City Council

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING 10 East Church Street - Town Hall Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Tuesday, August 16, 2022 – 7:00 PM PLEDGE TO THE FLAG 1. ROLL CALL President Colón called the meeting to order. Present were Grace Crampsie Smith, Wandalyn J. Enix, Hillary G. Kwiatek, Rachel Leon, Paige Van Wirt, Kiera L. Wilhelm (via GoTo), and Michael G. Colón, 7. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 2, 2022 Dr. Enix offered a correction that Mr. Louis James is a member of the South Bethlehem Historic Commission, not the City’s Historic Conservation Commission as noted on Page 5 of the draft minutes. The correction will be made. The minutes were approved with this amendment. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT (on any subject not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit) Monocacy Way Trail Project Anna Lazewski presented her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which presents educational, interactive trail content for the portion of the Monocacy Way Trail at Burnside Plantation. Content focuses on Colonial history and sustainability including the History of the Burnside Plantation and the Moravians in Bethlehem, how the Monocacy was used in Colonial life, the power of native plants and trees, and why sustainability is important today. This includes a self-guided tour with audio. Her project will be piloted in 3rd-Grade classrooms at Hanover Elementary School for the upcoming year and online at: https://monocacytrail.hbm.yourcultureconnect.com/. Photography Exhibit of Indigenous People Brooke Mitman Rivera of Easton is the U.S.-based artist agent for a Russian/Ukrainian- born photographer Alexander Khimushin, who has been photographing indigenous people in his homeland in Central Asia. The intention is to create a world-class exhibit in the Lehigh Valley. They would like for it to appear in Bethlehem first. Mr. Khimushin also hopes to undertake a two- to five-year project of photographing the Native American Indian and indigenous people in North, Central and South America. Ms. Rivera was hoping to coordinate with the city to see if pieces of the exhibit could be displayed perhaps beginning in November. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 2 August 16, 2022 Unfair Noise Complaint Jose Avilla, owner of the Mexico Lindo restaurant at 720 Main Street, believes that he was the subject of unfair noise complaints made by one neighbor to police during Musikfest. His restaurant offered music during the week to attract customers. Although patrons and some neighbors were happy with this music, one neighbor made several complaints. These began with a direct request to turn down the music, which Mr. Avillas said they did. Eventually, complaints by this neighbor led to insults and cursing to the point where the employee taking the phone calls said he was becoming uncomfortable. On the second Saturday of Musikfest, police told him they received a noise complaint and he would have to stop the music. Mr. Avilla said a similar incident occurred during a Cinco de Mayo celebration. He believes he was singled out because of the information provided by one caller. President Colón responded that the Mayor and Police Chief are present and could perhaps discuss the matter with him in the hallway while Public Comment continued or in the future. Support for Restaurateur, Peace and Unity Events Resident Arthur Curatola said he was the performer during the police visit that Mr. Avilla spoke about. Mr. Curatola said the music was not loud and said it is the same person making the complaints. He suggested that there should be a law that requires perhaps three people to make a noise complaint before enforcement should be considered. Mr. Curatola again encouraged City Council to get involved with the Wake Up, Rise Up, Live for Peace event planned internationally on September 21. He said this year’s streaming event is now closed. But he encouraged them to plan for participation in next year’s event. He said he gave Bethlehem and Musikfest several mentions during his prerecorded material for this year’s event. He again said that Bethlehem should have a festival of love and peace and at least have a few tents for praise and worship of Christianity. He said this could be multi-denominational and added that still more tents could simply encourage world peace and unity. He further encouraged additional festivals to celebrate cultural heritage just as there has been Celtic Classic for decades. Request for Tent Event Resident Jane Buscemi announced that Blazing Glory Ministries is planning 10 days of Praise and Healing in the Valley tent meetings from September 2-11. She requested the city, ArtsQuest as the organizer of many Bethlehem events, and City police to sponsor the event. She noted that Blazing Glory Ministries had a tent at Musikfest and asked if this tent could remain and be used during the planned September dates. President Colón thanked Ms. Buscemi and referred her to the Administration as to how special events are coordinated. He said this is not a Council activity. Benefit to the Valley Samuel Santos of Easton supported Ms. Buscemi’s request. He believes this would be a benefit to the Lehigh Valley because this will spread a spirit of love and healing, this event will be Bethlehem City Council Meeting 3 August 16, 2022 able to comfort participants and provide a moral compass, and the spiritual significance of the land on which we live on and free of religious persecutions. Transformative Effect Allentown resident Bruce Heimbach said that Blazing Glory Ministries is about change and transformation. It uses music to change the attitudes of those who hear it. He said the message can bring hope and cooperation among people as they work together to honor and respect each other. He said they are not a church or a denomination seeking members or money just an organization seeking space and an opportunity to see lives transformed in a positive way. Honoring Heritage Resident Howard Rice said their desire to hold the tent meetings is to honor the heritage of those who came before them. They want to see the city become the community that it was when it was founded by the Moravians. Providing Hope Lower Saucon Township resident Ann Marie Slavick complimented the police presence at Musikfest. She also offered support for Praise in the Valley. She said that social isolation was becoming a problem before the pandemic and continued to worsen increasing stressors in the lives of many including mental illness. She said the Praise in the Valley event can provide hope and purpose. Spread the Word Allentown resident Austin Sullivan believes that many people would like to hear the message of Blazing Glory Ministries if given the chance. He was pleased with the response the group received at Musikfest. He believes this is the spiritual answer. Nurturing Values Allentown resident David Bonner said nurturing values are critical to development. He said the Valley and this country are at a turning point and believes the message that this tent conference can send is important. Spreading Peace Movement Easton resident Anglore Chambers offered support for the request for the Praise in the Valley event and noted that it is a spreading peace movement. Parking Problems Resident Alex Hirsch reported a Residential Permit Parking problem along Center Street. He said he appreciated this program in the past and the ability to park in the vicinity of his home. He said the 700 block has all on-street parking. There are no driveways or alleys. He has had some changes in his life causing split residency between Bethlehem and Rhode Island. He has a Bethlehem City Council Meeting 4 August 16, 2022 Rhode Island driver’s license and his vehicle is registered there. He learned when he attempted to update his information with the Bethlehem Parking Authority that this creates a problem with his participation in the RPP program. He is ineligible despite paying income taxes here. He noted that there are exceptions for students or for those living elsewhere but employed in the city. He added that he addressed the Parking Authority Board, but he does not meet the requirements of having a Pennsylvania license or registration. Mr. Hirsch asked City Council to consider amending its ordinance for the RPP program to include those who pay City income taxes or perhaps expand the area of employment to include all of the Lehigh Valley since he works in Easton. He said his alternative now is to park about a half mile from his home in a city parking garage. President Colón suggested that Mr. Hirsch could speak with the Mayor’s Office. Mayor Reynolds suggested taking Mr. Hirsch’s telephone number and having a conversation with the Parking Authority to learn details and options. Commends the Mission Princess Linton of Easton also supported Praise in the Valley. She said this is a good mission. She said they bring people to people and people to God. Landlord Complaint Former resident Beth Raynock complained about her former landlord and housing conditions at 1723 Schoenersville Road. She and her husband have been renting the home since October 2020. Within weeks of moving in, she said they had flooding in the basement despite representations that the home would not flood. They incurred severe property damage. The moisture led to black mold. The landlord has not abated the mold. She said some City employees have been helpful, but she is not making substantial progress in getting conditions cleaned up. She asked the city to hold the landlord responsible. She added that perhaps laws should change requiring action against black mold. President Colón said Council members and the Administration would be present after the meeting if Ms. Raynock wished to speak with them individually. Hope in Time of Need Resident Pam Fisher-Vail also supported the Praise in the Valley event. She said she has found community with Blazing Glory Ministries. She believes the event would bring peace, joy, and hope in a time when we are seeing violence across the country. Building Inspections Michele Hazard identified herself as a North Catasauqua Borough Councilwoman. She said North Catasauqua has experienced a lot of conversion from residential ownership to residential rental units. She said that Key Codes has helped them with safe building inspections. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 5 August 16, 2022 Banana Factory Decision Assessment Resident Stephen Antalics was surprised by two Council comments concerning the ArtsQuest Certificate of Appropriateness during the August 2 Council meeting. He said instead of offering detailed justifications for the vote, he heard what sounded like pleas from a private citizen and a sales presentation from a representative of an arts institution. He said both missed the point. The vote was to determine the plan for destruction and the style of the new structure thereby making both presentations primarily emotional. He said that both Council Members were well intentioned, but he believes that ArtsQuest has clouded their objectivity as representatives of the community at-large, their true role. He said another member addressed in great detail the needs of all parties involved: the City, ArtsQuest, and the citizenry. This Council Member also offered the suggestion of relocation of the proposed new building resulting in the consolidation of ArtsQuest, the reduction of brownfields, the historic preservation and potentially addressing the needs of the citizenry by resurrection of an old plan to provide an intermodal transportation center. He suggested that this Council Member benefited from being a longtime City resident. Mr. Antalics said another Council Member’s comments primarily were patronizing. He added that this Council has at times decried decisions made to approve special interest projects on the South Side which were rejected by historic commissions. This now appears to be lip service because this present Council has continued this process. Sewer Issue Resident Lou Applegate asked Mayor Reynolds why he cannot get a meeting with him. He said he has called his office. Additionally, his son emailed the Mayor’s Office. And yet, he cannot get a meeting with the Mayor to discuss a sanitary sewer backup. Mr. Applegate said he can prove that the City is at fault. He added that the City’s insurance company will not talk to him either. President Colón asked Mr. Applegate to address Council, not the Mayor. President Colón said that he was welcome to stay after the meeting if he wanted to talk to anyone. Mr. Applegate next asked Council why the Mayor will not meet with him. President Colón said that Mr. Applegate has been heard and Council will not speak for the Mayor, but again said that he could stay afterword to discuss matters. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT (on ordinances and resolutions to be voted on by Council this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit) 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Members of Council B. Tabled Items C. Unfinished Business 6. COMMUNICATIONS A. Police Department – 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Bethlehem City Council Meeting 6 August 16, 2022 The Clerk read a memorandum dated July 26, 2022 from Police Captain Michael Leaser to which is attached a resolution in support of a 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. An application is being made to receive up to $17,894. This grant would be use to continue improvements to computer hardware and software. President Colón then asked for a motion and a second to schedule a Public Hearing on the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Scheduling Public Hearing Ms. Kwiatek made a motion, seconded by Ms. Crampsie Smith, to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. The Motion passed. President Colón stated a Public Hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. B. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – Recommendation of Award – Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc. – Pierce Street Sewer Replacement Project The Clerk read a memorandum dated August 10, 2022 from Edward Boscola, Director of Water and Sewer Resources recommending approval of two change orders for a contract with Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc. for the Pierce Street Sewer Replacement Project. Change Order 1 increases the total of this portion of the contract to $273,940. Change Order 2 increases this portion of the contract to $39,042. The change order is due to increases in prevailing wage rates from the time of the original bid in 2017 to the Notice to Proceed issued in 2021. Project delays were attributed to utility interferences that had to be addressed before the commencement of the sanitary sewer work. The change also was due to the need to replace an existing inlet. President Colón stated Resolution 10 B is on the agenda. C. Director of Public Works – Recommendation of Award – Wexcon, Inc. – West Goepp Storm Sewer The Clerk read a memorandum dated August 10, 2022 from Michael Alkhal, Director of Public Works recommending a contract with Wexcon, Inc. to install 2 catch basins and 5 manholes to intercept stormwater from West Goepp Street and convey underground to an existing storm sewer on West Spruce Street to address nuisance flooding. The term is 90 days. The cost of the contract is $184,550. There are no renewals. President Colón stated Resolution 10 C is on the agenda. D. Director of Public Works – Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement The Clerk read a memorandum dated August 10, 2022 from Michael Alkhal, Director of Public Works, recommending updating and including all traffic signals under one Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement with PennDOT. The city still will be required to submit applications to Bethlehem City Council Meeting 7 August 16, 2022 PennDOT each time a signal is upgraded or modified but, under this Agreement, a separate Resolution will no longer be needed to update the corresponding maintenance agreement. President Colón stated Resolution 10 D is on the agenda. E. President of Council – Memo and Resolution for Backyard Chicken Ordinance – Permit Renewal Fee The Clerk read a memorandum dated August 11, 2022 from President of Council, Michael G. Colón, establishing the renewal fee for a backyard chickens permit. This Resolution complements the proposed amendment to Article 1159.18 Section (E), subsection (v), paragraph (2) stating the renewal fee shall be established by Resolution of City Council. President Colón stated Resolution 10 A is on the agenda. 7. REPORTS A. President of Council President Colón said he wanted to address some questions that individuals had for him concerning certain Council rules that are on the books. For those unaware, he said that Council has rules that dictate how meetings are to be run. He, as president, serves as Chair and is given some discretion for running the meeting. He next cited two examples. Rule 3 is the 5-minute time limit offered speakers during Public Comment. He tries to be gracious in sometimes allowing a little more time for people to make their point, but added that factors including the number of people waiting to speak can alter that result. This is a matter of discretion. Another Council rule is Rule 5, which concerns Council Members speaking on agenda items. A Council Member is only permitted to speak twice. The third time is at the discretion of the Chair. A fourth time speaking on the same agenda item would require a vote by Council to do so. President Colón said he does not keep a tally of the number of times that a Council Member speaks on the same item. He said his intention is to run meetings loosely using his discretion. However, his goal is for everyone to be heard: Council Members, the public, the Administration and the Department Heads. He noted that there have been some “spirited discussions” in recent meetings that have included some split votes. He said that this is OK and can be part of the governmental process. But he wants everyone to be heard and he does not want disagreement to turn into disrespect “because my fear is always that disrespect can turn into dysfunction.” He added that while this is a City Council Meeting, “This is really a peek into the operation of Bethlehem City government.” He appealed to everyone to “operate on a baseline of courtesy, so that we can continue to move things forward as we try to accomplish the things that we set out to at every meeting.” B. Mayor Musikfest Mayor Reynolds thanked all public safety departments, ArtsQuest, the volunteers, and the small businesses for a successful Musikfest. He said the report of 1.24 million people in attendance is the largest in the festival’s history. This is a testament to a reminder of what we are. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 8 August 16, 2022 Police Chief’s Festival Report Chief Michelle Kott also cited Musikfest’s attendance figure of 1.24 million, breaking the 2019 record. There were 89 calls for service handled by police. 33 occurred on the South Side and 56 on the North Side. There were just 21 arrests over the course of the 10-day festival. 18 of these were summary arrests. 81 percent of those arrested were males residing outside of the city. Further, 71 percent of those arrested were white, non-Hispanic or Latino. On Saturday, August 13, officers bravely responded to an incident on Main Street between West Lehigh and Spring Streets. Initial reports were conflicting due to the numbers of people in the vicinity. However, officers were able to quickly locate a 20-year-old male who had a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was transported by City paramedics to a hospital for treatment. He remains in stable condition. She expressed extreme pride in City officers who spent numerous hours working to keep the community and fest-goers safe. “Their professionalism and diligence this past Saturday was truly awe-inspiring.” They were able to immediately locate and render aid to the gunshot victim and also safely evacuated the area surrounding the crime scene in an effective manner. Thanks to the officers’ actions and ArtsQuest staff, additional injuries to patrons were avoided. She also thanked the Bethlehem Fire Department and City paramedics for all efforts. She also thanked the Pennsylvania State Police, Palmer Township Police Department, the Lancaster Police Department and all federal partners for their assistance. Thanks to Public Safety Officers Mayor Reynolds added his thanks to Chief Kott, Deputy Chief Scott Meixell, Fire Chief Warren Achey, and Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Novatnick for their long hours spent during Musikfest. He also thanked the Police Department in general, noting there were a lot of shifts to be covered that go above and beyond the call of duty. Additional shifts were needed on Sunday, and officers who had not previously planned to work offered to do so. He believed there was a lot of pride involved in wanting to serve the public. He thanked all of the people and the departments who really stepped up and provided safety during the 10-day event. Recycling Cost Concerns Department of Economic and Community Development Director Laura Collins outlined recycling cost concerns. Mayor Reynolds introduced this topic and said he wanted to make Council aware of this developing concern as budget season approaches. The City is in its fourth year of a four-year contract with Republic Services for curbside and yard waste recycling. The City was notified on August 3rd or 4th that Republic does not intend to exercise an optional one- year renewal to the contract. The city attempted to negotiate for another year, but those efforts failed. That means putting the contract out for bid. Ms. Collins wanted to advise Council of the circumstances and the current market conditions driving these events. Republic has said that it is dealing with a number of staffing issues, supply chain matters, and higher fuel costs. What she is seeing from surrounding communities now in this same situation are increases of 50 to 100 percent. This is a big deal. Another factor that is somewhat rare is that Bethlehem uses a dual- stream system. She estimated that only 5 percent of municipalities in the state are dual-stream. That presents a number of challenges. Specifically, the collector runs fewer trucks, which can lead to service issues when there are mechanical breakdowns, staffing challenges and leads to additional cost. It is so much of an additional cost for them that they are willing to walk away from this pretty large contract. For 2022, the contracted cost is about $1.12 million. We are now Bethlehem City Council Meeting 9 August 16, 2022 looking at 50 to 100 percent increases. The city is now putting together bid specifications that would call for pricing on single- and dual-stream options. It is possible that there will be few or no dual-stream bids. We also will have to consider to balance the budget what this situation might mean for residence. The ordinance currently provides for a $70 annual charge. We will have to see what that might become. Mayor Reynolds observed that it seems unlikely that the $70 annual recycling fee will be able to be maintained. He believed that the last time this fee was raised was in 2016. He repeated that single-stream versus dual-stream options will have to be weighed at what appears to be a higher cost for both, but what appears to be a still higher cost for dual-stream. And, there is no certainty that any bids will be received for the dual-stream option. Because Republic opted out in early August for 2023, the city needs to put out the Request for Proposals in the near future. He emphasized that the Administration wanted to alert City Council of the situation as quickly as possible. He anticipated that there will be more detailed discussion at a future committee meeting, but he wanted Council to know of the anticipated cost increase and the reasons behind it. Thanks to Public Works Mayor Reynolds also thanked Michael Alkhal and the Public Works crew for their work during Musikfest. He also noted that the resurfacing of the City Hall Parking Garage has begun. C. Human Resources and Environment Committee (Ms. Wilhelm) Ms. Wilhelm reported that the Committee met earlier this evening to review proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding solar energy. After discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to accept all proposed amendments and forwarded the bill to full Council for consideration. 8. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE A. Bill No. 16-2022 – Amend Article 1159 – Animals – Chicken Ordinance The Clerk read Bill No. 16-2022 –Amend Article 1159 – Animals – Chicken Ordinance, sponsored by Ms. Kwiatek and Dr. Van Wirt and titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA, AN ORDINANCE PERMITTING THE KEEPING OF BACKYARD CHICKENS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN LIMITED QUANTITIES AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1159 OF THE BETHLEHEM CITY CODE Ms. Leon said that she has spoken with multiple Council Members, Dr. Van Wirt and Chief Kott and all agree that there are some related public safety issues. Consequently, Ms. Leon made a motion, seconded by Dr. Enix, to move this bill for review by the Public Safety Committee. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 10 August 16, 2022 Solicitor Panella asked if Ms. Leon wanted to include Resolution 10 A on tonight’s agenda and any proposed ordinances related to Bill No. 16-2022. Ms. Leon clarified that her motion was to send Bill 16-2022, Resolution 10 A and all applicable documents to the Public Safety Committee. Dr. Enix agreed to include this clarification in her second of the motion. Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. Bill No. 16-2022, Resolution 10 A and any associated documents will be referred to the Public Safety Committee. The Motion passed. President Colón announced that a Public Safety Committee Meeting will be scheduled to discuss the chicken-related issues. B. Bill No. 18-2022 – Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 - Definitions The Clerk read Bill No. 18-2022 –Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 – Definitions, sponsored by Ms. Crampsie Smith and Mr. Colón and titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM AT PART 13 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM – DEFINITIONS Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. Bill No. 18-2022 now known as Ordinance No. 2022-17 was passed on Final Reading. C. Bill No. 19-2022 – Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 - Definitions The Clerk read Bill No. 19-2022 – Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 – Industrial Redevelopment and Industrial Redevelopment-Residential Zoning Districts, sponsored by Ms. Crampsie Smith and Mr. Colón and titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM AT PART 13 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM – INDUSTRIAL REDEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL REDEVELOPMENT- RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. Bill No. 19-2022 now known as Ordinance No. 2022-18 was passed on Final Reading. D. Bill No. 20-2022 – Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 – IN-O – Industrial Overlay District Bethlehem City Council Meeting 11 August 16, 2022 The Clerk read Bill No. 20-2022 –Amend Zoning Ordinance – Part 13 – IN-O – Industrial Overlay District, sponsored by Ms. Crampsie Smith and Mr. Colón and titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM AT PART 13 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM – IN-O INDUSTRIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. Bill No. 20-2022 now known as Ordinance No. 2022-19 was passed on Final Reading. E. Bill No. 21-2022 – Amend 2022 Capital Budget for Non-Utilities The Clerk read Bill No. 21-2022 – Amend 2022 Capital Budget for Non-Utilities, sponsored by Ms. Crampsie Smith and Mr. Colón and titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE 2022 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR NON-UTILITIES Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, and Mr. Colón, 7. Bill No. 21-2022 now known as Ordinance No. 2022-20 was passed on Final Reading. 9. NEW ORDINANCES None. 10. RESOLUTIONS A. Approve Resolution – Backyard Chicken Permit Renewal Fee – Removed from Agenda. B. Approve Contract – Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc. – Pierce Street Sewer Replacement Project Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-168 that authorized to execute an agreement with Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc. to implement two change orders associated with the Pierce Street Sewer Replacement Project. Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. The Resolution passed. C. Approve Contract – Wexcon, Inc. – West Goepp Storm Sewer Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-169 that authorized to execute an agreement with Wexcon, Inc. for installation of stormwater runoff improvements in the area of West Goepp Street. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 12 August 16, 2022 Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. The Resolution passed. D. Approve Resolution – Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-170 that approves and ratifies the Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Ms. Kwiatek said she appreciated learning how the relationship works between PennDOT and municipalities such as Bethlehem in that there is a shared responsibility for traffic signals whether commissioning or repairing them. She wanted the public to know that this agreement streamlines the process of record keeping and the relationship between PennDOT and the City. She believed the agreement is important for the City’s safety. Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. The Resolution passed. Motion – Considering Resolutions 10 E through 10 I as a group – Certificates of Appropriateness Dr. Van Wirt and Ms. Kwiatek moved to consider Resolutions 10 E through 10 I as a group. Voting AYE: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek, and Mr. Colón, 7. The Motion passed. E. Certificate of Appropriateness – 36 East Wall Street Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-171 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove a wood fence and wood arbor, construct a 6-foot-high brick wall along the rear and side lot lines, and install a 6-foot-high wrought iron gate that will be painted black at 36 East Wall Street. F. Certificate of Appropriateness – 408 North New Street Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-172 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove existing fencing and replace it with a similar, unpainted fencing at 408 North New Street. G. Certificate of Appropriateness – 455 High Street Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-173 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the existing roofing with GAF Slateline shingles in the Antique Slate color at 455 High Street. H. Certificate of Appropriateness – 516 Main Street Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-174 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a non-internally illuminated, wall hung sign at 516 Main Street. I. Certificate of Appropriateness – 130 East Wall Street Bethlehem City Council Meeting 13 August 16, 2022 Dr. Enix and Ms. Leon sponsored Resolution No. 2022-175 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace gutters and shutters with a similar material, as well as repaint the siding, window trim, and door trim at 130 East Wall Street. Voting AYE on Resolutions 10 E through 10 I: Ms. Leon, Dr. Van Wirt, Ms. Wilhelm, Ms. Crampsie Smith, Dr. Enix, Ms. Kwiatek and Mr. Colón, 7. The Resolutions passed. 11. NEW BUSINESS Library Late Fees Suspended Ms. Leon announced that the library is suspending late fees for the next two weeks while the City Hall Parking Garage floor resurfacing is being done. Job Well Done Ms. Leon also thanked Chief Kott and Bethlehem police officers for their actions at the chaotic time of the Musikfest shooting. She credited actions during the event and afterward for keeping the public informed. “That type of steady leadership is just something that we are just so fortunate to have within the city,” she said. Successful Musikfest President Colón thanked everyone involved for their efforts in providing another successful Musikfest. He called the shooting incident “an obvious tragedy.” But he said that in a time of panic, there is a group running away and a group running to the emergency. He said the police, paramedics and anyone else responding is owed a big thank you for responding the way they did. While it is an unfortunate event, he still considered Musikfest as a whole a great success. Recycling Notification President Colón also thanked Ms. Collins for alerting Council to the recycling circumstances. Committee of the Whole Meeting President Colón announced there will be a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 5:30 PM in Town Hall before the Council Meeting that night. The subject will be further discussion on the proposed Conflict of Interest Ordinance. Process Reminder President Colón revisited the subject of the request made earlier in the meeting by several supporters of the planned Praise in the Valley event. He noted that he referred them to the Administration and reminded that Council is not involved in that part of the process. He added that their timeline of having a September 2 opening seemed pretty tight to arrange at this point. If it does not work out for that timeline, he hoped that the group would not be discouraged but would work within the process to perhaps put something together in the future. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 14 August 16, 2022 Public Safety Meeting Chief Kott said she is very excited about the planned Public Safety Committee Meeting. This will be the first Public Safety Committee Meeting in some time. She is looking forward to exploring citizen concerns as well as the Administration’s concerns. The Service Center has been receiving calls both in favor and against the proposed chicken ordinance. She believes this is a good way to “systematically go through everything and explore all of the different concerns surrounding the issue, so we get it right.” She added appreciation from all of the Council Members about it and added that her door is always open. 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. ATTEST: Tad J. Miller City Clerk