City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 7/13/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting for the City of Reading, PA, held on July 13, 2026, focused extensively on updates and discussions related to federal housing and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program, HOME CHDO, and HOME ARP. Presenters detailed the allocation of funds for various projects such as affordable housing development, demolition of dilapidated buildings, code enforcement, community policing, and homelessness prevention. A significant highlight was the strategic partnership initiative to establish a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) to better utilize HOME funds and expand affordable housing opportunities. The meeting also covered procurement-related items including the approval of a contract payment of $641,933.52 to Axon Enterprises for police body-worn cameras and related equipment, and a contract award to Motorola Solutions for police dispatch system maintenance at $113,206.40. Additionally, the council approved a resolution to submit a $250,000 grant application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for youth violence prevention initiatives. Other procurement and budget discussions included a change order to expand the citywide tree master plan funded by a DCNR grant and the appointment of Systems Design Engineering as sewage enforcement officer for septic systems. Several ordinances and resolutions were passed, including amendments to city codes and salary adjustments for grant-funded positions. The meeting also addressed zoning ordinance amendments related to data centers and historic district boundary adjustments. Overall, the meeting emphasized responsible stewardship of federal funds, strategic partnerships for affordable housing, and ongoing investments in public safety and community infrastructure.