At its Aug. 3 meeting, Catasauqua Borough Council continued its discussion over the vote to authorize the announcement of an agreement of sale for the Iron Works project.

The 4-2 vote was taken at the July 27 council meeting.

Councilman Brian Bartholomew noted one council member was absent when the vote was taken and asked council President Vincent Smith if another vote needed to be taken with all members present.

Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker noted the July 27 vote was not to accept the agreement but to authorize the announcement of a sale agreement. This announcement vote was required because there were no bids after two official council requests for bids were announced by advertisement.

Dunn Twiggar Company LLC, a private real estate developer, offered to purchase the property for $650,000. The parcel is about 10.6 acres of the vacated industrial area.

When complete, the $42 million project is expected to transform Front Street to the Lehigh River into a modern, eclectic-use district with upscale condominiums and apartments, small businesses, possible professional offices, walking trails and bike paths.

The project is anticipated to take up to five years.

Councilman Gene Schlegel asked council member Debra Mellish, also a member of the zoning and planning committee, for additional parking near the borough municipal complex as part of the Iron Works project. He noted there is not enough accessible parking in that area.

Dinkelacker explained council will have the opportunity to provide input into Dunn Twigger’s final plan for the area.

Councilman Paul Cmil questioned the project because the small-business landscape has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Cmil’s concern is a reluctance to commit taxpayer dollars when, in his mind, the actual project result is not clear.

Cmil asked how the public can comment on the matter. Smith noted the project was advertised, and the public can email or submit a letter to the borough.

Dinkelacker explained there are many ways the public can engage the borough.

“I just think people know how to contact the borough,” he said.

The solicitor went on to say if any council member receives, in an official capacity, an email, text, letter or other feedback, the member can share these correspondences with the entire council.

The public can obtain a digital or physical copy of the proposed agreement of sale by submitting a right-to-know request with the borough office. The public can also call the borough office at 610-264-0571 for further information.

In other business, Mayor Barbara Schlegel asked for a moment of silence to honor former Catasauqua mayor Thomas “Tiny” Nervine, who died July 19. He served as mayor from 1986 to 1990. He was 68.

In his solicitor’s report, Dinkelacker said he is working on zoning issues and preparing for the reopening of the courts. Courts have been closed for months due to the pandemic.

Engineer Brent Shriver explained the slower progress of the Willow Street parking lot project is because the soil testing results are not quite done. He said the process could take another month.

Shriver also noted the reimbursement agreement from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was received for the Lehigh and Race streets project. Included in the agreement is language saying the borough will have ownership of three traffic lights when installed in the area. It is expected the maintenance costs for the lights will be very low.

Councilman Cameron Smith noted the borough’s emerging employee handbook has received no negative comments from stakeholders so far. He also plans a safety and cleanliness walk through borough hall in the near future. Additionally, he asked for feedback about the borough’s new website.

Cameron Smith motioned to have a handicap parking sign removed from 143 Front St. The motion passed unanimously.

He also moved to have an ordinance developed to restrict nonlocal truck traffic on Front and Pine streets. The motion carried 4-2 via roll call vote.

Gene Schlegel asked borough Manager Steven Travers to investigate the cost of the installation of automatic doors at the municipal complex.

The next borough council meeting, a workshop, is 7 p.m. Aug. 31. The meeting can be attended via livestream or in person. Masks must be worn to enter the building.