435 Hamilton Street  
Allentown, Pa. 18101  
Allentown  
Minutes - Final  
City Council  
Wednesday, December 17, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Council Chambers  
Roll Call  
7 -  
Present:  
Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida  
Affa, and Santo Napoli  
Special Council Meeting: Pursuant to council rules, this is a special meeting to consider  
amendments to the city budget, a meeting follows this to adopt the city budget. An  
amendment must have two sponsors to be on the published agenda. There are two  
proposals for council consideration this evening – one proposal sponsored by  
Councilpersons Affa, Hendricks and Napoli and a budget memo submitted by the mayor  
that increases the Mayor’s operating budget by $50,000 to support the Conference of  
Churches in providing an additional day of weekly services for homeless support.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated Pursuant to council rules, tonight is a special  
meeting to consider amendments to the city budget, a meeting will follow to  
adopt the city budget. Procedurally, a format has added an amendment  
must have two sponsors to be on the published agenda. The intent is not to  
blindside the public or Council with amendments. He stated that they have  
two proposals for council consideration this evening - one proposal  
sponsored by Councilpersons Affa, Napoli, and himself in a budget memo  
submitted by the mayor that increases the Mayor's operating budget by  
$50,000 to support the Conference of Churches in providing an additional  
day of weekly services for homeless support. He stated Clerk would you  
read the first proposal.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that this is a proposal sponsored by Affa,  
Hendricks, and Santo and read the proposed amendments.  
15-8105  
Background/Attachments  
1.A proposal to decrease the solid waste fee by $50 and reinstate the tax  
increase at 3.96%. (Affa, Hendricks, Santo)  
Background: On November 19th City Council amended the General Fund  
Budget to remove the mayor’s proposed 3.96% tax increase. At that time,  
the Mayor proposed a compromise that would reduce the solid waste fee  
by $25. President Hendricks scheduled a special meeting on December 3  
to review the mayor’s compromise. After reviewing the compromise and  
reviews by the Finance Director and the City Controller, Councilpersons  
Affa, Hendricks and Santo are proposing a reduction in the solid waste fee  
by $50 and reinstatement of the mayor’s proposed tax increase. The  
General Fund would lend funds to the Solid Waste fund which would be  
paid back over time – a common practice this city has used multiple times.  
In the recommended alternate proposal the property owners least able to  
absorb increases remain protected. In the new proposal fixed-income  
taxpayers are NOT disproportionately impacted. The City still generates  
the revenue needed to sustain services. The alternate proposal lowers the  
garbage fee and results in little to no increase for lower-valued homes and  
some even pay less than they are paying currently. Higher-valued  
properties contribute slightly more, which reduces the burden on residents  
living on fixed or limited income. This makes the alternate proposal a more  
equitable option for our community while maintaining essential revenue for  
services. The new proposal would have a positive impact on 23,000 single  
family residents – out of a total of 26,000. The impact is presented on the  
spreadsheet attached to the agenda. This policy would retain cash  
reserves and a fund balance that would lower borrowing costs for projects  
everyone on this dais has approved. It follows recommendations from our  
Finance Team, Controller and Financial Advisor.  
2.Proposal submitted by the Mayor found on Budget Memo 2: Increase the  
Mayor’s operating budget by $50,000 to support the Conference of  
Churches in providing an additional day of weekly services for homeless  
support.  
000-09-00908-0091-50040 - $50,000  
$50,000  
Attachments: Amend FV.docx  
2026 Finance Budget Memo 2.docx  
For 12.10.2025 Meeting - Garbage Fee Data.pdf  
Smaller Sample of Properties For 12.10.2025 Meeting.pdf  
$50 Proposal Impact Single Family Residence Detailed Tax  
Impact.xlsx  
Unhoused Coor Svcs 2026 revised.pdf  
Finance Budget Memo No. 1.pdf  
HC.pdf  
Background Verification Analyst Job Description Final 11. 2025.docx  
Per Unit Garbage Fee Cost and Revenue.pdf  
Property Tax and Garbage Fee Analysis-12.2.2025.xlsx  
Recommended Alternate Proposal.pdf  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he will open it up at this time to the  
Sponsors, beginning with Ms. Affa.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked Mr. Hendricks if he wanted her to explain why.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated yes, if you want to make a comment.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated yes, well she believes it is a great proposal. She  
thanked the administration and the mayor for sitting down and working out  
a new proposal. By $50 off of the garbage fee would save a lot of people  
money. She stated hypothetically, if you have a mortgage tax of $2,000  
and round it off to four percent with the tax decrease, you would only be  
paying $80.00 a month and you knock off $50 for that a month and that is  
$80 a month and you knock off $50 of that and now you are down to $30 a  
year. She stated that she believes Bina, can you explain what she thought  
was a really good explanation on the amount of house that this will affect as  
far as the proposal that the mayor has.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated sure, thank you Ms. Affa. She stated so they  
provided the data and ran the data on $26,000 residential parcels. She  
stated out of the $26,000, 23,000 properties either had some savings or  
we are keeping the same rate, the payment for them would be the same as  
they were paying it in 2025 so it is helping 23,000 properties with this new  
proposal.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated what she is to understand that 23,000 homes out  
of 26,000 have a savings with this new proposal.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated yes.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated alright, so that being said she believes it is so  
necessary to having a tax raise every year just by little increments, that  
gives the people a chance to understand how much they are going to pay,  
so on and so forth, but she has to tell her the reason why she is sponsoring  
this she believes this is the best thing for our citizens. She stated that she  
doesn't know what will happen if they don't. She stated what is going to  
happen next year. She stated that Whitehall is going up 20 something  
percent, Wilkes Barre Township 63 percent. She stated that you have no  
idea what is going to happen and now we are having back to back  
snowfalls. She stated that they don't know what is going to happen in the  
future and by knocking off $50 off of the garbage fee, basically 23,000  
people are saving money from what they had. It makes sense to her, to  
pass this Bill and raise the taxes to the 3.9 percent, knock off the $50 and  
they can work with that. She stated that she is afraid about next year and  
the year after, they are going to find ourselves in a position that Whitehall  
Township and other places are finding out when they don't and stated we  
experienced this. She stated Pawlowski for 13 years didn't raise the taxes  
and then when Mayor O'Connell came in, the city had to raise it by 27  
percent. She stated that they cannot live a life without taxes. She stated  
that we will have to understand that we have to pay them. Where they are  
going? How much can we use? How much do we need? She stated that  
she doesn't want to see and stated that she chairs Public Safety and ran on  
public safety. She stated as far as she is concerned, the police  
department, the fire department, EMS and all our workers get three  
percent, non-union and they deserve that three percent as far as she is  
concerned three percent raise yearly. She stated that they work really hard  
and keep having to keep our city afloat. She stated without and they know  
that it's constantly and the prices keep going up on everything and  
unanimously here, City Council voted for Capital Projects. She stated our  
fire department, our police department, all of these. She stated that if we  
don't keep our Bond Issue up here, and we may slip if they don't have this  
increase. She asked what is going to happen when they go to do these  
Capital Projects. It is going to cost us more because our Bond Issue goes  
down, our interest goes up. She stated in the future, she is talking next year  
and the year after. She stated that they have to look at so many aspects of  
why we are raising the taxes. She stated that she thinks this proposal is a  
good one. Thank you.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Affa. He stated to expound on what she  
presented, he just wants to explain on November 19th, City Council  
amended the General Fund Budget to remove the mayor's proposed 3.96  
percent tax increase. He stated that at that time the mayor proposed a  
compromise that reduces the Solid Waste fee by $25. He stated that  
president Hendricks scheduled a Special Meeting on December 3rd to  
review the mayor's compromise. After reviewing the compromise, and  
reviews by the Finance Director and the City Controller, Councilpersons  
Affa, himself, and Santo are proposing a reduction in the Solid Waste Fee  
by $50 and reinstatement of the mayor's proposed tax increase. The  
General Fund would lend funds to the Solid Waste Fund which will be paid  
back over time. He stated that this is a common practice the city has used  
multiple times. He stated the recommended alternative proposal property  
owners least able to absorb increases remain protected. In the new  
proposal fixed income taxpayers are not proportionately impacted. The city  
still generates the revenue needed to sustain certain services. He stated  
that alternative proposal lowers the garbage fee and results in little to no  
increase for lowered valued home and some even pay less then they are  
paying currently. Higher valued properties contributes slightly more which  
reduces the burden on residents living on fixed incomes or limited income.  
This makes the alternate proposal a more equitable option for our  
community. while maintaining essential revenue for services. The new  
proposal will have to have a positive impact on 23,000 single family  
residents out of the total of 26,000, as our Finance Director had mentioned.  
He stated that the impact is presented on the spreadsheet attached to the  
agenda. He stated that this policy will retain cash reserves and a fund  
balance that would lower borrowing costs for projects everyone on this dais  
has approved. It follows recommendations from the Finance team,  
Controller, and Financial Advisor. He stated that at this time he will ask  
another one of our sponsors, Mr. Napoli would you like to comment.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated sure. Thank you. He stated that he has a question  
for the administration and stated when we talk about loaning this loan  
between funds, he asked do we have a schedule for repayment or is it over  
five years or seven or three.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated that we are looking at a five year payment plan. The  
first year would and the first payment will begin in 2027.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that the payments would be approximately, and not  
to the penny, but.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated that we will lend $2 million to the Solid Waste Fund.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated ok. He asked if it is going to be evenly distributed  
over the five years or.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated that is what we are looking at. Currently, they would  
also monitoring the interest rate at that time. She stated that why it wasn't  
included in the proposal, but it would be the base. The principal amount is  
$2 million and then if you equally divide that by five, it is about $400,000.  
She stated that the interest at three percent was coming to somewhere  
around $400,000 and then the interest at three percent was coming to  
somewhere around $421,000.  
Ms. Santo Napoli stated that $21,000 for a year of interest, ok. He stated  
that honestly this is a good Plan B. It is not his original thought. He stated  
he thought the four percent increase and when Council sat through these  
budget meetings a month ago or a month and a half ago in every  
department reported to us and spoke about their budget for this season  
and stated sorry, for 2027 and he heard the same thing over and over. He  
stated our budget remains flat or we decreased it with the exception of  
labor costs. He stated that is all he heard from every department. The  
more he started hearing was this budget increase was really about people  
and we talk a lot about our city staff. We talk about they are the ones  
delivering our city services. He stated that for those who come to these  
meetings on a regular basis, you know as an employer he advocates for  
our employees probably more than anyone because he values what they  
bring. their greatest asset to the city and again, it is a Plan B. He stated  
that he would personally would prefer to go back to the original Plan which  
was a four percent increase. He stated that the data that they had was the  
average homeowner in Allentown was going to pay about $23 a year with  
the four percent tax increase so we are talking about $2 a month. It wasn't  
going to impact residents of like we are seeing in other neighboring  
municipalities. He stated that they are paying $20 to $25 a month extra.  
He stated to him, it was a small price to pay to continue to receive the city  
services at many of our residents depend on and it is something that there  
were no new programs or no new positions. It was just let's keep things  
going and continue to deliver what residents would like for us to deliver so if  
we can go back to that, that would be great. If we can't this Plan can be an  
option that still is something that he knows he looked into other  
municipalities have done. It is a procedure that is been done before in  
many places, including Allentown and other municipalities. It is an option,  
but again, it is a small price to pay for what we are trying to accomplish this  
year in a growing city. Thank you.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Napoli. He stated that now he would allow  
the administration to make a statement.  
Ms. Bina Patel stated that she would echo what Councilperson Napoli and  
Ms. Affa stated that and this initial proposal was a fair proposal as well and  
as the mayor provided a second thought and reduction in garbage fees, by  
$25 and then further Council President Hendricks, your suggestion reduce  
it down by $50 per unit fee. She stated that she thinks it is an excellent  
proposal. It not only keeps revenue coming in for our services that we to  
provide for our taxpayers. It helps our residents and the city ran the data as  
requested by you from the 26,000 and this is actual data. She stated that  
they ran the Reports out of 26,000, 23,000 parcels are either receiving and  
paying less than what they are paying in 2025 so this is her request that you  
to approve this. She stated what's in front of you it's going to help our  
taxpayers. She stated so keeping the cash balance and with the recurring  
revenue, this will be recurring revenue and as Ms. Affa stated when you  
have the recurring revenue, they are looking at Capital Improvements in the  
near future. She stated that they need to keep the cash balance. The cash  
balance keeps when we go out for Bond Issues, it keeps the rates for  
borrowing lower. She stated that helps our taxpayers in the long-run. She  
stated that they have to look beyond even just today, tomorrow and net year  
and the year after that. She stated that this is a fair proposal for our  
taxpayers in the long-run and even in the current year. The current year for  
budget is 2026. She stated it is helping. She stated 23,000 parcels so at  
this point she doesn't know what else this administration can do to help you  
understand. She urged them to please vote yes to this proposal.  
Mayor Matt Tuerk stated to president Hendricks that he just wants to  
commend you for your leadership. He stated that they disagree politically  
about a host of different things. He stated but he and Mr. Hendricks and he  
was able to work with many other City Council members to just to get  
passed the point of political disagreements to find common ground. He  
stated that is your job. He stated that he can remember a couple of years  
ago, he and Mr. Hendricks talking on the phone during a budget, while they  
were working through the budget to try to understand where they can find a  
point of agreement on a place where they had disagreed in the past. He  
stated that they are looking for common ground. He stated that we are all  
united and we want to provide the highest level of service to the taxpayers  
to the residents of the city of Allentown. He stated that he wants to make  
sure people's streets are plowed when it snows. We want to make sure  
that our street sweepers are getting out there, picking up leaves when  
leaves are falling and sweeping up dust and dirt the rest of the year that are  
parceled meticulously. He stated to maintain the firefighters, the police  
officers, and paramedics show up at the worst of times. He stated that is  
our commitment as elected officials to make sure our residents have  
access to the services that they need to help them get ahead. He stated  
that they also have a unified commitment to protect the taxpayers money.  
This is fundamentally the money the taxpayers and we want to make sure  
they can for our taxpayers, particularly in challenging times. He stated that  
they put a proposal together after consulting with every single member of  
City Council and deliver it by October 15th. They should a 3.96 percent tax  
increase and deliver it the same level of services that they expected. The  
way they delivered it in 2025. We deliver it in 2026. He stated that they  
were able to go back and forth. They are looking at a place of common  
ground where they can continue to deliver those high level of services and  
support households that are struggling with a host of different increases to  
costs. He stated this agreement, the initial thing that he presented on  
November 19th, he is appreciative of the three Council people who took  
that need and went a little further that find a way to continue to protect our  
residents who are facing increasing costs, but also preserves the services  
that they come to expect in a truly deserved. He stated that he is grateful to  
you for fully engaging in that spirit of compromise. He stated that we go  
back and forth and find common ground. That is what the three of you have  
done in proposing this amendment. He stated that his hope is that your  
colleagues will join you in and ask for your compromise and find something  
that is a little bit better than what we started with. He stated that it is not  
exactly what we would have hoped for Councilman Napoli had suggested,  
but it is closer than what you have hoped for than what we started with. He  
stated that it does two things, Number 1, it preserves the quality of service  
that many of these men and women deliver to our residents every day, but it  
will also make sure that people who are struggling aren't getting hit harder  
than they need to. They are making a sacrifice for preserving our ability to  
continue to serve residents. He stated that he just wants to thank them in  
engaging in that spirit of compromise and hope that other colleagues who  
have listened to the discussion will seriously consider making a move in the  
right direction here and supporting our residents while also taking care our  
residents and protecting them. Thank you.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mayor Tuerk. He stated that he will now open  
it up to the dais, Mr. Zucal.  
Mr. Ed Zucal thanked Mr. Hendricks and stated well, that is absolutely right.  
Normally, you have to increase taxes so you can create revenue. He stated  
that our city really has no extra revenue coming in, except for taxes per se.  
He stated now, he agrees with them, it is our goal. One goal, right. He  
stated that you are asking Council to do certain things to give you your  
budget, however, it is also the obligation of the city to do their part. He  
stated when you met with Council, Ms. Patel, you told us that it is going to  
be a three percent raise for non-bargaining members across the board.  
He stated that he asked her for the salaries for 2025 and 2026 what she  
sent him and there are people getting nine percent raises when our  
contract saw people getting three percent raises. He stated that to him is  
not due diligence. He stated that there were people getting nine percent  
raises. He stated that is just insane when you are asking the public to give  
you a four percent increase. He stated that the other issue he has is that he  
doesn't think the city is doing their due diligence in creating revenue. He  
stated let me give you an example. On page three or the General Fund, the  
Parking Authority as about five weeks ago and he got these number from  
Mr. Shahda. He stated thank you sir for the most to date or five weeks ago,  
they have spent 385,000 cleaning the streets and he means the street  
cleaning part stating we are not plowing snow or whatever and last year or  
2025, it's in the book. He stated that these are not my number, a thousand  
dollars. He stated next year we are projected to get $2,000. He stated  
that we spent $385,000 and we have taken in $2,000. He stated that is not  
good arithmetic. He stated as far as the services go with or without this  
increase. He stated that we have great employees. He stated that he  
doesn't care if they are cops, firefighters, EMS. Those gentlemen sitting  
back there. The city will continue to provide those services and he doesn't  
care what union you belong to or non union or whatever. That is just the  
people that we have. Asking someone to give something to you and you  
not contributing your end of it stating he is sorry he can't do that.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked anybody else, Ms. Mota.  
Dr. Cynthia Mota stated thank you Mr. president and wants to begin by  
thanking the mayor and the administration for the work they have done over  
the past two weeks to share this proposal and engage in conversation with  
Council. She stated that back in September, we spoke openly about our  
concerns with this cost. She stated that she sincerely appreciates that you  
listen and understood the financial strain that every day Allentown residents  
are facing. She stated so let me say this, affordability is the number one  
issue facing America today. She stated any decision we make, they must  
consider the ripple effect it has on our residents, their family, small  
businesses and seniors who are already struggling to keep up with the  
rising costs. She stated that she meant what she said on election night.  
She stated that she will stand by the people who voted for her and asked  
her not to raise her taxes. So while she fully supports reducing the garbage  
fee, she cannot support a property tax increase this year. She stated she  
made a promise and if her word means nothing then she has failed in her  
responsibility as an elected official. She stated that she wants to continue  
collaborating with the administration and as they look ahead to 2026, she  
hopes that they can begin this conversation earlier in the process. She  
stated that they should not be coming back to the drawing board at the final  
hour. She stated over the past two weeks, she listened, she learned, and  
carefully evaluated the information presented and tonight, as one of the  
seven votes, she is voting in a way that reflects the wishes and concerns of  
the people she represents. Thank you.  
Dr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Mota. He asked anybody else, Ms.  
Gerlach.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Mr. Hendricks.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated oh, yes. She stated that she appreciates the  
concern for those who are working class, on a fixed income. She stated  
that she hears that and definitely appreciates that and because of that, it  
would have been great if that concern were in place much earlier. If the  
concerns were in place much earlier. Then perhaps like they had the last  
meeting when they talked at length about amusement taxes, entertainment  
taxes, renegotiating contracts with folks like the IronPigs and reaching out  
to our legislators about the language in the NIZ legislation. She stated that  
they just heard information about the Parking Authority and that could be a  
better revenue source. She stated that she believes that the contract is  
pretty antiquated. She stated that they will be talking about impactful fees  
on developers. She stated that they are not talking about any of that. She  
stated that she appreciates the new focus on preserving affordability for the  
working class, but again, if that is truly the intent, then they will be also be  
looking at more institutional ways to tax the wealthy and they have not done  
that. She stated that she too will be voting against this. Thank you.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Gerlach. He asked anybody else. He  
stated seeing none, he will open it up to the public for comment. He asked  
is it anybody from the public that wishes to comment.  
Ms. Betty Cauler (sp), 222 Tilghman Street, stated not to sound like a  
broken record again and stated that she propose that they freeze the  
property tax rates for senior citizens. She stated that they earned it. You  
are all talking about fixing and stated thank you Ms. Mota on what you said.  
She stated she appreciates it. She stated that other neighboring states do  
this and there is no reason why they can't propose it. She stated that they  
can also propose a rent freeze. Because you know what is going to  
happen to renters when the taxes go up, the property owners and will pass  
it along to them. You will have more homeless and we know how everybody  
feels about those people. She stated that Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are  
already do this stating everybody says it is not in the Constitution, but every  
municipality can do their own rent freeze so it would be nice if we could  
look into that. She stated that if you want to raise more revenue, cancel the  
NIZ. She asked is it even legal. Is it even legal and don't you think that  
developers like J B Reilly have gotten enough of a free ride. She stated  
there is your tax money going to development and developers who don't  
need that money. She stated get the corrupt Allentown Parking Authority to  
pay its fair share to the city and stop claiming debt every year. Everybody's  
in debt. She stated either bring back waste management and stated she  
does not know what the deal was why they change to JP Mascara. She  
asked why can't we get the city to do the trash pick up. Is that possible.  
She knows is not allowed to asked questions, but she is asking a question  
anyway. She asked can't the city do that. Jobs, more jobs. She stated that  
her big pet peeve is cut the bloated Police Budget. She stated cut it by  
one percent and make up the tax increase. She stated for crying out loud,  
more officers do not equal less crime. She stated that she thinks they are  
seeing that on the streets, right and stated that she knows. She stated that  
it's tough. She stated somebody, and she stated that she guesses it was  
you that brought up the wealth tax. Why can't we do a wealth tax earning  
$400,000 more like other municipalities in other states have done. There  
is no reason why we can't do that. There is plenty of ways to make more  
money. Another big thing that lastly that would probably would help a lot is  
stop involving the city in lawsuits against the alleged criminal behavior of  
this administration that then gets passed down to us and have to pay for.  
She stated that she doesn't know how many lawsuits there are against the  
city, but it is just ridiculous. She stated that it is also a proposed data  
center for the merchant square. She stated that she does hope that you  
guys vote this down, please. She stated Number 1: our electric bills are  
going to go through the roof. They are going to suck up our water and they  
just had a meeting about the water. Tax them at 75 percent if they want to  
move in. There is your money. She stated ok. thank you very much.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Cauler (sp) and asked is there anybody  
else from the public.  
Mr. Quinn Allen, Allentown, stated on what's really going on in America. He  
stated a proposal to decrease the Waste Fee by $50 sounds nice. Until he  
sees an increase of 3.96 percent per which we don't really know what the  
general public typically don't even know what that number even means  
because that could be from any number which will be above $50 and we  
end up paying more than $50 which is a nice little sneaky trick by they way.  
He stated that he is pretty good in math, in fact he taught math in his 12  
grade classroom for his teacher. That is how good he was. He stated that  
they already have a bunch of homeless people in Allentown which are not  
even being taking care of as it is and there are many people in Allentown  
that are one tax increase away from being homeless. He asked what are  
you going to do for those people who cannot pay your taxes. Evict them  
from their own home. You don't even own their homes. They own their  
homes. He asked should they have to pay property taxes to begin with. He  
believes it should be going against the 5th and 14th amendment, Life,  
Liberty, and Property to which we all have rights to here in America to have.  
He stated today, he was invited, last month he got invited to a homeless  
meeting that was on the 5th floor today and only one person in the Council  
and Mayor was here. He stated thank you, Ce Ce. He stated that he love  
her for that. He stated that just shows how much only one of you cares and  
although right now he will say thank you to Cynthia for saying what she said.  
Even though we disagree on some things. He stated ok, so to be honest,  
we don't need to increase taxes. He stated that they could even decrease  
taxes and still get the job done here in Allentown. You just have to be able  
to handle the money that belongs to people, not you.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked is there anybody else. He stated seeing none.  
He stated sorry, sir. Step up.  
Mr. Anthony Hollowell (sp), Senior representing SEIU, sated that he also is  
in the process of buying his mom's house because she can't afford it no  
more. He stated that she is ready to lose it. He stated that she lives at  
2333 S. Lumber. He stated that Zucal knows her. She worked with Zucal.  
He stated if you want to cut money out, start looking at these positions that  
are in the city. Start looking at these new positions that are coming out. He  
stated cut those out. He stated part-time $87,000 a year and stated come  
on. He stated that SEIU doesn't even make that. He stated that they are in  
Contract talks and he is not going to talk about that. The city is coming  
back to them with nothing, with garbage, but we are getting blames for this  
four percent tax. He stated that is what pisses him off. He asked why are  
we getting blamed for it stating they have to keep up with the leave  
cleaning, the plowing, the paving, this, and that. When they are not even  
going to see it. He stated like you said Zucal, nine percent raises for these  
top people. He stated that is what is in the budget. He stated put this stuff  
out. Cut these new positions and then you will see the city run a lot better.  
He stated that is all he has.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Hollowell (sp). He asked anybody else.  
He stated that there is a (inaudible) Budget Memo at this time to increase.  
He stated that there is a (inaudible) Budget Memo at this time to increase  
the mayor's operating budget by $50,000 to support the Conference of  
Churches in providing an additional day of weekly services for homeless  
support. He stated that he would now ask the administration for a comment  
on this.  
Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that he will give them some background on where  
this came from. He stated that he is grateful for a resident name Julie  
Thomases hosting a roundtable on Homelessness at Congregation Sons  
of Israel on December the 7th and asked if that is correct Councilwoman  
Gerlach. He stated that Councilwoman Gerlach spoke and there was a  
presentation by the Executive Director of the Conference of Churches and  
in a side conversation, he and Councilwoman Gerlach has spoke with  
Abigail Goldfarb who is the Director of Conference of Churches and/or our  
Chair on the Commission on Homelessness and they are talking about the  
challenges that the unsheltered people face in Allentown at the moment,  
including not really having anywhere to go on a Saturday or Sunday  
because while organizations like Ripple and the Conference host drop in  
services Monday through Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and not  
open on Saturdays and Sundays. He inquired on what it would cost to add  
an additional couple of days of service to get them open on the weekend  
through the year and Ms. Goldfarb estimated $50,000. He stated that is  
the motivation for the Budget Memo and Amendment here. He stated that  
they have to withdraw this memo and stated that it will be fiscally  
irresponsible to add another $50,000 of expense to a budget that Council  
is bent on drawing from the reserves. He stated that he wishes he could  
support this through the initial proposed budget, but if it is possible, the  
administration would just withdraw the Memo at the moment.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated ok and stated Mr. Hanlon, the proposal to  
withdraw it.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he would just say this, historically you have  
treated the Budget process as introducing proposals with sponsors just like  
you introduce legislation and if you pull your name, it will be gone.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked who were the sponsors of this Bill.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated it was the mayor.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated the mayor, ok. He stated then in that case, this  
will be considered as a removal and no longer valid and no longer held for  
a vote. He stated at this point, he is going to adjourn this meeting.  
3 - Daryl Hendricks, Candida Affa, and Santo Napoli  
Yes:  
No:  
4 - Cynthia Mota, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, and Ce-Ce Gerlach  
Bills for reference:  
15-8040  
Bill 84  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing the General Fund,  
Administrative Order Fund, Risk Management Fund, Debt Service Fund,  
Equipment Fund, and Golf Fund Budgets for 2026.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No. 84 -2026 BUDGET AND TAX RATE.docx  
15-8041  
Bill 85  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing and adopting the Building  
Code Fund Budget for 2026 for Community and Economic Development  
per Chapter 270 of City code for Building Fees.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No 85 .- 2026 BUILDING CODE FUND.doc  
15-8042  
Bill 86  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, adopting the Liquid Fuels Fund Budget  
for 2026.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No.86 - 2026 LIQUID FUELS.doc  
15-8043  
Bill 87  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing and adopting the Rental Unit  
Licensing Fund Budget for 2026 and amending Article 1759 – Landlord  
and Rental Fee by maintaining the Residential Rental Fees.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No.87 -2026 RENTAL UNIT FUND.doc  
15-8044  
Bill 88  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing and adopting the Solid  
Waste Enterprise Fund Budget for 2026 and amending Article 1131,  
Municipal Waste Storage, Collection and Disposal by increasing the Solid  
Waste Fee at Seven Hundred Forty ($740) Dollars.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No. 88- 2026- SOLID WASTE FUND AND FEE.doc  
15-8045  
Bill 89  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing and adopting the Stormwater  
Fund Budget for 2026 and amending Article 393.15 – Stormwater Utility  
Fee by maintaining the Stormwater Utility Fee at Twenty ($20) Dollars per  
Five Hundred (500) square feet of impervious surface.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No.89- 2026 STORMWATER FUND AND FEE.doc  
15-8046  
Bill 90  
An Ordinance of the City of Allentown, County of Lehigh and  
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, adopting the Trexler Fund Budget for  
2026.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill No.90 - 2026 TREXLER FUND.doc  
ADJOURNED: 6:37 PM