Council approves grant-funded appropriations, equipment grants and suspends rules to fast-track traffic-signal repairs

The Allentown City Council approved multiple grant-funded budget amendments, contract actions and equipment grant applications during its March 18 session and voted to suspend rules to expedite emergency traffic-signal repairs.

Appropriations and contract actions

Council approved a slate of bills and resolutions that amend the 2026 budget or authorize grant applications. Key approvals included:

- Bill 10: $346,158 to partially fund reconstruction at Lehigh and Union Streets (PA local share account grant; fully reimbursable). - Bills 13–17: a series of supplemental appropriations from PA DCED local share funds as pass-throughs to community organizations (including funding referenced for the resurrected community development corporation, Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, Museum of Indian Culture, and the Baum School of Art). Several passed by recorded votes of 7–0. - Bill 17: $775,000 to support the Allentown Art Museum (pass-through). - Bill 18: transfer of $55,000 to correct accounts for traffic-signal upgrades at four 17th Street intersections; council noted the project was largely funded by a multimodal transportation grant. - Bill 19: $55,295.39 from payments-in-lieu for tree plantings to be used for street trees. Shade Tree Commission member Kai Ropski urged the council to increase cash-in-lieu fees in future ordinance updates. - Bill 22: $15,000 from the Commonwealth State Fire Commissioner grant to purchase equipment for Allentown Fire & EMS. - Consent agenda items and several appointments were approved without roll-call controversy.

Police equipment grant applications

Council approved resolutions authorizing the submission of DCED local share applications to purchase police equipment: R45 ($807,000) to replace the department's command-component vehicle and R46 ($295,350) to replace/upgrade department firearms and ballistic shields. Chief Grama described both applications as "no-match" grant opportunities that align with accreditation and emergency-management best practices, and told council the existing command unit was outdated and had mechanical issues.

Emergency traffic-signal repairs — suspension of rules

Director Shada asked council to suspend the 14-day waiting period and vote that night on Bill 25, a $95,222.50 transfer to repair two intersections damaged by a windstorm (6 & Walnut; Union Boulevard at Coca-Cola Park). Shada said the wind damage occurred about three weeks earlier; the city’s risk-review process and supply-chain lead times delayed immediate procurement. "This is an emergency situation... traffic signals play a major role in our overall traffic safety," she told council, arguing that a normal bid process would take six to eight weeks and key infrastructure has long lead times.

Council members questioned the timing and whether the item should go out to bid; after discussion, a motion to suspend the rules was made and seconded. The rules-suspension vote passed and council proceeded with the emergency appropriation that evening.

Why it matters: The grants purchase infrastructure and public-safety equipment, and the council’s decision to suspend the rules reflects a trade-off between expedited repairs for public safety and the normal procurement timeline and competitive-bidding procedures.

What’s next: The council approved the actions and referred introduced ordinances (Bills 23–24) to committee. Director Shada said repairs will proceed once procurement steps are completed under the emergency authorization.

Votes at a glance: Multiple items (listed above) passed on recorded votes, most recorded as 7–0; R44 (appointment of council president to AEDC board) recorded one abstention with the president recusing himself.