Allentown City Council excludes finance director from selecting outside investigator.

TLDR:

– Allentown City Council is conducting an independent investigation into alleged discrimination and racism in city hall.

– The council unanimously chose to exclude the city’s finance director from selecting the firm to conduct the investigation.

Allentown City Council is facing roadblocks as it attempts to conduct an independent investigation into alleged discrimination and racism in city hall. The investigation, sparked by a letter from the Allentown NAACP, accuses the mayor and city leaders of ignoring complaints. The council unanimously decided to exclude the finance director from selecting the firm to conduct the investigation, defying advice from the city solicitor. The disagreement stems from conflicting interpretations of the city’s administrative code and the council’s authority to independently conduct investigations. Mayor Tuerk’s approval of any contract awarded by the council remains uncertain.