Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - June 6, 2025

The Allegheny County Council convened on June 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM with all 15 members present. The meeting included proclamations, approval of a consent calendar, second reading of an ordinance authorizing a donation from the U.S. Golf Association, a liaison report on the U.S. Open, a new business ordinance referral, and public comments on topics including jail safety, air quality fees, historic bridge restoration, hate crimes, a councilmember's social media post, and a constituent complaint.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamations (13551-25 through 13558-25): Celebrated the 80th anniversary of Oakmont Elks Lodge 1668, BAPS Charities volunteers, Judge Dan Kane's retirement, the 70th anniversary of the Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh, the 125th anniversary of Samson's Mills Presbyterian Church, the 100th anniversary of Unity Volunteer Fire Department, and Eagle Scout achievements of Henry Polk and John Dolan. The consent calendar was approved by voice vote after one comment from Edward Wren (not specified).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Kensowitz: Read a narrative from a corrections officer describing an attempted escape by an inmate at a hospital. The officer had to use physical intervention because leg shackles were not available, resulting in injuries to the officer. Kensowitz argued that leg shackles would have prevented the incident and reduced public alarm.
• Gary Mooster (retired speech-language pathologist, environmental activist): Urged council to vote yes on increasing air quality permit fees, noting the Allegheny County Health Department's air quality program is underfunded by $1.8 million. He stated that U.S. Steel (which opposes the increase) earned over $2 billion last year and that the new acquisition of 14 billion includes $2.4 billion for Mon Valley facilities. He cited the Pennsylvania Constitution's Article 1, Section 27 guaranteeing clean air and water.
• Ron Zara (resident of District, near 16th Street Bridge): Requested council prioritize cleaning and restoring the architectural globes and stanchions on the 16th Street Bridge, which he said have not been cleaned since the late 1970s. He offered to help raise funds via a public-private partnership and referenced positive engagement with county staff.
• Joseph Agulia: Spoke about a friend who was a victim of a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado (initially mischaracterized as pro-Israeli, but was a gathering for hostages in Gaza). He called for legislation against hate crimes, referencing the Tree of Life attack and Washington, D.C. embassy incident, saying hate must stop.
• Heather Pope: Criticized Councilwoman Bethany Hallam for a now-deleted social media post stating, "another week of watching people burned alive in Gaza, and we're still required to be civil with Zionist, right?" Pope called the comment anti-Semitic and inflammatory, demanding Hallam's resignation or an apology. She noted the post came after the murder of a Jewish couple in D.C. and an attack in Boulder, and stated Hallam does not represent her or her family.
• Late speaker (unidentified, arrived late due to bus reroute): Addressed air quality permit fees, noting Councilmember Botha may be tired of testimony on the issue. He argued that U.S. Steel has no plan to accept regulations because they prefer paying fines, and urged Democrats to act as a counterbalance to Trump administration policies favoring polluters. He mentioned a neighbor moving due to air pollution.
• Yvonne F. Brown (715 Mercer Street): Presented a petition concerning her dealings with Councilman Wit Walton, alleging that after a previous meeting he ran back into the room yelling at her. She expressed that council should represent all citizens, not pick and choose.

Discussion Items

• Liaison Report – U.S. Open Golf Championship: A councilmember announced that Pittsburgh is excited for the U.S. Open next week, a seven-day event expected to bring $40–50 million per day to Allegheny County through hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.
• Volunteer Fire Company Challenges: A councilmember (unidentified) highlighted that volunteer fire companies lack volunteers, especially during daytime calls, and that fundraising events require multiple companies to collaborate. He urged residents to engage with their fire companies and warned of an impending epidemic situation if volunteerism does not increase.
• New Business Ordinance 13560-25: An ordinance authorizing condemnation of a permanent right-of-way and temporary construction easement for the Greensburg Pike Lateral Support Project in Wilkins Township was introduced and referred to the Committee on Public Works.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approval: Proclamations and routine items were approved by voice vote.
• Ordinance Authorizing USGA Donation (Second Reading): The Budget and Finance Committee recommended approval; the ordinance passed by a roll call vote of 15 in favor, 0 opposed.
• Ordinance 13560-25: Referred to the Public Works Committee for further consideration.
• No formal action was taken on public comment requests, including the call for Councilwoman Hallam's resignation or condemnation of her social media post.
• Council concluded with a motion to adjourn; the late speaker and Yvonne Brown were allowed to speak after the motion was delayed.