Happy New Year everyone! Here is my summary of the Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 regular meeting of Allegheny County Council. My votes are in parentheses, as is the prime sponsor of each item. All 15 members were present.
We started off the meeting by approving a number of members to the Allegheny County Conservation District, which is tasked with protecting, restoring, and preserving Allegheny County’s natural resources. We also approved many members to the Board of Health. I was very pleased to see BOH nominees with backgrounds in public health and air quality, something which had been lacking previously. All nominees passed unanimously except for one BOH nominee which passed 14-1 (DeMarco opposed).
13284-24 (County Executive – Yes) This resolution would amend the Summerset at Frick Park Tax Increment Financing district. The project is down to just environmental remediation with no outstanding TIF debt. Passed 15-0.
13308-24 (County Executive – Yes) This resolution would dissolve the Westport Tax Increment Financing district. The project has been successfully completed and TIF obligations have been paid. Passed 15-0.
13214-24 (Hallam – Yes) This ordinance would establish a publicly searchable database of seats available on Authorities, Boards, Commissions and other entities to which the Chief Executive or Council has the authority to nominate or make appointments. I am a co-sponsor of this ordinance. Passed 15-0.
13228-24 (Chief Executive – Health & Human Services) This ordinance alters the fees and penalties associated with asbestos abatement. Sent back to committee by President Catena.
13229-24 (Chief Executive – Health & Human Services) This ordinance increases the permitting fees associated with air permitting within Allegheny County. Sent back to committee by President Catena.
I was very disappointed to see the items regarding our Air Quality Program sent back to committee (this is the second time they have been sent back to committee). The suggested fee increases simply require the polluting facilities applying for permits to pay for the labor necessary to generate said permits. Failing to pass these bills will do one of two things: 1. Require taxpayers to foot the bill of the County’s largest polluters to generate permits and enforce our air quality standards or 2. Lead to significant cuts in our County’s already understaffed Air Quality Program, providing even less capacity to hold our worst polluters accountable. This really is a no-brainer and it’s a profound disappointment that 10 members won’t put public health and safety over corporate profits.
13317-24 (Chief Executive – Housing & Homelessness) This ordinance would revise the County’s code relating to the Human Relations Commission to align it with federal standards, allowing the Commission to access federal funding. This step became necessary as Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Commission recently lost Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) status. While the City’s HRC does have FHAP status, County residents outside the City of Pittsburgh are currently receiving inadequate protection and representation due to the lack of FHAP status by the PA and County HRCs. While I understand concerns from some of my fellow members over the quick nature of this introduction, such an aggressive timeline was necessitated due to HUD offering an expedited review so long as the revisions were passed by December 19th. As such, I am very disappointed in President Catena’s decision to send the ordinance back to committee. I am confident the votes existed to pass the ordinance, and now my constituents will continue to receive subpar protection from housing discrimination in the interim.
13344-24 (Chief Executive – Health & Human Services) This ordinance updates the County’s food safety regulation policy. Sent to the Committee on Health & Human Services.