Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
30 issues in public safety
Civil Service Rules Review
Bill 45 would drop the automatic disqualification of police officer and firefighter applicants who haven't registered with the Selective Service System. That could widen the pool of people eligible to take the civil service test and be hired. City officials say current rules conflict with newer state and federal law.
Rental Inspection Fees (Bill 84)
Landlords whose properties trigger repeat complaint-driven inspections — or who no-show inspections — would pay a $125 fee on top of the standard $75 annual license. The city says it barely covers inspection costs and targets bad actors, not compliant landlords.
Homelessness funding
A homeless commission advocate urged council to restore $100,000 for emergency hotel stays, winter gear, propane, and prevention programs, warning people could freeze to death this winter. Council members noted the money must come via a budget amendment.
Police Promotional Testing and Scoring Rubrics
The board will discuss a contract template for outside testing services that run police promotional exams — the process behind future promotions.
Police and Fire Department Civil Service Lists
The certification of police eligibility lists determines who Allentown can hire as patrol officers and promote to Assistant Chief. It directly affects police staffing levels and department leadership.
Council legal defense in FOP lawsuit
The police union has sued City Council, and Council will vote on hiring Cozen O'Connor to represent it. Legal costs and the underlying dispute could affect city finances and labor relations.
School zone flasher upgrades at 26 locations
A $1.9 million grant will upgrade school zone flashers at 26 locations across the city. The bill was introduced and will get a public hearing at a special committee on November 18.
FOP Lawsuit Against City Council
The police union (Queen City FOP Lodge No. 10) has sued city council, and council hired outside attorney David L. Hackett of Cozen O'Connor to defend it.
Police station and fire/health building right-sizing
The city scrapped the $40 million police station expansion for a renovation approach under energy-savings legislation and cut the fire/health building from $65 million to about $45 million, cutting next year's borrowing to $30 million.
EMS staffing crisis and mandated overtime
EMS runs with 44 full-timers, mandated overtime has doubled, and ambulances are browned out twice as often as last year. The budget adds two paramedics, but the chief says seven more are really needed.
Public Safety and Departmental Personnel Review
Council members are examining proposed personnel summaries and budget allocations for police, fire, and emergency medical services. This review ensures public safety departments have the necessary staffing and resources for the upcoming year.
Police Department Staffing and DROP Pension Reform
The police chief urged council to adopt a DROP retirement program to keep veteran officers, with 15 retirements expected in December. The auditors pegged its cost at $1.1–$3.9 million a year starting 2028.
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.
Public Works Salt Shed Replacement and Expansion
The city is investing $600,000 to replace its aging salt shed and double storage capacity to 6,000 tons. This upgrade aims to prevent winter supply shortages, avoid emergency price surges, and keep roads safe during heavy snowstorms.
Snow Removal and Parking Enforcement Concerns
Public Works officials and residents debated the city's winter storm response after severe snowstorms and a three-week freeze left many streets uncleared, prompting sharp criticism from residents and union leaders over management and resource allocation.
Union Boulevard After-Hours Club Safety Concerns
Residents spoke out about recurring safety issues, violence, and after-hours club operations along Union Boulevard.
Volunteer Snow Removal Pilot Program
City leaders and community organizers discussed bringing back the Snow Angels volunteer program to pair high school students and community volunteers with seniors and vulnerable residents needing sidewalk snow removal.
Dirt Bike and Traffic Enforcement
A long-time resident of South 10th Street raised alarms about chronic speeding, illegal dirt bikes, and blind spots caused by parked cars at intersections.
Human Relations Commission Administrative Updates
The Human Relations Commission scheduled a virtual training session regarding state and local HRC roles, alongside standard administrative updates and committee reports. These ongoing administrative procedures ensure commissioners stay informed on civil rights enforcement and community outreach.
Surveillance Technology Review and Flock Safety LPR Oversight
Council approved a $10,000 contract with IPVM to independently review the city's automated license plate reader and surveillance systems. The move comes amid public privacy concerns and national reports regarding camera vulnerabilities.
Assistant Police Chief Examination Preparation
The board reviewed examination questions for the high-level Assistant Police Chief promotional test.
Municipal Tool-Lending Program Proposal
Council members raised the idea of creating a city tool-lending library so residents can borrow equipment like lawnmowers and tree trimmers to maintain their properties and avoid code violation fines.
Fire Department Administrative Staffing
Allentown is upgrading a part-time fire clerk position to full-time to handle daily administrative tasks and keep the office open all day. The change costs almost nothing extra since the funds were already mostly set aside.
Municipal Noise Ordinance Updates
Council updated the city noise ordinance to set strict sound level limits for 24/7 continuous operations, addressing low-frequency infrasound and heavy industrial equipment.
Police Conduct and Accountability Allegations
Residents spoke out during public comment demanding transparency and disciplinary records regarding a recent police misconduct investigation.
Police Pension Prior Service Credit Buyback
The committee reviewed a proposal allowing police officers to purchase pension service credit for prior service with other police departments, impacting retirement benefits and municipal pension obligations.
Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan
Residents and community leaders called on the city to pair major federal grant investments with comprehensive violence prevention strategies and youth programs following a fatal shooting near an eastside McDonald's.
Quality of Life Task Force and Noise Enforcement
Council Member Candida Affa is creating a dedicated task force of residents, city staff, and police to tackle persistent neighborhood nuisances like loud vehicles, illegal dumping, and trash. The group aims to find practical solutions and recommend targeted local legislation without relying solely on punitive fines.
Second Fire Academy Funding and Staffing
Allentown is funding a second fire academy this year to fill nine sudden vacancies caused by early retirements and resignations, helping avoid massive overtime costs.
Tobacco-Free Buffer Zones in Public Parks
City Council enacted a ban on smoking and vaping within 25 feet of all playgrounds and athletic fields to protect children from secondhand smoke while preserving natural park air quality.