Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
45 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dog park rule changes
Bill 83 would update the dog park ordinance — renaming the park, eliminating key fobs, and refreshing the rules for users.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disruptive Conduct Reports (DCRs) for Rental and Owner-Occupied Units
The city uses DCRs to track tenant disturbances and prompt landlord action, while noting a growing challenge with disruptive behavior in owner-occupied homes.
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.
Business License Fee Increase (Bill 65)
The city is actively auditing and pursuing remote online retailers and out-of-state corporations under economic nexus standards to collect business privilege taxes on goods delivered into Allentown.
Urban Canopy and Storm Recovery
Council approved a $16,080 contract with Brown Design Corp using a bid waiver to create a landscape and tree replacement plan for West Park following severe storm damage that destroyed mature heritage trees.
Medical Office Building Development on Tilghman Street
Jaindl Land Company is proposing to replace an old restaurant with a two-story medical office building, bringing new healthcare services to the western edge of the city.
Ithaca Park Pavilion Construction
Allentown is shifting unspent aquatics program funds to build a new shade pavilion at Ithaca Park so children in the summer playground program have cover from rain and heat.
Electric Vehicle Fleet Expansion
The city is using leftover state and federal grant money to buy one more electric car for the parks and recreation team, making it easier for staff to visit parks and run programs cleanly.
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.
Controller's Office Intern Process Audits
College interns researched and documented three key city processes—procurement, accounts payable, and special events—to help identify areas for efficiency and stronger internal controls. These audits help the city catch errors or fraudulent billing and streamline everyday operations.
Subdivision and Lot Variances at 406 N Fair St
A homeowner asked the board to let him keep a gazebo and shed that sit too close to property lines and a public alley. The board denied the request because he couldn't prove a legal hardship and wasn't able to confirm exact property boundaries.
Parking and Buffering Variances at 2613 South St
Horizon Church is seeking permission for parking placement, lighting, and minimal landscaping buffers at their site.
Slope Disturbance Relief for New Home at 510-524 W Normandy St
Alec and Allison Puketza are asking for permission to build a single-family home on steeply sloped land exceeding local limits.
Disposition and Rehabilitation of 532 N. Law St.
Council transferred a troubled, city-owned property to the Redevelopment Authority to be repaired and turned into affordable housing.
June 2026 Financial Reports Review
The committee examined the city's financial standing and budgetary performance for the month of June.
Emergency Roof Repair Loan Repayment
The city received a $50,000 repayment from Community Action Lehigh Valley for an advanced HUD loan that helped seniors get urgent roof repairs done.
New Child Care Center on St. John Street
A local family child care operator is expanding to care for more children, which requires verifying that an adequate number of off-street parking spaces are available.
Adaptive Reuse Housing on North 7th Street
A property owner is converting an old vacant warehouse space into six affordable apartments with dedicated parking across the street. The board approved it with minor conditions like bike racks and lighting.
Comprehensive Review of Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
The administration announced plans to undertake a thorough review of all city boards, authorities, and commissions to clean up inactive bodies and consolidate underperforming groups.
Public Works Staffing Reorganization
The city is converting several hard-to-fill part-time compliance and custodial positions into full-time roles to retain workers and properly clean city buildings without raising taxes.