Council held a public hearing Feb. 7 prior to its regular meeting to discuss an inter-municipal transfer for a restaurant liquor license for Lehigh University.

According to filed documents from attorney Norris McLaughin, CC Holdings is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lehigh University and will operate an on-campus restaurant and pub at the site.

Attorney Anthony Brichta, representing CC Holdings, told council that beer and wine would be available for patrons but no hard liquor or cocktails.

This did not appease some councilmembers, who raised concerns about the possibility of underage drinking.

Councilwoman Dr. Wandalyn Enix asked, “What has the university decided to do to make certain that students are 21?”

Britcha said the university will be IDing patrons in the same manner as any other venue which serves alcohol.

The possible impact of Lehigh’s restaurant-pub on the Southside’s dining and nightlife culture was raised by Councilwoman Grace Crampsie-Smith. “Can you surmise if you do open this restaurant-pub and have a liquor license, will that adversely affect the businesses in the city, especially in the Southside that do sell liquor and have a restaurant? Will that take away business from those businesses, especially considering they took a hit with COVID?”

Britcha said they could not see any negative effect on the local economy or community, as this restaurant-pub would be located on Lehigh’s campus.

The liquor license was denied by a vote of 4-1 with Councilwomen Hillary Kwiatek and Keira Wilhem abstaining, citing their employment with Lehigh University.

Kwiatek also spoke about the resolution for Bethlehem Police Lieutenant (Ret.) Robert Kieffer to purchase his used firearm. In the past, she has voted against similar resolutions and decided to explain her reasoning for this.

“I don’t speak every time I vote NAY on one of these, but I thought tonight I would just once again reiterate my opposition to the city selling handguns to retired police officers, who then become civilians. So, we are selling a handgun to a civilian. Apparently, that makes me not have a brain…I disagree. It’s a vote of conscience on my part.

“And you know, given the number of mass shootings we’ve had just in the two weeks since we’ve last met. I still say that one gun is adding a gun into the community is something that the city doesn’t need to do, isn’t required to do by any ordinance or law.”

Kwiatek concluded, “I thank Officer Keiffer for his service to the city and certainly wish him well. I hope he has many good memories and other memorabilia to remember his service by.”