Allegheny County Council Meeting with Chief Executive's Quarterly Address and Heated Public Comment - March 19, 2024

County Council met on March 19, 2024, with 13 members present. The meeting featured Chief Executive Sara Innamorato's first quarterly address, covering her administration's first 78 days, followed by council questions and a lengthy public comment period dominated by criticism of Councilmember Bob Macy's remarks at the March 5 meeting and the council's handling of a ceasefire resolution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Brooks (first group, no show) – Did not speak.
• Nithin Ragunathan: Called on Councilmember Macy to apologize for racist and xenophobic remarks made on March 5, stating that immigrants in Allegheny County contribute $300 million in taxes and hold $731 million in spending power. He demanded the council censure Macy.
• Yas Alzuni (PhD from Purdue, naturalized citizen): Criticized Macy's remarks, noting that no council member has condemned the Islamophobia exhibited that night. Thanked Councilmembers Grisbeck, Hallam, and Prizio for their support of the ceasefire resolution.
• Corey Roma (Crafton, District 12): Expressed disappointment and disgust with the council's conduct on March 5, including the removal of a public commenter, illegal search, and denial of legal counsel. Criticized council for limiting public comment to one minute and for allowing “racist, xenophobic, and morally repugnant statements” from Councilman Macy. Called for better representation.
• Laura Perkins (human rights organizer at Casa San Jose): Invited Councilmember Macy to meet the immigrant community, stating his remarks imply immigrants are nefarious criminals. Noted the Hispanic population in Allegheny County grew by 80% from 2010 to 2020, while the overall population grew only 2.2%. Rejected the “hidden agenda” charge.
• Tanisha Long: Argued that limiting public applause and forcibly removing a commenter criminalized free speech and violated the First Amendment. Condemned Councilman Macy's “dangerous stereotypes about immigrants” and called for an apology.
• Kina James (Alliance for Police Accountability, NAACP criminal justice chair): Called Macy's remarks “extremely poor taste and racist,” noting that his own ancestors came with a hidden agenda. Questioned Council President Katina's fairness for saying there were no right or wrong answers after the racist statement.
• Derek Housler (District 10, son of Latino immigrants): Condemned Macy's remarks as “racist, xenophobic, and unacceptable,” warning they could hurt growth and migration to the county. Urged Macy to learn about immigrants by visiting local Latino businesses.
• Robert Chung (Millvale): Noted that the Tree of Life synagogue terrorist shared conspiracy theories similar to Macy's comments. Called on the council to show strength and integrity by holding colleagues accountable.
• Speaker (name not given, Mount Lebanon resident, 47 years in U.S.): Said Macy's words “kill” like the Tree of Life shooter's bullets. Recounting personal experiences of family being attacked, called for an apology.
• Brian Knuckles (Wilkinsburg): Criticized Councilmember Bakowski for saying public comment wouldn't change his mind, and Council President Katina for gaslighting. Demanded censure of Bakowski and Macy, and resignations.
• Speaker (name not given, Point Breeze): Detailed the consequences of voting against the ceasefire resolution, including continued bombing of civilians, starvation, and deaths of medical personnel. Criticized Macy's racism and noted that Macy called the speaker's wife to apologize but said colleagues advised him not to apologize publicly.

Chief Executive's Quarterly Address

• Workforce and wages: Raised lowest county wages to $18/hour (~$37,000/year) but noted it is still not competitive. Called for continued partnership with council to raise standards.
• Department of Human Services (DHS): Sheltered over 1,600 people experiencing homelessness; provided 60,000 home‑delivered meals to seniors; paid over $20 million in child care subsidies for over 10,000 children. Issued solicitation for medication‑assisted treatment in the jail; engaged 40 individuals from 24 organizations on immigrant/refugee services; launched initiative to improve nonprofit contracting.
• Transition committee: Most diverse in history, with a Talent Committee (recruiting leaders) and an All‑in Allegheny committee (community engagement). Historic appointments: Solicitor Rosalind Guy McCorkle and Chief Public Defender Lena Bryan Henderson. Hiring process for a new Health Director and Warden includes community input.
• All‑in Allegheny survey: Over 19,000 responses from all 130 municipalities; 20% people of color; translated into nine languages; included paper surveys in senior centers and the jail. Highest participation per council district was in Councilman Walton's district (2,355 respondents). An action plan will be unveiled next month.
• Economic development: Noted Excelitas moving HQ from Boston to Strip District. Expanded child care access with $500,000 in ARPA funds. Supported LERTA for downtown development. Created a Director of Housing position; Ed Newser to join from City of Bridges Community Land Trust.
• Public safety: Over $80 million investment in a unified ultra‑high frequency radio system for first time in county history, covering 400 municipalities. Committed to addressing issues at Allegheny County Jail and Schuman Center for juvenile justice.
• Upcoming initiatives: Comprehensive plan (first in 12 years); safe and fair elections; community engagement on housing and public safety.

Discussion Items (Council Questions)

• Councilman DeMarco: Asked to extend the U.S. Steel Clean Air Fund settlement (expires June 2024) and discussed requiring developers to contribute to a fund for repairing vacant properties. Chief Executive agreed to meet with stakeholders. Also asked about timeline for reopening Schuman Center; administration will provide written update.
• Councilman Paul Mary: Highlighted CCAC as an underappreciated asset; asked for a campaign to promote it. Chief Executive noted the governor's proposal for community colleges and ongoing engagement.
• Councilmember Hallam: Asked for detailed data on the 1,600 sheltered individuals and the administration's plan for non‑congregate shelter and wraparound services. Chief Executiveresponded that 75% of shelter users are “lower needs” individuals needing affordable housing, and 25% need intensive wraparound services. Also asked about jail reimagining; a public report forthcoming.
• Councilmember Nakaretti Chapkis: Praised the community engagement efforts; expressed hope it continues.
• Councilmember Grisbeck: Thanked for wage increases and All‑in Allegheny sessions. Raised record high hydrogen sulfide exceedances in air quality. Chief Executive emphasized hiring a new Health Director and working with EPA to hold polluters accountable.
• Councilmember Filiagi: Excited about UHF radio system. Asked that the comprehensive plan address the volunteer‑driven emergency services crisis. Chief Executive agreed to convene a table and include it in the plan.
• Council President Katina: Thanked the administration for UHF radio system; stressed need to solve the Schuman Center juvenile justice crisis.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Three appointments approved by voice vote after committee recommendations: Donna Gardner to Friends of the Park (Boyce Park), Russell Giancola to Accountability Conduct and Ethics Commission, and Maria Swartz to Friends of the Park (Boyce Park).
• Ordinance 12951‑24: Extended county real estate tax discount deadline from March 31 to April 30, 2024, and gross face period from May 1 to May 31, 2024. Approved 13‑0.
• Resolution 12954‑24: Amended grants and special accounts budget for 2024. Approved 13‑0.
• Motion on litigation invoices: Authorized payment of $6,219 for professional services related to Schuman Center litigation. Approved 13‑0.
• Notification of contracts: Communication summarizing approved executive actions for February 2024 received and filed.
• New business referred: Ordinance 12978‑24 (Health Dept. housing regulation revisions) to Health and Human Services Committee; Resolution 12979‑24 (Wilkinsburg TIF district) to Economic Development and Job Creation Committee.
• Board of Elections meeting: Scheduled for March 20 at 11:30 a.m. to vote on five mail‑in ballot drop‑off locations (not drop boxes).

Public Comment on Past Ceasefire Resolution and Council Conduct

• The overwhelming theme of public comment was condemnation of Councilmember Bob Macy's remarks at the March 5 meeting, where he stated immigrants might have “come here legally… but may have came with a hidden agenda.” Speakers called the remarks racist, xenophobic, and dangerous, demanding an apology and censure. Several speakers also criticized the council for limiting public comment to one minute, removing a person for clapping, and failing to condemn Macy's statement. Speakers from Casa San Jose, the Alliance for Police Accountability, and individual residents emphasized that immigrants contribute significantly to the county and are not a threat. One speaker reported that Macy called his wife to apologize but said colleagues advised him not to apologize publicly.

Council President Katina did not allow a response during the meeting, but noted that a resolution for discussion could be placed on a future agenda.