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Council approves multiple contracts, budget amendments and appointments; several items pass unanimously
Summary
The Allentown City Council approved three contract awards, two budget amendments for capital and equipment, and a five-item consent agenda that included several board appointments. Several items were unanimous; resolutions and ordinances were approved by recorded votes.
Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a slate of contracts, budget amendments and appointments during its regular meeting.
Key actions included the award of a revenue-generating scrap metal contract to Buckman Iron and Metal Inc., award of a multi-vendor road materials contract estimated at $2,400,000, and a contract to Telco, Inc. to repair traffic equipment damaged in accidents for $276,384.15. The council also approved a cooperative equipment purchase contract with Stevenson Equipment.
The council adopted Bill 11, amending the 2025 capital fund budget to include a supplemental appropriation of $175,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for design of the MLK Trail Phase 2. The council also approved Bill 13, a $150,000 equipment fund increase for a heavy-duty lift truck for the traffic bureau.
A five-item consent agenda passed and included a sewage planning module for 639 North Eighth Street and four appointments to boards and commissions: Charlene Smalls and Vanessa Fletcher to the Commission on Homelessness and Jeanne Garcia and David Togg to the Nuisance Abatement Board (appointments as listed on the consent agenda).
Votes at a glance
- Revenue contract to Buckman Iron and Metal Inc. (bid 2025-04): approved, 7 yeas, 0 nays. The city reported 2024 scrap-metal revenue of $63,000 as the baseline for the program.
- R19 (road materials contract, multiple vendors, estimated $2,400,000): approved, 7 yeas, 0 nays. The award covers unit-price lines across multiple bidders and will be used for road materials supply and application.
- R20 (Telco, Inc., traffic equipment replacement): approved, 7 yeas, 0 nays; amount $276,384.15. Council discussed that the city’s risk manager has filed insurance claims for accident-damaged equipment and staff will report back on reimbursements.
- R21 (cooperative contract with Stevenson Equipment for purchase): approved, 7 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 11 (MLK Trail Phase 2 design, $175,000 supplemental from state DCED): adopted, 7 yeas, 0 nays.
- Bill 13 (equipment fund increase $150,000 for traffic bureau heavy-duty lift truck): adopted, 7 yeas, 0 nays.
- Consent agenda (five items including sewage planning module and four appointments): approved, 7 yeas, 0 nays.
What council discussed: On R20 councilmembers asked whether the city expects insurance reimbursements for traffic equipment damaged in accidents; staff said claims have been filed and dates of accidents can be provided. For the multi-vendor road-materials contract (R19), staff explained awards reflected lowest-cost proposals on varying parts of the contract. Council also reviewed the county’s bank-reconciliation and procurement timing matters earlier in the meeting.
Introductions for future action: The council introduced Bill 15 (a $5,000 appropriation from a pool and hot tub foundation grant to support swim lessons at city pools) and Bill 16 (an amendment to the city zoning code’s community center definition to remove a limitation restricting meal preparation to senior citizens); both were referred to relevant committees for review.
