Allentown City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Allentown City Council met at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments on snow removal, parking enforcement, and police conduct; unanimous approvals of contracts, consent items, and a street naming resolution; and introduction of four new ordinances referred to committees. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Ropski (Chair, Allentown Environmental Advisory Council) invited the public to an educational forum on air quality on February 24, 2026, 6–8 PM at Hamilton Family Restaurant, co-hosted with the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County, featuring experts from the DEP, Lehigh University, and the city Health Department.
• Inid Santiago (1243 S. Jefferson Street) raised two issues: (1) inadequate snow removal left her garage buried and prevented her from accessing work for nearly a month; (2) criticized the Allentown Parking Authority for posting confusing and rude social media responses, arguing that enforcement unfairly targets residents, calling it "targeted harassment of poverty." She expressed concern that a car parked three days in front of one's house can be towed even if the owner leaves and returns.
• Michaela Bell discussed rent control, noting that Pennsylvania law preempts local rent control. She proposed a voluntary city-funded program where landlords charge median-income rent (e.g., one-bedroom $900, two-bedroom $1,100) in exchange for tax discounts and free permits. She also criticized the Parking Authority, alleging over 35 cars were towed from emergency routes during snow events without subsequent street clearing, and that contesting tickets is costly and biased.
• Milagros Canales (speaking for Center City residents) described a snow removal operation at 12:22 AM on February 7 that used sirens, flashing lights, and bullhorns, calling it a "tactical raid" that traumatized the neighborhood. She stated the 500 block of Allen Street has experienced more shootings than other parts of the city, and such tactics undo community-police trust. She requested a policy change: no more sirens or bullhorns for snow enforcement.
• Betty Cauler expressed frustration that previous questions about tax increases, the Parking Authority, and snow removal went unanswered by the Council President. She also criticized Mayor Tuerk for allegedly retaliating against a Parks Board member (Becki Kiss) who spoke about tax increase items, claiming the removal was unjustified and urging Council to consider that when voting on appointments.
• Rebecca Ramos (500 block of Allen Street) reported two incidents with Allentown police: (1) on January 6, an officer refused to cover a dead dog in the street while school buses were present; (2) on February 7 at 12:22 AM, police used sirens and bullhorns to force car moving for snow removal, causing panic. She noted that the Parking Authority's Facebook page had cancelled snow removal for that district, but enforcement occurred anyway. Residents with disabilities waited from 12:22 AM to 4:30 AM.
• Council President Santo Napoli responded by announcing that Council is working to schedule a meeting with the Parking Authority on April 8, 2026, and that the Public Works Committee will discuss snow removal policies on March 11, 2026.
• Mayor Matt Tuerk clarified a point about "snow clearing" versus "snow removal."

Reports

• Public Hearing Notice: A public hearing on the transfer of liquor license R-21060 to The Felix Restaurant LLC (395 S. Cedar Crest Blvd) is set for March 4, 2026 at 6 PM, with a resolution to follow at 6:30 PM.
• Committee Reports: All committees reported on their meeting status and upcoming agenda items (see Key Outcomes for referrals).
• Mayor's Report: Mayor Tuerk highlighted Allentown's selection as a 2025 "Spotlight City" by Work for America, which is helping develop an employer value proposition, modernize job descriptions, and train hiring managers. He noted the city has only three regular job openings (Maintenance Worker II, Project Manager, Diesel Tech) but stressed the need to fill summer positions (lifeguards, cashiers, playground instructors). He also announced a Dominican Independence Day Flag Raising on February 28, 2026 at 1 PM, and encouraged participation in Read Across America Week (March 2–6, 2026).

Consent Calendar

• R14: Contract with KS StateBank ($307,690.35) to finance Toro equipment for 5 years. Approved 7-0.
• R15: Contract with BankFunding, LLC ($402,562.40) to finance one milling machine for 4 years. Approved 7-0.
• R16: Contract with five vendors (Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, et al.) for road materials up to $2,650,000. Approved 7-0.
• R17: Cooperative contracts for goods/services with Advanced Electronic Design Inc., Koch 33 Ford Toyota, and CDW, Inc. Approved 7-0.
• Minutes: January 21, 2026 City Council meeting minutes approved 7-0.
• Consent Agenda (R18–R27): All items approved 7-0, including: R18 – HARB approval for 943-951 W Chew Street; R19 – Michael Comick reappointment to Parks and Recreation (to 2/19/2031); R20 – David Snyder reappointment to Parks and Recreation (to 2/19/2031); R21 – Nancy Wilt reappointment to Parks and Recreation (to 2/19/2031); R22 – Michael Drabenstott appointment to Parks and Recreation (to 2/19/2031, replacing Becki Kiss); R23 – Diane Purdy appointment to Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals (to 2/19/2029); R24 – Candida Affa reappointment to Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals (to 2/19/2029); R25 – Candida Affa appointment to Nuisance Abatement Board of Appeals (to 2/19/2028); R26 – Santo Napoli appointment to Police Pension Board (to 1/1/2027); R27 – Santo Napoli appointment to Aggregate Pension Board (to 1/1/2027).

Discussion Items

• Bill 8 (Noise Ordinance Revision): Amends definitions and sound level tables to align with the new Zoning Code. The Community and Economic Development Committee voted favorably. Final passage was unanimous 7-0.
• R28 – Street Naming (Rose Kennedy Way): Resolution to authorize civic naming of the 2000 block of Liberty Street in honor of Rose Kennedy, a beloved community figure and supporter of the St. Patrick's Parade. Lisa Arnold (Allentown St. Patrick's Parade Committee) spoke in support, describing Kennedy's legacy. Mayor Tuerk expressed strong support. Approved 7-0.
• R29 – Budget Transfer: Transfers $41,500 for unhoused access to restrooms, water, laundry, and animal care; $58,828 for fuel reclass; and $42,000 for a construction contract account. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Contracts Approved (R14, R15, R16, R17): All 7-0.
• January 21 Meeting Minutes Approved: 7-0.
• Consent Agenda (R18–R27) Approved: 7-0.
• Bill 8 (Noise Ordinance) Passed: 7-0.
• R28 (Rose Kennedy Way) Passed: 7-0. Ceremony to install the street sign is planned for March 20 or 21, 2026.
• R29 (Budget Transfer) Passed: 7-0.
• Bill 9 (Fire Equipment Grant – $16,136.55): Introduced and referred to the Public Safety Committee.
• Bill 10 (Lehigh & Union Street Reconstruction – $346,158.00): Introduced and referred to the Public Works Committee.
• Bill 11 (Trexler WPA/Monument Repair – $480,000.00): Introduced and referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
• Bill 12 (Water & Sewer Rebate – sliding schedule): Introduced and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee.
• Future Meetings: Budget and Finance Committee – Feb 25 at 5:30 PM; Parks and Recreation – March 4 at 5:30 PM; Public Safety – March 4 at 5:45 PM; Public Works – March 11 at 5:30 PM; Rules & Intergovernmental – March 5 workshop with Lehigh County, March 10 workshop with Allentown School District; April 8 tentative meeting with Parking Authority.