Here is my summary of the Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 regular meeting of Allegheny County Council (apologies for the delay). My votes are in parentheses. 14 members were present with Futules absent. Walton also left shortly after the meeting started and missed all of the votes.
The meeting started with County Executive Innamorato giving her first quarterly address to council. County Executive Innamorato highlighted some of her accomplishments thus far like the creation of her All in Allegheny steering committee/survey, increasing the minimum wage for county employees, and expanding ballot drop-off locations. I asked the County Executive how she planned on addressing the persistently terrible air quality throughout the Mon Valley surrounding the US Steel Clairton plant, where H2S exceedances have been occurring at a record pace. She focused her answer on the importance of hiring the next Director of the Allegheny County Health Department and ensuring that person has experience spanning the wide array of items the ACHD covers.
Appointments: Russell Giancola was appointed to the Accountability Conduct and Ethics Commission while Donna Gardner and Maria Swarts were appointed to the Friends of Boyce Park. From attending the appointment review meeting in which their candidacy was discussed, I can say that I found them all qualified and engaged, and I appreciate their willingness to serve. All appointments passed unanimously.
12951-24 (Yes)
This ordinance extends the County real estate tax discount deadline from 3/31/24 to 4/3024 and the late deadline from 5/1/24 to 5/31/24. It passed 13-0.
New Business
12978-24
This ordinance would ratify the revisions of Article VI of the Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulation concerning housing and community environment. Sent to Committee on Health and Human Services. Public Source had a good article on the changes. https://www.publicsource.org/housing-health-code…/
12979-24
This resolution would create a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the Waterfront Apartments. A TIF has already been created by both municipalities and the school district. Sent to committee on economic development and job creation.