435 Hamilton Street  
Allentown, Pa. 18101  
Allentown  
Minutes - Final  
City Council  
Wednesday, April 12, 2023  
6:00 PM  
Council Chambers  
Roll Call  
7 -  
Present:  
Candida Affa, Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Natalie  
Santos, and Santo Napoli  
Agenda Format:  
The purpose of this meeting is to understand the proposed APA amendments, put  
together a list of information and legal issues we would like addressed, get a  
conceptual sense of what council would like acted on for specific amendments to be  
crafted and acted on at a future meeting; and to take comment from the public.  
1. Explain the purpose of the suggested amendments – APA reps will be there to  
explain.  
2. Action on the general concepts from council members. You can entertain a  
motion for each with the caveat that specific amendments will be crafted for future  
meeting relating to changes in the code if they are code related.  
General idea would be: I make a motion to have enforcement by APA………. And  
you need a second.  
a. Enforcement by APA from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday; Saturday 8 am to  
3 pm; no enforcement on Sunday; excluding parking decks owned by the Parking  
Authority. Zucal, Santos, Gerlach, Mota.  
b. Remove car inspection and expired registration enforcement from APA  
enforcement because they are state violations. Proposed Zucal, Gerlach.  
c. Prohibit tickets if person is actively engaged in a delivery or drop off within a  
three-minute time frame. Councilperson Gerlach, Zucal, Santos, Affa, Mota, Napoli.  
d. Internal Policy – a Councilperson has suggested a 24/7 APA dispatch to response  
to residents’ complaint rather than police respond to complaints after hours but with  
a skeleton APA crew –- Gerlach, Affa, Mota, Napoli.  
3. Take general comment on the public on any of the issues – suggestions or  
comments.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that he has been the chairman of the Parking  
Authority for several years now. They submitted recommendation and  
policy changes for full transparency. This kind of began at the end of last  
year. Four and a half years, the prior administration had ceased Lehigh  
County had ceased taking dispatch calls. The Parking Authority was an 8 -  
5 job. They began to expand enforcement hours. Covid got in the way of a  
lot of that. That finally occurred in December 2022. Folks started getting  
tickets at hours they never got tickets before. He stated that it was one of  
the things that concerned him. He went over the timeline on public  
meetings. They had a meeting and listened intently. He went over the  
appeals. He stated that there was a simple form to fill out for complaints.  
He went over the Public Forum date. Now, the meetings will be at the  
Americus. He talked about the Special meeting scheduled dedicated to  
come up with ideas to fix the archaic legislation. Hed stated that there  
were eight sections. The first three deal with tying together the legislation  
and the residents concern on getting tickets in alleys. He went over the  
legislation. They allowed an alternative ways of placing by hand on the  
windshield, an electronic mail, or registered address of the owner. There  
has been a lot of concerns on the District Court level and if a car is  
impounded, you cannot release unless all fines are paid. They are  
proposing that be modified. The word prison or imprisonment be  
eradicated. They are changing parking at the curb to nine inches. State  
law is 12 inches. They had issues with vehicles out of inspection. They  
have LPR (License Plate Readers) technology. The App is tied to your  
plate. They get out of registration vehicles from the state database, stolen  
plates, and stolen vehicles. They worked with the software vendor and they  
came up with software and it will be beta (a test site) that if they get a ticket  
for inspection, they will not be able to give another ticket for 15 days. They  
instituted a policy, that if you out of the inspection for the first 30 days, it is a  
warning. Registration it is not because the Parking Authority can't control  
those. they instituted a policy if you got an inspection and registration  
violation and bring proof to have the ticket rescinded with a 10-day grace  
period. Double parking complaints. They have sirens on their vehicles.  
Suspended tickets in decks. They have an easier appeal and review  
process.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked if everyone can hear Mr. Morgan speak.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that an example of type of parking tickets. It performs  
essential safety assistance.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that the Parking Authority recovered 36 vehicles  
since last year. Eight so far this year. 17 stolen plates and three this year.  
They have assisted APD in 10 hit and run cases and an additional 20  
unrelated hit and run cases in the past two months. They assisted the US  
Marshals on other investigations.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked Mr. Zeller to speak to the changes that they  
made internally regarding overnight enforcement without going into great  
detail.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they are not final on it. They are thinking to stop  
patrol enforcement at 9:00 PM and will not start again until the following  
morning. They would be solely dispatched oriented or focusing on critical  
public safety items.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he will open it up to questions that the  
public may have.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that it isn't it fair to say that all the changes were made  
based on the public outcry.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they started some beforehand. They were  
looking for the cadence of the ticket for inspections. They try to be as  
prophylactics possible. No one talks about the $50 million in decks they  
put up in the last six years. If we here from the public, we are going to  
address it.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that one of the most positive things is the appeal  
process. Magistrates rule differently. The afterhours enforcement was a  
major issue from the Parking Authority. He asked about the 12 foot issues  
and the 600 block of Muhlenberg street. A resident measured it to be 11  
feet three inches. That does not meet the 12 feet rules.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the city was not built for that. He stated that they  
woefully short of signage in the city. He stated that is a Streets question.  
Chief Efrain Agosto stated that Popular Street is another street that is wide  
enough, but has parking on both sides. If the Parking Authority limits the  
Fire department to respond accordingly, some people will say that is  
towards the rear of the house. Most fires that occur in your house is in your  
kitchen. Where is your kitchen typically locate? (In the rear of your house).  
They deal with garage fires. They have to take into consideration EMS  
and responses on people working in garages and garage fires. Once you  
start limiting the 20 feet as the Code requires 20 feet it make it difficult to  
respond and act accordingly. A fire truck can get down a 12 foot of space,  
but to operate efficiently, that is why the International Fire Code requires  
access roads to be 20 feet away.  
Mr. Ed Zucal asked to post on the many streets would make a difference.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that he is not Streets, so he does not control signs.  
He wants the safety of the officers and the public.  
Chief Efrain Agosto stated that it depends on if it is allowed to be done or  
not. He does not know what the idea behind it.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they only have 11 feet.  
Chief Efrain Agosto stated that the Code for new construction you must  
provide the Fire department with a 20 foot wide access road plus a turning  
radius to be able to access that building.  
Mr. Ed Zucal asked if someone is parking on their apron, and there is still  
12 feet they should not be getting a ticket.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that is his whole point. It is tough to train our guys. It is  
really not a sidewalk. Sidewalks are really important for handicap access.  
Our alleys are really pedestrian ways. He stated that if they want the  
Parking Authority to make recommendations, they will tear right into it.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated with the inspections and registrations, there were  
always the thought that the Parking Authority has all these things on their  
citations to make money. He talked about license plate readers and  
having a conversation with Mr. Martin today. He was going to make a  
motion to have them removed from the ticket book itself. However, you  
brought up some really good points that Mr. Martin brought up to him as  
well. That you do assist other agencies when those license plates are  
downloaded. It is a good tool.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they need to bring balance to it. We can't allow  
people to get multiple tickets on the same day. We have to give them time.  
Mr. Ed Zucal asked about the warning card, he knows the Police  
Department has that option as well. He asked for an example of what the  
warning card will or does look like.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that it is a ticket, but if they are working on the exact  
verbiage to put on the ticket, but at least 10 percent was able to figure it  
out. That is a good start. With the communication, when they come in, the  
ticket will be rescinded.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that her main concern is public safety. The Chief  
gave a good example. You think about the emergency vehicle have  
enough room to go down the alley.  
Chief Efrain Agosto stated that there are some claims out there. If they go  
down Popular Street and have to operate the potential for damage of  
vehicles is going to happen. The Fire Department's priority is life.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that the liability that the city has. She owns a  
home and because there is a vehicle parked in front of a garage. A lot of  
the time with a rowhomes, it starts with one and many times it goes down to  
more than two. She is burned severely, and something happens, and the  
Fire Department could not get to her, get that hose out fast enough, that  
ladder fast enough. How much is the city liable for a lawsuit if you are not  
able to use your vehicle, your training and every tool that you have because  
someone parked in a spot they should not be in.  
Chief Efrain Agosto stated that would be the City Solicitor to answer that  
question. All he knows that there is potential for liability. If the fire  
department can't get to that position soon enough, to d something because  
of an impediment, he would have to assume that there will be a liability  
there.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that is her concern. Her concern is public safety.  
Several years ago, the city passed an ordinance because one of her  
friends had to do this in an alley. They either had to gravel it or pave it. Her  
concern with the alley is safety. She does not want to pass an ordinance  
and someone dies in a fire.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that you can't park on your grass.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that the sidewalk in letter E, the complaints at the  
board meetings and he is a board member of the Parking Authority and he  
was there listening to the feedback of residents. They were receiving  
violations for blocking the sidewalk where sidewalks did not exist. He  
asked if they could go over why that was put in letter E.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the definition they have. A sidewalk is anything  
that is in the public right of way. The public right of way will show up on  
satellite imagery in maps. A lot of times, completely blocked by an  
overgrown bush; there is no sidewalk there, it is grass; there is a telephone  
pole in the middle of it. They did not think unless it is a really truly a  
sidewalk. Meaning it was likely that a handicapped person necessary for  
them to travel safely so they can go from street to street to a continuous  
sidewalk. It is a sidewalk and you should not be parking on that or a partial  
sidewalk because someone extending their pad to bound their property. If  
you are parking on it, you should not get a ticket for that.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he agrees with that stating 99 percent of city  
residents, when we think of a sidewalk, we think of a piece of cement that  
goes from one side of the street to the other. When the violations were  
occurring where there wasn't a sidewalk of what we envision a sidewalk.  
He thinks that is where a lot of the frustration was. He is glad that was put  
in there to alleviate that concern. He asked Mr. Morgan when it comes to  
what the board suggested for inspections and registrations with the  
violations being rescinded within 10 days. Is that something that is  
occurring at other Parking Authorities throughout the Commonwealth. He  
is glad that these recommendations are viewed favorably.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that no one has that software technology yet.  
There are several Parking Authorities in Pennsylvania that use the same  
company as they do, the Allentown Parking Authority is the beta site for that  
particular software.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated let's hypothetical say he forgets to register his  
vehicle and get a violation on April 10. On April 13, he renews his  
registration with PennDOT and submit a copy with the Parking Authority  
and the ticket gets rescinded. He asked are other Parking Authorities  
offering that service to their customers.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that it is dismissed. No,. they don't have the  
technology.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that at this point the Allentown Parking Authority is  
at the forefront of this idea.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they brought this up at a meeting last September.  
Long before ire of the public started. They identified existing problems with  
multiple tickets for the same violation. The Parking Authority asked that  
company to address it so that will not happen.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked about on the appeal process is the front desk  
staff aware of this. She stated that she was not offered that. She is going  
to court in June. The 10 percent would be higher, if the staff was properly  
trained. She also saw that there are letters that supposed to be sent out to  
let people know.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that there is a training process to get people updated  
on this. It has been a real struggle. It is a new policy that has been in effect  
for the last 60 days. The process is that you get a letter next.  
Mr. John Morgan stated it is the same drop down as appeal the ticket.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated for the process when they can bring in proof of  
registration. She met a lady on the Southside, her son and family came  
over for Easter break and her son was out of compliance. His work hours  
don't conform to 8 - 4. Is there a way to do that electronically. She stated  
that it is great to see policy recommendations coming from the Parking  
Authority. If you live in Center City, this is not new.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that there is more to be done. It is going to be an  
ongoing process.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated especially the imprisonment. A year ago, it was  
brought up on Council and there were some hesitancy on Council. It was  
tabled and brought back. There was some concern from Mr. Haney and  
take imprisonment out. Mr. Guridy was president when it was a request to  
have an engaging conversation with City Council and the Parking Authority.  
These are not new issues that are now being addressed.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she is glad that the Parking Authority and  
there will be a lot of changes in the policies. How are you planning to  
convey all these changes to the community? She agreed with Ms. Gerlach  
on the power of numbers to talk about the issues and attending meetings.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that he had a discussion with Mr. John Morgan about  
creating a new Commnications Director's position at the Authority to help  
get the word out. If they move every single vehicle from the alley, where are  
we going to go.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that she has gotten tickets before at the meter. It  
makes a big difference when you are treated with courtesy and respect.  
Customer service is very important.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that finding a balance is important and uploading all  
the enforcement.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked Mr. Morgan if he had any statistics on calls for  
service. Not patrolling tickets, but calls for service after 10:00 or 11:00 PM.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that last year's dispatch numbers were 15,000.  
Second shift from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM in the month of January 347 calls  
for service. Overnight next shift which is 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM 46 calls.  
February was 296, plus an additional 44 overnight. In March 531, plus an  
additional 12 overnight. April 11, 124 calls with 29 overnight. In the first  
quarter for second and third shift calls leads to about 1300 - 1400 calls just  
for service in the first quarter.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated it was the second shift.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked if there were any other comments from the dais  
or the public.  
Mr. Jose Cartagena, 222 S. St. Lucas Street, asked about the internal  
appeal and making changes. He asked once you appeal, you don't go in  
front of a magistrate. He asked about the fees. He asked about the  
revenue and where they are making their money. They are going after  
poverty.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that there are no fees for the internal appeal. You can  
go to the district justice, but it cost money and time. The Parking Authority  
allows you to go online and fill out an appeal and tell your story. They look  
at it.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that the most congestion is in Center City  
Allentown and the most vehicles are in Center City Allentown. Once you  
get to the outskirts the streets are more open and less congestion. A  
violator is a violator no matter what their circumstances are.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that is calls for service.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that the board has addressed this is the past.  
What came up is street cleaning was the deciding factor. The board  
looked at this and street cleaning was a predominant factor.  
Mr. John Morgan talked about the street cleaning routes are where people  
get the most tickets.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked if there were any other questions from the dais  
or the public.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they chanced the routes with the times.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked for an aggregate breakdown on these calls and  
where they are coming from.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that it is important to know that the parking  
meters are in Center City.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that gets us into another conversation that there  
are meters where they should not be.  
Mr. Jose Cartagena stated that Mr. Zucal mentioned about public cries. It  
is a reason why we are here today. The Parking Authority officers be  
retrained.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he had that conversation with Mr. Morgan in  
the last couple of days and he is working on that now.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that it is a good idea that they are going to get that  
little horn. They have a courtesy to tap their horn.  
Mr. Greenburg Lumus, owner of the Mexican Restaurant up the street, La  
Cucina del Abuelo - Grandpa's Kitchen, 621 Hamilton Street, stated that  
the reason he is here is because he gets double tickets for double parking.  
He recommended that the Parking Authority not give the Enforcement  
Officers a badge. He stated that he talked to Haney and he stated that he  
can unload on Sixth Street or Seventh Street. It is a block from his  
restaurant.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the city is woefully deficient in parking and  
loading zones. That is something that really needs to be addressed. They  
are going to put money in those buildings to make the rent higher.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked if it is not a loading zone there.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that the ordinance does not allow it.  
Mr. Malemus (sp) stated that they sold the church. The Liberty Church is  
being sold. They are going to move the church.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he talked him about the 15 minutes for free.  
He stated that he pulls up and punch in his license plate and do 15 minutes  
for free and load and unload.  
Ms. Linda Vega, 314 N. Front Street, asked when is the best time to  
discuss the city's resolving the problem with parking. The issue is that it is  
no parking. They have a huge grass lot and someone said the city owned it  
and sold it privately to someone. It would make an excellent spot for  
monthly parking.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked Ms. Vega to give Mr. Hanlon her name, phone  
number and address. Council will get back to you.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that they always looking for lots. They did it on N.  
Seventh Street.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the city has an RFP on that property right now.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that the board has been actively looking for  
spots.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that Mr. Zeller alluded to it. The board has been  
working on finding opportunities for service lots in the densest  
neighborhoods.  
Ms. Betty Cauler stated that she wanted to talk about the garages. Her  
garage was built for a Model T. Every family on her block, except for her  
has more than one car. She thanked the Parking Authority. She provided a  
picture of her neighbors fence and her parking on her property. It is the  
streets that don't have no parking signs.  
Fire Chief Agosto stated that he is not saying it can't get back there. When  
he says that the Code requires 20 feet. It is not just to get down there, it is  
also to operate on top of that. Some of the streets were built prior than the  
Code. That has to be a determination from City Council.  
Mr. Michael Molovinsky, stated that he has spoke to City Council numerous  
times about the Parking Authority. He attended numerous Parking  
Authority meetings. He stated that Ms. Affa been on the Parking Authority  
for many years. The reason he is here tonight, he finds it unique, refreshing  
and encouraging that you are taking a look at the Parking Authority. He  
humbly suggests that at least the three of them have or had been on the  
Parking Authority. You might want to look at the Rules.  
Ms. Sharon Billington, 1509 Chew Street, asked if signs are posted in the  
alleys saying no parking, those signs are going to stay. She stated that  
there are numerous signs in the alleys and the cars will park right under  
them. Safety is the big concern since they have seen ambulances get  
through that alley.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that is a Streets Department call. The Parking  
Authority can't hang up any signs around. The alley is probably 14 feet  
wide. If that car is hanging out, there is not going to be 14 feet.  
Mr. Pas Simpson asked who's responsible for making sure all of these  
policies and updates that you are proposing actually follows through. They  
had many things proposed in front of the Council that never got followed  
through on.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that they have two different sets. One set is ordinance  
changes. They have to see what City Council wants to do with those  
Ordinance changes. The alley, the six to ninth inches away from the curb,  
and getting rid of the term imprisonment. He doesn't have the power or the  
executive director does not have the power to enact an ordinance. They  
have 83 employees at the Parking Authority. They are constantly trying to  
train, and maintain staff. The buck will stop with John and ultimately him.  
He is a volunteer. He does not get paid. He is the chairman of the  
Authority.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that the Board oversees the Parking Authority  
management. If these policies are not enacted, it is their job to step in and  
change it.  
Mr. Pas Simpson stated that most of them have been on the board for a  
longtime. You are not new to the board and this is not new situations. How  
do we know around election time this will not just go away?  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that their job as the board is to oversee the  
Authority. The Authority's job is to serve the residents, the businessowners,  
and the visitors of Allentown.  
Ms. Melissa Rogers, 1925 E. Pennsylvania Street, stated that her car was  
excessively ticketed for inspection and booted even though all tickets were  
being appealed in the Magistrate's office. She paid the boot fee and had  
the judge's release. They were told to release the car. They towed the car  
anyhow. She asked about the appeal process. She asked if they were  
going to compensate people for the losses.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that part of addressing her concerns were the  
resolution at the District Justice equals. He stated no. He stated that  
unfortunately, they are not in a position to pay reparations to folks. He  
stated that 67 percent of people were successful in their appeals.  
Ms. Jessica Ortiz stated her nonprofit last year from September to  
December received calls for remediation to stop drama, arguments, and  
cleaning cars. She stated that she came here in the summer and Ms. Affa  
called her personally to asked about her block, drove through the block and  
looked at it. She created the flyer in December for everybody to show up at  
the Parking Authority meeting. The mayor puts whoever he wants on the  
Parking Authority Board. How do they create a system that instead of  
coming here or having these meetings all the time. The board is going to  
consistently be the board. She asked how they can create a medium so  
that it will be a balance.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated to Ms. Ortiz if she can figure it out she will get a  
Proclamation.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that if he remembers correctly there was a  
chop-shop. He stated that they need to look into focus groups. He knows  
the changes that they will do tonight will do a lot of good. Focus groups  
serve a need in the future.  
Ms. Jessica Ortiz stated that they have been getting ticketed and they are  
one of the people that call nonemergency.  
Mr. Enrique Moreno, 333 N. Green Street, stated that he has lived in the  
city for 20 years. They have come to the City Council twice and want  
solutions. He talked about The Parking Authority and A 1 towing. It goes  
back and forward back and forward and never had an answer to the  
meeting. He stated that his dad, Julio has some issues and has to go back  
to his country. A1 Towing asked what is the Parking Authority's solution.  
Mr. Ted Zeller asked Mr. Moreno to appeal that ticket. He stated that  
Enrique is here because he had contracted a private space on a private  
lot. He had given his cars information on the private lot. The private lot  
called the Parking Authority to enforce. He did not tell the broker of the  
private lot that he was going to park his father's van there while his father  
was away getting treatment in the Caribbean. He was sick for a while. The  
private lot owner called the Parking Authority and it was towed to the  
impound lot. When he went to get the vehicle, he got into a fight with  
someone at the impound lot. Mr. Moreno is saying that the Parking  
Authority is the problem.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated to Mr. Moreno on your latest concern of the  
ticket, go to the Parking Authority and let them view and maybe they can  
help your with that.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that his car was parked in a private lot.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that Mr. Moreno contracted for his car to be parked in  
this private lot. He did not tell the private lot owner or broker that handles it  
that he was going to park his father's vehicle there.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that his father's vehicle was not authorized to park  
there. The owner of the lot call the Parking Authority to tow so you towed it.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the owner of the private lot did not know. They  
thought it was some illegally parked car. The Parking Authority is in charge  
of enforcement for private lots and ordered the tow to the impound lot.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated to Mr. Moreno to give his name and phone  
number to Mr. Hanlon. He stated that he will get back to him and speak to  
whoever handles that at the Parking Authority.  
4. Information and Legal Questions – This is a current listing of questions and issues  
that have been raised. Does anyone have any additions at this time, we can add to  
the list at the end of the meeting.  
What authority does the APA have outside the city code?  
What is the relationship between the fire code and proposed changes to alley  
obstructions.  
What unanticipated impact might the proposals have on issues – relating to  
enforcement provisions and items like inspections/registrations.  
How can the contract with the APA be updated to reflect policy or any other  
changes?  
How do other cities handle ‘after hours’ enforcement – could we find out how  
Philly, Reading, Lancaster, etc. handle the issue.  
How does the proposed alley obstruction changes relate to/conflict with the state  
code from a legal standpoint, from a policy standpoint based on the fire chief’s  
recommendation and does the city assume any liability or associated risks with  
allowing the alley to be obstructed in any manner?  
5. A future meeting will be scheduled.  
15-5801  
Bill 30  
Forwarded with the recommendation to remove the provision that  
allows parking in alleys.  
Amending the Chapter 615, Vehicles and Code, of the City of Allentown  
Code by increasing the distance a car can be parked from a curb from 6 to  
9 inches, allow council by resolution to provide an exemption to parking In  
front of a private driveway or alongside any street or highway excavation or  
obstruction, or opposite the same under certain conditions, allowing  
parking in alleys that are less than 20 feet wide provided there is a 12 foot  
passage and the car is not parked on the sidewalk, allowing impounded  
vehicles to be released if the owner is in compliance with a payment plan  
and re-moving all imprisonment penalties.  
Affa, Gerlach, Hendricks, Napoli, Mota and Mr. Zucal  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill 30 Parking Bill  
Council Proposals APA  
APA Response to Council Sidewalk-Alley Issues  
Allentown Parking Authority Legislative and Policy Recommendations  
Councilor Suggestions/Questions  
Letter to Honorable City Counsel of Allentown - 3.22.23  
Allentown Parking Authority Code  
An Ordinance  
Ordinance #15898  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that as was testified to tonight. Just up until this  
date today. There was a total of 1,429 calls for service to the Parking  
Authority outsider of those hours. Those calls will end up with our Police  
Department. He asked Chief Roca if he is prepared for that excess  
workload to fall on your department.  
Chief Charles Roca stated that it would definitely stress our officers. It  
would be dependent upon the Calls of Service.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that this will result in many people with valid  
complaints for parking for long waiting times.  
Chief Charles Roca stated that it can be depending upon the calls of  
service. The Parking Authority has worked with the Allentown Police  
Department in the past to work with the 24/7 coverage and has to have  
alleyways cleared. He stated that the conversation can happen and they  
can do it fairly with conversation and considering discretions.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that she would like to make an amend.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked if anybody on the dais wants to move forward  
on a Motion on any of these recommendations.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated point of order. There is a motion on the floor and has  
been seconded. That has to be discussed first.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that the purpose of having these things in front of  
you because these were conceptual schemes and not these specific  
amendments. They wanted a sense of what Council wanted. If you want  
that, then at the next meeting it would be specific amendments to the hours.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that she can make not an amendment, but a  
conceptual idea.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that you can make a motion to have an  
amendment drafted to your hours.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that Council has to discuss Mr. Zucal's  
amendment first. Ms. Gerlach seconded it. Let's have a discussion now.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it is important to clarify actively patrolling,  
looking for issues versus residents calling and requesting a car to be  
moved because they can't get in their garage.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that these are calls for service.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she would support a 100 percent restriction  
of the hours worked and what Ms. Affa was leaning towards, she  
understands that there are parking issues. She does not think with the gun  
violence and crime that the cops have time to deal with parking issues.  
Their time is better spent preventing crime, engaging with the community,  
and doing active patrols like violence. Where she differs from Mr. Zucal, is  
even though she is ok with reducing the hours, in addition to everything else  
they got to do.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that he will agree with them. That should not be their  
job. This is an issue that has become an issue because how the  
enforcement has been done with the Parking Authority. He stated to Mr.  
Hendricks how he always tells him that the Allentown Parking Authority is  
not issuing tickets. He does not understand all of a sudden it is an issue for  
the Allentown Police Department.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he recognizes that call volume will work  
heavily on the word load at hours in which they are extremely busy. Those  
are quality of life issues.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he has a question. Earlier this evening Mr.  
Zeller mentioned internally at the board meeting that we were already  
discussing these measures. He asked to review again how the Parking  
Authority will handle nighttime enforcement.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that at the next board meeting he was going to make  
a motion internally to limit active patrol enforcement after 9:00 PM. The  
issue you deal with if you cut off at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. You got the arena.  
You will have a total parking free for all until their events can start at 7:00  
PM or 8:00 PM. The Parking Authority has now built up the enforcement.  
The police officers will say that they are willing to do anything because it is  
their job. It is not fair to them because it is not the best use of their  
resources.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that at the last board meeting, they started that  
conversation and at the next board meeting will come up with something.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated to Mr. Zeller stated he said his idea was from 9:00 PM.  
He is will to change his amendment from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that you mean from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated no. Mr. Zeller wants 9:00 PM.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. He was proposing the  
Parking Authority's internal policy. Those were the hours that he was going  
to propose in the internal policy.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that he will change his amendment to those hours.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that active patrols will be limited after 9:00 PM and  
will not reengage until 6:00 AM. That does not solve the dispatch problem  
for the Police.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked if it would be someone there. This is patrol from  
8:00 PM to 9:00 AM. She asked if there will be someone there for a call to  
service.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that if it is after 9:00 PM and if you take away  
enforcement hours, is Parking Authority supposed to rubber band. They do  
not have any power of enforcement so there is nothing really they can do. If  
the Parking Authority does not have the enforcement powers after 9:00 PM,  
there is no reason for them to dispatch.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that they would not have to patrol the alleys.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that Mr. Hendricks and Ms. Gerlach had a great  
point. On Friday and Saturday nights, people are leaving at a certain hour.  
Even at 10:00 or 11:00 at night double parking and going into bars. That is  
putting more of a strain on our Police Department.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that their internal procedures is that they will keep the  
dispatch 24/7. The Police officers would not get the calls and they still  
would have people there to dispatch.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he thinks that is where the disconnect is. Mr.  
Zeller is speaking to the fact that the amendment is saying that it would not  
be enforcement after 9:00 PM, but the hope is that the dispatch will still be  
available.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that she thought there will be no dispatch after  
9:00. The Parking Authority closes down period at 9:00.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that is what he interpreted Mr. Zucal's amendment to  
state.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if they could play around with the language. Not  
enforcement, but active patrol.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated they don't have to vote on that tonight.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated after 9:00 or 10:00 there is no patrolling, but there  
is a dispatch.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that the amendment would say from x amount of  
time to x.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that even if he does not have anybody at the Dispatch  
Center, who will respond to that call.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that even if he does not have anybody at the  
Dispatch Center, who will respond to that call.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated as Mr. Napoli said, we are going to change the  
terminology.  
Mr. John Morgan stated that there is not going to be anyone to do  
enforcement.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that guesses that the Parking Authority has to hire  
someone, if that is what you want to do.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that on their way back and they see a blatant violation  
of Public Safety apparently they are not going to be able to do anything  
because that might be outside of the dispatch.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that could be problematic. He asked if they  
were ok with tabling this for now.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that it is all language.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks suggested to table and work on it.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that the sense to what they want is that they want  
active enforcement from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM on Monday through Friday,  
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, nothing on Sunday. You want the  
dispatch to be working, but no roving active patrol.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that it will fall on the police.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach made a point to the concern. If she calls APA because  
she has an issue. APA comes out. They fix her issue and ticket the  
person that she wants to get ticketed. On their way back to the garage  
where they park they see someone parked in front of a fire hydrant. To her,  
it is not an active patrol because you are going to Destination A to  
Destination B. Active patrol, is driving around, looking for issues. That is  
different.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon asked what do you want done on Saturdays and  
Sundays.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that is a problem.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that there was a situation when Mayor O'Connell  
was Mayor and it was on Martin Luther King Boulevard and people were  
parking for something. He gave them permission to park.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that there are 112 events at the PPL Center. A whole  
bunch will be on Saturday and Sunday.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that they are looking at to stop the patrolling.  
Mr. Ted Zeller asked when is the next session you are going to speak  
about this.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that Council has not decided yet.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that you want active enforcement from 6:00 AM  
to 9:00 PM on Monday through Friday. On Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 3:00  
PM. At all other times, no active enforcement.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated when you go to Philly stated she got a bunch of  
tickets in Philly. She stated that maybe they should not do this. Part of the  
reason is some blocks they are enforced to a certain time. Every block is  
different. Is that a strategy or frowned upon.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that Allentown is woefully deficient in signage.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that if the concern is the arena, will most people  
park in the garage.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the problem is people gaming illegal parking and  
not going into the garage.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that it is happening. People park on Hamilton  
Street. He sees people getting out of their cars with Phantom jerseys. The  
price of the violation on Hamilton Street is sometimes the price of the deck.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked why not make the enforcement later on Hamilton  
Street.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that there is a defined business district. When they  
did the flex parking ordinance with flex rates at the parking meters to drive  
people into the decks and try to keep the street clear. They defined a  
center business district area.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that one of the things that they don't want to do is  
overloading our Police Department.  
Chief Charles Roca mentioned the Public Works Department. He stated  
that Police Department can't tell when it is going to be bad weather or  
snow. Our plow needs to go through. If there is no enforcement, you are  
going to take a significant number of the Police force to address that.  
Coming up with something fair is in the best interest the public. Having  
conversation and coming up with something fair is in the best interest of  
this city where it is done appropriately.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that Chief Roca is right. They have been called into to  
assist streets for snow removal.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that you can't take too much from the Parking  
Authority because they are a necessary evil. The city needs them and the  
Police needs them. The whole thing is patrolling. Giving unnecessary  
tickets. These people are trained to uphold the laws that we make.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated what they are dealing with is quality of life  
issues. The message will get out pretty quickly if we have no enforcement  
on Sunday or Saturday evenings. They game the system all the time. This  
will not be wise. Most importantly, public safety. The warm weather is upon  
us. The stated that he will always support public safety.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach stated that she remembers when she first moved to  
Allentown. She always lived on the same block. Parking was not enforced.  
She asked for data to show it was catastrophic to stop enforcement at 6:00  
PM.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that they got calls. This is when Mayor O'Connell  
put that in there. When this was changed it was because the constituents  
was calling and complaining and this is when the mayor said let's do this  
24/7.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the trouble with that is he does not want to go  
back to the Allentown 10 years ago. He wants to shop at Assembly88 and  
go to the PPL Center. There are so much parking strains.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if those calls the Council was receiving is  
encapsulated in data.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated 1,429 calls is the workload that they will be  
placing on the Police Department. We either want the Parking Authority  
out there or we don't.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that there is a lot that we have to think about. The  
population has changed. We have more cars and we are dealing with a lot  
of issues. We do have to change the language. She stated to be honest,  
she is confused. She suggested that Council come back to this and  
changed the language.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated let's take a vote to discuss it at another time.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked for Council to set a date since they have a  
history of stating they will set something up and never does.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon suggested to craft something and send to the vested  
parties, the APA and see what they think. Once you have something to talk  
about, then you have a meeting. He stated that can be on the 26th.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that he agrees.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that he will forward the final Resolution on the internal  
policy which is addressing this issue before they even have their  
discussion. He stated that the Parking Authority's meeting is before that  
and he will still go forward with an internal policy.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that everybody seems to be ok with basically  
that prohibiting a ticket if a person is actively engaged in making a delivery.  
He asked Council if they want language crafted for that.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked is that what they talked about allowing three to five  
minutes.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated yes.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that it is a no brainer.  
Mr. Ed Zucal suggested five minutes. Let's just say you have an infant in  
the car. You are unloading groceries in the car and you have to take an  
infant in the house, come back out and you might have two to three trips.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that the APA has so many complaints on double  
parking. Three minutes is good.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that his only concern. Council has to be careful on  
Seventh and Hamilton. What they are doing is opening up a potential can  
of worms on more double parking and he thinks that is what folks don't  
want. It works great in the residential neighborhoods. If someone is on 17th  
and Turner, he has no problem with three minutes and five minutes. With  
the commercial corridors, we are opening ourselves up for a mess and that  
will affect customers and businesses.  
Mr. Ed Zucal stated that maybe Council can include the language of  
commercial.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if they can for the gentleman that is paying  
thousand of dollars in fees and fines for running his business. If we do  
eliminate a Hamilton and a Seventh Street, can we address the ordinance  
that prohibits delivery spots on Hamilton Street so that businesses that  
don't have a backdoor.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks suggested that they speak to Community and  
Economic Development on that. It is prohibited now.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that they have to figure something out. He is a  
merchant. He thinks like a merchant a supports his fellow merchants. He  
suggested that they have to figure something out in the commercial  
corridors. He stated at the board meetings, they were discussing delivery  
zones in our downtown districts about five or six months ago. They were  
sidetracked with all this other stuff. He stated to Mr. Simpson that he wants  
to get back to that and figure out a way to implement delivery zones that are  
every block to assist our merchants. and restaurants.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that the Parking Authority has the paperwork to start  
the study to try and identify the best drop off areas. They need cooperation  
from the city level. It is not necessarily of to the Parking Authority to lead,  
but again, a lot of these complaints come before the Authority. They are  
trying to take as much as a leadership role that they can.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that they talk about the beer trucks for the  
restaurants, they talk about Greenburg, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon. It is  
something that needs to be addressed. As a board, they know they need  
to address it.  
Mr. Ed Zucal asked if there were any others. He stated that he did not see  
any.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks asked if he meant any other Motions. He asked if  
anyone else has any other Motions.  
Mr. Michael Hanlon stated that the Motion will be developed. Council will  
convene again on the 26th.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated to Mr. Hanlon that he does not have anything  
else at this time.  
Ms. Ce Ce Gerlach asked if the public comments on this or no.  
Mr. Ted Zeller stated that it does not sound like it is passing.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated no. He already commented on it so they don't  
need to.  
Motion Made by Ed Zucal, and Seconded by Ce Ce Gerlach to Change the Bill to:  
Active patrols will be limited from 9:00 PM and will not reengage until 6:00 AM  
the following day.  
Enactment No: 15898  
ADJOURNED: 8:29 PM