A notable public comment session underscored the meeting, with residents voicing distress over various community safety concerns. Kathy Uck, a resident who experienced a shooting incident that damaged her car, raised alarms about the neighborhood’s safety, especially with the proximity of Moravian Academy. Uck’s testimony, which included her personal struggles with homelessness and high rent, cast a spotlight on the broader crime and safety issues in Bethlehem, prompting an urgent need for the city’s response to such incidents.

The council also heard from Joe Daniels, a long-time Southside resident, who lamented the deteriorating conditions attributed to neglect of property ordinances. Daniels linked the area’s negative perception to high crime rates, urging stricter enforcement of existing regulations and an allocation of development funds to support residents in poorly maintained rental properties. This call for action echoed throughout the public comments, as residents repeatedly stressed the need for accountability and a focus on improving community welfare.

In response to these safety concerns, the Chief of Police provided updates on efforts to address nuisance properties, acknowledging the residents’ frustrations. Council members listened attentively and suggested further discussions with individual council members after the meeting to address specific issues raised by the community.

Zoning and development also emerged as pivotal topics during the meeting. Terry Kler addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed development on the Bennett lot. Kler critiqued the developer’s dismissive approach to community feedback, emphasizing the neighborhood’s desire to preserve its character and challenging the superficial changes proposed, such as adding flowers and shrubs, instead of addressing the building’s height concerns.

Similarly, Bill Shy highlighted zoning issues with the Handover Apartments, questioning the fairness of discussions between developers and council members. Shy argued that the property, zoned for limited commercial use, should not be approved for multifamily housing without commercial space. This discussion brought to light concerns about the interpretation of zoning laws and their implications for community development, with traffic and speed issues on Broad Street further complicating the situation.

Council members addressed these zoning and development concerns by scheduling a public hearing to consider a requested zoning map amendment on West Garrison Street. This amendment aims to change the zoning from high-density residential to part of the adjacent business district for a proposed 70-unit apartment building with retail spaces.

The meeting also saw a focus on ordinance enforcement improvements. An inspector detailed the challenges of addressing violations like high grass and improper furniture storage, which rely on resident complaints rather than routine inspections. Councilman Callahan proposed a solution to enhance communication by including notification information in the quarterly newsletters, a suggestion that received support for its potential to streamline the reporting process.

Shifting to council operations, the meeting celebrated notable achievements and appointments. The council unanimously approved the appointments of KD Trembler and Steven C. Olevsky to the Environmental Advisory Council. Additionally, the council president highlighted Bethlehem’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a milestone attributed to the efforts of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and local institutions.

The annual city council report for 2024 detailed initiatives addressing community needs, such as the demolition and reconstruction of the Walnut Street Garage and ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and enhance affordable housing. The report also outlined proposed street changes to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, including restoring two-way traffic and refurbishments to the wastewater treatment plant and drinking water reservoir.

Financial updates revealed positive news, with real estate tax revenue meeting or exceeding expectations, contributing to a projected surplus for the general fund. This fiscal stability underscored the effective management of city finances by council members and city employees.