[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286566,"mediaKeyId","2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0","parentId",2557896,"title","Petitioners urge council to drop Duane Morris probe and remove member from vote; council declines immediate action","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",3491000,"endMs",3558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0&start=3491&end=3558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0/thumbnail_3491000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286566/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Petitioners-urge-council-to-drop-Duane-Morris-probe-and-remove-member-from-vote-council-declines-immediate-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286566-440e9a8260655b006433426f8fd0d55e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225724&Signature=TjMqFcOmkeYT-VT~gx5fB1NXWYlFE2XXOJPz27gjyc0CbIaYKoNVzDTcLu6Yd0vzWOVRXYLluDDZ9D2ODvDb1iowmNihmq17pM1CjI6AORVdF1UT6S8RbdigagLaorgNnXPAC~OnGDR~F7SE-ZXRqPfnCY~-jpw4qjnKB~Xo0LS9DeLZCHEeCNYMDIT-BCqg21Y5yGxukC7selFjpGtfanC4S-ayTGfvmRYESwddqx7YApZxA~ytzAUUyTSj6U6ykSwAizpo9YPlf~XoLsJMfjRyR~~mDiKfQcxF6E~Ggboo~ERj13UI~vZUkxI56DvgzFjmSNhRY71Fe-DDBatsKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allentown City, PA","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","A group of petitioners asked the Allentown City Council to stop the city's outside investigation conducted by the law firm Duane Morris and to remove Council Member Candida Afa from participating in investigation-related votes because she is also a subject of complaints.

Karen Ocasio presented the petition, citing concerns that Duane Morris's ties to local political donors could create bias and arguing the firm is not appropriate to investigate discrimination complaints. \"We want to stop the investigation with Duane Morris since it is going to cost the city over a million dollars and there are red flags about their relationships and donations,\" Ocasio said during her presentation. She asked the council to remove Afa from any votes on the investigation and to halt Duane Morris's role.

Council members said they would not take a vote that evening. The clerk explained the petition presentation process: the petitioner speaks, council may comment from the dais, and then members of the public may offer comment; no immediate action was taken. Council members indicated the petition would be recorded and considered under the usual process.

Members of the public who spoke after the petition reiterated mistrust of Duane Morris as a firm that represents employers and companies rather than employees and asked the council to seek a different investigator. A speaker who identified as a long-time city employee described repeated complaints to HR and to city officials and said those complaints were not addressed; another speaker emphasized that the petition had signatures from people who share the concerns and said organizers may pursue political remedies in upcoming elections.

No council motion, referral or vote on the petition occurred that night. Council staff noted the petition was a new-business item and that the petitioner had the floor; the council provided no schedule for a formal vote. Petitioners requested that councilors \"do the right thing,\" and warned that they would pursue votes in future elections if they did not receive action.

The presenters and commenters named Duane Morris repeatedly as the law firm currently engaged for the investigation but offered no binding estimate of the final cost beyond petitioner statements that it could exceed $1 million. Councilors encouraged commenters to follow the formal petition and committee processes for review.

The petition was entered into the record and will follow the council's customary process for petitions and new-business items; no additional action was recorded on the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council on 2025-03-05","oneSentenceSummary","Petitioners asked the Allentown City Council to halt an outside investigation by Duane Morris and to bar a council member from voting on investigation-related matters; the council declined to vote on the petition that night.","taxTitle","Allentown City, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania","taxId",12607,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286571,"Council reverses HARB denial for 1111 West Turner Street after motion to approve as amended",88,2357000,2445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0&start=2357&end=2445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0/thumbnail_2357000.jpg","/articles/6286571/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-reverses-HARB-denial-for-1111-West-Turner-Street-after-motion-to-approve-as-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286571-59bce64812c4bbc7769ff4a0ce473dec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225724&Signature=ocFLaLrA01VzoKX3din2vs-z12fW~O-Lmf7x4xygy6sKUk~ffmTvPP2iKsiaOvHaT3AvRSxifko2Rlw1Qmn2epNkNyGSkMN59E-gGAwa0-v8VeQzTT6Wok1iB-XcSgUGdkNeZUvtjdEtgJYdRG4utpxWt5uknMnFIiLvkdE8IhFM96HVxDLDqu59ivQeg6Jw16mXqBGlGPcn~J7sVgbn24xMxQ-5YcCA5mjjSqu-wKAAHe7kuJGnmQwLIMVTeUMFf939jIr5eeCNJDqD6OG5e5bmm5pDuT23Pb0DSlGdFgWe01Ep9vgcDrzEZ-6HcU0qhO1mPfloJ3BuA1IVrVXThA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Allentown City Council on an agenda item concerning 1111 West Turner Street first recorded a vote in agreement with the Historic Architectural Review Board's (HARB) denial, but later, after discussion and a motion to amend, the council changed course and approved the roof to remain.

The matter came before the council after the DCED committee forwarded HARB's denial of a certificate of appropriateness for a roof that had been installed without HARB-approved materials and without required permits and a certificate of appropriateness. Miss Kistler, the city's HARB representative, told council that a city inspection found the roof installed correctly but with non-HARB-approved materials; HARB had therefore denied the certificate.

John Tarrellas, who identified himself as the current owner, told council he purchased the house, had the roof inspected and said the work stopped long-standing leaks. Tarrellas said he had paid an acquaintance about $1,500 to do the work and later obtained permits and an inspection. \"I just want to keep the house in one piece,\" he said.

Council members discussed the practical and enforcement consequences for sellers and buyers in the historic district, noting that presale inspections can fail a roof that lacks HARB-appropriate materials and that replacement costs could be significant. Miss Gerlach asked whether a yes vote would force the owner to remove the roof; staff said the roof was structurally sound but did not use historically required materials and lacked a prior certificate of appropriateness.

On the initial roll call on the resolution (denial), the motion failed. Council members then moved to amend the resolution, effectively flipping the denial to an approval for this property; the amendment passed on a roll call and the resolution as amended was recorded as approved. The clerk recorded the amendment vote with the majority voting yes.

Council members and staff emphasized education and outreach as a long-term approach: staff said the city recently launched a HARB survey and community meetings, is conducting an assessment and is developing outreach materials to notify owners in the historic district about permit and material requirements. Council members noted prior budget funding of $20,000 for communications to historic-neighborhood residents and said presale inspections are an opportunity to educate buyers and realtors about HARB requirements.

Owner Tarrellas told council he is in the process of selling the home and said the roof's repairs stopped leaks; he acknowledged he had not used a licensed contractor initially and had not pulled permits before installation.

Miss Kistler and other staff said they are increasing education, providing photographs and specifications for appropriate materials and working one-on-one with property owners to avoid similar conflicts.

The council approved the resolution as amended, allowing the existing roof to remain under the amended motion.","Council initially voted to deny a certificate of appropriateness for a roof at 1111 West Turner Street but, following council discussion and a motion to amend, reversed that decision and approved the roof to remain. The owner said the work stopped leaks and he intends to sell the property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286575,"Council approves traffic-signal, concert contracts and budget supplements; several measures sent to committee",53,1751000,1804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0&start=1751&end=1804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557896-2e89e1878e217a6ec2c6aa18fefe8de0/thumbnail_1751000.jpg","/articles/6286575/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-traffic-signal-concert-contracts-and-budget-supplements-several-measures-sent-to-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286575-0bd946912c47a27ade2c45d1fd58f18e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225724&Signature=KGHFUE3VIigCsG8MXFMDtFIh2jdiH3vteZzhucTtk8kXjPHhruAUr8ukQkfQmz5WY7ikExb~gOBXjGjc~HPeeJOoVtGiLEDYE0SXjKx70gqqatigMtkVjnaWfHfrydu4pxbGNNdaZP0E2WGHsnQp3f~7jVB8ah4TxP6lL3I3oX0~wasnzdWjbzCdMbmNAozThNg0v~Izbh--4-89KnEuSq1Drp5AJnU1f-jw3k-IOzgRBDrgFYTK01FvA7coJNtdPhtXYaV2ZGdHMB931hH~k97-eHnroxVVlrMzRYChnVCVs0AAiO4yvXEvf0xqCv1Eim-VlBktgoqJXtoCi2p2ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on an evening agenda approved several contracts and budget measures, including a contract to add 11 intersections to the city's traffic-signal system and a contract for concert programming at the Union Terrace Amphitheater.

The council authorized a contract labeled R-28 with Telco, Inc., to expand the traffic-signal system and provide pedestrian improvements. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote and recorded seven yes votes and no nays; the motion carried. The contract amount listed in the meeting packet was provided verbally during the meeting in unclear form and is recorded in the transcript as \"1,000,672 hundred thousand $344.05\" (transcript language unclear). The administration identified the work as the American Parkway traffic-signal improvement project and said the procurement followed a public bid process with one vendor recommended after one bid was rejected.

Council also approved R-29, a contract with ArtsQuest to lead a series of concert programs and market the Union Terrace Amphitheater. The procurement was awarded after one responsive proposal; council recorded seven yes votes and no nays.

On ordinances for final passage, the council approved Bill 12, which amends the 2024 general fund budget to add a supplemental appropriation of $963,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice JAG grant for the police department to reimburse new equipment. The council recorded six yes votes and no nays on final passage. The council also approved Bill 15, a $5,000 supplemental appropriation from the Pool and Hot Tub Foundation for the Step Into Swim program; that measure passed on recorded votes (six yes, no nays).

Councilors received multiple budget and committee reports and referred several introduced ordinances to committees. Council tabled resolution R-117 (a recommendation to stagger terms on the Police and Fire Civil Service Board) and returned it to the sponsoring committee for further review; the tabling motion passed by unanimous consent.

Votes at a glance
- R-28 (contract with Telco, Inc., traffic-signal and pedestrian improvements): approved; roll call recorded seven yes, no nays (vote recorded by city clerk). Contract amount as read in the meeting transcript appears unclear; procurement described as bid #202505 American Parkway traffic-signal improvement project.
- R-29 (contract with ArtsQuest for concert series coordination and management): approved; seven yes, no nays.
- Bill 12 (final passage; supplemental appropriation of $963,000 from DOJ JAG grant to police): approved; recorded six yes, no nays.
- Bill 15 (final passage; $5,000 from Pool and Hot Tub Foundation for Step Into Swim): approved; recorded six yes, no nays.
- R-117 (resolution requesting staggering of Civil Service Board terms): tabled and sent back to the sponsor's committee for ordinance-level review.

The council also introduced multiple capital and budget ordinances (Bills 17\u001321) for committee referral; those measures were not voted on at the meeting.

Council members and staff who spoke during the agenda items included Council President Hamlin; Council members Zukol (recorded as Zuko/Zukul in the transcript), Napoli, Moda, Santos, Gerlach and Hendricks; and procurement/administrative staff identified during presentations. The votes and tallies reported above reflect the roll-call language recorded by the city clerk during the meeting.","The Allentown City Council approved a traffic-signal contract, contracted ArtsQuest for Union Terrace Amphitheater programming and passed supplemental budget measures funded by a federal JAG grant and a swim-program donation. One resolution was tabled for committee review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Petitioners urge council to drop Duane Morris probe and remove member from vote; council declines immediate action

Council reverses HARB denial for 1111 West Turner Street after motion to approve as amended

Council approves traffic-signal, concert contracts and budget supplements; several measures sent to committee