Council MInutes
January 4, 2010
BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
NEW COUNCIL
Monday, January 4, 2010 – 7:00 PM
10 East Church Street - Town Hall
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
1. ROLL CALL OF HOLD-OVER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
The Clerk called the Roll of the Hold-Over Members of Council.
Present as Hold-Over Members were: Robert J. Donchez, Gordon
B. Mowrer, and J. William Reynolds, 3.
2. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION
The Clerk affirmed that the Certificates of Election for
the newly elected City Controller, and Members of Council
had been presented.
3. SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
A. City Controller – Meg Holland
Paula A. Roscioli, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Northampton
County, administered the Oath of Office to Meg Holland, duly
elected City Controller.
B. Members of Council - (Jean Belinski was absent), David
T. DiGiacinto, Karen D. Dolan, and
Eric R. Evans
Paula A. Roscioli, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Northampton
County, administered the individual Oaths of Office to David
T. DiGiacinto, Karen D. Dolan, and Eric R. Evans, duly elected
Members of Council. (Jean Belinski, duly elected Member of
Council was absent.)
4. ROLL CALL OF NEWLY CONSTITUTED COUNCIL.
The Clerk called the Roll of the Newly Constituted Council.
Present were: David T. DiGiacinto, Karen D. Dolan, Robert
J. Donchez, Eric R. Evans, Gordon B. Mowrer, and J. William
Reynolds, 6. Jean Belinski was absent, 1.
5. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
Mr. Mowrer made a motion for the election of Robert J. Donchez
as President of Council for the years 2010 and 2011. Mr. Evans
seconded the motion.
Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mowrer,
and Mr. Reynolds, 5. Mr. Donchez abstained, 1. The motion
passed.
Mr. Donchez took the Chair.
President Donchez thanked his colleagues for electing him
for another term as President of City Council, and expressed
that he is humbled by it and he appreciates it very much.
President Donchez congratulated Mayor John Callahan on being
sworn in as Mayor this morning, and he congratulated Meg Holland
on being sworn in as City Controller. President Donchez, congratulating
the newly elected Members of Council, communicated they will
find their responsibilities challenging as Bethlehem moves
into the next decade. President Donchez pledged his dedication,
commitment, and openness. President Donchez stated that, on
behalf of his colleagues, he pledged to the Mayor mutual respect,
cooperation, and an open line of communication. President
Donchez pointed out that as elected officials it is the responsibility
to work together and to do what is best for 72,000 citizens
of Bethlehem. Commenting that the Members of City Council
can debate among themselves, and disagree with the Administration,
President Donchez said it is his hope that it will be done
professionally and with a sense of respect and decorum. President
Donchez remarked it is the responsibility of City Council
to govern and move Bethlehem forward into the next decade.
6. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
Ms. Dolan made a motion for the election of Gordon B. Mowrer
as Vice President of Council for the years 2010 and 2011.
Mr. DiGiacinto seconded the motion.
Voting AYE: Mr. DiGiacinto, Ms. Dolan, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mowrer,
Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. Donchez, 6. The motion passed.
7. REPORTS
A. President of Council
None.
B. Mayor
Mayor Callahan congratulated the incoming Members of Council,
and pledged his desire to work with the Members of Council.
Mayor Callahan added that, as having been a Member of Council
for six years, he appreciates the role that Council plays
and looks forward to working with each Member of Council and
to work to make a better Bethlehem. Mayor Callahan congratulated
Meg Holland as City Controller.
8. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
None.
9. BENEDICTION
Reverend Derek French, of East Hills Moravian Church, offered
the Benediction.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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