Council approves maintenance and historic-review contracts, schedules West Garrison zoning hearing; several appointments confirmed

Bethlehem City Council approved several routine contracts and appointments and set a public hearing on a proposed zoning map change at its first meeting of 2025.

The council unanimously authorized a one-year agreement with Stephen G. Lowry & Associates for hydraulic evaluations of the city water distribution system at $68,000 with two optional one-year renewals at the same price; a one-year contract with ITR LLC for predictive maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant at $10,200 with five optional annual renewals at the same price; and a two-year contract with Artifact Incorporated for historic property reviews related to federally funded projects at $19,140 with an option for an additional two-year term at $19,720. The council also granted a certificate of appropriateness allowing two signs at 117 East Fourth Street and scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 18 to consider a zoning map amendment for 1115 West Garrison Street.

The public hearing scheduling motion on 1115 West Garrison Street was moved by Councilwoman Leon and seconded by Councilman Callahan; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous (ayes recorded for all seven members present). Appointments confirmed by council included six councilmanic appointments to the Bethlehem Area Library Board and the Environmental Advisory Council, and an administrative appointment to the Board of Health (Cynthia E. Gutierrez Luna). A resolution to authorize destruction of certain health bureau records was announced for placement on the Jan. 22 agenda.

Why it matters: The contracts authorize consulting and maintenance work supporting core city infrastructure and the Artifact contract enables federally required historic reviews for projects that use federal funds. The scheduled West Garrison hearing begins the formal public-review step for a developer request to change zoning that could allow a mixed commercial-residential project.

Details and vote outcomes: - Hydraulic evaluation contract: Stephen G. Lowry & Associates; term: 1 year; cost: $68,000; two optional 1-year renewals at $68,000 each. Council action: resolution passed (roll call recorded as aye by all voting members present). - Predictive maintenance contract: ITR LLC; term: through 2025; cost: $10,200; five optional annual renewals at $10,200. Council action: resolution passed (roll call recorded as aye by all voting members present). - Historic review contract: Artifact Incorporated; term: Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2026; cost: $19,140; option for second 2‑year term at $19,720. Council action: resolution passed (roll call recorded as aye by all voting members present). - Certificate of appropriateness: 117 East Fourth Street (two signs). Council action: resolution passed (roll call recorded as aye by all voting members present). - Zoning map amendment (1115 West Garrison Street): Council scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.; motion by Councilwoman Leon, second by Councilman Callahan; roll call: unanimous ayes. - Appointments: Six councilmanic appointments to library and environmental boards and one administrative Board of Health appointment (Cynthia E. Gutierrez Luna) were confirmed by roll call votes recorded as ayes.

Background: Communications introducing the contracts and requests were read into the record by the city clerk, citing memoranda from department directors (water and sewer, housing and community development, health). Councilors recorded routine roll-call approvals for the listed resolutions. The Artifact contract was described by staff as a continuation of a prior arrangement to perform federally required historic-property reviews for Community Development Block Grant and other federal projects.

The council adjourned after completing the listed business.