OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Allegheny County Council Meeting - July 2, 2024: Quarterly Address, Climate Action Plan Debate, and Bond Issuance

County Council — Tuesday, July 2, 2024
BodyAllegheny County, Pennsylvania
SessionCounty Council
DateTuesday, July 2, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:59:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:30

Thank you very much.

0:33

We have a roll call, please.

0:35

Mr.

0:35

Bekkowski.

0:37

Here.

0:38

Mr.

0:39

Bonarotti.

0:44

Mr.

0:44

DeMarco.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Ms.

0:47

Filiagi.

0:50

Mr.

0:51

Fatulas.

0:52

Mr.

0:52

Grisbeck.

0:53

Here.

0:53

Ms.

0:54

Hallum.

0:59

Mr.

1:00

Klein.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Mr.

1:01

Macy.

1:02

Present.

1:03

Ms.

1:03

Nakaretti Chapkas.

1:05

Here.

1:07

Mr.

1:07

Palmery.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Mr.

1:10

Palmasina.

1:11

Here.

1:11

Ms.

1:11

Pritzio.

1:13

Mr.

1:14

Walton.

1:15

President Katina.

1:17

Here.

1:18

There's 13 members present at the moment.

1:23

Good start of this evening.

1:24

We have our chief executives' quarterly address to begin the proceedings tonight.

1:29

Would you please?

1:34

Good evening.

1:36

Good evening, Council.

1:37

How are we doing today?

1:40

Wonderful.

1:41

Well, thank you for having me to offer my second quarterly address.

1:47

So, really, my driving vision for this administration has been building an Allegheny County that works for us all.

1:55

And what that means is we're creating a space where everyone feels safe in their communities, connected to their neighbors, and has the opportunity to thrive.

2:07

So one way we set the foundation to deliver on that promise and that vision is through our extensive transition committee and community engagement work.

2:15

In April, our transition committee wrapped up and delivered the results of our all-in Allegheny survey.

2:21

From those results and nearly 700,000 data points that we reviewed and collected, we released a 91-point action plan to help guide the work of county government for my first term as county executive.

2:35

And I'm pleased to report that we're already making progress in a few key areas, including expanding voter access by adding more locations for staffed mail-in ballot return locations across the county.

2:49

Moving forward with the creation of a new housing advisory committee under the Board of Health to better protect the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable citizens and launching 500 and 500, a collaborative countywide effort that will create hundreds of permanent deeply affordable housing units available for people who are exiting homelessness.

3:13

So I'm going to start with giving an update on some of the departments.

3:18

So uh first off is elections.

3:20

So in April, the elections division managed a very successful and very uneventful election, which is the best kind.

4:45

Two of those bridges were rated as being poor condition when they were replaced.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection██████████████████████22%
Public Safety████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Economic Development██████6%
Public Health██████6%
Budget██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Housing And Homelessness█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Allegheny County Council Meeting - July 2, 2024: Quarterly Address, Climate Action Plan Debate, and Bond Issuance

County Executive Sara Innamorato delivered her second quarterly address, reporting progress on elections, infrastructure, housing, and transit. Council heard extensive public testimony on the climate action plan, passed a bond issuance of up to $445 million, and approved an ordinance extending the climate action plan deadline to July 1, 2025.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the June 4, 2024 regular meeting (voice vote, no opposition).
  • Approved appointments and reappointments on a block vote: Thomas Burgunder and Bobby Fan to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Board, Gil Barry to the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission, Lisa Freeman, G. Eric French, Juan Garrett, and Anita Prizio to the Allegheny County Conservation District, and corrected term end dates for three Conservation District board members.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Climate Action Plan (CAP): Twenty community members spoke, overwhelmingly advocating for an inclusive, transparent, and community-led process. Key points:
    • Helen Gerhardt noted that the RFQ appeared to focus only on county operations, while the ordinance instructs reference to broader plans. She urged a cross-sector approach.
    • Pamaj Chakmam Nij (Grand Inca, Ongweonwe nation) stressed the need for transparency and inclusion of indigenous voices.
    • Ed Rand (Pittsburgh Green New Deal) suggested using local resources instead of a consultant.
    • Paul LeBlanc proposed focusing on abandoned gas wells and principles of people before profit.
    • Fawn Walker Montgomery (Mon Valley resident) highlighted environmental racism, stating "I can't breathe where I live" and called for a task force representing those most impacted.
    • Marcia Bandies urged embedding equity metrics and cumulative impact assessments.
    • Julia Menti (social worker) emphasized accountability measures and periodic public updates.
    • Ilias Khan (youth advocate) requested extending the deadline and including youth representatives to regain trust.
    • Leslie Centola (Upstream Pittsburgh) supported extending the deadline to July 2025, arguing that community expertise is essential.
    • Dana Siler (Citizens Climate Lobby) warned against fossil fuel influence and cited a University of Pittsburgh study showing children living near fracking wells are up to seven times more likely to develop lymphoma.
    • Alejandro Sanchez criticized fossil fuel lobbying and called for a democratic CAP without corporate influence.
  • General Public Comment:
    • Harry Lulder advocated for a Women's Health Care Freedom Act amendment and urged council to take it to the DNC.
    • Yas Azuni raised concerns about address search security on the county website, providing several ZIP codes, and requested CAPTCHA or other measures.

Discussion Items

  • County Executive's Quarterly Address (Sara Innamorato):
    • Reported a successful April election with no issues.
    • Announced a 72% reduction in bridges in poor condition (from 65 in 2014 to 18 now, with 2 under construction).
    • Launched "500 and 500": a collaborative effort to create 500 deeply affordable housing units in 500 days for people exiting homelessness. A website tracker is live.
    • Launched Allegheny Go with PRT: all SNAP recipients eligible for half-price bus fare. Enrollment at discountedfares.alleghenycounty.us, with Spanish materials.
    • Announced four new PRT board members (Emma Schauker, Tia McClenny, Thomas Brogrunder, Bobby Fan).
    • Reported on the June 4 fire at 2nd Avenue Commons shelter: 94 individuals moved to a Pittsburgh Mercy facility; 94 others rehoused; damage extensive, reopening may take months.
    • Emphasized the need for permanent housing over shelters, especially after the Supreme Court ruling allowing penalties for sleeping outside—county will not change its approach.
    • Announced hiring of new directors: Tony McCabb (Facilities), Brittany Pershak (Sustainability), Dr. Julian Vaughn (Health Department), and Melanie Ondike (Grants Manager).
    • Stated the county will issue an RFQ for a climate action plan consultant, with an advisory group including environmental justice communities.
    • Noted financial challenges as ARPA funds wind down, previewing upcoming budget discussions.
  • Q&A with Council:
    • Councilmember Macy raised concerns about decades-long economic neglect in the Mon Valley (50% below poverty, poor housing, roads). The Executive highlighted $8 million invested in Braddock and agreed to a strategic meeting.
    • Vice Chair Palmery asked about the climate action plan advisory board; the Executive confirmed it will include community voices and build on existing municipal plans.
    • Councilmember Klein asked about participatory budgeting; the Executive committed to engaging council before budget introduction.
    • Councilmember Klein also asked about 500 and 500 timeline: units are coming online through streamlined housing authority processes, prioritizing shelter users (from 6/year to 20/month).
    • Discussion on Second Avenue Commons overflow: exploring options, no announcement yet.
    • Councilmember Klein raised the county housing opportunity fund and eviction prevention; the Executive noted a plan to extend the lawyer of the day program and hopes for state funding.
    • Councilmember Klein asked about jail population reduction: average daily population in June 2024 was 1,700 (up slightly from last year, down from 2,500 in 2020). Uniforms expected soon; worker stipends under discussion.
    • Councilmember DeMarco asked about the reopened Schuman Center (now Highland Detention Center); the Executive confirmed community voice will be included in further phases.
    • Councilmember DeMarco also asked about county plumbers helping city pools; the Executive confirmed county plumbers assisted.
    • President Katina (via phone) asked about the 911 radio system upgrade; the Executive explained it involves new digital equipment for 400 agencies across 37 towers, part of the bond issuance.
    • Councilmember Filiagi requested a meeting with new Health Director Dr. Vaughn; the Executive agreed to arrange.
  • Proclamation: Recognized Glendale Hose Company No. 1 for its 150th anniversary. Chief Scott Cavey thanked council and noted the importance of the radio system upgrade.
  • Bond Issuance (13109-24): Ordinance authorizing up to $198 million in Series C80 bonds and up to $247 million in Series C81 refunding bonds. The Budget and Finance Committee recommended approval. Passed 14-0.
  • Amended Grants Budget (13111-24): Resolution amending the 2024 grants budget. Passed 14-0.
  • Property Sale (13110-24): Sale of Demler Street parcel in North Fayette for $5,500 to Edward Dandar. Passed 14-0.
  • TIF District Dissolution (13004-24): Dissolving the Mount Nebo Point Tax Increment Financing District. Passed 14-0.
  • Climate Action Plan Deadline Extension (13118-24): Ordinance introduced by Councilmember Prizio to extend the CAP deadline to July 1, 2025. Motion to waive second reading passed 11-3. Final vote: 12-2 (Macy and DeMarco opposed). Passed.

Key Outcomes

  • Appointments approved: Thomas Burgunder and Bobby Fan to PRT Board; Gil Barry to Southwest PA Commission; Lisa Freeman, G. Eric French, Juan Garrett, and Anita Prizio to Conservation District; corrected term end dates for three Conservation District members.
  • Bond Issuance approved: Up to $445 million in general obligation bonds for capital projects and refunding (14-0).
  • Property sale approved: Demler Street parcel for $5,500 (14-0).
  • TIF District dissolved: Mount Nebo Point TIF dissolved (14-0).
  • Climate action plan deadline extended: To July 1, 2025 (12-2).
  • Executive actions for May 2024: Received and filed.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you very much. We have a roll call, please. Mr. Bekkowski. Here. Mr. Bonarotti. Mr. DeMarco. Here. Ms. Filiagi. Mr. Fatulas. Mr. Grisbeck. Here. Ms. Hallum. Mr. Klein. Here. Mr. Macy. Present. Ms. Nakaretti Chapkas. Here. Mr. Palmery. Here. Mr. Palmasina. Here. Ms. Pritzio. Mr. Walton. President Katina. Here. There's 13 members present at the moment. Good start of this evening. We have our chief executives' quarterly address to begin the proceedings tonight. Would you please? Good evening. Good evening, Council. How are we doing today? Wonderful. Well, thank you for having me to offer my second quarterly address. So, really, my driving vision for this administration has been building an Allegheny County that works for us all.

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