Parking tickets just jumped; what was a $10 fine is now a $15 fine. As Bethlehem Parking Authority Chair Joe Hoffmeier and Executive Director Kevin Livingston looked on, council approved the increase 5–2.

For scofflaws who park in spaces reserved for the handicapped, the fine went from $50 to $100. Several other categories of violations also had fines increased.

The new fine schedule was not fine with Councilwomen Olga Negrón and Paige Van Wirt, the two “no’ votes.

“I think [the increase] will be a big burden, especially for the people downtown and in Southside,” said Negrón. She said the movement to increase fines is a “snowball” that is growing and not stopping.

In other business, Director of Public Works Michael Alkhal explained to the council plans to move the recycling center from its current location on Illick’s Mill Road to a new spot farther down the service road that runs through the existing facility. It will move the center away from the park-like area which is home to the Bethlehem Golf Club, Memorial Pool and the Pennsylvania Playhouse.

The hearing room was packed with supporters of a resolution supporting a Federal “Medicare care for all.” Council voted unanimously to approve the non-binding resolution. Applause broke out around the room from supporters of the resolution.

“We face a crisis. Our nation’s health care sector is eating the rest of the economy and our society alive,” said Richard Master, who represented the group, which he said numbered about 800 members.

Master said in his company, a family health care plan costs $28,000 per year or $14 per hour. He said he expects that cost to go up 10 percent next year.

He said health care costs for the city of Bethlehem increase every year, but are “profound and volatile” and can’t be accurately predicted, making it hard to budget.

“The only way to get this issue under control is by instituting a federally-financed, privately delivered health care system,” said Master.

Several citizens spoke in support of the Medicare for All resolution, among them Anthony Downing, who, wearing a back brace, had slowly approached the lectern. “As a working-class person in Bethlehem who is also a union member and union staff member, I am in gripping debt due to my own medical costs.”

Downing said his mother had passed away with a genetic spine problem and that he has the same issue. He said he had recently had two spine surgeries – one on his neck and one on his back.

“This entire year I’ve been racking up medical debt,” said Downing. “There is absolutely no way [of avoiding debt] in this system that we have now.” He said a 90-day prescription had cost him $90,000.

Councilman Bryan Callahan spoke in support of Medicare for All, but made a derogatory reference to President Trump calling him, “the yellow haired guy.” This drew an immediate rebuke from retired U.S. Army Green Beret Lt. Col. John McGeehan, who called Callahan’s remark “inappropriate.” McGeehan seemed to reflect a strong military article of faith that regardless of one’s personal opinion of the office holder, the office of president and commander-in-chief must be respected.

The old Bon-Ton store in Westgate mall will be the site of a new Weis Market. Council approved the transfer of liquor license to allow the store to sell wine and beer.

Attorney Ellen M. Freeman, who represented Weis Market at the city council meeting, explained that liquor sales are closely monitored and restricted by specially trained clerks.

Bethlehem Food Co-op Board Chair Kelly Allen spoke to the council, urging continued support of the Co-op.

After exploring some concerns about potential conflicts of interest by council members, some of whom own stock in the Bethlehem Food Co-op, and being assured by counsel that it would not be an issue, council approved 7-0 the Community Development Block Grant for the Co-op.

Van Wirt said in the interest of avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest she would be turning her stock in Bethlehem Food Co-op back the cooperative.

Mayor Robert Donchez announced that Freedom High School students had designed a Census 2020 logo that the city plans to use on literature and other places in an effort to improve the census count next year.

Callahan, in attempting to develop a consensus among fellow council members to postpone a vote on awarding a contract for a South Bethlehem planning study, said he does not trust Director of Community and Economic Development Alicia Miller Karner to be associated with the study.

He referred to unspecified “influences” and “pressures” being “put on entities” regarding the approval of RFPs (Requests for Proposals). He subsequently identified the “entities” as members of the Bethlehem Parking Authority Board.

“I have a big concern with Miss Karner being at the helm of this; I really do,” said Callahan. He then spoke directly to Karner: “Miss Karner, did you or did you not call the [Parking Authority Board] and put pressure on them?”

At this point, Van Wirt called for a point of order prompting President Adam Waldron to interrupt Callahan’s impromptu interrogation of Karner. “I hope she doesn’t lower herself to answer it [your question],” said Waldron.

Callahan continued pushing the topic, saying he had asked Donchez for an investigation of Karner. “That [action by Karner] was highly unethical,” said Callahan.

“Point of order,” called Van Wirt. “You can’t call someone unethical.”

“I’m not done speaking,” said Callahan. “That’s my personal opinion. All I’m asking for is that we get council representation on that committee.”

Waldron had the last word to Callahan: “The Mayor may be open to putting a council member on [the committee], but I can assure you that it won’t be you.”

Council then voted on the contract for the study and passed it 6-1, with Callahan voting against.