Chairperson Janine Santoro announced an upcoming interactive town hall event to discuss feasibility and potential sites for a South Side community center at the Feb. 27 Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

Scheduled for March 13 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the NCC Fowler Center, the City of Bethlehem is inviting community members to help envision a new Southside community center as part of their feasibility study. Online registration is encouraged.

Attending remotely, CADCB board member Donna Taggart mentioned that as a prelude to the event, Bethlehem is launching a “Community Anthem Project,” in the form of short video tributes submitted by residents.

Taggart said HCLV Fiesta Dominican Republic is happening May 17 at Wind Creek’s Foundry Ballroom.

A Latino Health Summit is scheduled for April 19 - 20 at the Wind Creek Event Center.

Also attending online, Katy Wirth from the Southside Arts District and Allison Madden from the Bethlehem Area Public Library South Side Branch described upcoming events.

Wirth announced, in partnership with Lehigh University Community Affairs, Southside Cleanup is scheduled for April 13 from 10 a.m. - noon with breakfast provided at 9:30 a.m. at Farrington Square.

Madden spoke about continuing programs such as playtimes, story times and homework help. Summer reading programming begins in June.

In the meantime, “The Story Continues” is an event “celebrating outstanding women of color” scheduled on March 30 from noon - 3 p.m. at the Main Library on Church Street.

Santoro promoted events from community partners with YWCA’s 2024 Courageous Conversations for April 1 at 6 - 8 p.m. and NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet is scheduled April 7 at 2 p.m. at the Green Pond Country Club. Both are ticketed events.

She mentioned the Broughal Middle School Field is hosting Spring Fling (Carnival) April 6 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and the South Side Sale on June 1 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Community Recovery Fund application process is now open to nonprofits and businesses with public outreach proposals according to Santoro. Bethlehem’s Climate Challenge is still live online at: WeBuild.Bethlehem-PA.gov.

She reminded attendees there are open seats waiting to be filled on several authorities, boards and commissions, including the Bethlehem Human Relations Commission.

There are job openings at City Hall and the city pools will be soon looking to fill lifeguard positions.

Santoro asked if the Bethlehem Police Department is still seeking recruits.

Bethlehem Southside Community Police Officers William Rodriguez and Sean Landis responded that while the department has been recently testing and training new officers, there will always be some turnover as older officers retire.

State Representative Steve Samuelson (D) described how his office has assisted around 290 constituents with Pennsylvania’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications. Seniors, those who are widowed, and disabled Pennsylvania residents may qualify if their net income is $45,000 or under. Samuelson spoke about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget with an emphasis on proposed increases in basic and special educational funding.

Lehigh University students Caden Dellapenta and Cyril Sowah-Nai introduced themselves. Fellow student Eric Shapiro attended virtually. All three spoke about their work with Kate Jackson, a Lehigh assistant professor on her trash survey project.

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