Bethlehem City Council Reorganization Meeting - January 6, 2026
Bethlehem City Council Reorganization Meeting - January 6, 2026
The Bethlehem City Council held its annual reorganization meeting on January 6, 2026, to swear in new and returning members, elect council officers, and conduct final business of the outgoing council. The meeting included farewell citations for outgoing council members Grace Cramsey Smith (six years of service) and Kira Wilhelm (four years), a public comment period, approval of minutes, passage of ordinances and resolutions, and the election of a new council president and vice president.
Farewell to Outgoing Council Members
- Councilwoman Grace Cramsey Smith was honored for her service from 2019 to 2026, including as vice president, chair of public works and finance, and membership on multiple committees. Council members praised her dedication, advocacy (e.g., pet shop/puppy mill ordinance, LERTA work), and support during personal challenges. In her remarks, she urged future council to prioritize independent thinking, mutual respect, and recognition of council as an equal branch of government, cautioning against "one-man rule" and destructive mannerisms.
- Councilwoman Kira Wilhelm was recognized for her service from 2022 to 2026, including chairing the Human Resources and Environmental Committee. Colleagues noted her careful research, effective communication, and constituent service. In her farewell, she thanked supporters and staff, gave advice to new and returning members (e.g., keep values clear, don't be afraid to agree or disagree), and expressed gratitude for the learning experience.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pastor Timothy Smith offered a prayer for the city, asking for wisdom, unity, humility, and justice for leaders, particularly for the unhoused.
- Mark Will Weber (66 West Elizabeth Avenue) advocated for protective water apps (e.g., Aquahawk, WaterSmart) to alert residents of leaks, criticizing the city's current monitoring as insufficient. He cited Fairmont, West Virginia, as an example and claimed the city water director's statements about monitoring were misleading.
- Stephen Antalix (77 Ridge Avenue) criticized the outgoing council, giving grades (no A's, two B's, three C's, two F's), alleging that public input is ignored, and citing inadequate firefighter funding and poor preservation decisions. He also shared personal reflections on attending synagogue.
- Mark Will Weber (second comment) thanked council for their service and acknowledged the heat they take, wishing them a happy 2026.
Discussion Items
- Old Business – Elevator Issues at Wallace Street Garage: Councilwoman Leon reported that Mayor claimed union workers were at fault for elevator failures, but union officials provided evidence that the general contractor ignored warnings from union workers, resulting in five inspection violations. She requested a public apology to union workers and follow-up to ensure violations are corrected.
- Council President’s Annual Report: Outgoing President Cologne presented the 2025 annual report, highlighting Bethlehem's first full year as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the reopening of the Walnut Street Garage (517 spots, $27M), completion of the Greenway Trail gap, progress on Friendship Park, the 40/10 parks plan, Complete Streets plan (Broad Street redevelopment starting 2026), Linden Street two-way traffic restoration (expected March 2026), and affordable housing projects (Gateway on Fourth, new emergency shelter, Pembroke Marvine Village). Statistics: 24 regular meetings, 11 committee meetings, 20 hours of budget hearings, 57 ordinances passed, 188 resolutions passed.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from December 16, 2025, council meeting were approved (7-0).
- Ordinance 9A (2026 Budget Amendment): Authorized transfer of $20,000 from revenue account to expense account for a grant writer for the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant application (joint with Bethlehem Housing Authority). Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10A (St. Luke’s Drug Testing Contract): Approved a three-year contract (Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2028) with St. Luke’s Hospital Occupational Medicine for DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing at $7,000/year, with three renewal options. Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10B (Certificate of Appropriateness): Granted for 13 and 15 East Third Street to modify the existing sign band and storefronts. Passed 7-0.
- Swearing-In of Officials:
- George Yasso was sworn in as City Controller.
- Justin Amon, Joe Daniels, Hillary Quaytech, and Rachel Leon were sworn in as City Council members.
- Election of Council Officers:
- President: Rachel Leon was elected 7-0.
- Vice President: Colleen Laird was elected 4-3 over Hillary Quaytech.
- Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a benediction (Shehecheyanu prayer) by Rabbi Michael Singer.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. We're gonna get started tonight. No, it's important night for a lot of people, so we'll we'll start it. I ask that we all rise for the pledge to the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible and justice for all. Thank you. Before we begin, we are going to have an invocation tonight for the reorganization. We have our rabbi Michael Singer from the congregation, Brith Shalom to give the invocation to start the meeting. Thank you. Shalom, uh, want to recognize from the mayor's office, uh business administrator uh Eric Evans, members of City Council, and soon to be members, new members of City Council, to our fire, our police, health and educators, as well as workers across so many aspects of our city, to beloved family, and to dear friends. Tonight we renew and celebrate our democracy as we give thanks to all who have led and served our city. We are deeply grateful to you for all that you have done. I know it often goes unsaid and certainly underappreciated. But to da Rabbah, a sincere thank you. I also also wish to offer up words of blessing and hope to those about to renew or accept upon themselves this sacred calling, and a sacred calling it is, as the oath you will be taking is a binding covenantal relationship witnessed by God in service to your neighbors, who are a blessedly vibrant community of people who call Bethlehem home. We come from many ethnicities, cultures, faiths, and our numbers increase still more as people come to work and visit our beautiful city. Indeed, God has blessed Bethlehem with not only natural beauty, but the very diversity of God's own image in the people who add new chapters to the life story and success of this amazing and history-filled city. In Hebrew, the term for covenant or pact is bret, like the name of my congregation, Brit Shalom, covenant of peace. I wish I could say that the sacred calling to service you take upon yourselves is an easy one. In a time of tranquility and peace, and yet, as our nation is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary, with all of its promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Too many of our neighbors are struggling with the basic of human dignity, adequate food, shelter, health care. Educational opportunity, the means to get ahead, let alone dignity and care in old age. We stand at a tipping point, for there is too much fear and too much indifference, a loss of faith in the efficacy of government and the sacred heart of the experiment of our democracy. Quote, that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. Where freedom, dignity, truth, equality, and justice for all is the sacred work that we must each continue to pursue and strive for together. Yet I am heartened by your love and your care for your neighbors and our city. It is what has led you tonight to dedicate the very best of yourselves, your talents and abilities to become our representatives and our leaders. Together with businesses and civic organizations, as partners, you are called to tackle the difficult challenges we all face by bringing individuals together to form common bonds of industry and communal resiliency that build the present and lay the grounds for the future of the common good, stewardship of God's earth, and to care for the most vulnerable in our community. And so now we lift our prayers to God. Hamakom Habracha, living font and source of blessing, to bestow God's blessings upon each of you and the work we embark on together. May God bless you with that knowledge and curiosity with bina, understanding and openness to compromise and creativity, chokma, wisdom to recognize what you do not know, and the patience that comes with life's journey of experience, with ometz lev, with courage to make tough decisions for the good, even when they are not popular, chizuk, the strength to humbly place the needs of others above self and to stand up for those whose voices often go unheard. Rachamim, compassion, to have mercy and compassion on yourselves, each other, and all of those you serve, and finally, Shlimut, wholeness and peace for you, your families who also bear the sacrifice and to work to bring people together in a time when anger, fear, hate, and despair threaten to tear us apart. I pray that the divine spirit, the Ruacha Kodesh, be with each of you as you continue or begin your sacred service to our city. If I had the time, I would lay my hands upon your heads and bless each of you individually. But I ask you now to please rise, and the mayor's representative as well, if you would. As I give you the ancient blessing, first recited by Aaron 3,000 years ago, and after each line to answer Amen, the word for I believe. I don't know, Adana. May God always know your kindness and grant you wholeness and peace. Sorry. And let us say Amen. May God's love be ever in your hearts and in your deeds. Thank you. Thank you, Rabba. Mr. Thanks for coming out of practice for us. Mr. Miller, please call the role. Mr. Callahan. Present.
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