What We Do

City Council focuses on the long-range vision for the community, establishing policies that affect the overall operation of the city.

 

 

How to Make Public Comment

Public comment is intended to be an opportunity for the public to address Council and should not be
expected to be a discussion or debate. Click here to read Council Resolution No. 30-2015 regarding public comment during regular Council meetings. General public comment is not taken during Council’s monthly committee or work session meetings.

 

There are three opportunities to make public comment during a regular City Council meeting:

 

1. During Agenda Item VI. This public comment period is reserved for citizens who have contacted the City Clerk prior to the meeting to request the opportunity to address City Council about an issue NOT on the agenda. Duration of comments limited to three minutes. Complete the form at www.cityoflancasterpa.com/public-comment to arrange to make public comment. All requests for public comment under Agenda Item VI must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. 

 

2. During Agenda Item X. This Public Comment period is open for those who did not contact the City Clerk in advance and would like to comment on an issue NOT on the agenda. Duration of comments is limited to three minutes.

 

3. You may comment on a specific agenda item when prompted to do so by the Council President. Duration of comment is limited to three minutes.

 

 

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

All locations are accessible to persons with physical disabilities.  Any person with a disability who will require an accommodation of some type while attending any of these public meetings should notify the City’s ADA/Section 504 Compliance Coordinator at least 48 hours in advance of each meeting so that the appropriate accommodation can be arranged.

 

ANY ADDITIONAL RESCHEDULED OR SPECIAL MEETINGS OF CITY COUNCIL WILL BE ADVERTISED ACCORDINGLY.

Meeting Schedule

Meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, with the exception of some holidays, in Council Chambers, City Hall Annex, (Marion Street entrance) 120 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. See calendar below for meeting dates.

 

 

Committee Meeting Schedule

Meetings are generally held on the first Monday of each month, with the exception of some holidays, in the Commission Room, City Hall Annex, (Marion Street entrance) 120 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted. See calendar below for meeting dates.

Upcoming Events

May
31
2023
Linear Park Block Party
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Linear Park
Jun
3
2023
Red Rose Run
8:00 am to 11:00 am
Ewell Plaza
Jun
5
2023
City Council Committee Meeting
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
City Hall – Council Chambers
Jun
6
2023
Community Engagement for Local Democracy
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The Ware Center – Millersville University Lancaster
Jun
6
2023
Historical Architectural Review Board Meeting
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
City Hall – Council Chambers
Jun
7
2023
Planning Commission Meeting
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
City Hall – Council Chambers

City Council Members

Amanda Bakay

President
abakay@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: January 2020

Current term ending: January 2024

Occupation: Director of Programs and Communications, Lancaster Science Factory

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Council activities:
Chair of the Committee of the Whole
Ex-officio member of all standing Council Committees
Board member, Central Market Trust
Board member, Lancaster Office of Promotion

Ahmed Ahmed

Council Member
aahmed@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: December 2022

Current term ending: January 2024

Occupation: Hotel Assistant General Manager

Education: Hempfield High School, attended Howard University

Council activities:
Chair of the Finance Committee
Member of Personnel, Economic Development Committees

Community activities:
Volunteer Community Organizer, Church World Service – Lancaster
Immigrant and Refugee Community Leader

Jaime Arroyo

Council Member
jarroyo@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: January 2020

Current term ending: January 2024

Occupation: CEO at ASSETS

Education: J. P. McCaskey High School
Bachelor’s degree, Millersville University
M.B.A., Drexel University

Council activities:
Chair of Economic Development Committee
Member of Community Planning, Public Safety Committees
Vice Chair of the Lancaster Recreation Commission

Community activities:
Board member, Tenfold
Member, Global Shapers
Commissioner for Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs

Lochard Calixte

Council Member
localixte@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: January 2022

Current term ending: January 2026

Occupation: Retail, USPS

Education: Millersville University (US), Harrisburg Area Community College (US), IPN/ESCA Graduate School (Mexico), EPED University / Graduate Studies of Law (Mexico), State University of Haiti / Jacmel Law School

Council activities:
Chair of the Personnel Committee
Member of Community Planning, Public Works Committees

Faith Craig

Vice President
fcraig@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: January 2018

Current term ending: January 2026

Occupation: Business owner

Education: School District of Lancaster; ASSETS Lancaster business management program; Cosmetology instructor.

Council activities:
Chair of Community Planning Committee
Member of Finance, Economic Development Committees
Board member, Lancaster Recreation Commission
Board member, City Revitalization & Improvement Zone Authority
Board member, Lancaster County Planning Commission

Community activities:
Board member, Shriner Concord Cemetery
Women of Color Planning Committee

Janet Diaz

Council Member
jdiaz@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: January 2018

Current term ending: January 2026

Occupation: Stroke registrar

Education: Graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School and Associate’s Degree, Thompson Institute; attend Lancaster Bible College

Council activities:
Chair of the Public Safety Committee
Member of Finance, Public Works Committees

Community activities: YMCA sexual assault advocate; church Sunday School teacher, choir member, finance assistant and visited the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes; volunteer at Heart Walk and at Crispus Attucks Community Center events; member of the Latino Caucus of Lancaster County; campaign volunteer.

Katherine Walsh

Council Member
kwalsh@cityoflancasterpa.gov

Began on City Council: February 2022

Current term ending: January 2024

Occupation: Director of Strategic Initiatives, Lancaster City Housing & Non-Profit Consultant

Education: Master of Science, Nonprofit Leadership, University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Temple University

Council Activities:
Chair of the Public Works Committee
Member of Personnel, Public Safety Committees
Board member, Public Art Advisory Board

Community Activities: Board Member of the Common Wheel, Board Trustee of the New School Montessori, Member of Women In Housing And Finance in Pennsylvania, Member of the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, Leadership Lancaster Graduate