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July 23, 2025 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 55 items

  1. 1 Invocation:
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:31
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:53
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor - Privilege of the Floor Rules 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 1:07
  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. The Clerk will read the resolution. After staff explains the process, comments are taken from the dais and the public before a vote. ▶ jump to 3:42
  6. 6 R79 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $17,522.00 with Penn Mount Stone, LLC to provide masonry repair and preservation of a WPA Staircase and Wall located at the entrance of the Rose Garden for The Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation. The original contract was for $64,494.42, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $82,016.42. 15-7850 approved Pass ▶ jump to 4:40
  7. 7 R80 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $5,500.00 with Pennoni Associates, Inc. to obtain the services of an Engineering Firm to perform structural evaluations for Emergency and non-Emergency call outs as needed to make structural assessments and evaluations on commercial and residential properties in the City of Allentown. The original contract was for the estimated budgeted sum of $25,000.00 per contract year, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $30,500.00. 15-7851 approved Pass ▶ jump to 6:28
  8. 8 R81 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $37,456.00 with Michael Baker International, Inc. to provide consulting and engineering design services related to the D&L Trail: Allentown East Segment Design. The original contract was for $233,336.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $270,792.00. 15-7849 approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:56
  9. 9 R82 Authorization for Contract with AMGG, LLC. in the amount of $268,474.00 to provide a detailed and thorough facility condition assessment and analysis of its facilities, fixed assets, and miscellaneous structures on City owned or managed properties including review and update of asset inventory, identification of current facility condition deficiencies, recommendation of corrections for all deficiencies, provision of cost estimates for corrections, and forecasting future capital renewal cost. Thirteen (13) proposals were received; however, three (3) proposals were rejected. Contract shall be for one (1) year with two (2) additional one (1) year renewal terms beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7844 approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:25
  10. 10 R83 Authorization for Contract with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture in the amount of $159,950.00 to provide detailed consulting and engineering services for design, construction documents and specifications, and construction cost estimates for the construction of the Franklin Park Improvements Project. Five (5) proposals were received; contract shall be for one (1) year with five (5) additional one (1) year renewals beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7848 approved Pass ▶ jump to 12:38
  11. 11 R84 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000.00 to provide the City with various goods/services, for T.M. Fitzgerald & Associates, Samsara Networks Inc., and Invisio. 15-7845 approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:22
  12. 12 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 13:39
  13. 13 June 18, 2025 Public Hearing Bill 16 Meeting Minutes 15-7843 approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:43
  14. 14 Communications ▶ jump to 13:58
  15. 15 Old Business: NONE ▶ jump to 14:09
  16. 16 REPORTS Public Hearing: President Hendricks A Public Hearing is being scheduled for August 6th at 6:15 PM on Bill 47, a request from Cedar Crest College to Rezone 2851-2865 College Drive from Low Density Residential (R-L) to Institutional-Governmental (I-G). Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Santos, Gerlach The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is scheduled for August 6th at 5:15 PM. Community and Economic Development, Chair Mota, Hendricks, Napoli The Committee met on July 16th and forwarded an item on this evenings agenda; and this evening. the next meeting is scheduled on July 30th at 6 PM. 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; the next meeting is scheduled for August 6 at 5:45 PM. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Zucal, Mota The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for August 6 at 5:30 PM. Public Works: Chair Zucal, Gerlach, Affa The Committee met this evening; there is one item on the agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for August 6th at 6 PM. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The Committee met on July 16th at 6 PM and forwarded an item on tonight's agenda; there are no future meetings scheduled. Controller's Report Mr. Jeffrey Glazier thanked Mr. Hendricks and stated that he has a P-Card Report for the month of March 2025. He stated as they know they been using Munis lately and the Controller's Department is coming down the learning curve which is probably the most charitable way to describe it and what they have found out so far in using it is that it is exceptionally time consuming through P-Card Statements under this software. Consequently, he just done with March. it will probably be another month or so until they are done with April and May is God knows when. He stated that they are kind of frustrated with that, but they are working through it and trying to figure out better ways to do it more efficiently. It affects Council in that you guys have some request for him to look at things which he very much like to do, but he is also very cognizant that this reporting needs to be timely for any journal corrections to be done so this is sucking up a tremendous amount of time and will get to your request as soon as he can. He stated that they are doing a balancing act there. He stated that of course, Jacqui is also doing interns. He stated that is time consuming as well. He stated they will be done in August and then she will have a little bit more time to work on some of this stuff. As far as the P-Card Report goes, he got to say that by and large, the departments are getting better. They understand what to look for and a lot of the errors that they used to have gone away and that is a good thing. He stated that they had sales tax paid on two invoices. The departments were advised and are seeking a refund. He stated that they had 10 invoices where the incorrect expenses account was used. The departments were advised. Journal entries are being done. He stated that credit card fees are becoming an issue. They do a lot of business with credit cards, clearly because there is some convenience there and some businesses facing the slim margins may add a convenience fee to that. The city policy says don't do it. He stated that they just call it out when it happens. The administration is aware of that. They are either going to let things continue to go as they are or will advise the departments to migrate over away from those vendors to charge the fee or they are just going to have to change the policy. It is their call, but we acknowledge and call it out when it happens. He stated that is really the Report for the month of March. He stated that he will see them in a month or so for the April Report. The Check Reports will come in a normal timely fashion. Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Glazier and stated that it is much appreciated. He stated that the mayor has not submitted anything for the agenda tonight. ▶ jump to 14:13
  17. 17 Controller Reports 15-7871 ▶ jump to 16:31
  18. 18 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 19:53
  19. 19 Bill 53 Amending the 2025 General Fund to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) to support the Main Street Program in the Department of Community & Economic Development. 15-7796 approved Pass ▶ jump to 63:11
  20. 20 Bill 54 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated balance of the Trexler Fund in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($121,750.00) to the operating and capital budgets of the Parks and Recreation Department and correspondingly increase the City Match amount by Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Five Dollars ($7,305.00) to follow the 6% requirement. 15-7798 approved Pass ▶ jump to 64:19
  21. 21 Bill 55 Amending the 2025 General Fund budget by changing the Fixed Cost Distribution (FCD) for seven (7) positions within the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) to direct a portion of their salary and benefits expense to the Grant Fund Recompete Program budget to reflect work performed under the grant. 15-7797 approved Pass ▶ jump to 65:53
  22. 22 Bill 56 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated balance of the Trexler Fund in the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand Three Hundred and Five Dollars ($193,305.00) to the operating and capital budgets of the Parks and Recreation Department. 15-7805 approved Pass ▶ jump to 66:38
  23. 23 Bill 57 Amending the 2025 General Fund budget to accommodate the upgrading, retitling, and addition of positions in the Departments of Law, Finance, City Council, Police and Public Works. 15-7810 approved Pass ▶ jump to 74:13
  24. 24 Bill 58 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Million ($1,000,000) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support construction of the MLK Trail Extension. 15-7811 approved Pass ▶ jump to 75:08
  25. 25 Bill 59 Providing for the vacation of Hill Street from the centerline of South 22nd Street to the centerline of South Ruhr Street in the Eighteenth Ward of the City of Allentown: 15-7815 approved Pass ▶ jump to 77:30
  26. 26 CONSENT AGENDA approved Pass ▶ jump to 78:36
  27. 27 R85 Roslyn Kuba, Commission on Homelessness, Term Expiration: 6/19/2029 (Reappointment) 15-7865
  28. 28 R86 Brandon Swayser, Environmental Advisory Council, Term Expiration: 1/3/2028 (Appointment) 15-7866
  29. 29 R87 William Rhoades, Board of Parks and Recreation, Term Expiration: 6/19/2030 15-7867
  30. 30 R88 Sewage Planning Module at Cumberland Apartments 15-7817
  31. 31 R89 Sewage Planning Module at Firehouse Flats – 711 West Chew Street 15-7863
  32. 32 R90 Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts: 806 Monroe St.; 1022 Chew St.; 931 Gordon St. 15-7821
  33. 33 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 78:54
  34. 34 R72 . Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 1550 Chew Street 15-7760 approved Pass ▶ jump to 81:26
  35. 35 R91 A resolution of the City of Allentown, approving the Walk Works Bike Plan. The Walk Works Bike Plan is a citywide initiative to make biking safer, more accessible, and more convenient for all residents. It outlines strategies to improve bicycle infrastructure, promote active transportation, reduce pollution, and support mobility, aligning with Allentown’s long-term transportation and sustainability goals. 15-7835 approved Pass ▶ jump to 81:25
  36. 36 R92 Approves the submission of an application for a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for construction of the Dixon Street Sidewalk and Path Project, connecting the neighborhoods with a safe travel route via sidewalks and a path. The City is asking for $98,382.71 in grant funding with no match required. 15-7858 approved Pass ▶ jump to 82:04
  37. 37 R93 Approves the submission of an application for a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the continued development of the Martin Luther King Trail – Phase 2 - Cedar Creek to MLK. The City is asking for $1,000,000.00 in grant funding with no match required. 15-7859 approved Pass ▶ jump to 82:44
  38. 38 R94 Authorizes the submission of a Formal Application for funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant in the amount of approximately Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) to complete a StreetScape Project on Jordan Street from Turner to Gordon Street. 15-7860 approved Pass ▶ jump to 83:27
  39. 39 R95 Approves the following transfers: Public Safety/Police - $131,000.00; CED – Planning & Zoning - $50,000.00. 15-7864 approved Pass ▶ jump to 90:18
  40. 40 R96 A resolution supporting HB 1200, the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana by adults, with sales through state-owned stores and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget which has included a plan to legalize and tax the sale and use of recreational marijuana. 15-7870 approved Pass ▶ jump to 106:10
  41. 41 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ▶ jump to 106:50
  42. 42 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 ▶ jump to 106:52
  43. 43 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 ▶ jump to 107:05
  44. 44 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 ▶ jump to 107:24
  45. 45 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 ▶ jump to 107:46
  46. 46 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 ▶ jump to 108:04
  47. 47 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 ▶ jump to 108:20
  48. 48 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 ▶ jump to 108:44
  49. 49 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 ▶ jump to 109:14
  50. 50 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 ▶ jump to 109:34
  51. 51 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): ▶ jump to 109:56
  52. 52 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 109:55
  53. 53 GOOD AND WELFARE ▶ jump to 115:22
  54. 54 ADJOURNED: 8:25 PM ▶ jump to 115:33
  55. 55 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577