Recreation Fee Change: Too Little, Too Late?

Yesterday's Morning Call tells us that Bethlehem City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a new recreation lands and fees ordinance that would impose a 650 percent fee increase on new-home developers and, for the first time, would require developers of commercial and industrial properties to contribute to the development of parks and recreation in the city.

This is a step in the right direction, however I must ask "What took so long?" It seems to me that the City has lost a lot of money over the past few years. I can think of 4 or 5 developments that have been built in the City in the past few years, including the Riverport project.

My other criticism over this ordinance change is that they failed to get public input and failed to consult the Bethlehem Recreation Commission. I understand that this ordinance change was rushed so that Pektor's Martin Tower Redevelopment would be included, but public input should be a requirement for any ordinance change. And what is the use of having a Recreation Commission, which includes members of the public, if it is not going to be consulted.

Finally, why does City Council have a solicitor? Attorney Chris Spadoni is the solicitor for the City Council, he is paid $17,450.00 per year for his work. I have always found him to be a skilled attorney. However, I often read that Councilman Leeson is offering legal opinions during council meetings. Mr. Leeson is a fine attorney and former city solicitor, but should he be offering legal opinions when the city already pays someone to do that?


Blogger's Note: This is my first post. This is the type of information and opinions you will get here. I have been reading the Lehigh Valley blogs for the past 18 months or so and realized that Bethlehem has not been covered very well in the blogosphere, so I thought I would try to change that. Your comments are appreciated.