Council - Regular Meeting

This is for good evening everyone. We're going to get started tonight. Know it's important night for a lot of people. So we'll we'll started ask that we all rise for the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Before we begin, we are going to have an invocation tonight for the reorganization. We have our Rabbi Michael Singer from the congregation Brit Shalom to give the invocation to start the meeting.

Thank you. Shalom. Uh, I want to recognize from the mayor's office, uh, business administrator, uh, Eric Evans, members of city council and soon to be members, new members of city council, to our fire, our police, health, and educators, as well as workers across so many aspects of our city, to beloved family, and to dear friends. Tonight we renew and celebrate our democracy as we give thanks to all who have led and served our city. We are deeply grateful to you for all that you have done. I know it often goes unsaid and certainly underappreciated but to Rabba a sincere thank you. I also also wish to offer up words of blessing and hope to those about to renew or accept upon themselves this sacred calling. and a sacred calling. It is as the oath you will be taking is a binding covenantal relationship witnessed by God in service to your neighbors who are a blessedly vibrant community of people who call Bethlehem home. We come from many ethnicities, cultures, faiths, and our numbers increase still more as people come to work and visit our beautiful city. Indeed, God has blessed Bethlehem with not only be natural beauty, but the very diversity of God's own image in the people who add new chapters to the life story and success of this amazing and historyfilled city.

In Hebrew, the term for covenant or pact is breit, like the name of my congregation, British shalom. Covenant of peace. I wish I could say that the sacred calling to service you take upon yourselves is an easy one in a time of tranquility and peace. And yet, as our nation is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary with all of its promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we are in the midst of a time of tumult and hard choices. Too many of our neighbors are struggling with the basic of human dignity, adequate food, shelter, healthcare. The American dream seems far off for too many. educational opportunity, the means to get ahead, let alone dignity and care and old age. We are embattled by a moment of national polarization, incivility, intolerance, and outright hate. We stand at a tipping point, for there is too much fear and too much indifference, a loss of faith in the efficacy of government and the sacred heart of the experiment of our democracy. quote, "That government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth, where freedom, dignity, truth, equality, and justice for all is the sacred work that we must each continue to pursue and strive for together. Yet, I am heartened by your love and your care for your neighbors and our city. It is what has led you tonight to

dedicate the very best of yourselves, your talents and abilities, to become our representatives, and our leaders. Together with businesses and civic organizations as partners, you are called to tackle the difficult challenges we all face by bringing individuals together to form common bonds of industry and communal resiliency that build the present and lay the grounds for the future of the common good. Stewardship of God's earth and to care for the most vulnerable in our community. And so now we lift our prayers to God, living font and source of blessing to bestow God's blessings upon each of you and the work we embark on together. May God bless you with da knowledge and curiosity with bina understanding and openness to compromise and creativity wisdom to recognize what you do not know and the patience that comes with life's journey of experience with lev with courage to make tough decisions for the good even when they are not populariz the strength to humbly place the needs of others is above self and to stand up for those whose voices often go unheard. Rahamim, compassion, to have mercy and compassion on yourselves, each other, and all of those you serve. And finally, Schllemoot, wholeness and peace for you, your families who also bear this sacrifice and to work to bring people together in a time when anger, fear, hate, and despair threaten to tear us apart. I pray that the divine spirit, the

ruahesh, be with each of you as you continue or begin your sacred service to our city. If I had the time, I would lay my hands upon your heads and bless each of you individually. But I ask you now to please rise and the mayor's representative as well, if you would as I give you the ancient blessing first recited by Aaron 3,000 years ago. And after each line to answer, "Amen." The word for I believe. May God bless you and guard you. May God shine down upon you and be gracious to you. May God always know your kindness and grant you wholeness and peace. Sorry. And let us say amen. May God's love be ever in your hearts and in your deeds. Thank you. [clears throat]

Thank you, Rabbi. Mr. [laughter] You know, thanks for coming out of practice for us. Mr. Miller, please call the role. Mr. Callahan, present. Miss Grampy Smith, present. Miss Quiet, present. Miss Leard, present. Miss Leon, Miss Wilhelm, present, and Mr. Cologne

present. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Before we move on to the agenda, we have a few citations tonight for our outgoing council members. Uh before I read each one, this will be the time. After I'll read each one, I'll make a few comments uh for each of our outgoing council members. I'll welcome comments and good wishes from other members of council. and then I'll um give the floor to each recipient to give any comments should they choose to. So our our first is Councilwoman Grace Camy Smith. Our citation reads, "Whereas the residents of the city of Bethleam have been served for more than six years by a council woman who has fulfilled her role in the legislative branch of Bethleam City Government with distinction, knowledge, experience, and honor. And whereas this individual served as a member of city council, including the position of vice president from 2019 and through 2026. And whereas this council woman served as chairperson of the public works and finance committees and as a member of the parks and recreation, community development, and public safety committees. and whereas she attended innumerable city council meetings, proposed and sponsored ordinances, passed hundreds of pieces of legislation, responded to residents request, embrace the challenges and the responsibilities as a member of council and is devoted to the city of Bethlehem and its residents. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem, that Grace Crampsy Smith be extended the special thanks and sincere gratitude of the members of city council, of the residents of Bethlehem, and the ent and of the entire city for her government service as a member of council. And be it further resolved that the members of council wish Grace a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life after she leaves the service of Bethleam City Council. Thank you, Grace.

Thank you. [applause] So, I'm gonna I'll I'll pass this down and I'll just be the first to say, Councilwoman, thank you. Uh, you know, we've served together for six years and while I'll say we may have not always voted the same or agreed on things. Uh, I remember sitting on your front porch before you got sworn in and just talking about the work of council and such. And uh a handful of weeks after I became council president, you were council vice president, my family got big news about our our beloved Amelia. And that was a very challenging year for my family. I missed a lot of meetings to anyone who was paying attention. And we just had a lot of things that that took up our time and our attention. And uh you always just said, "Mike, let me know what what you need and I'm here to help out." And that was a time that you know, work didn't always come first. But I was glad that you were you were able to help in all the ways you did, both here and just be be a positive person at times where both Aaron and I needed it. So I I appreciated that and for all the hard work you've put in of just different I don't have the list, but there's different legislation that you've brought forward over the years that council has passed that um we wouldn't have passed in the city if it weren't for you bringing them forward and and us voting on them over the last six years. So, I just wanted to say thank you for for your service on city council. [snorts]

Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody else who wanted to before I give councilwoman the floor? Councilwoman Leon, um just want to say as Mike has said, Council President Cohen had said, just want to also congratulate you on all your years of service and thank you for your guidance over the years and also congratulate you on uh the work you did with Alerta. That was a very formative thing and a strong thing for our city. uh you'll be missed on council. Thank you,

Mr. Callahan. I just want to um thank you for for everything. Um not only your your years of service on uh on council, but uh all the years that you spent with the youth of uh you know, the Lehigh Valley being a counselor at Eastern High School and really really trying to uh shape and and change um kids that are really struggling, you know, and people don't understand uh everything that you did for the you know, the children, which is a huge thing. Um, you were always a rock. I want you to know that. No matter how much pressure was put on you by anybody, you always did what you thought was best for the city. And that I will never forget. And um I thank you for everything, your friendship and your your leadership. And uh I'm really going to miss uh a lot of you don't know this, but sometimes I have a habit of getting a little excited up here and angry and uh at some things I see going on. And whenever I'm getting uh to a level that she thinks I need to calm down a little bit, she puts her hand over on my thigh and squeezes extremely hard. And uh I'm going to miss that the most. So maybe Mr. Antalix could help me with that in the future. But uh I do want to thank you for everything and um I look forward to you being uh involved in uh public service in the future. So thank you.

Thank you. Going to miss you. Thank you. Appreciate it. [snorts] Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you, Councilwoman. I said my remarks by accident last uh meeting, but you know, thank you and thank you for for uh you know, your good um intentions and efforts and and all the years of work that you've put into the city. Appreciate it. Thank you, Councilwoman.

I want to add my thanks and uh appreciated the way that we work together uh and were able to pass things like the um pet shop ordinance, the um puppy mill ordinance, and uh also for the way we all campaigned together the first time around and and uh made sure that um we came in as colleagues. And so I wish you the best and I know that this isn't the end for you in terms of public service because you have a drive for that and that will not change just because you're not here up at this desk. So congratulations and and best wishes. Thank you,

Council. I'll just add one more thing. I I don't know if you know, Grace, that uh [clears throat] I've been following you a little longer than you may realize because when you first decided to run, I had sort of um was considering it at that point too and attended some training sessions and um was there with you and um it's been really wonderful to watch you uh serve since that time and grow as a council person and take a lot of risks as well. So, congratulations on your years of service. Thank you.

Floor is yours, Councilman. Thank you. Well, thank you everyone. I really appreciate the comments. Um [snorts] and Mike, I know it was a rough rough going for you during that time um when Emmy was born, but I'm so glad it all worked out and I was really honored and um and grateful that I was able to help you out in any way because I know it was certainly a challenge and I appreciate all the the positive um the positive thoughts. So, and I just want to say thank you um and thank you to all the people who come and give public comment all the time. I know sometimes the comments are um maybe adversarial or you know not really positive toward us but I appreciate that that is the democratic process and I appreciate the people take the time out of their busy lives to come and attend meetings some people regularly more regularly than others um and to give input into this democratic process that we are so uh trying to preserve. So I'd like to also first congratulate our new two two new members of council Justin Aman and Joe Daniels. Um, congratulations and best wishes. I have all faith that you are going to do a great job on council and I I feel good knowing that I'm leaving and my city is in good hands with two new great council people. Um, [snorts] it's been an honor and a privilege to serve and represent the residents of this great community and I want to thank everyone who's given me that opportunity. Um, I've been I was born into a really politically and civically active family going back many many generations. And I was always advised by my families and friends who were elected officials to always first vote your conscience. That that was the most important thing to do. And I really tried to do that. Um, sometimes it didn't turn out too too well and you know there were disagreements but I just always tried to do what I thought was best and vote my conscience. As my term comes to an end, I just want to give my thoughts as well as my wishes for my city's council and administration moving forward. And again, um, you know, I want to give some quotes just on what I think is really important about government at every level, the local and, uh, state and federal level. Um, and you know, I

again, not everything, um, is relevant to everyone on council and administration, but some some things that I say are. First of all, a healthy disdain for a one-man rule was the basis of our declaration of independence, the articles of confederation, and the constitution of our great country. And the essence of good government is to be an independent thinker and voice. And the work to ensure all levels of government are recognized, powerful, and strive for a high quality of life for all of our residents. If one level of government suffocates another level, the cause of the people and our constitution suffers. It's unfortunate that um while there has been certainly good times in recent months and years, I felt the need to defend myself against attacks on my professional experience and my personal character by certain council members as well as certain administration administrative individuals just because I really was trying to do what I thought was best for the community. And that's unfortunate and I really feel that's not the way government should work. My hope is that moving forward all of city council will be objective in thought and action tolerant of the beliefs opposite of their own and recognize and exercise their power as an equal separate and significant level of government within our city. My hope is that destructive mannerisms both non-verbal and otherwise toward others desist desist and decorum is maintained maintained fitting of elected officials. Many people have commented to me about their perceived lack of decorum and negative mannerisms among certain council members and administrations while attending meetings. And this has been truly disheartening to me and a disservice to our community and those we serve. I think it's important that we all remember it is an honor and a privilege to serve our community at both the administrative and legislative level. It is neither a crown nor a sword. Being on the right side of history matters more than being comfortable and that's what

it's all about. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilwoman. [applause] Next citation we have is for Councilwoman Kira Wilhelm. And as the citation reads, whereas the residents of the city of Bethleam have been served during the past four years by a council woman who has fulfilled her role in the legislative branch of Bethleam city government with distinction, knowledge, experience, and honor. And whereas this individual served as a member of city council from 2022 through 2026. And whereas this councilwoman served as chairperson of the human resources and environmental committee and as a member of the parks and recreation and community development committees. And whereas she attended many city council meetings, sponsored sponsored ordinances, passed hundreds of pieces of legislation, responded to resident requests, embraced the challenges and the responsibilities as a member of council and is and is devoted to the city of Bethlehem and its residents. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that Kira Wilhelm be extended the special thanks and sincere gratitude of the members of city council, of the residents of Bethleam, and of the entire city for her government service as a member of council. And be it further resolved that the members of council wish cure a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life after she leaves the service of Bethleam City Council. Congratulations, Councilman. [applause] So again, before we give councilwoman the floor, uh I'll invite comment from other members of council, I just want to wish councilwoman all the best. Uh I remember um you know four over four years ago before you took office us hanging out in the sun courtyard and you campaigning and talking about kind of you know a little bit of the job and I think I lectured you on well first you win and you do what you got to do to win and then you you learn the job and then you did and we sat here we sat where Mr. Evans and Mr. Spirkar for

[clears throat] like three hours on a Saturday going over just you know what's the communication on the agenda and things that as an incoming member were very valuable to learn and you took the time to to meet with me and others and and kind of learn what it is to to serve and not just the um ideological aspect of government service but the kind of where the rubber meets the road and how the city operates and city operations and trying to be a prepared council member and I appreciated that time um that we took together and have appreciated the years that we've worked together. So, I wish you all the best. Thank you. Anyone else? Councilwoman,

thank you. Uh first of all, I don't know who I'm going to get confused with now that you'll be gone. It's It's going to be difficult. [laughter] Going to miss being confused for you. It was an honor to be confused for you. Um, and uh, you know, we didn't know each other before the campaign uh, four years ago. And uh, I'm uh, honored and proud to call you a friend now. And and so I know that this isn't the last time I'll see you. Uh, but I want to thank you for the care and thought that you always put into every decision that you made when you you from behind this desk. um many hours, many conversations with people in the community that uh doesn't go unnoticed by me, but a lot of people might miss that. And so that by the time that you came here to make a decision, um there had already been so much work put in uh and it for me just engendered tremendous respect um for your process and for the care that you took in uh making decisions on behalf of the 78,000 people who live in this city. So, I want to thank you for that. Um, I still am a little in denial and a little bummed that you're not going to be here. Uh, we have two great people coming in. Um, and I know they're going to, um, do a wonderful job, but going to miss you terribly. Um, and and just finally, uh, again, I I want people to understand, um, the level of care that she took in constituent services. um you know making sure that anybody who reached out to her uh you know she got them in touch with the right people or she helped resolve issues and uh just again the the work that went into um and the care that went into everything that you did over the last four years. So thank you

anyone else Leon

I also I'm going to miss you deeply. I don't know. I I know you probably don't feel this way about yourself, but I think you have been council's most effective communicator. You are so clear, so concise, and you always seek to understand not just your perspective, but other perspectives, whether that comes across or not to everyone. You have always been um an open book, willing to listen, and you do it with such grace and gentleness, and I think that masks just a spine of steel. Um, and you will definitely be missed. Um, it's great to call each other colleagues, but I do consider you a friend and I will miss you. Anyone else?

Council,

similar to uh, Councilwoman Leon's remarks. Um, I was sitting here thinking you are quite eloquent in how you present your arguments and uh I remember when we met when I was considering running for council and you told me you don't have to explain every vote you take. Sometimes your vote is just enough and that's where the power of counsel is. And that's been very helpful advice. And I think that [clears throat] your restraint um combined with your words has made you quite an effective uh council person and role model for others who who step up to serve.

Anyone else? I'll start with councilwoman and then Mr. Callahan. Um yeah, I just want to say um a huge thank you for your commitment to serving the people of the community. I know that you really um it's evident that you really care about the community and um you know thank you for all your your dedication and your years of service on council.

Challen I just want to I want to thank you for your years of service to the city of of Betham. It's everybody knows it's a awesome city. We all love it and um you know 95% of the time um we all agree on almost all the issues that come before us. uh most of everything's a 70 vote, but it's at 5% of the uh you know the agenda items that sometimes cause uh some stress with everybody and uh but no matter whatever happens, we you know, we've always um tried to appreciate each other's uh opinion and uh vote. So, uh I did appreciate, you know, the time that you did take doing your research and uh and your arguments uh whether it was for or against something I was for. So, I I thank you for that. Thank you.

Thank you. Floor is yours, Councilwoman.

Okay. Well, thank you for a few moments to say a few things before I step away from this microphone for the last time. Serving [clears throat] on this council has been undoubtedly one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I've never really taken the opportunity from this seat to appreciate my full appreciation. So, thank you for a moment to do so. First, I want to thank everyone who elected me into this position for entrusting me with this extraordinary responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to be of service to you. Thanks to my friends and family who supported me personally over the last four years. And I want to mention by name those who were my close support team during my first ever campaign. My treasurer Todd, as well as Al, George, Dana, Gavin, Donna, Gail, and Bruce. It's hard to imagine having moved through that experience without all of you. Thank you also to my good and dedicated colleagues on council. Those of you who have worked together respectfully even through disagreement. I'm honored to have served alongside of you. President Cologne, thank you for your years of service from that center seat and for your willingness always to be available to talk through any issue at hand. To Tad and Betatina and the clerk's office and Robert and Judy before them, you've all provided a solid backbone of support to all of us. always timely and always kind. Attorneys Steuart and Panella, thank you for your steadfast fast counsel. And my thanks to former council women Olga Negron and Paige Van Wart as well who provided both inspiration and guidance even after their own terms had ended. As you know, we've recently wrapped a budget season. And every year, I'm reminded that a budget is not only a financial plan, but a 300 plus page representation of the many, many people who work tirelessly to make Bethlehem a place where people feel seen and safe through literal public safety like in the form of our stellar police, fire, and EMS departments.

those caring for our streets, trees, parks, and public spaces who work to make sure we continue to have the best Bethlehem water. Those providing health services for all of Bethlehem's residents face to face in the most humane ways. those managing both complex, massive and very human scaled work in our community and economic development department, not to mention those in human services, the law office, uh, controllers's office and financial services, IT, those keeping our buildings and, uh, public buildings cleaned and maintained, and those volunteering on boards, authorities, and committees, and an administration whose work and policies are deeply rooted in equity developed by actively seeking input from the people they serve, always with the goal of being not prescriptive, but of being responsive and relevant. Thank you all. Every one of you is a part of a complex and nuanced ecosystem that helps make Bethlehem our dear Bethlehem. Tonight, we'll swear in four members to council with my heartfelt congratulations to you all. to our newest members, Joe and Justin. While you'll have five close colleagues to consult with, please know that I am always available as an ear uh as you move through the experience of being a new council person. I'll never forget what that feels like. And you didn't ask for it, but some gentle advice. Keep your values clear and remember who you are. Do your research and make your vote. But keep an open mind as well because you will gain new perspectives over the next four years. Don't be afraid to disagree. And this one might seem strange, but don't be afraid to agree either. You can serve as a check and balance and vote. I consider yourself lucky if you get to serve during an administration whose values align with yours. You will be criticized by some, graded even for agreeing just

to disagree. And of course, don't do that. But don't disagree just to disagree either. To our two returning members being sworn in tonight, Councilwoman Leyon and Quiet, Rachel and Hillary, I've now had the great privilege of knowing you both for nearly 5 years. Since I declared my candidacy in February of 2021, I admire you both so very much. You know who you are. You genuinely care. You look at every issue deeply. You are brilliant, dedicated leaders. and Bethlehem is incredibly lucky to have you on council for another four years. [cough and clears throat] Serving on council has not only been one of the greatest privileges of my life, but also one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. I can no longer set foot in another city or town without wondering how their public transportation system works. Being curious as to whether that development project elicited eye or support from the public, or taking mental notes to bring back to Bethlehem. And I'm glad for it. I have developed a deep appreciation for the ecosystem that exists behind every community and for the processes, procedures, and people required to make a city run. I am so grateful to live in a city where so much of that ecosystem centers around genuine care for those who live here, for those who visit here, even for those just passing through, for the environment and the planet, for the future, not just the present, but the future of Bethlehem. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being a small part of it for the last four years.

So that concludes our citations. We're going to move on to the approval of minutes. Approval of minutes for the December 16, 2025 council meeting. Any comments on the minutes? Minutes are approved. Public comment as is custom. Our first public comment is for any subject that is not being voted on this evening. I remind everyone we have a fivem minute time limit. I'll go by the couple folks who signed up in advance. Our first speaker is Pastor Timothy Smith.

Good evening. I'm uh Reverend Timothy Smith. I'm the associate pastor at New Christian Harvest Church in Allentown, but a proud resident of Bethlehem. I first greet the mayor and his administration to city council members those who are retaining seats to those who have u attained the uh opportunity to serve. I just wanted to take a few minutes and I just wanted to render a short prayer on behalf of the city. I'd ask that you pray with me. Sovereign God, we come before you in this moment of transition standing in the gap for the city of Bethlehem. We are reminded by your word that leadership is not a platform for the powerful but a sanctuary for the people. We lift up the mayor and his administration. Lord, grant them the spirit of wisdom and wisdom that transcends policy as they manage the gears of this city. Let them never lose sight of the souls behind the statistics. May the mayor lead with a shepherd's heart, one that is most concerned with protecting the flock than the prestige the prestige of office. Grant his staff and his directors a spirit of excellence and passion for the common good that their labor may be a source of healing rather than a burden on the citizens of Bethlehem. We lift up our city council and those to be sworn in with a seat and a voice at the table. We ask that you would knit them together in a nonpartisan unity that defies the spirit of this day and our age. Where the world seeks to divide, let this council seek to deliver. May they remember that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And that all of the people of Bethlehem are best served when their leaders are more interested in being the right with the people and not being right in an argument. Guard them, oh Lord, from the temptation to lead lambs

to the slaughter. keep them from the citizen and the cynicism that breeds civic hurt. Let integrity be their anchor. Let humility be their language. Let justice be their northstar. May the mayor's office and the council me chamber work as one, not in a not in for lack of healthy debate, but in a shared devotion to the least of these, including the unhoused of our city. Let Bethlehem be the light of unity that shines so brightly that it draws our neighbors all around us together in hope. In the name of the one who came to serve and not to be served. Amen. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Smith. Next is Mark Will Weber. I'll pass it for you. Never mind. I'm going to keep it.

I got you. Uh Mark Weber, 66 West Elizabeth Avenue. Um, I'm just here again to uh talk about uh water apps and that kind of thing. I do want to say uh first that I I really appreciated uh long before I got swept up in the water uh fiasco that uh Grace Crampsy Smith was uh a neighbor [clears throat] of mine and my wife and I always felt that she was very attentive to small and big issues. And uh I appreciate too that she advocated for uh this particular issue, the the water issue that I am I'm all about. Uh I gave council another uh hundred cities last week. It was over there's like 130. I gave you another hundred cities that there's no duplicates there of of uh cities that have these uh protective water apps. Uh Ion water, Aquahawk, I love Aqua Hawk. It's a good name. and something called uh water smart and they're all uh quite prevalent every geographical uh place in in the US and uh so they're their citizens are protected against these uh uh big quarterly water bills because you can find out within an hour whether you have a leak and u and they can uh help u detect leaks u pretty quickly. Um uh last the last uh time I

was in here I I gave out a list and I of course I never have enough time but I wanted to talk about Fairmont West Virginia of all places. I'd never heard of it. It's about 10 miles south of Morgantown I think where the University of West Virginia happens to be. There was a guy there David Sego or Sago I'm not sure how he says his name. He's since retired, but uh he got smart meters for that city in West Virginia in 2016 2017 and by 2018 he had a protective downloadable app on everybody's phone in Fairmont, West Virginia. Um they put in like 14,500 census meters, same thing we have. And then uh within two years he had a protective app for all those people. And I I tried to to reach this guy, but he since retired. He sounds like a great guy. He was a coal miner that lost his job in the coal mine closed. Got a job in the water department, worked his way up to the head guy and almost immediately was on this tech, got it there. uh an interview in the newspaper there. He said something to the effect of uh uh I was uh inquisitive. I uh wanted to get this tech for our people and I wanted to to protect them against high water bills. You know, why can't I have that? You know, 2016, 2017, this guy's on it. You know, what was Mr. Boscola doing then? He'd been in he'd been the Donz uh administration for a couple years. Uh fast forward 5 years later, he's sticking his hand in my pocket for half a grand. Where if I have that protective app, that's not happening to me or anybody else. And it shouldn't be. It's wrong. If if these if I gave you all those cities and they all have it, why

can't he do it? Uh I underlined on that uh sheet that I gave Mr. clonate. Um there's a couple they underlined in red that are uh places that have the sensive apps, but they also have the protective app. So the census meters certainly [snorts] should be adaptable to this protective app. Um what else? What I passed out to you uh after I left last month, uh Mr. Boscola several times said, "We're already monitoring the water." He he he left you with the impression that he's monitoring the water. Well, that's a misleading statement because if you look there, um he's only going to do it if you're over 3,000 mters a day. Okay? So, he is going to catch the real big stuff. Uh how about if it's 2,000 meters a day? Do the math on that. That's 14,000 a week, 56,000 a month. and over the quarter, you're going to be looking at a two grand uh bill that you're going to get surprised by. Okay? [clears throat] But if you have that protective app, that's not going to happen to you. So, when he says that he's monitoring the water, that's a little misleading. Uh he's throwing you the knuckle curve there. The knuckle curve is hard to hit. Okay. I have a picture on my website today of of Ed with his hand up here throwing the knuckle curve. take a look at it on the drip. Um, so look into that when he says things like that. Thank you,

Mr. Wber. That exhausts our list of who had signed up in advance. So I'll go around the room. Is there anyone to the left who want to make comment on anything that's not being voted on tonight?

We'll be we'll be here. I turn to the wide center. Anyone who wants to make comment in the wide center Mr. Antalix [snorts] [clears throat and cough] Steven and Alex 737 Ridge. If one were to wander the face of the earth over an extended period of time and paid close attention to people, places and things, one can say that person could be classified as an unofficial expert in areas observed. Since this speaker has attended more council meetings than any other Betham resident, this person might be unofficially the best to judge council meetings. Some past councils, if they were rated with a grade, the majority of the those members of council would have received an A and the minority a B. This president this present council when it was officially graded by citizens who attend meetings received no A's. Two B's, three C's, and two Fs. Yes, Fs. Rather sad, but unfortunately true. There was a time when Bethlehem City Council meetings were symbolic of the classical American type of town hall meetings where citizens and council members engage in free exchanges and then the president keeping close control and order. Present meetings appear to have taken on

an air where the public input is tolerated and almost ignored and at times citizens are criticized for the comments by members of council. What has happened? It appears that consils has lost its mission as a citizen advocate for public welfare and become an extension of local government. Listen carefully. The vote on nut funding for the return of dismissed firearmmen quite clearly indicates that the public welfare was ignored by council in order to prevent a tax increase which would then reflect well on a mayor's political reputation. A serious incident which which could cause a loss of life resulting resulting from this inadequate number of firemen is just waiting to happen. This along this along with inadequate leadership and allowing Southside history preservation losses at the hands of developers forced this person to rate this council as the city's all-time low. I do not enjoy saying this, but it must be said as a warning to in in new incoming council members. I have a little story for the rabbi. Uh my history with British Sloan goes way way back.

It originally started on the top of Carlton Avenue and then it moved to the beautiful building on Broadhead and Packer. And I know that building quite well because Sudsy Phillip, the wife of Saul Phillips, unofficially adopted me because I love classical music. So she would take me to the synagogue for concerts and I was surprised a couple got married twice. So I suddenly Mrs. Phillips I've never called her siy what's going on she said well one rabbi is orthodox the other is reformed. So they and the they got married twice and then with the breaking of the glass the rabbi shaking his head. But anyway, uh I have to thank S Phelps for what I am today because he was my uh unofficial father in this sense. But word of my attending this the synagogue got back to my parish priest and he read me the riot act implying that I kept up this bad behavior.

I'll give you 15 seconds, Mr. Antalik. So I'm going to move on with the meeting. Okay, this wrap it up, please. this. I appreciate you're putting into my comment to my train of thought and this is why we need a new president. But anyway, [clears throat] I won't finish because you told me I don't have time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Antalics. Is there anyone else in the wide center who wanted to make comment? I turn to the right. Is there anyone to the right who want to make comment? That concludes our public comment on anything not being voted on this evening. We're on to our second public comment which is any ordinances or resolution that are going to be voted on. No one had signed up. So again, I'll go around the room. Is there anyone to the left who want to make comment on anything that we're voting on tonight? Is there anyone in the wide center who wants to make comment on an ordinance or resolution? Is there anyone to my right? We're going to continue on. Old business. Any old business from members of council? Council one.

Um [clears throat] Oops. Unfortunately, I want this is um addressing this to the mayor, but unfortunately he's not here. But hopefully the the minutes will reflect this. Um at the last meeting, I have brought up a concern that the elevators at the New Waller Street garage were not working after it was open because a friend of mine um whose son had a disability wasn't able to do downtown Betham because of the elevators. And it um the mayor responded that in fact he responded emphatically three times that it was a union worker's fault that the elevator wasn't working. And um I was then contacted by um some members of unions, not the elevator union per se, but they gave me information that um countered what the uh the mayor said. Basically um there were several inspection violations for the elevator by the general contractor. None of them would buy the union elevator workers of cone company who manufactured um the elevators and hired union workers to install them. And the union workers advised the general contractor that the inspe that the inspections would fail if corrections were not made. However, they were ignored and inspections did fail. There were five inspection failures. Um, and I have a letter here from LNI department stating that there were five being the machine room drawing was wrong, the non-elevator piping in a machine room, there was a non-elevator piping in a hoistway, there were no GFCIs in a machine room, and smoke heads required on floors one and six instead of heats were installed. So, I just want to bring this up because again, um I think I felt like the mayor very strongly tried to pin the blame on the union workers and again, you know, it doesn't matter if they're union or non-workers. There was an issue and um you know, I think it it sort of hit me and it certainly really hit um the union officials who contacted me because they

were being blamed um and it was really emphatically stated because they they were union workers and again that had nothing to do with it. In fact, the union workers were the ones that saw the problems and tried to get it rectified, but they were ignored. So, I feel that um first of all, I think the mayor owns a owes a public apology to the union elevator workers. And also, I'm I'm requesting that the city administration needs to follow up to make sure that these violations have been rectified because, god forbid, we don't want any accidents in our brand new garage on the elevators. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other old business from members of council? We're going to move on to new business. Any new business from members of council?

We're going to move on to communications. Mr. Miller 6A

a December 22nd, 2025 memorandum and proposed ordinance from deputy director of community development Sarah Satulo. Mr. Satulo explains city and Betham housing authority intend to jointly apply for a fiscal year 2025 choice neighborhood implementation grant. Complex process will require professional services agreement with the grant writer. The two entities will split the cost. Mr. Tulo recommends transferring $20,000 received through the revenue account 001A hyphen 304923 BHA grant prep to expense account 0304- 42047 department contracts

ordinance 9A is on the agenda tonight 6B the December 19th 2025 memorandum and proposed resolution from director of human resources Michelle Sihawk Miss Sihawki recommends a contract with St. Luke's Hospital Occupational Medicine to perform Department Transportation Regulated Drug and Alcohol Testing. The three-year contract would run from January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2028 at a cost of $7,000 per year. There are three renewal options.

And resolution 10A is on tonight's agenda. Moving on to reports, my president's report. I do have the annual report for 2025. I will try to breeze through it. 2025 marks Bethleam's first full year on the UNESCO World Heritage stage. The September 6 community celebration was held on and around Payroll Plaza to commemorate the inscription in Bethleam's contributions as part of the transnational Moravian Church settlement site. City Council is pleased to support the celebration as well as the efforts leading to Bethleam's inclusion on this prestigious list of world landmarks. Council also continues to support its partnership in this venture with the city providing the site coordinator and contributing toward the salary of the site manager. The world heritage distinction brings recognition, honor, and many visitors to Bethlehem to see all that makes our city so special. 2025 also saw the fruits of labor paying off as approved plans and signed contracts led to the redeveloped Walnut tree garage which reopened in late November. The 517 spot $27 million project was completed on time right for the holiday season as had previously been discussed and more was set in motion 25 for the coming year and beyond. These actions took place during 24 regular council meetings as well as 11 committee meetings. In addition, council conducted 20 hours of budget hearings spread over four nights. The year's body of work led to passage of 57 ordinances in total and 188 resolutions. Key action included the review leading to the first major revision of the subdivision and land development ordinance salo in 50 years. Some of council's other actions contributed to the closing of the greenway trail gap and significant improvements to the Monoxy Trail. Council has also been pleased to authorize grant applications and contracts leading to the near completion of the revitalized Friendship Park. Meanwhile, plans progress to

improve all city parks within the next 10 years through the 40 and 10 plan which council looks forward to hearing about in 2026. Also supporting the con council also offered its support to the complete streets plan as it's aimed to make our city thoroughfare safer and more welcoming to all motorists and pedestrians alike. This plan will integrate a redevelopment of Broad Street beginning in 2026, converting this area to a safer and more appealing corridor. Along with streets, council has been hearing for years and continues to look forward to the redesign of Lynen Street to restore two-way traffic. This effort is expected to begin in March of 2026 and wrap up in the fall. And Center Street is of course in discussion to not be far behind. Council has also been committed to supporting efforts to improve affordable housing and combat homelessness. Some of these projects included the gateway on fourth plans for a new Bethleam emergency shelter and the redevelopment of Penrook Marvine Village. Funding was sparked by community recovery funds that were allotted from the pandemic a few years ago and progress continues as we reach various milestones towards overall completion of these projects. And then as um tonight is my last meeting as council president as I'm term limited out. This is my fourth year on council. I just want to again extend my thanks to outgoing council members, Councilwoman Camy Smith, Councilwoman Wilhelm for your support over the years. Uh I welcome Miss Daniels, Mr. Aean. Uh the only thing I'll say is that for new members of council and remaining members of council alike, I remind everyone that whether president, vice president, or just a member council down at the end like I'll be, we all have one vote. I said it when I became president four years ago. I'll say it again in two years when I leave that everyone is

equal up here regardless of, you know, title on council. Every council person gets one vote. It's majority rule, minority rights as we conduct these meetings. And I encourage everyone uh new and remaining to use your resources. We have a great team in our clerk's office with Mr. Miller, Miss Buba, Attorney Stewart, who this is not, but she'll be here potentially later. Uh attorney Posa's filling in for her tonight. And and I believe strongly in in the institution of city council, and it's been both an honor and a privilege to serve as president for four years. So, thank you. That concludes my report. Mr. Evans, do you have anything or Mr. Spur? No report.

We have [snorts] no ordinance for final passage. New ordinances. Mr. Miller 9A. Ordinance of the city of Bethlehem counties of Lehi and Northampton, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending the general fund budget for 2026. Bill 01206 is sponsored by Miss Leon and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the RO. Mr. Callahan. I. Miss Grampy Smith. Hi. Miss Quiet. I Miss Leairard. Hi Miss Leon. Hi. Uh Miss Ms. Wilhelm. Hi. And Mr. Cologne. I pass 70. Resolutions 10A.

Be it resolved by the council of the city of Bethlehem that the mayor and controller andor such other city officials. Is deemed appropriate by the city solicitor are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with St. Luke's occupational medicine to provide department of transportation regulated random drug and test and alcohol testing. The re the resolution is sponsored by Miss Leon and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion. Call the role. Mr. Callahan. Hi. Miss Crampy Smith. Hi. Miss Guate. I. Miss Leair. Hi. Miss Leon. I. Miss Wilhelm. I. And Mr. Cologne.

I pass 70B. Certificate of appropriateness under the provisions of the act of the Pennsylvania legislature and Bethlehem ordinance is hereby granted for 13 and 15 East 3rd Street to modify the existing sign band and storefronts. The resolution is sponsored by Miss Leon and Miss Wilhelm. Discussion for last time. Mr. Miller, call the role. Mr. Callahan, I. Miss Grampy Smith, I. Mu [clears throat] I. Miss Leairard. I Miss Leon I Miss Wilhelm I and Mr. Cologne

I passes 70. That concludes our first agenda. This meeting is adjourned. I'm going to try to pronounce it correctly. Cia [snorts] close enough. All right. [laughter] So now we're going to move on to actual swearing in what everyone came out for tonight. So Mr. Miller a few minutes for Judge Mill. Yeah.

Rachel and I are supposed I read I read the whole thing. All right. [clears throat] Thank you for your patience. Will the following council members please take seats in the audience. Miss Crampy Smith, Miss Quiet,

Miss Leon, and Miss Wilhelm. It's a streak. [clears throat] I will call the role of the holdover members of council.

Mr. Callahan present. Mr. Cologne here. And Miss Leair present.

The certificates of election have been presented. Northampton County common please. Judge Brian Panella will conduct the swearing in of controller George Ao, Council elect Justin Aman, Council elect Hillary Quiet, and Council elect Rachel Leon. Judge Jordan Nisley will conduct the swearing in of Council elect Joe Daniels. Would Judge Panella please approach the front of the council table? Would Mr. Yaso please approach the front of the council table along with anyone accompanying him and then return to their seats after the oath is administered?

Judge Panell,

please raise your right hand for me. Repeat after me. I say your name. I, George, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Common Constitution of the Commonwealth. And that I will discharge the duties of my office and that I will discharge the duties of my office as controller of the city of Bethlehem as controller of the city of Bethlehem with fidelity. with fidelity. Congratulations. Thank you, sir. [applause] I shouldn't be a part.

Would Mr. Roman please approach the front of the council table along with anyone accompanying him and then return to their seats after the oath visit master.

[laughter]

Are you ready? Yes. Please raise your right hand for me. I Please state your name. I, Justin Aean, do so solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office and that I will discharge the duties of my office as a city council member for the city of Bethlehem as a city council member for the city of Bethlehem with fidelity. with fidelity.

Congratulations, [applause] Would Miss Daniels and Judge Nisley please approach the front of the council table along with anyone accompanying them and then return to their seats after the oath is administered? [snorts] If you could just raise your right hand for me, please, and repeat after me. I state

I, Joe Daniels, do solemnly swear domly swear that I will support, obey, and defend that I support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that I will discharge the duties of my office that I will discharge the duties of my office as councilwoman of the city of Bethlehem. Councilwoman of the city of Bethlehem with fidelity with fidelity. Congratulations. [applause]

Enjoy.

[laughter] Thank you guys. Sorry to hold you. Congrats. Would Miss Quitech please approach the front of the council table with anyone accompanying her and then return to their seats after the oath is administered?

Your right hand. I, please state your name. I, Hillary Black, please. Do so affirm Do so affirm that I will support, obey, and defend that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this commonwealth. the Constitution of this and that I will discharge the duties of my office. And that I will discharge the duties of my office. City Councilwoman for the city of Bethlehem as city of Bethlehem

with fidelity. Congratulations. [applause] And would Miss Leon please approach the front of the council table with anyone accompanying her and then return to the seats after the oath is administered?

Yes. [snorts] Hi. Please state your name. I'm Rachel Leon. Do so solemnly swear do so solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this commonwealth and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. And that I will uphold the duties of my office And I will uphold the duties of my office as a city council woman for the city of Bethlehem as a city council for the city of Bethlehem. With fidelity with fidelity.

Congratulations, Council. [applause] Would Judge Panella please return to his seat in the audience and join us for the remainder of the With permission of the chairman? I would ask to be excused. I have been excused. Go. Yeah. [laughter] Thank you very much. Fair enough. Thank you, Mr. Penella. Thank you, Misery. Thank you all very much. Always pleasure, guys. Thank you very much.

Would the newly elected council members please come forward to take their seats at the city council table? Temporary seating order until a president is elected will be as [applause] follows. Beginning to my left. Let's hear the seating order, everybody. Mr. Aean, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Cologne, pinching your thigh or whatever you're talking. I'm sorry, Joe. Miss Daniels, acting solicitor pot, myself, Miss Quitech, Miss Leard, and Miss Leon.

Okay. The chair just got real [laughter]

like [sighs and gasps] [laughter]

Yeah. Got a black to maneuver around. Sorry. I will now call the role of the newly elected council. Mr. Ene, present. Mr. Callahan, present. Mr. Cologne, here. Miss Daniels, present. Miss Cleotch, present. Miss Leairard, present. And Miss Leon, present. Members of council shall nominate the president of council and a vice president of council in accordance with Robert's rules of order. Nominations are from the floor. I now turn the nomination process and the election of president and vice president over to acting council solicitor Matthew Pototts.

Thank you. In accordance with the council rules and the Robert's rules of order, the election procedures will be as follows. I will first ask for nominations for the office of president of council. Each member may nominate no more than one person. No second is required. When a council member makes a nomination, they may speak in favor of the candidate. I will then ask if there are any more nominations and any other council members making another nomination may also speak in favor of that candidate. Once there are no more nominations for council president, I will open the floor to discussion during which each council member who has not already spoken as to a candidate may make a speech in favor of that candidate. Once everyone has had a chance to make a speech, I will declare nominations closed. At that point, we will proceed to the election and I will ask the clerk to call the role. Each council member will respond by declaring his or her vote by stating the name of the person that they are voting for for council president. Council members are allowed to vote for themselves. Four votes are required for the election of council office. After the president has been elected, we repeat the same process for the council vice president. Are there any questions as to procedure? Hearing no questions, I then declare that nominations are now in order for the office of president of council for the term of January 2026 through January 2028.

Mr. Pototts.

Yes. I would like to uh nominate Rachel Leyon, current vice president Leyon to the office of president of city council. Um I'm incredibly honored to have the opportunity to do so. Uh Miss Leyon and I have worked together for four years now. Um and before that got to know each other certainly on the campaign trail um back in 2021. Um during that time we've had frank conversations. we don't always agree about everything. Um, in fact, there are people who like to point out that we don't always agree about everything and and we both uh obviously concur with that. uh but we have such an open line of dialogue that I think the mutual respect has grown and I just uh think that she is the right person to um take the reigns from President Cologne who I who I thank for his uh many years uh serving as president. Um, I I believe that she has the wherewithal in terms of her knowledge and understanding of the workings of this body and of the administration and our, you know, our role and how, uh, we interact with one another. I believe that she's fair and open-minded um, and could be a great president. So, with that, I nominate Rachel Leon as president of city council. Thank you. Councilwoman Leon has been nominated for the position of council president. Are there any additional nominations for president? Hearing none, I declare the nominations are closed and we will proceed to balloting. The clerk will call the role.

Mr. Raymond. Uh, Councilwoman Rachel Leon. Mr. Callahan. Uh, Rachel Leon. Mr. Cologne. Miss Leon. Miss Daniels, Miss Leon, Miss Quiet, Miss Leon, Miss Leard, Miss Leon, and Miss Leon. Miss Leon. [applause]

The vote is 7 to zero and Councilwoman Leon has been elected council president for the term of January 26, 20, sorry, 2026 through January 2028. The floor is now open for nominations for the office of council vice president. Mr. Solicitor, I'd like to nominate uh Councilwoman Colleen Leair. Councilwoman Leard has been nominated as vice president. Are there any further nominations for the office of vice president? If I might, may I just continue? I'm sorry, sir.

If if you don't mind, I I want to make sure I said something as well. Pardon me. Sorry. No, no. I I should have jumped immediately. I just wanted to say, you know, as a as a freshman council person, I had the honor very early on on the process when you when you enter into this, you know, who are the people you should speak to and and really the people on council are some of the first piece people that you hear. And uh one of my very early meetings was was with the council woman and uh her disposition, her cander, her honesty, uh really walking through what that looked like. We we met at a local coffee shop and and talked for a couple hours and I was just really impressed um by her resolve, by her patience, by her openness in in in this kind of conversation and uh just hearing the reasons that she she does what she does. Um and on top of that, her work uh locally, I think as goes this the Bethleary school district goes the city of Bethlehem and her work uh at at William Penn and the things she do does volunteering. She's just a real great leader in our community and and I really believe firmly uh that in this role um she's incredibly effective as a council person and I think can bring that same disposition in a leadership role as the vice president.

Thank you. Thank you. Councilwoman Leard has been nominated as vice president. Are there any further nominations for the office of council vice president?

Mr. spots. I'd like I'd like to nominate Councilwoman Hillary Quietitech for the position of vice president. I've worked with Councilwoman Quietch now in council for four years for the entirety of her first term as the the prior president of council and then prior to that the vice president of council. I've as Councilwoman Quitech said in her remarks for Miss Leon, we haven't always agreed on things. We haven't always voted the same, but that hasn't diminished my respect for the sincerity that she brings to the position of city council woman and her approach to the business of city government and think she would also be an asset to city council as vice president.

Thank you. Councilman Quiet has been nominated for the position of council vice president. Are there any further nominations for the position? Hearing none, I declare the nominations closed and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Raymond, Colleen Leair, Mr. Callahan, Colleen Leair, Mr. Cologne, Miss Quietitech, Miss Daniels, Colleen Leard, Miss Quietch, Miss Quiet, Miss Leard, Miss Lair, and Miss Leyon, Councilwoman Quitec.

The vote is 4 to three and Council Councilwoman Leard has been elected council vice president for the term of January [applause] At this point, the council president will take the presidency. Yep, I got it. Thanks, Matt.

So, should we put down or just stay right? Okay. All right. [snorts] Thank you very much. So, first on the agenda, our very short agenda one, I just want to take a quick moment to acknowledge a very historic thing that has happened this evening. Which I'm sure we will hear about in public comment. So, let's move to that. Um, so I will now open the floor to public comment. We did. Did we have a sign up for the second? No one signed up. No, no one signed up to speak to speak

but we I will go around the room. So to my left, does anyone want to make public comment [clears throat]

to my broad center? Does anyone Mr. Antalix according to my driver's license? I'm still Steven Antalix. Uh, I would like to continue my comments to the good rabbi as I end it that word got back to uh, a parish priest that I was attending a synagogue and he threatened me with excommunication if this continued. So, uh, had I been exccommunicated, you would have a he reforms you as your in your congregation. Uh the other thing that's of interest is that I don't know many people know this. I think is a reformed orthodox

conservative.

There was a temple on Webster Street. Beautiful. I don't I don't recall the name and it was right across the street from Family Welfare. And I remember during [clears throat] the depression going down to Family Welfare and getting my new shoes and the door of this temple was open. Being a curious child, I was always getting into trouble. But anyway, I wandered into the temple and it was quite a remarkable, very tiny and gorgeous stained glass windows, gorgeous stainless. And had a large balcony and asked why? He said, and in the Orthodox temples, women sat on above the men and they were excluded from the main floor. And in the expansion of Lehigh University, that was the end of the temple. But also at prochial school, we had European nuns and I swear they train the German SS. And uh I got a course, a very subtle course in anti-semitism. And I believe what they told me and this came into great conflict when I started working at Phil's music store because Mr. Phillips and Suzy were both Jews and here I had this these feelings

which were very negative very negative. I said, "Wow, [snorts] they're really nice people." And at the synagogue, I got to meet a lot of Jewish people. And uh that created kind of quite a conflict for me. So I took upon myself to really study Judaism and uh I found this large thick volume on the history of Judaism and I read it very difficult reading going way back and uh so I gave a serious thought and being a scientist we look at facts objectively so what Martin Luther did to Catholicism Jesus did to Judaism M. So basically he was his followers then became reformed Jews. So when the term reformed Jew created Catholic uh Catholicism what happened in between? So so theoretically all Christians basically are reformed Jews. So I consider I consider myself a reformed Jew acting as a Christian. So uh I thought you find it interesting. Thank you very much, Mr. Analex. Anyone else in the center wish to make public comment? Mr. Wber, [clears throat]

not going to continue about water. I uh I know um since I've been here frequently over the last three years that I'm probably perceived as a bit of a loose cannon. Um might be might be some truth in that. But I did want to say uh that I just really uh do uh acknowledge and appreciate uh what you guys put up with out there because it's a lot of heat that takes and I think a lot of it's unjustifiable. Um, and so I just wanted to salute the uh council women and council uh men uh up there for doing what I know I wouldn't have the temperament to do. I' I'd probably make Mr. Callahan look like a cub scout, but [laughter] no, just kidding. Just kidding, Brian. But uh anyway, I just do um want to say that and uh happy 2026 to all of you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Wber. Anyone else in the center? Anyone to the right? Before I continue on with the council meeting, does anyone want to make public comment? [snorts] All right, moving on to reports. Um, as the president of council, I don't have a prepared first report. Um, but I did want to say uh that on the very short time that this council has been seated, not just this council, but the previous one, we have had uh two distinct honors within the city. Three. um one serving with former President Clinton. Um that was the first time two Hispanics were elected to the seat and we also were able to appoint Miss Wandlin, Dr. Wandlin to the seat. Um and we have our first elected council person of African-American descent and it is an honor and a privilege to continue to see the city move forward in the direction of inclusivity. Um it is a great great thing that happens within these chambers even when the pressure cooker is on high. Um does the mayor have any report?

I'll report. Awesome. Turning to the benediction with Rabbi Singer if you will return and close us out. [snorts]

I promise it will be quick. There's a really special blessing that we save for new beginnings and new experiences. Not only do we sanctify objects, but we have the ability to sanctify time and special moments and new beginnings. It's called the Shahanu prayer. It's called the prayer in which we give thanks to God for for all of these new things, whether it's new clothing. Um but here tonight um as we gather in 2026 as we begin to celebrate um new beginnings um I want to ask for this prayer the please rise

[singing] [singing] [singing] Praised are you Adonai our God sovereign of the infinite for keeping us in health for allowing us and sustaining us to be here today. And let us say amen. While we're all standing, this meeting is adjourned. [applause] Say something.

Appreciate it. Thank you, sir. I know for everything. Thank you. Thank you. [laughter]

Next meeting. This is Yeah. And Joe will be sitting. Yeah. We'll go with the actual seating. Congratulations. This end of the table has chai tea mints. It's [laughter] an upgrade. It's an upgrade. Enough. It's all an upgrade. [laughter]