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City Council

August 21, 2024 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 43 items

  1. 1 Invocation: ▶ jump to 0:02
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:18
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:34
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor ▶ jump to 0:49
  5. 5 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 14:22
  6. 6 R134 Authorization for Contract with Phillips & Donovan Architects, LLC in the amount of $24,480.00 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, PA 18103. There were two (2) proposals submitted, contract shall be for one (1) year with one (1) year renewal beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7151 approved Pass ▶ jump to 15:37
  7. 7 R135 Authorization for Contract with USI Insurance Services, LLC in the amount of $30,000.00 per year totaling $150,000.00 for the initial five (5) year term to aid the City of Allentown in the management of the Total Cost of Risk (i.e. TCOR), to include but not limited to effective Auto Liability and Workers' Compensation Program (i.e. Program). There were three (3) proposals, contract shall be for five (5) years with one (1) year renewal beyond the contract expiration period. 15-7152 approved Pass ▶ jump to 17:05
  8. 8 R136 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000.00 to provide the City with various goods/services, for Ultimate Train Munitions, Inc., EPlus Technology, Inc., and Advanced Electronic Design. 15-7150 approved Pass ▶ jump to 18:16
  9. 9 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 18:30
  10. 10 July 24, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-7176 approved Pass ▶ jump to 18:35
  11. 11 Communications ▶ jump to 18:49
  12. 12 Old Business: NONE ▶ jump to 19:06
  13. 13 REPORTS Co-Responder Meeting - Chairperson Gerlach, Napoli, Zucal There will be a co-responder meeting on September 4 at 5 PM, in Council Chambers. Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Hendricks, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; a meeting is scheduled for August 28th, at 6:00 PM, to review the monthly finances and an update on the Munis project. Community and Economic Development: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The committee has not met since the last council meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for August 28th, following the Budget and Finance Committee meeting, at 6:30 PM to review the two HARB denials being referred to the committee and have a presentation and discussion on the housing study and the Recompete grant. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Affa, Napoli, Santos The Committee has not met since the last council meeting. There are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Affa, Gerlach The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is scheduled for September 4th at 6 PM. Public Safety: Chair Zucal, Hendricks, Mota The committee has not met since the last council meeting; The next meeting is scheduled for September 4th at 6:25 PM. Public Works: Chair Gerlach, Affa, Zucal The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Mota, Napoli, Gerlach The committee has not met since the last council meeting. There are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Controller's Report (3 minutes) Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated thank you madam president this evening he is going to report on as Council requested on Bill 64. He stated that he has a handout for them. He stated that if they recall when the administration first brought this bill before you, he was informed. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated, but listen. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that it is not on the agenda. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that it is out of order, though. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated no, it isn't. This is his report. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she believes that it is out of order. She believes it is out of order. The reality is that they have not spoken about this yet. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that she is right and stated Ms. Mota Council asked him to report on this bill and he agreed. He is going to report on this bill and stated Ms. Mota. Mr. Ed Zucal stated no. He stated that the bill was tabled. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that he spent 10 hours and thousands of dollars worth of taxpayers money and your going to tell me. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that it was tabled. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that is alright. You still need to hear the report. Mr. Ed Zucal stated no we don't. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that Council asked him for the report. He stated that all he is doing is reporting to them. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that this is out of order. She stated that this is not at the agenda and she does understand, but at the same time, he cannot speak on this yet. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated to Dr. Mota is she now telling him that she can tell the Controller what his report is. He asked is that what she is telling him. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she believes that this is out of order. The saddest part is at this point, they don't have a lawyer that can help them out in this situation now. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that they have the city solicitor. The city solicitor is more than confident to render a decision as to whether council can tell the controller what he can and cannot report. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that this is out of order. Mr. Ed Zucal stated get him out of here. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that this is out of order. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated respectfully, he disagrees with her. He understands that she doesn't want to hear it. It doesn't mean that it is out of order. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that this is out of order. She asked if he had anything else that he would like to report. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated no, he just thought that the public should get their thousand dollars worth of time that he spent. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that what she is saying is that he should not report it right now, but she is trying to tell him that at this moment it will be out of order. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated quite honestly he can't see how the controller's report can be out of order. When the controller's report is on the agenda. Mr. Ed Zucal stated that you are referring to a tabled item. It is not untabled. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that doesn't matter. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated once it gets untabled, then you can speak on this. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier asked if she is guaranteeing that it will be untabled. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she can't guarantee anything because she is just one vote. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that the public has the right to hear how the city spent their money. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she agrees with him and suggested that he put the report on the website. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that this is a public forum. On the agenda, the controller gives a report. He has never seen any president in this council tell a controller or the mayor for that instance what he can and cannot report on. He stated that he understands that she does not want to hear it. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that it is not that she doesn't want to hear it. This bill was tabled. She stated that this was tabled. Ms. Candida Affa asked if they can ask the solicitor for an opinion, here. Instead of arguing back and forth, do we have an opinion. Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated President Mota runs the meeting. That's it. Attorney Sarah Rotz stated that if President Mota wants her to answer. Dr. Cynthia Mota stated go ahead and answer. Attorney Sarah Rotz stated that the president under your Rules as the presiding officer decides questions of procedure. That is Rule 7 and Rule 14, receiving reports which she believes is the question here. The presiding officer at the meeting of council will direct that a report or communication be received and that this action be noted in the minutes by the clerk. By the direction of the president or vote by council, a report or communication may be referred to committee or other appropriate body. According to Rule 14, the presiding officer directs what reports or communications be received. Dr. Cynthia Mota thanked Attorney Rotz and stated with all due respect, she really would like to hear from him, but not at this moment. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated thank you ma'am. Dr. Cynthia Mota thanked Mr. Glazier. Mayor's Report (3 minutes) Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that the mayor is not here. She does not have a formal mayor's report, but she would like to report to council that scoring was conducted on the Community Reinvestment Applications that the city received. She has reached back to the three scorers for input as to a possible amendment to one of our applications and she is waiting for their response back to the email. Once she has that, she will prepare the ordinance for council review to put forth those who scored the highest in their applications and their amounts that were awarded. Dr. Cynthia Mota thanked Ms. Kistler. ▶ jump to 19:15
  14. 14 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 26:22
  15. 15 Bill 68 Amending the 2024 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars from USTA Middle States Section for the Tennis in the Parks grant received by the Parks and Recreation Department. 15-7095 approved Pass ▶ jump to 26:48
  16. 16 Bill 69 Amending the 2024 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Seven Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars and Eighteen Cents ($752.18) from Eastern Propane for the credit left on the City’s account for prior use of propane. 15-7096 approved Pass ▶ jump to 27:26
  17. 17 Bill 70 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an appropriation in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) from the Trexler Fund to the Canal Park capital project account. These funds will be used to complete the feasibility study of Canal Park and are to match the Fish & Boat grant that was previously received. 15-7097 approved Pass ▶ jump to 27:58
  18. 18 Bill 71 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an appropriation in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) from the Trexler Fund to the Bogert’s Bridge capital project account. These funds will be used for the construction rehabilitation of the bridge and is part of the 2024-25 Trexler Capital Project allocation. 15-7098 approved Pass ▶ jump to 28:30
  19. 19 Bill 72 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Two Million Two Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($2,248,000) from the Water Filtration Plant Filters capital account to the Water Distribution Main Replacement capital account. This will transfer the unused funds from the Water Filtration Plant Filters Upgrade capital project to the Water Distribution Main Replacement capital account. 15-7099 approved Pass ▶ jump to 29:15
  20. 20 Motion to untable Bill 64 approved Fail ▶ jump to 29:37
  21. 21 Bill 64 Amending the 2024 General Fund, Rental Fund, and Risk Fund budgets to accommodate the upgrading and retitling of positions to allow various departments to operate at a level more in line with the job responsibilities currently assigned, to support City functions. This will ensure that departments are operating more efficiently, inequalities are reduced, positions are correctly classified, and employees are appropriately compensated for the work they are performing based on a correctly classified position which enhances job satisfaction. 15-7057
  22. 23 CONSENT AGENDA approved Pass ▶ jump to 30:47
  23. 24 R137 Elizabeth Martinez, Allentown Parking Authority, 11/1/2027 15-7125
  24. 25 R138 Maria Brace - Civil Service Board, 1/01/2025 (replacing Janet Keshl) 15-7126
  25. 26 R139 Oscar Ghasab - ACIDA, 1/01/2029 (Replacing Linda Rosenfield) 15-7127
  26. 27 R140 Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts: 125 N 11th St.; 829 Turner St.; 423 N 10th St. 15-7160
  27. 28 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 31:37
  28. 29 R141 A RESOLUTION OF CITY OF ALLENTOWN, COUNTY OF LEHIGH, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, APPROVING THE INTERMUNICIPAL TRANSFER OF LIQUOR LICENSE NUMBER E-1343 FROM FEASTA ITALIANA LLC, 2400 SCHOENERSVILLE ROAD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18109 TO TOP – STAR EXPRESS, INC., 2050 TILGHMAN STREET, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104. 15-7149 approved Fail ▶ jump to 35:12
  29. 30 R142 Authorizes the submission of a formal application for funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Services in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) as part of the Demonstration grant that will enhance roadway safety while minimizing pedestrian injuries and fatalities. 15-7155 approved Pass ▶ jump to 35:48
  30. 31 R143 Approves two transfers: (1) $488,000.00 in Garage required to cover vehicle and equipment parts for the remainder of 2024; (2) $20,000.00 in Police the Original Budget Amount for Genetec Advantage was used to purchase AED Service and Maintenance Due to Emergent Need to Have These Serviced and a Supply Maintenance Services Established. 15-7128 approved Pass ▶ jump to 39:05
  31. 32 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ▶ jump to 39:18
  32. 33 Bill 73 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand ($4,500,000) of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the Central Fire Station capital project to an active capital project, Police Headquarters. 15-7153 ▶ jump to 39:21
  33. 34 Bill 74 Amending the 2024 Trexler Fund by authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the unappropriated balance of the Trexler Fund in the amount of One Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($1,762.50) to the operating and capital budgets of the Parks and Recreation Department. 15-7159 ▶ jump to 39:59
  34. 35 Bill 75 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000.00) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support construction of the MLK Trail Extension. 15-7158 ▶ jump to 40:32
  35. 36 Bill 76 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Fifteen Thousand Forty-Eight Dollars and Fifty-Seven Cents ($15,048.57) from Irving Pool Improvements capital project into Valania Park to use for auto locks and signage and West Park for replacement of the bandshell windows. 15-7157 ▶ jump to 41:01
  36. 37 Bill 77 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). These funds will be utilized to create a Master Plan for the construction of recreational fishing and boating access along the Lehigh River in Canal Park. 15-7156 ▶ jump to 41:32
  37. 38 Bill 78 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00) to the newly created capital account for the WalkWorks grant to establish a Citywide Bike Infrastructure Plan. These funds have been awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and will be reimbursed when the project is completed. 15-7154 ▶ jump to 41:54
  38. 39 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): ▶ jump to 42:23
  39. 40 R144 Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 620 N 6th Street 15-7161 ▶ jump to 42:26
  40. 41 R145 Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 240 N 11th Street 15-7162 ▶ jump to 42:54
  41. 42 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 43:11
  42. 43 GOOD AND WELFARE ▶ jump to 43:13
  43. 44 ADJOURNED: 7:14 PM ▶ jump to 44:13