Allegheny County Council Meeting: Proclamations, Public Comment on Air Quality Fees, and Black Lung Motion - August 26, 2025
Allegheny County Council Meeting - August 26, 2025
The Allegheny County Council convened on August 26, 2025, with 12 members present. The meeting began with a motion to waive the remote participation limit for the evening, which passed unanimously. The council then recognized outstanding educators and Eagle Scouts through proclamations. New business items included referrals for a park use ordinance and a health system bond resolution, as well as a motion urging federal legislation to assist disabled minors, including black lung benefit increases. Public comment focused heavily on the need for air quality permit fee increases and improved communication from the health department regarding industrial incidents.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Proclamation 13631-25: Congratulating Rebecca Calangelo, a STEAM teacher at South Fayette Elementary School, for being named one of ISTE and ASCD's "20 to Watch" educators for 2024–2025. Sponsored by Councilmember Katina.
- Proclamations 13632-25 and 13633-25: Recognizing Aaron McKern and Gregory Chavon for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, sponsored by Councilmember Pritzio. These were read into the record.
New Business
- Ordinance 13634-25: Authorizing South Park Boxing Incorporated to continue using county property at 100 Acres Drive in South Park for boxing and fitness training. Referred to the Committee on Parks.
- Resolution 13635-25: Approving a project for West Penn Allegheny Health System, to be financed by up to $55 million in tax-exempt notes through the Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority. The county’s taxing power is not obligated. Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Job Creation.
- Motion 13636-25: Urging Allegheny County’s federal representatives to support legislation assisting disabled minors, including increasing monthly black lung benefit rates. Sponsored by 12 council members. Councilmember Pritzio summarized the motion, noting 43 black lung claimants in Allegheny County and 13 similar resolutions passed in Pennsylvania representing over 802,000 residents and 735 claimants. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nicholas Bartell (Beach View resident, Clean Air Campaign Manager for PennFuture): Expressed condolences for the March 2025 U.S. Steel Clariton Coke Works explosion victims. Urged continued and expanded communication from the Health Department and Nippon Steel to build trust and transparency. Offered to collaborate with council on common-sense solutions.
- Karen Burns Ritigliano (Plum, District 8, member of Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network): Criticized council for failing to approve the Board of Health’s air quality permit fee schedule recommendations made a year ago. Stated that underfunding of the Health Department has led to dangerously low staffing, preventing timely permit reviews and monitoring. Emphasized council members’ oath to protect constitutional rights to clean air and water.
- Rev. Dr. Kate Walker (First Unitarian Church, Shadyside; member of PIN): Expressed fear among constituents regarding environmental protections at the federal level. Criticized lack of response from council members and County Executive Sara Innamorato regarding fee increases. Demanded council approve the fee schedule to demonstrate accountability.
- John Canclini (name from transcript): Defended an initiative to allow leg shackles on detainees in hospital emergency rooms, arguing that the 2021 referendum on jail conditions did not specifically address hospital settings. Stated that unintended consequences of the ban have led to security risks, including attacks on officers. Urged council to support the initiative.
- Arishi Bunth (Executive Director, Allegheny County Clean Air Now – ACAN): Noted that she was unable to speak at the previous meeting despite signing up. Highlighted repeated incidents at Clariton Coke Works (explosions, pollution control failures) and other facilities like Riverside Concrete and Metallico. Argued that understaffing and underfunding of ACHD necessitate fee increases on air pollution permits to hold polluters accountable.
- Janice Harrison (District 3, represented by Councilmember Anita Prizio): Invoked the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment of 1971, commending ACHD’s 2022 ban on fracking in county parks. Stated that the air quality program is underfunded and understaffed, leading to continued health impacts, especially in the Mon Valley. Urged council to ensure the health department has adequate resources to protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to waive remote participation limit (for this meeting only): Passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Motion 13636-25 (black lung benefits): Passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Public comments strongly supported approval of air quality permit fee increases; council deferred action pending committee review.
- All other items (ordinance and resolution) were referred to committees for further consideration.
Meeting Transcript
of allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and individual justice please remain standing for a moment of prayer or silent reflection thank you please be seated unknown participant is now joining chair please take rule mr bekowski mr plata here mr ambrazia i believe mr ambrazio just joined us unknown participant is now joining mr ambrazia here mr pitoulis here mr grisbeck here miss howham here mr clein mr macy here chapkins here mr palmary i'm sorry mr palmary is here mr palmasina herezio mr walton from dolphin county here present here with twelve members present at the moment okay tonight we have an unusual situation and that the number of members uh that are unable to attend the meeting without divulging any personal information I have determined that the reasons are legitimate that said Article 2 section J4 of the rules of council limit the number of members who may participate remotely to no more than five per meeting due to the straightforward nature of tonight's agenda I would be inclined to entertain a motion to waive this limitation to allow all members to participate tonight would anyone like to make this motion so moved second second so this is a motion to waive the role of counsel limiting remote participation for tonight's meeting only and it's been made and seconded at this point in time is there any discussion one question go ahead is this a one time waiver or a permanent waiver one time waiver for this evening just to clarify on that thank you Councilman DeWalton any other concerns or questions hearing none all those in favor signify by saying aye aye aye all those opposed motion carries with that motion being made Mr. Palmer are you present with us by phone member Palmary Councilman Palmary thank you and please let the record reflect that Ms. Prizio is now present as well okay proclamation slash certificates 13631-25 a proclamation congratulating Rebecca Calangelo for her years of educational excellence and her recognition as one of ISTE and ASCD's 2024 2025 20 to watch educators sponsored by councilmember Katina thank you so much oh you're very welcome Rebecca Calangelo correct correct okay just to make sure I don't want to a veteran teacher at South Fayette Elementary School earned the distinct recognition of being named one of the ISTE ASCDs 2024 2025 20 to watch educators which is honor only bestowed upon 20 up and coming innovative educators who are designated as a nationwide cohort of 20 to watch this sets them apart by their creative and imaginative teaching strategies that help advance education in the area of focus by redefining what's possible in education these educators are pioneers in their schools creating curriculums and projects that can be built upon and employed by others teachers and students and Mrs can I not can I'm having a hard time that Kellangel was commended for her dedication to enhancing students science creativity and critical thinking as well as her first her transition into the role of science technology engineering arts and mathematics basically a steam teacher for grades K through 12 or K through two where she established the school's learning lab as a hydroponic farming that's pretty cool hydrophobic hydrof hydroponic farming coding and engineering activities. Basically a STEAM teacher for grades K through 12, 12, okay through two, where she established the school's learning lab as a hydroponic farming. That's pretty cool. Hydropharmic hydrofought hydroponic farming, coding, and engineering activities. Her holistic and imaginative approach to education was praised as a model for other educators. And she sets this model that fosters an engaging and supporting learning environment that prepares students for her future success. Now, on behalf of me, Patrick J. Catina, President of County Council, do hereby congratulate Rebecca Calangelo on her recognition recognition as one of the IST ASCD's 2024 20 to watch educators, and I thank her for her many years of educational excellence and creation of an innovative and supporting learning environment that fosters success for all of her students in the South Fayette district. Thank you so much for everything that you do. Thank you very much. You're very good. Oh goodness. Good thing I paid attention in speech class. That was my joke. My husband said don't start with a joke. But anyway, um, thank you to the Allegheny County Allegheny County City Council for this incredible honor and for recognizing my selection as one of the ST20 to watch educators. I am truly grateful. I also want to thank South Fayette for giving me the opportunity to work to do the work that I love each day, and to our administration school board teachers and my principals who are over there for their encouragement and their leadership. To my family, my sister and my mom, and my children who are not here today. They are studying actually to be teachers, so they're at school right now. Very proud of them. Um and to my husband, thank you so much for always encouraging me and allowing me to pursue my passions. I also want to honor my dad, who was not only a teacher, but the smartest person I ever knew. His wisdom and belief in me continue to guide me in everything I do in education. Thank you again for this recognition. I look forward to continuing me growing as an educator and making a difference to our children. We'll look for a picture. So let's get it. Whoever you want to bring up, bring them up. We could do that. Okay. Thank you. What about principals? Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you so much. I don't remember. Okay. Everyone ready. Okay, one, two, three. Got it. Congratulations. Can you do a cell phone? Sure. Okay, everybody. Ready? One, two, three.
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