City Council

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING 10 East Church Street - Town Hall Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – 7:00 PM PLEDGE TO THE FLAG 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by President Rachel Leon. Present were Justin Amann, Bryan G. Callahan, Michael G. Colón, Jo C. Daniels, Hillary G. Kwiatek, and Ms. Leon, 6; Absent was Colleen Laird, 1. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 20, 2026 3. PUBLIC COMMENT A. PUBLIC COMMENT (on any subject not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit) Mike Garcia Mr. Garcia said the amount of development on the South Side is taking away the atmosphere of the City. If these buildings must be constructed, he urged the use of American labor. Alex Miller Mr. Miller raised concerns about the use of Flock Safety for police surveillance. He noted recent legislative and media concerns that privacy is being compromised. Some of the camera feeds were left exposed for Internet users and could be used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The remedy is for communities to not contract with Flock or those offering similar services. Mark Will-Weber Mr. Will-Weber compared a person’s online concern about a high monthly electric bill to City water bills. He again asked that the City offer water apps for customers to monitor their usage for unusual activity such as leaks to avoid waste leading to higher water bills. Harry Faber Mr. Faber spoke out about injustices related to ICE activities. He urged Council to pass legislation to prevent law enforcement from sharing information and resources with ICE. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 2 February 3, 2026 William Scheirer Mr. Scheirer recommended that the Parking Authority’s annual financial statement be publicized more. He also said that the proposed seven-story building next to the Walnut Street Garage will detract from the appeal of Main Street. Stephen Antalics Mr. Antalics noted that a strong advocate of restoring four firefighter positions to the payroll is no longer on Council. He encouraged support for funding these positions. B. PUBLIC COMMENT (on ordinances and resolutions to be voted on by Council this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit). Stephen Antalics Mr. Antalics restated his support allowing retiring police officers to be able to purchase their firearm. He said the public supports this practice, and all members of Council should as well. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Members of Council B. Tabled Items C. Unfinished Business 5. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Kwiatek Ms. Kwiatek believed that the City contracts with Flock for license plate readers but has been told that the data is not shared with that company. Police Chief Michelle Kott has said, and repeated this evening, that the data is not placed on any open-source website that is available to the public. This differs from some other departments that chose to release the information unredacted to the public. Mr. Callahan Mr. Callahan said the proposed seven-story building next to the parking garage will look “atrocious.” Worse yet, the location is within the history district. He also observed that the golf fund finished 2025 with a $700,000 additional profit over the projected profit. Business Administrator Eric Evans said the golf fund is one of the City’s self-sustaining accounts that is segregated from the General Fund and other money. The profit will largely be used for replacing the golf storage barn next to the recycling center. Mr. Callahan said he still wants to find money to restore the four firefighter positions totaling about $460,000 for the last six months of 2026 and had hoped that some of this profit could be used for this purpose. He was told that money from self-sustaining funds such as the golf course and water and sewer funds could not be used for other purposes such as paying to employ firefighters. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 3 February 3, 2026 6. COMMUNICATIONS A. Director of Public Works – 2026 14 Tree Inventory Assessment – ArborPro, Inc. Michael Alkhal recommended a three-year contract with ArborPro, Inc. to provide an inventory that details the location, size and condition of street trees throughout the City. The cost is $96,750 – Item 10 A. B. Chief of Police – Handgun Purchase for Retiring Lieutenant Michael DiLuzio Chief Michelle Kott recommended an Agreement for the purchase of a duty weapon by a retiring police officer – Item 10 B. C. Business Administrator – 2026 16 Fire and EMS Consultant Services – Center for Public Safety Management, LLC Eric Evans recommended a contract with the Center for Public Safety Management, LLC to conduct a fire and EMS apparatus, protection and efficiency study costing $82,740 – Item 10 C. D. Director of Community and Economic Development – 2026 Greenway Land Survey – JLS Surveying, LLC Laura Collins recommended a contract with JLS Surveying, LLC to provide land surveying services for two parcels associated with the Greenway costing $6,300 – Item 10 D. E. Lahoud Law – Request for Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer – Ride ‘Em Cowboy Co. An application was received from Lahoud Law representing Ride ‘Em Cowboy Co. seeking to transfer Retail Restaurant Liquor License R-8050 from Easton Meat & Produce Corp. at 250 Line Street in Easton to 217 Broadway in Bethlehem. A motion was made by Ms. Kwiatek, seconded by Mr. Colón, to schedule a Public Hearing to transfer the license for 7 PM on March 17. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, and Leon, 6. Motion passed. 7. REPORTS A. President of Council President Leon announced the meeting minutes will have a new look with less detail beginning with those approved tonight from January 20. Minutes will still contain required elements such as Council votes. Council for several years has live-streamed its meetings. These videos can be accessed, if desired, to ascertain more detail. B. Mayor Mayor Reynolds reported that the City on the weekend of January 25 had its first snow emergency declaration in five years. He believed the snow response went well. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 4 February 3, 2026 C. Committee Reports 7 C1. Finance Committee – Mr. Colón Mr. Colón advised that the Finance Committee met earlier this evening to discuss 10 proposed budget adjustments. Most dealt with adding grant money received and 2025 year-end budget reconciliations. All 10 bills have been advanced, as proposed, to Council’s agenda tonight for First Reading. 8. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE 8A. Bill No. 02-2026 – Article 1701 – PA Uniform Construction Code Sponsors: Leon, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ARTICLE 1701 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES ENTITLED PENNSYLVANIA UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE, BY ADOPTING THE 2021 PENNSYLVANIA UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Bill No. 02-2026, now known as Ordinance No. 2026-02, passed on Final Reading. 9. NEW ORDINANCES Mr. Callahan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Colón, to consider Items 9 A through 9 J as a group. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Davis, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Motion passed. 9A. Bill No. 03-2026 – Year-End Reconciliation 2025 – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9B. Bill No. 04-2026 – Office Furniture Carryover (0601 and 0507) Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING Bethlehem City Council Meeting 5 February 3, 2026 THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9C. Bill No. 05-2026 – 2024 Police – Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9D. Bill No. 06-2026 – Fire Dept. – FM Global Grant (iPads) – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9E. Bill No. 07-2026 – Fire Dept. – Pipeline Emergency Response Grant (PERG) – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9F. Bill No. 08-2026 – PA Dept. of Health – Promising Maternal Health Initiatives – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9G. Bill No. 09-2026 – Emergency Housing-Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) – Budget Transfer – General Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, Bethlehem City Council Meeting 6 February 3, 2026 COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9H. Bill No. 10-2026 – Transfer of Staffing Levels in WSR – Salaries – Budget Adjustment – Water Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE WATER FUND BUDGET FOR 2026 9I. Bill No. 11-2026 – Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) – Community Development Block Grant – Budget Transfer – CDBG Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND FOR 2026 9J. Bill No. 12-2026 – Year-End Adjustments – Budget Transfer – Non-Utility Capital Fund Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek. The Clerk read the Bill titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, COUNTIES OF LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE NON-UTILITY CAPITAL FUND FOR 2026 AYE for Items 9A through 9J: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Bills No. 03-2026 through 12-2026, passed on First Reading. 10. RESOLUTIONS A. Approve Resolution – 2026 14 Tree Inventory Assessment – ArborPro, Inc. Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek; Agreement with ArborPro, Inc. to provide a street tree inventory. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Resolution 2026-020 passed. Bethlehem City Council Meeting 7 February 3, 2026 B. Approve Resolution – Handgun Purchase for Retiring Lieutenant Michael DiLuzio Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek; Agreement with retiring Lieutenant Michael DiLuzio to purchase his duty weapon. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Laird, Leon, 5; NAY: Kwiatek, 1. Resolution 2026-021 passed. C. Approve Resolution – 2026 16 Fire and EMS Consultant Services – Center for Public Safety Management Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek; Agreement with the Center for Public Safety Management to provide a fire and EMS study. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Resolution 2026-022 passed. D. Approve Resolution – 2026 17 Greenway Land Surveying – JLS Surveying, LLC Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek; Agreement with JLS Surveying, LLC to provide a boundary and land area survey of two parcels. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Resolution 2026-023 passed. E. Approve Resolution – Records Destruction – Human Resources Sponsors: Amann, Kwiatek; Approval for the destruction of Human Resources public records. AYE: Callahan, Colón, Daniels, Kwiatek, Amann, Leon, 6. Resolution 2026-024 passed. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 8:05 PM. ATTEST: Tad J. Miller City Clerk