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 Council meetings.
There are three opportunities to make public comment during a 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. 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.
Upcoming Events
City Council Members
Ismail Smith-Wade El
Began on City Council: January 2018
Current term ending: January 2022
Occupation: grant writer/researcher
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Carnegie Mellon University
Council activities: Ad hoc member of all committees, chair of the committee of the whole.
Community activities: Lancaster Branch NAACP Executive Board Member, Lancaster County Council of Churches Board of Directors Member, Crispus Attucks Community Center Board Member. Member, Global Shapers. Member, Lancaster Young Professionals.
Jaime Arroyo
Began on City Council: January 2020
Current term ending: January 2024
Occupation: Chief Impact Officer at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County
Education: J. P. McCaskey High School
Bachelor’s degree, Millersville University
M.B.A., Drexel University
Council activities:
Chair of the Council Economic Development Committee
Member of the Council Community Planning and Public Works 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
Amanda Bakay
Began on City Council: January 2020
Current term ending: January 2024
Occupation: Director of Operations, Lancaster Science Factory
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Council activities:
Chair of the Council Finance Committee
Member of the Council Economic Development and Personnel committees
Board member, Central Market Trust
Board member, Lancaster Office of Promotion
Faith Craig
Began on City Council: January 2018
Current term ending: January 2022
Occupation: Business owner
Education: School District of Lancaster; ASSETS Lancaster business management program; Cosmetology instructor.
Council activities:
Chair of the Council Community Planning Committee
Member of the Council Public Safety and 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
Began on City Council: January 2018
Current term ending: January 2022
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 Council Personnel Committee
Member of the Council Public Works and Finance 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.
Xavier Garcia-Molina
Began on City Council: January 2020
Current term ending: January 2024
Occupation: Community Prevention Mobilizer, Compass Mark
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Pennsylvania State University
Council activities:
Chair of the Council Public Safety Committee
Member of the Council Personnel and Community Planning committees
Member, Lancaster City Traffic Commission
Community activities: Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition Board Member; Commissioner for the Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs; LOHF Committee Member; Community Police Working Group Member
Pete Soto
Began on City Council: January 2014
Current term ending: January 2022
Occupation: Inventory Clerk
Education: J.P. McCaskey High School (1978)
Council activities:
Chair of the Council Public Works Committee
Member of the Council Public Safety and Finance committees