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CITY COUNCIL Meeting Agenda |
REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021
HYBRID MEETING at the conclusion of the COW Meeting
The Regular Meetings of City Council are filmed and can be viewed LIVE while the meeting is taking place or at your convenience at https://www.readingpa.gov/content/city-council-video. All electronic recording devices must be located behind the podium area in Council Chambers and located at the entry door in all other meeting rooms and offices, as per Bill No. 27-2012.
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Public comment can be offered by telephone or virtual meeting application by registering with the City Clerk at 610 655 6205 by noon on the day of the business meeting or in writing through an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a letter mailed to the Council Office clearly marked “Public Comment”. Written public comment must be submitted by 4:00 pm on day of the meeting to allow time to distribute the comment submitted. The written comment received will be read into the record. Comments posted in Zoom Chat and on Facebook are not considered public comment and a response may not occur.
1. OPENING MATTERS
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. INVOCATION: Crystal Tapia-Feet On The Street Ministry
C. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
D. ROLL CALL
E. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS: There were no executive sessions conducted during or after
the July 26th or August 2nd COWs
2. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA MATTERS:
Due to COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus the public speaking requirements have been modified. Public comment can be offered by telephone or virtual meeting application by registering with the City Clerk at 610 655 6205 by noon on the day of the business meeting or in writing through an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a letter mailed to the Council Office both clearly marked “Public Comment”. Written public comment must be submitted by 4:00 pm on day of the meeting to allow time to distribute the comment submitted. The written comment received will be read into the record. Comments posted in Zoom Chat and on Facebook are not considered public comment and a response may not occur.
All remarks must be directed to Council as a body and not to any individual Council member or public or elected official in attendance. Any comment that is personally offensive or impertinent will not be read into the record. Comments on agenda matters are limited to 5 minutes in length and comments on non-agenda matters are limited to 3 minutes in length.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA & MINUTES
A. AGENDA: Meeting of August 9, 2021
B. MINUTES: July 26th Regular Meeting, and approving the summations of discussion from the July 26th and August 2nd COW meetings and the August 2nd Nomination Committee meeting
5. Consent Agenda Legislation
The Consent Agenda is designed to provide efficient approval of non-controversial legislation that does not require discussion/debate by giving approval via acclimation when the meeting agenda is approved. The President of Council will call Council’s attention to the list of Consent Agenda legislation at the meeting before action is taken, which allows Council to remove a piece of legislation for separate consideration.
A. Resolution - authorizing the purchase of twenty-five (25) laptop computers for the Information Technology Division from COSTARS Vendor SCW – Southern Computer Warehouse, in the amount of $42,253.75.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Written report attached.
7. REPORT FROM OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR
Written report attached.
8. REPORT FROM DEPT. DIRECTORS, BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, & COMMISSIONS
9. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE
A. Bill 54-2021– amending the City Code by adding a new Chapter 433 Public Art and to establish a process for the City to consider short-term public art projects that will effectively enliven neighborhoods and create outcomes such as safety, livability, walkability, health, and economic development in City neighborhoods Introduced at the June 28 regular meeting; Advertised on July 5; Tabled at the July 12 and July 26 regular meetings
B. Bill 60-2021 – amending City Code Chapter 23 Boards and Commissions, Part 1201 Downtown Revitalization Public Private Partnership, Section 23-201 authorization by replacing the DID Chair with the City of Reading Designated Downtown Coordinator Introduced at the July 26 regular meeting
C. Bill 61-2021 – directing the Berks County Board of Elections to place a referendum question before city voters on the 2021 General Election Ballot which would amend the City of Reading Home Rule Charter by eliminating the requirement for the City’s Public Works Director to be an engineer Introduced at the July 26 regular meeting
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance – authorizing the transfer of $10,000 from Reading Beautification to the
PW Sustainability & Solid Waste General Plant Supplies to provide funds for cleanup/graffiti
supplies for city clean-ups.
B. Ordinance –
11. RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution -
12. PUBLIC COMMENT – GENERAL MATTERS
Please see public speaking rules on second page
13. COUNCIL BUSINESS/COMMENTS
14. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Monday, August 9
Committee of the Whole – 5 pm
Regular Meeting – immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting
Monday, August 16
Nominations & Appointments Committee – 4 pm
Committee of the Whole – 5 pm
Monday, August 23
Committee of the Whole – 5 pm
Regular Meeting – immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting
Tuesday, September 21
Conditional Use Hearings – 5 pm
- 234 N 6th – Road to Damascus – temporary women’s shelter
- 238 N 6th – Road to Damascus – boarding house
Oct 19 or 21
Conditional Use Hearing – 730 McKnight - group home – 5 pm
16. ADJOURN