Tuesday night’s Urbana City Council meeting lasted about four and a half hours, wrapping up around 10:30 p.m., with much of the meeting focused on a pending agreement involving Thor Equities and a proposed data center.
Approximately 30 people addressed council during the meeting, with speakers raising concerns about the proposed settlement and a potential data center development.
The proposed facility could include approximately two million square feet and would be located within the Urbana city limits along South U.S. 68.
While individual comments varied, several common themes emerged.
Speakers questioned whether the decision should remain a local one and raised concerns about the proposed agreement and its potential long-term effects.
Some speakers said, “This should be a local choice,” “No man can serve two masters,” and “We cannot be bought.”
Others described the proposal as a potential “buyout,” questioned what price Urbana could be bought for, and warned that once the city “opens Pandora’s box,” it may not be able to close it.
Some members of the public also raised the possibility of recalling the entire city council.
The comments followed a recent public letter released by Urbana Mayor Bill Bean regarding the proposed data center agreement.
Community member Brad Winner Jr. urged council members to carefully consider any proposed settlement and asked why the matter is being handled through an executive session.
The letter also raises concerns about the financial incentives that could be associated with the proposed data center, including possible cash, infrastructure, and other financial commitments.
Winner alleged that the city administration and developers have been working on the project for some time and questioned the extent to which council members and the public have been informed.
He also raised concerns about additional pending litigation involving property rights and affected citizens, and questioned whether approving a settlement could result in what was described as “trading one lawsuit for another.”
Council Approves EMS Equipment Funding
Also during Tuesday night’s meeting, Urbana City Council unanimously approved additional funding for EMS equipment replacement and service agreements.
Last year, council approved a $150,000 capital allocation for three critical pieces of emergency medical equipment manufactured by Stryker.
Those include a LUCAS 3 mechanical CPR device, a LIFEPAK 35 monitor and defibrillator, and a Power-PRO 2 powered ambulance cot.
The equipment is used on Urbana’s frontline emergency response vehicles, including Engine 1, Medic 1 and Medic 2.
According to information presented to council, the equipment currently in service includes previous-generation models that have reached, or are approaching, the end of their manufacturer-supported life cycle.
The department also explained that a Medic 1 accident in late 2025 changed some of the original equipment replacement priorities.
The city has since received a new chassis and a new Stryker Power-PRO 2 cot for Medic 1.
The legislation approved Tuesday authorizes a purchase order of $108,464.98 to Stryker Medical for a replacement Power-PRO cot loading system and a service agreement covering the department’s Power-PRO cot loading systems.
The new cot loading system will be installed in Medic 2.
The service agreement provides seven years of coverage, including parts, labor, travel, per diem, maintenance, and battery service.
City officials said the agreement will provide more predictable maintenance costs and help ensure the equipment remains operational and supported throughout its service life.
The expense will be paid from the Police and Fire Capital Improvement Fund and is included in the 2026 budget.
The council’s approval of the additional EMS funding and service agreement was unanimous.
No Action Taken on Pending Litigation
Toward the end of Tuesday night’s meeting, council members entered executive session for pending litigation.
The executive session lasted more than an hour.
Council members eventually returned to the public meeting and told those who remained that no action would be taken at this time regarding the pending litigation.
Council members said they want to gather additional information so they can make an educated and informed decision.
The next Urbana City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6 p.m., where it’s expected to be decided at that time.
