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April 2, 2025 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 41 items

  1. 1 Invocation: ▶ jump to 6:23
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 6:42
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 7:02
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Please observe the Rules of Council when given privilege of the floor. A copy of 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 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 comment on items that are not on the agenda. Public comment during consideration of ordinances, resolutions and motions is 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 privilege of the floor to provide public comment, it is not a question-and-answer session. State your position clearly and concisely for our consideration. If you are speaking 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 7:27
  5. 5 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 18:21
  6. 6 R39 Authorization for Contract with Davey Resource Group, Inc. in the amount of $220,000.00 to develop a comprehensive Tree Inventory, Species Master Plan and Urban Forestry Master Plan that is rooted in environmental justice and equity. Two (2) proposals were received, contract shall be for twelve (12) months with one (1) additional six (6) month renewal beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7598 approved Pass ▶ jump to 34:06
  7. 7 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 34:35
  8. 8 March 19, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-7597 approved Pass ▶ jump to 34:40
  9. 9 Communications ▶ jump to 34:58
  10. 10 Old Business ▶ jump to 35:45
  11. 11 REPORTS Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Santos, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for April 9th at 5:30 PM to review the latest version of the December 2024 financials and the February 2025 financial reports; and Bill 36, the annual roll over legislation, which is being introduced this evening. Community and Economic Development, Chair Mota, Hendricks, Napoli The Committee met on March 26th and forwarded items on this evening's agenda - the next meeting is scheduled for April 9th at 5:45 PM to discuss Bill 33 which changes fees for plan reviews, consolidates building permit procedures and updates some language in the Code - the bill is being introduced this evening. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Santos, Napoli, Hendricks The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for April 9th at 6:15 PM to discuss Bill 29, a house-cleaning amendment to the African American Advisory Council and a proposed resolution on gender affirming care. (A RESOLUTION TO PROTECT AND GRANT REFUGE TO MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE FLEEING STATES WITH ANTI-LGBTQ+ LAWS; DECLARE ALLENTOWN A SAFE AND WELCOMING HAVEN FOR THE LGBTQ+ (LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER) COMMUNITY; URGING COUNTY AND STATE OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THE AFORESAID LEGISLATION.) Parks and Recreation: Chair Gerlach, Santos, Affa The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 16th at 6 PM. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Zucal, Mota The Committee met this evening. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 16th at 6:15 PM. Public Works: Chair Zucal, Gerlach, Affa The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; no meetings are scheduled at this time. Controller's Report Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated there are three reports this evening as always. He stated that he is going to hit the highlights. He stated the first one is the P Card Reports for October 2024. They finally finished it up on the 21st of March 2025. They reviewed 671 documents for October. Of those 34 had issues. He hit the highlights on these Reports. He stated that he just want to reiterate that they are dealing with a lot of documents and most of them are A ok. Some have problems and those are the ones that he Reports on. The total amount of transactions was almost $198,000. The major issue they found was non compliant of AIM 1-106. Drivers who incur parking tickets for other traffic violations while city vehicle will be personally responsible for all fees, fines and other liabilities incurred. There were a number of EZ Pass and tolls for an office that were not paid in a timely manner. They incurred a total of tolls of $430. The tolls and late fees was $430.26. The late fees totaled $371.16. The office was advised with the late fees advised to reimburse the city. The response was that those fees would be refunded to the city. There were a number of untimely P-Card entries into Eden. He stated as you know the October Report was reporting on it in April. The Report was just finished in May. There 27 invoices that was between 31 and 60 days late and 10 invoices that was 60 days. He stated five of those belonged to the garage and five belonged to the mayor's office. There were four invoices that used an incorrect expense account, the departments were advised and a Journal Entries were completed. There were a number of invoices that paid credit card fees. Under the current city regulations, they are not allowed to pay convenience fees. He stated that all of them that buy things online or do business know that convenience fees are becoming more widely spread. His advice to the administration is they need to recognize this going forward because it is in the Rules that they are not supposed to pay it. It becomes a finding for us anyway. The next Report is P-Cards for the month of January 2025. This Report also came out in March 21, 2925. There were 462 documents in this Batch for about $180,000. The findings here are there was a duplicate payment in the garage that they paid it first by charge then by check. He stated that they caught it and then the check was voided. They found a noncompliance with AIM 3-102 which is transportation related expenses when you travel on common carrier, an economy rate may be used for bus, train and airplane travel. The city shares airplane fees will not exceed the economy tours and excursion fares which ever is lowest. There was a charge for a seat change for $109.98. The charges were for preferred seating changes and this was not a compliance with AIM. The employee was advised and his understanding that those charges have been refunded to the city. There was another violation of AIM 1-106 having to do with, in this case toll late fees or fines. This was for an amount of $54 in additional to the toll of $4. The $4 was alright. The $54 isn't alright. Just like the $370 noted previously. Previously, the department was contacted and his understanding was reimbursement has been made. There were 14 invoices, using the wrong expense accounts. The department were advised and journals entries were done to correct it. He state 16 invoices with credit card fees once again, was something they are obligated to point out. He stated and lastly, and thanked them for their patience, an accounts payable weekly check review for the 1st of February through the 14th of March. He stated that this is an odd time period because the 14th of March, the last check run in Eden all the check runs and credit cards they are doing now will be in Munis. The number of checks in this run was 575. The number of documents were 1,122. The total dollar amount was about $5.6 million. In addition, 12 manual checks for $245,000. He stated that they had to review payments from non-bargaining employee tuition reimbursement. He stated that the tuition reimbursement for the employee exceeded the amount provided for in the MESA Agreement and in city policy. He stated that the previously made a payment to this person of $3,400 and then got another payment $3,400. They reviewed all the payments made to this person and determined that it exceeded the 2024 maximum by $1,550. The check was voided and reissued in the proper amount to be consistent with city guidelines. The was another duplicate payment for the garage. It was caught and the check was voided. There were five invoices that used the incorrect expense account and the department were advised and journal entries were corrected. There were 27 invoices that we felt were paid late. For them paying late was grater than 60ndays or after we get the invoice. The department was advised and in almost all cases and responded to the reason as to why the invoices were either entered late or paid late. He stated and that Mr. President is his report for this evening. Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Glazier. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier asked if there are any questions he would be happy to entertain them. Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked does anybody have any questions from Mr. Glazier. Mr. Ed Zucal stated to Mr. Glazier just one quick question stating that he mentioned that the employee would violate violations and asked is there a lot of those. He asked are we seeing a lot of that. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that it is a interesting question. He stated no. He stated that the ones that they caught are the ones that were there. He made some recommendations to the Finance Director and Fleet on how they can do a better job with EZ Pass and how they can make it easier for the Accounts Payable people. How they can administer the program better and how they can have a greater accountability. Pennsylvania really went to toll by plate. At the end of 2024, if you didn't have an EZ Pass, it would send you an individual invoice. All those individual invoices created problems, especially if you went out of state because then you would then impose penalties. Now, if you are part of EZ Pass and you are in-state, when the account gets replenished and you pull a transaction, all the trips are there. It is their recommendation that they only have five EZ Pass accounts citywide. The police has one. They do a great job with it. Solid Waste has one, the do a great job with it. There are a bunch of other accounts floating out there. He stated that they can reduce them to five which would be Police, Fire, Solid Waste has one. One for Public Works because they do some travel and the other one he is recommending for Fleet and Fleet will cover all the departments that would only take the occasional trip and they would be responsible for making sure that the vehicles are registered on the EZ Pass so the city would get the best rate and the other thing is if you are traveling out of state on a toll road, you have to have a transponder. He stated that Delaware toll by plate isn't like our toll by plate. He stated that the city is not going to get the same consideration. If you have the transponder, we are all good. He stated that those are his recommendations. He thinks Finance and Fleet would be meeting on it shortly. He is hopefully that they will make those changes and everyone will be happier. Mr. Ed Zucal thanked Mr. Glazier and Mr. Hendricks. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated you are welcome, sir. Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated you are welcome. The mayor has not submitted anything for the agenda. ▶ jump to 35:35
  12. 12 Controller Reports 15-7600 ▶ jump to 45:14
  13. 13 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 49:24
  14. 14 Bill 14 Amending the Administrative Code, Chapter 177, Bicycles, by bringing the code into compliance with the Pa. State vehicle code, updating the definition of bicycle to pedalcycle to be consistent with the Pa. Vehicle Code, repealing chapters 177-3 through 177-7 (advise the police department to direct bike owners to register their bikes in a national data base), repealing various sections of the code that are superseded by the PA Vehicle Code and amending Chapter 319, Hamilton Street Regulations, updating the term bicycles to pedalcycles. 15-7475 approved Pass ▶ jump to 50:49
  15. 15 Bill 17 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of One million Six Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars and Eighty-Nine Cents ($1,698,288.89) from various Capital Projects to Capital Project 2035 – American Parkway Traffic Signal Improvements to complete the construction of installing traffic adaptive system along American Parkway/Basin Street from Susquehanna Street to Airport Road. 15-7542 approved Pass ▶ jump to 51:53
  16. 16 Bill 23 Amending the 2025 Risk Fund Budget to provide for an increase of Ninety-One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Dollars ($91,130) to the Transfer from Grant Fund insurance revenue account representing the Insurance expenditure for 2025 from the Grant Fund’s Recompete Phase 2 personnel in programs 005-09-5902-0082 and 005-09-5908-0082. 15-7583 approved Pass ▶ jump to 52:48
  17. 17 Bill 24 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) to a newly created Capital Account to aid in the completion of the Hamilton Streetscape project from 5th Street to the beginning of the NIZ. These improvements will promote tourism in the city, increasing economic growth. The upgrades will include new sidewalks, curbs, ADA ramps, LED pedestrian lighting, flower beds, trees, tree lighting, ADA compliant benches, bike racks, garbage cans, and stormwater upgrades. The City was awarded an MTF-DCED grant, and these funds are fully reimbursable. 15-7584 approved Pass ▶ jump to 53:42
  18. 18 Bill 25 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of One million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,900,000.00) to a newly created Capital Account to enhance road safety and improve pedestrian and cyclist accessibility on South Jefferson Street. These upgrades will enhance safety and infrastructure for vulnerable road users along this corridor. The City was awarded an ARLE grant, and these funds are fully reimbursable. 15-7585 approved Pass ▶ jump to 55:03
  19. 19 Bill 26 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Seven Thousand Six Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars and Ninety-Five Cents ($7,624.95). This was the result of payment in lieu of tree plantings from Anthony P. Aspromonte, U-Haul of Pennsylvania, Lee Goldstein, and Antoun Zayat. Funds will be used for the purchase of new street trees. 15-7586 approved Pass ▶ jump to 56:37
  20. 20 Bill 27 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated balance of the Trexler Fund in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) to the Court Upgrades capital project account of the Parks and Recreation Department. These funds will be used to resurface and repair various sports courts throughout the city and is part of the 2025-26 Trexler Capital Project allocation. 15-7587 approved Pass ▶ jump to 57:28
  21. 21 Bill 28 Amending the Administrative Code by adding procedures to protect citizens from onerous towing practices by creating a uniform framework to establish and enforce towing procedures and standards for owners of private property and tow truck owners and operators towing from private property. 15-7591 amended Pass ▶ jump to 66:44
  22. 22 CONSENT AGENDA: No Consent Agenda Items. ▶ jump to 69:22
  23. 22 Bill 28 Amending the Administrative Code by adding procedures to protect citizens from onerous towing practices by creating a uniform framework to establish and enforce towing procedures and standards for owners of private property and tow truck owners and operators towing from private property. 15-7591 approved as amended Pass ▶ jump to 68:55
  24. 23 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): The Clerk will read the resolution. Council and the Administration might comment. The public has the opportunity to comment at the podium before a vote takes place. ▶ jump to 69:23
  25. 24 R37 Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 927 Turner Street 15-7561 amended Pass ▶ jump to 69:56
  26. 25 R40 Approves the appointment of three Police Officers at a base salary of $ 70,492.54 contingent upon passing physical and psychological examinations and obtaining and maintaining a valid state certification from the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission. 15-7608 approved Pass ▶ jump to 80:57
  27. 26 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (Ordinances for introduction are referred to the appropriate Committee where a full discussion takes place, but there is public comment allowed prior to referral) ▶ jump to 81:22
  28. 26 R37 Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 927 Turner Street 15-7561 approved as amended Pass ▶ jump to 78:40
  29. 27 Bill 29 Amending the African-American Advisory Council by clarifying and adding a section on selecting members stating: Council and the Mayor must make every effort to ensure the board reflects the community it has been created to serve. Appointments to the board should prioritize African American community leaders and city residents. . 15-7599 ▶ jump to 81:28
  30. 28 Bill 30 Amending the 2025 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($185,000.00) from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support a feasibility study of MLK Trail Phase 3 (Parkettes to D&L Trail on Riverside Dr) and construction of either Phase 1 or 2 of MLK Trail. 15-7601 ▶ jump to 81:59
  31. 29 Bill 31 Amending the 2025 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the Trexler Escrow Unappropriated Cash balance in the amount of One Hundred Eight Thousand One Hundred Five Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($108,105.75) to the MLK Trail capital account of the Parks and Recreation Department. These funds will be utilized for the construction of Phase 1 of the trail and is part of the 2024-25 Trexler Capital Project allocation. 15-7602 ▶ jump to 82:26
  32. 30 Bill 32 Amending the 2025 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Forty-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($46,766) from the Department of Justice for 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG grant to the City of Allentown Police Department to utilize the funding evidence workflow management system and portable weighing scales. A portion of this funding is appropriated as a pass through to Lehigh County. 15-7605 ▶ jump to 82:57
  33. 31 Bill 33 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 270 Fees, Article V Community and Economic Development Fees by revising the permitting and plan fees, reducing the permits per project to a single permit that covers all fees and updating language in the code. The intent is to streamline the permit application process and improve both customer service and administrative efficiency by consolidating all required permits into one comprehensive permit, simplifying the application and approval process. 15-7604 ▶ jump to 83:26
  34. 32 Bill 34 Amending the 2025 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($132,800.00) from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Grant to the City of Allentown Police Department. These funds will be utilized for reimbursement of expenses for the purchase of case management software, mobile devices, program analysis, unit apparel and additional Community Intervention Specialist. 15-7606 ▶ jump to 83:52
  35. 33 Bill 35 Amending the 2025 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Eighty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($85,900.00) from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Grant to the City of Allentown Police Department. These funds will be utilized for reimbursement of expenses for the purchase of portable breath testing devices, impaired driving simulator kit, trailer and training for officers. 15-7607 ▶ jump to 84:21
  36. 34 Bill 36 Amending the 2025 General Fund, the 2025 Trexler Fund, the 2025 Risk Fund, the 2025 Equipment Replacement Fund, the 2025 Solid Waste Fund, the 2025 Liquid Fuels Fund, the 2025 Stormwater Fund, and the 2025 Golf Fund by appropriating funds from the un-appropriated balances for the rollover of encumbrances for the prior year commitments. 15-7609 ▶ jump to 84:52
  37. 35 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): ▶ jump to 85:25
  38. 36 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 85:25
  39. 37 GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE ▶ jump to 85:28
  40. 38 ADJOURNED: 7:55 PM ▶ jump to 85:33
  41. 39 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577