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, 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.
City Council Members
James Reichenbach
Began on City Council: January 2012
Current term ending: January 2020
Occupation: Consultant
Education: Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science, Penn State University; Master of Science in Psychology, Walden University
Council activities: Ex-officio member of all City Council committees; Member of the Lancaster Recreation Commission Board; member of Lancaster Public Library Board; member of Lancaster Property Reinvestment Board; member of the Lancaster City Housing Authority Board.
Chris Ballentine
Began on City Council: November 2017
Current term ending: January 2020
Occupation: Digital & Segment Communications Specialist (CNH Industrial)
Council activities: Chairman of the City Council Finance Committee; member of the Public Safety and Economic Development & Neighborhood Revitalization committees.
Community activities: member of CHI St. Joseph’s Catholic Health Initiatives Board of Directors, member of Lancaster City Human Relations Commission (LCHRC) board, member of Leadership Lancaster Board of Directors.
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.
John Graupera
Began on City Council: January 2000
Current term ending: January 2020
Occupation: Educator, School District of Lancaster
Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia; Master of Science in Education, Penn State University, State College
Council activities: Chairman of the City Council Public Works Committee; member of the Finance and Community Development & Planning committees.
Community activities: Board member, Shreiner Concord Cemetery Foundation
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.
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.