Bethlehem Council MInutes

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
10 East Church Street – Town Hall
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 – 7:00 PM

INVOCATION

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

Pastor Cynthia Rader-Geyer, of College Hill Moravian Church, offered the invocation which was followed by the pledge to the flag.

1. ROLL CALL

President Evans called the meeting to order. Present were Jean Belinski, David T. DiGiacinto, Karen Dolan, Robert J. Donchez, Michael D. Recchiuti, J. William Reynolds, and Eric R. Evans, 7.

Citations – Honoring Wayne Bonney and Ken Harbener

President Evans presented a Citation to Wayne C. Bonney in honor of his retirement from the Fire Department. The members of the assembly applauded Mr. Bonney on the occasion of his retirement.

President Evans stated that the Citation for Ken Harbener on his retirement from the Police Department will be mailed to him since he was unable to attend this evening.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of January 15, 2013 were approved.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Landmarks and Historic Resources

Evelyn Beckman, 310 W. Broad Street, affirming she has been on the Bethlehem Preservation Task Force, advised that the group would like Council to move forward with the proposed new Landmark and Historic Resources Article 1321. Ms. Beckman underscored that the group wants to promote, protect, enhance and preserve historic resources. She continued on to communicate that the proposed new Landmarks and Historic Resources Ordinance has provisions to preserve historic resources for the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public. Ms. Beckman asked that City Council adopt the Ordinance. Ms. Beckman informed the Members that she would like to echo some of the points about which people have spoken to her. Focusing on demolition by neglect, Ms. Beckman highlighted the fact there is not any protection against demolition by neglect, and she would like City Council to have someone look into the matter. Advising that other Cities do have provisions to protect against demolition by neglect, Ms. Beckman stressed that if the City allows buildings that are valuable to be neglected by the owner they can use that and easily wait for a period of time in order to have a neglected building demolished. Ms. Beckman, confirming that she owns a building that is not in the historic preservation area, illustrated that it is important to protect buildings outside the historic districts. She urged City Council to help protect those types of buildings.

Health Director Salary

Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, turning to Communication 5 A, Health Director Salary, advised that Dana Grubb who could not be at the Meeting had a question about the salary for the present Health Director versus that of the previous Health Director who had been on leave of absence. Mr. Grubb wondered whether both are drawing the same salary.

President Evans stated Council will take that under advisement and it will be up for discussion this evening.

4. OLD BUSINESS.

A. Old Business – Members of Council

None.

B. Tabled Items

None.

C. Unfinished Business

None.

5. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Business Administrator and Law Bureau – Health Director Salary

The City Clerk read a memorandum dated January 17, 2013 from Dennis W. Reichard, Business Administrator, that stated Kristen Wenrich was promoted to Health Director at a salary of $79,379 and that the salary was approved by City Council in the 2013 Budget. The City Clerk read a memorandum dated January 31, 2013 from the Law Bureau to which was attached a proposed Resolution to approve the salary.

President Evans stated that Resolution 9 B is listed on the Agenda.

B. Director of Planning and Zoning – Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Landmarks and Historic Resources

The City Clerk read a memorandum dated January 31, 2013 from Darlene L. Heller, Director of Planning and Zoning, to which was attached a draft amendment to the Zoning Ordinance entitled Landmarks and Historic Resources. The proposed amendment is designed to provide protection from demolition to historic resources that are not located within historic districts. One of the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Plan adopted in 2009 was to create an ordinance that would provide the framework for protection of individual landmarks and historic resources. Also attached was Table 1 listing Identified Historic Resources to be protected as recommended by the Historic Preservation Plan. This ordinance amendment was reviewed by the Planning Commission and unanimously recommended for adoption at their January 10 meeting.

Mr. Donchez and Ms. Dolan moved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The motion passed.

6. REPORTS

A. President of Council

1. Councilmanic Appointment – J. William Reynolds – Library Board

President Evans reappointed J. William Reynolds to membership on the Library Board effective until January 2016. Mr. Recchiuti and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution 2013-13 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

B. Mayor

1. Administrative Order – G. Frederick Bonsall – Board of Historical and Architectural Review

Mayor Callahan reappointed G. Frederick Bonsall to membership on the Board of Historical and Architectural Review effective through January 2018. Mr. Donchez and Mr. Recchiuti sponsored Resolution 2013–14 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

2. Administrative Order – Holly Sachdev – Board of Historical and Architectural Review

Mayor Callahan reappointed Holly Sachdev to membership on the Board of Historical and Architectural Review effective through January 2018. Mr. Donchez and Mr. Recchiuti sponsored Resolution 2013–15 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

3. Administrative Order – William L. Lee, Sr. – Fire Civil Service Board

Mayor Callahan reappointed William L. Lee, Sr., to membership on the Fire Civil Service Board effective through February 2017. Mr. Donchez and Mr. Recchiuti sponsored Resolution 2013–16 to confirm the appointment.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

C. Public Works Committee

Chairman DiGiacinto presented an oral report of the Public Works Committee meeting held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:00 PM in Town Hall on the following subject: Proposed Wind Energy Project – Bethlehem Authority Watershed Properties – Penn Forest Township and Polk Township.

D. Finance Committee

Chairman Reynolds presented an oral report of the Finance Committee meeting held February 5, 2013 at 6:00 PM in Town Hall prior to this evening’s City Council Meeting on the following subject: Elected Officials’ Salaries.

7. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL READING

None.

8. NEW ORDINANCES

None.

9. RESOLUTIONS.

A. Authorizing Application – Northampton County Open Space Initiative – Municipal Park
Acquisition and Development Program

Mr. Donchez and Mr. Recchiuti sponsored Resolution 2013-17 that authorized the application for funding in the amount of $934,371.17 from the Northampton County Open Space Initiative to participate in the Municipal Park Acquisition and Development Program.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

B. Approving Salary – Director of Health Bureau

Mr. Recchiuti and Mr. DiGiacinto sponsored Resolution 2013-18 that approved the 2013 annual salary of $79,379, as set forth in the 2013 annual Budget and as fixed by the Board of Health for the Health Bureau Director, Kristen J. Wenrich, chosen by the Board of Health, and the salary prorated from January 11, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

Ms. Dolan, inquiring if this would be the appropriate time to answer the earlier question from the public, asked whether this is the same salary as was earned by the previous Director of Health.

Joseph Kelly, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Dennis Reichard, Business Administrator, responded yes.

Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolution passed.

Motion – Considering Resolutions as a Group

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Recchiuti moved to consider Resolutions 9 C through 9 F as a group. Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The motion passed.

C. Certificate of Appropriateness – 826 East Fourth Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Reynolds sponsored Resolution 2013-19 that approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a sign at 826 East Fourth Street.

Ms. Dolan inquired whether or not the words on the sign will be capitalized. The Clerk advised that the Resolution was prepared by the Historic Officer and she will check the matter.

D. Certificate of Appropriateness – 320 West Fourth Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Reynolds sponsored Resolution 2013-20 that approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a sign at 320 West Fourth Street.

E. Certificate of Appropriateness – 23 West Fourth Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Reynolds sponsored Resolution 2013-21 that approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a sign on the gate at 23 West Fourth Street.

F. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 East Fourth Street

Mr. DiGiacinto and Mr. Reynolds sponsored Resolution 2013-22 that approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the windows at 7 East Fourth Street.

Voting AYE on Resolutions 9 C through 9 F: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Recchiuti, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Belinski, and Mr. Evans, 7. The Resolutions passed.

10. NEW BUSINESS.

Committee Announcement

Chairman Reynolds announced a Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 6:00 PM in Town Hall, prior to the City Council Meeting that evening.

11. PUBLIC COMMENT

Use of Ice House - Sing for America

Taryn Gilbert, 6 Wilden Drive, Easton, informed the assembly that she is at the Meeting this evening with her family who formed a singing group called Sing for America. The group performs and raises money for local families with a mother or father currently serving in the nation’s military. They perform at many different events including fairs, festivals, and parades. They also perform at nursing homes, for church groups, and senior groups and their main demographic is older people. Ms. Gilbert advised that two years ago the group started doing full scale quality theatrical productions and their first show was Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. It was such a positive experience that they did a winter production that year which was White Christmas. This past summer they had a cast of 48 members with help from countless others and produced The Wiz. All of the productions were performed at the City’s Charles A. Brown Ice House. During The Wiz they shared the space with the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT). Ms. Gilbert, advising the group holds summer acting camps for children, noted that PYT had camps during the summer so the group waited until the evening to have rehearsals for their productions. Stating that the group wanted to do another theatrical production for this past Christmas in 2012, Ms. Gilbert explained that when they tried to book the space they found out that PYT had rented it for three months during that time period. The group accepted that the PYT had gotten there first and moved on.

Another member of the family stated that the group is now preparing for this summer and called the City for the dates they would like to book in July and were told that the entire month was booked by PYT. The group changed the dates to three weeks in June and again were told that those dates were booked by PYT. In fact, the group was told that PYT booked almost the entire summer. In trying to secure dates for summer 2014, the group was told that the Ice House has entered into a tentative, ongoing contract with PYT and the group would not be able to rent the Ice House for any of its future theatrical performances. The family member stated the contract does not allow the group to book dates or even share the space.

Another member of the family related that the children who take part in their productions come from all different walks of life and many never had the chance previously or the experience to perform on stage. Last summer their theme was The Arts are Color Blind and the intent was to show the Lehigh Valley that a person’s ability to portray a character lies in their talent alone and not in their appearance. Noting they have an extremely diverse cast, crew and audience, the family member said many students are from Liberty, Freedom and Bethlehem Catholic High Schools in Bethlehem as well as Easton High School, and Dieruff and Allen High Schools in Allentown. The theater gives kids an outlet and teaches them the importance of service to others. It is a way for experienced actors and kids to further their talents. The participants are taught how to exert creative energy while collaborating with a team consisting of people on all different levels to come together and create a quality finished product. The member continued on to say many of the kids have very little parental involvement and support, and if they were not putting their energy into this it would unfortunately probably be used for less productive activities. Sing for America does not charge a tuition or require anything of the cast monetarily. Noting that PYT charges $275 per child per week for their summer camps, the member said that cost alone does not enable most of the kids the group works with to participate in a school like that. If the participants choose to help with set building or sewing, it is their choice alone, and most of their cast members do get involved and learn a lot.

Another member of the family pointed out that the team of people who organize the entire show is standing before the assembly. The group holds auditions, casts, choreographs, secures rehearsal space, builds the set, and makes the costumes. They do what they can to make it a community experience and have never received any tuition or donations from single large donors. They reach out to the community and that is the only reason they continue to be able to produce the level of theater that they do. The member advised that over 150 businesses in the Lehigh Valley have shown their support, and the group has been well received by businesses in Bethlehem including many on Main Street that have provided baskets for raffles, and Christkindlmarkt allowed them to pass out post cards. Alpha Technologies made lights, Lowe’s donated set building materials, Tri-Outdoor donated billboards, and so on. The member added that, like many of the actors who have never been in a show before, many of the audience members have never seen a show before. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 seniors that allow those on a fixed income to enjoy quality theater.

Another member of the family continued on to say that another reason the Ice House is such a great place is because over the years the group has gathered a following in Bethlehem that comes from word of mouth. For the past 7 years, Sing for America has been dedicated to performing for the people of the City whether at the Moravian Towers or Christmas City Village, and in and around Bethlehem for many years. The family member said the Ice House is a public facility and should not be able to be booked up by any one person or organization for an extended period of time. The member stated all the group is asking for is a three weeks span of time to put up the set, dress rehearse, and run the show. The member added the participants give from their hearts something that is often lost in a what is in it for me society. Expressing that Sing for America works to better the beautiful Bethlehem community, the member said all they are asking for is the chance to continue this work.

President Evans thanked the group and added it is impressive what they do and they will see if something can be worked out.

Single Trash Hauler

Mark Menges, 2160 Allwood Drive, addressing the idea of a single contract trash hauler, asked if there is an option to opt out of the plan and will there be lower rates for those who do not have much garbage. Mr. Menges thought perhaps there could be a garbage voucher system where a person would get a certain amount of stickers or tags for their garbage bags and an option to buy more tags if necessary. Mr. Menges expressed this is something to think about.

Assistant Solicitors – Salaries; Sing for America

Bill Scheirer, 1890 Eaton Avenue, stated that he has been corrected by the Controller and that the $101,000 for Assistant Solicitor is actually for 2 Assistant Solicitors. Mr. Scheirer asked if there is an agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting on February 19. Mr. Reynolds stated that it will include end of the year adjustments and budget transfers. Mr. Scheirer, turning to the Gilbert group’s comments, remarked that he is not a frequenter of stage productions but someone had an extra ticket and he went to see The Wiz. Mr. Scheirer said it was an unforgettable experience and the level of enthusiasm and talent made him wish that they had a bigger stage, but they made the small stage work and it was quite something. Expressing that the whole production was a wonderful experience, Mr. Scheirer stated if there is anything that the City or Council can do so that the group can continue doing this they should.

Sewer - 720 Hawthorne Road

Mr. Guth, 720 Hawthorne Road, inquired about the sewer in front of his home and asked if he could speak to Michael Alkhal, Director of Public Works, through the Chair. President Evans suggested that Mr. Guth speak with Mr. Alkhal after the Meeting.

Sing for America

Mary Pongracz, 321 W. Fourth Street, stating that she is a retired music educator, advised that any opportunity to put a child on stage or to perform will carry him or her through life. Ms. Pongracz, stressing that the young people who spoke are doing something that makes our country great, communicated that the ability to unite people of all backgrounds, shapes, and ethnic backgrounds is wonderful and that opportunity should not be denied. Ms. Pongracz added that the group asks for nothing other than the opportunity to perform and to involve people. In addition, Ms. Pongracz observed that to work on lighting, sets, and costuming involves something that is lacking today and that is friendship.

Public Comment

Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, stated that the number of people coming to City Council meetings routinely has diminished dramatically based upon the inability of Council to respond to a substantive question or issue which should have been addressed. A few mentioned to him that the citizens elected Council as their public servants and when they come up to the podium to speak they feel like they are serving Council who has no obligation to respond to them on substantive issues. Mr. Antalics recalled that some time ago citizens were allowed to speak indefinitely at City Council Meetings, and would be gaveled down if they were out of order. He noted it was then reduced to 12 minutes and then to 5 minutes. Mr. Antalics communicated what they are saying is that Council is losing interest in what the citizens have to say with the time allotted. Mr. Antalics suggested that City Council keep their feet on the ground and listen to the regular citizens who come to the Meetings. Mr. Antalics thought that when a citizen asks a question about what is happening Council should be obliged to answer them.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.