Chairperson Janine Santoro discussed the city’s continued focus on addressing homelessness and affordable housing issues at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force Feb. 28. The hybrid meeting was held in the Northampton Community College Fowler Center.

Santoro mentioned that the affordable housing study update from February can be viewed at the We Build Bethlehem website at: webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov. An online information session on the Community Recovery Fund, including an application, is available there as well.

A recently recorded Community Development Committee meeting at Town Hall on affordable housing can be viewed on the City of Bethlehem YouTube channel.

Santoro announced Bethlehem’s State of the city address is scheduled for April 6, from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Presented by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, it takes place at ArtsQuest.

Heudia Health CEO Ed Connors introduced himself and described how his office assists with arranging healthcare, housing, food security and legal aid through a virtual social worker platform. His business, located in the Flatiron Building, works with hospitals, community organizations and government agencies.

Christine Wieder from the Bethlehem Area Public Library Southside branch mentioned that the March book sale at the main library was canceled due to remodeling. She said the branch at Fourth and Webster streets will have used books for sale, for cash only, during operating hours.

A course on preparing for the U.S.A. citizenship test is being offered March 29. Free dinners are still being served on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 6 p.m. at the South Side Branch. The meals are available for adults 18 and over while supplies last.

Wieder announced the branch is sponsoring a “Where’s Waldo” ongoing scavenger hunt throughout March at the South Side branch.

CADCB Southside Community Organizer Samantha Mravlag said starting April 15 there will be Community Cleanup events scheduled for one Saturday each month through October. These are sponsored by local businesses.

Katy Wirth, Southside Arts District, listed multiple upcoming events on the South Side celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. They can be found at their organization’s website.

Associate Dean Audree Chase-Mayoral from Northampton Community College announced a free AARP Foundation workshop for job seekers 50 and older on March 30 at 10 a.m. She highlighted educational programs offered at NCC on Man Spanish for business managers, law enforcement and healthcare.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities Group mentioned he is now a block watch captain. He expressed concerns about the lack of transitional housing available for families who lost homes to fires and other disasters. He also discussed noise issues with vehicles and boom boxes in his neighborhood.

Resident Stephan Antalics expressed dismay at the disappearance of historic buildings on the Southside and their replacement with “six-to-eight story buildings.” He opined that the historic boards should follow guidelines more strictly and questioned the process for appointment of members. Zettlemoyer weighed in on criticizing the politics involved in past redevelopment projects.

Some members attended remotely.

Fire Chief Warren Achey put out a call for volunteers to help with installing 300 smoke detectors in around 100 Bethlehem homes on May 6. He also sought assistance with alerting residents by distributing door hangers two weeks prior. This is part of an American Red Cross national program offering the safety devices for free. Achey related that in more than 30 years, he has not experienced fatalities in fires where the structures had working smoke detectors.

Kate Jackson, Lehigh University faculty and resident, asked fellow members to email locations of “trash hotspots” for her and her volunteers to monitor.

Emma Scheinmann from the National Museum of Industrial History spoke about programs and exhibits at the museum, including a virtual Zoom Field Trip on Bethlehem Steel for British Columbia.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.