[0:00] Today's Tuesday, August 25th, 2020, six. The time is now 501. So regular meeting of Allegheny County Council, calling the meeting to order.

[0:10] May we rise for the plus of allegiance, please, and then remain standing for a moment of silent prayer or reflection.

[0:30] Thank

[0:42] you, may I have a roll call, please?

[0:47] Mr. Adams,

[0:50] here, Mr. Badaj, here, Mr. Katana,

[0:57] Missileaji,

[1:00] here, Mr. Fatollis,

[1:07] Mr.

[1:07] Rizbeck, here is Halum, Mr. Klein, here, Ms. Madonna Amirling, here, Mr. Paul Mary,

[1:15] here, Mr. Paul Massina, here, Mr. Rose, here, Ms. Gaggers-Scholman, here, Mr. Walton,

[1:24] here, President of the United States, here, Mr. 13 members of President one way or

[1:28] another.

[1:30] Thank you. First item, proclamations and certificates,

[1:34] It's 144042-26.

[1:37] Approximation for claiming September 2026 is hunger action month in Allegheny County's sponsored

[1:42] by Council Member Madonna Evelyn.

[1:59] Hi, thank you for being here tonight.

[2:02] Proclamation recognizing hunger action month, whereas hunger is a vital concern in Allegheny County,

[2:08] in which 12.6% of residents experience food insecurity affecting individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds

[2:15] and creating barriers to health, stability, education and opportunity, and whereas every person

[2:20] deserves access to the food and resources they need to live a full and healthy life,

[2:25] yet every year millions of people in the United States experience food insecurity, which

[2:30] impacts the overall health, well-being, education levels, and future opportunities of each person,

[2:36] and whereas Allegheny County is committed to taking steps to combat hunger in every part of

[2:45] Food insecurity is a complex community challenge influenced by economic hardship, access to resources,

[2:52] transportation, health and other circumstances, and addressing hunger requires not only providing food in times of immediate need,

[3:00] but also working toward long-term solutions that help individuals and families achieve greater stability,

[3:06] and whereas Allegheny County is committed to working with the greater Pittsburgh Community

[3:11] Food Bank, feeding Pennsylvania, feeding America, and all anti-hunger organizations

[3:16] stationed wide to educate the community about the continued existence of hunger, and to

[3:21] ensure in neighbors facing hunger, have access to the food and resources they need to

[3:26] thrive, and whereas the greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank distributes more than 48

[3:32] million meals to household across southwestern P.A. each year through a network of agency partners,

[3:38] food pantries, meal programs, and other community organizations, including distribution to many families

[3:43] in that locating county, and whereas the month of September has been designated hunger action month,

[3:49] to bring communities together to elevate the voices of people who experience food and insecurity,

[3:54] and inspire everyone to make renewed action in the fight to end hunger, and whereas therefore,

[3:59] And whereas food banks across the country, including the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank,

[4:05] the host numerous events throughout the month of September to bring awareness and help

[4:09] and hunger in their local community.

[4:11] Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Allegheny County Council Member Kathleen Madon,

[4:15] Emberling, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as hunger action month in Allegheny County.

[4:21] And we encourage residents to learn more about food insecurity in our communities,

[4:26] support local hunger relief organizations.

[4:29] volunteer, advocate, donate when able and join together in a continued effort to ensure that

[4:35] every neighbor has access to nutritious food and an opportunity to thrive.

[4:41] Thank you so much.

[4:42] Thank you for coming and if you could introduce yourself and say a few words.

[4:46] Thank you.

[4:48] Good evening, everyone.

[4:49] I'm Colleen Young, Director of Government Affairs at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

[4:53] First I'd just like to say thank you so much for recognizing hunger action month.

[4:57] It's such a critical time.

[5:00] For us to be talking about hunger, because we know that many of our neighbors are losing access to the resources that they need to afford food, whether that be through federal funding in the SNAP program, or even just affordability challenges that folks are having being able to purchase food on their own.

[5:19] So, this is really a vital time and I will just say briefly that while officially we recognize that nearly 13% of residents in Allegheny County are

[5:33] Do not have access to enough food when we look at folks who are only able to feed their families today because they're getting help

[5:40] from either the SNAP program, wick, or a food pantry, it's really one in four people across

[5:46] Southland, Serpensiveania, who are food insecure. So that's an enormous portion of our population.

[5:52] And it's never been more important to really educate yourself on these issues. And I would just

[5:58] like to highlight if you go to our website at Pittsburghfoodbank.org slash advocate. There is a link

[6:05] you can go to to tell your congressional representatives how important the SNAP program is and why we

[6:10] should do everything possible to strengthen it for our neighbors. So thank you very much.

[6:14] Thank you.

[6:44] Thank you.

[6:45] I appreciate it.

[6:49] I have a question.

[7:03] Next in our agenda is public comment on agenda items.

[7:06] Before proceeding, please let the record reflect the Mr.

[7:08] Tina is now present. We have no public comment on agenda item.

[7:12] Next is the approval minutes 1, 4, 0, 4, 3, 2, 6.

[7:16] A motion for the minutes, the July 14th, 2020, the regular meeting and council.

[7:20] May I have a motion to approve?

[7:22] Some of, most of them has been made in second any discussion?

[7:27] Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

[7:30] Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

[7:32] Motion carries. Presentation of appointments.

[7:35] 1, 4, 0, 4, 1, dash, 2, 6.

[7:37] approving the appointment of Michael Sully to the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review

[7:40] for a turn to be effective through September 25th, 2029, sponsored by Council Member

[7:44] Ketina.

[7:45] That will be referred to the committee on appointment review.

[7:48] Any unfinished business?

[7:49] We have not.

[7:50] We have not.

[7:51] We

[7:54] have not.

[7:55] We have not.

[7:57] We have not.

[7:58] We have not.

[8:00] We have not.

[8:08] 707 entitled county owned property usage in order to prohibit the usage of county owned property

[8:13] for certain purposes relating to data centers, sponsored by council members, Halum,

[8:17] Grisbeck, Madonna, Amirling, Rose, Dagger Shoman, and President of the United States.

[8:21] That will be referred to the Committee on Sustainability and Green Initiatives.

[8:26] Can you do one, four, zero, four, five, dashed two, six, an ordinance to the county of

[8:31] Allegheny Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing the continued use of Allegheny County on

[8:35] real property in South Park by Allegheny County Budokai as venue for martial arts instruction

[8:39] and activities. That'll be referred to the committee on parks 14046-26.

[8:45] In order to the county of Allegheny Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing the continued use

[8:48] of Allegheny County on real property in South Park by Mon Valley Express Drum and Vehicle Corps

[8:53] as a venue for music and band-related activities sponsored by the Chief Executive.

[8:58] That'll be referred to the committee on parks 14047-26.

[9:02] And, in order to the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing the continued use of Allegheny County on real property and South Park by South Park Theatre Incorporated as a venue for live theatrical production sponsored by the chief executive.

[9:14] That'll be referred to the committee on 1, 4, 0, 4, 8, that's 2, 6.

[9:20] A motion of the Council of Allegheny County authorizing the President of Council to provide for the conduct of a public hearing pursuant to Article 3, Save the Rules of Council, sponsored by Council Member Walton.

[9:30] Councilmember Walton, would you like to take a vote on this this evening?

[9:35] Okay, may I have a motion to approve?

[9:38] I'm sorry, can we, do you want to motion a second before we do discussion?

[9:42] I just want a little more info on what it's about.

[9:44] I'll motion or second or whatever you need.

[9:47] Second.

[9:48] Okay.

[9:49] Motion as been made in a second.

[9:51] Discussion.

[9:53] Do you like to describe this a little bit more Councilmember Walton?

[9:56] Oh, there's zero.

[10:03] I

[10:06] believe that it is appropriate to bring you together. This public hearing is to identify a number

[10:18] of challenges that we have in our 180 counties.

[10:27] There are over 200 units, a 200 facility that are currently utilizing the housing

[10:45] of the facilities cover over 10,000 units.

[10:50] And there is a whole bunch of challenges in these units.

[10:58] Relative geese operations by the management company.

[11:06] Relative geese is used of safety of the tenants of those facilities.

[11:11] And they range across the county from you described in one of your self-manent chairman as a user that's trouble in pitch care.

[11:24] There's facility in gratitude. There are several facilities in Wilkinsburg.

[11:31] There are a number of facilities here in the city of Pittsburgh across the city.

[11:36] But as it is a tower, from K.D. Reyer, in Homewood, and the challenges that are closed can't be resolved by county council leaders.

[11:54] Ultimately, given the committee's resources, the city, the county, the city, the federal government.

[12:05] to resolve those issues of public safety and housing and we have an operating

[12:12] presence of those management companies and we thought that this public hearing would

[12:17] outland some of those challenges and give us an opportunity to build out of that public hearing

[12:23] and put together the task force of those entities to resolve those challenges.

[12:28] Thank you.

[12:29] Councilman, what's the date and location that I apologize that I didn't check in advance?

[12:34] We're going to do that here and I think the date we set was September 2014, September 24th, I remember correctly.

[12:46] What time?

[12:47] Five o'clock.

[12:48] Thank you.

[12:48] I'm back 24.

[12:51] Okay.

[12:54] You heard a resonance come to the county council meeting.

[13:01] Outline some of the problems that they had from our goal property,

[13:07] and now India.

[13:09] And so there's a million of challenges that we face.

[13:12] And we are just going to take a combined effort to

[13:17] in the chat, in sure that people have falling safe housing to visit.

[13:27] Thank you, Council Member Watson.

[13:29] Could I ask a question?

[13:31] Earlier, Council Member Walton, I had heard this described as senior housing, but from the description,

[13:37] you just provided it sounds like it's broadly.

[13:39] Right?

[13:40] There is no, because of the conflict changed in their days, in heard rules, what's the

[13:46] part of time, those out there, how do you see this, but anyone who comes to the rules

[13:54] relative to disability and not at, and those kind of things, see you this time of time,

[14:01] it's time to find, if you're seeing, if you're eligible for SSI, SSD, you're eligible

[14:08] living on society. And so, we've been working with a host,

[14:15] make a host message. Here in the field, we've been working with

[14:20] Councilman LeBee, I'm scared of Senator Chantos. And

[14:25] Wilkinsburg, we've been tackling some of those issues with the

[14:28] Wilkinsburg, rural council, and there, and there, and there,

[14:32] leadership, along with Senator Chantos. It is, it is a

[14:37] here in the challenge. It is just not confounded in those communities, it is pervasive.

[14:43] And we have to find the solution. We've had so much conversation with the administration

[14:49] and they are willing to put resources together for task forces to try to find the solution.

[14:57] Okay, thank you for taking the...

[15:01] Anybody else have any questions?

[15:04] Yes.

[15:05] Just wondering if the idea is that it will be all encompassing issues.

[15:09] You mentioned public safety.

[15:11] But I was wondering if it was more going to be conditions of the property

[15:14] or if you're talking about more of a public safety.

[15:16] Conditions will be included in the conversation.

[15:19] Okay. Thanks.

[15:23] Okay.

[15:23] All right.

[15:24] All right.

[15:25] It's a voice vote, okay?

[15:28] All right.

[15:28] All in favor, say aye.

[15:30] Aye.

[15:31] Opposed? Motion carries.

[15:35] Yeah, I believe that Council member Klein also has a motion that he would like to add to the agenda this evening.

[15:40] Mr. Klein. Yes, thank you, Madam President.

[15:45] And this is relative to what Council will ultimately end up considering, and that is the page where we will leave proposed bill.

[15:57] And I'm asking you to amend the agenda right now because I would like to share the public health committee.

[16:08] I'd like to schedule a public hearing to provide a space and opportunity for those who support this particular initiative.

[16:17] but also space for those who have reservations and who are opposed to what council will ultimately

[16:26] have to consider as well.

[16:28] So I'm asking you to amend the agenda for consideration of this this evening because I'd

[16:36] like to schedule that meeting for September 10, which is six days before the Board of Public

[16:43] self actually meets to at their regular monthly meeting to consider this particular bill that

[16:52] is emanated from the Board of Public Health.

[16:55] And so I'd like to amend the agenda and do this prior to the Health Department Board meeting

[17:01] so that they can take you to account comments that people have made during that public hearing.

[17:08] So, at this time, I am making a motion to amend the agenda for purposes of introducing this.

[17:19] And I am asking if I might invite a second to this motion.

[17:25] Second.

[17:26] Thank you.

[17:27] And you were out of town, Pennsylvania.

[17:30] Yes.

[17:31] I was, and now feeling like, you know, time is of the essence.

[17:36] We're talking about the 10th at five or five and that is a

[17:39] year. That is at Thursday and it would be here in the

[17:43] colder. Yes. Okay, so a motion has been made to a

[17:46] agenda to include a motion authorizing a public hearing

[17:49] on paid parental leave and a second has been made in any

[17:52] further discussion. May have a roll call vote. Please.

[17:58] On

[17:58] the motion to amend the agenda, Mr. Adams.

[18:13] Mr.

[18:13] Mr. Katana. Yes.

[18:15] Ms. Siliaji.

[18:18] Yes.

[18:19] Mr. Fittilis.

[18:23] Mr. Grizbeck. Yes.

[18:25] Mr. Hallem. Mr. Klein. Yes.

[18:28] Ms. Madonna Amirling. Yes.

[18:30] Mr. Paul Mary.

[18:36] Yes.

[18:37] Mr. Paul Missina.

[18:39] Mr. Rose. Yes. Ms. Guy Grisholman. Yes. Mr. Walden.

[18:44] Yes.

[18:46] President Akari Chakas. Yes.

[18:47] I's 13-0, the motion on the agenda pass.

[18:51] Okay, thank you.

[18:52] And now we need a motion to approve.

[18:56] Second.

[18:57] Okay, any discussion?

[19:00] Hearing none.

[19:01] All in none?

[19:02] Yes.

[19:03] Councilmember.

[19:04] I'm really Aussie.

[19:06] Yes.

[19:07] I just wanted to read, I wanted to just point out

[19:10] that it looks as if according to this motion,

[19:13] public comment is written comment is going to be open

[19:17] and so September 18th, right?

[19:21] And I think that might be beyond what the Board of Health meeting.

[19:30] Yes, no, I'm sorry.

[19:32] I think this is a compliment is when the Board is meeting.

[19:36] Yeah.

[19:36] Indicated specifically, he had a timeline.

[19:41] When is the Board of Health meeting?

[19:44] September 16th.

[19:45] Okay, so the language of the ordinance

[19:49] It does indicate that our written public comment would be open until September 18th.

[19:55] I don't know if you wanted to change that or just give them the information afterwards.

[20:00] The Board of Health, the information afterward, if we should receive anything beyond their date.

[20:05] The rules of council actually require that the Britain common period extends for a time after the public hearing is over.

[20:11] I just sort of reflectively ran it through the end of that week. It could theoretically be shortened, but that's council's will.

[20:18] If I may, council, irrespective of the decisions that the Health Department made a recommendation,

[20:33] we, as council, will ultimately approve or reject or modify.

[20:41] We can approve a reject there of their position.

[20:49] So I find a problem with going to the 18th of the issues that we find relevant and

[20:59] critical are addressed by the health department.

[21:03] We should do what we believe is appropriate.

[21:13] Okay, it appears as though the chair of the committee is in full agreement with you, so we'll keep it as September the 18th.

[21:22] Great, thank you.

[21:23] Thank you.

[21:24] So with their motion to approve.

[21:26] In second.

[21:28] And all in favor then say aye.

[21:30] Aye.

[21:31] Opposed.

[21:34] Motion carries.

[21:37] last public comment let agenda we have a number on agenda non agenda items we have no

[21:44] else here followed by Casper borrowis no well

[21:52] Casper yes next up will be passion

[21:56] Carrington

[22:01] hello

[22:12] my name is Casper borrowis and I live in Regents Square district

[22:15] five. I'd like to take a moment just to speak on the upcoming vote on an amendment backed by the

[22:20] by Connie Executive, Sarah Yenomoroto from the Allegheny County's Board of Health. I'm here

[22:25] because behind the close towards of Pittsburgh's homes, working families are enduring a quiet,

[22:30] eye-canizing crisis. We pride ourselves on being a livable city with the devastating reality

[22:36] of our maternal health data proves we are leading the nation and failing our parents. With no local

[22:42] ordinance protecting them, we abandon families to the federal

[22:45] FMLA standard, 12 weeks of completely unpaid leave.

[22:50] This is not a safety net.

[22:52] It's a door slammed in their faces.

[22:54] Right now, Pittsburgh mothers are forced back to work

[22:57] just days after giving birth.

[22:59] They're standing on their feet while their bodies are still bleeding

[23:01] and while they are drowning in sleep deprivation.

[23:04] And while they are quietly battling postpartum depression,

[23:07] the cruelty is systemic.

[23:08] You can see McGee's woman's hospital, the very place where a city's babies are born,

[23:14] gives its own front line nurses just two weeks of paid leave to heal.

[23:18] How can we expect nurses to care for our community when their family, when their employers

[23:22] refuse to let them care for their own newborns?

[23:25] As a union organizer myself, I represent over 400 Starbucks for ESAs in the city.

[23:31] I helped fight for and when 18 weeks of company-wide paid parental leave.

[23:35] I have seen the profound difference this dignity makes.

[23:39] I've watched parents return to wear whole, healthy, and ready, not broken by financial

[23:44] terror, but strengthened by the time spent bonding with their children.

[23:48] 18 weeks is not a luxury.

[23:50] It is the bare minimum required for human dignity.

[23:53] It is a heartbeat of a thriving family, and when we deny this time, we fracture the physical

[23:58] and mental health of this British children.

[24:01] We cannot claim to be a progressive city while leaving our working class family is to suffer

[24:05] in silence. This is an urgent crisis of basic compassion. And I urge you all to stand with

[24:10] our families and vote yes on 18 weeks of a hundred percent paid parental leave.

[24:16] Okay. Thank you.

[24:20] Next up is Passion Carrington, followed by Tony Watkins and Dr. Alice Pinchback.

[24:27] Passen. Tony. Tony's here.

[24:35] Thank you. Good evening. My name is Miss Tony

[24:38] Watkins. I'm a community health advocate with healthy start. I'm also a mother

[24:44] two daughters and a grandmother of seven. I'm here because I am with the

[24:58] What would help instill better?

[25:00] For breastfeeding, infant bonding and development, it reduces infant mortality and improves the workplace.

[25:08] As a mother of 40-year-old in 29-year-old, I had to take time and I was available because of my

[25:17] I'm not working because of my health issues but at the same time I had to support my daughters

[25:23] because they had to go back to work, had to meet them at their jobs to make sure they were able to breastfeed.

[25:31] Just the toll that it took on us as a family, it would be nice after all these years to be able to be here and support and see something great for our community.

[25:43] It would give them time to heal the bond to be a adjustment of a new family member.

[25:51] It's important because many black families face many disparities and things have not

[25:59] having a partner or a mother single mother grandparents, fathers, whoever that's a single

[26:06] And they need that time to bond two weeks is not enough time to bond with anyone at that time.

[26:15] So I'm advocating for every family in Allegheny County to have access to these benefits.

[26:22] A paid leave, which I believe would lead to a healthier outcome for parents, babies, grandparents and supporting

[26:30] improving relationships with employers and employees.

[26:35] And I think that they wanted for themselves.

[26:38] Thank you very much.

[26:39] Thank you.

[26:41] Next up is Dr. Alice Pinchfack, followed by Armin Sami.

[26:47] Good evening.

[26:47] My name is Dr. Elise Pinchfack.

[26:49] I'm the executive director of Black Women for a better education and a mother.

[26:53] As you can see.

[26:54] I stand alongside a coalition of advocates,

[26:56] This McGee Union nurses, community members, and elected leaders, calling on Allegheny County

[27:01] to put families first and vote yes for pay parental leave.

[27:05] The mission of black women for a better education is to ensure that black children in this

[27:09] region receive the high quality education they need and deserve, something we've been failing

[27:13] at for generations.

[27:15] We understand that the education of our children begins long before they enter a classroom,

[27:20] strong partnerships with parents and caregivers play an integral role in student success,

[27:24] And factors outside of the school districts purview, including this one, directly impacts student learning.

[27:30] Policies like PAPE were in to leave directly contribute to improved physical and mental health outcomes for new parents and children by providing a strong foundation at birth, which our educational systems can build on.

[27:41] When parents aren't worried about losing their jobs as they grow their families, they can focus on these critical first months of their children's lives.

[27:48] This is particularly important for black families as black mothers suffer from severe maternal morbidity

[27:53] at more than twice the rate of white women.

[27:56] Additionally, Allegheny County's infant mortality rate is worse in the state average

[27:59] and black infants are more than twice as likely to die than white infants.

[28:04] In a region where academic outcomes for black students have been perinially poor, and mediocre

[28:08] at best for nearly everyone else, and where racial economic and health disparities are some

[28:12] of the worst in the nation, all of our systems have a sworn duty and responsibility to

[28:17] improve the quality of life for all residents, including black families.

[28:21] paper rental leave is an important step in addressing the health and economic security of working

[28:26] families and the viability and attractiveness of our region while laying the ground work to improve

[28:31] education outcomes.

[28:33] Let's put our families first and pass this policy.

[28:36] Thank you.

[28:39] Next up is Arm and Sami followed by Hannah Standford.

[28:46] Jennifer Yoon.

[28:51] Jane Stone.

[29:08] Hello.

[29:09] I am a proud union nurse and a nurse at McGee Women's Hospital for 12 years.

[29:15] I'm also the proud mother of three wonderful daughters.

[29:18] I had the privilege of being able to spend a minimum of five months of time at home with

[29:23] each of my newborns.

[29:24] I wasn't a nurse then, but my perspective as a maternal newborn nurse has given me insight

[29:29] and a deep appreciation of how important that time was.

[29:32] What I now understand is that my body needed time to recover from significant blood loss and quite a few stitches.

[29:40] My babies thrived as I was able to devote 100% of my time to optimizing their start and life.

[29:47] And in hindsight, I recognize undiagnosed postpartum depression and anxiety that would have been seriously exacerbated if I had had to return to work after only a few days or weeks.

[29:58] Friendly.

[30:00] Announces that McGee continue to advocate for paid leave for all, because we know firsthand that this policy is urgently needed to address the crisis facing infant and maternal health in our region.

[30:13] I've emphasized before and will repeat now that Allegheny County has higher rates of three term births in low birth weights in the state average.

[30:20] severe maternal morbidity or unexpected serious complications rose by 55% in the county between 2016 and 2022.

[30:30] These alarming statistics are compounded by serious racial and class disparities.

[30:37] I take care of this part of women who are re-admitted to the hospital because they have complications that could have been avoided if they had more time off to properly care for themselves in their newborns.

[30:48] This represents not only extra stress on families, but increased strain on the health care system and increased use of public health care dollars.

[30:57] paid parental leave is a hot top of these days.

[31:00] We are behind as a county state and country.

[31:03] This council has the opportunity to show courage and leadership on this issue.

[31:10] paid leave policy would be a lifeline to the hundreds of thousands of working parents in our county without out

[31:15] that leave, giving them more of a financial cushion and time to get the help they desperately

[31:19] need.

[31:21] Studies show that parental leave helps recruit and retain employees, which is good for

[31:25] businesses and strengthens our economy overall.

[31:28] But most importantly, parental leave is essential for addressing the infant and maternal

[31:32] health crisis and making sure all working families can thrive.

[31:36] My fellow nurses and I, together with all members of our union and community allies, strongly

[31:40] support parental leave to help all kids and families thrive.

[31:45] I urge all members of the Council to vote in favor of 18 weeks that paid parental leave.

[31:49] Thank you.

[31:50] Thank you.

[31:52] Next up is Harry Lillard, followed by Brooke Berry.

[32:16] My name is Harry Lillard, 438,

[32:19] Brooks and Street Pittsburgh PA,

[32:21] the Mount Washington section of Pittsburgh.

[32:23] I am a proposal here.

[32:26] I sent it to the Allegheny County Health Department.

[32:28] I make copies for the whole council, you should have them.

[32:32] It's dated July 8th, this year, dear director,

[32:36] I have a proposal for your maternity leave program.

[32:40] The mother receives workbench compensation.

[32:43] The father receives temporary unemployment compensation.

[32:46] I will present this at City and County Council meetings

[32:49] on the County Council today, City Council tomorrow.

[32:52] This covers the financial burden of the maternity leave.

[32:59] Women will get their 18 weeks on workers' compensation.

[33:03] It is a medical procedure.

[33:05] They need rest, recovery, rehabilitation, and I would like to throw in a mental health just

[33:12] evaluation because they need this for a complete recovery.

[33:19] The Father will get temporary unemployment.

[33:24] The only burden is the businesses will have to hire a temporary worker for that period.

[33:30] They should not be fired for having birth.

[33:37] The health department is going to bring their proposals up.

[33:41] This is financially workable.

[33:44] This can be the whole country.

[33:46] We can do this across the country.

[33:48] Why can't we do something positive for a change?

[33:52] That's my proposal today.

[33:55] I've been treated terrible with this council for over 30 years.

[34:00] And I come here for a better quality of life and solutions to our problems.

[34:05] But this county, council, and the city, and the media treats me like garbage.

[34:12] I've been threatened to this council.

[34:15] There used to be four deputies on me at this council.

[34:18] And that's what's treated here.

[34:21] Back to the county commissioners.

[34:23] Bob Cranner had Larry Dunntell me.

[34:26] The Bob Cranner was going to kick my butt.

[34:29] I didn't swear, but that's what he did.

[34:32] And when Bob Cranner was in high school in Brentwood,

[34:36] he had a swastika saved, saved to his head.

[34:39] And you all give him a lobbyist contract for the past 30 years when he's the one who ruined this county.

[34:49] Now, when you're doing your recommendations for the next year, I'm going to bring that up.

[34:57] This council should not give a Nazi love.

[35:00] One pump like Bob Cremner, another contract. When he's the one who ruined this county finances along with Jim Roddy and Larry Dunn, I'll be back next month about this proposal.

[35:15] Maybe someday you actually do something.

[35:19] Thank you. Next up is Brooke Berry followed by Brendan Wissinger.

[35:29] Mr.

[35:33] Wissinger, we'll have Roswell and Tosh.

[35:39] Hello, my name is Brennan Wissinger. I live in Forest Hills and Councilperson Walton District.

[35:44] I am asking that County Council votes in favor of the 18 weeks of paid parental leave proposal.

[35:50] So, this policy is common sense and long overdue.

[35:55] America is the only country, one of the few countries, the only developed country, will

[36:01] fatipade parental leave policy.

[36:04] And studies show that paid parental leave policies decrease postpartum depression and improve

[36:09] internal mental health and increase the likelihood of healthy child medical practices

[36:14] like having an exam.

[36:15] And studies have shown across multiple different countries that there's a significant decrease

[36:22] in infant, neonatal, and under five mortality rates when paid maternity leave was implemented.

[36:31] Multiple studies have shown that paid leave policies have numerous economic benefits,

[36:34] with one study by Columbia University finding that for every $1,000 investment and paid parental leave,

[36:41] There was a $7,000 to $29,000 in this Council's Net Social Benefits.

[36:47] They found for a four national four-week program that would cost $2 billion, the Net Social

[36:52] Benefits would be $13 billion, and that's on the conservative end.

[36:57] These policies, these positives, include increased health benefits for both parents and infants,

[37:03] consumer purchases from parents, who otherwise wouldn't be able to spend because having

[37:07] that use not to attend work, do or to take care or be with their new child, increase future

[37:11] earnings of infants, increase productivity from healthier work culture, avoidance expenditures

[37:17] on infants and parental health costs and avoidative expenditure on foster care among others.

[37:25] This policy is common sense.

[37:29] We need to enact this policy. You've seen have heard from

[37:33] any personal testimonies that I am not of the age to give really give testimony to because

[37:39] I don't have kids so but if I did I definitely would be reciting those personal stories

[37:44] but right now I'm doing what I do best in citing statistics because this is what needs

[37:50] this everybody else does this why aren't we doing it when we have the worst internal

[37:54] health rates in the state. Thank you.

[37:58] Thank you.

[37:59] Rosalind Tosh, followed by Catherine Dickie.

[38:11] Hi, I'm Rosalind Tosh. I live in Pittsburgh.

[38:15] First, I want to call in Pat Katina to resign as usual.

[38:19] You sold out your trans constituents for an election that you lost by a huge margin.

[38:25] You were removed as president and you're still too severing to step down from the council.

[38:33] Second, I want to say that I support paid parental leave.

[38:37] Honestly, I'm confused how this is even a debate.

[38:40] It's a common sense policy.

[38:42] This is a region that builds itself as a leader and healthcare.

[38:46] The population has been declining for ages and the healthcare industry that has sprung up here is one of the only things mitigating that.

[38:54] It's, in healthcare, doesn't exist in a vacuum.

[38:57] You can't just give people healthcare once, for example,

[38:59] being in the hospital to give birth and send them on their way and like never interact with them again.

[39:05] You have to give them the environment in which that health care can take its effect,

[39:09] which right now we are not doing at least not for people who aren't like the nicest cushy as jobs,

[39:15] which A, like don't super exist here and B, aren't the people we should be prioritizing for this anyway

[39:20] because they're already going to be able to afford more of a cushion.

[39:23] And second, this is a region that's almost synonymous with labor history.

[39:28] Pittsburgh homestead, all of the former largely steel industry places, like supporting

[39:36] the workers and giving them what they need in order to be healthy and happy and successful,

[39:43] is our entire history in this region.

[39:45] And it also flies in a face of that if the county doesn't approve of this paid parental

[39:51] you've built. Again, this should not even be a question. The fact that for weeks on ends

[39:57] so many people have had to come up here, and beg for...

[40:00] We need to give them what they need for their basic well-being and for the well-being of the next generation of children who are going to grow up here.

[40:07] And who are going to have to choose between staying here or moving elsewhere, like so many people have done.

[40:13] It just seems like commissants for y'all to approve this whenever it comes to y'all. Thank you.

[40:19] Thank you.

[40:20] Katherine Dickie.

[40:32] Good evening.

[40:33] Good evening.

[40:34] I had a fairly robust public comment written for tonight, and I'm not going to lie. I don't feel like it.

[40:39] So just think of everything I've said about the agenda items, who are like the last two weeks that caused you either a feeling of sudden resentment or smile and think about that for two more weeks.

[40:51] Also totally unrelated.

[40:54] I've been doing a lot of reading about social work burnout and moral injury and thinking about how incredibly at risk your job here puts you for moral injury and for terrible work life balance.

[41:06] Nine months of rent for a one bedroom apartment alone is less than what you make for this level of like high level decision making and civil service.

[41:15] So when we talk about maybe someday if the faiths allow revisiting funding for county council as a full-time operation,

[41:26] I would hope that we talk less about you guys.

[41:29] my favorite political, lovely, and their politicians who deserve funds for what you've already

[41:36] done and talk more about what your office could do if we look at 40 hours a week and benefits

[41:41] to deeply support and transform each of your districts and the social issues they face.

[41:46] Without jeopardizing one's health insurance, child care, main employment or their whole house

[41:50] bill hold candidates and council people should be able to more deeply engage and support

[41:57] at their districts, deprivation, begets deprivation, commitment, begets commitment, I would argue

[42:03] that county council has by design the most reach into humanistic issues and the institutions

[42:08] that are dominating public comment and the public eye in Pittsburgh, but also the least

[42:13] billable hours to spare for those issues. Finally, if it feels like a lot of the stuff that's

[42:18] happening here is happening. Really, really, really fast. And you feel like you can't keep up.

[42:24] And even NPR in the car gives you heart palpitations. That's by design. That's by design.

[42:30] It has been more than 13 months and one day since the Trump administration released the infamous

[42:34] ending crime and disorder. And American streets, executive order, encouraging the mass surveillance

[42:40] and reinstitationalization of struggling, low-income folks in America and an Allegheny County.

[42:45] You should reread it this week, it's about us, and then also get a large cone of soft serve and a beer and take a nap.

[42:52] Because you're not crazy, if it seems like the pace here is speeding up.

[42:56] And whether you look at this statement with resentment or a smile, it is not greedy to reinvest in county political infrastructure that can outlast all of us.

[43:06] And counteract the rush of our regime when it comes to investing in our districts. Thank you.

[43:12] Last up is Erin Regiro.

[43:21] Okay, that was the last, may I have a motion to adjourn?

[43:24] I think I heard one.

[43:25] Okay, the second.

[43:27] All in favor say aye.

[43:28] Aye.

[43:29] Opposed motion carries.

[43:30] Thank you, everyone.

[43:40] Oh, the kids.

[43:41] I don't know.

[43:42] Yeah.

[43:43] All right.

[43:43] How are you?

[43:46] Good.

[43:50] Oh.

[43:50] September 10.

County Council on 2026-08-25 5:00 PM

Agenda

Transcript