Allegheny County Council Meeting – June 4, 2024

The Allegheny County Council met on June 4, 2024, with 14 members present (one absent). The meeting featured a contentious debate and vote on a resolution opposing the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, which ultimately failed. Council also passed a resolution urging enactment of a state bill to make post-traumatic stress injury compensable for first responders, approved several appointments, recognized outgoing County Manager Jennifer Liptak and other community figures, and advanced routine legislative items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 7, 2024 regular meeting were approved by voice vote.
• Appointments: All appointments were referred to the Committee on Appointment Review and then voted on individually. The following appointments/reappointments were approved by voice votes:
  • Ed Eichenlob, Dave Bukowitz, James Converse, Carolyn Svicus, Jason Finkey, Tom Woods, and Jake Riley to the Friends of South Park.
  • Corey Seymour to the Friends of Hartwood Acres.
  • Richard Snipe to the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review.
  • Brian Burley to the Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee.
  • Robert Palmasina to the Sports and Exhibition Authority (Councilman Palmasina abstained).
  • Bridget J. Daly to the Regional Asset District Board.
  • Christopher Sandveg and Daniel Grisbeck to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (Councilman Grisbeck abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Suley spoke in support of Councilman DeMarco’s bill to change the property assessment appeal deadline, stating that the current system creates uncertainty.
• Harry Liller (during general public comment) proposed a constitutional amendment called the “Women’s Health Care Freedom Act” and urged the council to adopt a resolution or proclamation. He also referenced his earlier proposal for an employee-owned buyout of U.S. Steel.
• Yas Azuni spoke about free speech, criticizing Republican efforts to ban TikTok and criminalize phrases related to the Palestinian cause, and expressed support for the Democratic Party’s social safety net.

Discussion Items

U.S. Steel / Nippon Steel Resolution (Bill 12926-24)

Councilman Walton moved to amend the agenda to bring this resolution to the floor, citing council rules that allow items stuck in committee to be brought up. The motion to amend passed 10-4 (with Councilman Klein absent). The resolution would have opposed the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel.

Key speakers and positions:

• Councilman DeMarco (opposed the resolution) argued the sale is the best outcome for the region, citing Nippon’s promises to keep U.S. Steel intact, invest $1.4 billion, maintain headquarters in Pittsburgh, and honor labor agreements. He called the deal “absolutely the best deal” and criticized the “catch-or-kill” strategy of Cleveland-Cliffs.
• Councilman Grisback (opposed the resolution) echoed DeMarco, noting that Japan is a trusted ally and that Nippon has operated in the U.S. for 40 years. He warned that if Cleveland-Cliffs acquired U.S. Steel, white-collar jobs would leave Pittsburgh.
• Councilwoman Filiaci (opposed the resolution) emphasized Nippon’s willingness to address environmental issues and engage with community leaders.
• Councilman Walton (supported the resolution) cited national security concerns, the lack of accountability if Nippon fails to deliver, and the history of broken promises at the Mon Valley Works. He stated that the United Steelworkers union opposes the sale and that both U.S. Senators and the President oppose it.
• Councilwoman Nakarati Chapkis (position unclear) asked about the status of collective bargaining agreements and noted that her constituents in District 8 (where Edgar Thomson Works is located) have met with Nippon and are encouraged.
• Councilman Fatulis (supported the resolution) said he was voting in favor of Councilman Walton because Walton worked at U.S. Steel and knows more, but acknowledged the council’s opinion is unlikely to affect the sale.
• Councilman Palmasina (supported the resolution) expressed skepticism about corporate promises and cited his own district’s experience with broken commitments.
• President Katina (opposed the resolution) made a motion to table the item to allow more time to talk to union leaders, but the motion to table failed 4-10. He later voted no on the resolution.

A member of the public, Harry Liller, briefly spoke in favor of an employee-owned buyout of U.S. Steel.

Vote on the resolution: The motion to approve Bill 12926-24 (which would oppose the sale) failed 6-8 (with one absent). The ayes (opposing the sale) were: Betkowski, Bonarotti, Fatulis, Palmery, Palmasina, Walton. The nays (supporting the sale) were: DeMarco, Filiaci, Grisback, Hallam, Macy, Nakarati Chapkis, Pritzio, President Katina.

First Responder PTSD Bill (Resolution 13079-24)

Councilman Palmasina moved to approve a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact HB 1632, which would make post-traumatic stress injury compensable for first responders under workers’ compensation. The motion was seconded. Councilman Grisback, a volunteer firefighter, abstained. The resolution passed by voice vote with one abstention.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Jennifer Liptak – Recognized for her 26 years of service, including as County Manager. Council members praised her dedication and intelligence. Ms. Liptak spoke about her family’s public service history and her pride in being the first female county manager.
• Andy Warhol Museum – Celebrated its 30th anniversary. Representatives noted over 20 million visitors served and highlighted the Pop District initiative for workforce development.
• Isaac Bernstein – Recognized as a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholar. He spoke about his service organization “Plates for Pitt” (raising over $44,000 for food insecurity) and his plans to attend Princeton.
• McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and Ross Westview Emergency Medical Services Authority – Both received proclamations for earning national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, a distinction held by only 182 of 18,000 EMS agencies in the U.S. Representatives emphasized the partnership between the two agencies.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution opposing U.S. Steel sale to Nippon Steel failed (6-8). The council will not take a formal position against the sale.
• Resolution supporting HB 1632 (first responder PTSD) passed (voice vote, one abstention).
• Second reading of Ordinance 13056-24 (amending property assessment appeal deadlines) passed 14-0 after a minor amendment to keep the appeal window at 30 days (instead of 60) for change notices. The bill moves the general appeal deadline earlier to provide certainty.
• Second reading of Resolution 13057-24 (amending 2024 grants and special accounts budget) passed 14-0.
• Second reading of Ordinance 13042-24 (ratifying revisions to Health Department housing regulations) passed 14-0.
• New Business: Ordinance 13078-24 (establishing tax neutral assessed values for certain eligible taxpayers) was introduced and referred to the Committee on Assessment Practices.

Other Items

• President Katina noted a fire at the Second Avenue Commons homeless shelter earlier that day, which was safely evacuated. He thanked first responders and the county administration for their rapid response.