08182026 Council Meeting

The City of Bethlehem Council held a meeting on August 18, 2026, which included extensive public comments on topics such as affordable housing, traffic safety, and community concerns. Key procurement-related discussions involved the approval of a $19,950 professional services contract to support the city's upcoming enterprise zone renewal, and the authorization for the mayor and controller to execute a use permit agreement for the Dominican Festival 2026. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the city's consent order and agreement (COA) with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to address violations at the wastewater treatment plant. The COA includes a $26,900 one-time penalty and outlines corrective capital improvement projects to bring the system into compliance by 2030. Council members discussed the long-term capital needs of the city's water and sewer infrastructure, the financial implications of the COA, and ongoing efforts to improve reporting and operational procedures. The meeting concluded with unanimous council approval of the COA resolution and other agenda items.