City Council took action Monday on a series of measures aimed at improving downtown infrastructure, responding to neighborhood parking concerns and addressing routine city operations.
Council President Donna Reed opened the meeting, postponed from Jan. 26 due to heavy snowfall, by thanking the city’s public works crews for their storm response.
“These guys and women have really gone beyond the call of duty,” Reed said, calling attention to the long hours crews spent systematically clearing streets.
Among the most significant items on the consent agenda, council voted to authorize submitting an application for a $3 million PennDOT multimodal grant.
If awarded, the funding will support a project to convert existing bus-bay configurations along Penn Street into more efficient on-street parking, increasing parking availability and improving the downtown streetscape.
Information provided to council described the project as maintaining midblock crosswalks and advancing “a safer, more accessible pedestrian environment to support business access along this key corridor.”
The grant would require a 30% local match, which the city plans to cover through its capital improvements projects budget.
Parking violations
Council also imposed a six-month moratorium on violations and penalties tied to no-parking restrictions at the intersections of North Fifth Street and Oley Street, and North Fifth Street and Douglass Street.
The restrictions were originally implemented to improve traffic safety by increasing sight lines, but residents have complained about the loss of parking in the neighborhood.
Councilman O. Christopher Miller said the action was meant to be consistent with a similar moratorium approved previously in the Hampden Heights area.
“The main reason for this bill is consistency,” he said.
Other business
Council voted 4-2 to deny a conditional use application for the conversion of a single-family home at 1123 N. 12th St. into a two-unit rental property.
Council heard the request of the applicant Michael Stoner last month.
Councilmembers Vanessa Campos and Rafael Nunez casted dissenting votes.
Council also approved several routine ordinances and budget amendments, including a measure adjusting the 2025 Public Works administrative budget to cover outstanding repair invoices for Schlegel Park Pool.
Earlier in the meeting, council honored the retirement of Timothy Krall, city engineer, and Maria Kantner Wright, Citizen Service Center manager.
Kantner Wright was recognized for more than 36 years of public service in multiple roles at City Hall.
Krall, who served 14 years with the city after a long engineering career, said the position was an answer to a prayer.
“It has been 14 years that I’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful place for me to work.”
Council also heard public comment on topics including snow removal, city services and housing costs.