OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Redevelopment Authority of Allentown Meeting - June 10, 2026

Meeting PortalWednesday, June 10, 2026
BodyAllentown, Pennsylvania
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, June 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I'm staring at the illustrious past husky running back here.

0:06

All right, enough of Dear of Husky football lure.

0:09

Let's call this meeting the order for the Wednesday, June 10th, meeting of the redevelopment authority of the City of Allentown.

0:16

We have our quorum and uh full compliment of all of our staff.

0:23

First thing that we'll look to is an approval of the minutes for May 13th.

0:29

Do we have a motion or any improvements that could be made?

0:36

No corrections, Alan.

0:38

Alan.

0:39

I'm sorry.

0:39

I haven't had a chance to look at it.

0:43

Wait, because you can't do that.

0:44

That's what it's right.

0:49

Yeah, I'll make a motion approve.

0:51

Normally normally we see a red line version before uh for you coming in with it.

0:55

I'll make a motion of approval.

0:56

We have a motion.

0:57

Do we have a second?

0:58

I'll second.

0:59

We have a second.

1:00

Any further discussion?

1:02

Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.

1:05

Aye.

1:06

Aye.

1:06

Any opposed?

1:08

Motion carries.

1:10

We'll jump to agenda item number 3.0 with any public comment.

1:14

Do we have here we have our illustrious former DRF running back now?

1:21

Thanks for making it today, Kevin.

1:23

Kevin, you still lay in 1124 and first I'd like to say thank you all.

1:30

Last three meetings.

1:36

The procedures for the last three meetings have gotten uh better.

1:40

I just wanted to make a couple um recommendations.

1:45

So I know the city is uh full of public meetings.

1:51

Um as I've noticed the last three meetings.

1:54

I'm pretty much the only person from the public that comes.

1:57

And I don't know if that has to do with the fact that the meeting is at a two two o'clock p.m.

2:03

And so as a public citizen, I'd like to recommend that if you guys can somehow find a way to to or maybe even have every other meeting or something at a at a more suitable time for the public.

2:16

Um two, just for the notes, and Kelly did let me know that the uh April note meeting notes are being updated because they weren't uh on the website.

2:26

Um and three, um, I've been involved in public service for many years and been to many public meetings, and one of the things that I that I find a little um still use um just not practical is that you guys actually have executive sessions 20 minutes into the meeting.

2:49

And so usually what happens when you have an executive meeting, public has to leave and I leave, and if you wait for an hour or two, by that time you you gotta go.

2:59

So most public authorities I attend uh uh meetings I attend, they do have executive meetings, but they're either after the meeting or prior to the to the first meeting.

3:11

So I just wanted to make that a recommendation because it's it's just a little inconvenient for the public.

3:16

All right.

3:16

But other than that, you guys are doing doing pretty good.

3:19

Thank you.

3:19

We're we're getting things on track here, so I think we're think we're moving along.

3:23

Uh we have discussed the time in the past.

3:25

We will we'll bring that up again though, uh, just with everyone's schedules here, but we you know, I think that that's good comments there, so we will take that into consideration as well.

3:36

Very good.

3:37

Um, we will jump to agenda item number 4.0, or did we do you want to jump to the budget mark?

3:44

Uh not the budget, the audience audit, but yeah.

3:47

Okay.

3:53

But if you want to jump through the audit, that's fine.

3:55

Whatever you want to do, let's get it.

3:58

Okay.

3:58

So she doesn't have to stick around.

3:59

I don't know.

4:00

They're gonna they're gonna move your uh audit up so you're gonna be on as of right now.

4:06

Kelly, was there any other anyone else from the public online?

4:10

Who's on it, everyone?

4:12

Just provide a high-level overview of the 2025 audit.

4:20

So the first document I was going to highlight are the financial statements themselves.

4:25

So the independent auditors report, so that's the opinion we give on the authorities' financial statements, and that is right after the table of contents included in the financial statements.

4:36

We gave what's called an unmodified opinion, so that is the best opinion that the authority can receive.

4:42

And then an opinion we stated that the the authorities' financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted a united states.

4:52

So as I mentioned, that's the best one that you can receive.

5:00

And the similar wording to previous year, there's a paragraph talking about a management discussion analysis not included in the report, but it does not change your opinion.

5:05

Some financial statement highlights moving on to the statement and a position, which is the balance sheet on page one that's right after the table after the opinion.

5:15

The total assets had an increase of 226,000 dollars from the previous year.

5:21

A majority of that is in the accounts receivable.

5:24

So at the end of 2025, there was an increase in the grant receivable, which is CDBG reimbursements from the city that increased by about 254,000.

5:36

So during 2025, there were additional expenditures that were deemed allowable in accordance with the older grant agreement, and as well as there was a new grant agreement if we're 2025.

5:47

So that fluctuation was the result of that increase.

5:51

On the liability side, the total liabilities decreased by about 65,000.

5:56

A majority that is because the authority was able to close out that old developer's escrow liability that was included in previous years.

6:04

So that was actually one of the recommendations that we had to investigate as part of last year's audits that was taken care of in 2025.

6:12

Bringing your net position, which is your accumulated equity of the authority.

6:17

So that did increase by 291,000.

6:20

So that's essentially the net income for 2025.

6:24

And at the end of 2025, your total net position is 2.5 million, which is all deemed unrestricted and available for spending.

6:34

On the next page, on page two is the statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in net positions.

6:40

So this is the income statement for the authority.

6:43

On the operating revenue side, there was an increase of about 88,000 from the previous year.

6:48

A majority of that was that increase in the CDBG reimbursement grant revenue from the city.

6:54

And there were that was offset by in 2024, there was a property sale revenue.

6:59

So no such sales took place in 2025.

7:04

On the operating expenses, there was a decrease of about 124,000, and that was mainly because previous year in 2024, there was a loss on asset disposal.

7:15

So no big fluctuations in your property took place in 2025.

7:20

And the other thing to point out on that page is non-operating revenues and expenses, that closing of the developer's escrow that is shown as a non-operating revenue of 56,000.

7:31

And there were new rentals, rental income for short-term leases, and that was 16,000 in 2025.

7:40

Now the footnotes that are included after the statement of cash flows, I just wanted the very similar disclosures as previous year.

7:49

The only thing I wanted to highlight was on note seven includes all the transactions with the city.

7:56

That's towards the end of the report.

7:58

And the only new footnote disclosure was subsequent subsequent event information that's included on the last page of the financial statements that's note eight.

8:06

So subsequent to year end, the authority entered into the approved a loan to community action Lehigh Valley, so we disclose that as subsequent event, and there is also some subsequent acquisition of four properties that took place in the current year.

8:22

The other documents that are included is the other required communications.

8:26

That's the communications that were required to provide in a written format to those charged with governance, all similar communications to the previous year.

8:35

So we talk about our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements, but the financial statements are the responsibility of the board.

8:44

There are no new accounting policies that are adopted, no applications, no different changes from the previous year.

8:51

All significant transactions have been recognized in the proper period.

8:55

Similar to the previous year, the most sensitive estimates affecting the dollar amounts and the disclosures including your financial statements on the valuation of the properties held for development and the collectibility of receivables.

9:07

There are no sensitive disclosures that we have to bring to your attention.

9:11

We did not have any difficulties in performing our audit procedures.

9:14

All the requested information was provided timely.

9:17

So we want to thank everyone for their efforts.

9:20

We did not have any material misstatements, no proposed adjustments, so nothing to bring to your attention regarding that.

9:27

We weren't didn't have any disagreements as part of our audit.

9:30

We will receive a representation letter from management in order to issue the final report.

10:00

So in accordance with our audit, we do gain an understanding of internal controls, policies, and procedures in order to help identify what audit areas to focus on and plan for audit.

10:10

We do not apply on the effectiveness of internal controls.

10:13

We don't give an opinion on that.

10:15

However, if we do come across any deficiencies where we feel they have to be reported to the board, we do report that.

10:23

And we did report the same as previous year, just require um recommending some increase in some segregation of duties or the disbursements, which is always difficult to do when you have very limited individuals involved in those transactions.

10:36

So included in that management letter to some recommendations on how to better segregate those duties.

10:56

Okay, well, that is all that I had for the presentation.

11:00

Great.

11:03

Good report.

11:04

Yeah.

11:08

The pleasure working with everyone at the authority again.

11:10

Thank you.

11:11

Thank you so much.

11:12

Thank you very much.

11:13

Thank you.

11:14

Did you want to approve the draft report as presented?

11:19

Yep.

11:19

With that uh hearing no other comments or anything else.

11:23

Uh, do we have a motion to approve the uh audit as presented?

11:28

I'll make a motion to approve the audit as presented by Meyer Doussel.

11:34

We have a motion.

11:35

Do we have a second?

11:40

Second.

11:41

We have a second.

11:42

Any further discussion?

11:44

Alan.

11:46

I um I'm I can't decide what to do because I didn't hear a word she said.

11:51

So uh I um I can't really say that I can't vote for it because I I didn't hear it and uh haven't had enough time to look at it.

12:01

I'm concerned about the required supplementary information on the last page of the written um narrative, but I I don't want to vote no, so I think I'm gonna abstain because lack of confidence.

12:19

But at the bottom of the whatever the page two says management has omitted the management discussion and analysis that accounting principle is generally accept the United States required to be presented to supplement the basic financial statement.

12:34

I believe Alan that that speaks to the fact that we can't historically produce the same level of audit through the years.

12:42

I could I could be wrong, but I think that the past audits were not conducted in the same format, so we can't historically, unless I'm wrong, we can't historically put them all into context because this is the first time we've presented this information in this format to this auditor.

13:02

I could be wrong, but in essence, there's no significant finding within the audit and no recommendation for change within the audit.

13:11

So to me, that finding is Yeah, and they gave an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion that they can give.

13:20

Jennifer, do you have any explanation for Alan's question on the on what page was it on, Mr.

13:27

Jennings?

13:28

Page two of the uh Board of Directors and Auditors Report.

13:33

It's page two of the auditors report, independent auditors report, page two under required supplementary information.

13:42

Under the required supplementary information.

13:45

Yes, so that is referring to the management's discussion and analysis, and in that's technically required to be included within any government unit financial statements.

13:57

However, a lot of entities choose not to include it because it doesn't add a lot of value to the report, and the authorities traditionally not included that analysis, but it doesn't change your opinion.

14:12

So what that is is it's a boilerplate that brings it that talks about what the financial statements include and then compares prior year to current year and discusses any variances.

14:26

So a lot of authorities similar to your size and a lot of other entities and municipal authorities don't include that management discussion analysis, but it doesn't change your opinion.

14:36

You still have a clean opinion on the authority report.

14:41

And again, I think that our ability to produce that kind of starts now when we compare our bookkeeping now to our bookkeeping from last year, and then our bookkeeping next year to our bookkeeping from this year.

15:00

But I don't think we could put a historical analysis together for this particular audit because we weren't all willing to accept the audit, the not the audits, but the standings of old.

15:08

Is this the first year more does it are audit?

15:11

Second.

15:12

Second year.

15:13

Second year.

15:13

They did it last year.

15:15

Third year.

15:16

I think this is their third year.

15:17

Is the third.

15:18

Yeah.

15:18

And they're the city's auditors as well.

15:21

Correct.

15:21

Yeah.

15:21

Okay.

15:22

But again, I think that Ellen has done in partnership with Kelly a fantastic job of trying to recreate the past and trying to find the documents of the past.

15:32

So the fact that we now have what I consider to be a clean no-finding audit means that this should be our jumping off point of us being able to say all the expenses now are occurred under this group and can be compared to the expenses of last year that were all occurred, like we weren't recreating anything from previous years.

15:53

This is all clean now.

15:56

Well, it also says that we lack the internal controls to avoid the same person doing two different functions on the accounting.

16:05

That was normal with limited staff because when you have limited staff, the the tax so we know what we're doing to fix that.

16:11

You have to hire more staff, Ellen.

16:15

I'm wondering if the auditor should be advising us on how to what would be what could we do to get that internal control done properly under the existing staff recommendations?

16:25

I mean, is it possible?

16:27

We aren't haven't we been looking at the the uh general ledger?

16:31

Hasn't that been coming to it had been coming to us, hadn't it?

16:33

I think we should let Ellen answer what her internal controls have been.

16:37

Yeah.

16:39

Well, I think what they're referring to specifically in there is is the lack of segregation of duties, which I mean I'm only one person, so if I'm doing the accounting, I'm I'm doing the accounting.

16:49

Um, there would have to be another person.

16:51

You'd have to hire more staff, or you'd have to get other city staff involved.

16:54

That's not something I can do.

16:56

That's out of my hands.

16:57

Kelly and I have separated as much as we can um with the bills, like she receives the bills, she approves them, then I pay them.

17:04

If we get cash, like Kelly goes to the bank, I record the journal entry.

17:10

Um, I mean, Kelly and I really have worked together as much as possible to segregate as much as we can between the two of us.

17:17

Um, and we do have finance performing the bank recks.

17:21

Um, so but again, like I I'm only you know one person, so I'm I'm getting the bank statements, I'm getting like there would have to be somebody else involved.

17:32

And as she's saying, well, our finance department is reconciling her bank statements.

17:40

It's not us.

17:41

Our city finance department is looking at her bank drafts and reconciling the books.

17:46

Alan City Concellation, I ran the Renevale Authority Downtown for Bethlehem for 12 years.

17:51

That that's that comment was always made.

17:53

I limited staff, but we had the same kind of reconciliation by by the city's audit audit department, by the city's finance department, and the controller's office.

18:02

They we we worked with the city because we're in city hall, we're a city agency, so they were basically our internal control.

18:09

But the fact is I only had one person working for me who was basically doing what Ellen does.

18:14

And and you you're always gonna get that comment.

18:16

It's a relatively minor comment.

18:18

Um there's no comment that's minor, but it's something that shows up when you don't have enough staff.

18:23

We ran 50 million, 60 million dollars, maybe more than that, 70 million dollars through the RDA over that period with tax and criminal financing.

18:30

We had the same controls.

18:32

Well, personally more comfortable if I didn't say anything about flawed internal controls in our audit.

18:38

So I think we need to find the floor.

18:42

And now if you feel you're gonna stay, you know, but just abstain, it's fine.

18:45

I you know, I think you're there's no way to persuade you to hear the audit anyway.

18:49

Does Mahair Dussel um do they see those internal checks and balances between you two?

18:55

Yes, we've still know all the stuff that they still say that's undocumented, yeah.

18:59

They would have been a lot more, they would have been a lot more uh aggressive in terms of the comment if they were not happy with it.

19:05

Right, yeah, yeah.

19:05

They were not that's a relatively uh you know, my it's a relatively benign common.

19:11

And again, I can show you the last 10 audits for the city of Bethlehem, it shows up every time, you know.

19:17

So we have a motion and a second to have discussion.

19:23

We've had discussion.

19:24

Any further discussion before we call for the vote?

19:26

I'm gonna stick with my abstention.

19:28

That's fine.

19:29

Um those in favor signify by saying aye.

19:33

Aye, aye.

19:34

Any opposed?

19:35

Any abstaining?

19:36

Me.

19:37

Aye.

19:38

Two four, one abstention.

19:41

Motion carries.

19:43

Jennifer, thank you very much.

19:44

Thank you, Jennifer.

19:45

Have a wonderful day.

19:46

Thanks, Jenny.

19:47

Thank you.

19:47

You as well.

19:49

All right, we will jump back to agenda item number four point one, uh, which is the May 2026 financial report that is in our packets.

20:02

I don't have too much for that today.

20:05

The past month has been pretty busy mainly with the audit.

20:09

There were not a lot of expenses that were incurred in May.

20:15

So on the budget to actual page, I think really the only major increase month over month was the $21,000 that we paid for the audit.

20:27

So that's under the professional fees line.

20:31

Outside of that, it was there, there really were not many, not much activity, not much else other than the regular monthly rents that we collect.

20:40

Next month I am anticipating to include a bill for more city staff salaries and benefits.

20:45

I believe quarterly, we're going to try to uh bill for that.

20:50

But outside of that, I think at this point we do have the CDBG contract fully executed.

20:58

So we in the in that contract, the budget matches fairly closely with uh the 2026 budget that the authority adopted.

21:08

So now that the contract has been fully executed, we can look to submit for reimbursement for many of those expenses.

21:16

The professional and administrative services, the professional fees, the property management, the legal fees, those are all things that probably within the next month or so I should be able to submit a reimbursement for outside of that.

21:31

Like I said, there really was not much activity month over month.

21:34

So there really isn't anything else that I would like to point out on the financial statements, unless there were any questions.

21:46

Anyone have any questions for Ellen at all?

21:52

I think it's most of it's pretty self-explanatory, I think.

21:55

But you know, not much differed.

21:58

By the way, I I just made a note that I didn't I didn't read into the uh minute into the uh agenda, but Jennifer Kruk gives me did our audits from for Beth Line.

22:08

Oh, is that right?

22:08

Okay.

22:09

I didn't know.

22:09

I I didn't catch her name.

22:11

I thought it was, but I it was always hyphenated when I saw it, so I thought it was but when she said it, I just uh I didn't catch the name.

22:17

So anyway, she was she was our auditor.

22:19

Oh god, good with Mark Russell.

22:23

She's very good, by the way.

22:24

She's she's been very helpful, she's terrific.

22:26

Extremely helpful.

22:27

She's really yeah, she's been great.

22:30

Yeah.

22:33

Good.

22:34

Does anyone have any comments for our balance sheets or profit and loss statements for the month of May?

22:46

Seeing none, uh, do we have a motion to approve and accept the staff financial report as presented?

22:52

So moved.

22:53

We have a motion.

22:53

Do we have a second?

22:55

I'll say we have a second.

22:58

Any further discussion?

23:00

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

23:03

Aye.

23:04

Any opposed?

23:05

Motion carries.

23:07

All right, we will jump to agenda item number 4.2 with invoices uh which are attached in our packets.

23:17

Correct.

23:17

Um again, this was kind of a quiet month.

23:20

Um, we just had the normal um property maintenance of the lawn care, and then we had the mayor docil uh 21,000 uh professional fees.

23:30

So there's a total of 13 invoices, and the total is 23,539 dollars and eighty-six cents.

23:44

Yeah, so it's 23,000 with 21,000 of that was for the audit.

23:50

21,000 of that was for the audit.

23:52

Right.

23:53

I'll make a motion to approve.

23:56

We have a motion to approve the payment of the 13 invoices.

24:02

Do we have a second?

24:05

Second.

24:06

We have a second.

24:07

Do we have any further discussion?

24:12

Seeing none.

24:13

All in favor, signify by saying aye.

24:16

Any opposed?

24:18

Motion carries.

24:20

All right.

24:21

Uh we will jump to agenda item number six point oh with our inventory update.

24:28

Yes.

24:28

Um, you have your inventory sheet in your packet.

24:32

Again, it was a quiet month, which we enjoy.

24:34

Anthony has inspected the properties four times since the last meeting, and there was no issues.

24:43

Good.

24:57

Does anyone have any questions on any of the inventory lists there?

25:01

Looks like we're doing okay.

25:03

Grass is being cut.

25:04

We're doing okay with everything.

25:07

Good, good.

25:09

Um we don't need any action on that.

25:12

Um have any other questions before we move on about the inventory list.

25:19

Um we'll jump to item number 7.0 with old business.

25:24

I don't think we have anything at this time, so uh we already did our draft of the audit.

25:31

Uh we'll jump to agenda item number 8.2, which would be 4725 North 10th Street.

25:41

So uh yes, the um at the special meeting the board was uh presented with um the RFP submissions and the review committee has scored and made recommendations to the board.

25:55

The board then also uh interviewed interviewed uh developers with any additional questions that they have.

26:01

So now is the opportunity if the board wishes to select uh uh preferred developer for the RFP uh so pro RFP um submissions okay no I'm gonna look for mine as well.

26:29

Essentially the process would be we would make a motion to uh to authorize staff to work towards getting an agreement of sale and a development agreement, which we would then review.

26:41

Yes, yeah.

26:42

What happens if that if that doesn't materialize in the working deal?

26:45

We start over again.

26:46

Is that pretty much what happens?

26:47

Okay, it would be up to the board if you wanted to fall back to another proposal that was submitted, or you could start the whole process.

26:56

Okay, I understand.

26:56

Thank you.

26:57

Yeah, so the exactly right, Tony.

26:59

Is the board at this point could consider if you saw a move a naming a preferred developer based on the RFPs you received, and then the staff would negotiate with them to create the agreement of sale and the developer agreement just.

27:12

We you would should we insert that the board authorized uh approved staff working with awarded developer?

27:17

Is that the same as preferred developer?

27:20

Yes, yeah, okay.

27:21

And interchangeable terms, right?

27:22

And what I would prefer better because we're not making the award yet.

27:26

Yeah.

27:26

What I would say we negotiate the final agreements.

27:29

We would negotiate the agreements.

27:31

You would get another crack at approving those agreements.

27:35

So are you looking for a motion?

27:39

I believe we're looking for a motion.

27:40

I'll make a motion with one slight modification.

27:42

I would rather change change the term approved developer or preferred developer and uh just go with the motion that's on the on the floor.

27:50

The board approves and staff with step approved staff working with preferred developer and an agreement of sale and development agreement on this project.

27:57

Why are we naming the developer which with a name?

28:01

Okay, that would be uh with what is the name?

28:03

Um I L N.

28:08

Yeah, at what point do we say the deal means you're gonna do this, this, this, and this?

28:12

I mean, I'm in the agreement.

28:14

Developers agreement and the agreement of sale.

28:16

Okay, we'll get a chance to look at that.

28:19

Okay, so mill said preferred developer for developer, comma mill.

28:23

Yeah, so that's M I L N, and that's with respect to 725 north 725.

28:29

Right.

28:29

Are we gonna get like a formal pro forma at some point?

28:33

We're gonna get anything that we ask for at this point as part of our development agreement.

28:37

Cash flow state.

28:38

Yeah, we had some of those things in our proposal if you remember.

28:42

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

28:49

So just to be clear, we're now recommending that you pursue an agreement uh a deal.

28:55

A developer agreement.

28:58

Clarified and on paper, we'll then get another shot at approving it.

29:04

So I was just saying you would approve the contract.

29:06

Yes.

29:07

So that the motion that Tony's making right now is not to sign any old deal.

29:12

It's for the staff to work out the terms of a developer agreement and proposed agreement of sale with the proposed developer MILN that he suggested.

29:21

Those documents will be brought back to this board to approve, they won't be signed without you seeing them.

29:26

If that's what you're asking, does that make sense?

29:28

And I will include the sale price of the property.

29:31

Oh, yes.

29:32

Who's gonna execute those?

29:34

Who's gonna produce that paperwork?

29:36

Is that Josh?

29:37

Yes, yeah, okay.

29:38

God bless okay.

29:41

Okay.

29:43

We have a motion.

29:44

Do we have a second?

29:45

I'll second it.

29:47

We have a second.

29:48

Any further discussion?

29:52

Seeing none, we'll call the vote.

29:53

Uh, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

29:56

All right, aye.

29:57

Any opposed?

30:00

Motion carries unanimously.

30:01

Very good.

30:03

We will jump to agenda item number 8.3, which is the RFP proposals for 540 Hamilton Street.

30:12

I'll make a motion to approve staff working with developer ages to enter an agreement with sale development agreement for this project.

30:23

540 Hamilton Street.

30:25

I'm sorry, which developer?

30:26

Ages, A E G I S.

30:32

Okay.

30:33

I'll second that.

30:35

We have a motion.

30:36

We have a second.

30:37

Um and I guess we're gonna follow the same same thing.

30:40

Same thing procedure.

30:41

Very good.

30:43

Um very good.

30:44

Any further discussion on this motion?

30:50

I don't have it.

30:52

Go ahead.

30:52

All right.

30:53

I made the motion that the motion I second it.

30:56

No further discussion.

30:57

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

31:00

Aye.

31:00

Aye.

31:01

Any opposed?

31:02

Motion carries.

31:05

All right.

31:06

We will jump down to any good of the order.

31:10

Any so Josh is gonna speak at the good of the order.

31:13

We're gonna add him in the agenda going forward.

31:16

But yeah, he's gonna speak for the conversation about uh under executive session.

31:22

We can at the end.

31:24

Yeah, we can have an executive session at the end on the approved topics.

31:27

But so under good of the order, the you recall that the board directed me to work with the owners of 1116 West Maple Street in Allentown regarding the restrictive covenant agreement that had been violated to negotiate an extension of that for 10 years and covering the uh expenses.

31:46

That has been done.

31:47

Uh a proposal was prepared.

31:49

They signed off on it.

31:52

I thought that they would just tell me they approved and then I would bring it back.

31:55

They literally already signed a paper.

31:57

So I have it here uh for the chair to review and sign, but it's it's the things we asked for them to agree to with respect to that restrictive.

32:06

I I mean I wouldn't say threaten.

32:08

I I told them what our legal rights are.

32:13

You know the scene in Godfather Part 2 where he says my offer is nothing, it's just like that.

32:22

For purposes of the record, that's a joke.

32:24

Not that we have a record.

32:26

Um yeah, so anyway, that that so they agreed to it.

32:28

I have that here for the chair to review it.

32:30

And the check is the one amount?

32:32

Uh $1,500, which covers the expenses.

32:36

That should be in the record.

32:38

Yes.

32:39

I mean in a minutes, yeah.

32:41

Okay.

32:42

And uh do we formally accept it now, or did we already accept it when you pursue the conversation?

32:47

You authorized me to go get it done.

32:49

So you're basically telling us you we you did what we did the thing.

32:54

He's doing it.

32:55

Uh I love it when a plan comes together.

32:57

Good, good.

32:58

Good.

32:59

That's good news.

33:00

I was gonna snarl at here, Alan.

33:02

Yes.

33:02

Who snarls necessary?

33:05

I want to be the official snarler.

33:08

You definitely are the official snarler, Alan.

33:10

Thanks.

33:11

That appropriate.

33:12

Yeah, just that property.

33:13

This maple.

33:14

Um thirteen sixty.

33:17

Thank you.

33:18

Okay.

33:19

Okay.

33:20

Nice work, Josh.

33:21

Thank you.

33:22

Excellent.

33:23

Very good.

33:24

Um we are at the end of our agenda.

33:27

We are going into executive session to just a quick comment for next month's meeting is our annual organization meeting.

33:37

So you know, we'll need to talk about uh proposed slate of officers and um, you know, and if you also want to discuss the meeting time or something, we can set that up.

33:50

And also what I'm gonna do is um, because Josh is here, we're gonna slide a solicitor update on the agenda.

33:57

It'll just make things a little bit easier so we all know what's going on.

34:00

That's good.

34:01

Because everybody loves to hear me talk, so of course we do.

34:04

Um, just briefly also I think that Kelly is working diligently on the um rebidding uh the opportunity to rebid some of our contracts.

34:14

So we're reviewing any contract that we have that has a length of time over two to three years, and putting together a request for proposals on those services.

34:23

So that would likely include the lawn mowing, the tree service, if we use a board up company, our legal services, all of those things will go back.

34:32

Our auditor, all of those things will go back out.

34:35

How do we RFP those?

34:37

Is there like a system or a place where pended pended?

34:41

I know, but like somebody who's not like maybe it's like an everyday local citizen who has a company that maybe want to apply.

34:48

So they're an option.

34:49

So they if you know somebody you can have them are um email me with their contact information.

34:54

I'll put them on our RFP list, and then uh I'll put them on the RFP list, and then they'll get a note, they'll get a notice of when the RFP is out and where it is and how to access it.

35:05

Okay.

35:06

And not to put our illustrious wide receiver.

35:09

Running back.

35:10

The running back.

35:11

You know, I can't tell.

35:12

Um our football player from the east side here on the spot, but we're gonna count on Kevin to distribute that information far and wide.

35:23

And Kevin's group has actually, correct me if I'm wrong, provided assistance to local folks who don't know how to navigate Pend bid to help them navigate Pend Bid.

35:32

And then our team is also available to help them navigate Pend bid if they need to.

35:37

I would suggest that when we have that list, we potentially also do a little media advertising to mega radio and perhaps to um FMZ or social media to try to put out the word that we're open to proposals.

35:52

Do we we don't have a Facebook page?

35:54

No, so one of the things I did find, I'm sorry, I wanted to update is we uh there was a stale LinkedIn account for the redevelopment authority, so I actually activated it.

36:02

Now we don't have any followers, but it's linked to my account.

36:05

So I did post um Mark directed me to uh post about the RFP for 802 Walnut Street.

36:11

So I did put that on there and I uh copied as many people as I could.

36:15

So if you know anybody, or if you could like the the Allentown Redevelopment Authority like LinkedIn page, that just helps uh get our connections, and uh yeah, so we can put those types of uh uh blasts on there, and then it doesn't have to be I will follow.

36:32

I will follow you on LinkedIn.

36:33

Yeah, I have like 5,000 followers.

36:35

Okay, great.

36:37

Thank you.

36:38

Tony, you might be the most prolific LinkedIn poster.

36:41

LinkedIn poster that I know.

36:44

Absolutely.

36:45

Only on good stuff.

36:47

It's always good.

36:48

It's it's Facebook for people with a mind.

36:51

That's very true.

36:52

Yes, yes.

36:54

Yes.

36:56

Very good.

36:58

Um there's nothing else for that.

37:00

The executive session.

37:01

Uh we call for executive session.

37:03

Uh is now 2 39.

37:04

We need to announce the reading.

37:08

We have a session to discuss.

37:09

Oh, discuss the legal matters.

37:11

Um you know we have a majority of Dare of Grads.

37:14

I will work on Wednesday, July 8th at 2 p.m.

37:20

And with that, uh, we will call our meeting adjourned.

37:23

Okay, thank you.

37:24

Thank you, everyone.

37:25

Thank you.

37:26

Is everybody okay for the July days meeting?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Personnel Matters██████████████14%
Economic Development████████8%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Redevelopment Authority of the City of Allentown Meeting - June 10, 2026

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Allentown held its regular meeting on June 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting covered the approval of prior minutes, a public comment period, the presentation and approval of the 2025 audit, the May 2026 financial report, invoice approvals, an inventory update, and selection of preferred developers for two properties. The board also received a legal update on a restrictive covenant matter and entered executive session.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (May 13, 2026): The minutes were approved unanimously with no corrections.
  • May 2026 Financial Report: Staff reported minimal activity other than a $21,000 audit fee. The report was approved unanimously.
  • Invoices (13 total, $23,539.86): The invoices, primarily for lawn care and the audit fee, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kevin (former University of Washington running back, regular attendee): Commended the authority for improved meeting procedures over the last three meetings. He recommended shifting the 2:00 PM meeting time to a more public-friendly hour, suggested posting meeting notes more promptly (noting that April notes were being updated), and recommended holding executive sessions either before or after the public meeting rather than 20 minutes in, to avoid inconveniencing the public. The chair acknowledged the comments and said they would be taken under consideration.

Discussion Items

  • 2025 Audit Presentation (Jennifer Kruk, Maher Duessel): The auditor presented an unmodified opinion (best possible) on the authority's financial statements. Total assets increased by $226,000, mainly due to a $254,000 increase in CDBG grant receivable. Total liabilities decreased by $65,000, largely from closing out an old developer's escrow liability. Net position increased by $291,000 to $2.5 million, all unrestricted. Operating revenue increased by $88,000, offset by no property sale revenue in 2025. Operating expenses decreased by $124,000 due to no loss on asset disposal. A subsequent event note disclosed a loan to Community Action Lehigh Valley and acquisition of four properties after year-end. The auditor also noted a required management discussion and analysis (MD&A) was omitted, but that did not affect the opinion. A management letter recommended improving segregation of duties due to limited staff.
  • Board Discussion on Audit: Board member Alan expressed concern about the omitted MD&A and lack of time to review, but other members explained that the MD&A omission is common and the audit is clean. The auditor's segregation of duties recommendation was discussed; staff noted that with only one accountant, additional segregation would require hiring more staff or using city finance department. The chair noted that the city finance department already reconciles bank statements. Board member Tony shared his experience with similar findings at Bethlehem's RDA.
  • Inventory Update: Staff reported that properties were inspected four times since the last meeting with no issues. No action taken.
  • RFP for 725 North 10th Street: The board discussed selecting a preferred developer from the RFP submissions. Staff recommended MILN. The board clarified that the motion would authorize staff to negotiate an agreement of sale and development agreement, which would be brought back for final approval. The motion included a specific sale price to be included in the agreement.
  • RFP for 540 Hamilton Street: The board similarly moved to select Aegis as preferred developer, following the same process.
  • Good of the Order – Maple Street Restrictive Covenant: Solicitor Josh reported that the owners of 1116 West Maple Street agreed to a 10-year extension of the restrictive covenant and paid $1,500 to cover expenses. The signed agreement was presented to the chair for signature.
  • Upcoming Re‑bidding of Contracts: Chair Kelly announced that the authority is reviewing contracts over 2–3 years in length (lawn mowing, tree service, legal services, audit) and will issue RFPs through PennBid. The authority will also use a newly activated LinkedIn page to publicize opportunities.
  • Executive Session: The board moved into executive session at 2:39 PM to discuss legal matters. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of 2025 Audit: The audit was approved with a vote of 2 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention (Alan).
  • Selection of Preferred Developer for 725 North 10th Street: The board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement of sale and development agreement with MILN.
  • Selection of Preferred Developer for 540 Hamilton Street: The board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement of sale and development agreement with Aegis.
  • Maple Street Restrictive Covenant: The signed extension and payment of $1,500 were accepted; the chair will execute the agreement.
  • Meeting Time Discussion: The board agreed to revisit the 2:00 PM meeting time for future sessions.

Meeting Transcript

I'm staring at the illustrious past husky running back here. All right, enough of Dear of Husky football lure. Let's call this meeting the order for the Wednesday, June 10th, meeting of the redevelopment authority of the City of Allentown. We have our quorum and uh full compliment of all of our staff. First thing that we'll look to is an approval of the minutes for May 13th. Do we have a motion or any improvements that could be made? No corrections, Alan. Alan. I'm sorry. I haven't had a chance to look at it. Wait, because you can't do that. That's what it's right. Yeah, I'll make a motion approve. Normally normally we see a red line version before uh for you coming in with it. I'll make a motion of approval. We have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second. We have a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. We'll jump to agenda item number 3.0 with any public comment. Do we have here we have our illustrious former DRF running back now? Thanks for making it today, Kevin. Kevin, you still lay in 1124 and first I'd like to say thank you all. Last three meetings. The procedures for the last three meetings have gotten uh better. I just wanted to make a couple um recommendations. So I know the city is uh full of public meetings. Um as I've noticed the last three meetings. I'm pretty much the only person from the public that comes. And I don't know if that has to do with the fact that the meeting is at a two two o'clock p.m. And so as a public citizen, I'd like to recommend that if you guys can somehow find a way to to or maybe even have every other meeting or something at a at a more suitable time for the public. Um two, just for the notes, and Kelly did let me know that the uh April note meeting notes are being updated because they weren't uh on the website. Um and three, um, I've been involved in public service for many years and been to many public meetings, and one of the things that I that I find a little um still use um just not practical is that you guys actually have executive sessions 20 minutes into the meeting. And so usually what happens when you have an executive meeting, public has to leave and I leave, and if you wait for an hour or two, by that time you you gotta go. So most public authorities I attend uh uh meetings I attend, they do have executive meetings, but they're either after the meeting or prior to the to the first meeting. So I just wanted to make that a recommendation because it's it's just a little inconvenient for the public. All right. But other than that, you guys are doing doing pretty good. Thank you. We're we're getting things on track here, so I think we're think we're moving along. Uh we have discussed the time in the past. We will we'll bring that up again though, uh, just with everyone's schedules here, but we you know, I think that that's good comments there, so we will take that into consideration as well. Very good. Um, we will jump to agenda item number 4.0, or did we do you want to jump to the budget mark?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com