435 Hamilton Street  
Allentown, Pa. 18101  
Allentown  
Minutes - Final  
City Council  
Wednesday, January 4, 2023  
5:30 PM  
Council Chambers  
Roll Call  
6 -  
Present:  
Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, and  
Natalie Santos  
Procedures: The applicants listed below that received a vote at the December 19th  
meeting will be given three minutes to respond to the question. A random order will be  
generated for the interview. Council will provide for public comment and allow one  
minute for each individual. After the public comment, Council will vote to fill the  
vacancy. Each councilperson will fill out and sign an appropriately numbered ballot  
indicating their choice to fill the position. The ballots will be forwarded to the City Clerk  
who shall read aloud the name of the candidate selected by each councilperson. The  
candidate needs four affirmative votes. If a candidate has not been chosen by the 3rd  
ballot, Council will consider a motion to petition the court to fill the vacancy.  
Rodney Bushe II Roger Maclean Santo Napoli Patrick Palmer  
Question to be addressed:  
For a variety of reasons, the city has not been able to adequately address capital needs.  
We are in the process of doing a capital assessment plan. Listed below are some  
current infrastructure needs. To what extent should it be addressed through revenue  
such as taxation, bonds, or ARPA dollars? In what ways do you think the city should  
address these issues.  
- Central Fire Station  
- Fearless Fire Station  
- Pools – such as Jordan, and potentially Fountain Park.  
- Parks Maintenance Facility  
- Police Academy  
- Equipment/Vehicles for Fire, EMS, Police  
- Maintenance of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure – the system needs  
investments beyond our current standing fiscal capacity that will require taking on debt  
and higher water rates.  
- City Hall updates.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon read the following: For a variety of reasons, the city  
has not been able to adequately address capital needs. We are in the  
process of doing a capital assessment plan. Listed below are some  
current infrastructure needs. To what extent should it be addressed through  
revenue such as taxation, bonds, or ARPA dollars? In what ways do you  
think the city should address these issues.  
- Central Fire Station  
- Fearless Fire Station  
- Pools - such as Jordan, and potentially Fountain Park.  
- Parks Maintenance Facility  
- Police Academy  
- Equipment/Vehicles for Fire, EMS, Police  
- Maintenance of the city's water and sewer infrastructure - the system  
needs investments beyond our current standing fiscal capacity that will  
require taking on debt and higher water rates.  
- City Hall updates.  
Mr. Roger MacLean stated that on December 19, he stated that the most  
important thing was the budget. The question that lies before them tonight  
proves that the most important. The city can't operate without a sound  
budget. He suggested to assess needs and priorities, cost assessments  
on the needs, cost assessment, alternatives, and would not be looking for a  
tax increase. He would look at the ARPA funds first, bonds and grants.  
Mr. Santo Napoli thanked Council for having him. He stated that the city is  
at a disadvantage. The infrastructure is aging. It is an important to come  
up with a plan and what they can do in the next three to five years. He  
mentioned the ARPA funds instead of using bonds. He mentioned bonds  
being a useful tool. The Allentown Parking Authority using from time to  
time. Taxation is an option and cash reserves. The most important are  
grant opportunities. City Hall upgrades with security.  
Mr. Patrick Palmer stated that he looked at a different way. He stated how  
the last budget went and the ARPA dollars. That is not something that is  
permanent. The ARPA dollars should be used for public education and  
public safety. He went through the process of raising taxes. That is tough.  
The city needs to take a step back to see what they will do with the taxation.  
He talked about the city's credit rating a few years ago which was a blight  
for the city. he talked about bonds and infrastructure.  
Mr. Rodney Bushe II stated that it is a great opportunity to be amongst  
Council. He stated that they all love the city of Allentown. The difference is  
how they love. He talked about the growth, taxation, and a hub. He stated  
to create inclusive space. Inequity in our city hurts our economy. He talked  
about contracts, bonds, ARPA funds, broadband infrastructure, depression  
and stress. He talked about figuring out a way to raise property values.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any public comment.  
Mr. Simon, the husband of Sandra Simon who was one of the potential  
candidates last month talked about City Council bylaws and the voting  
process. he stated that in hindsight, Ms. Simon questioned if she would  
even want to be a part of the group.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon suggested that Council fill out their ballots right in front  
of them.  
15-5556  
Council Applicants  
Attachments: R. Bushe III  
R. Maclean  
S. Napoli  
P. Palmer v2  
ADJOURN  
Ballot Vote Number 1  
15-5598  
15-5599  
15-5600  
Ms. Canda Affa - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach - Mr. Bushe  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Natalie Santos - Mr. Bushe  
Mr. Ed Zucal - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Cynthia Mota - Mr. Napoli  
Ballot Vote Number 2  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach - Mr. MacLean  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Natalie Santos - Mr. Bushe  
Mr. Ed Zucal - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Cynthia Mota - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Canda Affa - Mr. Napoli  
Ballot Vote Number 3  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that this is the last vote. After this last vote, if they  
do not have four, it will go to court.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks - Nr. Napoli  
Ms. Natalie Santos - Mr. MacLean  
Mr. Ed Zucal - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Cynthia Mota - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Candida Affa - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked for a motion to make one more round of voting.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that as Council President she wants them all to  
understand that if they don't choose a candidate tonight, it is going to the  
court. They do not know what the courts are going to do. They have  
speculations, but the reality is they do not know what they are going to do.  
They are going to choose for us.  
A motion was made by Ce-Ce Gerlach, seconded by Candida Affa, that this  
Ordinance be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:  
6 -  
Yes:  
Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, and  
Natalie Santos  
Ballot Vote Number 4  
15-5601  
Mr. Michael Hanlon asked if he should give them their ballot three back and  
you can act on that.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked about Ballot 8.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he they have leftovers from last time.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if they can do voice vote or is that not allowed.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota suggested that they write the names like they have been  
doing. Let's not change the process.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he can give them one of the ballots back.  
Take the one that has your name on it.  
Attorney Charles Smith cautioned to Council to write down Round four.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated write down Ballot 4 and who your person is.  
Ms. Natalie Santos - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Cynthia Mota - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Candida Affa - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach - Mr. MacLean  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that hers is on the back of Ballot 4. She stated  
that Natalie said hers was on the back of her Ballot and hers was on the  
back of mine.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that so you guys switched your ballots.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she wrote her name on top.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that he has for Ms. Santos, Ballot 4 - Mr.  
MacLean and Ms. Gerlach, Ballot 4 - Mr. Napoli. He has the four votes.  
Attorney Charles Smith asked that they clean up the record on that. Read  
the votes, identify who voted and have them indicate, it was my vote so they  
have a record of what happened.  
Ms. Candida Affa - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach - Mr. Napoli  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks - Mr. Napoli  
Ms. Natalie Santos - Mr. MacLean  
Mr. Ed Zucal - Mr. MacLean  
Ms. Cynthia Mota - Mr. Napoli  
Adjourn  
15-5602