City Council

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING 10 East Church Street - Town Hall Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Tuesday, June 3, 2025 – 7:00 PM PLEDGE TO THE FLAG 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by President Michael G. Colón. Present were Grace Crampsie Smith, Hillary G. Kwiatek, Colleen Laird, Rachel Leon, Kiera Wilhelm, and Rachel Leon, and Michael G. Colón, 6; Absent was Bryan G. Callahan, 1. President Colón announced that Mr. Callahan was on vacation. Business Administrator Eric Evans advised that Mayor Reynolds was attending a Chamber of Commerce event. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 21, 2025 3. PUBLIC COMMENT A. PUBLIC COMMENT (on any subject not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit) Change Legislation Resident Arthur Curatola recommended that the City pass legislation prohibiting establishments that are open to the public from banning patrons without just cause. He believes the City has legislation in place that should be changed in order to discourage owners from banning patrons with whom they have vendettas. What Will Bethlehem Do? Resident Harry Faber said the moral failure of the world to stop the killing in Gaza is unconscionable. He said history will not only judge the perpetrators but those who stood by in silence as well. He asked what Bethlehem will do about it. B. PUBLIC COMMENT (on ordinances and resolutions to be voted on by Council this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit. None. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Members of Council B. Tabled Items Bethlehem City Council Meeting 2 June 3, 2025 C. Unfinished Business 5. NEW BUSINESS None. 6. COMMUNICATIONS A. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – 2025 15 EC Applebutter Rd Pump Station Upgrades – Apollo Group, Inc. The Clerk read a May 28, 2025 memorandum and proposed Resolution from Director of Water and Sewer Resources Edward Boscola. The memorandum seeks authorization to execute an Agreement with the Apollo Group, Inc. of Kingston, PA to complete electrical work at the Applebutter Road Pump Station. The cost is $111,499, and completion is expected by October 29, 2025. There are no renewals. The Apollo Group was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder. President Colón stated that Resolution 10 A is on the agenda. B. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – 2025 15 EG Applebutter Rd Pump Station Upgrades – DOLI Construction Corporation The Clerk read a May 28, 2025 memorandum and proposed Resolution from Director of Water and Sewer Resources Edward Boscola. Mr. Boscola seeks authorization to execute an Agreement with DOLI Construction Corporation of Chalfont to provide new metering and equipment upgrades at the Applebutter Road Pump Station. The cost is $264,125, and completion is expected by October 29, 2025. There are no renewals. DOLI was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder. President Colón stated Resolution 10 B is on the agenda. C. Deputy Director of Economic Development – Memo – Goodman Building – RACP The Clerk read a June 3, 2025 memorandum and attached Resolution from Sean Ziller, Deputy Director of Economic Development. Mr. Ziller outlines the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is a Commonwealth redevelopment grant program. City Council in 2021 through 2023 passed three Resolutions for this program to assist in the redevelopment of the “Goodman Building Project” located at 30-32 East Third Street. Mr. Ziller recommends that Council pass a new Resolution authorizing submission of the RACP application to receive an additional $500,000 grant. RACP grants for this project total $2.5 million. President Colón stated Resolution 10 C is on the agenda. D. City Solicitor – ArtsQuest – 2025 Sabor Latin Festival The Clerk read a May 28, 2025 memorandum from Solicitor John F. Spirk, Jr. with an attached Use Permit Agreement and a Resolution. The Permittee is ArtsQuest and the event is Bethlehem City Council Meeting 3 June 3, 2025 the 2025 Sabor Latin Festival. Event times and dates will be 6 PM until midnight on June 27 and 4 PM until midnight on June 28. The permit duration will be 2 PM until midnight on both dates. The premises will include 1st Street from Founder’s Way to the eastern terminus. President Colón stated Resolution 10 D is on the agenda. E. City Solicitor – ArtsQuest – 2025 Independence Day Celebration The Clerk read a May 28, 2025 memorandum from Solicitor John F. Spirk, Jr. with an attached Use Permit Agreement and a Resolution. The Permittee is ArtsQuest and the event is the 2025 Independence Day Celebration. Events will be held from 3:00 to 10:00 PM on July 4. The permit duration will be from 3:00 PM until 11:30 PM on the same date. The premises will include 1st Street from Polk Street to the eastern terminus; and Founder’s way between 1st and 2nd Streets. President Colón stated Resolution 10 E is on the agenda. F. Solicitor – ArtsQuest – 2025 One Earth Reggaefest The Clerk read a May 28, 2025 memorandum from Solicitor John F. Spirk, Jr. with an attached Use Permit Agreement and a Resolution. The Permittee is ArtsQuest and the event is the 2025 One Earth Reggaefest. Events will be held from noon to midnight on July 5. The permit duration will be from 8:00 AM on July 5 until 2:00 AM on July 6. The premises will include 1st Street from Polk Street to the eastern terminus; and Founder’s way between 1st and 2nd Streets. President Colón stated Resolution 10 F is on the agenda. 7. REPORTS A. President of Council B. Mayor 7B1. Administrative Order – Cathy Fletcher – Director of Planning and Zoning Mayor Reynolds appointed Cathy Fletcher as Director of Planning and Zoning. Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution 2025-093 to confirm the appointment. President Colón observed that this position replaces Darlene Heller, who retired several months ago after a distinguished career with the City. He added that this is an important position and asked Mr. Evans about the recruitment process and related details. Mr. Evans said an extensive and lengthy search was conducted. Ms. Fletcher is a Lehigh University graduate who went on to obtain her master’s degree from Boston University. She gained experience in the northeast. He deferred to Director of Community and Economic Development Laura Collins for further insights but noted that she was also attending an event this evening but likely would be present later in the meeting. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 4 June 3, 2025 Ms. Laird noted that Ms. Heller was willing to remain with the City part time in an advisory role and asked whether she was a part of the hiring process. Mr. Evans deferred to Ms. Collins on this matter as well. He offered that Ms. Heller will participate in acclimating the new director and providing a smooth transition. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. Mr. Evans announced that four new police officers started with the City yesterday. When all are certified, eight vacancies will remain. He also said that seven firefighters will graduate from the academy on Friday. Four will enter the next academy on June 11. This continues efforts to bring the Department numbers back to full staffing. Mr. Evans also said that the Recycling Center will be closed between June 16-30 for maintenance. This will include upgrading the electrical system from single- to three-phase. C. Council – Chairpersons’ Reports 7C1. Ms. Kwiatek, Chair – Community Development Committee (F.A.I.R. Hearing) Ms. Kwiatek reported that the Community Development Committee is scheduled to hold the annual Financial Accountability Incentive Reporting program hearing on June 17 at 6 PM in Town Hall. This is required under Article 349 and reviews economic development incentive reports submitted by the Administration. 8. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE None. 9. NEW ORDINANCES None. 10. RESOLUTIONS A. Approve Resolution – 2025 15 EC Applebutter Rd Pump Station Upgrades – Apollo Group, Inc. Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-094 that authorized to execute an Agreement with the Apollo Group, Inc. to provide electrical work at the Applebutter Road Pump Station. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. B. Approve Resolution – 2025 15 EG Applebutter Rd Pump Station Upgrades – DOLI Construction Corporation Bethlehem City Council Meeting 5 June 3, 2025 Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-095 that authorized to execute an Agreement with DOLI Construction Corporation to provide new metering and equipment upgrades at the Applebutter Road Pump Station. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. C. Approve Resolution – Goodman Building – RACP Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-096 that authorized to execute all application forms necessary to apply for an additional $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Controller are hereby authorized to enter into a Cooperation Agreement with Collaboration 3, LLC for project administration for the redevelopment of the “Goodman Building Project” located at 30-32 East Third Street. Ms. Crampsie Smith was happy that these grants are available. When the earliest ones were received, the City was the conservator of the building. Recognizing that two floors of this redeveloped building would be residential, she asked whether there will be an affordable housing aspect to this project. Ms. Collins, who recently joined the meeting, said this project has been underway for many years. No affordable housing requirements were included in agreements. Ms. Crampsie Smith understood that this cannot be mandated but wondered whether it would be too late to at least suggest this to the owner. She next suggested that, given the proximity to a bus stop, perhaps the inclusion of public restrooms could be recommended to the developer. Ms. Collins believed the project is far along and it would be too late to suggest major changes. Suggestions could be made but she did not believe the City would have any legal right to do more than that. She added that the grant source is the state. The City only acts as a “pass- through” agent, so it is not in a position to tie conditions to receipt of the money. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. Ms. Leon made a motion, seconded by Ms. Wilhelm, to consider agenda items 10 D through 10 F as a group. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Motion passed. D. Approve Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – 2025 Sabor Latin Festival Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-097 that authorized to execute a Use Permit Agreement with ArtsQuest for the 2025 Sabor Latin Festival. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 6 June 3, 2025 E. Approve Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – 2025 Independence Day Celebration Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-098 that authorized to execute a Use Permit Agreement with ArtsQuest for the 2025 Independence Day Celebration. F. Approve Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – 2025 One Earth Reggaefest Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-099 that authorized to execute a Use Permit Agreement with ArtsQuest for One Earth Reggaefest. Voting AYE on items 10 D through 10 F: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolutions passed. G. Approve Resolution – Records Destruction – Water and Sewer Resources Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-100 that authorized the disposal of public records in the Department of Water and Sewer, as set forth in Exhibit A. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. H. Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 121 East Third Street Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-101 that authorized to install a new, non-illuminated wall sign at 121 East Third Street. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. I. Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 14-36 West Third Street Mr. Colón and Ms. Crampsie Smith sponsored Resolution No. 2025-102 that authorized for HCC assessments of various details associated with the proposed hotel structure. Voting AYE: Ms. Crampsie Smith, Ms. Kwiatek, Ms. Laird, Ms. Leon, Ms. Wilhelm, and Mr. Colón, 6. The Resolution passed. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 7:33 PM. ATTEST: Tad J. Miller City Clerk