Allentown City Council Meeting – May 6, 2026

The Allentown City Council met on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent items, a prolonged debate on a resolution (R64) to audit the mayor's travel expenses, and the introduction of 11 ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Consent Calendar

• R58 – Certificate of Appropriateness for masonry work at 334 N 9th Street (Historic District). Passed 7-0.
• R59 – Sewer Planning Module for 1935 S 5th Street (Abdouche Properties). Passed 7-0.
• R60 – Sewage Planning Module for S Hall Street Apartments (Cox Management Group). Passed 7-0.
• R61 – Sewage Planning Module for 728 Union Boulevard (Bears Steps Management LLC). Passed 7-0.

Resolutions for Final Passage

• R62 – Resolution to close out DCNR community grant project BRC-TAG-28-280. Passed 7-0.
• R63 – Budget transfers: $31,803.85 from Parks & Rec Special Events account #46 to #68 for materials and supplies; and $13,000 for water/sewer rebates to citizens (Compliance). Two other transfers (stormwater sewer cleaning truck and EV charger prevailing wages) were removed from the agenda. Passed 7-0.
• R64 – Resolution requiring an audit and review of the mayor's traveling expenses, including an independent audit. This item generated extensive discussion (see below).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betty Cauler (Tilghman Street) – Speaking on R64, she questioned the administration's disclosure of $72,000 for memberships and fees, and expressed skepticism about the claimed return on travel. She requested a full accounting beyond just receipts, including reports on what was learned and how it benefits the city.

Discussion Items

• R64 – Travel Expense Audit Resolution
  • Sponsors: Councilmembers Affa, Mota, Gerlach, and Napoli.
  • Council positions:
    • Cynthia Mota: Stated the resolution is straightforward—calls for complete accounting of mayor's travel expenses. Emphasized council's oversight duty and that transparency is not optional.
    • Candida Affa: Cited lack of prior reports from the mayor on travel outcomes. Asked for a written report after each trip to see what was brought back to Allentown.
    • Ce-Ce Gerlach: Supported the resolution as a communication and optics issue, especially after a tax increase. Wanted to highlight positive results if trips are paid by third parties.
    • Jeremy Binder: Expressed concerns that the independent audit requirement would duplicate the controller's work and cost $40,000–$100,000. Suggested a semi-annual presentation instead.
    • Cristian Pungo: Agreed with Binder on the independent audit point, but supported asking for regular reports. Wanted to drop the fourth point (independent audit).
    • Santo Napoli: Noted the mayor's lack of communication about trips; called for more timely sharing of information.
  • Administration response (Managing Director Frank Kane):
    • Defended the mayor's travel as essential for networking and grant acquisition. Provided examples: $5,748.22 spent in 2022 led to $1.1 million for traffic safety planning, $312,000 for Safe Streets, $384,000 demonstration grant, $50,000 Move with the Mayor grant, and helped secure a $20 million ReCompete grant.
    • Noted that many trips are paid by third parties (e.g., Bloomberg, Harvard).
    • Argued the controller already audits travel expenses routinely; an independent audit would be wasteful.
    • Offered to provide receipts after coordinating with the controller (who was absent due to illness).
    • Acknowledged the need for better communication and promised to prepare reports going forward.
  • Public comment: Betty Cauler pressed for more than just numbers, wanting descriptions of what was learned and value.

Key Outcomes

• R64 was referred to the Human Resources, Administration and Appointments Committee (Chair Binder) for further review. Council President Napoli said he would check on the controller's availability and provide an update by Friday, May 8.
• All 11 ordinances introduced (Bills 32–42) were referred to the appropriate committees:
  • Bill 32 (Tobacco-free buffer zones in parks) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 33 (Vacant and at-risk property) → Community and Economic Development
  • Bill 34 (Recompete personnel budget) → Community and Economic Development
  • Bill 35 (Position upgrades in Public Works) → Public Works
  • Bill 36 (Lehigh and Union Street reconstruction) → Public Works
  • Bill 37 (Ithaca Park improvements) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 38 (Bogert's Bridge rehabilitation) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 39 (Dixon Street sidewalks) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 40 (MLK Trail Extension Phase 1) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 41 (Parks capital projects) → Parks and Recreation
  • Bill 42 (Second Fire Academy funding) → Public Safety

Committee Reports

• Budget and Finance: Met; future Committee of the Whole to review budget priorities.
• Community and Economic Development: Next meeting May 14.
• Human Resources, Administration and Appointments: No meeting scheduled.
• Parks and Recreation: Next meeting May 20.
• Public Safety: Next meeting May 20 at 5:45 PM.
• Public Works: Next meeting May 20 at 5:30 PM.
• Rules, Chambers, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategy: No meeting scheduled.

Mayor's Report & Controller's Report

• No mayor's report was submitted.
• Controller Glazier was absent due to recuperation from a medical issue.

Good and Welfare

• None.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 PM.