[0:00] you know are any of us though no thank you what are you getting

[0:05] married congratulations

[0:12] I heard you have a good efficiency all right we're good

[0:16] all right oh she's probably more ready than weird good evening everyone

[0:21] are gonna get started tonight I ask we all rise for the pledge to the flag

[0:37] one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all

[0:48] thank you and thank you to the young yet booming voices I heard out in the

[0:52] audience this evening thank you for joining us

[0:55] the clerk to call the roll Mr gramsey Smith

[0:59] Dr Enix present this queer Tech present Miss Leon sentence Dr Van Wert Ms

[1:05] Wilhelm present and Mr cologne present councilwoman cramsey Smith and Dr Van

[1:12] Wert they are not going to be joining us this evening as they

[1:16] enjoy their vacations before we get started with our regular

[1:20] council meeting we do have city council will have a public hearing

[1:26] to accept public comment concerning a proposed zoning text amendment to

[1:30] clarify the definition and parameters for Environmental Education Centers

[1:35] community recreation centers and nature preserves this includes articles this

[1:41] includes article 1302 definitions 1304 allowed uses in primarily residential

[1:48] districts 1305 allowed uses in primarily

[1:53] non-residential districts and article 1322 additional requirements for

[1:59] specific uses this public hearing is for informational

[2:04] purposes only there will be no vote during the public hearing

[2:08] and then in connection with this public hearing there are two Communications I

[2:13] will ask the clerk to read both communication 6A and 6B

[2:16] communication 6A a May 4th 2023 memorandum from Darlene Heller director

[2:22] of Pliny and Zoning recommending approval of zoning text amendments

[2:26] related to Environmental Education Centers and similar uses City Planning

[2:30] Commission voted 5-0 on April 13 2023 to recommend approval of the amendments

[2:36] communication 6B June 23 2023 correspondence from Jillian Seitz senior

[2:43] community planner with High Valley Planning Commission the site states that

[2:47] the application proposes to amend the city's zoning ordinance by adding

[2:51] definitions for community recreation center Environmental Education Center

[2:56] and nature preserve and allows day care centers as an accessory use to

[3:00] Environmental Education Centers this proposal supports numerous actions to

[3:05] Future LV the regional plan the amendment also aligns actions and

[3:10] recommendations of the city's climate action plan besides asserts

[3:15] thank you

[3:18] the public hearing is now called to order we will start by recognizing a

[3:22] representative from the administration to discuss

[3:29] the amendment Ms Heller

[3:34] this color field mind just identifying yourself for those who aren't familiar

[3:38] with who you are sure Arlene Heller the director of Planning

[3:43] and Zoning for the city of Bethlehem and if there are zoning amendments to

[3:50] come that we would propose to come before Council

[3:54] um they are also first submitted to our Planning Commission and to the Lehigh

[3:59] Valley Planning Commission and you did read off those letters the Lehigh Valley

[4:05] Planning Commission was supportive uh as was the city's Planning Commission

[4:12] um it's a very uh brief Amendment that's proposed it's pretty specific as you

[4:17] noted in your comments uh it's uh specifically to

[4:23] um clarify definitions for community

[4:27] recreation center environmental engine education center and nature preserve we

[4:33] don't have those definitions now um there are three different uses and

[4:39] the definitions do clarify those uh there's a couple of other sections

[4:45] here in article 1304 of the zoning ordinance which is the use chart for

[4:51] both residential uses and Commercial uses we are proposing that because a

[4:58] daycare center is permitted in any lawful

[5:02] place of worship as an accessory use it should also be permitted as an accessory

[5:08] use in an Environmental Education Center in both commercial and residential zones

[5:14] um we also list in the specific uses

[5:19] chapter 1322 that under the requirements for a daycare where

[5:26] um a daycare is permitted as an accessory use for a place of worship it

[5:30] should also be included as an accessory use in Environmental Education Center

[5:36] and then in that same section 1322 we add some basic Provisions for an

[5:44] educational environmental Educational Center

[5:47] one is just what accessory uses might be included in there

[5:53] playscapes plant nurseries there's quite a variety of things in there and the

[5:59] second provision talks about parking and if a daycare is included the parking

[6:06] requirements for daycare use and also that if a daycare is included

[6:13] that the daycare should include all of the other requirements for daycare use

[6:18] in the city um it's very brief it's very specific we

[6:24] put it together to try to support um the uses that are now in the city and

[6:29] to um support others that would have an interest in coming to the city as you

[6:34] noted in your comments and as lvpc did it also supports the recommendations of

[6:39] the climate action plan that were the plan was proposed and approved a couple

[6:44] of years ago and in a variety of ways we try to move some of those

[6:47] recommendations forward so if you have any questions I'd be more

[6:52] than happy to answer those thank you Miss Heller I'll turn it over

[6:56] a members of council any questions from members of council for miss Helen I have

[7:00] one quick question um thank you so the we added a

[7:05] definition for community recreation center

[7:08] however didn't add the accessory use of a daycare center in that instance is

[7:13] that because that's already within the use of a community center or is that is

[7:18] there a reason why that was not included uh that's a good question I do believe

[7:25] it's included in the range of uses that would be

[7:29] um included within a community recommendation Center I I liken that to

[7:35] um the Boys and Girls Club something along those lines exactly so but I was

[7:38] just confused a little um because we're adding a definition

[7:42] which means we didn't have a definition before correct

[7:45] um but we know what the uses are for that so we just needed a definition

[7:51] to clarify what it is but we already have acceptable uses

[7:55] for a community center within the rest of the zoning ordinance that's what

[8:00] you're saying these things already exist so the use is

[8:04] doing we do have uses similar to this in the city yes yeah but we haven't really

[8:08] clarified them as a listed permitted use in the ordinance itself okay

[8:13] um well I'm just wondering if that might be something that would be worth doing

[8:17] since right now it seems like the list of um

[8:21] the the the accessory uses comma daycare center

[8:26] um we're we're adding Environmental Education Center

[8:31] and places to lawful places of worship like

[8:35] those are the only two places that can have a daycare center as

[8:39] an accessory use we can add that for clarification if you like it doesn't I I

[8:44] mean I think it would be great I mean sure I think most people think oh yes

[8:48] they have their care centers at things like the YMCA and the boys and girls

[8:51] club but I just want to make sure that we have it in there that that's

[8:55] a use sure we can do that thank you Miss Heller is adding that a significant

[9:01] enough change that I would have to go back to

[9:04] the Planning Commission I would defer to your legal counsel on

[9:10] that um it's uh

[9:14] it's minor in nature if it's already permitted in the city but really that's

[9:18] that's not my call yeah I'm of the opinion that I don't think that would

[9:21] have to go back to the Planning Commission I think that's just more

[9:24] clarification as opposed to an amendment uh Mr spark I don't know if you disagree

[9:28] or agree with me on that but I don't think that's something that needs to go

[9:30] back you said they're permitted already well

[9:34] we do have similar uses to that in the city and I would use a Boys and Girls

[9:39] Club as an example

[9:42] correct that's specifically called out excess

[9:46] reduces well the community recreation center is

[9:49] going to be a primary use um

[9:52] we had presumed a daycare would be accessory to that and the request is

[9:57] that it be called out as a permitted assessory used to daycare

[10:01] and you're saying we would have interpreted our existing zoning

[10:04] ordinance oh Mike I'm Jack Mike

[10:12] so we would just have presumed that when it said Community Recreation Center it

[10:17] came with it without calling it out yes and sometimes I mean in our minds we can

[10:21] visualize what we intend but it's if it's not clarified then Others May

[10:25] interpret it otherwise so um

[10:29] it's good to include things for clarification I would certainly agree

[10:32] that that's a good Amendment but wouldn't agree necessarily that that

[10:37] wouldn't require it to go back through the process no I I think not the lawyer

[10:42] no I'm yeah I'm just I'm not agreeing or not agreeing I'm just

[10:48] perfect deferring to someone else

[10:52] thank you Mr Panella thank you Miss Heller for that and then miss Heller can

[10:57] you just clarify So when you say accessory uses so we talked about within

[11:02] a um

[11:04] Environmental Education Center a daycare could be an accessory use can you just

[11:08] explained briefly what that means

[11:15] functions are pretty broad Community Gardens

[11:22] meeting space performance space wildlife habitats Wildlife viewing areas

[11:29] interpretive signage hiking walking trails

[11:33] playscapes native plant nurseries so it's it's it's

[11:36] a wide range of uh uses that they can include so

[11:43] um what we're envisioning is that there

[11:47] could be daycare or child education that would be nature based would include an

[11:54] educational element I think there's different types of daycare and certainly

[11:59] um you know this would be something unique

[12:01] that might be specific to an environmental education center but if

[12:07] it's listed as an accessory and accessory use is there any further

[12:11] permission needed do they have to go to the zoning hearing board or anything

[12:15] like that or it's just rolled into it's just rolled in what what their uh

[12:19] classified as correct so I thought just want to make sure

[12:23] I don't have any other questions or comments any other members of council

[12:28] questions or comments from a teller I don't have any additional questions but

[12:31] I just wanted to point out that that was my one question was just wondering about

[12:35] that so just to sort of underscore that it did make me scratch my head a little

[12:39] bit so it might be worth clarification and and so can I clarify my own purposes

[12:44] that accessory use just means something not within sort of the typical realm of

[12:50] what you would expect there so in a place of worship that's not its primary

[12:53] use so this is um and then I guess the presumption was

[12:56] that at a community recreation center that is a place where young people

[13:00] go for recreation and and so that the daycare kind of just is rolled into that

[13:05] naturally right um but we can clarify that and we can we

[13:09] can forward an amended version of this to your for your next meeting

[13:14] um the ordinance does have a specific definition for primary use and accessory

[13:19] use I mean I can't recite them right now but it is pretty

[13:24] clear in the ordinance that there is a differentiation great

[13:29] any other questions or comments from his Heller

[13:35] thank you Miss Heller thank you

[13:39] so we're going to turn it over to public comment now this is public comments

[13:44] specifically on these amendments which we're taking information on tonight so I

[13:48] know there were a few people who had signed up for a public comment related

[13:52] to Nature education so I'm going to go around the room this would be an

[13:56] appropriate time to give feedback if you wanted to about these amendments so I

[14:00] will start on the left was there anyone who wanted to give comment about these

[14:06] potential zoning changes I turned to the center was there anyone

[14:11] who wants to give comment man

[14:15] good evening Victoria bastidas 1311 Santee Mill Road Bethlehem Pennsylvania

[14:23] um so I would just like to to keep your meeting a little short I represent all

[14:29] of these young families if everybody can stand

[14:35] we would all like to thank you for your support of Environmental Education open

[14:43] space and your community center this is the future of your city and we

[14:50] are just so thankful that you are moving forward on this so you guys can sit for

[14:55] just a minute yes even our young 75 year olds are here

[15:00] um the one thing I would like to offer though as clarification of the daycare

[15:06] um

[15:08] for us to do Environmental Education this is an Environmental Education

[15:13] Center um four children if you are going to

[15:18] have children without their parent then you must be regulated by the

[15:23] Department of Human Services for the state

[15:26] which means anything that has a child outside of

[15:31] school hours during the school year or children below

[15:36] the age of school age during the summer you do have to go through the Department

[15:42] of Human Services it only makes sense to make sure that our site is safe

[15:47] to make sure that our teachers are you know

[15:51] accredited it all makes sense it's all in the best interest it is not that

[15:56] nature centers traditionally do daycare it's that in order to serve those

[16:01] children we must be under the regulation of the state

[16:06] um that does not go for summer camp though summer camp is a whole other

[16:10] thing apparently in the state and they as long as your kids aren't below the

[16:14] age of school age they you get a little permit for 25 bucks and

[16:19] you can run a summer camp but I just want to tell you thank you so much

[16:23] um this was this was a wonderful thing you did today thank you

[16:27] thank you Miss pastitis is there anyone else in the wide Center

[16:31] who wanted to make comment about the potential zoning changes

[16:36] I will turn to the right was there anyone to the right who wants to make

[16:39] comment ma'am in the last row

[17:03] hi my name is Liz Doyle and I live on Center Street in Bethlehem and I've been

[17:07] in Bethlehem about 10 years and discovered

[17:11] the farm by accident looking for a preschool for my grandson I have now six

[17:16] grandchildren and it's a big job but um I came across this ad on Craigslist and

[17:23] it was profoundly beautiful about what they could do for teaching children

[17:26] nature and teaching them you know the basics of education and I called up and

[17:32] Vicki said come up to the open house for having I was just amazed that two miles

[17:36] from my house there was a farm an open space and trees and it was just a

[17:41] beautiful spot it was like holy crow this is right

[17:46] down the road and uh it's been since then to get to this point where Vicky's

[17:52] possibly going to be able to do this preschool she's done it for

[17:57] small group of kids and they've just done amazingly they've had phenomenal

[18:01] results so my son's 10 my grandson's 10 and he

[18:06] was eating elderberries the other day so I don't know if they're good for your

[18:10] dad he said no Miss Vicki said it's okay we could identify them see it's got this

[18:15] here and that there and so it's fine and they proceeded to eat the whole

[18:19] container so that's the kind of information

[18:22] that they can learn from no place else you don't you don't have that space in

[18:27] the environment anywhere in our backyards and I just thank you if you

[18:31] can make this move forward and really become preschool for the town it would

[18:35] be a wonderful place thank you thank you man

[18:41] is there in the last row in the back

[18:49] we're not going anywhere but you might want to

[18:52] um my son Finn will be entering first grade at Spring Garden in the fall

[18:58] and we stumbled upon camel's hump um I was looking for preschool in the

[19:02] middle of a pandemic to get him socialized

[19:05] um and we stumbled upon it and it was an amazing experience he and two other kids

[19:11] went for two years um

[19:14] like like Miss Liz said he can go and pick things oh this is goldenrod and oh

[19:19] these are wine berries but be careful those are thorny and um he's writing

[19:23] entering kindergarten at Spring Garden and he he flourished there

[19:28] um all because of what we did at camel's hump

[19:30] um my middle daughter who's three and a half when can I go to farm school when

[19:34] can I go to farm school and I have a one-year-old so I just want to you I

[19:39] can't thank Victoria and the farm enough for what it's done with for our family

[19:44] um and it's just incredible and so to have this opportunity

[19:48] um is is we're really hopeful um to finally get this to get this going

[19:53] so thank you your name oh sorry my name is Heather Irvin thank you

[20:02] foreign was there anyone else

[20:07] welcome

[20:20] thank you all mayor Reynolds and city council

[20:24] I remember before I came tonight to this Nature Center I was bored at home with

[20:30] my older sister and younger brother because my parents had work but now I

[20:34] can go outside and at explore nature and have fun with my friends instead of

[20:40] watching TV all day long so I love Camp what was your name Crystal vinegar

[20:46] Crystal thank you for coming tonight

[20:51] I know right is there anyone else who wanted to make

[20:56] comment this evening anyone in the center

[21:01] anyone to the right going once I see some maybes going twice

[21:08] all right we're going to conclude our public comment this evening thank you

[21:13] everyone who came out to speak and just a reminder we're not voting on anything

[21:16] tonight but the ordinance will be put on the agenda for August first meeting

[21:20] coming up in a couple weeks thank you and the public hearing is adjourned

[21:29] get home safe everyone

[21:32] we're going to move on with our regular city council meeting

[21:38] we'll start with the approval of minutes for July 5th 2023 any comments on the

[21:44] minutes

[21:47] CNN a minute to stand approved

[21:55] let me empty out quick

[21:58] we're going to go through as we typically do

[22:02] through our sign up list of those who had signed up

[22:05] in advance I think some of these folks may have spoken already or at least want

[22:11] to speak about it so I'll start with Thomas

[22:14] and it's Kester I believe that was for the Environmental

[22:18] Center foreign

[22:21] money

[22:27] ask everyone who speaks film on just sharing your name for the record and

[22:31] we'll allow everyone five minutes

[22:34] hi my name is Erin Loney I am here with my husband Raul Gomez hello we reside at

[22:40] 1224 Setter Street in Bethlehem and

[22:45] lived there for 17 years now and we're here to advocate for the residents of

[22:50] the 1200 block of Center Street as well as other area residents that reside in

[22:55] duplex homes uh believed to be built around 1900.

[22:59] our block is located between Locust Street and Elizabeth Avenue it is the

[23:04] last block of one-way traffic northbound

[23:09] the joy of duplex homes is that to remediate anything it requires

[23:16] two halves of owners to come together and to work

[23:22] together without

[23:25] both of their involvement it can't be done

[23:32] in Bethlehem there's been a demonstrated history to condemn and demolish both

[23:37] sides of a duplex when one side has a structural failure

[23:41] one side can't stand without the other this has been evidenced by the

[23:47] experience of our neighbors who are here tonight Bernard and Diane Wilson

[23:51] here they reside they were our neighbors at

[23:54] 1220 Center Street it was the northern side of that duplex

[24:00] in August of last year as you know the Southern Wall of the duplex had already

[24:05] failed they were given two weeks to clear out their home of 19 years

[24:12] and to vacate

[24:15] their property was deemed unfit and is no longer there there is now two empty

[24:21] lots where their home stood

[24:25] We Fear as far as the residents of Center Street that theirs will not be

[24:30] the last Bethlehem did try to assist in

[24:34] remediation but work was considered too dangerous and no one would take on the

[24:39] task that they could not find a willing crew

[24:44] so now they are left with a mortgage on a house that's no longer there

[24:48] and a lien has been placed on their mortgage

[24:52] for the demolition regardless that those costs were paid by RDA with funds

[24:57] received by the Commonwealth our neighborhood watched as their home

[25:02] was torn down with the absolute fear that we would follow

[25:06] the Wilsons were an anchor in our neighborhood

[25:09] their absence is felt every day and the field that was once their home

[25:15] it's a constant reminder we're all at risk

[25:24] their absence is avoid that that's felt daily we share their

[25:29] heartbreak and hope together we can find a better narrative for all of us

[25:35] last week Ralph and I received a hand delivered letter from the city

[25:38] requesting a structural report for our home

[25:43] within five days we complied

[25:47] and we've been working with bethlehem's building and housing inspector Philip

[25:51] rotor who has been extremely helpful and extremely kind throughout this process

[25:58] um during the entirety of the time we've lived there

[26:01] the adjacent structure has been owned by landlords

[26:04] who have not lived there do they live elsewhere and have not intended in any

[26:08] way to engage with us

[26:13] the other half of our building was sold in August to 1222 Center Street LLC

[26:19] we've never seen anyone on the premises we've

[26:23] never seen them mow the lawn pick up their mail

[26:27] it's just been left

[26:32] we could be more prepared to remediate our half of the duplex but we fear

[26:36] similar circumstance if we were to put the money into the

[26:40] structure necessary that does not guarantee us that we will

[26:44] not lose our house

[26:49] per the article that was written back on February 26th about Diana Bernard's

[26:55] experience um the morning call letter I'm sorry

[27:01] article written by Lindsey Weber had stated that in July 22 an engineering

[27:06] report suggested that issues with the soil in the neighborhood could be a

[27:10] factor and it could also be effective affecting our structures

[27:13] so we're here today to ask for your help the Wilsons have needed your help for

[27:19] some time we need your help now and our neighbors are going to need your help

[27:22] tomorrow please help us save the equity we have

[27:26] spent years building help us to find a more effective way to handle joint

[27:29] remediation ongoing we're grateful for your time insight and

[27:33] assistance and we deeply appreciate any efforts to help each of our families

[27:38] whether our need

[27:41] arises so my guilt to you all

[27:46] thank you Mrs Moni and thank you Mr moon for coming out if you want to stick

[27:49] around to the end of the meeting speak to any members of council or any members

[27:53] of the administration you're welcome to that would be wonderful thank you

[28:01] our next speaker signed up was Rachel Abbott I think Rachel may have left with

[28:05] the departing group

[28:12] our next speaker it just make out a name I believe it

[28:17] says flum yeah may have also been here

[28:23] for the opening act our next speaker signed up is Artie

[28:27] keratola

[28:45] hi I'm Marty kuritola at a13 Lawford Street Born and Raised on the south side

[28:52] of Bethlehem whose Grandparents were born and raised in Italy and I'm proud

[28:56] of it as someone's going to talk bad about the South Side people or Italian

[29:01] people I'm not going to cry about it like some little baby who's insecure

[29:06] about his or her race color or Creed here in the United States of America we

[29:11] have a thing called freedom of speech and they say let them talk I won't walk

[29:17] I will hear though I'm not queer let me add queer has nothing to do with being

[29:21] gay since over one-third of the world's adult population had homosexual

[29:27] experiences there is nothing weird strange or queer about being gay so

[29:31] throw that queer thing away and stop being offended by it if you're gay

[29:35] uncool individuals who use the word to offend homosexuals they're queer

[29:41] anti-semitic that's queer freedom of speech we're walking on eggs with this

[29:47] anti-semitic Guff where's the freedom of speech here

[29:52] if you speak from the heart and you've got to be afraid that someone of the

[29:57] press is going to use their freedom of press to downgrade you as a homophobic

[30:03] anti-semitic racist redneck derelict keep in mind you're hired by we the

[30:09] people running a city is business not personal

[30:14] my best friend and partner for well over 20 years at the creative Sound Studio in

[30:20] Philadelphia Jerry dream and rest his soul was Jewish Norman and jelly Joyce

[30:24] of the Jolly Joyce theatrical agency gave me my start as a theatrical agent

[30:29] at the young age of 18 in Philadelphia in 1966. they were Jewish

[30:37] so for any of you today to be pointing at our finger at me and crying to the

[30:43] Press he's anti-semitic he hurt my feelings we got to cut him down a peg or

[30:48] two you have low self-esteem and are not that confident in yourself or the party

[30:53] who I'm running to replace in 2025.

[31:00] My Views and ideas that I brought to your table and brought up in December

[31:06] were stepped on with this anti-Semitism As I Lay said then and I'm saying now

[31:14] our city of Bethlehem named after the city that Jesus Christ was born who

[31:19] strongly stated that we should strive to be a good example to all needs to be

[31:23] looked at carefully by attacking and correcting any issues or articles that

[31:28] would make our city not as credible as it could be

[31:32] and there's a lot of issues and articles that need to be corrected two businesses

[31:37] in our city that we need to help correct who are making us look bad are artsquest

[31:43] and the Bethel Parking Authority we cannot give them free reign to do

[31:49] whatever they want around 10 years ago I performed a comedy

[31:54] show at the Manco Cinema for Arts Quest because I made a joke or two about the

[31:59] Mexican people and the Irish people I was barred forever for being labeled a

[32:05] racist by performing any venues at artsquest or Music Fest even though not

[32:11] one of the hundred or more people in that theater walked out on my

[32:15] performance boot or were offended Ryan Hill the head of the comedy division of

[32:20] artsquest used his racist thing as a crush so that I wouldn't move in on his

[32:25] position he is so naive to believe that I would have any interest at all to make

[32:31] the Lehigh Valley a funny place to be so with his childish self-confidence he

[32:37] labeled me a racist and takes away my freedom of speech at artsquest freedom

[32:44] of speech this buffoon couldn't entertain and hold

[32:48] the crowd for 10 minutes but I make a good living entertaining and holding

[32:52] grouts for over an hour in clubs theaters parties and corporate events I

[32:57] gave Hill many opportunities before he got to ask you to leave out any other

[33:02] private citizens in your comments please okay but the thing is the fact the fact

[33:08] is I perform

[33:11] many places many corporate bookings many parties many clubs and you know I I'm

[33:18] not like some people that seem like they're rehearsing for a

[33:21] nervous breakdown but the thing is you know I go Non-Stop

[33:27] I you could check with the garden of e Garden of Easton in Butler on Butler

[33:33] Street this past Friday I performed solo for over an hour and a half non-stop

[33:37] without losing one audience member they even go to the restroom for

[33:41] performances lasting for over three hours This Racist has been performing

[33:44] Mexican restaurants all over the tri-state area for well over 10 years

[33:49] and for five years at the Mexico Lindo restaurant 720 Main Street in Bethlehem

[33:54] every second Saturday of the month from six to nine plus for old other special

[33:59] occasions took care till I ask if you could please okay bring this to a

[34:03] conclusion okay that's a Mexican owner who I brought here to City Hall

[34:06] conference meetings thought my jokes were funny but art supplies took my

[34:10] freedom of speech away may you city council members and use somatic

[34:15] synthesizers maybe you love to take my freedom of

[34:18] speech away I have no more to say God bless you all

[34:23] that exhausts our list of everyone who had signed up I will go around the room

[34:29] starting to the left is there anyone who wanted to make comment on anything not

[34:33] being voted on this evening Mr Rodriguez

[34:54] Eddie Rodriguez 336 13th Avenue Bethlehem

[35:00] uh I came here tonight because I wanted to say something about

[35:06] uh if you've had an interest of a private property on Stefko Boulevard

[35:12] and the Blackboard the three dumpsters are at

[35:16] opposite the United Check Cashing to see if you can get some interest

[35:22] and what you have on Third Street for the kids a skate park

[35:27] maybe it would help if you got together and create something there

[35:34] in that area for the kids and it would hopefully

[35:39] uh help some of these folks in that sector

[35:45] with uniting and maybe they can come up with the city and the ownership of that

[35:50] property I don't know who owns it I went to Livingston Street Apartments

[35:55] and I made a couple uh calls but I just can't find out who

[36:01] owns it so I'm asking the city to get involved

[36:05] we're trying to see if they can create a skate park in that area it's a huge huge

[36:10] area behind there huge and before anything happens that

[36:14] something is bought and something else is put there which is really unwanted

[36:20] and the kids are left out not good not good

[36:24] I want to see something happen with those with that area for the kids

[36:29] uh it'll stop a lot of uh I think that of what's happening in the private

[36:36] parking lot in the stepco parking lot area

[36:40] with skateboarding and that immediate area where they're going up and down the

[36:46] streets uh in front of the store owners

[36:49] and not caring about you know who's coming in or what's going who's going

[36:54] out that's very dangerous

[36:56] because they're doing doing a lot of speeding in that area

[37:00] and the other thing I want to talk about is is that you know for the longest time

[37:04] there was a restaurant in the Westgate area

[37:09] and I'm wondering why is it that you don't have

[37:13] created why haven't you created a restaurant in that immediate area

[37:18] and what's the problem with trying to gain the ownership

[37:22] of that new of that restaurant that's no longer

[37:27] uh is there is visible it's like a ghost sound there

[37:32] we need a restaurant in that area there are the folks out there they got the

[37:36] uh the restaurant on shannonsville road Italian

[37:42] and maybe a couple Pizza owners around there but not a restaurant

[37:48] we got stores not a restaurant I go to a restaurant every morning for

[37:53] breakfast and I just would like something you know inexpensive so I

[37:57] won't have to go down to another restaurant no names mentioned and pay

[38:02] almost double the price that's unreal

[38:06] there's a lot of uh illegal vehicles I always stated you know since I've been

[38:11] coming here for the longest time but it's getting

[38:14] worse the illegal vehicles on these streets

[38:18] without plates no inspections loud mufflers every single night through this

[38:25] entire city we see motorcycles

[38:30] and it's not just for a plane there are drugs involved in these uh

[38:37] involving these motorcycles but you the police have not been able to handle

[38:41] anything on that because they don't have the proof

[38:45] but there is a lot of speeding

[38:50] a lot of dumping and litter on our streets throughout our city that is

[38:56] sickening we need something done about this

[38:59] because you know they're dumping out of their

[39:02] vehicles you know McDonald's stuff Burger King stuff it's not their fault

[39:06] it's the people that don't care about where they're dumping

[39:10] and then the neighborhoods uh have to pick up after them

[39:17] so do we need a little more containers in certain areas I don't know

[39:24] but I know that is happening because it's all over

[39:28] The Dumping of which is the last meeting that I came to which was taken care of

[39:34] the owner of that stuff couple of our property

[39:37] did something with the uh

[39:41] the uh trucks that pick up garbage

[39:47] and somehow is no longer there

[39:51] I guess he paid for it but The Dumping that's happening there

[39:57] comes from I believe because I've been checking here and there when I go around

[40:02] that area especially sometimes when I'm boarding out and I go specifically to

[40:09] that area and what do I find mattresses household items it's coming

[40:15] from people that are collecting Mr Rodriguez I'm going to ask you to start

[40:20] bringing this to us please collecting

[40:25] household items and they're dumping it there

[40:30] and that that shouldn't be the responsibility of the property owner and

[40:35] now they're anyone else so I'm asking you is also to get the

[40:38] police department I thought to our police chief about this hopefully

[40:44] something can take place so I thank you for

[40:47] allowing me to speak thank you for the surgeries

[40:52] is there anyone else to the left who wants to make comment this evening

[40:56] I turned to the wide Center is there anyone who wants to make comment Mr

[41:00] antalix

[41:14] before I start I have

[41:20] two items I wish to discuss

[41:24] and they are both on the agenda and I probably will not have enough

[41:32] to address both with five minutes so I would like to

[41:37] discuss one of them here at this courtesy of the floor

[41:43] if there's no objection

[41:52] Stephenson Alex 77 Ridge

[41:56] in relation to Administration order 7b7

[42:01] there appears to be a number of points which should be discussed in an open

[42:05] Forum before decisions before the citizenry and in the spirit of

[42:11] transparency before a vote is taken

[42:17] the points may be number one can an employee of the city be appointed

[42:23] as head of a board or authority

[42:28] number two is there a conflict of interest when the

[42:32] appointee is head of community and economic development department which is

[42:37] involved in quiz matters

[42:42] number three boards commissions and authorities

[42:46] members are appointed by Administration

[42:51] with the approval of counsel but are intended to be independent of

[42:56] both

[43:00] number four

[43:08] the official organization chart of the city of Bethlehem shows the line

[43:12] connected all boards

[43:16] authorities and commissions as being connected to the line between the lines

[43:21] connecting the city and the administration as equal

[43:25] partners

[43:29] so it's independent of both Council and

[43:35] Administration

[43:42] if the candidate is appointed as head of Bria

[43:48] should they resign their position as head of CED since if if they hold both

[43:54] positions it would violate organization chart thereby giving the administration

[43:58] control of the Priya

[44:03] so if that appointment is made and the person doesn't resign

[44:10] you are now connecting

[44:13] the authority to this to the administration which violates the

[44:18] official organization chart

[44:24] so this raises a very serious question

[44:29] it also raises a question of the 75 000 people in Bethlehem

[44:37] is there no one else qualified to fill that position

[44:42] and

[44:45] the gentleman who's running that organization now I understand is well

[44:50] qualified

[44:54] so this Smacks

[44:59] of another issue

[45:03] the appointment to a stark board by not reappointing a highly qualified

[45:08] person

[45:14] so the question is

[45:18] is this in the benefit of the city

[45:23] or this is this

[45:28] a way maintaining control

[45:33] console fuel citizens and honest answer so

[45:40] that I assume

[45:43] rather nice but I feel that there even should not be a vote because of the

[45:49] violation of the city organization chart

[45:56] thank you Mr antalix is there anyone else in the wide Center

[46:01] who wants to make comment on anything you choose this evening

[46:07] I turn to the right I know to the right sir in the front

[46:13] so there's a microphone right behind you if you'd be more comfortable

[46:17] bringing that to you [Music]

[46:26] good evening um do you mind just sharing your name

[46:30] please Bernard Wilson thank you

[46:33] a victim at 1220 Center Street and my question is to find out why I had

[46:41] no assistance from any council members or whatever

[46:46] that you could put your neighbor out they tell me the city that my house is

[46:53] all right and

[46:56] that what they were going to do was lift my house up and then put a retaining

[47:02] wall on it well it left it empty for a year and a half almost and then they

[47:09] came at me and told me um I had to move

[47:15] bad thing about this is I lived there I thought I was going to die on that block

[47:21] eventually because I like the neighborhood

[47:24] basically the city came in and they just took my house put me out refused to give

[47:32] me even a dollar a place to stay

[47:36] he told my insurance company that because by one dropped me they told my

[47:43] insurance company that

[47:46] you no longer um is structural damage they canceled my insurance on me

[47:54] the city told that I have it in writing and so far so far but me and I don't get

[48:00] into this tit protect but the only black homeowner on that block

[48:07] and they directly came and they treated me like you know and I have a lot of

[48:11] health issues and um I mean they gave us seven days in the house 18 19 20 years

[48:18] you can't move your stuff I mean and then they said we'll let you

[48:25] come back to get your stuff at a given time I would have never

[48:31] stayed in that house if they had told me or warned me before

[48:34] then who died with my kids coming home and

[48:38] grandkids but the thing the question that I want to know is how can the city

[48:46] condemn or allow people to do this and just don't offer me anything the same

[48:52] people who dropped me from the insurance saying that the city said that this has

[48:59] been going on since 2018. there's never been nothing in writing sent to me you

[49:04] know and um I basically almost had a stroke just

[49:09] it just agitated me I didn't know any insurance my taxes are paid I was a good

[49:16] person that you know paid his bill never had a disturbance at my home I've never

[49:21] received any more I wasn't even allowed to come in this building

[49:25] at a certain point so they could keep just certified and

[49:31] send me letters and no one's cared about me now that I'm living in a one-bedroom

[49:37] apartment that you know it's my wife it's hard to

[49:43] when you're living in a house and you know you have equity in it so now what's

[49:48] going on is now my mortgage companies acting funny I asked them

[49:53] I paid through February I asked them would they allow me

[49:58] um they put it on the back end of the

[50:00] mortgage because I didn't believe that we were going to go that far and then

[50:04] once they got rid of the insurance insurance company took over and they

[50:09] were carrying me at a higher rate but then it's now and I understand they're

[50:14] getting where they already bulldozed of my house you know and I had personal

[50:18] things in there that I assumed that I was coming back for and um

[50:24] I know someone in the city or to counseling people someone had to see it

[50:29] but no one's ever addressed it it's like you know I can't afford 25

[50:34] 000 to retain an attorney you know so I think the program is you work waking

[50:41] about and then you just you know he moves on you know I understand they're

[50:45] getting ready to put my lot up for auction soon you know and I'm not

[50:51] stopping they have contacted attorney general and a few other people you know

[50:56] EEOC because I felt that I being the first was discriminated just get out and

[51:03] they didn't come like in a way of talking to you they came and just

[51:07] dictated they talked to me real low just said what they wanted to be and um

[51:15] I'm not going to keep going on and on I just wanted to address the matter why no

[51:20] one in the city ever looked at my issue I mean the morning Cole had it on the

[51:25] front page the paper five pages and no one no one's ever came to us and said

[51:33] this or that they didn't even know if when I moved you can't I didn't have the

[51:37] money and I'm going to go with your timer but

[51:40] I had to get some people to move us

[51:45] and my daughter got someone and they did this we got other people they didn't

[51:51] even want to pay storage yes stuff's in stores we'll give

[51:57] you eight months but she had to wait every other month and take it and then

[52:00] they sent her a little check I just think it's horrible that in this city

[52:06] though nobody I mean it's like see it God you know I'm living in a one bedroom

[52:13] that me and my wife we can't even get along but we we don't have anybody to

[52:17] reach out I've been through you know the bar association trying to get someone to

[52:23] help me I went to pro bono I went to Legal Aid I've been

[52:28] through so many people that you know

[52:32] and and if they knew this since 2018 why did they leave me there and then

[52:38] it's coming give me seven days if you let me stay there a year and a half

[52:43] after they put the neighbors out yeah two years whatever it was I'm just

[52:49] saying they in my house was the only one that showed no outside structural damage

[52:57] and pictures disproved that but the houses and some people are still there

[53:02] they got exclusive or plywood on it and bricks

[53:07] and fell and you know I mean I know it must not mean nothing

[53:12] to you you're trying to rush him just basically you know

[53:17] trying to be as calm as I can it's no reason to act out of order you know and

[53:22] I'm college educated go to Syracuse University but I'm saying you know they

[53:28] treated me like a piece you know I've had two daughters that three or

[53:33] whatever they went to Liberty High School

[53:35] you know they have masses Bachelors you know

[53:38] so it's not like we were people that you would have a

[53:43] problem with but I just want to know why this city of Bethlehem

[53:48] no one came to my age wouldn't even give me a loaf of bread

[53:52] the insurance company that dropped me said this city

[53:57] is solicit or whatever somebody from City Hall said that we gotta go

[54:02] and he said we can't cover you anymore I'm gonna get off but I'm just trying to

[54:07] vent to you something that has destroyed my life by cardiologists he wrote two

[54:14] letters to the city tell him you don't know what you're doing this young man

[54:17] you know I you know eight fan uh you know but as I

[54:24] shared with your neighbors the monies earlier sir if you'd like to hang out

[54:27] for after the meeting once we get through the agenda to talk to any

[54:29] members Council uh or welcome to this is gonna be done

[54:34] see me I get into it I can't talk

[54:44] [Music]

[54:49] thank you Mr Wilson our public comment is I'm not going to speak on things that

[54:54] I'm not familiar with at the moment but as I said I will invite everybody if you

[54:58] want to talk to any of us afterwards stick around after the meeting

[55:04] [Music] well we're all members of city council

[55:08] sir but we

[55:11] we could all discuss this after the meeting

[55:16] is there anyone else you wanted to make comment during our public comment

[55:19] section on anything to be talked about

[55:25] so we're gonna move on to our next public comment this is for anything that

[55:29] is being voted on this evening anything that is on the agenda

[55:32] there's no one signed up so I'll go around the room starting to the left

[55:37] I turn to the center Mr italics

[55:53] Stephen and Alex again 737 Ridge

[56:00] I train make my comma subjective after some research that rarely my opinion

[56:10] which is by definition subjective in reference to resolution 10A for Iran

[56:18] purchase

[56:21] I wish to quote from a high profile blog a comment concerning a member of

[56:27] consoles voting no on gun sales in the past

[56:31] as a matter of conscience

[56:37] blogger said rather than a matter of conscience

[56:41] they called it blatant virtue signaling

[56:46] not my word what was interesting

[56:51] is that all the comments made my public to the logger or in support of the

[56:57] Blogger

[57:00] which is was significant

[57:05] because it represented

[57:09] the majority of people favoring gun sales

[57:15] and unfortunately some of the comments were rather negative which

[57:21] I think we're in Pro inappropriate but they try to make a point

[57:29] we're all free as private citizens to have personal opinions

[57:35] but a Citizens voted to public office by the public

[57:40] and it was just behind that table becomes a public servant

[57:45] and their priorities change

[57:50] in public welfare becomes Prime

[57:54] while the private views now become secondary

[58:01] the six votes supporting the sale of weapons reflects the will of the people

[58:09] while the one vote reflects one's personal View

[58:15] might that loan voter reconsider their position

[58:25] is there anyone else in the center who wanted to make comment on anything being

[58:29] voted on this evening

[58:32] or I'll turn to the right anyone who wanted to make comment on anything that

[58:35] we're voting on to make we will move forward with our agenda

[58:41] old business any old business for members of council

[58:45] see none Communications Communications succeed

[58:50] July 5th 2023 memorandums from police chief Michelle Cott with an attached

[58:55] resolution and agreement for the purchase of a Duty Weapon by a retired

[58:59] officer of the Bethlehem police department pursuant to the third class

[59:02] city code retired officers May purchase their Duty Firearms at fair market value

[59:08] resolution 10A is on the agenda this evening communication 6D July 6 2023

[59:14] memorandum within detached resolution and exhibit from Health director Kristen

[59:18] wenrick requesting the destruction of records from the health Bureau this

[59:22] winrick has reviewed the municipal records retention Act

[59:26] and the records listed on the exhibit fall within the categories where

[59:29] destruction is permitted and a resolution will be placed on the

[59:34] August 1st city council agenda communication 6E the July 7 2023

[59:39] memorandum with proposed resolution from Edward bascola director of water and

[59:44] sewer resources recommending an agreement with Great Western Services

[59:48] Incorporated of Allentown cost is 194 4448 dollars and 75 cents to provide

[59:56] materials and labor to restore Water and Sewer utility trenches at various

[1:00:00] locations within the city contracts will run for up to 60 days from the notice to

[1:00:04] proceed there are no renewals resolution 10B is on the agenda

[1:00:10] communication 6f the July 12 2023 memorandum with an attached resolution

[1:00:15] from police chief Michelle Conn requesting the destruction of records

[1:00:19] from the police department the chief has reviewed the municipal records retention

[1:00:23] Act and the records listed on the exhibit fall within the categories where

[1:00:26] destruction is permitted and a resolution will be placed on our

[1:00:31] August 1st city council agenda communication 6G July 12 2023 memorandum

[1:00:37] and proposed ordinance from Michael outcall director of Public Works

[1:00:42] requesting a budget transfer of 252 502 in the 2023 capital budget for

[1:00:50] non-utilities the amount reflects Paving reimbursement received from UGI for

[1:00:55] Street overlay work that would be completed in 2023 using in-house

[1:01:00] resources for portions of East wall West Broad West Market and Main Streets

[1:01:06] an ordinance 9A is on the agenda for first reading communication 6h July 13

[1:01:12] 2023 memorandum with proposed resolution Associated amendment number two special

[1:01:17] event permit agreement from city solicitor Jonas Burke Jr for hand work

[1:01:22] flats and leader plats permits are the permittees are artsquest and akm

[1:01:29] entertainment LLC equipment is for August 4th through 13th of 2023 and

[1:01:35] August 2nd through 11th of 2024 for use of certain city and Redevelopment

[1:01:40] Authority property for carnival ride inflatable bounce attractions and use of

[1:01:45] other Redevelopment Authority property located in the sun in Courtyard during

[1:01:49] Music Fest 2023 and Music Fest 2024. resolution 10c is on the agenda tonight

[1:01:57] communication 6i the July 13 2023 memorandum and proposed resolution from

[1:02:02] Laura Collins director of community and economic development and Brandon seeks

[1:02:07] permission to apply for a two million dollar multimodal Transportation fund

[1:02:11] Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of community and economic development to

[1:02:15] address safety and connectivity concerns along West 3rd Street between

[1:02:20] Northampton Street and Broadhead Avenue Grant has an application deadline of

[1:02:24] July 31st resolution 10d is on the agenda tonight

[1:02:31] reports I have one report I will be reappointing Marilyn Kelly

[1:02:38] kavoda to the human relations commission it's a clerk to read the council manic

[1:02:43] appointment

[1:02:45] councilman a appointment of Marilyn Kelly kavoda human relations commission

[1:02:50] resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon

[1:02:55] also same as Kelly's been serving on the human relations commission for

[1:03:01] over six years I've kind of lost count at this point and currently serves as

[1:03:05] our chair and has been a great volunteer serving so I'm I was happy to hear she

[1:03:09] was interested in continuing to serve any other discussion for members of

[1:03:14] council we'll call the roll Dr Enix

[1:03:17] aye Ms quick aye Ms Leone

[1:03:20] aye is Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right past is five zero

[1:03:26] Mr spurk

[1:03:29] thank you president come on a number of administrative orders if I may

[1:03:34] final straight of order number 2023-14 I hereby reappoint Stacy Elise

[1:03:40] Brennan 5407 Locust Valley Road Coopersburg to the Fine Arts commission

[1:03:45] this appointment is effective through November 2026.

[1:03:49] Administration administrative order of Stacy Elise Brennan Fine Arts commission

[1:03:54] resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Liam discussion

[1:04:00] we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye is Leon

[1:04:04] aye is Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right past five zero

[1:04:09] like administrative order number 20 2315 I hereby reappoint Sandra bat Gillen 804

[1:04:16] Wood Street to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective through

[1:04:19] December 2026. administrative order of Sandra Gillen to

[1:04:24] the Fine Arts commission resolution is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon

[1:04:29] discussion

[1:04:39] your administrative order number 20 2316 I hereby reappoint Janet B Pressler 1728

[1:04:46] Woodstown road to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective

[1:04:50] through November 2026. administrative order of Janet B preszler

[1:04:55] to the Fine Arts commission resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and

[1:05:00] Ms Leone we'll call the roll Dr Enix

[1:05:05] aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leone aye Ms Wilhelm aye Mr cologne

[1:05:10] aye it passes 5-0 administrative order number 2023-17 I

[1:05:15] hereby appoint Missy hartney 1912 Hart Street to the Fine Arts commission this

[1:05:20] appointment is effective through October 2024.

[1:05:24] administrative order Missy hartney to the Fine Arts commission resolution and

[1:05:28] confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leone discussion

[1:05:34] Dr Enix aye Ms

[1:05:37] Leon hi it's will home aye Mr cologne aye past five zero administrative order

[1:05:44] number 2023-18 I hereby reappoint Ian and Eco

[1:05:48] 1939 Hart Street to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective

[1:05:52] through September 2026. the administrative order of Ian Panico to

[1:05:58] the Fine Arts commission resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms

[1:06:03] Leone discussion

[1:06:06] call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leon

[1:06:10] aye Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne aye past seven zero my administrative

[1:06:15] order number 2023-19 I hereby appoint Dr Jill sperandio 510 High Street to the

[1:06:21] Fine Arts commission disappointment is effective through April 2026. the

[1:06:26] administrative order of Jill spirandio to the Fine Arts commission resolution

[1:06:30] to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon discussion

[1:06:36] we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms

[1:06:40] aye Ms Liam aye is Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne

[1:06:44] aye past five zero and finally administrative order number

[1:06:48] 2023-20 I hereby appoint Laura Collins Esquire 77 West Greenwich Street to the

[1:06:53] Bethlehem revitalization and Improvement Authority disappointment is effective

[1:06:58] through October 2027. the administrative order of Laura Collins Esquire Bethlehem

[1:07:04] revitalization and Improvement Authority resolution confirm is sponsored by Dr

[1:07:08] Enix and Ms Leone before I open up for discussion I'm

[1:07:12] going to ask Mr we heard some comments during public comment regarding this

[1:07:16] appointment and and Council voting on it I'm gonna turn to our Council solicitor

[1:07:21] Mr Panella here to my left just to weigh in on Mr Panella share whatever thoughts

[1:07:27] you have about is would it be appropriate for Council to vote on this

[1:07:32] for the appropriateness it will save that for a moment but I will say upon

[1:07:36] review of not just the third class city code but the optional third class CD

[1:07:39] code of course which operates and controls Bethlehem there is no technical

[1:07:44] prohibition of a city employee serving on this Authority uh beyond that there's

[1:07:50] actually from looking back on it there's a little bit of the historical precedent

[1:07:54] of that happening in Bethlehem uh Mr Joe Kelly when he was actually in the exact

[1:07:58] same position as attorney Collins here uh he actually served on the same

[1:08:03] Authority when it was created whether or not it's appropriate or what

[1:08:07] have you that's something for Council to vote on and decide but I will say

[1:08:11] confidently that there is no legal prohibition against uh her serving on

[1:08:15] this board if Council was to vote for that

[1:08:19] maybe appropriate was the wrong choice of words

[1:08:23] you answered what I meant to ask and before I open up to other members of

[1:08:27] council I will simply say I will be supporting this tonight for some of the

[1:08:32] reasons that Mr Patel had already outlined this position and Miss Collins

[1:08:35] is here by the way of course if anyone has questions from Miss Collins but the

[1:08:39] as Mr patella had a referenced the position that Ms Collins currently

[1:08:43] occupies was once occupied by the predecessor in this role and the the

[1:08:50] burrito board is one of five if I'm not mistaken so there this is not a a

[1:08:55] appointment to be a chairperson or executive director or anything like that

[1:09:00] this is to be one of one of five voting members to essentially the careers

[1:09:05] Authority so I will be supporting this tonight any other discussion from

[1:09:10] members of council start with Miss Wilhelm and then I will

[1:09:14] I will also be supporting this tonight but I I want to make sure I

[1:09:17] understood you correctly um solicitor Pinella

[1:09:21] um and I'm not sure who to whom to direct my questions

[1:09:24] [Music]

[1:09:30] I do have questions um so I don't know Ms Garner would you

[1:09:33] be the one to answer them um just can I confirm whose term is up

[1:09:38] on on the Bria I will um defer to miss Carter on

[1:09:43] questions on historical context and she can answer yours if you have any

[1:09:46] questions for me personally I'm happy to answer this as well but these are just

[1:09:49] historical foreign

[1:09:54] could you try Dr Van wert's microphone and see if that gives you feedback

[1:09:58] I'm sorry to make you do some Jenga here that's okay there we go okay okay Miss

[1:10:01] Leon also has one if you need one I'll just make my way down

[1:10:05] um could you please confirm whose term is up that Ms Collins would be replacing

[1:10:10] well the the terms are um they run through October the end of October of

[1:10:15] each year so the term that expired was held by Joe Kelly

[1:10:19] um and so the bylaws The Authority indicate that you don't serve until

[1:10:23] replaced you your term ends when your term ends so it's technically been a

[1:10:27] vacant position since that time thank you for clarifying um and when was Joe

[1:10:32] Kelly appointed uh in November of 2013 when the

[1:10:36] authority was created and the other board members the initial board members

[1:10:40] of The Authority were also appointed at the time okay so he was appointed when

[1:10:43] when Bria was was initially created yes okay and his role at the time that he

[1:10:51] was appointed to Bria was what he was director of the Department of community

[1:10:55] and economic development okay so Joe Kelly at the creation of Bria was the

[1:11:01] director of community and economic development and can you articulate I

[1:11:06] know uh I don't think you were you were in your role at that time I was not in

[1:11:10] my role obviously not I wasn't I was not appointed until January of 2014. thank

[1:11:14] you so can are you able to give us some insight on why it might have been

[1:11:18] determined that the director of community and economic development would

[1:11:22] be of value to the Bria board so at the time the authority was created

[1:11:27] we needed we as the city needed a municipal authority to be able to apply

[1:11:31] for the careers new opportunity that was presented

[1:11:36] um to third class cities that had certain sizes within Pennsylvania and so

[1:11:43] um I think that there was a well first of all we have moved in the

[1:11:50] city under the last Administration and continued that under this Administration

[1:11:53] to try to use our Economic Development tools comprehensively and I would

[1:11:58] describe those as being not just the quiz Authority but the Redevelopment

[1:12:02] Authority and the Bethel and Economic Development Corporation and so to ensure

[1:12:06] that we are all as I'd like to say rowing the boat in the same direction

[1:12:10] um Staffing those

[1:12:13] participating those managing them comprehensively so that we can maximize

[1:12:20] our Economic Development efforts and so I think that it is a excellent example

[1:12:25] of ensuring that that Authority had continuity with the Department of

[1:12:30] community and economic development at the time that makes sense to me so I'll

[1:12:33] just confirm again that I understand that at the creation of Bria the

[1:12:37] director of community and economic development was appointed to the board

[1:12:40] by the mayor who created Bria that's correct thank you

[1:12:48] did answer quite a or ask sorry I am really

[1:12:54] I am so sorry I apologize it's all very confusing the council person to my

[1:13:00] immediate right asked a lot of questions that I would have had um

[1:13:04] but you did say that it's considered a vacant position so you're not actually

[1:13:08] replacing anybody because the con the position is currently vacant because

[1:13:13] he doesn't continue to serve that's correct time is over so this isn't

[1:13:16] replacing one person with another this is filling the term is vacant yeah it

[1:13:21] expired at the end of October okay and um I could see why a person from

[1:13:26] Administration would be there like conceptually I thought it was

[1:13:31] um weird at first but when I went back and and saw kind of the the background

[1:13:35] workings of it I guess that that kind of um does make sense it's a board of five

[1:13:39] people do we have anybody else from the administration currently serving on not

[1:13:43] on the board of directors not on the board of directors and those are the

[1:13:45] people who who like vote and make the decisions and stuff like that those are

[1:13:49] the the voting members of the board okay so this wouldn't like change the dynamic

[1:13:54] of power on the the board at all you not on the board now

[1:14:01] I think that's it but now I'm all flustered from from this so I have

[1:14:04] something else to ask we'll be here okay xenix I'm not understanding the um

[1:14:13] Authority structure I I represent the Council on the Water Authority and I do

[1:14:21] not um

[1:14:23] I do not vote and there is a member of the administration on that Authority who

[1:14:29] doesn't vote and who we are not in executive sessions so give me a clear

[1:14:36] picture of the role that the uh member of the administration would play play on

[1:14:43] this so there are board members they would

[1:14:47] vote they would participate in all conversations they would be the officers

[1:14:53] of the authority they would make motions in seconds and all the things that come

[1:14:58] with being board members and so this is an appointment

[1:15:03] for a board position it's not a liaison it is a board position

[1:15:12] okay I understand it's board position but the person is on the administration

[1:15:19] isn't that kind of a conflict there

[1:15:25] uh I think your solicitor answered that question for you

[1:15:29] um that's not a question that I think um is mine to answer I would I would

[1:15:35] assure you that we have a history we not only had the director of community and

[1:15:40] economic development for the city of Bethlehem we had the director of

[1:15:42] community and economic development for the city of Easton on the board at one

[1:15:46] time and so there's a long history of needing technical expertise

[1:15:52] on this Authority okay okay and so there is an importance placed on

[1:15:57] qualifications uh understanding of Public Finance of

[1:16:03] understanding the specific requirements of the quiz Authority there are

[1:16:09] role there's a role that this Authority plays that you don't see on a Water

[1:16:13] Authority or you know some of the others and so it is very very much centered

[1:16:19] on economic development and the importance is place not so much on a

[1:16:24] position held but by the expertise they bring to the table and so I would say to

[1:16:29] you that this is a position that needs to be filled when possible by the

[1:16:35] director of community and economic development for the city of Bethlehem

[1:16:39] and there are five members yes ma'am okay

[1:16:43] thank you

[1:16:47] attack very briefly

[1:16:51] um our authorities boards and commissions they're all very distinct

[1:16:56] and have their own way of running things each one one to another you can't really

[1:17:01] compare for instance I am a liaison

[1:17:06] um to several I have a vote on one and not on two of the others so each of them

[1:17:13] has their own uh bylaws of their own organizational structure and and

[1:17:18] practices right yeah and some are created under different state acts so

[1:17:22] this is a municipal Authority we have a Redevelopment Authority created under

[1:17:26] the Redevelopment Authority Act which you are a liaison on right so yeah they

[1:17:30] are they are different thank you

[1:17:34] any other questions or comments from members of council

[1:17:38] I'll just add until a few days ago I thought this position

[1:17:43] it was written was on the authority uh just how we have our

[1:17:49] our chief zoning our inspector is on certain authorities and things like that

[1:17:54] because to me it just made sense when when I saw it come through so

[1:17:58] if there's no other discussion I will ask the clerk to call the roll

[1:18:05] [Music]

[1:18:09] zero

[1:18:13] nothing further from the administration thank you Mr shirt moving on to

[1:18:18] ordinances for final passage clerk will rebuild 27 2023 an ordinance of the city

[1:18:23] of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

[1:18:27] amending the 2023 general fund Bill 27 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms

[1:18:35] Grimsby Smith discussion

[1:18:41] how's the clerk to call the role Dr Enix aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leon

[1:18:46] aye Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne all right past is 5-0

[1:18:52] rebuild 28 2023 an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh

[1:18:57] Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 capital budget for

[1:19:02] non-utilities Bill 28 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Grimsby Smith

[1:19:08] discussion 5-0

[1:19:20] Bill 29 2023 the ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and

[1:19:25] Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 capital budget for

[1:19:30] non-utilities ill-29 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Crimson Smith

[1:19:36] discussion we'll call the roll Dr Enix

[1:19:41] aye is clear Tech aye is Leon aye Ms Wilhelm hi and Mr cologne

[1:19:48] aye passes five zero Bill 30 2023 the ordinance of the city

[1:19:54] of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

[1:19:57] amending the 2023 capital budget for non-utilities Bill 30 2023 is sponsored

[1:20:04] by Dr Enix and Miss Ramsey Smith discussion

[1:20:13] [Music]

[1:20:19] and Bill 31 2023 an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and

[1:20:24] Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 Community Development

[1:20:29] block grant budget Bill 31 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Ramsey

[1:20:35] Smith discussion call the roll Dr Enix

[1:20:40] aye Ms queer Tech hi it's Leon hi Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr column all right

[1:20:46] passes five zero moving on to new ordinances for which we have one this

[1:20:50] evening we'll read bill 32 2023. an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem

[1:20:55] counties of Lehigh and Northampton come north of Pennsylvania amending the 2023

[1:21:00] capital budget for non-utilities Bill 32 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon

[1:21:07] discussion we'll call the roll Dr Enix I is queer

[1:21:13] Tech aye is Leon aye Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right

[1:21:18] past five zero

[1:21:22] moving on to resolutions resolution 10A be it resolved by the Council of the

[1:21:26] city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and or such other City

[1:21:30] officials is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor or hit by authorized exe

[1:21:34] acute an agreement to effectuate the transfer of the city issued handgun

[1:21:39] Sergeant Sean Connolly a retired police officer the resolution is sponsored by

[1:21:45] Dr Enix and Miss Leon

[1:21:49] discussion yes hi I would like to uh just offer

[1:21:55] some facts um

[1:21:59] guns are the leading cause of death for U.S children and teens since they're

[1:22:02] passing car accidents in 2020. Firearms accounted for nearly 19 percent of

[1:22:07] childhood deaths ages 1 through 18 in 2021 according to the Centers for

[1:22:12] Disease Control and prevention database nearly 3 600 children died in gun

[1:22:17] related incidents that year that's about five children lost for every 100 100 000

[1:22:23] children in the United States in no other comparable country are firearms

[1:22:27] within the top four causes of mortality among children according to a kff

[1:22:33] analysis that's the Kaiser Family Foundation those are facts and the

[1:22:38] another fact is that we as council members vote on the sale

[1:22:45] of firearms to retiring officers there are opinions as to whether or not

[1:22:51] retired officers are safer with their weapons than other people those are

[1:22:56] opinions I don't have uh data on that I don't know that there's data available

[1:23:00] but I do know that one of the things we can vote on one time that I have a vote

[1:23:07] where I can do something about the prevalence of firearms in our society

[1:23:13] and the fact that no other comparable country

[1:23:16] um has this kind of rate of child killing by Firearms is in these votes

[1:23:23] and so I will continue to vote no thank you

[1:23:27] any other discussion for members of council

[1:23:30] Ms Leon I will say that like I I totally respect that that opinion but having

[1:23:35] been not an opinion I totally respect your facts

[1:23:40] um well I also just want to give voice to the

[1:23:44] fact that First Responders the prior military they they just see

[1:23:49] these things these sidearms very differently

[1:23:53] um they tend to be extremely cautious and careful with them and

[1:23:58] not that this is a good fact but the receiving end of violence from those

[1:24:02] sidearms tend to be there themselves because of the things that they endure

[1:24:06] during their periods of time so I just not negating what you're saying

[1:24:11] just saying that there's reasons why they're seen as a protection mechanism

[1:24:16] for people that are First Responders thank you for those words councilwoman

[1:24:21] Leon and I would respond by saying that death by Suicide with a firearm is a

[1:24:26] very big problem for our uh First Responders former First Responders

[1:24:33] former military service people and the fact that that firearm would be in

[1:24:42] their home means the likelihood is higher so

[1:24:46] suicide prevention is also a concern I shared the the statistics about

[1:24:53] um you know Firearms being the leading

[1:24:56] cause of death in children ages 1 to 18 because I think that's a pretty shocking

[1:25:00] statistic especially since uh you know no comparable country has that kind of

[1:25:06] problem so that's why I chose to choose that chose to share that statistic but I

[1:25:12] agree with you that death by Suicide is a is a huge problem and a great concern

[1:25:16] and many times a firearm is used in the commission of of that death and uh

[1:25:23] if it wasn't there there might have been an opportunity to prevent that suicide

[1:25:27] so yeah thank you for your for your

[1:25:31] thoughts

[1:25:33] any other discussion for members of council as well

[1:25:37] I do wish somebody were here for me to confirm this publicly but

[1:25:41] um I think I just want to clarify and put this in context

[1:25:46] that you know the implication is that this weapon will not and end up in

[1:25:52] someone's hands and um you know the first time uh we were

[1:25:57] called to make such a vote uh I did a lot of research and thought

[1:26:02] about it very hard and I did a lot of um in inquiring as to what happens if we

[1:26:09] vote no what happens to the gun and unless something has changed the gun

[1:26:13] will be sold um

[1:26:16] I I think it's important to at least um clarify that the the opposite of

[1:26:26] uh allowing an officer to purchase their weapon uh is not that the weapon is then

[1:26:33] never to be used again um and and I I just also want to just

[1:26:38] clarify that um it's a decision that we all put a lot

[1:26:42] of thought into and uh it's it's a lot of gray area

[1:26:49] um and I think I just wanted to clarify that

[1:26:53] that it's not um we're not voting to keep this gun

[1:26:59] um active versus having it be locked into a closet uh somewhere never to be

[1:27:05] used again um

[1:27:07] okay So yeah thank you thank you Miss Wilhelm

[1:27:12] any other comment from Members Council it's just that I would welcome I know

[1:27:16] this is my third um so I won't support again floor is

[1:27:19] yours I would welcome my fellow council members to consider whether there was a

[1:27:25] way for us to change that so that the opposite of not selling you know of

[1:27:31] selling the gun to the retiring officer is not that it goes out on the open

[1:27:35] market if there is a way that we can legally change that so that it would

[1:27:40] remain in the possession of the police department stored safely used for

[1:27:46] training or uh destroyed if it's uh no longer you know worthy of of use by the

[1:27:54] department I would welcome a conversation about that at some point

[1:27:58] as would I um and that is a different vote

[1:28:04] I'm going to share some thoughts as early now we've had

[1:28:08] a few of these votes over this current term and then in my you know years on

[1:28:15] Council and I'll be supporting this tonight as I have but one thing that

[1:28:20] that I think warrants mentioned is we heard during public comment this almost

[1:28:25] like uh polling or representation of what the the will is as elected

[1:28:32] officials I don't remember any election that were unanimous for turnout so as we

[1:28:38] talk about what the the will we hear a lot in these Chambers from

[1:28:42] up here the community whoever decides to give input about sort of the will of of

[1:28:48] the electorate the will of the community the will of the city

[1:28:52] I don't really think any of us could any worse person company included can a

[1:28:55] speaker included can take ownership of saying that and I think this these votes

[1:29:00] as they've been and seems they will be tonight are a good example of democracy

[1:29:06] we're going to have some split votes at times this is something that is

[1:29:11] sensitive for for good reason as we've had repeated discussions as we've had

[1:29:16] these repeated votes uh echoing the comments by councilwoman Leone as the

[1:29:22] nephew as it has been referenced here before of two retired police officers

[1:29:26] one who served here in the city of Bethlehem I understand the the

[1:29:30] attachment that our officers have to it and I will also note that none of these

[1:29:35] votes have ever failed in the time that we've been voting on them so I think

[1:29:40] that even though I will be supporting this to to shape the conversation around

[1:29:46] a a different perspective that's shared as if somehow that's a disservice this

[1:29:52] when as representatives of the community we all for anything we vote on represent

[1:29:58] different perspectives and I'm not going to do my own polling but I would say

[1:30:03] with confidence that there are likely some measure of community members who

[1:30:09] don't agree with me when I vote in the affirmative to say this I just think

[1:30:15] that that bears mentioning that wow okay again I will be supporting this and and

[1:30:20] don't think I'll be changing that perspective uh anytime soon that to

[1:30:25] again paint as if somehow that counsel anytime there's a disagreement or it's

[1:30:31] not unanimous or if it is unanimous against one side of the argument that

[1:30:35] that's somehow a disservice to those who have elected us I just think that's a

[1:30:39] mischaracterization if there's no other comment from members

[1:30:44] of council we'll call the roll Dr Enix I is squid Tech nay Ms Leone aye Ms

[1:30:50] Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne all right passes four one

[1:30:55] the clerk will read resolution 10B you resolved by the Council of the city of

[1:30:59] Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and or such other City officials is

[1:31:03] deemed appropriate by the city solicitor or hereby authorized execute agreement

[1:31:07] with Great Western Services Incorporated to restore Water and Sewer utility

[1:31:12] trenches at various locations within the city of Bethlehem or Associated

[1:31:16] sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leon discussion

[1:31:21] we'll call the roll after Enix I is queer attack aye is Leon hi this is

[1:31:27] Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne hi passes five zero resolution 10c it resolved by

[1:31:33] the Council of the city of Bethlehem the mayor and controller endorse such other

[1:31:37] City officials is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor by authorized execute

[1:31:42] an amendment to a special event permit agreement with artsquest and akm

[1:31:47] entertainment LLC for activities at hin work class and leaderplatz during Music

[1:31:53] Fest 2023 in Music Fest 2024 resolution is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Liam

[1:32:00] discussion

[1:32:03] 5-0

[1:32:12] resolution 10d be it resolved by the Council of the city of Bethlehem the

[1:32:16] appropriate city office officers are authorized to execute all documents and

[1:32:20] agreements between the city of Bethlehem and the Pennsylvania Department of

[1:32:24] community and economic development to assist in obtaining

[1:32:28] a multi-modal transportation fund Grant to be used for the West 3rd Street

[1:32:34] Corridor resolution sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leon discussion

[1:32:40] we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms Leon hi Miss Wilhelm hi I'm Mr

[1:32:46] cologne all right past five to zero

[1:32:51] moving on to our coas I'll accept a motion in a second to consider

[1:32:55] resolution 10 resolutions 10 e through 10g as a group

[1:33:00] so moved motion by councilwoman cleotec so I can

[1:33:06] buy councilwoman Leone any discussion on the motion

[1:33:11] we'll call the roll on the motion Dr Enix

[1:33:14] aye aye this is Leon hi Wilhelm hi and Mr

[1:33:18] cologne I motion passes five zero please read the group certificates are

[1:33:23] appropriateness under the provisions of the act of Pennsylvania legislature

[1:33:27] Bethlehem resolutions are granted for 515 Main Street to replace a restaurant

[1:33:32] sign install a double-sided blade sign and repaint certain building facade

[1:33:38] elements 46 East Church Street to add a screen door to the front entrance of the

[1:33:43] house and 418 420 Main Street to remove slate tile

[1:33:50] roofing and replace it with GAF slate line designer shingles as well as

[1:33:54] replace the copper gutters and downspouts the resolutions are sponsored

[1:33:58] by Dr Enix and Ms Leon any discussion on the group

[1:34:04] we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms queer check aye Ms Liam aye Ms

[1:34:09] Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne bye

[1:34:12] passes five zero any new business for members of council

[1:34:18] is all right um a few weeks ago we took a

[1:34:22] vote on an issue that I had expressed a great deal of hesitation surrounding

[1:34:25] voting on it I felt like I hadn't done my due diligence on it

[1:34:29] um I had uh wanted a bit more time but it

[1:34:34] as these things happen it just wasn't the case but I continued to have the

[1:34:37] conversations that I would have had regardless

[1:34:40] um including conversations with people within the administration

[1:34:44] um at the county level um some

[1:34:47] prior officers as well as a few of the immigration lawyers that serve over on

[1:34:52] the south side and my understanding of these things continues to evolve and as

[1:34:58] they evolve um I mean we can't turn back time but I

[1:35:02] hope that that memorandum of whatever it's called that thing you know what I'm

[1:35:07] talking about what's it called it's a memorandum of understanding

[1:35:11] when the mem I would hope that at some point the memorandum of understanding

[1:35:15] could come back to council we can address some of the the the questions

[1:35:18] that that I had that led me to having the discussions with some of our

[1:35:23] community members and some of the officers

[1:35:26] um I feel like that's a conversation that we would all benefit from

[1:35:30] thank you councilwoman any other new business for members of council

[1:35:34] just just a reminder on Thursday our West Side Town Hall at seven o'clock at

[1:35:39] the DAR house um councilman cologne and I will be

[1:35:43] there to uh give updates and answer questions from folks on the west side

[1:35:49] I'll be there and I want to thank members of the administration who had

[1:35:52] followed up with us regarding some questions we had just so we're prepared

[1:35:56] to give updates to those who come out for information on on Thursday

[1:36:00] any other new business for members Council

[1:36:03] get home safely everyone this meeting is adjourned

07182023 City Council meeting

Transcript