We're live. We're good. We're recording everybody. Karen, Rachel, you good? Council on my left, we good? Willie, you good? We get started. Good evening, everyone. Thanks for coming out to the city council meeting. I ask that we all rise for the pledge to
the flag. [Music] I pledge allegiance 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. Mr. Miller, please call the role. Mr. Callahan, present. Miss Ramsey Smith, present. Miss, present. Miss Leairard. Miss Leon, Miss Wilhelm, present. And Mr. Clone, present. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Councilwoman Leard had advised
me previously she was away on vacation this evening. Councilwoman Wilhelm. U with the large numbers in attendance here, I'm wondering um I'd like to make a motion to move um public comment on items not related to the agenda to the end of the
meeting so that we can focus on the votes and then um and then hear comment on items not related to the agenda afterward. All right. So the motion on the floor from Councilwoman Wilhelm is to move 3A public comment for anything
not being voted on to right before adjournment after we get through resolutions. Correct. Councilwoman correct. Second. Second from Councilwoman Quiet. Open to discussion. Any discussion for members
of council? I I'll just say and and I am going to be voting in support of this. So all we're doing for those who are not used to council meetings or haven't been here before, our public comment is when we are receptive or here and here for anyone to make comment, we're going to
move it to the end of the agenda when we um vote on the things that we need to vote on. And then a large amount of people are here to talk about the ICE raid. So that will be the time once we just vote on city business that we have to vote on then we'll open it up and everyone who had signed up will be
called individually and given their opportunity to speak. Okay. So approval of the so any other discussion jumping ahead a little bit. Counciloman Kith. Yeah I certainly see the uh the benefit of it but I guess I'm just confused because this was something
I had brought up last year and and no one agreed to it because they thought we were limiting free speech. So, I guess I'll just have to express my confusion on why we're doing why now. So, I'll just I mean I'll turn to Councilman Wilhelm in a moment if she wants to give further comment, but I
believe and I don't have the minutes in front of me, but I had said at the time or I'll say now for anyone in the room, it's an as needed basis. I think a night like tonight. So, we had moved new business up in the agenda to allow sort of the flow of conversation as it
relates to council minutes or council meetings and our standing agenda to have public comment first on not being voted on, then have us have a chance to have a discussion about it tonight given that I think there's conversations questions
that I want to ask and and get to city business first. So, I guess the long and short of it is I think it's as needed and tonight would be a good example of when I would prefer we get through council business first given that I would say with confidence we're going to be here for a while. So, I'd rather vote
on what we need to first and then go from there. I agree. I mean, I'll just add that I I think this is in the interest of making sure that everybody is heard. We have been in scenarios where we've had to rush on things that are on the agenda. We will move through the full agenda and move
through move through full public comment giving every member of the public their full five minutes uh to speak their mind and we look forward to that. Any other discussion? Mr. Miller, please call the role. Miss Quiet, I. Miss Leon, I. Miss Wilhelm, I.
Mr. Callahan, hi. Miss Grampy Smith. Nay. And Mr. Cologne. All right. So, passes 51. Public comment for anything not being voted on this evening will just be moved to the end of the meeting. Then I'll go through the list of those who had signed up. Moving on to public
comment for anything that is being voted on tonight. So, this is any ordinance or resolution. Oh, pardon. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Jumping around a little bit. Before we get to public comment, moving on to approval of the minutes for the June
3rd, 2025 meeting. Any discussion on the minutes from our June 3rd meeting? Seeing none, the minutes stand approved. Thank you again. 3A will be moved to later on on the
agenda. 3B. This is pardon any ordinance that is being voted on resolution tonight. I remind everyone we have a fivem minute time limit. So throughout public comment tonight, I will ask everyone and remind you politely to please respect the five-minute time limit as we do have a long list of
people who'd like to speak tonight. So we have one person signed up, Doug Roden. M Royon. Okay. Hi, my name is Doug Royston, 421 Second Avenue in Bethlehem. And I want to speak I had the chance to
speak a little bit about Sand Island, which I'm pretty excited that you have uh are going to vote on uh supporting a $30,000 grant to beautify Sand Island or exactly I'm not exactly sure what you're going to do with it, but I wanted to
first of all support it. Um, I did not come here to talk about the Ice House tonight, although we are up to 250 to 300 shows a year. And we are about to put a beautiful set of planters and
benches in front of the ice house. And I didn't come here to talk about the pedestrian bridge, although I could spend about 20 minutes doing that. It's not on the agenda tonight, Mr. Royce. Thank you. I am here to talk about uh just just
some notes about uh Sand Island. Uh a place that I'm actually about to run over and have a meeting at in about two minutes, but a place that I have spent a lot of time at. Um I think that the u
there there is quite a bit of talk going around. I and I found that the that this grant kind of wedged in and fit into uh the the the interest that is going on around Sand Island. Uh I think that the
thing that I would I would uh emphasize is that there is a growingly larger picture of what Sand Island is and what Sand Island can be. And the big question is exactly that. uh uh as we go into the
future, as we address uh an unlimited unending parking situation, an unending car situation, uh our parks, as you this as this council has recognized, become more and more important. Uh Sand Island
is off and on referred to as Central Park, and I think there's a good reason for that. If you'd we uh we if you'd make a list of the different people involved there and the different activities involved there from fishing
to u theater to hiking to biking you would you will get a sense of a hole that is arising in in Sand Island. So in in conclusion, um what my suggestion is is
what I hope is that as you uh address Sand Island over the years, uh I would hope that you asked a lot of people their opinion, not simply park people, but uh there's fisher people and there's
fishermen and fisher women. There are historians and there are musicians and there are actors. Um, there are bikers and there are walkers. Uh, I can go on and on, but to get the real picture of
Sand Island, it would be wonderful if you took all those different people seriously and uh, knocked on their doors. So, thanks so much. Thank you, Mr. Royen. So, there was no one else who had signed up for anything that we're voting on
tonight. Is there anyone else who wants to make comment on anything that's actually on the agenda? Mr. Irons. Uh, my name is John Irons, 124 West Market Street. Um, since uh you voted on a motion that was not on the agenda, is
it appropriate to make comment on a motion that was voted on tonight during uh the comment period for things that are being voted on? No. It would be this would be for any resolution or ordinance. Mr. Irons, is there anyone else who wants to make comment on anything that we're voting on
tonight? Resolution or ordinance? We're going to continue on with the here in the front. Um, if it's regarding the fire chief, is that appropriate to speak now? Yes. Okay. I'm going to do my best not to cry. I
can make no promises. Um, my name is Kelly Burfield and um I'm from 1917 Paul Avenue, formerly of 1404 West North Street. I said I made no promises. Um, tonight I'm here to speak in full support of Captain Griffin's appointment
to fire chief. On March 9th, I experienced what I hope is the last fire of my life. At 3:30 in the morning, I stood on the sidewalk of West Nor Street with my seven-year-old daughter holding her hand, watching the home that we built. um burn uh the house
that I brought her home to, the house that she took her first steps in. If I close my eyes today, I can still see the firefighters in my kitchen through the broken window, head lampamps shining through the thick smoke, water spraying on the roof and the sound of the salt cutting through my roof. It was
traumatic to say the least. About six hours later, I spoke to Captain Griffin on the phone for the first time. 12 hours later, I spoke to him. Um, as I returned to my home, I was exhausted, shaken, confused, and filled with questions. His calm presence and
quiet professionalism stood out immediately. When I stepped back into my home for the first time, I was paralyzed by the destruction. I could not move. I could not speak. I could not breathe. Captain Griffin did not pressure or prod. He simply placed his hand on my shoulder.
So, let's get you outside. There's a lot of carcinogens in here. He gently walked me outside and began talking, not as an investigator, but as a human being. I'm so sorry. His leadership is what we need as the next fire chief. Someone who leads by example, teaches others to meet
tragedy, not just with training, but with compassion. Captain Griffin uh didn't just explain the next steps of the fire investigation. He took time to educate me in a way that actually I was able to absorb in a moment where I was
overwhelmed. He made sure that I understood that both his department and the insurance company were going to conduct independent origination and cause investigations and that their findings had to be objective and evidence-based. He also explained to me that he could not share the preliminary
conclusions with me because I could intent in uh excuse me, unintentionally share something with my insurance company that could influence the process and jeopardize the integrity of both investigations. His professionalism and transparency builds trust. He also helped me avoid a major insurance and
liability issue. My insurance broker has never had a major fire claim. He said no adjuster would be available until Monday. Captain Griffin could have simply turned the property over to me and moved on, but instead he encouraged me to press my insurance company for a preferred inventor immediately because
it was the right thing to do. Firefighting is a job where there's no margin for error. What impressed me most about Captain Griffith was his not only his technical knowledge, which is substantial, but his empathy, his clarity, and his professionalism during one of the worst moments of my life.
What I've come to understand about the role of fire chief is that it requires a blend of strategic leadership, operational command, public safety knowledge, and perhaps most importantly, human compassion. It's not just about directing fire fighters. It's about setting the tone for how a department
treats people both inside the ranks and in the community. Bethlehem is is fortunate to have a fire department that already performs with excellence. They're amazing. Promoting someone who can elevate that standard even further, who can lead with both strength and heart will benefit each and every one of
us. I want to take a moment to thank Captain Griffin, every firefighter, every police officer, every emergency medical responder who came to my house at 3:00 a.m. that morning. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your bravery, your professionalism, your service to the city, the community, and
my family. Being here tonight is just one small way I can express my gratitude to Captain Griffin. He showed up for me, so I want to show up for him. So, I fully support him and I hope you do as well. And I'm so sorry. I tried really hard. I'm so sorry. Thank you so much.
Thank you. You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. Is there anyone else who wants to comment on anything that we're going to vote on tonight? Okay. So, we're going to move on and we'll we'll go through public comment later in the meeting.
Old business. Any old business from members of council? All right, new business. Before I turn it, open it up to members of council. I think a lot of us are going to have questions related to the ice raid. A lot of why members of the public are here tonight. So, I did want to members of
council give Mayor Reynolds and the police department, the solicitor, whoever else from administration just wanted to kind of give any updates, then we'll open it up to questions from members of council. Yeah, absolutely. And I can certainly review uh kind of like what happened and the order in which it happened. And then also uh
Captain Lechman is here uh who is acting police chief this week as Chief Cot is out of the um area this week and Mr. Spur is here as well to be able to answer any type of um questions as far as uh you know legality is concerned. Um but you know as we have said publicly
before um that we include in our statements that you know I got to city hall last Wednesday um probably a little before eight o'clock and I got a phone call from somebody who was in South Bethlehem who uh kind of told me what was going on and then I went downstairs at that point and you know went to find
the police leadership to see what was going on and what they knew and I actually was the one that broke the news um to the deputy chief um who was unaware as were as was the Bethleam Police Department. We made some phone calls and we determined that there was a courtesy phone call or a courtesy text
like you know a few minutes earlier basically saying that the federal authorities were in Bethlehem over there. Um it was not described to us as far as what activities they were um uh getting into other than I and Captain can add to this that they were they were
interested in looking for somebody or some type of very vague thing that was probably in hindsight intentionally vague. Um, as this process went on, I think that they were out of the area by about 8:15, 8:30. Um, and you know, the one of the kind of things that I will say over and over again is the idea
that, you know, the information and the questions that we had asked um were, you know, we didn't necessarily get answers. And then, you know, we had put out a first statement later on in the morning uh basically relaying what we had just heard there. Um, and then, you know, we followed up to ask questions of DHS and
others, um, as far as, you know, who, like all of the questions that everybody still wants to know as far as like who was detained, why were they detained, were there warrants involved? And, you know, we have gotten no no information and no answers. And the police department followed up the next day as well, asking the same questions. And as
Mr. Spur would tell you, there's nothing there's no legal reason why that information needs to be shared. And I see Miss Weber here from the morning call. Um and you know we weren't even told um I was told and I was shared the news then after Miss Weber called me and said that she had received something
from um ICE that said that 17 individuals had been detained. Um that was the way in which the city was kept in the loop as far as this situation was concerned. Um you know as I said that was Wednesday. on Thursday. Then we followed up, the chief did, asking
questions as far as like wanting to know once again who necessarily was detained, why were they they were detained. Um, we did not have police officers participate in this. Um, we had one police officer that, you know, every time somebody dials 911, a police officer uh joins the
ambulance. Doesn't matter where it is, what the call is. And, you know, Mr. Luckman can explain um the more details as far as that situation was concerned as far as an individual that was having chest pains. Um but it was our officers were not included were not asked to be
included and we did not participate in any of the detaining. Um, and then, uh, I believe it was Thursday or Friday, I mean, it might have been Friday morning where, uh, the police department put out a FAQ that just kind of like relayed what we've shared publicly before as far
as what jurisdictional uh, inclusion our police department doesn't have as far as um, as far as the issues of immigration are and that we don't participate in the programs. And, you know, I'm sure everybody has read those by now. It has obviously been a very troubling week. uh
most of us did not get much sleep as we were trying to think about the best ways in which to get answers to get understand you know are we dealing with people that were working for this subcontractor that live in New Jersey or New York or Delaware or Illinois or we didn't we don't know and we still don't
know to this day um as far as like who what when and so on and so forth um it's obviously part of a bigger situation we've seen where somehow some sites are being targeted now across the country uh it appears from public comments from the president that there's other other areas
like hotels and farms and things like that that are not being like targeted. Um that cities are being targeted for these uh these type of actions which obviously on every level is you know unamerican and just plain wrong. Um if I
I think that I'm sure council has a lot of questions and you know once again Captain Leman is here to speak on as it relates to the police department and Mr. Spur is here to speak as far as the legalities of are concerned of what we're able to do or what we're not able
to. But I, as I've said over the past several days, you know, one of the consistent things in our message is talking about how the federal government um has an enormous amount of power in this area, that doesn't need our assistance, that they don't need to share information with us. Um, and in
many ways we are unable to be able to stop them or get information from them if they don't want to give it to us. And the venues in which people are able to ask questions about due process, all completely legitimate American questions
at this moment um are in areas other than as far as we are concerned. Um they're not powers that we necessarily have um to be able to do that. that's not something that the city of Bethlehem is able to do. Um, with that being said, that is kind of a brief summary of what
the last kind of like six days has been and I would, you know, uh, open it up for questions of, uh, you know, Mr. Spur or Mr. Lechman or myself and I will defer to them at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mayor Reynolds. I'll open it up to new business from members of
council. Well, for the purposes of this conversation, we'll keep it to questions regarding yes, last week's ICE event to start and then I'll give members of council the floor for other items, new business. So, just speaking on the event of last week,
comments, questions for members of council. I'll start with Councilman Quitech. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I appreciate the update um such as it is since the information unfortunately hasn't really changed since um since the last time. Um but but there was one piece that uh uh perhaps the captain can
can um fill us in. Um there had been a rumor about what the medical incident was and so you can confirm that it somebody was experiencing chest pains. I'll I'll let the captain Thank you. answer that question. Yeah. Obviously without disclosing any protected patient
it was a medical emergency. It didn't appear to be any injuries that that person sustained. So that was the request that we received and then we relayed that to uh Bethlehem EMS to respond out and deal with that. So thank you. I appreciate that. Um yeah, that
was the only question I really had. And I will just add to that that if there were there are processes to be followed if it was a situation in which people thought that it was not just a normal medical emergency and that is obviously
at the discretion of the responding officer and their superiors and things like that. So that's that's kind of if as Captain Lackman said that was what he's able to share. But I am able to say like there is a process by which if
there was a situation by which a police officer felt that it was not just whatever appeared to be the situation presented that they would be able to follow that process and that is at that individual responding uh officer's discretion.
Understood. Any other questions, comments from members of council? Councilwoman Leon, I have a couple of questions. I'm just going to shoot them out there. They might be for the solicitor. They might be for you. Um, do we know if DHS or ICE has qualified immunity?
I'll I'll turn to whatever solicitor chooses to want to address that term and my thought process if we can also establish what I don't know what qualified immunity is. I'll put it out there. So the the question was if ICE
has qualified immunity. So in if the instance if the medical emergency was something else does ICE have qualified immunity? Who Mr. Spur, thank you for coming up to the mic. Can someone just give a brief whether Councilwoman because it was your
question or if you want one of the solicitors what is qualified immunity? I'm going to nutshell it all in appropriately. So if you want to give Yeah. Generally in the civil rights like litigation violation of someone's civil rights if you're suing a agency acting under color of authority in some
instances they may have what the law calls qualified immunity if the right that they are alleged to have violated is not clearly established in the law at that time. So the idea is this is
constitutional law 101. speaking very generally. But the issue is if you're suing somebody under under government authority for violating someone's civil rights, the courts have created this doctrine of qualified immunity to say, but it's got to be
clear to the officer at that moment that this is an existing civil right recognized by the courts. So in a circumstance where it's not clearly established or something like that, they would have qualified immunity from suit. Meaning it's hard to ask in to have complied with something that the courts
aren't even clear exists as a record. That's fair. Was that okay? Yeah. Do you have any does that answer your question? You have any follow? Yes. I was just interested in like if this had been something other than what it was, which was obviously not the same kind of medical situation that I was thinking in
my head. I was just curious as to if ICE was Oh, sure. One could Yeah. Yeah. One could hypothetically come up with a very clear examples of how someone's civil rights could be violated in a situation that there wouldn't be qualified immunity because the law would have years ago recognized that government
can't do this. It's all sort of classroom hypothetical there, not this case. Thank you. I I don't think I have any more legal questions. The other ones would probably be for the administration or for for you, uh, Captain Lechman. Um, other do
we have any existing DHSUS? I know there was the one that we had voted down, but are do we have any other existing with DHS that we're aware of? No. Um,
do we have any control mechanisms or procedures that are in place that you can share with us in a more public setting um that has to do with these types of Sorry, I'm I'm trying to make this sound better than what it is. Sometimes I have
concerns that I can just buy an ice vest on Amazon. Like, what can we do? So, I'll just say generally speaking, um, we have a established policy that provides guidance to our officers and
our supervisors regarding when an outside law enforcement agency, state, local, or federal, is operating in the city. Things we'll get involved in, the things we won't get involved in. M uh if anybody has a concern saying there appears to be law enforcement at this location, we're not sure if they're
legitimate, we encourage them to call us and we will come out the extent possible, make that verification. Okay. And if I could just add to that, Councilwoman, like one of the things that we've also talked about in the past is like the city of Betham provides all of our services to people without asking what their story is or anything like
that. So it is a situation where we are both unders we both are are every day try to establish the trust that like you can call the Bethlehem police in a way whether or not somebody if if no matter what someone's story is how long they have been here that if they are the
victim of a crime they should trust that they should be able to call us to be able to report that crime and like the police department will carry out that process in a way um that the people can feel safe that it is not a situation in which somebody is trying to catch them
as far as any part of their story is concerned. With that being said, we also talk about how doesn't matter if it's a water department, community economic development, if somebody's looking for housing and so on and so forth. Like that's just not even a question that we ask. We just think about how do we help people and how do we provide the money to the nonprofits and the services out
there that are able to to provide this in a way that they don't believe that any interaction with anybody with the city of Bethlehem is necessarily going to trigger anything as far as that person's story is concerned. Um so with that being said a conversation we have had is that it is a very understandable
um point of view from somebody to necessarily say and if they do they do just say I don't trust law enforcement. So if somebody and we know there are crazies out there we see this with people pretending to be ICE and so on and so forth throughout the country that if they don't think that their safest
phone call is to the Bethlehem Police Department. Now, that's a systemic problem that obviously we're trying to build that trust day after day after day as far as our officers in the community and we are concerned and so on and so forth. But if that is the situation and one of us got that phone call or whatever and said like I don't know
about this, there's other avenues that we could try to take as far as other nonprofits, other trusted partners and things like that that would try to avoid that. So my point is is like we don't just say you should call the police and that's the end of the situation because we understand that some people might not have that trusting relationship. They
might be near the city. They might have had a negative interaction with law enforcement somewhere else. So, we don't just drop it at that point and be like, "Oh, if you didn't call us, that's the end of And I know you don't think that, but I think it's an important part of the story is that if we would hear that or if somebody would contact any of us or if they would contact you, if they
would contact a council person or a principal or something like that, like we would work to be able to to to get answers to people in a in the most dignified, humane, and safest way possible via non-emergency routes is is kind of what I'm hearing. Absolutely.
And once again, we're talking about what could be a million different situations, but it could be a social worker. It could be whatever it might be like that we would necessarily go about doing it, but people should trust our police department in in that regard. With that being said, like should is not always the answer that people that we are
developing here. So, it is a situation that as Captain Leman said, it's always the safest and best thing to call as law enforcement to be able to investigate whether or not this person is legitimate or not. With that being said, if that happens, there are other ways for us to
be able to respond to that. Okay. Are we still able to use U visas? Are we still making use of any of the visas that we can to protect undocumented people that are victims of crimes? Sure. As we receive those requests, we review them and we'll we'll process them. We're
not uh we haven't stepped away from that program at all. So, okay. I got other things, but I'm shaky, so we're good. I'll do Councilwoman Crazy Smith and then Mr. Callahan. Thank you. Um I'm afraid I already know the answer because nothing is as it should be
anymore in this country, unfortunately. But, um I know the police and and um Chief Cot really followed up and really tried to get information, but um I guess this is for a lawyer. Do we have any rights whatsoever as far as ICE or DHS
as far as I'm assuming they don't have to let us know that they're coming? I mean, it would be certainly appropriate and considerate, but I'm assuming they don't have to. And then they don't need to give us any information after the fact. Is that correct? Do we have any legal rights? I mean, I can answer that
question. The answer is no. Um, federal authorities are not required to speak with us in advance or provide any information. Um, okay. It's different at the state and local level, but in terms of federal federal uh law enforcement, the answer is no to that. That's what I thought. Um, in the past, did that occur
though be like I mean, there may have been times five to six months ago, did it occur where we may have had better working relationships with certain agencies? I still is the case for certain law enforcement agencies at the federal level, but in terms of these types of operations, I think we're just we're not getting that advance. And the
flip side is we have noted that we do not need to cooperate with them either unless there is a federal warrant. Correct. Uh yes. And that's our our position I believe. Right. Yeah. Okay. The Bethlehem Police Department does not get involved in federal immigration enforcement. Period. Because you're not
federal officers, right? Great. Thank you, Callahan. I just have a couple uh quick questions. Did we don't know who tipped off? Correct. we do not know and I'm now speaking
generally here is that when you look at what the process has been throughout the country trying to piece together where they report where they go and where they don't go um it appears as if there is at least a decent chance that and once
again I'm just hypothesizing here so I'm giving my best opinion not any you know I don't have any information about that is that nobody tipped them off that they have been looking at different potential areas, industries where they believe
that this could be an area that they could go to to necessarily find people and detain them. If you look across, I mean, they're going to meatacking industries. There's a big story about what happened in Nebraska where they showed up and the owner of the company was basically like, "We've
everified all of our co all of our employees." And the ICE agent said like, "Well, the system's broken." and the owner of the company is like it's your system and they're like we don't care. So it does appear based on what the president has said that like they
are now avoiding certain industries because they believe just like they're avoiding tariffs on iPhones because they don't want people actually have to deal with what the consumer problem is there is that they're avoiding hotels, they're avoiding farms, they're avoiding restaurants and things like that. So, it would be this was a construction site
using an outofstate subcontractor that probably has done work in other areas. I'm just kind of uh just kind of grasping straws a little bit, but it is I would say based on what has been seen across the country, there's not an individual tip off that somebody says
like you should go check out this place or not. Once again, I'm just theorizing. I'm guessing and not a lawyer. is the idea that like if they necessarily have a warrant for one person for something that could be a speeding ticket or something, I don't know what the law says as far as does that allow them to
go into the whole, you know, whole manufacturer and and check 400 people. I I don't know. And quite honestly, based on what we've read across the country, like we're not even sure if if they if they're following the law or not. Um, but we don't know that. But I would just say is like I I I think there's a
there's a there's a better than decent chance there was not an individual tip off, but rather that this was planned as far as like a targeted industry in enforcement and and so when when we were notified that uh ICE was on the southside, is
there any process for our police department or any official to go down there to verify that they are ICE and that they are um who they say they are? Yeah. So, as I said, when I found the deputy and he didn't know anything about it, he made a couple phone calls and somebody had contacted us a couple
minutes ago. I mean, there are um you know, as Captain Leman kind of referred, you know, one of the things, too, is that the like the ICE department only has so many people. So, one of the things that they've had to do in all of these uh issues across the country is pull in people from other law
enforcement agencies on the federal level. So, I mean, whether or not it's human trafficking or whatever it might be, like there are other, you know, countywide kind of task force, you know, with MusicFest, we bring people in from the FBI and so on and so forth. Um, so somebody then had the phone call or the
text message that said like, we are here, the person with the Bethlehem Police Department knows that that person works with them because of previous, you know, previous awareness of it and so on and so forth. Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate it. So, I have a couple questions, comments
before I'll turn it turn it back over and thank you everybody and members of council again. We'll continue the conversation other questions arise. So, just going back to the the initial morning, right? And I appreciate you walking us through the the timeline, Mayor Reynolds, as it relates to these
federal agencies. We'll talk about Department of Homeland Security specifically because it's not like here, right, where you go, okay, I live in Bethlehem. council meets first and third Tuesday of every month. I could go down to city hall. There there's a certain sense of like these are anonymous
agencies or there's no no door we could go knock on or or someone to call put face that we could put to it. With Department of Homeland Security in general as we reach out to qu with questions and who was it, what was going on, how do we know? Do we have a contact
person or or or part of it just figuring out even what field office to to reach out to? I mean, I I don't know. And you don't have to get in detail other than are those relationships already established prior to last week or is it that much chaos that sort of okay, let's
try this number or call this field office or call this regional director and see where we go. And we do have some individual contacts with most agencies that we can reach out to uh pretty quickly to try and make those verifications. So, and then as it
relates to those individual contacts, is that is that information public? Meaning information we're able to share as a city because people you you would think would call us first with questions. Let's say it's, you
know, someone doesn't come home from work that day and their family's call and first call is probably going to be to the police and we'd hope. And then we say, "We don't have any information. We can't confirm or deny if your loved one was uh part of this raid in South
Bethleam." Are we able to give them an avenue to at least attempt to get um numbers? I'm not saying we share the obviously the if it's a confidential line or something like that, but do we at least try to even if it's a failed effort, help people find a direction to
go in to get answers that we might not have? Yeah, that would absolutely be something we would help anybody out with is providing a a public contact phone number for them. Yeah. And then w without calling the Betham police or city hall, how do we even find this
information? Like I I haven't gone on websites. Do you go on Department of Homeland Security and then it's uh put in your zip code and there's a regional office to call or is there um an easy way for people that are trying to get
information as it relates to I mean 17 people who we don't know where they resided but let's say even three of them lived in Bethlehem then that's three people who didn't come home from work that day. if someone maybe doesn't want to call the police or or trying, is
there a is there information out there for people to get without having to go through all these avenues with local agencies that aren't even involved in the operation? I I haven't done the research myself, so I'm not sure what the agency websites, what type of information is available there. So, understood. I think that's part of
frustration when you hear we reach out, we try to get answers as we could do say reach out to the agency that was involved. of course, because we're not going to have that. And then members of the public, at least a few that have communicated, kind of feel, well, we don't even know who to call. And that's
no fault of anyone in this room. It's sort of the the vague operation. And again, that anonymous uh federal government and Department of Homeland Security that's showing up and Mr. Callahan had asked the question, but I just want to again going back to to
that morning. So there is a process to so when when we were notified as a department they're just notifying someone an officer that they had an established relationship with not necessarily the command staff or anything like that
or so it's just and and that was as a truly a courtesy and and nothing more to it. Where were they at in their operation by that time? Do you know? Off the top of my head I'm not sure. I believe they were either already there or just pulling up. I believe was the timeline. So, understood. And and
there's a lot of frustration from a lot of people, which I'm sure everyone shares, that that creates such a an inherent danger here in the city when you have people who maybe, and I just saw some social media posts, while I'm not going to pretend to know all the ins and outs of what went on, but there's a
concern, as we've seen other videos nationwide, that the mayor referenced, people in plain clothes, people hiding their faces, people bearing firearms, people announcing themselves as something that maybe they're not. And then these agencies, even if they're acting
in official capacity, given their duties, are not acting responsibly and giving us a courtesy heads up so that we can at least be prepared so when those calls come in to to know what to do because it's just a matter of time before something happens where people rightfully are kind of confronting
anonymous figures with questions and then are maybe getting push back. That's not welcome. And then you call, what do we do when what are we what are we told to do growing up when we're in trouble? Call 911. And then we call 911. So it's not a criticism of anything here at city hall. I want to make that clear. It's
just what we're dealing with in the reality with this outside agency, the federal government, Department of Homeland Security, that this this reckless use of their authority without including the local members of city law enforcement who know the community. And
not only that, who people know to at least if not agree with, and this isn't about agreeing with, recognize, okay, there's a Bethlin police officer here. I at least know this is some kind of something official is going on and not just a a bus with ABC transportation on
the side of it and a bunch of plain clothed people yelling orders at folks that are going about their workday. And and I would just add, Michael, that with with respect, the opakeness of not letting us know is minuscule compared to the opakeness of what is happening to
these individuals that are being detained. Some of whom across the country are being detained and are here with all of their paperwork with every tea crossed and every eye dotted. They just might not have had it with them when they were working at these sites. and then their red address as far as maybe or maybe not getting their own due
process rights as far as a lawyer is concerned or whatever it might be. Um, as I said, it is a it is an American tragedy what is going on as far as people that showed up to work a 10, 11, 12 hours day in 95 degree heat to clean a building for relatively wealthy people
to come back and live there. And the idea that like they're not letting us know is obviously a problem, but it is a much much bigger problem that these individuals, these Americans are not getting access to everything else that that people are supposed to have in this
country that are included in their own due process rights and as far as from what has been reported access to be able attorneys and so on and so forth. I don't disagree to to a degree, Mayor Reynolds. I'll ask, has anyone reached
out to us from the community, whether it be an individual who was detained, a family member who was detained, have we been given any insight outside of the Department of Homeland Security to who may have been involved in it? Could we
identify anyone who was involved in this raid? I mean, I'm not asking for names. just do do we at least have we been as has the community come forward to the police department to just help sort of identify some of those folks so that we have some insight to what happened or are they
just 17 anonymous individuals? I I think that that's probably a better better question left unanswered. Understood. I I respect that. The those are the only questions I have for now. Members of council, anyone have any
follow-up questions? Councilwoman Leo, sorry, I I think this might be the same question restated, so forgive me if it is. Um, but I wasn't following too well. Um, at the end of the day, we have 17 of our community members that are missing and through phone calls, I've been able
to track for about four, but that's phone calls to like people within the community. So, maybe this is more a question about political experience that I lack. Who do we call? If if council can't fix this, if a mayor can't fix it, is it is it Congress? Is it Senate? Is
it state reps? Who are we pointing people to call and say 17 people are missing? Can we find them? I think as I I I've said over the past couple days is that the executive branch
is clearly I mean they've talked openly about the words quotas and things like that. We are not getting necessarily I'm just saying this as an observer as someone watching you are not seeing push back
from the legislative branch and there have been different you know cases working through the courts where as we have hoped and seen over the past 250 years that the courts continue to hold
like the constitution and it is understandably a unsettling time in American history. But it is not just the executive branch. And if we want to be completely honest, like there's tens of millions of people in this country that think what's going
on right now is good. And until we find a way to build a different culture where everybody is angry as probably about 98% of the people in this room, you're not going to see the political pressure put on these people that are elected
officials to try to utilize their constitutional power to be able to stop this. I mean, the Constitution was built this way to be able to have other branches be able to put pressure when Americans feel like something was going on. And I don't
want to be cold and callous about that, but the fact that there's not more pressure and there's not more pressure being put is because a lot of people agree with what's going on. Any other questions or comments from Mr. Callahan? I just want to add to the
and add to the comment that uh the mayor made about the workers down there. My my son uh Cody was on the fifth floor there and uh I helped him go down there three different days and uh move out of there. And what those workers are dealing with is incredible. There's no air
conditioning. I was I'm 62 years old. I walked up and down those steps five, six times. I was done. I couldn't do it anymore. I had to call some football players from Freedom High School and pay them to, you know, to help my kid move. And those workers down there were just busting their asses, helping people out.
with masks on. And all of you know from when COVID hit how hard it is to breathe when you have a mask on. Well, try that in 90° temperature and uh in a building with no air conditioning and no elevators.
I mean, they're they were extremely hard workers and it's a damn shame what's going on in our country now. As Mayor Reynolds said, there's nothing, you know, I I I'm sure I speak for everybody up here in and administration. No one is
is agreeing or liking what's going on over in our country now. And um I think it's a damn shame that there aren't people in the Senate, in the House that are pushing back on the administration on what's going on in our
country. But we don't control um the House or the Senate or the presidency right now. And that is why it's so important, especially in the midterms coming up, that everybody use the power that you have and the anger that you have right now, and get out
there and get people to vote because the only way I think it's going to change is by taking over um a House member uh and take over the House or take over the Senate. because we have three more years of this uh president doing what
he's doing right now. And um you know, I find it amazing that um in the 1880s um when the Germans came over, we had Ellis Island and it was a great thing
for America. And then uh 20 30 years later, the Irish came over and it was a great thing for America. And 20 or 30 years after that, the Italians came over and it was a great thing for America. And then the immigration system got shut
down over the years and it's putting enormous pressure um on this system and we're uh now there's brown people coming over and all of a sudden it's a problem.
And that's um a shame that uh we have people in this country that um are looking at at it like that because they're afraid of losing power. And um
I think what we need is um a total um change in our country and we need to have an Ellis Island type situation facility on the southern border in every one of the southern states, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
People show up, sign your name, come back two weeks later after there's a criminal history check. if you're clean, you should come in. And uh that's just my opinion. But um there's nothing no one in this city is
going to be able to do to help the situation. Um I I have had a lot of disagreements with the mayor over the years, but I can tell you right now that he's uh um doing everything that he can and that he can
legally do and our police department can legally do. there's all those things that we can't do. So, I just want to thank all of you for coming here tonight. Thank you. Anything else for members of council? I just had a a quick question as it
relates to kind of the events that followed after that. Um, community organized events, rallies, things like that. Typically, in general, pretty good communication between um city hall and whether it be the organizers of those events, attendees. I know council
members routinely attend, mayor, members of the administration uh routinely attend, but is there some I guess it's more of a security concern as we move forward and we have large gatherings and who knows who's going to start coming out to showing up to some of these events. Just are they do we typically
have uh fair awareness of when these gatherings are going to be going on? I I would say yes and I would say the ones that have occurred over the past week and I don't want to speak for the permites on the other side because I I can't speak to their experience. Um but from our side
um they it was it was perfect as far as um the organization as far as letting people know as far as trying to stay on the sidewalk as all those type of things. Um I think that we obviously spent a lot of time wanting to make sure that everybody is safe there and also it's not an us against not that you're
implying this. not us against them like we just look around the country at the political violence that is going on and we do not want to see we want people to be able to protest peacefully etc. And what it went on on Saturday and also what went on Thursday um I think from
the city's point of view is like the individuals that helped to organize those I thought did a great job and we thought did a great job and there was nothing there that we would look at as far as like we wish they did something differently. um we can only hope like it's like you know I can't tell you I'm respecting you. You have to tell me that
you feel respected. So I don't I can't speak for um you know all of the permites. We heard from one of them today that was particularly happy with the organization. Um but that was uh that that's a that's a situation that our police and our emergency personnel
spend a lot of time and we talked to um and Miss Pototts um who's our kind of permit coordinator to make sure that those situations can go off without a hitch in a safe way. I just want to say thanks Mayor Reynolds and I appreciate everyone at city hall who's involved. Do you want to finish? Yeah, just I wanted
to add one thing is that it would be you know Natalie and I have been making you know donations to different organizations that are helping to support people um both legally and otherwise that are dealing with some of the recent situations. But I will say
one of the things that we are doing and I just want to get back to it as we've talked about and all of council support our community recovery fund the organizations that we support the nonprofits that we support whether or not they have to do with homelessness or housing or whatever health services they are is like they follow the same the
same idea that we do that like we don't it doesn't matter like if you're in need it doesn't matter what your story is and I would I appreciate your comments Mr. Italian. We are also as a city try to do everything we humanly can to support the
nonprofits, many of whom we have been supporting through our community recovery fund that are that are able to help people that are able to help families um that are experiencing different issues um as as much as we humanly can. And we're going to continue to do that. And that's going to be a
conversation with city council moving forward. Um that we very much want that community recovery fund to turn into a community investment fund as far as a lot of these organizations are concerned moving forward. And at the end of the day, those are the frontline organizations that are helping helping people. And um we will continue to help
them. And I want to thank city council for approving all that funding in the past couple of budgets because we have been able to get a lot of this money out into these nonprofits hands that are doing a lot of the family um uh family assistance on the ground level. Thank you, Mayor Reynolds. And I appreciate
just everyone's efforts as relates to from city hall's involvement in making sure that when organizers come out with an event because we want people people go where they feel safe, I guess is what I'm getting at. I've said before in this room is for different city council meetings there have been times we've had
contentious meetings people have disagreed but I've always said I hope people who felt comfortable come here say what they feel and whether I agree or council agrees or not isn't really important it's that you feel comfortable coming out the larger community is not coming in city council meetings the
larger community is going to some of these events and I think it's important that we continue and I'm glad that again those people felt um we're were happy with the the process so that as people choose to use their their rights to assemble and their rights to protest
that people feel safe in doing so and whatever part is appropriate for us to play in that let's keep doing our part and one thing I'll just reinforce before I conclude my comments is um I did just want to note and just confirm I heard correctly from
the captain we currently do not have any active memorandum of understandings with any department of homeland security um enforcement. Correct. Yeah. Thank you, Captain. I don't have any other comments or questions. Anything from members of
council as it relates Councilwoman Camy Smith? Yeah, I just said one more thing. Um Councilwoman Mill mentioned about what can we do and everybody's saying what can we do and it's it's really frustrating because what can we do? But um just a few things. Um, everybody had great ideas, especially like the mayor
said, supporting the um, the nonprofits because what's going on at the federal level, they need all the help we can get. And the one thing is, um, I know I've dealt with a lot of bullies just as a counselor and had to deal with the victims of bullies. And we're dealing with, you know, in many, uh, in many
ways the mindset of a bully. And the one thing is we don't want to give them what they want. They want to see us. They want to see us react in a violent way. And I just say they we don't want to give them what what they want. some of the things I'm doing and I know it's not always um a possibility moneywise but
joining groups and giving money and support to the ACLU the human rights committee, Southern Poverty Law Center, World Central Kitchen. I mean those are some of the groups because especially ACLU and the human rights campaign because um our only hope may be in the
courts you know taking taking um taking the u so-called president and the um executives to through the court system and don't give up as far as contacting and rallying the Congress people and our senators. I mean they have to hear from
us. Um hopefully we can make a change next year and hopefully we can survive till next year, but we really have to be on them and call them and and rally at their offices. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Anything else for members of council? Any other new business from members of
council? Um question. You guys said that you were moving voting items to the beginning of council. Was this a voting item or were you guys just publicly speaking about the same thing the rest of us want to talk about for an hour? So, I I I'll answer this one time and then move on
with our agenda. We have new business, which is where we customarily have this open dialogue. So, we're just proceeding through the agenda as we normally would with the exception of public comment will be at the end of the meeting tonight. Yeah. So,
you guys you could you could I will say you could comment on whatever you'd like to when we get through the rest of the agenda that I'm going to continue on with now. Thank you. No more new business for members of council. Uh, new business. Oh, yeah. New
business, Councilwoman. Okay. Yeah. I have a different topic that um not as critical, but still critical. Um, we I know all council members received some emails this week about a devel proposed development on 312 Handover Street. We're on the west side handover and
Roach Street and I believe it's going to the zoning board next week. But um I just didn't know if anybody from the city had any information about that. I I just want to emphasize what the emails to us reiterated is that there's really
concern in the neighborhoods. Um first of all about um the safety. I guess there needs to be a variance because where they want to put I think three or four town homes and parking is on Roach Street which is an alley that is only I believe 12 feet wide and it needs to be
20 feet wide for emergency vehicles especially fire trucks. There's a lot of environmental concern. There's some trees that are over 80 years old that are going to have to be cut down. um impervious space is going to go from 14 to 63% so there's going to be a lot more runoff and the people are concerned
about how that is congruent with our climate action plan um and again finally you know a lot of people have said that it's the same area where they have and already feel the adverse effects of the development of the armory and not that I'm saying you know pro or con about the armory but it's it's right there in that
area where they've already lost green space trees traffic had damage to their foundation things like that so Um, can you just give us the report on where it's at, Miss Collins? Yes. Um, and I'll try just to do a a brief summary of of where they are in the land development
process. Um, the developer came forward over a year ago with a project. Um, that had some planning commission, some zoning hearing board review. Um, that plan was scrapped. A new plan came forward. There was a sketch plan, which is not a full land development plan.
It's a preliminary review. um that did go to our planning commission and was reviewed internally by various city departments, planning and zoning, fire, um engineering for example. Um and what we typically do is we give comments on those preliminary plans that include
zoning comments as well. Um with respect to, for example, like the the tree situation, which we've we've heard a lot about, you know, we had a comment in our review letter about that particular issue. It's not something that we have um an ordinance that governs that we can say you must do X Y or Z but nonetheless
we put in the letter you know our recommendations from a planning perspective from a climate action perspective um about um um consideration of the of the tree on that particular environmental issue um and also noted
different you know zoning issues that arose from the sketch plan. So there was an initial um zoning appeal. It was an interpretation. Uh our solicitor's office reviewed our determination and
and made an interpretive decision. It's technical whether it was um uh multifamily or townhouse. So So that initial determination was made based on on where our solicitor's office landed on that with respect to it being a a
proposed townhouse development. Um, we then had to review the sketch plan with the dimensional uh requirements under the zoning ordinance for a townhouse determination. Um, and then we set a sent a letter to the applicant and said basically now that this is determined to be a
townhouse, here are the dimensional issues that you have that we can determine based on your sketch plan um that are that are problematic. and the applicant is now appealing that letter from from our zoning officer and it is set to go to the zoning hearing board
next week on Wednesday. So, um that's where they are in in in the process. So, the particular issue that's being addressed is is related to a zoning issue. All the other ones that you've raised are also part of land development and um but but for the zoning issue in
particular, you know, we don't always send a city solicitor um to the zoning hearing board. we do if it's a um you depending it depends but in this issue it's an interpretation and it's one that we know is extremely important to the
neighbors. So we will have um assistant city solicitor Matt Dashler at at that zoning hearing board meeting um defending our zoning interpretation which is adverse to the applicant. Okay, great. Thank you. So, so the interpretation from the city was that it
was adverse as far as the dimensions of, you know, the number of homes or the building. And I guess it seems like people, the neighbors are really saying the big issue is the the 12oot alley versus it needs to be a 20ft alley. So, that's actually a fire code issue. That's not a zoning issue. So, the the
the zoning hearing board is looking at a dimensional requirement. Okay. The specific one is I believe for the tracked size. So, it's um basically because they have an existing um two family detached dwelling and they're trying to put town houses on there. There's a certain tract size that they
need um to to do all of that. We're saying that their their tract is not large enough. Okay. And they're saying our interpretation is wrong, but we're we're obviously going to defend our our position on that. So, s Thank you. So, it sounds like they they may need um you know more variances and there's a lot of
issues as far as the whole development in addition. So that they are they're seeking a variance on this particular dimension this particular one and then they'll need to deal with the other issues thereafter. Yeah. If if they make it through the zoning piece and they come for a full land development when they submit their
full set of land development plans that's when you know all the other departments including fire would look based on their ordinances and codes for for compliance with those issues. Okay. Great. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other new business from members of council?
Thank you everyone. We're going to move on. Communications 6A May 30th, 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from director of water and sewer resources Edward Muscola. Memorandum recommends an agreement with J and Bradley Construction Company Incorporated of
Bethlehem to provide materials and labor to replace 800 ft of water mane on East Garrison Street between High and Lynen Streets. cost is $377,185 and the work is to be completed within 180 days of the notice to proceed. There
are no renewals. Six bids were received and the recommended awardee was found to be the lowest responsible bidder. And resolution 10A is on tonight's agenda 6B. The June 3rd, 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from director of community and economic development Laura
Collins. Memorandum recommends an agreement with Bedco to carry out the programs and/or targeted activities of Bedco, including administration, programs, and activities waving the rights of wave fees and compensation for other projects as assigned in connection
with the execution of city sponsored events on an asneeded basis. Cost is not to exceed $15,000. Contract runs through December 31st of 2025 and there are no renewals. And resolution 10B is on the agenda 6C. The June 5th, 2025 memorandum
and proposed resolution from DCEED business manager Tiffany Whismer. Memorandum recommends an agreement with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to perform marketing and public relations services through its management and operation of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Cost is
not to exceed $80,000. Contract runs through December 31st of 2025. And resolution 10C is on the agenda tonight. 6D the June 6, 2025 memorandum from solicitor John F. Spark Jr. with an attached use permit agreement and
resolution. Permit is Arts Quest and the event is Musicfest for years 2025 through 2030. Attachments sent forth festival dates, hours, and duration and specified uh locations including festival sites, streets, handwork plats,
and leader plats. And resolution 10D is on the agenda 6E. A June 10th, 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from public works director Michael Alcall. Mr. Alcoall seeks authorization to execute an agreement with Handover Engineering Associates Incorporated of
Bethlehem to provide on call design support services for in-house storm water design projects performed by city staff. Cost is up to $25,000 and the contract will run through December 31st of 2026. There are no renewals. Four proposals
were received. Handover engineering was deemed to be the best and most qualified bidder while offering the lowest hourly rate. Resolution 10E is on the agenda 6F. June 11th, 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from council member Grace Crampsy Smith. Miss Crampy Smith
recommends that council pass a resolution supporting House Bill 1150 to increase the hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $15. She notes that Pennsylvania's minimum wage has not been raised since 2009 and that cities
including Lancaster and Reading have passed similar resolutions. 10F is on the agenda tonight. 6G. The June 11th, 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from Lorie Gillio, grants administrator for community and economic
development. Miss Jillio seeks support to apply for recreation education development grant for $30,000 through the people parks and community foundation. If awarded, the grant would be used for the beautifification of Sand Island Park.
10G is on the agenda 6H. The June 11th, 2025 memor memorandum from Robert Vidoni, housing and community development administrator, requesting that a public hearing be set for July 1st, 2025. The hearing will review funding recommendations to council of
1,418,36 in community development block grant funds and $417,183.96 in home investment partnership program allocations for 2025. The memo anticipates passage of a resolution by council at its July 15th meeting. I'll
accept a motion and a second schedule public hearing for July 1st, 2025 to consider the 2025 program year CDBG and home allocations. So move. Second. Motion by Councilwoman Leon. Second by
Councilwoman Wilhelm. Any discussion on the motion? Mr. Miller, please call the role. Miss Quiet, I. Miss Lem, I. Miss Wilhelm, I. Mr. Callahan, hi. Mr. Ramsey Smith. Hi and Mr. Cologne. I motion passes 6.
Public hearing will be scheduled for July 1st before our council meeting. 6 I. A May 29th, 2025 memorandum with a proposed ordinance from public works director Michael Alol recommending an
addition of funds to the non-utility capital fund budget. The adjustment reflects second of two purchases being funded by a Pennsylvania DP 902 grant. Second adjustment will go toward the purchase of a trailer mounted leaf loader. City share to re the city share
to receive the grant is $13,940 for revenue account number 006A hyphen 30414 D grant recycling will increase from 0 to $125,460
for expenses account number 690000- 6617 library extension column will decrease from 150,000 to $136,60. Account number 690000-62053,
Leaf Collector Public Works will receive the 13,940 and will increase from 0 to $13,940 and account number 6999- 662053
Leaf Collector Public Works will increase from 0 to $125,460. The adjustment will increase the non-utility capital fund budget from 27,566,381 to 27,691,841. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Ordinance 9A is
on the agenda. 6J May 29th, 2025 memorandum with a proposed ordinance from public works director Michael Alcohol recommending a budget adjustment to the general fund. The adjustment reflects the Bethlehem Parking Authorities funding of $140,000
for the replacement of 51 light poles. Revenue account number 001A hyphen 30713 Bethlehem Parking Authority will increase from 30 $300,000 to $440,000 for expenses. Account number
0505-42041B. Street light repair replacement will increase from $211,500 to $351,500. The adjustment will increase the general fund budget from 113,239,62
to $113,379,162. Ordinance 9B is on the agenda. Moving on to reports. Just have one thing to report. We're going to have a police pension board appeal hearing. That'll be council here in town hall on June 24th
at 6 pm. That's a public hearing. And then yeah, that'll be June 24th at 6 p.m. One week from today. Yes, there there's potential we're still coordinating certain things. Should the
meeting need to be uh rescheduled or cancelled, it'll be posted on the city website because we're still hammering out just one finalization. But that's the working date right now for the meeting. That was all I had to report, Mr. Mayor.
Uh yeah, I'll start with the administrative orders. Um, first before I read the first one, we had notified uh city council I believe a couple weeks ago um that our fantastic uh fire chief uh uh Chief Reich uh is retiring. Um and
uh obviously, you know, we think he has done just a fantastic job. Um he is retiring. If he chooses to tell his own story, he can tell his own story. But we we are um uh obviously, you know, sad to see him go, but also incredibly
appreciative and grateful for over two decades of service. Um and over the past year, uh really doing a lot whether or not it was uh helping us to, you know, create the second fire academy. So, we were able to send more firefighters um to to get them back on the line. And I
just I can't say thank you enough to the fantastic job that Chief Reich has done. Um his last day is July 3rd, I believe. Um so right in time to hand it off to soon to be Chief Griffin for July 4th. Um as his first day of work. Um but uh
you know he is Captain Griffin for the next couple of moments. And I believe he is here. Um if uh the captain would like to just for a minute or two here introduce himself to uh city council. Um, you obviously had a fantastic introduction uh before, but I I want to
give you just kind of two minutes here to introduce yourself before we uh vote and move on. Good evening everyone. My name is Matthew Griffin. I've been a city of Bethlehem firefighter for just over 19 years. I'm very thankful for the opportunity that being a firefighter in the city of Bethlehem has provided
myself and my family. Um, I consider myself very fortunate to be a member of this organization and extremely proud and honored to stand before you today uh and to have been nominated as the next fire chief for the city. I currently hold the rank of captain among other duties and responsibilities.
My main responsibility responsibility has been to train and hire the new recruits. Uh 28 of which in the last two years we have entered into the fire academy. And uh we placed our last four in the fire academy this Monday. they'll graduate in 22 weeks. Um,
I'm currently a state certified fire instructor. In the past, I've been an adjunct faculty member at Northampton Community College in the emergency service program. I'm a certified fire investigator and a fire inspector. I have also recently completed my course requirements to obtain my emergency
management coordinator associate coordinator certification, which is one of the requirements here in the city of Bethlehem. Uh, I am a graduate of the University of New Haven. I have a bachelor of science degree in fire and arson investigation with a minor in criminal justice and also an associates degree from Northampton Community
College uh in emergency services technology. I stand before you today because I look forward and I want to continue the positive working relationship with you, the members of council, the city administration, and local 735 so that together we can all
continue to better serve the residents and visitors of our great city. I would also like to congratulate Chief Reich on his retirement. Uh Chief Reich has been a uh sorry, a great mentor over the last 20 years. I worked with uh the chief on my very first shift in the fire
department and I am uh very sorry to see him go. He has done amazing things for this department in the short time he has been chief and I hope to be able to be the person who carries on that legacy. Um Kelly, I thank you so much for coming
out tonight. I I don't even know what to say. I I'm going to try not to get choked up. It's It's not often that we know and understand the impact that our job has has on others. Um you know, somebody who suffered such a great loss several months ago, I I can't believe you're
here tonight and and I really really appreciate that. It means that means a lot to me. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank Thank you, Captain. Um, and I I would say that uh that day actually uh a couple months ago when you know Kelly
was there at the fire um you know I was actually out that day. It was a Sunday afternoon and I remember I was um I was out there actually um knocking on doors and talking to people and Miss Collins was a couple of um blocks away in another part of the neighborhood and when we got there um you know I had said
something to Kelly about being available and I gave her my phone number and things like that and it was clear that even by that point in the minimal amount of time she had spent with our fire department and Captain Griffin that she knew that she had complete confidence in
them in a way that was obviously what I have to imagine one of the more difficult moments of Kelly's life, but at the same time it was one of those moments that makes you proud because you understand just how dedicated our uh first responders are. And this is a Sunday afternoon. Um and it was clear
that the firefighters there had spent a lot of time there and Captain Griffin was leading the way. Um and I do think it's a great microcosm for um the the man that's going to take over the the big shoes to fill from from from Chief Reich. So, thank you, Captain. Thank you, sir.
Um [Applause] we will uh Chief Reich's technical last meeting will be uh the first meeting in July, July 1st. So we will be able to give him his proper send off at that point. Um but I hereby appoint Matthew
J. Griffin of 349 Birch Drive, Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 18064 to the position of fire chief and emergency management coordinator. This appointment is effective as of July 4th, 2025. Administrative order appointing Matthew J. Griffin, fire chief and emergency
management coordinator. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. I'll start with Councilwoman Wilhelm. I really just want to add my thanks uh to you, Chief Reich. In the short time that you've been chief, you have seen the city through major
transition and tragedy as well. Certainly, and uh your leadership has been a great comfort to many. um certainly wish you well in your retirement, but I want you to know how grateful we are to you and um uh Captain
Griffin, I can't imagine a better endorsement than the one you received from Miss Burfield this evening, and I will look forward to supporting this appointment with my vote. Thank you, Councilwoman Camy Smith. I just want to say also um thank you to Chief Wright
for all you've done. you've just been awesome to um to work with and I know the department really has um been grateful for your service and your leadership and I wish you all the best in your retirement and it's unfortunate we're losing you but fortunate that we're we're gaining um captain soon to be Chief Griffin now and um if you're
half as awesome as your uh better half then we're in good shape. Thank you. Any other discussion, Councilwoman? I'm really excited to to take this vote. It's really a thing to to leave him with January or July 4th.
That's that's a take captain, but we'll we'll miss you. You've been great. Any other discussion? Mr. Callahan, I just want to echo what everybody said. Chief Frank, thank you for your service to the city. Uh I really appreciate everything you did, especially uh you
know, at the 510 Flats uh building uh you know, a month ago. So, I know it was a very difficult day for everybody, but I want to thank you for your guidance and uh Captain Griffin, um good luck with everything. If you have anything, uh you know, I'm sure everybody here on council would be willing to um take a
phone call from you or whatever. So, if you need anything, let me know. I appreciate it. Thank you. And good luck. Any other discussion? Congratulations, Chief Wright. Good luck, Captain Griffin. Mr. Miller, call the role. Miss Quitech
I Miss Leon I Miss Wilhelm I Mr. Callahan Hi Mr. Grampy Smith Hi and Mr. Colum I passed 6. Uh second administer to order. I hereby appoint Isusari Negrron of 410 William Street apartment 202 Bethleam PA 1808 to membership on
the Bethleam Human Relations Commission. This appointment is effective through March 2028. Administrative order appointing Isus Mari Negron to the human relations commission. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion.
We'll call the role. Miss Queac. I. Miss Leon. Hi. Wilhelm. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mr. Grampy Smith. Hi. And Mr. Cologne. I passed 6. And then just two other quick updates. On June 6th, I want to thank everybody on uh city council that was
able to attend our pride flag raising. This was the fourth year the city has done it. Um I think it was probably the biggest crowd we have had yet. Um, and I and I truly appreciate it as well as our partnership with Bradberry Sullivan and uh, Miss Santoro who helped to organize and put it and put it together. Um, it
was another one of those uh, moments where you realize how fortunate we are to live in such an inclusive community. Um, uh, and then just finally um, last week was obviously um there was a lot going on. Um, but on the positive side uh, we were uh, the city was awarded
$1.4 4 million uh for our partnership with Lehigh Conference of Churches for what is going to be the Lehigh Valley's first non- congregant um homeless uh shelter um in on Packer Avenue uh which is going to be 11 family units. Uh we
had previously been awarded a few years ago uh um home ARP dollars um and this was working with Governor Shapiro and his administration. I believe there were 20 awards and Betham was the only city um on this list and a lot of counties um
but we were the only city and uh our and I really want to give a shout out to Miss Collins and Miss Satulo um who uh worked um on this application for these dollars uh because the reason why we
were able to get this uh funded was that it was data driven. It was a shovel ready project that they uh the um DCD in the state has a high degree of confidence in our ability to be able to uh move through all of the complicated
regulations that often happen with these and also a plan for operations moving forward. And um it's really a big deal um in that it's going to be and like I said it was it's a we talked about this project before Lee at Conference of Churches owns the building. um it needed substantial work. Um so now uh we are
going to go through all of those things you have to do when you get the state and federal grants as far as the environmental reviews and things like that. Um but our hope is that um in about you know once we do that and we can put it out the bid and construction and all that stuff that always takes longer than you wish you would if you didn't have to deal with the government
regulations. Um that at some point in 2027 uh it should be able to open. Um uh so we are excited about that and once again that's that's a big deal. It's $1.4 $4 million. Um, and like I said, it's 11 family, it's family units, um, in what's going to be the Lehigh
Valley's first non- congregate shelter. Um, and it's, uh, like I said, it's we'll be we'll be hearing more about that as we move forward. Um, but I would just finish by, you know, it's success is often a grind here, especially as far as acquiring funds, but city council has
been a wonderful partner in understanding that, you know, you don't put together capital sources all in one day. It sometimes takes time. We often go with combination of like we're going to do the engineering here and things like that, but it's it's comes from a very sophisticated place to be able to
win these competitive grants. And I just want to thank everybody for that. And this is one of those projects that um is going to help people for a long time and help our most vulnerable families for a long time. And right now the building is vacant and there's nobody in there. And
it is a property that could be being used to help people and shelter people. And now we're going to be able to do that and I just want to say thank you. And that's uh I will end my report with that. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Reynolds. Councilwoman Quiet. Thank you. The community development committee met
this evening at 6 p.m. in town hall. The committee discussed one agenda item, the 2025 fair hearing report. The committee held the annual financial accountability incentive reporting 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 G. Quiet, chairperson, community development committee. Thank you, Councilwoman. Moving on, we don't have any ordinances for final passage tonight. So, new
ordinances, Mr. Miller, Bill 31, 2022, ordinance of the city of Bethlehem, counties of Lehi and Northampton, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending the 2025 capital budget for non-utilities. Bill number 31 2025 is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss
Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the role. Miss Quiet. I miss Leon. Hi, Miss Wilhelm. Hi, Mr. Callahan. Hi, Mr. Grampson Smith. Hi. And Mr. Cologne. I passed 6. Bill 32 2025. An ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of
Lehi and Northampton, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the general fund for 2025. Bill number 32 2025 is sponsored by Miss Camy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the RO. Miss Quit. I. Miss Leon. I.
Miss Wilhelm. I. Mr. Callahan. Hi, Mr. Ramsey Smith. I, and Mr. Cologne, I passes 6. Moving on to resolutions 10A. 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 with J and Bradley Construction Company incorporated to provide materials and labor to replace a section of water mane along East Garrison Street between High and Lynen Streets. Resolution is sponsored by Miss
Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion over here. Councilwoman, thank you. Um, Mr. Bascola, can I Are you the right person to ask a question about this project? Thank you.
So, my question is really about the timing of the uh project itself. as you know, the folks on East Garrison Street are kind of going through it with the Friendship Park project um taking up a lot of, you know, um the space and and
it's an extremely narrow street as you also know. Um it sounds like this really needs to get done. This this this pipe is a big problem. Um but I'm just wondering what the coordination is between the construction of Friend Park and the work on East Garrison. Yeah, that that's part of the reason why we're
doing this is to push it through, get it approved, get the contract out, and get it done while they're doing the park. So, we get all the construction done at once and get it done. So, it's better to rip off the band-aid and that's the
determination. I'm not sure you're going to get agreement from the neighbors, but good luck with that. Okay. Thank you very much. Any other discussion? Call the RO. Miss Quiet. I. Miss Leon.
Hi. Miss Wilhelm. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Miss Grampy Smith. Hi. And Mr. Cologne. I passes 6. Before we continue, if there's anyone in the hall who wanted a seat, there are some open seats here inside the room. I know there's at least someone I see. It's up to you, but there
are seats scattered around if you wanted to come in to sit down. Resolution 10B, please. 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 Bedco to carry out programs and activities as assigned in connection with execution of city sponsored events. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the role. Miss Quitech I. Miss Leon
I. Miss Wilhelm I. Mr. Callahan. I Ramsey Smith I Mr. Cologne I pass 6 10 C be resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller andor such other city officials deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to
execute an agreement with the greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide marketing and public relations service to the city through its management and operation of Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss
Wilhelm. Discussion. Mr. Callahan. Mr. Collins, you got a second. So, is this money So, is this money all being used in for the city of Bethleam or is it it's it's it's going to um the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of
Commerce for activities throughout the whole Lehigh Valley or is it just for Betham issues? No, it's just specific to Bethlehem. And how do we know that all this money is going to be used for just the city of Bethl? So, we've had this contract um or some similar version of
it for probably 20 20 years, 20 years, four or five um administrations. Um and and so we have a great working relationship with the chamber. Uh I work we work directly through my office in community economic development with um
the Bethlehem Chamber. they report out on each of the items that are listed in the contract. So you'll see that the overall contract includes administration of the Bethlehem Chamber um activities and initiatives associated with the Bethlehem Marketing Council. Um uh
there's a DBA component of that as well and then integration or um execution of city sponsored events. That's new activities such as live in the garden that we've added in more recent years. So um you know they invoice us, we review all their invoices um for
specific elements like the Bethl marketing council, you know, we have separate budgets for that piece of the contract specifically. Um so it's it's pretty well um monitored in that regard. Good. Yeah. I just want to make sure I know there's you know with some of the changes that
are going on with the DBA and uh you know as you uh know there's people out there that don't agree with it and I just want to make sure that this money is being used in the city of Betham and not outside of it. So thank you very much. Appreciate it. Any other discussion? Councilwoman Camy Smith. Yeah. Just a question. Is this the same
amount that we allocated in the budget for um the chamber or is this additional monies because I know we allocated about this same amount we in the budget. Correct. Yes. So is this the same? It's not additional. It is not additional. It's the same that we already had in the budget for this year. Correct. Yeah.
Every every year because this contract is so regular, you know, it's it's included in the budget. You're you're used to seeing it in a budget, but we also have to do just the contractual process um every year as well, but there's no budget adjustment needed. Okay. And it does say it's going to be
the integration of the DBA and the and the um the chamber. So is there I mean I'm assuming the city's in favor of that. Is there any we've actually we've taken no position on it. So th this is this is the same language that has been in this contract and it's actually the
DBA and the Bethlehem marketing council. So it's it's just the coordination of all of those activities is how we have traditionally yearover-year despite what their internal structure is. That's just how we've described kind of the coordination of their activities. Yeah, that's that has absolutely nothing to do
with I I guess I read it as integrating the DPA and the chamber together, but that's not what it means. Okay. All right. Thank you. And just just to add to that, not to pick words with the person that went to law school since I did not, but it's not just that we didn't take a position, but we are are actively neutral in whatever happens
there as far as the DBA and chamber is concerned as far as like whatever they decide to do, however that decides to go down, we are staying out of that conversation. We just want it to be settled in a manner that will allow for some coordinated planning going forward. Um but it's not we're we we are we are
actively and openly staying out of the whatever the decision making that's a decision for their own board and those own businesses to make. Sounds good. Thanks. Any other discussion? Call the RO. Miss Quit. I miss Leyon. Hi. Miss Wilhelm. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Miss
Gracy Smith. Hi. Mr. Cologne. I passes 6. 10D. 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 a use permit agreement with Arts
Quest for Musicfest 2025 through 2030. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Yes, President Cloone. Um, because of my own involvement in Musicfest, I'm going to be recusing myself from this vote. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other
discussion for members of council? We'll call the role. Miss Guate, I. Miss Leon, I. Miss Wilhelm, recuse. Mr. Callahan, I. Mr. Grampy Smith, I. And Mr. Cologne, I passes 50 with one member recusing.
10 E 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 with Handover Engineering Associates Incorporated to provide on call design support services
for in-house storm water design projects. Resolution sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the RO. Miss Quiet. I. Miss Leon I. Miss Wilhelm. I Mr. Callahan. Hi. Mr.
Grampy Smith. I and Mr. Cologne. I pass 50f. Be it resolved by be it resolved that the members of city council of the city of Bethlehem affirm the principle that increasing the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is imperative and support the passage of legislation by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania legislators and governor to increase the minimum wage immediately. and be it further resolved that the city council of the city of Bethlehem now calls on the Pennsylvania legislature to approve House Bill 1150 as proposed by
Representative Ronnie Green to raise the hourly minimum wage in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to $15. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion, Councilwoman. Thank you. Um, since I proposed this resolution, I guess I just want to give a little more information
that House House Bill 1150 um has passed through the the House and now is at the Senate. And as we all know, the minimum wage h has not been raised since um 2009, which is 16 years. And at the rate of the minimum wage right now of $725,
uh the monthly salary of someone making that wage would be $1,160, which we all know is not nearly enough to afford housing in Bethlehem, let alone utilities and food and etc. Um this has been an ongoing um fight in Harrisburg to try to raise the minimum
wage, but once again, it's out there on the block. It's going to go to Senate. What will happen is if it does pass, it will it will raise the minimum wage. Um it says to $15 an hour, but the the House Democrat had to compromise so that they can try to get the Senate
Republicans who have the majority to to pass this this bill. So basically, it's going to depend on the county in which you live in. So Pennsylvania will raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour in 20 of the counties and to 10, 11, and 12 in
the rest of the counties. However, there will be a cost of living adjustment annually that will be calculated using the consumer price index. For our county, the agreement would be that the minimum wage would would go to $11 starting immediately after the bill is
enacted. But then again, it will be incrementally raised every year thereafter. So hopefully um everyone agrees that it's really vital that we we push the Senate with this resolution that we support them raising the minimum wage. Thank you. discussion from members of council.
Councilwoman Wilhelm, I just wanted to add I think we all agree it's long overdue that we support a fair living wage in Pennsylvania, but I think why it's in particular uh relevant and important to voice our support at the
city level is that this bill um enables municipalities the power to enact their own minimum wages provided it doesn't go below what is set. And I think um giving us the power to address economic conditions and and uh the cost of living in our community is really important and
um I'll be pleased to support this resolution tonight. Thank you. Any other discussion for members of council? Call the role. Miss Quitech. I. Miss Leon. I. Miss Wilhelm. I. Mr. Callahan.
Hi. Miss Grampy Smith. I. And Mr. Cologne. I passes 6. Excuse me. Teng. It resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor is authorized and directed to execute all application forms necessary to apply for a people
parks and community foundation grant to the department of conservation and natural resources for the beautifification of Sand Island Park and that the mayor is authorized to execute such other agreements and documents as are deemed to be necessary andor related there too. Resolution is sponsored by
Miss Grampson Smith and Miss Wilhelm. discussion. Councilwoman, I really wanted to underscore and echo what Mr. Royen came here to say and and voice my strong support for this grant and my best wishes and hopes that we that we do
um we are granted this this money. Sand Island is so many wonderful things. It's a canal path connector, an intergenerational fishing spot, as Mr. Royson said, um, a vibrant performing arts venue for local artists, basketball, green space, playground,
um, and a a rare chance to be close to the Lehigh River, which honestly, you know, in many cases we view often as more of an obstacle than an asset. Um, and it's wonderful as it is, but there's so much more potential there. As Mr. Royston said, "I think Sand Island is
about as much of a central park as a park in Bethlehem can be, having spoken with folks who were born and raised on North and Southside who uh talk about um you know, gathering there. So, uh I'm excited to see Sand Island come closer
and closer to its potential to be an extraordinary natural gathering place for all residents of Bethlehem. And again, I'll I look forward to supporting this with my vote tonight. Thank you. Any other discussion? We'll call the role. Miss Quitec. Miss Leon.
Hi. Miss Wilhelm. Hi. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Gracy Smith. I. And Mr. Cologne. I pass 60. And our final resolution 10H. Certificate of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature. Bethlehem. Resolution is hereby granted for 522
Center Street to paint shutters, door, flower boxes, and all wood trim. Resolution is sponsored by Miss Crampy Smith and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. We'll call the roll. Miss Quiet. I miss Leon. Hi. Miss Wilhelm. Hi. Callahan.
Hi. Francancy Smith. I. And Mr. Cologne. I passes 6. Thank you. So that concludes everything we're voting on. As we had motion to do earlier, we'll now go to public comment. This is for anything that's not being voted on this evening.
So just for uh quickly briefly for anyone who's typically not at council meetings, we do have a signup sheet. I'll go through the signup sheet in order of everyone who had signed up. As I had mentioned earlier, we do have a fivem minute time limit given that we have about 25 people signed up to speak.
I will ask everyone to respectfully abide by the five minute time limit. Um, anyone can speak on anything they choose to and then everyone who had signed up will be given opportunity to speak and then I'll open it up to the room. If there's someone who didn't sign up in
advance to the meeting but still wanted to make comment at that point, I'll just get to go around and everybody will be given an opportunity. If anyone has to excuse themselves or go in and come out, I just ask that we do so quietly, members of council, members of the public, so that everyone who's at
the lecture and given their comment has an opportunity to uh address council. I will remind everyone this is a comment period. This is not a back and forth dialogue. So, if someone has questions or wanted to speak to council, you're welcome to approach council after the
meeting. I always remind everyone all of our emails are on the city website. Our city clerk here to my right is Mr. Miller. He can be reached for a thing to council and when the meeting adjourns we'll all be here also. So that being said, we'll we'll go through the list as
in the order. Um when you come to the lecture and if you don't mind giving your name for the minutes that Mr. Miller takes for the record that we we document and if I mispronounce anyone's name, I do apologize in advance. I'll start with Lily Fleor.
Yeah, floor is yours. Hello, my name is Lily Fleger. I'm a student and research assistant at Lehigh University in South Bethlehem. I've been in this room once before back in February, listening to friends, peers, neighbors, professors, dozens of people I'd never met before
and haven't had the chance to meet since. Listening them talk before you with one shared goal. make Bethlehem safer for the most vulnerable people in our community. On the 17th of February, the mayor of Bethlehem put out a statement called our commitment to remain an inclusive and welcoming community. It's a good statement. It's
well written. Uh I'd encourage everyone to take a look at it when you get a chance. Um my assumptions is it was in response to people like me in meetings like this. It basically says Bethlehem already has practices which make the city safer for immigrants and so it's
not necessary to formally codify anything uh at that time. Given what happened last Wednesday, I unfortunately to respectfully disagree with that conclusion. Last time I was here, one of the speakers read us all a poem. I enjoyed
that poem so much I'd like to read it again for everyone. First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. That poem actually inspired me to write
my own version. They're coming for the immigrants and I'm speaking out immediately even though I'm not an immigrant. And I'm not alone because we all know that if we don't, there will always be another line. What happened on the 11th wasn't some terrifying news story from the other side of the country
or the next day over or even from a neighboring city. This happened five minutes from my research lab. That's five minutes on foot, by the way, walking. That's not That's not a car distance. It's a five-minute bike from here. You can see it from the plaza. They're coming for the immigrants. They
came for our people, tearing them from their homes. Here in Bethlehem, 17 workers repairing our businesses and rebuilding our homes were kidnapped. We have one name out of 17. There are 16 others we don't have. Councilwoman Leon
might bring that number to 12 at best. The only reason that we have the name we do is because someone extremely brave showed up to the plaza outside this building last Thursday. She said his name through tears with a voice torn by grief and rage.
A voice that was brave enough to do something. The other people showed up and were brave enough to do something. CC Gerillac, an Allentown council member, a city with a codified welcoming ordinance. John Stratton, a church dean. Governor Shapiro, who wrote a statement,
"Every single person who showed up Thursday and every single person who showed up in this room are here to do something to protect our people and to ask you to do the same. Bethlehem needs proper writing and ordinances to protect our city. Not just words and practice,
official writing. We need to take action to protect our people. And last Wednesday proved that. My goal here isn't to bring up what happened last month or a few months ago in this room and say, "Haha, I told you so." It's to add my voice to the growing crowd saying, "We need to protect our people."
It's to protect the people who are in danger. To urge you to look at the rest of the poem and realize it ends with you. The only question is if it ends on this line or the last one. One way or another, we are the end of First They Came. It's my belief that the heart of a city
is its people, beautiful and vibrant. And now masked fascists are entering our city and kidnapping its people, our people, off the streets. I'm a chemical engineer. I'm not a doctor. So, if anyone wants to jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, um, then please do so. But
last I checked, we can't survive with half our heart ripped from our chest. We can't let fascists rip this city's heart out. It's time to end the poem. Thank you. That's all. Thank you. Next speaker is Sha Sabo.
Pass this off. Uh good evening. Well, neighbors, it's happened. Um we all heard earlier tonight um the mayor's brief update on uh what occurred last Wednesday morning. And um as we all
know, 17 individuals were taken from a work site at 510 Flats on the Southside. Um they were there to begin their workday to repair the damages um that resulted in in an earlier fire and they were taken without any due process of
law, which is a protected right of all individuals in this country, regardless of documented status. I'm here today to ask why the city of Bethlehem is declining to vote on a welcoming city ordinance to protect our undocumented residents. Is it because you think that by
self-labeling as a welcoming city, Bethlehem will become a target for federal funding cuts or increased federal presence related to immigration? Well, that's happening anyway. Just like countless communities in across our country, Bethlehem will be impacted by cuts to federal funding. And
ICE is here too knocking. or should I say breaking down doors, fully masked, fully loaded, Gustapo style raids? This is already what's happening here. Is it because city leadership believes our existing policies and practices are good enough? I can appreciate that the
city doesn't participate in ISIS's 287G program, that Bethlehem officers don't routinely inquire about immigration status, and that the mayor back in February expressed his faith in the city's law enforcement and legal teams. However, that's just not enough in
today's environment. Faith is not enough. We need action. Is it because concerns that making Bethlehem a welcoming city would impact public safety? If so, you know, I point to several studies conducted by the Center for American Progress, the
American Immigration Council, the National Immigration Law Center, University of New Mexico, which all indicate that there are no statistical relationships of an increase in crime rates that um with the implementation of any sanctuary policies. And frankly, equating immigration with criminality is
wrong, both eth ethically and statistically. And for those community constituents that have said, you know, my grandparents or great-grandparents came here and they came here the legal way. Well, I didn't know what that means, right? I I I never came here as an
immigrant. I don't know what they had to go through in Ellis Island. I certainly, you know, through my privilege don't know what people have to go through today during that process. Um, so I did a little bit of research and just for the record, early 20th century immigration meant showing up at Ellis
Island, similar to what um, Councilman said, show up without with or without paperwork. You didn't have to have anything with you. You showed up, you got a cursory medical examination, an interview by an inspector who reviewed passenger manifests, and then you were
sent on your way. It took about two uh, 3 to 5 hours. Um there were 2% of immigrants at Elsign that were denied entry and you juxtapose that with today's affirmative asylum seekers process extremely complicated lengthy in comparison at minimum it's a few months
um ultimately for most it's a few years uh for defensive asylum seekers it's it's well over four years um so frankly that argument comparing the two is not really relevant um in fact many of the individuals that are being detained by ICE are having it happen as they show up
for their immigration related court dates. You know, the legal way. Um, I ask you fellow neighbors, humans, if you were in peril or economically downtrodden and looking for an opportunity to pull up your family out of a dire economic situation and have a
chance at a better life, wouldn't you do it, too? I know I would. These are not criminals. Being undocumented is a civil offense. And these are human beings, families, and children who are being treated like animals, manhandled, chased down, traumatized by this administration
and their disgusting policies. They're attacking and punishing marginalized community communities because they're an easy target. They are bullies. Period. Full stop. And if you think that they will stop with the unin undocumented wake up day after day we're seeing
images and videos of undocumented legal legal immigrants and even American citizens being racially profiled and rounded up. Where there is a will, there is a way and they will find a way legally or otherwise. Um an example of that they found a way to fast track the
persecuted South African asylum seekers. Um I mean that's a joke. It's an actual joke. Um, you know, we've seen this over and over again in the last few months, and um, I wish I could say that these are truly unprecedented times, but unfortunately, history has shown it's not. This is a full-on attack of
marginalized and economically less powerful individuals who are being scapegoed as today's other. This is not new. The cruelty we are seeing before our own eyes, not in the history books. I'm going to move on with the list. Sorry. Thank you for your
time. Thank you. Our next speaker signed up, Denise Canó. Hello. Good evening. Um, this is my first time attending a city council meeting, so I'm not too familiar with the um schedule and the process of this
meeting. Um, I know this is for a public comment and I wanted to speak on an ordinance that um I'm not sure if it was passed in 2022, but this is um on the topic of keeping backyard chickens.
Um, so when I talked to um the city of Bethlehem, they said that um I was not allowed to keep chickens in the backyard, but when I looked at the
website, it said that an ordinance um was published or I'm I'm not sure if it was just drafted. Um, but I believe the or um ordinance is a thoughtful and balanced approach and that well it says it allows up to six hands per household,
no roosters and includes clear rules like setbacks, coupe placement in the rear yard and a permit process. Um, it even limits the number of permits to begin with which shows a careful measured roll out. Um,
this would give residents like me the chance to to be more sustainable, providing fresh eggs for our families, reducing food waste, and even helping kids learn about responsibility and nature. Other cities across Pennsylvania
and the US have already done this su successfully, and I believe Bethlehem can too. Um, I hope you guys can support this ordinance and the residents who are already ready to follow the rules and do this the right way. Thank you. Thank
you. Just just for your own reference, council had met about it a couple years ago and never fully passed council. Okay. And how would I um would I have to submit this for like the next council meeting or you you can follow up with
either city clerk, Mr. Miller. Okay. Or myself via email and I'll talk to you individually about it. Thank you. Welcome. Our next pardon our next speaker, Arty Curollah. Hi, I'm Arty Curuto, 813 Lawford Street
in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Um, I like to say I am running as a writing for the mayor of the city because I don't wish to be Democrat or Republican because it appears that they're all going after each other's throats. I am
running independently. So, I may not get elected unless you really push for it. But anyway, upon the ICE situation, ICE stands for is complete extermination of immigrants.
I don't feel it should be. I don't feel we should have that happening because this land is not your land. This land is not my land. This land is everybody's land. Every living creature should be here to live freely on this earth.
We should have no borders. There should eliminate them. It's totally not right with God. Read your Bible and you'll know what I'm talking about. But I like to speak about planning
an event for our our city here that will outdo what was done in Washington DC. A parade for Veterans Day that will be competitive to our past
Flag Day parade honoring the 250 years that our US Army was in existence. I'm not as close to as famous or as rich as our fearless leader. We're not supposed to mention names, so I'm not
going to mention his name. But I feel that I can place an equal great event and parade for a fraction of the cost and raise money to help greatly put an
end to the homeless veterans in our country and be the first string of great events and parades to help raise money for veterans in the Lehigh Valley. Um,
approximately $45 million was spent on this one-time Flag Day parade event that lasted for approximately one hour. That money could have been used to help the homeless for years to come to make a
great motion picture to honor our 250 day of our United States Army. Money could have been made for years to come out of that movie or TV miniseries. and a percentage of all profits could be given to support
our veterans as should be for all motion pictures, TV productions, and large concerts made in our country. If someone makes a movie or TV miniseries, maybe they'll use some of this Flag Day parade footage and give a percentage of the profits to support our military
veterans. Even though a good percentage of all profits and production costs for movies, television productions, uh, and concerts go to the mob, organized crime, may want to take a little less money or
contribute like their hero Al Capone did. If a movie or TV miniseries would at some date be made on the US Army from 1775 to now, I
believe that it would be an interesting enough that people would pay to sit and watch segments of the movie being made if they were visiting Tinsel Town or wherever the shooting would take place. and be better to have that kind of
shootings than uh what they have going on mostly now in our city of brotherly love in other cities. I personally feel that uh our uh fearless leaders birthday was a way of laundering money.
I personally feel that if he got all elected offici if we get all elected officials together to tithe at least 10% of their annual income to the VA that would have come to at least 25 to 45 million with most of them being us being
Christians and Jewish according to the Bible we're supposed to tithe at least 10% of our annual income anyway I'm sure that the VA would have gotten many people and organizations to donate their time and money to make a great parade
and day with a great memorial parade that would have lasted for over an hour. God bless you all. [Applause] Our next speaker this evening is Joe Daniels.
Hello everyone. Joe Daniels, A29 Broadway. Uh, I was, uh, approached by a few people that wanted me to bring a couple things to your attention. Uh, some issues and concerns that they have that they feel the city has either
ignored or just neglected. Um, the Elks Lounge uh, or Lodge on Broadhead. They've stated that they've made numerous compl complaints to the city regarding rodents, sewer rats to be specific. Um, it was
brought to the city's attention on more than three occasions and nothing has been done. So, if someone could advise on who they could reach out to directly um and an estimated time frame on um a
response would be greatly appreciated. Outside of that, uh, next issue is parks. Um, how we are very thankful for the mayor's 40 and 10. There's question on the prioritization of which parks are
being tended to first. Um, specifically, this is for the south side of Bethlehem where these people have approached. Um, and according to the 2020 census, 26.8% 8% of Bethlehem's population
resides on the south side of Bethlehem. As far as the parks are concerned, Yasco Park is the only park on the south side with the pool. And again, 26.8% of Betham's population resides on the south side. It also seems to be the
smallest pool of them all. Sulen Park, which once had a pool, no longer does. And there's question as to why Sawen Parks Pool can't be revitalized, renovated, whatever needs to be taken place there. Currently, it seems to be a
holding spot for equipment. Again, 26.8% of Bethlehem's population resides on the south side. Helertown no longer accepts non-residents for their pool. The only other option is Fountain Hill Park and
Fountain Hill, which is not much larger than Yasco's small pool. And unfortunately, their cost is $2 more per person. Additionally, it's not in close proximity for most people that reside on the south side.
Another park that's been brought up uh is South Mountain Park off of Puggy Lane going over 378 South. This is a pay-to-play park, meaning you have to pay a fee because there's pavilions there. Uh there's an issue with a very
hazardous road leaning leading to the top of the park, which is the main area, holds the largest of I think two or three pavilions, which is where most probably 90% of the people rent uh for the day for whatever event that they're
having. The road leading to the top of the hill is dangerous for both walkers and drivers. If you have a sedan, you pretty much need a pickup truck. But if you have a sedan, you have to go literally 3 to four miles an hour
because the road is just that bad. There's divots everywhere. Unfortunately, it's a road that has trees buted up right next to it. So, you have issues with the roots coming up. It's just very unsafe for people to walk up, let alone drive. Um there have been
numerous calls made to either um the parks and recreation department or public works street department. So they'd like to find out when, if at all possible, can that be looked at and potentially fixed. Uh
the Saints football field at Sen Park, I was told was moved at some point a few years ago. Uh the original location was flooded out and they've been moved to a new location that gets flooded out. Um I've been told that the other two
football teams uh the Steelers and the Raiders I believe are also on city uh grounds for their games for their teams. And those parks are wellmaintained as far as the grounds um as far as any seating areas as far as the scoreboards.
And the same is not being done uh with the park located at Sulen Park. So again, they'd like to get a better understanding of what can be done to have those areas the area moved primarily uh to prevent flooding and what if anything can be done to help
with uh the needs there. So, um, and lastly, again, as mentioned in the beginning, they'd like to know how the park renovations are being prioritized. Not to take away from Friendship Park and the people that reside there and frequent the park, but
there seems to be other parks that have a much more dire need. Thank you. Thank you. I I will refer you to Miss Collins and Mr. Alcohol who are both here. I don't know if you would speak to them in the hallway now or you could talk to them after the meeting or follow up with them
at your convenience, whatever you decide. Our next speaker is Sebastian. I'm going to say Z. I don't want to mispronounce your last name. Uh yes, Sebastian Zavaruka, resident of Bethlehem, 341 Spring Street, Bethlehem.
Uh first off, thank you city council for sharing your thoughts on the issue of ice. what I'm here to speak about. Um, the overarching question I feel like I was left with from after hearing you all speak was, "What can we do?" I think, uh, Council Member Callahan answered that rather succinctly for himself,
saying, and I quote, "There is nothing the city can do." Um, you know, on top of that, we have an response from the captain of the police who says, uh, we can come out and we can respond. That didn't happen. You did not come out. You did not respond. Uh we have the mayor
who says trust us in this matter and I don't see how I can trust you because you were aware of these issues in the community and no action was taken even when you were alerted of what happened. And where did that information come from? It did not come from the police. It came from a public citizen.
So even if you did come out as police, I would be concerned of what your measures would be. I would be concerned you would prioritize protecting these individuals of the agency of which you believe that they are acting good faith and you would block the citizens from their rights.
I'm concerned that you would not prioritize the people of our community. Rather, you'd prioritize expectation of a law which has been eroded and it no longer is being played out as we would all like here. So, and to the mayor, I I I caution you
on your belief in Trump. You quoted him saying that he will not be focused on farms or hotels. Yes, he is driven by money, but I caution you on believing him, just as I cautioned you months ago on how you believed this city would not
become a target if we brought in the welcoming city ordinance to it. Uh I think also you said something this. We do not know that they aren't following the law. We do know that. It's been proven nationwide time and time again. We also don't know it because you
didn't respond. They need warrants. We know what they need. They need warrants. They need names on those warrants. They cannot come up to a site and racially profile people and assume they are warrantless. We know what they need to be doing. And they are not.
Council member Cologne, you said the agencies that we you're asking a question again. What are the agencies we can do? I I believe it even came from the captain that explicitly is saying they don't care. So why are you searching for answers of these agencies that have been corrupted?
There are no lines to call. We're calling you and you've also failed on that. So, to try and answer this question of what can we do, I had emailed all of you members of city council. I know on short notice, 24 hours ago, it'll be in your
inbox. I also have this letter here. I don't know the due process if it's a resolution or not, but I would ask for your signature on it. And what this because what I'm realizing is what is left for us to do and I think you're all edging on it of what is the
answer that we are left is that it's up to us the people the people in this room who are going to be responding and have been responding to these concerns. They have been out in the community been documenting things that are going on. They're get they're receiving the calls and responding. They're blocking when they can. They're asking for those
warrants and that's all protect underneath our fourth and 14th amendment rights. This letter is to act for you to reconfirm your oath and say publicly to the people that you substantiate our fourth and 14th amendment rights of due process and
protecting that of allowing the people to come up and video cam question and block unwarranted illegal action in our community because nobody else is. So this is why this letter, if you can make
it public to the people, embolden us, give us confidence that we will not have police who will prioritize federal agents over the people because that's all that's left right now and that's been proven with that last 45 minute 45 seconds. I
wish uh I'll read the letter. One thing I'll say is before this is that you know even when our rights are stripped and we have nothing left it will be us the people who will still
show up. So Bethleam City Council's acknowledgement of fourth and 14th amendment rights June 17th 2025. This letter, as here signed by the members of Bethlehem City Council, acts as a formal declaration of their understanding and willingness to protect
people's fourth and 14th amendment rights in response to ICE raids and everything else. These amendments set forth the rights of the people to verify legal authority and due process of federal agents, respectively. In accordance with these rights, no city employees, police or otherwise, will
obstruct a person who is acting in a capacity to exercise their rights. Capacity includes but is not limited to recording video or otherwise engaging in discourse and inspection of warrants and interference when legal authority is
unwarranted. Thank you. And I will say you could leave whatever you want with counsel. So I would like to ask the question as a part of this process. If you want to personally sign this I welcome that. I will stay after you can sign this. I would love to share this with the media
and press for them to acknowledge those on council who are willing to substantiate your oaths. Sir, I'd like to move on. My time is going up. I didn't realize. Just But if you want to leave anything, we it's obviously not something we're voting on. It's not item. If you want to leave it with me,
I'm happy to talk to you after the meeting. Sounds good. Thank you. Our next speaker is Michelle Downing. My name is Michelle. I live in Bethleam. I'm a nurse and a social worker and I've lived here for about 11 years. I want to thank the council's generosity
in having all of us back here again because we've been discussing this for months and remind you that you all get paid to be here and we do not. I personally work two jobs to be able to afford to live in
the city of Bethleam because I like it here because there's good people here. But again, I work two jobs and one of them is in city council. So, as someone who has been at many of these meetings, I'd like to state that
it is unacceptable how unprepared the administration and the police department have been for this meeting. I have been in these meetings. I know what you are all capable of. The shrugging of shoulders, the I don't knows, and the eye rolling
is unacceptable. I repeat myself as a taxpayer unacceptable. You are an employee of the city and act like it. As you all may know from the emails I've been sending after the kidnapping of 17 residents that happened in our city last
week, I have serious concerns about the ability of the Betham Police Department and this administration to keep the people in this city safe. I've been told everything from we can't do that. We're going to have a target on our back. We got to obey the federal government. There's nothing we can do. But all over
the country, I keep saying mayors, elected officials of all kinds, putting themselves on the street, being in public, putting themselves between danger and their people, showing up at jails, detention centers, looking for their missing people. Thank you for
that, Miss Leon. I didn't know that happened. I see the mayor of York, who, by the way, in case no one knows, they only had two arrests the same day. He had an answer in 48 hours, including 20 years worth of surveillance data on only
two cases. So, I don't believe you when you say that we requested for the information and we didn't get it. York, Pennsylvania is the size of a peanut compared to Bethleam. If anybody in this room is still holding on to the idea that
there's something we can do to avoid it, it's here. We're not avoiding anything. And you keep asking us, well, what should we do? What should we do? We need more skin in the game. We need
you to know what you're doing. We need you to have a unified front. We need you to have one body. And when we're out there in the streets risking arrest, we expect some of you to be out there with us. People died yesterday arrest. Did you
know that people died yesterday or over the protests over the weekend? They were shot and killed. And while you said that all these, by the way, events went on perfectly, I can tell you the Rose Garden did not. And it
is terrifying to me that what the security measures that were missed at that march. There were four dangers that I, a citizen and the police, who
should know better, saw. So, please stop giving people the idea that they can meet with the police chief and have a tiny training and that everything's going to be safe and nothing's going to happen. You can't do that. You can't make them safe in the streets. It's your job to make sure they
don't have to go out into the streets. Your job, the police's job, our representatives job, our governor's job. It's all your jobs. We don't want to be in out there. I have grandkids. Do you think I want some right-wing nut job
targeting me or my grandchildren? I will now be using the last 51 seconds of my time at this lecture in total silence out of respect and concern for our 17 missing residents. Thank you for your time. Thanks,
Astounding. [Music] Our next our next speaker this evening, Dominic Trabosi. Again, my apologies if I mispronounced that. Uh, good evening, council. My name is
Dominic Trabosi. I am an eastern resident, but I frequent the city quite often. Um, regardless, the issue at hand