[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6602239,"mediaKeyId","3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88","parentId",3005129,"title","Council votes: capital transfers, budget measures, hires and ordinances approved","audioSeconds",1342,"startMs",3780000,"endMs",5122000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88&start=3780&end=5122","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88/thumbnail_3780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6602239/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-votes-capital-transfers-budget-measures-hires-and-ordinances-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602239-8dc9679709cbc87a7f2efb4abdcfbede/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184089&Signature=NpmdOcTQb16DMb0FvaVt6qwecOVVNdmEWxwTAv21xpfQfSCoOj70dtdpTE7IB0RIwVruHIrOTn75D5A-kGdnMagbSNY8QxQethFdpiQqkj11N1X3f-Z22BqywqrribtFdD4iitbrJ7QdaoRJHyLJcVSTtYmkftUMVcVVzMsGxoF~SCyFTPqA7M9Q3~h4zTQjY-6ak-zvMyF8JLhrGR-vrCxJ6cBF5VZ~LP0aYh~SKKtDYHiy40RV-gL6fdM61b4YfeF6nJJdK~Gvz9vL8avtVakGQ-yVG5jwYBa0qSLmT87CTmAn0wHfdce0nXRl5Bx340JnDDZHu98Wz8lMzTsxjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allentown City, PA","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","Allentown City Council on April 2 approved a batch of bills and resolutions, including capital transfers, budget amendments and personnel actions. Most items were reported or had committee review prior to the full-council votes.

Key outcomes recorded at the meeting:

- Bill 14: Amend bicycle-related provisions in the administrative code to align with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code; passed on final passage.

- Bill 17: Amend the 2025 capital fund budget to transfer funds to capital project 2035 (American Parkway traffic signal improvements) to complete an adaptive traffic signal installation. Council discussion and committee review occurred; the measure passed. (Transcript referenced a transfer of $1,698,288.89 — council text read an amount with typographic duplication; staff clarified the transfer is a reallocation to complete the American Parkway project.)

- Bill 23: Increase the risk fund by $91,130 as a transfer from the grant fund for insurance revenue related to a recompete phase; passed.

- Bill 24: Add $350,000 to a newly created capital project for the Hamilton Streetscape project; passed.

- Bill 25: Create a capital project with an increase of $1,900,000 to enhance road safety and pedestrian/cycle accessibility on South Jefferson Street; passed.

- Bill 26: Supplemental appropriation of $7,624.95 (payment in lieu of tree plantings); passed.

- Bill 27: $300,000 supplemental appropriation from the Trexler Fund for court upgrades; passed.

- Bill 28: Towing ordinance regulating private-property towing — passed with housekeeping amendments (separate article covers this item in detail).

- R37: Denial of a certificate of appropriateness at 927 Turner Street with an amendment directing staff to work with the applicant on a flexible window replacement schedule — passed.

- R40: Appointment of three police officers contingent on passing physical and psychological exams and Act 120 certification; passed. The council recorded the three candidates by name on the record and confirmed the appointments contingent on training and certification.

The council also approved minutes of previous meetings and heard the controller’s reports (p-card and accounts-payable reviews) that included findings about late invoices, duplicate payments, convenience-fee exposures, and recommendations to consolidate EZ-Pass accounts.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council\t4/2/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 2 meeting the council approved a set of capital transfers and budget adjustments, several ordinances and resolutions, three police hires, and minutes; most measures were approved with recorded roll-call votes.","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},6602244,"Council honors Allentown wrestler Annabelle Ramos for state tournament medal",264,10000,274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88&start=10&end=274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88/thumbnail_10000.jpg","/articles/6602244/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-honors-Allentown-wrestler-Annabelle-Ramos-for-state-tournament-medal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602244-480ad2c4e009974de9959ec3af87c97e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184089&Signature=IsxDOMNATu14dmO6to6yTE4NoOZPqvoYSADYeDCsLJb~7rjJZKxEZ-GfhCh1Lq5GDnUGyL5d7nOwzIApj-OCDiqfoMw8exgj74tBFcE0Qi2~YGGvOxCLfkeQ~5oZqOvFJ6rhQ1FXClKdol3hp9hD26b1vmrTTCFpWsItzJXDgAdakye8C7AR8ZZvTwMD8tROUd2oTmL8R1EHkx1ITcdYly~fdtxAg-vvY0VUWpBuITh2ARkwngDBw~Ul7BWO7nzMlQbb5q1yQZxhKWelgHBVEqKoFXe7GLnVs9pknBidqEgPhJfYzYGxsXjqo0oPg7AtZKpBybmtsiw-rq2STMOmzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on April 2 presented a proclamation honoring Annabelle Ramos of Executive Education Academy Charter School for winning the school’s first PIAA girls wrestling state medal.

Councilman Zukul introduced Ramos at the meeting and read the proclamation, noting the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) process for sanctioning girls wrestling and that Ramos placed seventh at 100 pounds at the state tournament on March 8, 2025. The proclamation recognized the school and Ramos for the achievement and celebrated the PIAA’s recent formal adoption of girls wrestling as an official sport beginning with the 2023–24 season.

Annabelle Ramos addressed the council and thanked her coaches, teammates and family, including her father who coached her. Ramos said she only started wrestling the previous year and described the medal as the result of “commitment and focus.” She credited teammates, training partners and coaches for their help and said she looks forward to the next season.

Council members and the mayor joined representatives and family for a photograph following the proclamation.

","Allentown City Council presented a proclamation recognizing Annabelle Ramos, a student at Executive Education Academy Charter School, for winning the school's first PIAA girls wrestling state medal (seventh place at 100 pounds).",{"_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},6602248,"Council upholds denial of certificate of appropriateness for Turner Street property with amendment to aid compliance",576,4187000,4763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88&start=4187&end=4763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88/thumbnail_4187000.jpg","/articles/6602248/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-upholds-denial-of-certificate-of-appropriateness-for-Turner-Street-property-with-amendment-to-aid-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602248-6b9a5aed7bdf0d22dcdf8585d5f2502d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184089&Signature=k4bixOWvOA7QgvdbKkQaoN54dA6Mkomt65ml7yiAvtZR4agmji2zASZtwlaw9EU24-R~SkTbbAPl5T5ZMK40arwFBT83MfUU8Y~Zqns9nuIT2Ey42XuE-8O-yztVi9BA713finfRDEnAScu4FZqJkgwOX86uRdtAY8gSEan5RcqWFB8eS-4zZV3Gwmsdd7PlYj80ppYoNrz5PW7INrytDwD8Ek16UEOWr1Q7Al5XiLagSsxYRu0OHZu3nlW-TQT1oDjtGc9N56qTVk3~YB1SdQNTmaPuPPQcN1E2P8dOHZ3gIB3FGaN3l8P8zoTb-rctercTLs4imPagrtwJtvF6zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on April 2 upheld a recommendation to deny a certificate of appropriateness for work at 927 Turner Street, but adopted an amendment intended to reduce the hardship on the property owner and to encourage a workable path to compliance.

At committee, city staff and the Historical Architectural Review Board recommended denial. The amendment instructs the applicant to work with city historic-preservation staff on a flexible timetable for replacing windows and to evaluate whether windows stored by a local developer can be used to meet Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) standards.

Council and staff explained the denial is intended to resolve an existing violation: if the owner replaces nonconforming windows according to HARB requirements, the violation would be resolved and no further action would be required. Staff said there are up to 12 windows involved; if some rear windows are not visible from the street they might not require replacement. City staff said they will help measure and evaluate existing stored windows for suitability, and the owner would likely be responsible for installation costs.

Councilmembers discussed broader concerns about buyers of historic properties not obtaining or reviewing presale inspection reports and the need for better public education about purchasing in historic districts. Committee members said the city will pursue outreach and educational efforts about historic-district requirements.

The amendment passed, and the council then voted to deny the certificate of appropriateness consistent with the committee's recommendation; staff said the denial will be revisited if the owner makes the required changes.

","Council voted to deny a certificate of appropriateness for window replacements at 927 Turner Street but adopted an amendment directing the applicant to work with city staff on a flexible replacement schedule and to explore using stored historic windows.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602253,"Council passes towing ordinance tightening rules for private-property tows and signage",668,3512000,4180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88&start=3512&end=4180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88/thumbnail_3512000.jpg","/articles/6602253/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-passes-towing-ordinance-tightening-rules-for-private-property-tows-and-signage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602253-f22fdc3fb300a8023144df090db7185d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184089&Signature=MY2dRd77Y7Cnoav9mp-z3RlG9Ka1nxeIu-~lRl3Yh~4fX6Kp3vhqnOBEzZsyVkTNpEAjr8tnd2vBNSMliIhxDeJkLe9DQPDXxdou9vRfXVNWRC1sesmRI4scwucA-sjODt4y3YYfRxeuUhJt46mmkiUVkV94x812zNOQrPeicFvkv9Sx6A~EqTfQn1LaMBoNc6p6J-yBe073-QTtGTV2qQuZ1wxlP6sw~NR2k6NAQzRLQ9ljPLoGQYaACgZadMPvgqQseH~FqECmr9zw7tYVHZ8OBdZIPehGHt1siz6PHs-FaEqpinCPp1nMUCOPni2DQXzzH~5jvT~fNneE4U~TDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on April 2 adopted an ordinance regulating private-property towing to address resident complaints about allegedly predatory towing practices.

Councilman Napoli, who led the effort, said residents reported vehicles towed from private lots and released only after paying hundreds of dollars in cash. The ordinance targets four areas: clearer signage listing the tow operator and phone number, requirements that tow operators maintain insurance and business licensing, limits on fees consistent with Pennsylvania law, and a capped “decoupling” fee to allow vehicle owners to recover a hooked vehicle at a reduced rate if the vehicle was not removed.

Council members and the police department said the measure is intended to protect residents from unreasonable, cash-only demands and to provide the Allentown Police Department with clearer information when a vehicle is towed. Police Chief Roca said the change will help the department identify whether a vehicle reported missing was towed by a private operator and will improve enforcement against operators who lack insurance or proper licenses.

The council considered and approved several housekeeping amendments before voting on the ordinance. Amendments included updating minimum sign size to 12 by 18 inches, changing label language to read \"Private Parking Only,\" revising the contact-line requirement, and clarifying an exception for overnight parking. Council members said the ordinance applies to private property towing arrangements only and does not change towing on city streets.

Council voted in favor of the amendments and then passed Bill 28 in a recorded vote with unanimous support from councilmembers present.

The ordinance sets a decoupling fee no greater than one-half the towing fee for vehicles that were hooked but not removed, requires towing operators to identify themselves on vehicles and signage and to provide a phone number, and requires insurance and business licensing to operate within the city. The law instructs city staff and the police department to notify property owners and tow companies of the new requirements and to pursue enforcement where appropriate.

","After committee work and public input, Allentown City Council approved Bill 28 to regulate private-property towing: clearer signage, operator identification and insurance, limits on fees and a decoupling fee when vehicles are hooked but not removed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602257,"Council approves $220,000 contract for citywide tree inventory and urban-forestry plan",362,1103000,1465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88&start=1103&end=1465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3005129-fd4bfca793839a7cd147b8b39d282d88/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","/articles/6602257/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-220000-contract-for-citywide-tree-inventory-and-urban-forestry-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602257-5d480b68b3e03d873b7a0d8fc52b9166/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184089&Signature=fwoIuj3KQE9nwCIAeXipyqg~v1ifezi4JMw2ZIgpOFSalQOZVXvFXBr-KGz8SiBYHz~u0LwyJHGQaFVJn~jFnVZhvqI~~ekHAVKNsbLLZd~5jh0~w4L2FMCAVyqm3-XfB~Xj1lMiP76n0IACz9Oj0MEg9iyPzlvVzJzRORgUYJieLh8ZBrNnr~kBA7mQ6vN96qcGMEuC5MyFFr3M64UsbtuAta8vvpfKnJpWn~oFN0ILn62RyqqoJ~CCXWs8KCHT1WEyt1yIvCsWFbz4Kg6cPpEDNE~imsuOAYVytrW5TeDVbYzZ7jgra1x7kGNzcZ7vxql0etC0qC8JdIpR1I7TIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allentown City Council on April 2 approved a $220,000 contract with Davie Resource Group to develop a comprehensive tree inventory, a species master plan and an urban forestry master plan focused on environmental justice and equity.

City procurement staff told council the work was advertised as RFP 202440, two proposals were received and an evaluation committee recommended the highest-scoring proposer, Davie Resource Group. The contract is written for 12 months with one optional six-month renewal.

Councilmember discussion centered on funding and scope. Councilwoman Gerlach asked whether the city already had an inventory; staff replied a complete inventory did not exist and that the arborist maintains some records but cannot realistically inventory “tens of thousands” of trees without outside support. Staff said the contract will inventory street trees within the right of way and park trees that are not in naturalized, wooded areas.

City staff and council also discussed how this $220,000 award fits into a larger U.S. Forest Service grant package. A city staff member said the $220,000 is a portion of approximately $980,000 the city was awarded from the Forest Service and that the grant is reimbursable: the city pays and is later reimbursed. Staff said the city currently has a valid pass-through contract with the federal government but that recent federal actions have created uncertainty about later disbursements; the contract contains provisions intended to protect the city if future federal funding is not provided.

Members of the Environmental Advisory Council urged approval in public comment, describing the inventory and plans as essential first steps to protect urban trees, improve equity in tree canopy, and guide future plantings. A separate public commenter criticized the idea of spending on inventory rather than direct planting or community gardens but council said the plans are intended to guide any future planting programs.

The motion to authorize the contract passed on a roll-call vote with seven \"yes\" votes and no nays.

The contract will inventory species, note tree quality, and help prioritize locations for planting and maintenance; implementation will involve the municipal arborist and the city sustainability coordinator.

Action items and funding details captured at the meeting will be used to guide next steps if additional federal funds are released.

","Allentown City Council voted to award a $220,000 contract to Davie Resource Group to complete a citywide tree inventory, species master plan and urban forestry management plan; funding is part of a larger U.S. Forest Service grant whose future payouts remain uncertain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes: capital transfers, budget measures, hires and ordinances approved

Council honors Allentown wrestler Annabelle Ramos for state tournament medal

Council upholds denial of certificate of appropriateness for Turner Street property with amendment to aid compliance

Council passes towing ordinance tightening rules for private-property tows and signage

Council approves $220,000 contract for citywide tree inventory and urban-forestry plan