Allegheny County Council Meeting - August 29, 2023

The Allegheny County Council met on August 29, 2023, at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a moment of silence, a statement on the Plum tragedy, several proclamations, extensive public testimony on a proposed climate action plan ordinance, and a vote to approve that ordinance. Public comment also addressed a proposed homeless shelter in Carrick and opposition to the federal EATS Act.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the August 15, 2023 regular meeting was moved and seconded; passed unanimously.
• Proclamations were approved en bloc (12781-23 through 12783-23) recognizing Jason Brule, Willa A. Neal, and George and Mary Batico.

Public Comments & Testimony

Climate Action Plan (Bill 12695-23):

• Tom Pike (Forest Hills) voiced strong support for the ordinance, stating it would bring Allegheny County in step with Pittsburgh and other municipalities. He noted that the county's air quality is among the worst in the country, with 52 unhealthy air days in 2021.
• Sam Schmidt (concerned mother and resident) urged immediate action, emphasizing that the plan must be enforceable, specific, measurable, and time-bound, and based on IPCC data. She highlighted poor air quality in the Mon Valley.
• Matt Mahalek (Director, Breathe Project) supported the ordinance, stating that air quality and climate issues are intertwined. He noted that the Mon Valley's air is worse than 93% of the country and that Allegheny County is in the top 1% for cancer risk from point source air toxics. He cited a 42% drop in ER visits for heart problems after the Shenango Coke Works closure.
• Angela Wiley (Children's librarian, Communitopia board member) supported the plan, emphasizing the need for equitable responses to climate change that prioritize underserved communities.
• Deborah Smith (Resident, climate reality leader, Mount Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board) supported the bill, noting that Pittsburgh created a plan 15 years ago and that the county faces over $15 billion in climate adaptation costs by 2040. She stated that 20% of county residents live at or below poverty.
• Naomi Swerglow thanked council members and highlighted educational institutions.
• Ilias Kahn (Swissvale) urged the council to pass the ordinance, arguing it would address environmental racism, protect seniors, and help rural communities.
• Christine Graziano (Squirrel Hill North resident) supported the ordinance, noting the urgency of climate action and referencing Hurricane Idalia and Maui wildfires.
• Patricia DeMarco (Resident, concerned mother) supported the plan, emphasizing the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, and criticizing carbon capture and blue hydrogen.
• Melanie Meade (Clairton resident, near USX Clairton Coke Works) urged passage, stating that children in Clairton do not know what environmental justice is and are suffering from health issues due to pollution.
• Juan Lingo (Homewood resident) endorsed the plan, noting milder winters and the impact of Canadian wildfire smoke.
• Meredith Feldy (Oakland, constituent of Councilman Walton) expressed strong support, saying both Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh already have climate action plans.
• John Detweiler (77-year resident, in Mr. Klein's district) supported the bill but warned against hucksters and profiteers, and called for a transparent, open planning process.
• Thomas Allen (Lawrenceville, constituent of Councilwoman Bennett) supported the plan, stating that Allegheny County's food system alone emits 3.7 million tons of CO2 annually, more than entire countries like Puerto Rico or Niger.
• Lucina de Barbero supported the plan, emphasizing the need to distinguish investments that reduce emissions.
• Phoebe Reeves (O'Hara Township, constituent of Councilwoman Prizio) supported the ordinance, stating that emissions are waste and cost money through heat, asthma, landslides, and flooding.
• Diane Peterson, Emily Donato, James Logue were not present.
• Robert Axon (Engineer) advocated dividing the plan into local pollution and global climate change parts, stressing the need for innovations.
• Reverend Jeffrey Thomas (Lawrenceville, constituent of Councilwoman Bennett) supported the bill on the basis of faith, stating that humans are caretakers of the earth.
• Ray Roberts (constituent of Councilman Walton) urged passage, citing IPCC reports, extreme rainfall, and the urgency of climate action.

Other Public Comments:

• Shannon Dickerson (Pittsburgh) spoke against the federal EATS Act (HR 4417/S 2019), arguing it would give DC power over local communities, undermine state agricultural committees, and hurt minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
• Donna McManus (President, CAREC Community Council) raised safety concerns about a proposed homeless shelter at 2230 Brownsville Road in Carrick, noting it sits between two Pittsburgh public schools. She cited issues like public urination, drug use, and understaffed police.
• Laura Doyle (Secretary, CARE Community Council) objected to the lack of community notification for the shelter RFP, stating that 60 homeless people listed Carrick as last address and that the community was blindsided.
• Michelle Trafficante (Lifelong resident) opposed the shelter location near an elementary school, citing problems from a previous shelter on Smithfield Street.
• Ron Giardini (Carrick resident) expressed frustration with the concentration of social services in the city and argued that suburban council members should understand the burden on Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
• Eileen Papau (Former volunteer at Bethlehem Haven) urged a more comprehensive approach, including job skills and partnership with Habitat for Humanity, rather than just warehousing the homeless.
• Rhonda Luffy Graham (Carrick resident, family history since Civil War) asked the council to reconsider the RFP and to walk the community.
• John Hanarhan (North Side resident, Vice President of Fine View Citizens Council) supported emergency housing and noted that his neighborhood is doing its part.

Discussion Items

• Plum Tragedy Statement: Councilwoman Nakara Chapkis delivered a statement honoring six victims of a tragedy in Plum, thanking first responders and many volunteer fire departments and organizations.
• Proclamation for Ray McCutcheon: Council President Katina presented a proclamation recognizing Coraopolis Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon for the 2023 Distinguished Service Award. McCutcheon thanked the council, noting his 12 years of service and deep roots in the community.
• Climate Action Plan Ordinance (Bill 12695-23): Councilwoman Prizio, sponsor, moved for approval. Councilman Walton spoke in favor, citing WHO statistics on climate change health impacts, NASA data on July 2023 being the hottest month on record, and risks to health and agriculture. Council President Katina noted that the committee on sustainability was created only recently. The ordinance passed unanimously 15-0.
• Liaison Report: Councilman Macy reported that the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) voted unanimously to be a single point of contact for regional climate planning, emphasizing collaboration.
• New Business: Several ordinances were introduced and referred to committees, including acquisition of easements for road and bridge projects, and continuation of use of structures in South Park by Budokai, Mon Valley Express Drum and Bugle Corps, and South Park Theater. Also, a resolution opposing the EATS Act (HR 4417/S 2019) was introduced and passed by voice vote. Councilman DeMarco expressed opposition to the EATS Act due to overly broad language that could affect animal protection and environmental laws.
• Public Comment on General Items: Multiple speakers opposed the proposed homeless shelter in Carrick, citing safety, lack of community notification, and the concentration of services in southern neighborhoods. Council member noted that the shelter proposal came from the administration, not the council, and called for better communication.

Key Outcomes

• Climate Action Plan Ordinance (12695-23): Approved by a vote of 15-0. The ordinance requires the Allegheny County Department of Sustainability to develop a climate action plan by July 1, 2024.
• Resolution Opposing EATS Act (12794-23): Approved by voice vote. The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to defeat HR 4417 and S 2019, which would limit state and local agricultural regulations.
• All other new business items were referred to appropriate committees for further consideration.