Allentown council confirms Martin Velasquez as human resources director

The Allentown City Council confirmed Martin “Marty” Velasquez as director of human resources on a 6–0 vote with one recusal after a confirmation hearing and brief public comment.

Mayor (name not specified) opened the confirmation by nominating Martin Velasquez and said he was “beyond thrilled to present Martin Velasquez” as the nominee. The council then heard from Velasquez and one public commenter before the clerk conducted a roll-call vote that produced six yeses and no nays; one council member identified themselves as recused.

Nut graf: The appointment installs a long-time local official with private-sector HR experience into a post city officials said has been vacant. The mayor told the council Velasquez will be responsible for updating the city personnel manual, negotiating contract extensions for SEIU and the FOP, and other HR priorities; council members and a member of the public spoke in support.

Velasquez, who the mayor and others identified as a former 12-year member of the city council, summarized his human resources background for the council. He said his 42-year career includes work at Wells Fargo, experience in recruiting, training and development, employee-relations investigations (including Title VII matters), and affirmative-action and EEO duties. “I feel like I’ve had quite an extensive experience doing those kinds of things,” Velasquez said, adding he supports using data and analytics to guide personnel decisions. He also said he has managed employee-relations teams and overseen training on harassment and discrimination.

Council members offered brief remarks in support. Council Member Moda said Velasquez was “like a breath of fresh air” and that the city had “gone a long time without a director.” Council President Hendricks and others welcomed Velasquez’s return to city service and praised his prior work coaching youth at Union Terrace and his public-service record.

Council Member Zuckel told the council he would not vote and said he was recusing himself, citing past campaign activity: “I won’t be voting for him. I’m recusing myself,” Zuckel said, noting he had worked a post for Velasquez during a past mayoral campaign.

Nelson Quinones, identifying himself as Lehigh Mission District dean for the Lutheran Church, spoke during public comment and said he supported Velasquez’s confirmation, noting positive personal experience working with him in the private sector. “I certainly encourage a positive vote for Mr. Velasquez,” Quinones said.

The clerk’s roll call produced six affirmative votes and no negative votes; the clerk reported, “I’ve got 6 yeas and no nays.” The resolution read into the record as R 5 appoints Velasquez effective 02/03/2025. The salary figure read during the record was not clearly audible in the transcript and is not specified in this report.

The mayor told the council Velasquez will lead an update to the city personnel manual (last amended in 02/2009) and will help complete contract extensions with SEIU and the FOP. The council did not take additional formal action during the confirmed appointment beyond the roll-call vote.

Ending: Velasquez’s appointment takes effect on the date read into the record; council members said they expect him to begin work on the personnel manual and collective-bargaining matters identified by the mayor.