Council takes up Consent agenda — Certificates of Appropriateness (minus 185 S. 3rd St.)

185 S. Third St. certificate remanded to HDC

7 yes, 0 no

Julie Zando-Dennis (yes), Salvatore J. Panto, Jr. (yes), Crystal Rose (yes), Frank Pintabone (yes), Susan Hartranft-Bittinger (yes), Frank Graziano (yes), Ken Brown (yes)

Consent agenda — Certificates of Appropriateness (minus 185 S. 3rd St.)

0 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Julie Zando-Dennis (abstain)

Approval of agenda with amendments

7 yes, 0 no

Approval of October 14 minutes

7 yes, 0 no

Bill No. 29 — Vacating a portion of Church Street

7 yes, 0 no

Bill No. 30 — Amending Chapter 535 Mechanical/Amusements

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution — PennDOT Multimodal Fund application

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution — Geyer Auction contract

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution — GWG Rock LLC settlement agreement

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution — New Stewart AMOS S4C street sweeper

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution — Met-Ed sample LED streetlights

7 yes, 0 no

Certificates of Appropriateness Consent Agenda

Various Locations (25-27 S. 6th St., 48 S. Sitgreaves St., 34-42 S. 2nd St., Three locations for Comcast, 1-6 Centre Square, 185 S. 3rd St.)

The council will consider approving Certificates of Appropriateness for multiple historic and commercial properties across the city.

Discussed — no decision yet

Bill No. 29 — Church Street vacation

Church Street near Prospect Street and Seventh Street, Easton, PA

Council adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of Church Street where it meets Prospect and Seventh Streets.

approved (7-0) · still approved

GWG Rock LLC settlement — North 500 block of Northampton Street

North 500 block of Northampton Street (513-519), Easton, PA

Council authorized a settlement agreement with the developer of three blighted lots across from the Nurture Nature Center after variances were denied and litigation followed.

approved (7-0) · still approved

Bill No. 31 — Lease of real property to Redevelopment Authority

Council introduced an ordinance authorizing a lease of city property to the Redevelopment Authority of Easton.

still pending

185 S. Third Street / Confluence pedestrian bridge certificate of appropriateness

185 S. Third Street, Easton, PA

Council remanded the certificate of appropriateness back to the Historic District Commission because the built pedestrian bridge from the Confluence project to the parking garage looks unfinished and doesn't match the approved rendering.

tabled (7-0) · still tabled

GWG Rock LLC mixed-use development

Northampton Street, between Fifth Street and the central fire station, Easton, PA

A six-story mixed-use building (retail, apartments, parking) on three vacant lots that got denied variances when the zoning board split 2-2.

Discussed — no decision yet

Larry Holmes Drive pedestrian safety improvements

A South Side resident says removing the northbound right-turn lane onto the Free Bridge has created major backups, sometimes taking two or three light cycles. Council defended the change as a state-required pedestrian safety improvement and pointed to a public works presentation online, urging patience while signal timing is adjusted.

What it means: Council rejected a $15 million roundabout option as unaffordable for taxpayers.

Raised 2 times this week

Streetlight Upgrades to LED Luminaires

Council approved three sample lower-wattage Met-Ed LED streetlights after complaints that new downtown replacements were blindingly bright. Mayor Panto noted the switch to lower color temperature will also save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

What it means: Downtown residents whose windows face streetlights, plus taxpayers through energy savings.

Raised 2 times this week

GWG Rock LLC Northampton Street development settlement

Council authorized a settlement with developer GWG Rock LLC over three long-blighted lots across from the Nurture Nature Center. Any new plan still has to clear zoning and the HDC, and must resolve the neighboring-property dispute and include the required common amenities space.

What it means: West Ward neighbors who want the blighted lots redeveloped.

Raised 2 times this week

Church Street Vacation Proposal

The city is considering officially vacating a portion of Church Street, which could change local traffic flow or property boundaries.

What it means: Adjacent property owners or future development projects.

GWG Rock LLC Northampton Street development settlement

A six-story mixed-use building on three vacant, blighted lots near Fifth and Northampton was blocked when the zoning board tied on variances. The settlement adds the required common amenity space and lets the project move forward — council members voiced support.

What it means: Anyone who walks past those three empty lots — a new building replaces a blighted gap in downtown.

Friends of Easton Scott Park and Confluence Falls lighting

The volunteer group wants to light the Scott Park trail and project programmable images onto Confluence Falls — about $460,000, all privately raised, gifted to the city. Council raised dark-sky, bird-migration, and police-patrol concerns but was broadly warm to the ideas.

What it means: Downtown visitors, walkers, and anyone who enjoys a livelier, safer riverfront at night.

$12 million loan via Redevelopment Authority lease-back

The city plans to lease police headquarters to the Redevelopment Authority and lease it back — a legal workaround to borrow $12 million and replace its TRAN, buying breathing room while the water authority gets going. Council wants the repayment numbers first.

What it means: A $12 million loan with a variable interest rate after five to seven years — repayment details still to come.

Church Street Vacation and Ordinance Amendments

The council will discuss a proposal to vacate a portion of Church Street alongside amendments to mechanical and amusement regulations under Bill No. 29 and Bill No. 30.

What it means: Local property owners and businesses affected by the street vacation and amusement rules.

Comprehensive Capital Improvements and Infrastructure Review

The council will review several new resolutions including applying for a PennDOT multimodal grant, purchasing a new street sweeper, testing LED lights, and addressing a legal settlement.

What it means: City residents who will benefit from improved street cleaning, infrastructure grants, and modern lighting.

Planning Commission Procedural Updates & Public Notice Expansion

Councilman Pintabone said residents complain they don't know in-depth discussions happen at Tuesday committee meetings, so Wednesday votes feel disconnected. Council defended the two-meeting structure as necessary for informed voting and promised better education of the public, plus summaries of committee discussions before Wednesday votes.

What it means: Residents who want to follow and weigh in on city decisions.

Utility shutoff affordability

A resident found a $113 Met-Ed shutoff bill on a free bench and warned council that more residents can't afford rent or electric. The mayor pointed to existing assistance programs and offered to connect people with resources.

What it means: Low-income residents facing utility shutoffs if assistance programs reach them.

Street sweeper condition and purchase

The city's current street sweeper's vacuum isn't working — Councilwoman Rose watched it just push debris around on College Avenue. Council approved buying a new Stewart AMOS S4C sweeper and the mayor agreed to ask the public works director about the old one's limited use.

What it means: Residents who rely on street cleaning and no-parking schedules that actually get results.

Motorcycle parking ban in city garages

A resident riding 80 mpg motorcycle was told motorcycles can't park in the Third Street deck. City staff explained gate arms and license plate readers can't handle motorcycles, but council agreed to have the public works director study possible accommodations.

What it means: Motorcyclists and eco-minded commuters if the city adapts its garages.

Nescohoning Memorial Park Naming Controversy

A family split erupted over the dedication of the memorial cemetery park named for Clarine Boyer and Frances Ketchen. Granddaughter Rhea Boyer Liberto wants the name moved to the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, while other family members and committee members urged council to move forward.

What it means: The mayor said changing the memorial signage would cost about $25,000, which the city won't pay.

Environmental Advisory Committee consultation on projects

Councilwoman Zando-Dennis proposed the Environmental Advisory Committee be consulted before any project with environmental impact, similar to how the HDC reviews development — prompted by light-pollution concerns over Friends of Easton's downtown lighting plans. Council generally agreed the advisory input would be welcome.

What it means: Anyone who cares about light pollution, migratory birds, and sustainable city projects.