City Council at its regular meeting Monday unanimously approved two changes to street parking in Reading.
One prohibits parking along 40 feet of the eastern side of the 700 block of Thorn Street, near 743 Thorn St. and 220 Douglass St., where a parking lot is planned.
The other requires the entire body of a vehicle, not just its tires, to fit within a marked parking space.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. said constituents have been complaining about drivers taking up more than one space by keeping their tires within the lines while allowing their bumpers to extend into another space.
“I know they’re going to be very appreciative,” Baez said.
As part of its consent agenda, council approved several purchases and contracts, including $408,710 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to replace the Reading Public Library’s only elevator. Installed in 1989, the elevator has major components that are now obsolete.
Library officials have said they expect the elevator to remain out of service until January.
Council also awarded a three-year contract for crossing guard services at a cost not to exceed $674,000 annually, split between the city and Reading School District.
In other business, council also approved a City Park memorial commemorating people who have died from gun violence. The project includes four memorial bricks along with a previously installed bench and tree.
Other approvals included:
• $183,024 for demolition work on Pearl Street.
• $41,794 for critical spare parts used in the wastewater treatment plant’s solids-handling process.
• $12,238 for 225 wheeled recycling carts.
• The transfer of $30,200 within the fire suppression budget for an emergency repair to Engine 9.
Council also introduced a package of ordinances that will be discussed before returning for final passage.
Among them is a proposal to overhaul the city’s rules for vacant and abandoned properties and establish semiannual registration fees ranging from $200 to $5,000.
Other proposals would extend the city’s Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA, program for commercial projects for another 10 years; require a $150 zoning permit for major and minor home occupations; and establish regulations allowing honeybee apiaries as an accessory use in all zoning districts, subject to state law and city requirements.
Councilman Raymond Baker asked the administration for an update on efforts to recruit experienced police officers from other departments or bring former city officers back.
Managing Director Jack Gombach said the administration is studying the potential impacts and expects that work to be completed by the end of August.
“This is a priority for the mayor and the police chief,” Gombach said. “We’d like to see some officers return.”
Gombach said any proposal also must account for the city’s pension obligations.
In his administrative update, Gombach told council that overall crime continues to trend downward and property maintenance staff conducted more than 900 inspections during the latest two-week reporting period.
“We’re very proud of the progress there,” he said.