City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 5/26/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City Council Committee of the Whole meeting for the City of Reading, PA, held on May 26, 2026, included significant discussions on community development and procurement activities. Key procurement-related topics included the presentation by Tech Central Berks regarding their acquisition and planned renovation of a 42,000-square-foot property at 433 Pearl Street to expand workforce development programs, particularly in trades such as welding, HVAC, and plumbing. The city supports a funding request of $1.1 million to upgrade this facility, supplementing $275,000 already secured from private foundations. Additionally, Centro Hispano provided an update on a $1 million grant application for owner-occupied home improvement projects aimed at neighborhood stabilization along the 9th Street corridor. The meeting also covered several contract awards and resolutions, including the purchase of vehicles and equipment for public works and public safety, with specific contracts awarded to vendors such as Tom Masano and Penn Air and Hydraulics. A contract revision was approved for an overhead oil system upgrade at the fleet facility, increasing the contract amount due to additional necessary replacements. The council unanimously passed these procurement actions and expressed strong support for the community development initiatives presented.