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City Council

May 15, 2024 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 39 items

  1. 1 Invocation:
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:30
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:48
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor ▶ jump to 1:08
  5. 5 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 1:33
  6. 6 R83 Authorization for Contract with Paramount Security Partners, LLC in the amount of $984,000.00 to provide City wide surveillance that includes cameras, mounts, mounting hardware, switches, etc. There were two bids; one year contract that can be extended for up to an additional three (3) months beyond the contract expiration period. 15-6906 approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:32
  7. 7 R84 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000 to provide the City with various goods/services. 15-6907 approved Pass ▶ jump to 3:27
  8. 8 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 3:42
  9. 9 April 3, 2024 City Council Special Committee on Co-Response Models Minutes 15-6920 approved Pass ▶ jump to 3:51
  10. 10 April 3, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6908 approved Pass ▶ jump to 4:10
  11. 11 April 24, 2024 City Council Special Committee Co-Responders Meeting Minutes 15-6877 approved Pass ▶ jump to 4:23
  12. 12 May 1, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6898 approved Pass ▶ jump to 4:36
  13. 13 Communications Councilperson Zucal: Investigation Update ▶ jump to 4:51
  14. 14 Old Business: None ▶ jump to 5:49
  15. 15 REPORTS Special Meeting: The next special committee on co-responder models will be on June 5th at 5 PM. Committee of the Whole: A Committee of the Whole has been scheduled for June 5th, 6 PM - to discuss Bill 40, the increases for parking violations and the report that was submitted to City Council. Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Hendricks, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for May 28th at 5:30 PM. Community and Economic Development: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The committee met this evening; the next meeting is scheduled for May 28th at 6 PM. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Affa, Napoli, Santos The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Affa, Gerlach The Committee met this evening and there were multiple items forwarded to tonight's agenda; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Public Safety: Chair Zucal, Hendricks, Mota The committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Public Works: Chair Gerlach, Affa, Zucal The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Mota, Napoli, Gerlach The committee has not met since the last council meeting, the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Controller's Report (3 minutes) Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that he is reporting on the P Card Review for the month of February 2024. This Report was released on the 8th of May. The number of P Card Statement reviewed for the period was 92. The number of documents reviewed was 669. the total dollar amount of the transactions was $234,866. In terms of the timeliness of invoice entry into Eden. There was 37 invoices that was over 10 days late. There were 29 that were entered in the last 30 days being late; eight between 31 and 60 and none over 60. While they made some progress on timely entry, they still have some progress to go. The danger there is of course more towards the end of the year. This does hit Eden until everything is in and you press the button. They might get an incomplete picture of departmental expenses, unless this is done in a timely manner. In terms of the findings, there were two invoices chart, where sales taxes were paid on invoices. They know that the city was tax exempt from Pennsylvania State Sales Tax. In one instance, the department said they would seek a refund and in the other one, the department noted that while the tax was there, they were given a discount equal to the tax on the bill. He stated that is pretty much a wash. He stated that they don't pay credit card fees. The city doesn't pay convenience fees. Occasionally, it does happen. The departments are advised of it and are advised to seek reimbursement where possible. There were 18 invoices where an incorrect expense account was used. The departments were advised and budget adjustments were made. They had two or three invoices that in their opinion was paid late. Either the departments were advised and promised not to do it again. Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Mr. Glazier. Mayor's Report (3 minutes) Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that some of it is a little bit of a repeat, but for the ones that weren't with us she would like to announce some of the events that are coming up. She stated first they would like to congratulate the police department on National Public Health Week. It was a beautiful ceremony today honoring those for the meritorious service, bravery, and heroism. She stated that they are grateful for APD to have them and be fortunate enough to work closely with them. On this next coming week is probably one of in her mind most exciting weeks coming up. They start with a virtual site visit for the Re Compete Grant on Monday of this week, they launch the Parknership on the 22nd in the Arts Park at noon. They have Irving Pool opening on Friday from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM. They encouraged all the citizens to come out. Tonight's DCED meeting talked about the results of our Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. She stated that they encourage the citizens and members of Council to look at the interactive site that is posted on the website and explore some of the data and some of the findings that came as a result of (inaudible). She stated that they are pleased to announce that they are on schedule for the community reinvestment funds and all of the forms are done and they are working on the Press Release. Hopefully, that money will be launched shortly. She stated to stay tuned for more information. They will be having a question and answer session for the nonprofits. She stated that she wanted to take a brief moment to share with Council some of the success they had with Building Standards as a result of the reorganization and the certification plan in our Building Standards department. They started before Council approved that reorg last year with two fully certified building code officials who are considered combo inspectors. They now have six additional staff who have completed over 20 additional certifications. They have one gentleman that went from an entry level position to now being fully certified in all residential inspections. The manager even gotten two additional certificates and the Workflow Coordinator one. It is unheard of that they passed these exams and taken these tests the way they have, but as a result our building inspections have gone from a two to three week to a one to two day schedule. It is one to two days to get your building inspection. Recently, they had an emergency with a storm and they wanted to be able to do 20 emergency electrifying inspections in one day. That would have normally have taken four to six days to complete, but because they have them certified in there electrical inspections, they could respond much quicker. She stated that they will be coming to Council as they promised hopefully in the next few weeks to launch legislation to bring Plan Review in-house as promised so that they can have that extra six months of increased revenue coming into the city starting this year. She stated that they are grateful for Council's support and wanted to give the update that it is working well. They just started their second apprentice. Their first apprentice earned eight inspections and is a Building Code Official. It is working very well and they had positive feedback. Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Ms. Kistler and asked if there were any comments from the dais. Mr. Daryl Hendricks commended Ms. Kistler and her entire staff in the office. He was one of the most vocal critics a couple of years back when the city couldn't even get them to use tablets. He stated that he knows it took three years, but he is light years ahead now and commended her. He stated that it is incredible. They are all cross-certified in the manner that they have. He asked Ms. Kistler to pass on for all of Council the sincere gratitude to them for being exemplary employees. Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that they work really hard and thanked Mr. Hendricks. Ms. Natalie Santos asked how would the Q&A Session for the nonprofits be advertised. Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that basically once they put the application out and do the Press Release about the application, everyone who applies gets notified however they choose on their application. If they put an email, if they put a cell phone, if they put and the city will have that data now when they actually fill in the application. ▶ jump to 5:56
  16. 16 Controller Reports 15-6918
  17. 17 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 15:14
  18. 18 Bill 41 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.00) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support improvements to Bucky Boyle Park including a new fence, master plan and updates to the basketball courts. 15-6867 approved Pass ▶ jump to 18:28
  19. 19 Bill 42 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Three Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand ($378,000) Dollars from multiple capital projects into the D&L Trail to use for design of the trail, installation of the Mini Pitch system, and repairs to WPA Structures for the Union Terrace Amphitheater Phase 2. 15-6868 approved Pass ▶ jump to 19:30
  20. 20 Bill 43 Amending the 2024 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to support the creation of the Youth Climate Action Fund. 15-6869 approved Pass ▶ jump to 20:19
  21. 21 Bill 44 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support improvements to Cedar Beach basketball courts and Midway Manor, installation of the mini-pitch system, and youth sports marketing and outreach. 15-6870 approved Pass ▶ jump to 21:21
  22. 22 Bill 45 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 270 Fees, Article VIII Parks and Recreation Fees by updating the fees for various recreation and pools amenities. 15-6871 approved Pass ▶ jump to 22:08
  23. 23 Bill 46 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 270 Fees, Article VIII Parks and Recreation Fees by updating the golf fees. 15-6878 approved Pass ▶ jump to 22:55
  24. 24 CONSENT AGENDA: No items. ▶ jump to 23:09
  25. 25 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 23:13
  26. 26 R85 Allentown City Council dedicates and names the Allentown Fire Academy in memory of Assistant Fire Chief Christopher J, Kiskeravage. 15-6917 approved Pass ▶ jump to 27:25
  27. 27 R86 A resolution of the Council of the City of Allentown, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approving a cooperative memorandum of agreement between the municipalities of the City of Allentown, South Whitehall Township and Upper Macungie Township for the multi-jurisdictional signal system that is a part of the SR 0309 and SR 1002 (Tilghman street) interchange project. 15-6914 approved Pass ▶ jump to 30:44
  28. 28 R87 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 $200,000 in grant funding with a 15% match required – land appraisal or cash. 15-6926 approved Pass ▶ jump to 32:11
  29. 29 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ▶ jump to 32:26
  30. 30 Bill 48 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 270 Fees, Article V Community and Economic Development Fees by updating the building fees and updating the language of the City Code. 15-6909 ▶ jump to 32:28
  31. 31 Bill 49 Amending the 2024 Community and Economic Development, Health budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000.00) from the Pennsylvania Department of Health grant for the expansion and use of ESRI and GIS software. 15-6910 ▶ jump to 32:53
  32. 32 Bill 50 Amending the 2024 Community Development Department budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) from a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health Unintentional Injury Prevention Program (UIPP) grant for fall prevention safety equipment and training. 15-6911 ▶ jump to 33:20
  33. 33 Bill 51 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) from Jordan Creek Greenway Trail Capital Project to the MLK Trail Capital Project. These funds will be used for updating the feasibility study opinion of costs for Lehigh Parkway to Cedar Creek Trail for a grant application. 15-6915 ▶ jump to 33:49
  34. 34 Bill 52 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Two Hundred Thousand ($200,000.00) Dollars from the unappropriated balance to the Capital Needs Assessment capital account. These funds were awarded as a Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) grant to conduct a Capital Needs Assessment, a Building Condition Assessment, and a Traffic Signal Condition Assessment. 15-6913 ▶ jump to 34:12
  35. 35 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): There are no resolutions for introduction. ▶ jump to 34:42
  36. 36 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 34:44
  37. 37 GOOD AND WELFARE ▶ jump to 34:49
  38. 38 ADJOURNED: 7:05 PM ▶ jump to 35:33
  39. 39 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577