off the golf course. >> We're live. >> All right, gentlemen in the rotunda. We are We are live and getting ready to start the meeting. Live and getting ready to start the meeting. Thank you so much. I ask everybody to rise for the pledge to the flag. >> Want to get out here at 6.
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Oh boy. [laughter] >> All right, the clerk will call the role.
>> Mr. Aean >> present. >> Mr. Callahan, >> present. >> Mr. Cologne, >> Miss Daniels, >> present. >> Miss Quack, >> present. >> Miss Lair and Miss Leon. >> Cente. Uh, Councilman Cologne will be joining us momentarily. U moving on to
the approval of the minutes. Any comments on the minutes from council members? All right, moving on to public comment. The first public comment is on subjects not being voted on this evening with a fivem minute time limit. I only have one person signed up. Mr.
Arty Keratollah. Hi, I'm Arty Keratollah, 813 Lawer Street, Betham, Pennsylvania, Southside. I'm not going to talk about anti-semitism because some of the comments that I made in the past could probably in another 20 years or less
will get me behind bars or crucified. But anyway, I'm going to talk about Arts Quest because Arts Quest is a thing that's going on right now, right? Okay. Hey, back in 1977, I had a show at Northampton Community
College. You could look in the records called The Night of the Arts. had bands for 6 and 1/2 hours performing, all original entertainment. Seven different scaffolds all over the place
with exhibits going on with art exhibits in the lobby and on the grounds. One of the people at my shows was Jeff Parks, who started Arts Quest, and he stated he wanted me to be his right-hand man. I
said, "I don't think I could do that because I'm on tour at my band." He said, "I got a vision. I got a vision to take your thing and continue with it." I He said, "Meet me in my office." I went, I saw this young guy sitting doing
some paperwork and walking around, but name of Well, I can't mention names, but any I I mentioned Jeff Parks. I shouldn't have done that, but anyway, sorry about that. But anyway, this young guy walking around, I mean, I know his name if you want it, but uh I won't say it. Um, he became the head after. I
said, "That guy is a go-getter. Make him be your right-hand man." And I did that. He did that. I got barred forever from Arts Quest [laughter] for making a comment and in Arts Quest that offended uh one
of their higher echelons who gets who was getting back 10 years ago was getting three figures a year. Um, and he tried to say that say that I assaulted him. So, the thing is what happened is uh the police came and they said, "We're
not going to arrest Mr. Curatola. He didn't do nothing. He didn't really take me to court or anything." But they barred me forever from Arts Quest from It was a comedy thing that I was doing at the Banko Cinema. But the thing is, I'm barred from music as well. I can only go to Arts Quest, but I can't perform there.
But at any rate, um, uh, that's my thing with Arts Quest. But while you're around driving, be sure we got a great police department and they are on top of everything. Stop at the stop signs. Make sure you rock forward, back, and then
stop before you go and count to three because the thing is if you don't, if you do a California stop right now during Arts Quest, they will get you. You know, that's how it is where um u I got a ticket to my first ticket in 15
years because I stopped one car length or more behind the stop sign and looked as I usually do and then I proceeded and the car the police officer and his motorcycle was down the hill on Pierce going up towards fifth and all he saw
was me going through the stop sign. So anyway, I'll probably have to pay that ticket. But that's how it is. That's um just be careful. Don't speed. Don't go above 25 miles an hour in the city because you will be ticketed and you
will it could be points against your license. Uh three points, you get five, you got to go to driving school or uh uh you could lose your license. So, be sure to obey the laws in Bethlehem because although we got a great police
department and they're very courteous courteous and everything, they'll be nice and nicely give you a ticket. Um, and uh, you know, like uh, but anyway, uh, that's uh, my thing about Arts Quest. I had all these musicians going
on, being a musician myself for six and a half hours, but I get no credit for doing anything with Arts Quest. If I would have went along with Jeff Parks, just think I would have been one of the probably the only the oldest person at Jeff at Arts Quest making six figures a
year off of the tax dollars of the people and all those people that are supporting Arts Quest because they need the money. But [snorts] anyway, uh [laughter] anyway, I'm Arty Curatollah and um uh
one thing I got to say though, there's a lot of propaganda going on for anti-Islamic. We're led to believe that the that the Muslims are really evil people. If they're that evil, they would have blew up New York City. No, they don't want to go ahead and destroy this
country. They're making too much money here. So there's there's too much anti-Islamic things going on, propaganda going on in our city and other cities. [clears throat] Not enough anti-semitism. Thank you. I'm already >> uh
moving on to people within the room. Mr. Antalix, I saw your hand raised first if you would like to. >> Thank you. >> He's the only one that thinks he's funny. kind of fascinating. Stephen and Alex 77 Ridge. In July,
there was a flag raising at city at Pero Plaza and uh of the Slovenian flag and there I was quite shocked because
I was given a citation by the city of Bethlehem signed by the mayor and which I felt quite honored and humbled by that
and sometimes the mayor and I don't get along but I it took the gentleman that signed that citation so I thank him for that. Uh and the city of Muskova made me an
honorary citizen because in in this sister city I gave 7,000 Savines recognition in the to the world and to Bethlehem not being Windish but being Slovenian.
So the Slovenian community embraced those 7,000 And the other evening I was sitting there thinking there are other people in the city who have done things for the city
and not being recognized. And we're right now in the process of trying to maintain Hotel Bethlehem status is number one. But [clears throat] very little is said about the per people behind that
because if you look at this history of the hotel, it took a lot of energy, effort, and money to bring it where it is. There are a lot of hotels in in the United States,
but Betham Hotel Bethlehem is number one. And that hotel, as much as I gave voice to 7,000 Savines over the country, that hotel has given voice to seven 70,000 Bethlehemes.
And here's a sad part. Here's a sad part. I wish not to embarrass anybody, but the sad part is this. The posters, the person most responsible
for all that happening is not being recognized. I'm recognized. So you might say that my recognition is 10% of the person who got 70,000 Bethams
recognized in the country as citizens of Betham because of the the name of their hotel. So I think it's fitting and proper that the mayor and president of council
consider offering some kind of awareness or citation to that person who did that. And I think you know who I'm talking about. I think you know you whom I'm talking
about. A very fine gentleman. A lover of Bethlehem. Didn't have to stay here. Didn't have to do what he did. But he did. So get busy. And recognize outstanding contribution
to this city. So, President of Council and the mayor of Bethlehem, I think you have an obligation here. Thank you, Mr. Analex. Does anyone else want to make public comments on
Mr. Sh? [clears throat] >> Bill Shire, 1890 Eaton Avenue. Um, just for the record, I guess we know where we the Bethlehem City Council stands in the priority list of Arts Quest since once again access was
blocked from Payroll Plaza into Town Hall and uh, Steve and I and Arty. Oh, no. Justardi and I got in by having somebody move a barricade so that we could get to the
door of town hall. Um, it's just it's symbolic, but um anyhow, there it is. I'd like to take the opportunity tonight to deliver as threatened part three of
three of my remarks about the water and sewer bill. Uh which is going to be a recap. Um basically it's pretty simple. the
for 90% of the residential customers, 90% of the bill is fixed. It's the same for everyone. Now, that includes the storm water fee,
the recycling fee, the service sewer connection charge, and the water connection charge. The only part that's not fixed is the perhaps 10%. That's the user fee for the amount of
water that was used and a similar fee for the sewer. I think it the bill assumes that everything that came in eventually went out. So, it's a fixed charge and that there's no escaping it. I mean,
it's a tax. Anything that is fixed like that is a tax. It's not a charge. It's not a fee. It's not a user fee. It's a tax. And it's the same for everyone. So for poor people, it's a higher
percentage of their income. This is called a regressive tax and in opposition perhaps to the progressive tax for the like the federal income tax. [clears throat] The more money you make, the higher the the higher the rate you pay.
And in between is the property tax. It's not progressive and it's not regressive. It's just we can say noneggressive. Perhaps the rate is the same for everyone.
But it's the rate that's the same, not the tax. And incidentally, I've been informed that the state constitution says that any tax in the state of Pennsylvania, the rate has to be the same for everyone. But it doesn't say that the base has to be the same for
everyone. And that's the base is what the rate is applied to. So if uh somebody has a bigger house, it's worth more. They pay the same rate, but they pay a higher tax. It's not progressive. It's not regressive.
So, how can we make the uh water and sewer bill unregressive? Incorporate it into the property tax, the fixed parts of it. The uh the the only the 10% that's not fixed could be
an annual bill for water usage and sewer usage. That would be a lot more fair. So, [clears throat] why doesn't that happen? Well, anybody who wants to be reelected doesn't want to be associated with any
increase in the property tax if they can avoid it. Like I said once before, the in DC there's the phrase uh social security is the third rail of politics. You touch it and you die. Well, the same
as in local politics, it's the property tax. If you raise the property tax and you can't convince the voters that it was necessary, you're in trouble. So, what's the answer?
Voters who are thinking, who are more educated, who are thinking about things instead of just showing up to vote and voting on very simple grounds. How do we accomplish that? better public education.
So, don't hold your breath, but uh that's the situation as I see it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Shy. Turning to the left, does anyone else want to make public comment on something not being voted on this evening? And to
my right. Okay, we are going to move on to public comments. Sorry. Public comment on things being voted on this evening with a 5m minute time limit. I do not have anyone signed up to speak. So I will go around the room starting at my left. Does anyone want to
make public comment on something being voted on in the broad center? Does anyone want to make public comment on something being voted on this evening? And to my right. Okay. Thank you. Moving on. Do any council members have old business that they would like to
address? All right. Uh, moving on to new business. Any council members have new business that they would like to address? Go ahead. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Antal, I couldn't agree with you more. I mean, I think uh,
you know, Huh. >> Don't talk directly to him, you know. >> No, I know. But, uh, I just want to say thank you for your comments. Uh, I think Mr. Haynes has done a [clears throat] and his team, you know, has done an amazing job. I mean uh you know if you grew up here you knew that the uh Hotel
Betham was closed down for a long period of time was boarded up and uh a lot of the uh storefronts on Main Street were boarded up also and that was after the you know the shut shutting down of the steel and uh you know I think Mr. Hannes
and uh you know convinced uh some investors to go in with him and and do a great job and um you know I I haven't always gotten along with him especially when I first got on council but the more I get to know him the more I see how how much he loves the city and uh I remember
one time I was driving up the road. He's out there with a a stopwatch and a a piece of paper counting the number of cars that are going up Main Street and and how long the lights are going on and then how many are coming down Market Street because it was backing up. He was trying to provide information to the
city so they could change the timing of the lights, you know, to help the flow. I mean, that's the type of detail this guy's involved with. And uh it's been amazing what he's done. And I, you know, I think I don't think it's any question that uh um the hotel I Mr. Haynes, I
think it's what, five years in a row now. Hotel the most. >> Yeah. >> And uh I think that, you know, without him and his apparatus and and all his customers, I don't think there's any chance that our main street
becomes uh, you know, named the number one main street in the United States. I don't I don't think there's a chance. I It never happens without him and and his staff doing what they did. So, I I 100% agree with you. I I I appreciate Mr.
Haynes and all all the things you you've done. I don't know if it's the will of council, but I I would be more than happy to uh come up with some type of accommodation for him or or letter of of recommendate or of uh of of achievement. Uh I don't know if the the mayor would
you be willing to sign something like that? we generally have them associated with something and uh we certainly honored the hotel before I think it was a couple years ago when I had showed up for your anniversary. I guess it was the hundred years I think it was. Um so we always
consider those consider those things as they come along often in in accordance with some type of thing that is consistent with our what our values are as an administration. Um so we can certainly take it as always under consideration. >> Thank thank you. I appreciate it. Um, you know, and I hope I hope council
could could could uh also look into that. I'll I'll put something forward. I'll let you know about it. All right. Thank you. [clears throat] >> No, I know. I know. >> Okay. No back and forth. No back and forth. Thank you. >> Um Um Mr. [snorts] Shy, I think you were
talking about the storm water. Um I I was um I was kind of shocked to find out that the Supreme Court made a ruling. I don't know if the if everybody's aware of this or not, but it's illegal for the storm water fee. Um it's it's a they
consider it a tax. So, um has do you mayor, do you know if any entities within this city have refused to pay it like Lehi or any of the hospitals, any of the nonprofits? >> Uh no. >> All right. and and just to explain kind
of the way that works and there's a lot of different ways that municipalities have gone about the storm water fee and one of the things that's come up that you know is being looked at is like other people that have used it as and first of all like where's the number come from so the way it works is that there is a determinate determination
made like across our city as far as what the needs are like x capital needs as far as storm water is concerned that's consistent with our federal MS S for permit. Yes. M MPDS permit. So it is a federal regulation that tells us as a
municipality as does with all municipalities is you need to come up with this plan [clears throat] X capital number of dollars and then it gets spread out between all the people that are paying into it. So in this case, and I had a conversation with President
Helley and Lehi um who has volunteered to continue paying that fee because one of the things that first start with like what is the need? So let's say that you have X amount of dollars that are needed for your sewer and water capital
improvements and you know having to do with storm water runoff and things like that. That fee then is split between everybody that's able to pay the fee. So part of the reason why the fee was designed the way it was by the state is to allow all property owners, including
those that are nonprofits, to pay into this fee. So then what is determined is if it's x amount, let's say you need $100, you split the $100 among all the different property owners that are within the city of Bethlehem as it currently is. Some other municipalities
and other places decided to use like say their authority to do it. And those that chose to have their authority do this don't have to worry about anything at all. But because the city chose this plan as far as like having it run through the city h rather than having it
run through like our water authority or something like that or setting up a new authority leads to what this kind of court determination was. But if people and just so we're clear, it's based on how much property you have, right? >> So like if you own five square feet like
you have to pay X amount, but if you're Lehigh University and you own 200 square feet, you have to pay X amount. But if you take Lehigh University out of there, what it does then is like your five square feet, you need to pay more because we need to get to that X number. So one of the things that like we are
looking at and as the president municipal league we're having this conversation talking to the legislature and things like that is the way for necessarily a potential legislative fix that will allow municipalities to be able to do this like as a city but also and I mean President Hel is a smart guy
like he realizes that like there will are different diff different mechanisms that a city is able to use to be able to collect this fee that are able to probably stay within like the legal requirements but also it just like looks had for people to pull out of this fee because then all they're doing is
sticking the rest of us homeowners with a fee that is created literally from how much impervious coverage you have or don't have because that's how much runoff you are creating. So Lehi is by far the biggest user. They It's not even close based on how much land they own
versus other nonprofits. We think other nonprofits own substantial amounts of land. Nobody owns anywhere close to what Lehi did. like as this was going through the court like um as it was moving through after you know Westchester University sued the bureau and it was like moving through it was something
that we were very aware of. Um so we've had conversations with them and they've he's just said we're going to keep paying it because it's the right thing to do above above all else and >> but but nobody else nobody that we know of right now has refused to pay it. None
of the nonprofits like the hospitals or Moravian or Lehi. >> Nobody nobody. And and I will tell you and I don't have the numbers exactly in front of me, but I mean I think you know Lehi's number I think is like $200,000 a year and nobody else's is above like 50
or 60. I think the school district pays like >> are are residents required to pay it now? They they don't have to pay it anymore. Correct. >> No. Resally residents do have to pay it >> legally. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, and it's also pretty clear that it's
not a situation where people get their money back either that have paid it already. Um, so we are going to continue to collect it. Um, and we will address those individual situations. Um, but I will say in like the conversations that we've had, like a lot of these
nonprofits that are already not paying property taxes to choose then to basically say that the rest of us have to pay more for a thing that is directly tied to their own um their own land that they own and their own like runoff is
not something that they I think are probably wanting to step out and say, "Hey, look, we're going we want to necessarily do this." especially because for many of them it is a relatively small number. Um like I said 10,000 20,000 2,000 1300 things like that.
>> So at some point we're going to have to change whether it's a fee called a fee or a tax in right >> I think there's a lot of different options. There's a lot of different options. I mean a a similar situation. It's not apple to apples, but about eight years ago when the state supreme court um struck down like the way the
casinos pay their host fee, there was a legislative fix that allowed the municipalities to continue to collect the host fee and they changed the formula around and so on and so forth. So there could be a legislative fix. Like I said, however it affects us, it's affecting other municipalities like I mean you look at Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia, Lancaster, these are places that have you know high percentages of their property or nonprofits. So like many municipalities are talking to their state reps and their state senators as far as what is going to be either the potential legislative fix but I think and this is just me speaking based on my kind of you
know like the worst comes to worse is like you run it through an authority so then you don't run it through the city and then you're able because those people that are the municipalities that have chosen it to run it through an authority right now as far as we can tell don't necessarily have to deal with this
>> with the effects of this. Yeah, >> but I I will I will just say this is a federal mandate. Like the whole reason why we came up with this was because that we had to meet the federal mandate. So it wasn't like we said let's put in this fee. It was connected to the idea that the federal government said for you
to be able to get this permit that you need to be able to continue to operate like you need to come up with x amount of dollars to be able to put here which is why which is kind of where it came from. >> No, I understand. I I was just curious about uh the effects and if there was any um nonprofits that had that we knew
of that were backing out of paying the fee due to the court court decision. So >> no and I and I would tell you it's like and I and I say this for the most most of them [clears throat] and I would put you know Lehi in this in this category because like I said they've been very open and good about this is like they understand that this that many of the
nonprofits represent institutions that we have multi-layered relationships with. So to show up and say, "Hey, we don't want to do this or we're not going to pay this amount." Is relatively and I mean they know this that it's relatively shortsighted to say, "Hey, look, we're not going to pay this even if we're legally able to when we know we're doing
this. We're we're essentially creating the need for this number and we know that there's likely to be a legislative fix." I I just don't think there's a lot of upside for people to say no, but that could change. >> Yeah. Um, last thing is the um, do we
have any information on the on the fire study yet? Is it in yet? >> Uh, no. I think it's still ongoing. I know Mr. Evans been going back and forth with some of the the needed the needed information. >> Yeah, our last correspondence was about two weeks ago. He's continuing to send them data. uh we will extend the
contract and uh actually earlier today I did send an email to the consultant asking if I can have a phone call a live call next week hopefully early middle next week to get a a true timeline update to see where they stand when we can expect to
see product. So >> all right >> yeah just let us know when it's finished. >> We'll do. Yeah. Absolutely. And uh la last thing uh I know everybody's waiting to get out of here, Miss Cal before all the students come back. Uh is there um I
have I think I I told you this last time or months ago, but some of the restaurants are complaining about the food trucks that are you know the Lehigh University food trucks. Can you send me any information we have on on the inspections of them? you know, when you get a chance. I mean, there's no rush
like you know, you know, whenever. I just apparently >> Yeah, the restaurants are telling me that the food trucks don't aren't meeting the health inspections because they don't have uh sinks in there to wash their hands. So, I don't know. I if you have any information on, just send
it to me so I can start doing some research and start looking. And appar apparently they don't have the the the cleaning facilities to wash their hands in these food trucks and they're taking business and they're parking these trucks down along the you know the bord of the campus and some of these
businesses are losing uh customers and you know they're kind of upset about it. So >> I I can certainly look into the inspections. You know, all of the food trucks in the city have an annual inspection from both fire and health. And I that would apply to any onampus food trucks. Both Lehi and Moravian have
on-ampus food trucks. They're part of their Sedexio like their >> contract. Their food system. So like in the same way that a university has a cafeteria, like they are also their food service can include food trucks that are
part of their overall dining system. So that's that's not new actually. I mean, that's been around for for quite some time at both universities, but I can certainly look into the actual inspections for >> Yeah. Yeah. I just want to see what the regulations and if they if they're if they're required. I don't know. I'm just trying to find out if they're required
to have >> trucks, food service throughout the city are are part of our health and and our food truck inspection program. >> Thank you. That's it. Thank you. And welcome back, uh, President. Welcome back. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um, any other
council members have new business that they would like to address? All right, moving on to communications. Communication 6A. >> July 23rd, 2026 memorandum from Edward Buscola, director of water and sewer resources with an with an attached
resolution. Mr. Bascola recommends an agreement with JO and Bradley Construction Company Incorporated of Bethlehem to install an emergency interconnect valve and meter chamber between the cities of Bethlehem and Allentown at Florence Avenue near Central Park Avenue. Cost is $260,440.
Contract shall run up to 197 days from the notice to proceed. There are no renewals. J and Bradley was the lowest responsible contractor among three bids received. >> Resolution 10A is on the agenda. Communication 6B. >> A July 27th, 2026 memorandum from Director of Water and Sewer Resources
Edward Buscola with an attached resolution. Mr. Boscola recommends approval of an agreement with LB Industries Incorporated of Helertown to complete all general construction work items for the final clarifier sludge return piping modifications construction
project. Cost is $370,145. Substantial completion is expected by January 29th, 2027 with final completion expected by February 12th of 2027. There are no renewals. >> Resolution 10B is on the agenda. Communication 6C. >> A July 27th, 2026 memorandum from
Director of Water and Sewer Resources Edward Boscola with an attached resolution. Mr. Buscola recommends approval of an agreement with Brendan Stanton Incorporated of Montgomeryville doing business as BSI electrical contractors to complete all electrical
construction work items for the final clarifier sledge return piping modifications construction project. Cost is $74,63. Substantial completion is expected by January 29th, 2027 with final completion
expected by February 12th of 2027. There are no renewals. >> Resolution 10C is on the agenda. Communication 6D. >> A July 28th, 2026 memorandum and proposed resolution from public works director Michael Alcohol. Mr. Alcohol recommends a transfer of funds within
the non-utility capital fund totaling $42,381. transfer would consist of $36,628 being transferred from account number 62026- 662067
paint truck and $5,753 from account number 6900-62067 paint truck to account number 6226- 66276 forklift traffic in the amount of $36,628
and account number 6900-6276 forklift traffic in the amount of $5,753. This transfer is necessary to purchase a lift capable of loading and unloading 55gallon paint drums onto an existing truck instead of replacing the truck
with a new one. >> Resolution 10D is on the agenda. Communication 6E. >> The July 29th, 2026 memorandum from Assistant Solicitor Marilyn Shields with an attached intergovernmental cooperation agreement and a resolution. Attorney Shields recommends an agreement
between the city and Hanover Township, Northampton County, which delineates responsibilities for police, EMS, and fire services related to the city-owned Monakasy complex. And >> resolution 10E is on the agenda. [cough]
>> [clears throat] >> Uh, moving on to reports. Um, the only thing I have to report is I just want to thank everyone, specifically Council Vice President Leair, who is not with us this evening, um, for stepping in in my absence. I'm happy to be back and hope
to not miss much um, going forward. But if that does need to be the case, I very much will communicate with everybody what's going on. Um, that's all I have to report. So, turning to the mayor for a mayor's report. [clears throat] >> Uh, no report, just passing along. It's uh great to see you back um and um you
know looking forward to uh you know working together and everything. So welcome back. >> Thank you very much sir. Um committee reports turn. >> Thank you. Uh the community development committee will meet on August 11th at 6 PM in town hall. That's next Tuesday. So
it's not a city regular city council night. It is a special night for this committee meeting. The committee will discuss two agenda items. The first will consider proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance involving yard setbacks. The second will review proposed amendments involving data
centers. The meeting will be forformational purposes only and no actions will be taken. Hillary GUCH, chairperson, community development committee. >> Thank you, Councilman Quitech. Moving on to ordinances for final passage 8A. An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem,
counties of Lehi and Northampton, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending part 13 of the city of Bethlehem codified ordinances titled zoning ordinance. Bill number 22, 2026 is sponsored by Mr. Aemon and Miss Lair.
[clears throat] >> Discussion on AD. >> The clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aean, >> I >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> Miss Daniels. >> Hi. Miss Quiet >> I. >> And Miss Leon >> I passes 6
>> 8B. >> An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehi and Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2026 capital budget for non-utilities. Bill number 23 2026 is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Lair.
>> Discussion. >> The clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Raymond. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> Miss Daniels. I, >> Miss Quiet, >> I, >> and Miss Leon, >> I passes 6. Moving on to new ordinances. 9A,
>> an ordinance of the city of be council of the city of Bethlehem, Lehi and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, authorizing and directing the issuance of general obligation notes series of 2026. the notes in the maximum aggregate
principal amount of $25 million providing proceeds of the 2026 notes shall be applied to carry out the refunding of all or a portion of the city's a outstanding general obligation bonds bonds series A of 2017 taxexempt
known as the 2017A bonds B general obligation bonds series B of 2017 taxexempt known as the 2017 B bonds. C, general obligation bonds series E of the
of 2020, correction, 2017, known as the 2017 E bonds, and D, general obligation bonds series of 2019, known as the 2019 bonds, pursuant to a refunding program, determining that sale of the notes shall
be a private sale by negotiation under the act, and determining that the notes shall be non-electoral debt of the city, fixing the interest rate, payment dates, denominations and registration, transfer and exchange
privileges of the notes and providing for book entry bonds. Providing for maximum principle amortization, maturities and interest rates for the notes. Establishing the redemption provisions of the notes, accepting a bid for purchase of the notes and
authorizing execution of the note purchase contract. is designating a paying agent and registar. Designating a place and method of payment of the notes in interest thereon and making certain covenants with respect to the tax exempt
status of the notes. Establishing the substantial forms of the notes, designating a syncing fund depository, covenanting to pay the principle of the interest of the notes and pledging the full faith credit and taxing power of
the city to such purpose. Establishing syncing funds for the notes and authorizing and directing payment there from setting forth certain rights of the paying agent and note holders in the event of default. Other rights of the parties with respect to the notes. Providing for
the circumstances under which the ordinance may be amended or modified. Providing for the terms, conditions and covenants with respect to the insurer if any for the notes. authorizing and directing specified officers of the city
to do and perform certain specified required or appropriate acts. Declaring that the debt to be incurred is within the limitation imposed by the act upon incurring of such debt by the city, authorizing and directing proper officers of the city to deliver the
notes upon execution and authentication thereof. upon receipt of proper payment of the balance due therefore and only after specified approval as required of the Department of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania providing for compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rule 15C2-12 covenanting to pay over at settlement sufficient monies to provide for the payment of the 2017 A bonds 2017 Bonds
2017 E bonds and 2019 bonds collectively referred to as prior bonds in accordance with the refunding program authorizing and directing certain other actions and approving documentation within regard to refunding program providing for the
issuance of irrevocable instructions to the paying agents for the prior bonds to call said prior bonds for redemption and establishing the form of such Such irre irrevocable instructions and the notice of redemption
providing the severability of provisions of the ordinance providing for repeal of all ordinances or parts of ordinances so far as the same shall be inconsistent providing when the ordinance shall become effective. Bill number 24 2026 is
sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Larair. He really endured that discussion online. Councilman Cologne. >> Thank you, President Leon. Just briefly, we had we had discussed this at committee. I believe it was two weeks ago. Our adviser, Mr. Sheer for PFM, had
presented to the committee, answered some questions. He's in the audience tonight. I'll be supporting this. Thank you. >> Any other comments? Councilwoman Quack. I I just um do have a question because during that meeting um when we talked about this which we called the
parameters uh ordinance I believe um it said that there would be uh the sort of upper level of the interest rate and I've I've my eyes have crossed trying to read this several times. So, can someone point me to the section where the
interest rate is actually cited because I can't find it. >> This um for those are not familiar, this is Scott Sheer with PFM. So, if he can answer the questions, that'd be great. Thank you. >> Good evening. Good good to be back again. The the interest rate will be 5 and a half%. Typically, there will be on
the second reading there will be a a schedule that's attached that shows that the five and a half% rate. >> So, that's what we're looking at is the upper level would be correct. >> Five and a half%. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Um I appreciate that. And and the maximum principle would be 25 million. >> Yeah. And as we talked about, I guess it
was two weeks ago at the meeting, the actual transaction itself should probably be somewhere closer to 12 million. If you remember in that presentation, I had kind of laid out that we're only refunding a portion of those four different issues and there's going to be a fair amount left outstanding.
to to do this parameters ordinance. Kind of the safest thing to do to give the team the most flexibility is to include all of those four bond issues. Uh that's how we basically got to the $25 million number. But again, the actual transaction that we do that will need to be signed off on once we execute it. If
you do move to the second reading and approve the second reading, uh we again only plan to issue about 12 million of that. So then after the transaction closes, then your legal counsel will file more paperwork with the state basically saying, "We got approved for 25 million, but we only issued 12
million." So eliminate that difference, and they'll do that right away. Again, it just gives the team more flexibility to make sure we're pricing it correctly to meet IRS regulations and state regulations and achieve the city's goal. >> Thank you. And then, um, my last
question has flown out of my head. Where did it go? Um, I can't think of it. I may, if it comes back to me, I'll if anyone else has questions, please go ahead. Thank you. >> Does any other council member have
questions? >> Um, this is for our solicitor. I I appreciate uh our city clerk's voice and and everything, but uh nothing against him, but does he do we have to read that or >> to discuss this a little bit? We're going to look into like some some of the titles that are incredibly long and if
there is any way to shorten >> I would think that because it's in the the minutes of the it's on our that we >> he's going to be looking into it after after the beginning when it comes to these longer titles. >> He's trying to save his voice a little bit. [laughter] >> What the statute says is that Yeah. And the title is three pages long
which is interesting for a title then >> read the title. So >> was it long enough though? >> Was it long enough? I don't think so. >> It's a long title. [laughter] I think I think we're kicking around. Yeah. All right. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Before I forget. >> No, no, no. That's what we were doing. Go ahead, Councilwoman.
>> Um, our rating, when when do we get that the re the rating that's directly related to our interest rate and everything? >> So, we'll start that process. Right now, we're in the process of putting together the prospectus, which is the offering document that has all the information about the city in there. We are probably
going to be having a call, you know, I would say probably in about two weeks. That's that's a phone call with the rating agency and then they will deliver the rating uh probably late late in August or right before
Labor Day. So, it'll be say in the next probably month was and of course I will report back to to what that is. And like I said, we don't expect any change to that, but obviously if we see anything >> that that looks alarming one way, shape or form, we'll let everyone know. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome.
>> Right. Any other questions from other council members? All right. Thank you so much. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. If there's no other discussion, the clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Raymond, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. >> Miss. Daniels. >> I. >> Miss. Guy. >> I. >> And Miss Leon.
>> I. Passes 60. Moving on to resolutions. Resolution 10A. It resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such other city officials as deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with J and Bradley Construction Company incorporated to
provide emergency water supply connections at Florence Avenue near Central Park Avenue. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Lair. >> Discussion clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aean >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi.
>> Miss Daniels. I, >> Miss Quiet, >> I, >> and Miss Leyon, >> I passes 6010B. >> We have resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such other city officials as deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to
execute an agreement with LB Industries Incorporated to complete all general construction for the final clarifier sledge return piping modifications construction project. The resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Leairard. Discussion. >> The clerk will call the role.
>> Mr. Aman, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> I. >> Mr. Cologne, >> I. >> Miss Daniels, >> I. >> M. >> I. >> And Miss Leon. >> I. Passes 60. Resolution 10C. >> Be resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem. The mayor and controller and/or such other city officials as
deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Brendan Stanton Incorporated doing business as BSI electrical contractors to complete electrical construction work for the final clarifier sledge return piping modifications project. Resolution is
sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Leairard. >> Discussion the clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aman >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. Miss Daniels. >> Hi, >> Miss Quiet. >> Hi. >> And Miss Leon, >> I pass a 6 resolution. >> Be it resolved by the council of the
city of Bethlehem that $42,381 be transferred within specified accounts of the non-utility capital funds to purchase a forklift to complement the paint truck for the Bureau of Traffic Maintenance. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Leairard.
>> Discussion. >> The clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aean >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. I >> Mr. Cologne >> I >> Miss Daniels >> I >> Miss Quiet I >> and Miss Leon >> I passes 610E. Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such
other city officials is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to execute an intergovernmental cooperative cooperation agreement between the city and Hanover Township Northampton County related to responsibilities for police EMS and [clears throat] fire services
for the Monaka complex. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Leairard. >> Discussion clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aman >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. I >> Mr. Cologne. >> I >> Miss Daniels. >> Hi, >> Miss Quiet. >> I >> and Miss Leon. >> I passes 6010F.
>> Certificate of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, Bethlehem Resolution. It's hereby granted for 410 Pulk Street to replace existing slate roof with GAF slate line asphalt shingles in the English gray color. The
resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Lair. >> Discussion. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Aean >> I >> Mr. Callahan >> hi >> Mr. Cologne >> I >> Miss Daniels >> I >> Miss Quiet >> I >> and Miss Leon >> I passes 610G.
>> Certificate of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature Bethlehem resolution is hereby granted for 115 West 4th Street to replace the bow windows with aluminum folding doors. Demolish the pent roof. Install a man
door and replace existing front brick facade with white brick or aluminum siding. and also install new gooseeneck light fixtures and a new cabinet sign. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Leairard. >> Discussion. The clerk will call the role.
>> Mr. Aman >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. >> Miss. Daniels. >> I. >> Miss. Quiet. >> I. >> And Miss Leon. >> I. Passes 6. That concludes city business. Happy fasting. Be safe. Have a good night.
>> Thank you, Madam President. Same to you. That was a good one.