City Council

Council Chambers

Agenda — 35 items

1. 1 Invocation ▶ jump to 0:02
2. 2 Pledge to the Flag ▶ jump to 0:32
3. 3 Roll Call ▶ jump to 0:51
4. 4 Courtesy of the Floor Rules and Privileges • Our complete set of council rules are posted online and also stapled to the meeting agendas located on the back table of council chambers. • Council Rules have established a three-minute time limit for speakers. • Speakers are asked to state their name for the record. • Speakers shall direct their comments to the President of Council, rather than to individual Council members, Council staff, members of the City’s Administration, or members of the public. • During this public meeting, speakers are expected to treat all individuals with dignity and respect. Comments that demean, harass, threaten, or discriminate against an individual or group based on characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other protected status are not appropriate during public comment. • Speakers must follow the direction of the Council President and refrain from interrupting or disrupting the meeting. Failure to comply may result in the speaker forfeiting the remainder of their time at the podium and being asked to return to their seat. Continued interruption of the meeting may result in the speaker being removed from council chambers. ▶ jump to 1:05
5. 5 Contract Approvals ▶ jump to 9:39
6. 6 R110 Authorization of Cooperative Contract(s) in an amount greater than $40,000.00 to provide the City with various goods/services, from Witmer Public Safety Group Inc., Recreation Resource USA, and Silvi Salt. 15-8654 approved Pass
7. 7 R111 Authorization for a Professional Service, single source Contract with IPVM in the amount of $10,000.00 to provide their research subscription and Flock Safety LPR Advisory Services. This is considered a single source as the vendor can guarantee an independent and unbiased review. 15-8653 approved Pass
8. 8 R112 Authorization for Professional Services with Brown Design Corp in the amount not to exceed $16,080.00 to provide planning and design services for the renovation of West Park. This is considered a Waiver of Bids due to a time-sensitive situation that does not constitute a life-threatening emergency. 15-8651 approved Pass
9. 9 R113 Authorization for a change order in the amount of $105,683.61 with Michael Baker International to complete the design, permitting documents, plans, and bid documents for MLK Trail Phase 1 NPDES Permit. This additional work was dictated by the Lehigh County Conservation District review and PADEP requirements and changes in the availability of lighting fixtures. The original contract was for $72,708.00, the addition would bring the contract to a new total of $178,391.61. 15-8652 approved Pass
10. 10 Minutes of Previous Meeting: NONE
11. 11 Communications Pa State Act 205 requires that the "Chief Administrative Officer" of the pension plans – Director Patel - inform the "governing board" of the municipality the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for the city’s pension funds. The MMOs are the City's 2027 bill for the city’s pension plans. The MMOs must be paid by December 31, 2027, with general fund monies or with any General State Aid to Municipal Pensions to which the city may be entitled to under Act 205. The reports are created by the City’s actuaries to the pension funds, Cheiron, Inc. The MMOs for the pension funds are as follows: Police - $9,558,017; Fire - $3,690,593; PMRS - $5,462,453 and O and E - $139,692. (There are no active members in O and E.)The full reports are attached to the agenda. Chasers – If you parked in the city lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a voucher. ▶ jump to 29:29
12. 12 Act 205 of 1984 requires that the "Chief Administrative Officer" of the pension plan inform the "governing board" of the municipality of the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO). The reports are attached to the agenda. 15-8660
13. 13 Old Business: NONE
14. 14 REPORTS Budget and Finance: Chair Pungo, Mota, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last Council Meeting; our next meeting is scheduled for September 30th at 5:30 PM to review the monthly finances, legislation being introduced this evening and the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, prepared by Maher Duessel, as required by the Home Rule Charter. Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Binder, Napoli The Committee met this evening; the next meeting will be scheduled for October 7th, prior to the council meeting, time to be determined. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Binder, Santos, Affa The Committee met and forwarded an item on this evening’s agenda; the next meeting is not yet scheduled’ Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Pungo, Binder The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Mota, Santos The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for September 30 at 6 PM for an update on the quality-of-life committee and other issues. Public Works: Chair Mota, Pungo, Affa The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting will be scheduled for October 7th, prior to the council meeting, time to be determined. Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Napoli, Mota, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; there are no future meetings scheduled. Controller's Report: The Controller has submitted two reports – June Bank Reconciliation and P-Card Review. The reports are attached to the agenda. Mayor: No submission. ▶ jump to 31:00
15. 15 Controller's Reports: June Bank Rec, June P Card Review 15-8668
16. 16 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 35:19
17. 17 Bill 61 Amending the 2026 Risk Fund by transferring Six Million Five Hundred Thousand ($6,500,000) Dollars from the General Fund unappropriated balance to the Risk Fund for the payment of healthcare claims, drug prescription benefits, and other employee medical costs for the remainder of the year, as well as for insurance costs, and property and auto losses. Amounts for healthcare claims are significantly higher this year and certain losses have been experienced at rates higher than expected. 15-8635 approved Pass
18. 18 CONSENT AGENDA approved Pass ▶ jump to 55:13
19. 19 R114 Trent Sear, Zoning Hearing Board, 09/19/2029 (reappointment) 15-8662
20. 20 R115 Abigail Simmons, Arts Commission, 9/16/2031 (reappointment) 15-8663
21. 21 R116 Kyle Edwards, Arts Commission, 9/16/2031 (reappointment) 15-8664
22. 22 R117 Louis Holzman, Arts Commission, 9/16/2031 (reappointment) 15-8665
23. 23 R118 Emily Strong, Arts Commission, 9/16/2031 15-8666
24. 24 RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ▶ jump to 56:26
25. 25 R119 Approves the submission of the formal application for the local share account grant on behalf of the Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania Children’s Center to support ongoing repairs to their building on 730 W. Union St. Allentown, PA 18101. 15-8656 approved Pass
26. 26 R120 Approves the submission of the formal application for the local share account grant on behalf of Community Bike Works to support the purchase of a used passenger vehicle, located at 614 S. Carlisle Street, Allentown, PA 18109. 15-8657 approved Pass
27. 27 R121 Approves the submission of the formal application for the local share account grant on behalf of Phoebe Ministries to support construction at Phoebe Apartments, located at 1901 W. Linden St. Allentown, PA 18104. 15-8658 approved Pass
28. 28 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ▶ jump to 58:22
29. 29 Bill 64 Amending the 2026 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars from the PA Historical & Museum Commission to fund year two of the contract on preserving and providing public access to historically significant records that document the development, planning, and cultural heritage of the City of Allentown. 15-8655
30. 30 Bill 65 Amending Part II General Legislation, Chapter 196 Business License, Section 3 Fee by updating the language and identifying the new fee that will apply moving forward starting with 2027 billing renewal and removing language in Section 6 Violations and Penalties. 15-8667
31. 31 RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee):
32. 32 NEW BUSINESS
33. 33 GOOD AND WELFARE ▶ jump to 59:39
34. 34 ADJOURNED: 7:30 PM
35. 35 Reference Materials: Council Rules Procurement Code Ethics Code 15-6577

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