Current and future finances were on the agenda when the Bethlehem City Council met June 16. Prior to the full council meeting, the finance committee met to discuss transfer of funds to the non-utility capital budget for an emergency response truck and for a road salt storage building. Council member Michael Recchiuti, finance committee chair, was joined by council members Bryan Callahan and Eric Evans. Council member Louis Stellato was also in attendance and council President J. William Reynolds also joined the finance committee meeting.

The Finance Committee discussed a $24,000 budget transfer to outfit

a mass arrest van purchased in 2014 through a Northampton County Gaming Grant. The $24,000 will be used to provide the van with LED sirens, prisoner transport insert and bench storage. The move, later discussed by the full council, will be placed on the council's July 7 agenda. The transfer would come from a scheduled 911 console upgrade, which will be deferred.

Another proposed transfer of $400,000 would be used to replace the city's aging salt storage facility, increasing the capacity from 2,000 to 4,100 tons. The larger stockpile will be useful in future winters if there is difficulty obtaining salt deliveries.

The transfer would come from the fire apparatus replacement plan. A new fire truck will be financed by a Northampton County Gaming Grant. An additional $100,000 would be transferred from the 911 console upgrade for the salt storage facility as well.

The gaming grant, totaling $780,685, will also provide funding for a new ambulance and a Greenway/Hobart Connection.

The finance committee also discussed amending the general fund for city health and escrow to increase the lead testing in the health department's Healthy Homes Program.

In addition, the finance committee discussed moving $4,400 from escrow to the general revenue fund to cover maintenance on the Steelworkers' Memorial. Finance committee members also discussed the parking authority bond.

Other proposed budget changes included increasing the water capital fund by $200,000 to cover new meters and a main extension on Route 512.

"We're getting a lot more aggressive at replacing our old meter stock," said Edward J. Boscola, director of water and sewer resources.

Council members approved granting the $159,900 water main extension contract to Pennoni Associates of Bethlehem. The plan calls for a 16-inch water main along Route 512 between Jaindl Boulevard in Hanover Township and Silver Crest Road in East Allen Township.

Parking Authority debt

Scott Shearer, managing director of Public Financial Management in Harrisburg, spoke to the finance committee about refinancing debt for the Bethlehem Parking Authority, including 2003 C Bonds, a 2004 note and a 2009 note not guaranteed by city. Shearer advised refinancing to "clean up the parking authority's debt portfolio." If the city guarantees debt issued by the parking authority, it also means lower rates, Shearer said.

"It would be very hard for the Parking Authority to do on their own," he added, noting the much higher rates would negate any savings from the refinancing.

Council will vote on the financial matters at the July 7 meeting. If approved, the second reading would be at the July 21 meeting and refinancing could close in August, he added.