Allegheny County Council Meeting – September 9, 2025: Q3 Address, Proclamations, and Air Quality Permitting Debate

The Allegheny County Council held a regular meeting on September 9, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM. The meeting featured the Chief Executive’s quarterly address, several proclamations honoring individuals and organizations, public testimony on air quality permitting fees and court system issues, and votes on various resolutions and motions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the August 19, 2025 regular meeting (motion carried).
• Receipt and filing of executive action summaries for July and August 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker (Kenstewitz) defended his character against allegations of racism, citing his history of activism and work with African American communities. He also noted his efforts on a "shackles initiative" and apologized for using a certain word.
• Jacob Poole alleged that local workforce development agencies (Partner for Work, Goodwill, CareerLink) engaged in human trafficking and falsified records, particularly affecting Eastern European immigrants.
• Nicholas Bartell (Penn Future) urged council to adopt the full air quality permit fee schedule, arguing fees (not fines) are routine costs and that the largest polluters should pay a fair share. He stated about 90% of permits are minor sources and that most are large corporations, not small businesses.
• Lisa Graves Morcusi (Environmental Integrity Project) presented a report showing benzene levels at Clairton Coke Works eight times higher than public health thresholds. She urged passage of the fee increases to ensure adequate Health Department funding.
• Susan McCarthy (PA Interfaith Impact Network) expressed concern over delays in passing the fee increases, noting that federal enforcement is weakening and local oversight is needed. She asked why the bill cannot be passed with modifications to address objections.
• Diana Hall (PA Interfaith Impact Network) criticized the council for inaction on the fee bill, stating that federal funding cuts make it critical to fully fund the Health Department. She quoted the bill’s severability clause and urged council to act.
• Jason Bolton gave emotional testimony about failures in the Allegheny County protective order system, alleging that survivors are denied applications and that judges do not know the relevant statutes. He said council has oversight and could face liability if no action is taken. He noted Councilmember Botta is aware of the issues.

Discussion Items

• Chief Executive Quarterly Address: County Executive Inamorato reported on summer activities (code red heat system, pool usage – nearly 200,000 visitors, 22,048 orders of fries, 14,219 chicken tenders), the tragic accident at Clairton Coke Works on August 11 (10 hospitalized, 2 deaths), and a new executive order on worker safety. She outlined economic development efforts: $600M downtown revitalization plan, 15 active residential projects creating over 1,000 housing units, $25M+ deployed for 653 housing units, $17M in ACED investments, and the $1.57B airport terminal modernization. She noted that the state budget is over two months late, federal cuts (EV charging, flood mitigation, SNAP, Section 8, refugee programs) are creating stress. Homicides are down 45% this year. She mentioned County Connect events and urged council to call state legislators about the budget.
• Q&A with Council: Councilmembers asked about countywide reassessment (executive said working on LOOP bill and government review commission), state budget impact on county budget, air monitoring data from Clairton (executive said data can be synthesized), artificial intelligence and data centers (executive noted need for microgrids and sustainable energy, not putting all eggs in one basket), immunization access (health department prepared, vaccine hesitancy marketing), comprehensive plan stakeholder meetings (public launch in October), eviction prevention funding (to be considered in budget), winter shelter opening date (to be confirmed), and government reform commission role.
• Proclamations: Nine proclamations were read and accepted, honoring:
  • Dennis Biondi (retiring Kane director, 48 years of service)
  • Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging (recognized by U.S. Aging Innovations Award)
  • Gerald Roundtree (unit manager at jail, named Pennsylvania Prison Society’s Correctional Professional of the Year)
  • Center for Victims (50th anniversary) and Colleen Bowers’ “You Are Not Alone” campaign in memory of Melissa Bowers
  • Love Your Library Month (10th anniversary of campaign, matched by Jack Buncher Foundation)
  • Uliana Kabini (Coolidge Scholarship recipient)
  • Allegheny Cleanways (25th anniversary, noted picking up enough tires to stack 1.25 times the height of Mount Everest)
  • Young Democrats of Allegheny County (90th anniversary)
  • North Fayette Township Volunteer Fire Department (heroic infant rescue) – listed among proclamations.
• Appointments: Six appointments to the Allegheny County Government Review Commission were introduced and referred to the Appointment Review Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Resolution 13635-25 (West Penn Allegheny Health financing, up to $55M in tax-exempt notes): Approved 13-0.
• Vote on Ordinance 13500-25 (amending Administrative Code to create publicly accessible listing of county properties for sale): Approved 13-0 (Councilmember Hallam added as sponsor).
• Motion 13656-25 (urging PA Senate to pass House Bill 504 on community energy projects): Approved by voice vote.
• Motion 13657-25 (authorizing public hearings on November 6, 12, and 13, 2025, at 4 PM in the Gold Room): Approved by voice vote.
• Other motions: Receipt and filing of executive action summaries for July and August 2025 approved.
• Future items: Ordinance 13654-25 (boxing/fitness in Boyce Park) referred to Parks Committee; Resolution 13655-25 (Heritage Valley Health financing, up to $95M in bonds) referred to Economic Development and Job Creation Committee.
• Public hearing dates set: November 6, 12, and 13, 2025.

The meeting adjourned with a note from council leadership that work on the air quality permit fee schedule is ongoing and to ask for patience.