ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Lehigh County Commissioners held a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would grant an easement agreement to allow a mural in downtown Allentown on a county-owned building.
The proposed mural would be on the building at 638-642 West Hamilton Street.
The City of Allentown has implemented a beautification program, which includes public artwork.
The City Center Investment Corporation has requested the county’s permission to install a mural on the West Hamilton Street building.
Commissioner Antonio Pineda said the proposed bill is the first step in the process to improve the 7th and Hamilton intersection.
“Obviously the county owns the building in the southeast corner where this mural will be going,” Pineda said. “This is an agreement between City Center Investment and us of how that will be handled and the maintenance on the mural if any maintenance is required over 10 years.”
Commissioner Geoff Brace said he is looking forward to the mural being an addition to the fabric of the community.
“You know, we need public art throughout all of our communities and if somebody wants to use a county facility to do that, well we're open to that conversation,” Brace said. “We've got to protect our assets and do our due diligence, but once we get there, it'll happen and it's going to look great.”
The ordinance is expected to be passed on May 22.
Also Wednesday, the commissioners approved a resolution to declare May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Lehigh County.
Brace said the resolution is significant because it recognizes the 75th anniversary of the observance of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
“The county has a significant interest in the mental health and wellness of our community,” Brace said. “It’s the largest function that county government provides through our Department of Human Services.”
Commissioner April Riddick said she was happy to see that the county is getting behind promoting mental health awareness.
“This is something that's really needed, and yes, the county does put a lot out into this, but now it's more so than ever,” Riddick said. “It's a crisis that's going on all over, so I am ecstatic that us as commissioners are recognizing mental health awareness, which is so vital and so important.”
In other business, the commissioners heard public comment from three Muhlenberg College students who pitched a prison communication services project.
Harriet Komlatse said effective communication is a key to re-entry into society.
“Without communication with the outside leads to recidivism,” Komlatse said. “We believe the pricing structure has become an economic burden to both the incarcerated individuals and family.”
The students said inmates are charged $4 for a 15-minute phone call.
Raja Darain Khan said the county is making a $750,000 profit on the inmate phone calls.
“Why this matters to us is because we believe that communication barriers create significant challenges in maintaining connections with loved ones, often resulting in mental health crises for people on the inside,” Khan said. “And it places a significant relief on families who are facing financial strain, as these phone calls can only be paid for from the outside.”
Brace said removing the cost for inmate phone calls would require an amendment to the budget in the form of an ordinance.
Brace invited the students to email the specifics of their proposal to allow the commissioners a chance to evaluate the plan.
Riddick agreed with the students and said it is something that the commissioners should consider.
“There are people in there for mental health issues, and they need to call home to their family,” Riddick said.
