435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

City Council

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

6:30 PM

Council Chambers

Invocation:

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that they are going to start with an Invocation and a

Moment of Silence for a gentleman named Dave Snyder. He stated that

Dave Snyder served in the US Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War, but

he also worked as a Civil Engineer for the city of Allentown for 44 years.

He was also a photographer and a chronicler of local musicians and the

local music scene. He was especially fond of blues and that includes Blues

Festivals like Blues, Brews and Barbeque locally every year. He is also a

long term member of the Recreation Board and the A Youth Program. He

was also a coach at Dieruff and Mountainville. For many years. Dave was

an active bowler and coach and he also played on the city hall bowling

league for 50 years. He stated that this was a gentleman that was as

Allentown as it gets and unfortunately, Mr. Snyder passed away. There is a

memorial service set on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00 AM. He stated that

he just wants to mention that he was an all Allentown gentleman and

Council passes their condolences from the city of Allentown. He stated

with that said, we will do an Invocation and a Moment of Silence.

Pledge to the Flag

Roll Call

6 -

Present:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

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.

Ms. Genesis Ortega stated that we have no Courtesy of the Floor.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, so we will move along to Contract Approvals.

Contract Approvals

15-8343

R49

Authorization for Contract with GIS, LLC in the amount of $82,400.00 to

plan and design a new irrigation system for the Allentown Municipal Golf

Course. Four (4) proposals were received; one (1) was rejected, contract

shall be for two (2) years with three (3) additional one (1) year renewals

beyond the contract expiration period.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R49 - GIS

Resolution #31249

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that it looks like we have one this evening stating

R49.

Ms. Genesis Ortega read R49.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, thank you. He asked is there any questions or

comments from the dais and that includes for the administration. He asked

if there were any questions or comments from the public on R49.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 31249

Minutes of Previous Meeting

15-8354 March 18, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

System

Sponsors:

Attachments: March 18, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Communications

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he also wants to remind visitors to all City

Council meetings stating that they are encouraged to park in the

government deck next door to city hall and to please see our City Clerk for

a Chaser to pay for your parking.

Old Business

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if there was any Old Business this evening.

REPORTS

President Napoli: City Council will be holding a few Special Meetings, first is April 8th

at 6 PM stating that is a discussion with the Allentown Parking Authority Executive

Jon Haney; April 22nd at 6:00 PM for a discussion with ANIZDA Executive Director

Steve Bamford; and April 29th at 5:30 for a discussion with AEDC Executive Director

Scott Unger, followed by a review of Bill for Encampment legislation which should

begin at approximately 6:30 PM. The meetings with APA, ANIZDA and AEDC are the

better understanding of the operations of other entities in Allentown and how they

are achieving their goals. It also gives them an opportunity to share what initiatives

they are currently performing along with Plans for the future and lastly help Council

identify any potential collaborations.

Budget and Finance: Chair Pungo, Mota, Gerlach

The Committee has not met since the last council meeting; the next meeting isn't

scheduled yet.

Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Binder, Napoli

The Committee has not met since the last Council meeting; the next meeting hasn't

been scheduled.

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 met this evening, the next meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 6:15

PM.

Public Safety: Chair Affa, Mota, Santos

The Committee met this evening; there are no future meetings scheduled at this

time.

Public Works: Chair Mota, Pungo, Affa

The Committee met this evening, the next meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 5:30

PM.

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

Gerlach

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

scheduled for April 8th at 5:45 PM.

Controller’s Report:

The Controller has submitted two reports on garage billing and weekly checks.

Mr. Jeffrey Glazier thanked Mr. Napoli and stated he does have a Report for Council

and the public this evening. It is an Accounts Payable Weekly Check Review. The

check period is the 4th of March until the 27th of March this year. He stated that

they reviewed 323 checks and wires in that period for a little bit less than $6 million

and there were eight manual checks for $84,000. He stated the finding we had was a

noncompliance with a travel AIM. If you are going to take a trip, you are going to a

conference, you are going to go some place, first you fill out a TRA saying what you

are going to do and then when you return from the trip, you will fill out a TR. He

stated then they can audit expenses against these forms. In this instance we found

that an employee went to a conference. They did not stay over night. They

communicated daily and the mileage was expensed to Account 28. It should have

been expensed to Account 34. The difference is Account 28 is for using a vehicle for

business. They are going to pick up a supply or for the police they are going to pick

up a prisoner. As opposed to Account 34 which is what they used for training

purposes. He stated that it took a little while to get to the bottom of this because a

TRA nor a TER had been submitted. THe department did submit them and the check

was released. He stated that we have three checks that were expensed to the wrong

expense accounts. The Department were advised and journal entries were

corrected. There were 15 instances of untimely payments of invoices and by that we

mean the invoice was older than 60 days. The departments were advised. They

explained the reasons and the checks were all released and finally auditing runs on

documentation. The documentation needs to be in Munis to support expenses.

They were seven instances when documentation was not usually uploaded. The

departments were advised and the documentation was uploaded and the checks

were released. He stated that serves his Report.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you, Mr. Glazier. He stated moving along, the Mayor's

Report.

Mayor: No submission.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that he did not submit anything, but very briefly, he

appreciates Council approving or confirming Frank Kane as our managing director.

He stated that the start date is going to be May 13th for Mr. Kane. He is completing

his time at the county, but he is continuing to engage with various different folks in

the administration and partners to make sure he hits the ground running. He stated

to notify Council, his expectation is that Mr. Kane will be attending City Council

meetings as the mayor's designee. He stated get used to seeing Frank Kane joining

you on the first and third Wednesday. He should be able to answer any questions

that City Council has in advanced. He encouraged them to use Mr. Kane as your

contact point for the mayor's office and hopefully everything will go swimmingly after

that. He stated that he also wants to report briefly that the city held an Easter Egg

Hunt for Allentown City kids and about 400 kids attended last Saturday. He stated

very few crying kids and stated everybody got an egg and chocolate. He stated a lot

of smiling kids enjoying time with an Easter Bunny. He stated that they did an

amazing job bringing our community together. He stated that they are looking

forward to see them all at future events like that one and stated that is the extend of

his Report, Mr. president.

Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Mayor Tuerk and stated just to clarify is it May 13th or April

13th.

Mayor Matt Tuerk asked did he say May.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated you said May.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated April 13th.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated you confirmed that April 13th will be his start date.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that is correct. He stated although he tells them and thinks

they all know this, his (Mr. Kane) email address is active so you can start filling his

inbox with things you want him to answer. You can start scheduling meetings with

him and putting on the calendar now and he will be very surprised when he finds

everything on April 13th. Thank you.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated alright, thank you. He stated moving along, they are going

to go to Ordinances for final passage. He stated that they will start with Bill 23.

15-8362

Controller Reports

Attachments: Check Review

Garage Billing

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):

15-8314

Bill 23

Amending the 2026 Trexler Fund Springwood Budget to provide for a

supplemental appropriation of Thirteen Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Eight

Dollars and Eighty-One Cents ($13,468.81) from the Springwood Trust

portion of the Trexler Fund’s unappropriated 2026 balance per General

Trexler’s will.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 23 Springwood 2026 Appropriation

Ordinance #16205

Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Ms. Ortega and stated that this was in Chair

Santos committee. He asked if there was any feedback from the

committee.

Ms. Natalie Santos stated that it was forwarded favorably to the full Council.

Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Ms. Santos. He asked any questions or

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

comments from the public.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 16205

15-8315

Bill 24

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

Million Eighty-Seven Thousand and Three Hundred Ninety Dollars

($1,087,390.00) to fund the upgrade to the intersection of 19th Street and

Roth Avenue as part of the Green Light Go (GLG) Grant the City was

awarded. This grant is partially reimbursable and requires match funding.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 24 GLG Funding

Ordinance #16206

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thank you and this was in Ms. Mota's committee

this evening.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated yes, thank you Mr. president stating this was

forwarded favorably to full Council.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, great. He asked if there were any questions or

comments from his colleagues.

Mr. Cristian Pungo stated that there is just one.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated alright Mr. Pungo. He stated during the meeting,

they discussed that this is a matching grant so they will be matching

199,000 roughly of it, it was a note of $89,000 being a supplemental

appropriation coming from the General Fund. He just wants to know he will

be reaching out to the Director of Finance to make sure just kind of how we

are appropriating that and where the transfers are coming from, but

otherwise he is all for it. He stated that the positive thing of this is that we

get the money and then they could get the (inaudible). She stated so that is

positive.

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

from the public on Bill 24. He stated ok, can you call the vote, please.

Ms. Genesis Ortega stated that Bill 24 and asked for the vote.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 16206

CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Santo Napoli stated on to our Consent Agenda stating there is one

item on the Agenda this evening.

15-8345

R50

Sewage Planning Module at ASD – SSDLIA – Modular Building

System

Sponsors:

Attachments:

R 50 Allentown School District ASD SSDLIA - Modular Building -

Sewer Planning Module

ASD SSDLIA Mod Bldg Sewer Planning Module

Resolution #31250

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

comments on R50. He asked if there were any questions or comments

from the public.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 31250

RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):

15-8346

R51

A Resolution of the City of Allentown, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

supporting the Pennsylvania commission for the United States

semi-quincentennial (America250PA).

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R51 - America250PA

Resolution #31251

Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok, thank you.

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

questions or comments from the administration on R51.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that he is looking forward to celebrating the 250th

officially here in the city of Allentown with your approval.

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

dais or the public on R51.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 31251

15-8355

R52

A Resolution of the City of Allentown, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

confirming the Administration’s sale of City-Owned Real Property at

1001-1007 W. Hamilton St. Allentown PA, Identified as Tax Map Parcel

No. 549699283455 to the Allentown Art Museum

Attachments: R52 - 1001-1007 Hamilton

SLAW-E0005826032610130

Resolution #31252

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

stated he is sorry and asked if there were any comments from the

administration on this Resolution.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated by way of brief introduction, so about two years

ago Council gave the administration permission to dispose of the property

at 10th and Hamilton Street where our police are currently mustering. He

stated that they are giving him permission to enter into and this allowed us

to put it into or onto the market in collaboration with Allentown Parking

Authority. At the time, the intent was to transact the property for the city to

sell it to the Allentown Parking Authority and then for the Allentown Parking

Authority to bundle the two parcels. He stated that city owned property and

the Allentown Parking Authority property and sell those to whoever is the

highest bidder or the appropriate bidder was. He stated that they are now

at the point where they had a bidder and you know it was the Allentown Art

Museum. They have an Agreement of Sale. He stated that we are looking

for Council to now instead of the initial Resolution giving permission to

execute an Agreement, now they are saying the agreement will be with the

Allentown Art Museum. Where they will transact directly to the Art Museum

and then the Parking Authority will transact their property directly to the Art

Museum. He stated that the hope they will be able to close more

expeditiously through this process. He stated that it is a simple Resolution

that will allow us to self - direct them.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated thanks for the background. He asked if there were

any comments from the dais on R52.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated that she is just glad that it is the Art Museum who is

purchasing it. She asked what is the Plan. Is it a Plan to demolish it and

build or they are planning to.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that he can speak and stated that the intent he

believes and haven't seen full plans from the Art Museum as part of the

presentation and as part of the RFP. THe intent is to build a new multi -

story Art Museum at the corner of 10th and Hamilton on top of the site of

what will be the former and it goes back to it is a fur retailer at some point.

They will demolish the building on 10th and Hamilton and build something

for the downtown.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated nice. Thank you.

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

R52.

6 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli, Jeremy Binder, and

Cristian Pungo

1 - Candida Affa

Absent:

Enactment No: 31252

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public

comment prior to referral)

15-8344

Bill 26 Rules Committee --- forwarded with amendment to limit the board

to only one elected official, the councilperson representative

Amending Article VIII, Allentown Parking Authority, by removing the

requirement that a member of the Parking Authority must also be a

representative of the AEDC, allowing the Mayor to designate and Council

to approve any resident of the City of Allentown.

Napoli and Binder

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 26 APA Board Membership Ordinance

Current Code: Allentown Parking Authority

APA Articles of Incorporation with creating ordinance

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

26.

Dr. Cynthia Mota asked what was the problem before that the city is

removing the requirement.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that so currently the board member of the Parking

Authority must come from the AEDC board and this Bill removes this

requirement and it enables it to be a resident of the city of Allentown versus

someone from the AEDC board. He stated that it will make the board a

little bit more diverse and a little bit more community oriented.

Mayor Matt Tuerk stated just a note of appreciation to Council and stated

the original ordinance that created the Allentown Parking Authority in 1984

called for the members of the Parking Authority to be the Director of

Finance of the city of Allentown, a representative from City Council, a

representative from Allentown Economic Development Corporation and

two members of the public at large. It is very different times in Allentown's

history. He stated that he appreciates Council taking a look at some of

those older ordinances to bring them more inline with where we are right

now. He stated to Council President Napoli's point, this will allow us to not

be constrained to a member of the Allentown Economic Development

Corporation, but to look more broadly. He stated that he will still take the

opportunity to make the pitch and stated there are vacancies on all of our

boards and commissions stating if you are a member of the public and you

are out there listening and you are a resident of the city of Allentown. He

stated that he invites them to check out the Boards, Authorities, and

Commissions page on the AllentownPA.gov webpage to learn more about

ways that you can contribute to public service here in the city of Allentown.

He stated whether it is a member of the Parking Authority or the

Redevelopment Authority or the board of Parks and Recreation. He stated

that Dave Snyder served out city for decades as a member of that board

and it was much appreciated contribution and he encouraged everybody to

get involved in it and do their part for the city.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated thank you for the background and thank you she

thinks it is important.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated for sure.

Dr. Cynthia Mota stated thank you for this information.

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

REFERRED TO THE RULES, CHAMBERS, INTERGOVERNMENTAL

RELATIONS AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE.

15-8347

Bill 27

Amending the 2026 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Eight Hundred Thousand ($800,000.00) Dollars from the

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

(DCED) to support construction of the MLK Trail Phase 2.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 27 - MLK Trail DCED MTF Grant

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

comments from the public on Bill 27.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8349

Bill 28

Amending the 2026 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Sixteen Thousand ($16,000) Dollars from Urban

Sustainability Director’s Network (USDN) to conduct a pilot citizen science

project with the City of Easton, Community Bike Works, and Pennsylvania

State University.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 28 - USDN Catalyst Fund

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

public on Bill 28.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

15-8348

Bill 29

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

Million Fifty Thousand Dollars ($5,050,000.00) to fund the approved Public

Works capital projects as part of the 2026 Capital borrowing.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 29 - Public Works Capital Funding Appropriation

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

public.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

15-8353

Bill 30

Amending the 2026 Trexler, General, and Golf Funds to accommodate a

change in grade, title, and FCD for the Project Coordinator position in

Parks and Recreation to Project Manager to align with job duties and allow

for consistent staffing and professional project management in Parks and

Recreation. The entirety of this increase will be covered by the Trexler Fund

in 2026 and all future years by way of increasing the portion of salary (FCD)

paid by Trexler.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 30 - Trexler Parks Project Coordinator Upgrade

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

public on Bill 30.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

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

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE

ADJOURNED: 6:53 PM