Allentown City Council Meeting Summary - March 4, 2026

The Allentown City Council met on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of minutes, committee reports, final passage of several ordinances and resolutions, and introduction of new legislation. Mayor Matt Tuerk provided a verbal report on federal funding impacts, housing bills, and AI in local government. Public comments were heard on a housing authority appointment and an ordinance addressing homeless encampments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the February 4, 2026, and February 18, 2026, City Council meetings (7-0 votes).
• Reappointed Jeff Glazier and Christian Brown to the Planning Commission (terms until 3/5/2030) as part of the consent agenda (R30 and R31, approved 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Ropski (528 N Berks Street), Chair of the Allentown Environmental Advisory Council, announced a city-wide cleanup on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 1:30 PM, starting at 9th and Gordon Street, hosted by Healing Hands and Hopeful Hearts. He also thanked attendees of the EAC's recent air quality event.
• Betty Estelle Cauler (2212 W Tilghman Street) spoke against R32, the appointment of Sherri Brokopp Binder to the Allentown Housing Authority. She argued that appointing a City Council member's spouse creates a conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety under Pennsylvania's Ethics Act, citing the Allentown Code of Ethics. She stated that Councilmember Binder's previous public support for the mayor suggested a quid pro quo and urged a no vote.
• Mary Tomlinson (373 Liberty Street) expressed support for Bill 21, which sets standards for responding to homeless individuals living outdoors. She referenced a traumatic eviction near Jordan Creek last year and urged the council to adopt compassionate protocols, noting that warming stations will soon close and encampments will grow.

Discussion Items

• Controller's Report (Jeffrey Glazier): Reported on the Accounts Payable Review for the period January 31 to February 27, 2026. Key findings: 487 checks and wires totaling nearly $8.2 million were reviewed; six manual checks totaled approximately $82,000. One check for $729.92 was issued to a wrong entity and voided. A payment sheet error resulted in a check voided and reissued at the correct amount ($40 vs. $80). Eight invoices had incorrect expense accounts; 19 invoices showed untimely payment (over 60 days); four invoices lacked documentation in Munis. A petty cash reimbursement weakness was noted, with some 2024 invoices only being reimbursed in 2026; the department was advised to replenish within three months and within the same fiscal year.
• Mayor's Verbal Report (Matt Tuerk): Encouraged council members to participate in Read Across America Week by reading in schools. Reported on his trip to the U.S. Conference of Mayors leadership meeting in Los Angeles, where he chairs Children Health and Human Services. He noted potential federal funding cuts, including elimination of ACA subsidies (which could increase uninsured residents and emergency medical services burden) and changes to SNAP benefits via HR1 (passed July 2025), which may shift costs to states and reduce benefits. He also highlighted progress on federal housing bills (Senate and House) to boost affordable housing production. He mentioned attending a workshop on AI in local government hosted by Google and stated that he may ask council to develop legislation on AI regulation. He noted partnerships with St. Luke's, Attorney General Dave Sunday, County Executive Siegel, and President Judge Reichley to improve mental health access and collaboration.
• Committee Reports:
  • Budget and Finance (Chair Pungo) met February 25; next meeting March 25 at 5:30 PM.
  • Community and Economic Development (Chair Gerlach) has not met; next meeting scheduled March 18 at 5:15 PM.
  • Human Resources (Chair Binder) has not met; no future meetings scheduled.
  • Parks and Recreation (Chair Santos) met this evening; next meeting March 18 at 6 PM to review EAC annual report and sustainability program.
  • Public Safety (Chair Affa) met this evening; no future meetings scheduled.
  • Public Works (Chair Mota) has not met; next meeting March 11 at 5:30 PM to review legislation, snow clearing policies, and a potential volunteer snow shoveling program for elderly residents.
  • Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy (Chair Napoli) has not met; a public workshop with Lehigh County is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 6 PM.
• Special Council Meetings Announced: Parking Authority on April 8, 2026, at 6 PM; ANIZDA on April 22, 2026, at 6 PM, both in Council Chambers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Bill 9 (Ordinance #16192) – Supplemental appropriation of $16,136.55 from the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner Grant to the Allentown Fire Department for fire attack hoses and nozzles (7-0).
• Approved Bill 11 (Ordinance #16193) – Transfer of $480,000 from Trexler operating budget to WPA Capital Project and Trexler Monument Capital Project accounts for repairs to Lehigh Parkway staircase and flagstone around the General Trexler monument (7-0).
• Approved Bill 12 (Ordinance #16194) – Amended city code to add Section 633-53, creating a sliding schedule for water and sewer rebates (7-0). Councilmember Pungo encouraged public use of the rebate program.
• Approved R32 (Resolution #31231) – Appointment of Sherri Brokopp Binder to the Allentown Housing Authority (term until 3/5/2031), with Councilmember Binder recusing himself (6-0-1).
• Approved R33 (Resolution #31232) – Intermunicipal transfer of liquor license R-21060 to The Felix Restaurant LLC at 395 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard (7-0).
• Approved R34 (Resolution #31233) – Submission of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report to HUD (7-0).
• Approved R35 (Resolution #31234) – Allocation of $144,723.75 in CHDO funds from the federal 2021 HOME grant to Community Action of the Lehigh Valley for a project at 136 S 8th Street (7-0).
• Approved R36 (Resolution #31235) – Two DCED transfers: $144,723.75 for CHDO funds to Community Action of the Lehigh Valley, and $22,786.79 for Senior Planner and Planner positions created by Ordinance #16060 (7-0).
• Introduced and referred Bills 13–17 to the Community and Economic Development Committee for pass-through grants:
  • Bill 13: $250,000 to Resurrected Community Development Corporation.
  • Bill 14: $400,000 to Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley.
  • Bill 15: $296,878 to Museum of Indian Culture.
  • Bill 16: $1,000,000 to The Baum School of Art (RACP grant).
  • Bill 17: $775,000 to Allentown Art Museum.
• Introduced and referred Bill 18 (transfer of $55,000 for traffic signal redesign at 17th & Linden, Turner, Chew, and Walnut) and Bill 19 ($45,295.39 from tree planting payments in lieu for new street trees) to the Public Works Committee.
• Introduced and referred Bill 20 (adding data center use and definitions to zoning code) to the Community and Economic Development Committee, along with the Allentown and Lehigh Valley Planning Commissions.
• Introduced and referred Bill 21 (ordinance establishing procedures for responding to homeless encampments) to a Special Committee of the Full Council.
• Introduced and referred Bill 22 ($15,000 OSFC grant for Fire and EMS equipment) to the Public Safety Committee.
• Adjourned at 7:03 PM.