During the mayor’s report at the Catasauqua Borough Council meeting March 16, some sparks flew between Mayor Anthony Alcalde and Councilman Howard Cunningham regarding Alcalde’s police report.

After Alcalde provided a basic report of the number of calls the police department responded to recently, Cunningham interjected to ask for more specifics and questioned why the police department report is not more extensive, highlighting Uniform Crime Reporting data and the reports shared by Whitehall Township. He suggested the Catasauqua department adopt a similar reporting system for greater transparency and accountability.

When Alcalde tried to ask Cunningham a question, Cunningham denied his question, saying Cunningham still “had the floor.”

After the floor was ceded back to Alcalde, he noted these sorts of requests and issues would be better handled before the meetings and that he did not agree with the way Cunningham approached the issue.

“Being blindsided is not cool; it’s not cute,” Alcalde said.

When Cunningham tried to interject, Alcalde reminded him that he had the floor, and Cunningham had to hold his comments. This sentiment was backed up by other members of council, recalling that Cunningham had just told Alcalde the same thing.

The mayor reported he was aware of the Whitehall-style reports and is doing his research on the police department news. He said he is taking note of what other municipalities do as well.

Alcalde also noted he has asked Cunningham to meet with him three times to discuss matters, and Cunningham has denied these requests. Alcalde said he is always open to this sort of feedback and welcomes the opportunity to talk with the council members. He also reported that after he was voted in as mayor, Alcalde reached out to all the council members asking about their expectations and what they would like to see from him, but only one responded.

Council President Virginia Schlegel noted the police report has been delivered the same way for a bit and asked why this change is being requested right now in this way. Cunningham said he believes more information should be shared or available, adding Alcalde should have those details since “the mayor is in charge of the police.”

Schlegel noted there is a better way to request this sort of change, such as meeting with police Chief John Wiseman, requesting Wiseman and Alcalde meet or discussing the matter in the public safety committee meeting.

Schlegel also noted the conversation between Cunningham and Alcalde was becoming just a “back and forth” and not productive anymore. She said they could take their personnel issue into executive session if they wished to continue.

Vice President Kim Brubaker asked if the police department is required to present a more extensive report, and Alcalde said he would like to get to that point, but it takes time. Brubaker also noted the reporting requirements may be different in a township versus a borough. Schlegel agreed, saying comparing Catasauqua to Whitehall in this way is “comparing apples to oranges.”

Councilman Sean O’Boyle added there wasn’t much of a police report and no real call numbers shared in the past five years since he started attending meetings. He said it was one of his focuses when joining council and said it was great Alcalde shared his intent by reporting numbers the last few months. O’Boyle questioned why Cunningham had such strong feelings about the police report to council now and not the years earlier that did not have any detailed report.

O’Boyle noted going from no real detailed police report to an extensive UCR report in the matter of two or three months is a quick escalation and not a realistic expectation. He recommended they take the necessary steps to get to where they want to be but not expect too much all at once.

In response to Cunningham’s comment about the police department needing more transparency with the public, O’Boyle noted the Catasauqua Press prints details from the police report for the public.

During the hearing of persons present agenda item, Joe Kovacs thanked the public works department for its help in hanging the Hometown Heroes banners around the borough. He shared appreciation on behalf of Catasauqua American Legion Post 215 and the Main Streets organization. He also presented a gift card to Catty Corner Neighborhood Pub and Pie as a token of appreciation.

Robert Evans, from the water plant, talked about the water meter replacement. It was reported the borough was hoping for grant funding to pay for the upgrade, but since that did not happen, a PENNVEST loan was needed.

Evans reported he did some research and noticed Catasauqua is not following the industry standard for water usage fees. He recommended changing the rate schedule to charging for each 5,000 gallons to 2,000 gallons.

It was reported council needs to show PENNVEST they will be able to pay back the loan, and this change would work. Cunningham made a motion to move forward with the PENNVEST loan requirements, with continued discussion about the rate change, and council approved.

Additionally, council heard from John Verbos, the operator at the wastewater treatment plant. Verbos highlighted some of the major projects and upgrades at the plant, including increased preventive maintenance, updated equipment, increased communications and coordination, a new alarm system for issues, increased efficiency and an increase in work being done in-house to save money.

In other business, council approved ordinance 1458, removing a handicapped parking spot in the 200 block of Church Street.

Three resolutions were approved. Council voted to adopt an amendment to the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations revising the education requirements to require only a high school diploma or graduate equivalency.

The schedule of fees was also amended to remove the quarterly maintenance/service fees for newly constructed single-family residential units for 1-inch fire suppression water meters and to set the fee for frozen or damaged meters at $475.

The final resolution approved the preliminary final lot line adjustment plan for 134 S. 14th St. and 128 S. 13th St. to consolidate into one lot.

Council also voted to remove the income requirement for the senior discount on borough fees.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick reported they received two bids for the Main Street and Lehigh Valley International Airport drainage project, but both came in much higher than expected and exceeded the $250,000 grant funds received for the project. She recommended council reject both bids, explore an alternate scope for the project and rebid it.

Regarding the Iron Works project, Cunningham noted they are reviewing several proposals for engineering services to design the retaining wall on Front Street. He also reported the borough’s request for a time extension for the Multimodal Transportation Fund grant for Front Street improvements was approved.

“This is huge,” Cunningham said.

Additionally, planning continues for the project, and VM is expected to present its conceptual master plan for initial planning commission review in the spring. Cunningham reported this will be followed by preliminary land development plans for phase 1.

It was reported the rollout of the new billing system is continuing, and once finished, it should be better for the community.

Council approved appointing MacKenzie Brobst to the zoning hearing board. She previously served as an alternate but is moving up to fill the seat vacated by Robert Zakos when he became a councilman. There is now an opening on the board for an alternate.

Rich Luthcke, code enforcement officer, reported the quality-of-life ordinance ticketing process is progressing.

“I think it’s a great process,” he said. “It should be up and running in April.”

A request for a handicapped parking request in the 500 block of Walnut Street was tabled. It was reported there is already a spot at that address, but reportedly both residents have handicapped placards so they are requesting two spots.

A bill adjustment request was approved for the American Amarian Syrian Society, after it proved its 501(c)3 status.

It was noted there are vacancies on the borough authority.

Cunningham reported the request for a full extension of the grant to fund the police department accreditation process was approved.

The recreation report noted the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua fire departments egg hunt March 28 will be followed by the Catty in Bloom festival at borough hall. There will be vendors, food trucks, crafts and more. Additionally, it was reported there will be a shuttle to take people from the 501 American St. park, the setting for the egg hunt, to borough hall for the festival.

Zakos also noted he wants to resurrect the shade tree commission and is looking for community members to join the effort.

Council next meets April 6 for the workshop and committee meetings and April 20 for the business meeting. Meetings are held at the borough municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.