Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting – November 14, 2023

The Allegheny County Council met at 5:00 PM on November 14, 2023, in the Fourth Floor Gold Room at 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh. The session included proclamations, approval of three sets of minutes, passage of a Duquesne University bond resolution, introduction of FY 2024 budget and jail-related ordinances, and a vote to pay litigation invoices. Fourteen members were present at roll call; Councilmember Bennett arrived during the proclamations.

Proclamations & Presentations

• 12842-23: Councilmember Duerr honored Christopher Tobias, a Bethel Park High School German teacher for 29 years. Duerr described Tobias as a former teacher and mentor; Tobias accepted the proclamation and said a C or C- means the student is meeting the requirements of the course.
• 12843-23: Councilmember DeMarco honored Colleen Bowers and the Center for Victims MEN Challenge. Bowers, whose daughter Melissa was murdered in 2012 in a domestic violence incident, described her advocacy; Tyler Daig of the Center for Victims explained the MEN Challenge, and Council took the pledge. Bowers noted that 700 men took the pledge at the national Ancient Order of Hibernians convention in Pittsburgh.
• 12844-23: Councilmember Duerr honored the 2023 Get Involved 14th Annual Service Summit honorees. Former Councilmember Tom Baker spoke about Get Involved Pittsburgh and introduced several honorees. Councilmember DeMarco then presented a surprise proclamation recognizing Baker's community leadership. Councilmember Filiaggi also presented a proclamation declaring November 13, 2023 Kaylee Lynn McDowell Kindness Day; Lynn Banazak accepted on behalf of the foundation.
• 12845-23 through 12848-23 were read into the record: the Veterans Day Parade, Fox Chapel High School student Anna Delale-O'Connor, Gala Jewelers on its 75th anniversary, and Ruth Hidek for 50 years of service to the Girl Scouts of America.

Approval of Minutes

• 12849-23: Motion to approve the September 26, 2023 regular meeting minutes passed by voice vote.
• 12850-23: Motion to approve the October 10, 2023 regular meeting minutes passed by voice vote.
• 12851-23: Motion to approve the October 24, 2023 regular meeting minutes passed by voice vote.

Unfinished Business

• 12840-23: Council passed, on second reading and by a 15-0 roll call vote, a resolution approving a project for the benefit of Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit to be financed by the Allegheny County Higher Education Building Authority through revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000. The resolution states that the taxing power of Allegheny County will not be obligated with respect to the bonds.

Discussion Items – Liaison Reports

• President Catena reported a relatively smooth election day, noted that the Return Board reconvened at 9:00 AM on November 14, and said provisional and overseas ballots were being processed and uploaded to the election results page.
• A council member reported on a Sports & Exhibition Authority meeting, saying the cost of maintaining the convention center and stadiums is substantial but the facilities are well cared for.
• A council member asked for an update on the Schumann Center, including the rehabilitation process and when children and defenders are expected to be housed there, while acknowledging the matter is in litigation.

New Business – Introductions and Referrals

• 12852-23: Ordinance establishing the FY 2024 real property tax levy was introduced and referred to the Committee on Budget and Finance.
• 12853-23: Ordinance creating an Incarcerated Individuals Welfare Fund for revenues derived from individuals incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail was introduced and referred to Budget and Finance.
• 12854-23: Ordinance establishing a Jail Oversight Board and related authority was introduced and referred to Budget and Finance.
• 12855-23: Ordinance authorizing Department of Public Works actions on permits, easements, rights of entry, and related matters for 2024-2025 was introduced and referred to Public Works.
• 12856-23, 12857-23, and 12858-23: Resolutions adopting the FY 2024 Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Grants/Special Accounts/Agency Fund Budget were introduced and referred to Budget and Finance.

New Business – Motions

• 12859-23: Council passed, by a 14-1 roll call vote, a motion authorizing payment of two invoices for extraordinary professional services in litigation captioned County Council of Allegheny County v. Rich Fitzgerald and County of Allegheny. The total amount approved was $9,483. Councilmember Walton voted no.

Notification of Contracts

• 12860-23: Council received and filed the communication summarizing approved executive actions for October 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered on agenda items.
• Four general public commenters were listed: Tom Pike, Kelly Morenko Strain, Rose Delaney, and Jacob Poole. The transcript captures comments from Jacob Poole, who described himself as a child trafficking survivor from Eastern Europe living isolated in Allegheny County, alleged exploitation and lack of assistance, said he had reached out without response to Tom Baker's organization, and argued that there are no local slavery laws.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of the September 26, October 10, and October 24, 2023 regular meetings were approved.
• The Duquesne University bond resolution passed 15-0.
• The litigation invoice payment motion passed 14-1.
• FY 2024 tax, operating budget, capital budget, grants budget, and jail-related ordinances were introduced and referred to committees.
• The October 2023 executive actions communication was received and filed.
• Council members took the MEN Challenge pledge, and President Catena congratulated Councilmember Bennett and her husband on their 10th anniversary before adjournment.