435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

City Council

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Invocation:

6:30 PM

Council Chambers

Pledge to the Flag

Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, Santo Napoli, Jeremy

Binder, and Cristian Pungo

Courtesy of the Floor

Please observe the Rules of Council when given privilege of the floor. A copy of the

Council Rules can be found on the council agenda on the website. If you would like

to speak, we are asking that you fill out a card – they are on the back table provide

them to the clerk before speaking. Include your name and address. When speakers

have the privilege of the floor, personal insults, attacks, name calling or other

behavior that is inconsistent with the purpose of conducting official business will not

be tolerated.

Courtesy of the Floor is meant to provide public comments on items that are not on

the agenda. Public comment during consideration of ordinances, resolutions and

motions are limited by topic – your comments must be relevant to the subject matter

of the proposed legislation. Public comments are taken before

legislation.

council votes on

You are given the privilege of the floor to provide public comment; it is not a

question and answer session. State your position clearly and concisely for

consideration. If you speak on behalf of yourself, you have three minutes and if you

are speaking on behalf of a group that has several members present, you will be

given five minutes in place of everyone coming to the podium. Please address the

Council President not individual councilpersons or city staff. Refrain from insulting

or defaming staff, officials, and the public; refrain from using offensive language,

cursing, and making noises while other people are speaking. Please be aware that

comments and/or behavior in violation of these rules will result in a forfeiture of all

remaining time and you will be asked to return to your seat.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that ok, great. He stated that they will kick this off

with Courtesy of the Floor. This is for non Agenda items. He stated that

anything you would like to speak about that is not on tonight's agenda, just

make sure you fill out a card. He asked do we have any cards.

Ms. Genesis Ortega stated that they do not have any Courtesy of the Floor.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok. He stated that they will move along. He stated

that there will be Courtesy of the Floor opportunities during the Agenda

items as they move through our Agenda. He stated that they do not have

any Contracts for final approval.

Contract Approvals

Minutes of Previous Meeting

15-8422 April 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: April 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, Santo Napoli, Jeremy

Binder, and Cristian Pungo

Communications

Mr. Santo Napoli stated regarding Communications, as usual visitors to

City Council meetings are encouraged to park in the Government Deck

next door to City Hall and to see our City Clerk for a Chaser to pay for your

parking.

Old Business: NONE

REPORTS

President Napoli:

Council will continue public meetings with our partners to strengthen

communication, improve coordination, become better informed and focus on an

identifying opportunities for Allentown residents, our business community and

visitors. He stated their next two meetings, the first one is the Allentown Housing

Authority Meeting will be at City Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:00

PM; and also the Allentown School District and City Council will be conducting a

workshop on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 PM.

Budget and Finance: Chair Pungo, Mota, Gerlach

The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled, but they

will look to set up a Committee of the Whole Session to review budget priorities.

Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Binder, Napoli

The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; the next meeting is

Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 PM.

Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Binder, Santos, Affa

The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; there are no future

meetings scheduled.

Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Pungo, Binder

The Committee has not met since the last meeting and the next meeting is scheduled

for May 20th at 6:00 PM.

Public Safety: Chair Affa, Mota, Santos

The Committee has not met since the last meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for

May 20 at 5:45 PM.

Public Works: Chair Mota, Pungo, Affa

The Committee met this evening, the next meeting is not yet scheduled, but the

meeting will be scheduled for May 20th at 5:30 PM

Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: Chair Napoli, Mota,

Gerlach

The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; there are no meetings

scheduled at this time.

Controller’s Report:

Mr. Santo Napoli stated for the Controller's Report, Mr. Glazier is absent this

evening.

Mayor's Report:

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he has here no submission. He asked is there a Mayor's

Report.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that there is no Mayor's Report.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): NONE

CONSENT AGENDA

Ms. Genesis Ortega stated that so the Consent Agenda includes R58 -

Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts: 334 N. 9th

Street, R59 1935 S. 5th Street - Sewer Planning Module, R60 S Hall Street

Apartments - Sewage Planning Module, R61 Bears Steps Management

LLC at 728 Union Boulevard - Sewage Planning Module.

Ms. Genesis Ortega stated Mr. Binder then said sorry about that.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that they will take comments or questions from the

dais on those four items on the Consent Agenda. He asked any questions

or comments from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, Santo Napoli, Jeremy

Binder, and Cristian Pungo

15-8393

R58

Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts:

334 N 9th Street

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R 58 APRIL - HARB Resolution

334 N 9TH ST-FINAL REVIEW-MASONRY

Resolution #31258

Enactment No: 31258

15-8401

R59

1935 S. 5th Street - Sewer Planning Module

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments:

R 59 Abdouche Properties (1935 S 5th Street) - Sewer Planning

Module

1935 S. 5th Street Sewer Planning Module Submission with Signed

4A and 4B

Resolution #31259

Enactment No: 31259

15-8402

R60

S Hall Street Apartments - Sewage Planning Module

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments:

R60 Cox Management Group S. Hall Street Apartments - Sewer

Planning Module

Cox Management Group - S Hall Street Apartments - Sewage

Planning Module

Resolution #31260

Enactment No: 31260

15-8403

R61

Bears Steps Management LLC at 728 Union Boulevard - Sewage

Planning Module

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments:

R61 Bears Steps Management LLC at 728 Union Boulevard - Sewer

Planning Module

Bears Steps Management LLC 728 Union Boulevard - Sewage

Planning Module

Resolution #31261

Enactment No: 31261

RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):

15-8413

R62

A resolution of the City of Allentown to close out DCNR community grant

project BRC-TAG-28-280 per DCNR grant requirements.

Attachments: R62 - DCNR Parks Plan Close Out

Resolution #31262

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any comments from the

administration on R62.

Mr. Frank Kane stated no.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

dais or the public on R62.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, Santo Napoli, Jeremy

Binder, and Cristian Pungo

Enactment No: 31262

15-8429

R 63

Streets for Stormwater – $83,806.91 for final payment for the sewer

cleaning truck was not budgeted in the 2025 budget due to an oversight

during the budgeting process. (Remove)

Parks & Rec – Special Events – $31,803.85 from SE account #46

(Contract Services) into SE Account #68 (Materials & Supplies) is not a for

new expenditures, but rather a reallocation of existing budget funds to

ensure that payments for materials & supplies for all city run events for the

entire year of 2026 are processed from the appropriate and designated

account .

Compliance - $13,0000 to cover the cost of water/sewer rebates to citizens

per Revenue and Audit.

Fleet – $8,026.48 required for the prevailing wages for the installation of

the EV chargers at Bridgeworks.(Remove)

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R 63 Transfers

Stormwater Final Payment for Sewer Cleaning Truck $83806.91

PW Compliance Water and Sewer Rebates $13000

PW Equip Fund Prevailing Wage for new EV Chargers $8026.48

Parks Special Events 46 to 68 to Run Events Using City Staff and

Supplies $31803.85 (Revised)

Resolution #31263

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you and asked any comments from the

administration on R63.

Mr. Frank Kane stated no.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated no, ok. He asked if there were any questions or

comments from the dais. He asked if there are any questions or comments

from the public on R63.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, Santo Napoli, Jeremy

Binder, and Cristian Pungo

Enactment No: 31263

15-8420

R64

A Resolution Requiring An Audit And Review Of The Mayor’s Traveling

Expenses And An Independent Review By An Auditor For Compliance

With All Relevant Statutory Provisions

Affa, Mota, Gerlach and Napoli

Sponsors:

Attachments: R64

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, thank you. He asked if there were any

comments from the administration.

Mr. Frank Kane stated he has a statement and asked does Mr. Napoli want

him to speak first.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated sure.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that usually Council goes first, unless.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok.

Dr. Cynthia Mota asked would you like.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated we can go first, but he doesn't think it matters so

let's do. We will go first. He asked if there were any questions or

comments from the dais on R64.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she has a comment.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated go ahead.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated good evening this Resolution is straightforward. It

cause for a complete accounting of the mayor's travel expenses, including

receipts, records, and total costs to taxpayers. While some information

may already exists, it is often presented in pieces or without full context.

This Resolution ensures a clear and consolidated review. Residents also

have the right to request this information through the Right to Know

process. She stated that they recognize that travel can be a part of the

mayor's official duties, however, when public funds are used, those

expenses must be clearly documented, reasonable and in full compliance

with law. She stated that she wants to be clear, City Council has the

responsibility to provide oversight. SHe stated that responsibility require

them to review how taxpayers dollars are spent. This is not about

accusations, rather it is about accountability, transparency is not optional in

government. She stated that it is fundamental and if they are not willing to

stand for the transparency, when they need to seriously reflect on what they

are here serving in the first place. She stated at the end of the day, this

Resolution is not complicated. She is simply asking for the public

disclosure of funds. Thank you.

Mr. Michael Hanlon asked if he can say this to be sure, he took out the

ethical provisions in the Resolution, but he forgot to take it off the Agenda.

He stated so that shouldn't be there. He stated that is his mistake.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

dais. He stated go ahead Mr. Binder.

Mr. Jeremy Binder asked if it wouldn't be acceptable, he would appreciate

hearing from the administration just before he asks some questions stating

that it would help him with some information, if that is acceptable.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if anyone else wants to go first.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she will hold her comments.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated agreed. He asked anyone else. He stated Mr.

Kane, you are up.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that it is a couple of minutes so please bare with

him. He put together a little statement. He stated that part of the mayor's

job is to promote the city. The city of Allentown benefits from having a

proactive mayor who is quite possibly this city's biggest fan. He spends all

weekend, every weekend on his personal social media, crisscrossing the

city, interacting with residents, making himself generally available. That's

how our mayor approaches the outreach portion of his office. He stated

when he first came here, he became aware, he didn't know and he never

met a mayor who did this. He stated that every time somebody buys a

house in the city, they get a knock on their door for the mayor. Last

weekend, he knocked on a door of a young man in his 20s who lived in

Allentown, worked hard and saved up and bought a house stating that the

mayor on his door this weekend and the entire extended family who was

their was doing a blessing of the house. They have the memory of the

mayor knocked on their door stating that is the way he approaches his

social media and the way he approaches his job and so he likes to keep

that in mind when they look at the mayor's traveling and networking. As he

said at the opening, part of every top executives job is to be the face of the

organization. In the public sector, every governor, every mayor, every

county executive is the human face that they put on the government. In

order to most efficiently move the organization forward, it is important for

someone in the organization to create, maintain, and nurture relationships

with potential funding partners in the federal and state government and in

the nonprofit sector. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a reference

maintains 13 overseas trade offices that covers more than 40 countries

that are staffed by contract employees whose total cost is probably a few

hundred thousand dollars annually stating it is hard to calculate stating one

of his former bosses, Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell was the

president of the ICCMA (International City County Management

Association. One of the professional organizations that they belong to. He

travelled extensively during his time as county executive and was also one

of the first managing director of Allentown under the 1969 Charter. He

served here from 1970 to 1973. His most recent boss, Lehigh County

Executive Phil Armstrong used to travel all the time. Raising the profile of

Lehigh County on the national scene. He ended up in leadership positions

that brought money and brought notoriety back to our area in the White

House and other places. He stated that they belong to CCAP, the County

Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. They all had to go. Staff had

to go to all of their committees and was at the forefront of lobbying and at

the forefront of new policies that were developed to benefit counties. He

stated that he is old enough to remember that some of the things that they

now consider the crown jewels of the Lehigh Valley came into existence

through these kinds of networking and trade organizations. The Wind

Creek Casino, started out as the Sands and it is here because someone

knew Sheldon Adelson in a relationship that started with the PA League of

Cities and Municipalities which is now the US Conference of Mayors.

Coca Cola Park is here because among other things, some community

leaders met the owners of the Trenton Thunder through networking in

Jersey. He stated that he told them that to tell them this, as the elected

representatives of the voters and the taxpayers of the city of Allentown, you

have every right to ask questions of this administration and it is their

responsibility to answer them, even if it is uncomfortable, especially if it is

uncomfortable. It is a foundational component of American democracy that

citizens can hold their government accountable. As traditional press

morphs into the less traditional bloggestphere, it is important that they listen

to those voice too. If some segment of the public has concerns about

things related to travel of the mayor and the staff in that office, it's because

they haven't done what is necessary t brief all of them and the public.

People should know how their money is being spent and feel good about it.

He stated that he is going to try to do that now. He stated first of all, they

have a great Controller, here. The items that your Resolution called for are

things that the Controller does routinely and in a rare case, there is an

inconsistently, consistently he brings it to you, but every travel expense is

audited by the independently elected Controller as a matter of routine. He

stated that Mr. Glazier is not here today. He can't be with us today so out of

difference to him, he is going to give him a chance to look at the numbers

that he would like to present to them before they actually give them the

packet of all the information, but that is something that happens anyway.

He stated that he took a preliminary look at all of the expenses and they are

minimal and stated here is an example. He is reasonable comfortable

reporting that the entire travel and professional development budget spent

for the mayor and his staff in 2022 was $5,748.22 stating $5,748.22 out of

a budget of $240 million. As Managing Director, he hopes they never

make a math error, but that is kind of a rounding error against that size of a

budget. He stated that this body just considered four Budget Transfers this

evening, earlier in the Agenda and they were all greater than that. He

asked what does the residents of Allentown get for their $5,748.00 in 2022.

In 2022, Mayor Tuerk met Pete Buttigieg at the US Conference of Mayors

on a trip to Washington, DC. Hear him tell it, he grabbed Pete Buttigieg by

the lapels and said Allentown needs help. People are dying, send us

money and so they did. They received $312,000 for Safe Streets and then

a $384,000 Demonstration Grant and $1.1 million for Traffic Safety

Planning at Tilghman Street and Union Boulevard which is the single most

dangerous stretch of road in the Lehigh Valley. Are that for an investment

of $1,500 for a conference fee and some minor anserary travel costs. The

networking and relationship building isn't really, it is not tit for tat one time

transaction. He stated it is not he goes and meet donors and come back

and they fund him. He stated you go once and you go again, you get to

know people and get to know more people. It is just like any other type of

networking. Attending events hosted by the US Conference of Mayors, it

puts our mayor in rooms with policy experts and mayor who are working on

the challenges that face cities across the nation. Housing, infrastructure

and economic availability. Out of that organization, we also received the

$50,000 grant from the US Beverage Manufacture Association at the end

of 2022. It is called Move with the Mayor to promote physical activity

among our residents, but all this networking broadly created the opportunity

for success with our ReCompete Grant. He stated that he doesn't want to

take away from the hard work that lots of people in this community put into

bringing that $20 million federal investment to Allentown, but the US

Conference of Mayors put our Mayor in the room with the Assistant

Secretary EDA and gave him the opportunity to talk through our application

with her and that helped push them over the finish line. He stated that is

what they paid for. Let's look at what we get from free. He mentioned

during his confirmation that he was surprised about the quality of their

department heads. It turned out that many were trained by Harvard. Many

of our department heads had received training from Harvard in the areas of

data management, talent attraction and retention and general workforce

management paid for by the Bloomberg, Harvard Partnership. The mayor

has attended three Bloomberg City Labs with staff. They are 100 percent

paid for by (inaudible) organizations and he meets with mayors from all

over the world who was facing similar challenges and comes away with

ideas. He stated that Council has approved $160,000 in receipts for Love

Your Block which is a resident lead initiative to improve public spaces and

resident porches and other things. The goal of that program is that it will

outlive the money. The way that they approach interacting with our

residents and the way that we listen to what they want and then allow them

to lead the discussion is something that would become part of the way the

city does business. He stated that they have the Youth Climate Action

Grant for $200,000. They have the Rockefeller Foundation's Excellerator

for America $250,000 grant to help with ancillary needs around

ReCompete and broadly the take away here, is that their mayor's

networking effort to take him and some staff out of the area occasionally

from time to time to provide 10s of millions of dollars in benefits to the

taxpayers at a very nominal cost. If he was the VP for Marketing for

Fortune 500 Companies and saw those numbers, he would say why is this

guy ever here. Like, keep him on the road. There is no better investment

of a dollar and there is no better return than what he brings back when he is

doing this kind of networking. He stated that he thinks that they should

keep in mind that the social media that you see is his personal social

media. When he went to Madrid, it was paid for by Bloomberg, and at

personal cost, stayed an extra day to run in the marathon. He stated

perhaps they can do a better job in making that clear. He stated as far as

the audit, they already do this audit. That is what the Controller does. He

stated that they have all those receipts. They have all those things and

don't know why you would want to pay an independent auditor $40,000 to

$100,000 to do a forensic audit to audit what they already audit. He stated

that you could choose to, but you will be auditing and paying the same

amount that they paid in travel expenses in four years to do the audit. He

stated that it is a credit to Allentown that these organizations choose our

mayor. They don't choose Matt Tuerk, they choose the city of Allentown. It

is the city of Allentown that is represented. It is the city of Allentown seat.

THe city is finally receiving he thinks the recognition that we deserve as the

third largest city in Pennsylvania and it is not just you know and he would

say it is not just and a lot of intangible benefits that come and asked have

you ever seen when you know when there is a Western Movie and in every

studio, there is a western movie because that's all in that Echo Chamber,

Allentown is in that Echo Chamber now with all of those nonprofit grants

stating we get mentioned, people talk and the New York Times with major

publications and he thinks it is a good and they can do a better job of

explaining and if he has to give them this explanation because you haven't

heard it before, but he hopes they will continue to be transparent. He

stated that he will be transparent and he has four years worth of receipts,

but between Eden and Munis and with the Controller not being here, he just

wants to sit with him before he releases them to Council, but you already

have them. He stated that it looks to him that they under-spent the travel

budget in three of the four years in the first term budget that you all

allocated. He stated that they will provide that to Council as soon as he

gets to meet with the Controller and you will have everything you need. If

you want to come in and look at receipt, he suggested they look at the

receipts. He stated that he doesn't know why they would engage in another

firm and pay them the money you asked them to do that. He stated that is

their position and he is happy to answer any questions. He stated that you

are going to count on you and they can help share this information in a

more timely manner or in a more consistent manner.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, thank you Mr. Kane. He stated that most of his

colleagues know, but just for public record Mr. Glazier is recuperating. He

has been out the last few days and he is unfortunately able to attend tonight,

but he will be back to Report on this issue and to provide his insight as

soon as possible. He stated back to his colleagues, and asked Ms. Affa

go ahead.

Ms. Candida Affa stated while she appreciates the Report on what he does

in Allentown. Why he isn't here or hasn't in the past four years that she can

remember reporting on anything or all the things that he was telling them

about. He should be here telling Council that and not only just tonight, it

should have been after every time he goes out of town. She stated that

Council would like to have a Report on what he brought back to Allentown

from all these expenses. She stated now, it is a simple ask what they are

asking. She stated they just want and she believes Mr. Hanlon made a,

and stated you are not going to do the audit thing, right.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he made a mistake in terms of not taking

the preference ethical provision out there. He stated that his understanding

when they got a Report from the Controller and if you were ok with that, they

will do an audit. To have your auditor do that you would need a new

Resolution to authorize that expenditure.

Ms. Candida Affa stated alright, it is a simple ask stating that the taxpayers

want to know. She stated that it is Council's duty to get the receipts and

find out. She stated that is all she is asking. She stated that they are not

making any accusations, but the only thing she would have to say here is he

does not Report. She stated that she doesn't remember as long as she

been here with him, one Report stating what they just gave a very detailed

Report. She stated not him, you. She stated that her question is why

doesn't he come here. She thinks Council should start with this ask. She

stated every time he goes away, she stated that they want a Report

whether it is verbal sitting there or a written Report. A written Report will be

really great and these are simple asks. She stated that we are not trying to

ask him or crucify him and not do any of the above, but we have the right to

know you gave us an idea how much you brought to the city. She stated

that they want to know how much it cost them for him to go and get

everything he brought. She asked is it worth it, did we make any money. Is

it a good idea. She stated that is all they are asking. She stated that they

are not asking for much more than a Report from our City Controller. That's

it.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that they will be happy to do that. He stated that he

has not been here for four years, but they will do it now.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated Ms. Gerlach go ahead.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she thinks residents would love to here all

that. She stated that residents would love to know that their mayor is off

learning and networking and bringing back valuable resources. She stated

that she would be proud to share that.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated no doubt about that.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated for her she signed on to this Resolution not in

like a hey, let's gotcha thing. More so like we just finished, not just finished,

but they went through a budget season in which they had to raise taxes.

She stated that many folks voted to raise taxes. She stated that they will

more than likely be in that same scenario and it is an optics thing.

Sometimes it is just communication. When you got people who is

struggling between buying bread and their meds and they go on social

media and they see their mayor in a foreign country running a race, yeah,

um, it is optics. She stated so if in fact it is being paid for by Bloomberg,

let's talk about how wonderful it is that we got Bloomberg paying for him to

go Network with folks. She stated that she thinks it is great and she thinks

it is especially now that they have a Managing Director stating if you look at

the dynamics on here. The mayor supposed to go out and be the figure

head and do the networking and the kissing babies and all that kind of stuff

and then the Managing Director supposed to be here running the city. She

stated that is how it works and now they have that dynamic, it is great. She

stated that she looks forward to learning all of the wonderful places that our

mayor goes and all the resources that he brings back to the city and she is

sure that the residents are also look forward to that. She stated that the

end game goal is that regardless of the language of the Resolution, that is

the goal. She stated if they just want to learn and there could be some of

these wonderful organizations that would also be opportunities for us

Council people to go off and learn and network. She stated that she is sure

there are.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that they used to do that at the county stating

everybody went to seek many of their Commissioners stating that it seems

to him that it makes sense.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated yeah, and maybe, it would be great to know

which city employees also have had these opportunities. These wonderful

networking opportunities made available to them and the wonderful,

valuable skills and insight that they also had brought back.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated definitely.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated and how we benefitted from that.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that it is a simple ask. She stated that they are not,

this not and she doesn't think that it is something negative. Sometimes she

feels like she is being crucified just because she is asking and it is not she

means they are elected officials here and they have to make sure that they

are a good steward of taxpayers money and again, all she is asking is just

receipts. She stated that is all she is asking and again, she thinks that and

agrees with Ms. Gerlach it would be good to find out the places, and who

is more than willing to pay for those trips so that they can all take advantage

of that and rub elbows with wonderful people with a lot of money so they

can bring it here to the city of Allentown. She stated that it is a simple ask.

It is just a simple ask and again, she know they have a Controller that she

has a lot of respect a lot, but the reality is every time she ask, they get bits

and bits of pieces. They don't get the whole you know, the whole pie and

they just want to know.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated Mr. Binder go ahead.

Mr. Jeremy Binder stated so a couple of he guesses a couple of comments

on this Resolution that came through. He stated that he completely agree

with everyone. He understands the value that comes with networking with

different organizations. He stated that he thinks universally everyone in this

body is probably faced with similar questions with a resident saying where

is the mayor today. What is happening with this. He think they are fair

questions and part of that probably that the root of this Resolution is to try

and find that information out. He stated that he thinks they hit the nail on the

head on this. He stated the theme of communication is a frequent thing

that is coming up stating again, he is optimistic that you are working on

that. He stated that he thinks frequently it's assumed that because some

things posted on social media that it is being communicated, but he

believes that in a public forum like this is a much more and could be

articulated differently and it's recorded. It makes it a little more factual. To

that said transparency, accountability, they are all on the same page. He

stated that his concern with this Resolution is that what they are doing, they

are not going to get there with it. This is an Audit Resolution isn't going to

get them the information they are actually looking for. Effectively what they

are saying is that the Controller's doing their job their job and that he takes

issue with because he doesn't think that they are not finding information.

He believes they are when there is a discrepancy they are presenting the

details when they give the Controller's Report and if a lot of this information

is funded through a Bloomberg to another entity. They are not going to see

that on an Audit Report. He stated that is not a transaction that is coming

through the Budget Line Item. He stated that is (inaudible) being provided.

He stated that his concern at the end of this is they are going to get a

Report that says pretty much exactly what the Controller is saying that there

was an amount of money in the budget and that budget was spent on these

things and here are the receipts for it and then it is going to close. He

stated that he is concerned in the language of this stating they used the

word shall for the independent audit which is initiating that they must then

send it out to someone at an amount of money that he is not sure what it is

going to be and it concerns him that they are going to spend more money

to duplicate the effort of what the controller's doing. He stated that he says

all this to say he thinks they all want the same thing. He just doesn't think it

is the language to get us there. It sounds like what we are looking for at

least in hearing everyone is a public presentation from a Controller's

perspective and from the administration's perspective. He stated that he

thinks the frequency of that, 15 days seems aggressive to provide that

information and open to whatever that looks like. He thinks it is something

more of a semi annual thing to give them a lot better picture. He stated

that he completely agrees that presenting this information more frequently

will go a long way to both meeting the needs of what the public asking as

well as what Council is asking for, but at the end of the day, this body

approved a budget and his understanding based on the Controller is that

they are within that budget, so if the concern is maybe they are not seeing

the return on investment for some of these meetings, then it is incumbent

upon us to say budget time next year, maybe this budget isn't worth fulfilling,

but that is something they need to evaluate and he thinks that feedback

comes from when the have a presentation. He stated that he just doesn't

see this get us there and he thinks the other concern on this is our

Controller hasn't even had the opportunity to speak to this tonight. He

stated that he is basically making an entire document here saying that the

Controller's and stated that he would love to see input from the Controller to

at least say, hey this is what's happening. He stated that he thinks he may

have a Motion to put forward on this one, but would like to if it's ok and

asked to hold on for a second for that. Not to hear if anyone else had any

comments or thoughts and then go from there.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated Mr. Pungo, go ahead.

Mr. Cristian Pungo stated that he understands everyone's sentiments here.

He stated that he definitely echo the fact that they all want transparency,

accountability, and he said this a couple different times at different times at

committee meetings or Council meetings, but he gets away with saying he

wasn't here before so he doesn't know if they ever actually made the ask.

He stated that it is important for them to make the ask and say hey, look

every time the mayor travels, we want to see a Report. He stated let's ask

for that. Let's say hey, let's get a Resolution and if that obviously doesn't

achieve that, but if they want to say every time he travels, he comes and

provides a Report out whether that is 15 days or 30 day whatever. He

stated that is up for discussion. He stated that he sees the validity in that

and to Councilperson Gerlach's point, he thinks the city would love to hear

about all the stuff that is going on and he thinks that in of itself is one portion

of it. He stated to Councilperson Binder's point, he agrees and have

concerns with the independent audit just cause realistically if an audit all it

does is verify the validity of documents and so he trust in his Controller to

receive the documents now if he finds inconsistencies, he supposed to

highlight them and bring them up and so his concern again similar to

Councilperson Binders for doubling efforts and paying thousands of dollars

for someone to tell them what they already know. He stated that being said

that of the Resolution four bullet points as it is currently written that is item

number four so that will be the only thing that he is necessarily against

because otherwise the first initial audit requirement is the Controller

basically gathering those funds and he thinks if they gather the receipts and

we can provide like a detailed Report. He thinks that essentially achieves

what they are looking to find and if forever reason they feel like there is

something missing stating they could always asked the administration, but

the intent is what could they do to get a full picture of what's going on. He

stated that he doesn't think anybody is opposed to that getting the full

picture of the expenses being incurred. He stated that for him if they were

to vote on this Resolution, he would want to drop that fourth point because

he doesn't truly see the financial benefit to the city of Allentown on spending

thousands to prove what they already know. Thank you.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you and asked if there were any other

questions or comments from colleagues.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated (inaudible).

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated funds.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated you will have to go back.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated understood. He stated that it will be a chance for

public comment. He stated to Mr. Kane that he thinks this echoes what

they heard which goes back and he will say what others will say. He stated

just a lack of communication and he can tell them that back in February, he

believes stating that it was one of February's Council meetings, he really

pushed Mayor Tuerk to tell them about his last trip. He asked if you

remember and stated you weren't here, but he talked about reading at kid's

schools and then he talked about something else which was all great

content, but then he finally got into the did he do in his last trip. He stated

that it feels like pulling teeth sometimes and he stated that he doesn't

understand why because to Ms. Gerlach's point he is doing work out there

that is beneficial to the city and out residents nand for whatever reason he

is not sharing it which is odd because there is so much positive coming out

of it. He stated so he definitely agrees there needs to be more because

they want to understand what he is learning and the impact that of our

residents.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that yeah, Mr. president, he cannot and tell them he

has here with him today he has the past four years of what he is pretty sure

of all the expenses. It was the first thing that he did in Munis in his system

himself. He would like someone else to see. He would like show it to the

controller. He stated that any of them are welcome to look at it after the

meeting. He is not comfortable with releasing it officially, but you all can

look at it. He stated that he has to tell them that a guy that worked for Ed

Rendell and lots of politicians, Matt Tuerk is the most boring politician he

has ever seen. He stated that he brought a heath bar at the airport a couple

of years ago and he had a dinner for $6.86. He stated that is what's in here

and airfare and hotels and memberships and conference fees so you all

are welcome to see it. He is planning to provide everything that they asked

for as soon as he knows it is actually the entire document. He wants to

make sure stating he doesn't know about other line items so they just want

to make sure.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok and stated that you were flying through your

presentation, but just to be clear, the one year was $5,000. He asked was

that last year, 2025.

Mr. Frank Kane stated no, he thinks that was 2022.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he wants to make sure that they all heard the

numbers, correctly because.

Mr. Cristian Pungo stated that he heard 2025.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked is that what it was.

Mr. Cristian Pungo stated that is what he heard.

Mr. Frank Kane stated $788 he thinks it was. He stated that it was 2022.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked do you have a total by chance. The Resolution

called for his entire term. He asked do you have a total.

Mr. Frank Kane stated that he is not comfortable and stated that he has

done the search himself. It is the first time he has used Munis himself. He

stated that he is comfortable and they all can look at it. He is not

comfortable releasing a public number to the podium until some financial

people have told him otherwise. There is not another account somewhere

else.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated fair enough. He stated that they are going to wait

on Mr. Glazier non that. He stated to get that final.

Mr. Frank Kane stated but they don't total $20 million so we have done

better.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok and stated so if there is nothing else from his

colleagues, they will go to the public. He asked any members of the public

who wishes to speak on this agenda item, R64.

Ms. Betty Cauler, Tilghman Street, stated to Mr. Kane that he kind of went

over the travel expenses, but there are also in the budget some $72,000 for

memberships and fees. She asked Mr. Kane is he going to be upfront with

that or is he going to be upfront with what the city gets from those

memberships and fees.

Mr. Frank Kane stated of course, that's why he said he is not comfortable

releasing anything because he searched the line item about Executive

Management Training and professional development. He stated when he

looks through it with the financial people and the Controller because back

then, they are going to reach the totality of everything.

Ms. Betty Cauler stated ok and you only gave um, 2022 as $5,000. She

stated that she t

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public

comment prior to referral)

15-8421

Bill 32

Amending § 425-15. Alcoholic beverages, controlled dangerous

substances, solicitation and gambling by prohibiting smoking or vaping any

substance within 25 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and courts

(including but not limited to baseball, basketball, football, handball, softball,

tennis, volleyball, etc.).

Attachments: Bill 32

Tobacco Free Parks (1)

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) - Allentown.docx

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok and asked if there were any questions from the

public on Bill 32.

Dr. Cynthia Mota asked can she.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated we normally don't do it. It is just the public for this.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated isn't Bill 32 what she is introducing.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that you are, but and asked Mike is this normally

just the public only for this portion. He asked are we changing and stated

ok. He stated normally it is just the public, but sure, go ahead.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she wants to take a moment to introduce

something that is really important to her stating Bill 32 which will create

typography buffer zones around our playgrounds, recreational, fields and

courts. She stated that our parks should be played where our kids should

be able to play freely and what we are promoting wellness, not a exposing

people to second hand smoke or normalizing those habits that were meant

for recreation. She stated that this is something that she has been working

on for sometime. She stated that she is really grateful for the partnership

and guidance of Roberto Monty (sp) and as a matter of fact, he is present

in the blue zone. She stated that she sees a few people from their

initiative. She stated that this idea aligns so closely with the work that they

have been doing. Helping Council think about how small intentional

changes in our environment can lead to a healthier outcome for our

community and that is really what this is. It is a simple, common sense step

that reflects the kind of city they want to be. One that prioritizes health,

especially for our children. She stated that she also want to thank her

colleagues for their support in helping move this forward. It means a lot to

be able to bring something like this to the table and know there is a shared

commitment to improving the quality of life in Allentown. Thank you.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you vice president Mota and asked if there

were any questions or comments from the public on Bill 32.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8404

Bill 33

Repealing Chapter 135, “Abandoned Real Property; Blight” in its entirety

and adopting Chapter 611, “Vacant and At Risk Property”

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 33- Vacant Property Amendment

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you and asked if there were any questions or

comments from the public.

REFERRED TO THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMITTEE

15-8405

Bill 34

Amending the 2026 General Fund budget to amend the Fixed Cost

Distribution (FCD) for two (2) employees within DCED to change the

portions of their salary and benefits expensed to the Grant Fund

Recompete Program budget to reflect work performed under the grant.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 34 - Recompete Personnel Amendment

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok and asked if there were any

questions/comments on Bill 34 from the public.

REFERRED TO THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMITTEE

15-8406

Bill 35

Amending the 2026 General Fund budget to accommodate the upgrade of

the part-time Clerk III in the Office of Compliance and the upgrade of the

two (2) part-time MWI-Custodial positions in Building Maintenance within

the Department of Public Works. The part-time Clerk III, currently M08,

would be upgraded to an Administrative Assistant at a proposed pay

grade of S07 to better align the job duties and responsibilities of this

position. The two (2) part-time MWI-Custodial positions will remain in the

same paygrade (M06) but be upgraded to full-time positions to better align

job duties and allow for consistent staffing in Building Maintenance.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 35 - Public Works Positions Reclass

Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Ms. Ortega and asked if there were any

questions or comments from the public on Bill 35.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

15-8407

Bill 36

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of One

Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,650,000.00) to fund the

reconstruction on Lehigh and Union Street as part of the Congressionally

Directed Spending Grant the City was awarded. This grant is partially

reimbursable and requires match funding.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 36 - Lehigh and Union Street Grant Allocation

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

public on Bill 36.

REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

15-8408

Bill 37

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund and General Fund Operating Budgets to

provide for a supplemental appropriation of One Hundred Thousand

($100,000.00) Dollars from the Allentown Parknership to support

improvements to Ithaca Park and Recreational Programming. This is a

reimbursement from the Parknership.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 37 - 2026 Parknership Allocation

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions, comments from the

public on Bill 37.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8409

Bill 38

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Fifty

Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-One Dollars and Forty-Five Cents

($50,841.45) from accounts associated with the completed Dixon Street

Pedestrian Bridge and Parks Master Plan projects to the Bogert’s Bridge

Rehabilitation project.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 38 Bogerts Bridge Project Funds

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments on Bill

38.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8410

Bill 39

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of One Hundred Six Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Nine

($106,329.00) Dollars from the Pennsylvania Department of Community

and Economic Development (DCED) to support construction of the Dixon

Street sidewalks.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 39 - Dixon Sidewalks DCED Grant Appropriation

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

public on Bill 39.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8411

Bill 40

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Eight Hundred Thousand ($800,000) Dollars from the

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

(DCED) LSA grant to support construction of the MLK Trail Extension

Phase 1.

Attachments: Bill 40 - MLK Trail LSA Grant Appropriation

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

public on Bill 40.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8412

Bill 41

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for an increase of One

million Nine Hundred and Five thousand dollars ($1,905,000) to fund the

approved Parks Capital Projects as part of the 2026 Capital borrowing.

Attachments: Bill 41 - Parks Capital Projects Allocation

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments from the

public on Bill 41.

REFERRED TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE.

15-8414

Bill 42

Amending the 2026 General Fund budget to provide for One Hundred

Thirty-Six Thousand Three Hundred Nineteen Dollars ($136,319.00) from

the General Fund unappropriated balance to the Fire Department

operating budget for additional costs to support a second Fire Academy in

2026.

Attachments: Bill 42 - AFD Academy Fund Transfer

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there were any questions or comments on Bill

42.

Mr. Frank Kane stated if it is appropriate, he has someone from the Fire

department that would like to speak on this.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok.

Fire Deputy Chief (?) stated that they have a second Fire Academy that

they are trying to plan out the vacancies that they started this year out with

and they are looking at another two possible vacancies. He stated that it is

pretty straight forward stating Fire emailed Council on the cost analysis if

the wanted to see the breakdown of it. He asked if anybody had any

questions.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated not at this time. He stated that this will be sent to

our Public Safety Committee to Ms. Affa and if there are any questions at

that time, we could address during the committee stated that is it for

introductions. He stated that they have no Resolutions for Introduction.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION (Can be voted on or Referred to Committee):

NONE