Allentown City Council Special Meeting - June 10, 2026

This special meeting of the Allentown City Council began with a proclamation honoring the William Allen High School baseball team for a historic season before proceeding to a detailed presentation and discussion of Bill 46, which would create a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for police officers. The meeting also featured public comments on traffic safety, a donation proposal, and a powerful plea from youth and coaches about violence prevention. Discussion on an encampment policy was tabled pending further review.

Proclamation

• Council read and presented a proclamation celebrating the William Allen High School baseball team (the Canaries) for capturing the EPC Championship and PIAA District 11 6A title, finishing with a 21-6 record and advancing to the state tournament for the first time in 31 years. Players, coaches, and supporters were recognized. The head coach noted the team's 3.0 GPA and stressed the importance of investing in youth.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Keith Ritter (South Fourth Street resident): Reported horrendous noise, speeding, and unsafe traffic near his sister's home. He described two recent accidents, one requiring the jaws of life and another totaling his parked car in a hit-and-run. He asked the city for action.
• David Bortz: Proposed donating a reading bench (pre-designed, estimated cost $3,000) to William Allen High School as a class gift. He sought assistance in connecting with the school district. Council member Pungo offered to facilitate contact with Principal Knopf.
• Michael Staller: Suggested creating a female-only shelter (citing the Allentown Rescue Mission's men-only policy) and requested digital information screens at the Bethlehem Transit Center (noting they exist at Allentown's ATC). Council clarified they have no jurisdiction over Bethlehem facilities.
• Michael Staller (on Bill 46): Expressed concerns about the compounding effect of DROP on pension costs and about potential federal changes to Social Security and pensions. He also noted that cuts to unemployment funding might be reallocated.
• Paul Pinnock, founder of Lehigh Valley Pound for Pound: Described his nonprofit boxing gym serving 40 youth (ages 12-18) on a month-to-month lease. He stated the program provides a safe place, mentorship, and hope, but struggles with equipment and funding. He noted nine shootings of people under 19 in the last three weeks, including two murders. Several youth spoke emotionally about how the program saved them from violence and anger. Council members expressed support and promised to explore resources, including a city grant (up to $2,000) and potential connections with the administration.

Discussion Items

• Bill 46 – Police DROP Pension (Presentation and Discussion):

  • Presenters: Chief Roca and FOP President Sergeant Chris Matthews, with finance staff.
  • Purpose: Allow police officers with 20+ years of service to retire in place for up to five years, freezing their pension at the superannuation rate while continuing to work. Their pension contributions (minus the city's share) accumulate in a personal account paid as a lump sum upon full retirement.
  • Positions:
    • Chief Roca: Stated DROP is a retention tool to avoid a "brain drain" as 40 officers (out of 205 currently) could retire by year-end. He emphasized that without DROP, the department could drop to 160 officers, leading to mandatory overtime, burnout, and liability. He noted recruitment challenges: of 100 applicants, only 3-5 become officers. He stressed that DROP would also help recruit career-minded candidates.
    • Sgt. Matthews: Confirmed the membership supports DROP as mutually beneficial.
    • Finance staff: Presented cost projections: Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) baseline $9.5M could increase to $10.6M (scenario 1 – same retirement assumptions) or $12.3M (scenario 2 – all eligible enter DROP). The actual cost depends on officer behavior; overtime costs could offset some increase (current overtime budget $2.6M).
    • Council concerns (Mota, Alpha, Gerlack, Bender, Pungo): Multiple council members expressed worry about the long-term fiscal impact, especially given other capital projects (police station, fire station, stormwater). They questioned the uncertainty of costs, the timing, and the need for specifics on officer departures and outcomes in other municipalities. Council person Mota stated she would not vote for a tax increase. Council member Alpha questioned why DROP is needed given the department's current strength and recruiting pipeline. Council member Gerlack requested data on retention, recruitment losses, and other cities' experiences.
    • Administration rebuttal (Kane, Chief Roca): Argued that DROP is an operational necessity to prevent a mass retirement and maintain experience. They highlighted the human cost of mandatory overtime and noted the city is instructing departments to submit 10% budget cuts. The chief stated he personally would not use DROP.
  • Outcome: No vote was taken. Council will continue gathering information. The bill is not on the next agenda.

• Encampment Policy (Frank Kane, Managing Director):

  • Kane presented a draft policy incorporating comments from the commission on homelessness, street medicine, advocates, and council. He highlighted two administration objections:
    1. Language guaranteeing no unhoused person would be removed without alternative housing offered (city solicitor warned of legal risk under Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling).
    2. Storing personal items – liability concerns about returning items to the correct person.
  • Kane proposed removing the parks section (already covered by ordinance).
  • Council agreed to receive Kane's redline version of the policy with administration's objections before scheduling a closed meeting to finalize. The policy is intended to be codified as an ordinance. No timeline was set.

Key Outcomes

• The proclamation for William Allen baseball team was formally presented.
• Bill 46 (DROP) introduction received robust discussion; no action taken. Council directed staff to provide additional data (other municipalities' outcomes, officer departure trends).
• Council committed to connecting Pound for Pound gym with city resources (grant program, CED department, and administration).
• Encampment policy discussion tabled pending a redlined version from the administration; a working session will be scheduled.
• The meeting was adjourned after approximately two hours.