Allegheny County Council Meeting - January 14, 2025

The Allegheny County Council met on January 14, 2025, at 10:15 AM, with 10 members present initially. The meeting included a special introduction of the new warden of the Allegheny County Jail, proclamations, public comment, approval of minutes, appointments, referral of two assessment-related bills back to committee, and the resignation of Councilman DeMarco. Councilman DeMarco abstained from all votes due to his new role as Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Director for U.S. Senator David McCormick.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• 13371-25: A proclamation declaring January 14, 2025, as the 25 Club of UPMC McGee Women's Hospital Day in Allegheny County, sponsored by Councilmember Macy. Representatives from the 25 Club accepted the proclamation, describing the club's 85-year history of supporting neonatal research and care.
• 13373-25: A proclamation recognizing Eric Cust for his heroic actions leading residents to safety after a fire in Verona, sponsored by Councilmember Fatulis.
• 13374-25: A proclamation recognizing Jim Rullo for his contributions to the borough of Pitcairn, sponsored by Councilmember Nakarati Chapkis.

Special Guest: Warden Trevor Wingard

• Trevor Wingard, the new warden of the Allegheny County Jail (hired the previous day), introduced himself. He stated he worked in corrections his whole life, including as interim warden in 2010, and invited council members to tour the facility. Councilmember Nakarati Chapkis and another member met with him earlier and expressed confidence that he is "exactly what that jail needs."

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Sylvestry, a former assistant solicitor to the Board of Assessment (1978–1998), spoke in favor of legislation to create greater autonomy for the Board of Assessment. He argued that politics has been increasingly injected into the board, undermining its independence. He noted that the board currently has only one official employee and relies on the county's Office of Property Assessments, which also sets assessed values, creating a conflict of interest in the appeals process.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2024, regular meeting: passed (voice vote).
• Motion to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2024, regular meeting: passed (voice vote). Councilman DeMarco abstained.

Appointments

• Referral to Committee on Appointment Review: Two nominations were presented and referred:
  • 13369-25: Lindsay Ritter to Friends of the Park for Boyce Park (term through Jan 14, 2028).
  • 13370-25: Grant Gitland to Allegheny County Housing Authority (term through Dec 31, 2029).
• Final Votes on Appointments (all sponsored by the Chief Executive):
  • 13322-24 through 13334-24: Appointments to the Housing Advisory Committee (terms through Jan 14, 2028).
  • 13341-24: Emily Rostquitz as public director of Allegheny County Conservation District (term through Dec 31, 2027).
  • The Committee on Appointment Review had recommended approval on January 7, 2025. The motion passed; Councilman DeMarco abstained, and Councilwoman Nakarati Chapkis abstained on her own appointment (13322-24).

Discussion Items

• Assessment Bills Referred Back to Committee: Councilmember Philiagi (via phone) moved to refer bills 13276-24 and 13277-24 back to the Committee on Assessment Practices. These bills aimed to increase independence and transparency of the assessment appeals board (B FAR) by altering staff assignments. She stated that after discussions with the administration, further refinement of the concept was needed. The referral was approved without objection.
• New Business – Budget Transfer Committee: Councilmember Palmasina introduced a motion (13376-25?) to re-establish the year-end budget transfer committee, which processes transactions for closing the county books. The motion passed with Councilman DeMarco abstaining.
• Notification of Contracts: Communication summarizing approved executive actions for December 2024 (13378-25) was received and filed.

Councilman DeMarco's Resignation

• Councilman DeMarco announced he was resigning effective immediately, having taken a role with Senator McCormick. He thanked colleagues and reflected on his nine-plus years of service, emphasizing issue-based disagreements. Former council members Michael Finnerty and Cindy Kirk presented him with a framed slate tile from the courthouse roof as a farewell gift.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations (13371-25, 13373-25, 13374-25) were approved.
• Minutes of December 3 and December 17, 2024, were approved.
• Appointments to Housing Advisory Committee and Conservation District were approved (abstentions noted).
• Bills 13276-24 and 13277-24 were referred back to the Committee on Assessment Practices for further discussion.
• The Budget Transfer Committee was re-established.
• Councilman DeMarco's resignation letter was accepted; he abstained from all votes.
• Meeting adjourned.