Allegheny County Council Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Allegheny County Council met on October 21, 2025, with all 15 members present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer. The agenda included multiple proclamations, approval of minutes, unfinished business from committees, new business items, and extensive public comment, primarily focusing on the proposed reinstatement of leg shackling at the Allegheny County Jail and support for the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).

Proclamations

• 13693-25: Proclamation recognizing Chief Deputy Sheriff Richard Manning for his courageous leadership during a September 2025 roof standoff in Pittsburgh, where he prevented a suspect from jumping and ensured a peaceful resolution. Councilmember Katina and all members sponsored.
• 13694-25: Proclamation honoring nine telecommunications officers (TCOs) who, while off duty, rescued two victims from burning vehicles after a wrong-way crash on October 11, 2025. The proclamation highlighted that TCOs are not legally recognized as first responders under state law.
• 13695-25: Proclamation recognizing the religious and historical significance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, sponsored by Councilmember Nacaretti Chapkis. Representatives from BAPS were present.
• 13696-25: Proclamation congratulating the 2025 Get Involved 16th Annual Service Summit honorees, including Person of the Year, Emerging Leader, and Community Leader awards. Former Councilmember Tom Baker spoke, and several honorees briefly addressed the council.
• 13697-25 and 13698-25: Two additional proclamations were read into the record: one recognizing Melanie Morgan Miller’s induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (sponsored by Councilmember Katina) and one naming Anthony Accamondo Jr. as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade (sponsored by Councilmember Ambrazia).

Consent Calendar

• 13688-25: Motion to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2025 regular meeting. Approved by voice vote.

Discussion Items

Unfinished Business

• 13613-25: Resolution for a temporary property tax exemption program for improvements in deteriorated areas of Pittsburgh was sent back to the Committee on Economic Development and Job Creation due to a need for additional information.
• 13655-25: Resolution approving a bond financing project for Heritage Valley Health System (up to $95 million). Committee on Economic Development and Job Creation recommended approval. Passed 15-0.
• 13494-25: Ordinance ratifying revisions to the Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article 19 (Medical Service Fees). Committee on Health and Human Services recommended approval. Passed 15-0.
• 13581-25: Ordinance ratifying amendments to the Health Department’s Air Pollution Control regulations (Article 21). Committee on Health and Human Services recommended approval. Passed 15-0.
• 13628-25: Ordinance ratifying revisions to Article 6 (Houses and Community Environments) was sent back to the Health and Human Services Committee after the Board of Health requested further revisions.
• 13667-25: Ordinance authorizing acceptance of a chlorine training house from Westlake Corporation and a decontamination trailer from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Committee on Public Safety recommended approval. Passed 15-0.
• 13681-25: Ordinance allowing Invisio Group to use county property for a firefighting imaging and communication equipment demonstration and filming. Committee on Public Safety recommended approval. Passed 15-0.
• 13668-25: Ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Works to handle permits, licenses, and easements for calendar years 2026 and 2027. Committee on Public Works recommended approval. Passed 15-0.

New Business

• 13690-25: Ordinance authorizing Steel Rivers Council of Governments to continue using county property at Roundhill Park as a law enforcement training facility. Referred to the Committee on Parks.
• 13691-25: Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to end the federal shutdown and pass appropriations preserving health care access. A motion to waive the second reading failed (9-6, with ayes 9, nays 6). The resolution was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
• 13692-25: Communication summarizing approved executive actions for September 2025. Received and placed on file by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over a dozen members of the public spoke. The dominant topic was opposition to reinstating leg shackling during medical transports from the Allegheny County Jail.

• Mohamed Nasir (Manny): Representing OneHood Media and the Jail Oversight Board, argued against the petition to reinstate shackles, stating it undermines the 2021 voter referendum that passed with 168,907 votes. He accused Sheriff’s Office officials of strategically pivoting to shackles after failing to restore the restraint chair.
• Tanisha Long: Emphasized that 43,000 signatures forced the referendum and that a petition of 1,100 signatures does not override the will of voters. She criticized officials for not engaging with incarcerated people.
• Kayla King: Citing public health studies, argued that leg shackling increases risks of injury and infection and creates liability for the county. She urged council to reject the petition.
• Idie Tilley: Representing Court Watch, stated that 80% of jail residents are pretrial or probation violators, and shackling is unnecessary and dehumanizing. She said it reflects a failure in training.
• Janice Palmer: Shared personal experience of being shackled during medical visits, causing panic attacks and phobia of restraints.
• Hiba Sadiqi: Representing a domestic violence shelter, stated that reinstating shackles would open the door to further erosion of the referendum and urged a no vote.
• Sharon Bonavoglia: Representing Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network, cited jail data showing no increase in escapes since the ban. She noted that County Executive Inamorato would veto the petition.

Several speakers advocated for CCAC funding:

• Ann George: Nursing lab coordinator at CCAC North Campus, thanked council for past funding that doubled lab capacity and enabled an additional nursing cohort.
• Arden Zinga: Chef and culinary program coordinator, detailed economic impacts: events at CCAC’s new training center have brought visitors paying county taxes, and urged continued support.
• Kimberly Davis: Counselor at CCAC, asked for continued mental health and well-being funding for students.
• Francis Cartier: Mechatronics instructor, described how funding upgraded facilities and led to a student’s involvement in a potential International Space Station experiment.
• Strijana Kanjela: Director of the Honors Program, thanked council for the honors hub and requested a permanent fund for study abroad in India.

Other speakers:

• Benjamin Chizzar: Criticized county environmental policies and budget processes, called for a Green New Deal and affordable housing. He also made comments about political violence.
• Jacob Poole: Alleged that Eastern Europeans, including himself, were forcibly brought to the U.S. as children and that human traffickers operate in the county. He urged use of Pittsburgh 311 to report incidents.
• Nicholas Bartell: Clean Air Campaign Manager at Penn Future, argued for full funding of the Health Department’s air programs, citing health and economic costs of pollution from Allegheny County facilities.
• Janine Rowland: Raised concerns about child welfare system failures and the need to prioritize children’s safety across jurisdictional lines.

Key Outcomes

• All committee-recommended ordinances passed unanimously (15-0): 13655-25, 13494-25, 13581-25, 13667-25, 13681-25, 13668-25.
• Two items were sent back to committee: 13613-25 (tax exemption) and 13628-25 (health department housing regulations).
• Motion to waive the second reading for 13691-25 (federal shutdown resolution) failed (9-6).
• The council took no vote on the leg shackling petition; it remains an item for future committee discussion. Public comment overwhelmingly opposed reinstatement.
• CCAC representatives collectively urged approval of the upcoming 2026 budget request by President Dr. Bullock.