[{"_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",6610570,"mediaKeyId","3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f","parentId",3004976,"title","Council approves $90,000 transfer to replace about 2,800 regulatory signs citywide","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",1547000,"endMs",1589000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f&start=1547&end=1589","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610570/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-90000-transfer-to-replace-about-2800-regulatory-signs-citywide","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610570-8015d1c481882a6898238d6939c98ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=UnfA0UgnqoU06nF~XJEWdO6YebaWryGTWD93qOFtaL80BNhPP8znNRSAyy1Z39KD4GIgoySQp7a2n4L2qYd9wvxCIa9clwPcpipmTiHpkudfwUxzzgFJE2ZDxj1vD80s84XEfi68leBNKtCabE4uVg2VLefVHX~O-OZ31lswaNXbZmQSqYaa8bUBSB3wBdPRENiFMGBzRJat2sX0q1Pkb~fowrxlK1CezQqnRZWlRsVNTBThByC8Pkqte~5IkrXKBzo~OBfqINIkruHZlC~z4GRDNIJNaWcRmvHrOVojrJX5hyjLh3py-k2fVrTZqBf~FTn4XVndY7UllfE4h1mseQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allentown City, PA","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Allentown City Council approved a $90,000 intra‑department transfer on Wednesday to replace regulatory traffic signs citywide after a recent condition assessment identified 2,800 signs in poor condition.

City staff told council the assessment covered regulatory signs such as stop signs, one‑way signs, do‑not‑enter signs and no‑parking signs. Staff reported that 65 percent of the city's signs are in good condition, 25 percent are fair and 9 percent — about 2,800 signs — are rated poor, with an estimated replacement cost of $90,000.

During the meeting council members and residents asked how the signs would be distributed and whether specific neighborhoods — including the South Side — would receive attention. A member of the public urged council to ensure replacements in South Side neighborhoods where truck routing problems persist; staff responded that the department has previously installed truck restriction and no‑parking signs in some locations and will check the condition and need for additional signage.

Why it matters: Clear, legible regulatory signs are a basic traffic‑safety feature. The city assessment and funded replacement program are intended to reduce confusion for drivers and protect pedestrians and neighborhood traffic flow.

Details from the record

- Scope: Regulatory signs (stop, no‑parking, one‑way, do not enter, school/children warning signs) were included in the assessment.
- Inventory findings: 65% good, 25% fair, 9% poor (2,800 signs rated poor).
- Cost: $90,000 to replace the signs rated poor; staff estimated that replacement would address those 2,800 signs.

Next steps

The traffic department will schedule replacements and follow standard procurement and installation procedures; council asked staff to consider equitable distribution of replacements and to review problem spots called out by the public, including truck routing on Barnes Lane.

Ending

The resolution passed unanimously. Council members characterized the expenditure as a necessary maintenance investment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council\t3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Allentown City Council on March 19 approved a $90,000 transfer to replace regulatory traffic signs that a recent assessment rated in poor condition. Staff said the count of signs rated poor is about 2,800 — roughly 9% of the city's inventory.","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},6610575,"Council approves $200,000 PennDOT grant for Bogart's Bridge repairs",104,993000,1097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f&start=993&end=1097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6610575/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-200000-PennDOT-grant-for-Bogarts-Bridge-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610575-0ab34c837956059ad7f5a8d8e501747d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=nMKGOqxqGeUSeh2XJ5rhaL9R~YVsAUpJ7KOQNpuwfdTg9dSjwApwSXstWsqahYaPmNxTkkUEhJ6wdM2IR9JcOzQzm3QvMi3tqMxykZPoZp8SjEZiYoT8gKMCYR7XfHOMCbDMqI5DMcHbsD0zEmXiJ15Ps8b6ru-sCkYNizI-ar9ddfIIEfE31WjaLv5yG7SYy0ljOtqRaLXpZ1rrs~lnMRVrcLkYoy3CnDk0lroFfgtXJMbQi0xQ7WYLFYDj7jHHew~xeCFxD-fD2eGUapQv8qbfZcxLXAeyM2Vnmj-SlJgZgpRlTO7TkhD5rIFtFmGREJjCptuXnmFFnjoYEMppgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council approved a $200,000 supplemental appropriation from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Wednesday to support repairs to Bogart's Bridge in Lehigh Parkway.

The funding is intended for repair and restoration work rather than full reconstruction, council members said during brief floor questions. City staff explained the project will involve removal of the bridge for off‑site repairs to structural components, restoration of pillars and reinstallation to reflect the bridge’s historic appearance.

Why it matters: The bridge is a historic covered structure in Lehigh Parkway. The council’s action authorizes the capital budget amendment required to accept and allocate the PennDOT set‑aside funds so the project can proceed through the city’s permitting and historic‑preservation processes.

What council asked and what staff said

Councilmember (unnamed on the record) asked whether the $200,000 would cover significant construction. A staff speaker responded that the work is for repairs: \"it's for not reconstruction, but the repairs and maintenance,\" and later described a process to remove the bridge, repair pillars and restore the span to its historic condition.

Staff located the bridge in Lehigh Parkway — described on the record as near the fish hatchery and the south end of the park — and confirmed the project went through the historic preservation review process.

Next steps and constraints

Staff said the bridge work will be labor intensive and will be coordinated with historic‑preservation officials; the transcript indicates scheduling and further project details will follow through normal capital project procedures and coordination with PennDOT.

Ending

The measure passed unanimously. Council members indicated the appropriation covers repair and restoration activities and is not intended for wholesale reconstruction.","Allentown City Council approved a $200,000 supplemental appropriation from PennDOT on March 19 to fund repairs and restoration of the historic Bogart's Bridge in Lehigh Parkway.",{"_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},6610580,"Allentown council approves multiple contracts and budget amendments in March 19 meeting",1402,434000,1836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f&start=434&end=1836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3004976-857b78d91ff1a5c6b97c56fd5683739f/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/6610580/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Allentown-council-approves-multiple-contracts-and-budget-amendments-in-March-19-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610580-16fd837892641a26b2ac3f7d93fcbb02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176085&Signature=lZFk-rIx~WyjL6PgdI3BQWP4pADx9p-KJZqkUDWH~Xd1dHm7qC-8TyPzny-~l30GdfUKrWczSrLZd6XBbv1FH1wpB3qajghgIOp28Z2hJakoJaJlL4PvkbddIzlW54VSSmttxwBlclbWbABaipS781CNHQd5n0GpM8Nk3Mg7gDrUUYdS9CiycUNZhSo6pW-pxqjdXfObFKEd1cz2NeMMCb8LJ~Hde61-tyLCbYa3E6fDxEmizoBO~4c7KF6DrLb25xX3iYHbjbIjluIKEHBdlYV6YUO~kf57OnL3PoGFmqZ~uJsYK3rK7HZvltyuANcWwXDaYiKrsMZE0~8flVsm5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a package of contracts, budget amendments and administrative transfers, with each item passing by recorded voice vote of six yeas and no nays.

The measures included authorizations for two city procurement contracts: portable-toilet rental and service (R30) and pool-chemical purchases (R31); amendments to several 2025 budgets including a $200,000 PennDOT grant for Bogart's Bridge repairs (Bill 20) and a $1,000,000 state redevelopment assistance capital grant for the Scottish Rite Cathedral (Bill 21); a $100,000 gift from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to create a youth climate action fund (Bill 22); and a $90,000 transfer to replace traffic signs citywide (R36). The council also approved an $18,000 supplemental appropriation for the Fire Department from the Norfolk Southern Rail Safety First grant (Bill 19) and a narrow personnel reclassification in information systems (Bill 18).

Why it matters: The package touches infrastructure, public safety and community programs. The PennDOT and state grant-funded items enable specific capital work; the Rockefeller gift establishes a locally administered youth climate fund. The signage transfer is intended to address 2,800 regulatory signs citywide rated in poor condition.

Key votes and outcomes

- R30: Authorize contract with Berrios Utilities for rental and service of portable toilets, estimated yearly amount $25,200 — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- R31: Authorize contract with Buckman's Inc. for pool chemicals, estimated yearly amount $70,000 — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 18: Amend 2025 general fund and information systems budget, delete one application developer position and create one systems analyst position (budgeted amounts in transcript) — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 19: Add $18,000 to 2025 Fire Department budget from the Norfolk Southern Rail Safety First grant — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 20: Add $200,000 to 2025 Capital Fund from PennDOT set‑aside grant for construction/repair of Bogart's Bridge — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 21: Add $1,000,000 to the 2025 grants fund from the state Office of the Budget redevelopment assistance capital grant for the Scottish Rite Cathedral — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 22: Add $100,000 to the 2025 general fund from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to create a youth climate action fund — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- Consent agenda (R32, R33, R34): Capacity attestation for Northridge School development parcel; sewage planning module at 1125 South Seventh Street; certificates of appropriateness at two historic addresses — approved as consent, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- R35: Adopt Lehigh Valley 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan update — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.
- R36: Approve $90,000 transfer in the traffic department to replace regulatory signs citywide (2,800 signs rated poor) — approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Discussion vs. decision

Most items were forwarded to the council from committee with little floor debate. Council members asked clarifying questions on several measures (for example, whether the PennDOT funds were for repair rather than full reconstruction of Bogart's Bridge and whether the pool chemical contract covered all public pools). Public comment was solicited and none was offered on the majority of these items. The votes recorded on the transcript were unanimous where tallies were announced.

What the votes do not show

Several items introduced for committee review (Bills 23–28 and R37) were placed on the agenda for referral to the relevant committees and were not voted on for final passage at this meeting.

Ending

Council adjourned after routine business and a reminder about the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade. The measures approved at this meeting will proceed to implementation steps identified by city departments and external grant administrators as applicable.","Allentown City Council on March 19 approved a set of contracts, budget supplements and administrative transfers — including funding for bridge repairs, pool chemicals, signage replacement and grant pass-throughs — by unanimous recorded votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $90,000 transfer to replace about 2,800 regulatory signs citywide

Council approves $200,000 PennDOT grant for Bogart's Bridge repairs

Allentown council approves multiple contracts and budget amendments in March 19 meeting