1 00:00:00,380 --> 00:00:09,120 you know are any of us though no thank you what are you getting 2 00:00:05,940 --> 00:00:09,120 married congratulations 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:18,420 I heard you have a good efficiency all right we're good 4 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:24,900 all right oh she's probably more ready than weird good evening everyone 5 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:28,160 are gonna get started tonight I ask we all rise for the pledge to the flag 6 00:00:37,700 --> 00:00:45,320 one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all 7 00:00:48,239 --> 00:00:54,059 thank you and thank you to the young yet booming voices I heard out in the 8 00:00:52,620 --> 00:00:58,079 audience this evening thank you for joining us 9 00:00:55,559 --> 00:01:02,399 the clerk to call the roll Mr gramsey Smith 10 00:00:59,039 --> 00:01:09,840 Dr Enix present this queer Tech present Miss Leon sentence Dr Van Wert Ms 11 00:01:05,519 --> 00:01:15,299 Wilhelm present and Mr cologne present councilwoman cramsey Smith and Dr Van 12 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:19,080 Wert they are not going to be joining us this evening as they 13 00:01:16,740 --> 00:01:24,000 enjoy their vacations before we get started with our regular 14 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:28,500 council meeting we do have city council will have a public hearing 15 00:01:26,220 --> 00:01:32,939 to accept public comment concerning a proposed zoning text amendment to 16 00:01:30,900 --> 00:01:38,340 clarify the definition and parameters for Environmental Education Centers 17 00:01:35,220 --> 00:01:45,680 community recreation centers and nature preserves this includes articles this 18 00:01:41,579 --> 00:01:50,180 includes article 1302 definitions 1304 allowed uses in primarily residential 19 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:56,600 districts 1305 allowed uses in primarily 20 00:01:53,000 --> 00:02:02,280 non-residential districts and article 1322 additional requirements for 21 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:07,079 specific uses this public hearing is for informational 22 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:10,860 purposes only there will be no vote during the public hearing 23 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:14,280 and then in connection with this public hearing there are two Communications I 24 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:19,980 will ask the clerk to read both communication 6A and 6B 25 00:02:16,860 --> 00:02:24,420 communication 6A a May 4th 2023 memorandum from Darlene Heller director 26 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:27,959 of Pliny and Zoning recommending approval of zoning text amendments 27 00:02:26,099 --> 00:02:34,260 related to Environmental Education Centers and similar uses City Planning 28 00:02:30,780 --> 00:02:40,560 Commission voted 5-0 on April 13 2023 to recommend approval of the amendments 29 00:02:36,780 --> 00:02:45,180 communication 6B June 23 2023 correspondence from Jillian Seitz senior 30 00:02:43,319 --> 00:02:49,680 community planner with High Valley Planning Commission the site states that 31 00:02:47,519 --> 00:02:53,760 the application proposes to amend the city's zoning ordinance by adding 32 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:58,920 definitions for community recreation center Environmental Education Center 33 00:02:56,220 --> 00:03:03,180 and nature preserve and allows day care centers as an accessory use to 34 00:03:00,780 --> 00:03:08,220 Environmental Education Centers this proposal supports numerous actions to 35 00:03:05,340 --> 00:03:11,879 Future LV the regional plan the amendment also aligns actions and 36 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:18,080 recommendations of the city's climate action plan besides asserts 37 00:03:15,239 --> 00:03:18,080 thank you 38 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:24,840 the public hearing is now called to order we will start by recognizing a 39 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:27,739 representative from the administration to discuss 40 00:03:29,340 --> 00:03:32,900 the amendment Ms Heller 41 00:03:34,319 --> 00:03:40,319 this color field mind just identifying yourself for those who aren't familiar 42 00:03:38,220 --> 00:03:45,959 with who you are sure Arlene Heller the director of Planning 43 00:03:43,140 --> 00:03:52,620 and Zoning for the city of Bethlehem and if there are zoning amendments to 44 00:03:50,159 --> 00:03:57,599 come that we would propose to come before Council 45 00:03:54,780 --> 00:04:02,700 um they are also first submitted to our Planning Commission and to the Lehigh 46 00:03:59,940 --> 00:04:08,459 Valley Planning Commission and you did read off those letters the Lehigh Valley 47 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:15,360 Planning Commission was supportive uh as was the city's Planning Commission 48 00:04:12,299 --> 00:04:21,139 um it's a very uh brief Amendment that's proposed it's pretty specific as you 49 00:04:17,579 --> 00:04:24,560 noted in your comments uh it's uh specifically to 50 00:04:23,820 --> 00:04:30,259 um clarify definitions for community 51 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:37,259 recreation center environmental engine education center and nature preserve we 52 00:04:33,780 --> 00:04:42,540 don't have those definitions now um there are three different uses and 53 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:48,240 the definitions do clarify those uh there's a couple of other sections 54 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:54,720 here in article 1304 of the zoning ordinance which is the use chart for 55 00:04:51,720 --> 00:05:01,560 both residential uses and Commercial uses we are proposing that because a 56 00:04:58,740 --> 00:05:05,460 daycare center is permitted in any lawful 57 00:05:02,940 --> 00:05:10,740 place of worship as an accessory use it should also be permitted as an accessory 58 00:05:08,220 --> 00:05:15,479 use in an Environmental Education Center in both commercial and residential zones 59 00:05:14,759 --> 00:05:24,000 um we also list in the specific uses 60 00:05:19,139 --> 00:05:28,740 chapter 1322 that under the requirements for a daycare where 61 00:05:26,580 --> 00:05:33,300 um a daycare is permitted as an accessory use for a place of worship it 62 00:05:30,780 --> 00:05:39,199 should also be included as an accessory use in Environmental Education Center 63 00:05:36,419 --> 00:05:46,500 and then in that same section 1322 we add some basic Provisions for an 64 00:05:44,340 --> 00:05:51,780 educational environmental Educational Center 65 00:05:47,419 --> 00:05:56,400 one is just what accessory uses might be included in there 66 00:05:53,600 --> 00:06:02,820 playscapes plant nurseries there's quite a variety of things in there and the 67 00:05:59,220 --> 00:06:08,940 second provision talks about parking and if a daycare is included the parking 68 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:16,139 requirements for daycare use and also that if a daycare is included 69 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:20,699 that the daycare should include all of the other requirements for daycare use 70 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:26,759 in the city um it's very brief it's very specific we 71 00:06:24,060 --> 00:06:31,919 put it together to try to support um the uses that are now in the city and 72 00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:37,380 to um support others that would have an interest in coming to the city as you 73 00:06:34,199 --> 00:06:41,940 noted in your comments and as lvpc did it also supports the recommendations of 74 00:06:39,660 --> 00:06:46,979 the climate action plan that were the plan was proposed and approved a couple 75 00:06:44,220 --> 00:06:50,520 of years ago and in a variety of ways we try to move some of those 76 00:06:47,940 --> 00:06:54,000 recommendations forward so if you have any questions I'd be more 77 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:58,740 than happy to answer those thank you Miss Heller I'll turn it over 78 00:06:56,280 --> 00:07:02,220 a members of council any questions from members of council for miss Helen I have 79 00:07:00,660 --> 00:07:07,139 one quick question um thank you so the we added a 80 00:07:05,580 --> 00:07:10,800 definition for community recreation center 81 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:16,139 however didn't add the accessory use of a daycare center in that instance is 82 00:07:13,380 --> 00:07:23,160 that because that's already within the use of a community center or is that is 83 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:28,380 there a reason why that was not included uh that's a good question I do believe 84 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:31,740 it's included in the range of uses that would be 85 00:07:29,699 --> 00:07:36,479 um included within a community recommendation Center I I liken that to 86 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:40,680 um the Boys and Girls Club something along those lines exactly so but I was 87 00:07:38,940 --> 00:07:43,620 just confused a little um because we're adding a definition 88 00:07:42,300 --> 00:07:47,940 which means we didn't have a definition before correct 89 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:53,340 um but we know what the uses are for that so we just needed a definition 90 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:58,380 to clarify what it is but we already have acceptable uses 91 00:07:55,919 --> 00:08:01,620 for a community center within the rest of the zoning ordinance that's what 92 00:08:00,060 --> 00:08:06,780 you're saying these things already exist so the use is 93 00:08:04,319 --> 00:08:10,979 doing we do have uses similar to this in the city yes yeah but we haven't really 94 00:08:08,819 --> 00:08:14,819 clarified them as a listed permitted use in the ordinance itself okay 95 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:20,099 um well I'm just wondering if that might be something that would be worth doing 96 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:25,319 since right now it seems like the list of um 97 00:08:21,419 --> 00:08:28,860 the the the accessory uses comma daycare center 98 00:08:26,759 --> 00:08:32,700 um we're we're adding Environmental Education Center 99 00:08:31,139 --> 00:08:37,260 and places to lawful places of worship like 100 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:41,940 those are the only two places that can have a daycare center as 101 00:08:39,719 --> 00:08:46,140 an accessory use we can add that for clarification if you like it doesn't I I 102 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:50,040 mean I think it would be great I mean sure I think most people think oh yes 103 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:53,160 they have their care centers at things like the YMCA and the boys and girls 104 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:59,519 club but I just want to make sure that we have it in there that that's 105 00:08:55,560 --> 00:09:03,480 a use sure we can do that thank you Miss Heller is adding that a significant 106 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:07,320 enough change that I would have to go back to 107 00:09:04,740 --> 00:09:11,580 the Planning Commission I would defer to your legal counsel on 108 00:09:10,260 --> 00:09:16,320 that um it's uh 109 00:09:14,459 --> 00:09:20,100 it's minor in nature if it's already permitted in the city but really that's 110 00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:23,040 that's not my call yeah I'm of the opinion that I don't think that would 111 00:09:21,180 --> 00:09:26,399 have to go back to the Planning Commission I think that's just more 112 00:09:24,180 --> 00:09:29,580 clarification as opposed to an amendment uh Mr spark I don't know if you disagree 113 00:09:28,380 --> 00:09:31,980 or agree with me on that but I don't think that's something that needs to go 114 00:09:30,660 --> 00:09:37,320 back you said they're permitted already well 115 00:09:34,680 --> 00:09:42,080 we do have similar uses to that in the city and I would use a Boys and Girls 116 00:09:39,060 --> 00:09:42,080 Club as an example 117 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:47,700 correct that's specifically called out excess 118 00:09:46,260 --> 00:09:52,019 reduces well the community recreation center is 119 00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:55,200 going to be a primary use um 120 00:09:52,740 --> 00:09:59,760 we had presumed a daycare would be accessory to that and the request is 121 00:09:57,899 --> 00:10:03,180 that it be called out as a permitted assessory used to daycare 122 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:07,080 and you're saying we would have interpreted our existing zoning 123 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:11,480 ordinance oh Mike I'm Jack Mike 124 00:10:12,839 --> 00:10:19,620 so we would just have presumed that when it said Community Recreation Center it 125 00:10:17,399 --> 00:10:23,820 came with it without calling it out yes and sometimes I mean in our minds we can 126 00:10:21,839 --> 00:10:28,440 visualize what we intend but it's if it's not clarified then Others May 127 00:10:25,980 --> 00:10:31,080 interpret it otherwise so um 128 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:35,700 it's good to include things for clarification I would certainly agree 129 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:39,300 that that's a good Amendment but wouldn't agree necessarily that that 130 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:45,240 wouldn't require it to go back through the process no I I think not the lawyer 131 00:10:42,420 --> 00:10:52,339 no I'm yeah I'm just I'm not agreeing or not agreeing I'm just 132 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,339 perfect deferring to someone else 133 00:10:52,380 --> 00:10:59,459 thank you Mr Panella thank you Miss Heller for that and then miss Heller can 134 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:03,120 you just clarify So when you say accessory uses so we talked about within 135 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:06,540 a um 136 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:11,839 Environmental Education Center a daycare could be an accessory use can you just 137 00:11:08,519 --> 00:11:11,839 explained briefly what that means 138 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:25,920 functions are pretty broad Community Gardens 139 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:31,500 meeting space performance space wildlife habitats Wildlife viewing areas 140 00:11:29,060 --> 00:11:34,740 interpretive signage hiking walking trails 141 00:11:33,019 --> 00:11:41,519 playscapes native plant nurseries so it's it's it's 142 00:11:36,959 --> 00:11:45,240 a wide range of uh uses that they can include so 143 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:51,000 um what we're envisioning is that there 144 00:11:47,279 --> 00:11:56,279 could be daycare or child education that would be nature based would include an 145 00:11:54,480 --> 00:12:00,180 educational element I think there's different types of daycare and certainly 146 00:11:59,399 --> 00:12:04,880 um you know this would be something unique 147 00:12:01,860 --> 00:12:09,600 that might be specific to an environmental education center but if 148 00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:14,160 it's listed as an accessory and accessory use is there any further 149 00:12:11,279 --> 00:12:17,100 permission needed do they have to go to the zoning hearing board or anything 150 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:22,140 like that or it's just rolled into it's just rolled in what what their uh 151 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:25,500 classified as correct so I thought just want to make sure 152 00:12:23,220 --> 00:12:30,540 I don't have any other questions or comments any other members of council 153 00:12:28,140 --> 00:12:33,660 questions or comments from a teller I don't have any additional questions but 154 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:37,980 I just wanted to point out that that was my one question was just wondering about 155 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:41,700 that so just to sort of underscore that it did make me scratch my head a little 156 00:12:39,660 --> 00:12:47,220 bit so it might be worth clarification and and so can I clarify my own purposes 157 00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:51,480 that accessory use just means something not within sort of the typical realm of 158 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:55,079 what you would expect there so in a place of worship that's not its primary 159 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:58,260 use so this is um and then I guess the presumption was 160 00:12:56,639 --> 00:13:03,660 that at a community recreation center that is a place where young people 161 00:13:00,839 --> 00:13:07,139 go for recreation and and so that the daycare kind of just is rolled into that 162 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:12,300 naturally right um but we can clarify that and we can we 163 00:13:09,660 --> 00:13:16,320 can forward an amended version of this to your for your next meeting 164 00:13:14,459 --> 00:13:22,440 um the ordinance does have a specific definition for primary use and accessory 165 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:26,579 use I mean I can't recite them right now but it is pretty 166 00:13:24,839 --> 00:13:31,440 clear in the ordinance that there is a differentiation great 167 00:13:29,459 --> 00:13:33,800 any other questions or comments from his Heller 168 00:13:35,399 --> 00:13:38,779 thank you Miss Heller thank you 169 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:46,380 so we're going to turn it over to public comment now this is public comments 170 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:49,560 specifically on these amendments which we're taking information on tonight so I 171 00:13:48,420 --> 00:13:54,720 know there were a few people who had signed up for a public comment related 172 00:13:52,260 --> 00:13:57,959 to Nature education so I'm going to go around the room this would be an 173 00:13:56,339 --> 00:14:03,240 appropriate time to give feedback if you wanted to about these amendments so I 174 00:14:00,899 --> 00:14:08,880 will start on the left was there anyone who wanted to give comment about these 175 00:14:06,060 --> 00:14:14,899 potential zoning changes I turned to the center was there anyone 176 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,899 who wants to give comment man 177 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:26,519 good evening Victoria bastidas 1311 Santee Mill Road Bethlehem Pennsylvania 178 00:14:23,339 --> 00:14:31,260 um so I would just like to to keep your meeting a little short I represent all 179 00:14:29,279 --> 00:14:33,440 of these young families if everybody can stand 180 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:47,300 we would all like to thank you for your support of Environmental Education open 181 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:52,980 space and your community center this is the future of your city and we 182 00:14:50,940 --> 00:14:56,699 are just so thankful that you are moving forward on this so you guys can sit for 183 00:14:55,320 --> 00:15:02,579 just a minute yes even our young 75 year olds are here 184 00:15:00,180 --> 00:15:08,839 um the one thing I would like to offer though as clarification of the daycare 185 00:15:06,779 --> 00:15:08,839 um 186 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:15,120 for us to do Environmental Education this is an Environmental Education 187 00:15:13,260 --> 00:15:21,120 Center um four children if you are going to 188 00:15:18,420 --> 00:15:25,860 have children without their parent then you must be regulated by the 189 00:15:23,279 --> 00:15:28,800 Department of Human Services for the state 190 00:15:26,820 --> 00:15:33,139 which means anything that has a child outside of 191 00:15:31,860 --> 00:15:39,740 school hours during the school year or children below 192 00:15:36,899 --> 00:15:45,240 the age of school age during the summer you do have to go through the Department 193 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:50,760 of Human Services it only makes sense to make sure that our site is safe 194 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:54,000 to make sure that our teachers are you know 195 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:59,399 accredited it all makes sense it's all in the best interest it is not that 196 00:15:56,220 --> 00:16:04,800 nature centers traditionally do daycare it's that in order to serve those 197 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:08,459 children we must be under the regulation of the state 198 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:12,480 um that does not go for summer camp though summer camp is a whole other 199 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:16,620 thing apparently in the state and they as long as your kids aren't below the 200 00:16:14,279 --> 00:16:21,480 age of school age they you get a little permit for 25 bucks and 201 00:16:19,079 --> 00:16:25,380 you can run a summer camp but I just want to tell you thank you so much 202 00:16:23,459 --> 00:16:29,579 um this was this was a wonderful thing you did today thank you 203 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:33,420 thank you Miss pastitis is there anyone else in the wide Center 204 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:38,339 who wanted to make comment about the potential zoning changes 205 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:43,880 I will turn to the right was there anyone to the right who wants to make 206 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:43,880 comment ma'am in the last row 207 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:09,839 hi my name is Liz Doyle and I live on Center Street in Bethlehem and I've been 208 00:17:07,799 --> 00:17:13,860 in Bethlehem about 10 years and discovered 209 00:17:11,459 --> 00:17:20,880 the farm by accident looking for a preschool for my grandson I have now six 210 00:17:16,679 --> 00:17:25,319 grandchildren and it's a big job but um I came across this ad on Craigslist and 211 00:17:23,220 --> 00:17:29,460 it was profoundly beautiful about what they could do for teaching children 212 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:33,960 nature and teaching them you know the basics of education and I called up and 213 00:17:32,100 --> 00:17:39,360 Vicki said come up to the open house for having I was just amazed that two miles 214 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:42,780 from my house there was a farm an open space and trees and it was just a 215 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:49,740 beautiful spot it was like holy crow this is right 216 00:17:46,020 --> 00:17:54,299 down the road and uh it's been since then to get to this point where Vicky's 217 00:17:52,620 --> 00:17:59,100 possibly going to be able to do this preschool she's done it for 218 00:17:57,179 --> 00:18:02,460 small group of kids and they've just done amazingly they've had phenomenal 219 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:08,880 results so my son's 10 my grandson's 10 and he 220 00:18:06,539 --> 00:18:12,960 was eating elderberries the other day so I don't know if they're good for your 221 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:18,000 dad he said no Miss Vicki said it's okay we could identify them see it's got this 222 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:21,240 here and that there and so it's fine and they proceeded to eat the whole 223 00:18:19,140 --> 00:18:24,960 container so that's the kind of information 224 00:18:22,380 --> 00:18:28,799 that they can learn from no place else you don't you don't have that space in 225 00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:33,179 the environment anywhere in our backyards and I just thank you if you 226 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:38,160 can make this move forward and really become preschool for the town it would 227 00:18:35,580 --> 00:18:40,340 be a wonderful place thank you thank you man 228 00:18:41,460 --> 00:18:46,160 is there in the last row in the back 229 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:56,100 we're not going anywhere but you might want to 230 00:18:52,980 --> 00:19:00,840 um my son Finn will be entering first grade at Spring Garden in the fall 231 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:04,140 and we stumbled upon camel's hump um I was looking for preschool in the 232 00:19:02,340 --> 00:19:09,539 middle of a pandemic to get him socialized 233 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:13,500 um and we stumbled upon it and it was an amazing experience he and two other kids 234 00:19:11,820 --> 00:19:17,340 went for two years um 235 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:21,000 like like Miss Liz said he can go and pick things oh this is goldenrod and oh 236 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:25,740 these are wine berries but be careful those are thorny and um he's writing 237 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:29,880 entering kindergarten at Spring Garden and he he flourished there 238 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:32,460 um all because of what we did at camel's hump 239 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:35,760 um my middle daughter who's three and a half when can I go to farm school when 240 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:42,120 can I go to farm school and I have a one-year-old so I just want to you I 241 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:47,039 can't thank Victoria and the farm enough for what it's done with for our family 242 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:51,299 um and it's just incredible and so to have this opportunity 243 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:56,640 um is is we're really hopeful um to finally get this to get this going 244 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:59,900 so thank you your name oh sorry my name is Heather Irvin thank you 245 00:20:02,039 --> 00:20:07,460 foreign was there anyone else 246 00:20:07,620 --> 00:20:10,160 welcome 247 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:27,720 thank you all mayor Reynolds and city council 248 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:32,220 I remember before I came tonight to this Nature Center I was bored at home with 249 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:38,880 my older sister and younger brother because my parents had work but now I 250 00:20:34,980 --> 00:20:43,640 can go outside and at explore nature and have fun with my friends instead of 251 00:20:40,620 --> 00:20:50,179 watching TV all day long so I love Camp what was your name Crystal vinegar 252 00:20:46,799 --> 00:20:50,179 Crystal thank you for coming tonight 253 00:20:51,559 --> 00:20:59,220 I know right is there anyone else who wanted to make 254 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:03,960 comment this evening anyone in the center 255 00:21:01,140 --> 00:21:11,100 anyone to the right going once I see some maybes going twice 256 00:21:08,700 --> 00:21:14,760 all right we're going to conclude our public comment this evening thank you 257 00:21:13,140 --> 00:21:18,720 everyone who came out to speak and just a reminder we're not voting on anything 258 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:24,000 tonight but the ordinance will be put on the agenda for August first meeting 259 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:27,740 coming up in a couple weeks thank you and the public hearing is adjourned 260 00:21:29,820 --> 00:21:32,840 get home safe everyone 261 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:38,480 we're going to move on with our regular city council meeting 262 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:46,220 we'll start with the approval of minutes for July 5th 2023 any comments on the 263 00:21:44,039 --> 00:21:46,220 minutes 264 00:21:47,580 --> 00:21:52,100 CNN a minute to stand approved 265 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:58,520 let me empty out quick 266 00:21:58,620 --> 00:22:04,200 we're going to go through as we typically do 267 00:22:02,039 --> 00:22:08,640 through our sign up list of those who had signed up 268 00:22:05,940 --> 00:22:13,440 in advance I think some of these folks may have spoken already or at least want 269 00:22:11,039 --> 00:22:17,159 to speak about it so I'll start with Thomas 270 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:20,460 and it's Kester I believe that was for the Environmental 271 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:24,419 Center foreign 272 00:22:21,419 --> 00:22:24,419 money 273 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:34,640 ask everyone who speaks film on just sharing your name for the record and 274 00:22:31,260 --> 00:22:34,640 we'll allow everyone five minutes 275 00:22:34,799 --> 00:22:43,140 hi my name is Erin Loney I am here with my husband Raul Gomez hello we reside at 276 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:48,179 1224 Setter Street in Bethlehem and 277 00:22:45,539 --> 00:22:52,679 lived there for 17 years now and we're here to advocate for the residents of 278 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:57,539 the 1200 block of Center Street as well as other area residents that reside in 279 00:22:55,500 --> 00:23:02,820 duplex homes uh believed to be built around 1900. 280 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:08,840 our block is located between Locust Street and Elizabeth Avenue it is the 281 00:23:04,860 --> 00:23:08,840 last block of one-way traffic northbound 282 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:19,559 the joy of duplex homes is that to remediate anything it requires 283 00:23:16,799 --> 00:23:23,780 two halves of owners to come together and to work 284 00:23:22,620 --> 00:23:28,919 together without 285 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:31,880 both of their involvement it can't be done 286 00:23:32,940 --> 00:23:39,900 in Bethlehem there's been a demonstrated history to condemn and demolish both 287 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:45,240 sides of a duplex when one side has a structural failure 288 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:48,780 one side can't stand without the other this has been evidenced by the 289 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:52,740 experience of our neighbors who are here tonight Bernard and Diane Wilson 290 00:23:51,419 --> 00:23:56,760 here they reside they were our neighbors at 291 00:23:54,360 --> 00:23:59,900 1220 Center Street it was the northern side of that duplex 292 00:24:00,299 --> 00:24:08,580 in August of last year as you know the Southern Wall of the duplex had already 293 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:15,200 failed they were given two weeks to clear out their home of 19 years 294 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:15,200 and to vacate 295 00:24:15,539 --> 00:24:25,520 their property was deemed unfit and is no longer there there is now two empty 296 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,520 lots where their home stood 297 00:24:25,740 --> 00:24:32,400 We Fear as far as the residents of Center Street that theirs will not be 298 00:24:30,659 --> 00:24:36,600 the last Bethlehem did try to assist in 299 00:24:34,380 --> 00:24:40,620 remediation but work was considered too dangerous and no one would take on the 300 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:42,919 task that they could not find a willing crew 301 00:24:44,039 --> 00:24:51,059 so now they are left with a mortgage on a house that's no longer there 302 00:24:48,299 --> 00:24:54,720 and a lien has been placed on their mortgage 303 00:24:52,080 --> 00:25:00,240 for the demolition regardless that those costs were paid by RDA with funds 304 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:04,200 received by the Commonwealth our neighborhood watched as their home 305 00:25:02,220 --> 00:25:08,700 was torn down with the absolute fear that we would follow 306 00:25:06,539 --> 00:25:12,539 the Wilsons were an anchor in our neighborhood 307 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:17,760 their absence is felt every day and the field that was once their home 308 00:25:15,299 --> 00:25:20,960 it's a constant reminder we're all at risk 309 00:25:24,380 --> 00:25:31,559 their absence is avoid that that's felt daily we share their 310 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:35,419 heartbreak and hope together we can find a better narrative for all of us 311 00:25:35,580 --> 00:25:42,059 last week Ralph and I received a hand delivered letter from the city 312 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:46,080 requesting a structural report for our home 313 00:25:43,620 --> 00:25:49,500 within five days we complied 314 00:25:47,580 --> 00:25:54,000 and we've been working with bethlehem's building and housing inspector Philip 315 00:25:51,059 --> 00:25:57,559 rotor who has been extremely helpful and extremely kind throughout this process 316 00:25:58,140 --> 00:26:03,240 um during the entirety of the time we've lived there 317 00:26:01,260 --> 00:26:06,360 the adjacent structure has been owned by landlords 318 00:26:04,380 --> 00:26:12,020 who have not lived there do they live elsewhere and have not intended in any 319 00:26:08,940 --> 00:26:12,020 way to engage with us 320 00:26:13,559 --> 00:26:21,840 the other half of our building was sold in August to 1222 Center Street LLC 321 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:25,620 we've never seen anyone on the premises we've 322 00:26:23,039 --> 00:26:31,159 never seen them mow the lawn pick up their mail 323 00:26:27,539 --> 00:26:31,159 it's just been left 324 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:38,880 we could be more prepared to remediate our half of the duplex but we fear 325 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:42,539 similar circumstance if we were to put the money into the 326 00:26:40,620 --> 00:26:47,720 structure necessary that does not guarantee us that we will 327 00:26:44,940 --> 00:26:47,720 not lose our house 328 00:26:49,740 --> 00:26:57,419 per the article that was written back on February 26th about Diana Bernard's 329 00:26:55,980 --> 00:27:02,940 experience um the morning call letter I'm sorry 330 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:08,100 article written by Lindsey Weber had stated that in July 22 an engineering 331 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:11,760 report suggested that issues with the soil in the neighborhood could be a 332 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:17,400 factor and it could also be effective affecting our structures 333 00:27:13,679 --> 00:27:21,840 so we're here today to ask for your help the Wilsons have needed your help for 334 00:27:19,140 --> 00:27:23,940 some time we need your help now and our neighbors are going to need your help 335 00:27:22,799 --> 00:27:28,140 tomorrow please help us save the equity we have 336 00:27:26,159 --> 00:27:31,500 spent years building help us to find a more effective way to handle joint 337 00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:36,059 remediation ongoing we're grateful for your time insight and 338 00:27:33,539 --> 00:27:39,200 assistance and we deeply appreciate any efforts to help each of our families 339 00:27:38,100 --> 00:27:45,740 whether our need 340 00:27:41,659 --> 00:27:45,740 arises so my guilt to you all 341 00:27:46,559 --> 00:27:51,179 thank you Mrs Moni and thank you Mr moon for coming out if you want to stick 342 00:27:49,980 --> 00:27:54,240 around to the end of the meeting speak to any members of council or any members 343 00:27:53,100 --> 00:27:57,500 of the administration you're welcome to that would be wonderful thank you 344 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:06,179 our next speaker signed up was Rachel Abbott I think Rachel may have left with 345 00:28:05,100 --> 00:28:09,559 the departing group 346 00:28:12,539 --> 00:28:21,120 our next speaker it just make out a name I believe it 347 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:25,500 says flum yeah may have also been here 348 00:28:23,220 --> 00:28:30,440 for the opening act our next speaker signed up is Artie 349 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:30,440 keratola 350 00:28:45,860 --> 00:28:54,000 hi I'm Marty kuritola at a13 Lawford Street Born and Raised on the south side 351 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:58,380 of Bethlehem whose Grandparents were born and raised in Italy and I'm proud 352 00:28:56,039 --> 00:29:04,020 of it as someone's going to talk bad about the South Side people or Italian 353 00:29:01,559 --> 00:29:08,760 people I'm not going to cry about it like some little baby who's insecure 354 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:14,159 about his or her race color or Creed here in the United States of America we 355 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:19,620 have a thing called freedom of speech and they say let them talk I won't walk 356 00:29:17,039 --> 00:29:24,120 I will hear though I'm not queer let me add queer has nothing to do with being 357 00:29:21,419 --> 00:29:28,980 gay since over one-third of the world's adult population had homosexual 358 00:29:27,059 --> 00:29:33,659 experiences there is nothing weird strange or queer about being gay so 359 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:38,460 throw that queer thing away and stop being offended by it if you're gay 360 00:29:35,399 --> 00:29:45,480 uncool individuals who use the word to offend homosexuals they're queer 361 00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:51,539 anti-semitic that's queer freedom of speech we're walking on eggs with this 362 00:29:47,940 --> 00:29:55,440 anti-semitic Guff where's the freedom of speech here 363 00:29:52,620 --> 00:30:00,240 if you speak from the heart and you've got to be afraid that someone of the 364 00:29:57,539 --> 00:30:06,360 press is going to use their freedom of press to downgrade you as a homophobic 365 00:30:03,860 --> 00:30:12,899 anti-semitic racist redneck derelict keep in mind you're hired by we the 366 00:30:09,419 --> 00:30:16,799 people running a city is business not personal 367 00:30:14,580 --> 00:30:22,020 my best friend and partner for well over 20 years at the creative Sound Studio in 368 00:30:20,100 --> 00:30:26,700 Philadelphia Jerry dream and rest his soul was Jewish Norman and jelly Joyce 369 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:31,880 of the Jolly Joyce theatrical agency gave me my start as a theatrical agent 370 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:40,500 at the young age of 18 in Philadelphia in 1966. they were Jewish 371 00:30:37,020 --> 00:30:45,899 so for any of you today to be pointing at our finger at me and crying to the 372 00:30:43,020 --> 00:30:51,419 Press he's anti-semitic he hurt my feelings we got to cut him down a peg or 373 00:30:48,419 --> 00:30:59,159 two you have low self-esteem and are not that confident in yourself or the party 374 00:30:53,580 --> 00:30:59,159 who I'm running to replace in 2025. 375 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:10,159 My Views and ideas that I brought to your table and brought up in December 376 00:31:06,899 --> 00:31:17,460 were stepped on with this anti-Semitism As I Lay said then and I'm saying now 377 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:21,299 our city of Bethlehem named after the city that Jesus Christ was born who 378 00:31:19,500 --> 00:31:26,039 strongly stated that we should strive to be a good example to all needs to be 379 00:31:23,580 --> 00:31:30,960 looked at carefully by attacking and correcting any issues or articles that 380 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:34,559 would make our city not as credible as it could be 381 00:31:32,220 --> 00:31:39,720 and there's a lot of issues and articles that need to be corrected two businesses 382 00:31:37,260 --> 00:31:47,100 in our city that we need to help correct who are making us look bad are artsquest 383 00:31:43,919 --> 00:31:51,299 and the Bethel Parking Authority we cannot give them free reign to do 384 00:31:49,860 --> 00:31:56,820 whatever they want around 10 years ago I performed a comedy 385 00:31:54,120 --> 00:32:01,500 show at the Manco Cinema for Arts Quest because I made a joke or two about the 386 00:31:59,460 --> 00:32:09,059 Mexican people and the Irish people I was barred forever for being labeled a 387 00:32:05,100 --> 00:32:14,100 racist by performing any venues at artsquest or Music Fest even though not 388 00:32:11,700 --> 00:32:18,000 one of the hundred or more people in that theater walked out on my 389 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:23,100 performance boot or were offended Ryan Hill the head of the comedy division of 390 00:32:20,159 --> 00:32:29,159 artsquest used his racist thing as a crush so that I wouldn't move in on his 391 00:32:25,799 --> 00:32:34,380 position he is so naive to believe that I would have any interest at all to make 392 00:32:31,380 --> 00:32:40,020 the Lehigh Valley a funny place to be so with his childish self-confidence he 393 00:32:37,260 --> 00:32:45,720 labeled me a racist and takes away my freedom of speech at artsquest freedom 394 00:32:44,340 --> 00:32:51,240 of speech this buffoon couldn't entertain and hold 395 00:32:48,419 --> 00:32:54,960 the crowd for 10 minutes but I make a good living entertaining and holding 396 00:32:52,740 --> 00:32:59,820 grouts for over an hour in clubs theaters parties and corporate events I 397 00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:04,500 gave Hill many opportunities before he got to ask you to leave out any other 398 00:33:02,700 --> 00:33:09,240 private citizens in your comments please okay but the thing is the fact the fact 399 00:33:08,039 --> 00:33:14,100 is I perform 400 00:33:11,100 --> 00:33:19,919 many places many corporate bookings many parties many clubs and you know I I'm 401 00:33:18,059 --> 00:33:23,880 not like some people that seem like they're rehearsing for a 402 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:30,659 nervous breakdown but the thing is you know I go Non-Stop 403 00:33:27,059 --> 00:33:35,100 I you could check with the garden of e Garden of Easton in Butler on Butler 404 00:33:33,059 --> 00:33:39,480 Street this past Friday I performed solo for over an hour and a half non-stop 405 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:42,899 without losing one audience member they even go to the restroom for 406 00:33:41,100 --> 00:33:47,279 performances lasting for over three hours This Racist has been performing 407 00:33:44,940 --> 00:33:52,140 Mexican restaurants all over the tri-state area for well over 10 years 408 00:33:49,559 --> 00:33:56,519 and for five years at the Mexico Lindo restaurant 720 Main Street in Bethlehem 409 00:33:54,179 --> 00:34:01,260 every second Saturday of the month from six to nine plus for old other special 410 00:33:59,340 --> 00:34:05,399 occasions took care till I ask if you could please okay bring this to a 411 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:09,240 conclusion okay that's a Mexican owner who I brought here to City Hall 412 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:12,720 conference meetings thought my jokes were funny but art supplies took my 413 00:34:10,919 --> 00:34:16,500 freedom of speech away may you city council members and use somatic 414 00:34:15,060 --> 00:34:20,280 synthesizers maybe you love to take my freedom of 415 00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:22,820 speech away I have no more to say God bless you all 416 00:34:23,820 --> 00:34:31,379 that exhausts our list of everyone who had signed up I will go around the room 417 00:34:29,159 --> 00:34:35,580 starting to the left is there anyone who wanted to make comment on anything not 418 00:34:33,659 --> 00:34:38,599 being voted on this evening Mr Rodriguez 419 00:34:54,240 --> 00:35:04,320 Eddie Rodriguez 336 13th Avenue Bethlehem 420 00:35:00,480 --> 00:35:09,540 uh I came here tonight because I wanted to say something about 421 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:14,760 uh if you've had an interest of a private property on Stefko Boulevard 422 00:35:12,359 --> 00:35:19,500 and the Blackboard the three dumpsters are at 423 00:35:16,220 --> 00:35:24,960 opposite the United Check Cashing to see if you can get some interest 424 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:31,619 and what you have on Third Street for the kids a skate park 425 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:36,540 maybe it would help if you got together and create something there 426 00:35:34,740 --> 00:35:42,660 in that area for the kids and it would hopefully 427 00:35:39,780 --> 00:35:47,400 uh help some of these folks in that sector 428 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:52,859 with uniting and maybe they can come up with the city and the ownership of that 429 00:35:50,040 --> 00:35:58,320 property I don't know who owns it I went to Livingston Street Apartments 430 00:35:55,920 --> 00:36:02,820 and I made a couple uh calls but I just can't find out who 431 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:07,859 owns it so I'm asking the city to get involved 432 00:36:05,579 --> 00:36:13,200 we're trying to see if they can create a skate park in that area it's a huge huge 433 00:36:10,740 --> 00:36:17,880 area behind there huge and before anything happens that 434 00:36:14,940 --> 00:36:23,640 something is bought and something else is put there which is really unwanted 435 00:36:20,700 --> 00:36:26,339 and the kids are left out not good not good 436 00:36:24,900 --> 00:36:33,359 I want to see something happen with those with that area for the kids 437 00:36:29,599 --> 00:36:37,500 uh it'll stop a lot of uh I think that of what's happening in the private 438 00:36:36,180 --> 00:36:43,920 parking lot in the stepco parking lot area 439 00:36:40,940 --> 00:36:47,339 with skateboarding and that immediate area where they're going up and down the 440 00:36:46,079 --> 00:36:52,440 streets uh in front of the store owners 441 00:36:49,859 --> 00:36:54,900 and not caring about you know who's coming in or what's going who's going 442 00:36:54,060 --> 00:36:58,859 out that's very dangerous 443 00:36:56,700 --> 00:37:02,760 because they're doing doing a lot of speeding in that area 444 00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:07,920 and the other thing I want to talk about is is that you know for the longest time 445 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:12,119 there was a restaurant in the Westgate area 446 00:37:09,060 --> 00:37:16,380 and I'm wondering why is it that you don't have 447 00:37:13,820 --> 00:37:21,540 created why haven't you created a restaurant in that immediate area 448 00:37:18,780 --> 00:37:25,560 and what's the problem with trying to gain the ownership 449 00:37:22,859 --> 00:37:30,660 of that new of that restaurant that's no longer 450 00:37:27,619 --> 00:37:34,619 uh is there is visible it's like a ghost sound there 451 00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:40,140 we need a restaurant in that area there are the folks out there they got the 452 00:37:36,900 --> 00:37:45,240 uh the restaurant on shannonsville road Italian 453 00:37:42,380 --> 00:37:51,420 and maybe a couple Pizza owners around there but not a restaurant 454 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:55,140 we got stores not a restaurant I go to a restaurant every morning for 455 00:37:53,339 --> 00:37:58,980 breakfast and I just would like something you know inexpensive so I 456 00:37:57,480 --> 00:38:04,200 won't have to go down to another restaurant no names mentioned and pay 457 00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:09,780 almost double the price that's unreal 458 00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:12,359 there's a lot of uh illegal vehicles I always stated you know since I've been 459 00:38:11,339 --> 00:38:17,040 coming here for the longest time but it's getting 460 00:38:14,579 --> 00:38:22,200 worse the illegal vehicles on these streets 461 00:38:18,060 --> 00:38:27,180 without plates no inspections loud mufflers every single night through this 462 00:38:25,320 --> 00:38:33,660 entire city we see motorcycles 463 00:38:30,599 --> 00:38:40,260 and it's not just for a plane there are drugs involved in these uh 464 00:38:37,099 --> 00:38:43,800 involving these motorcycles but you the police have not been able to handle 465 00:38:41,940 --> 00:38:47,339 anything on that because they don't have the proof 466 00:38:45,839 --> 00:38:52,619 but there is a lot of speeding 467 00:38:50,099 --> 00:38:57,540 a lot of dumping and litter on our streets throughout our city that is 468 00:38:56,220 --> 00:39:00,720 sickening we need something done about this 469 00:38:59,640 --> 00:39:03,720 because you know they're dumping out of their 470 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:08,579 vehicles you know McDonald's stuff Burger King stuff it's not their fault 471 00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:13,500 it's the people that don't care about where they're dumping 472 00:39:10,440 --> 00:39:21,180 and then the neighborhoods uh have to pick up after them 473 00:39:17,700 --> 00:39:25,740 so do we need a little more containers in certain areas I don't know 474 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:31,380 but I know that is happening because it's all over 475 00:39:28,339 --> 00:39:36,000 The Dumping of which is the last meeting that I came to which was taken care of 476 00:39:34,079 --> 00:39:39,660 the owner of that stuff couple of our property 477 00:39:37,320 --> 00:39:43,619 did something with the uh 478 00:39:41,339 --> 00:39:49,020 the uh trucks that pick up garbage 479 00:39:47,099 --> 00:39:54,960 and somehow is no longer there 480 00:39:51,300 --> 00:40:00,480 I guess he paid for it but The Dumping that's happening there 481 00:39:57,300 --> 00:40:05,940 comes from I believe because I've been checking here and there when I go around 482 00:40:02,760 --> 00:40:11,839 that area especially sometimes when I'm boarding out and I go specifically to 483 00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:19,500 that area and what do I find mattresses household items it's coming 484 00:40:15,780 --> 00:40:23,520 from people that are collecting Mr Rodriguez I'm going to ask you to start 485 00:40:20,940 --> 00:40:27,839 bringing this to us please collecting 486 00:40:25,859 --> 00:40:32,400 household items and they're dumping it there 487 00:40:30,180 --> 00:40:36,660 and that that shouldn't be the responsibility of the property owner and 488 00:40:35,160 --> 00:40:41,280 now they're anyone else so I'm asking you is also to get the 489 00:40:38,820 --> 00:40:46,980 police department I thought to our police chief about this hopefully 490 00:40:44,220 --> 00:40:49,380 something can take place so I thank you for 491 00:40:47,820 --> 00:40:53,700 allowing me to speak thank you for the surgeries 492 00:40:52,140 --> 00:40:59,160 is there anyone else to the left who wants to make comment this evening 493 00:40:56,540 --> 00:41:02,960 I turned to the wide Center is there anyone who wants to make comment Mr 494 00:41:00,359 --> 00:41:02,960 antalix 495 00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:20,359 before I start I have 496 00:41:20,579 --> 00:41:24,740 two items I wish to discuss 497 00:41:24,900 --> 00:41:36,240 and they are both on the agenda and I probably will not have enough 498 00:41:32,460 --> 00:41:41,760 to address both with five minutes so I would like to 499 00:41:37,980 --> 00:41:47,839 discuss one of them here at this courtesy of the floor 500 00:41:43,800 --> 00:41:47,839 if there's no objection 501 00:41:52,140 --> 00:41:56,000 Stephenson Alex 77 Ridge 502 00:41:56,400 --> 00:42:01,380 in relation to Administration order 7b7 503 00:42:01,740 --> 00:42:09,119 there appears to be a number of points which should be discussed in an open 504 00:42:05,880 --> 00:42:13,859 Forum before decisions before the citizenry and in the spirit of 505 00:42:11,579 --> 00:42:17,359 transparency before a vote is taken 506 00:42:17,640 --> 00:42:28,040 the points may be number one can an employee of the city be appointed 507 00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:28,040 as head of a board or authority 508 00:42:28,079 --> 00:42:34,260 number two is there a conflict of interest when the 509 00:42:32,700 --> 00:42:40,640 appointee is head of community and economic development department which is 510 00:42:37,260 --> 00:42:40,640 involved in quiz matters 511 00:42:42,180 --> 00:42:48,780 number three boards commissions and authorities 512 00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:53,760 members are appointed by Administration 513 00:42:51,300 --> 00:42:59,060 with the approval of counsel but are intended to be independent of 514 00:42:56,820 --> 00:42:59,060 both 515 00:43:00,060 --> 00:43:02,960 number four 516 00:43:08,040 --> 00:43:16,280 the official organization chart of the city of Bethlehem shows the line 517 00:43:12,780 --> 00:43:16,280 connected all boards 518 00:43:16,440 --> 00:43:23,520 authorities and commissions as being connected to the line between the lines 519 00:43:21,300 --> 00:43:28,819 connecting the city and the administration as equal 520 00:43:25,859 --> 00:43:28,819 partners 521 00:43:29,099 --> 00:43:35,240 so it's independent of both Council and 522 00:43:35,520 --> 00:43:38,420 Administration 523 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:50,579 if the candidate is appointed as head of Bria 524 00:43:48,420 --> 00:43:56,760 should they resign their position as head of CED since if if they hold both 525 00:43:54,119 --> 00:44:02,720 positions it would violate organization chart thereby giving the administration 526 00:43:58,859 --> 00:44:02,720 control of the Priya 527 00:44:03,900 --> 00:44:13,520 so if that appointment is made and the person doesn't resign 528 00:44:10,140 --> 00:44:13,520 you are now connecting 529 00:44:13,920 --> 00:44:21,260 the authority to this to the administration which violates the 530 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:21,260 official organization chart 531 00:44:24,119 --> 00:44:28,280 so this raises a very serious question 532 00:44:29,760 --> 00:44:39,900 it also raises a question of the 75 000 people in Bethlehem 533 00:44:37,140 --> 00:44:44,839 is there no one else qualified to fill that position 534 00:44:42,180 --> 00:44:44,839 and 535 00:44:45,900 --> 00:44:52,579 the gentleman who's running that organization now I understand is well 536 00:44:50,040 --> 00:44:52,579 qualified 537 00:44:54,900 --> 00:45:02,780 so this Smacks 538 00:44:59,460 --> 00:45:02,780 of another issue 539 00:45:03,180 --> 00:45:11,119 the appointment to a stark board by not reappointing a highly qualified 540 00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:11,119 person 541 00:45:14,460 --> 00:45:17,480 so the question is 542 00:45:18,900 --> 00:45:27,140 is this in the benefit of the city 543 00:45:23,880 --> 00:45:27,140 or this is this 544 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:33,440 a way maintaining control 545 00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:41,640 console fuel citizens and honest answer so 546 00:45:40,020 --> 00:45:46,920 that I assume 547 00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:53,780 rather nice but I feel that there even should not be a vote because of the 548 00:45:49,740 --> 00:45:53,780 violation of the city organization chart 549 00:45:56,540 --> 00:46:03,359 thank you Mr antalix is there anyone else in the wide Center 550 00:46:01,140 --> 00:46:06,980 who wants to make comment on anything you choose this evening 551 00:46:07,079 --> 00:46:11,780 I turn to the right I know to the right sir in the front 552 00:46:13,380 --> 00:46:18,960 so there's a microphone right behind you if you'd be more comfortable 553 00:46:17,099 --> 00:46:28,980 bringing that to you [Music] 554 00:46:26,640 --> 00:46:33,859 good evening um do you mind just sharing your name 555 00:46:30,060 --> 00:46:33,859 please Bernard Wilson thank you 556 00:46:33,960 --> 00:46:43,440 a victim at 1220 Center Street and my question is to find out why I had 557 00:46:41,400 --> 00:46:50,339 no assistance from any council members or whatever 558 00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:54,960 that you could put your neighbor out they tell me the city that my house is 559 00:46:53,760 --> 00:46:59,040 all right and 560 00:46:56,400 --> 00:47:06,720 that what they were going to do was lift my house up and then put a retaining 561 00:47:02,520 --> 00:47:14,720 wall on it well it left it empty for a year and a half almost and then they 562 00:47:09,060 --> 00:47:14,720 came at me and told me um I had to move 563 00:47:15,300 --> 00:47:23,040 bad thing about this is I lived there I thought I was going to die on that block 564 00:47:21,660 --> 00:47:27,960 eventually because I like the neighborhood 565 00:47:24,839 --> 00:47:34,260 basically the city came in and they just took my house put me out refused to give 566 00:47:32,400 --> 00:47:40,740 me even a dollar a place to stay 567 00:47:36,359 --> 00:47:46,700 he told my insurance company that because by one dropped me they told my 568 00:47:43,800 --> 00:47:46,700 insurance company that 569 00:47:46,980 --> 00:47:56,579 you no longer um is structural damage they canceled my insurance on me 570 00:47:54,119 --> 00:48:03,780 the city told that I have it in writing and so far so far but me and I don't get 571 00:48:00,780 --> 00:48:09,119 into this tit protect but the only black homeowner on that block 572 00:48:07,079 --> 00:48:15,420 and they directly came and they treated me like you know and I have a lot of 573 00:48:11,940 --> 00:48:22,520 health issues and um I mean they gave us seven days in the house 18 19 20 years 574 00:48:18,839 --> 00:48:28,440 you can't move your stuff I mean and then they said we'll let you 575 00:48:25,619 --> 00:48:32,760 come back to get your stuff at a given time I would have never 576 00:48:31,020 --> 00:48:36,839 stayed in that house if they had told me or warned me before 577 00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:41,520 then who died with my kids coming home and 578 00:48:38,880 --> 00:48:50,099 grandkids but the thing the question that I want to know is how can the city 579 00:48:46,640 --> 00:48:55,339 condemn or allow people to do this and just don't offer me anything the same 580 00:48:52,859 --> 00:49:01,440 people who dropped me from the insurance saying that the city said that this has 581 00:48:59,040 --> 00:49:08,220 been going on since 2018. there's never been nothing in writing sent to me you 582 00:49:04,260 --> 00:49:12,359 know and um I basically almost had a stroke just 583 00:49:09,720 --> 00:49:18,839 it just agitated me I didn't know any insurance my taxes are paid I was a good 584 00:49:16,079 --> 00:49:23,400 person that you know paid his bill never had a disturbance at my home I've never 585 00:49:21,480 --> 00:49:28,500 received any more I wasn't even allowed to come in this building 586 00:49:25,920 --> 00:49:34,440 at a certain point so they could keep just certified and 587 00:49:31,800 --> 00:49:38,579 send me letters and no one's cared about me now that I'm living in a one-bedroom 588 00:49:37,440 --> 00:49:45,540 apartment that you know it's my wife it's hard to 589 00:49:43,140 --> 00:49:50,960 when you're living in a house and you know you have equity in it so now what's 590 00:49:48,480 --> 00:49:56,520 going on is now my mortgage companies acting funny I asked them 591 00:49:53,940 --> 00:49:59,339 I paid through February I asked them would they allow me 592 00:49:58,500 --> 00:50:02,640 um they put it on the back end of the 593 00:50:00,960 --> 00:50:06,200 mortgage because I didn't believe that we were going to go that far and then 594 00:50:04,800 --> 00:50:11,940 once they got rid of the insurance insurance company took over and they 595 00:50:09,300 --> 00:50:15,900 were carrying me at a higher rate but then it's now and I understand they're 596 00:50:14,099 --> 00:50:21,839 getting where they already bulldozed of my house you know and I had personal 597 00:50:18,680 --> 00:50:27,720 things in there that I assumed that I was coming back for and um 598 00:50:24,900 --> 00:50:32,220 I know someone in the city or to counseling people someone had to see it 599 00:50:29,880 --> 00:50:38,760 but no one's ever addressed it it's like you know I can't afford 25 600 00:50:34,859 --> 00:50:43,560 000 to retain an attorney you know so I think the program is you work waking 601 00:50:41,220 --> 00:50:48,000 about and then you just you know he moves on you know I understand they're 602 00:50:45,960 --> 00:50:53,760 getting ready to put my lot up for auction soon you know and I'm not 603 00:50:51,059 --> 00:51:00,300 stopping they have contacted attorney general and a few other people you know 604 00:50:56,819 --> 00:51:05,099 EEOC because I felt that I being the first was discriminated just get out and 605 00:51:03,240 --> 00:51:12,300 they didn't come like in a way of talking to you they came and just 606 00:51:07,680 --> 00:51:18,000 dictated they talked to me real low just said what they wanted to be and um 607 00:51:15,480 --> 00:51:23,160 I'm not going to keep going on and on I just wanted to address the matter why no 608 00:51:20,400 --> 00:51:28,800 one in the city ever looked at my issue I mean the morning Cole had it on the 609 00:51:25,380 --> 00:51:34,859 front page the paper five pages and no one no one's ever came to us and said 610 00:51:33,000 --> 00:51:39,480 this or that they didn't even know if when I moved you can't I didn't have the 611 00:51:37,260 --> 00:51:43,140 money and I'm going to go with your timer but 612 00:51:40,800 --> 00:51:49,200 I had to get some people to move us 613 00:51:45,780 --> 00:51:53,760 and my daughter got someone and they did this we got other people they didn't 614 00:51:51,180 --> 00:51:59,280 even want to pay storage yes stuff's in stores we'll give 615 00:51:57,420 --> 00:52:03,000 you eight months but she had to wait every other month and take it and then 616 00:52:00,960 --> 00:52:10,980 they sent her a little check I just think it's horrible that in this city 617 00:52:06,599 --> 00:52:15,240 though nobody I mean it's like see it God you know I'm living in a one bedroom 618 00:52:13,020 --> 00:52:21,000 that me and my wife we can't even get along but we we don't have anybody to 619 00:52:17,940 --> 00:52:25,440 reach out I've been through you know the bar association trying to get someone to 620 00:52:23,339 --> 00:52:30,540 help me I went to pro bono I went to Legal Aid I've been 621 00:52:28,800 --> 00:52:35,540 through so many people that you know 622 00:52:32,280 --> 00:52:41,520 and and if they knew this since 2018 why did they leave me there and then 623 00:52:38,880 --> 00:52:46,339 it's coming give me seven days if you let me stay there a year and a half 624 00:52:43,800 --> 00:52:54,599 after they put the neighbors out yeah two years whatever it was I'm just 625 00:52:49,500 --> 00:53:00,359 saying they in my house was the only one that showed no outside structural damage 626 00:52:57,780 --> 00:53:04,079 and pictures disproved that but the houses and some people are still there 627 00:53:02,280 --> 00:53:10,740 they got exclusive or plywood on it and bricks 628 00:53:07,859 --> 00:53:15,240 and fell and you know I mean I know it must not mean nothing 629 00:53:12,900 --> 00:53:20,040 to you you're trying to rush him just basically you know 630 00:53:17,160 --> 00:53:25,440 trying to be as calm as I can it's no reason to act out of order you know and 631 00:53:22,920 --> 00:53:30,960 I'm college educated go to Syracuse University but I'm saying you know they 632 00:53:28,260 --> 00:53:34,380 treated me like a piece you know I've had two daughters that three or 633 00:53:33,119 --> 00:53:37,800 whatever they went to Liberty High School 634 00:53:35,099 --> 00:53:41,160 you know they have masses Bachelors you know 635 00:53:38,480 --> 00:53:46,140 so it's not like we were people that you would have a 636 00:53:43,020 --> 00:53:50,640 problem with but I just want to know why this city of Bethlehem 637 00:53:48,059 --> 00:53:54,740 no one came to my age wouldn't even give me a loaf of bread 638 00:53:52,319 --> 00:53:59,160 the insurance company that dropped me said this city 639 00:53:57,180 --> 00:54:05,099 is solicit or whatever somebody from City Hall said that we gotta go 640 00:54:02,400 --> 00:54:10,079 and he said we can't cover you anymore I'm gonna get off but I'm just trying to 641 00:54:07,500 --> 00:54:16,079 vent to you something that has destroyed my life by cardiologists he wrote two 642 00:54:14,099 --> 00:54:19,500 letters to the city tell him you don't know what you're doing this young man 643 00:54:17,280 --> 00:54:25,619 you know I you know eight fan uh you know but as I 644 00:54:24,240 --> 00:54:28,380 shared with your neighbors the monies earlier sir if you'd like to hang out 645 00:54:27,059 --> 00:54:32,400 for after the meeting once we get through the agenda to talk to any 646 00:54:29,579 --> 00:54:40,160 members Council uh or welcome to this is gonna be done 647 00:54:34,640 --> 00:54:40,160 see me I get into it I can't talk 648 00:54:44,150 --> 00:54:47,360 [Music] 649 00:54:49,260 --> 00:54:56,400 thank you Mr Wilson our public comment is I'm not going to speak on things that 650 00:54:54,059 --> 00:54:59,579 I'm not familiar with at the moment but as I said I will invite everybody if you 651 00:54:58,260 --> 00:55:03,020 want to talk to any of us afterwards stick around after the meeting 652 00:55:04,940 --> 00:55:10,940 [Music] well we're all members of city council 653 00:55:08,400 --> 00:55:10,940 sir but we 654 00:55:11,099 --> 00:55:15,079 we could all discuss this after the meeting 655 00:55:16,980 --> 00:55:22,140 is there anyone else you wanted to make comment during our public comment 656 00:55:19,859 --> 00:55:24,680 section on anything to be talked about 657 00:55:25,500 --> 00:55:30,960 so we're gonna move on to our next public comment this is for anything that 658 00:55:29,339 --> 00:55:34,500 is being voted on this evening anything that is on the agenda 659 00:55:32,940 --> 00:55:39,540 there's no one signed up so I'll go around the room starting to the left 660 00:55:37,200 --> 00:55:42,559 I turn to the center Mr italics 661 00:55:53,520 --> 00:55:59,000 Stephen and Alex again 737 Ridge 662 00:56:00,000 --> 00:56:09,140 I train make my comma subjective after some research that rarely my opinion 663 00:56:10,859 --> 00:56:21,200 which is by definition subjective in reference to resolution 10A for Iran 664 00:56:18,720 --> 00:56:21,200 purchase 665 00:56:21,780 --> 00:56:30,960 I wish to quote from a high profile blog a comment concerning a member of 666 00:56:27,000 --> 00:56:35,240 consoles voting no on gun sales in the past 667 00:56:31,800 --> 00:56:35,240 as a matter of conscience 668 00:56:37,099 --> 00:56:46,220 blogger said rather than a matter of conscience 669 00:56:41,280 --> 00:56:46,220 they called it blatant virtue signaling 670 00:56:46,800 --> 00:56:55,440 not my word what was interesting 671 00:56:51,420 --> 00:57:00,260 is that all the comments made my public to the logger or in support of the 672 00:56:57,780 --> 00:57:00,260 Blogger 673 00:57:00,720 --> 00:57:04,940 which is was significant 674 00:57:05,099 --> 00:57:08,480 because it represented 675 00:57:09,359 --> 00:57:15,500 the majority of people favoring gun sales 676 00:57:15,599 --> 00:57:24,720 and unfortunately some of the comments were rather negative which 677 00:57:21,300 --> 00:57:28,280 I think we're in Pro inappropriate but they try to make a point 678 00:57:29,460 --> 00:57:35,240 we're all free as private citizens to have personal opinions 679 00:57:35,760 --> 00:57:42,500 but a Citizens voted to public office by the public 680 00:57:40,619 --> 00:57:49,099 and it was just behind that table becomes a public servant 681 00:57:45,420 --> 00:57:49,099 and their priorities change 682 00:57:50,160 --> 00:57:58,260 in public welfare becomes Prime 683 00:57:54,480 --> 00:58:01,260 while the private views now become secondary 684 00:58:01,859 --> 00:58:09,140 the six votes supporting the sale of weapons reflects the will of the people 685 00:58:09,300 --> 00:58:14,300 while the one vote reflects one's personal View 686 00:58:15,000 --> 00:58:20,300 might that loan voter reconsider their position 687 00:58:25,859 --> 00:58:32,119 is there anyone else in the center who wanted to make comment on anything being 688 00:58:29,280 --> 00:58:32,119 voted on this evening 689 00:58:32,220 --> 00:58:37,859 or I'll turn to the right anyone who wanted to make comment on anything that 690 00:58:35,339 --> 00:58:43,200 we're voting on to make we will move forward with our agenda 691 00:58:41,400 --> 00:58:45,859 old business any old business for members of council 692 00:58:45,960 --> 00:58:53,520 see none Communications Communications succeed 693 00:58:50,460 --> 00:58:57,480 July 5th 2023 memorandums from police chief Michelle Cott with an attached 694 00:58:55,619 --> 00:59:00,599 resolution and agreement for the purchase of a Duty Weapon by a retired 695 00:58:59,400 --> 00:59:05,160 officer of the Bethlehem police department pursuant to the third class 696 00:59:02,700 --> 00:59:10,859 city code retired officers May purchase their Duty Firearms at fair market value 697 00:59:08,480 --> 00:59:16,260 resolution 10A is on the agenda this evening communication 6D July 6 2023 698 00:59:14,400 --> 00:59:20,640 memorandum within detached resolution and exhibit from Health director Kristen 699 00:59:18,780 --> 00:59:24,119 wenrick requesting the destruction of records from the health Bureau this 700 00:59:22,440 --> 00:59:28,380 winrick has reviewed the municipal records retention Act 701 00:59:26,339 --> 00:59:31,980 and the records listed on the exhibit fall within the categories where 702 00:59:29,700 --> 00:59:36,359 destruction is permitted and a resolution will be placed on the 703 00:59:34,020 --> 00:59:42,480 August 1st city council agenda communication 6E the July 7 2023 704 00:59:39,839 --> 00:59:46,680 memorandum with proposed resolution from Edward bascola director of water and 705 00:59:44,579 --> 00:59:52,460 sewer resources recommending an agreement with Great Western Services 706 00:59:48,240 --> 00:59:58,200 Incorporated of Allentown cost is 194 4448 dollars and 75 cents to provide 707 00:59:56,220 --> 01:00:02,940 materials and labor to restore Water and Sewer utility trenches at various 708 01:00:00,420 --> 01:00:07,920 locations within the city contracts will run for up to 60 days from the notice to 709 01:00:04,799 --> 01:00:13,380 proceed there are no renewals resolution 10B is on the agenda 710 01:00:10,140 --> 01:00:17,400 communication 6f the July 12 2023 memorandum with an attached resolution 711 01:00:15,299 --> 01:00:21,359 from police chief Michelle Conn requesting the destruction of records 712 01:00:19,260 --> 01:00:24,960 from the police department the chief has reviewed the municipal records retention 713 01:00:23,099 --> 01:00:29,819 Act and the records listed on the exhibit fall within the categories where 714 01:00:26,819 --> 01:00:33,359 destruction is permitted and a resolution will be placed on our 715 01:00:31,740 --> 01:00:40,260 August 1st city council agenda communication 6G July 12 2023 memorandum 716 01:00:37,799 --> 01:00:45,980 and proposed ordinance from Michael outcall director of Public Works 717 01:00:42,059 --> 01:00:52,799 requesting a budget transfer of 252 502 in the 2023 capital budget for 718 01:00:50,160 --> 01:00:57,180 non-utilities the amount reflects Paving reimbursement received from UGI for 719 01:00:55,140 --> 01:01:02,940 Street overlay work that would be completed in 2023 using in-house 720 01:01:00,059 --> 01:01:08,880 resources for portions of East wall West Broad West Market and Main Streets 721 01:01:06,480 --> 01:01:15,059 an ordinance 9A is on the agenda for first reading communication 6h July 13 722 01:01:12,140 --> 01:01:19,740 2023 memorandum with proposed resolution Associated amendment number two special 723 01:01:17,760 --> 01:01:26,280 event permit agreement from city solicitor Jonas Burke Jr for hand work 724 01:01:22,799 --> 01:01:32,040 flats and leader plats permits are the permittees are artsquest and akm 725 01:01:29,160 --> 01:01:38,880 entertainment LLC equipment is for August 4th through 13th of 2023 and 726 01:01:35,460 --> 01:01:42,380 August 2nd through 11th of 2024 for use of certain city and Redevelopment 727 01:01:40,619 --> 01:01:47,220 Authority property for carnival ride inflatable bounce attractions and use of 728 01:01:45,420 --> 01:01:54,420 other Redevelopment Authority property located in the sun in Courtyard during 729 01:01:49,440 --> 01:02:00,540 Music Fest 2023 and Music Fest 2024. resolution 10c is on the agenda tonight 730 01:01:57,020 --> 01:02:04,920 communication 6i the July 13 2023 memorandum and proposed resolution from 731 01:02:02,819 --> 01:02:09,119 Laura Collins director of community and economic development and Brandon seeks 732 01:02:07,440 --> 01:02:13,380 permission to apply for a two million dollar multimodal Transportation fund 733 01:02:11,700 --> 01:02:18,119 Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of community and economic development to 734 01:02:15,900 --> 01:02:22,020 address safety and connectivity concerns along West 3rd Street between 735 01:02:20,160 --> 01:02:26,760 Northampton Street and Broadhead Avenue Grant has an application deadline of 736 01:02:24,480 --> 01:02:30,980 July 31st resolution 10d is on the agenda tonight 737 01:02:31,700 --> 01:02:41,099 reports I have one report I will be reappointing Marilyn Kelly 738 01:02:38,280 --> 01:02:45,559 kavoda to the human relations commission it's a clerk to read the council manic 739 01:02:43,380 --> 01:02:45,559 appointment 740 01:02:45,599 --> 01:02:52,619 councilman a appointment of Marilyn Kelly kavoda human relations commission 741 01:02:50,160 --> 01:02:57,599 resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon 742 01:02:55,319 --> 01:03:00,920 also same as Kelly's been serving on the human relations commission for 743 01:03:01,020 --> 01:03:07,740 over six years I've kind of lost count at this point and currently serves as 744 01:03:05,339 --> 01:03:12,240 our chair and has been a great volunteer serving so I'm I was happy to hear she 745 01:03:09,839 --> 01:03:15,240 was interested in continuing to serve any other discussion for members of 746 01:03:14,040 --> 01:03:19,200 council we'll call the roll Dr Enix 747 01:03:17,760 --> 01:03:23,880 aye Ms quick aye Ms Leone 748 01:03:20,579 --> 01:03:29,599 aye is Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right past is five zero 749 01:03:26,579 --> 01:03:29,599 Mr spurk 750 01:03:29,660 --> 01:03:36,859 thank you president come on a number of administrative orders if I may 751 01:03:34,619 --> 01:03:43,200 final straight of order number 2023-14 I hereby reappoint Stacy Elise 752 01:03:40,319 --> 01:03:47,040 Brennan 5407 Locust Valley Road Coopersburg to the Fine Arts commission 753 01:03:45,540 --> 01:03:52,440 this appointment is effective through November 2026. 754 01:03:49,640 --> 01:03:56,940 Administration administrative order of Stacy Elise Brennan Fine Arts commission 755 01:03:54,599 --> 01:04:02,460 resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Liam discussion 756 01:04:00,240 --> 01:04:07,559 we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye is Leon 757 01:04:04,799 --> 01:04:12,780 aye is Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right past five zero 758 01:04:09,780 --> 01:04:17,819 like administrative order number 20 2315 I hereby reappoint Sandra bat Gillen 804 759 01:04:16,079 --> 01:04:21,839 Wood Street to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective through 760 01:04:19,680 --> 01:04:26,819 December 2026. administrative order of Sandra Gillen to 761 01:04:24,960 --> 01:04:32,099 the Fine Arts commission resolution is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon 762 01:04:29,099 --> 01:04:32,099 discussion 763 01:04:39,980 --> 01:04:48,839 your administrative order number 20 2316 I hereby reappoint Janet B Pressler 1728 764 01:04:46,799 --> 01:04:52,500 Woodstown road to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective 765 01:04:50,220 --> 01:04:57,839 through November 2026. administrative order of Janet B preszler 766 01:04:55,440 --> 01:05:02,760 to the Fine Arts commission resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and 767 01:05:00,240 --> 01:05:07,920 Ms Leone we'll call the roll Dr Enix 768 01:05:05,099 --> 01:05:12,059 aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leone aye Ms Wilhelm aye Mr cologne 769 01:05:10,380 --> 01:05:18,180 aye it passes 5-0 administrative order number 2023-17 I 770 01:05:15,480 --> 01:05:22,260 hereby appoint Missy hartney 1912 Hart Street to the Fine Arts commission this 771 01:05:20,280 --> 01:05:26,760 appointment is effective through October 2024. 772 01:05:24,119 --> 01:05:30,960 administrative order Missy hartney to the Fine Arts commission resolution and 773 01:05:28,920 --> 01:05:36,359 confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leone discussion 774 01:05:34,160 --> 01:05:41,940 Dr Enix aye Ms 775 01:05:37,460 --> 01:05:47,339 Leon hi it's will home aye Mr cologne aye past five zero administrative order 776 01:05:44,280 --> 01:05:51,180 number 2023-18 I hereby reappoint Ian and Eco 777 01:05:48,619 --> 01:05:55,859 1939 Hart Street to the Fine Arts commission this appointment is effective 778 01:05:52,799 --> 01:06:00,660 through September 2026. the administrative order of Ian Panico to 779 01:05:58,440 --> 01:06:04,020 the Fine Arts commission resolution to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms 780 01:06:03,059 --> 01:06:08,339 Leone discussion 781 01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:13,920 call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leon 782 01:06:10,920 --> 01:06:18,780 aye Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne aye past seven zero my administrative 783 01:06:15,900 --> 01:06:23,339 order number 2023-19 I hereby appoint Dr Jill sperandio 510 High Street to the 784 01:06:21,720 --> 01:06:28,500 Fine Arts commission disappointment is effective through April 2026. the 785 01:06:26,400 --> 01:06:33,000 administrative order of Jill spirandio to the Fine Arts commission resolution 786 01:06:30,839 --> 01:06:38,760 to confirm is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon discussion 787 01:06:36,480 --> 01:06:42,780 we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms 788 01:06:40,020 --> 01:06:46,079 aye Ms Liam aye is Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne 789 01:06:44,039 --> 01:06:50,940 aye past five zero and finally administrative order number 790 01:06:48,260 --> 01:06:55,920 2023-20 I hereby appoint Laura Collins Esquire 77 West Greenwich Street to the 791 01:06:53,940 --> 01:07:00,960 Bethlehem revitalization and Improvement Authority disappointment is effective 792 01:06:58,079 --> 01:07:06,000 through October 2027. the administrative order of Laura Collins Esquire Bethlehem 793 01:07:04,140 --> 01:07:11,220 revitalization and Improvement Authority resolution confirm is sponsored by Dr 794 01:07:08,339 --> 01:07:14,760 Enix and Ms Leone before I open up for discussion I'm 795 01:07:12,839 --> 01:07:19,140 going to ask Mr we heard some comments during public comment regarding this 796 01:07:16,799 --> 01:07:24,480 appointment and and Council voting on it I'm gonna turn to our Council solicitor 797 01:07:21,839 --> 01:07:29,400 Mr Panella here to my left just to weigh in on Mr Panella share whatever thoughts 798 01:07:27,180 --> 01:07:34,260 you have about is would it be appropriate for Council to vote on this 799 01:07:32,099 --> 01:07:37,859 for the appropriateness it will save that for a moment but I will say upon 800 01:07:36,180 --> 01:07:41,460 review of not just the third class city code but the optional third class CD 801 01:07:39,720 --> 01:07:47,039 code of course which operates and controls Bethlehem there is no technical 802 01:07:44,039 --> 01:07:52,859 prohibition of a city employee serving on this Authority uh beyond that there's 803 01:07:50,640 --> 01:07:57,059 actually from looking back on it there's a little bit of the historical precedent 804 01:07:54,420 --> 01:08:01,140 of that happening in Bethlehem uh Mr Joe Kelly when he was actually in the exact 805 01:07:58,859 --> 01:08:05,420 same position as attorney Collins here uh he actually served on the same 806 01:08:03,480 --> 01:08:09,299 Authority when it was created whether or not it's appropriate or what 807 01:08:07,980 --> 01:08:12,960 have you that's something for Council to vote on and decide but I will say 808 01:08:11,099 --> 01:08:17,520 confidently that there is no legal prohibition against uh her serving on 809 01:08:15,900 --> 01:08:20,640 this board if Council was to vote for that 810 01:08:19,020 --> 01:08:23,000 maybe appropriate was the wrong choice of words 811 01:08:23,279 --> 01:08:30,000 you answered what I meant to ask and before I open up to other members of 812 01:08:27,900 --> 01:08:33,660 council I will simply say I will be supporting this tonight for some of the 813 01:08:32,160 --> 01:08:37,080 reasons that Mr Patel had already outlined this position and Miss Collins 814 01:08:35,520 --> 01:08:42,179 is here by the way of course if anyone has questions from Miss Collins but the 815 01:08:39,420 --> 01:08:47,339 as Mr patella had a referenced the position that Ms Collins currently 816 01:08:43,560 --> 01:08:52,980 occupies was once occupied by the predecessor in this role and the the 817 01:08:50,040 --> 01:08:58,920 burrito board is one of five if I'm not mistaken so there this is not a a 818 01:08:55,920 --> 01:09:03,719 appointment to be a chairperson or executive director or anything like that 819 01:09:00,900 --> 01:09:08,160 this is to be one of one of five voting members to essentially the careers 820 01:09:05,580 --> 01:09:11,819 Authority so I will be supporting this tonight any other discussion from 821 01:09:10,199 --> 01:09:15,600 members of council start with Miss Wilhelm and then I will 822 01:09:14,400 --> 01:09:19,799 I will also be supporting this tonight but I I want to make sure I 823 01:09:17,819 --> 01:09:23,160 understood you correctly um solicitor Pinella 824 01:09:21,600 --> 01:09:29,179 um and I'm not sure who to whom to direct my questions 825 01:09:24,290 --> 01:09:29,179 [Music] 826 01:09:30,359 --> 01:09:35,279 I do have questions um so I don't know Ms Garner would you 827 01:09:33,540 --> 01:09:40,160 be the one to answer them um just can I confirm whose term is up 828 01:09:38,160 --> 01:09:45,719 on on the Bria I will um defer to miss Carter on 829 01:09:43,140 --> 01:09:48,420 questions on historical context and she can answer yours if you have any 830 01:09:46,620 --> 01:09:51,900 questions for me personally I'm happy to answer this as well but these are just 831 01:09:49,799 --> 01:09:56,460 historical foreign 832 01:09:54,020 --> 01:10:00,000 could you try Dr Van wert's microphone and see if that gives you feedback 833 01:09:58,320 --> 01:10:03,719 I'm sorry to make you do some Jenga here that's okay there we go okay okay Miss 834 01:10:01,560 --> 01:10:07,679 Leon also has one if you need one I'll just make my way down 835 01:10:05,460 --> 01:10:13,679 um could you please confirm whose term is up that Ms Collins would be replacing 836 01:10:10,739 --> 01:10:17,520 well the the terms are um they run through October the end of October of 837 01:10:15,540 --> 01:10:22,140 each year so the term that expired was held by Joe Kelly 838 01:10:19,860 --> 01:10:26,159 um and so the bylaws The Authority indicate that you don't serve until 839 01:10:23,940 --> 01:10:29,640 replaced you your term ends when your term ends so it's technically been a 840 01:10:27,780 --> 01:10:33,719 vacant position since that time thank you for clarifying um and when was Joe 841 01:10:32,219 --> 01:10:38,219 Kelly appointed uh in November of 2013 when the 842 01:10:36,179 --> 01:10:41,880 authority was created and the other board members the initial board members 843 01:10:40,500 --> 01:10:47,580 of The Authority were also appointed at the time okay so he was appointed when 844 01:10:43,980 --> 01:10:54,600 when Bria was was initially created yes okay and his role at the time that he 845 01:10:51,840 --> 01:10:58,199 was appointed to Bria was what he was director of the Department of community 846 01:10:55,860 --> 01:11:02,880 and economic development okay so Joe Kelly at the creation of Bria was the 847 01:11:01,080 --> 01:11:08,640 director of community and economic development and can you articulate I 848 01:11:06,120 --> 01:11:12,659 know uh I don't think you were you were in your role at that time I was not in 849 01:11:10,679 --> 01:11:17,340 my role obviously not I wasn't I was not appointed until January of 2014. thank 850 01:11:14,580 --> 01:11:20,640 you so can are you able to give us some insight on why it might have been 851 01:11:18,780 --> 01:11:25,320 determined that the director of community and economic development would 852 01:11:22,260 --> 01:11:29,699 be of value to the Bria board so at the time the authority was created 853 01:11:27,360 --> 01:11:35,640 we needed we as the city needed a municipal authority to be able to apply 854 01:11:31,620 --> 01:11:39,120 for the careers new opportunity that was presented 855 01:11:36,900 --> 01:11:47,280 um to third class cities that had certain sizes within Pennsylvania and so 856 01:11:43,860 --> 01:11:52,560 um I think that there was a well first of all we have moved in the 857 01:11:50,340 --> 01:11:56,280 city under the last Administration and continued that under this Administration 858 01:11:53,880 --> 01:12:00,360 to try to use our Economic Development tools comprehensively and I would 859 01:11:58,380 --> 01:12:03,900 describe those as being not just the quiz Authority but the Redevelopment 860 01:12:02,280 --> 01:12:08,159 Authority and the Bethel and Economic Development Corporation and so to ensure 861 01:12:06,540 --> 01:12:11,820 that we are all as I'd like to say rowing the boat in the same direction 862 01:12:10,560 --> 01:12:16,820 um Staffing those 863 01:12:13,699 --> 01:12:21,900 participating those managing them comprehensively so that we can maximize 864 01:12:20,040 --> 01:12:28,800 our Economic Development efforts and so I think that it is a excellent example 865 01:12:25,320 --> 01:12:31,739 of ensuring that that Authority had continuity with the Department of 866 01:12:30,480 --> 01:12:35,699 community and economic development at the time that makes sense to me so I'll 867 01:12:33,900 --> 01:12:39,480 just confirm again that I understand that at the creation of Bria the 868 01:12:37,980 --> 01:12:43,260 director of community and economic development was appointed to the board 869 01:12:40,860 --> 01:12:45,980 by the mayor who created Bria that's correct thank you 870 01:12:48,500 --> 01:12:58,320 did answer quite a or ask sorry I am really 871 01:12:54,140 --> 01:13:02,340 I am so sorry I apologize it's all very confusing the council person to my 872 01:13:00,540 --> 01:13:06,960 immediate right asked a lot of questions that I would have had um 873 01:13:04,679 --> 01:13:10,620 but you did say that it's considered a vacant position so you're not actually 874 01:13:08,340 --> 01:13:15,300 replacing anybody because the con the position is currently vacant because 875 01:13:13,440 --> 01:13:18,659 he doesn't continue to serve that's correct time is over so this isn't 876 01:13:16,860 --> 01:13:24,300 replacing one person with another this is filling the term is vacant yeah it 877 01:13:21,000 --> 01:13:28,800 expired at the end of October okay and um I could see why a person from 878 01:13:26,640 --> 01:13:33,360 Administration would be there like conceptually I thought it was 879 01:13:31,380 --> 01:13:37,739 um weird at first but when I went back and and saw kind of the the background 880 01:13:35,100 --> 01:13:41,280 workings of it I guess that that kind of um does make sense it's a board of five 881 01:13:39,540 --> 01:13:44,520 people do we have anybody else from the administration currently serving on not 882 01:13:43,140 --> 01:13:47,340 on the board of directors not on the board of directors and those are the 883 01:13:45,540 --> 01:13:51,239 people who who like vote and make the decisions and stuff like that those are 884 01:13:49,440 --> 01:13:58,620 the the voting members of the board okay so this wouldn't like change the dynamic 885 01:13:54,060 --> 01:14:02,460 of power on the the board at all you not on the board now 886 01:14:01,020 --> 01:14:07,380 I think that's it but now I'm all flustered from from this so I have 887 01:14:04,679 --> 01:14:17,520 something else to ask we'll be here okay xenix I'm not understanding the um 888 01:14:13,560 --> 01:14:22,620 Authority structure I I represent the Council on the Water Authority and I do 889 01:14:21,540 --> 01:14:25,800 not um 890 01:14:23,280 --> 01:14:33,620 I do not vote and there is a member of the administration on that Authority who 891 01:14:29,880 --> 01:14:41,159 doesn't vote and who we are not in executive sessions so give me a clear 892 01:14:36,780 --> 01:14:44,699 picture of the role that the uh member of the administration would play play on 893 01:14:43,739 --> 01:14:50,699 this so there are board members they would 894 01:14:47,880 --> 01:14:55,920 vote they would participate in all conversations they would be the officers 895 01:14:53,760 --> 01:15:02,460 of the authority they would make motions in seconds and all the things that come 896 01:14:58,500 --> 01:15:08,159 with being board members and so this is an appointment 897 01:15:03,980 --> 01:15:11,719 for a board position it's not a liaison it is a board position 898 01:15:12,840 --> 01:15:22,260 okay I understand it's board position but the person is on the administration 899 01:15:19,739 --> 01:15:27,960 isn't that kind of a conflict there 900 01:15:25,199 --> 01:15:32,580 uh I think your solicitor answered that question for you 901 01:15:29,699 --> 01:15:38,820 um that's not a question that I think um is mine to answer I would I would 902 01:15:35,640 --> 01:15:41,580 assure you that we have a history we not only had the director of community and 903 01:15:40,380 --> 01:15:44,400 economic development for the city of Bethlehem we had the director of 904 01:15:42,659 --> 01:15:49,500 community and economic development for the city of Easton on the board at one 905 01:15:46,380 --> 01:15:55,620 time and so there's a long history of needing technical expertise 906 01:15:52,380 --> 01:15:59,580 on this Authority okay okay and so there is an importance placed on 907 01:15:57,840 --> 01:16:05,699 qualifications uh understanding of Public Finance of 908 01:16:03,120 --> 01:16:11,580 understanding the specific requirements of the quiz Authority there are 909 01:16:09,480 --> 01:16:16,380 role there's a role that this Authority plays that you don't see on a Water 910 01:16:13,440 --> 01:16:22,140 Authority or you know some of the others and so it is very very much centered 911 01:16:19,679 --> 01:16:27,060 on economic development and the importance is place not so much on a 912 01:16:24,719 --> 01:16:32,520 position held but by the expertise they bring to the table and so I would say to 913 01:16:29,820 --> 01:16:36,780 you that this is a position that needs to be filled when possible by the 914 01:16:35,460 --> 01:16:42,179 director of community and economic development for the city of Bethlehem 915 01:16:39,600 --> 01:16:45,860 and there are five members yes ma'am okay 916 01:16:43,199 --> 01:16:45,860 thank you 917 01:16:47,460 --> 01:16:53,820 attack very briefly 918 01:16:51,540 --> 01:16:58,679 um our authorities boards and commissions they're all very distinct 919 01:16:56,100 --> 01:17:03,600 and have their own way of running things each one one to another you can't really 920 01:17:01,920 --> 01:17:10,920 compare for instance I am a liaison 921 01:17:06,840 --> 01:17:15,780 um to several I have a vote on one and not on two of the others so each of them 922 01:17:13,440 --> 01:17:20,219 has their own uh bylaws of their own organizational structure and and 923 01:17:18,000 --> 01:17:24,900 practices right yeah and some are created under different state acts so 924 01:17:22,080 --> 01:17:27,780 this is a municipal Authority we have a Redevelopment Authority created under 925 01:17:26,100 --> 01:17:33,860 the Redevelopment Authority Act which you are a liaison on right so yeah they 926 01:17:30,179 --> 01:17:33,860 are they are different thank you 927 01:17:34,100 --> 01:17:41,100 any other questions or comments from members of council 928 01:17:38,699 --> 01:17:47,640 I'll just add until a few days ago I thought this position 929 01:17:43,640 --> 01:17:52,739 it was written was on the authority uh just how we have our 930 01:17:49,860 --> 01:17:56,520 our chief zoning our inspector is on certain authorities and things like that 931 01:17:54,840 --> 01:18:01,260 because to me it just made sense when when I saw it come through so 932 01:17:58,860 --> 01:18:04,880 if there's no other discussion I will ask the clerk to call the roll 933 01:18:05,930 --> 01:18:09,049 [Music] 934 01:18:09,960 --> 01:18:12,960 zero 935 01:18:13,920 --> 01:18:20,100 nothing further from the administration thank you Mr shirt moving on to 936 01:18:18,060 --> 01:18:25,860 ordinances for final passage clerk will rebuild 27 2023 an ordinance of the city 937 01:18:23,880 --> 01:18:32,000 of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 938 01:18:27,620 --> 01:18:36,960 amending the 2023 general fund Bill 27 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms 939 01:18:35,159 --> 01:18:39,620 Grimsby Smith discussion 940 01:18:41,400 --> 01:18:49,380 how's the clerk to call the role Dr Enix aye Ms queer Tech aye Ms Leon 941 01:18:46,800 --> 01:18:52,400 aye Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr cologne all right past is 5-0 942 01:18:52,440 --> 01:18:59,600 rebuild 28 2023 an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh 943 01:18:57,420 --> 01:19:06,420 Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 capital budget for 944 01:19:02,640 --> 01:19:11,340 non-utilities Bill 28 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Grimsby Smith 945 01:19:08,520 --> 01:19:14,340 discussion 5-0 946 01:19:20,460 --> 01:19:27,500 Bill 29 2023 the ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and 947 01:19:25,620 --> 01:19:34,020 Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 capital budget for 948 01:19:30,300 --> 01:19:38,640 non-utilities ill-29 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Crimson Smith 949 01:19:36,480 --> 01:19:44,760 discussion we'll call the roll Dr Enix 950 01:19:41,340 --> 01:19:51,300 aye is clear Tech aye is Leon aye Ms Wilhelm hi and Mr cologne 951 01:19:48,120 --> 01:19:55,800 aye passes five zero Bill 30 2023 the ordinance of the city 952 01:19:54,120 --> 01:20:00,900 of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 953 01:19:57,800 --> 01:20:06,179 amending the 2023 capital budget for non-utilities Bill 30 2023 is sponsored 954 01:20:04,260 --> 01:20:09,140 by Dr Enix and Miss Ramsey Smith discussion 955 01:20:13,900 --> 01:20:17,000 [Music] 956 01:20:19,560 --> 01:20:26,300 and Bill 31 2023 an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehigh and 957 01:20:24,540 --> 01:20:33,060 Northampton Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 Community Development 958 01:20:29,460 --> 01:20:38,159 block grant budget Bill 31 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Ramsey 959 01:20:35,280 --> 01:20:43,560 Smith discussion call the roll Dr Enix 960 01:20:40,560 --> 01:20:48,719 aye Ms queer Tech hi it's Leon hi Ms Wilhelm hi I'm Mr column all right 961 01:20:46,199 --> 01:20:54,000 passes five zero moving on to new ordinances for which we have one this 962 01:20:50,340 --> 01:20:57,540 evening we'll read bill 32 2023. an ordinance of the city of Bethlehem 963 01:20:55,500 --> 01:21:03,739 counties of Lehigh and Northampton come north of Pennsylvania amending the 2023 964 01:21:00,420 --> 01:21:10,560 capital budget for non-utilities Bill 32 2023 is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Leon 965 01:21:07,800 --> 01:21:15,600 discussion we'll call the roll Dr Enix I is queer 966 01:21:13,739 --> 01:21:21,500 Tech aye is Leon aye Wilhelm I am Mr cologne all right 967 01:21:18,540 --> 01:21:21,500 past five zero 968 01:21:22,260 --> 01:21:28,500 moving on to resolutions resolution 10A be it resolved by the Council of the 969 01:21:26,880 --> 01:21:31,980 city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and or such other City 970 01:21:30,179 --> 01:21:36,900 officials is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor or hit by authorized exe 971 01:21:34,739 --> 01:21:43,020 acute an agreement to effectuate the transfer of the city issued handgun 972 01:21:39,560 --> 01:21:49,040 Sergeant Sean Connolly a retired police officer the resolution is sponsored by 973 01:21:45,719 --> 01:21:49,040 Dr Enix and Miss Leon 974 01:21:49,380 --> 01:21:56,820 discussion yes hi I would like to uh just offer 975 01:21:55,440 --> 01:21:58,940 some facts um 976 01:21:59,159 --> 01:22:05,880 guns are the leading cause of death for U.S children and teens since they're 977 01:22:02,580 --> 01:22:10,260 passing car accidents in 2020. Firearms accounted for nearly 19 percent of 978 01:22:07,800 --> 01:22:15,080 childhood deaths ages 1 through 18 in 2021 according to the Centers for 979 01:22:12,960 --> 01:22:19,739 Disease Control and prevention database nearly 3 600 children died in gun 980 01:22:17,940 --> 01:22:25,800 related incidents that year that's about five children lost for every 100 100 000 981 01:22:23,520 --> 01:22:30,360 children in the United States in no other comparable country are firearms 982 01:22:27,960 --> 01:22:34,920 within the top four causes of mortality among children according to a kff 983 01:22:33,239 --> 01:22:41,219 analysis that's the Kaiser Family Foundation those are facts and the 984 01:22:38,280 --> 01:22:48,980 another fact is that we as council members vote on the sale 985 01:22:45,360 --> 01:22:54,060 of firearms to retiring officers there are opinions as to whether or not 986 01:22:51,659 --> 01:22:59,520 retired officers are safer with their weapons than other people those are 987 01:22:56,280 --> 01:23:03,300 opinions I don't have uh data on that I don't know that there's data available 988 01:23:00,659 --> 01:23:11,400 but I do know that one of the things we can vote on one time that I have a vote 989 01:23:07,080 --> 01:23:15,000 where I can do something about the prevalence of firearms in our society 990 01:23:13,199 --> 01:23:19,620 and the fact that no other comparable country 991 01:23:16,440 --> 01:23:25,679 um has this kind of rate of child killing by Firearms is in these votes 992 01:23:23,340 --> 01:23:29,280 and so I will continue to vote no thank you 993 01:23:27,659 --> 01:23:33,360 any other discussion for members of council 994 01:23:30,300 --> 01:23:38,520 Ms Leon I will say that like I I totally respect that that opinion but having 995 01:23:35,760 --> 01:23:42,420 been not an opinion I totally respect your facts 996 01:23:40,860 --> 01:23:46,380 um well I also just want to give voice to the 997 01:23:44,159 --> 01:23:51,179 fact that First Responders the prior military they they just see 998 01:23:49,020 --> 01:23:56,280 these things these sidearms very differently 999 01:23:53,699 --> 01:24:01,620 um they tend to be extremely cautious and careful with them and 1000 01:23:58,980 --> 01:24:04,440 not that this is a good fact but the receiving end of violence from those 1001 01:24:02,880 --> 01:24:08,820 sidearms tend to be there themselves because of the things that they endure 1002 01:24:06,000 --> 01:24:14,219 during their periods of time so I just not negating what you're saying 1003 01:24:11,340 --> 01:24:19,080 just saying that there's reasons why they're seen as a protection mechanism 1004 01:24:16,199 --> 01:24:23,400 for people that are First Responders thank you for those words councilwoman 1005 01:24:21,300 --> 01:24:30,360 Leon and I would respond by saying that death by Suicide with a firearm is a 1006 01:24:26,940 --> 01:24:39,239 very big problem for our uh First Responders former First Responders 1007 01:24:33,380 --> 01:24:43,620 former military service people and the fact that that firearm would be in 1008 01:24:42,120 --> 01:24:50,280 their home means the likelihood is higher so 1009 01:24:46,679 --> 01:24:54,060 suicide prevention is also a concern I shared the the statistics about 1010 01:24:53,340 --> 01:24:58,980 um you know Firearms being the leading 1011 01:24:56,460 --> 01:25:04,679 cause of death in children ages 1 to 18 because I think that's a pretty shocking 1012 01:25:00,719 --> 01:25:09,060 statistic especially since uh you know no comparable country has that kind of 1013 01:25:06,659 --> 01:25:14,100 problem so that's why I chose to choose that chose to share that statistic but I 1014 01:25:12,060 --> 01:25:19,980 agree with you that death by Suicide is a is a huge problem and a great concern 1015 01:25:16,940 --> 01:25:25,500 and many times a firearm is used in the commission of of that death and uh 1016 01:25:23,159 --> 01:25:29,400 if it wasn't there there might have been an opportunity to prevent that suicide 1017 01:25:27,719 --> 01:25:33,620 so yeah thank you for your for your 1018 01:25:31,320 --> 01:25:33,620 thoughts 1019 01:25:33,719 --> 01:25:39,540 any other discussion for members of council as well 1020 01:25:37,440 --> 01:25:44,699 I do wish somebody were here for me to confirm this publicly but 1021 01:25:41,820 --> 01:25:49,560 um I think I just want to clarify and put this in context 1022 01:25:46,620 --> 01:25:54,659 that you know the implication is that this weapon will not and end up in 1023 01:25:52,140 --> 01:25:59,940 someone's hands and um you know the first time uh we were 1024 01:25:57,540 --> 01:26:06,120 called to make such a vote uh I did a lot of research and thought 1025 01:26:02,460 --> 01:26:11,280 about it very hard and I did a lot of um in inquiring as to what happens if we 1026 01:26:09,000 --> 01:26:15,360 vote no what happens to the gun and unless something has changed the gun 1027 01:26:13,320 --> 01:26:21,000 will be sold um 1028 01:26:16,199 --> 01:26:30,000 I I think it's important to at least um clarify that the the opposite of 1029 01:26:26,219 --> 01:26:35,460 uh allowing an officer to purchase their weapon uh is not that the weapon is then 1030 01:26:33,000 --> 01:26:39,719 never to be used again um and and I I just also want to just 1031 01:26:38,100 --> 01:26:47,699 clarify that um it's a decision that we all put a lot 1032 01:26:42,840 --> 01:26:51,420 of thought into and uh it's it's a lot of gray area 1033 01:26:49,440 --> 01:26:57,540 um and I think I just wanted to clarify that 1034 01:26:53,820 --> 01:27:03,120 that it's not um we're not voting to keep this gun 1035 01:26:59,580 --> 01:27:06,480 um active versus having it be locked into a closet uh somewhere never to be 1036 01:27:05,400 --> 01:27:08,820 used again um 1037 01:27:07,800 --> 01:27:14,040 okay So yeah thank you thank you Miss Wilhelm 1038 01:27:12,179 --> 01:27:17,460 any other comment from Members Council it's just that I would welcome I know 1039 01:27:16,260 --> 01:27:22,380 this is my third um so I won't support again floor is 1040 01:27:19,139 --> 01:27:27,960 yours I would welcome my fellow council members to consider whether there was a 1041 01:27:25,020 --> 01:27:33,420 way for us to change that so that the opposite of not selling you know of 1042 01:27:31,020 --> 01:27:38,159 selling the gun to the retiring officer is not that it goes out on the open 1043 01:27:35,639 --> 01:27:43,500 market if there is a way that we can legally change that so that it would 1044 01:27:40,560 --> 01:27:50,460 remain in the possession of the police department stored safely used for 1045 01:27:46,080 --> 01:27:56,880 training or uh destroyed if it's uh no longer you know worthy of of use by the 1046 01:27:54,780 --> 01:28:00,659 department I would welcome a conversation about that at some point 1047 01:27:58,739 --> 01:28:03,980 as would I um and that is a different vote 1048 01:28:04,260 --> 01:28:11,699 I'm going to share some thoughts as early now we've had 1049 01:28:08,699 --> 01:28:17,159 a few of these votes over this current term and then in my you know years on 1050 01:28:15,179 --> 01:28:23,159 Council and I'll be supporting this tonight as I have but one thing that 1051 01:28:20,040 --> 01:28:29,040 that I think warrants mentioned is we heard during public comment this almost 1052 01:28:25,620 --> 01:28:34,080 like uh polling or representation of what the the will is as elected 1053 01:28:32,280 --> 01:28:40,440 officials I don't remember any election that were unanimous for turnout so as we 1054 01:28:38,280 --> 01:28:45,480 talk about what the the will we hear a lot in these Chambers from 1055 01:28:42,780 --> 01:28:50,460 up here the community whoever decides to give input about sort of the will of of 1056 01:28:48,600 --> 01:28:54,000 the electorate the will of the community the will of the city 1057 01:28:52,380 --> 01:28:58,320 I don't really think any of us could any worse person company included can a 1058 01:28:55,860 --> 01:29:02,639 speaker included can take ownership of saying that and I think this these votes 1059 01:29:00,300 --> 01:29:09,300 as they've been and seems they will be tonight are a good example of democracy 1060 01:29:06,420 --> 01:29:14,100 we're going to have some split votes at times this is something that is 1061 01:29:11,460 --> 01:29:19,020 sensitive for for good reason as we've had repeated discussions as we've had 1062 01:29:16,380 --> 01:29:23,940 these repeated votes uh echoing the comments by councilwoman Leone as the 1063 01:29:22,020 --> 01:29:28,320 nephew as it has been referenced here before of two retired police officers 1064 01:29:26,820 --> 01:29:32,940 one who served here in the city of Bethlehem I understand the the 1065 01:29:30,300 --> 01:29:38,040 attachment that our officers have to it and I will also note that none of these 1066 01:29:35,400 --> 01:29:42,600 votes have ever failed in the time that we've been voting on them so I think 1067 01:29:40,620 --> 01:29:50,400 that even though I will be supporting this to to shape the conversation around 1068 01:29:46,380 --> 01:29:55,580 a a different perspective that's shared as if somehow that's a disservice this 1069 01:29:52,920 --> 01:30:00,840 when as representatives of the community we all for anything we vote on represent 1070 01:29:58,920 --> 01:30:05,719 different perspectives and I'm not going to do my own polling but I would say 1071 01:30:03,420 --> 01:30:12,540 with confidence that there are likely some measure of community members who 1072 01:30:09,840 --> 01:30:17,820 don't agree with me when I vote in the affirmative to say this I just think 1073 01:30:15,239 --> 01:30:22,260 that that bears mentioning that wow okay again I will be supporting this and and 1074 01:30:20,580 --> 01:30:28,739 don't think I'll be changing that perspective uh anytime soon that to 1075 01:30:25,440 --> 01:30:32,880 again paint as if somehow that counsel anytime there's a disagreement or it's 1076 01:30:31,020 --> 01:30:37,560 not unanimous or if it is unanimous against one side of the argument that 1077 01:30:35,219 --> 01:30:41,460 that's somehow a disservice to those who have elected us I just think that's a 1078 01:30:39,840 --> 01:30:47,520 mischaracterization if there's no other comment from members 1079 01:30:44,040 --> 01:30:52,860 of council we'll call the roll Dr Enix I is squid Tech nay Ms Leone aye Ms 1080 01:30:50,400 --> 01:30:58,080 Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne all right passes four one 1081 01:30:55,500 --> 01:31:01,560 the clerk will read resolution 10B you resolved by the Council of the city of 1082 01:30:59,820 --> 01:31:05,760 Bethlehem that the mayor and controller and or such other City officials is 1083 01:31:03,360 --> 01:31:10,020 deemed appropriate by the city solicitor or hereby authorized execute agreement 1084 01:31:07,980 --> 01:31:14,460 with Great Western Services Incorporated to restore Water and Sewer utility 1085 01:31:12,239 --> 01:31:19,020 trenches at various locations within the city of Bethlehem or Associated 1086 01:31:16,380 --> 01:31:24,480 sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leon discussion 1087 01:31:21,179 --> 01:31:30,300 we'll call the roll after Enix I is queer attack aye is Leon hi this is 1088 01:31:27,000 --> 01:31:35,760 Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne hi passes five zero resolution 10c it resolved by 1089 01:31:33,960 --> 01:31:39,900 the Council of the city of Bethlehem the mayor and controller endorse such other 1090 01:31:37,679 --> 01:31:45,000 City officials is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor by authorized execute 1091 01:31:42,719 --> 01:31:50,820 an amendment to a special event permit agreement with artsquest and akm 1092 01:31:47,219 --> 01:31:57,540 entertainment LLC for activities at hin work class and leaderplatz during Music 1093 01:31:53,219 --> 01:32:02,840 Fest 2023 in Music Fest 2024 resolution is sponsored by Dr Enix and Ms Liam 1094 01:32:00,000 --> 01:32:02,840 discussion 1095 01:32:03,000 --> 01:32:06,000 5-0 1096 01:32:12,179 --> 01:32:18,659 resolution 10d be it resolved by the Council of the city of Bethlehem the 1097 01:32:16,500 --> 01:32:23,040 appropriate city office officers are authorized to execute all documents and 1098 01:32:20,699 --> 01:32:27,179 agreements between the city of Bethlehem and the Pennsylvania Department of 1099 01:32:24,719 --> 01:32:32,280 community and economic development to assist in obtaining 1100 01:32:28,920 --> 01:32:36,900 a multi-modal transportation fund Grant to be used for the West 3rd Street 1101 01:32:34,080 --> 01:32:42,840 Corridor resolution sponsored by Dr Enix and Miss Leon discussion 1102 01:32:40,500 --> 01:32:48,239 we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms Leon hi Miss Wilhelm hi I'm Mr 1103 01:32:46,800 --> 01:32:54,000 cologne all right past five to zero 1104 01:32:51,960 --> 01:32:58,440 moving on to our coas I'll accept a motion in a second to consider 1105 01:32:55,500 --> 01:33:02,940 resolution 10 resolutions 10 e through 10g as a group 1106 01:33:00,840 --> 01:33:08,880 so moved motion by councilwoman cleotec so I can 1107 01:33:06,060 --> 01:33:13,139 buy councilwoman Leone any discussion on the motion 1108 01:33:11,280 --> 01:33:15,360 we'll call the roll on the motion Dr Enix 1109 01:33:14,340 --> 01:33:21,480 aye aye this is Leon hi Wilhelm hi and Mr 1110 01:33:18,120 --> 01:33:25,260 cologne I motion passes five zero please read the group certificates are 1111 01:33:23,400 --> 01:33:30,020 appropriateness under the provisions of the act of Pennsylvania legislature 1112 01:33:27,179 --> 01:33:35,699 Bethlehem resolutions are granted for 515 Main Street to replace a restaurant 1113 01:33:32,940 --> 01:33:41,340 sign install a double-sided blade sign and repaint certain building facade 1114 01:33:38,219 --> 01:33:46,320 elements 46 East Church Street to add a screen door to the front entrance of the 1115 01:33:43,560 --> 01:33:52,500 house and 418 420 Main Street to remove slate tile 1116 01:33:50,100 --> 01:33:56,340 roofing and replace it with GAF slate line designer shingles as well as 1117 01:33:54,840 --> 01:34:01,440 replace the copper gutters and downspouts the resolutions are sponsored 1118 01:33:58,620 --> 01:34:06,420 by Dr Enix and Ms Leon any discussion on the group 1119 01:34:04,199 --> 01:34:11,340 we'll call the roll Dr Enix aye Ms queer check aye Ms Liam aye Ms 1120 01:34:09,000 --> 01:34:15,600 Wilhelm aye and Mr cologne bye 1121 01:34:12,780 --> 01:34:18,380 passes five zero any new business for members of council 1122 01:34:18,960 --> 01:34:24,420 is all right um a few weeks ago we took a 1123 01:34:22,020 --> 01:34:27,659 vote on an issue that I had expressed a great deal of hesitation surrounding 1124 01:34:25,980 --> 01:34:30,719 voting on it I felt like I hadn't done my due diligence on it 1125 01:34:29,940 --> 01:34:35,400 um I had uh wanted a bit more time but it 1126 01:34:34,020 --> 01:34:39,179 as these things happen it just wasn't the case but I continued to have the 1127 01:34:37,860 --> 01:34:42,659 conversations that I would have had regardless 1128 01:34:40,980 --> 01:34:46,320 um including conversations with people within the administration 1129 01:34:44,580 --> 01:34:50,699 um at the county level um some 1130 01:34:47,580 --> 01:34:55,920 prior officers as well as a few of the immigration lawyers that serve over on 1131 01:34:52,860 --> 01:34:59,880 the south side and my understanding of these things continues to evolve and as 1132 01:34:58,320 --> 01:35:05,760 they evolve um I mean we can't turn back time but I 1133 01:35:02,760 --> 01:35:08,880 hope that that memorandum of whatever it's called that thing you know what I'm 1134 01:35:07,020 --> 01:35:13,679 talking about what's it called it's a memorandum of understanding 1135 01:35:11,120 --> 01:35:16,620 when the mem I would hope that at some point the memorandum of understanding 1136 01:35:15,000 --> 01:35:21,600 could come back to council we can address some of the the the questions 1137 01:35:18,840 --> 01:35:25,500 that that I had that led me to having the discussions with some of our 1138 01:35:23,760 --> 01:35:27,960 community members and some of the officers 1139 01:35:26,880 --> 01:35:32,520 um I feel like that's a conversation that we would all benefit from 1140 01:35:30,420 --> 01:35:37,440 thank you councilwoman any other new business for members of council 1141 01:35:34,560 --> 01:35:41,280 just just a reminder on Thursday our West Side Town Hall at seven o'clock at 1142 01:35:39,600 --> 01:35:46,139 the DAR house um councilman cologne and I will be 1143 01:35:43,500 --> 01:35:51,360 there to uh give updates and answer questions from folks on the west side 1144 01:35:49,500 --> 01:35:54,480 I'll be there and I want to thank members of the administration who had 1145 01:35:52,800 --> 01:35:58,260 followed up with us regarding some questions we had just so we're prepared 1146 01:35:56,639 --> 01:36:02,219 to give updates to those who come out for information on on Thursday 1147 01:36:00,780 --> 01:36:05,460 any other new business for members Council 1148 01:36:03,480 --> 01:36:07,940 get home safely everyone this meeting is adjourned