Chairperson Janine Santoro announced September 2023 is National Hispanic Heritage Month at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force Aug. 29 hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

A celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month is scheduled for Sept. 16 at Touchstone Theatre’s Barrio Stage. The free event, beginning at 11 a.m., will feature exhibitors, activities and entertainment by DJ Baby, Talento Local and the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra.

A Chile Flag Raising, hosted by Cesar Cordova, happens 10 a.m., Sept. 17 at Payrow Plaza.

Southside Community Cleanups continue Oct., 7 at McNamara Park, 1100 block of E. Third Street.

In other business, Santoro announced there is now a Bias Motivated Incident Report online form on the My Bethlehem App.

City Council Community Development meetings are being held at Town Hall on Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. to address affordable housing and homelessness.

“The Most Beautiful Lehigh Valley … Maybe,” a ticketed public forum on housing, is being hosted at DeSales University Sept. 13 at 9 a.m.

Applications are open through September 15 for 2024 Community Development Block Grant funding through the city’s website.

Santoro reminded attendees that there are still open positions at city hall.

State Rep. Steve Samuelson (D) reported the state rent and property tax rebate program application for 2022 deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2023. He spoke about Pennsylvania’s bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs, where $125 million was allocated for up to $50,000 in grants for habitability repairs and energy efficiency upgrades for qualifying homeowners and independent landlords.

The state representative mentioned his office is assisting constituents with state rent and mortgage tax rebates for seniors and the disabled. Samuelson’s office is offering assistance to seniors applying for SEPTA Key Senior Fare Cards so they can ride for free on Philadelphia’s public transit system. Reduced Fare Cards are also available to people under age 65 with disabilities.

Samuelson passed out postcards promoting Touchstone Theatre’s Festival UnBound Sept. 27 – Oct. 1.

Katy Wirth from Southside Arts District announced a ribbon-cutting for “Hope in Flight,” a public mural installation, is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the South Bethlehem Greenway parking lot.

Donna Taggart, CADCB board member and Community Outreach Liaison for Wind Creek, described murals in the city’s parking garages created by local schoolchildren.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities Group provided updates on new housing being built near his neighborhood. He mentioned the $2,100 – $2,400 per month rents for these new units may not be affordable for area families. He also said there is grant money available for first-time homebuyers to help cover closing costs and taxes.

Bethlehem Community Police Officer William Rodriguez spoke about the City of Bethlehem Citizens’ Police Academy, where citizens can learn about law enforcement training and how officers perform their different duties.

Lehigh University Police Officer C.R. Stokes mentioned traffic has increased now that Lehigh students have returned.

Attending remotely, other members reported in.

Christine Wieder from the Bethlehem Area Public Library South Side Branch announced those signing up for a library card or renewing an existing one will be entered in a drawing for a Kindle. She touched on other happenings at the library for adults and children. Funded by a YMCA grant, the branch continues to provide meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays to adults from 5-6 p.m.

Emma Scheinmann from the National Museum of Industrial History mentioned the museum is hosting a Lehigh Valley Passport to History Teacher’s Night Out on Sept. 21, their 2023 annual Gala on Sept. 23, and Steel Weekend and Steelworkers Reunion for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Bethlehem Area School District Supervisor of Equity Initiatives Eric Fontanez said the district had a great school year “kickoff.” The district has recently hired a grant writer.

It was circulated later that a Walk to the Water – Healing and Self Care for the Mind Body and Soul sponsored by PAZA, Tree of Life, is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 11 a.m.

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