Allentown City Council approves multiple budget, capital and ordinance measures; appoints Arts Commission member
May 20, 2026 | Allentown City, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
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The Allentown City Council on May 20 approved a package of contracts, budget amendments and capital appropriations and confirmed an arts‑commission appointment.
Key actions voted and announced by the clerk include:
• R65 — Authorization of cooperative contracts in amounts greater than $40,000 for vendors including HT Lyons, Miller Flooring Company and Shevnisky Electric Inc.; vote announced as 7 yeas, no nays.
• Bill 32 — Prohibits smoking or vaping any substance within 25 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and courts; the measure drew public comment in support from a local environmental adviser and was approved (7 yeas announced).
• Bill 35 — Amends the 2026 general fund budget to upgrade a part‑time clerk to administrative assistant and convert two part‑time custodial positions to full time; adopted (7 yeas announced).
• Bill 36 — Adds $1,650,000 to the 2026 capital fund for reconstruction on Lehigh and Union Street using a congressionally directed spending grant; the grant is partially reimbursable and requires match funding; adopted (vote announced).
• Bill 37 — A $100,000 supplemental appropriation from the Allentown Partnership to support Ithaca Park improvements (reimbursement); adopted.
• Bill 38 — Transfer of $50,841.45 to the bridal rehabilitation project from completed project accounts; adopted.
• Bill 39 — $103,329 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for Dixon Street sidewalks; adopted.
• Bill 40 — $800,000 LSA grant for MLK Trail extension phase 1; adopted.
• Bill 41 — $1,905,000 increase for approved parks capital projects as part of 2026 capital borrowing; adopted.
• Bill 42 — Transfer from the unappropriated general fund balance to support a second fire academy in 2026; adopted (7 ayes announced).
• R66 — Approve submission of the action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; adopted.
• R67 — Appointed Brent Hefner Bear to the Arts Commission for a term ending 05/21/2031; adopted by roll call.
Council also introduced Bills 43–45 (youth climate action fund appropriation, Council of Youth updates, and civil service code changes relating to selective service registration) and referred them to committees for review. The meeting adjourned at the close of the agenda.
Key actions voted and announced by the clerk include:
• R65 — Authorization of cooperative contracts in amounts greater than $40,000 for vendors including HT Lyons, Miller Flooring Company and Shevnisky Electric Inc.; vote announced as 7 yeas, no nays.
• Bill 32 — Prohibits smoking or vaping any substance within 25 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and courts; the measure drew public comment in support from a local environmental adviser and was approved (7 yeas announced).
• Bill 35 — Amends the 2026 general fund budget to upgrade a part‑time clerk to administrative assistant and convert two part‑time custodial positions to full time; adopted (7 yeas announced).
• Bill 36 — Adds $1,650,000 to the 2026 capital fund for reconstruction on Lehigh and Union Street using a congressionally directed spending grant; the grant is partially reimbursable and requires match funding; adopted (vote announced).
• Bill 37 — A $100,000 supplemental appropriation from the Allentown Partnership to support Ithaca Park improvements (reimbursement); adopted.
• Bill 38 — Transfer of $50,841.45 to the bridal rehabilitation project from completed project accounts; adopted.
• Bill 39 — $103,329 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for Dixon Street sidewalks; adopted.
• Bill 40 — $800,000 LSA grant for MLK Trail extension phase 1; adopted.
• Bill 41 — $1,905,000 increase for approved parks capital projects as part of 2026 capital borrowing; adopted.
• Bill 42 — Transfer from the unappropriated general fund balance to support a second fire academy in 2026; adopted (7 ayes announced).
• R66 — Approve submission of the action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; adopted.
• R67 — Appointed Brent Hefner Bear to the Arts Commission for a term ending 05/21/2031; adopted by roll call.
Council also introduced Bills 43–45 (youth climate action fund appropriation, Council of Youth updates, and civil service code changes relating to selective service registration) and referred them to committees for review. The meeting adjourned at the close of the agenda.
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