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Bethlehem council schedules liquor‑license hearing and approves code, budget and contracts
Summary
The Bethlehem City Council scheduled a public hearing on a liquor-license transfer and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions, including adopting the 2021 Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and contracts for a tree inventory, a fire/EMS study and land surveying.
The Bethlehem City Council on Jan. 28 scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. on March 17 to consider the transfer of Pennsylvania retail restaurant liquor license R8050 to premises at 217 Broadway and approved a series of ordinances and resolutions affecting the city budget and contracts.
Council members voted to adopt the 2021 Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, advancing Bill number 0 2 20 26 on a 6–0 roll‑call vote. The measure, sponsored by Council President Leon and Councilmember Kwiatak, updates the city's codified construction standards to the 2021 state code.
Council also approved a bundled set of ordinances (9a–9j) that amend multiple 2026 budgets including the general fund, waterfront budget, community development block grant fund and the non‑utility capital fund. The council combined the items for consideration and carried the motion to read and advance them, with members noting the items were largely routine year‑end transfers and grant adjustments.
On resolutions, the council authorized a contract with Arbor Pro Inc. to produce a street‑tree inventory for $96,750, to be completed within eight weeks. The council approved a contract with the Center for Public Safety Management LLC for a fire and EMS apparatus protection and efficiency study not to exceed $82,740 and authorized JLS Surveying LLC to perform land surveying for two Greenway parcels at a cost of $6,300. Each of those resolutions passed 6–0.
The council also approved, by a 5–1 vote, the transfer of a city‑issued duty firearm to retired Bethlehem police Lieutenant Michael D'Aluzio pursuant to the third‑class city code; Councilmember Kwiatak was recorded as the sole Nay on that resolution.
The motion to schedule the public hearing on the liquor‑license transfer was moved by Councilmember Kwiatak and seconded by Councilmember Colon; a roll call followed and the council scheduled the hearing.
The meeting closed after the council completed its votes and routine business; members encouraged residents to travel home safely.
What happens next: The public hearing on the liquor‑license transfer is set for March 17 at 7 p.m.; contracts authorized by council will proceed according to their terms.
