Summary

Council Delays Data Center Bill

AllentownJun 3, 20262 min read

At a glance

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Council voted 7-0 to table Bill 20 until June 17 so the city solicitor can complete a legal services review related to the Emmaus Avenue data center project. Council also advanced a $649,139.15 appropriation from PFAS-related settlements, bringing total PFAS litigation funds received to $3,774,965.12.

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Economic Development

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City Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyEnvironmental

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What this means

The vote delays action on Bill 20 while the solicitor completes a legal review, giving residents more time before the next Council meeting. Council members also discussed asking the Planning Commission to consider public safety, public health, community-wide, and environmental impacts of the Emmaus Avenue data center project. Separate measures were approved or referred involving police and fire eligibility rules, PFAS settlement funds, and Trexler Fund support for parks and recreation.

Key decisions

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Tabled Bill 20 until the June 17 Council meeting by a 7-0 vote to allow the city solicitor to complete a legal services review.
A motion was made to draft a letter asking the Planning Commission to consider public safety, public health, community-wide, and environmental impacts when evaluating the Emmaus Avenue data center project; the final disposition of that motion is not stated in the excerpt.
Approved Resolution 31269 authorizing a temporary deputy controller.
Referred Bill 46, creating a limited deferred retirement option plan for police officers, to a special committee.
Referred Bill 47, appropriating $649,139.15 in PFAS-related settlement funds to the 2026 Capital Fund, to the Public Works Committee.
Referred Bill 48, appropriating $322,955.50 from the Trexler Fund for Parks and Recreation, including an $18,280.50 city match, to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Introduced Bill 45 to remove failed Selective Service registration as a disqualifier for police and firefighter civil service examinations; adoption is not stated in the excerpt.

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