Stephanie Smith Augello

The agenda includes a public hearing regarding an intermunicipal liquor license transfer and various administrative and operational matters. Council will address old business such as ethics training. New business items involve appointing delegates and approving public works contracts related to reservoir replacement, pavement studies, bridge authorizations, water infrastructure, and curb ramp installation. Additional items include use permit agreements for local events, budget adjustments for sewer, water, and fire department funds, and various appointments to the Human Relations and Fine Arts Commissions.

Key discussions during the meeting included public concerns regarding increased development on the South Side, the use of Flock Safety police surveillance cameras and data privacy, requests for water usage monitoring applications, and issues related to ICE activities. Council members discussed the proposed seven-story building near the Walnut Street Garage, noting its negative aesthetic impact and location within a historic district. The status of the golf fund's 2025 profit was reviewed, with clarification that profits from self-sustaining funds cannot be used for general expenses like restoring firefighter positions. Communications involved recommending contracts for a street tree inventory, a fire and EMS efficiency study, and land surveying for the Greenway. The Council scheduled a public hearing for a liquor license transfer. Council passed an ordinance amending the city's Uniform Construction Code by adopting the 2021 Pennsylvania version. Several ordinances concerning budget transfers and adjustments for various 2026 funds, including the General Fund, Water Fund, CDBG Fund, and Non-Utility Capital Fund, were advanced to First Reading. Resolutions were passed approving the tree inventory contract, allowing a retiring Lieutenant to purchase his duty weapon, approving the fire and EMS study, authorizing land surveying, and approving the destruction of Human Resources public records.

The agenda for the City Council meeting covers several key areas including public comment sessions, old and new business items, and communications. Communications include reports on the 2026 Tree Inventory Assessment, a handgun purchase for a retiring Lieutenant, Fire and EMS Consultant Services, Greenway Land Surveying, and a request for an Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer. The meeting agenda also lists several ordinances for final passage, including changes to the Uniform Construction Code and multiple budget transfers for the General Fund, Water Fund, CDBG Fund, and Non-Utility Capital Fund related to year-end reconciliations and various grants. Finally, resolutions are scheduled for approval regarding the items mentioned in the communications section, as well as for Records Destruction by Human Resources.

The agenda for the Bethlehem City Council meeting includes citations honoring members of the Environmental Advisory Council and WSR/WWTP personnel. Key discussion points involve Old Business, New Business covering Ethics Training, and extensive Communications requiring action or review. Communications involve matters such as Information Officer/Communication Support funding, WWTP primary digester gas cover replacement engineering, Community Development grant services, wastewater rate studies, and intergovernmental cooperation agreements for yard waste facility usage. The agenda also outlines Ordinances for Final Passage (Budget Transfer related to the Choice Neighborhood Grant) and New Ordinances (PA Uniform Construction Code update), followed by numerous Resolutions to approve the items detailed in the Communications section, including Certificates of Appropriateness for three properties.

The budget hearing commenced with a role call and an acknowledgment of late attendees. The discussion focused on the initial segment of the budget review, covering water, sewer, public works, liquid fuels, storm water, and non-utility capital funds for 2026. A presentation provided a high-level overview of the water and sewer business, emphasizing its status as critical infrastructure where health, safety, and environmental compliance are paramount. Key assets discussed included two reservoirs with 10 billion gallons of storage, a water filtration plant producing 14 million gallons daily, and wastewater treatment facilities. Significant infrastructure challenges mentioned were approximately 500 miles of water main and 250 miles of sewer main, much of which is aging. Specific capital projects detailed included the replacement of a roof at the water filtration plant and the replacement of a concrete storage tank. The department services 37,000 metered customers (population around 120,000) and the combined budget for water and sewer for 2026 is $69 million. The presentation noted flat water production despite economic development due to conservation improvements, necessitating future rate adjustments. Asset maintenance discussions included leak detection, valve replacement, and pipe replacement projects, such as using HDPE pipe for a difficult installation. Security upgrades involving fencing, cameras, and access control were also noted. Water quality data confirmed non-detectable levels of PFAS and lead testing results below EPA limits. Finally, the ongoing six-year plan to replace 25,000 water meters with AMI technology, which is about 60% complete, was reviewed.