Allegheny County Council Meeting - January 24, 2023

The Allegheny County Council met on January 24, 2023, at 10:15 AM. The meeting included proclamations honoring Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and remembering a fallen police chief, public testimony focused largely on a censure motion against Councilmember Bethany Hallam, debate on property assessment reforms, approval of appointments, and passage of ordinances including a sanctuary for abortion rights and VOC emission regulations. The censure motion failed.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from December 13, 2022, and November 22, 2022, regular meetings (passed unanimously by voice vote).
• Several appointments were approved individually: Dwight Bodorf to the Independent Police Review Board (term to 2026), Arthur R. Peng to the Human Relations Commission (term to 2026), Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis to the Airport Authority Board (term to 2027), and Thomas W. Headley to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board (term to 2025). Councilmember Hallam objected to voting on all together, citing lame-duck appointments, but each passed with only her dissent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tanisha Long criticized Councilmember DeMarco’s motion to censure Bethany Hallam, calling it partisan and sexist, and cited DeMarco’s own Twitter posts using vulgar language. She argued Hallam is one of the few standing up for incarcerated people and that DeMarco rarely attends Jail Oversight Board (JOB) meetings.
• Mohammed Nasir (Manny) , representing Onehood Media and a survivor of the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ), expressed discomfort in the room and supported Hallam. He described deplorable conditions at the ACJ, including rodents and disrespectful staff, and said Hallam is the only elected official showing care for inmates.
• Nadia Narner recited a poem and criticized council for wasting time censuring Hallam instead of addressing jail and societal issues.
• Mike Sule urged passage of an assessment appeals bill (12524-22) and asked for tax relief for overpaying residents.
• Ann McStay called the censure motion a waste of time, citing County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s failure to attend JOB meetings and Judge Howey’s conflict of interest due to a campaign donation from Fitzgerald. She listed jail problems including contaminated food, deaths, and lack of medical care.
• Anna Ellenberger (foster parent) detailed retaliation by Allegheny County CYF after advocating for a foster child, alleging abuse of power and unnecessary transitions harming children, especially minorities.
• Billy Vaughan introduced himself as an advocate, commented on the Hallam censure situation, and praised Judge Howey for helping him with expungement and employment. He urged unity against external forces.
• Andrea Williams began speaking but her comment was cut off.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Councilmember DeMarco read a proclamation for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh (National Mentoring Month). A memorial proclamation for Police Chief Justin McIntyre and a firefighter recognition proclamation were read into the record.
• Assessment Reform Bill (12524-22) : Councilmembers Katina and DeMarco introduced an amendment to align the bill with state law on the common level ratio, waiving the 48-hour rule (passed 14-1). Katina condemned the administration for “cooking the books” on property assessments, calling it an affront to taxpayers. After amendment, the bill passed unanimously (15-0).
• Health and Human Services Ordinances:
  • Abortion Sanctuary Ordinance (12537-22) : Councilmember Katina sponsored, stating it deprioritizes cooperation with laws criminalizing abortion. Several councilmembers expressed support, including some pro-life members who opposed criminalization. Passed 15-0.
  • VOC Emission Control Ordinance (12553-23) : Ratified an amendment to Article 21 for unconventional and conventional oil and gas sources. Passed 15-0.
• Censure Motion (12564-23) : Councilmembers DeMarco and Macy sponsored a motion to censure Bethany Hallam for calling Judge Housey a “prick” during a January 5, 2023, JOB meeting. Debate lasted over 30 minutes. Councilmembers argued about consistency (prior use of vulgar language on council), whether the action occurred outside council, and the need for committee review. DeMarco and Macy defended the motion as necessary for decorum and respect for a sitting judge. Councilmembers Dewar and Filiagi emphasized the lack of procedural fairness. President Katina added that JOB meetings are frustrating and the board fails to provide answers.
• New Business: Referred two items to committee: a referendum on the home rule charter regarding multiple county office candidacies (12561-23) to Government Reform, and a grant budget amendment (12562-23) to Budget and Finance.
• Settlement Motion (12563-23) : Passed 13-2.
• Liaison Reports: Councilmember Walton reported on Sports & Exhibition Authority meeting; President Katina thanked members for attending ALOM legislative reception.

Key Outcomes

• Censure Motion Failed: Vote 3–10–2. Yes: DeMarco, Macy, Filiagi. No: Bennett, Bekowski, Fatulis, Hallam, Klein, Nacaretti Chapkis, Palmery, Palmasina, Pritzia (presumed no), and others. Abstain: Dewar, Walton.
• Assessment Reform Bill (amended) Passed: 15–0. Creates special appeal windows for 2022-2023 properties impacted by court-ordered CLR adjustments, aligning with state statute.
• Abortion Sanctuary Ordinance Passed: 15–0. County agencies to deprioritize cooperation with laws criminalizing abortion.
• VOC Emission Control Ordinance Passed: 15–0.
• Settlement Motion Passed: 13–2.
• Appointments Confirmed: All four appointments approved, with Councilmember Hallam dissenting on the first two due to lame-duck concerns.
• Minutes Approved: Unanimous.