Chair Janine Santoro introduced Dr. Renato Lajara to members of the Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held Sept. 29 at the NCC Fowler Center.

Attendees warmly greeted the new superintendent of Bethlehem Area School District. Eric Fontanez from the BASD Office of Equity was also in attendance.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities was quick to inquire if the district had any vacant land available for sale as potential sites for affordable housing. Zettlemoyer also asked the same of Adrienne McNeil from Lehigh University.

At the top of the agenda, Bethlehem Senior Planner Corey Gray announced a Stefko Blvd. Open House is scheduled for Oct. 13 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School. He mentioned that so far, respondents to the Stefko Boulevard Improvement Project Survey support lane reductions and safer multimodal travel, although outreach to Pembroke Village residents remains incomplete.

Gray spoke of improvements being contemplated for three city-owned recreational spaces as part of Bethlehem’s 40 in 10 Parks Plan.

Carissa Cam from Bethlehem Bureau of Health promoted the bureau’s community vending machines posted at two locations, one north and one south of the Lehigh River. Available to those in need, 24/7, they are stocked with “harm reduction supplies, wellness products and public health resources.” She explained these are provided at no cost to residents.

The Core Clinic mobile-van program and a related wellness initiative will provide recurring health and social-service access in selected parks according to Cam.

As a group, they reviewed post-clearing homelessness outreach data and described a community-service pilot for people experiencing homelessness, housing risk, or lack of income who have first-time, nonviolent summary charges. Community service with stabilizing activities like employment preparation or financial literacy, with a possible charge dismissal after verified completion is provided under this initiative.

An anti-scamming campaign, “Pause, Connect, Protect” involving working with community partners, banks, retailers, and existing reporting hotlines to help residents recognize scams was discussed.

The ARC and Lehigh’s College of Health are teaming up to provide a Spanish-speaking disability community event on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Lehigh University’s Global Commons.

Lehigh University assistant professor Austin Duncan commented on “Our Art, Our Voices: Disabled Artists and Community Leaders, Creating and Connecting” event happening noon - 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Bethlehem Area Public Library on E. Church St. He mentioned an upcoming event in the works for spring.

The Southside Chili Festival is celebrating its 30th-anniversary on Oct. 17 announced Katy Knibbs from the SouthSide Arts District (SSAD). Bethlehem Parking Authority is offering free parking in exchange for donations to the Boys and Girls Club.

Happenings at the National Museum of Industrial History include Steel Weekend, National Iron and Steel Heritage programming, career-readiness initiatives, and the Oct. 27 Trunk-or-Treat from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m..

Other highlighted seasonal events include the City of Bethlehem Halloween Parade on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. with a rain date of Nov. 1 and “Party on the Plaza” Halloween event for Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Northside Alive Neighborhood Coordinator Celina Daddario added a Trunk-or-Treat for Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center to the list.

McNeil finished the list with Lehigh University’s upcoming Spooktacular on Oct. 17. The one-day program for children and families from community schools are invited to campus for a day of Halloween-themed fun at Alumni Memorial Circle.

Santoro reminded attendees that Touchstone Theatre’s “I Remember This Spot” project continues seeking stories.

The Community Action Development Bethlehem and Lehigh University are seeking volunteers to participate in the Southside Clean Up on Oct. 10 at McNamara Park from 10 a.m. - noon.

The Mayor’s Budget Address at the ArtsQuest Creative Factory will be Nov. 6 from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. said Santoro.

She also mentioned there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions as well as open positions at City Hall. Recruitment efforts continue with the Bethlehem Police Department.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.