Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues with medium priority
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.
Firefighter Pension and Disability Requests
The firefighters' union wants a new actuarial cost study on how pension credit for prior Allentown employment would work and what it would cost. The board will consider the request, which could expand pension eligibility for some members.
Rear garage and carport setback variances
Two separate appeals ask the board to let backyard structures sit much closer to side property lines than the 5-foot rule allows — a garage at 3.83 feet and a carport at 0.83 feet.
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.
Possible Settlement Agreement
After a private executive session on legal matters, the board may approve a settlement agreement. Settlements can resolve disputes over properties or contracts the Authority is involved in.
Cable franchise agreements with RCN and Verizon
Both franchise agreements — which pay the city 5% of cable revenue — were tabled for two weeks so council can look for ways to improve the deals for residents. The agreements technically expired six years ago and the city has been operating under them since.
Maintenance of Authority-Owned Properties
The Authority owns several properties around the city, and it's considering a roof quote for 1238-1240 19th Street and a repaint bid for 323 N 9th Street. Keeping these buildings in good shape protects neighboring property values.
Sidewalk and Curb Postponement Requests
A property owner tried to postpone mandatory sidewalk and curb repairs at 932 Walnut Street but withdrew the request after finding a contractor. Staff had warned the cracked sidewalks were tripping hazards.
2027 Capital Projects Budget and Capital Planning Reform
Council introduced the 2027 capital budget and a separate ordinance (from Binder and Mota) to make the capital planning process clearer and more public. Both head to committee.
Franklin Park improvements design contract
Council added $55,450 to the design contract for the Franklin Park upgrades, bringing the total design contract with Simone Collins Inc. to $221,900. The park improvements move one step closer to construction.
Dog park rule changes
Bill 83 would update the dog park ordinance — renaming the park, eliminating key fobs, and refreshing the rules for users.
Child care center variance denied on South Dauphin Street
A proposal for a 54-child day care serving families from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. was denied because the zoning ordinance bars child care centers attached to buildings with apartments. Smaller family or group child care options remain available by right.
Banquet Facility Proposal at 170 Allen St
Neighbors near the former social hall at 170 W. Allen say large gatherings brought broken bottles, trash, and noise, and worry 15 parking spots can't serve 116-person events. The board ruled the use a permitted banquet hall, with parking alternatives floated but no conditions attached.
Child care center blocked by attachment restriction
A 54-child day care was proposed across from an elementary school, but the zoning ordinance flatly bars child care centers attached to buildings with dwelling units. The board denied the variance, saying smaller family or group child care homes remain allowed.
Elimination of GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage
The city stopped covering GLP-1 medications for weight loss starting 2027 after spending ballooned from $470,000 to nearly $3 million in two years. Coverage remains for medical conditions.
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.
Litter Reduction and Containerization Strategies
The council is pushing forward with litter reduction efforts, utilizing community surveys to evaluate waste containerization strategies across the city.
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.
Election Board Structure Referendum
Lehigh County voters are getting a say this November on whether to expand our tiny three-person election board to five members. The big change here would bring independent and third-party voices directly into how local elections are managed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
County Budget
Lehigh County is pushing forward with a preliminary 2027 budget that features a huge 17% tax hike, and a final vote is happening soon. If you own property or pay taxes in the area, this is going to hit your wallet hard.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Allentown just scored $15.4 million to swap out old, dangerous lead water pipes. This means cleaner, safer drinking water straight from your tap without you having to worry about what's in it.
Hanover Avenue and Linden Street Traffic Signal Installation
The city is installing a new traffic signal at Hanover Avenue and Linden Street using a $560,000 state grant, which local officials note is long overdue.