Bethlehem City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025
Bethlehem City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025
The Bethlehem City Council met on October 21, 2025, to address public comments, discuss housing, public safety, and infrastructure, and approve several resolutions including use permits for holiday events and contracts for water treatment supplies.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from October 7, 2025 council meeting were approved without comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Harry Faber expressed opposition to the two-party system and called for working-class organization, promoting the Lehigh Valley DSA.
- Reverend Bruce Stevenson praised the city for painting a street line on his street, noting decreased speed and improved safety.
- Murza Figueroa thanked the city for the new line painting, saying it makes her feel safer.
- Randy Rice, a retired teacher, raised concerns about speeding on side streets (especially Gap and Maple), lack of stop signs, poor visibility, and noise from motorcycles; he urged traffic calming measures.
- Mike O'Hare criticized the Bethlehem Co-op for delays (originally to open 2022, now $1 million in debt) and questioned oversight of public funds. He also expressed concern about ongoing incidents at the 540 Democrat Club and urged continued vigilance.
- Artie Kurtola spoke about his military service and proposed a 10% tithe system in Bethlehem to address homelessness and other issues.
- Bill Shire proposed a federal tax bracket of 50% on incomes over $1 million to reduce deficits.
- Stephen Ant Alex criticized the city’s reliance on outside consultants and the decision to make Linden Street one-way, calling it "stupid." He also complained about council members speaking too quietly away from microphones.
Discussion Items
- Intersection Safety (Gap and Maple Streets): Councilwoman Leo asked Public Works Director Alcall about possible line painting or crosswalk improvements. Mayor Reynolds discussed the city’s Complete Streets plan and noted that long-term infrastructure changes are needed, not just signage. Councilwoman Cramsey Smith noted she had previously emailed about this intersection and requested prioritization.
- Fire Department Staffing: Councilwoman Laird asked Fire Chief Griffin about the current complement. Griffin reported 104 firefighters full staff, currently 8 vacancies. Four recruits are in the Allentown Fire Academy, graduating November 13th. Two applicants were disqualified last minute, causing a delay until the next academy in January. Mayor Reynolds added that the budget plans for two classes next year (up to 15 recruits) due to expected retirements.
- Bethlehem Co-op Oversight: Councilwoman Laird asked about grant oversight. The largest federal grant ($2.9 million) is a reimbursement grant reviewed by HUD and the city controller. Mayor Reynolds stated the co-op is about 95% of the way to opening financially, but has faced cost overruns and board structure issues; he urged the board to be more transparent and set a date.
- Martin Tower Development: Councilman Callahan reported that the developers have no plan to submit for zoning changes; they are not interested in building 1,700 units due to high costs and interest rates. He suggested the city is losing millions in potential revenue. Mayor Reynolds noted the city is researching a model to require affordable housing in exchange for LERTA tax incentives, but the developers have stated they will pay in-lieu fees rather than include affordable units.
- Unsheltered Individuals Update: Mayor Reynolds reported that on September 16, 75 people were living in the Norfolk Southern area; as of last week, that number was 53. 55 of 72 expressed interest in moving to the emergency shelter when it opens, but 23 had no interest in housing assistance. He said outreach continues.
- Tenant Advocate Program: Mayor Reynolds highlighted a tenant advocate funded through Southside Tomorrow, which has prevented 70% of potential evictions.
- Affordable Housing Tax Credits: Mayor Reynolds announced that the city received a $16 million tax credit award for a 120-unit affordable housing project on Fourth Street (Gateway on Fourth), the first such award since 2013.
Key Outcomes
- Rescheduled Meeting: Council voted 7-0 to move the November 4, 2025 meeting to Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7 PM due to Election Day.
- Public Hearing Scheduled: Council voted 7-0 to schedule a public hearing for November 5, 2025 on the intermunicipal transfer of liquor license for 1010 Harvard Avenue.
- Resolutions Approved (all 7-0):
- 10A-10C: Use permits for ArtsQuest (Christkindlmarkt), Christmas Tree Lighting, and Christmas City Village.
- 10D: Agreement with JCI Jones Chemicals for chlorine cylinders ($204,490/year, four annual renewals).
- 10E: Agreement with Univar Solutions for sodium hydroxide ($146,645/year, four annual renewals).
- 10F: Agreement with Wind River Environmental for screening disposal at wastewater plant ($54,922.60/year, four annual renewals).
- 10G-10M: Certificates of Appropriateness for various properties (e.g., fence replacement, plaque, sign, roof shingles).
- Ordinance Approved: Bill 44-2025 (listing cartway and right-of-way widths for Linden Street two-way conversion and Broad Street project) passed 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
We are recording everybody. Yeah, it doesn't fall. Good evening, everyone. We're getting started. I ask we all rise for the pledge to the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag for the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Invisible with liberty. Mr. Miller, please call the roll. Mr. Callahan. Present. Ms. Brampsy Smith. Present. Is Quietek present? Ms. Laird. Present. Ms. Leonter. Ms. Wilhelm present and Mr. Cologne. Present. Thank you. Approval of minutes for October 7, 2025 council meeting. Any comments on the minutes. Minute stand approved. Moving on to public comment. As is custom, our first public comment is for any subject not being voted on this evening. I will remind everyone we have a five-minute time limit. We do have six people signed up. So I'll start with our list of those who signed up in advance, starting with Harry Faber. If you'd like to, I just ask you to your best speak into the microphone. Hello. Harry Faber. This past weekend was historic for many reasons. On the one hand, tens of millions of Americans organized and demonstrated all across the country, thousands in the Lehigh Valley. Given the circumstances and opportunity costs of such a demonstration, it is safe to say Americans are fed up with the status quo. It is a known fact that our tax dollars and resources are not being spent and invested in the sustainable well-being of the working class. But yet, on the other hand, the No Kings rallies were a historical failure in effecting change. Millions were told to take this energy to the ballot box. Quote, all we can do is vote, end quote. More specifically, vote for the Democrats. I stand on this side today because I recognize what our pre predecessors recognize over a hundred years ago that the duopoly represents two sides of the same coin, that coin being capital and capital accumulation. Eugene Debs gave his famous speech in 1912. We have two parties but one problem.
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