Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - March 11, 2025

The Allegheny County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Fourth Floor Gold Room, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA. Council President Patrick Catena presided. The meeting included proclamations, approval of minutes, appointments, a land conveyance, introduction of new ordinances, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (13432-25): The minutes of the February 11, 2025 regular meeting were approved by voice vote with no discussion.
• Appointments: The Council approved by roll call (12-0) a series of appointments to the Community Services Advisory Council (5 members) and the Mental Health/Intellectual Disability Advisory Board (12 members), all sponsored by the Chief Executive. Terms varied through March 2027 or March 2028.
• Unfinished Business - Land Conveyance (13411-25): Ordinance authorizing the donation and conveyance of a 5,983-square-foot parcel of County-owned land on Western Avenue, Borough of Emsworth, was approved by roll call (12-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jacob Poole (formerly Zoltan Jolt Levin Tyakov): Speaking as a public commenter, Mr. Poole alleged he was a victim of child trafficking from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia to the United States via American-operated camps in the 1980s and 1990s. He claimed that approximately 60,000 people in the Pittsburgh metro area were brought under similar circumstances and proposed a census to identify victims. He stated that his medical and identity documents have been manipulated.
• Eric Karoki Breasts (Allegheny County Treasurer): Speaking late but with Council permission, the Treasurer expressed strong support for proposed Ordinance 13433-25 (Tax Bill Disclosure Bill of Rights). He noted his office has already redesigned tax bills to improve readability, but acknowledged missing the homestead exemption caused confusion. He supported codifying best practices, including a statutory deadline for mailing bills, and offered partnership with Council.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 13433-25 (Tax Bill Disclosure Bill of Rights): Sponsored by Council Members Catena, Naccarati-Chapkis, Palmosina, and Filiaggi, this ordinance amends the Administrative Code to establish mandatory best practices for information on County real estate tax bills. It was referred to the Committee on Assessment Practices.
• Ordinance 13434-25 (False Claims Amendment): Sponsored by the same members, this ordinance amends Chapter 485 of the County Code to clarify applicability regarding misuse of County resources for political purposes. It was referred to the Committee on Government Reform.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations (13435-25 through 13444-25): Nine proclamations were presented or read into the record, recognizing Frank Aggazio (retiring Executive Director of Allegheny County Housing Authority), Christina Cassotis (2024 Pittsburgher of the Year), Molly Bozick (I Voted sticker contest winner), the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, the Irish Society for Education and Charity, and several parade dignitaries. Additionally, five other proclamations/certificates (13445-25 through 13449-25) were read into the record.
• Appointments and Land Conveyance: All appointments and the land conveyance were approved unanimously (12-0).
• New Business Referrals: Two ordinances were introduced and referred to committees for further consideration.
• Public Comment on General Items: No additional comments beyond those noted above.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned without further business.