 15-7861 approved Pass ▶ jump to 90:50
  28. 28 Bill 68 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation in the amount of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($120,720.00) to the Parks and Recreation Department to support the Court Upgrades capital project, Roosevelt Park capital project, and Rose Garden capital project. This is part of the 2025-26 Trexler Capital Project allocation. 15-7869 approved Pass ▶ jump to 91:41
  29. 29 CONSENT AGENDA: The Consent Agenda is for items that are considered ‘no brainers’ – no need to have the administration explain anything the objective is to vote on all the resolutions at one time if there are no issues. The President asks if there is any request to remove any item from the Consent Agenda. If not, the clerk will read the titles of the resolutions. The President will ask for public comments, prior to council voting on the bundle. approved Pass ▶ jump to 92:39
  30. 30 R103 Julie Ambrose, Board of Parks and Recreation, 8/7/2030 (Reappointment) 15-7884
  31. 31 R104 Sewage Planning Module at 2852 Crest Ave N - Subdivision 15-7887
  32. 32 R106 Sewage Planning Module at 1028 S Lumber
  33. 33 R106 Sewage Planning Module at 1028 S Lumber 15-7903
  34. 34 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): There are none. ▶ jump to 92:57
  35. 35 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral. The bills will be discussed thoroughly at the committee meeting, the will be opportunities for discussion at that time.) ▶ jump to 92:58
  36. 36 Bill 69 Chapter 660 Zoning Ordinance. Repealing Chapter 660, Zoning, in its entirety and adopting a new Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. 15-7878 ▶ jump to 93:04
  37. 37 Bill 70 Chapter 350 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Repealing Chapter 350, Land Development and Subdivision, in its entirety and adopting a new Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. 15-7877 ▶ jump to 93:50
  38. 38 Bill 71 Amending the 2025 Solid Waste Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Dollars ($153,000.00) from the unappropriated cash balance to purchase a new cardboard baler for the Recycling Drop Off Center. The City was awarded $200,000 through the 902 Municipal Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant for this purchase and will be fully reimbursed once the cardboard baler is purchased and installed. 15-7883 ▶ jump to 98:21
  39. 39 Bill 72 Special Committee Meeting, forwarded favorably Authorizing and securing the issuance of one or more series of general obligation bonds, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $134,040,000, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Local Government Unit Debt Act, to finance various capital projects of the city and to pay the costs of issuing the bonds; accepting a bond purchase agreement; setting forth the parameters, substantial form of and conditions for issuing the bonds; pledging the full faith, credit and taxing power of this city to secure the bonds; creating a sinking fund and appointing a paying agent and sinking fund depository; and authorizing related action. 15-7892 ▶ jump to 98:53
  40. 40 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): There are none.
  41. 41 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 99:58
  42. 42 GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE ▶ jump to 100:04
  43. 43 ADJOURNED: 8:10 PM ▶ jump to 100:08
  44. 44 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577