Nov. 6, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem City Council’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday was canceled because not enough members were going to show up.
Council President Rachel Leon told me in an email yesterday that there wasn’t going to be quorum, the term for the minimum number of members needed to hold votes and have a valid meeting.
With seven members, Bethlehem City Council needs four members present for a quorum.
To her credit, Leon did hold as usual her president’s house before the 7 p.m. meeting start. She answers questions from the public during that hour.
While there are good reasons for not attending a meeting, such as illness or a family emergency, this is not the first time the current Council slate has not been able to provide a quorum.
Members who couldn’t attend owe the public a brief explanation. Not personal details, but some explanation when a meeting has to be canceled. Life sometimes calls us from our duties but the public has a right to know.
The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, not the usual Tuesday, because Tuesday was Election Day.
Among the issues on the agenda of the meeting that wasn’t was a vote for a $7 million state grant to ArtsQuest and a liquor-license transfer.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17.
