The Martin Tower demolition was on people’s minds if not on the agenda at city council’s May 7 meeting.

Resident Martin Romeril addressed the planned razing of the highest building in the Lehigh Valley. “There is still no map showing the exclusion zone,” said Romeril, referring to the city’s website on the Martin Tower plans. “What wind speed will delay [the planned implosion].

“How big are the dust particles? It matters,” said Romeril. “Will air quality be monitored? What is it now? After?”

Romeril also asked about dust contaminants remaining on windowsills, sidewalks and playgrounds after the demolition.

“Maybe before you outlaw plastic bags, you should outlaw blowing up large buildings in urban areas,” said Romeril as he closed his comments. “Maybe it’s too close to homes to be blowing up large clouds of dust.”

Resident and council gadfly Ed Gallagher suggested there is “a bad public relations problem here. I’d like to see a scientific study on health [related to] implosions.” He said he would like to see the City Health Department be involved.

Bethlehem’s Directory of Emergency Management, Robert Novatnack, briefed the City Council on the status of planning for the planned demolition for Martin Tower. He invited the public to attend a meeting planned for May 9.

In other business, at the opening of the meeting, several council members commemorated the life of Constantine P. “Gus” Loupos, 83, of Bethlehem who died May 4.

“Gus was a good role model,” said Council President Adam Waldron. “He touched me personally.”

“Gus was a teacher at Liberty,” said Councilman Bryan Callahan. “He was a great, great man.”

In other business, council approved the appointment of Brian Nicas to the Environmental Advisory Council.

Council gave tentative approval of permits for several events to be held on public property. Among these are the SteelStacks Grand Prix, to be held on First Street from Polk Street to the eastern terminus of Founders Way between First and Second streets. The event is scheduled for June 14-16.

Council also gave tentative approval to ArtsQuest’s permit for “Sabor Event” at the same location for June 21-23. Also getting preliminary permission was ArtsQuest’s Levitt Concert Series, scheduled for various dates in May and June.

Among events getting final approval for permits were ArtsQuest’s Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley June 1 and 2 and Your First Mud Run June 2. In addition, council approved ArtsQuest’s Tacofest scheduled for June 9.

Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church got permit approval for its Portuguese Heritage Celebration June 7 and 8 and for its Multicultural Festival June 14 and 15.

Mount Airy Neighborhood Association got council’s approval to host an annual West Side Farmer’s Market at the Bethlehem Rose Garden. The market is scheduled for every Saturday from June 1 through Oct. 12.