Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025

The Allegheny County Council held its regular meeting on January 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Gold Room of the County Office Building. The meeting featured multiple proclamations honoring individuals and organizations, introduction of four new ordinances, liaison reports, and public testimony on air quality permit fees and jail restraint chair use. No votes were taken on new business items; ordinances were referred to committees.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• 13335-25 – Jon Delano: Recognized for 30 years at KDKA-TV as a political analyst. Council members and former council member Sam DeMarco spoke warmly of his career. Delano expressed gratitude and noted he may still appear occasionally on election nights.
• 13372-25 – Sam DeMarco: Commended for his decade of service as an Allegheny County Council member (Republican at-large). Multiple council members praised his bipartisan approach, integrity, and service. DeMarco is leaving to become Southwest Regional Director for U.S. Senator David McCormick.
• 13379-25 – Ed Woodruff ("Woody"): Recognized as Pittsburgh Regional Transit's oldest bus operator (age 84, driving for over 20 years). Woodruff shared stories from his career and plans to retire on April 1, 2026.
• 13380-25 – Peter Schepis: Proclamation recognizing his 100th birthday (read into record).
• 13381-25 – McKeesport Model Railroad Club: Celebrating its 75th anniversary (read into record).

Liaison Reports

• Councilman Nick Futules reported on the implementation of last year's spontaneous combustion legislation. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s office and the Restaurant Association have created educational brochures on fire safety for restaurants, a direct outcome of the council's work.

New Business – Ordinances Introduced & Referred to Committees

• 13382-25: Authorizing acceptance of two horse donations for the Allegheny County Police Mounted Unit. Referred to Public Safety Committee.
• 13383-25: Authorizing the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh to continue using Deer Lakes Park for astronomy programs. Referred to Parks Committee.
• 13384-25: Authorizing Family Links Inc. to continue using Boyce Park for human services programs. Referred to Parks Committee.
• 13385-25: Authorizing North Hills Council of Governments to continue using North Park as a leaf compost site. Referred to Parks Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

Three members of the public spoke during the general public comment period:

• John Kenstewitz (Pittsburgh 15206) urged the council to revisit the 2022 voter referendum that banned the use of restraint chairs in the Allegheny County Jail. He argued that the chair is needed to safely transport residents who are resisting, to prevent injury to both inmates and officers, and to ensure medical evaluations occur. He stated the jail is the only one in Pennsylvania not using restraint chairs, leading to physical struggles and potential liability.
• Margaret Fisher (Pittsburgh, Democratic Committee Woman of 14th Ward) spoke in favor of increasing permit fees on industrial polluters. She cited an Allegheny County Health Department operational budget shortfall of $1,840,920 and highlighted health impacts from air pollution, including her own multiple sclerosis (which she linked to environmental toxins). She urged a yes vote to protect public health.
• Jay Ting Walker (Outreach Coordinator, Clean Air Council, speaking for the Breathe Collaborative) also supported the fee increases. He noted the EPA's 2018 audit recommended the health department charge sufficient permit fees, and that the department's air program is under-resourced with a backlog. He argued that the increased fees would be negligible for large polluters: U.S. Steel's total annual Title V fees under the proposal would be $1,165,000, less than 0.01% of its 2023 earnings of $2.14 billion. He urged the council to approve the permit fee rate increases.

Key Outcomes

• All four new ordinances were introduced and referred to the appropriate committees (Public Safety, Parks) for further consideration. No votes were taken on the ordinances.
• The meeting adjourned via a unanimous voice vote after a motion was made and seconded.
• No formal action was taken on the public comment topics (restraint chair or permit fees); they remain items for future council consideration.