Council Minutes
July 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes
BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
10 East Church Street – Town Hall
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 – 7:30 PM
1. INVOCATION
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL
President Schweder called the meeting to order. Nihat Yesil,
Resident Imam and Muslim Cleric of the Lehigh Dialogue Center
offered the invocation which was followed by the pledge to
the flag. Present were Jean Belinski, Robert J. Donchez, Joseph
F. Leeson, Jr., Gordon B. Mowrer, Magdalena F. Szabo, and
J. Michael Schweder, 6. Karen Dolan was absent, 1.
Citations
President Schweder noted that Citations for William Newhart,
who retired from the Community and Economic Development Department
after 35 years of service, and Vincent Perez, who retired
from the Water and Sewer Resources Department after 34 years
of service, would be delivered to them since they were unable
to be present at the Meeting.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of June 19, 2007 were approved.
5. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (for public comment on ordinances
and resolutions to be voted on by Council this evening)
Bill No. 20 – 2007 - – Amending Subdivision and
Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) – Section 1347.10
– Recreation Land and Fees
Chuck Nyul, 1966 Pinehurst Road, commenting on the Recreation
Land and Fees and the fees for developers in the City, said
he disagrees with some of the developments and others he thinks
are good for the future. Mr. Nyul referred to the budget passed
back in December and asked if the City is broke in the recreation
area.
Mrs. Belinski answered yes the City is broke. Mr. Nyul asked
why this wasn't included when the budget was passed. Mr. Nyul
said he thinks Council should not vote for this. Mr. Nyul
then referred to a vote by the Planning Commission that approved
cutting down trees to build 26 Habitat Homes on South Mountain.
He asked if they will be paying this fee.
President Schweder replied that Council can only vote on
these when they are presented by the Administration and that
this plan was presented after December. President Schweder
added that any plan that went in prior to enactment of this
would not be covered by the fee. Mr. Nyul asked if Martin
Tower would then be covered. President Schweder said it is
his belief that this is the first project that will be covered.
Mr. Nyul asked if everything, including non-profits, will
then come under this ordinance. President Schweder said it
will, subject to negotiation. Mr. Nyul said he has a hard
time with negotiating. He said if Council is going to vote
on something they should stand up and do it. President Schweder
stated that if Mr. Nyul had been at the meeting two weeks
ago, he would have seen that the Members of Council have struggled
with this issue and President Schweder said he thinks it is
a flawed ordinance as it is written but if it is not enacted
now, and then changed at some point, then the largest residential
development the City has ever seen will be removed from the
process. He said that is the alternative.
6. OLD BUSINESS – None.
7. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Police Commissioner – Special Event Parking Fines
– Musikfest 2007
The Acting Clerk read a memorandum dated June 25, 2007 from
Randall Miller, Police Commissioner, requesting consideration
of a resolution covering Special Event Parking during Musikfest
2007 from 12:00 Noon on Friday, August 3, 2007 through 12:00
Midnight at the end of Sunday, August 12, 2007.
President Schweder stated that the appropriate resolution
will be on the July 17 Agenda.
B. City Solicitor – Intergovernmental Financial Participation
Agreement – Easton Avenue Storm Sewer Project
The Acting Clerk read a memorandum dated June 29, 2007 from
John F. Spirk, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to which was attached
a revised Intergovernmental Financial Participation Agreement
for Council's consideration.
President Schweder stated that Resolution 11 B is listed
on the agenda.
C. City Solicitor – Records Destruction Resolution
– Human Resources Bureau
The Acting Clerk read a memorandum dated June 29, 2007 from
John F. Spirk, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, requesting a resolution
for the destruction of records from the Human Resources Bureau.
The Law Bureau has reviewed the Municipal Records Retention
Act and the records fall within categories where destruction
is permitted.
President Schweder stated the Resolution will be on the July
17 Agenda.
D. Director of Parks and Public Property – PPL Right
of Way – Saucon Park
The Acting Clerk read a memorandum dated June 29, 2007 from
Ralph Carp, Director of Parks and Public Property, requesting
consideration of a resolution granting a Right of Way for
PPL to construct electric and communication lines on property
of the City of Bethlehem along Fire Lane. Due to the urgency
of having the electric line installed in time for the beginning
of the Saints Youth Football League season, it was requested
that this resolution be placed on the agenda.
President Schweder stated that Resolution 11 E is listed
on the Agenda.
8 . REPORTS
A. President of Council – None.
B. Mayor
1. Administrative Order – William Fitzpatrick –
Zoning Hearing Board
Dennis Reichard, Business Administrator, read Mayor Callahan's
Administrative Order reappointing William Fitzpatrick to membership
on the Zoning Hearing Board effective until June 2010. Mr.
Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,090 to confirm
the appointment.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
2. Administrative Order - C. Frank Shipman- Fine Arts Commission
Dennis Reichard, Business Administrator, read Mayor Callahan's
Administrative Order reappointing C. Frank Shipman to membership
on the Fine Arts Commission effective until June 2010. Mr.
Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,091 to confirm
the appointment.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
3. Administrative Order – Gene Hoffman – Plumber's
Examining Board
Dennis Reichard, Business Administrator, read Mayor Callahan's
Administrative Order reappointing Gene Hoffman to membership
on the Plumber's Examining Board effective until June 2011.
Mr. Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,092
to confirm the appointment.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
C. Parks and Public Property Committee
Mrs. Belinski, Chairwoman of the Parks and Public Property
Committee, presented an oral report of the Committee's meeting
held prior to this evening's City Council Meeting on the following
subject: Tower Lease Agreement – Omnipoint Communications
– Monocacy Park on Illick's Mill Road.
9. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE
A. Bill No. 15 – 2007 – Street Vacation –
Portion of Deschler Street
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 15 – 2007 – Street
Vacation – Portion of Deschler Street, on Final Reading.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 15 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4434, was declared
adopted.
B. Bill No. 16 – 2007 – Amending General Fund
Budget – Parks Department – Equipment Repair;
and Economic Development – Loan Costs
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 16 – 2007 – Amending
General Fund Budget – Parks Department – Equipment
Repair; and Economic Development – Loan Costs, on Final
Reading.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 16 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4435, was declared
adopted.
C. Bill No. 17 – 2007 – Amending Article 129
– Municipal Bond Funds - Restrictions
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 17 – 2007 – Amending
Article 129 – Municipal Bond Funds – Restrictions,
on Final Reading.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 17 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4436, was declared
adopted.
D. Bill No. 18 – 2007 – Amending 2007 Liquid
Fuels Fund Budget – Easton Avenue ADA SS Improvements
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 18 – 2007 – Amending
2007 Liquid Fuels Fund Budget – Easton Avenue ADA SS
Improvements, on Final Reading.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 18 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4437, was declared
adopted.
E. Bill No. 19 – 2007 – Amending 2007 Community
Development Budget – CDBG and HOME Programs
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 19 – 2007 – Amending
2007 Community Development Budget – CDBG and HOME Programs,
on Final Reading.
Ms. Szabo asked if City Council had any input into this ordinance
or was it an administrative ordinance. President Schweder
replied it came from the Administration and went to the Finance
Committee.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 19 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4438, was declared
adopted.
F. Bill No. 20 – 2007 – Amending Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) – Section 1347.10
– Recreation Land and Fees
The Acting Clerk read Bill No. 20 – 2007 – Amending
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) –
Section 1347.10 – Recreation Land and Fees, on Final
Reading.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. Bill No. 20 –
2007, hereafter to be known as Ordinance 4439, was declared
adopted.
10. NEW ORDINANCES
None.
11. RESOLUTIONS
A. Authorizing Use Permit Agreement for Public Property –
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce – Annual Clambake
and Company Picnic
Mr. Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,093
that authorized the execution of a Use Permit Agreement between
the City and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
for the area beneath the Hill to Hill Bridge for the Annual
Clambake and Company Picnic for the time period July 12, 2007
through July 14, 2007, according to the terms and conditions
of the Lease.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
B. Authorizing Intergovernmental Financial Participation
Agreement – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
– Easton Avenue Storm Sewer Project
Mr. Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,094
that authorized the execution of an Intergovernmental Financial
Participation Agreement between the City and the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, acting through the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, for the installation of drainage improvements
along Easton Avenue in the vicinity of West Boulevard and
Covington Avenue.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
C. Authorizing Application – DCNR Grant – Greenway
Design
Mrs. Belinski and Mr. Mowrer sponsored Resolution 15,095
that authorized the execution of the Grant Application and
Grant Agreement with the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources concerning the Bethlehem Greenway Trail –
Phase I Implementation Plan for the purpose of carrying out
the project.
Mr. Donchez asked who is responsible for cutting the grass
and the upkeep of that property. Mayor Callahan replied that
at this point it continues to be Norfolk Southern, the City
of Bethlehem does not own the property and periodically Norfolk
Southern has been called to clean it up.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
D. Approving Parks and Recreation Plan
Mr. Donchez and Mrs. Belinski sponsored Resolution 15,096
that adopted the Parks and Recreation Plan – 2007 and
is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan for the City of
Bethlehem, known as the Bethlehem Vision Plan that was approved
by City Council on July 16, 1991 (Resolution 11,490).
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
E. Authorizing Right of Way Agreement – PPL Electric
Utilities Corporation – Fire Lane
Mrs. Belinski and Mr. Mowrer sponsored Resolution 15,097
that authorized the execution of a Right of Way Agreement
with PPL Electric Utilities Corporation for the purpose of
granting permission to construct, reconstruct, operate and
maintain its electric and communication lines along Fire Lane,
according to the terms of the Agreement.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr.
Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Resolution passed.
Considering Resolutions As A Group
Mr. Mowrer and Ms. Szabo moved that Resolutions 11 F through
11 H be considered as a group. Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski,
Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr. Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder,
6. The motion passed.
F. Certificate of Appropriateness – 337 South New Street
Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer sponsored Resolution 15,098 that
granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to alter the façade
and replace windows at 337 South New Street.
G. Certificate of Appropriateness – 318 East Third
Street
Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer sponsored Resolution 15,099 that
granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to install signage
at 318 East Third Street.
H. Certificate of Appropriateness – 23 West Fourth
Street
Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer sponsored Resolution 15,100 that
granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to install signage
at 23 West Fourth Street.
Voting AYE on Resolutions 11 F through 11 H: Mrs. Belinski,
Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr. Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder,
6. The Resolutions passed.
12. NEW BUSINESS
Rescheduling First City Council Meeting in August
Mr. Donchez and Mrs. Belinski moved to reschedule City Council’s
first Meeting in August from Tuesday, August 7 to Tuesday,
July 31, 2007 at 7:30 PM in Town Hall since Musikfest occurs
during the first week of August to be able to accommodate
the public during that time. Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr.
Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr. Mowrer, Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder,
6. The motion passed.
New Police Vehicles
Mrs. Belinski stated that a few weeks ago she had a conversation
with one of the Police officers and she asked him if the six
new cars came in and if they were on the road. She said the
officer said no they were sitting in the garage for the last
three and one-half weeks because there wasn't enough money
in the budget for the equipment. Mrs. Belinski commented that
a large sum of money was borrowed and thought the money included
the equipment. Mrs. Belinski said she then went to the supervisor
of the garage who told her they were told that the money was
used for something else. Mrs. Belinski questioned why the
equipment wasn't ordered at the same time the cars were ordered.
She explained that it takes approximately 40 man hours to
install all the equipment on one car to put it out on the
road. She asked then when the equipment was going to be in
and was told that it would be 8 to 12 weeks. Mrs. Belinski
explained that Ralph Carp, Director of Parks and Public Property,
informed her earlier in the evening that it would not take
that long to get the equipment. Mrs. Belinski questioned once
the equipment is here, how all the equipment can be put in
with only the one person in the garage who does that work.
Mrs. Belinski said the money was borrowed and there is interest
being paid on it, and it is taking all this time and the cars
are still not on the road. She said she is not happy and asked
if the Administration had an explanation.
Mayor Callahan stated that it was a mistake, an oversight
and that Dennis Reichard, Business Administrator, could respond
to the status of the cars.
Mr. Reichard stated that the money was not used for anything
else. He explained that when the cars were ordered, it was
assumed that everything was in them. He said then the line
item was reduced, the excess money was taken out of the vehicles,
and that was a balance to reduce the Bond Issue. He said the
cars were ordered, it was encumbered, so the excess monies
were reduced. Mr. Reichard said there was not enough money
for the bars and striping and those types of things, and it
was a mistake. He reiterated that there was no money moved
from that line item to purchase anything else.
Randall Miller, Police Commissioner, noted that the equipment
is not usually ordered right away until the cars come in.
He said in this case there was one car that was a wreck that
had equipment on it and that equipment is salvaged from old
cars. He said it is not known right away everything that will
be needed and it is not unusual that the supplies aren't ordered
right away. He said most of the items are in stock and that
should not hold it up.
Mr. Leeson stated that, with regard to new automobiles,
he wanted to remind everyone as an institution and as a community
that City Council was not told about the $2.3 million transfer
from Federal and State grant monies to meet payroll in the
Fourth Quarter, so as a result the budget started off the
year with what he believes was a planned deficit. He said
he thinks that is a first in the history of the City. Council
did not know about that so they were not able to address that.
He said then not only was a shortfall carried over from 2006,
but the 2007 budget is not a real budget because of the unrealistic
projections concerning revenues and expenditures. Mr. Leeson
recalled the vigorous, strong and healthy debates about buying
new cars even not knowing about the deficit. He said additional
expense should not be incurred by borrowing money to pay for
what he believes are items that should be in the General Fund
Budget. Mr. Leeson stated that amidst the growing red ink,
and the City is running out of money due to medical insurance
obligations, workers' compensation insurance obligations,
payroll will not be met in the Fourth Quarter, and the City
is at risk for not meeting a $2 million municipal bond payment
in the Fourth Quarter, and yet, Mr. Leeson said, he noticed
the Mayor's new car. Mr. Leeson remarked that maybe the Mayor
needs a new car and doesn't dispute that fact, but in his
view he thinks it sets a very poor example to rest of the
Administrative staff throughout City Hall to do that at a
time like this. He said to make matters even more complicated,
Mr. Leeson said City Council did not authorize the new car.
Mr. Leeson said Council asked for a complete listing of all
the vehicles that needed to be replaced for 2007 and said
there was a lot of debate over that. Mr. Leeson said it is
a poor example and that they should lead by example. This
is a time when everybody else in City Hall has been asked
to cut back so the situation can be salvaged and somehow get
through the end of the year. Mr. Leeson said to the Mayor
that he did not think this is good leadership or a good example.
Mr. Leeson then asked where the money came from to pay for
it and also asked if there were any other new cars being purchased
for anyone not identified in the budget.
Mayor Callahan responded that the City will make payroll
and the bond payment as the City always has, and said he has
not made it a secret to anyone over the last three or four
years about the financial status of the City and the tightening
of the budget. He commented that in the State of the City
or at the Business Leaders' Breakfast or any of the various
speeches he gives on an annual basis, or speaking with S&P
and the reason the City's bond rating is in the condition
it is in, it is not a mystery to anyone of the tightening
the City is under right now. Mayor Callahan remarked that
the financial outlook for the City of Bethlehem and the taxpayers
has probably never been brighter than it is right now given
the economic development that is on the horizon with the $600
million of the Bethworks project which will on an annual basis
bring to the City an $8.7 million hosting tax fee. Mayor Callahan
said the future of the City, despite the short term tightening,
has never been brighter than it is right now.
Mayor Callahan, responding with regard to the car, said
he thinks he has led by example. He said he has been Mayor
for three and one-half years and it wasn't as if the first
thing he did when coming into office was to buy himself a
new car. He said he used the same car that Mayor Cunningham
and Mayor Delgrosso used. He said the cars are getting up
there in mileage and the decision was made that since he typically
uses the car for longer distances, like to go to Harrisburg
or to Philadelphia, or to other duties he has as Mayor, that
no extra cars were bought, but instead his old car was given
to another employee and it was recommended the Mayor take
the new car.
Mr. Mowrer commented that he would have been happier to
see a hybrid in the Mayor's spot since that was talked about
at budget time and thinks that would have been a great opportunity
to lead by example in getting a new hybrid. Mr. Mowrer asked
that status if any hybrids are planned and if so where. He
said he would also like to know who gets the cars that are
purchased. He said by getting a hybrid a statement could be
made by City Hall.
Mayor Callahan stated that he agrees and thinks that the
City needs to continue to look at the opportunities that exist
to purchase hybrids. He said he believes they are coming down
in cost but right now they are rather expensive. Mayor Callahan
said he understands that the ongoing cost of maintaining the
car with better gas mileage, but the upfront cost does not
always justify the ongoing savings. He said the decision was
made at this point, given the situation the City is in, not
to purchase a hybrid.
Mr. Mowrer said he would be interested in seeing the list
of vehicles that are programmed for the rest of the year,
and he said he would like to see a hybrid.
President Schweder asked the Mayor what was the line item
that was listed in the budget for the car that was purchased.
Mayor Callahan replied he did not know. President Schweder
asked then if it was not listed as the Mayor's car. Mayor
Callahan said it was not. President Schweder asked if it would
have been listed as a car for some department. Mayor Callahan
said that was correct. President Schweder asked if there was
some ruling or ordinance he does not know about that says
when Council passes a budget that a member of the Administration
or the Mayor can unilaterally turn and move things around
after they have been passed by Council. He asked, for example,
if the Mayor would have liked one of the Police cars or a
fire truck better, would that have allowed the Mayor to make
the decision to do that. He said he would like to know the
ramifications and the justifications to do that. Mayor Callahan
remarked he did not think he would be driving a fire truck
any time soon. He said he swapped out a Chevy Impala for a
Chevy Impala. Mayor Callahan said the same amount of cars
that Council authorized for purchase were purchased. He said
if Council wants to approve when one car for another is moved
and how the City's fleet is managed, he will turn it over
to City Council. He said no extra cars were purchased and
instead of him driving the Chevy Impala with 52,000 miles,
someone else from the City is driving that and he is driving
the new Impala. President Schweder stated that it doesn't
matter to him what kind of car the Mayor has or what it was
traded off for, and said what he wants to know is what is
the justification by law that gives the Mayor the right when
Council approved something specifically, how that can be altered
because then it would seem that the rationale is that can
be done for anything.
Mr. Reichard stated that since he has been with the City
it has always been the practice that if the Mayor's car had
a lot of mileage that when new cars were ordered the Mayor
would then pick one of the newer cars and then their old car
would go into the fleet. President Schweder said he would
like the precedent sent to Council and the legal justification
for doing that, and said his point is that if you can do it
for this you can do it for anything. Mayor Callahan asked
if President Schweder was opposed to him driving that car.
President Schweder said his point is that what the Mayor drives
is immaterial and Council goes through deliberations of the
budget and Council specifically knew what kind of automobiles
were going to the Police Department, Health Department and
Fire Department. He said that is what Council voted on. He
said what concerns him is that unilaterally without ever coming
back to Finance or talking to anybody, that things were changed
in the budget. Mayor Callahan said no additional dollars were
spent. President Schweder stated he did not think the Mayor
had the legal justification to alter things within the budget
because the Mayor thinks he can. President Schweder would
like to see the legal basis for doing that because if the
Mayor has that, Council does not have to go through this process,
there could just be a lump sum. Mayor Callahan said that when
deciding the City's fleet budget, the Administration puts
a request forward for those cars that are believed are needed
for the following year. Mayor Callahan again asked President
Schweder if he had a problem with him driving that car as
opposed to someone else driving that car and said he is having
trouble understanding the difference. President Schweder repeated
again what he would like is the legal justification Mayor
Callahan or any previous Mayor has that allows the Mayor to
alter an ordinance passed by City Council as part of the budget.
Recreation Plan
Mr. Leeson made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Belinski, that
the City Council of the City of Bethlehem refer to the City
of Bethlehem Recreation Commission the Parks and Recreation
Plan adopted this evening and also the newly adopted Section
1347.10 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
concerning Recreation Land and Fees with the request that
the Recreation Commission study and evaluate both and make
appropriate recommendations for any amendments they deem worthy
of Council's consideration.
Voting AYE: Mrs. Belinski, Mr. Donchez, Mr. Leeson, Mr. Mowrer,
Ms. Szabo, and Mr. Schweder, 6. The Motion passed.
Expression of Thanks
Ms. Szabo expressed her thanks to everybody for their prayers
and who sent cards, flowers, calls, and notes of concern while
she was out ill.
Committee Meeting Announcement
President Schweder announced a Human Resources and Environment
Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM in
Town Hall regarding the Environmental Advisory Council –
Preliminary Selections.
13. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
Raising Taxes
John Ladics, 1527 Kaywin Avenue, remarked that he never thought
he would have to listen to Mrs. Belinski say the City is broke.
Mr. Ladics commented that he has no problem with taxes being
raised and he believes people are not as poor as they seem
to be. He said he does not want to see the City that broke
where they can't afford to pay the Police, Fire, EMS, and
Parks. Mr. Ladics repeated that the City should raise taxes
to make the City better. Mr. Ladics then commented that here
it is in July and the Police and Fire still do not have a
contract and maybe a raise in taxes in the future would help
that. He said the City needs the Police, Fire, and EMS to
be here for the City, so let them have a contract that is
worthy of what they are doing. He said the same for the Parks
Department.
Police Posters
John Yerk, 2415 Linden Street, said he retired 11 years ago
after 38 years with the Police force. He said he has a complaint
concerning a number of posters put on the wall in the Police
Department that indicated part of the history of when Police
officers were killed and he said it was a sad time. Mr. Yerk
said he was a part of that history. He went on to say that
the posters are gone because someone came in and complained
about it, and he wishes someone would have explained to them
what those statements and newsprint from old incidents meant
as part of the history of the Police Department. Mr. Yerk
reported that now someone from the Administration wants to
downsize them and put them up again. He said the Lodge and
the Administration are now fighting over this instead of working
as a team to keep morale up and motivate policemen. Mr. Yerk
requested from the Mayor or Police Commissioner Miller what
harm there would be to putting these posters back up the way
they were originally. He said he would personally explain
to any citizen questioning the posters what they mean.
Meryl Getz, retired Police officer, thanked City Council
for listening and asked for help in this problem. Mr. Getz
explained how in 2003 Officer Russell Lande installed this
memorial wall with these posters that included the actual
newpaper articles. He said one of the articles was about Mr.
Getz's partner, Philip Fahy, who was murdered on August 29,
1969. Mr. Getz said he was very glad to see this memorial
wall installed. No one has ever told him that they thought
this wall was depressing. He said in 2006 Deputy Commissioner
Randy Miller removed the memorials from the wall claiming
it was depressing and called it "a wall of death".
Mr. Getz mentioned the one article that used the word "negro"
from 1907 and said Commissioner Miller wasn't even born then
so did not know anything about it, only what could be read
in the newspaper article on the wall. He said this memorial
was a tribute, not a "wall of death". Mr. Getz repeated
that Commissioner Miller had it removed because of a complaint
and said he thought that was not true. He said that when there
is a complaint to the Police from a citizen they must make
out a report with the person's name on it and asked Commissioner
Miller if he is exempt from this procedure. Mr. Getz said
Commissioner Miller stated they do not teach about police
memorials at the academy. Mr. Getz said he became a police
officer in 1961 and was sent to the Pennsylvania State Police
Academy where they were taught to take care of themselves
and the citizens of the City, how to do the job and how to
be compassionate. He said they never told him that a scared
cop was a good cop. He said we have many fine police officers
and Commissioner Miller should be
concerned about helping to make these officers even better
than they are and not be worrying about a wall. He said hopefully
we will never have to have an article there concerning any
of our other officers again. Mr. Getz asked for the help of
Council and the Mayor to have the wall restored with the actual
stories from the newspapers at the time they happened. Mr.
Getz showed the original posters, then the posters that were
reduced in size.
Randall Miller, Police Commissioner, commenting he has great
respect for the Police officers attending the meeting on this,
said there are a few things omitted. He said what Mr. Getz
quoted was from a newspaper article that was misquoted from
the beginning. Commissioner Miller reported on the number
of police officers who died and said he has extreme reverence,
as did Commissioner Donchez, when it was decided to take the
articles down. He stated there were 22 articles that were
taken down that day, and they consisted of all shapes and
sizes some as large as 4' x 4'. They consumed 82' of wall
space on both sides of the hallway, and many were duplications.
He said the one Mr. Getz referred to was there five different
ways. Commissioner Miller reported that employees in the Record
Room referred comments to him and he, himself, heard two very
disturbing comments. The Commissioner told of comments he
heard, one of parents after a new police officer was hired.
Commissioner Miller stated that the articles were taken down
in 2005, not 2006. He said immediately six of the plaques
were put back on the wall. Commissioner Miller agreed that
the story of how these officers died deserves to be told.
He said if they could be put into a manageable size in an
organized method he thought they should be put back up. The
size that was agreed upon was 18" x 23" and to put
it right beneath the plaques. In December 2006 he said it
came to his attention that they were not being put back up,
and he addressed it with the FOP, and said it was agreed that
they be put back. The Commissioner said the City has a fitting
memorial for the officers who fell in the line of duty, and
every year at a service they are memorialized, along with
officers who passed away during the year. He said he thinks
there is more being done than ever to memorialize the officers.
Commissioner Miller said again he thinks they should be put
back up, but asked if a newspaper article is the best way
to tell the story. He said the memorial in Washington, D.C.,
says "it is not how these men died, but how they lived".
The Commissioner welcomed further discussion on this in his
office.
Various Subjects
Chuck Nyul, 1966 Pinehurst Road, stated that he moved to
Bethlehem because of Bethlehem Steel and the Christmas City.
He said Bethlehem Steel is gone and he is not happy with the
Christmas City anymore. He said a number of things are bad
with the City. He remarked that through his travels to other
cities he compares them to Bethlehem. Concerning Bill No.
20 passed this evening and looking for recreation money, he
said he thinks Musikfest should pay fees. Mr. Nyul gave his
ideas for a shopping area on the South Side.
Police Posters
Ms. Szabo emotionally relayed the story of the day when Officer
Fahy was murdered. Ms. Szabo urged the Police to come up with
something fitting for the wall. She said she thinks these
people who lost their lives should not be denied, and it should
be known what was lost. Ms. Szabo said she thinks it is a
big mistake to listen to somebody who thinks this is unpleasant.
President Schweder added that Officer Phil Fahy was his cousin
and said he is well aware and has the memories of what happened
that evening, and said he thinks that the whole story does
need to be known by people here. President Schweder expressed
that he hopes the current leadership in the department will
work with the retirees to see that this is done.
William Scheirer, 1890 Eaton Avenue, added that when he saw
the display he was surprised at the number of officers who
died in the line of duty in Bethlehem. He said he thinks the
memorial is fine, but he said he feels that memorials of necessity
are abstract. Mr. Scheirer said the articles take you back
and make it more real. He said he was appreciative to have
the opportunity to read all the articles. Two feelings he
said he went away with are is that this is a fine group of
men who cherish their comrades to that extent that they honor
them in that way; and the second is an increased respect for
the officers who help protect us who are at some risk to themselves.
Various Subjects
Edwin Rodriquez, 1845 Linden Street, agreed that something
should be done to preserve the memory of the fallen police
officers. He thanked Captain Fred Mill for dealing with the
issues reported with reference to the incidents that were
happening in our community. Mr. Rodriquez said he has been
following up also. He commented that the City has issues of
gangs and drugs. He said he thinks money and funding should
be given to help with the manpower needed. Mr. Rodriquez said
the area where a lot of kids are picked up at West Fourth
Street, Cherokee Street, and Wyandotte Street is an area where
there is an excess amount of litter. He said there will also
be a lot of drugs in the area. Mr. Rodriquez said he thinks
the drug dealers dominate that whole entire section and he
asked the Police Department for more enforcement with regard
to loud mufflers, loitering, speeding. Pedestrian safety is
also of concern he said. He said the wrong kind of people
are moving in and the City should be ready for them.
Various Subjects
Dana Grubb, 2420 Henderson Place, referencing Mr. Leeson's
comments on the switch of the vehicle, said he is reminded
what he learned as a kid that leader's lead by example, words
are cheap, and actions speak louder than words. Mr. Grubb
remarked that the newly improved area in front of the Public
Safety Building looks fantastic, and complimented the City
Administrators and workers involved in their efforts for that
work. He said, however, he thinks that the Plaza looks like
a war torn street in the Middle East. Mr. Grubb commented
that at Council meetings residents complain about noise at
Riverport and the lack of enforcement of the ordinances, and
residents speak about the thugs in the Hayes Street neighborhood.
Mr. Grubb said when attending a Block Watch meeting there
are complaints about garbage, rats and junk repeated from
month to month at the same addresses, cars double parked where
there is curbside parking spaces available, and no one is
ever ticketed. Center City residents, he said, have appeared
to express their fears and concerns regarding crime in their
neighborhood. He said there was a newspaper article about
bikes being stolen from a West Bethlehem neighborhood and
there were six homicides in 2006. Mr. Grubb asked what is
happening in this City. He expressed his feelings that the
quality of life in Bethlehem has changed dramatically. He
said he has observed over the past three years that he has
never witnessed such a steady stream of disgruntled and concerned
residents appearing in Town Hall. He thinks this does not
demonstrate a City getting better, but a City where the quality
of life is increasingly being eroded. He said he does not
think the City is prepared for the development pressures.
Whether it's the commitment of leadership from within the
City government or the enforcement of laws that will set the
tone, he said we need a change in strategy to reverse this
or the community will continue to crumble slowly. Mr. Grubb
said we need enforcement of laws to set the tone that to live
in Bethlehem you must be a law abiding citizen and City officials
and employees who place service to the residents of Bethlehem
above their personal interests, and people who work hard and
who are committed to understanding the residents and issues
of our City and addressing them in a cohesive and responsible
fashion. Mr. Grubb said the City belongs to each of us and
the bar of expectations needs to be raised.
Police Posters
Walt Diefenderfer, retired Police Officer, stated he was
a rookie officer in 1969 and knows the story of Officer Fahy.
He commented that when those pictures were put up he finally
got to read and learn about what happened to these other officers
he did not know whose lives had been taken while serving the
City. Mr. Diefenderfer compared the size of one of the posters
to what Commissioner Miller had displayed. Commissioner Miller
agreed that was okay. Mr. Diefenderfer said he thinks maybe
something has been resolved this evening.
Musikfest
Mary Pongracz, 321 West Fourth Street, suggested that President
Schweder consult with City Council's attorney for legal advice
rather than asking the Mayor. Ms. Pongracz, referring to a
comment earlier concerning Musikfest not contributing to the
City, said she thinks that is a falsehood. She said Musikfest,
who she has been involved with for 24 years, contributes a
great deal in many ways to the City.
Police Posters and City Spending
Wade Haubert, President of FOP Star Lodge, 2077 West Broad
Street, commended the retired officers for support of the
issue concerning the police posters because they took the
ball and ran with it since, he said, there are other things
going on in this City and the Lodge had other things they
were focusing on including contract negotiations, grievances,
unfair labor practices, etc. Officer Haubert stated he believed
there is an agreement at this point and this is an easy fix,
and the appropriate posters can be put up. He said, though,
he thinks there is a much larger problem and he did not think
it needed to get to this point. Officer Haubert said he thought
more strategic planning needs to be looked at in the City
across the board. He said the FOP is constantly evaluating
how things can be done more efficiently and tries to work
with the City on a regular basis. He asked if the City is
broke why do Department Heads need vehicles, why are they
taking home cars. Officer Haubert commented that the Police
officers did not get a pay raise this year yet. He commented
on vehicles mileage and the standard for trading in a vehicle.
He said there is only so much money in the budget. He said
he thinks there needs to be strategic planning and leading
by example. Officer Haubert suggested stop wasting money on
stupid things.
Invocation
Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, complimented the choice
of invocation speaker this evening.
Police Posters
Ms. Szabo suggested that the hallway in the Police Department
be designated as a historical learning section with a proper
name so that people would want to stop and learn about the
history.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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