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Calendar of Events

Special Council Meeting

Description

Special Meeting                                                                                                  Monday, September 21, 2026

Hybrid Council Chambers                                                                      at 5:00 pm

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Purpose – to consider the enactment of the two ordinances introduced at the September 3rd Special Meeting.

RULES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS

Public comment at all meetings of the City Council of the City of Reading shall be governed by the following:

  • Residents and/or taxpayers of the City who wish to make or submit public comment must pre-register utilizing one of three (3) following options:
  1. Call (610-655-6205) or email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) the City Clerk's Office by 4 pm on the day of the meeting with your name, address and the subject matter or topic to be discussed. If you are not able to attend in-person, instructions to access the virtual meeting app or dial-in telephone number will be provided.
  2. Submit written public comment to be read into the record at the meeting by submitting an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 4pm on the day of the meeting. The email message must clearly be marked as Public Comment.
  3. Register in-person at the Council Chambers on the sign-up sheet found on the podium in Council Chambers prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the scheduled meeting, with your name, and the agenda item to be discussed.
  • No person shall be permitted to speak who is not a resident or taxpayer of the City, except upon permission of the President of Council or a majority of City Council.
  • Public comment will occur only during the Public Comment period listed on the meeting agenda at which time the Presiding Officer will recognize speakers and written comment that properly registered in the order received.
  • All public comment shall be delivered from the podium and speakers may not approach the Council tables at any time.
  • Those individuals registered to speak on agenda matters will be allotted no more than 5 minutes. The City Clerk will control a timer to monitor these time periods.  When the alarm rings, a speaker must immediately end their comment.  If a speaker refuses to comply, the microphone at the podium will be turned off and the next speaker will be given the floor.  These time periods also apply to written comments that are being read into the record such that any written comment may only be read into the record for a 5-minute period for agenda items. The President of Council or a majority of Council may grant an additional period of time in their discretion. 
  • If anyone is present in a group or association, each such group should designate a spokesperson to address the City Council on the group’s collective behalf in order to avoid repetitive public comments.
  • Comments posted in Zoom Chat and on Facebook are not considered public comment and will not be read into the record of the meeting or addressed by City Council.

1. OPENING MATTERS

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. ROLL CALL

2. PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA MATTERS:

Public Comment Instructions:

  • Those individuals registered to speak on Special Meeting agenda matters will be allotted no more than 5 minutes. The City Clerk will control a timer to monitor these time periods. When the alarm rings, a speaker must immediately end their comment.  If a speaker refuses to comply, the microphone at the podium will be turned off and the next speaker will be given the floor.  This time period will also apply to written comments that are being read into the record. The President of Council or a majority of Council may grant an additional period of time in their discretion. 
  • All public comment must be directed to Council as a body and not to any individual Council member or public or elected official in attendance. Public comment is an opportunity to make a statement only. It is not designed for questioning and there is no guarantee or requirement for a question presented during public comment to be answered or responded to.
  • Each speaker shall speak clearly and slowly.
  • No speaker shall register or speak more than once at a meeting.
  • A speaker shall not comment in a manner that is disruptive, scandalous, impertinent, redundant, rude, unruly, personally offensive, irrelevant to the registered topic, done for the purpose of preventing the conduct of the business of the meeting or promotion of candidates at an upcoming election, or otherwise in disregard to the rules of order or decorum. Any such comment will not be accepted or included in the record.
  • In the event that a speaker or written comment violates any of these rules, that speaker or written comment will be deemed to have forfeited their right to public comment and the President of Council or a majority of City Council may direct the City Clerk to turn off the microphone or cease reading the comment into the record, have the individual removed from Council Chambers and/or cited.
  • All persons in attendance are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner that does not disrupt the meeting. Clapping, calling out, cheering or interrupting speakers or the discussions of City Council during or after a public comment is not permitted. Those wishing to have conversations should do so in the hall outside Council Chambers in a low speaking voice.

3. Approval of Agenda

A. Agenda: Special Meeting of September 3, 2026

4. Ordinances for Final Passage

A. Bill No. 76-2026 – amending the 2026 Agency Fund budget by increasing the expense account 311000-42160, Contracted Services, $200,000, and also increasing the revenue account 311000-39900 Budgetary (Use) Source - Fund Balance, $200,000 to recognize funds received in 2025 through the 2024 award of a grant from Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund Grant

B. Bill No. 77-2026  – amending the 2026 Position Ordinance to create a Healthy Homes Program Specialist.  The Healthy Homes Program Specialist position will be responsible for conducting assessments, environmental reviews, radon testing, site monitoring and compliance activities.  This full-time position is funded primarily by the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes grant, with a 10% match from the General Fund out of CD Property Maintenance.  The hourly rate for this position is $25.78.

5. Adjourn to the COW