Bethlehem City Council Session – June 16, 2026: No Quorum, Public Comment and Informational Reports

The council met on June 16, 2026, but lacked a quorum, so no official actions, motions, or votes were taken. The session was limited to receiving public comment, making informational announcements, and accepting reports. Matters requiring official action were postponed to the July 7, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Artie Curatola (813 Law for Street) criticized U.S. support for Israel, comparing Israeli actions in Gaza to the Holocaust and accusing leaders of genocide. He argued that failing to stop the violence makes citizens complicit. He also alleged that powerful Jewish interests suppress dissent.
• Scott Moser (58 Craigie Street, Easton) and Bert Mucklin (1482 Pine Street, Pen Argyl), both in the fire protection trade, alleged that the installing contractor (Anchor Fire Protection) on the Walnut Street parking garage project did not follow bid specifications for fire suppression standpipes and dry pipe sprinklers. They stated the contractor used cheaper schedule 10 pipe instead of schedule 40, omitted pressure gauges, and used roll groove instead of cut groove joints—saving an estimated $205,100 in material, labor, and fabrication. They requested a third-party engineering review and argued that the general contractor (Mohawk Construction) and the Bethlehem Parking Authority were unresponsive. Councilman Callahan later confirmed he had been told by Parking Authority Director Steve Fernstrom that no official substitution form had been filed.
• Gaza Burkett Jr. (1903 Hilltop Terrace, lifetime Bethlehem resident) raised three public health concerns: (1) unsafe conditions at a rental property he reported to the Board of Health; (2) potential expansion of the waste landfill near St. Luke’s Anderson campus, which he said could release mycotoxins harmful to immunocompromised individuals; (3) the environmental and health impacts of data centers. He asked the city to investigate.
• Bill Shire (1890 Eaton Avenue) continued his critique of the water and sewer bill, arguing that stormwater and recycling fees are effectively property taxes because they are fixed regardless of use. He previewed a future discussion on progressive versus regressive taxation.
• Alex Miller (810 Minocase Street) urged the council not to renew the city’s contract with Flock (automatic license plate readers), citing privacy abuses and Flock’s ties to ICE and other problematic entities. He described the government’s role as a test pilot for federal tech grants.
• Stephen Antelogs (737 Ridge Avenue) criticized the city’s “student zone” designation, which permits up to five unrelated individuals to be treated as a single family, encouraging investor-owned rentals and displacing single-family homes. He urged the council to revise the definition of “family” to limit student rentals, as other college towns do.

Council Member Remarks

• Council President Ms. Kuyatec announced that the Community Development Committee will meet on July 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. to discuss the 2026 FAIR (Financial Accountability Incentive Reporting) hearing report. No actions will be taken.
• Councilman Mr. Callahan detailed his efforts to investigate the Walnut Street parking garage fire protection issue. He stated that after Councilwoman Crampsy Smith left, she asked him to follow up. He requested documentation from the Parking Authority, was initially told to file a Right-to-Know request, and was later quoted $700 for documents—a charge he called unreasonable. He eventually received the file. He noted that Director Fernstrom initially told him no substitution form had been filed by Anchor Fire Protection, but later directed all further communication through the Parking Authority’s solicitor. Callahan said he will send a formal letter asking for a special subcommittee meeting to examine the matter.
• Mayor Reynolds announced upcoming block parties at Madison Park, Clearview, and Bernie Fritz on three consecutive Wednesdays, and a Complete Streets meeting at the Fowler Center on Thursday evening (June 18, 2026) at 6 p.m.

Presentations & Recognitions

• A citation was presented to Sergeant John Casella for 20 years of service with the Bethlehem Police Department (2007–2026). Casella attended and accepted the citation.
• A citation for retired Captain Nicholas Lechman was noted; he was not present and the citation will be mailed.

Key Outcomes

• No official votes or decisions were made due to lack of quorum.
• All agenda items requiring action were deferred to the July 7, 2026 regular meeting.
• Council will receive written materials from public commenters and may pursue further review of the parking garage allegations through subcommittees.