BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2013 Bethlehem City Council\u2019s meeting on Tuesday was very unusual for the governing body, said council Vice President Colleen Laird.<\/p>\n
With only three members of the seven-member council present, the council lacked a quorum, meaning it couldn\u2019t conduct any official business.<\/p>\n
Despite not holding votes, Laird said they wanted to host the meeting anyway to offer a forum for public input.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very unusual meeting for us. [We] did it to make sure that we did hear from the people who came out to share their thoughts and concerns,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers Laird, Hillary Kwiatek and Bryan Callahan were present on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Council President Rachel Leon previously announced she would miss several meetings due to health-related issues.<\/p>\n
Commenters Tuesday discussed a variety of issues, including international politics, student housing, city traffic cameras and water and sewer fees.<\/p>\n
Comments regarding the Bethlehem Parking Authority\u2019s Walnut Street Garage project garnered significant discussion during the hour-long session.<\/p>\n
During their time at the podium, two workers raised alleged issues related to project contracts, materials and bids.<\/p>\n
Callahan, who serves as liaison to the parking authority, also raised similar concerns during the council\u2019s comment period.<\/p>\n
He concluded his comments by stating his intention to submit a request for a subcommittee meeting.<\/p>\n
For her part, Laird emphasized the authority\u2019s independence from the council\u2019s oversight, describing it as \u201can independent legal entity with their own authority over contracts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur City Council does not review parking authority contracts, we do not sign those contracts, we don\u2019t adjudicate those contracts in any way,\u201d Laird said.<\/p>\n
In addition to a non-voting council liaison, ties also exist between the council and the authority through the community development committee, but are \u201cvery limited in scope,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile council is always willing to hear and look into community issues, we want to make sure everyone is aware of the legal separation between the two entities,\u201d Laird said.<\/p>\n
Representatives from the parking authority were not present on Tuesday to respond to comments.<\/p>\n