Allentown Environmental Advisory Council presents 2024 annual report, sets goals including a climate action plan

Kyle, chair of the Allentown Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), presented the council's 2024 annual report to a City committee, describing a 27-page document he said was intended as a transparent, source-cited summary of the EAC's work.

"It's a very long report. It's about 27 pages long," Kyle said, adding the document includes background research and source PDFs. He said the council centralized communications under a single email account to improve public intake and created a logo and flyer for outreach and tabling at events such as the city's Earth Day activities.

Kyle summarized the EAC's work last year: updating the city's greenhouse gas inventory; participating in a shared energy manager program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that paid consultants (Wilson Engineering) to identify efficiency opportunities; and advising on local policy. He noted that one policy measure discussed in the report was a December council action identified in the meeting as "Bridal 108," described in the presentation as a measure requiring coverage of dumpsters and rights-of-way when not in use to reduce illegal dumping.

Kyle also said the EAC did not make substantial progress on maintaining uses of open land and listed community outreach successes including monthly library programs for children in partnership with the Allentown Public Library and local partners.

During questions, a council member asked how the EAC addresses large corporate pollution sources. Kyle replied the EAC is a nonbinding advisory body focused on matters within the city's authority, and while the EAC can identify corporate pollution, regulatory action may require state or federal steps beyond the city's scope.

A speaker who identified no name in the record added that the city will be starting a municipal climate action plan this year and that the EAC will be involved. Kyle said the EAC's goals for the coming year include continued support for the sustainability coordinator, energy-efficiency work, tree planting, community engagement, youth climate grant work, educational campaigns about issues such as road salt impacts on the Little Lehigh Watershed, litter reduction strategies, air and water quality improvements and reviewing budget items such as pesticide spending for possible changes.

City staff also reported several park projects planned for spring: installation of a "mini pitch" at Jordan Meadows expected to be usable before June, pavilion updates in the Rose Garden including replacement of Pavilion Number 2, and the start of skate park construction in spring. The staff member presenting those items said timelines were short and work was expected to be visible to residents in the coming months.

Kyle asked for community engagement and additional EAC volunteers, noting membership was currently under strength and encouraging qualified applicants to apply through the mayor's office. The committee recorded no public questions or objections to the report presentation during the meeting.

The EAC presentation and the announced municipal climate action planning mark planning-stage activity; no binding municipal climate action ordinance was adopted at this session.