Hope you are having a happy holiday season! Here is my summary of the Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 regular meeting of Allegheny County Council. My votes are in parentheses, as is the prime sponsor of each item. 13 members present (Betkowski and Palmiere absent).
This was the last meeting for Councilmembers Betkowski, Macey, and Prizio. I want to thank all of them for their service, but I will especially miss Councilwoman Prizio, whose commitment to combatting pollution and preserving our air quality here in Allegheny County was second to none.
13745-25 (Chief Executive – No) This resolution would provide a LERTA for a property on McKee Place in Oakland. As a reminder, LERTAs provide tax abatements for the increased value of a property based on its redevelopment for a period of up to 10 years. The program is specifically intended for blighted areas or deteriorated properties to give developers incentive to improve that they otherwise would not have.
This particular LERTA is for McKee Place in Oakland to remove existing housing to build an 11-story, 227,000 sq ft apartment building that will have 159 2 and 3 bedroom units. I am fully in favor of this project, and I am glad that it will give a much needed increase in housing stock to Central Oakland, which data shows us will drive down the overall price of housing. However, this project is simply not what a LERTA is intended for. Central Oakland is one of the most desirable areas for development in Pittsburgh, and the existing properties were not deteriorated by any reasonable definition of the word.
Furthermore, there was no information given to Council indicating that the developer needed this tax abatement to make the project economically viable. As such, all available information indicated that the project would proceed regardless and approving the LERTA would only serve to provide an extra $1 million in profit to the developer at the expense of County citizens. As such, I voted no on the bill. Unfortunately, it still passed 4-9, with Councilmembers Hallam, Prizio, and Rose joining me in voting no. In the new year, I will be redoubling my efforts to amend the way we approach LERTAs so we aren’t continuing to provide corporate handouts while working people foot the bill.
13628-25 (Chief Executive – Yes) This ordinance would revise Article VI of the Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulation concerning Houses and Community Environment for the purpose of nuisance property abatement. Passed unanimously.
13742-25 (Chief Executive – Yes) This ordinance would revise Article XV of the County health code concerning plumbing and building drainage. Passed unanimously.
13739-25 (Catena – Yes) This resolution would establish goals and objectives for the creation of an air fees relief program. Passed unanimously.
13738-25 (Hallam – Yes) This ordinance would establish a protocol for expeditious autopsies of individuals who died in the custody of the Allegheny County Jail. Passed unanimously.
13766-25 (Chief Executive – Yes) This resolution extends the lease with Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Trust for 25 years. Passed unanimously.
13382-25 (Chief Executive – Yes) This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of the donation of two horses for adoption by the County for use in the Allegheny County Police’s Mounted Unit. Passed 12-1 (Hallam no).
13690-25 (Chief Executive – Yes) This ordinance authorizes Steel Rivers Council of Governments to use property at Round Hill Park as a law enforcement training facility. Passed 10-2 (Hallam and Rose no).