435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

City Council

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Invocation:

6:30 PM

Council Chambers

Pledge to the Flag

Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Courtesy of the Floor

Courtesy and Privilege of the Floor Rules

Ms. Sue Miller, 1011 N. 22nd Street, asked Council in the case of Mr.

Siegel is voted to another office, should that Councilperson step down. If

that is the case, what would be the process for replacing that seat with an

appointment or election.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that what Council is going to do regarding that,

and they are going to make sure everyone knows about it in perhaps a

week or two. First, he has to resign and then we can talk about that. She

stated that Council will let the public know.

Contract Approvals: There are no contracts for approval.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

15-5446

November 2, 2022 Special Council Meeting - Community and Economic

Development Budget Review Minutes

Attachments:

November 2, 2022 Special Council Meeting - Community and

Economic Development Budget Review Minutes

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

Council or the public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

15-5443

November 2, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes

Attachments: November 2, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Communications

Disclosure

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that under Communications we have a surprise,

and she is really excited to do this. We have two Proclamations and she

read the proclamations for Jeffrey Glazier and his father Leonard Glazier.

She stated that it is signed by all City Council members. Congratulations.

You both can come and receive your Proclamations.

Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that they have tonight board members from the

Fund to Benefit Children and Youth to recognize the fact that she is also on

that board. That agency could not have done nearly what it has done

without their help and dedication. Before Jeff tries to discount his

wonderful achievement here. He not only delivers the beds, he goes to

whatever floor of the house need it be and assembles those beds so those

kids have a safe place to sleep. Thank you.

Mr. Jeff Glazier stated that this is a little bit of a surprise, and asked Ms.

Mota is he is limited to three minutes in his remarks. He saw his dad walk

in tonight and said why are you here and then he saw his wife walk in and

his son. He stated that he is really touched by this. He thanked the Fund

and stated that it has been an honor to serve that organization for many,

many years. First, a caseworker would come in and say they want to buy

kids a bed and it was one or two here and then it became more. What has

been happening was the caseworkers were going out and buying the beds

on their own and then deliver them and do all that stuff. We know how

overworked caseworkers are. It made great sense and applauded the

Fund for recognizing that to have somebody else do it so the caseworkers

could really concentrate on the work that they do best which is working with

families and not schlepping mattresses to third floors. We did this for a

number of years and he never ceased to be amazed at the demand and it

is good that the good people in the Lehigh Valley are very generous to the

fund to help them meet that demand. We closed the store and sold the

building a little bit over five years ago so he only kept one client. He kept

the Fund and rent space elsewhere to do this and he has been doing it

pretty much by himself since June of 2017. At the end of this year, he is

going to stop. He figures that he is almost 66 and it is about time because

carrying mattresses to third floors is for a younger person. One of the

reasons that he has done this and occasionally he would take his kids with

him is because seeing how other people live and how they struggle and

how they do their best to provide for their family and sometimes they need

some help has kept him a little bit humbled to have that understanding to

how the other half lives. He always thought that was important. When you

get, if you are on the mailing list, the solicitations to the Fund, he

encouraged them to give generously. They are a no overhead pretty much

organization so that the dollar that goes in is the dollar that goes out.

Whether it is to give a child a bed so they are not sleeping on the floor or to

allow the family to provide enrichment to the child whether it is blowing

through a sports group or getting art classes. The group is truly one of the

gems of the Lehigh Valley. He thanked Council and his friends at the Fund.

Ms. Jane Irving, Lower Macungie - Chair of the Fund to Benefit Children

and Youth, stated that she is just here to say thank you, thank you for all

these years of service. She stated that let me assure you that there are an

awful lot of little kids in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley who are

sleeping well tonight because they have a bed. She thanked the wonderful

board members they have with them tonight. Laura Black who is a

founding member of the Fund to Benefit Children and Youth for about 35

years. Another board member, Judy Harris who is also with us. Thank you

again for the opportunity and thank you for presenting that Proclamation. It

is well deserved.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked Mr. Leonard Glazier if he wanted to say a word.

Mr. Leonard Glazier thanked Council very much. It has been an honor to do

what they did. His father started the business 103 years ago and it has

been an interesting journey. He stated because probably he is one of the

oldest members of Allentown here. He was born 96 years ago.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated wow, what a blessing.

Mr. Leonard Glazier stated it was a blessing to be in Allentown. He

thanked them very much.

Mr. Ed Zucal stated so you were only born a year before Mike Hanlon then.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated behave Mr. Zucal. She noted that we have this

disclosure to make pursuant to our ethics disclosure legislation: She

stated that she met with Scott Unger from AEDC at the request of Mr.

Unger to speak about a need for funding for the development of the Metal

Works site and to consider an appropriation using ARPA funds.

Old Business

Ms. Natalie Santos asked if Council knows the status of Mr. Saeed's

concern about the Synergy Hookah Lounge.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that they will talk about later on because they don't

have an update.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that it was a follow up with Chief Roca.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated to Ms. Santos that they will make sure that she

gets that information.

REPORTS

Special Budget Meetings: President Mota - Our next meeting is scheduled for

November 30 at 6:30 PM to review the non-departmental budgets, consider

additional information request council might have and to vote on the Administration's

budget memos.

Budget and Finance: Chair Siegel, Hendricks, Santos

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

yet scheduled.

Community and Economic Development: Chair Gerlach, Siegel, Mota

The Committee met on November 14th; the next meeting is scheduled November

30th, at 6:00 PM.

Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: Chair Santos, Hendricks,

Siegel

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

meetings scheduled at this time.

Parks and Recreation: Chair Affa, Gerlach, Santos

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

meetings scheduled at this time.

Public Safety: Chair Hendricks, Zucal, Affa

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

meetings scheduled at this time.

Public Works: Chair Zucal, Affa, Hendricks

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

scheduled for November 30th at 6:00 PM.

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

Gerlach

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

meetings scheduled.

Controller's Report (3 minutes)

Mr. Jeffrey Glazier stated that he will save his Report for the beginning of December.

Mayor's Report (3 minutes)

Mr. Seth O'Neill stated that he does have something to share. The Communications

Manager Genesis Ortega this evening sent out a Press Release regarding the city's

Bond Rating with Standard and Poors S&P Global Ratings. The city has its General

Obligation Bonds rated by two agencies: S&P and Moody's. We approached S&P a

little earlier in the year. We had many talks with the analyst that is in charge of our

account. They have upgraded or revised the city's General Obligations Bond

Ratings from A negative to A Stable. The city has a better bond rating today than it

did fir its General Obligation. Some of the things that the analysts noted were very

strong General Fund surpluses. Now, again, this person is only analyzing the 2020

and the graft 2021 financial statements. Not even analyzing where we are at as of

now noted very strong General Fund surpluses in the face of a looming recession, if

there is one. He stated that is their take on it, not his. Financial Management was

upgraded from Standard to Good. Very strong liquidity and strong economic base in

education, healthcare, government, transportation and logistics in the city.

Generally, good news for the city's finances. Just for a quick history lesson,

throughout all of the 1990s which is about as far back as he thinks it is worth going,

the city's General Obligation Bonds were rated AA. That was downgraded in 2005 to

BBB+ which is a pretty substantial downgrade. they noted ongoing weakness is

financial operations. When the city did the Water Lease, they got back up to an A+

and then in 2018, after S&P noted a reliance on cash reserves to balance budgets,

we were downgraded to A negative which the city has been there ever since.

Technically, the first upgrade that the city's had for its bond rating since 2014. The

analyst noted that there are some financial headwinds which means some difficulties

that we have to overcome. Some uphill things, including high fixed costs: Debt:

Pension and OPEB Liabilities and in general the risk to the city's ongoing Pension

Liabilities. Nevertheless, this is really good news in a tricky economic environment

and the Mayor and himself are very pleased that Allentown is being looked upon by

its Bond Rating Agencies as a moderate success story in recent years.

Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Mr. O'Neill and stated that is great news.

15-5455

Controller Reports

Attachments: APayable

Bank Rec

Medical Coverage

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):

15-5411

Bill 84

Amending Part I Administrative Legislation, Authorities, Boards and

Commissions, Article XIV Commission on Homelessness by updating the

language in Sections 12-75 through 12-77.

Attachments: Bill 84 - Amending Commission on Homelessness

Ordinance #15851

Ms. Cynthia Mota thanked Mr. Hanlon and stated that this was under Ms.

Gerlach.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it passed favorably.

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

comments from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 15851

15-5412

Bill 85

Amending the 2022 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Fifty

Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars from the General Fund – Swimming Pools

into the Irving Pool Improvement Capital Project for the use of construction

of the Irving Pool Project.

Attachments: Bill 85 - Aquatics Transfer

Ordinance #15852

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that this was under Ms. Affa.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that it was passed favorably, 3 - 0 at the last

meeting.

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

public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 15852

15-5413

Bill 86

Amending the 2022 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Fifty

Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars from General Fund – CED into the Parks

Master Plan Capital Project that was allocated for the grant match for this

project. These funds would be placed in the Parks Master Plan Capital

Project.

Attachments: Bill 86 - CED Parks Grant Match

Ordinance #15853

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that this was under Ms. Affa.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that this was also passed favorably.

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

comments from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 15853

15-5414

Bill 87

Amending the 2022 Capital Fund Budget to provide for a transfer of Eleven

Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Five ($11,275.00) Dollars from WPA

Structures Capital Project into the Valania Park Improvement Capital

Project to use for construction of the Valania Park.

Attachments: Bill 87 - WPA to Valania Transfer

Ordinance #15854

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated this was also under Ms. Affa.

Ms. Candida Affa stated that this was also passed favorably.

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

public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 15854

15-5415

Bill 88

Amending the Codified Ordinance, Part Two: General Legislation, Chapter

163: Animals, Article I: Animal Control to include the prohibition of the

declawing of cats in the City of Allentown unless the procedure is

necessary for a therapeutic purpose.

Attachments: Bill 88 - Declaw

FURR Support

HSUS Support Declaw Ban

Best Friends support of declaw

Ordinance #15855

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that was also under Ms. Gerlach.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it passed favorably to tonight's meeting.

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

questions from the dais.

Mr. Ed Zucal asked what is the definition they are using for a therapeutic

purpose.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked who can answer that.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it is in the ordinance.

Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that what she can remember, if an animal is injured

and has a paw injury and it is in the best interest of the animal to remove

the claw, it can be removed. As opposed to declawing simply for

convenience.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that the definition is in the Bill.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other questions.

Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach read the definition stating it says therapeutic purpose -

this term refers to the necessity of addressing the physical medical

condition of a cat, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection,

disease, injury, or abnormal condition of the cat which compromises the

cat’s health. The term does not include a cosmetic or aesthetic

reason or reasons of convenience for keeping or handling the cat.

Mr. Cynthia Mota thanked Ms. Gerlach. She asked if there were any

questions from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 15855

CONSENT AGENDA

15-5444

R166

Zaleeae Sierra as Chairperson - Council of Youth

Attachments:

R166 Chairperson Appointment for the Council of Youth - Zaleeae

Sierra

Memo from Mayor Matt Tuerk Appointing Zaleeae Sierra as

Chairperson - Council of Youth

Resolution #30526

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if anyone had any issues with this Resolution and

wants to take it off the Consent Agenda.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 30526

RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL PASSAGE (To be Voted On):

15-5452

R167

Pursuant to the Municipal Planning Code, City Council does hereby give

advice and consent to the following appointment as Director of Planning at

an annual amount of $95,696 (Ninety-five Thousand Six Hundred and

Ninety-Six) Dollars: Jennifer Gomez

Affa, Hendricks, Gerlach, Mota, Santos, Mr. Siegel and Mr. Zucal

Sponsors:

Attachments: R167 Planning Director

Mayor Nomination Letter

Resume

Resolution #30527

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments by the administration.

Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that Ms. Gomez is on Teams here if Council should

have any questions.

Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if Council had any questions. Ms. Vicky Kistler

stated that the administrations comments are that Jennifer is an excellently

qualified candidate.

Ms. Vicky Kistler asked Ms. Gomez if she could hear them.

Ms. Jennifer Gomez stated good evening. Yes, she can hear.

Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that the administration's comments are that

Jennifer is an excellent qualified candidate. A native of the city of

Allentown. Familiar with our city and our community. They are over the

moon happy to present her as a candidate for Planning Director.

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

Mr. Ed Zucal asked Ms. Gomez what other experience she had besides

applying for here.

Ms. Jennifer Gomez stated good evening City Council members. It is a

pleasure to meet you. To provide a little bit of a background her as her

resume indicates she is Certified Planner with the American Institute of

Certified Planning. She has about 18 years of Planning experience with

specific expertise with municipal planning and local government operations

and planning management. The bulk of the planning experience is in

Florida, in Pompeo Beach which is a city of similar size. As Ms. Kistler

indicated, she is an Allentown native and looks forward to returning to the

area.

Mr. Ed Zucal thanked Ms. Gomez and stated that she will have a good

boss.

Ms. Jennifer Gomez stated that it appears that way. Thank you.

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

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated just a comment. He commended Ms. Kistler for

finding Ms. Gomez. A veteran and resident of the city of Allentown. She

understands why she wants to leave Florida now with all the problems down

there. He welcomes her and stated hopefully his colleagues will all vote for

her. He stated that he is sure they will. He stated that he looks forward to

having her serve the citizens.

Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that she just has to add that Ms. Gomez was

interested in this position and has been extremely cooperative. Despite

the distance, they have gotten to know each other very well. She stated that

she just really liked her and thinks Council will too.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that is awesome. She stated that she is excited to

meet her. One of the things that this city has is that believe it or not she left

the city four times and she always come back. There is something magical

about the city of Allentown and that is the reality. She stated that she is

glad that if Ms. Gomez has the votes she will be working for the city. That

would be a plus, an Allentonian. That is awesome. That is great. She

asked if there were any questions from the public.

7 -

Yes:

Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Joshua

Siegel, and Natalie Santos

Enactment No: 30527

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (To be referred to Committee with public

comment prior to referral)

15-5419

Bill 89

Providing for the vacation of N. Egge Street from the centerline of Turner

Street to its Southern Terminus in the Seventh Ward of the City of

Allentown:

Attachments: Bill 89 Egge St. Vacation

N Egge St Vacation Report

Letter from Mike Hanlon regarding Egge Street from W. Turner Street

to Lot 3 (private parking lot) - Street Vacation

Letter from Mark Hartney regarding Allentown Planning Commission

decision on North Egge Street from Turner Street

North Egge Street Mailing Labels

Letter from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission - Southern portion of

N. Egge Street from W Turner

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

go to the committee and will be discussed at that point. She asked if there

were any comments from the public.

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

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

15-5445

R168

Certificate of Appropriateness – 621 W. Liberty Street

Attachments: R168 Certificate of Appropriateness - 621 W Liberty St

621 W Liberty St Final Review

Resolution #30528

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

comments from the public.

REFERRED TO THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMITTEE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

GOOD AND WELFARE

Ms. Candida Affa stated that she would like the public to know and she is

very excited about tomorrow at 11:00 AM, they will have the ribbon cutting

for the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail. Its at 11:00 and everyone can attend

it. She wanted to let the public know that this is something that we have

been working on for a long time and is really excited about having the

ribbon cutting for tomorrow. It is tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that it great. Thank you, Ms. Affa.

Mr. Ed Zucal asked Mr. Joshua Siegel if this was his last night or no.

Mr. Joshua Siegel stated no.

Ms. Cynthia Mota stated not at all.

ADJOURNED: 7:02 PM

15-4437

Council Rules

Home Rule Charter

Contract Procedures

Attachments: HOMERULE June 2021

Council Rules March 2021 Edition

Contracts (4)

Ethics, Code of (7)