Bethlehem City Council met Sept. 15 to approve a memorandum of understanding with Homeland Security Investigations, increase fees for police records requests and adopt an updated property maintenance code.
Council members also discussed the city’s fire and EMS study. Then they approved a three-year cost allocation agreement and use permit agreements for upcoming events.
Homeland Security Investigations agreement sparks debate over federal involvement
The council approved a memorandum of understanding with Homeland Security Investigations in a 4-3 vote after council members debated the federal agency’s involvement in local police investigations.
Police Chief Michelle Kott said the agreement would give the Bethlehem Police Department access to federal funding, resources and investigative support for complex cases.
“Gone are the days where crime is landlocked and limited to the city block,” Kott said.
Kott said the department handles about 10 complex investigations every year including crimes such as human trafficking, sex trafficking, child exploitation, drug smuggling, financial fraud and export violations.
“We’re doing the best we can, but we need these resources to further these investigations,” Kott said.
Under this agreement, the Bethlehem police officer assigned as the Title 19 Task Force Officer would remain a member of the Bethlehem Police Department and report to Bethlehem police supervisors while working with an Homeland Security Investigations supervisor. Either party can terminate the agreement with 30 days’ written notice to the other party.
Councilwoman Hillary Glatt Kwiatek raised concerns about the federal agency’s authority over the officer position.
“That is a little bit more than I had expected in terms of the level of authority that HSI will have over this position,” Kwiatek said. “…I trust you, Chief. I do not trust the Department of Homeland Security.”
Kott emphasized that this agreement wouldn’t give Bethlehem police officers authority to enforce immigration law.
Justin K. Amann, councilman, said the police department has proven, over the last few years, their commitment to thorough investigations.
“I certainly think giving your department the resources to be able to do their job comes to my mind as the most pressing matter,” Amann said.
After a motion to table the matter failed 3-4, and a motion to authorize Kott to amend the memorandum of understanding died, the resolution passed 4-3.
Police records fees to increase in 2027
The council approved increases to several police records fees beginning Jan. 1, 2027, with a 6-1 vote. This increase is the first since 2015.
Fingerprinting and criminal history background checks will each increase from $15 to $20. The city will also charge $125 for audio and video recording requests, including body-worn camera footage, in-car camera footage and other department-maintained footage.
Kott said the department has received 27 Act 22 requests, for audio or video footage, since May and that processing the footage requires significant staff time.
“It is a very, very complex, timely process,” Kott said. “We are not a big enough police department that has a civilian staff that can just handle this as their primary duty.”
She said the fees are intended to account for the work involved in retrieving, reviewing and redacting footage.
Council adopts updated property maintenance code
The council unanimously approved an ordinance replacing the city’s existing property maintenance code with the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code and Bethlehem-specific amendments.
The ordinance establishes the Bureau of Housing Inspections as the city’s code compliance agency and adds requirements for rental properties, exterior property maintenance and heating.
Under this new code, rental properties, excluding dorms and hotels, must have a local agent who lives within 20 miles.
Council approved three-year cost allocation plan
Council unanimously approved a three-year agreement with Maximus U.S. Services Inc. to prepare the city’s full cost allocation plans for fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The agreement will cost $13,900 annually, $41,700 total.
“It is required for a number of uses,” Business Administrator Eric Evans said. “What it does is calculates the true cost of providing a service or for the department to deliver their product.”
Other council business
Evans said the city’s fire and EMS study is scheduled to be presented to council on Oct. 21.
The council unanimously approved a $197,144.62 contract with Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. for inspection services on a two-way conversion project on Linden Street. The city said PennDOT will reimburse the costs.
A $49,000 amendment to the Health Bureau’s strategic planning contract with Capacity for Change, LLC, was unanimously approved, extending the agreement through June 30, 2027. The additional work will be funded through a public health infrastructure grant.
The council unanimously approved use permit agreements for ArtsQuest’s 2026 Oktoberfest and the Pennsylvania Running Company’s 2026 Bethlehem Running Festival.
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