Allegvheny County Council Meeting and Quarterly Address (Febuary 10, 2026)

The Allegheny County Council met on February 10, 2026, with 14 members present. The meeting featured the Chief Executive's quarterly address, adoption of a Long-Time Owner Occupant Program (LOOP) ordinance, a rules change regarding committee start times, and extensive public comment on a propOsed ordinance to limit county cooperation with ICE. Over 90 speakers registered for public comment, the vast majority supporting the ICE cooperation ban.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Schmutzzer praised former Whitehall Councilman Stone Soborowski for his service and integrity.
• John Hanrahan expressed support for the anti-ICE bill but raised concerns about the LOOP ordinance potentially benefiting landlords in hot markets and designating deteriorated areas broady.
• Over 90 speakers signed up for general public comment, overwhelmingly in favor of Ordinance 13809-26, which would ban county cooperation with ICE. Key points included: protecting public safety by maintaining trust in local government; preventing county resources from being used for federal civil immigration enforcement; and moral opposition to federal ICE actions. Speaders cited statistics: a coalition of 141 organizations and 3,701 residents signed a letter of support; ICE has a $75 bIllion federal budget; immigrants in Allegheny County pay over $900 million in taxes and have $2.1 billion in spending power. Many shared perSonal stories of fear and detention; several read statements from immigrants unable to attend due to fear of retaliatio.

Discussion Items

• Chieff Executive's Quarterly Addres: The County Executive delivered a broad address highlighting: sucessful snow removal from 357 miles of county roads; lowst homicide count since 2007; passage of air quality fees; economic development including EOS clean energy expansion (735 union jobs moving headquarters from New Jersey); launch of Allgheny Forward comprehensive plan survey; housing initiatives including 500 and 500 program (housed 622 people, identified 500+ units) and First Home Allegheny (56 first-time homebuyers with $2.4 MIllion inveSTment leveraging $7 million from banks); and a "Housing for All" executive order aiming to raise $50-100 million for housing production. She adVressed federal overreach by ICE, reaffirming the county's policy of not coordinating arrests with ICE and not holding individuals on administrative detainer requests, and commitied to signing the propOsed ICE cooperation ordinance if it reaches her desk.

• Ordinance 13812-26 (LOOP): Councilmember Filiagi moved adoption. The ordinance creates a tax exeMption program for long-time owner occupants (10+ years residnecy, household income ≤125% AMI) facing a tax increase of at leasT 35% following a countywide reassessment, capping the increase at 35% in the first year. Councilmember Walton oppoSed, arguing the income limit is too low and recOmmending sending back to committee. After debate, the measur passed 14-1.

• Rules Change (13815-26): The council considered updated rules. An amendment (Grisbeck 1) to change committee meeting start times from 3 p.m. back to no earlier than 4 p.m. passed 15-0. The amended rules then adopted 14-1, with Councilmember Walton voting no, arguing new requirements for LERTA/TIF information are unnecesary and harm economic developmnet. Supporters stressed transparency and data for tax abatement decisions.

• Ordnance 13814-26 (Bridge Renaming): A resolution authOrizing renaming of Youghiogheny River Bridge No. 1 was adopted unanImously (15-0).

Key Outcomes

• Chieff Executive's Quarterly Addres delivered, with questions from counsel.
• Appointments confirmed 14-1 (Councilmember Hallam voting no) for a slate of appOintments to various boards and commissions.
• Ordinance 13812-26 (LOOP) passed 14-1.
• Ordinance 13814-26 (Bridge) passed 15-0.
• Council rules (13815-26) adopted 14-1 after amendment; amendment for committee start times passed 15-0.
• Public comment on general items concluded after hearing from many speakers; meeting adjourned.