Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Allegheny County Council held its regular meeting on May 12, 2026, at 10:15 AM (though public comment occurred in the afternoon/evening). The meeting included proclamations, approval of minutes, passage of three second‑reading ordinances, liaison reports, introduction of new business, and extensive public comment regarding a campaign mailer by Council President Pat Catena that drew accusations of transphobia. The meeting adjourned without a vote on a motion to elect a new president.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamations (9 total): Recognitions included the American Legion Avenworth Post 866 Memorial Day Parade, student Audrey Zheng, Dr. James T. Johnson Jr., the East Allegheny Robotics team, Linnea Verit Green Market, wrestler Rhea Karas, inductee Rick Stegerwald, the Chartiers Valley Boys Basketball team, and certificates for its players.
• Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the April 14, 2026 regular meeting were approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Megan Rose, Director of Economic Impact at Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh: Expressed gratitude for the council’s resolution supporting paid family leave and highlighted the need for a paid safe leave provision for domestic violence survivors.
• Nathan Hoy: Raised concerns about medical care, inmate abuse, and constitutional rights in county jails; called for better public transportation.
• B. Claymeyer, Act Up Pittsburgh: Denounced Council President Catena’s campaign mailer as transphobic, demanded his immediate resignation, and called on other council members to act.
• Jill Ratliff, Act Up Pittsburgh: Called for Catena to step down, stating that an apology does not erase deliberate harm to the trans community.
• Corey Roma: Criticized Catena for targeting a marginalized community for political gain; cited statistics on violence, healthcare barriers, and poverty among trans people.
• Dylan Besescu: Asked the council to censure and demote Catena for his comments about transgender athletes.
• Ian Price: Argued the mailer harms not only trans youth but all children who do not conform to gender norms; demanded a public, direct apology.
• Scott Tyson, pediatrician and DSA member: Called Catena’s actions “bullshit” and demanded his resignation; also noted that many public services are “socialist.”
• James Guffey, Executive Director of South Hills Interfaith Movement: Thanked the council for a previous tax increase and presented economic impact data showing $8.5 million in return to the county from his organization.
• Shekina Rose, trans elder: Noted that Catena had previously received death threats and stayed home, but called his mailer intentional harm; demanded his resignation.
• Tobias Venar, Ross Township Equal Opportunity Board chair: Said the mailer was an intentional choice that gave hate groups a signal; called for Catena to step down as president.
• Cindy Dukitch / Michelle Feingold: Expressed outrage, questioned the sincerity of the apology, and urged a new council president.
• Jesse Uliberry, parent of a trans child: Stated that Catena’s actions directly harm kids in his district; demanded accountability and called on other council members to act.
• Kathy Callahan: Said silence condones the harm; asked council to call a new vote for president.
• Heather Collins, mother of a trans youth: Shared personal story of her child being assaulted; demanded Catena’s removal.
• Nora Doyle, trans organizer: Described working with Catena in the past and expressed disappointment; called his mailer cowardly.
• St. Ose McClendon, representing Trans Uniting: Rejected a $500 donation as insufficient; called for a genuine apology and Catena’s resignation.
• Jenny Johnson (and statement from Tanisha Long): Asked Catena to step down; read a written statement condemning the mailer as malicious.

Discussion Items

• Liaison Reports: Councilmember Palmasina noted National Teachers Week, Nurses Week, and Law Enforcement Week; condolences for labor leader John Vento. Councilmember Klein announced a survey on volunteer fire departments distributed to 130 municipalities. Councilmember Walton criticized the lack of diversity on council staff (only 2 African Americans out of 27 employees) and demanded change. President Catena announced the executive committee would meet May 26 to discuss staffing.
• New Business: Several ordinances and resolutions were introduced and referred to committees:
  • Ordinance requiring non‑resident landlords to provide local contact info (to Government Reform, later sent to Housing at Hallam’s request).
  • Two ordinances placing referendum questions on the November 2026 ballot: one to repeal the budget limit on council’s office, another to allow council members to receive personal staff funding (both to Government Reform).
  • Ordinance clarifying interim council member vacancy appointments (to Executive Committee).
  • Ordinance authorizing purchase of the Medical Examiner’s building (to Budget and Finance).
  • Ordinance authorizing continued use of South Park property by Jurassic Alcove (to Parks).
  • Resolution amending the 2025 Capital Budget (to Budget and Finance).
  • A motion on a staffing plan for the council office was withdrawn earlier.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous passage of three second‑reading bills:
  • 13927‑26: Protocol for distributing EMS operational support funds (15‑0).
  • 13881‑26: Ratification of amendments to coke oven and coke oven gas regulations (15‑0).
  • 13920‑26: Resolution urging the Pennsylvania Senate and Governor to enact the Family Care Act (paid family leave) with all deliberate speed (15‑0). During debate, multiple council members added themselves as co‑sponsors.
• No action on motion to remove Catena: Councilmember Walton moved to call for a vote for a new council president. The motion was seconded but the solicitor clarified it would require a majority vote and could be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Catena then moved to adjourn, which passed. No immediate vote on leadership occurred.
• Public comment overwhelmingly called for Catena’s resignation or removal, citing his campaign mailer as transphobic and harmful. Several speakers rejected his apology as insufficient.