Council takes up Bill 67 Ripple Community LSA Grant Appropriation

Bill 67 Ripple Community LSA Grant Appropriation

0 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Brandon Swayser (abstain)

R138 Landfill Groundwater Sampling Contract

7 yes, 0 no

R139 MLK Trail Shared Use Path Contract

7 yes, 0 no

R140 Cooperative Contracts Authorization

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 64 Record Scanning Expansion Grant

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 66 Outdoor Encampment Response Ordinance

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 68 Hanover Avenue and Linden Street Traffic Signal

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 69 HUD and Housing Grant Expenditure Ordinance

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 70 PFAS Class Action Settlement Appropriation

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 71 Hamilton Streetscape ANIZDA Reimbursement

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 72 Civic Theatre LSA Grant Appropriation

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 73 Planned Parenthood LSA Grant Appropriation

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 74 Public Works Salt Shed Replacement Appropriation

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 75 Golf Fund Position Reclassifications

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 76 Human Resources Position Upgrade

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 77 Police Pension Fund Designees

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 78 Resurrected Community Development Corporation Grant

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 79 Allentown Art Museum LSA Grant Appropriation

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 80 South 10th Street and MLK Drive Safety Improvements

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 81 City Controller Account Responsibilities

7 yes, 0 no

Consent Agenda (R141-R144)

7 yes, 0 no

R145 Allentown Patriots Athletic Association LSA Grant

7 yes, 0 no

R146 Grant Program Year Calendar Adjustment

7 yes, 0 no

R147 Allentown Art Museum LSA Grant Application

7 yes, 0 no

R148 Valley Health Partners LSA Grant Application

7 yes, 0 no

R149 Municipal Budget Fund Transfers

7 yes, 0 no

R150 Planning Commission Appointment Tabled

7 yes, 0 no

August 12, 2026 Special Meeting Allentown Housing Authority (DAA Presentation)

7 yes, 0 no

August 19, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

7 yes, 0 no

August 26, 2026 City Council Housing Fund and Housing Legislation Discussion Minutes

7 yes, 0 no

October 7, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes

7 yes, 0 no

Sewage Planning Module at 245 N. 8th Street

7 yes, 0 no

Sewage Planning Module at 928 American Parkway

7 yes, 0 no

1324 S. Howard Street - Sewage Planning Module

7 yes, 0 no

Jeremy Siedt, Arts Commission, 10/22/2031 Richard Focht, Commission on Homelessness, 02/20/2029 Casey Gillespie, Commission on Homelessness, 10/18/2027 Christine Monico, Commission on Homelessness, 11/01/2027 Travis Pezzuto, Commission on…

7 yes, 0 no

Bill 75 - Golf Fund Position Reclassifications

0 yes, 0 no

Bill 76: HR Position Reclassification and Budget Amendment

0 yes, 0 no

Bill 77: Police Pension Fund Board Designees

0 yes, 0 no

Bill 81: City Controller Ordinance Alignment

0 yes, 0 no

A-2026-00644 Auto Repair Shop at 1525 Hanover Ave

3 yes, 0 no

A-2026-00481 Signage Appeal for Casa Guadalupe Center

3 yes, 0 no

A-2026-00664 Demolition Application for Allentown Art Museum

3 yes, 0 no

Allentown Art Museum Demolition

1001-1007 Hamilton St

Special exception application to demolish the former police station building for future museum expansion.

approved (3-0) · still approved

1525 Hanover Ave Vehicle Repair Conversion

1525 Hanover Ave

Conversion of a vacant rear garage bay into a minor vehicle repair and maintenance shop operating by appointment.

approved (3-0) · still approved

Casa Guadalupe Center Signage Appeal

232 N 2nd St

Request for wall channel letters and window vinyl signs exceeding permitted square footage limits.

tabled (3-0) · still tabled

Municipal Facility Condition Assessment

The Allentown Art Museum is asking for special permission to tear down the former police building downtown, which sits in a historic demolition control overlay zone.

What it means: The Allentown Art Museum and downtown visitors anticipating future campus expansion or site improvements.

Signage Variance Request at 232 N 2nd St

Casa Guadalupe Center is seeking approval to install significantly more signage than normally allowed in their neighborhood center district.

What it means: Casa Guadalupe Center gains enhanced visibility for visitors and community members.

Direct Property Sale to Allentown Art Museum

The Allentown Art Museum requested permission to demolish the vacant former police station on Hamilton Street to build a modern facility. The board found the building lacked architectural significance and that the public benefit of the museum outweighed the loss.

What it means: Museum visitors, downtown businesses, and the broader Allentown community.

Vehicle Repair Use Variance at 1525 Hanover Ave

A property owner sought permission to operate a minor car repair shop in a residential-office corridor zone. The board weighed the neighborhood impact of vehicle overflow against the applicant's promise of appointment-only service, adding strict monitoring rules.

What it means: The property owner, the mechanic tenant, and residents seeking minor vehicle repair services.

Pass-Through Grant Appropriations for Community Construction Projects

Several bills allocate state and federal grant money for traffic signals, trail construction, streetscapes, and environmental remediation.

What it means: Allentown residents utilizing improved roads, trails, and public facilities.

City Controller Independence and Account Reconciliation

The city is updating its code to officially separate the controller's independent oversight duties from the day-to-day preparation of bank accounts. This change matches current practice and reinforces financial checks and balances.

What it means: Allentown taxpayers, through enhanced financial transparency and independent oversight of city accounts.

Golf Course Staff Reclassifications and Pay Adjustments

Allentown is upgrading two key golf course jobs to higher pay scales so they can finally fill a six-month vacancy and compete with other Lehigh Valley courses. The golf course is currently bringing in revenues above target and funding its own operations.

What it means: Golfers who use the municipal course and want to see it well-maintained, as well as the staff receiving wage adjustments.

Police Pension Fund Board Designees

City officials are updating municipal code to allow the mayor, finance director, and city controller to appoint staff members to represent them on the police pension board. The change prevents quorum issues following recent staff vacancies.

What it means: City administration and pension board members who need reliable quorums to conduct business.

Recreation Bureau Updates and Project Reviews

The parks department shared updates on ongoing projects like Bogert's Bridge reopening for pedestrians by year's end, upcoming playground resurfacing at Cedar Playground, and community events like the Halloween parade.

What it means: Allentown residents, families, and park-goers who participate in city recreation programs and visit local parks.

HR Position Upgrade and Budget Reallocation

Allentown is upgrading an existing HR receptionist position to a constituent services specialist equipped with tracking software. This change aims to improve how the city handles and responds to resident inquiries and service requests.

What it means: Funded through internal transfers within the Human Resources Department budget for the remainder of the year and pre-budgeted for 2027.

Public Encampments and Homelessness Regulations

Advocates urged council to maintain $100,000 in flexible funding for homelessness initiatives and partner with the county to establish a year-round shelter.

What it means: Requests $100,000 in annual flexible funding.

Planning Commission Appointment and Ethics Review

Council tabled a mayoral appointment to the Planning Commission after raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the appointment process.

What it means: The community benefits from rigorous oversight of board appointments.