435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

Public Works Committee

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

5:30 PM

Council Chambers

Roll Call: Chair Gerlach, Affa, Zucal

15-7406

Bill 118

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Seven Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred

Nineteen Dollars and Forty-Three Cents ($737,219.43) from LCA for the

purpose of construction ADA handicap ramps and for the milling and

paving of streets under the City’s Utility Paving Program.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 118 LCA Cost Share Agreement

Ordinance #16090

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated thank you so much, Mr. Shahda.

Mr. Mark Shahda thanked Councilperson Gerlach and stated that this

funding here is part of the annual cost share agreement that they have with

Lehigh County Authority. He stated that they are giving the city $737,000 to

repave the roads. The roads that they are going to be doing the watermain

upgrades. This money the city will pave a one and a half miles of

roadways, along with replacing 100 handicap ramps throughout different

locations in the city.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated ok, great. Thank you. She asked if there were

any questions from any of her colleagues on the committee or off the

committee. She stated Mr. Hendricks.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Shahda and asked when he says cost

sharing, is that a 50/50 split or is it.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated that is an agreement that they have with the Utility

Companies where they go in and they change out the infrastructure below

the streets. They change out the infrastructure in exchange for having a

program setup with them, when they give us the funding to go and restore

the streets correctly. The proper way per our city ordinances. He stated

that they benefit by paving the roads forward from curb to curb. They also

give us the money to take care of the ADA ramps along those streets.

They save the taxpayers and property owners that burden, that financial

burden of having to change out the handicap ramps.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated ok, it is actually our benefit in doing that then.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated that it is their benefit that they get a fully paved

road along with handicapped ramps at the Utilities expense and not having

to pass the expense along to our citizens.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Shahda.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated ok, great, Mr. Zucal. He asked just one quick

question and asked what if it is some curbing issues in adjacent to those

handicap ramps. He stated that he knows before when they placed all of

the sidewalks, a homeowner had to pay for it. He asked what is the

situation with this.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated that this is considered paving so the curbing

ordinance wouldn't be applied. That curb ordinance only applies when they

do their own in-house street paving program.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated alright, thank you. She asked if any members of

the public have any questions or comments on this.

A motion was made by Ed Zucal, seconded by Ce-Ce Gerlach, that this Bill be

forwarded to the full Council.

2 - Ce-Ce Gerlach and Ed Zucal

1 - Candida Affa

Yes:

Absent:

15-7407

Bill 119

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) from the Ferber

Company for traffic signal improvements.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill119 Traffic Signal Contribution

Ordinance #16091

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated alright, thank you so much, Mr. Shahda.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated thank you. They are receiving a $10,000

contribution from the developer from the former Brass Rail site where the

Wawa is going to be going. He stated that typically with land developments,

the developer always issues a financial contribution to the city to improve

traffic signals along that corridor. He stated what they intend on doing with

that $10,000 is that they are going to be changing out and adding retro

reflective back plates on the traffic signal heads along with doing some line

painting and adding pedestrian equipment along the Lehigh Street

corridor.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated great and asked if there were any questions or

comments from the dais. She asked if this developer willingly is making a

$10,000 donation and you said that happens sometimes. There is nothing

that is in writing that requires or even requests it.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated no. He stated that they do it as a courtesy. There

is nothing that they could require. He stated that they are very fortunate to

at least receive the $10,000 to do some improvements to our traffic signal

systems. She asked if there were any questions from the public.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that this will also move forward to the regular

meeting. She stated that is the only agenda item. She asked if they have

anything else. She stated that they still have a couple more minutes.

Mr. Mark Shahda stated that he would like to give Council a quick update

on our leaf collection program. He is very pleased with the work that the

Streets Department did with collecting the leaves this season. He stated

that each part of town received two regularly scheduled pickups along with

a final sweep of the entire city. He stated that he is very pleased with the

Streets Department and the progress that they did. He stated that luckily

they were able to collect all the leaves without having to seal with the

snowstorm. He stated that they are very fortunate that the snow in the

winter months held off and gave them an opportunity to pick up the leaves.

He stated that they are very fortunate to have an opportunity and the Streets

Department really did a good job with their leaf collection program this

year.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated great. Thank you so much.