REPORTS
Mayor's Report (3 minutes)
Mayor Matt Tuerk stated that he wanted to mention the events that have taken place
in the city of Allentown. He wants to focus on some of the highlights that the city
did. He stated that Mr. Hendricks attended the Ribbon Cutting at the Public Safety
Building. He stated that the city is very excited for the public to be welcomed in an
environment. He was very happy to see Chief Roca testify for a House of
Representatives Committee meeting on dirt bikes providing good information for
across the state that will seek legislative solutions that will better for our streets to
be safe. Additionally, he wants to mention the Chief Roca received an award at the
Leonard Buck Banquet. There is still an opportunity for any City Council member
or any member of the public to attend the Citizens Police Academy. It begins on May
24. He strongly encouraged them and stated that it is an excellent opportunity to
know what the Allentown Police Department does. He recognized the Allentown Fire
Department for the Sound the Alarm event that they conducted on Saturday.
Working with the American Red Cross and the City of Allentown with a great group
of volunteers installing 112 smoke detectors in homes between 4th Street and 8th
Street and north of Tilghman. Those were in 62 different homes. Hopefully, it will
lead to saving lives. He spotlighted the ground breaking that we held on April 22nd
for the Da Vinci Science Center which is a significant investment. Governor Tom
Wolf and a huge number of dignitaries. This will have a tremendous impact on the
kids here in Allentown. He recognized the department of Public Works for the Earth
Day celebration on April 23rd in the Art Park. An awesome opportunity for the
department of Recycling and Solid Waste to communicate with our Allentown
residents about the importance of recycling. He recognized a handful of community
groups that cleaned up in places like Dieruff High School, Hanover Avenue, and
recognized Chris Brown in Old Allentown for the hundreds of trees he has planted in
the past few years in the city of Allentown. In addition to the Department of Public
Works, he wants Council to know that they have conducted preliminary interviews
with candidates for the permanent position of Director of Public Works. We hope in
short order have a candidate for City Council for confirmation. It is a tough decision
with the candidates, but will have them in front of City Council in short order. He
recognized the Parks Department Tyler Fatzinger and Rick Holtzman for the Arbor
Day Celebration at the Wire Mill on April 29th. It was a fantastic event. He wanted
to go back to Public Works for a second. He congratulated the Public Works
Department, the Police Department and the Fire Department for doing a very good
job of getting the streets shutdown for the St. Luke's half marathon on Sunday, April
24th. He thanked the Polish American Citizens Society for helping the city raise the
flag in recognition of Constitution Day in Poland of May 3rd. He reminded Council,
that the city will be raising the flag of the Delaware Nation to celebrate the Lenape
people in the Lehigh Valley. They will begin the Summer Concert Series with over 30
concerts scheduled. The first one will be in West Park on May 14th at 7:00 PM.
Ms. Candida Affa asked about the applications for Public Works, will Council be able
to look over the applications.