Bethlehem City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Bethlehem City Council met on March 17, 2026, for a full agenda including a public hearing on a liquor license transfer, multiple contract approvals, budget adjustments, and discussion on fire department records management and homelessness. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Citations and Recognitions

• Assistant Fire Chief Alan S. Berghard was honored with a citation for 30 years of service (starting in 1995, retired 2006). Berghard noted his father also served in the fire department, and this month will be the last time a Berghard is on the department rolls.
• A citation for Thomas Spenner was noted but he was not present.

Public Hearing: Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer

• Request: Ridham Cowboy Company sought approval to transfer Restaurant Liquor License #R0580 from Easton Meat and Produce Corp. (250 Line St., Easton) to 217 Broadway, Bethlehem, for a country-themed restaurant and entertainment venue called "Ridham Cowboy Co."
• Details Presented by Attorney Nico Barada:
  • Seating: 114 on first floor (97 dining + 17 bar seats), plus second floor overflow/private events, and seasonal outdoor patio.
  • Maximum occupancy rated at 449, but seating will be far lower.
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri–Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–10pm.
  • Projected sales: 65% food, 35% alcohol; no take-home alcohol sales.
  • Employment: ~35-40 new jobs (20 full-time, 15-20 part-time, 2-3 admin).
  • Security: on-site personnel during peak hours, cameras, staff RAMP training.
  • Opening target: August 2026, pending approvals.
• Council Questions: Councilman Cologne confirmed the site was the former firehouse; plans include private event space. Council President asked about peak hours and parking – security will be inside and outside; street parking and nearby garage available. Council expressed support for the investment.
• Public Comment: None.
• Outcome: Resolution 10G approved unanimously (7-0).

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals

All items below were approved en bloc by a single 7-0 vote unless specific discussion noted.

• Appointments:
  • Councilmanic reappointments to Bethlehem Human Relations Commission (Valery Noonan, Karen Davison, Marilyn Kelly Cavada) – approved.
  • Mayoral administrative orders: Appointments/reappointments to Fine Arts Commission (Stephen G. Thompson, Donna McGavro, Carol Parker, Sue Birkenstock, Sharon Brown, James A. DePicho, Adam Urselani, Barbara Fraust, Stephanie Powell Watts) – approved.
• Budget Amendments (First Reading):
  • Ordinance 13-2026: Amend 2026 Sewer Capital Budget.
  • Ordinance 14-2026: Amend 2026 Water Capital Fund Budget.
  • Ordinance 15-2026: Amend 2026 Water Fund Budget.
  • Ordinance 16-2026: Amend 2026 General Fund Budget (grant for fire department special alarm devices, replacing 27 units).
  • Ordinance 17-2026: Amend 2026 General Fund Budget (grant of $14,975 for EMS equipment for opioid/drug storage on ambulances).
• Contracts and Resolutions:
  • 10A: Appointment of delegates to Northampton County Tax Collection Committee (Lenny Lazarchak primary, Eric Evans alternate).
  • 10B: Agreement with Preload LLC ($3,480,000) to construct a 1 million gallon concrete water tank on South Mountain, replacing a 100-year-old reservoir; 630-day completion.
  • 10C: Agreement with Brendan Stanton Inc. ($352,600) for electrical services (lighting, SCADA) for the South Mountain water tank; 630-day completion.
  • 10D: Agreement with GPE Corporation ($73,095) for analysis and design of pavement restoration on 15th Avenue, Avenue A, and Avenue C; 90-day completion.
  • 10E: Agreement with Pendon for water main relocation at Hill Hill Bridge.
  • 10F: Agreement with R3 Construction ($548,189.20) to replace/extend water mains in various locations; 250-day completion.
  • 10H: Agreement with TL Engineering (dba Elfreth) ($75,645) to design a multi-level steel maintenance building at the golf course; completion by Dec. 31, 2026.
  • 10I: Adoption of updated City of Bethlehem Emergency Operations Plan (dated March 17, 2026).
  • 10J: Agreement with Baseline Contracting Inc. ($7,230) for installation of 90 ADA curb ramps; 150-day completion.
  • 10K: Agreement with Heidelberg Materials Northeast LLC ($1,407.20) for 33 ADA curb ramps, milling and overlays; 120-day completion.
  • 10L: Use permit agreement with Touchstone Theater for America Dreams and Festival Unbound events (April 11-27) at Rose Garden.
  • 10M: Use permit agreement with AAUW Bethlehem Branch for 2026 Book Fair (April 23-27) at Earl E. Schaeffer Ice Rink.
  • 10N: Acceptance of donated outdoor fitness equipment from Bethlehem Aquatic Club at Monocacy Park (adjacent to Memorial Pool).
  • 10O: Authorization for fire department to create temporary help account for records management system conversion (see Discussion Items).
• Certificates of Appropriateness:
  • 10P: 1506 Calypso Avenue – 4-foot split rail fence with black mesh.
  • 10Q: 415 Long Street – cellular PVC trim, new front door trim, paint aluminum siding.
  • (Approved as part of group 10P-10R.)

Public Comments & Testimony

On Subjects Not Being Voted On (5-minute limit):

• Mark Weber: Urged relief from rising gas/diesel taxes; highlighted rising utility costs and asked for a timeline from the mayor on addressing them. Advocated for downloadable water usage apps to help conserve water and prevent costly leaks for residents and businesses.
• Amanda Chiles: Spoke on behalf of Bethlehem’s homeless population. Thanked city resources (New Bethany, Small Essentials Cafe, UCC Thrift Store) but stressed urgent need for a year-round emergency shelter and transitional housing. Noted that when the seasonal shelter closes in spring, homeless individuals face harassment, assault, theft, and arson. Presented a petition with signatures collected downtown. Asked the city to make 2026 the year for safe housing.
• Mr. Shire (name unclear): Criticized the City Council’s prior approval of a 7-story apartment building in the historic district. Argued that the Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) only approved the design, not the height, because council had overridden HARB’s rejection of a taller parking garage. Stated that council’s decision on height set a precedent.
• Kent F. (Mr. Faber): Spoke against U.S. support for Israel’s war in Iran, citing resignation of Director of National Intelligence Joseph Kent. Called the war illegal and accused the mayor and council of inaction on genocide and imperialism. Urged council to oppose the war.
• Marty Curatola: Identified as the chosen Irish tenor for an Allentown parade. Urged council to oppose war in Iran and support for Israel. Called for love and peace, citing his long-standing anti-war stance. Expressed frustration at being called anti-Semitic for his views.

On Subjects Being Voted On:

• Lou Jimenez (President, Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735): Commented on Resolution 10O (temporary help for fire department). Supported the short-term contractor for the records system transition but urged that it not become a long-term fix. Stated the real solution is increasing the budgeted number of firefighters, which has declined from 108 to 104. Asked that temporary help be limited to the proposed 90-day period and not replace investment in the department.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department Temporary Help (Resolution 10O) :
  • Fire Chief Matthew Griffin explained the need to convert records management from Tyler's New World to First Due due to state/federal compliance requirements. The data transfer had errors (e.g., address formatting discrepancies) causing missing data. The temporary position (15-20 hrs/week, 90-day trial) would work under the deputy chief to clean up data, train department personnel, and improve accuracy of key holder/contact information.
  • Councilman Callahan asked if the system could track calls to Lehigh University off-campus housing to assess usage. Chief Griffin noted difficulty because addresses are not tied to student status. Solicitor is researching billing ordinances for fire/police services. Discussion included complexity of identifying student vs. non-student renters.
  • Council President emphasized the 90-day window and requested updates if extension needed. Councilwoman Quietek asked about data recovery – Chief believed it can be resolved. Councilwoman Leon clarified that the position is administrative, not a replacement for firefighter staffing.
  • Outcome: Approved 7-0.
• Homelessness Shelter (Councilwoman Quietek inquiry) :
  • Business Administrator Eric Evans and staff updated on Bethlehem Emergency Shelter (BES). The shelter currently operates six months per year due to zoning restrictions. A capital campaign for a $6 million year-round upgrade has ~$2 million secured; the city has helped apply for $4.5 million in public funds. Progress is slow due to BES leadership transition. Zoning relief (variance) would be needed unless the facility becomes a public facility. The city is also moving forward on the Packer Avenue project (11 units for families), fully funded.
• Parking Authority Sprinkler Issue (Councilman Callahan) :
  • Reported that a lower-grade pipe than specified was installed in the Walnut Street garage. He sent a memo to the parking authority solicitor three weeks ago but received no response. He will request a subcommittee meeting to address the issue and ensure taxpayers received what was paid for.
• Pavement Restoration Study (Councilwoman Quietek) :
  • Public Works Director Michael Alcal explained that roads like 15th Avenue, Avenue A, and Avenue C were built with only 2 inches of asphalt on dirt. The study will conduct core borings to design a cost-effective reconstruction.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor License Transfer (10G) : Approved 7-0.
• Fire Department Temporary Help (10O) : Approved 7-0, limited to 90-day trial period.
• All other resolutions and ordinances (approximately 20 items): Approved 7-0.
• Appointments: Both councilmanic and mayoral appointments approved 7-0.
• No ordinances for final passage.
• Next steps: The temporary help position will be filled and progress reported to council; the parking authority issue will be addressed via subcommittee; the homeless shelter project continues with city support.