Council MInutes

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
10 East Church Street – Town Hall
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 – 7:00 PM

1. INVOCATION
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL

President Robert J. Donchez called the meeting to order. Reverend Ron Hari, of Hungarian Evangelical Reformed Church, offered the invocation which was followed by the pledge to the flag. Present were Jean Belinski, David T. DiGiacinto, Karen Dolan, Eric R. Evans, and Robert J. Donchez, 5. Gordon B. Mowrer and J. William Reynolds were absent, 2.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of July 19, 2011 were approved.

5. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

VegFest – Greenway – Resolution 11 A

Kara Johnson, 4416 Greenfield Road, Assistant Manager of the Downtown Bethlehem Association, explained the new festival called VegFest that will take place Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Greenway on South Side Bethlehem. Ms. Johnson advised there are 19 different segments of the festival including an animal haven where there will be pet adoptions and dog treat vendors, runners corner, bikers corner, fitness vendors, gardening and environmental corner, landscapers, organic gardening, children’s zone, music, farmers market, and food court, speakers, organic beer and wine tastings, green technology corner, art corner, and City information corner. Ms. Johnson noted there are approximately 150 vendors, and various sponsors.

6. OLD BUSINESS.

A. Old Business – Members of Council

None.

B. Tabled Items

None.

C. Unfinished Business

None.

7. COMMUNICATIONS

A. President of Council – Separate Bank Account – EMS Building and Fire Pumper

The Clerk read a memorandum dated August 1, 2011 from Robert J. Donchez, President of Council, that was added to the Agenda and to which was attached the procedure to be followed for the separate bank account established for the tax revenues to be used towards the EMS Building and Fire Pumper that is under the control of City Council.

President Donchez referred the matter to the Finance Committee.

8. REPORTS

A. President of Council

None.

B. Mayor

1. Administrative Order – Richard S. Horvath, Sr. – Electricians’ Examining Board

Mayor Callahan reappointed Richard S. Horvath, Sr. to membership on the Electricians’ Examining Board effective through July 2014. Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution No. 2011-132 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

2. Administrative Order – Merl J. Turzanski – Electricians’ Examining Board

Mayor Callahan reappointed Merl J. Turzanski to membership on the Electricians’ Examining Board effective through July 2014. Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution No. 2011-133 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

3. Administrative Order – Debra Pilorz – Sister City Commission

Mayor Callahan reappointed Debra Pilorz to membership on the Sister City Commission effective through August 2014. Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution No. 2011-134 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

4. Administrative Order – Philip Pilorz – Sister City Commission

Mayor Callahan reappointed Philip Pilorz to membership on the Sister City Commission effective through August 2014. Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution No. 2011-135 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

South Bethlehem Greenway – Grand Opening

Mayor Callahan informed the assembly that the Grand Opening of the South Bethlehem Greenway will take place on August 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Hayes Street Plaza near Hayes and E. Third Streets.

9. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE

A. Bill No. 19 – 2011 – Amending Non-Utility Capital Budget – Adjustment – Fire Pumper
and EMS Facility

The Clerk read Bill No. 19 – 2011, Amending Non-Utility Capital Budget – Adjustment – Fire Pumper and EMS Facility, on Final Reading.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. Bill No. 19 - 2011, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 2011-20, was declared adopted.

10. NEW ORDINANCES

None.

11. RESOLUTIONS

A. Authorizing Use Permit Agreement for Public Property – Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of
Commerce – 2011 Bethlehem VegFest

Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution 2011-136 that authorized a Use Permit Agreement between the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the City for use of the Bethlehem Greenway from New Street to Webster Street for the 2011 Bethlehem VegFest on September 10, 2011, according to the Agreement.

Ms. Dolan stated she is impressed with the way the Greenway looks and the activities there. Commenting that the VegFest will the first of many successful events held at the Greenway, Ms. Dolan pointed out that this is a unique festival on the East Coast.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

B. Authorizing Use Permit Agreement for Public Property – Richard Scott Kelley and Has Anyone Seen My Balloon?, Inc. – Hot Air Balloon Take Off

Mr. Evans and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution 2011-137 that authorized a Use Permit Agreement between Richard Scott Kelley and Has Anyone Seen My Balloon?, Inc. and the City for use of various City properties for the Hot Air Balloon Take Off for the time period June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, according to the Agreement.

Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolution passed.

Motion – Considering Resolutions as a Group

Mr. Evans and Ms. Dolan moved to consider Resolutions 11 C through 11 E as a group. Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The motion passed.

C. Certificate of Appropriateness – 13 West Morton Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Evans sponsored Resolution 2011-138 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the existing building and construct a new building at 13 West Morton Street.

D. Certificate of Appropriateness – 2-4 East Fourth Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Evans sponsored Resolution 2011-139 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace three existing antennas with new and add two cabinets on the existing metal platform on the roof at 2-4 East Fourth Street.

E. Certificate of Appropriateness – 15 East Third Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Evans sponsored Resolution 2011-140 that granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a sign at 15 East Third Street.

Voting AYE on Resolutions 11 C through 11 E: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Donchez, 5. The Resolutions passed.

12. NEW BUSINESS.

Committee Meeting Announcements

President Donchez announced Committee of the Whole Meetings on Tuesday, August 30 and Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7:00 PM in Town Hall to review the new Zoning Ordinance.

In Chairman Reynolds absence, Mr. DiGiacinto, member of the Finance Committee, announced a Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 16 at 6:00 PM before the City Council Meeting that evening on CDBG Budget Adjustments and Transfers of Funds.

13. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

Stock House – Tile Work

Curt Jobson, owner and president of a tile contracting company, stated his business is located in Bethlehem for 25 years. Mr. Jobson said he wanted to bring to attention a series of events that resulted in a reversal of a verbal award for tile work at the Stock House building at SteelStacks on the South Side. Mr. Jobson explained that in May he was contacted by the chief estimator of the Lobar Corporation that was awarded the general construction contract for the Stock House, he sent the required paperwork, and he was notified that his company received the job. This past Friday, Mr. Jobson said the Lobar project manager called him to apologize, and he was informed that Tile Contract, Inc. was presented as the subcontractor at the initial meeting. However, he was further told that the Mayor had objected to the award and the contract was awarded to a union contractor not located in the City. Mr. Jobson remarked that, as a result, his company that is located in the City, employs residents of the City, and pays taxes to the City is denied revenue. Mr. Jobson stressed that at best he regards these events as unethical and reprehensible.

Light Rail

Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, recalled that in the past he mentioned the possibility of using the right of way that is now the Greenway for light rail. Mr. Antalics observed there appears to be movement to expand light rail in communities. Referring to the impact of Musikfest on the South Side, Mr. Antalics noted there could be traffic problems in the City in future years and observed that a simple solution would be light rail. Mr. Antalics informed the assembly that he traced the former Reading Railroad to 13th and Filbert Streets on the South Side. Mr. Antalics pointed out that if the rail service were from Bethlehem going South to the adjoining communities it would encourage people to come to Bethlehem because of the SteelStacks and the Casino located on the South Side at the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation property. Mr. Antalics asserted it could have a dramatic economic impact on the City. He highlighted the fact that, in addition, reducing vehicular traffic, gasoline, and exhaust gases is a green solution.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.