--------- Okay, we're recording. >> [clears throat] >> Do this first. >> I will call to order a Community Development Committee meeting. I'm Hillary Quatech, chair of the Community Development Committee. The other committee member present is Justin Amon.
And no other council members are present this evening. The clerk will please call the roll. >> Is Quatech? >> Here. >> Is Amon? >> Here. >> Is Daniels? >> There is one item on tonight's agenda, the annual financial accountability incentive reporting or fair hearing.
This matter is for informational purposes only. Uh we do have a public comment period. I will now recognize the public for comment. Is there anyone who would like to make a public comment with a 5-minute time limit? Then we'll move on to agenda item one and I'll recognize the representative of
the administration. >> Good evening. Um thank you. I'm Chandler, I'm the Deputy Director of Economic Development for the city. And as last year here to present this year's fair report. Once again, thank you chairwoman Quatech for holding the
meeting of the Community Development Committee. As I stated, I'm here to present the 2025 fair report. I'll be the sole presenter for that report. But I did want to introduce and she's in the back row, our newest addition to CED and the
Economic Development Bureau, Chastity Hackston, who assumed the role of our Economic Development Coordinator this past May. Chastity brings experience with the Missouri Department of Social Services, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the US Department of Agriculture, and and has been time in
the non-profit fundraising sector. Across these roles, she has focused on business recruitment, grant funding initiatives, and program implementation specific to small business development. Chastity holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University and a Master of Public Arts in Public and Master of Arts in
Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. Um and because she's like all of us, she's currently completing a second Master of Arts in Public Interest Communications, which she expects to finish next month. Uh we're unbelievably excited to have her join the department
and I'm sure Chastity uh would be happy to speak with members of Council regarding her background, her previous experience, and kind of what she brings um to this role. She's been here for 2 months and I think has already been doing a really great job at thinking um about how she can bring her skill set to
advance the great work we're we're doing in the department. Uh in addition to myself and Ms. Haxton, we're also joined this evening by Ms. Collins, Director of Community and Economic Development. As in years prior, we're here for the annual Financial Accountability Incentive Reporting Hearing. The FAIR
program was established by ordinance in 2018 to help City Council better understand and have transparency into the economic development tools we utilize here in the city. Uh to that end, you received and should have in front of you the annual FAIR report, which is what we'll be reviewing at this
hearing. The report is a look back at the year 2025, examining how economic development incentives, both tax and non-tax incentives, have worked and had an impact during the last year uh on continuing Bethlehem development. You can see from the table of contents in
the FAIR packet that the report includes an incentive inventory, incentive program summaries, evaluation reports for each incentive program, incentive program impact statements from recipients, um and tax expenditure spreadsheets and reports.
The incentive inventories on on the numbered pages 1 and 2, so it's actually a few pages uh further into the packet, uh list the tax and non-tax exent incentives included in this report. Uh they include the Local economic revitalization tax assistance or LERTA,
the city revitalization improvement zone or CRIZ, the enterprise zone loan program, the Bethlehem small business loan or small business loan fund uh program, the business infrastructure development or BID loan loan fund.
Uh the program summaries are on numbered pages 3 and 10. These have not materially changed from years prior. Importantly, the program evaluation portion is on page 11 to 28. As has been done in prior years, we'll go right to
the evaluation reports and provide brief refreshers on the incentive programs. As a reminder, to brief prepare these evaluations, program beneficiaries receive uh a request annually from our office seeking information such as where they are with respective to projects, how
many employees are hired and retained, and how the program has impacted their project. Information [snorts] that we gather is aggregated and presented presented for each incentive program. We do not report and represent program
recipients that we will not report on specific financial or employment data of individual projects on a project-by-project basis. As we go through the incentives uh and I think we've we've discussed part of this, we can stop after each section um and then a loan fund section loan fund
sections uh to take questions you may have before moving on to the next. Um we'll start by turning to LERTA on page 11. Pennsylvania enacted the local economic revitalization tax assistance act uh in
1977 and for dec- several decades following, the city of Bethlehem has implemented multiple LERTA designations across different areas of the city. As you know, these programs helped incentivize the redevelopment of much of the former Bethlehem Steel property into productive, job-generating, and
tax-producing and and the tax producing district it is today. Um the two LERTA zones currently in effect are summarized therefore in in the next section. Bethlehem's existing LERTA ordinances reflect the distinct policy objectives that they were
designed to achieve at the time of their adoption. Earlier LERTA designations responded to a struggling local economy and the need to stimulate investment in key areas, much of which comprised was once the largest brownfield in the nation. Given a limited level of private
investment at that time, those incentive structures were appropriately tailored to encourage redevelopment. However, the city's needs and the policy tools required to address them have evolved significantly over the past 30 years and even over the last 5 to 10 years.
2021 City Council amended Article 342 to establish the Southside Affordable Housing LERTA, which became effective on September 7th, 2021, and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.
Southside LERTA 2 subsequently took effect on on January 1st, 2023, and will expire on December 31st, 2027. As those expiration dates approach, the city has begun begun evaluating the potential establishment of a new LERTA designation or designations, which would
require, among other steps, review and approval by City Council, as you know. Internal evaluation discuss and discussion are ongoing as staff assess what a future iteration should include and how it can most effectively support, for instance, increased affordable housing over the next designation period
while complementing existing and planned housing initiatives. As with any review of an incentive program, the central questions are: What are What public policy objectives are we seeking to achieve? And how should the incentive be structured to most effectively advance those goals?
In developing a potential new LERTA designation, it is imperative that the program reflects Bethlehem's current priorities, will certainly position the city to address its recognized future housing and economic development needs. As shown in section 2B on page 12, in
2025 the city relinquished uh a little over 1.046 million in real estate taxes under LERTA abatements. As a refresher, both active LERTA zones offer graduated abatements based on building reassessments after improvement over a period of 10 years.
Per the existing ordinances guiding these zones, after reassessment building values used to calculate assessable taxes begin at 10% of their total value. Then increase uh by 10% per year until the abatement expires.
In the first year after reassessment, uh one adds the full land assessment to 10% of the building assessment. In the next year the building portion jumps to 20% of the new value and so on. For the affordable housing LERTA district, for projects with 10 plus residential units, either at 10% of the
unit either at least 10% of the units must remain affordable during the LERTA schedule or a payment of 25,000 is required uh by the property owner developer per unit. For the Southside LERTA 2 district, uh for projects with 10 uh more than 10 residential units,
either at least 10% of the units must remain affordable during the LERTA schedule or payment of 52,320 is required per unit. Since the affordable housing fund's establishment and the affordable housing LERTA ordinance, the city has uh
collected uh 907, a little over 907,000 of in lieu payments across these two districts. Uh additional abatement city and county I'm sorry, additional abatement city and county only is available available for projects that are LEED certified silver, gold, or
platinum. And happy we're happy to take any questions relative to the LERTA zones. >> Thank you, Mr. Ziller. Um I want to recognize the um arrival of Councilwoman Daniels who's also a member of this committee and solicitor Stewart before
we start questions. Um, Mr. Amon, I'll start with you since you >> Not for me. >> Not for me, thank you. >> Okay. Ms. Daniels, did you have any questions? Okay. Um, great. My turn. I have a couple. I just have a couple. >> Um, one of the things I was interested in um you you did address uh the fact
that um one of the LERTA's is expiring at the end of December and so you'll um you'll keep us apprised of of what the plans are and what your thinking is in terms of um the potential for a new LERTA going forward. >> Certainly. Certainly. >> Yeah. Um,
one thing that is for me was a little difficult um in this report and I know I've looked at this report a few for a few years, but it just jumped out this year is that we don't kind of tease out which LERTA is um resulting in which amount of the payment in lieu of for the
two affordable housing ones. I was I was just kind of curious if maybe those figures would be available or some there's some way to um determine which one maybe was it I mean it could be that neither is really having more of an impact. I was
just curious about that. >> Sure. And we can we can certainly uh provide that. >> Good. Um Yeah, because I was wondering out of the 33 projects how many actually involved um by number also um
creation of uh housing units. So, um And I know that um this this figure um in terms of the the gross of of what's been being abated could include um expired LERTA's where there are some projects where they're still reaping the
benefit of the abatement. So, it's it's a little bit confusing. I understand that, but >> Right. Uh I'm So, I'll say of the 33 that we list as as kind of abatement active, you know, a large majority of those are that the original South Side not South Side Letter two, but the
original South Side Letter two. Um and then, you know, those that have paid into um the fund um more recently, especially the past I'd say year, two years, four or five projects that have paid into
um into that fund uh within the last year, I think we've only had three projects that have paid into the fund. Um one of which was a new project in 2025. >> Great. Well, that's helpful to know that I mean, there's there's still
some activity >> Correct. >> in that. Okay. Um those were my only questions for now, so we can move on to Chris if you're ready. >> Okay. Uh next the evaluation report for the City Revitalization and Improvement Zones or CRIZ is on page
uh pages 15 to 17, numbered pages 15 to 17. Uh the CRIZ was authorized for Bethlehem by the Commonwealth in 2013. It's a program managed locally by the Bethlehem Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority um or BRIA. The authority has its own members appointed by the
mayor and DCED and city administration play a role in managing the program. The focus of the program is to provide opportunities to spur new growth helping to revive downtowns and create jobs for the residents in the regions uh in the region. Uh vacant, desolate,
underutilized, or abandoned space will be developed thereby creating jobs or that's certainly the hope increasing personal incomes, growing state and local tax revenues, reviving local economies, and improving the lives of city residents and visitors. Um as a reminder, the CRIZ evaluation
report uh here actually covers the taxes paid to the city in the Commonwealth in 2024, uh which are then returned to the authority as increment in 20 2025. >> [snorts] >> So, taxes generated in '24 are reflected in the evaluation, meaning it actually lags a year behind the rest of the
report in that respect. Uh in 2024 we have six uh projects in the CRIZ. Uh project at Greenway 3rd and new, uh 510 Flats, 610 Flats, Wilmer Mansion, Wind Creek's expansion, and then the two um uh medical office buildings, the Lehigh
uh through Lehigh Valley Health Network, the Tower Place uh uh properties. The total dollar value of tax incentive received by beneficiaries in 2024 was a little over 1.78 million, and this reflects the eligible state and local taxes generated that
have come back to the authority to distribute to property owners to pay down debt. A smaller portion, approximately 107,000, goes toward the administration of the authority, as well as public projects associated with the CRIZ, and that equates to about 250,000. The private investment in these projects
supported a total of approximately 40 million in CRIZ debt. Uh turning the page turning the page in the report, you also note that the property tax assessments prior to CRIZ were 1.63 million, and now we're and we are now at an approximately uh 4 45.6
million. No property taxes No property taxes are abated or lost through this program, so this additional delta goes to the city. Uh finally, you also know that also note that there are 839 employees in the CRIZ zone attached to CRIZ zone projects in
2024, seven 708 of whom are full full-time. These figures do not include the construction jobs that are certainly associated with those projects. Um and with that, I'll take any questions relative to CRIZ.
>> Thank you. Mr. Hayman? >> None for me at this time. Thank you. >> Ms. Daniels? >> Uh the only question I have, is there any reason why we're not able to list the actual project names? >> The reporting that we're required to do
by the Commonwealth um requires that we identify them by um parcel ID and by address. Um but I mean we can list the names of the projects as well. Mr. Ziller did list them, so again, it's the the
Greenway third and new um 510 flats, which also includes Social Still, 610 flats, uh the WinCreek Hotel expansion, Wilburn Mansion, and the two Martin Tower medical office buildings. >> Thank you. >> Um so at this point in terms of activity
on um Chris designated sites, um is Martin Tower the only location that still has active uh um development going on or are are there still other parcels outside of that particular site?
>> Yeah, there's certainly uh activity um outside of that site. You know, we have as you know, 130 acres um are designated through the Commonwealth and through a kind of process that runs through Brea. Um those those parcels,
that acreage that has the Chris acreage, you know, those developers, property owners can come and present their project to the Brea board, which then approves it, and that's not the end, it then goes to the Commonwealth for approval. Um and then if they want financing tied to Chris relative to their project, um they have to come back
to Brea as well. So, um you know, as it stands right now that you know, of that uh 130 acres, the majority is is kind of it's already designated whether they're active projects or kind of you know, just continuing um available acreage for growth. Uh
that's it's kind of a mix. >> And so but all of the parcels are in private hands and the people who own it, they know that they are within that opportunity. They have that opportunity. So >> Correct. >> Okay.
>> Mostly all. There are There are a few acres banked um because we had previously um had uh parcels that were owned by the parking authority were designated and all of those were decertified. Uh many of the decertified acres have since
been redistributed to other parcels, but there are a few um acres of of undesignated. So, new projects can come in to the BRI Authority and ask for um designation, which again would have to be approved by the Authority and then by the
Commonwealth, right? >> And so, just so we're all understanding it, the the the there there's So, there's no property taxes that are abated in this. It's the business privilege tax and it's the it's it's a it's a
couple of like the amusement tax that the it's >> The vast majority of abated taxes are are state taxes. So, it's really the Commonwealth who is giving up the most in terms of um tax revenue. At the on the city side, it is. It's the local services tax. It's
the business privilege tax and then at the our city amusement tax. Right. Yeah. Okay. >> Um Those are the only questions that I had. They were just for my own understanding of the situation. I appreciate it. Okay.
>> Uh the enterprise zone uh loan program the enterprise zone section begins on numbered pages 19 to 21. Uh the city's enterprise zone loan program is a legacy program designed to support the rehabilitation, expansion, and improvement of blighted buildings and
properties through qualified investments by private businesses and nonprofit organizations that advance economic development. Funded through legacy dollars in the city I'm sorry, funded through legacy dollars the city received many years ago, the program remains at this time
underutilized. The The funds were issued as loans with the potential to resolve revolve as payments were received and the remaining legacy loans are tied to projects funded under previous program cycles. With our enterprise zone designation in the city, we have to renew periodically.
Our enterprise zone expired on September 30th of 2024. However, many of the benefits still apply for another two years beyond that exit date. Including the opportunity for qualified businesses to apply for enterprise zone tax credits, which in our experience is arguably the kind of
most attractive benefit of this program. The only way to obtain another designation is to apply with a new application, which would include the creation of a new five-year strategy and business plan for us to demonstrate a renewed need. To that end, we recently
We recently released an RFP seeking support in the preparation submission of an application to the PA Department of Community Economic Development for renewal. City's application will evaluate outcomes achieved during the expiring enterprise zone designation period and propose
modifications for subsequent term to better align with Bethlehem's evolving conditions, needs, and emerging challenges. The application will identify new targeted investment and development needs as well as implementation strategies to address those needs.
As part of the enterprise zone renewal process, we'll also evaluate how the loan resource can be more strategically deployed to maximize impact and better support future investment within the zone. As noted, the enterprise zone designations provide provides access to several benefits. Applications for tax
enterprise zone tax credits, typically available through an annual application cycle, are submitted directly to the Commonwealth by eligible private entities. Because these applications are neither submitted through nor reviewed by the city, they are not reported as part of fair. That said, the city does support
applicants through the submission process in coordination with our regional PADCED office. Um and I think we're going to move on to the other loan programs as well and take the questions as a bundle if any. Uh the Bethlehem Small Business Loan Fund, we call the BSBLF,
uh is on pages numbered pages 22 to 25. This incentive is administered by Rising Tide Community Loan Fund and small business owners located in the city can access loans for acquisition of property, new construction, expansion, and equipment. Multiple funding sources
comprise this this loan fund in 2025. The {quote} return to the city is through job creation, economic development benefits, and direct dollar investment resulting from the supported projects. In 2025, there was one small
business that received the incentive. Total value of that that incentive of the incentive received by taxpayers was estimated at $24,412. Of the number of BSBLF funded projects, apart from the aforementioned, that was
a newly funded, six remain active in 2025, meaning their their loans continue. Following recent staff changes at Rising Tide, we're working closely with the fund to ensure the continued success and
continuity of this program moving forward. Details regarding the Business Infrastructure Development or BID program are on numbered pages 26 to 28. The goal of the BID program is to provide loans to private companies or developers for the construction,
rehabilitation, or repair of infrastructure improvements on privately owned property, uh which improvements are necessary to complement industrial investment by private companies, which increases Pennsylvania's share of domestic and international commerce and creates or hopes to create
new net jobs or net new jobs. The BID revolving loan fund is funded by grant to loans from the Commonwealth. The city loans out this money and the loan repayment goes back into the fund. The recycled loan funds are then made available to eligible applicants. As we've noted previously, the dollars in
question are legacy dollars that go back to the late 1990s and no loans out of the BID fund were approved in 20 2025. And with that, I'm happy to take any questions regarding the loan funds. >> Ms. Daniels, did you have any questions?
Mr. Amund? >> Just one question. You mentioned whether your feeling or the department's feeling that the enterprise zone loan program seems to be underutilized or heavily underutilized. What would be your your reason or your opinion that that is the case?
>> Sure. So, the dollars the legacy dollars that are kind of still attached to that loan fund, you know, had previously funded projects. One that I think I hope you would all know is the the PIE incubator facility in the south side. And so, that, you know, that that project, which I think was constructed
in 20 >> 13 >> 2013. Those loan funds are still attached to that project that was an agreement between the city and the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation. And then prior to that, it funded two projects which has since closed out. So,
it's just a matter of again closing out this this project from PIE and and, you know, hopefully returning those funds into what they should be revolving. >> Understood. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> So, just to clarify, that means that um there there really isn't there really
aren't funds if somebody wanted to borrow right now from that particular program because they're still awaiting repayment. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um that's helpful to understand. Um and then is that the same reason why um
the BID is also that there've been there's been no loaning. It's still >> Yeah, to to my understanding um and and I'll have to check with our business administrator. I wasn't able to prior to this meeting. I think there's you know not a significant amount of BID dollars
left. I mean, I think if we had certainly um available funds to continue the program. It it is the fact that it's those legacy dollars that you know were given to us. Um, I think this one was by the Commonwealth. So. >> And then that I did notice that um
uh in the the Rising Tide um that there there was not a CDBG um Now I'm losing my I'm losing my spot. >> Sure. >> in here. Uh uh Um I'm sorry.
>> I think the the short answer if I'm predicting your question is that there are no new CDBG dollars that have gone into that program. >> Right. Yeah, and last year there was there was not >> Right. Correct. >> Yeah, okay. No new CDBG dollars. >> And is that is that sort of the plan for the future just in terms of prior
shifting priorities and limited CDBG funds and >> Um as Shawn mentioned, we're kind of sort of actively evaluating how the program is operating and especially with their new um staff over there at Rising Tide. Yeah. But I will say Rising Tide, they do
incredible work and their small business loan program is funded from a number of other funding sources. So, the city component is is one piece of it, but it's um you know, it's an active program even you know outside of the city dollars, which is important to note.
>> Well, thank you very much for bringing this information to us. Were there any closing questions from either members? Okay, great. Thank you very much. This meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you. Part: 2
Oh, you look good. >> Thank you. I'm a >> We were I got to dress up for work. >> Good evening. We're going to get started with our meeting this evening. I'd like to ask for everyone to please rise for the pledge to the flag
to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The clerk will call the role. >> Mr. Aean, >> present. >> Mr. Callahan,
>> present. >> Mr. Cologne, >> present. >> Miss Daniels, >> present. >> Miss Quiet, >> present. >> And Miss Lair, >> present. Prior to the consideration of our regular agenda items, city council will be conducting a public hearing tonight to accept public comment concerning
proposed zoning text amendments that would modify the definition of hotel in the zoning ordinance so as to include transient guests who are defined as individuals renting lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The amendments
would have the effect of excluding short-term rentals in residential districts where hotels are prohibited. Other proposed amendments A. Modify the definition of boarding house to maintain consistency with the
modified definition of hotel. B amend article 1307 relating to the workforce housing incentive to include the CL district. and C. Revise article 1318 section 26 to prohibit multiple single family
detached dwellings on the same lot among districts. Um, this public hearing is forformational purposes only. There will be no vote during the public hearing. In connection with this public hearing, there are two communications. The clerk will now read them. Communication 6A, a
June 17th memorandum from Kathy Fletcher, director of planning and zoning, recommending approval of zoning text amendments intended to clarify short-term rental regulations, add the limited commercial zoning district under the workforce housing incentive, and
limit one single family dwelling per residential lot. The city's planning commission voted 5 to zero on July 11th, 2026 to recommend approval of uh correction that' be June
11th, I believe, 2026 to recommend approval of these amendments. And then communication 6B, a June 29th, 2026 correspondent from Jacob Weinberg, a community and regional planner with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Mr. Weinberg states that updating the
definition of hotels and transient guests at hotels and treatment centers to include the time frames that constitute a stay quote encourages an efficient development process that is responsive to regional needs unquote by adding clarification. Additionally, the
proposals to expand the areas where workforce housing incentives apply and limiting the number of single family detached dwellings to one per lot help to quote provide a wide variety of attainable housing in locations that maximize social and economic
opportunities for everyone unquote. >> This public hearing is called to order. I will now recognize a representative from the administration to address this matter. Good evening everyone. Um I'm Kathy Fletcher. I'm the director of planning
and zoning here at the city and I'll be walking us through these text amendments to get the public hearing started. Um but before we get into the amendments, I just wanted to give you a little bit of background of why we're here today. Um, periodically the planning and zoning
bureau will put together a package of unrelated text amendments rather than a one-off um, use case scenario. Um, so, you know, as we're going about our regular business, different cases will show up as we're applying the zoning
ordinance where we can identify areas that can be um, improved for clarity or where there might be unintended consistencies. So this is an example of when we work with our law bureau to um package together a set of amendments to
move through the process all at once. Um so that's what we're going to be doing today. So, um, also just to go over the process, um, what's in front of you today was included as a communication in the city's June 2nd city council meeting
and has since been reviewed by both the city's planning commission as well as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission as Mr. Miller just um read out to you all. Um, and both of their letters are included in your packets.
So to walk through um these amendments themselves um sections one through four are related to each other. So, they are all really intending to bring short-term rentals into the definition of a hotel. And
that's really clarifying that stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days are considered transient lodging. And it also allows us to ensure that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs or similar are only permitted where hotels are
currently permitted. Um, and to this date, we've been treating Airbnbs basically as hotels rather than um, family residences, which is permitted by the PA zoning case law, but that has not clearly been codified in our own zoning
ordinance. So, this is really um, clearly providing that definition to better enforce these uses. Section five is more of a standalone um and that is expanding the workforce housing incentive to include the limited
commercial CL district. And what workforce housing incentive really does is it provides flexibility in projects that include housing that is affordable to households that are earning 80% or less of the area
median income. So, it's really targeting that affordable housing component. and [snorts] aligning um adding this district better aligns the ordinance with the city's broader housing and affordability goals. And then lastly um section six clarifies
that only one principle single family detached dwelling is permitted on a single lot. And um that's not changing any other regulations. That's also just a clarification as well. And that concludes my presentation.
Thank you. I will now invite uh members of council to comment. Does anyone to my right have comments or questions? Anyone to my left? Mr. Thank you, Councilwoman Lard. The only
question I had as it relates to changing definitions and you know we talk about essentially Airbnbs only being allowed where hotels are. Do these changes have any effect on the city's ability to
enforce current ordinances? >> The current zoning ordinance as it stands >> or is it simply just clarification? >> It's really it's really clarifying um because we have been aligning with what we are proposing now but this is really
giving us more teeth to go through the process of enforcement. >> Understood. Thank you. questions. >> Any other questions? Comments? Okay, I will now recognize the public for comment. I turn to my left. Anyone?
>> Mr. Haynes. [clears throat] >> Yeah, thank you very much. I'm Bruce Haynes from uh 63 West Church Street. I'm the managing partner of the historic Hotel Betham, but also resident of the historic district. And I'm I'm here
tonight actually to 100% reinforce uh what the city is doing here. I we have been uh I know you're shocked but uh this is something that as as residents we have been fighting the intrusion of Airbnb into our historic
district for the last 10 years at least. Actually, we have our council here, Tim Stevens, who has been with us along that way as uh constantly we have we have the threats where people come in and and
open an Airbnb and then we have to take them to to task and um the ordinances that are in place right now, this does it's the same. It's there's no change. But what this does is it helps us in
court to to solidify you know the to make our cases stronger. You know we we have gone in multiple cases. This is like whack-a-ole where people want to come in and all of a sudden open an Airbnb whether it's somebody that lives here who used to rent their apartment to
someone who lived and worked here and all of a sudden it became an Airbnb overnight and and the person that lived and worked here got kicked out and the Airbnb air people who were coming in for the weekends, transient guests were staying there. Um so that's against the
current ordinance. there's no change, but you know, we would have to, you know, bring the case to the city that this is occurring and then typically we would have to take the case personally and and actually then we've gone at
least two times to the highest court and we've won all the cases, but it's cost us a lot of money and a lot of time and typically and we've versus I don't think we've lost a case. we've won them all, but some of them take three and four years and they just continue to operate
while that's going on because they because they've they signed up for the court thing. So, this is great. It's going to help those cases to be a lot stronger. Uh make it less likely that some attorney will take something on uh
knowing that the ordinance is he doesn't have some quirk in there to to go after. So, I really am here to reinforce it and it's more important than ever right now because um you know uh the hotel has started promoting last fall after we got
number one Main Street um um hotels five years in a row America's number one best historic hotel nationally. So, we're nationally known now and have been for some years. Actually, yesterday we kicked off uh the sixth year voting is
going on for the next month. photoelbe.com every day. Uh but basically we started our national marketing campaign last year after we got number one main street which we were working on as the travel agents came to the hotel to see the hotel. We would
show them Main Street and tell them we should be number one Main Street. And soon sure enough, one of the travel agents was put not writers, not agents, travel writers, got put on the committee for USA Today and nominated us two years ago and we went all the way to number
one in the first year and won it again this year. So after we got it last year, we already had a number one best hotel and in 24 with the World Heritage, we're now, you know, come visit America's number one best historic hotel on number one Main Street with a World Heritage
site. And um we started that advertising campaign in the last summer. Uh our results started to show in in the in the fourth quarter. our draw our leisure traveler business was up n 9% in
the fourth quarter and the sec in the first quarter was up 12% with the quarter we just finished it was up 20% and our advanced bookings for the rest of the year are up 30%. So, so it's happening. We're now going to be a tourist destination. We're making it
happen. And the thing is when that happens, that attracts investors from out of town to come and buy homes and turn them into Airbnbs. And and similar to what happened on the southside with investors coming in and buying homes for student housing. And so you're you're
really destroying your neighborhoods and you're reducing your housing stock for uh you know for affordable housing. So this is really important and it's more important than ever now that we're going to become a true tourist destination is
for heritage travelers. So thank you very much for uh considering this and supporting the administration's position. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anyone else to my left like to speak? Hi, my name is Mike Staer. I live in
Bethlehem. I didn't know that this was on the agenda. I have to real quick tell you the Hotel Bethlehem is a jewel. It's a treasure of Bethlehem. So much so that sometimes my wife and I when we have a perfectly good place to sleep, we go there just to check in and just enjoy
it. So, it's it's awesome. Um, I really what caught my eye here was um uh I'm and I'm not expert by any means, but if I'm reading this right, there's an emphasis on limiting lots to one single family dwelling per
residential lot. That's good. That's stability. That's a very good thing. I hope I'm reading that right because it seems like in the past few years there's been like almost a rush and an urgency to develop and almost cram in as many
people as possible through you know through every conceivable way of building and bringing people in and and um I think I've spoken a couple times. Um, what worries me about that is it begins to change the nature and the feel
of Bethlehem from a town, right? We all know what it is. It's, you know, how like sometimes you can't describe exactly what something is and you just say, you know what it is. Well, anybody that has lived in Bethlehem for more than 10 years, you know what Bethlehem's
about. Sometimes you can't describe it, but there is a difference when you go from the far side of Allentown through Bethlehem all the way to the far side of Easton. You go from a metropolis to a town back to a metropolis. And my my
heart and my my concern has always been that what makes Bethlehem a place that people want to live that we don't open it up so much that we lose what makes it a place where you want to live. And to do that, you have to have stability. So,
this is a a great thing. The second thing I wanted to come here originally to talk about was um I've noticed um my best perception and again I always prelude things by saying I could be wrong. Okay, I always put the caveat out
there that I I may I hope I'm seeing this right. Um just in the last few years um it just seems like many times when conversations come up about housing um land use things like that uh I see
the words constantly um that if more if there's more development it's celebrated. It's always it's almost always seen as a good thing. In the private work world, you always have to use two benchmarks when you're keeping a
metric because they keep each other honest. So, what I want to encourage council and the mayor if he sees this um to take into consideration is as we as we move into the next few months and next few years
in our city that anytime we're evaluating, talking about, looking at, considering, working with, and discussing the topic of housing, affordability, more units. that that is not the sole
thing that's looked at when we're measuring and evaluating something but that there will always be a counterbalance called quality of life. Right? So what that means is let's say theoretically
somebody develops you know a 100 unit 100 unitit dwelling in the next two years that that has you know a certain percentage of affordable housing. It's stable. it it blends in well. And initially there would almost be a knee-jerk reaction I think among a lot
of people to immediately celebrate that and say, "Wow, look at what we accomplished. Look at what the mayor led us into." But my request is that we don't do that without also at the same time keeping in
mind, yeah, but how does that affect quality of life? Buttown Road, if you put up a a 50unit dwelling in the next two months and increase housing, that could be celebrated as a great thing. But if you
would look at quality of life and look at traffic and congestion, for example, that would kind of kind of you need to balance out the effect of what you're doing. So, I hope I'm articulating that right. But I just encourage council um
who I respect um going forward to maybe consider always in the back of your mind and I'm not saying you don't do that right now but um always keeping in mind quality of life and how that's affected
by what is celebrated as growth. So thank you very much. >> Thank you Mr. Staer. Anyone else to the left? Okay. Anyone in the broad center on the topic of the hearing? >> This is just for the hearing.
>> Yes. Anyone to the right? >> Yes. [clears throat] Hi. Uh, I'm Stefan Shidy. I'm a local resident. I live right on Wall Street. And initially, I had not planned to speak like my preceding speaker.
However, our neighborhood and Mr. Haynes, I think you alluded to that and I would just encourage you to take a positive view on this matter because my neighbors really fought very hard for this change. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else to the right?
>> Excuse me. I found out I'm a little deaf. I don't understand what this first meeting is about. Is this about having space between houses where trees can grow? >> No, this this is a a hearing on some
zoning text amendment changes about um hotels uh hotel definition. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Not talking about the buffer yards. >> We are not talking about the buffer yards. >> Can I come back and talk about that later? Yes, that would be the next uh
section. >> Okay. Anyone else on the topic of the uh the hearing? Okay. Uh proposed ordinance will be placed on the July 21st agenda for first reading. And that concludes uh this
public hearing which is now adjourned. Moving on to our normal uh city council business. Uh the approval of minutes. Do any council members have comments on the minutes from June 2nd, 2026 or the minutes on the comment session that was
held on June 16th, 2026? Hearing none, the minutes stand approved for both of these dates. We now move on to our first public comment section for our general meeting. Uh the first section will be on subjects
which are not being voted on this evening with a 5m minute time limit. As a note uh because there was some confusion uh in the community communication 6R regarding the buffer yard protections is not being introduced for voting tonight. It is a
communication. So, if you're here to make comment on that topic this evening, which uh two of you at least I know are, um that would be in this comment section that we are not voting on tonight. Um I will begin by calling on those who
signed up in advance. So, we have uh Deborah Condan, I believe it is. Thank you. >> Good evening. So, I'm Deborah Condan. I live in 903 Spring Street. So, not far up the hill here. Um, I did send an an
email to each of you, but I wanted to publicly say this is a really important uh point and I thank uh Councilwoman um Joe Daniels for for bringing this forward. But um I am a 19-year resident of Bethlehem City and within the past
year I've been following several of the zoning board meetings um and the involving the developers and their proposals um for establishments in West Bethlehem where I live. And I'm extremely pleased about the green buffer
yard amendment that you are proposing for review. I believe every resident uh deserves equal environmental protection regardless of their dwelling type. I live in one of those twin homes on Spring Street, the 1918 ones where the
steel workers lived below the bigger houses up the hill that have those built-in buffer zones already. [snorts] Um so I really want to voice my support of this um amendment. Um I I think it
really falls in quickly too with what the gentleman in blue who uh was saying too about the quality of life which sometimes scares me a little bit because I think sometimes we're losing that and the I just want to point out two sentences or three that I thought were
fantastic in this amendment that historically Bethlehem's twin homes were built to house those steel workers the factory workers and the immigrant families whose labors built this city and they still build this city though in many ways. Um and these are these
neighborhoods uh remain the home for many of the workingclass uh citizens and and residents. Um it does scare me when we talk about um some of the uh developers that are coming in and we already feel that squish feelings and
what they're selling their homes for, what their uh rents are are way more than I can guarantee you what the mortgages that we pay on in in my block. Um, and so I also like that I said as a result of the ordinances current distinction disproportionately affects
neighborhoods where lower income and minority residents are concentrated. I'll add that I'm just recently um uh retired which is great but it's also fixed income too. [laughter]
So, um, a lot of this is is felt and the residents who live in our historic twin homes and the row houses which fill those neighborhoods um deserve the same consideration and protections afford it to the residents of the detached and and single homes. Um, so thank you very much
and thank you to uh uh Joe Daniels. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next uh signed up speaker is uh Arty Curatola. >> Hi, I'm Arty Curatollah aka J Creed. Google my name, you'll find that I'm an
internationally known writer and performing artist born in the USA in Bethleam, PA. Again, I like to bring up that I'm blacklisted to perform music and comedy for well over seven years now at Arts Quest for exercising my freedom
of speech without the use of any street talk or acts of violence to one of their higher officials who I hurt his feelings so bad that he called the police that when the police came to the scene, they laughed at him when he said, "I want
that straight man arrested." Anyway, no arrests were made. So, he cried to his mama, coworker, supervisor, head of Arts Quest, who probably said something like, "Wipe the tears from your eyes, my son. Don't worry, my little one. We will take
care of that Gentile and cut off his Gentiles. We will no longer beat up slaves or behead them because we can psychologically make Unix out of them. We will have him borrowed for life from
Performing Arts Quest. Find it very hard to find work in the Lehigh Valley. >> Mr. Kira, our solicitor would like to address you. >> Sure. What? >> Statements of attribution are not permitted during public comment >> of attri. What do you mean by that?
>> Could we stop the clock? We're having a controversy. >> Stop the clock here. So you're not permitted to attribute statements to others. Speak. You can speak on your own
thoughts and opinions, but please do not >> I can't say what I felt, how it how it was. >> Yes, you absolutely can. What you can't do is attribute commentary to others. >> Probably it probably went down. >> That's speculative and I just ask you to move on. Thank you.
>> Well, that's you know that that's my that's my opinion. That's isn't that my of how I feel? >> The clock is running. Please move on. >> So, okay, I will continue that. And if you got to cut me off, you cut me off.
So, I feel that she probably said that um he's not going to have any work in the Lehigh Valley. Uh because he disrespected a Jew, we will label and brand him
anti-semitic. How dare him to hurt my child how he did here? Take a Kleenex. Take a whole box. At Arts Quest, we're a nonprofit organization. We can't afford it. Take a couple boxes for later. Actually, it will send the truck to your house. We'll
make him think twice about messing with God's chosen people. We will rule the Lehigh Valley next the world. We will take other territories in the Middle East by destroying their lands, overthrowing their governments, and killing the firstborn children. Hell will kill the children so they won't
grow up to not comply to our regulations and goals. Let's kill the mothers so they won't have the little rats. Let's stop the fathers. >> You need to stop now. >> What? >> You may not put words in someone else's mouth. [laughter]
>> Okay. I am not stopping the clock again. >> Okay, >> stop putting words. >> So anyway, we're going to say that the leaders Okay, we can't say the leaders of Israel. We can't put the words in their mouth either. So, okay.
But anyway, but that's okay for them to put the words in our mouths. [clears throat] [laughter] Okay. Uh, so we can't say that that that they're probably saying in Israel, let God sort
them out. We'll kill them all and let God sort them out. We can't say that. Okay. I'm sorry. Uh, we can't say that the that they're saying that the Gentiles eliminated. >> Please stop now. Please have a seat. Thank you.
Well, at any rate, I am the chosen performing artist for the Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society for the Latino artist to perform in the Puerto Rican Day parade. You can see me
on the 19th as you saw me in the Irish parade in St. Patty's Day doing the Irish tenor stuff. I thank you very much for your time. No one else has signed up in advance for this public comment session. I will
now >> ask if anyone to my left has any comments on an item not being voted on this evening. >> Yes, Mr. Ster. >> [snorts] >> I just want to say how much I appreciate
and welcome and love the Jewish people and how welcome they are in our city and how glad I am that they are among us. Just wanted to say that to counterbalance
everything that was said before. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else to my left like to make comment? Start in the front and then I did see your hand in the middle.
>> Thanks. Uh Dr. Michael Pipstone. I live at 11:30 West Market Street. Um, I rise in support of the green buffer yard uh amendment as proposed. Um, I've mentioned before in other settings um how uh green spaces matter for health.
Um, there's lots of actual factual hard evidence that shows that increased green spaces decrease urban heat, decreases heat stroke in um, uh, residents in a large area around those green spaces. Um the comments about air flow and cleaning
our air are uh particularly important um in that we can prove that trees despite the fact that some of them may drop pollen arrest the spread of particulate matter from car exhaust and other pollutants. Asthma rates actually decrease the more
you have green space. These are non-exhaustible public goods for public health. Um it decreases healthcare cost. It decreases emergency room visits. I believe that's the kind of city we want to build here. Just from my medical perspective, I feel that should be on the record and I'm happy to find these
resources and email them to council. Um, additionally, I do appreciate that council was firm in setting boundaries on statements of attribution and inflammatory statements by one of the previous speakers. Um, I would further go so far as to say that while people
may have a right to speak, they don't necessarily have a right to have their voice amplified. And um again um I think the council has every opportunity to consider muting a speaker um or pause the recording on YouTube if things trend
towards hate speech. Again, that's my personal opinion. I leave it to the solicitor to consider the appropriateness of that. Thank you very much. >> Thank you to the woman in the middle row. Thank you. I'm Tammy Rinker. I live at 63015th
Avenue and I simply rise to speak in favor of the green uh barrier amendment that's been offered that's been talked about that's presented by Councilwoman Joe Daniels. Um simply adding uh yet
another voice and presence um to in favor of that. >> Thank you. Anyone else to my left? Anyone in the broad center? I'll start on the the left here. The woman in the
purple shirt. [snorts] Hello, Siona Broughtlight, 412nd Avenue. Um, I echo what we've heard already. I'm here in favor of this important amendment. Thank you, Joe Daniels. And
um same points, airborne particles, noise, glare, storm water runoff, light pollution, urban heat, fire spread, and in general, green spaces. Let's not develop this city to a point where we're
all mortar and brick and stone and all the modern materials they're using, and who knows what allergens and poisons are are in them. But most important is we need our green spaces for the reasons I
stated previously. Um and the amendment is very simple. You know, we already have an ordinance that says we separate it from single dwelling. It doesn't make much sense to distinguish um twin houses or apartments and so on.
It doesn't make sense to me. There's some kind of economic reasoning to that. Let me know. Let the city know before the vote. we'll consider it. Um, but cleaner air, lower heat, so on and so forth, those things are important to Bethlehem, to the quality of life, etc.
Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh, anyone else in the broad center? >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Bill Sher, 1898 Avenue. [clears throat] I'm postponing my final remarks on the
so-called water and sewer bill to speak tonight about something more urgent, the possibility that the zoning hearing board will end up eventually reszoning the west side of Bethlehem, which of course would usurp the power of the city council to determine zoning. First, I
would like to establish some context by citing the food store at the corner of Lynen Street and Johnston Drive, which is in an RR zone, the lease dense residential zone. Decades ago, a special exception was allowed for a roadside
stand. As the years went by, variance after variance was granted, gradually resulting in the sizable market that is now there, still supposedly in a residential zone. A similar process is developing on the west side. The 1200
block of Eaten Avenue is zoned RG, a residential zone that allows to twin houses and row houses, but not apartments. The zoning hearing board has allowed an apartment building to be built, which is normally allowed only in
the RT zone, the densest residential zone. >> [laughter] >> Next, I would site the so-called handover apartments where Bennett Toyota used to be on the border with Hen Town. Excuse me. [laughter]
The zone is CEL which stands for limited commercial. Excuse me. I won't go into the reason for the developers asking to remove the commercial which is a little involved but their request was granted.
This was such an egregious transformation [clears throat] of the character of the property that the city administration sued its own zoning hearing board in court and won. Next, I would site the property at the corner of Mount Area and
Calypso Avenues, which is zone RS. That's the zone between RR and RG. RS only allows single family home zones, single family houses like RR, but allows them on smaller sites.
The zoning hearing bar granted a variance to allow some twin houses jumping the allowed zoning to RG in effect. On top of this, the property is less than 5 acres which is spot zoning which is illegal. Finally, we come to
the corner of Mount Ary and Elliot avenues where a development is proposed that would require the extension of Elliot Avenue. This RR zone is rather large and is in the very southwest
corner of the west side. In their filing with the planning commission, the developers indicate that the plan to ask for a so-called use variance from the zoning hearing board to allow five sets of twin houses,
thereby jumping the zoning from RR through RS all the way to RG. As I see it, the council has three three options. The first would be to inform the zoning hearing board that that if they honor
that request, they should instruct their solicitor to begin begin preparing a defense because they could expect to be sued by the council and or the administration. The second option would be to only express concern about such a variance.
The third option, if you like what is going on and don't mind the invasion of the zoning hearing board into your powers, would be to simply do nothing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Sh. Anyone else in the
broad center? Yes. [clears throat] Terry Kyber, Grand View Boulevard, Bethlehem. In regard to what the gentleman said about Metrop Metropolis to town to metropolis, if you haven't heard by now, BAHX is
submitting new plans for Bennett's lot. So far, plans for the Allentown site have been submitted for two build two buildings with 100 apartments and only 100 parking spaces. So, my concern on that, of
course, is somehow he's going to slither through and get all that he wants to get like he normally does. We did go to the hearing. We did give our comments, but the two variances that they were going for were both allowed by
the city of Allentown. Sllanded roofs, which are not permitted, and only one access where you need two. He's allowed to have only one. So, that's going to change the dynamic as that goes on because it's then going to go to the Bethleam side, which is planning for five buildings with around
310 apartments, I believe it is. So that's going to be seven buildings on that plot of land at Bennett's lot. I live caddy corner to it. So yes, this is near and dear to my heart. And this ugly ugly dragon is rearing its head again. It will change the dynamic from
metropolis to to town to metropolis to metropolis to mini metropolis then to downtown Bethlehem and then to metropolis. So our question our or my concern is the quality of life. We talk about quality
of life, but who really who really enforces it? Five to six story apartments right up against the alley behind our two-story homes. And I mean two-story homes, two-story town houses. The only thing higher than that is two and a halfstory town houses. And there's
only, I think, eight of those. And they're just in a row. So all of our little houses are going to be built like this. And then you're going to have this. And I'm afraid I really am. I mean, we fight it. Our lawyer, Tim Stevens, has been wonderful so far and
has really helped us out. But my concern is, does the city really care planning and zoning, do they really care about the little people? Are they going to see what we see, a monster behind our backyards? Pine trees that were put up 30ome years
ago that are going to probably be torn down and then little trees are going to be put there that we won't ever see grow up because by the time they grow up, we won't be here anymore. So, I just want to bring this up um just to keep it fresh in your minds that yes, the
fight's begun all over again. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Clippber. Anyone else in the broad center in the back row? >> Hi, I'm Carmela Monahan, 209 Mount area in Bethlehem. I just want to agree with the buffer and with this gentleman over
here about quality of life and um you know it's true you're just cramming people in and especially in the heat wave when you cram people in temperature goes up and so do people's temperature and they tend to get a little honory and that's not good either. So the more
space we have the better. So I'm just here to support the the buffer. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mr. Intelix Mr. and Alex [clears throat]
Steven 737 Ridge. Approximately 30 years ago, a private citizen attended a council meeting and during public comment section quite lenally elaborated on a personal personal wish. This person
spoke for over twice the time currently allowed and was not interrupted by council president but in fact was engaged in continued dialogue by the president after they they concluded their comments. The entire event took
approximately 15 minutes. The president of council then composed and mailed to the speaker on official council letterhead advice for or further action. The last council meeting represented a
dramatic change in citizen council member interaction during a public comment section of this of the meetings at approximately a 15 second over the five minute rule. The speaker is ruly
interrupted by the acting council president to cease speaking and then denied a request by the speaker for a brief extension. This interesting a aspect of this event was that the speaker was advising
council with facts how to they could improve southside housing by amending certain definition in the zoning code thereby preventing future single family to student housing conversions.
This topic is of great interest to the acting president as illustrated by their comments and and and publications and for that reason the refusal to allow the speaker to continue prompting a great interest on the speaker's part.
A review of the video of that meeting indicated that the act acting president's attention appeared to be primarily on the cell phone, the computer and not on the speaker. The acting president
attention to the speaker seemed to be very high only before the time limit was reached. Uh [clears throat] an error here. Um I the person
who spoke 30 years ago and the last meeting is the the speaker now. So I can what I'm saying I can say with great accuracy and
I think both examples illustrate the vast deterioration of council member and private citizen relationship over the years. As a secondary check as to my personal opinion of council, I recently emailed
all seven council members the same information and made a prediction as to how many and who would respond. My prediction was 100% accurate. I then contacted a fellow concerned
citizen who's quite aware of council proceedings and solicited their conclusion in comparison to mine. With that exchange of ideas, their response was 100% agreement with
me as to the number and names of those who responded to my email. There's a message there. I have quite a number of times observed quite a number of council meetings where private citizens has stated that council
does not listen to them and a number have ceased to attend for that reason. What happened to force this breakdown and what must happen to restore it? Bill Shy I highly respect
this this is an aside. I had a respect. And he comes to council meetings constantly and and speaks with intelligence. And for that reason, I pay very close attention
to council members. And I have some staring at me right now. But I will say this, Bill was not given the courtesy of that same attention, which I think is a shame. For the record, if you anyone would like
to review last meeting's recording on YouTube, you will note that the speaker was granted additional time and chose to instead comment about how the acting council president would not do it and
sat down. Uh, continuing on and um, please council members, I would also encourage you to take notes, whether that's on paper or on your computers while people are speaking. Notes are great. Um,
anyone else in the broad center? Anyone to the right? That concludes the first public comment section. Oh, we Oh, sorry. I didn't see you behind the chair. Yes, this is when you you Yes. Thank you.
>> Hi, Judith Ross. I live in the yellow house 317 Rock above the Peron uh expansion of a building. Yes, >> microphone. >> Yeah, >> you didn't hear any of that. You're just
lucky. Here it goes. I'm Judith Ross. I live in a yellow house that when I look this way, I see you guys. Yeah. Uh it's above the Peron building and uh I have an alley and I have a street in front of
me and once many years ago, I've been there 40 years. Uh 12point buck walked down that alley. That was very exciting. Uh I've seen foxes, red ones and gray ones. And I didn't know that the gray ones climb trees. Well, we don't have
any trees anymore there, so who cares? Anyway, uh groundhog last year I got bit me to get rabies shots. Uh but he died. Um
and [snorts] um I didn't. And uh let's see. There's wonderful birds that just don't stop singing. I don't know what the else they do. They have nothing to do but seeing uh I'm very lucky. I have
half a view that I had from before the Peron went up, but a spectacular view of Bethlehem and um there's way too many Lehi students living on the south side that I can see from my house. And um why
don't they all why what are what about all those forests? Can't they like live in the Who owns the forest? Does Lehi own the forest? Could they like put their students there and like regular people in like the city? Never mind. I'm
diverting. What the hell is this subject here? Um yeah, I'm for buffers. Um buffers for for for nature. And now we have skunks under the house. Four. I I came
home last night and I saw these white and black things like going like this beautiful fur and it was trying it. It was just a ball and I touched it to help it go up. It couldn't get up the rocks in front of my house. It didn't do
anything like smelly or anything, but it's skunks. So, this is how nature has changed in my We still have a lot of nature around me and uh I'm thrilled with it. There's trees,
plants, and animals and uh squirrels, of course. Okay. I I am not I shouldn't be here [laughter] in a public place. Uh I I'm for buffers. I I I see the
saddest homes I see in the neighborhood have no front, no back, no nothing. Just wind crappy windows and uh and a hard life. And I'm all for
keeping buffers, which involves nature. Uh thank you. I just screwed the whole for everybody. [laughter] >> Thank you. All right. Uh did I miss anybody else?
Okay. Wonderful. So we now move on to our second technically third public uh comment section for the evening. Uh this is on items being voted on tonight. Uh we still have a 5m minute time limit and
uh no one signed up in advance. So I'll jump straight to asking if anyone to my left would like to speak on anything being voted on. Okay. Anyone in the center on items being voted on? Mr. Antalics.
[clears throat] Still stalics. An earlier president of the United States was attacked by conservatives of the Catholic faith for supporting policies contrary to Catholic doctrine
by suggesting that he be denied certain privileges offered to members of the faith. His response was that he had two duties. One as president and the other as a
personal member of the Catholic faith. As prison, he was being faithful to his oath of office and support policies contrary to his faith. Most individuals do not have this problem since most are just private
citizens. Does this rule apply to all elected officials personal will and the will of the people which reigns? Let us examine Beth city council.
Each member can be conflicted by this rule that being voting according to their personal beliefs or vote for what reflects the will and the best interest of the people. One example might be the policy of
retired police officer's ability to purchase a service weapon after retirement. This policy also promotes the safety and well-being of all Betham citizens by putting on the streets a weapon in the hands of a
highly qualified person. How shall we judge a council member who votes a personal opinion which is in conflict with the city tradition and unwittingly on written policy
but also undercuts citizen safety on the streets. The best way for voters to express their solution is probably the voting booth.
Uh but also I want to thank council president acting president for the very direct attention I got this evening on my early comments. So thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Anyone else in the broad center with comment on an item being voted on this evening? Anyone to the right with comment on an item being voted on this evening? Okay,
that concludes public comment. We now move on to old business. Are is there any old business from any members of council to my left? All right. Seeing none, we move to new business. I would like to remind council that new
business is not an open-ended forum uh nor time for adjudication or examination. Uh this section of the agenda exists to formally introduce items to the rest of council. announcements, referring item to committee, or requesting information
from staff or administration. If an item requires such discussion that it's deserving of inclusion on the agenda, it should be submitted per our agenda process, which will help fulfill Sun and shine law requirements um or can be referred to a committee for inclusion on
that agenda. So, with those guidelines in mind, does any council member to my right have new business to discuss? comment if we could. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Daniels. >> Thank you. Um, this is going to be short and sweet. I'd first like to thank
everybody that came out in support of the proposed uh zoning amendment for the buffer yards. Um, and the communication will be read, but in short, it's just a matter of inequity that I felt across the entire city for all residents.
um having all available residential properties included in that buffer yard I think is paramount for a number of reasons many of which you guys have already spoken um during your time at the podium. So again I'd just like to
thank you all for for coming up and speaking out. That's all. >> Anyone else to the right to my right? Okay. Anyone to my left? Mr. Cologne. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Lair. I just want to briefly thank the administration
or whoever handles the internet u the web page content, social media content. I did see that this morning's meeting for the citizens traffic advisory committee had been shared inviting individuals from the community who had to participate to come. I know it's
something we talked about I think recently this calendar year at a meeting and we have over the years. So again, just my thanks to whoever is um posting that content that we're we're sharing that. Thank you. >> Can can you repeat what you just said
about um new business? I'll summarize in saying that um you know new business should be reserved for succinct matters of attention uh or seeking direct answers. But if there's something that really needs an in-depth
dive, then we can go through our agenda submission process or uh request a a committee meeting to to deep dive. >> Sure. >> Thank I just want to make sure that we still have the opportunity to speak about issues that come up not not in depth but broadly.
[clears throat and snorts] >> Yes, of course. >> Um I have two things I um number one I had um over uh Fourth of July I don't know who can handle this but there's a city flag pole I guess over at the Lehigh Little League like it's a giant flag
pole used to be a giant flag flying from it. So I had a couple calls on it. I don't know if it's I don't know if it belongs to Lehi Little League or if it belongs to the city, but they were asking why. There's no flag up there anymore. So, there used to be I guess you used to be able to see it. I I remember seeing it a few times when I
was golfing over at MUN. So, there used to be a huge flag, American flag up there. It's it's it's not a normal size flag pole. It's very large. It almost looks like a um like a Verizon. >> It's because it's not a flag pole. It's a cell tower. Oh, that's that's what I
was thinking. >> Which is why and I think that actually goes back to when maybe even Mr. Karp was here, but I think we had we had to take it down because it was a cell tower and not a flag pole. >> I I just had a couple of veterans that asked me by. I didn't know. >> I believe that I think that's that's what the story is there.
>> So, we can't use it as a flag pole from this point on. >> I I haven't revisited. Like I said, I believe and I'd have to go back. I think this was probably around 2014, 2015 that because I mean everybody liked it. It was a huge flag and it helped to hide the cell pole, but uh I believe that's
what we were told is that it was something that was unable to be used. >> Yeah. I mean, if we could check on it. If we can't use it, I understand. Yeah. I was just I just want to get back to them. >> We'll we'll look it up. >> Thank you. The the last thing is I I just wanted to um state that um last
meeting I I had said that I was going to send a letter to Miss Quitech asking for uh a formal letter asking again um for the last three months uh if we could possibly have a committee meeting dealing with some of the issues that were discussed at the uh last uh council
meeting and I haven't heard any reply back. So >> there was a memo. >> There was >> I didn't get it. I I had issues with my uh Mr. Miller will will um will attest to it. I haven't I had problems with my email. >> That's correct. And it was also sent
then to your personal email as well. >> It was all right. So maybe it went to junk or something. I don't know. Um I'll look for it. Was it Was it sent recently? >> Yes, within the last few days. >> Oh, yeah. >> That would have been since Monday, Tuesday. >> Thank you. I'll look for it then. Thank
you. Could Could you send it again? Well, you know what? I I'll look for if I can't find it, I'll just have you >> one pass. >> Yeah, please. >> And that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other council members
have new business for tonight? >> Right, that concludes new business. Moving on to communications. We do have many communications this evening because of combining two agendas. Uh you got your water ready? >> I do.
>> All right. Uh clerk, please begin with uh communication 6C. >> A June 9th, 2026 memorandum and proposed resolution from DCEED business manager Tiffany Whismer. Miss Whismer recommends an agreement with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to implement
meeting efforts for groups and subcommittees for the Bethlehem Business Community through December 31st, 2026. The cost is $80,000. There are no renewals. >> Resolution 10A is on the agenda. 6D. A June 10th, 2026 memorandum from
city solicitor John of Spark Jr. with an attached amendment number one to a use permit agreement and resolution. Permit is Arts Quest and the event is 2026 soccerfest. The amended agreement lists numerous activities that occur on various times and dates on June 11th,
20th, 21st, and July 7th depending on the outcome of play. The premises will be first street from Pulk Street to the eastern terminus and Founders Way between First and Second Streets and First Street from Founders Way to the Eastern Terminus. Additional traffic lane restrictions may be necessary in
the area depending on the venues. Amendment one delineates and affirms these actions. >> Resolution 10B is on the agenda. >> 6E. A June 29th, 2026 memorandum from city solicitor John Burke Jr. with an attached amendment number two to a use
permit agreement and resolution. Permit is Arts Quest in the event is 2026 correction 2026 soccer fest. The action is to ratify an amended agreement that removed one location and allowed use of one uh first street from Pulk Street to
the Eastern terminus and Founders Way between First and Second Streets from 9:00 a.m. until midnight on July 6th. Resolution 10C is on the agenda. >> 6F, a June 10th, 2026 memorandum from city solicitor John of Spur Jr. with an
attached use permit agreement and a resolution. Permit is arts quest in the event is the 2026 Sabore Latin Festival. The action is to ratify approval involving activities that occurred from 4 to 11 p.m. on June 26th and 27th.
Premis was First Street from Founders Way to the Eastern Terminus. Resolution 10D is on the agenda. >> 6G, a June 10th, 2026 memorandum from city solicitor John F. Spark Jr. with an attached use permit agreement and
resolution. Permit is arts quest in the event is 2026 Independence Day celebration. The action is to ratify approval involving activities that occurred from 3 to 11 p.m. on July 4th. Premises were First Street from Pulk Street to the Eastern Terminus and
Founders Way between First and Second Streets. >> Resolution 10E is on the agenda. >> 6H, a June 29th, 2026 memorandum from city solicitor John F. Spark Jr. with an attached use permit agreement and resolution. Permit is arts quest and the
event is the 2026 one earth regg reggae fest. The action is to approve activities occurring from noon to 1:30 a.m. on July 11th and 12th. Premises are First Street and Pulk Street to the eastern terminus and Founders Way between First and Second Streets.
>> Resolution 10G is on the agenda. >> 6 I, a June 30th, 2026 memorandum from city solicitor Johnsburg Jr. with an attached use permit agreement and a resolution. Permit is Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce by and through its downtown Bethlehem
Association and the event is America 250, a Bethlehem block party. The action is to approve activities occurring from noon to 5:00 p.m. on July 12th. Premises is Main Street from Broad Street to the Hotel Bethlehem parking lot entrance.
>> Resolution 10F is on the agenda. 6J, a June 10th, 2026 memorandum and proposed ordinance from budget and finance director Lenny Lazarek. The adjustment is uh in the general fund budget will recognize 2026 revenue generated from
two agreements with Bethlehem Tempo LLC that were previously approved by city council and appropriate them to the expense accounts. First agreement will increase revenue account number 001A hyphen 30501
rents right of way by $1,000 and appropriate the $1,000 to expense account number 0508-42060 public works grounds maintenance. Second agreement will increase revenue account number 001A
30501 rents right away by 1,00 $103,000 and appropriate $103,000 to expense account number 0801-42083 transfer to non-utility where it will be
placed in Greenway account in memo two of two >> ordinance 9B is on the agenda. >> 6K. A June 10th, 2026 memorandum and proposed ordinance from budget and finance director Lenny Lazarek.
Adjustment in the capital budget will recognize 2026 revenue generated from two sources. A $250,000 grant from DCNR. Account number 006A 3514 and the $103,000 transferred from the
general fund listed as cash balance account number 006A hyphen 308901 in memo one of two. Full amount of both revenue sources will be appropriated to account number 6999-
662063 South Greenway uh South Bethlehem Greenway and in parenthesis that's South uh New and West Third. >> Ordinance 9 C is on the agenda. 6L a
June 10th 2026 memorandum and proposed resolution from Laura Collins director of community and economic development. Miss Collins recommends an agreement with Spilman Farmer of Bethlehem provide final design and engineering for the 11 unit non-
congregate emergency family shelter at 232 and 234 Westpacker Avenue. Cost is $210,000. Work is to be completed by March 31st of 2027. There are no renewals.
>> Resolution 10i is on the agenda. >> 6M, a June 3rd, 2026 memorandum from Police Chief Michelle Cot with an attached resolution and agreement for the purchase of a duty weapon by retired officer of the Bethlehem Police Department. Pursuant to the third class
city code, retired officers may purchase their duty firearms at fair market value. Resolution 10J is on the agenda. >> 6N, a June 3rd, 2026 memorandum from Police Chief Michelle Cot with an attached resolution and agreement for the purchase of a duty weapon by a
retired officer of the Bethleam Police Department. Pursuant to the third class city code, retired officers may purchase their duty firearms at fair market value. >> Resolution 10K is on the agenda. 60. A June 23rd, 2026 memorandum from Steven
Palone, Superintendent Water Supply Treatment. Mr. Palone recommends an agreement with Custom A Services LLC of Marietta, Pennsylvania for the removal, transportation, and disposal of residuals from one of two water treatment plant lagoons for each of two
years. Cost of the contract is $26,250 for 2026 and another $26,250 for 2027. Contract would run through December 31st of 2027. After the initial two years of the contract, the city has the option to
renew for six additional years with mutual consent to the vendor and city. Maximum dollar value of these renewals would be $1,650,000 assuming no price increase over the lifetime of the renewals. >> Resolution 10L is on the agenda.
>> 6P. A June 29th, 2026 memorandum and proposed resolution from Police Chief Michelle Cot regarding special event parking during musicfest 2026. Time period will be from 12 pm on Friday, July 31st through 11:59 p.m. on
Sunday, August 9th. Northside and Southside provisions are proposed and are detailed on a map that is attached as an exhibit. >> Resolution 10M is on the agenda. >> 6Q, a June 30th, 2026 memorandum from Laura Collins, director of community and
economic development, requesting that public hearing be set for July 21st, 2026. Hearing will review funding recommendations to council of 1,370,39 in community development block grant
funds and $388,3810 in home investment partnership program allocations for 2026. Memo requests passage of a resolution by council at its July 21st meeting. I will accept a motion and a second to schedule
a public hearing for 7 p.m. on July 21st in town hall. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> I. >> Miss Quiet. >> I.
>> Mr. Aman. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> I. Motion passes. 6. 6R a June 10th, 2026 memorandum and proposed ordinance from Councilwoman Joc
Daniels proposing amendments to section 1318.23 of the city's zoning ordinance. Miss Daniels proposed amendments involve extensive extension of buffers yard protection to semi- detached and attached dwellings.
I will accept a motion and a second to schedule a community development committee meeting to discuss uh the proposed zoning text amendment. >> So >> second discussion
>> question can you mic >> oh I'm sorry >> would the environmental committee also be involved in that? Um the EAC is what you're referring to, right? Uh so they uh did receive the
memo, I'm aware, um and can discuss it at their meeting. They're also certainly welcome to come to a committee meeting uh and make comment at that committee meeting as well. >> Okay. I was speaking of um the human resource and environmental committee.
Ah um that committee has a very in my opinion confusing name and it's my understanding that the committee deals more with the built environment than zoning and green space uh issues. Is
that correct? That's what I've always been told. Anyone able to speak to that? Typically zoning issues I know go to C CD. >> That would be accurate. I think the creation of the committee going back to when Councilman Dolan got elected in 2005 was the idea that there was no
place but that was also before the AC existed um and also before the climate action plan existed and things like that there was no sustainability coordinator. So I think that is when actually was changed at some point in 2006 I think during her first term. Um but uh it
predated when she created the AC um so I think that's the origin of when it occurred. Um but since then I think from a practical point of view since things are often just discussed as far as through the climate action plan and things like that but I can't speak for
council's own but I'm saying from a practical point of view there's been different places now whereformational things are able to be discussed um that it's taken away some of the need for that but that just is what I think I saw during the 14 years when I was there. >> Thank you for the historical context.
>> Uh so council >> woman if I may. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I think the community economic development committee would be the primary committee to review a zoning text amendment. I don't have the committee assignments in front of me, but there may already be some overlap. And just like every other committee meeting, full council is welcome to come
and participate. We just wouldn't be voting members. And committees are just advisory anyway because it's not a quorum of >> council. I was just wondering because it touches on both, but >> yeah. Uh, do you have a request for one or the
other, >> Miss Daniels? >> Sorry, >> that's okay. As the >> we can keep it with the uh economic development. >> Okay. Further discussion then on the motion. The motion remains the same. Yes.
>> I just had a question of process for the earlier definitions. We had received feedback from the city planning commission and Lehigh Valley planning commission. That's and this I guess would be for the administration or Mr. Miller. I honestly don't remember. This will get referred
to them just like any other text amendment. Correct. And we'll have that feedback by the time we would vote on anything. >> Yes. >> There will be communication. Um, in speaking with council president Leon, >> uh, we
said we'll, uh, have the committee meeting and if there's any tweaks or adjustments, uh, that next version would be sent to the planning commissions for their they have a 30-day window uh, to
be able to comment. >> Understood. Thank you. >> Any further discussion? And then just to clarify um at that point um since this is a zoning text amendment we would then have a hearing um prior to
a meeting just like we did tonight for the other zoning text amendments. Correct. Yes. The the only difference for what we usually see uh here is that uh this zoning text amendment actually is coming out of council instead of
coming out of the administration. um which is just typical uh that the other way is typical but this is fine too. So uh we the rest of the process we'll will go just as we typically see. Anything else?
Okay. Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels >> I. Miss >> I. >> Mr. Aean I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne I. >> And Miss Lair. >> I. Motion passes 6. That concludes communications. Uh, thank
you, Mr. Miller. [gasps] Moving on to reports. Uh, there's nothing for the council president's report tonight. Uh, does the mayor have anything to report? >> Uh, yeah. I have one administrative order here. Uh, I hereby [clears throat] reappoint Joy Cohen of 1057 Powdermill
Road to membership on the city planning commission. This appointment is effective through June 2031. administrative order appointing Joy Cohen to the planning commission. Uh resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Quitech. >> Is there any discussion from council?
>> I just would like to make a comment that I always love seeing uh fellow Girl Scouts come before us in in these different roles. So uh the clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> Hi. >> Miss Quiet. >> Hi. >> Mr. Aman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. Hi
>> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Uh and then just a couple of uh uh reports to pass along. One is I want to thank Miss Collins and Mr. Tuluo and everybody worked at on the opening doors meeting that was held on June 24th. It's available on the website. Um
thank you to those of you that uh came to the meeting. Um just as a uh review uh we they talked about the Western Gateway project, the Eastern Gateway project, the Choice Project, as well as the current um initiatives we have that helped to keep people in their homes, both housing rehab uh led and healthy
homes and also the rental assistance. And I know later on today um we are voting on the uh uh design and engineering for Packer Avenue connected to our uh homelessness initiative. So we can certainly answer questions at that point. Um, also uh just a update last
week obviously we had the heat. Um, so what we had done Wednesday, Thursday, Friday was that for the neighborhood pools, not Memorial. Um, but for the neighborhood pools, we let people in for free after 400 p.m. Uh, the only one of those pools that filled up from the
neighborhood pools was Yasco. And I think that happened on one of the three days, maybe two of the three days. uh Memorial, which we uh as in previous years did not let people in for free at any point, uh reached capacity at about 3 pm all three days. Um but I want to
thank the lifeguards. I want to thank Miss Evans. I want to thank our public works staff. Like just the increased use means more chlorine. You have to test the chemicals more. There's more people there than you might necessarily ideally want to necessarily look at. So lifeguards have to work more as far as shifts are concerned. And they were able
to handle it. But it is not a small undertaking for 17, 18, 19, 20 year olds. Um, and you know, other than having a couple of problems, if you if you add up the total capacity of all the pools there, um, I think you're looking at somewhere around 1500 people, if you
look at all four of our neighborhood pools plus Memorial. Um, so the neighborhood pools are about 250, I think it is, maybe a little bit less, and the Memorial's a little bit over 500, just around. Um, so you're looking at several thousand people there over those three days. Um, and uh, so I just wanna I want to thank I want to thank
everybody that helped to make that happen. Um, then also on uh, next uh, let me just make sure I get my date right here. We are doing our um, disability pride flag raising at 11 p.m. out I mean 11:00 a.m. out on uh, Payroll
Plaza on Friday, July 24th. Uh, this is the second year we're doing that. Um, if you have an opportunity to come by um, last year we did it. Um, and it's we're doing a little bit differently this year. Miss Santor and I have worked with a lot of our um, uh, disability advocates in the community to talk about
what they wanted it to look like. So, if you have an opportunity to come out, please do. I know everybody's got jobs, everybody's busy. Um, but it it should be a should be a good morning. [snorts] Um, and then finally, just a reminder, tomorrow weather looks pretty good. We are having our block party community engagement over at Clear View Park. Um,
so that will be 6:00 to 8. Um, and then next Wednesday we'll be out at Madison Park and South Bethlehem from 6:00 to 8 having the same block party community engagement having to do with the rebuilding of those two parks. And then Bernie Fritz is the last Wednesday in July from 6 to 8, Bernie Fritz night as
well. So next three of the next four Wednesdays, we'll be having our block parties to both um talk about what's going to happen with our parks and also gather engagement. So, you'll have city staff there um as well as our external um consultant that is helping to do all of the final design and engineering
there as well. So, if you have an opportunity um to get out uh to any of those days, they're always they're always a good time and we'll have an opportunity to talk to neighbors um and we will all we will all be there. So, I believe that concludes my my report. Council President, >> thank you, Mayor. I now will recognize
Miss Quiet, uh chair of the community development committee for her report. The community development committee met this evening at 6 p.m. in town hall. The committee discussed one agenda item, the 2026 fair hearing report. The committee held the annual financial accountability
incentive reporting fair hearing required by article 349 and reviewed economic development incentive reports submitted by the administration. The meeting was forformational purposes only and no actions were taken. Hillary Guotech, chairperson, community
development committee. Thank you, Councilwoman. I'll now recognize Mr. Cologne, chair of the finance committee, for his report. >> The finance committee is going to meet on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 before our next city council meeting. So, it'll be
at 6 p.m. here in town hall. That's going to be to review a proposal to restructure some existing general fund debt. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. There are no ordinances for final passage. So we will now move to new
ordinances. Uh clerk, please read bill number 19206. >> An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehi and Northampton, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending article 1731 titled inspections and amending article 119 titled
registration, sale and transfer of real estate of the city of Bethlehem codified ordinances. Bill number 19, 2026 is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Quuitech. >> Uh before we jump to discussion, I just would invite a brief explanation of
where uh this amendment comes from. So, article 1731 is the um ordinance that governs the property sales that uh occur in the city of Bethlehem uh separate from 1738 which is the one that deals with rentals. Um so we are
proposing to amend the ordinance to align it with the PA municipal code and ordinance compliance act or mocha as we call it. Um and that is the uh Pennsylvania statute that governs how municipalities issue use and occupancy certificates after conducting point of
sales inspections. Um so we were actually notified by the um we have aliers association that our existing ordinance is um uh not in alignment with the the newest um iteration of mocha. So we are um amending to align um with that
with that existing ordinance. The main change that you'll see is the extension of time that a property purchaser would have to remediate any um deficiencies identified during the inspection process. Um so previously or currently
um a person who purchases a property would only have 90 days before they would have to call us back in to show that they had um remediated the issues that were found during the sales inspection. Um but under the state ordinance, we are required to give people a year to do that um remediation.
Um so in addition to that, there's just some like cleanup that we did alongside that. So we added definitions into this ordinance. Those are not new definitions. They come from other existing codes which we've always used like the PA UCCC definitions, but we're
just adding them into this um version of the ordinance. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Is there any discussion from council members? >> Mr. Callahan, >> Mr. C. So if if somebody if uh let's say a 10 unit or a 15 unit, 20 unit
properties built and it gets a lot of times what happens is um they get built and then they get filled up and a lot of times the seller then uh sells it immediately, you know, to an investor. Um so if they if the property gets a CO
um let's say in, you know, in January of some year and then they sell in August. Are they now have to get it reinspected again? All those units inspected again like in August, even though >> um I believe your CO inspection is valid for one year.
>> All right. So, there's nothing in here that's saying once it's sold, once the property sold, uh even if it's in within the one-year time period of the of the CO, they don't have to get it reinspected again. I would actually have to double check on
that. I'm not I'm not sure if that's the requirement or not. >> All right. Um >> certificate of authorization required each time. >> Yeah, >> there's a sale. >> Uh solicitor, could you microphone? Sorry. Uh
>> I believe that the answer to the question uh is set forth at 1731.03A about halfway down that paragraph with regard to a new certificate of occupancy shall be acquired each time a unit is
transferred. Yeah. But then if you als but if you go to 173103D, the certificate of occupancy report is valid for a year from the date of the initial inspection. But yeah, I guess I guess you're right. Right. If it if if it's required for each time.
>> Yeah, I would interpret that as as a D as being, you know, applicable to the holder of the certificate. >> Yeah, I would I agree with that. So, if if if someone bought it, uh they're also buying that one-year certificate.
>> No, I I think it's I I >> the opposite. >> Yeah. >> They'd have to get it reinspected all over again. >> Stays with the owner. The new owner would have to get >> Yeah. >> the COA. >> Why would we want to do that, though? It just seems like I mean, if it's a brand new property, it just seems like we're just like,
>> as I said, I believe that we're just aligning this directly within what's with what's in the Pennsylvania state statute. I don't believe that we are. >> We're just making sure that our ordinance is in line with state law. >> Uh it just seems like uh it seems like
that we're just being ticky tacky here and trying to raise more money. That's all. And I just um you know I don't I don't I mean once I you know if if if it's a brand new building and it already passed inspection um it would seem to me that it that
inspection should stay for with the building for a year. It it doesn't matter who owns it. You know that the ownership of it isn't really changing the inspection status. That's just >> that that would be something to advocate to the state to change that I think is
what we're hearing. We I think too practically, Mr. Callian, if somebody buys a building and there's not any changes, the inspection should go fairly quickly then and it should I mean if you just paid whatever amount for money for the property like the hundred bucks or whatever it is for the inspection.
>> That's per unit though, right? But it's if I think the I'm just speaking here and I can't speak for like the legislative history of what they were thinking here is like but if they sell something like you're the one that's going through that inspection and if somebody else buys it 6 months from now or 9 months from now there's no
guarantee that somebody's been there. There's no guarantee that something hasn't happened to the windows. There's no guarantee that you haven't taken appliances. There's no guarantee that I mean you just you are the one when you sign off on your inspection at your property and they come through and you fix the things and they and everything's
done is like you're the one attesting to those things and then like once whether or not it's a day or 6 months or nine months there's a period of time there where something could happen. Once again, I'm just I'm assuming that that that's what that that there's no g there's no way to guarantee everything
that happened here in this property now will will be will be the same in seven months or 9 months from now. >> So, I got it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Further discussion? >> I have a question. Um, regarding uh 173106, the compliance requirements,
it's stating that a general rule within 12 months of the date of purchase, the purchaser of the property uh known to be in violation or substantial violation of city code uh shall at their option either bring the property into compliance or not basically um or demolish the
building and there is an option an opportunity to negotiate longer uh times on that. Is that current? >> This uh >> 173106. Is that what's currently being >> No, this is the language that we've
added directly from the state statute. >> Okay. Can I ask what it is currently? >> So, currently the rule is that you only have nine months to bring the property into compliance and this is now requiring it be 12 months. >> Okay. Is it is it [clears throat]
mandatory that we have to match what the state is doing? >> Yes, that's it. Yeah, >> it's it's mandatory that we have to do that. Okay. >> All right. And have you had instances where the property hasn't been brought to
code, whether it be 9 months or 12 months, and we've given them additional time. >> I I'm >> You don't recall? >> I Yeah, I'm not I don't know. >> Okay. All right. That's all. Thank you. Any further discussion?
>> Right. The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> I. >> Miss. Quiet. >> I. >> Mr. Aman. >> I. >> Callahan. >> Nay. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> I.
>> Passes 51. Uh the clerk will read bill number 20 2026. >> An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehi and Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2026 general fund budget. Bill number 20 2026
is sponsored by Mr. Raymond and Miss Quiet. >> Any discussion? >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels >> I. >> Miss Quiet. >> I. >> Mr. Mr. Raymond. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair.
>> I. Passes 6. >> Uh, the clerk will read bill number 212026. >> An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem, Counties of Lehi, and Northampton, Commonwealth, and Pennsylvania amending the 2026 capital budget for
non-utilities. Bill number 21 2026 is sponsored by Mr. Aman, Miss Quiet. >> Any discussion? The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels I. >> Miss Que. >> Mr. Aean. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan.
>> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> I. >> Passes 6. That concludes new ordinances for first reading. We will now consider resolutions. Uh the clerk will read resolution 10A. Be 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 the greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide marketing assistance for groups and subcommittees who are dedicated to the Bethlehem
business community. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Quiet. >> Any discussion? >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels >> I. Miss Quiet >> I >> Mr. Aean >> I >> Mr. Callahan >> I >> Mr. Cologne >> I
>> and Miss Larair >> I passes 6. >> I will now accept a motion and a second to consider resolutions 10B through 10G. These are use permanent agreements as a group. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Any discussion on the motion? >> Clerk will call the role on the motion. Miss Daniels. >> Hi. >> Miss Quiet. >> Hi. >> Mr. Aman. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> I. The motion passes 6. The clerk will read the resolutions and then call the
role. >> 10B. Be it 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 ratify execution of amendment one to a use permit agreement with Arts Quest for
2026 soccer fest 10C. 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 ratify execution of amendment two to a use permit agreement
with Arts Quest for 2026 soccer fest 10D. Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such other city officials deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to ratify execution of a use permit
agreement with Arts Quest for the 2026 Sabore Latin Festival 10E. Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such other city officials deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to ratify execution of
a use permit agreement with Arts Quest for the 2026 Independence Day celebration 10F. Be it resolved [snorts] 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 approve execution
of a use permit agreement with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce by and through its downtown Bethlehem Association for America 250, a Bethlehem block party 10G. Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller
and/or such other city officials deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to approve execution of a use permit agreement with Arts Quest for the 2026 One Earth Reggaefest. These resolutions are sponsored by Mr. Raymond and Miss
Quiet. >> Is there any discussion on the group? >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels >> I. >> Miss Quiet. >> I. >> Mr. Raymond >> I. Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. >> And Miss Lair.
>> I. Passes 6. >> Uh, the clerk will read resolution 10H. >> Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem in accordance with the municipal records manual hereby authorizes the disposal of public records in the financial services bureau as set forth in exhibit A. Resolution is
sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Kuitech. Discussion. Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. I >> Miss I. >> Mr. Raymond. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair.
>> I passes 6. >> 10. I uh clerk will read resolution 10. I 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 hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Spilman Farmer
to provide final design and engineering for the 11 unit non- congregate emergency family shelter at 232 and 234 West Packer Avenue. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Quiet. There
>> any discussion? Jack, >> I just want to um voice my um pleasure with the fact that this continues to move forward. Um this will make a big difference. Um so yeah, >> thank you. Any further discussion for
members of council? Uh just for the record, can we uh be reminded of how many units are going to be provided here? >> 11. >> Awesome. And these are family units.
>> Thank you. That's >> which which obviously fills a need because there's no family units that currently exist. >> Correct. Yes. >> Just it and I believe that based on this uh schedule is that we would go out to bid um at the beginning of next year. So
then construction would start in the spring and then the timeline is is that they would be open by the fall. >> So we're looking at a little over a year from this point to be able to have them open. And uh who managing the operations would
be is that New is that uh New Bethany >> Conference >> Conference of Churches. Right. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Any uh last comments? All right. The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> I. >> Miss Quiet. >> I. Miss Raymond.
>> I. >> Mr. Callahan. I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. >> And Miss Larry. >> I. passes 6. The clerk will read resolution 10J. >> 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 agreement to affectuate the transfer of the cityisssued handgun assigned to Captain Nicholas Lechman, a retired city police officer. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Quiet.
Any discussion? >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels, >> I. >> Miss Guac. >> Nay. >> Mr. Raymond. >> I. >> Callahan. >> I. >> Mr. Cologne. >> I. >> And Miss Lair. >> I. Passes 51.
[clears throat] >> Uh, the clerk will read resolution 10K. Be 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 to effectuate the
transfer of the cityisssued handgun assigned to Sergeant John Cassella a retired city police officer. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Raymond and Miss Quuite. >> Any discussion? Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels
>> I. >> Miss Queac. >> Nay. Mr. Aean >> I >> Mr. Callahan >> I >> Mr. Cologne >> I >> and Miss Lair >> I passes 51. >> Clerk will read TE resolution 10L. Be it resolved by the council of the city of
Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and/or such other city officials deemed appropriate by city solicitor are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with custom a services to provide removal, transportation and disposal of drinking water treatment plant residuals.
Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Quuitech. >> Any discussion? Uh I have a question that is this um what we hear about when we look at our
neighboring municipalities and we're uh they the farmers contract with companies to spray um on their fields. [snorts] Okay. So, uh you may be confusing it with bioolids.
So, this is not bioolids. Bioolids would become from the wastewater treatment plant. This is from the water treatment plant. So, as the water gets filtered, when you backwash the filters, those residuals go down to the lagoons. So
this is simply dirt, silt, other benign solids that end up in the lagoon and they get pumped out. But they do get sent to far to farms, but it's simply it's dirt if you will. Uh it's not bioolids.
>> Understood. Thank you for clarifying that because I had uh misinterpreted that. Thank you. >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> I miss >> I. >> Miss Raymond. I, >> Mr. Callahan. >> I, >> Mr. Cologne. >> I,
>> and Miss Lair, >> I passes 60. >> Uh, the clerk will read resolution 10M. Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that during the period 12 noon Friday, July 31st, 2026 through
11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 9th, 2026, and in connection with the 2026 music fest festival, all violations of the provisions of article 531, parking generally, and the subsections specified in the resolution shall carry the
modified fines as specified in the resolution. The resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aman and Miss Queac. >> Is there discussion? >> Okay. The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> I. >> Miss Quiet. >> I. >> Mr. Raymond. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan.
>> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> And Miss Lair. >> I passes 6. Um I will accept a motion and a second to consider resolutions 10N through P which are HARB uh certificate of appropriateness
uh as a group. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion on the motion? >> Clerk will call the role on the motion. >> Miss Daniels >> I. >> Miss Que. >> Mr. Raymond. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi.
>> And Miss Lair. >> I. Motion passes 6. The clerk will read the resolutions and call the role. Certificates of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature Bethlehem resolution are hereby granted for 10N
523 Main Street to alter the current 36 * 12 * 1 in aluminum sign for the new business the Velvet Raven 10 264 East Wall Street to repair the slate roof on the north side of the dwelling. Replace
existing slate roof on the side facing rear with asphalt shingles. repair the porch floor and paint the porch floor, porch posts, porch ceiling, trim wood sophets and fasces, doors, wood and aluminum siding as well as wood and
aluminum window frames and 10p at 10810 Wesley Street to remove and infill two windows, install siding to match the existing siding, and replace the entry door on the facade facing Wesley Street. The resolutions are sponsored by Mr.
Raymond and Miss Quite Attack. >> Any discussion on the group? Okay. The clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels. >> Hi. >> Miss Quiet. >> Hi. >> Mr. Aman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cologne. >> Hi. >> Miss Lair. >> I. The resolutions pass 6.
Uh 10 Q. >> Certificate of appropriateness. Under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature, Bethlehem resolution is hereby granted for 34 East 3rd Street to install two new wall signs. The resolution is sponsored by Mr. Aean and Miss Quiet.
>> Any discussion? >> Clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels, >> I. >> Miss Quiet, >> I. >> Mr. Aman, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> hi. >> Mr. Cologne, >> hi. Ms. Leairard >> I passes 60 and the clerk will read resolution 10R
>> certificate of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature Bethlehem resolution is hereby granted for 330 East 4th Street to provide exterior details and finishes. Resolution is sponsored by Mr. Raymond and Miss Quitech.
>> Any discussion? >> Okay, the clerk will call the role. >> Miss Daniels >> I. >> Miss Quiet. I >> Mr. Aman >> I >> Mr. Callahan >> I >> Mr. Cologne >> I >> and Miss Leairard >> I passes 6. >> With that the meeting is adjourned. Get
home safe everyone.