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City Council

February 7, 2024 ·6:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 43 items

  1. 1 Invocation: ▶ jump to 5:31
  2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 5:56
  3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 6:16
  4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Courtesy and Privilege of the Floor Rules Suspend The Rules Pass ▶ jump to 8:44
  5. 5 Please observe the Rules of Council when addressing the body. A full copy of Council Rules can be found on the city website at the bottom of the council agenda. The city website also includes all the meetings and material for the agenda; videos of previous meetings, and livestreams the council meetings in real time. If you would like to speak this evening, we are asking that you fill out a card – they are on the back table - and provide them to the clerk before speaking. Please address the Council President. You are given privilege of the floor to provide public comment. This is a time to present comments, it is not a question-and-answer session. 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. Please be sure to state your name and address for the record and fill out a card. Courtesy of the Floor is meant to provide public comment on items that are not on the agenda; Council will take all comments under advisement and have the appropriate officials get back to you if necessary. If you have materials for Council, please distribute the material to the Clerk. Public comment during consideration of ordinances, resolutions and motions is limited by topic – your comments must be relevant. Public comments are taken before council votes on items. Council will not entertain personal insults or attacks, name calling or other behavior that is inconsistent with the purpose of conducting official business. Please address the Council President. Refrain from using offensive language, cursing, and making noises while other people are speaking. Act with decorum. Remove your hat and turn cell phones off. 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.
  6. 6 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 51:05
  7. 7 R13 Authorization for Contract increase to the estimated yearly sum to be $45,000 that was previously Bid and Awarded under City Policies, with Edwards Business Systems for maintenance services for the City printers. The Agreement and will automatically renew for consecutive periods of one year unless either party notifies the other of cancellation, in writing. 15-6609 approved Pass ▶ jump to 52:04
  8. 8 R14 Authorization for a contract increase in the amount of $30,000; an increase from $10,000.00 per year to $40,000.00 per year, for a contract previously bid and awarded to Ross Body and Frame Work, Inc. (d/b/a A-1 Towing) to provide towing services for city vehicles. This is due to bringing the garage in house and not knowing exactly how much we would spend on towing of City fleet vehicles. The City has 620 vehicles and equipment and continues to grow. The contract will expire March 13, 2024. It has been requested to utilized the first of four (4) renewal terms and extend the contract to March 13, 2025. Upon written notification, this contract can be extended for an additional four (4) one (1) year terms beyond the contract expiration period. 15-6610 approved Pass ▶ jump to 53:36
  9. 9 R15 Authorization for Contract price increase with Alliance Hall of Allentown, Inc. in the amount of $359,088.78 for the lease of Alliance Hall. The initial contract Sum was for $246,316.08, the increase of $359,088.78 brings it to a total of $605,404.86. This is due to the increase of space being rented which in return has increased the rent from the original amount written into the original agreement and to cover the rent for the five-year extension term. 15-6611 approved Pass ▶ jump to 55:09
  10. 10 Minutes of Previous Meeting ▶ jump to 55:25
  11. 11 December 6, 2023 City Council Public Hearing Meeting Minutes 15-6593 approved Pass ▶ jump to 55:31
  12. 12 December 6, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6581 approved Pass ▶ jump to 55:52
  13. 13 December 12, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6599 approved Pass ▶ jump to 56:06
  14. 14 January 10, 2024 Special Council Meeting Minutes (Organizational Meeting) 15-6582 ▶ jump to 56:21
  15. 15 January 17, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 15-6591 approved Pass ▶ jump to 56:25
  16. 16 Communications City Council received a petition from 19 individuals urging council to enforce quality of life issues; making arrests for vandalism, littering, loitering, vagrancy, and public intoxication. The petition was forwarded to all City Council members and the mayor. Chasers: If you parked in the City lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a voucher. ▶ jump to 56:48
  17. 17 Old Business: NONE ▶ jump to 57:11
  18. 18 REPORTS Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Hendricks, Gerlach The Committee met on January 31st at 5:30 PM to review December finances and committee and administration priorities for 2024; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 28th, time to be determined. Community and Economic Development: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli The committee met on January 31st at 6:30 PM to review committee and administration's priorities for 2024; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 28th, time to be determined. 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 has not met since the last Council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for February 21st at 6 PM. Public Safety: Chair Zucal, Hendricks, Mota The committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Public Works: Chair Gerlach, Affa, Zucal The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for February 21st at 5:45 PM. 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 Mr. Jeffrey Glazier thanked Mr. Napoli. He stated that as Council has noted from the Agenda there are some Accounts Receivable Audits there. There will be some more forthcoming and when they are all out, they will talk about them briefly. One of the interesting things about the audits is that they have done them previously and this is an update to see what kind of progress the city made on managing the accounts. He stated finally he likes to congratulate Ms. Patel and Council for allowing a fourth Analyst in her department whose responsibility or a large part of their responsibility would be managing these accounts and riding herd on them. A well managed organization does that. Mr. Ed Zucal stated to Mr. Glazier if you could please. He stated that he was contacted by a city employee today and asked if it is possible for him to do or provide to Council at the next meeting from September 1st to the end of the year a Report on the gift cards that were handed out. He stated like to who, what for and what amounts. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that it is a gift card audit in process. He doesn't think the timing goes to the end of the year. One of the things that covers through the end of the year is Lights in the Parkway. There will be some time before they can get to that. He can tell them compared to prior years, al the departments have made good progress in following process and procedure. He stated he will get Council and the public what they have for the current timeframe as soon as he can. Mr. Ed Zucal stated that would be an example of say you are working in Public Works and you showed up every day and he gives you a gift card or something for $50. He asked would that type of thing be included. Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that if the department has gift cards and they have a program, the city has an Employee Recognition Program that would certainly be covered. Mayor's Report - Chief Roca on Public Safety Project ▶ jump to 57:27
  19. 19 Public Safety Feasibility Study Media Kit 15-6654 ▶ jump to 30:29
  20. 20 Controller Reports 15-6653 ▶ jump to 59:29
  21. 21 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): There are no ordinances for final passage.
  22. 22 CONSENT AGENDA: The Consent Agenda is for items that are considered ‘no brainers’ – the objective is to vote on all the resolutions at one time if there are no issues. The President asks if there is any request to remove any item from the Consent Agenda. If not, the clerk will read the resolutions. After public comments, Council will vote on items. approved Pass ▶ jump to 62:27
  23. 23 R16 Arundhati (Tinku) Khanwalkar, Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) Reappointment, 01/04/2027 15-6606
  24. 24 R17 Tim M. O’Brien, Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) Appointment, 01/04/2027 15-6607
  25. 25 R18 Authorizes the disposition of certain records within Public Works. 15-6600
  26. 26 R19 Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts: 327 N. Nagle St.; 146 W. Turner St. and 515 Park St. 15-6592
  27. 27 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): Public comments will be taken prior to the final vote. ▶ jump to 62:45
  28. 28 R20 Authorizes lease agreement with Muhlenberg College for Bicentennial Park Stadium located at 1126 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103. 15-6608 approved Pass ▶ jump to 72:19
  29. 29 R21 Approves six transfers: (1) $78,879.35 to cover negative balances in premium pay in EMS; (2) $63,341.05 in Fire to cover year-end negative balances for premium pay, holiday and shift differential; (3) $56,252.77 in Public Safety – Police for overtime pay and health insurance opt our; (4) $53,000.00 in Public Safety/Police for 2023 Mark 43 records management annual maintenance; (5) $20,000 in Fire to move funds to correct budget account for expenditures; (6) $13,859.00 in Parks and Recreation for pool equipment. 15-6588 approved Pass ▶ jump to 76:24
  30. 30 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral): ▶ jump to 76:41
  31. 30 R20 Authorizes lease agreement with Muhlenberg College for Bicentennial Park Stadium located at 1126 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103. 15-6608 ▶ jump to 68:17
  32. 31 Bill 2 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($1,600) from the Hispanic American Organization, Inc. to support the mini-pitch system at Jordan Meadows. 15-6602 ▶ jump to 76:47
  33. 32 Bill 3 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to correct a previous ordinance number 15951. This will appropriate the funds of Six Hundred Fifty Thousand ($650,000) Dollars from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to support design and construction of the D&L Trail – Allentown Segment to the proper accounts. 15-6601 ▶ jump to 77:13
  34. 33 Bill 4 Amending the 2024 Trexler Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars from the Trexler Trust to support the Romper Day Program. 15-6603 ▶ jump to 78:57
  35. 34 Bill 5 Budget and Finance, forwarded favorably. Amending Part I Administrative Legislation, Chapter 5 Administration of Government, Article IV Financial Procedures, Section 21 Contracts by updating the language in Part A; Requiring Council approval of items under cooperative purchasing agreements. 15-6604 ▶ jump to 79:17
  36. 35 Bill 6 Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars and Thirty-Six Cents ($16,896.36). This was the result of payment in lieu of tree plantings from Tilghman Street Dental LLC, City Center Development Corporation, Housing Development Corporation, Devon Self Storage Holdings, Lehigh River Development Corp 3, 1134 Hanover Ave LLC, and Stratagem Allentown LLC. Funds will be used for the purchase of new street trees. 15-6605 ▶ jump to 79:38
  37. 36 Bill 7 Amending Article III, Retail Pet Shops, by prohibiting the sale of guinea pigs by pet shops. 15-6614 ▶ jump to 80:09
  38. 37 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee): Public Comment it taken prior to referral. ▶ jump to 80:27
  39. 38 R22 Authorizes the Administration to enter into a cooperation agreement with the Allentown Parknership, to utilize the organization’s fundraising and planning capabilities to raise money to finance and manage capital improvement projects, manage construction, provide enhanced maintenance, provide programs and special events, coordinate volunteer activity, and to pursue such other authorized opportunities and address recognized needs, for the betterment of the city’s parks. 15-6619 ▶ jump to 80:30
  40. 39 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ▶ jump to 83:20
  41. 40 GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE ▶ jump to 83:24
  42. 41 ADJOURNED: 7:53 PM ▶ jump to 83:27
  43. 42 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577