Allegheny County Council Meeting: Final Quarterly Address by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Legislative Actions (December 19, 2023)

The Allegheny County Council held a regular meeting on December 19, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The meeting featured County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's final quarterly address, tributes from council members, a proclamation honoring his 12 years of service, and legislative action on several ordinances. Key outcomes included the passage of a reapportionment reform bill, approval of a property sale, and a vote on reproductive rights legislation, while a bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day failed.

Quarterly Address & Tributes

• County Executive Rich Fitzgerald delivered his final quarterly address, recognizing department directors and deputy directors who served under his administration. He highlighted achievements including: increasing the county's fund balance by over 1,500% (from $5 million to over $50.5 million), the highest bond rating in 40 years, no tax increases for 12 years, an 80% reduction in air pollutants, 11% reduction in carbon emissions, 20% reduction in water usage, over 80 miles of paved roads, reduction of jail population from about 2,700 to 1,600, and over 2,000 expungements through Project Reset.
• Multiple council members (Councilmen Walton, Dewar, Fatulas, Macy, and others) offered personal remarks praising Fitzgerald's leadership, collaboration, and focus on job creation and economic development.
• Councilmembers Katina, DeMarco, Bekkowski, and others sponsored a proclamation recognizing and honoring Fitzgerald for his contributions. The proclamation was read aloud and formally presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marilyn Jenkin: Encouraged council to adopt standards for future redistricting processes to safeguard against gerrymandering.
• Ruth Quint (League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh): Expressed support for Bill 12534-22 (reapportionment reform), arguing it would codify a transparent and independent process and reduce political manipulation.
• Elaine Kramer (Mount Lebanon): Spoke in favor of the same reapportionment bill, recalling that council supported fair redistricting in 2017 and urging consistency.
• Susan Thornton Lara: Described her qualifications (25+ years in assessment, certified Pennsylvania evaluator) for appointment to the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review.
• Jacob Poole: Claimed he was trafficked from Eastern Europe as a child and forced into labor in Allegheny County; he urged council to investigate.
• Rachel Nunes (Executive Director, Thomas Merton Center): Criticized communication failures in the city-county Code Blue cold weather shelter plan, noting that unhoused individuals were not adequately informed and that pets were not allowed. She called for improved outreach and compassion.

Discussion Items & Legislative Actions

• Consent Calendar / Minutes: Approved minutes from November 14, November 28, and December 5, 2023 meetings by voice vote.
• Appointment: Upon motion to waive rule (passed 12-2), council approved the appointment of Susan Thornton Lara to the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review for a term 2024-2026 by a roll call vote of 12-1.
• Property Sale (Bill 12868-23): Approved sale of a parcel at Glen Avenue, Wilkinsburg, to Neil Straub for $400. Passed 14-0.
• Indigenous People's Day vs. Columbus Day (Bill 12480-23): Proposed replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day. After debate, an amendment to also recognize Italian heritage was withdrawn. Councilmembers expressed concerns about erasing Italian American heritage. The bill failed on roll call (2 yes, 12 no). Several council members pledged to work on a separate Indigenous People's Day in November.
• Reapportionment Reform (Bill 12534-22): Sponsored by Councilmember Dewar, the bill creates a uniform, independent commission for redistricting. An amendment to remove two administrative consultant positions and rely on council staff was adopted (13-0, 1 abstention). The amended bill passed 14-0.
• Campaign Finance Enforcement (Bill 12812-23): Proposed giving the Ethics Commission authority to review campaign finance reports. Some council members expressed concerns about potential weaponization. The bill failed on a tied roll call (7 yes, 7 no).
• Right of Choice Reproductive Rights (Bill 12741-23): Amends the Health and Sanitation code to protect reproductive rights in anticipation of potential state/federal changes. Passed 10-4 after debate about county authority.
• Ethics Commission Overhaul (Bill 12888-23, New Business): Councilmember Dewar introduced a comprehensive bill to repeal and replace the Ethics Commission code. He noted it is a starting point for future discussion. Council members suggested forming a committee to gather input from former commissioners. The bill was referred to the Government Reform Committee.
• Contracts: Approved a communication summarizing approved executive actions for November 2023 by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Passed:
  • Appointment of Susan Thornton Lara to Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review (12-1).
  • Sale of property at Glen Avenue, Wilkinsburg (14-0).
  • Reapportionment Reform ordinance (14-0 after amendment).
  • Right of Choice reproductive rights ordinance (10-4).
  • Approval of minutes and contract summary (voice votes).
• Failed:
  • Indigenous People's Day ordinance (2-12).
  • Campaign finance enforcement ordinance (7-7).
• Referred: Ethics Commission overhaul bill to Government Reform Committee for further study.
• Next Steps: Council will work on a new bill for Indigenous People's Day in November; ethics reform will be taken up in the new session with input from former commissioners and stakeholders.