Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - February 20, 2024

The Allegheny County Council met on February 20, 2024, with all 15 members present. The meeting included proclamations, approval of minutes, and second readings of multiple ordinances. A large portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment, primarily concerning a proposed ceasefire resolution for Gaza, which was not on the agenda but drew extensive testimony. The council passed four bills: two reforming the property assessment appeals board, one establishing a volunteer firefighter tax credit, and one enacting a downtown tax abatement (LERTA) to address commercial property value declines.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 6, 2024 regular meeting (motion carried unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Merle Pusy (Assistant Fire Chief, West Welling Volunteer Fire Department) expressed strong support for the proposed volunteer firefighter tax incentive, citing a drastic drop in volunteers and the need for recruitment incentives. He noted the proposal is already generating interest.
• John Sylvestri (former solicitor for the Board of Assessment, 1978–1998) spoke in favor of three bills to improve the assessment appeals process, emphasizing that technology could reduce decision times from 60+ days to 30 days and that board members need training in uniform appraisal standards.
• Over 90 members of the public registered to speak, nearly all addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The majority called on the council to introduce and approve a resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers included Palestinian Americans who lost family members, Jewish residents citing Holocaust lessons, union representatives (e.g., UE, AFT), and students. They argued the U.S. funds the conflict and a local resolution could pressure federal officials. A smaller number of speakers opposed such a resolution, stating it is beyond the council's purview, would legitimize Hamas, and could increase anti-Semitism locally.

Discussion Items

• Assessment Appeals Reform (12917-24 & 12918-24): Councilmember Filiaggi introduced these bills from the Assessment Practices Committee. 12917-24 requires uniform training (9 hours every two years) for board members and hearing officers in appraisal standards and tax exemptions. 12918-24 mandates that appeals decisions be issued within 60 days (down from five months) and allows a single hearing officer with one reviewer. Councilmember Walton questioned the specifics of training and his lack of committee appointments. After discussion, bills passed as noted below.
• Volunteer Service Tax Credit (12916-24): Councilmember Palmasina moved approval. This ordinance creates a real property tax incentive program for volunteer service providers (e.g., volunteer firefighters). Councilmembers Macy and Grisbeck abstained due to potential personal benefit. Passed.
• Downtown LERTA (12939-24): Councilmember Bikowski presented this resolution providing a 10-year temporary tax exemption for improvements to commercial/industrial property in deteriorated areas of downtown Pittsburgh, under LERTA law. Councilmember Hallum spoke against it as a "band-aid" and called for a countywide reassessment and land value tax. Councilmember Klein and others supported it as necessary to counter falling commercial assessments, office vacancies, and to spur housing conversion. Passed.

Key Outcomes

• 12917-24 (Assessment board training) passed: 14 yes, 1 no (Walton).
• 12918-24 (Appeals timeline) passed: 14 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention (Walton initially abstained, later stated no; recorded as abstention).
• 12916-24 (Volunteer tax credit) passed: 13 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions (Macy, Grisbeck).
• 12939-24 (Downtown LERTA) passed: 14 yes, 1 no (Hallum).
• 12915-24 (Continuity of Chief Assessment Officer) was held by sponsor Councilmember Katina to the March 5 meeting.
• No formal ceasefire resolution was introduced or voted on, but the council heard extensive public testimony on the matter. Council President Katina reminded attendees to remain respectful and noted the council is not expert in geopolitics.