Council unanimously approves two budget ordinances and lease extension

Bethlehem City Council voted unanimously July 1, 2025, to adopt two budget ordinances and to authorize a lease extension for the Bethlehem Golf Club restaurant.

The council passed Ordinance Bill 31-2025, an amendment to the 2025 capital budget for non-utility projects, on a 6-0 roll call. Council then passed Bill 32-2025, an amendment to the 2025 general fund, also by a 6-0 vote. After those votes, council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and controller to execute a lease agreement with Clubhouse Grill LLC for the Bethlehem Golf Club; that measure likewise passed 6-0.

The measures were presented by the clerk and read into the record; discussion on the lease clarified that the liquor license remains under city control and that several longstanding exceptions (for certain school or tournament uses) continue under the new lease terms. Council did not record individual motion proposers or seconders on the record during final roll calls.

Votes at a glance: - Bill 31-2025 (Capital budget amendment, non-utilities) — Passed 6-0 (Laird, Wilhelm, Callahan, Kramsey Smith, Kwiatek, Colon voted yes). - Bill 32-2025 (General fund amendment, 2025) — Passed 6-0 (same roll call). - Resolution (Lease with Clubhouse Grill LLC) — Passed 6-0; authorizes mayor and controller to execute lease and related documents; lease term begins 01/01/2026 and runs through 12/31/2032 as read into the record.

Council President Colon closed the meeting after the votes and wished the public a safe holiday weekend.

Ending: The ordinance amendments and the lease are effective following passage; the lease requires execution by the mayor and controller and any documents deemed necessary by the city solicitor before it takes effect.