435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

City Council

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Invocation:

6:30 PM

Council Chambers

Pledge to the Flag

Roll Call

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that can he say this before they were going to

start the official meeting, Council is going to give a Proclamation to Mary

Griffin.

Ms. Mary Griffin thanked everyone for this award. It is absolutely wonderful

after 28 years plus in doing this business. She thanked everyone so much

and stated that she is really honored.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated to Ms. Griffith that some folks Council will make

comments about your Proclamation. She stated to Ms. Griffith you are still

in the spotlight.

Ms. Candida Affa stated to Ms. Griffith that she is certainly the angel in

Allentown. She remembers at least 15 years ago, walking into her place

and was so impressed. She stated that she showed her everything. The

food bank, the instruments that kids can learn there that were donated.

She volunteered to help teach, but said nothing over fifth grade stating that

is as far as she can tutor. She stated that she was so impressed and Ms.

Griffith hung in there so many times needing food, needing money and

basically doing it yourself. She stated that her hard work and truly being an

angel for these children. She stated that she has so much respect for her

and stated that she loves her.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she would like to tell her that she was a single

mom 17 years ago and she helped her tremendously with her daughter.

She stated for that she will always thank her. She stated that her daughter

is now 20 something years or age. She would go to the Caring Place after

school and will bring her daughter to her. She is grown and doing well and

thanked her for all that she does and all that she did for her and all the great

things you do for the community.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that they go way back and he knows that she comes

from good stock. He is not surprised. He stated that she is the example of

what everyone should be stating that she is a true human being. He

thanked Ms. Griffith for what she does. He stated that she deserves every

bit of that Proclamation.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated well deserved.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that this is awesome because when she first

moved to Allentown in 2008 or so, Ms. Griffith was one of the first

organizations that she found. She was right beside the Obama office. She

stated that she wondered in. The last line of that Proclamation is one of the

most important things that as cities continue to grow and develop and

blocks change that they hold true and the people who made Allentown. The

people who have been committed to the community long before tall

buildings have came to Allentown. She stated to Ms. Griffith, you are that

person. Similar to Dr. Mota, she stated that a couple of years ago, if it

wasn't for Ms. Griffith's food bank outside her mom went because they

needed to go. With inflation, they might be back. She stated thank you for

that food bank and thank you for having it assessible. It is right there on the

street at least in warm weather. It is right there on the street for people to

take what they need. She looks forward to continuing for 100 or 500 more

years walking by. She stated maybe not you, but who ever you pass it

down to knowing that is an asset to the community as they develop that

block.

Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Ms. Griffith for all that she does.

Ms. Natalie Santos stated to Ms. Griffith that she doesn't know if she

remembers back she used to intern at the Caring Place for a very short

time because she started right before Covid and she was interning as

helping the children after school homework and during the very short time

she was there, she learned so much as had such a great connection with

those kids and it is such an amazing thing that you are doing at the Caring

Place. Please continue doing God's given work. Thank you.

7 -

Present:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Courtesy of the Floor

Courtesy and Privilege of the Floor Rules

Mr. Gregory Shamp, 335 N. 8th Street, stated that he came here a year

ago asking for help from Council. He was handed over to Ms. Kistler from

Code. They met in city hall with her assistant and they accused him of all

these things, he had to hire an attorney and go to the Magistrate Santiago.

There was abuse by Mr. Keppel who he met last week to get these things

resolved. They said that he received citations on his building on Chew

Street. He never received them. He called the FBI, the Department of

Justice, he is going to call the Police Chief and if he has to take a lie

detector test, he will. He never received the notices.

Mr. Aaron Gorodzinsky, Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, stated that

the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is the umbrella organization that

represents over 8,000 Jewish community members and support agencies

and synagogues, including the Jewish Community Center and Jewish

Family Services. Since October 7th, the Jewish Community has been

feeling concerned, nervous, isolated, and hurt particularly in the light of the

surge of Anti-Semitism and hate speech that has been directed towards

the Jewish community and anybody who has show-cased support for Israel.

Even in the Lehigh Valley, the rise of Anti-Semitism in targeting of the

Jewish community is at an all-time high. The Jewish community has been

targeted by multiple bomb threats in the city of Allentown. Two of the

synagogues were targeted during funeral and religious services and at

least one, the Jewish Community Center during the Jewish New Year which

is the holiest of celebrations for the Jewish community. He stated that

being a practicing Jew in the city of Allentown and attending religious

services in our city has now become an issue where security is to be

considered. As a result, their community has invested hundreds of

thousands of dollars to ensure that our facilities in the city of Allentown are

safe. They have applied for a security grant at the state and federal level.

They have hired a full-time security advisor to engage every single

organization and conduct threat, liability and risk assessments to

strengthen the physical security of our buildings and help our community

have an integrated security plan in case of an emergency. There is no one

community prayer service that occurs in the Jewish community that doesn't

require having armed security to ensure the safety of their community. This

is not normal and it should not be normal. He thanked Chief Roca who has

literally been a rock for the community and the Allentown Police

Department and the Fire Department who have responded to multiple

incidents in their Jewish facilities. He thanked the local FBI team and the

city police for all the work they are doing to keep the community safe. It

would be incredibly hurtful to the community that the one Resolution that

gets passed is against the Jewish community who is very much active in

this community. They ask on behalf of the community, the city does not give

to the pressure and open the door to pass any resolutions that have very

little to do with the functioning of the city, but it will very much damage the

citizens of the city of Allentown.

Ms. Kathryn Hoffman, 1649 W. Linden Street, stated that she lived there

1987 and decries all murders of civilians no matter what nationality they

are. She decried the October 7th murders and the almost 30,000 women,

children, and old people that are being killed in Gaza right now as they

speak. She always comes down on the side of peace and negotiations.

That is what she wants to happen now in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

She understands the gentleman's concerns, but it is also anti-Muslim and

violence that is happening in the country. The point he left out which is very

essential is that in all those world conflicts none of them except for Israel's

attack on Gaza is funded and enabled by our tax dollars.

Mr. Drew Swedberg, Film Manager of the Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527

N. 19th Street, representative of Lehigh Valley Artist Alliance and as a

Signatory of Lehigh Valley Artists for a free Palestine, stated a letter signed

by over 100 artists and local community members who are joining global

calls for a cease fire as well as a local cause for this Council to

immediately put the Cease Fire Resolution on the agenda. While the

mayor and this body governance remains silent, a US backed genocide

funded by an estimated $1,653,519.00 of federal taxes of Allentown takes

place in Palestine. As the city sends their police in riot gear to intimidate

constituents who are mourning and organizing for Palestinians. He stated

that they see clearly that this is a local issue and that their own struggle for

liberation from militarized police force and surveillance in Allentown is

deeply interconnected with Palestine as the horrific bombardment of five

million Palestinians intensifies as they speak are resolve to ensure the city

puts a cease fire on the agenda sharpens and as the Pennsylvania Reps

recklessly push through a $95.3 billion bill for war with $14 billion to arm

Israel. Their commitment to see a free Palestine in their lifetime remains

steadfast. He read from their letter.

Ms. Jacque Irizarny, Saint Elmo Street, stated she is an artist in the Lehigh

Valley known as Happenstance. She stated that her art is an extension of

herself and it reflects peace, community, activism and truth. She often

hears that she is so brave on what she does. They thank her for everything

she does or don't even bother trying. It is a waste of your time, but she

hardly ever hear how can they help her change the world. Much like her art,

they are an extension of them and now you should represent or should

represent peace, strength, courage, empathy, solidarity, and truth. She

stated here is how you can help your people. You can be a symbol of

change and do what's right for humanity and call for a cease fire. Every day

they sit idol, indiscriminate bombs are being dropped on Gaza and more

innocent people are dying. As of today, nearly 30,000 people have been

killed. Many of whom are women and children. She stated that their hearts

are shattered by this. Your hearts should be shattered by this. She stated

that we must advocate for life, safety and basic rights for all people. It is

unjust to think that the people of Gaza deserves anything less than all of us

or we deserve more than they do. She stated that their grief does not only

apply to Gaza, it extends to our every day citizens in the city that is also

struggling with grief and the ability to survive here in our city. She asked

Council to work together for change. She asked to call for a cease fire and

end this.

Ms. Josy Irizarny, Saint Elmo Street, asked Council to be on the right side

of history and draft a resolution for a cease fire. The genocide funded by

the US is being live-streamed and now elected officials are complicit in

their silence. They cannot and will not turn our backs on the people of Gaza

as they are being obliterating by the US bombs. Everyone should be doing

everything they can to stop this massacre. As quoted from the Times of

Israel yesterday Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as he said that the

return of hostages was not the most important thing for Israel further

promoting the destruction and continuation of this massacre. Time is

running out for Gaza and the hostages as Israel prepares their ground

invasion and continued assault of Rafah where 1.4 million people are

currently trapped.

Ms. An-Nisa Amatul, stated that in the last few months they have seen a

genocide unfold in Gaza. They have reached over 28,000 deaths and over

12,000 being children. They are seeing no clean drinking water, no food

besides animal fee and grass with a blockage of aid to come in.

Individually have had surgeries performed without anesthesia. Has Gazans

have been pushed to Rafah. They were told they would be safe and now

being bombed. The Prime Minister has recently stated that the war would

extend for another six to eight weeks. He also approved the access to

Palestinians to Al - Masjid al - Aqsa which is a holy ground for the Muslims.

She stated that they have seen the Israel state stating that they will not

agree to another cease fire even as other nations have pulled their

diplomats out and some severing ties entirely. President Biden promised

aid to Israel in outrageous numbers while claiming to send humanitarian

aid to Gaza, but does nothing to allow it to be let in. The deaths have

doubled, if not tripled. The ones that are under the rubble. They are

looking at over 28,000 deaths over 12,000 being children and if they are

including the ones under the rubble, it is more than 30,000 to 35,000

Palestinians who died during the genocide. Those who are still living have

no clean water. There are reports of people having to shave their heads so

that they can be more sanitary because there is a risk of infection. They

ask that a Cease Fire Resolution be introduced and passed and while it

doesn't seem like local politics issue, this is where it starts. If anyone

remembers history with the South African Apartheid gained its freedom by

starting with local government. She stated as they elected them, they

elected them to be their voices and that goes all of their voices, everyone

sitting here. Allentown is known and she has been in the Lehigh Valley

since was five years old. It is 20 years. Allentown is known for being very

diverse and having Muslims, and Christians and Jews and everyone

around it. It is a large Palestinian population, a large Syrian population and

a large African American population that all need to be represented. She

stated that they ask for the city represent their people. It helps to listen to

the voices. They are asking for a cease fire resolution that would help with

humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages and political

prisoners and reuniting families.

Mr. Logan Michael stated that he is from a smaller town outside the Lehigh

Valley. He has lived in the Lehigh Valley his entire life. He is now an adult

and he was not planning on coming tonight. He was not planning on

speaking when he was on his way here. He was thinking to himself of what

he experienced last night in the city of Bethlehem. It was his first time

attending a public City Council meeting and listened to the stories of over

40 community members. His Palestinian, his Jewish, his Muslim

community members, college students and others who spoke up to

demand what they were feeling. He is here today to echo the call that the

Allentown City Council draft and pass a cease fire resolution. In a town he

comes from he remembers not too long ago. It was just a couple of years

ago. The last time it was a social justice event in his town, where he is from

for Black Lives Matter, specifically. There was a small group of students

who came to his town to protest and give their voices and say what they felt

needed to be said. They were met with violent hate. They were met with

people waving confederate flags, showing hate symbols, screaming slurs.

A child was spit on. That is what he has known, but ever since being active

in Allentown for the last couple of weeks and in Bethlehem and Easton and

this wonderful area. He stated that he is sure that they are aware. This is a

wonderful city with some really great people in it. This city has shown him a

new love in which that he did not know it existed and it has given him a new

passion and that is the passion that has given him the ability to come up

here tonight in front of all of you and all the amazing people speak. He

echoed what his brothers and sisters tonight have said. Allentown and the

region have shown him an incredible amount of love that he did not

recognize existed.

Mr. Robert Wags, 202 N. 22nd Street, stated that the brutal atrocities on

October 7th awakened many of the depravity of Hamas. The roofless

terrorist organization controlling Gaza. More than 1,200 Israeli's were

savagely murdered, babies were burned and decapitated, women were

raped and 220 Israeli's and others were taken hostage. He does not recall

many of this group coming and asking for a resolution at that point and

condemning Hamas. This was the most brutal attack on Jews since the

Holocaust. Many are unfamiliar with the problems in Gaza and this was

intended to provide simple answers to a very complex issue. First, has

Israel offered land in exchange for peace, yes. Many times. Each peace

plan offered has been rejected. The Palestinian Authority urgently known

as the PLO and neighboring Arab countries rejected nine attempts for a

peace process. Each time instead, turning to terrorism. The Palestinian

Authority which governs the West Bank, the more moderate of the two

areas that they are talking about and Hamas pay families of terrorists to

murder innocent Israeli's. Palestinian Authorities president Mahmoud

Abbas pays a success bonus and a monthly stipend in perpetuity to

families of these terrorists. In 2018, Congress passed the Taylor Force Act

which reduces economic aid to the Palestinian Authority until it ends this

policy. A policy that continues today. How did the Israeli Defense Force

respond. The IDF is more cautious about mitigating civilian casualties then

any other military in modern times. Where was the call from this body to

issue a resolution during all those events. What should a City Council be

focused on? A City Council should be focused on a shooting of four

people in the city of Allentown yesterday. The City Council should be

focused on the items in this lengthy agenda. Foreign affairs issues should

be taken up with our federal legislators. If they are not happy, there are

elections coming up and they can voice with their vote.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated Carlos Marreno, 239 N. 4th Street. He stated no

Carlos.

Ms. Naomi Fossa, 38 W. Union Boulevard - Bethlehem, thanked Council

for the opportunity to speak. She stated that she lived in the Lehigh Valley

for 11 years and worked in the city of Allentown for four. Those who are

close to her know that her life is full of relationships with children. She is an

older sister to five siblings, age six months to 17 years and works as a

childcare provider. She spends a large amount of her time playing with

children, making sure they are fed, that they can rest and ensuring that they

both feel and are safe. She stated that she loves her work, but since

October 7th, when spending time with her family or the families that she

works with she is reminded what the IDF has been doing to the children of

Gaza. Enabled by US tax dollars, the IDF has murdered over 12,000

children, injured 18,000, and orphaned 19,000. In addition to this, Israel

has arrested and detained 880 minors just this year. Minors detained by

the IDF are held without trial and in captivity. There are reports of sexual

and physical abuse. Some children have passed away from cardiac arrest

due to the extreme food insecurity, stress and trauma they are

experiencing. Children passing away from cardiac arrest is not nature.

When she interacts with the children in her life, she thinks of the children of

Gaza and how each and every one of them is just as precious, curious,

creative, playful and deserving of life as the children who live in the Lehigh

Valley. As she works with children, she is disgusted to know her tax dollars

from this work go towards destroying children's family, dreams and bodies

overseas. Children do not have power in this world stating it is our

responsibility to ensure that all children everywhere are not hungry, cold, or

in danger when it is within our power. It is in the power of the US to ensure

this for the children of Gaza as we are funding the terror that they are

experiencing. She stated that they might say that this is not a local issue,

but she says because children in Allentown go to sleep hungry, cold, and

afraid as well it is. She stated that if their compassion can't reach

overseas, will it at least reach outside this hall, the city that you serve. All of

the taxpayer money that goes to Israel's genocidal sadistic and purely evil

actions should rather be invested into our communities. She asked

Council to draft a cease fire resolution and tell the state of Pennsylvania to

stop sending aid to Israel.

Ms. Gabriella Delgado, 121 S. Saint Cloud Street, stated that she has lived

in Allentown for her entire life. Today, she is here to implore the members

of the Allentown City Council to demand an immediate and permanent

cease fire in Palestine. Over the past five months, the world has watched

as atrocities have unfolded in Palestine at the hands of Israel. She stated

that we have seen Israel to use bombs to turn, homes, schools, places of

worship, and hospitals all to rubble. They have seen children, infants,

mothers and fathers get their lives taken away from them and seen the sick

and injured go without proper medical care due to the blockage of

humanitarian aid getting into Palestine and because hospitals become a

target for bombings has resulted in 30,000 Palestinians losing their lives

and many more injured in only the past five months. She reminded

everyone here today that despite Israel's attempts to highlight the events of

October 7th and use it as a scapegoat for the crimes that they are

committing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people has been

going on for over 70 years. The Israeli aggression is being funded by

America's tax dollars and today she demands that their tax dollars stop

being used to fund a genocide and instead go back to our cities where it

can be used to benefit the members of the community rather than to cause

suffering. The suffering of the Palestinian people is inhumane and we as

citizens of the United States have a moral obligation not to backdown into it

is an immediate cease fire in place.

Mr. Jose A. Jimenez, 231 N. Railroad Street, stated he has lived in

Allentown for over 30 years. He is also part of the immigrant community

and proud that the City Council also reflects the immigrant community in

Allentown. He is here in solidarity in calling for a cease fire for the

genocide that is happening in Palestine. He stated that he is here because

it is important for Council to listen to the immigrant community here in

Allentown. A lot of immigrants like himself have been displaced from their

home countries and this is a clear example of war, genocide happening

across the world. He understands how they are saying that it is a local

issue, look around. Allentown is made up of immigrants and of

Palestinians. A lot of them did not want to come here in the first place.

They were brought as children and he should not have to stand here and

explain his humanity of why he is here. He stated that he knows that they

are also talking about federal tax dollars and what does that have to do with

Allentown. He stated that they know that federal tax dollars make their way

to the city for home repairs, education. He stated that they are talking

about billions of dollars and a lot of people here think that it is going to a

genocide. There are homeless people here. There are people that need

repairs to the houses. Our schools are underfunded. How is it possible

that we are spending money on something that is so immoral. They are

against the deaths of everybody and hate crimes against the Jewish

community, against immigrants, against everybody. He stated that he

doesn't think that they are saying that anybody hates Jewish people. They

are just saying that the state of Israel is committing a genocide in Palestine

using our tax dollars. Invest it here, in Allentown.

Ms. Raya Abduael (sp), 44 N. 15th Street, MYLV, stated that her family has

a business here in the city of Allentown on 15th Street. She stated that she

is a Palestinian American and is here today to make three requests from

City Council. The first is for City Council to propose a resolution to call on a

cease fire in Gaza. The second request is that they create a Sister City

with Palestine as we have a Sister City in Israel. She stated the third is ask

the Police Department stop sending 20 squad cars every they hold a

protest. They are scaring our youth. She stated that she wanted to share

her story. Her family is Palestinian and have been displaced by three wars

before she was even born and spoke about her grandfather and the

massacre due to militias. They were pushed out into Syria and her mom's

family was pushed out to Kuwait. In Syria, a war broke out and the war still

continues on today. Israel bombed Syria today and bombing the

surrounding countries. She stated that she fears for her families life every

day. She received death threats and had people call them Hamas, oppose

them and come to their protests calling them disgusting names and

intimidating our teenagers, devaluating their lives right in front of them.

They had to get the FBI involved. She had someone release her name to a

white supremacy group. She was terrified and thought that someone was

going to happen to her family. There were five Palestinian people who

have been attacked because what has happened overseas. They are

consistently called terrorists groups because they are Arab. She stated as

they know they have a large Arab population here in Allentown. They are

business people and they have family overseas as well and they are

terrified. America should not be funding this genocide and she does not

approve of her federal tax dollars going to fund a genocide to displace

more people.

Mr. Mohammed Khaku (sp), 294 Hopewell Drive, stated that he lived in

Allentown since 1980 and has worked with many mayors and elected

officials in Allentown. he goes back to Roy Afflerbach. He used to do

campaigns for all political campaigns. He worked for many years with all

elected officials. He stated that he is a freelance writer and a member of

Lopoca and a board member of Lehigh Valley Justice Institute. He was the

vice chair of SEIU. He still works and attend the meetings to End Mass

Incarceration and he has a blog called Speak Up - Silent No More. He

stated that he is going to speak up today and this comes his heart. He was

watching the news. His wife doesn't watch TV. When she watches this

thing on Gaza, she cries. Last night she was crying and he could not

speak. The pictures coming from Gaza are disturbing and distressing for

us. He asked could you imagine what is happening to the children of Gaza.

He worked all his life at Peace and Justice Institute. He was following the

Jewish Federation and every Saturday there was an ad in The Morning Call

and billboards. He can give a lecture of 75 years of occupation by Zionist

Israel. That is an occupied regime by the United Nations. They don't have

any right of defense. The Palestinians have the right of defense. Zionist

Israel occupying regime is an occupying regime by the United Nations. He

stated that he doesn't have to give a lecture. He can give a lecture too.

There are 22 UN Resolutions that have been vetoed by US. Yesterday,

Biden had an exit ramp to not to veto the resolution and he vetoed the

resolution. There is a difference between Zionism and Judaism. Jewish

Historians have written books after books on the difference between

Zionism and Judaism. He stated we are not against any Jewish people. It

is against Zionism. After seeing the pictures, he hopes that they work for

the resolution because silence and abstaining is a crime to humanity. You

that are not going to work towards this resolution has to look into your souls

and reconsider if you have a weak heart. He stated 30,000 people killed

with half of them children.

Ms. Aishwarya V. thanked Council for letting her speak. As a part of the

medical field, she believes that life has immeasurable value. It can be

taken away in seconds, but with care and kindness it can be preserved for

years. When people face such earth-shattering violent attacks and losses,

they are left with PTSD and may not have a cure. Imagine crumbling at the

sounds of weaponry. It is possible that any similar sound even if they are

safe will take them back to that instances that broke their lives apart. She

hopes that they can live in a world that they leave behind weapons of mass

destruction and shower each other with beautiful flowers and all basic

needs are met. This means making sure money and funds go towards

things that can promote community growth. She condemned any acts of

violence and ask today that they work together to create a resolution for

peace and cease fire in Gaza. This revolutionary act will allow us to make

change and shape a better future for the young children in our world. She

thanked Council for their grace and time. She stated that she speaks for

peace for everyone and can work towards making that happen.

Democracy starts at the local level. A leader that uses violence to resolve

conflict isn't a leader at all and should have never had power.

Ms. Atira stated that if they are silent or neutral in the face of a clear

injustice of genocide. You are on the side of an oppressor. Silence helps

oppressor, not the oppressed. She stated that she is outraged that the tax

dollars are used in the supplies and ammunition for Israel for killing

innocent civilian for Palestine. She stated that it is not a political issue. It is

a humanitarian issue. It is one of the worst humanitarian crisis ever seen

which is happening in Gaza and Rafah. She stated that she is a

pediatrician and being a pediatrician, the safety and well being of children

is her utmost concern. She is seeing almost 12,000 children have been

brutality killed and thousands have been orphaned and disabled. They

have lost their limbs. Many have been blinded because because of the

shrapnel injuries due to bomb and they are being starved now because

Israel is not allowing food or humanitarian food trucks and fuel. They

vandalize and resorted to using animal food and making bread out of it

which is very sad to hear. With babies, there is a shortage of milk. They

are giving rice water, if they are lucky to get rice. The mothers aren't able

to breast feed because they themselves are starved and dehydrated. They

are not producing enough to feed their babies stating that this is a very

disheartening thing. The hospitals have been bombed and the last

standing hospital has also been bombed. Doctors were abducted,

stripped and then tortured. New born babies were left in hospitals. Later

on the decomposed bodies were found. She stated that this barbarism

has to stop. She request that Council pass the resolution for an immediate

cease fire and reinstate humanitarian aid to Palestine.

Mr. Omar A. stated this is absolutely a local issue that the US government

made it a local issue when they chose to fund and support the government

of Israel unconditionally. The Pennsylvania Treasury Department has

invested over $50 million in Israeli Government Bonds. He stated $50

million of our hard earned money that could be used here for a billion

different things. They are funding a genocidal government. In 2022, the US

State Department canceled $130 million in military assistance to Egypt. A

country where he is from. He grew up where 60 percent of the people live

in poverty. This aid is absolutely necessary, but they canceled it. They

sited a US State Government Report saying human rights abuses. That

very same year, the US Governmental Agency issued a report regarding

the government of Israel saying that Israel has significant human rights

issues including credible reports of unlawful killings and unjust attention

including the Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories. Again, this

is a US government report. He asked that the city support Palestinians.

Ms. Amel Elsheakh stated that she just wants to make it clear that

genocide, not war, not conflict. Genocide is the only word that could

accurately describe what is taking place in Gaza right now.

Ms. Amel Elsheakh stated that she just wants to make it clear that

genocide, not war, not conflict. Genocide is the only word that could

accurately describe what is taking place in Gaza right now. She stated that

Israel's relentless siege on Palestine has devastated that region. Never is

their history have they seen the horrific images and footage coming out of

Gaza and yet it is not enough for all for you to call a cease fire.

Palestinians have lost their homes, their limbs, their freedom, their families

and it is still not enough. Even Israel's own admissions on their intentions

to ethnically cleanse Palestine is not enough. She stated that they must

create a cease fire resolution to show the nation that we are better than

this.

Mr. William Mine, 1404 N. 39th Street, stated that everyone wants a cease

fire, but the one thing you have not heard repeatedly all night and you heard

horrible stories and he will not fight those. He will not fight their emotions.

Instead he wants to tell them what they are missing out. None of them have

mentioned the hostages currently in Gaza. He named the people that Israel

is trying to free. He stated that there are about 100 names.

Ms. Vicki Wax, 702 N. 22nd Street, stated that you for letting me speak.

Israel left Gaza in 2005. Gaza has been run by elected government of

Hamas. Israel has been gone from Gaza. Gaza has a border with Egypt.

All the international money that has come to help build a strong beautiful

and thriving society in Gaza went to building 450 miles of underground

tunnels. These tunnels have the capability of having weapons

manufactured. They have had terror tunnels where they are hiding all of the

money and using all of it for hate and destruction of Israel. On October 7 at

7:00 in the morning, let's pretend we are all asleep and all of a sudden

while you are asleep you are then barbarically attacked in your home in

Israel where they murdered children, murdered families, took all of these

hostages. Israel has wanted one thing since its inception to be left alone

and have peace with Israel's neighbors.

Contract Approvals: There are a few contracts for approval; the general idea is

council is approving a resolution acknowledging that proper procurement

procedures were followed pursuant to the city code. The Clerk will read the

resolution. The Purchasing Agent, Sarrah McNeil will explain the proposal. After she

explains the process, ask for comments from the dais and the public before a vote.

15-6663

R23

Authorization for Contract with Aspen Outdoors, Fisher & Son Company,

Inc., Genesis Turfgrass, Inc., Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc., and SiteOne

Landscape Supply, LLC at the unit prices identified on the bid tabulation,

for a total estimated sum of $220,800 for agricultural chemicals for the City,

competitively bid.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R23 - Turf Chemicals

Resolution #30793

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that this was done as Bid #2023-47. It was

advertised on November 21, 2023. The public opening was held on

December 19, 2023. The city received five bids and after the department

reviewed the proposals each vendor are awarded varies parts of the

contract as indicated in the bid tabulation.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30793

15-6662

R24

Authorization for Contract with Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, LLC,

Chemung Supply Corp., Naceville Materials JV, Crafco, Inc., H & K Group,

Inc., New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., And PMG SM PA LLC (d/b/a

SealMaster PA) at the unit prices identified on the bid tabulation, for an

estimated sum of $2,400,000.00 to furnish and/or deliver and/or apply road

materials, including but not limited to geotextiles, competitively bid.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R24- Road Materials

Resolution #30794

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that this was done as Bid #2024-01. It was

advertised on January 2, 2024. The public opening was held on January

31, 2024. The city received seven bids. After the department reviewed the

proposals, each vendor is being awarded various parts of the contract as

indicated in the bid tabulation.

Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Ms. McNeil and asked if there were any

comments from the dais or the public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30794

15-6665

R25

Authorization for Contract with Allentown Rescue Mission Clean Team,

LLC for an estimated sum of $349,127.38 to provide maintenance

services for the City’s Central Business District for year one with a possible

3% CPI increase yearly. This estimated sum includes costs for Special

Events Assistance, snow clean up, and special cleanup project on an as

needed basis. The estimated sum for the 5-year base contract is

$2,132,098.62. This was competitively bid through the RFP process.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R25 - Clean Team

Resolution #30801

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that this was done as RFP2023-46 and was

advertised on December 19, 2023. On January 22, 2024, the public

opening was held and the city received one proposal. The evaluation

committee held both technical and cost evaluations. The proposals were

evaluated on the ability to meet the RFP requirements and after all the

evaluations were conducted, the committee decided not to hold oral

interviews. The committee recommendations to award based on the firms

qualifications and overall score. The committee is recommending an

award to Allentown Rescue Mission Clean Team LLC which is also a small

business.

Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Ms. McNeil and asked if there were any

comments from the dais.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that the city got one bid and she is looking about

the amount of payment per hour per person. She asked for some

clarification. It states during winter storm events $21.60 per hour per

person for weekdays and then it goes on to specify different types of

scenarios and how the payment would be. She asked is that $21.60 going

to the worker. The actual person doing the work or is that $21.60 given to

the organization and how much of that does the worker get.

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that she believes that is going directly to the

person.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that the last time she spoke to members of the

Clean Team they said they made minimum wage which is $7.25.

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that all they provide the city with is the hourly

wage and what the yearly cost would be for the whole entire contract.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that would be paid to the contractor for the per

hour services.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked how much are the workers getting paid.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that is not part of the contract negotiation. She

stated that she does not know the answer to that.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it might not be a livable wage for them to get

out of homelessness.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated as far as speaking to the programs and what they

do, she doesn't want to provide Council with incorrect information. She

doesn't know what the room and board they pay. They supply the room and

board and food as well as them having them work under the Clean Team to

get them into a situation where they have a steady job car of uniform and

equipment, had success, then graduated from the program and coming

into residency and future employment. She believes she heard them say it

is about 60 percent graduation rate. They left homelessness and now

rejoined and were able to sustain themselves with a permanent job.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach thanked Ms. Saurman for that answer and asked do

they have any information as to how affective contracting with them has

been. They were the only bidder so they got the highest score. She asked

do we know if it is working. At one time, Dr. Mota a couple of budgets ago

they talked about having youth help with some of the clean up issues and

other folks came up here and talked about having delinquent youth help

with some of that stuff. She was wondering why the city is still going with

the Clean Team.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated just to clarify, the Clean Team work that they do

under this contract and the one that they are proposing is not just for litter

clean up in the downtown area. They are doing surrounding

neighborhoods. They are doing the gateway coming in on Seventh Street.

This year, they have extended it all the way to the bridge to the northside of

the city. The city has expanded services with the special events as well.

There are 12 now that have been listed. With the opportunity for paying per

hour per person if the city wants to hold more special events, they can do

that in additionally with the snow on Hamilton Street and next to the Arts

Park where the city owns the property next to the Sovereign Building. They

are responsible for that as well. Having all of those components as part of

this contract it speaks to why it is a very specialized area. That being said,

what they do is not alleviate property owners from their responsibility to

clean in front of their homes which under the city's ordinances people are

responsible for their sidewalk area and in front of their property to clean

litter. She encouraged more still and stated that she would love to work

with more groups to do clean ups and organizations. Unfortunately, there is

a lot of litter out there that they want to address and the Clean Team is a

component of it. She encourage volunteerism and to work with that. She

cited the number from 2023 because they asked how they track it. The

Clean Team has picked up a total of 85,060 pounds of litter off the streets

in 2023 alone. Of that, they are required to separate recyclables from that.

That was just over 34 percent recyclables of that. The multi-purpose work

scope under that addresses all of this. She encouraged anybody that

wants to volunteer and clean up or even work with the messaging of Keep

Allentown Beautiful. Ideally in her world, if nobody litters that would be the

ultimate win and they all learn to not litter and to keep our city clean.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she appreciates Ms. Saurman.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she really liked to see the youth getting more

involved when it comes to the community. Especially, the youth on

probation who are in need of providing time when they are on probation.

They have to do certain amount of work. She stated that she understands

that they spoke a couple of years ago about this. They said since they are

dealing with youth, if something happens who will be responsible.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that the city does work with the Lehigh County

Juvenile Probation and has had a longstanding relationship with them.

They work off of community service hours at the drop off center. There is a

probation officer present with them to monitor them. Sign them in and sign

them out with all of the hours. The city has since 1988 when they started

the center had a long relationship with Lehigh County Juvenile Probation.

She stated that the city used to take them off site.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated you said used to. Not anymore.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated no. They used to go up on Seventh Street and

presented other challenges with monitoring the progress and being there.

As they probably remember, the city tried the broom distribution where the

city gave out corn brooms for free to residents just to encourage people to

clean up in front of their own homes. The city gave over at least 10,000

over the years. They keep trying different methods. She is open to any

suggestions Council has. She would love to get more people involved for

the cleanliness and beautification of the city.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she just has to say and they have voted on

this before. She always voted yes and always done so because they are

providing jobs and people need work and helping a segment of the

population. She stated today, she attended the Commission on

Homelessness meeting and afterwards she spoke to a couple of folks and

thinks it is important in all avenues and in all aspects that they all working

with and investing in. Organizations that have low barriers to entry and that

they do not have potentially any discriminatory practices when it comes to

sexuality or religion. Although she has in the past voted yes, she will be

voting no and knows everybody else will be voting yes. She can't say, hey,

let's give them more money when she has some concerns about their

practices.

Ms. Candida Affa asked Ms. Gerlach if her concerns are the fact that the

workers and this is a pretty large chunk of money. She stated that they are

talking about $20 an hour. She asked Ms. Gerlach if her concern is that the

workers are only getting minimum wage. She asked if they get housing.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that she believes so and food.

Ms. Candida Affa asked Ms. Gerlach if her concern is the amount of money

they are getting.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it is two-fold. Thank you for asking the

clarifying question. Number one, the amount of money that the employees

are making as Council as a body and them as a city has made public

statements and they strive towards paying even the lifeguards $15 an hour.

To know that the city is contracting with an organization that doesn't do that,

it is troublesome. Her last comment was more so referenced on the fact

that apparently if they are paying them $21.60 and the employees are only

getting $7.25, that means the vast majority of the money is going toward

the organization that doesn't necessarily have the low barrier of entry in

order for people to get in. Once you been in there for a certain number of

days, you must enter the Christian Living Program. If you do not enter into

the Christian Living Program, she guesses that they don't stay there

anymore. Because she believes it is a Christian based organization, there

are issues with individuals who identify as trans entering.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she knows a few homosexuals that they

cannot go in there. She asked Ms. Saurman if the rest of the money going

towards their housing and the expense of the housing.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that they are not required to present the budget of

how they run their facility. She stated that the city put out a competitive bid

for a contractor to do a job. The contract language requires no

discrimination. That is the standard language in all of their contracts. The

city is engaging with a contractor who has staff to perform the work. It was

an open RFP, competitively bid. Other contractors that the city work with,

does the city question who they are hiring. Do you we go that road other

than prevailing wage, if that is the case.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she thinks what Ms. Gerlach is pointing out is

not that complicated. There is $21.00 an hour and they are getting $7.00.

That is uncomplicating to her.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she thinks Council needs more information.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he thinks they are having discussions about

assumptions. They really don't know the breakdown on how they are doing

things. They do provide room and board. They do provide meals, three

meals a day. They provide services to help them get out of homelessness.

How they break that down, Council doesn't know. Council is having a

conversation right now on kind of an unknown.

Ms. Candida Affa stated it should not be an unknown for them.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated based on this contract approval, that is not what

this contract approval is about. It is about a service they are providing to

the city. A service that does very well. He is a downtown merchant. He

sees them everyday and he has gotten to know these gentleman. They are

great people and doing a great job. They are building a resume and

gaining, and out of homelessness. He has worked with them at events

throughout the city whether at Cedar Beach or downtown and they are there

doing a lot of the work and they do a great job. This is really what this

discussion is and with the other stuff, he is not minimizing. He is saying

right now, they are trying to figure out a contract. To answer the question

from earlier, they do a great job and he sees them in action.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that they do a good job. That is not the question

on the job they do. It is how are they getting paid is the question. She

asked why don't Council has the breakdown.

Ms. Santo Napoli stated that the Rescue Mission has to provide insurance.

These folks are insured when they go out there. They have to provide

Workers Comp. This is a business.

Ms. Candida Affa asked do they discriminate because they are a Christian

organization.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that is fair, but he is more on the numbers right

now. He is just doing the numbers.

Ms. Candida Affa stated she is just asking.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated it is a fair question, absolutely.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais or

any comments from the public.

Ana Danny Negron, city employee, stated that Council is talking about the

Clean Team. Throughout the years that Ana Danny has been here with the

city building a relationship with the Clean Team guys. There were many

times approaching them slumped over, sitting down, just not healthy looking

and offered many of the times either a beverage or something to eat. One

commented that he could not take any of the beverages he had nowhere to

use the bathroom. Ana Danny suggested that they go to city hall and use

the restroom. He stated no, he would get in trouble and will be kicked out

because there was a certain perimeter that they supposed to stay in and if

they are caught elsewhere or using a bathroom in an alley or an opening,

they will get in trouble. Ana Danny stated that they are out in the cold

without proper gloves, without proper rain gear, without proper insulated

jackets. These men work hard. They are in that place to get some sort of

help. Ana Danny stated that seeing throughout the years now, you tend to

see them and they are just like disappear, feeling a lot for them and that

program should get more into getting their medical, getting their health

back, getting their apartment, getting a hooptie so they can go get a job.

Ana Danny stated they are not treated fairly in the place that they are at.

There are some that are a little bit on the heavy side and some got some

health issues. Some are old and still struggling trying to clean these streets

and the tons of trash, litter and debris in this city that the employees can

attend to. Ana Danny named cleaning cash basins, sidewalks, between

vehicles, stuff in the streets and everything and anything in this city. Ana

Danny being at the Street Department for 16 years doing everything and

anything, getting paid below $17 bucks or $15 bucks. They should be

helped and they should be guided into getting out of that place down there.

That is no place for them. They are old and been there and done it. Ana

Danny suggested that they might be grandparents or somebody's parents

and should be treated a little bit more fairly. The guys that are now in

pickup trucks due to all the money they are receiving from the program

instead of just driving around and looking at these people in the swamp air

just cold, hot, hungry and sick. The Mission should concentrate more on the

people that are making them more a name and giving them a position then

these people in the office and look at them as though they are just a

number. Ana Danny stating like in their job.

Female audience members (no name given) stated while she appreciates

the mission of the Clean Team, she has seen them out doing work as well.

This is not a question of the ethics of the people that are cleaning the

streets, but is troubled by the idea of paying them low wages. These are

the people at their absolute lowest who are depending on the Rescue

Mission to help them out of poverty and putting them in a position where

they are kind of being exploited to clean the city and being forced into slave

wages and continuing the cycle of poverty. The minimum of $7.00

something is never going to get them out of poverty. She stated that we

are only exploiting them and keeping them in that cycle. If they would agree

to assist them or a contract that would only pay them that. That would be a

really big part of the question. What are they going to be paying the people

cleaning the streets? She stated $7.50 is not going to help them. Even

$20.00 an hour is not helping people stay out of poverty and helping them

these days. That is something that would seriously needs to be considered

if renewing a contract with them. The Rescue Mission is supposed to be

helping people, not keeping them there long term to benefit their business

because as one of you said, it is a business. They are going to run it like a

business because they need people to stay there so they can stay open.

She asked for that to be taken into consideration.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked Ms. Mota if he might since they are making a lot

of assumptions on things they don't know and asked if it is critical that they

vote on this tonight or maybe postpone it and get some of the answers you

want. He stated that he is reluctant to vote on something with so many

questions.

Ms. Cynthia Mota agreed with Mr. Hendricks. She asked is it possible that

Council can postpone.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked if that will be a problem.

Ms. Ann Saurman stated that the current contract will expire on March 5th.

She asked what is the date of Council's first meeting in March.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that Council has to realize that this is extended for

five years. They can look five years from now and they still be making

$7.00 or $8.00 an hour.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that Council already tabled it. Hopefully, they will

get more information before they bring it to Council.

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

be Tabled.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30801

15-6661

R26

Authorizes lease agreement with Ami Martin and family for residential

property located at 200 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104. The

agreement is for $19,103.52 for year one ($1,591.96 a month) with a CPI

increase for the second year of the original term, with a five (5) one (1)

renewal options. This will be a two (2) year lease with five (5) one (1) year

renewal options. For year new year, the lease will be increased based on

the CPI percentage indicated on the official US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R26 - 200 Springhouse

Resolution #30795

Ms. Sarrah McNeil stated that this lease could exceed five years and

therefore is required to bring before Council for approval. It is just a

renewal lease. They have leased this property since 2019 and they would

like to continue to lease the property from the city.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked who is Ami Martin. She knows typically these

houses go to the former Police Chief who lives in one, CEOs of

organizations tend to get these homes. Who is Ami Martin and what does

she do or did she do?

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she was selected from as Ms. McNeil was

stating in 2019, the city had put out a form to complete for all interested

parties who was interested in renting city owned rental property and she

was one of the successful persons who bid and they selected and went

through background check and ended up selecting her as a tenant for the

city property.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked what was or is her profession.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she does not recall, but can provide that

information. She stated that Ms. Martin has been paying rent and was

on-time since 2019, but she does not recall her profession at this time.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated she definitely would appreciate that. This has

come up before during the housing shortage and housing crisis and people

who are paying $1,500 for a studio. They see this and say who is this Ami

Martin and why does she get this. It would be great to know. She stated

that she hopes Ms. Martin is some random resident that happened to fill out

a form and got a house, but the other folks are not random residents. They

are people of power within the city. Hopefully, she is just a random one.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she is absolutely is and she will provide Ms.

Gerlach the information she is seeking.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais.

Ms. Candida Affa asked if they are required to keep up maintenance with

painting or a broken window or whatever. She asked if that is their

responsibility as opposed to another landlord like where she lives, it is up

to them for them to keep the maintenance up on the property. She

understands that people she knows that live there, they actually put money

into it and refurbished it at their own cost. She asked if they have to keep

up with the maintenance. That is quite a nice price for a home. What kind

of maintenance they have to keep up with.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that is an excellent question. The contract does state

that they have to maintain the property. It is a routine maintenance.

(painting, replacing of bulbs) not broken windows. That is the city's

responsibility. Any type of capital maintenance. Roof repair, door broken,

windows are the city's responsibility. Other maintenance and repair of the

sink broken. That is different. That is their responsibility. She stated that

is detailed and spelled out in the lease agreement.

Ms. Candida Affa asked about the credit reports.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she was part of the selection committee when

Ami and her family moved in. It was back in 2019 when she was managing

the property. She had an email sent out citywide and many interested

parties filled out a form. She was selected and a background check was

done at that time and then the city selected her.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30795

Minutes of Previous Meeting

15-6582

January 10, 2024 Special Council Meeting Minutes (Organizational

Meeting)

Attachments:

January 10, 2024 Special Council Meeting Minutes (Organizational

Meeting)

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

15-6676

February 7, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

Attachments: February 7, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

15-6693

February 15, 2024 Special Investigation Committee Meeting Minutes

Attachments: February 15, 2024 Special Investigation Committee Meeting Minutes

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Communications:

Chasers: If you parked in the city lot next to City Hall, please see the City Clerk for a

voucher.

City Council and the Mayor have received the Auditor General's report on the

pension funds; the reports are part of the agenda and will be reviewed at the Budget

and Finance Committee Meeting next Wednesday.

15-6696

Auditor General Reports

Attachments: MunCityofAllentownAggPF021224

MunCityofAllentownOEPMRS021224

Old Business

Mr. Julio Moreno stated that he is going to talk about two cases. The first

case, inspectors from Allentown interfered with an owner of a home that did

a contract with him. He went to the Lehigh County Courthouse and he had

a child that was sick in the hospital. He stated that there is corruption in the

city because the inspector spoke to the owner and he interfered and that is

why he was taken to court. The judge did not really listen to him. They only

listened to his wife and also his son. The judge told his family to leave the

courthouse. He was then out of the country to take care of his mother.

There is corruption. They took him out of the house because the heating

system was bad. He stated that he was the one that helped the owner with

the heating system. The other case is about a van that he had. His vehicle

and the issue is the Parking Authority. They will give people tickets. His

van was full of cleaning products and things that he has bought. He did not

have a place to put his clothes, items and things that he has bought before.

He will put everything in the van. The van had insurance and was ok. He

was given a ticket of $800. He had to borrow money. The second time, he

got his car towed.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked Mr. Moreno what would he like Council to do.

Mr. Julio Moreno stated that The Parking Authority has to be for his van and

all the items that he had inside the van. He spoke to the Mayor and told

him that he did not have enough funds to pay for the van when it was towed.

He wants someone to take care of it. He went to get a repair man and saw

his van inside the towing place. He stated that he was pushed when he

went to get his van in the towing place and threatened. He called the

police. He got harassed and pushed.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he has his information and will give him a

call.

REPORTS

Budget and Finance: Chair Napoli, Hendricks, Gerlach

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

scheduled for February 28th, at 6:15 PM.

Community and Economic Development: Chair Hendricks, Mota, Napoli

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

yet scheduled.

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

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

scheduled at 5:30 PM on February 28th.

Parks and Recreation: Chair Santos, Affa, Gerlach

The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is not yet scheduled.

Public Safety: Chair Zucal, Hendricks, Mota

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

meetings scheduled at this time.

Public Works: Chair Gerlach, Affa, Zucal

The Committee met this evening; the next meeting is not yet scheduled.

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

Gerlach

The committee has not met since the last Council meeting; there are no future

meetings scheduled at this time.

Controller's Report (3 minutes)

Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that a couple of meetings ago, Mr. Zucal had asked about

gift cards. He wanted to point out to Council that they released a gift card audit of

CED on the 11th of January and everyone got a copy of it. They released a gift card

audit of the mayor's office on the 22nd of January. Everyone got a copy of it. The

findings were gift cards supposed to be purchased through Purchasing. In either

instances, they were not. He attributed that to turnover or new people in the

department. Both departments said they would absolutely comply going forward.

They have one or two of the audits in process. When they are completed, they will

be forwarded to Council in the normal fashion.

Mayor's Report (3 minutes)

NONE

15-6695

Controller Reports

Attachments: Bank Rec - Oct 2023

Status Review 2020 Risk Report

Check Review

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): The Clerk reads the bill.

The Chair gives the committee recommendation on the bill, comments are taken

from the administration, the dais and the public before a vote is taken.

15-6602

Bill 2

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of One Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($1,600) from the

Hispanic American Organization, Inc. to support the mini-pitch system at

Jordan Meadows.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 2 Hispanic American Organization Donation

Ordinance #15978

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 15978

15-6601

Bill 3

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to correct a previous ordinance

number 15951. This will appropriate the funds of Six Hundred Fifty

Thousand ($650,000) Dollars from the Department of Conservation and

Natural Resources (DCNR) to support design and construction of the D&L

Trail – Allentown Segment to the proper accounts.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 3 D&L Trail DCNR Grant Correction

Ordinance #15979

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 15979

15-6603

Bill 4

Amending the 2024 Trexler Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars from the Trexler Trust

to support the Romper Day Program.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 4 Romper Day Appropriation

Ordinance #15980

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 15980

15-6605

Bill 6

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars and

Thirty-Six Cents ($16,896.36). This was the result of payment in lieu of tree

plantings from Tilghman Street Dental LLC, City Center Development

Corporation, Housing Development Corporation, Devon Self Storage

Holdings, Lehigh River Development Corp 3, 1134 Hanover Ave LLC, and

Stratagem Allentown LLC. Funds will be used for the purchase of new

street trees.

Attachments: Bill 6 Shade Tree Funds

Ordinance #15981

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 15981

CONSENT AGENDA: The Consent Agenda is for items that are considered ‘no

brainers’ – the objective is to vote on all the resolutions at one time if there are no

issues. The President asks if there is any request to remove any item from the

Consent Agenda. If not, the clerk will read the resolutions. The President will ask for

public comments, prior to council voting on the bundle.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there are any comments from the dais or the

public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

15-6673

R 27

Carlos Rodriguez, Allentown Housing Authority, 2-22-2029

Attachments: R27 Allentown Housing Authority, Carlos Rodriguez, 2-22-2029

Memo from Mayor Matt Tuerk regarding the Appointment of Carlos

Rodriquez (Allentown Housing Authority)

Carlos G. Rodriguez, Esq. Resume

Authorities, Boards, and Commissions (Allentown Housing Authority)

Resolution #30796

Enactment No: 30796

15-6674

R28

Certificate of Appropriateness for work in the Historic Districts: 503 W.

Allen St: 23 N. 12th St.; 433 N. 8th St.

Attachments: R28 HARB Resolution

23 N 12th St Final Review

433 N 8th St Final Review

503 W Allen St Final Review

Resolution #30797

Enactment No: 30797

RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On): The Clerk reads the

resolution. The Chair gives a committee report if applicable, comments are taken

from the administration, the dais, and the public before a vote is taken.

15-6571

R12

Authorizes the City of Allentown to adopt a Vision Zero Policy to eliminate

all traffic fatalities and severe, traffic-related injuries.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R12 Vision

Allentown Vision Zero Introduction Presentation

Resolution #30798

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the

administration, the dais or the public.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30798

15-6619

R22

Authorizes the Administration to enter into a cooperation agreement with

the Allentown Parknership, to utilize the organization’s fundraising and

planning capabilities to raise money to finance and manage capital

improvement projects, manage construction, provide enhanced

maintenance, provide programs and special events, coordinate volunteer

activity, and to pursue such other authorized opportunities and address

recognized needs, for the betterment of the city’s parks.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: R22 Authorizes Cooperation Agreement

Parknership Cooperation Agreement

Park Res Amended

Resolution #30799

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais.

Ms. Natalie Santos stated that she wants to add the amendment that was

introduced by the administration.

Mr. Ed Zucal asked what is the amendment.

A motion was made by Natalie Santos, seconded by Ce-Ce Gerlach, that this

Resolution be amended in the fourth Whereas after the Cooperation Agreement

you would add the words in the form and at the end of that sentence and

incorporated herein (the “Cooperation Agreement”) and in the first Now

Therefore Be It Resolved, change the a to the.

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30799

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

A motion was made by Cynthia Mota that this Resolution be approved as

amended. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30799

15-6660

R29

City Council hereby determines and concludes that outside the Purchasing

Agent neither the Director of Finance nor anyone from the Administration

should participate in scoring or be present during the process to select a

response to the RFP selecting investigatory services since it is an

investigation of the Administration.

Gerlach, Hendricks and Mr. Zucal

Sponsors:

Attachments: R29 RFP

Ordinance #15948

Code Contracts Provisions

Charter Provisions on Council Investigation Authority

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that some of them may or may not know that back in

early Fall, there were some issues that arose and complaints that were

made about the administration on the way that handled hirings, firings and

some other internal stuff. Shortly thereafter, he asked for an outside

investigation and quickly and briefly read what the powers of Council are

under Section 210, entitled Investigations of the Home Rule Charter. In

addition to the authority power of the City Controller to conduct audits under

Section 403D of this Home Rule Charter, Council shall have the power, by

ordinance, to make or cause to be made, investigations, audits or studies

of the City and the conduct of any City department, office or agency, and,

for this purpose may retain professional and technical assistance,

subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require the

production of evidence, and provide funds for such investigation, audit, or

study. He stated that on October 4th, Council had a meeting here and that

meeting was to determine whether or not Council was going to approve the

investigation. At 57 minutes and 07 seconds of that meeting, Mayor Tuerk

said that the administration welcomes this investigation. In addition, he

said that the mayor's office welcomes this investigation. He stated that they

needed at least four members of Council. At 57 minutes and 45 seconds

of that meeting, the mayor urged Council to grab the seven votes and let's

proceed with this investigation. Since that time, Council has been met with

nothing but resistance with regards to this investigation. The most recent

thing is obviously RFPs are required for contracts. It is not an issue. He

stated that he doesn't have an issue with that. The issue that he has is the

inherent conflict of the Finance Director being a part of that group of

people. Meaning the committee to choose the evaluation. He is surprise

that they wouldn't even think it is a conflict. He stated that if he is before the

Lehigh County Court on a murder charge, he highly doubt that the District

Attorney's office would allow him to pick the jury that is going to set him

free. He stated that is where they are at here. He stated that the Finance

Director is Ms. Patel. Obviously, the Code states that she supposed to be

a part of it. He understands that and don't have an issue with that. The

issue that he has is the integrity of the investigation. He wants this

investigation and doesn't care how long it takes, when it starts to be the

most integrity thing that has ever happened in this city. If it is going to be

tainted then they probably should not do an investigation. He had

department heads come and tell him that they have been told not to

cooperate. That's up to them. That's on them. That's not on him. About a

month ago, Ms. Patel sent out a letter which he was contacted by the

unions about. To her staff that nothing negative should be said about the

Finance office or anything without the permission. He stated that yesterday

he received a text and this is what the text said and by the way it was sent

out on February 15th at 8:58 in the morning. By the way, last Thursday was

February 15th and there was a meeting here to pick a committee for this

investigation as well as to talk about the Resolution #29 for tonight. He

stated that this is what was sent to him yesterday. Good Morning, Council

has scheduled a Special Meeting tonight regarding the Investigation RFP.

No one from the Finance Department should attend today's Council

meeting. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you, Bina. He asked how are you going to sit here and tell him she

can be independent on this investigation. If you vote against this

Resolution, that tells him you want a tainted investigation. He stated that

quite frankly he doesn't know what the answer is. He asked Attorney Smith

that they should look into this further because as it states they may retain

individuals to pursue. He is not even sure if they have to go through the

RFP process. In the past, Council has hired outside firms to do an

investigation without the RFP process. Is that something we need to look

at? He stated to Attorney Smith that he does not have to answer that

tonight.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she shares the same concerns that her

fellow Councilperson stated. She is to aware of a meeting that occurred

she believes in October that department heads were told by the City

Solicitor on behalf of the mayor to not cooperate with the investigation. She

stated that it will be denied, but they are aware of that. That is concerning.

That is concerning that they were told that. Here were are already before

the investigator even got here that there is already this resistance. It is a

clear conflict of interest. It is a conflict of interest that we don't need to go

down that path because as the Council's Solicitor had stated during the

Special Meeting, when you look at the language of the Code that governs

who should be in those meetings, it's talking about bureau heads. She

stated that they don't have bureau heads as a Council. You can't pick and

choose aspects of a Code to apply unless you are going to apply the whole

Code. She stated that she will wait. She stated keep going.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated to Ms. Gerlach, no. Continue. She wants to know.

Go ahead.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated furthermore she would ask the city to provide

how many RFP processes the Scoring Committee has the current Director

of Finance participated in. If this is like a common practice then she would

think all of them, right. She would like to know. It seems to be pushed

really hard right now that a member of the administration is part of selecting

who is investigating them. She stated that something doesn't sit right with

her. She asked her colleagues does it sit right with them. Does it? Does

it sit right with you that an administration would send a memo out to Council

threatening with Sunshine violations if Council doesn't allow the Director of

Finance to choose who is investigating them. She asked does that sit right

with them. Why are they going so hard on this? She stated that if it sits

right with you then ok. Something is up. Something is up. She urged them

to support this Resolution. She urged Council to do so and if the mayor

wants to threaten to not sign the contract unless they listen to him and the

Solicitor. Then let him not sign the contract and they have to deal with that

when that comes.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if it is possible to hear from either the

administration or Council's Counsel just to get a better background here.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated as of the conflict of interest issue, the

Director of Finance has reviewed the city's Code of Ethics and Conflict of

Interest. He stated that is Chapter 36 in the Administrative Code. She

confirmed that she does not have a conflict of interest per that chapter and

can perform her job as dictated by the Code in a fair and impartial manner.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if someone from the administration confirm

because her understanding is the RFP processes is usually the Purchasing

Agent, Sarrah McNeil who is there doing a lot of the guiding and

department heads, bureau heads, what have you even though it is written is

having the department head for Finance typical and specifically right now,

the current department head. She asked how many RFPs have and stated

that she has to understand why is it being pushed so hard. If this is just run

of the mill and always happening, ok cool. She asked if she could get an

answer on that.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that there is always the director or the

designee on the RFP. The individua you are describing, the Purchasing

Agent is someone there to assist with the technical aspects of it and on the

grading. He stated that is what we always have.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if specifically there is always the Finance

Director there.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that is what the Code requires.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she is asking is there though. The Code

requires one thing. How many RFP processes has this particular Finance

Director participated in since she has taken this position since it seems to

be very important to the administration that this particular person is there.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that it is either Director Patel or the

Deputy Director Baraket. One of those two.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated Jessica Baraket. The same person who right

now if we were to do this RFP process would be in the room with us

guiding us so that same person.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal asked what is your question.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked Attorney Rosenthal if he is saying Jessica

Baraket who is the one who has been going to the meetings on behalf of.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she has been attending some of the RFPs

stating that she also has done some of them. Ms. Baraket has done some

of them. The Finance Department is always involved. There is always a

Finance presence at RFP vendor selection. Each and every RFP, the city

has done, there is always Finance presence.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked is it for items the administration and are not

things like this where Council initiated this investigation based on the City

Charter. They are different types of RFPs. For like the Rescue Mission

and things like that.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that this a Professional Services RFP.

So for every Professional Service, it is the same procedure. It requires the

Director of Finance, the Bureau Chief and the Director of the Department.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that they need some help here because how do

they get over the fact that it says that Council needs a bureau chief.

Council doesn't have one. She asked how do they get over the fact that

they don't have as a body doesn't have a department head. She stated that

if they are going to have to comply with the Finance Director, they should

have to comply with the entire Code, right.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated yes.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked so how do we do that since Council doesn't

have a bureau chief.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that Council's authorizing ordinance said

that they were going to work with the Procurement office to implement

proper procurement matters. He stated that is a question for you. He

stated that they have established that the Finance Director is required by

Section 521.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked why did the administration support this in the

first place. If it is impossible for them to comply with that Code by not

having a bureau chief and not having a department head since Council

doesn't have one. Why would the administration say hey, I support this and

why would you.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that he does not have a position on this.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she knows that the Finance Director in one

either the Deputy and she is aware of that way back in the Pawlowski era.

She asked Ms. Patel if she has a vote on it or she is just there to guide.

Ms. Bina Patel stated there is a vote stating she would have a vote on it. If

there are four members, her vote has a value of 25 percent.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she understands what Ms. Gerlach is going

with this here. This is unprecedented. They never had an investigation of

the administration which you are part of to be part of the voting process.

She stated that she trusts Ms. Patel and know that she would do, but that is

not the point. The point is how it looks to the public and everyone else that

they are doing an investigation of the administration. She stated if Ms.

Patel was there like the Purchasing Agent, but you do have a vote. In that

case she would have to agree that it doesn't seem like it can pass the sniff

test with somebody. She stated no offence to Ms. Patel. She stated that

she knows that this has been the process. The thing is that they never done

this before. This is not like your ordinary RFPs. She stated that this is

where she is concerned and has to agree with Ms. Gerlach or yu. She

stated that if she is the one that is being persecuted or investigated, she

doesn't think she should have a vote which the administration does.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated she is glad because she was going to go into a

rant.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that it is not like a vote. You are scoring into

already preselected criterions that exists in the RFP. You are scoring

according to an existing metrics. That is different than a vote.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he wanted to bring it up and he wants to make

sure they are all clear on that. He stated that he wants to be clear. Not just

him, but the public.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she wants to walk everyone through the process.

What the Finance Department, the Finance Director or designee does in

this process is that they help select a vendor. There is a scope of work that

is designed and all they are doing is does this vendor meet what we are

looking for. The city is looking for this services. Does this vendor meet

that? And, that is what the vote is. It is not technically selecting. It is

making sure what the city is seeking is what they are providing. The

second part of that RFP process is the cost factor and does that meet the

cost factor. That is already outlined already in the RFP. It is just making

sure that this vendor meets that work scope. That is what the scoring is. It

is not selecting the Finance Department or designee or herself as Director

is never part of the investigation. It is part of the selection of a vendor.

Mr. Santo Napoli asked if they know who the other three folks are. He

stated that he is just curious. He stated that you mentioned four people.

He stated that if Ms. Patel would be 25 percent, who would be the other

three.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated Mr. Zucal, Ms. Gerlach, and Mr. Hendricks.

Attorney Charles Smith stated as it stands now, the Resolution that is being

recommended has three people. That is what the Resolution says. That is

what is in front of you. That is what came out of the Investigation

Committee meetings. It excludes the Director of Finance. That is what is

in front of you. If there is any consideration for alternatives that might be

more palatable to the mayor on whether he is going to sign this. When they

are done with this, they would have to amend it, but if not what's in front of

you is a recommendation that you adopt the resolution. The Investigation

Committee recommended to you a resolution that says that it will be scored

by three members of Council. Councilperson Zucal, Councilperson

Hendricks, and Councilperson Gerlach. He stated that is what is in front of

you.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that at this point, Ms. Patel's vote is irrelevant. She

has 25 percent and the Committee has 75 percent. He doesn't see the

waiting.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that here is what he thought the issue in the

committee was. If he is not saying this properly then tell him. He thought

the issue was if they get through the Technical Proposal, go to the Cost

Proposal and you do interviews. Having someone from the administration

could have a chilling affect in that conversation.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated not only that, she is right. She does the Cost Analysis

and all that stuff. The other issue is any questions that they would have for

the individuals they have selected, she will also have an opportunity to be a

part of that question and answer session.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated with the people that are going to be

investigating.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated the administration.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that his last question is that the RFP is written. Any

discussion would have nothing to do with the RFP itself. He stated that he

is just trying to understand this. The RFP has already been written and

worded in a way that this committee has no jurisdiction in changing that in

how the investigation is being conducted. This committee is solely in the

fact that who are they picking to actually run the investigation. He stated his

understanding they have a couple of vendors and already in the bidding

and it is a matter of who is going to get this business. Nothing in the

document can be changed at this point. It is a done deal.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that is correct. You cannot alter the RFP.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he wants to make sure that he is clear.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated no because of the Rules. If someone else wants

to speak. She stated that she already spoke. She will wait until someone

else speak. To the point where it would be like three against one. They

are not a monolith They got Mr. Zucal, Mr. Hendricks and herself. She

stated aren't we different. They definitely do not necessarily look at things

in the same way and score things the same way. She doesn't necessarily

see it as a 75 percent versus 25 percent deal. She stated that it is not

about Ms. Patel as a human. This is about a member of the administration

being a part of an investigation. It is that simple. It is not about

questioning or integrity. It is not anything about that. It is just about this very

clear having someone in the administration choosing who was

investigating them is just wrong. It is not right.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked what is going to happen if they only go and say ok,

we just want three people and not anyone in the administration. What's

going to happen? Will the mayor sign or will he not sign? She stated that

she just wants to know the options.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated unfortunately he is going to have to refer

to the memo that Law provided last week.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked what was the memo. Can you read the memo?

Attorney Adam Rosenthal asked the whole memo, no.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that most important thing of the memo.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that the most important thing is that he is not going to

sign it.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that Council can refer to the memo. He is

not going to read it here.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that this is the problem. This is what she is

saying to them. This is the problem.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated if Council has legal questions, please

provide them to your Solicitor and he can relay it to them.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked Attorney Charles Smith if he can read the

portion of the memo that states what the mayor will and won't do.

Attorney Charles Smith asked for a moment while he pulls it up.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that they are going by the law pretty much

because they mentioned when you have an RFP, there is always someone

in the administration.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that is correct.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that again, Council has never had an investigation.

Ms. Bina Patel stated that she just wants to make sure that it is clear that

someone from the Finance Department, Finance Director, Deputy Finance

Director, is part of the RFP vendor selection.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked Attorney Smith.

Attorney Charles Smith stated that he has so many emails for Allentown.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated to Attorney Smith that he could use his.

Attorney Charles Smith stated that essentially the Solicitor's office would

advise the mayor not to sign the contract because it does not comply with

the city's procurement process. He stated that is what would happen and

then it will be up to the mayor whether or not he would follow that advice or

whether he would act over that advice. He stated that is where we are.

They are really in an area of first impression for the city. The Code

provisions as set forth in the Resolution don't neatly apply into the situation

that they find themselves in. The question becomes do you want to plow

forward and vote on the resolution, if it was to be passed as it stands now.

There is a possibility that the mayor would not sign the agreement or do

you want to consider an alternative that would be acceptable to the

administration and they would agree to sign this thing. He understands the

very principled position and he doesn't disagree on what they are saying.

He is talking in terms of practicality. Whether Council wants to consider

something that they would agree to move forward with, but if not, what they

can do is vote on the resolution that came out of the committee,

recommending 3 - 0. If that were to pass by Council as a whole, then that is

how they would go. Then they would find out whether or not the mayor

would sign it. He stated that he supposes that they will cross that bridge

when they come to it. He stated that is procedurally where they are right

now.

Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he beat him to it because he feels that it

happens during his day job. They reach a stalemate and things never

happen. They want this investigation to happen. They all agree on that.

How they move forward could stall that. That is what is aggravating. He is

trying to think of a compromise or a solution that makes everything works to

move this thing forward. That is just him again and his day job and his

experiences. How do they get this thing forward because if not, they are

going in circles and that wasn't the intention. The intention was to run an

investigation. He is speaking out loud here and obviously with his

colleagues, is there something that works for everyone so they could just

move this thing forward.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked how could we compromise. That's the question.

She asked how are we compromising.

Attorney Charles Smith stated that at this point that you can do if someone

felt that there was an alternative. They could do a Motion to Amend. The

Resolution has been recommended. It hasn't been passed. It is in front of

them now in that recommended status. Someone could say, well, I offer

this amendment and then you could vote on that. It could be shot down and

then boom, you are right back to where it is right now. He stated he guess

that would be the point where they are at. If someone felt that there was an

appropriate alternative. They can propose that in a form of a Motion to

Amend. He stated that then you can vote on it. It goes up or down and he

thinks at that point they have to vote of the resolution in its current form or

as amended.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that before Council amend, they should have public

comment. He stated that Ms. Affa has a comment.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she is going way off the grid here. Since the

Solicitor advised the Mayor not to sign it, she is wondering since they have

a room full of attorneys here. If Council should go with just three and

breaking the city's Code or how everyone is saying and not have the

Finance Director in on it. Hypothetically, if someone is convicted or not

convicted. Could that person then lose their job and then sue the city

because it did not conduct the investigation on the RPFs the way they

suppose to. The way the Code says. She asked if they could answer that.

Hypothetically, it is her and she was found guilty. She is going to lose her

job and now she is going to sue the city and one of the things she is going

to sue on is the fact that they did not do the process with the RFP. They did

not allow the Finance Director in on it. She asked if that is a possibility.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that he doesn't want to give legal advice in

a public setting and in this scenario. He stated if Council wants to have an

executive session to discuss it. He is more than happy to.

Ms. Candida Affa stated if they did something different in the Code what

they normally don't do. This person can say, they didn't conduct it the right

way.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that if the proper procurement procedures

aren't followed, Council opens themselves to all of the penalties and

anything that could happen instances where individuals didn't follow the

procedures and did what the wanted with the RFPs and gave significant

amount of city funds to those individuals they determined without going

through the proper procurement procedures.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that was her question, Attorney Rosenthal

answered. If Council doesn't do it the proper way, it is a possibility they will

sue and say that the city did not investigate it the way they normally do.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated more than that. You are open to anything

that could happen.

Ms. Candida Affa stated yes, she knows and understands. She stated that

was just running through her head.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated that he wants to be very clear, they not at all not

interested in following the proper procedures. They are interested in not

having a conflict of interests.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that if she could again add that to say that

Council is not following the proper procurement procedures is a false

statement. The current procurement procedures as stated by the Council's

Solicitor don't neatly apply to this situation. It is a false statement to say

that they are not following the procedures that don't exist for them.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal stated that he would like to follow up on

Councilperson Zucal's comment. The city Code, Chapter 36 specifically

delineates all the conflict of interests reasons why a person should be

eliminating. As he stated, the Director reviewed it and did not find anything

in there that applied to her. If Council has things that meet elements in 36,

provide them to your Solicitor and he can bring them to the Law department

and they can evaluate if they are valid. The Code specifically identifies

what is a conflict of interests and what would eliminate a specific person

from an RFP Committee. That still wouldn't act to eliminate the Director of

Finance. It would just eliminate Director Patel. It would be next man up.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated let's do public comment.

Ms. Karen Ocasio stated that it is no secret that she used to work here up

until November 20th when she was fired for speaking up and she wasn't

given a reason why she was fired. She wants to say in her three years of

being in HR and doing RFPs, she can recall Jessica Baraket being there,

but she doesn't recall the current Director being in the RFPs stating even

right before she was fired. She stated that she is not sure if Ms. Patel was

ever part of them at all. She asked if they can focus on the fact that her

email violates the Sunshine Act. These type of settings are open for the

public. She stated anybody can show up, correct. She asked if she is

wrong about that. She stated that Ms. Patel already shows that she is bias

and trying to keep people from coming and people to support and things

like that. She stated that Ms. Patel is already showing this and showing

that she wouldn't give an unbias score based off of whatever her beliefs

may be. She asked Council if they can focus on the fact that the

administration is the one who is being investigated. They should not have

someone from the administration scoring on anything. She stated that they

all think differently. What if they vote on a company or a person that may be

affiliated and they don't know about. There is a lot of opposition from the

administration and that is clearly showing that they are hiding something. If

they weren't hiding something, they would be completely open. Yes, let's

do it however you want it because they have nothing to hide. With so much

opposition, it is clearly showing something. She stated that they violated

her rights. They violates her and other employees. They do not need to

have anybody from the administration scoring on anything. Because they

will do especially if they are scared for their jobs. She stated hello, she was

fired for no cause stating we know that he will fire them, if they don't do what

he says. She stated stick to your guns and don't allow Bina on this.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal asked Mr. Hanlon what is the email that is being

mentioned.

Attorney Charles Smith stated that the email Ms. Patel sent to her

employees about the investigation Committee meeting.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated on the 15th. Usually there are people from the

city. Y'all are here tonight. At that meeting, there was absolutely nobody.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated on the 15th.

Attorney Adam Rosenthal asked at the committee meeting last week.

Ms. Phoebe Harris stated that she is going back to the email. She stated

to her, Ms. Patel violated the Sunshine Act, she is impeding on an

investigation, she is trying to influence unduly. She stated that she is

listening to Ma. Patel speak and stated that she is taking it personal. She

stated that she is listening to Ms. Patel speak and answer questions and

she still doesn't answer questions. Every meeting that she has gone to that

Ms. Patel has been in, she never answers questions. Why does she still

have a job? She is putting you all and stated have it been her with school

board and the Finance Director has put her in the hot seat because of what

she just did and violated the Sunshine Act. She would not be here

anymore. She stated that she would figure it out. She would have to go to

her employer and figure that out because it's coming down on y'all. What

she did came down on y'all. She stated to Council you are elected by the

city. She isn't. She is an employee and gets paid by the city. Y'all are

elected by the city. You are the governing board. She is asking them to

please take that letter seriously. That email very seriously because it was

wrong. She feels that Ms. Patel should not be and why would the Finance

Department be part of. That is like the fox guarding the hen house. Why

are they a part of the RFP stating that makes no sense to her. All of them

ask and thanked Ms. Affa for her question too. She stated all of them

asked great questions so she doesn't know if they are going to be figuring

it out during executive sessions or table it for now. The Finance

Department should not be part of it when they are the ones being

investigated.

Ms. Barbara Redmond, NAACP, stated that the investigation involves the

administration and there is going to be an administrator in there hearing

things that the employees are talking about and it is going to go back to the

different sources and people are going to be fired or harassed. She stated

that they are hearing about people being harassed, unions are telling the

employees not to be involved in investigations. The administration is telling

people not to be involved in the investigation. She asked what is that telling

them. There is something wrong and something to hide. Why do you need

another administrator to sit in on an investigation when the investigation is

about them. She stated that she guarantees them that anybody or anyone

that is involved and any administrator is going to be scoring is involved in

the investigation. There are so many people involved in this investigation

and it is really sad that the city of Allentown is treating the Black and Brown

employees. It is pitiful. They need to be investigated and the

administration don't need to be involved. She hopes that they all vote

tonight to move it forward and if they mayor decides he doesn't want to sign

it, that says a lot about him. That shows that he has something to hide.

Ana Danny Negron, Employee of the city of Allentown for 18 years, stated

that being glad that eventually and finally getting into this since being with

the city since 2007. Did everything and anything. Went above and beyond

the job description for this city and put wear and tear on the body for so

many years. Doing as much as they could to clean the streets and have

safe streets so the people can start enjoying the outdoors and the crimes

will lesson. Ana Danny stated coming here months ago, year 2023 and

since then the retaliation has been off the woe and been getting written up

every three weeks. There have been false accusations because the city is

building a case. Everything and anything that looks horrible on the books.

All of the stuff they are saying Ana Danny would not hire and would think of

as the worse scum. Being called egregious and did not know what the

word meant. Googling the word and asking the person upstairs what the

word egregious is and didn't even know what it was and asking the person

who wrote such complaints and write ups. When Mayor Matt Tuerk came

to office, Ana Danny stated being the first person to whistle blow. Sending

emails and calls and s

7 -

Yes:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

Enactment No: 30800

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public

comment prior to referral): The Clerk reads the bill; comments are taken from the

public noting the bill will be discussed in detail at a committee meeting – the

legislation is referred to the proper council committee.

15-6666

Bill 8

Amending the 2024 Trexler Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Eight Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty-Four Dollars and

Seventy-One Cents ($8,634.71) from the 2023 Springwood Trust, Trexler

operating budget of the Parks Department to the 2024 Springwood Trust,

Trexler operating budget for the purpose of purchasing benches and the

installation of concrete pads at Trexler Memorial Park.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 8 Trexler Springwood 2023 Funds

Ordinance #15983

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

Enactment No: 15983

15-6667

Bill 9

Amending the 2024 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of One Million, Three Hundred Thousand ($1,300,000.00)

Dollars from the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) grant for the

purpose of rehabilitating the historic Bogert’s Bridge, located in the Lehigh

Parkway.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 9 - PennDOT Grant Funds Appropriation

Ordinance #15984

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

Enactment No: 15984

15-6668

Bill 10

Amending the 2024 Fire Department budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) from The Hartford

grant for the purchase of a fire extinguisher simulator.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 10 Fire Dept Hartford Grant

Ordinance #15985

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Enactment No: 15985

15-6669

Bill 11

Amending the 2024 Fire Department budget to provide for a supplemental

appropriation of Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000.00) from Norfolk

Southern Rail, Safety-First grant. This grant is to purchase hazardous

materials related equipment for incidents that may occur as a result of a

railway incident along the Norfolk Southern railway that runs through the

City of Allentown.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 11 Fire Dept Norfolk Southern Rail Grant

Ordinance #15986

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Enactment No: 15986

15-6670

Bill 12

Amending the 2024 Grant Fund budget to accept Five Hundred Thousand

Dollars ($500,000) from the FY 2023 Distressed Area Recompete Pilot

Program Phase 1 strategy development grant.

Administration

Sponsors:

Attachments: Bill 12 - Recompete Phase 1

Ordinance #15987

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMITTEE

Enactment No: 15987

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

The Clerks reads the resolution. Comments are taken from the administration, the

dais, the public before a referral is made to a council committee where a detailed

discussion will take place.

15-6613

R30

Amending Council Rules by prohibiting Council Members from engaging in

discussion and voting at Council Meetings by remote participation to

ensure compliance with the Sunshine Act and having an adverse impact on

council business conducted during that meeting.

Affa, Hendricks and Mota

Sponsors:

Attachments: R30 Remote Participation

Options and City Info

Sunshine Act downloaded 12-27-23

PSBA-Guidance-on-Remote-Board-Meeting-Attendance

UNC article remote participation Aug 2013

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she introduced this because she believes

from the day she became a Councilperson, especially when it comes to

voting. She would like to have the Councilperson here and she does not

know where this Councilperson is, who is sitting next to this Councilperson,

if someone is influencing this Councilperson, and she believes it is their

duty as an elected official to come to the meetings especially for the

conversations and especially voting. She doesn't on the phone who you

are sitting with and who is influencing you. She stated that they are the only

city that does this. Bethlehem does not. You must attend our meetings to

vote. She thinks it is very crucial. She could be sitting in her Livingroom

and being influenced by the mayor sitting next to her. She stated that you

don't know that and this is the reason why she proposed this. It is not a

reflection on anyone. She just believes that as Council, they should attend

their meetings and if we can't, if we are sick or on vacation stay away. We

have a quorum. You don't have to vote. She doesn't want anyone voting

that she can't see them sitting here voting.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she will get into this at the committee level.

There have been people who have been sick, have been in various parts of

the world, and they have voted. That means no whatsoever regardless of

family emergencies or whatever. She stated that she knows years have

went by where people were not here.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she knows, but Allentown is the only city that

does that.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she thinks Lehigh County allows their folks

to vote.

Ms. Candida Affa stated she knows that Bethlehem doesn't. If you are

somewhere out of the country where you are on vacation or you are sick. It

was different when there was Covid because they were all at home voting.

She doesn't believe that there is no reason that you are sick or on vacation

and there is a quorum here and doesn't believe through the telephone and

sitting wherever you are sitting, you should be voting on especially things

that are very important that they are voting on. She doesn't want anyone to

be influenced and she doesn't know that. She stated that Ms. Gerlach

doesn't know. No one knows who is being influenced by voting. People try

to influence all the time. If they are sitting right next to her and say I can vote

this way. It is not impossible, but it can happen. She thinks that Council

should attend all the meetings. She stated to Ms. Gerlach that she herself

said that they have many times have to sit here for hours and things they

have to do because they are elected officials. One of those things is to be

present. She stated that they get their vacation and get their sick time like

everyone else, but when they miss meetings after meetings. She is not just

talking about them. What about the future? What about somebody else

that is going to be sitting here on the dais that may not be as trustworthy as

they are. She is talking about the future. She doesn't think that it is a good

thing for somebody to be voting when they are not present in the Council

Chambers.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked when will this meeting be that they will be

discussing this.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that it hasn't been setup yet.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that it is going to happen.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that this will be an important conversation

because this will affect all of them. She can't think of one person who hasn't

had to call in. Mr. Zucal seems to be here all the time, but everyone else.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that one day he came late and they were about to

call 911.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that they have all been on vacation and have all

been sick, but that doesn't mean they can vote. If she is on vacation, she

may look at the agenda and say well I should stay here. Suppose she is

gone for three votes. Three times. Three times she is voting in a row.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that has happened before.

Ms. Natalie Santos stated with other Councilmembers.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated before this current year. Before she even got on

Council.

Ms. Candida Affa states yes and he quit.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if that was Dr. McGuire.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he doesn't think he participated by phone.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that if you are on vacation you should not be voting

on things. She stated that she doesn't know where they are at or what they

are doing. She thinks the public thinks the same way.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that the positive thing is that this will be introduced

to her committee.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated before it is introduced can Council get from the

county since they do allow their Commissioners to vote. She stated Ms.

Affa referenced Bethlehem.

Ms. Candida Affa stated and Easton and Stroudsburg and so many.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it would be great to see what the county is

doing. The county that we are in.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that they have information that might even be in

the file. A lot of people do a lot of different things.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the public.

Mr. Drew Swedberg, Civic Theatre of Allentown - Film Manager, stated that

he wants to attest of Mr. Zucal being on-time at Jefferson Elementary

School when he was working there. He was also reliably there every day. It

is really really important when you consider this to really be thinking about

ableism and accessibility. He understands what Ms. Affa is saying about

vacation time, but as she said about the future they have to think about a

future in which immunocompromised folks, folks that have chronic illness,

folks that have different abilities, and can be beyond Council. With people

that he loves dearly that are immunocompromised that have different

abilities, it is not always possible for them to be in these spaces and urged

them to not set a precedent that discouraged folks. Those folks that are

here are privileged to be abled bodied. It is a framework that is really

important for them to be thinking about as they are thinking about this

Resolution. He understands what they are saying about all the different

things that they just said. For instances, people were talking about

microphones today. That is an accessibility issue. He doesn't know that

the agenda items are on the screen supposed to be updated every time

something is put out. That is an accessibility issue. He urged them as this

moves forward to just bring that framework in and really be thinking about

the future. Folks that aspire to be in this position who are differently abled

and chronic illness compromised. Covid has taught them a lot about

accessibility and ableism and it is really really significant for that framework

to be discussed with whoever it comes to and make sure that is really

being incorporated of of you are thinking about and whether it is exceptions

or thinking about what that looks like. He has a very dear friend who is

missing four weeks and have to teach online for four weeks. Would that

mean she would have to be fired? Those conversations have come up for

her and had to hide her status for fear of being fired for being

immunocompromised.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that nobody gets fired here.

Mr. Drew Swedberg stated that he did not hear her talk about the

framework and really thinks if they move this forward to really incorporate

that into how you are thinking about this.

Ms. Karen Ocasio stated that Ms. Affa made a great point about people

having to be here and they don't know if someone is sitting next to her. She

stated that they all know that people have relationships and have

discussions before they come to Council and get swayed that way. Does it

matter that you are on the computer and it says in 2020, they all have gone

remote. Everything is remote. It is a time for them to move forward with

everything that is going on in life and being able to go remote. It is normal.

When she had a job, before she got fired she was working remote to and

was able to complete her duties just as much. People can get swayed one

way or another when they go to dinner before Council. That is not really a

preoccupation. She stated let it be and let people go remote if they choose

to. If they are sick and need a babysitter. Let them go remote.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated to keep in mind they are going to have the

conversation at the committee meeting. They are going to talk more about

this.

Female audience member stated that she was home schooled through

high school. She knows what that looks like. Lockdown browsers and

making sure your cameras are on so that no one is around you. There are

many ways as they were saying about being accessible. If you are

concerned about people being here in the present and you forget that in the

fall, she is a preschool teacher and a social worker so RSV, strep throat,

Covid, the flu and a lot of things come along and when you are

immunocompromised like herself and many others in this room, you have

to take a lot of time off. You can also look into instead of saying everyone

should be here. Why don't you look into your budget and say let me get

everyone laptops and lockdown browsers and make sure if they have to be

home they have access to that instead of coming in and saying no, you

should be here and I don't trust you. You could be influenced. Make the

proper accommodations because if you are talking about the future, the

future is tech savvy. And, we are not going back.

REFERRED TO THE RULES, CHAMBERS, INTERGOVERNMENTAL

RELATIONS AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE

15-6671

R31

Council recommends ARPA funds not appropriated be directed to towards

offsetting any potential tax increase and used for critical infrastructure

projects.

Proposed Amendment: Amend the resolution to take the 1.2M from

community reinvestment and place it into the general fund to be used for

recommendations from the housing study.

Affa, Hendricks and Mr. Zucal

Sponsors:

Attachments: R31 ARPA Resolution

ARPA Funds Cash Summary 3.22.2024

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the

public.

REFERRED TO THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

GOOD AND WELFARE: NONE