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City Council

May 1, 2024 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 47 items

  1. 1 Invocation:
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:33
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:49
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Courtesy and Privilege of the Floor Rules ▶ jump to 1:08
  5. 5 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 9:30
  6. 6 R75 Authorization for Contract with AG Stellar Co. Inc. (d/b/a Stellar Construction Co.) revenue generating contract for the sum of $25,000.00 per contract year. It is the intent of this invitation to secure a qualified Contractor to perform emergency board up services for commercial and residential properties in and for the City of Allentown. 15-6864 approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:27
  7. 7 R76 Authorization for Contract with Michael Baker International, Inc. for an estimated yearly sum of $100,000.00 to provide technical assistance and assist the City with compliance with its HUD Entitlement Programs and other grant programs as needed. Specific compliance reports and activities include but are not limited to the Five-Year Community and Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, Analysis of Impediments to further Fair Housing and Environmental Reviews. Proposals must meet all federal regulations and provide a strategically coordinated approach to revitalize neighborhoods and improve the City with its various partners. In addition, all proposals must align with projects supported by federal funding, specifically CDBG, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA. 15-6865 approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:26
  8. 8 R77 Authorization for Contract with Transconomy, LLC in the amount of $104,000.00 to conduct a Right-of-Way asset inventory on all 421 centerline miles of roadway throughout the City of Allentown. This RFP is meant to provide a location and condition of all right-of-way roadway signs in the City of Allentown. Additionally, we are requesting separate, optional services for a pavement marking inventory and condition assessment. 15-6866 approved Pass ▶ jump to 16:23
  9. 9 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 16:44
  10. 10 April 17, 2024 City Council Public Hearing - Liquor License Transfer Meeting Minutes 15-6862 approved Pass ▶ jump to 16:53
  11. 11 April 17, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6876 approved Pass ▶ jump to 17:13
  12. 12 Communications ▶ jump to 17:30
  13. 13 Old Business: None ▶ jump to 18:12
  14. 14 REPORTS Special Meeting: The next special committee on co-responder models will be meeting on June 5th at 6PM. Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Hendricks, Gerlach The Committee met April 24th; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Community and Economic Development: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The committee met on April 24th at 5:45 PM; the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Affa, Napoli, Santos The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is scheduled for May 15th at 6:15 PM. Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Affa, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting, the next meeting is scheduled for May 15th at 5:45 PM. 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 met this evening; 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 has a P Card Review for the month of January 2024. The number of cards statements that they reviewed was 72. The number of documents, 576. That is a lot of documents that they discussed with the garage. They do an outrageous amount of invoices every year and that drives both the number of documents that they review in both P Cards and a Weekly Check Review up significantly. The total dollar amount of the P Card transactions was $235,000. One of the things they have been looking at recently is the aging. In P Cards, you make the charge, it gets paid, and then it gets reviewed. It is important that invoices be inputted and a very timely manner so that things could be entered in Eden and they can be reviewed. As you recall, a couple of months ago, there were a lot of invoices that were out there straggling. He is happy to say things are not perfect, but they have gotten significantly improved. They had 36 invoices that were over 10 days late. Less than 30 days dropped to 34. 31 to 60, it dropped to two and over 60, there was nothing. They are seeing some improvement. In the garage, which does a tremendous volume, they had an employee leave and he is sure that those guys were working real, real hard to get things done in a timely manner. They hope to hiring somebody to take care of that. There were three invoices where the sales tax was paid. The city is tax exempt. The departments were advised to go seek refunds and they are all in the process of complying. There was one invoice that had a late fee on it. The department was advised, the vendor was contacted, and it turns out that the billing address wasn't correct. That has been corrected and they don't expect to see that problem again. Lastly, there were 10 invoices where the incorrect expense account was used. The department was advised and journal entries were submitted to make everything kosher. Mayor's Report (3 minutes) Ms. Genesis Ortega stated how does she follow that Jeff. She stated that earlier today they held a presentation for the Allentown Health Bureau's Community Health Needs Assessment. As they all know this was a yearlong project that included various assessments including one of our local health systems and one that included resident input. Long story short, they have identified three areas that they will focus efforts and strategies around. Those three areas are: loneliness and social isolation; safe stable and affordable housing; upward economic mobility. They will also present these finding before Council and in four to five weeks they will have a completed community health improvement plan with a strategy to address those three areas. She stated to stay tuned for updates on that. Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she believes that this is the first time that the city has ever done a study like that. ▶ jump to 18:21
  15. 15 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 23:52
  16. 16 Bill 35 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Fifty-One Thousand One-Hundred Ninety-One Dollars and Twenty-Seven Cents ($51,191.27) from the Gordon Street Bridge capital account to the Bridge Repairs capital account. This will transfer the unused funds from the completed Gordon Street project to the general Bridge Repairs capital account. 15-6800 approved Pass ▶ jump to 24:36
  17. 17 Bill 36 Amending the 2024 General Fund budget to accommodate the reorganization of positions in the Department of Public Works: upgrade one (1) Engineering Aid 3 (currently M13) to an Associate Engineer 1 at a proposed S12 paygrade; upgrade one (1) Associate Utility Engineer (currently S14) to an Associate Engineer 2 (title change only); and upgrade one (1) Public Works Administrative Manager (currently S14) to a proposed S16 paygrade. 15-6801 approved Pass ▶ jump to 26:08
  18. 18 Bill 37 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. 15-6839 approved Pass ▶ jump to 27:11
  19. 19 Bill 38 Amending the 2024 ARPA Fund to provide for a transfer of One Million Two Hundred Thousand ($1,200,000.00) Dollars to the General Fund unappropriated balance as a Revenue Replacement category of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) award. These funds will be appropriated to a newly created Community Reinvestment program within the General Fund Dept of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Director’s Bureau. 15-6846 approved Pass ▶ jump to 28:14
  20. 20 Bill 39 Amending Article XI, Department of Human Resources, by adding reporting requirements on salary adjustments. 15-6847 ▶ jump to 28:32
  21. 21 Bill 40 Fine Increases 15-6848 tabled Pass ▶ jump to 28:54
  22. 22 CONSENT AGENDA approved Pass ▶ jump to 37:05
  23. 23 R78 Sewage Planning Module at Seegers Union Expansion – Muhlenberg College 15-6875
  24. 24 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 37:21
  25. 25 R68 Acceptance of Love Your Block Grant Funds for Neighborhood Revitalization through Civic Engagement. 15-6845 approved Pass ▶ jump to 37:40
  26. 26 R69 Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 107 N. 11th Street 15-6838 approved Pass ▶ jump to 39:11
  27. 27 R71 Approves the Submission of an amendment to the 2022 Action Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. 15-6840 approved Pass ▶ jump to 39:43
  28. 28 R72 Approves the Submission of an amendment to the 2022 Action Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. 15-6841 approved Pass ▶ jump to 40:17
  29. 29 R79 Approves two transfers: (1) $46,000.00 in Streets to Cover the Cost to have a contactor do a Pavement Evaluation (PASER) through Transconomy and (2) $11,050.17 in Recycling & Solid Waste to cover the additional costs to construct a pole building over the cardboard balers located at the City’s Recycling Drop Off Center to preserve the life of the balers. 15-6863 approved Pass ▶ jump to 41:01
  30. 30 R80 Allentown City Council and the Administration of Mayor Matt Tuerk approve the dedication and naming of the Plaza in front of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion after the Browne’s; Secretary Pat Browne and Heather, in recognition of their dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for Allentown students and their families; and for their dedication and impact in advancing the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. 15-6873 approved Pass ▶ jump to 43:12
  31. 31 R81 A resolution of Allentown City Council supporting Senate Bill 37 – which would prohibit the use of hand-held interactive wireless communications devices (cellular phones and similar items) while operating a motor vehicle on state roadways. 15-6874 approved Pass ▶ jump to 44:36
  32. 32 R82 Extends the interim appointment of Human Resources Director 15-6872 withdrawn ▶ jump to 45:00
  33. 33 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ▶ jump to 61:16
  34. 33 R82 Extends the interim appointment of Human Resources Director 15-6872 amended Pass ▶ jump to 48:25
  35. 34 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 ▶ jump to 61:16
  36. 34 R82 Extends the interim appointment of Human Resources Director 15-6872 approved as amended Pass ▶ jump to 60:57
  37. 35 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 ▶ jump to 61:58
  38. 36 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 ▶ jump to 62:21
  39. 37 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 ▶ jump to 62:46
  40. 38 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 ▶ jump to 63:14
  41. 39 Bill 46 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 270 Fees, Article VIII Parks and Recreation Fees by updating the golf fees. 15-6878 ▶ jump to 63:38
  42. 40 Bill 47 Amending § 5-2 Heads of departments; duties, be amended to allow only one interim extension of 30 day extension or less for a department director. 15-6879 ▶ jump to 64:00
  43. 41 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): ▶ jump to 64:38
  44. 42 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 64:47
  45. 43 GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE ▶ jump to 64:53
  46. 44 ADJOURNED: 7:35 PM ▶ jump to 64:59
  47. 45 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577