Bethlehem City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026
Bethlehem City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026
The Bethlehem City Council held its regular meeting on January 21, 2026. The meeting included citations honoring retiring members, public comments on various issues, a discussion on potential fees for university services and non-profit contributions, approval of multiple contracts and resolutions, and updates on the Bethlehem Co-op and greenway project.
Citations and Roll Call
- Council approved a citation honoring Lynn Rothman for her decade of service on the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), including leadership on solar ordinance amendments and the climate action plan.
- A citation for Charles Scripp for 30 years of service at the wastewater treatment plant was noted (absent).
- Roll call: All seven council members present.
Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals)
- Approval of minutes from previous meeting (no discussion, passed).
- Councilmanic appointments to Environmental Advisory Council: Megan Lysowski, Vibor Kumar, Mandy Tolino, and Steven Olzewski as chair. Approved 7-0.
- Certificates of appropriateness for properties at 55 East Church St, 441 Linden St, and 443 Center St. Approved 7-0.
Public Comments and Testimony
- Keith Dow requested the city encourage Wind Creek to restore lighting on the steel stacks at the Bethlehem Steel site, calling it a cultural and heritage obligation.
- Mark Weber spoke in support of downloadable water apps for smart meters, emphasizing early leak detection and financial relief for residents. He expressed concern about the lack of a timeline but voiced trust in council.
- Mr. Shire complimented the city's snow removal efforts, noting improvements in clearing snow from around parked cars.
- Mr. O'Hare criticized the Bethlehem Co-op for not opening after five years despite $3.105 million in public funds. He asked council to investigate and consider alternative uses for the space.
- Hans Alex Stephen raised concerns about fire department staffing, citing a firefighter working a 15-hour shift and potential safety risks. He criticized council president's votes on firefighter replacement versus code enforcement hires, urging new council members to prioritize public safety.
Discussion Items
- Fire Department Calls to Universities and Non-Profit Contributions: Councilman Callahan requested data on fire calls to Lehigh University and off-campus student housing, suggesting a $50 fee per student. Fire Chief noted challenges in tracking off-campus calls but agreed to provide campus data. Mayor discussed the legal distinction between fees for services and illegal taxes, and mentioned state-level efforts to raise the local services tax (LST) from $52 to potentially $75-$100. Solicitor confirmed that municipalities can charge non-resident accident response fees (fire service recovery). Councilman Cologne requested historical minutes from 2012 regarding a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) resolution.
- Steel Stacks Lighting: Council discussed broken lighting at Wind Creek (Sands). Mayor stated there is no contractual obligation for decorative lighting, but the city continues to push Wind Creek to honor community promises. Councilman Callahan noted that a local electrical firm fixed lights at minimal cost. Solicitor will review easement documents.
- Snow Emergency Planning: Councilman Callahan asked about declaring a snow emergency for an upcoming storm. Mayor said no emergency has been declared in four years but the administration is monitoring conditions.
- Bethlehem Co-op Update: In response to public comment, Mayor reported that the co-op is 97-98% complete, working to secure a refrigeration unit deposit, and that city staff meet regularly with the board. He stated the city has offered advice but cannot mandate actions.
- New Street Greenway: Mayor announced a $250,000 DCNR grant for greenway construction near Comfort Suites. Project expected to proceed after hotel construction.
- Lease Agreement with Bethlehem Tempo LLC (10I): Discussion focused on ensuring public access to the drop-off area for non-hotel guests and inclusion of bike racks. Councilwoman Laird requested a supplemental letter to clarify public use. Mayor and solicitor agreed that current lease does not prohibit public drop-off. Resolution passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 10A: Approved contract with Lehigh Valley with Love Media for information officer services ($18,000/year, 2026-2029). Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10B: Approved agreement with CHA Consulting for engineering services at wastewater treatment plant ($66,700). Passed 6-0 with one abstention (council member recused).
- Resolution 10C: Approved agreement with Collabo Planning and Design for choice neighborhoods grant application (up to $40,000). Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10D: Approved agreement with Colliers Engineering for boiler/efficiency study ($59,900). Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10E: Approved software support contract with Emerson Power and Water Solutions ($66,225.30/year, three years). Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10F: Approved wastewater rate study with Gannett Fleming ($19,000). Study will inform future sewer rate adjustments. Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10G & 10H: Approved intergovernmental agreements with Hanover Township and Fountain Hill for yard waste facility use (2026). Passed 7-0 each.
- Resolution 10I: Approved 50-year lease with Bethlehem Tempo LLC for hotel driveway/drop-off area ($100,000 first 25 years, $4,000/year thereafter). Council added condition for public access and bike racks. Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10J: Approved contract with Michael Baker International for HUD funding technical assistance ($112,409, with renewal options). Passed 7-0.
- Ordinance 8A: Final passage of 2026 general fund budget amendment. Passed 7-0.
- Ordinance 9A: Adoption of 2021 Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Passed 7-0.
Next Steps
- Council will hold ethics training on February 24, 2026.
- Council President will hold "president hours" one hour before each regular council meeting.
- Data on fire calls to universities to be compiled; legal research on cost recovery and PILOT to be continued.
- Council to receive historical minutes on previous PILOT resolution from 2012.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting so we'll all rise for the pledge to the flag. Yeah. And to report for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We're going to start with citations. I'm going to turn to the administration for a citation for roll call. Thanks, Mike. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. Raymond. Present. Mr. Callahan. Present. Mr. Cologne. Present. Ms. Daniels. Present. Ms. Que Tech. Present. Ms. Laird. Present. And Ms. Leon. Uh turning to the administration for a citation honoring Lynn Rothman. Yes. We have a citation here honoring the retirement of Lynn Rothman. And before I read from it, I just want to say I think I like a lot of people in this room have had the honor of knowing Lynn for a long time. And Lynn has been uh with us, not just from the beginning of the climate action plan, but in all the years leading up to when we had the conversations at EAC meetings and uh personally about what the value of a climate action plan would be, the focus on sustainability. Uh the idea that focusing on a sustainability manager in the city in City Hall was a good idea. And I would I'm gonna read this um from about Lynn, but I just want to say is like Lynn truly represented this idea that she was a part of something, and she still is a part of something that it was bigger than her individually. She did not come to any meeting looking for credit. She didn't come to meeting because she wanted to be about herself. She really wanted to do this thing for the community. And it is um it has been an honor to work with her. Um, and I will read from uh this uh citation here. Uh for more than a decade, Lynn Rothman has exemplified dedicated public service and principled environmental leadership through her work on the Bethlehem Environmental Advisory Council. Uh, first appointed in 2014 and serving as chair since 2016. Ms. Rothman has guided the council with clarity, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit that is both strengthened its effectiveness and its relationship with city councils, city staff, and the broader community. An environmental scientist and former former EPA professional, Ms. Rothman brought deep technical expertise and a balanced perspective to her leadership, one that respects environmental protection while thoughtfully considering development and property rights. As chair, she led efficient, well organized meetings. It's not always easy, fostered respectful consensus driven dialogue, and presented recommendations in a clear, constructive, and non-confrontational manner. Her leadership style emphasized preparation, documentation, and mutual understanding, earning trust across departments and governing bodies. Ms.
openpublica.com