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Accomplishments

2020

  • Worked with all departments to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 within City Hall and throughout the community.
  • Engaged the residents of Bethlehem and provided COVID information (protocols, counts, regulations through website, video, two “Ask the Mayor” virtual community meetings and social media) throughout the pandemic.
  • Supported over 100 qualifying local businesses with $2,000.00 grants through the Small Business Economic Relief Fund.
  • Supported local businesses with Parklets and road closures to increase outdoor dining capacity during pandemic.
  • Swore in Bethlehem’s first female Police Chief, Michelle Kott.
  • Released four Police policies/reports regarding: Use of Force, Use of Force Directive, BPD Citizen and Police Interaction, and Policing in the City of Bethlehem/Operational Statistics 2019.
  • Created and released two seasonal Bethlehem Newsletters.
  • Partnered with ArtsQuest for the first ever virtual Musikfest.
  • Worked closely with ArtsQuest, Chamber and DBA to re-imagine/repurpose Christkindlemarkt, including an earlier start date in compliance with COVID regulations.
  • Ribbon cutting for new playground equipment on the Greenway.
  • Ribbon cutting for Venture X.
  • Began implementation of the rental registration program in Zone 1 including the inspection process.
  • Integrated City Water Control into the Bethlehem Service Center.
  • Encouraged and promoted resident participation in the U.S. 2020 CENSUS.
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to update the 5 year financial plan.
  • New 2020 Pierce Rescue Engine for the Fire Department.
  • Received a new horse for the Police Mounted Unit.
  • Completed construction of Memorial pool, set to reopen in the Spring of 2021.
  • Completed major changes to Municipal Golf Course resulting in increased revenue.
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.
  • Participant in the NAACP Community Advisory Board.
  • Continued with the implementation of the Northside 2027 program.
  • Health Bureau Accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
  • Water Filtration Plant 12th consecutive AWOP award.
  • Continued to improve the City’s website.
  • Supported Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns.


2019

  • Completed consolidation on 911 system with Northampton County
  • Opened Bethlehem Service Center and launched associated App.
  • Unveiled new website
  • New playground equipment for Friendship Park
  • Body cameras for police Officers, completed training
  • Held 3 Dare to Care community walks.
  • Distributed over 1950 fire/smoke detectors through eighteen Dare-to-Care community walks over six years.
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to update the 5 year financial plan.
  • Cut the ribbon for two new homes in West Bethlehem – Keystone Avenue – Habitat for Humanity.
  • Investments/development in Bethlehem – Southside Commons, Greenway Commons Development, Continental Cup, Zest, Brinker Lofts, Venture X.
  • Began construction on Memorial pool.
  • Major changes to Municipal Golf Course resulting in increased revenue.
  • Relocation of Holy Infancy School.
  • Dedicated Mayor Pfeifle monument on the Greenway
  • Dedicated Viet Nam KIA memorial located at City Hall
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.
  • Working on implementing blighted property study.
  • New parking garage in South Bethlehem – 17.7M.
  • Continued with Northside 2027 neighborhood meetings.
  • Health Bureau Accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
  • Joined U.S. Global Leadership Coalition – Building a Better, Safer World.
  • New ambulance for EMS
  • New Fire Department Quint
  • Water Filtration Plant 11th consecutive AWOP award.
  • Northside LERTA Zone.
  • Supported Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns.

 2018

  • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources $1 million grant for Memorial Pool.
  • $542,297 DCED Grant for Memorial Pool through Senator Boscola.
  • Health Bureau Accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
  • Expanded “Take Me Home” program.
  • Completed in-dash cameras installation for all Police cruisers/training of officers.
  • Held 3 Dare to Care community walks.
  • Distributed over 1800 fire/smoke detectors through fifteen Dare-to-Care community walks over five years.
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to update the 5 year financial plan.
  • Cut the ribbon for a new home in West Bethlehem – Habitat for Humanity.
  • Investments/development in Bethlehem – Greenway Commons Development, Silk Mill, Armory Development, Gateway at Greenway Park, St. Luke’s/Lehigh University Development, Wilbur Mansion Project, Planet Fitness, Lehigh University Dorms, Lehigh University Ice House, ALPLA LVIP VII, Hispanic Center/Fowler Building.
  • Joint Substation City and Lehigh Police Departments at New Street Garage.
  • 4th Police K9 – Silver – arson.
  • Signed 5th Sister City Agreement - Foiano di Val Fortore, Italy.
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.
  • Completed blighted property study/to be implemented.
  • New parking garage in South Bethlehem – 17.7M.
  • Launched Northside 2027.
  • Northside LERTA Zone.
  • Supported Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns.
  • Expanded Bike Bethlehem to a third location.

2017

  • Met with Local, State, and Federal officials to discuss City issues and projects.
  • Signed on to Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination.
  • City and ArtsQuest seek artists for New Bike Rack Project on SouthSide.
  • Bond rating increase from A- to A with a continued positive outlook (2/17/17).
  • Bond rating increase from A to A+ with a stable outlook (9/27/17).
  • Health Bureau Accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
  • $250K grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for sewer collection system improvements on the South Side (Pierce St.).
  • $250K BB&T Economic Growth Fund grant for blight remediation.
  • Ribbon cutting – WWTP dewatering project May 11, 2017.
  • Donation from Air Products May 11, 2017.
  • High Street Bridge rededication (9/25/17).
  • New 35M office building on Southside Bethlehem with St. Luke’s/Lehigh University as anchors. Gateway at Greenway Park.
  • Met with Sen Browne/Boscola regarding Bethlehem’s 911 Center, Casino host fees.
  • Initiated “Take Me Home” program.
  • In-dash cameras for Police cruisers.
  • Held monthly open door days, second Monday of each month.
  • Held 3 Dare to Care community walks, town meetings.
  • Attended Block Watch meetings.
  • Distributed over 1800 fire/smoke detectors through twelve Dare to Care community walks.
  • Strong code enforcement/oversight through community walks.
  • Annual visit to block watch groups and community organizations.
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to update the 5 year financial plan.
  • Met with the DBA, LVEDC, LVPC, LVIP, LV Chamber, LV Partnership to discuss the City’s focus as it relates to the business community.
  • Cut the ribbon for a new home for the Bethlehem Police Mounted Unit.
  • Met regularly with Colleges, Hospitals, Non-Profits and BASD to aid their mission and have them advance the City’s mission.
  • Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg Campus Expansion: Family Health Pavillion, a 6-story, $90 million obstetrics and rehabilitation unit that will create jobs and provide additional medical services to the residents of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley opened.
  • Ribbon Cuttings for new businesses: Arkadas Group, LIT Coffee Roasters, Soltech Solutions, Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn, Sequential.
  • Technology, The Flying Egg, Barreform Fitness, RC Moore, Hardball Cider, Urbano, The Pinnacle at 65,Quadrant Private Wealth Solutions, K. Shan.
  • Performance Fitness Training, Metro PCS, The Sibri’s Restaurant, Almas Foods International, Plya Bowls, Roasted, Golazo House, Able Pay Health, Healing Hands Massage Therapy.
  • Investments/development in Bethlehem – Greenway Commons Development, Silk Mill, Armory Development, Gateway at Greenway Park, Benner, St. Luke’s/Lehigh University Development, Wilbur Mansion Project, Chelsea Commons, Kirkland Village expansion.
  • Historic Bethlehem was placed on the tentative list – World Heritage Site.
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.
  • Participated in Community forums on heroin; race relations.
  • Strengthened policy on blighted properties.
  • New parking garage in South Bethlehem – $17.7MM (opened November 1st).
  • City received recognition from National League of cities for completion of Health & Wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Countries.
  • Supported Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley to locate in two areas of Bethlehem – Southside and Marvine Development.
  • Opening of Moravian College’s Health Science facility.
  • Supported Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns.
  • Signed on to Mayors for 100% Clean Energy.
  • Proclamations – Autism Awareness, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, National Day of Prayer, Extra Mile Day, National Kids to Parks Day, Women of Excellence, East Hills Middle School & Freedom High School 50th Anniversary and AHEPA.
  • Received the Rudy Bruner Award, Gold Medal Winner for Urban Excellence, SteelStacks Campus.
  • Launched the Bethlehem Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
  • Viet Nam MIA sign for Army Specialist Robert Allen Nickol.
  • Supported BASD in receiving the Kennedy Center “Any Given Child” designation. (Lehigh, Zolner Arts Center, Artsquest.
  • Supported Wilbur Mansion, former Dempsey’s at Westgate Mall and the Historic Hotel Bethlehem expansion for CRIZ designation.
  • Dedicated Phase IV of the Bethlehem Greenway.
  • Launched BPAIR – Bethlehem/Bangor Police Departments Assisting in Recovery
  • POPSUGAR Smart Living – Christmas Lovers need to add these 15 Cities to their Holiday Travel List – Bethlehem #9

2016

  • Met with Local, State, and Federal officials to discuss City issues and projects.
  • New 25M office building on Southside Bethlehem with St. Luke’s/Lehigh University as anchors.
  • Improved the City’s Bond Rating two steps from BBB to A.
  • Satellite office for CareerLink in the Hispanic Center.
  • Completed overlay on Main Street, between Church Street and New Street, repaired/replaced sidewalks, installed underground wiring and installed music speakers.
  • Unveiled/updated City webpage in English and Spanish.
  • Instituted an administrative gift policy to be followed by all Department Heads and City Employees.
  • Met with Sen Browne/Boscola regarding Bethlehem’s 911 Center, Casino host fees, and CRIZ legislation.
  • Initiated Vision Zero – Nationwide vision to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe travel for all.
  • Amended Parks Ordinance and implemented a new policy for Saucon Park/Monocacy Park, including increased police patrols on weekends at the parks.
  • Initiated a new Anti-Graffiti Policy.
  • Initiated a free Bike Share Program for City residents.
  • Held monthly open door days, second Monday of each month.
  • Held 3 Dare to Care community walks, and town meetings
  • Distributed over 1800 fire/smoke detectors through nine Dare to Care community walks.
  • Strong code enforcement/oversight through community walks.
  • Annual visit to block watch groups and community organizations.
  • Implemented a zoned hauling waste management plan for South Bethlehem.
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to develop an updated 5 year financial plan.
  • Met with the DBA, LVEDC, LVPC, LVIP, LV Chamber, LV Partnership to discuss the City’s focus as it relates to the business community.
  • Partnered with Lehigh University – Moravian College and the Friends of the Bethlehem Police Mounted Unit to purchase new mounts (Asa & Gray) for the Bethlehem Mounted Unit
  • K-9 Blaze (anonymous)
  • K-9 Rico Dr. Caesar DePaco and Mrs. Deanna Padovani-DePaco
  • Met regularly with Colleges, Hospitals, Non-Profits to aid their mission and have them advance the City’s mission.
  • Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg Campus Expansion: a 6-story, $60 million obstetrics and rehabilitation unit that will create jobs and provide additional medical services to the residents of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
  • Ribbon Cuttings for new businesses: Ecopax, AM Lux Clothing, Tailgaters Pub & Grill, McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub, Bonn Place Brewing Co., Peoples Kitchen, Buddy V’s Ristorante, Emeril’s Fish House, George’s Light Lunch, Domaci Furniture, Lustig’s Hot Dogs.
  • Investments/development in Bethlehem – Greenway Commons Development, Silk Mill, Armory Development, Benner, St. Luke’s/Lehigh University Development, Wilbur Mansion Project, Chelsea Commons, Kirkland Village expansion, Ecopax, and REEB Millwork.
  • Listed by Huffington Post as one of the 10 most Beautiful U.S. towns to visit in the Fall.
  • Partnered with the Chamber in celebrating the City’s 275th Anniversary.
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.
  • Participated in Community forums on heroin; race relations.
  • Put into service a new, $1.25 million aerial ladder fire truck to serve Bethlehem.
  • New Walmart Super Center on RT 412.
  • New Policy on blighted properties.
  • New parking garage in South Bethlehem – $17.7M.
  • Supported efforts to end Homelessness for Veterans.
  • City received recognition from National League of cities for completion of Health & Wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Countries.
  • Supported new facility for the City’s Mounted Unit.
  • Wells Fargo – $70,000 contribution for a new Southside Park, Lopes International Park at 4th and Hayes Street.
  • Supported Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley to locate in two areas of Bethlehem – Southside and Marvine Development.
  • Opening of the new St. Luke’s/Moravian College facility for sports medicine & physical therapy.
  • New Trailer for the Mounted Unit with donations from Wells Fargo Bank and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.
  • $20,000 contribution from TD Bank – TD Green Streets – planting 100 trees in area parks.
  • $20M expansion Ecopax in LVIP VII – 170 jobs
  • Implemented Ban the Box
  • 24/7 Wall Street listed Bethlehem as one of the best cities to live in.
  • Supported Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns
  • Proclamations – Autism Awareness, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Small Business Saturday, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, National Day of Prayer, Extra Mile, National Kids to Parks Day.
  • Donation from Jason Shiffer, Esq. for Police Bike Unit
  • Bethlehem named best place to retire in the Northeast by Money Magazine

2015

  • Met with Local, State and Federal officials to discuss issued and projects.
  • Completion of the Hoover Mason Trestle on the Steel Stacks Campus
  • Added additional pull-in angle parking on Main Street
  • Completed overlay on Main Street plus new sidewalks and underground wiring
  • Unveiled the City’s updated Webpage.
  • Press conference on the sustainability initiatives implemented by the City.
  • Instituted an administrative gift policy to be followed by all Department Heads and all City employees.
  • Lobbied Harrisburg/Sen Browne/Boscola to get funding for Bethlehem’s 911 Center.
  • Implemented 911 text messaging between Northampton County and the City of Bethlehem
  • Initiated new policy for Saucon Park/increased police patrols on weekends at the park.
  • Held monthly open door days, second Monday of each month.
  • Held 3 Dare to Dare community walks, and town meetings.
  • Distributed over 200 fire/smoke detectors through Dare to Care community walks.
  • Strong code enforcement oversight through community walks
  • Annual visit to block watch groups.
  • Implemented a zoned hauling waste management plan for South Bethlehem
  • Worked with Business Administrator and Financial Advisory Committee to develop 5 year financial plan.
  • Received check from Merchants Bank ($5,000) for the KIZ.
  • LVIP Projects announces Primark, Walmart.com, Walmart Distribution Center and Curtis Wright
  • Met with our partners the DBA, LVEDC, LVPC, LVIP, LV Chamber, LV Partnership to discuss the City’s Focus as it relates to the business community.
  • Partnered with Lehigh University and the Friends of the Bethlehem Police Mounted Unit to purchase a new mount (Asa) for the Bethlehem Police Mounted Unit.
  • Arranged with Lehigh University the purchase of 30 large flowering planters and 13 new garbage cans.
  • Launched joint police bike patrols with Lehigh University Police and the Sands in the City with a focus in South Bethlehem.
  • Met regularly with Colleges, Hospitals, Non-Profits, to aid their mission and have them advance the City’s mission.
  • Groundbreaking for LVHN-Muhlenberg, a 6 story $60 million expansion, obstetrics and rehabilitation unit that will create jobs and provide additional medical services to the residents of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley
  • Ribbon cuttings: Primark, Retro Fitness, Hatch House, Greenway Patio, Colony Meadery; expansion of SkatePark; Renovation of Flat Iron Building.
  • Listed by Huffington Post as one of the 10 most Beautiful U.S. towns to visit in the Fall.
  • Supported, with Mayor’s Panto and Pawlowski, a study to restart passenger rail service to Philadelphia/New York.
  • Negotiated terms for a new tenant at Illick’s Mill, the Appalachian Mountain Club.
  • Partnered with the Chamber to launch the 275th committee.
  • Promoted the pothole and graffiti hotlines.

2014

  • Planned and held events for the 50th anniversary of our first Sister City in Tondabayashi, Japan
  • Met quarterly with Lehigh Valley local, state, federal delegation to discuss issues and projects.
  • Held monthly Open Door Days; Second Monday of each month.
  • Held Quarterly Dare to Care community walks; and town hall meetings.
  • Quarterly visited block watches.
  • Planning internal overhaul of City Website to be more consumer/constituent friendly.
  • Appointed a Volunteer Financial Advisory Committee to review City’s finances.
  • Asked all Department Heads for a 10% deduction in the budget proposals.
  • Limited use of outside consultants.
  • Worked with groups who propose city events to begin process of compensating the City for Services
  • Worked with BA to develop 5 Year Financial Plan along with the
  • Police Chief Mark DiLuzio appointed to post and retained Deputy Chief Todd Repsher.
  • Reinstituted beat cop/bike/mounted patrols in Main Street and South Side Business Districts.
  • Purchase of new Haz-Mat Response vehicle.
  • Filled all vacancies to capacity in Public Safety.
  • SRO’s placed on BASD campuses.
  • First CRIZ project announced
  • Ribbon cut at 10 plus small businesses.
  • LVIP projects announced (Wal-Mart.com, Zulily, CTSK).
  • To date, the City has issued 191 CO’s (certificates of occupancy) for companies locating or significantly expanding in the City.
  • Engaging with Lehigh University; Ambassadors Program, city wide cameras, code enforcement officer.
  • Worked with Lehigh Students to relocate community garden.
  • Met Quarterly with Colleges, Hospitals, Non-Profits to aid their mission and have them advance the city’s mission.
  • Partnered and met with DBA, LVEDC, LVPC, LVIP, LV Chamber, LV Partnership to represent city’s focus,
  • Appointed a volunteer Business Advisory Committee to gain feedback from City’s small businesses.
  • Reversed back in parking on Main Street.
  • Restoration of the Hoover-Mason Trestle.
  • Ground Breaking for Skate Park Pavilion.
  • Handed out over a hundred plus free smoke detectors from the FD.
  • Strong code enforcement oversight through community walks.
  • Began dialogue with haulers on addressing city’s trash complaints.