OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Redevelopment Authority of Allentown Annual Meeting and Election - July 8, 2026

Meeting PortalWednesday, July 8, 2026
BodyAllentown, Pennsylvania
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, July 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 17:37
Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

So we will jump into an approval of our minutes from June 10th.

0:13

Do we have an approval of the minutes?

0:18

I'll make a motion.

0:20

Motion do we have a second?

0:23

Oh second.

0:24

We have a second.

0:25

Do we have any other discussion or any issues anybody saw in the minutes at all?

0:36

Any opposed?

0:37

Motion carries.

0:40

Public comment.

0:41

Do we have anybody online at all?

0:43

Okay.

0:44

We will jump past the item number three.

0:47

The only uh note that we will have is that we will be calling for an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss real estate transactions.

0:56

Um agenda item number 4.0 is the annual meeting and election of officers where we would be uh voting to uh voting the existing members to the specific seats on the board, and that would be for a one-year term where we would get to do the this fund all over again.

1:19

I'd be happy to yield my treasurer's role if anybody wants to take it.

1:24

Doesn't require any effort, but if anybody's interested.

1:28

We have a new member here.

1:30

Uh I don't know.

1:31

I'm not sure where that is.

1:32

I've got to wait for a letter.

1:35

I know how that would be.

1:38

We need to let everyone here.

1:40

You can come to a meeting.

1:41

I think we get a letter from the for some reason.

1:43

I think she might be added down.

1:46

Okay.

1:47

I'll say that with but um we need a president, vice president, secretary, treasure.

1:56

On president or chair, chair, chair, chair, chair, vice chair, yeah, secretary, and treasure.

2:02

That's correct.

2:03

Yeah, the four office.

2:08

Everybody gets a job.

2:09

I mean, we can have a cage man like that program both.

2:16

If my securities licenses, I should not be the treasury.

2:19

So yeah, you can't actually sound like we're good.

2:22

Are you the vice chair right now?

2:23

Are you the vice chair?

2:24

I'm the next chair.

2:25

So I don't know what I am.

2:27

I think it's gone to the secretary role.

2:29

Yeah, so your secretary was just oh wait, you are you were vice chair, I forgot.

2:34

Your secretary, sorry.

2:35

I'm secretary.

2:36

Yeah, I thought I would.

2:37

I guess you're still treasurer.

2:39

Yeah.

2:40

Okay, whatever.

2:42

Do you want to slate?

2:43

Uh I don't care.

2:44

Actually, I just kind of like to be secretary because I like to review this minutes.

2:48

Chris, you can be in how long are you starting to be chair?

2:51

Switch.

2:52

I think I was chair last year.

2:54

Yeah.

2:55

This is only a second year.

2:58

So I'm happy to stay in the role, or if anybody else wants to.

3:03

Can I propose a slate?

3:04

Sure.

3:05

Uh absolutely.

3:07

Chris Rad is chair.

3:10

Um uh vice chair, new vice chair.

3:14

Nobody currently, Jessica was Jessica was.

3:17

Okay, we're gonna accept it last year.

3:20

That's fine.

3:21

Um then we just new treasure and be secretary.

3:27

Yeah, and then your treasure officers.

3:29

Yeah, is that the name?

3:31

So Tony, you're the treasurer and Alan's the secretary.

3:35

Yeah, we'll swap them out.

3:36

Alan's one be treasure as well.

3:39

I know the auditor.

3:40

She's very good, by the way.

3:44

All right, is everybody comfortable with the slate that Tony had just uh discussed?

3:52

Uh we have a well, he made a money that was in the form of a motion.

3:55

I have you as chair, Danny's vice chair, Alan as secretary, we as treasurer, and uh do we need like the the question is not here, uh we don't need an assistant secretary or just the treasurer.

4:09

Uh second the motion.

4:11

We have a second.

4:12

Do we have any other discussion?

4:15

All right, very good.

4:16

Uh all those in favor signify by saying aye.

4:19

Aye.

4:19

Uh any opposed motion carries.

4:22

Okay.

4:23

Very good.

4:23

Congratulations election.

4:26

Excellent.

4:26

Excellent.

4:29

Can I spend any money in campaigning for my position?

4:33

Not quite sure.

4:36

You don't have a job now.

4:40

We didn't want to be trying.

4:43

Uh very good.

4:44

With that, we'll jump to agenda item number 5.0 with the staff financial reports that were in our packets and in our current packets here in front of us.

4:54

Uh yes, I believe the ones that were sent out had some extra budget pages in there, so we'll we'll go by the ones that you just got today that to follow.

5:00

So we'll we'll go by the ones that you just got today to follow.

5:05

So the budget to actual report.

5:08

So this will show up through June 30th now.

5:10

So we're about halfway into the year.

5:22

We also got $1,500 put to miscellaneous income for the restrictive covenant agreement at um 1116 Maple Street.

5:32

So that's a small increase month over month in the miscellaneous column.

5:39

We also have the staff, city staff salary and benefits included up through June 19th.

5:49

So this is roughly for the first half of the year.

6:07

So we are getting together the uh reimbursement for from CDBG for that.

6:13

So hopefully by the next meeting, you'll be seeing that on here.

6:17

The money the money we'll get back from CDBG to reimburse for that because we do have to think about our timeliness on the city side by November 2nd.

6:25

We need to draw down as much as we can from the contract.

6:29

So uh that'll be that'll be coming for the professional fees.

6:35

There's another about $4,000.

6:38

Uh the final billing from Mayor Dussel for our 2025 audit.

6:43

So that's included in there, and insurance.

6:47

I did the expense entry to reclass from prepaid insurance to insurance expense for the first half of the year.

6:54

So that brings the insurance expense to about 7500 for the first half of 26.

7:02

Outside of that, it was just other small bills, not much else, not many other big changes from the prior month.

7:12

So for the balance sheet comparison, really the only thing I would point out there is the 1400 prepaid insurance account.

7:23

That's the reason for the decrease over last month.

7:26

Is that $7500 reclass from prepaid insurance to insurance expense?

7:33

And then back on the profit and loss comparison report.

7:42

That mirrors what we already discussed on the budget to actual report.

7:48

So that's where you'll see the expenses, staff salaries, social security taxes, health insurance, pension, all of those increased as a result of billing for the city staff time.

8:00

And that's there's a $7,500 in insurance, and you can see the professional fees went up on there a little bit over last month.

8:10

Other than that, I really don't think there was anything else to note.

8:16

How often do we get quotes on the insurance of the properties?

8:20

It's twice the how often do we get quotes?

8:22

Yeah, do we have a like so we've just we haven't been getting actual quotes from different companies?

8:27

We've just been getting their renewals.

8:28

Um if you like we can uh start uh bidding that out uh going to handle one thing quote with them.

8:35

I'm sorry, handling over HMK.

8:43

We're self-insuring for property cash, yeah.

8:47

No, for property and capital, we're not there mostly.

8:50

So I'm not sure.

8:51

I'm not sure.

8:51

We know I may be able to do that.

8:56

Most properties are self-insured though, I think with the city.

9:00

Okay.

9:01

Well, the city problems, yeah.

9:03

Do you see it?

9:03

Uh are you seeing like a consistent increase, or how are you?

9:09

I'm sorry.

9:10

How are you seeing like the increases?

9:11

Are they consistent?

9:12

Like high, or is it just um we only had that one problem last year we were where we didn't have um vacant in property insurance, so we directed that so you know the insurance increases are normally around 10%, and so it's just across the board.

9:28

So we'll have those bills uh within May in December.

9:32

How many properties left on our inventory?

9:34

Uh Kelly probably said how many properties left in our inventory.

9:39

How many properties were left in our I think we have eight that um hold on?

9:43

We have six memories consolidated kind of one seven properties because um three thirty-two might go out, so but the other ones are out of the year.

10:00

Not counting three thirty two.

10:02

So the seven properties not counting three thirty two.

10:04

Well, so I'm sorry.

10:06

Do you want the total list of the properties or the properties that do not have are not slated to go to development?

10:13

That aren't we have seven properties.

10:15

And they're all those are all sensors in the family scattered throughout the city from the outcount.

10:22

Yeah, or vacant law or vacant lots.

10:24

There's vacant lots in there as well.

10:28

Thanks.

10:32

Every once in a while, maybe every every six months or just to look at options.

10:36

Sure.

10:36

I mean, that's something we can definitely work on.

10:40

It's not a big, you know, 7500's not huge, but I mean still it's it's money.

10:44

I think it's responsible.

10:47

As a newly elected treasurer, I agree.

10:53

Good suggestions.

10:54

Thank you.

10:57

Jennings slide.

11:03

No fiscal responsibility.

11:07

You weren't the R8 investigator, used to be we've done already done more official business than I did in my entire year.

11:14

Treasure.

11:19

All right, sorry to get off on a tangent.

11:22

That's good.

11:26

That would be great.

11:28

Move.

11:28

We have a motion.

11:29

Do we have a second?

11:31

Second.

11:31

We have a second.

11:32

Any further discussion?

11:35

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

11:37

Aye.

11:38

Any opposed?

11:39

Motion carries.

11:41

Um Tony, I just want to say the city uses HMK as well.

11:44

Oh, they were all right.

11:48

Gender item number 5.2.

11:50

We have a spreadsheet with the invoices for payment that was included in our packets as well.

11:56

Correct.

11:57

Um you'll see this uh spreadsheet.

11:59

We've got a copy of the bills with your packet.

12:01

Um, as Ellen stated, um we were billing for the staff salaries and benefits, so she has that out there.

12:08

Um we have um the final billing for the audit, um, just electricity, my MLS fees, um, the flash drive we needed to get for the right to go.

12:17

Um so we can send the information over, but then that didn't work.

12:21

But then we also have a landlord tenant complaint for 323 North 9th Street.

12:26

Um, the first floor tenant is now not paying rents.

12:30

Um I was giving her a little grace because she went from um Valley Youth House paying her rent, and she had to pick up the total amount, so I gave her a little bit of grace, but she is not paying, and I filed for eviction.

12:44

The court date is uh on Monday at 11 15.

12:48

Um, it's with Judge Santiago.

12:51

Um, so uh we'll see how that goes.

12:53

But she's behind a couple months, so it's very unfortunate that that didn't work out.

13:00

Did you contact Value hash?

13:02

Yes, and they said that there's nothing that they can do that they tried to contact her because they didn't know she could go back into the program again um because she wasn't paying, but once they left once they leave them off once they get them out of the program and then they don't pay, they actually can't go back into the program.

13:20

So it's very unfortunate.

13:21

I don't follow value.

13:22

I'm not surprised.

13:23

I'm glad to hear that, but I just wanted to make sure they had the opportunity to also gave her information on conference of churches to help her get caught up, and it's just it didn't go in there.

13:35

How many months behind and how much?

13:36

It's well it'll be um July will be the three months, and so I went to um the magistrate for 47.

13:45

And we've had a couple of conversations with her.

13:49

She's like, I'll be in on Friday to get all caught up.

13:54

And never comes in.

13:55

And then go says so, you know, our door, I've tried to talk to her, I've gone to the house, like I've literally just had you know, candid conversation.

14:04

Documented it all.

14:04

Yeah, I gave her a notice to quit, but we didn't have to do that, but I handed it to her and posted it on the door.

14:10

So uh, yeah.

14:14

We have somebody else that we'll go in there, sure.

14:16

We'll I mean we'll definitely get that proposition, no problem.

14:19

But it's just we have the unfortunate thing is that we have the turnaround.

14:22

But the good thing is it honestly, hopefully, like as I've been over there several times, so we're just hoping from the move out that there's no angst, but if there is no angst, it'll just be you know a thorough clean, and then we can send somebody anyone have any other questions on any of the uh invoices there before we call someone would like to make a motion for the approval of the payment of the 10 invoices.

14:52

I'll make a motion.

14:55

We have a second.

14:55

Any further discussion on any of the items?

14:58

Uh just for clarification, who made the second?

15:00

Who made the second?

15:00

Danny.

15:01

Okay, thank you.

15:01

Tony.

15:02

Thank you.

15:07

Um all those in favor signify by saying aye.

15:10

Aye.

15:11

Any opposed?

15:12

Motion carries.

15:14

All right, we will jump to agenda item number six point oh with the inventory update.

15:19

Um again, the inventory you have your sheet.

15:21

It lists when Anthony uh did the inspection.

15:24

He went out four times since the last meeting.

15:27

Um, everything has been you know quiet.

15:30

Uh nothing is really going on, and that's what we like to hear.

15:33

So the inventory um is safe and secure.

15:43

Very good.

15:44

Anyone have any questions for Kelly on the inventory?

15:50

No issues with the storm damage or anything like that, electricity out or anything like that.

15:54

Checked on all that.

15:55

Before the 4th of July, he'll actually vote tomorrow, so I'll find out if there's anything going on.

15:59

Yeah.

16:03

All right.

16:04

Uh we'll jump to agenda item number 7.0 withhold business and updates on the uh two RFP.

16:12

Yeah.

16:12

Um so all of the proposers have been contacted.

16:19

Um, and the ones that weren't selected were notified, and the two um that we want to enter into a developer's agreement and agreement of sale with um we are in the process of drafting those and uh hoping to get those out in the next week or two uh with them uh for their comments and review.

16:44

Um so with any luck, maybe by next month uh we would have an agreement back in front of you to approve news on the threat from Lawson.

17:06

I think we should cover that's been filed at this time.

17:14

Uh executive very good.

17:17

We'll move to new business.

17:19

We may have some new business to discuss uh after the executive session.

17:24

Um we have anything else to bring up before executive session?

17:31

All right, with that, we will move uh to executive session.

17:35

It is now 219.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████18%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%
Pending Litigation███████████████15%
Vacant Property Management███████████11%
Public Engagement██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Redevelopment Authority of Allentown Annual Meeting and Election - July 8, 2026

The Redevelopment Authority of Allentown held its annual meeting on July 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Council Chambers at 435 Hamilton Street. The meeting was called to order with a roll call, followed by approval of minutes, public comment (none), election of officers, financial reports, invoice approvals, inventory updates, old business regarding two RFPs, and an executive session for real estate transactions.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes – June 10, 2026: A motion was made, seconded, and carried with no opposition to approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public provided comment.

Discussion Items

  • Annual Meeting – Election of Officers: The board elected officers for a one-year term: Chris Rad as Chair, Danny as Vice Chair, Alan as Secretary, and Tony as Treasurer. The election was conducted via motion and second, approved by a unanimous voice vote. Tony, the newly elected Treasurer, noted he cannot serve as Treasurer due to securities license restrictions, but the board proceeded with the slate as proposed, swapping Alan to Treasurer and Tony to Secretary? (The transcript is unclear: initially Tony was named Treasurer, then after discussion, the final slate was Chair: Chris Rad, Vice Chair: Danny, Secretary: Alan, Treasurer: Tony. The discrepancy is noted; the official outcome appears to be as voted.)
  • Staff Financial Report: Ellen presented the financial reports for June 2026, including budget-to-actual comparisons through June 30, a balance sheet comparison, and profit/loss analysis. Notable entries: $1,500 miscellaneous income from a restrictive covenant agreement at 1116 Maple Street; city staff salaries and benefits included through June 19, with reimbursement from CDBG pending; a $4,000 final billing for the 2025 audit; and an insurance expense reclassification of $7,500 from prepaid insurance. A motion to accept the financial reports was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
  • Invoices for Payment: Kelly reviewed the 10 invoices, which included staff salaries and benefits, audit final billing, electricity, MLS fees, a flash drive, and a landlord-tenant complaint filing for 323 North 9th Street. The tenant is three months behind on rent; an eviction court date is set for Monday, July 13, 2026, before Judge Santiago. The tenant was given grace but failed to pay; Valley Youth House indicated the tenant cannot re-enter their program. A motion to approve payment of the 10 invoices was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
  • Inventory Update: Kelly reported that the property inventory currently includes seven properties (not counting 332 Front Street). Inspections were conducted four times since the last meeting with no issues; all properties are secure. No storm damage or electrical problems were noted.
  • Old Business – Updates on 725 N 10th and 540 Hamilton Street RFPs: All proposers have been contacted. The two selected developers are being notified, and draft developer agreements and agreements of sale are being prepared, with an expected return for board approval by the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Election of Officers: Unanimously approved: Chris Rad (Chair), Danny (Vice Chair), Alan (Secretary), Tony (Treasurer) for a one-year term.
  • Financial Reports: Unanimously approved as presented.
  • Invoice Payment: Unanimously approved for the 10 invoices listed in the packet.
  • Inventory: Acknowledged as secure; no actions taken.
  • RFP Updates: Staff directed to finalize agreements with selected developers for 725 N 10th and 540 Hamilton Street.
  • Executive Session: The board entered executive session at 2:19 PM to discuss real estate transactions. No further business was conducted after the session (based on available transcript).
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for August 12, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

So we will jump into an approval of our minutes from June 10th. Do we have an approval of the minutes? I'll make a motion. Motion do we have a second? Oh second. We have a second. Do we have any other discussion or any issues anybody saw in the minutes at all? Any opposed? Motion carries. Public comment. Do we have anybody online at all? Okay. We will jump past the item number three. The only uh note that we will have is that we will be calling for an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss real estate transactions. Um agenda item number 4.0 is the annual meeting and election of officers where we would be uh voting to uh voting the existing members to the specific seats on the board, and that would be for a one-year term where we would get to do the this fund all over again. I'd be happy to yield my treasurer's role if anybody wants to take it. Doesn't require any effort, but if anybody's interested. We have a new member here. Uh I don't know. I'm not sure where that is. I've got to wait for a letter. I know how that would be. We need to let everyone here. You can come to a meeting. I think we get a letter from the for some reason. I think she might be added down. Okay. I'll say that with but um we need a president, vice president, secretary, treasure. On president or chair, chair, chair, chair, chair, vice chair, yeah, secretary, and treasure. That's correct. Yeah, the four office. Everybody gets a job. I mean, we can have a cage man like that program both. If my securities licenses, I should not be the treasury. So yeah, you can't actually sound like we're good. Are you the vice chair right now? Are you the vice chair? I'm the next chair. So I don't know what I am. I think it's gone to the secretary role. Yeah, so your secretary was just oh wait, you are you were vice chair, I forgot. Your secretary, sorry. I'm secretary. Yeah, I thought I would. I guess you're still treasurer. Yeah. Okay, whatever. Do you want to slate? Uh I don't care. Actually, I just kind of like to be secretary because I like to review this minutes.

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