Jason Cumello

The board reviewed and approved invoices for payment, including those related to the Ironworks Project and the conclusion of a technical assistance engagement with the Elias Property Group. Financial reports were presented, showing state grant funding and pre-development engineering costs for the Lehigh Valley Dairy Co-op and Ironworks projects. The board discussed and reached a consensus on a revised 5-year strategic plan. Updates were provided on the Ironworks Project, including zoning amendments and grant agreements, as well as redevelopment progress at the former Lehigh Valley Dairy property. The board also approved an insurance renewal, including an increased fidelity bond for the Treasurer, and authorized a funding agreement for geotechnical services at the dairy site, not to exceed $50,000. Discussions also touched upon planning for the hiring of a new Executive Director in 2027.

This document outlines Lehigh County, Pennsylvania's 2018-2022 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, prepared in cooperation with the Lehigh County Housing Authority under HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program. It identifies and addresses five primary impediments to fair housing: lack of affordable housing, insufficient accessible housing, barriers limiting housing choice, inadequate fair housing awareness, and limited economic opportunities. The plan details specific goals and strategies to overcome these impediments, including increasing the supply of affordable and accessible housing, eliminating physical, economic, and social barriers, enhancing public awareness of fair housing rights, and improving economic opportunities for residents.

The Commission discussed several ongoing projects, including the development of local Human Relations Ordinances, a logo competition update, and the status of active discrimination complaints. An executive session was held to determine probable cause regarding a specific complaint. Additionally, the commission reviewed the complaint filing process and identified a need for the Policy and Procedures Committee to evaluate potential changes to the complaint form to improve the efficiency of initial inquiries.

The board discussed the financial report, including approval of outstanding invoices and a review of financial statements. Key project updates focused on the Iron Works project, specifically regarding zoning ordinances, grant applications, and a proposed connectivity concept plan to link the D&L Trail. There was also an update on the redevelopment of the former Lehigh Valley Dairy property and a discussion concerning a municipal needs survey conducted by the DCED, with a focus on future strategic planning, expanding the Authority's mission statement, and exploring new opportunities for municipal engagement and commercial revitalization.

The meeting included an update on the progress of human relations ordinance passages in various jurisdictions using the Lehigh County template, a report on training provided to new commissioners in another county, and a status update on a logo competition for the commission. The commission also reviewed the status of four active complaints, discussed the potential for a memorandum of understanding with the City of Allentown regarding human relations matters, and received information about upcoming events and the process for updating partner jurisdictions on ordinance amendments.