City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 5/18/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City Council Committee of the Whole meeting for the City of Reading, PA, held on May 18, 2026, focused primarily on financial reporting and a public hearing regarding proposed zoning ordinance amendments. The finance presentation detailed the first quarter financial status, highlighting revenue and expense trends, including increased licensing and permit fees due to early processing of construction projects and higher overtime costs related to weather events. The council was introduced to the city's Open Finance platform, which provides transparent, real-time access to budget and vendor payment data to support proactive budget management. The public hearing addressed amendments to zoning regulations to allow adaptive reuse of commercial and manufacturing properties for residential and tavern/nightclub purposes by right, removing the need for special exception approvals. This change aims to streamline development processes, encourage downtown revitalization, and increase housing density. The council also reviewed ordinances related to adding alternate members to the plumbing board, recognizing a $10,000 wellness credit in the human resources budget, and authorizing the sale of a small city-owned parcel to Norfolk Southern for $10,000 to expand a cell tower footprint. No votes were taken during this meeting; however, the zoning ordinance amendment was scheduled for future adoption votes. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of community concerns and invitations for public engagement at upcoming council meetings.