Reading Council establishes limited no-parking zone near school | Berks Regional News

READING, Pa. – The Reading City Council voted Monday evening to adopt an ordinance to establish a limited no-parking zone along the north side of Green Street.

The no parking zone is located between North 13th Street and Linden Street and will be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days at 13th and Green Elementary Schools.

The zone is created to alleviate double parking and traffic congestion during student pick-up and drop-off times.

The order was initially introduced in November last year, but was suspended during a trial period at the school.

Board member Melissa Ventura was instrumental in working with the school to get the zone approved and said it would improve the safety of students and others in the area.

Public art

Additionally, council approved a resolution authorizing the installation of murals created by Mike Miller of Albright College at the following locations, which were approved by the Public Art Committee:

• 11th and Rockland Albright TEexpl Building

• Renovated Habitat for Humanity home at Douglass and Moss streets

• DeCarlo's Bar in the 200 block of Penn Street

• State Building at 7th and Penn Streets

• YMCA building in the 600 block of Washington Street.

Council Memberships

Also Monday evening, the council voted 4-3 to approve a resolution authorizing the purchase of one-year memberships to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials for council members Jaime Baez Jr., Rafael Nunez and Melissa Ventura for $100 each.

Board members Donna Reed, Christopher Miller and Vanessa Campos cast dissenting votes.

Reed and Miller reiterated their previous objections that they didn't think taxpayers should have to pay for a council member to be a member of an organization.

Reed said council members receive annual stipends, which they must use individually for such needs.

Baez said investing in the education of council members is an investment in the city.

The Council also passed a resolution to appoint Baez, Campos and Nunez to a special committee to review business proposals to translate the city charter into Spanish. After reviewing the proposals, the committee will make a recommendation to the board on how to proceed with the translation.