Allentown Public Works Committee Meeting - June 17, 2026
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Allentown Public Works Committee Meeting - June 17, 2026
The Public Works Committee met to consider Bill 47, which appropriates funds from PFAS class action settlements for remediation at the water filtration plant. The committee voted unanimously to forward the bill favorably to full City Council.
Discussion Items
- Bill 47 (Supplemental Appropriation for PFAS Remediation): The committee reviewed an ordinance to amend the 2026 Capital Fund budget, appropriating $649,139.15 from settlements in the Acquies Film Forming Foams class action. These funds, received from BASF ($190,684.62) and TICO ($458,454.53), represent 95% of claims from those two defendants. The city has received $3,774,965.12 total to date from PFAS affirmative litigation. The total $3 million settlement will be paid in eight more installments through 2033. Mr. Shara explained the funds will be used for improvements at the water filtration plant to remediate PFOS in the drinking water supply.
- National Public Works Week Recognition: Committee members and staff expressed gratitude for City Council and the Mayor's Office support during National Public Works Week. Vice President Mota delivered a proclamation on behalf of council.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Forward Bill 47: Council member made a motion to forward Bill 47 favorably to full City Council. The motion passed by voice vote (all ayes). No opposition was expressed.
- No Public Comments: No members of the public offered testimony.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting concluded after the vote and acknowledgments.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to public works. Um, Ms. Moda. Uh Mr. Pumko and Ms. Affa is absent. Thank you. Um and now we have um Bill 47. Bill 47 amends the 2026 Capital Fund budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of six hundred forty-nine thousand one hundred thirty-nine dollars and fifteen cents from the Acquies Film Forming Foams class action awards to offset the cost of any PFAS remediation systems. The city is required to install under federal and state regulations. The three million settlement payment will be made in eight more installments through twenty thirty-three. The first settlement payment from BASF is in the amount of one hundred and ninety thousand dollars, six hundred eighty-four dollars and sixty-two cents. Additionally, there was a settlement payment from TICO in the amount of four hundred fifty-eight thousand four hundred and fifty-four dollars and fifty-three cents. The total of these sources thus far is six hundred forty-nine thousand one hundred six hundred forty-nine one hundred thirty-nine thousand dollars and fifteen cents, and represents ninety-five percent of TICO and BASF settlement claims. The total amount of settlement funds the city has received thus far through its participation in PFAS affirmative litigation is three million seven hundred and seventy-four nine hundred sixty-five dollars and twelve cents. Thank you, Mr. And now we have Mr. Shara. Good evening. Yes, can you tell us a little bit about Bill 47? Yes, absolutely. So what we're doing this evening is uh we're doing this ordinance to appropriate the funding that we're receiving through the the settlement claims. Uh the funding is being put into a capital uh into a capital account to uh so we could do work at the water filtration plant. We're gonna use the funding that we receive through these settlement claims. Uh put it into a capital account so we can make improvements at the water filtration plant to uh remediate the PFOS that's coming into the drink of water supply. Okay. And we never say no to m um to funds, right? That's correct. So far year to date, as Ms. Ortega stated, uh we received three point seven million dollars. Uh there's still eight more disbursements that are gonna be coming our way, and uh those discer disbursements will be made through twenty twenty three thirty-three, I'm sorry. So over the course of the next nine years or so we're still gonna be receiving additional funding. Um do we do we get do we get this funding every year? Once a year. Um really not sure, Brian. Do you know how often we're gonna be receiving? Yeah, yes. I'm not exactly sure how often it they come out in disbursements when uh when that claims open. Oh I think hi. It's um so the city's joined in the affirmative litigation, and that's how we get these settlements. So it's just based on when the court um you know issues the payments, and so it's it's we got like two or three in the last year, but then they may come in more infrequent disbursements. So we don't know, but there is a set time frame that the court has to distribute them. Okay, thank you. Um any other any other comments from the Dayus? No comments from the Dayers. Any comments from the public? No comments from the public. Okay. Umtega.
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