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Record of Proceedings

Allegheny County Council Meeting - February 7, 2023

County Council — Tuesday, February 7, 2023
BodyAllegheny County, Pennsylvania
SessionCounty Council
DateTuesday, February 7, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 27:49

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Me and Lip will make sure we hold it down the end of the sky button.

0:53

Um, we'll go through the go through the opening and then we'll do that.

1:41

So, is that it?

1:43

I thought it would be twenty-eight, actually.

1:50

I was expecting like to see a roll of toilet paper and just you unwinding and unwinding and unwinding.

1:56

Are you starting the meeting from down there?

1:57

Yeah, I'm gonna start from that.

1:58

Sit down.

2:05

You ready?

2:10

Good evening, everyone.

2:11

I'd like to call this meeting of Allegheny County Council to order.

2:15

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:19

I Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:26

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:32

Thank you.

2:33

Councilman Macy, I believe you have a statement.

2:36

Thank you, uh Mr.

2:38

President, members of the council.

2:40

I'd just like to have I'd just like to have a moment of silence for Sean Gansky, who was talking to killing the key sport.

2:53

And also uh Charles Thomas, who is feeling at home.

3:00

Your thoughts and prayers will be greatly appreciated, not only for them but for the officers in the key sport as well as the city of the key sport.

3:10

Thank you so much.

3:16

Thank you.

3:17

Please be seated.

3:18

Jared, please take roll.

3:21

Ms.

3:21

Bennett.

3:23

Mr.

3:23

Bekowski here.

3:24

Mr.

3:24

DeMarco.

3:26

Mr.

3:26

Dewar.

3:28

It's involved in the Ms.

3:30

Mr.

3:31

Fatulis.

3:32

Ms.

3:32

Hallum.

3:33

Here.

3:33

Mr.

3:33

Klein.

3:36

Mr.

3:37

Macy.

3:38

Here.

3:38

Ms.

3:38

Nakaretti Chapkas.

3:40

Here.

3:40

Mr.

3:40

Palmery.

3:41

Here.

3:42

Mr.

3:42

Palmasina.

3:43

Here.

3:43

Ms.

3:43

Pritzio.

3:44

Mr.

3:45

Walton.

3:46

President Katina.

3:47

Here.

3:47

We have 14 members present at the moment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Property Tax Assessment█████████14%
Education████6%
Election Reforms████6%
Correctional Services███4%
Summary of Proceedings

Allegheny County Council Meeting - February 7, 2023

The Allegheny County Council held its regular meeting on the evening of February 7, 2023. The meeting began with a moment of silence for officers Sean Gansky and Charles Thomas, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call (14 members present, later joined by Councilman Klein via teleconference). The agenda included multiple proclamations, appointments, unfinished business, liaison reports, new business, and a public comment.

Proclamations

  • Michael J. Suley (12572-23): Honored for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, recognizing his 40+ years in real estate and advocacy for property tax assessment reform. Council President Katina and RAMP Executive Vice President John Petrack spoke in his honor.
  • Allison Forge and Amber Furman (12570-23): Recognized for saving the life of a choking first-grade student at Turtle Creek Elementary Steam Academy on January 18, 2023. Sponsored by Councilmember Nakaretti Chatkis.
  • Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy football team (12573-23): Recognized for their 2022 season. Sponsored by Councilmember Walton.
  • Carnegie Library of Homestead (12574-23): Recognized on its 125th anniversary. Sponsored by Councilmembers Klein and Macy.
  • National School Counseling Week (12575-23): Recognized the week of February 6–10, 2023. Sponsored by Councilmember Palmasina.
  • Joseph Armbrewster (12576-23): Recognized as a life member of Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company. Sponsored by Councilmember Palmery.
  • Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department (12577-23): Recognized on 60 years of service. Sponsored by Councilmember Nakaretti Chatkis.

Appointments

  • The following appointments were introduced and referred to the Appointment Review Committee: Bavani Patel to the Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee; Tanya Vokes and Leslie Paul Jamerson to the Human Relations Commission (sponsored by the Chief Executive).

Unfinished Business

  • 12543-23: Reappointment of Thomas W. Weaver to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board was recommended by the Appointment Review Committee and approved by voice vote (unanimous).
  • 12562-23: A resolution amending the grants and special accounts budget for 2023 (submission #01-23) was recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee and passed by roll call vote of 15–0.

Liaison Reports

  • Councilman DeMarco acknowledged the special election day in Pennsylvania House Districts 32, 34, and 35, thanking county workers and voters.
  • Councilman Dewar announced that candidate petition applications are now available online, improving accessibility.

New Business

  • 12578-23: An ordinance authorizing acceptance of 43 parcels of land from the Allegheny Land Trust adjacent to North Park was introduced and referred to the Committee on Parks.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brian Engler, president of the county jail union and resident of West Mifflin, spoke in support of a resolution to address staffing shortages at the county jail. He stated the jail is short 50 officers and that from January to June 2022, there were nearly 90,000 hours of overtime, taking a toll on officer mental and physical health. He urged council to pass the resolution to allow qualified corrections professionals from other counties to work in Allegheny County.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of Thomas W. Weaver's reappointment to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board (unanimous voice vote).
  • Passage of budget resolution 12562-23 (15–0 roll call).
  • Introduction of ordinance 12578-23 (land donation) and referral to Parks Committee.
  • Public comment was heard from Brian Engler regarding jail staffing.
  • Council recognized election workers and improvements to petition application availability.

Meeting Transcript

Me and Lip will make sure we hold it down the end of the sky button. Um, we'll go through the go through the opening and then we'll do that. So, is that it? I thought it would be twenty-eight, actually. I was expecting like to see a roll of toilet paper and just you unwinding and unwinding and unwinding. Are you starting the meeting from down there? Yeah, I'm gonna start from that. Sit down. You ready? Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting of Allegheny County Council to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Councilman Macy, I believe you have a statement. Thank you, uh Mr. President, members of the council. I'd just like to have I'd just like to have a moment of silence for Sean Gansky, who was talking to killing the key sport. And also uh Charles Thomas, who is feeling at home. Your thoughts and prayers will be greatly appreciated, not only for them but for the officers in the key sport as well as the city of the key sport. Thank you so much. Thank you. Please be seated. Jared, please take roll. Ms. Bennett. Mr. Bekowski here. Mr. DeMarco. Mr. Dewar. It's involved in the Ms. Mr. Fatulis. Ms. Hallum. Here. Mr. Klein. Mr. Macy. Here. Ms. Nakaretti Chapkas. Here. Mr. Palmery. Here.

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