[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[2:37] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[3:30] I know what it's here, but it's not my thing, it's not my thing, it's not my now, I don't use all of it, I'm right.
[3:39] I don't need to know, I know what it is, but I know what it is.
[3:44] You pull it out, of course, and all of a sudden, you can't wait to do that.
[3:48] Oh, so that's exactly what you need to do.
[3:50] You need to read the other room.
[3:52] No, can't wait for the room to come back out, and all of those things take a few minutes.
[9:01] On the left, on the right, on the right, on the right, on the left, on
[9:09] the left.
[14:07] Thank you.
[17:40] Meeting will come to order, please.
[17:45] Please rise for the pledge to the flag led by Mr. Anthony
[17:51] for Lardi.
[17:59] Resent arms, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
[18:05] and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, to the visible, with liberty,
[18:12] and justice for all. Please remember standing for a moment of silence. Thank you, sir.
[18:27] Mr. Bunk. Mr. Bunk. Mr.
[18:30] Mr. Denco. Mr. DeFazio. Mr. Joe. Mr. Ellen Bowen. Mr. Fennardy. Mr. Fetholis.
[18:38] Mr. Green Hawkins. Mr. Harris.
[18:41] Mr. Hyrule Ball. Mr. Macy.
[18:44] Mr. Paul Mary. Mr. Ray. Mr. Robinson.
[18:49] Mr. Mark Tony President.
[18:50] Here, 13 members currently present.
[18:52] Proclamation certificates 7-7-1-13
[18:59] Proclamation thanking the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania for working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to protect the three bald eagles nest in Allegheny County.
[19:07] sponsored by Council members, throws,
[19:09] danko, fatulus, and rate.
[19:20] We're not here at the moment.
[19:23] We'll go to 7772-13.
[19:28] Proclamation-arranged.
[19:29] The Federation of War Veterans Society
[19:31] Incorporated for providing a veterans day
[19:33] parade to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
[19:35] and naming November 11, 2013
[19:37] as the Federation of War Veterans Society
[19:39] Incorporated day in Allegheny County.
[19:41] Thank you Mr.
[19:57] President. I am joined here by...
[20:00] Iowani, Alardi and Dick Silt, whose adunior vice commander. It's always a great pleasure for myself and
[20:13] Council and the Chief Executive to want to our veterans. He's done so much for us, and you can
[20:20] continue to do so much for us. And this proclamation is intended for the veterans of
[20:29] Federation of War Veterans Society who put on the parade every year.
[20:37] So without further ado, I'll read the proclamation in Antony and Dick can say a few words.
[20:45] Whereas the Federation of War Veterans Society Inc was formed in 1990, its purpose was
[20:53] partner annually, without any Connie, to provide a veteran-state parade in downtown Pittsburgh.
[21:01] And whereas the veterans of war, the Federation of War of Veterans' Societies has organized
[21:10] and presented the Veterans' Day parade in Allegheny County for 94 years.
[21:16] And whereas the organization educates
[21:20] elegant county residents to the proper recognition
[21:23] and care for our veterans through the parade,
[21:29] the group raises awareness of all veterans in our state.
[21:35] And whereas more than 1.2 million Pennsylvania's
[21:38] are veterans comprising 14% of the state population,
[21:43] a great percentage of those veterans reside in Allegheny County, and attend the commemorative
[21:52] parade, and therefore be it resolved that Allegheny County Council and our chief executive
[22:02] Rich Fitzgerald on behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County, hereby commends the Federation
[22:10] of War Veterans' Societies Inc. for consistently conducting and organizing the Veterans' Day
[22:19] Parade and Parasing Awareness of our Veterans. For the organization's efforts we hereby declare
[22:29] Monday, November 11, 2013, as the Federation of War Veterans' Societies Inc. Day in Allegheny
[22:40] this is sponsored by all members of Allegheny County Council and our Chief Executive
[22:46] Rich Fitzgerald.
[22:49] My
[22:56] name is Tony Follardy. I'm the President of the Federation of the War
[23:00] Veterans of the Society. I've been doing this for since 1990. I think I'm a
[23:06] regular guitar.
[23:10] But anyway, first of all, I would like to thank Mike
[23:13] Federalry for sponsoring this problem, make it along with all the council members.
[23:18] I appreciate it, and Federation appreciation, along with the chief executive for your support for the veterans of
[23:25] Allegheny County.
[23:28] The parade is going to be on November 11th.
[23:32] It will stay on Grand Street on Liberty and Grant, like it did last year.
[23:38] And it will follow Liberty Avenue all the way down to Stanwich Street.
[23:44] It will make a left turn on Stanwich Street and make a right turn on a boulevard of the
[23:49] allies where the Shomobile is there, which is the reviewing stand, and it will be ending
[23:57] by a cross in the Commonwealth place.
[24:01] Our apprayed an answer is done, but Getsky, he is now the National Junior Vice Commander
[24:09] in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
[24:14] So this Pennsylvania hasn't had one since 1972 to be a Commander in Chief of the Veterans
[24:23] of Foreign Wars.
[24:24] So that's a big plus for Pennsylvania and now again, Connie.
[24:29] And he's a Mickey's rocks resident, by the way, well, right now, he doesn't rob in some.
[24:36] So anyway, we invite everybody to come to the parade.
[24:41] If you can't march, you can always view the parade.
[24:47] Bring your families down to view the parade.
[24:49] You know, we'd like to see a quick cry out of there.
[24:53] So out there.
[24:54] So, thank you very much again for allowing us to come into your meeting.
[25:00] And that's me at
[25:06] all.
[25:08] Mr. President, Mr. President, my point of personal privilege, please.
[25:13] Tony, I just wanted to make mention that you may want to say a word or two about, I know your
[25:18] friend, and I, who was just passed, who I'm used to seeing here in Nick Viglion, who was,
[25:23] yeah, who was a World War II hero and veteran, and I wanted to acknowledge him and his knowledge
[25:28] is passing.
[25:29] Yeah, he's been a big asset to the Federation.
[25:32] Yeah, it's, I'm so used to seeing him there with you.
[25:34] Thank you, Mr. President.
[25:37] Thank you.
[25:40] Thank you.
[26:12] Thank you, Mr. President.
[26:25] Thank you, Mike.
[26:29] Thank you, Mike.
[26:31] Thank you.
[26:33] Thank you.
[26:35] The remaining.
[26:40] Mr. President, if I may, I'll let the record show the Councilman draws and Councilman
[26:46] Green Hawkins or President.
[26:51] 7171-13, right?
[26:54] Is that the one right?
[26:58] Yeah.
[26:59] First.
[26:59] What's your automobile here?
[27:01] I think so.
[27:02] Is he here?
[27:02] Is he here, man?
[27:03] Oh, there he is.
[27:05] Oh, man, man.
[27:06] I'm sorry about that idea.
[27:07] OK, ready?
[27:08] Yeah.
[27:09] This is what I had to do.
[27:11] And I, and the reason being, this, you know,
[27:12] I wanted to get the ball legal here, but, you know,
[27:14] they're out there soaring above the ball,
[27:16] forging for food, but it's important, and I'll tell you why it's important.
[27:21] Baldi equals a very distinct bird in many ways, and it only chooses selectively
[27:25] where it nests and where it rests, and two of them, you know, chose to rest right
[27:32] over here.
[27:32] All you have to do is go along that trail between here and homestead area, and you look
[27:38] up on the side, and you'll see two of the most magnificent birds you've ever seen.
[27:41] In fact, the fellow sent me the picture of them taking off, soaring through, and whatever it may be.
[27:48] And I think we have to recognize this, recognize these kind of things.
[27:51] We talk about so many areas about pollution, this, that, whatever.
[27:55] But this is a testimony not only to them, but to us.
[27:58] In the essence that they chose to make their nest here in the most livable city, one of the most livable cities,
[28:06] and they show that that is one of the most livable cities in the country.
[28:09] If you get a chance, go take a bite, take your kids, and you look up on that hill, and you'll
[28:14] see two of the most beautiful birds you've ever seen in your life, through the bald
[28:17] eagles.
[28:19] We're as, whether silhouette against the sky on a rock, pinnacle, or soaring majestically
[28:24] overhead, the bald eagle is a mile as one of nature's most spectacular creatures.
[28:30] And the recovery of the bald eagle has been one of the great wildlife conservation stories
[28:34] in the history of Allegheny County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the nation.
[28:40] And whereas, lower productivity resulting from the pesticides, DDT, and other contaminants,
[28:47] shooting, disturbance, and habitat destruction contributed to decline in the bald eagle population in Pennsylvania.
[28:54] After the 1972 Environmental Protection Agency banned a DDT, the bald eagle population began to recover,
[29:02] and it was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007.
[29:07] In Pennsylvania, the bald eagle is considered a threatened species,
[29:12] and protected under the game and wildlife code.
[29:15] And we're asked today, thanks to recovery efforts bald eagles are nesting across the state
[29:20] and in places where they have not nested in decades right here.
[29:26] Bald Eagles, non-habited 56 of 67 counties in a state wide, and continues to expand their
[29:31] range, including this year's establishment of the City of Pittsburgh's hay site located
[29:36] on the Mnonga-Hella River.
[29:38] The second year, a successful nesting on private property along to a higher river, in
[29:43] crescent tonship, and in a nest with in view of the Allegheny River in harm or tonship.
[29:47] The Bald Eagles in Allegheny County joined what are now more than, and this is only 250
[29:53] be nesting pairs in the state. We got about six of them I would estimate here. We're
[29:59] as a president.
[30:00] President, this med, majestic raptor in Allegheny County represents the health of a whole echo system, particularly
[30:07] the improvement of water quality and the habitat bordering our three rivers. Now, therefore,
[30:13] be it resolved that Allegheny County does hereby thank the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.
[30:19] And by the way, don't forget the Avery across the way here. Go see it. We've got one of the best in
[30:24] the country. Believe me, we do. And a lot of people don't realize it. In fact, if you get a chance,
[30:28] go underneath where the veterinarian takes care of those birds in very, very tender,
[30:33] labor-care.
[30:34] With a Pennsylvania gang condition to protect these national symbols, and their natural habitat,
[30:39] thereby ensuring that their presence of generations of elegant economy residents to
[30:44] come.
[30:45] I come from the Civil Valley, man.
[30:46] I've never seen this.
[30:47] I want us to go.
[30:48] I've seen a lot of smoke stacks when I was a kid.
[30:50] I've seen a lot of smoke going through there.
[30:52] This is the first time I've seen two bald eagles, and I had to say something.
[30:55] I think we all need to say something.
[30:56] This is a testimony to our region.
[30:58] our state, our city, and especially our people of Allegheny County.
[31:04] Thank you very much.
[31:07] Well, on behalf of the more than 5,000 autobond members of South Western Pennsylvania,
[31:13] and the dozens of volunteers who spent hours countless hours out,
[31:18] photographing and watching these birds, and the eight birds that now call Allegheny County
[31:23] their home, we thank you for this proclamation.
[31:26] As Constantine Droz mentioned, the bald eagle was still listed as a threatened species in Pennsylvania, but not for long.
[31:32] Right now, the game commission is considering downlisting that and removing it from the threatened status, which is a fantastic story.
[31:40] It's a combination of decades of work and something we should all be proud of.
[31:44] The other thing to be proud of is how many people turned out and got excited over these eagles.
[31:48] Every time we went down, we would announce we'd go down with spotty scopes or binoculars.
[31:54] 200 people would show up.
[31:55] And these aren't your hardcore burders.
[31:57] This was just about everybody else in the community got excited.
[32:01] Took ownership over it.
[32:03] And the website we set up for them on Facebook had 1.7 million hits.
[32:08] So they're exciting.
[32:09] People are excited to see them here and look forward to them again.
[32:13] They're still down there.
[32:14] I know you're going to ask, you can still get out and see them down.
[32:16] Thank you.
[32:47] The remaining proclamations will be read into the record.
[32:54] 777313 proclamation recognizing the month of October 2013 is domestic violence awareness
[32:59] month in elegant county sponsored by council members.
[33:01] Ellen Boge and Byron.
[33:03] Thank you.
[33:03] The phasioed rose.
[33:04] Finity for Tullis.
[33:05] Green Hawkins.
[33:06] Harris.
[33:07] Hyde Obalm.
[33:08] Macy.
[33:08] Martoni.
[33:09] Pomerry.
[33:09] Ray.
[33:10] And Robinson.
[33:11] 777413.
[33:12] Proclamation.
[33:13] of graduating, graduating of the Braddock Community Mail Corps,
[33:16] upon the occasion of the 63rd anniversary,
[33:19] sponsored by Councilman Martoni.
[33:21] 7775, 13th Proclamation, welcoming Reverend Dr. Vincent K. Campbell,
[33:27] as a new pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church
[33:29] in the Hill District, sponsored by Councilman Robinson.
[33:32] Thank you.
[33:32] Thank you.
[33:33] This time it gives me great pleasure to introduce the county executive
[33:38] Rich Fitzgerald for the 2014 budget.
[33:49] Thank you Mr. President and members of Council, glad to be here tonight.
[33:53] It seems like I was just here. I guess I was, just last meeting. It's good to be back.
[33:58] Spensive many nights here and it's always good to be here.
[34:02] So here I am to present the comprehensive fiscal plan for 2014 and would ask it after I'm done to place the item on the agenda.
[34:13] for your consideration.
[34:16] This is my second budget address since becoming county executive and want to recap just a
[34:21] few things.
[34:22] And while we've had many, a number of challenges, we've also had a number of successes.
[34:26] And I think those should be pointed out and you can take a lot of pride in those.
[34:31] First of all, with an $800 million budget, just a 2% to 3% increase in inflation, whether
[34:38] it be wages, whether it be supplies that we buy, means we start the year every year with
[34:43] about $16 to $24 million more that we've got to make up from the previous year.
[34:48] And that makes, obviously, makes it very challenging, particularly a light of the fact
[34:52] that the only funding source counties are given by Harrisburg is property tax.
[34:59] And, you know, with them.
[35:00] I want to pretty good good good line on that and I'll talk about that in just a minute. One of the things we can be proud of is that the bond rating by standard importers was upgraded just this last summer, and that's a testament testimony to the work we've done together, your work as well as the administration.
[35:18] Part of that was due to the fact that we grew the fund balance.
[35:21] From last year at 5.7 million to 12.2 million dollars this year.
[35:27] And hopefully, if we can hold the line, again this year,
[35:30] we'd like to get that up in the area of maybe 18 to 20 million dollars at the end of the year.
[35:36] Part of that was because Council appropriated 2 million dollars more.
[35:40] Into the fund balance, our quote unquote, Rainy Day of Con.
[35:43] If you will, and that's one of the things we're going to be asking again this year
[35:47] the CFP is an additional $2 million to put towards a fund balance. As you know, in an $800
[35:53] million budget, we should have 5% in the rainy day fund, the fund balance, that would
[35:59] be $40 million. So we're heading in the right direction, but as you can see, we still
[36:04] have a ways to go. The bond issuance, glad the report, that in addition to the savings to
[36:11] the county, we're also able to issue less debt than we're retiring this year. That's
[36:16] The first time that we've been able to do that in a decade, and while there's a smaller
[36:20] amount of capital, we're being very prudent in our spending and these steps reflect
[36:25] a commitment to manage our debt and be fiscally responsible.
[36:30] I just before I move on, I want to give a special thanks to the County Manager County Manager
[36:35] McCain, budget director Feng when the budget department who really worked diligently over
[36:40] the year to hold the line with the budget and also in preparing the budget that we're
[36:46] presenting here tonight.
[36:49] You know, we've been taking some very, very proactive steps to try to try to find savings
[36:53] and efficiency to not have to increase property tax.
[36:56] We did it dependent health care audit that the county manager brought to us and it saved
[37:01] over a million dollars in taking people off of our health care that should not have been
[37:07] on it.
[37:07] With Council's assistance, we started updating some fees, some fees that hadn't been adjusted
[37:13] in decades for permits, with public works, the medical examiner's office, and other areas.
[37:20] We continue, we're going to continue to try to identify new revenue streams to reduce the
[37:25] reliance on property tax. Some of those who involve fee, some of those who involve naming
[37:30] rights, some of those who involve opportunities that we see in some of our venues will continue
[37:35] to do that. And then the ongoing monitoring of the nonprofit organizations that we began
[37:40] earlier this year, 86% of the parcels have already submitted their documents and the law
[37:46] department is going through those and the home state exemptions. I know this was something
[37:50] we've been concerned about over the past few years people double dipping. 3,500 parcels have
[37:55] been removed from the double dipping of home state exemption and resulting in nearly $300,000 in
[38:01] additional tax revenue to the county. Let me talk about the operating budget. We'll move into
[38:07] why we're here. We do it a realistic achievable budget that has been balanced. The operating
[38:14] budget is going to be 817.3 million dollars that we are proposing. That's a little over 2%
[38:21] increase and I am going to be proposing that there is no millaging increase. So for the 12th time
[38:27] in 13 years, if this budget passes without a millaging increase and I don't have a agreement with
[38:33] everybody, I think, or might be one member of our council that disagrees, but if we have no
[38:38] millaging increase, it'll be the 12th time in 13 years that we haven't had a millaging
[38:43] increase.
[38:44] We are also going to be putting forth a budget that has no one-time revenue sources for the
[38:50] second consecutive year.
[38:51] We talked about that being one of the core values that we wanted to do, and really the
[38:56] 2.2% is just inflationary dealing with wage increase, collective bargaining, and supply
[39:04] inflation that basically is happening with 2%. Let me put this in perspective a little bit.
[39:09] Back in 2002, the typical $100,000 house in Allegheny County, $100,000 property paid
[39:18] $422 in county property tax. Next year, in 2014, the 13th year since that happened if this
[39:26] budget passes without a millaging increase, that same homeowner will be paying $483 in
[39:33] property taxes. That's a 14.4% increase over 13 years, 1.1% per year, well below inflation.
[39:45] Something we can be very proud of as far as holding the line. I don't know of any other
[39:49] government at the federal, state, or local level that can match that record. And we're going
[39:57] to continue, at least that's my philosophy, and I know it's here.
[40:00] By many members of council, to try to hold the line on property tax, because we've seen the results of that over the last 13 years.
[40:08] This county, Allegheny County, is the only county in the country that has had an increase in property values every year for the last five years.
[40:18] And I think stabilizing property taxes is a big reason why we've been able to achieve that.
[40:22] So again, it's a plan.
[40:24] We want to work with you on, but we're hopeful that we can hold a line another year on property
[40:30] tax and continue to find efficiencies and other revenues to fund the operation.
[40:37] I want to highlight just a few of the things that we've been able to do and some of the things
[40:40] that are in the CFP that we're presenting tonight.
[40:45] Some of the things you've already seen with LED lights and some of the efficiencies on energy
[40:49] savings around their facilities around the county that continue to continue to bring us
[40:54] operating savings and we're going to continue to do that. I also want to talk a little
[41:00] bit about human services and what we're doing permits our CYF and our human service department
[41:06] to maximize the state funding that's approved by the annual needs-based budget allocation in
[41:13] September, a very proud to note that CYF commemorated a significant anniversary, 50 years of providing
[41:19] public child welfare services for the residents of this county, along with a very strong network,
[41:26] a strong network of partners of nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and other organizations
[41:32] that are helping our children to most deserve. DHS, our Department of Human Services serves over
[41:38] 200,000 residents per year, and again, it's a huge commitment that we make to try to make
[41:45] folks better in this region.
[41:48] You will note in the budget, when you take a look at it, there were three departments
[41:52] that show a little bit of an increase over what would be normal.
[41:57] Those are human resources, law, and budget.
[42:01] And the reason for that is some of what we've been able to do is shift some people,
[42:05] some of the grant writing people who've been in other departments over into the budget
[42:10] department to try to maximize the amount of grants we're able to get with the state.
[42:15] When somebody's doing it just in a specific department, they're not necessarily looking
[42:20] at grants.
[42:21] For example, if they're in public safety, they're not looking for grants that might be in public
[42:24] works or human services.
[42:26] So moving the grant writer over into the budget department will help.
[42:30] The law department is going up and that's part and parcel of what we're doing when we're
[42:34] doing the non-profits reviews that we talked about, the tax exam properties, is an immense amount
[42:39] of data to go through, to go through all those properties.
[42:43] So we thought that adding some increased investment there would help pay some dividends with
[42:50] more revenues in the coming years.
[42:53] And then on the human services, or excuse me, human resources department, one of the things
[42:58] we've had over the years has been inconsistencies with respect to FMLA, with respect to wages,
[43:06] with respect to promotions, firings, all the different type of things that we do, benefits,
[43:12] moving that into the HR department, we'll allow us to have more consistency and, again,
[43:19] find savings and efficiencies across departments, even though that department might go off.
[43:24] So when you see that, that's the reason for that.
[43:28] One of the things the HR department has been able to do, and I think I mentioned this a couple
[43:32] weeks ago when I was here, they're doing online applications now, and they've already
[43:37] received over a thousand through the website in the first couple of weeks that they've had
[43:41] this, and our number of paper applications has shrunk to just a handful.
[43:46] So again, we're looking for efficiencies and improving those operations.
[43:51] They have a worker's compensation function now under the HR and again, that's also to help monitor some of the things that we talked about.
[43:58] A couple of other items you'll see in the budget that skew the numbers a little bit.
[44:04] The CFP will show a 911 increase of about 73%.
[44:10] That doesn't mean they're spending 73% more money.
[44:13] What it means is we don't have the offsetting revenue that we've had before with landlines and cell phone lines.
[44:19] So we've got to take more money from the general operating budget to fund the 911 center.
[44:24] We've talked about that in the past, it's something we've got to deal with at the state.
[44:28] We're saving a lot of money for municipalities out there, but if the municipalities, if we can't figure out a way to do this, we might have to come up with another funding formula.
[44:37] So this is something we're going to continue to monitor and continue to work with you on.
[44:43] The capital budget, we're going to be introducing a capital budget of a slightly over $50 million.
[44:50] A lot of this will be for our infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
[44:55] We've got a bridge program of about 6.19 million.
[44:58] Oh, that's $50 million.
[45:00] Not 30 million will be bonds that we take out in the county, the rest will be matching money that
[45:05] we get from the state and federal government and other sources. That also includes in
[45:10] our bridge project, as I mentioned, about 6.19 in the bridges, and that will include about
[45:16] a 1.7 million dollar amount in Act 13, Highway Bridge Funding from the States, more cell-ish
[45:22] yellow legacy fund regarding deteriorating bridges in the county. It includes some of the bridges
[45:28] in all of your districts, the ten-street bridge, the Thompson Run, Dukers Hollow Bridge, and
[45:34] our three sister bridges here in the county, which have been very prominently displayed.
[45:39] I might add over the last few days as our baseball team has been getting a lot of national attention,
[45:44] and that backdrop of those beautiful bridges is something that we want to be very proud of.
[45:49] And we are. Rose program, we're talking about $18 million in our roads and facilities improvement,
[45:54] including some major paving projects along Power Hill Road, Greensburg Pike, and Campbell's
[46:00] Rod Road.
[46:01] We're also going to be funding in the capital budget around $9 million, $9.8 million for
[46:08] the port authority that will be improvements and upgrades to fix facilities and fleets.
[46:13] It will also include a $1 million investment for planning, design, and construction of a
[46:19] bus rapid transit link between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland as we begin that project.
[46:24] And I think that will be a very, very successful project for this region to continue.
[46:30] And then we'll have a $4 million in equipment purchases.
[46:34] Let me just talk about moving forward in the next couple of years, some of the new programs.
[46:39] We want to do, we want to do a pilot program with online reservations for shelters and
[46:45] grows in our county parks that should be launched by the end of the year.
[46:49] Our intent is to try to move as cashless and as easy for people to pay as possible, so that they can pay online,
[46:57] they can pay with credit card, previously in departments where they'd have to show up with cash or a cashier's check,
[47:03] and we want to make it easy for people.
[47:06] One other initiative I want to talk about is the ski slopes at Boyce Park.
[47:11] We've continued to lose money on that operation because we don't get the snow making in time for the
[47:19] peak season, which is in December, and we've been running a deficit there, probably close to
[47:23] a half a million dollars a year. We're going to be entering into a contract in a public
[47:29] private partnership. County manager is going to be doing that within the next few days for
[47:34] specialized service of snowmaking with the intent of keeping that open and keeping that operating
[47:41] throughout the year. It's something where we'll be able to free up employees who have been
[47:48] basically standing around or working on that project,
[47:52] but they were taken from other parts of the parks.
[47:55] Now they'll be redeployed into the parks
[47:56] to be able to do some of the deferred maintenance
[47:59] that we have been looking to do.
[48:01] And we're hoping that that will result in a savings
[48:03] of close to $300,000 in being able to keep that operation running.
[48:08] And again, it's a specialized function.
[48:11] It's not an everyday function like paving roads
[48:14] or maintaining our buildings.
[48:16] You know, there's probably only a handful in its whole state and it's just not something that, you know, we focus on it's a very specialized, specialized operation.
[48:26] So that is the budget plan that I'm going to be presenting to you.
[48:31] Look forward to working with you and Chairman Robinson over the next few months as we scrub the budget go through the items.
[48:39] You know, answer questions, take some input that you might have on various departments and agencies that we, that we fund and want to take a look at funding and look forward to working with you on it.
[48:50] Mr. President, if you'd like to take any questions, anybody might have on the budget.
[48:53] Any questions for the executive?
[48:56] Yes.
[48:57] I just have one comment and I know, Congressman Finner is here that I've been sitting up here for six years.
[49:04] talking about what you're doing in Floyd's Park and before me, Mike, carried it towards
[49:09] so we're glad we live to see it, so thank you.
[49:16] We're going to find out if I'll successful we can be, and it's interesting because we've
[49:21] got two major ski operations that are going to be combined in the ones.
[49:25] You wonder what kind of competition that's going to have for people of Western Pennsylvania?
[49:30] This is an option.
[49:31] And I know we're not being our aspirin or certainly seven springs, but it's a nice key
[49:35] operation for people, particularly beginners to go out and learn and have a nice day
[49:39] and be able to do it in a very affordable cost.
[49:41] It's just I had to bring it to your attention because we love when we're right.
[49:44] You do not.
[49:45] It's kind of an Irish thing.
[49:46] It was your idea, Jimmy.
[49:47] I'll tell you.
[49:47] No, actually it was Mike, but he said it was better than I thought.
[49:53] Thank you.
[49:54] Thank you.
[49:55] Thank you.
[49:55] Thank you.
[49:56] You know, I've always been one and I know you do too, I don't like Christ.
[50:00] I want to be more proactive instead of reactive. And I've always asked the controller, prior years, to give me a five-year projection, and ten-year projection, where we are, where that cash flow line's going, where it line meets. And maybe you could elaborate a little bit because it was, you know, a little bit of inference to consman Robinson's comments on that 50 million that he keeps pointing to. And I'd like to have your input on that, where that may be, and where those lines,
[50:29] cross. You know, we're in what year given no more revenues and our expenses are stable with
[50:36] that 2% increase. Where does that line cross and what how much is that line when it crosses?
[50:42] I mean, is it what Councilman Robinson is projecting at the 50 million mark? Is it something
[50:46] less or maybe you can give it a little more insight on that? Let me just say, one mill, if we
[50:54] would increase one-millimeter every one-mill that we love on property in Allegheny County, brings
[51:01] in approximately $60 million.
[51:04] So if we are in the hole, if you will, or behind with that percentage, $20 million a year,
[51:10] you would see that like every three years we would be $60 million short, and that would be
[51:15] a one-mill increase.
[51:17] So it's our job, all of us, to try to make that go as long as we can.
[51:25] It's not going to go indefinitely.
[51:26] I think the fact that we did it only one time in the last 13 years is pretty significant.
[51:34] So if we can find other revenues and there's areas of examples that we've talked about,
[51:39] and the county manager brings them to you all the time.
[51:43] And other efficiencies, other savings that we can make, and other areas where we can tap into.
[51:51] And let me give you two other examples.
[51:53] The other challenge with this is we've seen with the state and federal government have done over the last few years.
[51:58] So that exacerbates that whole that we talk about because they have made cutbacks on things like human services, CDBG, public safety grants.
[52:06] Other things that we've received, public works over the years.
[52:09] So that adds to the local burden on the property tax people in Allegheny County.
[52:17] And let me say, we're not immune to this, but they're county last year, increased their
[52:22] taxes one million.
[52:23] Indiana County raised those five mills last year, and our strong county raised those two
[52:28] mills.
[52:28] These are counties right around us.
[52:30] Again, and this is an criticism of them that they have no other option, but property
[52:34] tax.
[52:35] So we don't raise property tax with inflation,
[52:39] the way other taxes and other fees are raised, sales tax,
[52:42] income tax, wage tax, all those other taxes
[52:45] that the state and the federal government get,
[52:47] they automatically go up every year with inflation.
[52:50] Property tax does not.
[52:52] We did an inflationary increase a couple of years ago,
[52:54] and I would like to forestall doing another one
[52:59] as long as we can.
[53:01] I think that's true.
[53:02] There are a couple times in this country including the deaths that's facing the youth
[53:07] of tomorrow and it's scary, very, very scary.
[53:11] Thank you.
[53:11] Thank you.
[53:12] Thank you.
[53:12] Thank you, Madam Heather.
[53:14] Thanks, Richard.
[53:15] I want to go out of Dallon, Bogion, because I want to piggyback on the parks at Voicepark.
[53:21] We, I don't know if you mentioned about it, but we're talking about actually doubling the
[53:25] size of the season.
[53:25] I'm as much from 30 days to possibly 70 in the parks, and I actually learned a ski at Boys Park when I was a youngster.
[53:37] And I remember skiing there on Thanksgiving Day.
[53:42] I've never seen our park open Thanksgiving Day since then, but I believe that we're going to have a shot in the local economy, all of these ski rental places,
[53:51] the store selling skis. It's not just going to benefit us with the county, but the surrounding
[53:56] area as well and giving young kids the opportunity to ski more than they possibly have been
[54:02] in the past few years. I think it's just a great idea and hopefully this works out very well
[54:06] for all of us. Thank you. Thank you. Heather and then Mr. Burns.
[54:12] Thank you for coming before
[54:13] us Mr. Fitzgerald. I'm glad to hear that your plan is not to raise taxes this year. As you had
[54:19] promised us over the last year, so I'm very happy to hear that.
[54:23] I don't recall making that promise,
[54:24] it's a cost of one, but if we're glad to be able to do it.
[54:28] The one question I have in a little bit of surprise is a $1 million
[54:36] plant expenditure for the Port Authority to study, and I don't want to
[54:41] paraphrase you incorrectly, but an expansion from downtown to Oakland.
[54:46] Can you please expand on this?
[54:48] I think that many of us here in Allegheny County were exhausted by the process of the T-going
[54:58] underneath Stan Wood Street.
[55:00] We agreed underneath the river. We were all made various promises by the state and federal government.
[55:06] We, the county, were required to provide more income, more revenue than we originally were led to believe.
[55:16] So where are we going with this? I mean, if we're going to spend a million dollars, there's obviously some foresight here that we're going to commit.
[55:24] Are we going to commit ourselves to building something between downtown and Oakland?
[55:28] Well, let me back up for, you know, I think you're talking about the subway expansion under the
[55:33] river, and actually we committed $12 little over $12 million, and that's all we ever spent.
[55:39] While the cost kept going up, the federal government came in and picked up the lion's share.
[55:44] It became about a $500 million project, and I would argue that it's been extremely successful.
[55:50] The amount of growth and the amount of development that continues over under the North Shore.
[55:55] I think you can directly attribute a lot of that to linking rail, linking mass transit in the rail system over there.
[56:04] I think there's no question as we become a younger and younger community, a younger county.
[56:09] The young people that are moving in here really want transit. That's a huge issue.
[56:14] One of the problems has always been the lack of connectivity between downtown and Oakland.
[56:19] We have a couple different options. One is to do light rail owners, a lot of people that would like to do light rail.
[56:24] Light rail would probably cost about two to two and a half billion dollars and it would be a lot of disruption in building the rail line from from downtown Pittsburgh
[56:32] To Oakland and probably would take 15 to 20 years, which is pretty much what it took to do the subway expansion over into the North Shore
[56:40] With Cleveland has been able to do and we took a trip in June
[56:43] with about 30 or 40 stake holders from the business community,
[56:48] from the elegant conference to the Pittsburgh downtown partnership,
[56:52] the Oakland Business District,
[56:54] which lay them was able to do in their connectivity between downtown
[56:59] and their as-in-med facility,
[57:00] which is very similar to our Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh.
[57:04] They've built theirs for about $200 million and did it in,
[57:07] I think, three or four years.
[57:09] And the amount of development, private sector development,
[57:12] that occurred along a lighted area, which is very similar to our upton area, through
[57:17] Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue, was over $5 billion.
[57:22] And I think if we can build something similar for that kind of money, I think it would enhance
[57:29] our economy in a great measure.
[57:32] It would add to the property values all along that area, including the values in downtown and
[57:38] the values in Oakland.
[57:38] and it would add to jobs, it would add to development.
[57:42] So we're going to be making or asking to make a million dollar investment into the planning
[57:47] into getting it started so that we can access other monies from the state federal in the
[57:53] foundation community.
[57:54] I have one follow up question.
[57:56] Have you spoken with our federal representatives in regard to funding a federal the federal
[58:01] pieces?
[58:01] Absolutely.
[58:02] We've been meeting with them all the time.
[58:04] So they're very familiar with what we're doing here.
[58:06] So you've been meeting with who?
[58:09] We've been meeting with a whole lot of stakeholders,
[58:11] Councilwoman, we've been meeting with federal officials,
[58:14] state officials, business owners, labor unions,
[58:17] nonprofit organizations, the big health care facilities,
[58:21] the big downtown business owners, a myriad of stakeholders.
[58:26] Including members of Council, we took members of Council,
[58:29] invited members of Council to the trip
[58:30] when we went to Cleveland, and the folks in Cleveland
[58:34] Who have had this now for the last couple years reviewed this as well with our folks.
[58:41] I don't want to take any more time here today, but I'll send you a letter and perhaps I can request some of the information.
[58:47] You've already gathered.
[58:48] We'll be glad to set up a meeting and get you all the information on the plans.
[58:53] Thank you, Mr. Bern.
[58:58] My question is about the open-down kind of connection.
[59:03] I just want to direct up what you said in the time I've got this question.
[59:10] It's good to see this happening when I was on the 44th and your predecessor had put a group
[59:17] to get a call to train as an action team.
[59:19] The group of us led by Dave Hicken made some recommendations to the count.
[59:25] And one of them was to improve the connectivity between the ads and the ads over and over.
[59:30] down on Pittsburgh and across the one aware of that study. One of the
[59:37] busiest corridors in the state of Pennsylvania, the zero-aware, is the
[59:41] Oakland Pittsburgh connection. One of the most bottleneck and most difficult
[59:44] things is to travel. I think your point to Heather is absolutely
[59:49] spawn for every dollar and I don't talk for her to be in a man that
[59:52] can attest this to me. I heard it is 44 report members and I seem to take this here.
[59:57] It's very dull.
[1:00:00] Public monies used for transportation recognized in a minimum three dollars a part of the sector investment. I think it's spot on them and we'll wait ahead of the curve on the North Shore Connector project. All the money to the governments that you've seen on the North side is in no small part of triggerable to the business owners and their understanding that there's going to be accessibility seen there through the connector and anybody you've seen. But we've seen in the last month and particular notes that there haven't been any complaints from the folks that have been over
[1:00:29] are making use of those amenities and doing those great bulkills.
[1:00:33] This is another one of those conversations.
[1:00:36] The economic ripple effect that you are going to bring to this region, and this kind of
[1:00:40] ring to this region, like developing this, at the price that you're saying that it's going
[1:00:44] to be done is remarkable.
[1:00:46] We're going to see the economic ripple effect of every dollar of public money.
[1:00:50] I would say it's going to be more than three weeks.
[1:00:52] It might be higher than five in my content, but this is one of the components of that point,
[1:00:56] And we get down on the road and we presented it to them six or seven years ago.
[1:01:01] I've been waiting to see come to fruition, and I just wanted to say that it's an area you
[1:01:06] see it as part of your plan for the future, and we have one of them going to see if we can
[1:01:10] make an economic revenue generation, if that adds much to anything else that you need to
[1:01:16] share in it.
[1:01:18] Thank you, Councilman.
[1:01:19] Let me also point out that the Rockefeller Foundation, a foundation of New York City identified
[1:01:24] Pittsburgh is one of only four cities in a country that was, you know, perfectly situated
[1:01:29] for BRT and are helping us along those lines.
[1:01:32] And you're right, we've got downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, our two biggest job employment
[1:01:37] centers in the region and the second and third biggest in the state and there's no question
[1:01:42] at downtown, the vibrancy of downtown continues to grow, the new skyscraper that's adding
[1:01:49] jobs for PNC and other skyscrapers, the market at gardens at fifth market. All these are
[1:01:56] going to add continued add buildings. We just can't continue to park cars. It's just
[1:02:00] not enough room and we need to get a way to move people very efficiently as we become
[1:02:05] an absolutely major employment center here and a BRT would really add to that.
[1:02:12] Anyone else?
[1:02:14] Yeah, I think I have a mic.
[1:02:17] Everybody else.
[1:02:19] Thank you for being here today.
[1:02:21] Rich appreciate that.
[1:02:23] I'd just like to say that when we go to the Oakland downtown
[1:02:28] Loops that hopefully will come to be.
[1:02:33] From the vision team, which I was part of, that was one of our big
[1:02:36] recommendations coming out of that vision team that you
[1:02:41] We've got together there and I think it's extremely important for the well-being of our
[1:02:46] area that we have, and in some type of truance that's going to be able to get people from
[1:02:53] Oakland to downtown with under 10 minutes time, I mean it would be a great thing.
[1:03:01] We've seen what the T has done for the South Hills area and for the downtown area.
[1:03:07] I mean, it's tremendous. More people than ever come downtown from my area now.
[1:03:14] I also, at a different point, would like to make is that, you know, every year, the budget gets more difficult and more difficult to balance.
[1:03:23] As we get cut by the state, by the federal government.
[1:03:31] Just the human services, and I was chairman of human services, what, seven years ago now, I guess.
[1:03:38] That budget, when I was chairman of it, was 1.6 billion dollars at that time.
[1:03:46] Right now, I don't know what it is today, but I know what it was in 2012 and 2013.
[1:03:53] It was about 860 million.
[1:03:55] That's tremendous cut. Human services, people that need help, in every year it seems that
[1:04:04] we get a 16% kind of board. Community development, the same way, 16% and 20% every
[1:04:12] year. Community development helps communities that don't have the money to do something.
[1:04:19] either put sidewalks in or handicapped accessible or fixed playgrounds, something on that order.
[1:04:28] The community develops and important, very important for the communities that I represent,
[1:04:34] especially in the case of Rockson's stove.
[1:04:38] So these are some of the things that we have every year put up with.
[1:04:43] and we try to make sure that we can still provide services to our people on the same level.
[1:04:54] It's not easy, but it's something that I compliment the budget people for.
[1:05:00] tremendous job, and chief executive for doing that. At the same time, as the chief executive
[1:05:06] has stated that we've only raised taxes, one meal, one time, in 13 years, be able to maintain
[1:05:15] this. Sometimes we were taking money from this and putting it over there and fudging everything
[1:05:24] run but we managed to do it. We're not doing that anymore. We're not one timing anymore. This is
[1:05:31] our budget and I also would like to change the subject for a second and say, I believe that in
[1:05:37] your budget, you will have a projection for five years. My name is Staking. I think I've seen
[1:05:44] that every year. I've looked in there and it's five. Yeah. Okay. I thought so. Okay. Thank you very much.
[1:05:52] I appreciate your work.
[1:05:55] Yeah, just as maybe as a last note.
[1:05:58] Overall, the employees of this county all got approximately a 2% or more phrase plus the health care.
[1:06:04] There are 16 people in this county that did not get a raise.
[1:06:09] I was 15 in the man standing at the podium.
[1:06:13] I just want to make that public record that we did not get a raise.
[1:06:16] Thank you.
[1:06:18] Barbara?
[1:06:20] Yeah,
[1:06:23] I'm...
[1:06:23] know, there's two sides of budget. You have the revenue side and the expenditure side.
[1:06:30] And I applaud the efforts to build the fund balance. I was trying to take notes.
[1:06:34] When you started, it was 5.7, 2012, 12.2.
[1:06:40] We hope them to get the 18 to 20 this year.
[1:06:44] I'm going to let the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
[1:06:46] by the end, one more audit it. Okay, and then you talked about the two to three percent inflation just
[1:06:55] because we have health care costs and everything else that goes into it so that that
[1:07:01] cost 16 to 18 million more on the $800 million dollar budget.
[1:07:06] Well, 2% of $800 million is 16 million, 3% is 24 million. So yeah somewhere in that range
[1:07:11] because that's pretty much what inflation has been over the last 10 to 12 years.
[1:07:15] So that's what we've got a project for.
[1:07:18] No, I agree.
[1:07:20] My concern is how confident are you of the revenue numbers?
[1:07:28] I mean, you sort of mentioned new revenue streams and then going back to last year when
[1:07:35] everybody was concerned about whether we were going to have a win fall.
[1:07:38] Is there a win fall?
[1:07:40] Is there not a win fall?
[1:07:41] a little bit more revenue streams going to look like, you know, because that's if we're
[1:07:47] going to continue to build the fund balance, and we have, you know, 16 to 18 million more
[1:07:54] and expenses, I'm not sure I understand how that works.
[1:07:58] Well, we think this year, and we've identified in the budget, some of the savings we've been
[1:08:04] able to make the million dollars and in all of it's the employee health care audit, the
[1:08:11] million dollars in the jail, we've done funds in the revenues, you guys increase some revenues
[1:08:16] in different departments that have added a couple hundred thousand here, five hundred
[1:08:20] thousand here, it adds up to certain amount.
[1:08:23] As you know, budgeting is estimates.
[1:08:25] There's no, I mean, it's not like you can take that number and it's going to be exactly.
[1:08:29] You make your best guess with the reassessment and appeals still coming in that makes it
[1:08:35] difficult because you're trying to project based on history based on what you anticipate
[1:08:40] will happen. The budget department warned in his group, and Connie Major McCain, made some
[1:08:46] estimates last year to set the middle of the G4.73. They were very close. I mean, there
[1:08:51] were some criticisms from people in the media and others who thought it was out of line
[1:08:55] that the numbers are following the projections that we saw back in 201 and 202. And those
[1:09:02] of us who lived through that, remember those days and watched the total valuation go down
[1:09:07] as the appeals came in. It seems to be following that similar track. It probably won't be
[1:09:12] done until late next year or maybe early in 15. So we think the revenue projections are on.
[1:09:19] There is no windfall. Hopefully there's not going to be a deficit on the other side,
[1:09:25] but it should come in pretty close. And even some of the other estimates that you make on recording fees
[1:09:30] and other fees, you never know how that's going to go. And I'll give you one example. When you look
[1:09:34] In your budget, you'll see that the sheriff budget is on a significant amount.
[1:09:38] It's misleading because what's happening is, he used to collect a lot of fees for mortgage
[1:09:42] for closures.
[1:09:44] Well, the good news is, mortgage for closures are very low in Allegheny kind.
[1:09:49] Well, the offset is we're not collecting the kind of revenues we used to collect on mortgage
[1:09:53] for closures, those kind of bankruptcy, so that revenue stream has dwindled to lower than
[1:09:58] we would have seen.
[1:10:00] All those kind of things happen, and that's something that the county manager and the budget department
[1:10:05] through many years of experience. I mean, I don't want to count up all the years of war, and if you tell us all the folks in your department, how many years,
[1:10:12] but they've been doing this for a long time, and they're usually pretty good and pretty close to what they need to be.
[1:10:18] I know last year there was some talk from at least one elected official about reopening the budget after the first of the year.
[1:10:26] You wouldn't see any kind of reason to do that with, you feel very confident about these
[1:10:32] revenue estimates.
[1:10:33] We do.
[1:10:34] We feel very good.
[1:10:36] I think the last couple of years have been a little more contentious because of the reassessment
[1:10:41] but now that that is somewhat settled on, I think we're on a more predictable path.
[1:10:47] And I do want to applaud you for not using the one-time revenues.
[1:10:50] Good work.
[1:10:53] I just want to be a little light and more for the
[1:10:56] previous audience from constituents that one million dollar study from
[1:11:02] here to Oakland is that's our portion what's the total study cost
[1:11:07] the total what study cost well it's not it's it's it's the beginning of
[1:11:12] the of the process is basically I guess is the way to do it there is already
[1:11:16] been some money that the state has allocated I don't remember the amount
[1:11:19] And I want to say it's $700,000,000, the federal government has allocated some money as well,
[1:11:24] some of that.
[1:11:25] And I'd have to check with the poor authority, but there has been some money that's already
[1:11:29] been allocated.
[1:11:30] So this is part of our investment in a connection between downtown and Oklahoma.
[1:11:36] The reason why I bring it up is our investment was done initially when that tunnel was built
[1:11:41] way, my understanding was part of that study was to go to Oakland.
[1:11:45] Surely there must be a study out there somewhere
[1:11:49] Why do we have to reinvent the wheel? Let me finish my thoughts. I mean, I finished my thoughts
[1:11:53] Why do we have to reinvent the wheel? What can someone do is pick up shelf material and just
[1:11:58] Regurgitate it back to us and we're the citizens gonna pay a million dollars plus whatever that's all I'm saying and secondly
[1:12:05] You know what?
[1:12:06] Forget the tunnel we should have went to Oakland and we probably could have went to Airport and paid far less than we paid for that tunnel and maybe even got the North Hills of the same time
[1:12:15] So now I don't buy that tunnel. What I buy is we should have went to Oakland. We should have went to the airport and then maybe we should have picked up a little bit of northeal
[1:12:23] That's my feeling. Well, those decisions got short changed on that one. Those decisions were made and long before any of us were in office
[1:12:29] So it's that that ship is sealed, but I I appreciate your your concern
[1:12:34] You know, you brought up something that I'm like real familiar with you talking about this time time
[1:12:40] Oakland thing and it makes me think about the term back to the future. I was born in Oakland
[1:12:45] And when this city had 700 plus 1,000 people in it,
[1:12:49] that's how people got to, from downtown to open every day,
[1:12:52] hundreds of thousands of people using trolleys.
[1:12:54] I mean, you have community issues up there.
[1:12:58] There's neighborhoods that live up there.
[1:13:00] You saw it happen when they wiped out North Shore to the E Street Valley.
[1:13:06] So one of the things, I mean, that I asked myself,
[1:13:10] because I mean, even in my own photo,
[1:13:12] problems for my family, you see the trolleys in them, are we overthinking this? Does this have
[1:13:17] to be some kind of a massive construction type of thing, or can we just put the tracks
[1:13:23] back down and get those fancy trolleys and just run them back and forth up or like they did
[1:13:27] for a freaking 100 years in the city?
[1:13:29] Well, those are some of the details that the engineers and the traffic consumers know.
[1:13:35] Certainly know it better than I do, but it's a pretty collaborative process.
[1:13:40] You might say, the tracks are right here, just take up the answer box, I'll pass that along to the folks at the port of the port.
[1:13:50] Let me just, I'm sorry.
[1:13:54] I just want to say one more thing.
[1:13:56] I know there was some talk over the last couple of days.
[1:13:59] I guess one member of your body indicated that they wanted to raise taxes one mill.
[1:14:05] So the questions came to me was, I'm going to raise taxes tonight.
[1:14:08] I wouldn't answer the question.
[1:14:09] I wouldn't reveal that to the media because I wanted this console in this body to hear it first.
[1:14:16] I don't want you to hear it through the media.
[1:14:18] I didn't want you to hear it through a press release.
[1:14:22] So it wasn't that I was being evasive.
[1:14:24] It wasn't that I wasn't afraid to answer the question.
[1:14:26] It was that this body deserves to hear the comprehensive fiscal plan before others.
[1:14:32] So that's kind of why I was not, I'm not answering that question in a certain way.
[1:14:37] that I wanted to be able to present it to you.
[1:14:39] I wanted to present it to the President and the Budget Chair and the members of the Council
[1:14:43] so that you here, you know, from us, from me and the County Manager and my administration
[1:14:48] is to what we are putting forth in the comprehensive fiscal plan.
[1:14:52] Thank you.
[1:14:53] Thank you for the presentation.
[1:14:55] At this time, I'd like to turn the budget you're presenting over to a Budget and Finance
[1:14:59] Committee.
[1:15:00] Sure, if I missed the Robinson, okay? Okay, Bill?
[1:15:04] And we'll pass out the documents.
[1:15:08] So, thank you.
[1:15:09] Thank you. Thank you, members of the council. We look forward to working with you over the next couple of minutes.
[1:15:42] That's all I do.
[1:15:43] How you doing?
[1:15:43] You don't have your boots tomorrow.
[1:15:46] You're like, okay.
[1:15:47] Yes, man.
[1:15:48] You might not do anything.
[1:15:49] Yeah, you don't want to leave.
[1:15:50] You stay here.
[1:15:50] You stay black.
[1:15:51] You don't want to leave.
[1:15:52] I work.
[1:15:53] I work.
[1:15:53] I work.
[1:15:54] Yeah.
[1:16:02] That's.
[1:16:03] You told me that before.
[1:16:05] As soon as it clears up.
[1:16:06] Yeah.
[1:16:08] Yes, man.
[1:16:09] Yes, man.
[1:16:16] You think that's the case you're always fracking up?
[1:16:25] I did.
[1:16:27] I said to someone that,
[1:16:33] if someone could have benefited from me and budget finance chair,
[1:16:36] five hundred million dollars from frackets and jewelry. The county could accrue a
[1:16:43] way to your parents at the more implied to consider really. But the more I
[1:16:51] learn, the more I hear, the more I'm educated.
[1:16:56] The more I wonder about is there
[1:17:04] they'll give it to this county if we allow them to go back to work, I don't want it.
[1:17:15] What I need now, we're back to work now guys, we need a motion to send the budget to the budget and finance committee.
[1:17:26] I'll make that move in a second question.
[1:17:30] All in favor?
[1:17:31] Aye.
[1:17:32] Opposed, so ordered.
[1:17:33] The budget goes to finance committee.
[1:17:37] Public comment on agenda items.
[1:17:41] We have not, right?
[1:17:43] Okay.
[1:17:44] Approval of minutes, 777-777-638.
[1:17:50] Mr. President, when did these bills do
[1:17:56] the bill?
[1:17:56] Okay.
[1:17:56] Go ahead.
[1:17:57] Sorry about that.
[1:17:58] I'm trying to make up for last time.
[1:18:05] First of all, this is an ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[1:18:09] establishing the tax delivery upon all real property, subject to taxation within the limits
[1:18:13] of Allegheny County.
[1:18:17] That's it.
[1:18:20] Why didn't you find Ask committee?
[1:18:25] The second one is a resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[1:18:29] adopting an operating budget pursuant to Article 4, Section 2, and Article 7, Section 4
[1:18:34] the home more charter by setting forth appropriations to pay expenses of conducting the public
[1:18:39] business of Allegheny County and for meeting debt charges for the final year beginning
[1:18:43] January 1st 2014 and ending December 31st 2014.
[1:18:51] Okay.
[1:18:52] What's it?
[1:18:55] Okay.
[1:18:59] Did you get a motion for that current?
[1:19:01] No.
[1:19:01] Put it in the committee.
[1:19:03] If I didn't find an ask committee.
[1:19:07] I'm getting so much fake.
[1:19:08] I don't know.
[1:19:08] You know.
[1:19:10] Okay.
[1:19:11] The third is the resolution of the County Valley Guinea Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted a capital
[1:19:16] budget for soon to article four section two and article seven section four of the home
[1:19:20] more chartered by saying for what the appropriate is to pay the expenses for capital expenditures
[1:19:25] during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014 and descending December 31, 2014.
[1:19:33] The
[1:19:37] fourth and final one is the resolution of the County Valley Guinea Commonwealth of
[1:19:41] Pennsylvania, adopting the grants budget, special counsel budget, and agency fund budget.
[1:19:46] By setting forth appropriations to pay set expenses during the fiscal year beginning January
[1:19:51] 1st, 2014, and ending December 31st, 2014.
[1:19:55] Budget and finance committee.
[1:20:01] Is that
[1:20:04] it?
[1:20:05] That's it.
[1:20:07] Okay, approval of the minutes, 777-613.
[1:20:12] Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting,
[1:20:14] regarding any county council, head on September 10, 2013.
[1:20:18] So moved.
[1:20:19] Move to the second.
[1:20:21] All in favor.
[1:20:23] Opposed.
[1:20:23] So ordered.
[1:20:25] Presentation of appointments.
[1:20:27] 777-618-13.
[1:20:29] Approving the reappointment of James Hammond to serve as a member of the Council
[1:20:33] Friends Organization, South Park, Hortongers Park, so if you're 28, 2015 sponsored by Council
[1:20:39] Woman Harris.
[1:20:42] Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:20:44] I would ask Council to consider a appointing Mr. Hammond to serve as the Council
[1:20:51] Friends on South Park, the Council of Friends Organization.
[1:20:59] Second question, all in favor, of course, so ordered, 77769-13.
[1:21:08] Approving the re-appointment of Dr. Charles T.
[1:21:11] Bloch's to serve as a member of the Allegheny County property assessment appeals and
[1:21:15] review board for a timely supply in December 31st, 2016 sponsored by Councilman Martin.
[1:21:25] We'll take it to appointment reviews.
[1:21:31] 777-0-13.
[1:21:34] Approving the re-employment of Walter Stimuthke, the service of the member of the retirement
[1:21:38] Board of Allegheny County, for turn to expand December 31st, 2017, sponsored by Councilman
[1:21:43] Robinson.
[1:21:46] 2nd.
[1:21:47] Sure, we discuss this since as well.
[1:21:50] It's the present of my sort of no one's embarrassed.
[1:21:55] The budget director of the council is authorized to serve by law.
[1:22:00] Mr. Samantha is our budget director.
[1:22:03] Just wanted to make that clear so that no one's embarrassed.
[1:22:07] Thank you.
[1:22:08] Thank you.
[1:22:09] That is true.
[1:22:10] It is true.
[1:22:11] It's good choice, I might say.
[1:22:13] It is true.
[1:22:14] Question.
[1:22:16] I want to say that Mr. Smansky, I'm very proud that he's going to represent the side.
[1:22:22] I've served with him and he doesn't, outstanding job, and I know he's going to do an outstanding job wherever we appoint him.
[1:22:28] As long as just like many of our staff members, he's asking me.
[1:22:32] Okay, roll call.
[1:22:35] Do if I roar, you're going to do it by voice, though.
[1:22:36] I think I won't call him.
[1:22:38] Okay, I think I won't call him.
[1:22:39] I think I don't call him.
[1:22:39] Roll call.
[1:22:41] That was my choice.
[1:22:42] Mr. Bun.
[1:22:44] Yes.
[1:22:44] Thank you Mr. Fezio.
[1:22:47] Yes, Mr. Joe's.
[1:22:48] Mr. Allen-Bogen.
[1:22:50] Mr. Finnery.
[1:22:51] Mr. Paulus. Yes.
[1:22:52] Mr. Green Hawkins.
[1:22:54] Mr. Harris.
[1:22:55] Yes.
[1:22:55] Mr. Heidelball.
[1:22:57] Mr. Macy.
[1:22:57] All right.
[1:22:58] Mr. Paul Mary.
[1:23:00] Mr. Ray.
[1:23:01] Mr. Robinson.
[1:23:02] Hi.
[1:23:03] Mr. Martin in front of me.
[1:23:05] Yes.
[1:23:05] Ice-14. No. Zero Bill Passes.
[1:23:08] Unfinished Business.
[1:23:09] Unfinished Business Committee on Budget and Finance Second Reading.
[1:23:13] 7,761-13.
[1:23:16] In order to carry value any color of the Pennsylvania establishing new schedules of fees,
[1:23:20] charged for services and items rendered and provided by the Allegheny County Department
[1:23:25] of Public Works and the Office of the Medical Family's boss is by the Chief Executive.
[1:23:29] Mr. Robinson.
[1:23:30] Move for approval.
[1:23:31] Second.
[1:23:32] I have a question.
[1:23:33] Question.
[1:23:34] Yes.
[1:23:35] Mr. McCain.
[1:23:36] Can you, can you, can you know why they're changing, they're increasing the cost of the math,
[1:23:40] six hundred percent to six hundred dollars or something like that yeah that's the only one that
[1:23:52] seems a bit shocking to me
[1:23:56] I really don't care about that I have it I'm not sure if it needs it
[1:23:59] you know if a business needs it and the six hundred dollars that's a lot I just don't understand
[1:24:06] they had said that it was the allocation resources with the with the color printer and
[1:24:12] because that's what they wanted in color and even though it has been increased since 2007
[1:24:17] it's an enormous amount of time to get that together and to do and they thought that was appropriate.
[1:24:22] I know this percentage is high but the dollar amount is a significant increase but they thought it was relative.
[1:24:30] They did all survey around time and they thought that that was in the ballpark.
[1:24:34] So my only comment is I'll vote yes on this. I won't hold it up for that but if it's labor intensive
[1:24:41] and if it costs that much, why don't we just subcontract that out? Why don't we send it to
[1:24:45] clicks or something? We have a print shop that does this is just that when they do that,
[1:24:51] then that takes up time from other jobs. I mean, that is an option, but we think that this
[1:24:56] more than covers our expenses and helps to fund balance a little.
[1:25:00] This is these maps. A lot of times it'll be commercial people, architects, my call, engineering firms, things like that.
[1:25:07] All right. Well, I'm just going to ask if you can figure out if we have been this is that need these maps to conduct economic, you know, things here in the county.
[1:25:16] And this is going to be a cost that is really going to hurt them. There's any way we can reduce that. Just think about it.
[1:25:23] Okay.
[1:25:24] Thank you.
[1:25:25] Thank you.
[1:25:27] Mr. Barn.
[1:25:28] Yes.
[1:25:28] Mr. Thanko.
[1:25:29] Mr. Faisio.
[1:25:31] Mr. Drows.
[1:25:32] Nay.
[1:25:34] Mr. Allen Bogan.
[1:25:34] Aye.
[1:25:35] Mr. Finer.
[1:25:36] Yes.
[1:25:37] Mr. Paulus. Yes.
[1:25:39] Mr. Green Hawkins.
[1:25:39] Aye.
[1:25:40] Mr. Harris.
[1:25:41] Yes.
[1:25:42] Mr. Hydebock. Yes.
[1:25:43] Mr. Macy.
[1:25:45] Mr. Paul Murray.
[1:25:46] Yes. Mr. Ray.
[1:25:47] Mr. Robinson.
[1:25:49] Mr. Marchoni President.
[1:25:50] Yes.
[1:25:51] I, 13, nose, nose, one, go passes.
[1:25:54] Committee on Economic Development in Housing, 2nd Reading, 74742-13.
[1:26:00] Residents of the County Valley getting authorized
[1:26:01] to remove over parcel from the south side
[1:26:03] works tax increment financing plans,
[1:26:05] sponsored by the Chief Executive.
[1:26:09] Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:26:11] Move for approval.
[1:26:12] Second, move to second, question, roll call.
[1:26:16] Mr. Bound, Mr. Stanko, Mr. Fazio, yes, Mr. Drows.
[1:26:20] Hi. Mr. Allen Bowdoin. Mr. Finnery. Yes.
[1:26:24] Mr. Fittola. Yes.
[1:26:25] Mr. Green Hawkins. Hi.
[1:26:26] Mr. Harris. Yes.
[1:26:27] The side of law. Yes.
[1:26:28] Mr. Macy. Yes.
[1:26:30] Mr. Paul Murray. Yes.
[1:26:31] Mr. Ray. Mr. Robinson.
[1:26:33] Hi. Mr. Martinie President.
[1:26:35] Yes.
[1:26:35] I. 14.
[1:26:36] No. 0.
[1:26:37] Bill Passes.
[1:26:37] Ladies and gentlemen.
[1:26:39] Mr. President.
[1:26:41] Yes.
[1:26:41] Somebody call it.
[1:26:42] I'm sorry.
[1:26:45] Yes.
[1:26:45] Thank you.
[1:26:46] Let's matter.
[1:26:47] A little party in the end.
[1:26:48] Not.
[1:26:50] No, I just wanted to alert the council that tomorrow in Millville there's going to be a dedication between five and seven on Hawthorne Road of what's called a bioswap and it's a way through some funding and grant monies to create and join these seas of joining us on Hawthorne every day.
[1:27:09] a natural water detention or retention of facility or opportunity, upstream development has caused a lot of problems on our river towns, and these bioswales are a way to mitigate the water and the
[1:27:39] extreme water detention and the possibilities of doing it from where you have development
[1:27:45] of mechanists or way up north along the way, along these streams and tributaries, works
[1:27:51] as a break and as a deterrent on the water as it accumulates moving towards the river
[1:27:56] towns.
[1:27:57] It acts like a break by the time it gets to the river towns, it's not as destructive, it's
[1:28:02] not as violent.
[1:28:02] And this spot, which is on Hawthorne, is property owned by the sisters of St. Francis who worked with those responsible for developing this,
[1:28:13] they started on it in May of this summer they worked all summer on it, and tomorrow is its official dedication.
[1:28:21] It's really a natural-looking way to deal with the issue that this county faces as it relates to downstream flooding in a creative and innovative way to look at how we deal with the need
[1:28:32] for water retention facilities.
[1:28:35] It is from what I'm told the largest bios well
[1:28:38] in the United States of America.
[1:28:40] And it's on Johnny and I street in a spot
[1:28:43] that's had problems.
[1:28:45] So I look forward to being there between five
[1:28:48] and seven tomorrow night.
[1:28:49] Thank you.
[1:28:50] Thank you, Heather.
[1:28:53] Yes, I liaison reports are a little more familiar,
[1:28:57] so I have a question.
[1:29:00] Barbara Daily Danko has submitted a bill for a moratorium on drilling at the parks.
[1:29:08] And I believe that has been forwarded to the government reform committee, which I believe
[1:29:12] is headed by our President, Mr. Marchoni.
[1:29:15] And we've also received an RFP that we are to look at from the Chief Executive.
[1:29:22] My question is, I would really like to have the bill, Barbara's bill, heard in committee,
[1:29:28] Before we start digging through all the work, so when will the government reform committee be hearing Barbara's bill?
[1:29:36] I'll try to have to meet and make sure we can take what set up a day.
[1:29:39] What we'll have to hear, we'll have a hearing, I mean we'll have her bill.
[1:29:42] I mean we'll have her bill, I mean we'll have her bill hurting the government reform committee. Next week.
[1:29:51] We're out of meeting.
[1:29:53] Okay, I think Mike was next. Thank you.
[1:29:57] and then Jim and John.
[1:29:59] Okay.
[1:29:59] I just.
[1:30:00] I would like to mention that the Carter Timeship had a ribbon cutting for a part they called, Kelley Park, which is out by the Nike side, if you know where that is, going out the parkway, which, and Emily Dockerty, it is a mural on the side of the building, it's really beautiful, but more important than anything else, Kelley Park is named after Corporal Kelley.
[1:30:30] There's a metal on or winner for the United States Army, and that's why it's named Kelley Park.
[1:30:38] So I think that's important that you know that, and if you get a chance to go out and do a beautiful job, it's on 55 steam, hollow road, and it's Oak Bell P.A.
[1:30:50] Thank you.
[1:30:51] Thank you.
[1:30:52] Jim, I believe you were next.
[1:30:54] Hi, I'm sorry.
[1:30:55] Okay.
[1:30:56] John?
[1:31:04] Okay, hey, I got something.
[1:31:07] Don't forget it's bucked over.
[1:31:10] It's a big spread of violence reporting tomorrow.
[1:31:13] We wish you the best of luck and I hope we'll continue with our series.
[1:31:17] I did forget the message.
[1:31:19] I'm sorry.
[1:31:21] I did forget the mention about Corporal Kelly.
[1:31:24] Corporal Kelly is also in the Hall of Valor at soldiers and sellers and if you get a chance you might want to go there.
[1:31:32] There's over 400 gentlemen that have served in the service that are in the Hall of Valor out at soldiers and sellers.
[1:31:42] So if you get a chance, stop there sometime.
[1:31:44] Thank you.
[1:31:45] I wasn't in the same thing, but being that Mike brought Corporal Kelley up.
[1:31:51] I remember Corporal Kelley when I was a young man very well, and he attended many of various
[1:31:57] events.
[1:31:58] And as a young man, I remember how the war had affected him in a very negative way, which
[1:32:07] makes it all the more important, and because Mike, I know, is very involved in a lot of
[1:32:11] and issues. And this makes seeing someone who's actually on a wall of valor, congressional
[1:32:20] metal of honor winner like that, and seeing the effect that had on him in his life, as
[1:32:24] a young man is something that has always stayed with me. And I think it only emphasizes the need
[1:32:30] to give these services and things to veterans, because it's not all to them just flags
[1:32:36] and praise and stuff. There's a lot of horrible things to go with that. To these guys
[1:32:40] have in Gauss have to live with, so like I said, I commend Mike for being as evolved as he
[1:32:45] is with it and I just want to make mention of that.
[1:32:47] So thank you.
[1:32:49] Thank you.
[1:32:49] Matt, were you next?
[1:32:50] Yeah.
[1:32:51] Pointed privilege more suddenly.
[1:32:52] Azeon is a follow-up to Councilman Furnge, which I'm glad he brought that up.
[1:32:56] As he did, and I did, we stood on those catch faces in those areas through Millville
[1:33:00] and Marass and other tonships throughout the Connie.
[1:33:03] I still remember standing on a lady's porch, late at night, where she, her entire house,
[1:33:09] First floor was wiped out and lost everything.
[1:33:13] And a lot of people done through the Millville in those areas.
[1:33:15] As a matter of follow up, we need to do this.
[1:33:18] We need to be more proactive than reacted to this happens again.
[1:33:21] And I think we need to ask a former inquiry from this console
[1:33:25] to through Mr. our Connie Manager to public works
[1:33:30] to revisit those areas to see what corrective action
[1:33:32] if any has been done to prevent this from happening in the future.
[1:33:37] We still don't know.
[1:33:38] We really don't I don't think and we need to really get a full report on that to find out where there are problems that still exist
[1:33:45] They wouldn't resolve they weren't addressed or they were and how were they and where would it alleviate the problem to prevent this from happening in the future
[1:33:53] We really need to do this due diligence. Thank you. Thank you my fellow council. Anyone else?
[1:33:59] Thank you, Mr. President. I
[1:34:01] a couple weeks ago, Sunday, I had a privilege
[1:34:04] to run in a 36th running of the Greg Race Pittsburgh
[1:34:08] and those are a beautiful day.
[1:34:11] And we had about 15,500 runners there,
[1:34:14] and I didn't finish last.
[1:34:17] I just wanted that to be said.
[1:34:20] I did finish but not last.
[1:34:22] But anyhow, I just want to congratulate everyone
[1:34:24] and had anything to do with that.
[1:34:26] We drove into town and we took the bus,
[1:34:29] They bust us back out to the park out there in Oakland, and it was a frick park that is, and I can't, I can't compliment enough, a whole while they conducted that.
[1:34:42] They moved all the runners and got everyone out there, and had a wonderful reception back at the Point State Park when we finished.
[1:34:49] It was just a glorious day for Pittsburgh, and I was really pleased and honored to be a part of it. Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:34:56] Okay, that's what we want to do.
[1:35:01] New business ordinances, and resolutions. 777-13.
[1:35:07] The ordinance authorizing the extension of the term of ordinance number 02-12-0 or an active February 21, 2012,
[1:35:15] allowing the Department of Public Works to take certain action on behalf of County Council, with respect to the issuance of highway occupancy permits, the grant of certain licenses,
[1:35:24] is right of entry and easements and the applicable acquisition of certain real estate affecting
[1:35:31] county public works projects and other matters for calendar year 2014 and 2015.
[1:35:39] 177-178-13.
[1:35:41] Authorities of the County Valley Guinea to adopt Thorne Hill Road, also known as Thorne Hill
[1:35:45] Industrial Park Drive as a county road and to acquire its right of way being a 1,498.69 foot
[1:35:53] long road including brush creek bridge number three between its intersection with
[1:35:58] brush creek road slash Commonwealth Drive and its intersection with Perry Highway
[1:36:03] state root 0 0 1 9 formerly legislative route 2 4 6 and Marshall conscious
[1:36:09] sponsored by the chief executive committee on public works 7779-13 resolution
[1:36:16] the county valley in Yemeni the grants and special cost budget for 2013 submission
[1:36:20] 8-13 sponsored by the Chief Executive.
[1:36:24] Committee on Budget and Finance,
[1:36:26] notification of contracts.
[1:36:29] 7-7-80-13.
[1:36:32] Some of your executive actions for all departments
[1:36:34] from 9-13 through 9-30-13.
[1:36:37] Receive and file.
[1:36:38] We need a motion on that.
[1:36:39] Make a motion as receiving.
[1:36:41] Move in second question.
[1:36:43] All in favor.
[1:36:44] The Post-So Order.
[1:36:45] Public comment on agenda item.
[1:36:47] We have nine.
[1:36:48] We have nine speakers.
[1:36:49] The first speaker, Ronald Lynn Miller, Ronald Lynn Miller.
[1:36:54] He's not here.
[1:36:56] He's not here.
[1:36:57] He's here.
[1:36:58] The Griget Shields.
[1:37:00] Griget.
[1:37:23] Griget.
[1:37:23] Hi, everybody.
[1:37:24] Griget Shields.
[1:37:26] 2, 3, 2, 9.
[1:37:27] Tillberry Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.
[1:37:30] I'm here tonight again on the moratorium for drilling and deer like park.
[1:37:35] I just made copies for each of you of the October 4th Post Gazette article about the
[1:37:46] Friends of South Park agreeing with Mr. Fitzgerald on coal mining.
[1:37:51] They did not.
[1:37:52] He lied about that and there is testimony in the Post Gazette that he'll pass out to you.
[1:37:59] And also, I don't know of all of you have seen the latest report on high levels of radiation
[1:38:04] from fracking waste found in the Pennsylvania rivers and a creek that flows into the
[1:38:11] Allegheny river. It's not on our national news. It hasn't bid broadcast it anywhere. I
[1:38:19] don't know why, but we have a major problem in Pennsylvania and it's radio activity at 200
[1:38:26] times the allotted amount in the Allegheny river. Now, I don't know about you, but it's
[1:38:33] getting better, it's getting worse. So I also, in your packet, I put a list of the upcoming
[1:38:41] events that are happening for you to maybe attend and find out more about what this
[1:38:46] industry is doing. And the one that I think you should all really note is November 12th, Tony
[1:38:54] and Grafia from Cornell University. He's the engineer that helped in designing the fracturing
[1:39:01] process, hydraulic fracturing. He's now one of the most outspoken people against this industry
[1:39:08] and he's going to be here at the Heinz History Center on November 12th and I would highly
[1:39:14] recommend you to attend and ask him any questions that you might have concerning this industry.
[1:39:21] Also tomorrow night, in Lawrenceville, there's a meeting with some gas drillers, workers from the
[1:39:30] industry. And they're having a little presentation and a question and answer period and I would ask
[1:39:38] that some of you please attend and if not have somebody attend in your presence and ask questions. Thank you very much.
[1:39:44] Thank you very much. Peter Ray.
[1:39:53] Peter, I'm not sure if you pronounce the W here correctly when you get up there.
[1:40:26] Bydd noon yn y mnyhw el ho
[1:40:31] Ond y reireuri, ddwi'n r Songa'n Rylandsolwch o'n Chydwch yn ymlyddwch Ydaethleo yn ngifodd.
[1:40:33] Mae'n ddwi'n cyhnydd cyn zylfeu ywchodd a'r, a'r gwneud, yddau yddoud relio rhoi'nol.
[1:40:47] Mae'n rydwch rowd seis am ydys yn hewn yn delguid o ydraeth o'r rhyd.
[1:40:54] Ydraeth 1949 ywchodd a'r adys molawn.
[1:41:00] dyn ni el curfdan y alfonso dweith yn y curfdan y fyn ni llaww'r Fynr Fwyr fel fazthu, yn
[1:41:03] yür i'r gyfdraagwl ar y fynr Fwyr y Febhorio.
[1:41:07] Dyn ni'r Fwyr i fyrdraagwl ar ei gwshwn gwas yddo, a un o'r Fwyr.
[1:41:10] Dyn ni'r Fwyr yn ôl eisiawnyd fwyr.
[1:41:14] Dyn ni'r Fwyr i fwyr i'r Fwyr yn un o'r Fwyr.
[1:41:15] Dyn ni fwyr yn y Fwysterhyd y Fwyr iFFI, y fwyr.
[1:41:18] Dyn ni'n fwyr.
[1:41:18] Dyn ni'n fwyr i dyn ni'n fwyr.
[1:41:24] must an o'r gwneaf y di Market.
[1:41:28] O'r ddiafio rwfer ylwfarffd yn'r fel am am ei ddege.
[1:41:30] Diafol, ar fy ymth yn ynaodol fel yn yng blaen o'nloghellen.
[1:41:32] Dynl �fffysau bod o'r gwneaf a ac negi dynddodd pa'r yn y cynneaf fel
[1:41:37] i'n gyda'r fysau a mae'r ymr sinds'n maithol i'r rddub наш.
[1:41:39] A yn maithol mae'r yd ydymnaioned ymda'r gallwchad metdad
[1:41:42] sy'r gallwchyd yn yr arer gallwchodd.
[1:41:44] A o'r gallwchodd i'r gallwchodd i'r gallwchyd.
[1:41:48] Un y wanna'n iawn? A y called Work From Success Fife from Success Fife.
[1:41:53] Un�ed from Success Fife. Funfrey Fife.
[1:41:55] Io puchwlch y ddim dddim yn ydd'r ilaethol, zwc yn yma.
[1:41:58] Anach look, â ydi ddddim yddddddim, y dddd mum ygda deol fy gyfrwy,
[1:42:06] ddddim ydddddim yda ddi nhw'nt groeddad yn ddddim ydddddim ydddim ydddim
[1:42:14] Yhan y Banhand Pysfyn y Pysfyngu yn y Pysfyngu y Pysfyngu yn ta'n ffyngu.
[1:42:19] Mynd y Pysfyngu yn y Pysfyngu, y Pysfyngu yn yn ddim y Pysfyngu yn trifod yn y Pysfyngu yn
[1:42:25] ffyngu yn fel cyn綜 Spenceron, y Pysfyn siècle.
[1:42:27] Mae gael y B granol i'n Pysfyn, y Pysfyngu, y Pysfyngu yn y Pysfyngu...
[1:42:32] Dynafysdwl yn ffyngu, y Pysfyngu y Pysfyngu yn Fledis y Pysfyngu yn ffyngu yn Pysfyngu yn
[1:42:43] yn yn yma i'n ddefeg rwhel yw hynny ffesu'r o'r hynny'n gweld ympr yn ffesu'r hynny'n akademio fyennufl
[1:42:50] Yn yn ymda ymydeg, oedd ydfeg, yn suwynny, eu ffesu'r hynny aundio fel yddio caen yng ar llenodio
[1:42:57] Dtynu, yngol, ddim y yw, ddim yw.
[1:43:02] No, ddim yw.
[1:43:03] Dddim yw.
[1:43:03] Dddim.
[1:43:10] Dddim yw.
[1:43:12] Dddim yw.
[1:43:13] Dddim yw.
[1:43:15] Dddim yw.
[1:43:17] I'm John Ewer Benowitz. I live at 7721, Ederton Avenue, Pitzburg 105221.
[1:43:27] I want to second the proposal that council, that the committee, the Government Reform Committee, holds a meeting
[1:43:36] very soon on the moratorium proposal that was made by Barbara Dellie Denko.
[1:43:43] Del mae'n gwyfyllw dydiau bod yw'r sefer a dynastol weithdoedd ei'f rwyhaeth yn yr Amnaud, neth yda'r corpr ei'n gwyddynad ym'r meithdoedd o
[1:44:13] αποygam appropriate hyn ddim yrwerdieu, wergi ilw en o'r i'n ar If Есть gall Fuel 52 o'r drop,
[1:44:18] o ni'r i'w i'r famliu, y 부�ez i'r walking o'r effortwyddoli, O'r am bym,
[1:44:31] yw i'n ar ymw nhw rai da'r m siteinodoloid yn pw own rathol.
[1:44:31] By�� hyn i'r yn우� einu ôl ddim'r ar llent y
[1:44:43] am ydy populaibl a örnodd
[1:44:43] neu yn ymerdol i'n g Saturday.
[1:44:45] Ydylryw'w'n zwrlw'r gwneud dwe unisiaw'r eu dderig Shu nethdiantóich,
[1:44:50] gracia si'r defrihen.
[1:44:54] Ydylryw'r ydyd uncleu chi'n ydyw'n i'n gwrw'r i'n gwrws i'n gwrs i'n gwrw i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrw i'n gwrs.
[1:44:59] I'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs i'n gwrs.
[1:45:00] We have been at some of those meetings to take the time to go back and look at the videos. There has been excellent testimony over the last three or four meetings here that's gone on from many, many people with very, very knowledgeable people on the subject.
[1:45:18] And I hope that all of you will be able to take advantage of the testimony that's been given before.
[1:45:24] And finally, I just want to remind you that every day there's new places all over the world that are passing bands on fracking.
[1:45:35] You can find this online Belgium, I think, I'm not going to say because I don't remember, I'm a very bad memory.
[1:45:41] But I know that there are cities, there are places in New York State that are passing bands every single month, there's new ones that pass bands.
[1:45:47] So, to me, we need a band here, and we need to begin with a moratorium for three years so we can study the possibilities of what could happen as a result of cracking.
[1:46:02] Oh, and finally, yes. Young people are moving here. Everybody talks about this, which talked about how we have more and more young people moving here.
[1:46:11] If I had children who wanted to move here, I wouldn't expect that they would want to come
[1:46:17] to a place where their county parks are being decimated by drilling and by coal mining.
[1:46:25] It seems like a backwards move to me.
[1:46:27] So I hope that you will consider that as well.
[1:46:30] Thank you.
[1:46:31] Thank you, Mel Packer.
[1:46:40] Just in case.
[1:46:46] I'm not going to bother handing this one out.
[1:46:48] I think you already know about this.
[1:46:49] just tomorrow night, all the people who are doing Mel Packer, 623, Kurt Lundstree,
[1:46:53] played for his section two and three meetings ago.
[1:46:55] I think it was Councilman Heilboss suggested that when we speak about fracking,
[1:46:59] we should lay off on the emotional stuff and try to present some scientific evidence
[1:47:03] in more studies.
[1:47:04] I believe it was you to set that.
[1:47:06] That was a good advice I think.
[1:47:08] It's okay to do that, but also to present more evidence.
[1:47:11] So what I'm handing out to you is two different articles about a study that's been done
[1:47:14] by Duke University.
[1:47:16] You may have heard about it from Bridges Shields as well,
[1:47:18] that was just released on, I think, October 1st, October 2nd, specifically talking about radiation
[1:47:23] in our rivers and in our streams, and we're going to read you from one of the articles
[1:47:26] from Bloomberg magazine, hardly a fraction of this publication, and the other one from
[1:47:31] the Smithsonian, again, hardly a fraction of this publication.
[1:47:34] Settlement in Black Lake Creek, which dumps into the alleging a river contained radio and
[1:47:39] concentration 200 times above normal, 200 times above the allowable limits in a study published
[1:47:46] in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.
[1:47:49] It came from the Josephine-Brient Treatment Facility
[1:47:51] 45th Mouse East of Pittsburgh,
[1:47:53] which treats wastewater from oil and gas.
[1:47:56] The absolute levels we found are much higher
[1:47:58] than what we allow in the U.S. for any place
[1:48:00] to dump radioactive material,
[1:48:01] said Abner and Vanguard should have professed
[1:48:03] for the Nicholas School of Environment
[1:48:04] and a co-author of the study.
[1:48:07] The radio will be a biocubilating
[1:48:09] and we'll get into the fish.
[1:48:11] For decades, we have dispose of wastewater
[1:48:12] from oil and gas drilling at commercial treatment plants,
[1:48:15] It's just charging into rivers and streams.
[1:48:17] We have had a 570% increase in the volume of drilling wastewater since 2004 according to
[1:48:22] Brian Lutz.
[1:48:24] As much as 80% of that fluid returns according to Lutz, and as he says, water treatment has been
[1:48:28] Pennsylvania's go-to method for decades.
[1:48:31] With fracking, we are seeing the systems being overwhelmed.
[1:48:34] We are taking too much waste leading to water quality problems.
[1:48:38] He goes on to say, we are getting better reduced the amount of wastewater produced by
[1:48:41] well, but the total waste of order of volume continues to grow rapidly, there simply is not
[1:48:46] disposable infrastructure in place.
[1:48:49] Aquatech, which acquired just the implant, is this that they're not doing this anymore,
[1:48:53] but in fact the study shows they are still dumping waste water, they still process again,
[1:48:58] it's still showing up.
[1:49:01] Finally, I just want to think, I want you to think about Gill Lake's park and think of the
[1:49:06] water spray park, think of those three tiny lakes where kids learn to fish, it's kind of a
[1:49:10] Rockwell scene out there frankly and think of what happens if that kind of radiation gets into that water
[1:49:15] It gets into the drinking fountain gets into that water spray park imagine Fukushima on a smaller scale folks
[1:49:20] That's what we're talking about try to imagine what can happen to children playing in this exposed to chemicals
[1:49:26] Radiation trying to I know this is a hard thing to think about what happens to the developing eggs in a female womb when you're exposed to this
[1:49:34] We could drink water like that when you get the chemicals into your body and what you can say
[1:49:38] for the family on down the road who've got a malformed child who's born perhaps because of toxic accumulation in the body,
[1:49:46] toxic mutations that happen in those genes.
[1:49:48] What do we say to those people?
[1:49:49] If the best answer we can give is what we've got new picnic tables,
[1:49:54] that we deserve every bit of wrapping condemnation that falls upon our heads.
[1:49:58] Thank you.
[1:49:58] Mr. Peckus.
[1:50:00] I don't have a question for you, but thank you. I have a question for Mr. Canvas. I had asked our solicitor to provide me at NCAL, so with an opinion. Now, I received from Mr. Seffy, a CD with all of the deeds from dear.
[1:50:18] I asked him to prepare that for you and he was to get that to me and you also.
[1:50:22] Okay, do you have a copy of this? I don't. I may have it in the office, but I haven't seen it.
[1:50:27] Okay, so what I still am seeking though is an opinion from your office, please, in regard to looking at all of the deeds, putting the land into the park.
[1:50:40] I don't know if this is all or not. I'll look at it as well as a lawyer, but I'd like your office to do this as well.
[1:50:46] And to also look at all the state laws, county laws, regulations, and to give us an opinion, as our council, as to whether there's any existing legal prohibition.
[1:50:58] on drilling underneath the parks.
[1:51:01] Yeah, you and I did discuss those issues.
[1:51:02] You can see if there's any reservation or right
[1:51:05] for those sorts of issues.
[1:51:07] Thank you.
[1:51:08] So, could we perhaps, I don't want to push you too hard.
[1:51:12] Obviously, I know you're really-
[1:51:12] We have a next week for your meeting.
[1:51:14] Probably not.
[1:51:15] But I'll try to get it.
[1:51:17] Okay.
[1:51:17] If we could get it within the next couple of weeks,
[1:51:20] I'd really appreciate that.
[1:51:22] Thank you.
[1:51:22] Thank you.
[1:51:23] Thank you.
[1:51:26] Mary, for you here, you're right here.
[1:51:37] Hi, I'm Terry Suppelitz.
[1:51:40] I live breathing garden at 310 Hay Street in Wilkinsburg.
[1:51:44] I keep writing these every week and I go, okay, what do you need to hear?
[1:51:50] What will convince you that fracking in the parks is a bad idea?
[1:51:58] We've told you about water pollution, we've told you about air pollution, we've told you
[1:52:03] about what it does to the soil.
[1:52:05] There is nothing good about fracking except some corporations
[1:52:09] make some money.
[1:52:12] And maybe the parks will get some money,
[1:52:14] but that money will have to be used to clean up the nest
[1:52:17] that the fracking is going to create.
[1:52:20] I don't have an answer, but I do have a question for you.
[1:52:24] If there are questions that you all have,
[1:52:28] write them down, ask us.
[1:52:29] You have all of our phone numbers.
[1:52:31] You know where we live, you probably have most of our email addresses.
[1:52:38] What do you want to know?
[1:52:40] What are your questions?
[1:52:42] And then we can try to answer them.
[1:52:44] Not that all of us have all of the answers, but we can certainly try.
[1:52:50] You heard about Rich Fitzgerald and South Park.
[1:52:53] He lied.
[1:52:55] That's a lie.
[1:52:57] What else is he lying about?
[1:53:00] And now, and the radiation in blacklit creek that's going into the rivers where we use that water, that's what we drink,
[1:53:10] that's what you drink, your kids drink, your grandchildren drink, like grandchildren drink.
[1:53:16] We want that. That's just the beginning of this. It's not the end. It's just the beginning.
[1:53:21] And I want to refer to what Mel Packard said about young children and their eggs and women
[1:53:30] having babies, it's not going to happen the day after if you do frack in the park, it's
[1:53:35] not going to happen then and may not even happen until 10 years later, but there is a connection
[1:53:43] and it will happen if these kids get exposed to radiation.
[1:53:51] So my conclusion, oh, a few places that have banned fracking France, Bulgaria, Romania, South Africa, Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, North Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, British Columbia, Quebec.
[1:54:08] There are huge places on the map that are banning it and saying that this is not the right thing to do.
[1:54:15] So, it's not a done deal in my head, you can say no, and that's what I'm asking you to do to say no to
[1:54:22] fracking for at least three years, and to please support Barbara Daily Danko's moratorium and drilling, thank you.
[1:54:31] Thank you. Jacob Weinberg, Jacob Weinberg, one more time, Jacob Weinberg, Timothy Ludwig.
[1:54:50] Hello, I'm Tim Ludwig, 18-Grestman Street, Edna.
[1:54:55] Edna's on the corner of, it's right where 28 and Rude A. Me. I mentioned that because...
[1:55:00] Of the increased truck traffic that might happen if there is drilling in deer lakes. I don't know where this water is going to come from, but it very well could pass through that corridor.
[1:55:11] It's estimated about 1,000 trucks per well drilled. The executive said there at least be three wells. It says 3,000 more trucks surrounding properties could be more wells.
[1:55:24] You know, it could be up to like 10,000 trucks.
[1:55:28] You guys mentioned your hot dormitory area, very close to that area.
[1:55:32] Just think about 10,000 more trucks come by.
[1:55:35] Again, Mr. Fashara would always stress is following D.P. regulations.
[1:55:40] Let's talk a little bit about what D.P. regulations are.
[1:55:44] The industry is aggressively pushing local and state officials to change
[1:55:47] the regulations that are being implemented.
[1:55:50] an act 13 as you guys hopefully know as was passed is still being litigated and that's what the
[1:55:56] moratorium is asking to let stop for three years see what's happening with act 13. If you don't know
[1:56:02] act 13 is the new law that got local governments for rights of zoning and long-term planning
[1:56:07] doesn't allow for local health and environmental regulations for bids, municipalities, to appeal
[1:56:12] state decisions about well permits. Just a little bit ago a couple of meetings go ahead health inspector
[1:56:18] saying, you guys have an inspector inside the clearing coal works every day.
[1:56:25] You know how many regulators are across state, 78 regulators across the state.
[1:56:30] You guys can't supplement that at all if you want any clean air regulations in your
[1:56:34] county, it's forbidden by state law.
[1:56:37] One way you can stop that, ban it, don't do it, don't sell it.
[1:56:41] This law also requires companies to provide fresh water to areas that are contaminated with
[1:56:49] the wind that contaminates the water supply, but it does not require the companies to clean
[1:56:53] up the pollution afterwards.
[1:56:55] It also doesn't require companies to track transportation or deposit of contaminated wastewater.
[1:57:02] That is why our rivers now are becoming radioactive, our streams, soon our rivers.
[1:57:07] They mentioned the health effects, imagine everyone went down to the point and saw a radioactive
[1:57:14] dock instead of this little blown up dock here.
[1:57:16] That would be kind of scary.
[1:57:18] The Ack 13 also allows companies to place well 300 feet from houses, streams and
[1:57:23] white lands.
[1:57:24] It allows compressor stations to be placed 750 feet from houses and it gives gas companies authority
[1:57:31] operate these stations continuously up to 60 decibels, which is equivalent of continuous
[1:57:36] conversation in restaurants. That's just a little brief thing about act 13. We need to hear what's
[1:57:43] going to be finalized with that. State laws are pushing your guys with laws out of here. We need
[1:57:50] to hear what the state is going to do before you guys make a decision on drilling. Thank you Tim.
[1:58:10] Lucas
[1:58:12] Lucas Lyons 1902, Meatville Street, Northside, I lost my voice, I went to the last two
[1:58:19] pirate games, so excuse me, first of all real quick on the Northside connector that was mentioned
[1:58:26] real quick, it's a national disgrace, that's mentioned is one of the prime examples of pork
[1:58:37] the subject of nationally, we are under the microscope nationally.
[1:58:42] These reports are coming out in the Washington Times, they're coming out in the Los Angeles
[1:58:46] Times.
[1:58:47] Other cities are reporting what's happening in Western Pennsylvania.
[1:58:50] So if you don't know what's going on in the rest of the world does, we need to educate ourselves.
[1:58:56] So that's all I'll say about that.
[1:59:00] So it's looking like this is just going to keep moving along swimmingly.
[1:59:05] And Rich Fitzgerald is going to get, you know, fracking where he wants it.
[1:59:10] I don't know if anyone's going to stand up and fight for, you know, our county parks that we own.
[1:59:15] You don't own, you don't get to sell to anyone you want to, okay?
[1:59:21] But I'm going to seriously, I'm going to beg Council.
[1:59:24] First of all, thank you for eight of you staying.
[1:59:27] I really appreciate that.
[1:59:29] I've been, it's very frustrated.
[1:59:33] I'm not talking to you.
[1:59:35] Obviously, I appreciate it.
[1:59:36] But, I mean, empty chairs, every time we take the time out of our schedules to come down and talk to you.
[1:59:44] Things I'm going to beg for you from you.
[1:59:48] Reinstate the safe drinking water act if you're going to allow fracking in around under and over our county parks.
[1:59:56] For those of you that don't know, why is that radio?
[2:00:00] A few active ways allowed to be on our rivers. Why are we finding like, I did a little thing last week about the overall, I mean, hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste material, radioactive material, heavy metals, hydrofluorocarbons, presynogens, like you name it. I think I added up the four of the 13 contaminants that they said they're going to use in the impact report over at the airport.
[2:00:30] And that's only what they're telling us.
[2:00:31] They're not, obviously, telling us about this
[2:00:33] radioactive material.
[2:00:35] But before you allow fracking,
[2:00:37] reinstate the Safe Drinking Water Act,
[2:00:40] the Dick Cheney carved out of our national law.
[2:00:44] That's very important.
[2:00:46] Second, I would like this council
[2:00:50] with a three-year moratorium.
[2:00:52] We need an impact study.
[2:00:54] I read the impact study out at the airport.
[2:00:57] It's written for like a middle schooler.
[2:00:59] It's, honestly, it's, it's, it's almost offensive how how much they brush over what they're doing over there.
[2:01:06] Okay.
[2:01:07] We need to gain university.
[2:01:09] We need pit.
[2:01:10] We need CMU.
[2:01:11] We need our environmental engineers.
[2:01:14] We need people to independently study the economic impact.
[2:01:18] The environmental impact.
[2:01:20] And we don't need a report from console energy on what's going to happen over there.
[2:01:24] Okay. And we don't.
[2:01:26] we don't need a report from range resources either because they're even worse they're based out of
[2:01:31] taxes and they could care less about what they do here. Thank you. Mr. President. Yes.
[2:01:38] I'd like to point a privilege, please. Sure. Sure. I'd like to thank everyone for coming in.
[2:01:45] You've been fairly diligent, but I don't, Terry, you made a comment, the fact that we're not listening,
[2:01:52] we haven't even had a committee meeting yet. We're listening. Well, you feel like you know
[2:02:00] how everybody is going to vote, but you really don't because, quite frankly, we don't. I'm
[2:02:06] read this in my email.
[2:02:10] And what they vote with, it says, Council of Friends voted yes that
[2:02:16] the county should put out an RFP. All we did was say, get the request for a proposal and
[2:02:23] find out what's there. How much is there and what are the risks and the rewards? Then
[2:02:29] he says, please make it clear that I only voted for an RFP. What the heck do you think an RFP is?
[2:02:36] They should have said, we're not interested no matter what's under here. That's what they should
[2:02:40] have said. Don't put an RFP out. We're not interested in your coal, mine no matter how much
[2:02:45] This is a commission saying they're in favor of looking at it.
[2:02:50] So maybe I'm wrong.
[2:02:56] I'm not looking for you to respond quite frankly.
[2:02:58] I'm making a statement.
[2:02:59] I have my time up here just like you folks did.
[2:03:01] But as far as I'm concerned, they're given permission.
[2:03:05] I'm not in favor of coal mining at the South Park.
[2:03:08] I'm on record and the paper to say I was against it, okay?
[2:03:11] But you guys are telling me something that's different here.
[2:03:15] Thank you, Mr. President.
[2:03:16] Yes, I just have a question for either Jared or Mr. Canvas on the litigation on Act 13.
[2:03:22] Mind your standing is it's been briefed and argued before the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court.
[2:03:28] How long ago were the or arguments?
[2:03:30] I'm not sure of that here.
[2:03:33] Yeah.
[2:03:33] My only part.
[2:03:34] A year?
[2:03:36] Okay.
[2:03:37] Thanks.
[2:03:40] Any other question?
[2:03:42] It's adjourned.
[2:03:43] I think it's time for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
[2:03:46] we will second question all of favor?
[2:03:49] It is meeting Spencer.
[2:03:52] Enough people left we already turned.
[2:03:56] Yeah.
[2:03:58] I know I took his license.
[2:04:02] Taking a statement like I took six before I got done.
[2:04:05] What do you want to go to?
[2:04:17] I don't want you to make it state, but it's like war.