ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown Parking Authority is searching for its next chief, and members of its board hope that person can change the narrative around the agency.
APA and Executive Director John Morgan “mutually agreed” to part ways, with Morgan due to leave at the end of April after almost seven years in charge.
Morgan oversaw several major changes, including the agency’s shift from single-space meters to pay kiosks, as well as its transition to 24/7 enforcement in 2022 — and its move away from all-day enforcement last year.
"After six and a half years -- with any organization -- sometimes it helps to have some fresh perspective."Allentown Parking Authority Board Vice Chairman Santo Napoli
He also spearheaded projects to build garages and neighborhood lots to ease the stress of parking throughout the city, according to APA board Chairman Ted Zeller and Vice Chairman Santo Napoli.
The parking authority this week closed a $13 million deal to buy Linden Street Garage, Zeller said.
“John’s skillset was getting things built, getting things to the finish line,” Napoli said.
“But … after six and a half years — with any organization — sometimes it helps to have some fresh perspective."
APA needs a better communicator
Napoli and Zeller are set to form part of a search committee that will identify the parking authority’s next executive director.
They spoke to LehighValleyNews.com about what they’re looking for in whoever fills Morgan’s shoes.
The parking authority wants someone who is more skilled at customer service and “collaborating with the community,” rather than another operational expert like Morgan, Napoli said.
Napoli, who also serves on Allentown City Council, said he wants the agency’s next executive director to “educate” residents about its mission and the positive impacts of its work.
“What I mean by customer service is doing a better job of educating — making PSAs, helping folks understand why the parking authority exists."Allentown Parking Authority Board Vice Chairman Santo Napoli
“What I mean by customer service is doing a better job of educating — making PSAs, helping folks understand why the parking authority exists,” Napoli said.
“That's something … that the next executive director needs to focus on: helping the public understand the reason that they're … out there walking the streets and having to write violations when the time is appropriate,” he said.
The parking authority faced a torrent of backlash from residents last year, with many accusing the agency of “predatory” enforcement and over-ticketing.
Its enforcers sparked more outrage last April after they issued tickets to drivers in line for a food distribution event at a city church.
‘A huge opportunity’
But Napoli and Zeller swatted away suggestions that whoever takes the role of Allentown Parking Authority executive director will be among the least-liked people in the city — as long as they are “approachable” and “embrace the community.”
“If the [new executive director] makes themselves part of the community, then they're not [going to be] so hated,” Napoli said.
“Now it's our job to kind of finish that succession [by] putting somebody in place that is able to communicate with the community — the residents, the business community — look at what visitors’ expectations are, and take Allentown to the next level."Allentown Parking Authority Board Chairman Ted Zeller
Leading the Allentown Parking Authority is a “huge opportunity,” as it’s one of the largest employers in Pennsylvania’s third-largest city, Zeller said.
And it’s an exciting job because managing parking in Allentown “is a jigsaw puzzle” with constantly moving pieces, Napoli said.
Morgan “put the next executive director in a very good position,” Zeller said, despite leaving the agency as it faces a $1.8 million budget shortfall.
He “did a great job of building out the organization and putting us in a place to succeed,” Zeller said.
“Now it's our job to kind of finish that succession [by] putting somebody in place that is able to communicate with the community — the residents, the business community — look at what visitors’ expectations are, and take Allentown to the next level."
