[00:00:02] OKAY, EVERYONE, WE'RE GOING TO START THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SO THANK YOU. AND WE'LL START WITH AN INVOCATION. [Invocation:] A MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE. THANK YOU. AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT [Pledge to the Flag] STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. OKAY, WE'LL MOVE INTO ROLL CALL, PLEASE. MISS GERLACH HERE, MISS SANTOS. [Roll Call] HERE. HERE. MR. BENDER, PRESENT. MISS MODA HERE. MR.. NAPOLI. HERE, MR. PONGO HERE, MISS SAFIR. HERE. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU'RE ALL HERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO WE'LL START WITH COURTESY OF THE FLOOR RULES AND PRIVILEGES. [Courtesy of the Floor Courtesy of the Floor Rules and Privileges • Our complete set of council rules are posted online and 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 ] OUR COMPLETE SET OF COUNCIL RULES ARE POSTED ONLINE AND 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 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 ANY OTHER PROTECTED STATUS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. DO WE HAVE COURTESY FOR SPEAKERS THIS EVENING? YES. CHRISTINA DEPIERRE AND ABBY GOLDFARB. WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. IF YOU DON'T MIND. GOOD EVENING. ABBY AND I ARE HERE. SORRY. YEAH. PRESS THE BUTTON. THAT'S NOT A BUTTON. YEAH, THAT WAS FUNNY. OKAY. ANYWAY. SORRY. THERE WAS A BUTTON. A REAL BUTTON. ANYWAY. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHRISTINA DE PIRO, AND THIS IS ABBY GOLDFARB. WE'RE HERE TO REPRESENT THE ALLENTOWN COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS. FIRST, WE WANT TO EXTEND A SINCERE THANK YOU TO CITY COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING LAST YEAR'S 100,000 ALLOCATION TO THE BUDGET A REALITY. BECAUSE OF YOUR VOTE, YOU SHOWED OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS THAT THEY MATTER. AS I SHARED LAST YEAR, THAT 100,000 WAS NOT GOING TO END HOMELESSNESS IN ALLENTOWN SINGLEHANDEDLY. BUT IT WAS A CRITICAL BEGINNING. IT DEMONSTRATED WHAT MATTERS TO THIS CITY. ALL OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING THOSE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. TONIGHT, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT OUR BUDGET ASK IS FOR THIS YEAR. AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET CONTEXT LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR. THE ADMINISTRATION IS NAVIGATING GROWING FISCAL CHALLENGES AND PROPOSING A 10% BUDGET CUT ACROSS ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS AND A TAX INCREASE FOR THE CITY. SO I UNDERSTAND THE HARD CHOICES THAT YOU HAVE TONIGHT, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE. BUT WE ARE HERE TO URGE YOU TO KEEP OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS INTO THE BUDGET PICTURE. TO CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WE BUILT TOGETHER, WE'RE ASKING THE CITY TO ESTABLISH TO ANOTHER $100,000 PERMANENT LINE ITEM FOR FLEXIBLE ALLOCATION FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE. THIS FUNDING WILL HELP SUSTAIN INITIATIVES THAT BEGAN WITH LAST YEAR'S GRANT, AND TO EMPOWER NEW ONES ON THE CUSP OF BECOMING A REALITY. ALONGSIDE THIS IMMEDIATE ASK, WE ARE ALSO CALLING ON CITY LEADERSHIP TO PARTNER DECISIVELY WITH LEHIGH COUNTY TO BEGIN STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR ALLENTOWN'S FIRST 365 DAY A YEAR EMERGENCY SHELTER. SO LET'S JUST LOOK AT THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR FIRST. YOU HAVE TWO HANDOUTS. IT KIND OF BREAKS DOWN BOTH TOPICS THAT WE'LL BE DISCUSSING. WE'RE ASKING FOR ANOTHER $100,000. SO AS A RAPID RESPONSE, FLEXIBLE GRANT POOL. [00:05:02] SO EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO A QUALIFIED, TRUSTED LOCAL 501 C THREE SERVICE PROVIDER WHO'S ALREADY AT THE FRONT LINES DOING THE WORK. SO THAT IS THE THINGS THAT WE ASKED FOR LAST YEAR TO CONTINUE AND MAYBE SOME NEW INITIATIVES TO COME INTO PLAY THAT ARE READY TO MAKE SOME REALLY GREAT CHANGES IN ALLENTOWN. SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE LAUNCHED LAST YEAR THROUGH THE $100,000 WAS EMERGENCY HOTEL AND MOTEL VOUCHERS. AND THIS HAS NOW BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH PINEBROOK FAMILY ANSWERS ANIMAL CARE AND BOARDING. THIS WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE HUMANE SOCIETIES FOR PET BOARDING PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO, FOR UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE PETS, WHO NEED TO GO TO TREATMENT OR TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL NEEDS, THAT THEY BE ABLE TO BOARD THEIR PETS WITHOUT LOSING THEM. WE'VE THE, THE $100,000 ALSO WENT TOWARDS LOADS OF BLESSINGS, WHICH IS A LAUNDRY PROGRAM HERE IN ALLENTOWN. IT'S PRETTY, IT'S THE ONLY LAUNDRY PROGRAM IN THE ENTIRE LEHIGH VALLEY WHERE SOMEONE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO DO A LOAD OF LAUNDRY CAN GO AND GET THEIR LAUNDRY DONE ONCE A WEEK FOR FREE. AND ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING INITIATIVES WAS A LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL. I SAID THAT CORRECTLY. YEP. THAT WAS CREATED THROUGH THE COMMISSION. ABBY IS THE CHAIR OF THAT COUNCIL AND THROUGH THE $100,000, THE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ARE NOW BEING PAID FOR THEIR TIME AND THEIR EFFORTS TO ADVISE ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY ON EVERYTHING. HOMELESSNESS. WE'VE MET, WE'VE MET TWICE A MONTH, EVERY MONTH SINCE APRIL. WE HAVE A GROUP OF EIGHT INDIVIDUALS, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO GO OVER. WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER OUR FIVE MINUTE TIME, I APOLOGIZE. SO WITH THAT ALL SAID, WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS ANOTHER 100,000 TO CONTINUE THOSE INITIATIVES AND MAYBE SEE SOME OTHER INITIATIVES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE 100,000 FLEXIBLE SPENDING, SUCH AS A COMMUNITY SHOWERS FACILITY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GREATLY NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE WELL IN ALLENTOWN AND BETHLEHEM, LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. RIGHT NOW, THERE'S LITERALLY TWO PLACES THAT SOMEBODY WHO'S UNHOUSED CAN GO TO FOR A SHOWER, AND THERE ARE INITIATIVES BEING TAKEN TODAY IN THE CITY WHERE A CHURCH MAY BE ABLE TO RE UTILIZE THEIR LOCATIONS TO BECOME A COMMUNITY SHOWER FACILITY. THAT'S JUST ONE. ABBY, DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? I'M TAKING OVER THE WHOLE THING. KEEP GOING. OKAY. SO I GUESS THE NEXT THING I'LL GO INTO IS STRONGLY URGING WHERE LIKE THE $100,000 SOLVES IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY GAPS. IT DOES NOT RESOLVE HOUSING INSTABILITY. ALLENTOWN. AND FOR THAT MATTER, THE WHOLE LEHIGH VALLEY, AND WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS BEFORE, LACKS A LOW BARRIER, 365 DAY A YEAR SHELTER. THE ONLY SHELTERS WE HAVE ARE WARMING SHELTER, EMERGENCY SHELTERS OR WARMING SHELTERS FOR THE WINTER MONTHS. SO WE REALLY, AS A COMMISSION, STRONGLY URGE CITY COUNCIL TO LEAD THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR A YEAR ROUND FACILITY, ONE THAT INCLUDES A DESIGNATED SPACE SAFE PLACE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. WE HAVE FOR DECADES THE ALLENTOWN HOMELESS COMMISSION BEFORE ABBY AND I WERE LEADING THE COMMISSION PRIOR TO US HAVE RECOMMENDED A YEAR ROUND SHELTER. THE FACT THAT WE'RE THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE, AND WE DON'T HAVE A YEAR ROUND SHELTER FOR OUR NEIGHBORS TO GO TO IS CRAZY. SO WE RECOMMEND THAT THE, WE'RE LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP TO GUIDE A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REALLY MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR DECADES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST, I'M GETTING LOST ON MY WORDS. OKAY. SORRY. OKAY. SO WHILE THE COMMISSION CAN RESEARCH, ADVISE, AND ADVOCATE ONLY YOU, AS THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CAN MOVE THIS PROJECT FROM RECOMMENDATION TO REALITY. THAT'S WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT. WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE $100,000 EXTRA FLEXIBLE. THE FLEXIBLE SERVICE ALLOCATION, AND ALSO TO REALLY URGE OUR CITY LEADERS TO TAKE IT UPON THEM, TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND REALLY START TO DIRECT AND MOVE THE NEEDLE TO A 365 YEAR, DAY A YEAR SHELTER. OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND IF THERE'S ANY MORE INFORMATION, I'M SURE WE CAN MAKE IT PART OF A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING AND INCLUDE SOME MORE DEEPER DETAILS THERE. BUT BUT THANK YOU. [00:10:02] THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD START. THANK YOU. KYLE ROFSKY. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS KYLE ROFSKY. I LIVE AT 528 NORTH BURKE STREET. I'M CHAIR OF ALLENTOWN'S ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL. I'M HERE TONIGHT JUST TO ASK YOU ALL TO INVITE YOU ALL TO PARTICIPATE AND SHARE OUR RECENTLY LAUNCHED A SURVEY ON TRASH CONTAINERIZATION. WE'RE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON WHETHER ALLENTOWN SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING STEPS IN THE DIRECTION OF REQUIRING TRASH TO BE PLACED IN CONTAINERS, RATHER THAN LEAVING BAGS LOOSE AT THE CURB ON TRASH COLLECTION NIGHT. THE SURVEY IS BRIEF. IT'S AVAILABLE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, AND YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM OUR ONGOING DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS AN ADVISORY BOARD. FOR SOME CONTEXT, THIS WAS A TOPIC THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN OUR INITIAL TRASH SURVEY. TRIED TO TIE TO OUR MOST RECENT TRASH CONTRACT, BUT WE'RE INTERESTED IN GETTING SOME MORE ROBUST CITYWIDE DATA. I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT, AND THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE BUREAU OF RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE FOR ANSWERING OUR MANY, MANY, MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT RULES AND HELPING US DEVELOP DEVELOP OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DOCUMENT. AND THIS INFORMATIONAL GUIDE IS LINKED AND ATTACHED TO THE SURVEY. SO YOU CAN FIND THE SURVEY ON THE ALLENTOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL'S WEBSITE AT ALLENTOWN, EC.CORE.ORG. IT'S POSTED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. AND JUST TO FINISH UP HERE, I'D LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND OUR VIRTUAL MEETING COMING UP THIS MONDAY THE 26TH AT 530. WE HAVE SOME FUN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JENNIFER SWAN. DO I HAVE TO GET MY NAME IN? NO, BECAUSE I GAVE IT TO THEM. OKAY. JENNIFER SWAN, DO YOU WANT THE ADDRESS TO THE CLOCK DISAPPEARED. I HAVE THREE THINGS. ONE IS, I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE COUNCIL ON THE RESPECT THAT I SAW LAST WEEK FROM THIS GROUP INTERACTING. I WAS HERE SOMEWHAT LIKE A YEAR OR SOMETHING AGO AND, AND TOOK YOU DOWN FOR THE WAY THAT YOU WERE INTERACTING. I SAW THE COMPLETE REVERSAL OF THAT, AND I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED TO SEE HOW YOU INTERACT RESPECTFULLY WITH EACH OTHER AND TREAT EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE AND NOT AS THINGS. SO I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT, AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I NOTICED IT. THE SECOND THING IS I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE BE A REVIEW OF THE THE, WHAT DO I WANT TO SAY SALARIES IN THE CITY AND OUTSIDE OF THE CITY TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN SEE ABOUT THE RANGE OF SALARIES HERE. I HAVE HEARD INDEPENDENTLY FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER MEETINGS THAT THEY. THEY WOULD RATHER TRAVEL AN HOUR EACH WAY TO GET A DECENT SALARY THAN LIVE HERE AND WORK HERE. I THINK THAT IS TERRIBLE. AND I THINK WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT HOW THE SALARIES IN OUR CITY LINE UP WITH THE SALARIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS, SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST IN THIS AREA. AND I THINK WHAT YOU NEED IS A SALARY. I FORGET WHAT THEY CALL THEM, BUT YOU COMPARE SALARIES ACROSS THE BOARD. YOU CAN GO TO MONSTER.COM, ALTHOUGH I'M NOT TELLING YOU HOW TO DO IT. I'M SAYING IT'S AVAILABLE. THERE ARE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO FIND OUT HOW OUR CITY'S HOW OUR MUNICIPALITY PAYS OUT ITS EMPLOYEES AND, AND THE REST OF THE CITY COMPARED TO THE SURROUNDING. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT. I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I THOUGHT THAT WAS NOT RIGHT. THEN THE THIRD THING IS, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT. I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE COMMISSIONERS THE HOMELESS COMMISSIONERS UP HERE. THAT WHOLE GROUP IS SURPRISINGLY UNDERSTAFFED, SURPRISINGLY FOR FOR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY WORK WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE STAFFING AND THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS IS INCREASING AS WE SPEAK. AS RENTS KEEP GOING UP, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING ON THE STREET. AND IF WE REALLY WANT TO ADDRESS THIS, AND I KNOW WE CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT IF WE WANT TO TREAT THESE PEOPLE AS OUR CITIZENS AND NOT AS SOME TRASH THAT WE THROW IN THE CORNER, WE NEED TO GIVE THOSE PEOPLE WORKING ON THESE ISSUES THE SIGNIFICANT STAFFING. I UNDERSTAND WE'RE UNDER FEDERAL CONSTRAINTS, BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. AND I'LL SAY IN THE LAST THING I'M WATCHING WITH ALL THESE BILLS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THIS COMMISSION AND THIS THING AND THIS. THEY'RE ASKING FOR $100,000, WHICH I HAVE ALREADY TOLD THEM IS WAY TOO LOW FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING. AND I WANT EVERYONE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH CONSTITUENTS. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN VOTE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. AND SO YOU NEED TO TREAT THEM THAT WAY AND NOT AS SOMEBODY SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO HIDE IN A CORNER. THAT'S IT. THANKS. THANK YOU. NORAH. HELLO. WELCOME, WELCOME. GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY. I WAS PLANNING TO DO IN SPANISH. MY ENGLISH IS NOT PERFECT, BUT I TRY TO DO AN ENGLISH BECAUSE I THINK IT'S TAKING MORE TIME FOR US TO TRANSLATE. [00:15:03] I KNOW YOU CAN TRANSLATE ME, BUT IF I AM, APOLOGIZE. IF I DON'T DO IT, MY NO, I WILL NOT TRANSLATE FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB. SO GO AHEAD. I'M NOT REALLY GOOD, BUT I TRY TO DO MY BEST FOR YOU GUYS. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN TRYING FOR A LONG TIME TO OBTAIN A SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN INVOLVING A DANGEROUS TREE ON A NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. I HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST REPORT FROM BIRCH TREE SERVICE RECOMMENDING THE REMOVAL OF THIS NORWAY MAPLE. THE REPORT SAID THAT THE TREE HAS A DEFECTIVE BRANCH. UNIONS SIGNS OF DISEASE HAS CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE MULTIPLE TIMES AND COULD LOSE LARGE BRANCHES OR FIRE COMPLETELY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE APPROPRIATE CITY DEPARTMENTS BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A MEANINGFUL SOLUTION. THIS IS NOT ONLY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE IT'S LIKE SIX MULTI-FAMILY HOMES AROUND THE TREE THAT ARE AT RISK ALL THE TIME. I IN ADDITION, I FORMALLY SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CITY TREE ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS DANGEROUS IS LOCATED BETWEEN PRIVATE PROPERTIES. I SUBMIT THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE IS A NEED FOR CLEAR PROCEDURE. PROCEDURE WHEN A DANGEROUS. THREE THINGS. CAN YOU TELL ME? TELL ME WITHOUT WORDS. LIKE THREE THINGS LIKE IS AFFECT OTHER PEOPLE. ENABLE ENABLE PROPERTIES. AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS CAN RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BY THEMSELVES. I SUBMIT THIS PROPOSAL AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. EXPLAIN WHATEVER IT WAS, REVIEW WHEREVER IT WILL BE CONSIDERED OR WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. I ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT FOR TWO THINGS. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE A FORMAL RESPONSE REGARDING THE AMENDMENT I SUBMIT AND TO KNOW WHETHER THE CITY INTENDS TO CONSIDER IT. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY IS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE WHEN A PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST IDENTIFY A DANGEROUS TREE ON PRIVATE PROPERTIES. BUT THE MUNICIPALITY SAY IT CAN INTERVENE. INTERVENE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY MAY HAVE LEGAL LIMITATIONS. HOWEVER, RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT WITHOUT CLEAR GUIDANCE WHEN A DOCUMENT SAFETY CONCERNS COULD BE LED TO THE SERIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY. I'M NOT ASKING THE CITY TO TAKE SIDES IN A PROPERTY DISPUTE. I AM ASKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. A CLEAR ANSWER AND CONSIDERATION OF RATIONAL SOLUTION THAT COULD HELP PROTECT ALL RESIDENTS FACING SIMILAR SITUATIONS. I HOPE THE CITY WILL ADDRESS THIS MATTER BEFORE ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURS. YOU WON. I HAVE IT HERE. THE PROPOSAL WITH THE WITH THE COMPANY THAT SAYS THAT THE DRIFT IS DANGEROUS, HAVE SOME KIND OF CANCER. I ALREADY GO TO A SMALL COURSE AND THEY JUST JUST GIVE ME THE MONEY FOR MY DAMAGE. BUT THEY SAY HE SAY HE CAN DO ANYTHING WITH THE TREE BECAUSE IT'S. HE DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT. AND I KNOW HE DON'T HAVE THE POWER. IT'S BECAUSE WHEN I READ THE LAW IS IS LIKE A GARDEN. THE LAW SO IS THE LAW HAVE FOR THE TREES THAT IS LOCATED IN THE STREET. BUT ANYTHING FOR DANGEROUS TREE TO ARE BETWEEN PROPERTIES. SO WE NEED TO FIND A WAY ON THE LAW FOR THE CITY TO TO MANAGE THE SIN. YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE ALTONA, REDDING, PENNSYLVANIA, THEY HAVE IN, IN, IN THE LAW THAT THE TREE IS DANGEROUS. THE CITY CAN TAKE ACTION TO SEND THE LETTER TO THE OWNER, SAY, HEY, THIS TREE IS DANGEROUS. PLEASE, YOU HAVE TO REMOVE IT. OTHERWISE YOU HAVE 30 DAYS. OTHERWISE WE DO IT AND WE BUILD TO YOU. YOU DON'T PAY. YOUR HOUSE IS GOING TO BE LIKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO I'M SORRY. NO. IT'S OKAY. NO, NO, I UNDERSTAND. DO WE HAVE OUR INFORMATION, MISS ORTEGA OR HER EMAIL OR. I THINK EVERYBODY OF YOU HAVE IT ON YOUR EMAILS I SENT ON JUNE 4TH, JULY 14TH. I SENT THE EMAIL TO EVERYBODY I SENT THE EMAIL TO TO THE MANAGER. THE MAYOR KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I TALKED TO HIM IN PERSON AND. BUT I CAN GIVE HIM MORE INFORMATION. I FEEL FEEL FREE. THE SAME. MY ENGLISH. I TRY TO WORK ON THIS BY MYSELF. SO IF YOU SEE ANY MISTAKES IN THE PROPOSAL, IT'S MAYBE LIKE THE NO GOOD COMBINATION FOR THE ENGLISH, BUT I KNOW IT'S EXACTLY THAT WE NEED TO DO. WE NEED TO GIVE IT TO THE CITY THAT THE TOOLS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE THE ALLENTOWN HAVE A LOT OF OLD TREES THAT WE HAD TO TAKE CARE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENED. [00:20:06] WE DON'T WANT I WANT I WANT TO STOP IN HERE TODAY AND I DON'T WANT IN LIKE TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKS, ONE MONTH, CALL YOU GUYS AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? SOMEONE WAS DYING MY PROPERTY BECAUSE WE DON'T TAKE ANY ACTION. UNDERSTOOD. AND I'M GOING TO WORK WITH OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR AND MAKE SURE THAT WE FIND OUT, YOU KNOW, GET SOME SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THIS. SO CAN WE WORK ON THIS TOMORROW MORNING? WE JUST NEED THE ADDRESS. YEAH. SO IF YES, OF COURSE I CAN SAY IT IN PUBLIC. BUT YEAH, IF YOU CAN JUST WRITE DOWN YOUR ADDRESS AND YOUR EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER THIS WAY, EITHER OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR OR ME OR ONE OF US CAN GET AHOLD OF YOU AND LET YOU KNOW HOW WE'RE MAKING OUT WITH UPDATES. AND ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT HE ALSO SPEAKS SPANISH. OKAY, SO EL ESPANOL. OKAY. THANK YOU. I'M. I'M SORRY. AGAIN, NO ENGLISH. NO THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERY OF YOU. AND I'M SORRY TO COME. I'M INTERVIEWING. NO, NO, WE'RE HERE FOR THAT. I HAD TO STAND UP AND SAY HELLO. I'M HERE AND I WATCH ANYTHING THAT THE CITY NEED FOR ME. I'M HERE AND I WORK ANYTHING FOR THE CITY BECAUSE I IT'S PART OF MY MY CITY. I LOVE ALLENTOWN, AND I WANT TO DO THE BEST I CAN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON THAT CARD, I DON'T OKAY, THAT WRAPS IT UP FOR COURTESY OF THE FLOOR. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COURTESY THE FLOOR ALONG THE AGENDA ITEM. SO IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO WHEN WE GET TO THAT BUSINESS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET MOVING INTO CONTRACT APPROVALS. SO WE'LL START OUR 138 R 138 IS THE AUTHORIZATION FOR CONTRACT WITH BARTON AND LOGUIDICE DPC IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,000 TO PERFORM GROUNDWATER SAMPLING ANALYSIS, THIRD PARTY DATA VALIDATION AND REPORTING OF LANDFILL MONITORING WELLS AND RESIDENTIAL PRIVATE POTABLE WELLS AT THE DORNEY ROAD LANDFILL SITE LOCATED ON DORNEY ROAD IN UPPER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP. SIX PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED. THE CONTRACT TERMS SHALL COMMENCE UPON FULL EXECUTION AND SHALL CEASE FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER. UPON WRITTEN AGREEMENT FROM THE CITY. THIS CONTRACT MAY BE EXTENDED FOR UP TO AN ADDITIONAL THREE MONTHS BEYOND THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION PERIOD. AT THE SAME ANNUAL TERMS OF THE INITIAL TERM. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON R 138. OKAY. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS. GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, R 139. R 139 IS THE AUTHORIZATION FOR CONTRACT WITH FLY-AWAY EXCAVATING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000,588 $265 TO CONSTRUCT A SHARED USE PATH SECTION OF THE MLK TRAIL BETWEEN FOUNTAIN PARK AND LEHIGH PARKWAY EAST. FOUR BIDS WERE RECEIVED. THE CONTRACT SHALL COMMENCE UPON FULL EXECUTION AND SHALL CEASE 18 MONTHS THEREAFTER. THIS CONTRACT CAN BE EXTENDED FOR TWO ADDITIONAL SIX MONTH TERMS BEYOND THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION PERIOD, AT THE SAME ANNUAL TERMS AS THE INITIAL TERM. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OKAY, I HAVE A QUESTION. GO AHEAD. SO IT WILL BE THE $2 MILLION. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME BACK. HOPEFULLY TO GET ANOTHER TRANSFER BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THAT'S WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT MISS AFAR A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT WE, WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF TRANSFER OVER AND OVER AGAIN. YEAH. I'D LIKE TO KNOW EVERY TIME THERE'S TRANSFER WITH THE ORIGINAL BID, WHAT CONSPIRED IN BETWEEN TO HAVE ASK US FOR MORE MONEY. SO SO I HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THIS IS A NEW BID, BUT I HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT. I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. WELL, WE HAVE MISS TORLINO HERE, SO MAYBE YOU CAN HELP US WITH SOME SOME FEEDBACK. SURE. COUNCILPERSON MOTO, ARE YOU ASKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS ONE? THE TRANSFERS FOR THE DESIGN. SO WE HAD DONE A TRANSFER BECAUSE THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WE HAD TO DO ADDITIONAL PERMITTING. SO THE DESIGN IS COMPLETE SO YOU WON'T SEE ANY TRANSFERS FOR THAT. SO THIS IS IT OKAY. YEAH. AND THIS IS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THAT TRAIL. AND ONCE THE CONTRACTOR GETS STARTED, WE'RE CONFIDENT IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THE BID DOCUMENTS THAT WE ALWAYS HOPE THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO GO SMOOTHLY. SO THE GOAL IS NEVER TO HAVE CHANGE ORDERS, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO HAPPEN. BUT THIS IS ONE THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG TIME. [00:25:02] AND I'M CONFIDENT IN THE DOCUMENTS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT IT IS, WHERE THEY WHAT THEY BID UPON. SO. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. PONGO. GO AHEAD. OKAY. THANK YOU SIR. I THINK ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE GET INTO SOME OF THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT BIDS, AND I KNOW IT'S PROCUREMENT'S JOB TO KIND OF GO THROUGH IT, BUT I THINK I'D BE CURIOUS JUST IN GENERAL, MAYBE JUST HEARING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THOSE BIDS. AND I'M CURIOUS, THIS BID AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER FOUR BIDS, I KNOW IT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST RESPONSIBLE BID. IS THERE ANY BREAKDOWN OF THAT OR SPECIFIC KIND OF INFORMATION ON THOSE BIDS, AND HOW CLOSE? WERE THERE ANY BIDS THAT WERE DISQUALIFIED FOR ANY, YOU KNOW, JUST ANY REASON? I'M CURIOUS. SO IT IS IN THE DETAILS, AND I THINK I CAN GET THERE PRETTY QUICKLY IN THIS PACKET. BUT THIS WAS THE LOWEST BID. AND THEY WERE THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BID. SO WE WENT THROUGH AND MADE SURE THAT WHAT THEY HAD BID UPON WAS WHAT WE HAD ASKED THEM TO DO. AND WE WERE CONFIDENT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT. AND BEFORE WE EVEN WENT OUT TO BID, WE HAD OUR, THE ENGINEER GIVE US AN ESTIMATE FOR CONSTRUCTION. AND THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THAT. SO ALL ALL SIGNS ARE POINTING TO THIS IS A GOOD BID AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE FOR THAT AMOUNT. THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT. LOOKING AT IT, I DO SEE THE BIDS IN THERE. THANK YOU. OKAY. MR. BINDER, GO AHEAD AND REFRESH MY MEMORY ON THIS BECAUSE I KNEW WE HAD A COUPLE. SORRY. WAIT, A COUPLE OF THE MLK TRAILS WAS THIS ONE THAT WAS AWARDED GRANT THROUGH SOMETHING OR. I REMEMBER WE DID HAVE SOME THAT WERE. SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? YOU HAD ASKED, IS IT GRANT FUNDED? IS THAT. YEAH, IT WAS THIS ONE AWARDED THROUGH ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAD RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE. YES. SO THIS IS PRIMARILY GRANT FUNDED. EXCUSE ME. THERE IS SOME CITY FUNDING IN THERE, ABOUT $600,000 OF CITY BOND MONEY IN THERE, BUT THE REST OF IT IS STATE FUNDED DOLLARS. AND THIS PIECE OF TRAIL WILL CONNECT RIGHT BEHIND FOUNTAIN POOL TO LEHIGH PARKWAY. SO I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROJECT GET MOVING BECAUSE IT WILL BE A REALLY SAFE CONNECTION FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE PARKWAY, WHICH IS AN AMAZING ASSET. SO YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL FROM DOWNTOWN TO THOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND AND PEOPLE, HOPEFULLY IT WILL INCREASE THE ACCESS TO PARKWAY AND THE AMENITIES OVER THERE. THANK YOU. AND I'LL JUST PLUG AGAIN, LIKE I DID A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, BUT THAT YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU PUT TOGETHER THAT MAP. AND FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF IT THEY'RE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE IS THE, BOTH THE CURRENT AND PROJECTED TRAIL MAPS THAT ARE GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY. SO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. IT'S, IT'S, IT'S EXCITING TO SEE IT ALL COME TOGETHER. THANK YOU. OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON R 139. OKAY. YOU CALL THE VOTE PLEASE, MR. BENDER. YES. MISS. GERLACH YES, MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. AND MISS. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP ARE 140 R. 140 IS THE AUTHORIZATION OF COOPERATIVE CONTRACTS IN AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN $40,000 TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH VARIOUS GOODS AND SERVICES FROM BROWN DOPP, CHEVROLET OF NAZARETH AND ATLANTIC TACTICAL. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH. WHAT ARE THE GOOD SERVICES? WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY THAT? GOOD EVENING. SO ONE OF ONE OF THE ITEMS HERE THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA IS FOR AN EV VEHICLE FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS LEFTOVER FUNDING FROM THE ORIGINAL GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED. AND WE JUST REPURPOSING THE LEFTOVER FUNDING TO PURCHASE AN EV VEHICLE FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON R 140. OKAY. MISS GERLACH? YES. MISS MODA. YES. MR. PENGO. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. AND MR. BENDER. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. AND WE'RE ON TO MINUTES OF SOME PREVIOUS MEETINGS. [Minutes of Previous Meeting] WE'LL START WITH AUGUST 12TH. AUGUST 12TH. SPECIAL MEETING ON THE ALLENTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY. THE DAA PRESENTATION, MISS GERLACH. YES, MISS. SANTOS. YES. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS MOTA. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MR.. PENGO. YES, MISS. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS ON THAT. [00:30:01] THE AUGUST 19TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, MISS APA? YES. MR.. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES, MISS MODA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. AND MISS GERLACH. YES. THE AUGUST 26TH CITY COUNCIL HOUSING FUND AND HOUSING LEGISLATION DISCUSSION. MR. NAPOLI. YES, MISS MODA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MISS. GERLACH. YES. MR.. PONGO. YES. AND MUSTAFA. YES. AND THE OCTOBER 7TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. CAN I JUST NOTE ON THE SEVENTH MEETING MINUTES? I KNOW THERE WAS A CHANGE IN HOW THEY'RE RECORDED BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME ADDITIONAL THERE WAS TEXT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING THAT WAS PUT FORTH THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE STRUCTURE. SO I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING TO BE CHANGED GOING FORWARD. BUT I KNOW THAT THAT THE NORMAL STRUCTURE WAS JUST THE LISTING INVOCATION AND THEN ROLL CALL. AND THIS HAS A LOT OF EXTRA TEXT ON IT. SO I GUESS I'M JUST CALLING THAT OUT THAT THAT STUFF'S NOT PROBABLY SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF IT. SO YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT. OKAY. THANKS. MISS MODA? YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MR.. PONGO. YES. MISS APHA. YES. MR.. BINDER. YES. MISS. SANTOS. YES. AND MISS GERLACH. YES. ALL RIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT. THEY ALL PASS. GREAT. THANK YOU. SO I HAVE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS. [Communications Chasers – If you parked in the city lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a voucher.] THE FIRST ONE IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT. CITY COUNCIL HELD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING WITH OUR SOLICITOR ON PENDING LITIGATION. ALSO FOR VISITORS TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARK IN THE GOVERNMENT DECK NEXT DOOR. AND TO SEE OUR CLERK FOR A CHASER TO PAY FOR YOUR PARKING. EVERY TIME YOU COME TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. ANY OLD BUSINESS? OKAY. AND REPORTS. WE'LL START WITH SPECIAL MEETINGS. [REPORTS Special Meetings: President Napoli, Council has scheduled their budget review meetings, a scheduled has been distributed and is also attached to the agenda website. We will kick off our review with a special meeting on October 28th at 5:30 PM to review the Finance Department and Public Safety Budgets (Police, Fire and EMS). Copies of the proposed budget can be found on the city website. Note that the budget reviews are special meetings where we will consider general business if necessary; and the chairs of the committee will be responsible for leading the review of the departments under their jurisdiction – Chairs Pungo and Affa will be up next week. Budget and Finance: Chair Pungo, Mota, Gerlach The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for November 4th, time to be determined. Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Binder, Napoli The Committee met on October 14th the next meeting is not yet scheduled. Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Binder, Santos, Affa The Committee met this evening, there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Pungo, Binder The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. Public Safety: Chair Affa, Mota, Santos The Committee has not met since the last council meeting… Public Works: Chair Mota, Pungo, Affa The Committee met on October 14th - there are no future meetings scheduled at this time. 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 at this time. Controller's Report: The Controller has submitted a report. (ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WEEKLY CHECK REVIEW For the Check Period end date: 08/29 - 10/02/202) Mayor: No submission. Wednesday, October 28 • 5:30 PM Finance and Public Safety Wednesday, November 4 • 5:30 p.m. – Parks & Recreation Committee Wednesday, November 11 • 5:30 p.m. – HR, IT, Law, Mayor's Office & Non-Departmental Budgets, Community & Economic Development Committee Wednesday, November 18 • 5:30 p.m. – Public Works Committee Wednesday, December 2 • 5:30 p.m. – Budget Amendments Wednesday, December 9 • 5:30 p.m. – Budget Adoption ] COUNCIL HAS SCHEDULED THEIR BUDGET REVIEW MEETINGS. A SCHEDULE, A THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED AND IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA WEBSITE. WE WILL KICK OFF OUR REVIEW WITH A SPECIAL MEETING ON OCTOBER 28TH AT 5:30 P.M. TO REVIEW THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGETS, WHICH INCLUDE POLICE, FIRE AND EMS. COPIES OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET CAN BE FOUND ON THE CITY WEBSITE. NOTE THAT THE BUDGET REVIEWS ARE SPECIAL MEETINGS WHERE WE WILL CONSIDER GENERAL BUSINESS IF NECESSARY, AND THE CHAIRS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEADING THE REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENTS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION. CHAIRS AND APHA WILL BE STARTING UP NEXT WEEK. ON TO BUDGET AND FINANCE CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT MET SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND THE NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 4TH. WITH THAT TIME TO BE OFFICIALLY DETERMINED. AND THAT'S ABOVE AND BEYOND THE OCTOBER 28TH BUDGET MEETING. THANK YOU. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. CHAIR. GERLACH. YES. THE COMMITTEE MET ON OCTOBER 14TH. THE NEXT MEETING IS NOT YET SCHEDULED. THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, INCLUDING, FINALLY, THE OUTDOOR ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE ORDINANCE. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION AND APPOINTMENTS. CHAIR BENDER. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT NAPOLI. THE COMMITTEE MET THIS EVENING. THERE ARE NO FUTURE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, I WILL BE WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO SCHEDULE OUT A TIME TO REVIEW THE UPDATED PERSONNEL MANUAL, AS WELL AS LOOKING AT HOW WE'RE ADHERING TO SOME OF THE ITEMS IN THE DUANE MORRIS REPORT FROM 2025. OKAY. THANK YOU. PARKS AND RECREATION CHAIR SANTOS. THANK YOU. THE COMMITTEE MET THIS EVENING. WE HAD ONE ITEM FORWARDED TO TONIGHT'S MEETING, AND THERE ARE NO FUTURE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR. THANK YOU. PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT MET SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. THERE ARE NO FURTHER MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. PUBLIC WORKS VICE PRESIDENT MOTTA. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE MET ON OCTOBER 14TH. THERE ARE NO FUTURE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. AND ROSE CHAMBERS INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND STRATEGY. THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT MET SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. THERE ARE NO FUTURE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. NEXT UP IS A COMPTROLLER'S REPORT. MISS SALGADO. I I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M SPEAKING LOUD ENOUGH. IS THAT OKAY? COMPTROLLER. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE FEEDBACK LAST TIME. GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL. THE THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE COMPLETED A REVIEW OF CITY EXPENDITURES AND IDENTIFIED SIX AREAS OF CONCERN. I WANT TO BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT OUR FINDINGS, THE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSES, AND WHERE WE SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. FIRST, INCORRECT PAYMENT AMOUNTS. WE IDENTIFIED A GARAGE PAYMENT OF $1,354.09 FOR AN INVOICE TOTALING [00:35:01] $137.31, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL OVERPAYMENT OF $1,216.78. THE CHECK WAS REQUESTED TO BE VOIDED AND REISSUED FOR THE CORRECT AMOUNT. THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF VERIFYING INVOICE AMOUNTS BEFORE PAYMENTS ARE ISSUED. SECOND INCORRECT EXPENSE ACCOUNT WE IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY $40,000 IN EXPENSES THAT WERE INCORRECTLY CLASSIFIED BETWEEN HEALTH AND RISK. BOTH DEPARTMENTS SUBMITTED CORRECTING JOURNAL ENTRIES. HOWEVER, ACCURATE ACCOUNT CODING IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS HOW WE MONITOR DEPARTMENTAL SPENDING AND BUDGET BALANCES. THIRD MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT DOCUMENTATION A PARKS AND RECREATION REIMBURSEMENT OF $72.35 CONTAINED INCORRECT ODOMETER READINGS. THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH ADMINISTRATION ON ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO ENSURE THAT ANY ALTERNATIVES STILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VERIFICATION BEFORE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE APPROVED FOR TRAVEL EXPENSE REPORTING. WE IDENTIFIED A PLANNING TRAVEL EXPENSE REPORT SUBMITTED 11 WORKING DAYS AFTER TRAVEL DESPITE A FIVE DAY REQUIREMENT. FINANCE THEN TOOK AN ADDITIONAL 54 WORKING DAYS TO REVIEW IT. BOTH DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED AND FINANCE ACKNOWLEDGED THE OVERSIGHT. THIS DEMONSTRATES THE NEED FOR CLEAR PROCESSING DEADLINES AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON BOTH SIDES. FIFTH, ULTIMATELY, INVOICE PAYMENTS. THIS IS AN AREA I PARTICULARLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT. WE IDENTIFIED 12 INVOICES ACROSS SIX DEPARTMENTS WITH PAYMENT DELAYS. THE REASONS VARIED, INCLUDING MISSING DOCUMENTATION, OVERLOOKED INVOICES, VENDOR COMMUNICATION ISSUES, AND CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS. CURRENTLY, THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE A STANDARDIZED TIME FRAME FOR INVOICES TO MOVE THROUGH MUNIS. INVOICES FROM RECEIPT OR DELAYS. OH, WAS THAT ME? OH, SHE'S AGREEING WITH YOU. CLASSIC. OKAY, THAT WAS KIND OF COOL. ALL RIGHT LET ME SEE. I BELIEVE ESTABLISHING CLEAR TIMELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE UNNECESSARY DELAYS, AND STRENGTHEN OUR VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS. FINALLY, MISSING DOCUMENTATION IN MUNIS. WE IDENTIFIED NINE INSTANCES ACROSS FIVE DEPARTMENTS WHERE REQUIRED. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT ATTACHED. THE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED AND THE DOCUMENTATION WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SCANNED. HOWEVER, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF REVIEW AND APPROVAL NOT ADDED AFTER AN ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED. IN CLOSING, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEPARTMENTS FOR RESPONDING TO THESE FINDINGS AND TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT CORRECTING AN INDIVIDUAL ERROR IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME AS CORRECTING THE PROCESS THAT ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE OUR OFFICE TO FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING INTERNAL CONTROLS, IMPROVING CONSISTENCY ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, AND FOLLOWING UP TO ENSURE CORRECTIVE MEASURES ARE WORKING. SO THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT. AND IT LOOKS LIKE I DON'T HAVE A REPORT FROM YOU THIS EVENING. SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE. [ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): ] WE'LL START WITH BILL 64. BILL 64 AMENDS THE 2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $15,000 FROM THE PA HISTORICAL AND 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. AND THANK YOU. AND THIS WAS FORWARDED OUT OF CHAIR GERLACH'S COMMITTEE. YES IT WAS. AND IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 64? OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MISS ZAFAR? YES. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. AND MR. NAPOLI. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP, BILL 66. BILL 66 AMENDS THE ALLENTOWN CITY CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 130 ALLENTOWN OUTDOOR ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CITY'S RESPONSE TO OUTDOOR ENCAMPMENTS ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY. THANK YOU. ANY. AND THIS WAS ALSO FORWARDED OUT OF COMMITTEE. YES. ALSO FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? [00:40:01] MISS GERLACH? GO AHEAD. YES. I MEAN, I, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO MAKE A COMMENT JUST BECAUSE IT'S TAKEN SO LONG AND IT'S BEEN YOU KNOW, WHAT BROUGHT THIS ORDINANCE ABOUT WAS, WAS REALLY TRAGEDY AND CHAOS. I MEAN, WE SAT UP HERE, WE REMEMBER FOLKS WHO WERE LIVING IN THE ENCAMPMENT, FOLKS WHO WERE ADVOCATES AND CASE WORKERS WITH, WITH THE UNSHELTERED COMING UP HERE SCARED, CONFUSED. I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT A GENTLEMAN WHO LOST TOUCH WITH HIS PHYSICIAN FROM STREET MEDICINE. HE HAD SOME SORT OF OPERATION THAT HE NEEDED. AND BECAUSE THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN DECIDED TO JUST ABRUPTLY MAKE THEM THE MOVE. I HOPE THAT MAN IS STILL ALIVE. HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW. BUT THERE'S REAL CONSEQUENCES TO JUST ABRUPTLY JUST TELLING PEOPLE YOU GOT TO GO WITH NO SOLUTIONS. SO WILL THIS SOLVE EVERYTHING? NO. WILL IT WORK PERFECTLY? NO. BUT IT IS SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS THAT AT LEAST NOW THE CITY KNOWS THE EXPECTATIONS. THE UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS KNOW THE EXPECTATIONS, WE KNOW THE EXPECTATIONS. AND IT IT IT PROVIDES SOME SORT OF GUIDELINES. IT'S NOT JUST WILLY NILLY. WHATEVER HAPPENS AND HOW YOU FEEL THAT DAY. THERE'S A RUBRIC AND ENCAMPMENTS WILL RECEIVE A SCORE. BEING UNSHELTERED IS UNSAFE NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE AT. SO TO SAY THAT THAT UNTO ITSELF IS IS, IS, IS ENOUGH TO CLOSE DOWN AN ENCAMPMENT. NO, THIS, THE RUBRIC IS IT'S SATISFACTORY. SO I THINK THAT JUST LIKE ANY ORDINANCE, IT CAN BE AMENDED AS FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY SEE IT IS WORKING OR NOT WORKING. IT CAN COME BACK AND CHANGES CAN BE MADE. SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'VE GOT SOMETHING. IF IT PASSES TONIGHT. SO THANK YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, WORKING ON THIS, THOSE OF YOU WHO HAD MEETINGS AND IT WAS, IT WAS A GOOD LONG PROCESS, BUT I THINK WE FINALLY GOT SOMETHING. SO THAT'S IT. OKAY. THANK YOU. MR. BENDER, GO AHEAD. YEAH. AND I ALSO, I WANT TO THANK THE MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS. I KNOW THIS WAS ONE OF THE INITIAL THINGS THAT YOU, YOU, I WANT TO SAY WALKED INTO, BUT IT WAS, IT WAS AN INITIAL PROJECT. I KNOW YOU REACHED OUT TO MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS ON THIS DAIS TO MEET, TO KIND OF TO GET FEEDBACK TO CONSTRUCT THIS BILL. IT TO COUNCILPERSON GERLACH'S COMMENT. IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD. THIS WAS STARTED BACK IN. I MEAN, I GUESS YOU KIND OF STARTED THIS BEFORE LIKE OCTOBER OR SOMETHING OF THE YEAR. SO IT'S I'M HAPPY THAT WE'VE WE'VE, WE'VE GOTTEN SO MUCH FEEDBACK AND PUT THIS TOGETHER. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL PRESIDENT GERLACH FOR STAYING THE COURSE AND GETTING THIS INTO THE DEADLINES TO, TO KEEP IT MOVING. SO YEAH, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR. THIS WAS HE JUST STARTED THE JOB AND WE THREW HIM INTO THIS. AND NOW I KNOW YOU LOST A PHONE. I, I WAS ABOUT TO SAY A NICKNAME THAT WAY. AT LEAST. AT LEAST THERE'S LEGISLATION TO SHOW FOR IT, SO THANKS. THANKS. YEAH. THAT'S. YEAH. SO SO I KNOW AT LEAST FOR SOME LEGISLATION, THANKS TO MISS GERLACH AND MR. BENDER FOR ALL THE WORK THEY PUT IN. AND I'M GLAD, I'M HAPPY TO SEE AT THE FINISH LINE. YEAH, IF I CAN. YEAH. SO, YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY PART OF THE PART OF WHAT I THINK THE GOAL IS HERE IS TO CREATE LEGISLATION THAT FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS AND FUTURE CITY COUNCILS HAVE TO OPERATE UNDER, BECAUSE WE MAY KNOW WHAT OUR INTENTIONS ARE, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT PEOPLE ELECTED WILL BE, AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO PASS LEGISLATION. YOU KNOW, AND I'LL YOU MAY NOT REALIZE ON CITY COUNCIL THAT PART OF WHAT WE'VE DONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF THIS ORGANIZATION. YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT LIKE I'VE I'VE GONE TO A NUMBER OF THESE ENCAMPMENTS WITH MANY OF YOU. AND, YOU KNOW, TODAY I WAS AT ONE AND THEY ALWAYS SAY THE SAME THING. THEY ALWAYS SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, BUT THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE. AND WE TRY TO, YOU KNOW, WE TRY TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS. WE TRY TO KEEP THINGS CLEAN. AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE ASK THEM WHAT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME COUPLE THINGS, YOU KNOW, AND AS LONG AS WE'RE RESPECTFUL, WE CAN ASK ANYBODY TO MOVE. BUT BEFORE WE MAKE THEM MOVE, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH NOTICE AND THAT WE REALLY MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NECESSARY THAT THEY MOVE. BECAUSE THERE'S SOME KIND OF EMERGENCY SITUATION AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE JUST TRY TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO SERVICES AND TREAT THEM WITH HUMANITY. AND IF I MEAN, A POLICY SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY IF YOU'RE WELL INTENTIONED, BUT WE CAN'T ALWAYS BE SURE THAT PEOPLE AFTER US WILL BE WELL INTENTIONED. OKAY. AGREE. SO OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 66 OR THE ENCAMPMENT POLICY? [00:45:06] MA'AM. COME, COME ON FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. MY NAME IS SUSAN XAVIER. AND WHAT I'D LIKE AND I HAVE READ THIS ORDINANCE 66. WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT IT IS THAT IT RESPECTS THE DIGNITY OF THE PEOPLE IN THESE ENCAMPMENTS. AND TO THAT POINT, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO FUND THE HOMELESS. COMMISSION IF I'M SAYING THAT RIGHT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, I ACTUALLY WOULD RATHER SEE THE $200,000 THAT YOU'RE SPENDING ON THE TRAIL. GO TO THE HOMELESS COMMISSION. AND I KNOW THAT THAT MOST OF THAT MONEY IS BEING PUT TOWARD THE GRANT. THESE PEOPLE HAVE NEEDS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT, I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS ORDINANCE RESPECTS THE DIGNITY OF ALL ALLENTOWN RESIDENTS. AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I LIVE NEAR A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED HOMELESS PEOPLE DEFECATING AND URINATING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. I HAVE SEEN GARBAGE, AN INCREASE OF GARBAGE, AN INCREASE OF TENTS. THEY ALSO LEAVE SHOPPING CARTS WHETHER THEY ARE VISIBLE. I HAVE CALLED SWEEP DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE SHOPPING CARTS. THE SWEEP DEPARTMENT IS WONDERFUL. THEY HAVE COME IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE THE SHOPPING CARTS AWAY. SO THAT'S A SHOUT OUT TO THEM. SO I GUESS REALLY WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT WE CAN ALL LIVE TOGETHER AND FIND A WAY FORWARD WHERE CITY PROPERTY AND ALL CITIZENS ARE BEING RESPECTED. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC? COME UP. COME FORWARD. SIR. HOLD ON ONE MOMENT. YOU'RE NEXT. COME AND JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. MY NAME IS GARY PAVLIK. I'M A HOMELESS GUITAR PLAYER FROM THE SOUTH SIDE. AND SO I'M HERE NOW, AND IT WAS A BIT OF A PROBLEM, JUST LIKE THE LADY EXPLAINED. I'M IN AN ENCAMPMENT, TOO. I WON'T TELL YOU WHICH ONE. SO I'M HERE. I'M HERE TO HELP. THAT'S ALL I GOT FOR NOW. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND COME ON UP, SIR. THANK YOU. AND YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? MY NAME IS NICHOLAS BUTTERFIELD. I LIVE AT 223 SOUTH 13TH STREET. I'M PART OF THE LIBRARY AREA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. IN SOME WAYS, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING ENCROACHED UPON BY THESE ENCAMPMENTS. BEFORE, THEY USED TO BE AROUND 10TH STREET BY THE WPA STEPS. NOW THEY'RE DOWN BEHIND THE BEHIND THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. NOW THEY'RE SHOWING UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE WOODS. AND TODAY WE FOUND ANOTHER ONE ON JUST OFF MADISON STREET ON THE GROCER'S ALLEY. TWO FULL CARTS THAT ARE SIX FEET HIGH, PACKED WITH GOODS AND PLUS ANOTHER I KNOW IT SAYS TO GIVE HIM 30 DAYS, BUT I START FEELING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING JUST BOUNCING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER TO ANOTHER TO KEEP IT, TO KEEP AHEAD. IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A SOLUTION. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED, BUT I THINK THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE JUST SORT OF FREELOADING ON. AND I'M GLAD FOR THIS ORDINANCE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE WE NEED TO WORK WITH IT. CONTROL IT, MANAGE IT. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? OKAY. WE WILL CALL A VOTE. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS. SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MS.. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NAYS. OKAY, NEXT UP, BILL 67. BILL 67 AMENDS THE 2026 GRANT FUND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FROM THE PADCED LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT. THESE FUNDS ARE A PASS THROUGH GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT THE RIPPLE COMMUNITY, INC.. OKAY. AND THIS WAS CAME OUT OF MISS GERLACH'S COMMITTEE. YES. FORWARD IT FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. OKAY. MR. BENDER, GO AHEAD. YEAH. I JUST HAVE TO RECUSE MYSELF. SO, PURSUANT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA ETHICS ACT. I'M ABSTAINING FROM VOTING FOR BILL 67. MY PARTNER IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RIPPLE COMMUNITY, INC. AND VOTING ON THIS BILL WOULD PRESENT A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. [00:50:04] UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON R 67? OKAY. CAN YOU CALL VOTE, PLEASE? MISS SCURLOCK? YES, MISS. YES. MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFA. YES. AND MR. BENDER ABSTAINS. SO YOU HAVE SIX DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, BILL 68. BILL 68 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE OF $560,000 TO FUND THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT HANOVER AVENUE AND LINDEN STREET. THIS IS GRANT FUNDED THROUGH THE PENNDOT MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND PROGRAM WITH NO MATCH REQUIRED. OKAY, THIS CAME OUT OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE FROM CHAIR. YES, MR. PRESIDENT, AND IT WAS FORWARD FAVORABLY. OKAY, GREAT. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD FOR THE FOR THE LIGHT ON SIXTH STREET. EVERY TIME I PASS BY THERE, I THINK OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. CHADDHA. WELL, I'M I'M DIGGING THE HANOVER AVENUE ONE, TOO. I THINK THAT'S LONG OVERDUE. I GO AHEAD? YES, YES. TO THAT POINT. SOMEONE WAS WAS KILLED CROSSING THERE. ANYONE WHO'S EVER TURNED TRIED TO TURN INTO THE EIGHT WILL OVERLOOK US. TAKE A LEFT. IT'S A BIT SCARY. IF ANYONE'S WHO EVER. AND FOR THE RESIDENTS AND FOR THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE TO CROSS THE STREET TO GO TO TO GO TO SCHOOL OR TO GO TO BIKE WORKS OR WHATEVER. I'M SURE THEY WILL APPRECIATE THIS, THIS, THIS LIGHT IT WAS SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN TO BECAUSE THEN WE'LL HAVE TO STOP DOWN AT CARLISLE AND WE WON'T HAVE THAT MUCH FURTHER TO GO. SO WHY SPEED? WELL, FOR THE AVERAGE THAT'S A GOOD POINT PERSON. SO AND TO THE PUBLIC, YOU KNOW, TO THEIR DEFENSE I CAN SAY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING PUBLIC WORKS REALLY HARD. BUT THE REALITY IS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I MEAN, THE PARTS THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS YET. SO THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE, FOR THAT PART. SO WHEN I TALK ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS AND I ALWAYS NAME MR. CHADDHA, YOU KNOW, HE JUST JUST, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE OF IT, IT'S NOT THAT I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU A HARD TIME, THOUGH. I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON BILL 68 FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY COMMENTS? OKAY. MISS MODA? YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR. BENDER. YES. AND MISS SCURLOCK. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NAYS. THANK YOU. BILL 69. BILL 69 IS AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF CERTAIN MONIES RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN UNDER TITLE ONE 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 TWO OF THE NATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACT OF 1990, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNDERTAKING PROGRAMS OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THIS CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE? YES IT DID. IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE DAIS? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 69? OKAY. MR. PONGO. YES. MISS SANTOS? YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. AND MISS MOTA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, BILL 70. BILL 70 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $705,938.84 FROM THE AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAMS CLASS ACTION AWARDS. TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF ANY PFAS REMEDIATION SYSTEMS THE CITY IS REQUIRED TO INSTALL UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS. THIS THREE M SETTLEMENT PAYMENT WILL BE MADE IN TEN SEPARATE INSTALLMENTS THROUGH 2033. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SETTLEMENT FUNDS THE CITY HAS RECEIVED THUS FAR THROUGH ITS PARTICIPATION IN PFAS AFFIRMATION LITIGATION, IS $4,480,903.96. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THIS CAME OUT OF VICE PRESIDENT MOSES COMMITTEE, PUBLIC WORKS. YES. AND IT WAS PASSED FAVORABLY. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 70? [00:55:06] OKAY. MISS SANTOS? YES. MR. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFFA YES. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS SCURLOCK. YES. MISS MODA? YES. AND MR. PONGO? YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP, BILL 71. BILL 71 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE OF $350,000 IN REIMBURSEMENT FUNDING FROM ANISA TO CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER 2040 HAMILTON STREETSCAPE. THERE IS NO CITY MATCH REQUIRED. OKAY. AND THIS ALSO CAME OUT OF VICE PRESIDENT MOSES COMMITTEE PUBLIC WORKS. YES. AND IT WAS PASSED FAVORABLY. OKAY, GREAT. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 71? OKAY. MR. NAPOLI. YES. MISS ZAFAR? YES. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS MODA. YES. MR.. PONGO. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP, BILL 72. BILL 72 AMENDS THE 2026 GRANT FUND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $384,048 FROM THE DC LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT. THESE FUNDS ARE A PASS THROUGH GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT THE CIVIC THEATER OF ALLENTOWN. OKAY, AND THIS CAME OUT OF CHAIR GERLACH'S COMMITTEE. YES. AND IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY TO TONIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 72? OKAY. MISS AFAR. YES, MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES, MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. AND MR. NAPOLI. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, BILL 73. BILL 73 AMENDS THE 2026 GRANT FUND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $29,400 FROM THE DC LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT. THESE FUNDS ARE A PASS THROUGH GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT PLANNED PARENTHOOD. OKAY. AND THIS CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE. YES. AND FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 73? MR. BINDER YES, MISS GERLACH, YES. MISS MODA? YES. MR.. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFFA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NAYS. AND NEXT UP, BILL 74. BILL 74 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE OF $600,000 TO FUND THE APPROVED PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECT TO REPLACE THE SALT SHED AS PART OF THE 2026 CAPITAL BORROWING. OKAY. AND THIS CAME OUT OF VICE PRESIDENT MOTO'S COMMITTEE, PUBLIC WORKS. YES. AND IT WAS PASSED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 74? COME ON UP. HI, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS KYLE. I'M CHAIR OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADD IT SAYS OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REASONS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS AS WELL. PROPER SALT STORAGE IS GOING TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AS THE SALT LEACHES INTO OUR WATER. THE CITY AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DO A GREAT JOB IN ENSURING THAT WHEN WE DO USE SALT, WE'RE BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THEY DO A LOT OF MEASURES, SUCH AS BRINE USE, THAT REDUCES OUR SALT USAGE, BUT STEWARDING IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY, MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFFA. YES. AND MR. BENDER. YES, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. AND NEXT UP, BILL 75. BILL 75 AMENDS THE 2026 GULF FUND TO ACCOMMODATE AN UPGRADE OF A GREENSKEEPER POSITION AND THE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC. THREE IN THE GULF FUNDS GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. THE GREENSKEEPER POSITION, CURRENTLY AN M16, WOULD BE UPGRADED TO A PROPOSED PAY GRADE OF M22 AY AND RETITLED TO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. THE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC THREE POSITION CURRENTLY AN M14 WOULD BE UPGRADED TO A PROPOSED PAY GRADE OF M20 AND RETITLED TWO GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT TECH. THESE UPGRADES ALLOW FOR A PAY STRUCTURE THAT BETTER REFLECTS JOB DUTIES WHILE MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY WITH COMPENSATION FOR SIMILAR ROLES ACROSS THE REGION. OKAY, AND THIS CAME OUT OF CHAIR SANTOS COMMITTEE PARKS AND RECREATION THIS EVENING. YES, IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? [01:00:09] OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 75. OKAY. MISS MODA. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES, MISTER. NAPOLI. YES. MISS ZAPPA. YES. MR. BENDER. YES. AND MISS GERLACH. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP, BILL 76. BILL 76 AMENDS THE 2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AND ACCOMMODATE THE UPGRADE OF POSITION 235-012. PRESENTLY A RECEPTIONIST WITHIN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND PAY GRADE S5 TO THAT OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES SPECIALISTS WITH A REVISED PAY GRADE OF S 11. THIS WILL ENTAIL THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM BETWEEN ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE HUMAN RESOURCES BUDGET TO COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCREASED SALARY FOR THAT POSITION OVER THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR. OKAY. AND THIS CAME OUT OF HUMAN RESOURCES APPOINTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION THIS EVENING, CHAIR BENDER. YES. AND IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? MR. BENDER, GO AHEAD. YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THIS. AND THE PREVIOUS BILL BOTH WENT THROUGH THE RECLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE, AND I'M THANKFUL THAT THAT WAS THE FIRST PROCESS. I BELIEVE YOU WERE PRESENT ON THAT AND WE'RE TRYING TO REFINE THAT PROCESS GOING FORWARD. BUT YEAH, SO I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS. THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT. AND THERE WERE OTHERS THAT WENT THROUGH THE RECLASS COMMITTEE, BUT THOSE ARE GOING TO BE SAVED FOR THE BUDGET. SO BUT THESE TWO REQUIRED MORE IMMEDIATE ACTION. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 76? OKAY. MR. PONGO? YES. MISS. SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS SCURLOCK, YES. MISS MOTA. YES, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NO NAYS. OKAY, BILL 77, BILL 77, AMEND CITY CODE, CHAPTER 75 PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT. ARTICLE THREE POLICE PENSION FUNDS, SECTION 75-30 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP, APPOINTMENT AND TERM AND SECTION 7531 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, CITY COMPTROLLER AND FINANCE DIRECTOR TO SELECT DESIGNEES TO SERVE IN THEIR PLACE TO THE POLICE PENSION FUND. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I THINK WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT ON THIS ONE. YEAH, CHAIR. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD. YEAH. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT NAPOLI. SO THIS WAS MOVED. THIS WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY WITH ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE NOTING THAT THE DESIGNEE BE FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S LISTED. SO EACH DEPARTMENT COULD HAVE EITHER THE DIRECTOR OR THE DESIGNEE, BUT IT WOULD BE FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAVE. SO OKAY. AND OUR CLERK, DO WE HAVE THAT AMENDMENT? YOU HAVE IT READY TO GO. YES. OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. DO YOU NEED ME TO READ IT OUT OR. SO I WAS PROPOSING THAT EACH DESIGNEE INCLUDE A PERSON OF THEIR STAFF. SO HE WOULD NEED A SECOND AND A VOTE ON THAT. OKAY. I'LL MAKE THE MOTION. I'LL SECOND IT. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. AND I'M THE SECOND. SO. MR. PONGO? YES. BUT BEFORE. DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON. OH, YES. ON THE AMENDMENT THAT'S PROPOSED. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? WE'RE JUST DISCUSSING THE AMENDMENT ON CLARIFYING WHO THE DESIGNEES WOULD BE. OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MR. PONGO? YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. APA. YES. MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS MOTA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS ON THE AMENDMENT. OKAY, NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL BILL 77, AS AMENDED. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 77 WITH THE AMENDMENT. OKAY. MISS SANTOS? YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. APA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS MOTA. YES. AND, MR. PONGA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, BILL 78. BILL 78 AMENDS THE 2026 GRANT FUND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $1,300,000 FROM THE STATE OFFICE OF THE BUDGET REDEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CAPITAL PROGRAM. [01:05:04] THESE FUNDS ARE PASSED THROUGH GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT RESURRECTED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY. OKAY. THANK YOU. THIS CAME OUT OF CHAIR GERLACH'S COMMITTEE. YES, IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 78? OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MISS SANTOS? YES. MR. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS MODA. YES. AND MR. PONGA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP, BILL 79. BILL 79 AMENDS THE 2026 GRANT FUND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $855,000 FROM THE PADCED LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT. THESE FUNDS ARE A PASS THROUGH GRANT THAT WILL SUPPORT THE ALLENTOWN ART MUSEUM. OKAY. THIS ALSO CAME OUT OF GERLACH'S COMMITTEE. YES. AND FORWARDED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 79? OKAY. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFFA. YES. MR.. BINDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES. MR.. YES. AND, MISS SANTOS. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. BILL 80. BILL 80 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE OF $296,000 TO FUND THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCESSIBILITY AT SOUTH 10TH STREET AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DRIVE BY INSTALLING AD COMPLIANT RAMPS, HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKS, AND UPGRADED TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES TO ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. THIS IS GRANT FUNDED THROUGH THE ESA WITH NO MATCH REQUIRED. ADDITIONALLY, AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET FOR A TRANSFER OF $14,000 FROM ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS UPGRADE AND $33,153.45 FROM ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STREET LIGHTING UPGRADE TO THE 10TH STREET AND MLK SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THIS CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE PUBLIC WORKS. YES, MR. PRESIDENT, AND HE WAS VOTED FAVORABLY. OKAY, GREAT. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS? ALL RIGHT. OH. GO AHEAD. YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WITH THE WITH THE LIGHTING, ARE THEY GOING TO BE SINCE WHEN THESE GO IN SHAPING THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE WHEN THEY GO. I'M ASSUMING THIS IS FOR THE STREETLIGHTS OR IS THAT NOT WHAT THAT IS. OH NEVER MIND THEN. DISREGARD. THANKS. OKAY. AND I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADD FOR TWO REASONS. ONE, TO GIVE MR. ORTEGA A BREAK. BUT BUT I THINK THIS IS FANTASTIC. IF FOR ANY, ANY OF YOU WHO KNOW WHERE THIS IS, THIS IS MLK, WHERE THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUTH SPORTS TAKING PLACE, ESPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS. AND, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS RUNNING AROUND PARKED CARS, DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. I THINK HEARING MORE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT AREA IS WELL RECEIVED AND AGAIN, OVERDUE. SO THANKS FOR TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED GET THIS WITH THE GRANTS AND WITH MOVING THIS FORWARD FOR OUR YOUTH. SO HAPPY TO SEE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 80? OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, MISS SAFIR? YES, MR. BENDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES, MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. LAST ONE IS BILL 81. BILL 81 AMENDS ARTICLE FIVE, CITY COMPTROLLER BY REMOVING LANGUAGE, ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREPARING AND RECONCILING ALL CITY ACCOUNTS TO THE CITY COMPTROLLER IN ORDER TO ALIGN THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CITY'S CURRENT PRACTICE AND MAINTAIN A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE PREPARATION OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS AND THE COMPTROLLER'S INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND OVERSIGHT OF THESE RECONCILIATIONS. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THIS CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS EVENING. AND YES, PRESIDENT IT WAS FORWARDED FAVORABLY. OKAY, GREAT. AND ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 81? OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MR. BENDER? YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS. SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. EMMA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. GO AHEAD. [CONSENT AGENDA] SO THIS IS OUR 141 SEWAGE PLANNING MODULE AT 245 NORTH EIGHTH STREET. OUR 142, WHICH IS A SEWAGE PLANNING MODULE AT 928 AMERICAN PARKWAY. [01:10:04] OUR. 143 WHICH IS 1324 SOUTH HOWARD STREET SEWAGE PLANNING MODULE AND OUR. 144 THIS IS TO APPOINT JEREMY SITE TO THE ARTS COMMISSION WITH THE TERM DATE OF 1022 2031. RICHARD FOLK TO THE COMMISSION ON HOMELESS WITH A TERM DATE OF FEBRUARY 20TH, 2029. CASEY GILLEPSIE TO THE COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS WITH A TERM DATE OF 1018 2027. CHRISTINE MONACO TO THE COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS WITH A TERM DATE OF 1101 2027, AND TRAVIS PIZZUTO TO THE COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS WITH A TERM DATE OF 1022 2030. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ANYTHING THAT WE JUST REVIEWED IN OUR CONSENT AGENDA? WE'LL VOTE ON IT ALL AT ONE TIME. WE'LL TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THEM. OKAY. WE'LL CALL THE VOTE. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS SAFFA. YES. AND MR. BENDER. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. MOVING ALONG TO RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE. [RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):] WE WILL START WITH R 145. R 145. APPROVES THE SUBMISSION OF THE FORMAL APPLICATION FOR THE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT ON BEHALF OF THE ALLENTOWN PATRIOTS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT BASEBALL FIELD LIGHTING REPLACEMENT AT PATRIOTS PARK AT 1027 WYOMING STREET. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS? MORE FROM THE PUBLIC ON R. 145. OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MISS? YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR. BINDER. YES. AND MISS GERLACH. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. NEXT UP ARE. 146 R 146 APPROVES THE CHANGE IN THE CITY'S GRANT PROGRAM YEAR FROM JANUARY 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST EACH YEAR TO OCTOBER 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 30TH OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS? OR THE PUBLIC ON R 146. OKAY. MR. PONGO? YES. MISS SANTOS YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. SAFFA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS. GERLACH? YES. AND MISS MOTA. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP IS R ONE. 47 R ONE. 47 APPROVES THE SUBMISSION OF THE FORM APPLICATION FOR THE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT ON BEHALF OF THE ALLENTOWN ART MUSEUM TO SUPPORT ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN. PHASE TWO ON 10TH AND HAMILTON STREET, ALLENTOWN, PA 18102. OKAY, THANKS. AND ANY COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON R ONE. 47. OKAY. CAN YOU CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE? MISS SANTOS YES. MR.. NAPOLI YES. MISS. SAFFA YES. MR.. BINDER YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS MODA, YES. AND MR. PENGO. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN YEAS AND NAYS. OKAY. NEXT IS R 148. R 148. APPROVES THE SUBMISSION OF THE FORMAL APPLICATION FOR THE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT ON BEHALF OF VALLEY HEALTH PARTNERS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION AND REDESIGN OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY PHYSICIANS PRACTICE ON 1627 TRUE STREET, SUITE 101, ALLENTOWN, PA. 18102. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON R 148. OKAY. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS HOFFA. YES. MR.. BINDER. YES. MISS GERLACH. YES. MISS. MODA. YES. MR.. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY. AND IN THE INTEREST OF GIVING A BREAK TO HER. I WANTED TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW LOCAL SHARE GRANTS ARE WHEN APPLICANTS APPLY TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHETHER IT'S STATE REPRESENTATIVES, STATE SENATORS, OR EVEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND TO GET GRANTS, BUT THEY HAVE TO GET A RESOLUTION FROM COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ALLOWED TO PROCEED WITH THAT APPLICATION. SO THESE ARE THESE THESE ARE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HARRISBURG, TO WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THEY'RE JUST GETTING CLEARED THROUGH US. BUT IT DOES NOT INVOLVE CITY FUNDS. SO I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT SINCE WE DID SO MANY OF THEM IN THE LAST FIVE MINUTES. [01:15:04] SO AND WE'RE ON TO OUR 149, OUR 149 APPROVES THREE TRANSFERS. $84,736.32 TO PARKS, $60,000 TO IT AND $30,000 TO FIRE. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON R 149 TRANSFERS OR FROM THE PUBLIC? R 149. CAN YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE? MISS AFAR YES. MR. BENDER. YES, MISS SCURLOCK. YES, MISS. YES, MISTER. YES. MISS SANTOS. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MR. PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAYS. OKAY, ON TO R150R150. CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY GIVE ADVICE AND CONSENT TO THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT ON HUNTER DALY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION SUBMITTED TO THIS COUNCIL BY MAYOR MATT TURK. THANK YOU. AND ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON THIS? YES. SO. YES. SO WE BROKE THIS APPOINTMENT OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAD QUESTIONS. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS I'D LIKE TO OPEN BY GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THAT OCCURRED FOR US TO ARRIVE AT THIS CANDIDATE. HE'S HERE. WE'LL GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. YOU ALL CAN ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS OR CONCERNS. I'M AVAILABLE. YOU CAN ASK ME OR YOU CAN ASK HIM ANYTHING YOU WANT. BUT I THINK IF THAT'S ACCEPTABLE TO YOU. THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE TO GO FORWARD. SO WE HAVE RECEIVED SINCE AUGUST 31ST, 2025, WE HAVE WE HAVE RECEIVED SIX APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION THROUGH THE GRANICUS PORTAL THAT I UNDERSTAND YOU ALL WERE INVOLVED IN CREATING BEFORE MY TIME HERE. THE FIRST PERSON WAS A RETAIL MANAGER AT A LOCAL STORE. IT'S NOT REALLY APPLICABLE. IT'S NOT REALLY A, IT'S NOT REALLY A THING THAT LENDS ITSELF TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. PLANNING COMMISSION. THE SECOND PERSON WAS ALSO A WAS ALSO A MANAGER AT A CLOTHING STORE. THE THIRD PERSON WAS THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE PROPOSED FOR APPOINTMENT TODAY, HUNTER DALY. HUNTER IS A MATERIALS ENGINEER WHO'S A PROJECT MANAGER AT PPL. WE THINK IT'S VERY APPLICABLE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. THE FOURTH PERSON WAS A MANAGER OF GLOBAL. SOMETHING THAT WORKS AT SALESFORCE WASN'T REALLY APPLICABLE. THE FIFTH PERSON IS ALSO AN ENGINEER. THAT'S. SO THEY APPLIED A FEW MONTHS AFTER HUNTER. AND THEN THE SIXTH PERSON WAS JUST A MISTAKE. THEY ACTUALLY APPLIED TO THE COUNCIL OF YOUTH. THEY JUST CHECKED THE WRONG BOX. SO THOSE ARE THE SIX APPLICATIONS THAT WE ARE AWARE OF. AND WE HAVE CHOSEN QUALIFIED CANDIDATE THAT WE BELIEVE HAS THE RIGHT BACKGROUND. HE'S HERE TODAY. I'D LIKE TO HAVE HIM COME UP TO THE PODIUM AND ADDRESS YOU. AND THEN YOU ALL CAN ASK QUESTIONS OF EITHER OF US AS YOU CHOOSE, IF THAT'S OKAY. SURE. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. MY NAME IS HUNTER DALY. I AM AN ALLENTOWN RESIDENT WHO APPLIED THROUGH THE CITY'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PROCESS. BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE MY ENGINEERING, TECHNICAL AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT I CALL HOME. I HOLD UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND HAVE PRIOR MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE, AND CURRENTLY I MANAGE COMPLEX UTILITY GENERATION INTERCONNECTION PROJECTS. THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT ME TO EVALUATE TECHNICAL INFORMATION, CAREFULLY UNDERSTAND HOW PROJECTS INTERACT WITH BROADER SYSTEMS, TO ASK THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS, AND TO WORK WITHIN ESTABLISHED REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES. I'VE RECOGNIZED THAT SERVING ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION REQUIRES CAREFUL PREPARATION, IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORDINANCES AND LEGAL STANDARDS GOVERNING ITS DECISIONS. I BELIEVE MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND WOULD ALLOW ME TO CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TO THAT WORK, AND I WOULD APPROACH THE RESPONSIBILITY WITH AN OPEN MIND, RESPECT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ALLENTOWN AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE PUBLIC INTEREST. I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MY QUALIFICATIONS OR HOW I INTEND TO SERVE, AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE STILL GOING. NO. THANK YOU. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? YES, I HAVE A COMMENT. YES, MR. VICE PRESIDENT. GO AHEAD. AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, OUR JOB AS A AS A CITY COUNCIL PERSON IS TO PROTECT THE CITY FROM NEPOTISM AND AND FROM FAVORITISM. SO PEOPLE SHOULD BE JUDGED ON THEIR OWN MERIT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE, THE DEFINITION OF NEPOTISM. [01:20:02] NEPOTISM IS THE PRACTICE OF GIVING ADVANTAGES TO CLOSE PERSONAL ASSOCIATES BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP RATHER THAN THE MERIT. MY LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN 2024, AND THIS PASSED BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY, YOU KNOW, BENEFITING BECAUSE OF THEIR FAMILY WORK AT CITY HALL. MY SECOND DEFINITION IS FAVORITISM. IT'S WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES THE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR CLOSE FRIENDS, THE CLOSE FRIENDS RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE IN POWER. IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT, I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THIS. THIS HAS BEEN. FAVORITISM MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS. AND LIKE YOU DID MENTION BEFORE MR. FRANK KANE THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL APPLICANTS WHO ALSO WERE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS. I DO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE IS WHO RECOMMENDED THIS APPOINTEE SECOND, WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SELECTION PROCESS. THIRD, WHERE OTHER APPLICANTS CONSIDER AND EVALUATED USING THE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA, WAS THE CANDIDATE GIVING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS AND WHERE QUALIFIED APPLICANTS OVERLOOKED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP IN THE CITY AND DID THIS APPOINTING AUTHORITY RECUSED THEMSELVES FROM FROM FROM THE DECISION. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS A HIGH LEVEL CITY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP NOMINEE FOR AN INFLUENTIAL BOARD. THIS IS THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BOARD AND WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION. I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH DATA CENTERS, WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH HEAVY DUTY ISSUES. AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE OPTICS OF THIS. AND TO BE HONEST, I, YOU KNOW, AND I HAVE I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST MR. HUNTER. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE VOTING YES AT THIS TIME IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO RESPOND. SURE. LOOK, THERE HAVE BEEN YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES IN THIS CITY IN YEARS PAST OF NEPOTISM, CERTAINLY WHERE PEOPLE HIRE THEIR RELATIVES INTO POSITIONS. IT HASN'T. I MEAN, IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN RECENT HISTORY, BUT THAT IS THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED HERE. IF YOU WERE THE AUTHOR OF THE NEPOTISM LEGISLATION. WELL, THAT'S I MEAN, IT'S COMMENDABLE. THIS IS A VOLUNTEER BOARD. IT DOESN'T NONE OF THAT, I THINK, APPLIES TO A VOLUNTEER BOARD. THIS PERSON IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE. THIS IS A MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT. AS FAR AS YOU DON'T LIVE WITH THE MAYOR, RIGHT? I MEAN, YOU DON'T COHABIT. SO THE MAYOR IS THE PERSON THAT MAKES THAT APPOINTMENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PREFER MATERIALS ENGINEER OVER THE MANAGER OF ROSS DRESS FOR LESS, YOU KNOW, OR SOME OF THESE OTHER PLACES, RIGHT? I MEAN, THERE ARE THERE ARE MOSTLY RETAIL PEOPLE THAT THAT APPLY TO. AND THERE WAS ONE THAT JUST CHECKED THE BOX BY ACCIDENT. I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE FAIR AND YOU'RE GOING TO JUDGE THE CANDIDATES ON THEIR MERITS, HE'S THE ONLY ONE. THERE WAS ANOTHER ENGINEER, BUT WE HAVE TWO SPOTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. WE THINK WE WANT A LEGAL PERSON, BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE COULD APPOINT TWO ENGINEERS THAT APPLIED, BUT I MEAN, I JUST DON'T I DON'T THERE IS NO PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. HE'S REALLY THE ONLY PERSON THAT'S QUALIFIED. AND I THINK HE'LL MAKE A GREAT CANDIDATE. I MEAN, IF YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND, BEFORE WE VOTE, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS VICE PRESIDENT ASKED. SHE ASKED WHO WHO RECOMMENDED HIM. SHE ASKED WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS. I THINK YOU SAID EVALUATED. WHO? THERE WERE FIVE. WERE ANY. YOU ALREADY ANSWERED ABOUT ANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES THAT WERE OVERLOOKED. YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NONE BECAUSE OF THEIR BACKGROUNDS. AND WAS THERE ANY PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT? IF YOU CAN GO THROUGH, MR. KANE, JUST ANSWER EACH ONE. AND ALSO, ARE THERE ANY DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP HERE GOING ON? WELL, IT'S THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT. AND YOU DON'T LIVE WITH THE MAYOR? RIGHT? I DO NOT KNOW. BUT IF WHAT YOU'RE GETTING AT IS DID SOMEBODY TOUCH A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HAD HIS NAME? [01:25:03] YEAH. I MEAN, SURE, WE ALL KNOW THAT. WE ALL KNOW THAT ONE OF THE MAYOR'S STAFF IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT DEALS WITH BOARDS COHABITANTS LIVES WITH HUNTER. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY EFFECT. I MEAN, IT'S A VOLUNTEER BOARD. IT'S THE MAYOR'S APPOINT. THE MAYOR MAKES THE DECISION. THERE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A PROCESS. I MEAN, WE CHOOSE TO HAVE IT. THE MAYOR COULD. EVERYWHERE ELSE I'VE WORKED, THIS IS THE FIRST PLACE I'VE WORKED WHERE THERE WAS A PROCESS. MOST TIMES IT'S JUST UP TO THE EXECUTIVE TO BRING WHOEVER THEY WANT. AND THEN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, YOU KNOW, CONSIDERS THAT APPOINTMENT. IF YOU THINK THAT, I MEAN, IF LOOK, YOU, YOU FEEL FREE TO VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE, YOU KNOW, BUT I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A GOOD APPOINTMENT THAT IS GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB SERVING. MAY I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMENT? SURE. THANK YOU. SO I'D LIKE TO JUST STATE FOR THE RECORD THAT I DO HAVE A DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH A MEMBER OF STAFF IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. I'VE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL THAT FACT. I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION THROUGH THE SAME PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE PROCESS AVAILABLE TO ANY OTHER RESIDENT OF ALLENTOWN. I DO NOT HAVE A PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP WITH THE MAYOR, NOR ANY SORT OF RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. AND I DID NOT ASK MY PARTNER TO INTERVENE. THE SELECTION IS THE MAYOR'S RESPONSIBILITY. AND CONFIRMATION, OF COURSE, IS COUNCIL'S. I CAN DESCRIBE MY OWN APPLICATION AND CONDUCT, BUT I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE MAYOR'S INTERNAL DELIBERATIONS. THAT'S ALL. FAIR ENOUGH. GO AHEAD. YES. MR. KING, COULD YOU GO THROUGH THE OTHER APPLICANTS AGAIN? SLOWLY. I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE IN RETAIL. I MEAN, WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE RETAIL ARE VERY BRIGHT. SO I'D LIKE YOU TO GO. YOU WENT THROUGH THEM VERY QUICKLY. AND AND WHAT IS THE REASON? I MEAN, HE OBVIOUSLY SEEMS VERY, YOU KNOW, CAPABLE, BUT THE OTHER 4 OR 5 COULD COULD YOU GO THROUGH AGAIN AND WHY THE MAYOR DECIDED AGAINST THEM. I'M NOT GOING TO JUST USE THEIR NAMES. I'M JUST GOING TO, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE SLOWER THIS TIME. LIKE I SAID, I LISTEN SLOW. SO WE HAVE AN AREA SUPERVISOR, THE FIRST PERSON WHO APPLIED ON AUGUST 31ST, 2025. WHAT KIND OF SUPERVISOR? I'M SORRY. LIKE A REGIONAL SUPERVISOR FOR A CLOTHING STORE. REGIONAL SUPERVISOR. OKAY. AND THEN THE SECOND PERSON WAS WAS HUNTER ON MAY 30TH OF 2026. AND THEN MAY 31ST OF 2026, THERE WAS A. RETAIL MANAGER OF ONE RETAIL OUTLET. AND THEN ON JUNE 4TH OF 2026, THIS IS A THIS PERSON WORKS FOR SALES FORCE. I'M SORRY FOR WHAT SALES FORCE, WHICH IS JUST LIKE A NATIONAL COMPANY THAT HAS A LOCAL PRESENCE. AND THERE THEY ALSO APPLIED FOR THE PARKS AND REC BOARD. THAT PERSON APPLIED FOR REC PARKS AND RECS ALSO. AND THEN THE FIFTH PERSON IS AN AIR PRODUCTS ENGINEER WHO APPLIED ON JULY 5TH, 2026. AND THEN THE SIXTH PERSON, AN ENGINEER. YOU SAID AN ENGINEER. AIR PRODUCTS, AIR PRODUCTS ENGINEER. WHEN DID HE APPLY? JULY 5TH, 2026. A FEW MONTHS, LIKE THREE MONTHS AGO. AND HE WASN'T CONSIDERED AT ALL. I THINK WE HAD ALREADY BEGUN THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING ALREADY SUBMITTED TO HIM. I THINK WE HAD ALREADY BEGUN THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING THE PAPERWORK ON HUNTER AT THAT POINT. WELL, WAS THERE A DEADLINE? NO, BUT HIS APPLICATION WASN'T HERE YET, AND WE HAD TO. WE HAVE WE HAD TO APPOINT SOMEONE. SO WE HAVE TWO SPOTS. WE COULD APPOINT THE OTHER ENGINEER IF PEOPLE YOU KNOW, I'M CONFUSED. THERE WAS NO DEADLINE. BUT YOU. HE CAME IN A LITTLE AFTER HIM RIGHT AFTER. WE ALREADY CONSIDERED HIM. SO HE KIND OF PUSHED. THE OTHER GUY WAS LIKE, TOO LATE. BUT THERE WAS ACTUALLY NO DEADLINE. THIS THIS WAS THE LAST THE ENGINEER COULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED HIGHLY CONSIDERED. BUT YOU DISMISSED THEM BECAUSE IT CAME AFTER HIM. I'M. I'M JUST ASKING, FRANK. SO MR. DALEY APPLIED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WE SUBMITTED HIS APPLICATION. WE BEGAN TO PROCESS HIS PAPERWORK. ANOTHER PERSON APPLIED FOR ANOTHER SPOT THAT'S OPEN. WE COULD GIVE YOU HIS PAPERWORK NEXT WEEK. IF IF WE. IF WE CHOOSE TO. IF THIS GUY. THERE WASN'T A DEADLINE. SO. SO THIS ENGINEER STILL HAD A DEADLINE THAT WE WANT TO KEEP YOUR BOARD STAFFED. YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO YOU WANT TO YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE VACANCIES ON YOUR BOARDS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THEY HAVE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS. YOU KNOW, WE, WE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF MR. DALEY AND HE WAS IN PROCESS. AND SO THIS ENGINEER AND THEN THAT ENGINEER APPLIED LATER AND HE COULD BE FOR THE SECOND SPOT. IF YOU SEE THE POSITION WE'RE IN, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO INTERVIEW THE MANAGER, [01:30:09] REGIONAL MANAGER OR THE ENGINEER, OR SO ON AND SO FORTH. AND THIS BRINGS UP QUITE AN ISSUE HERE. AND ALL WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT HAD WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER, YOU KNOW. BUT BUT IT'S NOT THE WAY THAT, THAT THESE I KNOW IT'S NOT THE WAY IT GOES, BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION UP HERE AND HOW WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF WHO WE APPOINT IN SITUATIONS THAT MISS MONA JUST BROUGHT UP. I THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. SURE. OKAY. MISS GERLACH. GO AHEAD. YEAH. I MEAN, WE TYPICALLY JUST AS YOU AS WE ALWAYS DO, WE JUST KIND OF GO DOWN THE LINE AND WE JUST SAY YES TO EVERYONE. SO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION, I THINK DOES WARRANT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY SOME QUESTIONS. I NO OFFENSE TO YOU, I DIDN'T REALLY GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO YOU OR ANYTHING UNTIL LIKE RIGHT NOW WHERE I'M HEARING THAT THERE ARE SOME POTENTIAL CONCERNS. AND I THINK SO. YOU KNOW, THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UNLIKE NO DISRESPECT TO ANY OTHER COMMISSION, ANY OTHER BOARD OR AUTHORITY, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY THEY THEY DO TAKE SOME PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL VOTES, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH DATA CENTERS, LIKE THEY ARE THE AUTHORITY WITH DATA CENTERS. SO MY QUESTION IS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE. I'M RE, I READ THE, THE WORD RESUBMISSION WAS THIS GENTLEMAN ALREADY SUBMITTED AND THEN WITHDRAWN. AND THEN NOW HE'S BEING RESUBMITTED. AND IF THAT'S SO, WHY WAS HE WITHDRAWN AND SPEAK TO THAT? CAN SOMEONE I DON'T I MEAN WE YOU BEGIN THE PAPERWORK RIGHT. YOU ASK FOR THEIR WHATEVER THEIR THEIR FORMS AND STUFF. SO WE HAD BEGUN THAT PROCESS. WE SUBMITTED HIM, I DON'T KNOW WHEN DID WE FIRST SUBMIT HIM? WAS IT IS THAT WHAT IT WAS? ANSWER TO ANSWER MISS GERLACH'S QUESTION. HE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE AGENDA, BUT I BELIEVE TWO TIMES HE'S BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA. WHY WAS HE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA TWO TIMES? DUE TO SOME CONCERN FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES. AND AND THIS WAS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. AND I JUST AT THIS POINT, I FELT IT'S BETTER TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. SO SO YES, TO, TO MEET FRANK, MR. KANE'S TIMELINE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. SO I JUST WANTED TO VALIDATE THE TIMELINE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING. AND MR. BRENNAN, IF YOU WANT TO ADD OH. YOU HAVE. OKAY. I'M SORRY. SO. OKAY. UNDERSTAND. SO THIS IS A RESUBMISSION. THERE WERE TWO OTHER TIMES WHERE CONCERNS, I'M GUESSING MAYBE SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT UP OR MAYBE OTHER ONES. YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS IS, THIS IS JUST INHERENT IN THE WAY TO MISS APHA'S POINT THAT THIS THAT BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES ARE STRUCTURED. I MEAN, THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE WHO WAS IT? A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION CAME UP HERE. SHE WAS CRITICAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, SHE'S REMOVED FROM THE PARKS AND REC BOARD. I SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING. I DIDN'T I THAT THAT'S WRONG. LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THERE'S SOME BACKGROUND, BUT FROM JUST IT JUST SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING'S UP WITH THAT. BUT THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE STRUCTURED, THE ADMINISTRATION, THE MAYOR SPECIFICALLY IS THE ONE WHO CHOOSES WHO IS ON THESE BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES, AND THEN IT'S UP TO US TO YAY OR NAY IT UP. EVEN WITHIN THAT PROCESS, I'VE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ON BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES ABOUT LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SUBMIT THEIR NAMES, WHO DO THEY, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE TO LIKE LOOK AT THE APPLICATIONS? IS IT MICHAELA? IS IT THE MAYOR? LIKE WHO IT IT'S A HOT MESS. SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF PART OF THAT. I DO HAVE A QUESTION AND I DON'T EVEN LIKE, MAN, BECAUSE OF THIS PROCESS, I DON'T EVEN LIKE THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING. I WISH THERE WAS A WAY LIKE WE COULD HAVE DONE THIS. NOT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. BUT MY. BUT SINCE THIS IS THE PROCESS SO P AND L IS YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER, P AND L STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF DATA CENTERS. YOU WILL BE DECIDING ON DATA CENTERS. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE IS A CONFLICT THERE? AND AGAIN. MR.. WHAT'S YOUR HUNTER. I WOULD HAVE WANTED TO ASK YOU THAT PERSONALLY, BUT HERE WE ARE IN THIS STRUCTURE DOING THIS. SO HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT? I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND AND EXPECTED THE QUESTION. I THINK IT'S VERY REASONABLE TO HAVE ASKED. I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF PL. I'VE SOUGHT MY CORPORATE COMPLIANCE TEAM FOR GUIDANCE. AND IF YOU CHOOSE TO APPOINT ME CORPORATE COMPLIANCE FROM PL REQUIRES BOTH AN ON RECORD STATEMENT AT MY FIRST MEETING AND NO DISCUSSION, PARTICIPATION OR VOTING ON ANY COMMISSION MATTER INVOLVING A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PL AND THE CITY TO AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. I WOULD, OF COURSE, SCREEN DATA CENTER ARE ISSUES. [01:35:02] SORRY. I WOULD OF COURSE, SCREEN DATA CENTER ITEMS FOR SUCH CONNECTIONS AND WHERE UNCERTAIN, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY REFRAIN FROM PARTICIPATING WHILE OBTAINING THE CORRECT GUIDANCE. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. YEAH. I MEAN, I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING THAT BECAUSE AS WE, I, I FEAR THAT MANY MUNICIPALITIES NOT SAYING ALLENTOWN, BUT JUST IN GENERAL, MUNICIPALITIES WILL LOOK AT DATA CENTERS AS BEING LIKE A CASH COW. AND JUST KIND OF COW TAIL AND EVENTUALLY JUST PASS THEM AND YOU KNOW I FEAR NOT SAYING YOU WOULD DO THAT OR THAT ALLENTOWN WILL, BUT JUST I FEAR THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN. AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO ASK THAT QUESTION. WAS REMOVED. OKAY. I THINK THOSE ARE MY MAIN QUESTIONS. IS THERE FOR THE SOLICITOR? THE ONLY WAY I COULD, I JUST I FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING I FEEL LIKE I'M NOT READY TO VOTE ON THIS. I FEEL LIKE IS THERE IF THERE'S A CONSENSUS THAT SEVERAL OF US ARE NOT READY TO VOTE ON THIS GENTLEMAN RIGHT NOW TONIGHT, COULD THAT BE A MOTION? BECAUSE I CAN'T RECUSE MYSELF. I MEAN, I MEAN, SOMEONE CAN TAKE A MOTION TO TABLE. I HAVE OH YOU'RE OKAY. HE'S READY. ALL RIGHTY. SO IF YOU WANT TO POSTPONE IT. I WOULD MAKE IT A DEFINITE PERIOD. SO THERE WOULD BE A MOTION TO POSTPONE. IT MUST BE SECONDED. IT'S OPEN TO DISCUSSION. IT CAN BE AMENDED. AND WE NEED A MAJORITY VOTE. OKAY. I THINK ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MIGHT BE READY TO DO THAT. I DON'T KNOW. ALL RIGHT. AND REGARDING YOUR CONCERN, I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS WE PASS SOME HEAVY DUTY REGULATIONS ON DATA CENTERS. SO I THINK I KNOW THAT THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT SOME OF THAT. AND I'M NOT TAKING SIDES HERE. BUT I MEAN, WE DID PUT IN SOME REALLY GREAT WORK IN THAT. SO I THINK WE PROTECTED THE CITY FROM A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT. MR.. GO AHEAD. YEAH. SO FIRST OFF, MR. DALEY, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO PRESENT TODAY. I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE MOST IDEAL PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. MOST CANDIDATES THAT COME HERE DO NOT GO THROUGH AS MUCH BACK AND FORTH AS TO MISS COUNCILPERSON GERLACH'S COMMENT. I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT I THINK FROM A, FROM A MOTIONING PERSPECTIVE, I MIGHT JUST JUMP INTO THAT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM MIGHT WORK THEIR WAY OUT THROUGH THAT PROCESS. SO I KNOW THAT IN, IN THE TO WHAT DIRECTOR KANE'S COMMENT, HE HAD SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE YOUR DOMESTIC PARTNER IS THE PERSON WHO MANAGES THE ROLES AND APPOINTMENTS PROCESS, NOT THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY DOES THE APPOINTMENTS, BUT IS EFFECTIVELY, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THE GATEKEEPER, BUT MANAGES THAT THAT PROCESS. AND I DON'T BELIEVE IS THAT PERSON STILL DOING THAT SAME ROLE OR HAS THAT BEEN CHANGED? IT'S GOING TO CHANGE ACTUALLY, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY RELEVANT. I MEAN, SHE MANAGED THIS PROCESS. IT IS RELEVANT. IT IS RELEVANT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT IT'S GOING TO CHANGE WHAT SHE DID MANAGE TO SPREAD THAT WHETHER IT'S GOING TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE THAT ISN'T RELEVANT TO THIS DISCUSSION. YEAH THAT'S FINE. I WAS JUST CURIOUS. SO I GUESS MY QUESTION OR I GUESS HERE WOULD BE MY MOTION. I WOULD MOTION THAT. I THINK THERE'S THERE ARE SOME ETHICAL QUESTIONS HERE. I DON'T I'M NOT IMPLYING THAT THERE ARE. I THINK THERE'S THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO SORT OUT. I WOULD MOTION THAT AND I KNOW YOU WOULD WANT TO DO A DEFINITIVE TIME, BUT I. BUT WE DO HAVE AN ETHICS BOARD THAT'S CURRENTLY UNFORTUNATELY NOT STAFFED. WHICH WOULD MEAN IT WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO, I BELIEVE, THE STATE TO SERVE ON THE ETHICS BOARD. SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE, WE, OH I'M SORRY. YEAH. SORRY. IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A MOTION, I WANT TO SPEAK REAL QUICK. YOU KNOW WHAT? HOLD THAT THOUGHT, BUT. MR.. GO GO AHEAD. YEAH. THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. I KNOW IT'S TOUGH FROM SOMEONE WHO ALSO GOT SIMILAR COMMENTS ABOUT MY EMPLOYMENT, I, I UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES THE THE THE, THE CONCEIVED NOTION OF WHAT WE DO AND SOMETIMES THE CONNECTION TO OTHER THINGS. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS MORE FOR DIRECTOR KANE. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE BOARD. AND CURRENTLY DO WE FEEL. I KNOW YOU SAY THERE'S TWO POSITIONS. DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS POSITION IS OF AN URGENT NEED THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO HAVE DECISIVE VOTES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF A MEMBER ON THE BOARD? NO. LOOK, YOU SHOULDN'T RUSH. IF YOU WANT TO REFER THIS TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION, THEN OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE TO APPOINT AN ETHICS COMMISSION. BUT. BUT ACTUALLY, IT'S A FAIR I MEAN, IT'S A FAIR QUESTION. AND WE CAN GET AN IMPARTIAL. YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN GET AN IMPARTIAL RULING, WE HAVE TIME FOR THAT AND IT'S OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND THEN I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. DALEY. SO, YOU KNOW, IN YOUR RESUME, YOU KIND OF YOU SERVED AS A PRINCIPAL POINT OF CONTACT IN THE ORGANIZATION WITH REGULATORY BODIES. AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THE CUSTOMERS OVER AT BPL. I'M JUST CURIOUS, DOES THAT MEAN YOU'VE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH DEALING WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND PLANNING COMMISSIONS? [01:40:05] AND AND I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, IF YOU DON'T MIND ELABORATING, MUCH OF THE WORK THAT WE DO OBVIOUSLY HAS TO DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION IN PENNSYLVANIA. I'M PERSONALLY MORE ON THE GENERATION SIDE. I OVERSEE, AS I MENTIONED, GENERATION INTERCONNECTION PROJECTS. BUT WE ALSO HAVE LARGE MUNICIPAL CUSTOMERS. WE HAVE BOROUGHS THAT ACCEPT TRANSMISSION LEVEL SERVICE FROM US AND REDISTRIBUTE THAT AS YOU KNOW, DISTRIBUTION LEVEL SERVICE TO THEIR RESIDENTS. AND SO I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES IN MY TIME AS A MUNICIPAL ENGINEER, I GOT TO SEE FAR MORE OF IT. I LED THE BID PROCESS. SOME OF THE ITEMS WE DISCUSSED TONIGHT WERE QUITE SIMILAR. SO I'D SAY I'M WELL ACQUAINTED WITH MUNICIPAL PROCESSES. THANK YOU. AND I JUST THINK, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, HEARING SOME OF THE THE TIMELINE, I CAN SEE WHERE JUNE 2026, UP UNTIL THAT POINT, YOU GOT THREE APPLICATIONS, ONE OF WHICH WAS AN ENGINEER, TWO OF WHICH WERE RETAIL. I CAN SEE WHERE MAYBE YOU START MOVING IN JUNE AND THEN SOMETHING COMES THROUGH IN AUGUST. I WAS A LITTLE CURIOUS AS TO, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER ENGINEERING ROLE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S AIR PRODUCTS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, VERY CAPABLE ENGINEERS. NONETHELESS, I CAN IMAGINE DEALING WITH PEOPLE. YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONNECTION TO REGULATORY BODIES. AND ESPECIALLY, AS YOU NOTED THERE, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE OTHER CANDIDATE. THAT'S ANOTHER THING. AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TYPICALLY INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. BUT I MEAN, FROM MY POSITION, I THINK I SEE THE EXPERIENCE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE PEOPLE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DO UNDERSTAND WE NEED TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS. AND ESPECIALLY SINCE THE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED, WE NEED TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE. SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THAT WAS EXPRESSED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PONGO. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I JUST HAVE ONE. I THINK OF MISS GERLACH, OF SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING. I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU DO WORK AT PPL AND THE DATA CENTERS THAT I AM WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEBODY IN THE ADMINISTRATION. THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS. ONCE YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, IT'S LIKE I, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS. AND LIKE I SAID, I'M SORRY. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE PROBABLY, MAYBE YOU'RE QUALIFIED, MAYBE YOU'RE NOT. WE NEED A LOT MORE TIME ON THIS. IT'S IT'S IT'S TOO IMPORTANT. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, MR. BENDER. I'M WONDERING IF THE ETHICS BOARD COULD HANDLE BOTH, YOU KNOW, EMPLOYMENT AND IN BOTH ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW. YEAH. AND I THINK AND AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO I THINK YOU SOUND LIKE A VERY. LOOKING AT YOUR RESUME, A VERY QUALIFIED PERSON. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A PAID POSITION, WHICH ANYONE WHO SERVES ON A ROLE IN AN UNPAID POSITION, IT IS A LOT OF TIME. AND, AND, AND THE APPRECIATION GOES OUT TO BOTH THE PEOPLE ON THE BOARDS AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO APPLIED TO BE FILLING THOSE POSITIONS. SO SO PLEASE DON'T, YOU KNOW, TAKE ANY OF THIS DIALOG AS SOMETHING THAT'S AGAINST YOU SPECIFICALLY. BUT I THINK FROM AN ETHICS PERSPECTIVE, SINCE THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERNS RAISED, IT SEEMS LIKE IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO AT LEAST GET ADVICE. AND IF IT COMES BACK AND SAYS IT'S GOOD FROM A, FROM A POSITION OF, OF YOUR EMPLOYER AS WELL AS FROM A POSITION OF ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO THE CITY, THEN GREAT. I THINK THAT THAT SOUNDS GOOD PLAN. SO I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION AT THIS POINT AND MAYBE IF I CAN STRUCTURE THIS. BUT SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A BOARD RIGHT NOW TO GO TO, I WOULD ALMOST MOTION THAT WE TABLE THIS, REFER IT TO WHAT WOULD BE WHATEVER ETHICS AUTHORITY THAT IS CAPABLE OF DOING IT TO COME BACK WITH AN OPINION. AND THEN WE WOULD UNTABLE THAT ONCE THAT OPINION IS RECEIVED, IS THAT A FAIR WAY OF DOING IT? YES, THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. AND THE SECOND? I'LL SECOND. CAN I ASK FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION? WOULD THAT ETHICAL BODY BE THE STATE ETHICS BOARD OR IS THERE ANOTHER ETHICAL BODY? MICHAEL, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE ETHICS BOARD FOR THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN? SO, I MEAN, I DON'T GIVE ADVICE ON ANY BOARDS. I CAN REFER YOU TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION THAT THAT SITE WHERE YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTION AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE LAID OUT THERE. I CAN SPEAK TO THE ETHICS BOARD ITSELF BECAUSE I'M THE STAFF TO THE ETHICS BOARD. YOU WOULD JUST SUBMIT THE QUESTION TO ME. AND THOSE RULES ARE SPELLED OUT UNDER THE ETHICS ORDINANCE AND THEN YOU WOULD SEE WHERE IT WOULD GO. I WOULD. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT OR WHAT, BUT I. WHO APPOINTS THE ETHICS BOARD? WE'RE GOING TO PUT HUNTER ON IT. SO I WOULD SAY IF WE COULD GO TO A DIFFERENT ENTITY THAT'S NOT APPOINTED BY THE SAME ENTITY, [01:45:05] THAT IS MAYBE IN QUESTION. YEAH. I WAS SUGGESTING THE STATE MAINLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CURRENT LOCAL ONE AND THEN IT WOULD STRIKE IT. OKAY. SO YEAH, IF I COULD SPECIFICALLY MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO SPECIFICALLY STATE THE STATE ETHICS BOARD. SURE. I WOULD SUGGEST THIS, THAT YOU HAVE SOMEBODY LOOK AT BOTH BOARDS, RIGHT? JUST LOOK AT BOTH BOTH APPLICANTS AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR BOTH BOARDS JUST TO SEE WHAT EXISTS. CAN YOU CLARIFY? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BOTH APPLICANTS. SO I WOULD SAY IN TERMS OF APPLICANTS. SO LOOK AT THE RULES FOR SUBMITTING A REQUEST TO THE STATE ETHICS BOARD. SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. SEE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO ANSWER. AND THEN LOOK AT THE YOUR OWN ETHICS REGULATIONS AND SEE WHAT. THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT. AND I CAN HELP WITH THAT. YEAH. WE'LL WORK OUT THE DETAILS. YES. WHAT A SORT OF VERY FIDUCIARY. AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE ETHICS BOARD IS CONSIDERS FIDUCIARY THINGS. THE CITY ETHICS STUFF DEALS WITH THE NEPOTISM AND FAVORITISM. SO YOU'RE SAYING THE BOARD THAT IS IN EXISTENCE AT THE STATE MIGHT NOT BE THE BOARD THAT WOULD DEAL WITH SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE. I'M SAYING TYPICALLY THEY DEAL WITH FIDUCIARY INTERESTS, BUT I'M SAYING, LOOK. YEAH. WHICH DOESN'T EXIST HERE. WELL, LOOK AT THAT. HIS POINT, WE WOULD SUBMIT IT TO BOTH. YEAH. SO BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID, RIGHT? JUST TO BE JUST TO BE CLEAR, RULES ARE SUBMITTED. YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO LOOK AT THE RULES FOR SUBMISSION. OKAY. WELL THANKS TO OUR SOLICITOR, MISS MONTERO, FOR PLAYING A PART IN THIS. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. I APPRECIATE THAT. IS THAT A SECOND, MISS GERLACH? YES. TO BOTH. OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. BY CHAIR BY MR. BINDER. COUNCIL PERSON BINDER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PERSON GERLACH. AND ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE MOTION. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE MOTION PRESENTED? MAY I JUST MAKE A FINAL COMMENT? YES. SO I UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS APPOINTMENT AND THE MAGNITUDE IN TODAY'S CLIMATE. SO AS A RESIDENT OF ALLENTOWN, I THANK YOU FOR THE DILIGENCE YOU WERE GIVING TO THIS MATTER BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY. AND AS A CANDIDATE, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR TIME. OKAY. AND, MISS DELGADO, GO AHEAD. I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION. IF THERE'S TWO VACANCIES, WHY IS THIS GENTLEMAN THE ONLY ONE HERE AND IS THERE? WHY ISN'T THE OTHER? BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPLYING. I MEAN IT'S NOT LIKE TWO VACANCIES COME UP, RIGHT? I MEAN THEY'RE JUST ON A ROLLING. AS THE SPOTS COME UP WE FILL THEM. SO THIS IS HE'S FILLING A VACANCY THAT OCCURRED BEFORE THE OTHER VACANCY. YOU KNOW WE'LL IDENTIFY A CANDIDATE FOR THE SECOND VACANCY. OKAY. THAT WAS ROUGH. HUNTER. I JUST WAS WONDERING WHY YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE ON THE SPOTLIGHT HERE, AND THERE WAS NOBODY ELSE ON THE SPOTLIGHT WITH YOU. CAN I CAN I ALSO SO I THOUGHT THAT THE. I THOUGHT THAT WE JUST NEEDED A LAWYER FOR THE ETHICS COMMISSION. I DON'T WE HAVE OTHER WE HAVE WE HAVE OTHER MEMBERS, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE A. WE NEED AN ATTORNEY THAT RESIDES IN ALLENTOWN, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT? THAT WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION. I THINK MR. BINDER ASKED ME ABOUT IT, AND I SAID, PLACE THE REQUEST IN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. IT'S BACK AT ME AGAIN. ALL RIGHT. SO DO YOU WANT TO THERE'S A BOARD. YEAH. RIGHT. SO SHOULD IT. SHOULD THIS? ARE YOU ARE YOU STATING THAT MAYBE WHAT THIS SHOULD DO IS MOVE TO MY COMMITTEE AND THEN I WOULD I WOULD MOVE TO TRY AND WORK WITH THE. OH, NO, NO. OKAY. YOU YOU MADE AN INQUIRY AS TO HOW WOULD YOU MAKE AN INQUIRY INTO THE ETHICS BOARD KNOWING THAT THERE WASN'T AN ATTORNEY. AND MY SIMPLE REPLY WAS, HERE IS HOW YOU WOULD DO IT SO YOU CAN MAKE THE REQUEST. I WOULD SAY IN THE PAST, AND I'M NOT, I CAN'T I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS THE ANSWER IN THE PAST, IF THERE WASN'T AN ATTORNEY, EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO HIRE ONE TO HELP FACILITATE AN OPINION. YEAH. OKAY. OKAY. ANY MORE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE MOTION, MA'AM? COMING UP PLEASE. AND AND WELCOME AND JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. YES. KAREN JOHNSON, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. THE OTHER CANDIDATES, WOULD THEY BE CONSIDERED OR LOOKED IN THROUGH THIS ETHICS COMMITTEE FOR QUALIFICATION? I THINK THERE'S I THINK THEY HAVE I MEAN, IT'S UP TO ME TO ANSWER, BUT THEY THEY HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE. I DON'T THINK ANYONE ANYONE ELSE IS IN THAT SITUATION. RIGHT. SO IT'S JUST STRICTLY ABOUT HIM. NO ONE ELSE WOULD BE CONSIDERED OR LOOKED AT DURING THIS PROCESS. [01:50:02] RIGHT. FOR THE ETHICS BOARD. NO. OKAY. FOR THE ETHICS NOT NOT TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS ANY ETHICS BOARD. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. AND, MR. BENDER, I CAN JUST ADD TO THAT IF THERE WAS AN ETHICAL CONCERN, IF THERE WAS AN ETHICS CONFLICT OF ANOTHER CANDIDATE, THEN WE WOULD WE WOULD TAKE THAT SAME ROUTE. IF IF THAT CANDIDATE PRESENTED A SIMILAR OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ETHICAL CONFLICT, WE WOULD DO THAT. BUT THE ONLY REASON WHY I ASK THE QUESTION IS BECAUSE THE MAYOR RECOMMENDED HIM. SO THE OTHER PEOPLE WEREN'T, YOU KNOW, LOOKED AT OR CONSIDERED WHO MADE THE. AND WE KNOW HE MADE THE DECISION, BUT THERE MAY BE ANOTHER PERSON QUALIFIED TO BE LOOKED AT. THAT'S ALL I ASK THAT QUESTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. IT WAS SECONDED. AND WE CAN CALL THE VOTE ON THE MOTION. OKAY. SO THIS IS THE MOTION TO TABLE OR THE MOTION TO TABLE R 150. AND REFERRED TO THE STATE ETHICS BOARD AND REVIEW THE CITY'S ETHICS TO REFER TO BOTH BOARDS TO REFER TO BOTH BOARDS. JEREMY MADE THE MOTION AND CC SECOND. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO MISS. YES. MR.. YES. MR.. NAPOLI. YES. MISS. MODA. YES. MR.. BENDER. YES. MISS. SANTOS. YES. MISS SCURLOCK. YES. OKAY. MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AND NO NAMES. OKAY. DOES THAT CLOSE THAT DOES THAT CLOSE THAT UP? RIGHT. WE DID IT RIGHT? YES. YOU'RE FINE. THANK YOU. MOVE ON. THANK YOU, MISS MONTEIRO. OKAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ALONG. [ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral) ] NEXT UP IS OUR ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION. WE WILL START WITH BILL 83. BILL 83 AMENDS CITY CODE, CHAPTER 425. PARKS AND RECREATION AREA. SECTION EIGHT DOGS BY UPDATING THE NAME OF THE PARK, REMOVING THE USE OF KEY FOBS, AND UPDATING THE ORDINANCE RULES. OKAY. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 83 WE'RE INTRODUCING TO A COMMITTEE MEETING? IT'S NOT ON TV. I'M SORRY. DOES THE TV CHANGE TO. OH YEAH, THE COMPUTER IS NOT WORKING. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE HAVING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. I'M SORRY, BUT THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT. SO IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING ON THE AGENDA, WE'RE ON BILL 83 AND WE'RE GOING TO. IF THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENT, I WILL REFER THIS TO CHAIR SANTOS COMMITTEE PARKS AND RECREATION, WHICH WILL BE SCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE FOR REVIEW. NEXT. THANK YOU, BILL, FOR BILL 84. AMEND CITY CODE, CHAPTER 455 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, ARTICLE TWO LICENSING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS TO ESTABLISH A FEE FOR ADDITIONAL SYSTEMATIC INSPECTIONS RESULTING FROM SUBSTANTIATED CODE VIOLATIONS. AND AMENDING ARTICLE THREE INSPECTION OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO ESTABLISH A SINGLE INSPECTION, CANCELLATION AND NO SHOW FEE FOR MIXED USE PROPERTIES. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 84? OKAY. I'M GOING TO REFER THIS TO CHAIR GERLACH'S COMMITTEE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. AND THE LAST ONE IS BILL 85. BILL 85 AMENDS THE 2026 CAPITAL FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE OF HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FUND A COMPLETION OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY EVALUATING THE CONVERSION OF SELECT ONE WAY STREETS TO TWO WAY STREETS. THIS GRANT IS FULLY REIMBURSABLE, AND ONCE THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THE CITY WILL BE REIMBURSED. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON BILL 85? OKAY. THIS WILL BE REFERRED TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. THAT'S VICE PRESIDENT MOTUS. CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. WELCOME. AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION, ANY NEW ANY NEW BUSINESS, [NEW BUSINESS] MISS GERLACH? GO AHEAD. YES. JUST REAL QUICKLY US IT IS A IT IS OF THE ESSENCE. VOTING IS UPON US AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY. I'M NOT SURE WHO HAS GOTTEN THE COMPLAINTS, BUT PEOPLE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY VOTING AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE WORKERS PARKING AND THE VOTING AREAS LIKE THE DESIGNATED VOTING AREAS. OF COURSE, IF YOU DOUBLE PARK, YOU'RE GOING TO GET JAMMED WITH A PARKING TICKET. I'VE GOTTEN TICKETS WHILE PARKING AND VOTING, SO MY REQUEST OR MY ASK IS CAN THE PARKING AUTHORITY CHILL NEAR THE VOTING AREA? AND CAN THE CITY TELL THE CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE TO STOP PARKING AND THE VOTING? ABSOLUTELY. WE'VE GOTTEN THOSE SAME COMPLAINTS AND WE HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS. I SENT AN EMAIL TO OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR, TO THE DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES FROM THE COUNTY, ALONG WITH OUR MR. ADA PUBLIC WORKS. JEREMY COUNCIL PERSON HAS BEEN ON THOSE EMAILS VERY AWARE OF IT, VERY CONCERNED. THE PARKING AUTHORITY I WILL SPEAK TO, THEY DO NOT WRITE TICKETS ON IN AREAS WHERE VOTING IS. [01:55:03] THEY DO. I'VE GOTTEN ONE. THEY USE SAFETY VIOLATIONS, BUT NO PARKING AT THE THING. I DON'T WANT TO ARGUE WITH YOU HERE, BUT I'VE GOTTEN A TICKET AND APPEALED IT. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THEY'VE BEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA PRETTY LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT. BUT MR. BRENNAN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THAT OR. I'M SORRY TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT. NO, I MEAN, I WAS GOING TO MAKE THAT EXACT COMMENT AND WELFARE. SO YES, IT'S OKAY. IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT'S A CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS VERY CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE TO PARK. SO THE PARKING AUTHORITY HAS A WRITTEN NOTIFICATION THAT THEY WILL NOT BE AGGRESSIVELY ENFORCING PARKING ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA. THEY THEIR THEIR STANCE IS THEY ARE NOT DOING STREET SWEEPING ON BLOCKS THAT HAVE POLLING PLACES. SO LET'S JUST SAY, FOR INSTANCE, VOTING DAY IS NOVEMBER 3RD. WAS THAT TUESDAY. SO IF THERE IS STREET SWEEPING ON TUESDAY ON A POLLING PLACE BLOCK, IT'S CANCELED. IT'S A DONE DEAL. AND FOR THE VOTING THAT'S HAPPENING NOW WITH THE ON DEMAND VOTING. YES. THAT'S THAT'S THEY'RE THE ONES WHO PUT THE SIGNS UP FOR FOR NO PARK ON VOTER PARKING ONLY. SO THEY'RE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES THAT I SPOKE TO. SO THEY'RE WORKING, THEY'RE COLLABORATING TOGETHER FOR THAT. ALSO, THE SOCIAL MEDIA POST SAID THEY ARE NOT WRITING, THEY'RE NOT WRITING VIOLATIONS EXCEPT FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD. SO IF YOU PARK NEXT TO A HYDRANT, YES, THERE MIGHT BE A TICKET BECAUSE THAT'S A SAFETY VIOLATION. BUT THEY'RE NOT WRITING TICKETS FOR OTHER THINGS LIKE INSPECTIONS OR ANY OTHER PARKING VIOLATION. SO THEY'RE LEAVING THOSE BLOCKS GO BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT VOTERS TO HAVE A GOOD POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO THE POLLS. OKAY. AND THAT'S JUST BASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. I'M LOOKING AT THEIR MEDIA. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, THEY'RE GOING TO FALL BACK A LITTLE BIT. OR IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ANSWERING, THE MINUTE YOU BECOME AWARE OF SOMEBODY HAVING THEIR VOTE INTERFERED WITH, LIKE, TELL ME ON, TEXT ME ON THE SPOT. LIKE I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT. WHOEVER GOT THE PARKING TICKET THERE. BUT NO, WE'VE ASKED OUR CONTRACTORS NOT TO PARK IN THOSE SPACES. MARK'S GOING TO SHOW YOU, YOU KNOW, THE NO PARKING SIGNS FOR PEOPLE OTHER THAN VOTERS. I MEAN, IT'S LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A DEMOCRACY THAT PEOPLE'S VOTE NOT BE INTERFERED WITH. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE EVERY MEASURE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. NOW, AND I'LL TALK TO THE PARKING AUTHORITY. WE'LL GIVE THEM WRITTEN DIRECTION TOMORROW. I VERY MUCH WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. AND AGAIN, HAVE NO REASON TO LIE. STILL GOT THE PICTURE OF THE PARKING TICKET I GOT WHILE I WENT IN TO VOTE. THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN GIVE IT TO MR. FRANKEN. MAYBE HE CAN. OH, YEAH, I APPEALED IT, AND I WON. OKAY. OKAY, WELL, THANKS FOR PLAYING A PART IN THAT. AND AND OBVIOUSLY KEEP US POSTED IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, IT'S COMING UP PRETTY QUICKLY. SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. SO ANYTHING ELSE FOR GOOD AND WELFARE. [GOOD AND WELFARE] VOTING. OKAY. VOTING'S COMING UP NOVEMBER 3RD. SO. OKAY. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND WITH THAT SAID, I WILL ADJOURN THIS MEETING. THANK YOU EVERYONE. ALL RIGHT. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.