What We Do
City Council focuses on the long-range vision for the community, establishing policies that affect the overall operation of the city.
Public Comment
Members of the public are encouraged to address council members in person at regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, at 7:30 p.m., in City Council Chambers, City Hall Annex, 120 N. Duke Street. Please email Bernie Harris, City Clerk, at bharris@cityoflancasterpa.com to request to make comment at the next meeting. Please include your name and comments.
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: Chairman of the City Council Community Development & Planning Committee, member of the Economic Development & Neighborhood Revitalization and Personnel committees; Lancaster Recreation Commission, Lancaster Public Art Advisory Board, Lancaster County Planning Commission and Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee.
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: Associate at Work Wisdom
Education: J. P. McCaskey High School; Bachelor’s degree, Millersville University; M.B.A., Drexel University
Council activities: Lancaster Recreation Commission
Council activities: Board member, SACA Development; Board member, Tabor; member of Global Shapers
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: Human Relations Commission Board of Directors; Lancaster Office of Promotion board member
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: Chairwoman of the City Council Economic Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, member of the Public Safety and Public Works committees.
Community activities: Judge of Elections, Poll Clerk, former member of the Lancaster City Planning Commission.
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: Chairwoman of the City Council Personnel Committee, member of the 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: Middle school social studies teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Pennsylvania State University
Community activities: Vice president, LGBTQ+ Coalition; YWCA Community Educator; LOHF Committee member; Spanish American Civic Association teacher
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: Chairman of the City Council Public Safety Committee; member of the Community Development & Planning and Personnel Planning committees; member of the Lancaster Recreation Commission Board of Directors and Lancaster City Traffic Commission.