City Council approved an ordinance Monday that will allow former Reading police officers who withdrew their pension contributions to repay those funds if they return to the department.

Managing Director Jack Gombach described the change as an administrative measure aimed at supporting the city’s efforts to hire experienced officers.

Councilman Raymond Baker welcomed the change, saying it could help Reading attract officers who previously left for suburban police departments.

Council also introduced a related ordinance that would establish additional qualifications for officers seeking lateral transfers into the department.

Under the proposal, applicants would have to provide a full training waiver from the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission and demonstrate at least one year of previous law enforcement employment.

The measure requires further council action before becoming law.

In a separate vote, council authorized the city to apply for a $49,329 federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

The funding would support police overtime for targeted enforcement details and software license renewals for the Berks County district attorney’s computer forensic unit.

Baker, an assistant district attorney, abstained because a portion of the funding would benefit his employer. The resolution passed 6-0, with Baker’s abstention.

Council also approved the $972,500 purchase of a 2026 Pierce Enforcer firetruck with a 102-foot aerial ladder.

The truck will be purchased from Glick Fire Equipment Co. of Bird-in-Hand through the state’s COSTARS cooperative purchasing program, using money from the city’s capital budget.

Council also authorized the purchase of a John Deere Gator utility vehicle equipped with a 6-foot snowplow from Deer Country for $36,012, with a trade-in of an existing John Deere Gator.

Council approved the two equipment purchases and following contracts as part of its consent agenda:

• A $86,755 contract with The Remodeling Authority to replace five heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at the Public Safety Building, 951 Morgantown Road. The improvements are part of the city’s plans to use the facility for police and fire department training and operations.

• A $75,000 contract with January Advisors of Houston, Texas, to help develop a youth violence prevention strategy. The contract is funded through a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Collaborative Community Violence Intervention planning grant. The initial planning period is expected to last 12 to 18 months, with an option for an additional 12 months.

• A $77,436 contract with BSI Electric of Montgomeryville to upgrade the chlorine alarm notification system at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project includes installing strobes and audible alarms at eight locations, along with wiring, programming and testing. TRIJAY Systems Inc., the city’s system integrator, will participate in the work.

Council also approved a budget amendment shifting $1.5 million from the regional sewer fund to the retail stormwater sewer fund as part of a previously budgeted $4.5 million annual transfer to the general fund. The transfer was authorized under a 2024 modification to a federal consent decree that increased the city’s allowable annual transfer to $4.5 million from $3 million. Officials said the adjustment will have no net budgetary impact.

Council also considered several ordinances addressing traffic circulation and parking restrictions.

The measures include making Eckert Street one-way northbound from West Windsor Street to its dead end and restricting parking at designated locations along West Windsor Street.

Another ordinance establishes short-term parking spaces on Penn Street, including a 20-minute space at 1007 Penn St. and a 15-minute space at 401 Penn St.

Council President Donna Reed said the short-term parking restrictions will help downtown businesses.

Council introduced an ordinance that would increase the city’s annual solid waste collection fee to $413.87 per residential unit in 2027 from $395.91.

The proposed $17.96 increase reflects higher costs under the city’s contract with Republic Services.

The new fee would amount to approximately $34.49 per month and cover trash and recycling collection and processing, along with clean city services.

Council also introduced a $27,000 budget amendment to cover expenses for city communications lines and devices through T-Mobile and Verizon.