Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
On October 6, 2026, the Bethlehem City Council Committee of the Whole met to discuss the proposed 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for non-utility capital projects. The presentation was led by Planning and Zoning Director Kathy Fletcher, Business Administrator Eric Evans, and Deputy Director of Public Works Dylan Schlauzer. The City Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the five-year CIP on September 10, 2026.
CIP Overview: The CIP covers 2027–2031; only the first year (2027) is voted on. It includes a detailed spreadsheet and narrative. Funding sources explained include: capital reserves ($21 million set aside for 2026–2029), potential future bonds, federal and state grants, CDBG annual allocation, liquid fuels, stormwater fees, UGI cost-sharing ($2.5 million from degradation fees), recreation fees, general fund appropriations (including $1.95 million for the homeless shelter), and other sources. Existing bonds have been extinguished.
Public Safety: Annual ambulance replacement (one per year, $350-375k each through 2029), fire apparatus (two engines recently purchased, next order in 2032), police vehicles (five per year with 5% escalator), public safety cameras (funded via capital reserves and county NORCO grants), and a police armored vehicle replacement planned for 2029.
Traffic and Streets: Traffic signal upgrades at isolated intersections, Green Light Go grant (80% reimbursement, installation in 2027), Linden Street 2-to-1 lane conversion (construction in 2027), Center Street two-way conversion (updated cost estimate ~$3 million), street overlay program (2026 paved 4.51 road miles total), heavy-duty dump truck replacements (2028, 2030), milling machine replacement (2027 with trade-in), asphalt paver replacement (2031), East and West Broad Street Corridor Improvements (design complete, phased construction beginning 2027), complete streets plan implementation, and Stefco Boulevard corridor improvements (concept design in 2026, future grant pursuit).
Storm Sewers: Stefco drainage swale (three-phase project, design 2027, construction phase 1 in 2028), East Boulevard Detention Basin (paused due to Bethlehem Township postponement), Easton Ave to Stefco Boulevard storm sewer upgrades (two options under investigation, construction phase 1 in 2028), East Market Street drainage (construction in 2027), Yellowstrack Drainage Project (construction in 2027), corrugated metal pipe study and replacement, Cidersville Road culverts (future), Johnston Drive basin improvements (future), Chenault Drive basin restoration (future), and Grandview Boulevard/Ritter Street stormwater improvements (hydrologic study in 2027).
Facilities: HVAC upgrades at Ice House, health department second floor register replacement, Easton Ave Fire Station evaluation for reserve apparatus space, underground storage tank removal (near Serenity Gardens, one tree may need removal, coordination with city forester), City Hall ceiling and lighting replacement (future), mechanical room water pump replacements (remaining four of six in 2027), dry sprinkler system in parking garage (phased replacement before 2030 bond), and electrical bureau facility upgrades.
Grounds and Recreation: Standard capital improvements for fields, landscaping, tree removal, sidewalk replacements, and a leaf loader replacement (2027). General pool improvements, ice rink improvements, ice rink sanitary sewer installation (future, tie-in to city main), and parks and recreation master plan projects (upgrades to Bernie Fritz, Madison, and Clearview Parks, construction in 2027). Regarding Sand Island clay courts – they are not in the current plan due to an ongoing study.
Bridges and Other Infrastructure: Bridge repairs on 10 city-owned bridges (no priority one items in 2026), Main Street ramp and Spring Street ramp projects (coordinate with Hill-to-Hill Bridge), 378 lighting replacement (awaiting PennDOT design), Minocasse Way Trail (design complete), South Bethlehem Greenway and Saucon Rail Trail connection (90% design complete, construction 2027), South New Street trail (consultant selected, design 2026, construction hoped for 2027), Gap Street and Geiter Street sidewalk improvements (designs complete, construction 2027 if funding secured), and Sun Inn Courtyard renovation (future, seeking funds).
Community and Economic Development: Non-congregate family shelter (all funding secured, construction 2027), congregate emergency shelter (renovation for 60+ individuals per night, $2 million city investment plus $2.2 million secured from federal/state, design/engineering in 2026), and South Bethlehem Community Center (preferred operator chosen, RFP for design/engineering in 2026 or early 2027, capital campaign to follow).
Council Questions:
Everyone ready to my to my right roll. Good evening, everyone. I will call this meeting of the committee of the whole to order. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. Raymond, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Cologne, Ms. Daniels. Here. Ms. Quitec. Present. Ms. Laird and Ms. Leon. Present. All other council members will be here within the next five to 10 minutes. This is just a bit of a difficult time, the post-work rush. Right. There will be one agenda item. Uh this evening. It's the 2027 to 2031 capital improvement program. I will accept public comment after discussion of the agenda item with a five-minute time limit. We will begin with a presentation of the capital improvement program from an administrative administration representative on September 28th, 2026. A memorandum was received from Kathy Fletcher, Director of Planning and Zoning, advising that the City Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend recommend approval of the 2027 through 2031 improved capital improvement plan at a September 10th meeting. In accordance with Article 121.06 of the city's codified ordinances, the five-year capital improvement program may be modified by an affirmative vote of five council members. The proposed 2027 non-utility capital plan that is incorporated in the five-year capital improvement program will be reviewed by city council again during the upcoming budget meeting as part of the proposed 2027 non-utility capital budget. First reading of the proposed 2027 non-utility capital budget will take place at the November 17th council meeting and final reading will take place at the December 15th council meeting. I will now recognize a representative of the administration to discuss the capital improvement program. So it's heading over to the administration. Good evening, council members. I'm Kathy Fletcher. I'm the director of planning and zoning, and I am here with two of my colleagues that I'll let them introduce themselves. Eric Evans, Business Administrator. And I'm Dylan Schlauzer, the deputy director of public works. So what we have before us tonight is the non-utility capital improvement program, which is the city's plan for capital expenditures that we anticipate needing over the next five years. It's separate from the operating budget, and not everything that is in this plan is guaranteed to happen, but it really allows us to prioritize projects, line up funding, and allow for the public to see what's coming up. And also just to highlight the process, planning commission does review this and make recommendations to city council.