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Call in the meeting to order. This is a regular meeting of Allegheny County Council. Today is Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The time is 5 p.m. Again, we're calling the meeting to order. May we all please stand for the pledge of allegiance and then please remain standing for a moment of silent prayer or reflection.

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of the United States of America and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation,

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under God, individual, liberty, and justice, strong.

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Thank you, maverick, roll call please.

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Mr. Adams.

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Perfectly present.

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Mr. Bada, here.

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Mr. Ketina.

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Here.

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Mr. Liyaji.

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Here.

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Mr. Fetolis.

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Here.

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Mr. Grisbeck, Ms. Hallam, Mr.

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Klein, Ms. Madonna Ammerling, Mr. Paul Mary, Mr. Paul Messina, Mr. Rose, Ms. Geiger-Schulman, Mr. Walton, President Akger-Adichakis, we have 14 members of the moment.

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Thank you.

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All right, first item is proclamations and the 13991-261, please.

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Reclamation recognizing Allegheny County entities and partners of the 2026 NFL draft who's.

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Amendment made it an extraordinary success sponsored by Council Member Fittultis, all other members of council and the chief executive.

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And

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before proceeding, please let the record reflect the Ms. Halema's numbers.

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Okay. Good evening, everyone. On behalf of all of County Council, we welcome all of our guests that are here this evening. Are you going to introduce all of our guests that are with us?

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It's a special opportunity for us to really acknowledge all of those who participated in the NFL draft this year.

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such a monumental occasion of which council had the all of the hard work that was done and

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we are grateful to all of you and wanted to acknowledge everybody's role so thanks for being

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here this evening. So with that Nick would you like to? Sure. Today we have from the Pittsburgh

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Steelers Dan Rooney Vice President of the Business Development and Strategies Cecilia Cagney Cagney

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I'm sorry, Director of Corporate Communications.

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Visit Pittsburgh, Jared Dacker, Michelle Fisher,

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Ryer, Vice President of the Communications,

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Community and Government Affairs,

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and we have a few more, I believe, don't we?

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From the Pittsburgh, I'm not sure.

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Just a two.

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Three hours closer.

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Okay, okay.

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And then for the B3R, we have Nate Switcher,

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Special Project Coordinator.

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Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Kathleen Kellman, there you are. CCAC, Dr. Stefan Wells,

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Chief and Academic Officer, is he here? There you are. Allegheny County Airport,

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Tyler Blokgren, Director of Corporate and Government Relations. By the way,

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you guys want to come on up while we're introducing you. It might be a good idea.

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Yeah, we got that part.

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Come on up.

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Sports and exhibition authority, Doug Striller,

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the project executive in the Sheriff's office.

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We have Commander Charles Rodriguez, Lieutenant Conor Mullin,

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the county police, Chris Kerns.

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Oh, no, he's here.

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Is he here?

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Oh, there he are.

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And the county emergency management department,

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Chief Matt Brown, I didn't see him.

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No, no, no, that's it.

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And he's here now. There you go. And we have the county health department

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representative from the department, which is Kim Joyce. I just happened to know

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her.

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Well, we filled the room up. So what I really want to do is personally just

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thank you who was responsible for inviting us to the NFL draft. It was such a

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great experience for all of our council members and you don't really realize what you see on television

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until you get there and see what it took to bring the NFL draft to the city of Pittsburgh.

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It was absolutely unbelievable. The hospitality was phenomenal. The transportation was phenomenal.

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The security, everything seemed to go perfect. To being the fact that I'm an old person, I guess you

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You could say that I felt that this was a once in a lifetime event for me and I don't

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remember the NFL draft ever coming to Pittsburgh before and it was such a monumental event

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that you see the logistics, how they build it, the tree removal, the guard rails, everything

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that was done was unbelievable.

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The years that it takes to put this on and then of course you invited us to the stadium

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and we briefed some more briefing and we got the sit in the locker room where the football players go and if we got the walk out of the tunnel and that was pretty special.

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You know not to make people get that opportunity so I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.

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Thank you. Michelle, we are going to read the proclamation.

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Okay, thanks Nick. So I'm my honor to read the proclamation and then Nick will be distributing them and then if anyone would like to share a few words please feel free to do that.

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We would love to hear from you, but what an opportunity to shine a light on our wonderful city, and we are also honored and privileged that it happened.

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So, whereas major sporting events have the power to unite communities, strengthen regional partnerships, stimulate economic growth, and showcase the unique character and hospitality of a region to a national and international audience.

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And whereas the Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh proudly served as the host of the

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2026 National Football League draft that took place April 23rd to the 25th, 2026, welcoming

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visitors from across the nation and around the world, while demonstrating the region's ability

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to successfully plan and execute a national and historic sporting event.

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And whereas the 2026 NFL draft attracted a record-breaking 805,000 attendees over three

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days, including an all-time draft record with 320,000 fans and attendance for day one

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of the draft, making it the largest event in NFL history.

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Visitors represented 105 countries and approximately 43% traveling from outside of 50 mile radius

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and an estimated 55 million people worldwide watching the event on television,

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bringing positive attraction to Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh region.

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And whereas the success of the event was made possible through exceptional

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collaboration and dedication of Allegheny County entities and numerous partners,

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including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Visit Pittsburgh, P3R, Pittsburgh Regional Transit,

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Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny County Airport Authority,

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Sports and Exhibition Authority, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Allegheny County Police,

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Allegheny County Emergency Management, Allegheny County Department of Public Works,

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Allegheny County Marketing and Special Events, and the Allegheny County Health Department.

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These departments and partners help provide critical infrastructure, transportation,

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public safety, emergency preparedness, public health services, community programming,

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visiting, visitor support, and beyond that ensured the events smooth execution.

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And whereas the NFL draft generated substantial economic benefits with 92% hotel occupancy

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and downtown Pittsburgh and 85% occupancy countywide.

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The NFL draft source program enabled 164 local businesses to participate and awarded more

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than 100 contracts, with 63% of those contracts going to program members, generating 17.7 million

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in direct visitor spending. Overall, trivial direct spending is estimated about 115 million

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to 215 million. And whereas the NFL draft also highlighted Allegheny County's commitment

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to community service and environmental stewardship. Through the redistribution of nearly 60,000

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pounds of food to 15 non-profit organizations. Community fundraising efforts that generated

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more than 1 million to combat hunger in Western Pennsylvania, the packing and distribution

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of 1,000 shelter hygiene and first aid kits for individuals experiencing homelessness,

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the installation of 400 hanging flower baskets and 420 street planters, and commitments to expand

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and the region's tree canopy through the planting of hundreds of new trees.

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And whereas regional transportation and public service systems successfully met the demands

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of the historic event, with approximately 485,000 public transit riders utilizing Pittsburgh

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Regional Transit Services during draft week and 51% increase over average ridership.

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And whereas the event required an unprecedented level of public safety coordination, with

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local, county, state, and federal agencies working seamlessly together to maintain a secure environment.

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Resulting in no serious incidents reported during the weekend, while emergency responders,

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law enforcement, public works personnel, health officials, and countless staff members worked

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around the clock to provide a clean, safe, and welcoming experience for all.

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and whereas the engagement and collaboration among these organizations and departments were

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essential to the overwhelming success of the 2026 NFL draft and highlighted Allegheny County as a

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vibrant connected and welcoming destination that is well positioned to host future major national

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and international events while reflecting the dedication, professionalism and civic pride.

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of all those who contributed to its planning and execution.

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Now therefore, so therefore it resolved that I, McPhrytonis and

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County Council, and the chief executive, by the way, we would like to congratulate you and

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thank you for the 2026 NFL draft.

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Congratulations.

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We'll have a full week to speak on this while we're at it.

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Mr. Dan Rooney.

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Thank you.

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I think the proclamation says it all here, you know, the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh was an incredible event that produced big time impact for our city, our county, our state and Steelers Nation everywhere.

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But, you know, we wanted to stop in here today as well and think that the members of the Allegheny County Council here without your guys help and support.

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This was not possible, that was the coolest part about the draft from our seat, how Pittsburgh and the county rallied together to put on an event of this scale.

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So just a really special opportunity for our region to show what we're made of, and we couldn't have done it without you guys in the room here.

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So really appreciate all the support and the team behind me made that event one to remember.

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And I think Pittsburgh and in our county is showing up on a national and global level that it probably wasn't before.

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So just again, thank you to everyone in the room and honored for the proclamation here.

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Thank you.

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Echo a lot of dance sentiment, certainly on behalf of the entire community.

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This is really a full circle moment.

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We started working on this probably three years ago at this point, and we obviously met with a lot of people here in County Council and across the entire community, so often throughout the planning process.

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But to be here today, to reflect on the fact that it's already happened, which also seems like a little bit of a dream.

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But the fact that it's already happened, it was such a success in so many ways, is such an extraordinary testament to how this community really rallied together.

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An event of this size is not perfect, and we've seen that. There's a lot of lessons to be learned as we come out of this for us as a community, for the NFL.

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But overall, it's resounded and looked at as a huge success. And that is in part because of the work and support that came out of this council.

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So, again, I'll echo Dan's sentiment, thanking all of our incredible partners.

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I think there are certainly case studies to be made for public transportation success,

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certainly public safety success, huge, huge opportunities for other destinations to learn

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on how to host an event like this successfully because of the attributes of public safety and public

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transportation. So, again, thank you so much. It's an honor to be here and we're so thankful.

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So,

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um, how's the crockpot?

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So, thank you, Council for giving us this opportunity.

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I have to thank the hardworking folks at pitch.

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Regional transit, operators, mechanics, road supervisors, customer service agents, Adam and Amanda who didn't see their family for four days because you'd think it would be faster. We could not have supported this community without the amazing team that we have. So thank you to all of my co-workers and it is a real pleasure to be here without talking about a sinkhole, a bridge, a derailment, a fire, or a flood. So thank you for all your support.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you for your contribution.

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I had the laugh when I came out tonight to receive this.

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I was like, what did community college contribute?

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compared to all of the amazing things that these people did.

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I think we did an excellent job of just getting the heck out of the way.

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Our main campus is right at the edge of the footprint of the event space

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and so we shut that down and then decided to also close down our other campuses and centers

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because we wanted to reduce public transit ridership,

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we wanted to reduce cars on the roads, we wanted to keep everybody out of the way.

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It was a tough time, it was about a week before finals

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And so students were very anxious and the faculty were very anxious, but hey, we're Pittsburghers and so we adapted and we overcame and we were proud to be in our little part, a part of this event that really showcased our region.

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So thanks very much.

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Thank you.

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So it's an exhibition authority.

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Clark Sparler.

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Thank you.

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Congratulations.

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Sports and exhibition authority just wants to thank you,

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County Council and the County Executive,

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our board member,

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Policina for all their leadership

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and bringing everybody together.

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And we appreciate the recognition,

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but that's not why we do this.

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We appreciate what's happened for Pittsburgh

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and the great event that was brought to our city.

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So, thank you very much.

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Thank you.

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Kim.

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Yeah, help.

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Does the old part open?

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Oops, sorry.

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Let's switch.

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What?

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Kim, your turn.

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Thank you so much.

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We're often told that the Health Department is the bureaucrat of all bureaucrats for the county.

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And so I just want to say thank you to everybody that was involved with the planning.

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I think we had a really successful initiative for our food safety.

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We know food outbreaks, thankfully, for any of the attendees.

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And then we really got to work with our new public health laboratory and getting everything up and running for the biohazard testing.

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And so that was a great initiative that really put us on the map for that process.

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So thank you.

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Thank you.

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Airports, there you go.

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Thank you.

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I just want to say thank you to County Council.

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Thank you to so many of you who came out to tour the airports during the construction.

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it's done, it served very well as the front door to the region.

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We were very happy to play the role that we did in the NFL draft

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and welcoming people from all around the world to Pittsburgh.

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So we look forward to having you back out to the airport sometime soon

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as we look to open up our air side and land side terraces coming up soon.

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So we'll see you there.

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Thank you.

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We'll see you guys.

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Quality police.

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You can tell the way you're dressed.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, thank you for the recognition.

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Thank you.

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She's from.

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She's from.

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Come on up.

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You're pretty often.

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Yeah, it's a big crowd.

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Thank you.

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Again, just briefly, thank you for all the support from County Council, the County Executive.

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It is a great partnership and certainly I think we were proud to represent Steelers Nation as well as the NFL from a public safety standpoint.

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and the partnership with City of Pittsburgh,

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our regional partners in public safety.

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It shines every day and it certainly shows itself here.

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00:19:14,110 --> 00:19:14,510
Thank you again.

227
00:19:14,590 --> 00:19:15,610
Thank you.

228
00:19:18,580 --> 00:19:19,820
Sheriff's Department, we have anybody

229
00:19:19,820 --> 00:19:20,940
from the Sheriff's Department here?

230
00:19:21,340 --> 00:19:21,840
I'll accept that.

231
00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:22,180
There we go.

232
00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:23,780
Oh, there you go, Mike.

233
00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,560
Thank you very much, everybody.

234
00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:27,300
Thank you.

235
00:19:27,820 --> 00:19:28,120
Okay.

236
00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,300
Well, that just might cause a problem.

237
00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,240
Do you want to remind you that this was a county event,

238
00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:34,820
but I just want to remind everyone

239
00:19:34,820 --> 00:19:36,700
this was also people from the city.

240
00:19:36,700 --> 00:19:43,600
We're the city police and all of their public works and this was Homeland Security, State Police, FBI.

241
00:19:44,380 --> 00:19:48,400
I mean, you're talking a lot of people here so I just want to recognize them as well.

242
00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:49,240
Thank you.

243
00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:50,880
Picture, time for a picture.

244
00:20:21,340 --> 00:20:23,060
You were screaming, it was crazy.

245
00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:24,500
Oh yeah, I wore my concealer.

246
00:20:24,660 --> 00:20:25,780
You guys see my video, some boy.

247
00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:27,000
I used my colors crockpot.

248
00:20:27,180 --> 00:20:27,860
That's a scary part.

249
00:20:28,660 --> 00:20:30,100
I'm going to do a neighborhood.

250
00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:31,360
I'm going to see everything else.

251
00:20:46,900 --> 00:20:47,380
Ready?

252
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:48,260
Group.

253
00:20:49,060 --> 00:20:49,480
All right.

254
00:20:50,180 --> 00:20:51,880
One, two, three.

255
00:20:53,120 --> 00:20:53,600
Couple.

256
00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:56,440
One, two, three.

257
00:21:00,610 --> 00:21:01,170
We got him.

258
00:21:01,910 --> 00:21:02,190
Yes.

259
00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,020
We're at your city for Thailand.

260
00:21:25,260 --> 00:21:27,440
Oh, these are the Thailand ones.

261
00:22:08,250 --> 00:22:10,890
The remaining proclamations will be right into the record.

262
00:22:13,290 --> 00:22:17,810
13992-26 is a proclamation recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Society of Women

263
00:22:17,810 --> 00:22:24,950
Engineers of Pittsburgh sponsored by Council Member Paul Mary. 13993-26 is a proclamation recognizing the 5th annual

264
00:22:24,950 --> 00:22:30,930
amount 11 and pride celebration sponsored by council members Grisbeck and Vada. 13994-26 is a

265
00:22:30,930 --> 00:22:35,310
proclamation recognizing the Berthner House Restoration Society on their 50th annual Berthner House

266
00:22:35,310 --> 00:22:41,670
Strawberry Festival sponsored by council member Fittulis. 13995-26 is a proclamation recognizing Dr.

267
00:22:41,830 --> 00:22:46,110
James Walsh on his retirement from Bethel Park School District sponsored by council member Grisbeck

268
00:22:46,110 --> 00:22:52,330
and 13996-26 is a proclamation recognizing Munhall Borough on the occasion of its 125th anniversary

269
00:22:52,330 --> 00:22:54,030
every sponsor by Council member Adams.

270
00:22:55,810 --> 00:22:57,570
Public comment on agenda items?

271
00:22:57,730 --> 00:22:57,950
We have not.

272
00:22:58,410 --> 00:22:58,630
Okay.

273
00:22:58,970 --> 00:22:59,910
Approval of the minutes.

274
00:23:00,270 --> 00:23:00,690
Also not.

275
00:23:01,810 --> 00:23:03,150
Presentation of appointments.

276
00:23:03,510 --> 00:23:03,890
Also not.

277
00:23:04,710 --> 00:23:05,610
Unfinished business.

278
00:23:06,710 --> 00:23:11,750
So at the request of the primary sponsor, all three of these nominations will be held until

279
00:23:11,750 --> 00:23:13,850
our July 7th regular meeting.

280
00:23:14,290 --> 00:23:16,270
It's under the Committee on Appointment Review.

281
00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:22,480
It was not agenda.

282
00:23:22,860 --> 00:23:23,200
That's the end.

283
00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:24,240
At the end of the meeting.

284
00:23:24,620 --> 00:23:25,440
Thank you.

285
00:23:39,670 --> 00:23:44,370
next item on the agenda okay we'll take care of it at the end of the meeting thank you

286
00:23:45,530 --> 00:23:50,990
next item is 13952-26 an ordinance of the County of Allegheny commonwealth of

287
00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:54,290
Pennsylvania directing the referendum question regarding the repeal of Article 3

288
00:23:54,290 --> 00:24:12,770
Section 7-F, the Honorable Charter of Allegheny County, which limits the annual operating budget of the Office of County Council be placed on the November 3rd, 2026 General Election Ballot and further amending Article 3 Section 7, contingent upon passage of the referendum question, sponsored by Council Members Hallum, Bottom, Madonna, Emerling, Rose, Grisbeck, Katina, and Palmasina.

289
00:24:15,330 --> 00:24:19,200
Mr. Grisbeck, would you turn over to you please?

290
00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:28,040
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, on the June 9th meeting of the Committee on Government Reform.

291
00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:30,880
This bill was a firmly recommended to a full-of-the-counsel.

292
00:24:31,540 --> 00:24:32,820
I'd like to make a motion to approve.

293
00:24:33,140 --> 00:24:33,360
Second.

294
00:24:33,860 --> 00:24:35,800
Okay, motion has been made and a second.

295
00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:36,920
Is there a discussion?

296
00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:37,940
Yes.

297
00:24:38,660 --> 00:24:40,440
Yes, Council Member Walton.

298
00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:51,220
I have to share my opposition to this legislation.

299
00:24:52,260 --> 00:24:58,020
I hope the residents of Allegheny County, taxpayer,

300
00:24:59,100 --> 00:25:02,740
really understand what is about to take place.

301
00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:10,120
While I fully expect this measure to pass,

302
00:25:10,120 --> 00:25:18,560
I think that this is a real disservice to the residents of Allianne County.

303
00:25:23,780 --> 00:25:40,420
We, County Council, are allocated a specific amount of dollars based upon the revenue in the operating budget and the

304
00:25:43,340 --> 00:25:47,280
check of this and the following

305
00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:54,380
and piece of legislation will place a real burden on taxpayers across the county.

306
00:25:55,180 --> 00:26:06,340
We are facing legislation that are asking for an inquiry of reassessions, which will

307
00:26:06,340 --> 00:26:11,340
ultimately drive up the taxes that residents paid and out of the county.

308
00:26:11,340 --> 00:26:21,240
We're confronted with rising rates from alpha-sane, rising rates from decaying light, rising, rising rates from, um,

309
00:26:23,260 --> 00:26:31,040
the water, the pan-american water, and, um, the water authority of Pittsburgh.

310
00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:39,300
rates are going up. We are asking to take the cap off the budget.

311
00:26:41,610 --> 00:26:43,850
Council is

312
00:26:43,850 --> 00:26:53,170
allocating enemy that we had discussed in this issue. I asked the staff three

313
00:26:53,170 --> 00:27:00,290
different times and three different ways. Was there anything that needs to be done?

314
00:27:00,290 --> 00:27:08,670
that isn't being done. In every instance, in every question the answer was no. So that means

315
00:27:08,670 --> 00:27:12,110
we don't need more money, we don't need to have more staff,

316
00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:15,660
we don't need to create

317
00:27:16,360 --> 00:27:22,480
additional political features that these dollars will be used to create. I'm saying each

318
00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:28,220
and every one of them, I told you what I was going to do. I said I was going to oppose

319
00:27:28,220 --> 00:27:35,600
and I'm going to tell you that you will be held accountable. Each and every one of these will help you account,

320
00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:42,020
will be held accountable by tax pay, for wasting tax dollars, for grass, and tax pay, for people. I'm done.

321
00:27:42,740 --> 00:27:48,360
Thank you. Any other discussion? Council Member Filioji? Thank you very much, Madam President.

322
00:27:49,660 --> 00:27:54,800
And I want to respectfully urge my colleagues to reconsider the two ordinances before us today.

323
00:27:54,800 --> 00:28:00,220
That would remove current limitations on County Council's budget and benefits.

324
00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:04,200
It's very respectfully, but it is an urgent call.

325
00:28:05,300 --> 00:28:10,560
I do understand that Council needs the tools and resources to serve residents and perform

326
00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:11,860
its oversight role.

327
00:28:12,540 --> 00:28:17,220
But we also have to consider how this will look to the taxpayers that we represent.

328
00:28:18,340 --> 00:28:23,680
Even if these proposals do not immediately increase spending, eliminating the cap creates

329
00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:29,740
the appearance, the council is asking for open-ended authority over its own budget.

330
00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:35,280
That concern is heightened by the serious financial issues already facing the county.

331
00:28:35,980 --> 00:28:38,920
We have looming county-wide property reassessments.

332
00:28:39,620 --> 00:28:46,380
The pension fund modernization project that we just heard about will not may, will require

333
00:28:46,380 --> 00:28:53,580
roughly $90 to $100 million in additional annual funding to meet our obligation and

334
00:28:53,580 --> 00:28:57,440
And this is an obligation we already have and that we have committed to.

335
00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,680
It isn't one that we're just taking on.

336
00:29:00,420 --> 00:29:13,320
And finally, the consequences, the financial consequences that may occur for the paid parental leave in the form of hidden tax being thought of as a hidden tax by county residents and consumers.

337
00:29:14,060 --> 00:29:21,900
At a time when residents are facing uncertainty and higher costs, we should especially be cautious about any action that suggests

338
00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:25,660
Yes, Council is prioritizing its own budget flexibility.

339
00:29:26,580 --> 00:29:31,040
Our constituents expect restraint, transparency, and accountability.

340
00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:36,940
If there are specific needs for staff, legal supporter operations, we should identify them and

341
00:29:36,940 --> 00:29:41,620
clearly consider a more measured approach with appropriate limits.

342
00:29:42,500 --> 00:29:46,740
But removing the cap entirely at this moment sends the wrong message.

343
00:29:46,740 --> 00:29:53,240
For those reasons, I urge no vote today or at a minimum, a pause, so we can bring forward

344
00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:58,740
a proposal that better reflects the concerns of the residents and better reflects the actual

345
00:29:58,740 --> 00:29:59,740
needs of council.

346
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:28,740
Thank you very much. Thank you. Other members of council? Madam President. Council member Rose. I absolutely agree that we have to consider how this looks to the tax payers, which is why I think it's important to talk about why this measure is a positive. So for all the reasons that the council member just listed, the county face is a tough financial prospect and it has for many years. That kids going back now, it's faced very significant financial barriers, including a period where we had $25 million in the bank.

347
00:30:28,740 --> 00:30:31,140
or literally days away from running afkath, right?

348
00:30:32,020 --> 00:30:35,700
And there's many, many reasons we can go into a long history about why all these things happen.

349
00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:43,060
But one of the consistent is this council has been unable to exercise effective oversight of the budgetary process and of the taxpayer's funds.

350
00:30:43,500 --> 00:30:45,060
And the reason for this is pretty straightforward.

351
00:30:45,420 --> 00:30:46,740
This is not a small operation.

352
00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:50,360
This county has a $3 billion budget in place 6,000 people.

353
00:30:50,500 --> 00:30:52,460
It governs 1.2 million citizens.

354
00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:54,260
That's larger than eight states.

355
00:30:54,260 --> 00:30:58,820
I know there's a romantic image of the citizen legislator, someone coming down to the

356
00:30:58,820 --> 00:31:02,080
core house once a month, the vote on some bills about how it should be, and then go

357
00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:02,520
on home.

358
00:31:02,820 --> 00:31:06,680
But like, once again, we run a larger operation than eight states.

359
00:31:07,080 --> 00:31:10,680
The state legislator Delaware is not trying to operate with three and a half staff members.

360
00:31:11,180 --> 00:31:17,220
For us to be able to, you know, provide effective oversight of the budgetary process, make sure

361
00:31:17,220 --> 00:31:20,740
the taxpayers dollars are being spent wisely in accordance with the general welfare.

362
00:31:21,140 --> 00:31:23,020
We need to treat ourselves seriously.

363
00:31:23,020 --> 00:31:31,520
We cannot just continuously try to put up this facade that we are doing our jobs when we're not giving ourselves the resources or ability to actually do that job.

364
00:31:32,060 --> 00:31:34,920
Like our staff is wonderful, but there's three of them at the moment.

365
00:31:35,060 --> 00:31:37,760
We used to have four. We used to have a few more. It keeps shrinking.

366
00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:40,800
And I don't think anyone's looking to like some of the higher 50 people.

367
00:31:40,980 --> 00:31:43,680
Like we're looking at like maybe like six or seven, right?

368
00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:50,680
Like these are very small increases that would allow councils, some basic tools to really start intervening in these processes.

369
00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:53,380
make sure these budgetary crises don't keep popping up.

370
00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:55,340
We just heard today from one of our, you know,

371
00:31:55,340 --> 00:31:58,240
other council members here that, you know,

372
00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:00,480
had no idea that this giant pitfall

373
00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:02,060
and our pension fund had been developing

374
00:32:02,060 --> 00:32:03,540
over this period of 15 years.

375
00:32:03,880 --> 00:32:05,580
Some basic staffing help

376
00:32:05,580 --> 00:32:07,900
couldn't prevent these situations from rising again.

377
00:32:09,140 --> 00:32:09,800
Thank you.

378
00:32:10,180 --> 00:32:10,580
Other members?

379
00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:11,880
Madam President.

380
00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:16,100
I believe that council member Klein would like to.

381
00:32:16,100 --> 00:32:46,080
Well, with these proposed ordinances, I think in many respects, what we are seeking here is something of a recent striking some kind of balance between the executive branch and as we are the legislative branch, our current model, you know, as devised, contemplated a strong executive and a tinkerbell of the executive branch.

382
00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:50,580
a legislature there but hardly there at all.

383
00:32:50,860 --> 00:32:59,320
Occasionally we would sprinkle some, you know, pixie dust and in fact it is the perception

384
00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:08,220
of many that this body is essentially window dressing, the illusion of a co-equal body.

385
00:33:08,660 --> 00:33:13,720
I think that what we're doing with this is we're looking to be liberated from the constraints

386
00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:20,060
grants in the home rule charter so that we can get closer to having a co-equal branch

387
00:33:20,060 --> 00:33:20,560
of government.

388
00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:28,620
My due counsel will be responsible for any actions that we ultimately take and will have

389
00:33:28,620 --> 00:33:36,040
to be accountable and respond to that in the event that our constituents are concerned.

390
00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:43,420
But what we're trying to do is suggest that with what is being proposed here today, we might

391
00:33:43,420 --> 00:33:56,900
I do something that gives council more of a voice, more authority for the purpose of giving us legitimacy that in many respects, we don't seem to have.

392
00:33:57,080 --> 00:34:12,740
Now, the real challenge here will be crafting language in a referendum, which is a real challenge that the public will actually understand in terms of what they are signing on for if they support or decide to oppose this.

393
00:34:12,740 --> 00:34:23,320
But what we're really trying to do here is we're trying to, we're going for a reset in terms of the balance between the executive branch and the legislative branch.

394
00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:28,300
Thank you. Did I see someone? Council member, if you told us?

395
00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:38,220
Well, as we've been reminded, this is a referendum question and the way things are going,

396
00:34:38,460 --> 00:34:43,120
all these questions that I see on the ballot and I'm not sure why we would want to put

397
00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:48,320
a question on the ballot that we know, I know that's going to go down in flames.

398
00:34:50,860 --> 00:34:55,360
There's no way that people are going to say, give you the opportunity to spend whatever

399
00:34:55,360 --> 00:35:02,220
you want in government there's just no way and it just fortifies the fact that people may look at

400
00:35:02,220 --> 00:35:08,440
county councilors. Why do you ask any questions? What's your goal? What's your motivation? What's your

401
00:35:09,500 --> 00:35:17,700
agenda? Because things like this don't need to be asked. They really don't and I just don't want to

402
00:35:17,700 --> 00:35:23,620
make us look like something that we're not to the public because things

403
00:35:26,440 --> 00:35:27,120
are tough enough

404
00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:31,120
And I'm going to be a no vote on this, so thank you.

405
00:35:32,220 --> 00:35:32,700
Thank you.

406
00:35:33,220 --> 00:35:35,740
Any other council member, Giger Schoen?

407
00:35:36,180 --> 00:35:43,940
Yes, I think I would echo some of the challenges that council member Klein discussed that this

408
00:35:43,940 --> 00:35:49,220
body is faced as well as some of the opportunities that council member Rose mentioned that this

409
00:35:49,220 --> 00:35:49,760
presents.

410
00:35:49,760 --> 00:36:06,600
I can say, I had a lot of hesitation initially about the idea of removing a cap and moving towards an unlimited situation where council could do this 50 staff.

411
00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:17,760
That said, I know it was discussed in committee, but I want to make sure for the public who's here, those listening tonight, that this still has to be legislated and

412
00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:22,780
associated with the executive by whether it's us or future councils.

413
00:36:23,420 --> 00:36:30,440
And that justification and accountability to the taxpayers will occur for any council that does make such an adjustment.

414
00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:37,000
And so I just want folks to be aware that first of all, this is putting it out to the voters to make a decision.

415
00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:45,400
And second of all, we will all be accountable for future decisions in budgets or legislation related to council's budget.

416
00:36:45,900 --> 00:36:46,180
Thank you.

417
00:36:46,180 --> 00:36:47,160
Any

418
00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:50,240
other comments?

419
00:36:50,680 --> 00:37:01,540
Okay. I would just like to say my concern is a timing concern because we have the Government Review Commission that is a body that works with us every 10 years.

420
00:37:01,540 --> 00:37:04,860
That's appointed by both the County Executive and this Council.

421
00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:14,340
And I would rather see this particular type of question turned over to that body for review and analysis.

422
00:37:14,340 --> 00:37:22,160
And I think it's a place suited for them to take into consideration while they're working with us for the 12-month period.

423
00:37:22,540 --> 00:37:33,460
This year our staff's budget was 1.5 next year it's projected to be 2 million and for me, I think it's a timing issue and I'd rather delay that.

424
00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:40,280
Okay, so with that said, may we have a roll call?

425
00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:42,120
All in the motion approved, Mr. Adams.

426
00:37:44,200 --> 00:37:44,640
No.

427
00:37:45,740 --> 00:37:46,420
Mr. Bada.

428
00:37:46,700 --> 00:37:46,920
Yes.

429
00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:48,900
Mr. Catena.

430
00:37:50,260 --> 00:37:50,460
Yes.

431
00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:53,180
Ms. Filiaji.

432
00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:53,560
No.

433
00:37:54,100 --> 00:37:55,020
Mr. Fithoulos.

434
00:37:55,180 --> 00:37:55,320
No.

435
00:37:55,820 --> 00:37:56,680
Mr. Grisbeck.

436
00:37:56,760 --> 00:37:56,920
Yes.

437
00:37:57,220 --> 00:37:57,780
Ms. Halm.

438
00:37:57,840 --> 00:37:58,020
Yes.

439
00:37:58,320 --> 00:37:58,840
Mr. Klein.

440
00:37:59,320 --> 00:37:59,520
Yes.

441
00:37:59,860 --> 00:38:00,720
Ms. Madonna Ammerling.

442
00:38:00,940 --> 00:38:01,060
Yes.

443
00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:02,100
Mr. Paul Mary.

444
00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:02,660
No.

445
00:38:03,620 --> 00:38:04,700
Mr. Paul Messena.

446
00:38:04,860 --> 00:38:05,040
Yes.

447
00:38:05,540 --> 00:38:06,060
Mr. Rose.

448
00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:06,820
Yes.

449
00:38:07,020 --> 00:38:07,820
Ms. Geiger-Scholman.

450
00:38:08,140 --> 00:38:08,280
Yes.

451
00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:09,140
Mr. Walton.

452
00:38:17,240 --> 00:38:22,340
And the next item on the agenda is 13953-26.

453
00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:26,560
In order to the county of Allegheny Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing the referendum

454
00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:30,920
question regarding the repeal of Article 3, Section 7, C of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny

455
00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:34,480
County, which prohibits only county council members from receiving county funding for personal

456
00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:34,800
staff.

457
00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:38,840
District Office is in front of benefit to be placed on the November 3, 2026 General Election

458
00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:43,300
ballot and further amending Article 3, Section 7 contingent upon the passage of the referendum

459
00:38:43,300 --> 00:38:48,160
questions sponsored by Council Members Hallum, Bada, Madonna Emerling, Rose, Grisbeck,

460
00:38:48,500 --> 00:38:53,940
Katina, and Paul Messina. Council member Grisbeck. Thank you, Madam Chair. This bill was heard

461
00:38:53,940 --> 00:38:57,960
on the June 9th meeting of the Committee on Government Reform and affirmatively recommended

462
00:38:57,960 --> 00:39:02,680
to a full vote of Council. I'd like to make a motion to approve. Second. Okay, emotion has been made

463
00:39:02,680 --> 00:39:08,020
in a second is there any discussion on this particular bill? Absolutely. Council Member

464
00:39:08,020 --> 00:39:08,380
Walton.

465
00:39:12,950 --> 00:39:19,610
It doesn't take anybody with more than a kindergarten education to recognize.

466
00:39:20,070 --> 00:39:26,410
You just remove the cap on their spending. Now you're saying we want to have personal

467
00:39:26,410 --> 00:39:46,030
I don't understand. This was a look of I repeat. As the question is three times what is the word being done? Is there something that needs to be done that isn't getting done? The answer is, each answer is no.

468
00:39:46,030 --> 00:39:55,330
So I'll tell you, look, I'm not going to be part of this

469
00:39:57,440 --> 00:39:59,920
boom down, to hood clean

470
00:39:59,920 --> 00:40:08,420
folks. I can't hear knowing full well what the deal was and what the responsibility was.

471
00:40:08,820 --> 00:40:15,440
I made clear decisions that I was going to live within these parameters.

472
00:40:16,220 --> 00:40:23,700
I also said, I agree with President Nakarani Chapters.

473
00:40:24,220 --> 00:40:32,380
If you want to deal with this issue and not take accountability, it was possibility for me.

474
00:40:32,840 --> 00:40:38,940
Passing on to the Governor of Foreign Commission, there's going to come back to the report in the next several months.

475
00:40:38,940 --> 00:40:48,560
But, look, we came here with full knowledge of the challenges and asked to be legislated.

476
00:40:49,300 --> 00:40:57,120
It asked to be legislated, understanding full well how the system operates, what we

477
00:40:57,120 --> 00:41:00,620
need, what our limitations work, what our challenges work.

478
00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:08,180
And now we are going to waste taxpayers' money, I'm not poor back, I'm not with that, I'm

479
00:41:08,180 --> 00:41:10,700
I'm not going to do that. I will oppose it.

480
00:41:12,910 --> 00:41:15,410
I'll say this is the-

481
00:41:17,170 --> 00:41:19,590
Anybody else in, like, Council Member Grisbeck?

482
00:41:19,750 --> 00:41:20,450
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

483
00:41:20,910 --> 00:41:23,970
I think understanding the full importance of why

484
00:41:24,530 --> 00:41:27,490
these pieces of legislation are beneficial

485
00:41:27,490 --> 00:41:29,570
to the county as a whole, not just to us

486
00:41:29,570 --> 00:41:30,930
individually as Council Members.

487
00:41:31,850 --> 00:41:34,910
It's pretty beneficial to go back to whenever I start on

488
00:41:34,910 --> 00:41:35,710
Council Member, my first year.

489
00:41:36,350 --> 00:41:39,150
The first big item that I had to tackle

490
00:41:39,150 --> 00:41:48,050
was a potential initially, I think it was 45% tax increase, increase in real estate taxes and not being 36%.

491
00:41:48,050 --> 00:41:53,530
But I think how that came about and how that occurred is really important.

492
00:41:54,030 --> 00:42:04,070
Over about a five consecutive year period, the council and the county as a whole was operating at an increasingly larger budgetary deficit.

493
00:42:04,070 --> 00:42:22,230
So, council who has budgetary oversight of the county executive's office was allowing us to pass a budget that was operating at a deficit year, after year, after year, after year, until eventually the year that I came on council, it ballooned to roughly $100 million in the red.

494
00:42:22,230 --> 00:42:33,210
I would say that a body that is properly resourced and has what they need to perform their duties would not allow for a hundred million-dollar yearly budgetary deficit.

495
00:42:33,450 --> 00:42:44,510
I would say that two Councilwoman Filiaji's point earlier, they would not allow a pension system to currently be in a $1.4 billion deficit.

496
00:42:44,510 --> 00:42:49,510
That, to me, reeks of a government body that does not have the resources that it needs.

497
00:42:49,870 --> 00:42:55,730
It is not appropriately situated to perform the duties that it is taxed of.

498
00:42:55,930 --> 00:43:01,230
So, to Councilman Rose's point, if we are able to increase those resources and

499
00:43:01,230 --> 00:43:06,810
better equip us as Council members to provide good fiduciary oversight to the county as a whole.

500
00:43:07,050 --> 00:43:14,050
That has the ability to, while it costs money in the short term, in the long term be beneficial to the taxpayers of Allegheny County.

501
00:43:14,050 --> 00:43:14,950
That's all I have. Thank you.

502
00:43:17,690 --> 00:43:18,310
Madam Chair.

503
00:43:18,450 --> 00:43:19,410
Council Member Vada.

504
00:43:20,450 --> 00:43:22,530
Thank you, President Nackarady Chapgis.

505
00:43:23,230 --> 00:43:27,070
Just to keep things very brief, I just wanted to mention the fact that

506
00:43:27,070 --> 00:43:33,930
a lot of my colleagues here are correct in saying that this is essentially a

507
00:43:33,930 --> 00:43:38,550
change in our county charter, which would enhance the

508
00:43:39,550 --> 00:43:42,130
influence for county council members to

509
00:43:42,130 --> 00:43:47,210
to have in helping members of their constituency, right?

510
00:43:47,830 --> 00:43:54,150
Apart from the at-large members, we each represent approximately 100,000 people in different districts across the county.

511
00:43:54,730 --> 00:44:02,550
And I find no better form of government than to put it in front of the voters so that they can directly have an influence over the decisions of our county charter.

512
00:44:03,030 --> 00:44:10,750
Again, this is not us dictating what we are going to do or what we're not going to do, this is giving the power to the voters to make that decision.

513
00:44:10,750 --> 00:44:18,950
And if they would like to see a better representation on county government, then so be it, and if they choose against it, then so be it.

514
00:44:23,140 --> 00:44:24,060
Councillor Neill Rose.

515
00:44:24,620 --> 00:44:32,240
Just to kind of answer Councillor Neill or Walton, you know, Councillor Neill or Walton has asked like, what are some things our staff is not doing right now, right?

516
00:44:32,760 --> 00:44:35,200
I think it's fair to provide some answers to that.

517
00:44:35,480 --> 00:44:38,040
So we have a wonderful staff, but they are small. They're small and mighty.

518
00:44:38,540 --> 00:44:40,820
So some things that I would love to see in the future for one.

519
00:44:40,820 --> 00:44:45,080
But this council has approval authority over, we don't know how many boards.

520
00:44:45,640 --> 00:44:50,100
The administration in this council is not aware of the full extent of the true number

521
00:44:50,100 --> 00:44:52,600
of boards and authorities that we appoint members to.

522
00:44:53,180 --> 00:44:58,820
So someone to figure that out and someone to review the applicants to investigate the applicants

523
00:44:58,820 --> 00:44:59,840
on behalf of council.

524
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,380
Provide some independent qualifications and some independent review. Right now, we get like a one-page summary and maybe a resume from the administration, right? So someone to work on the appointments, which, I mean, these boards control a vast amount of authority over people's lives in this county, over all types of aspects of life, right? So something there. Our budget team, our budget director is amazing. She's one person. It's a $3 billion budget. There's 15 members of this council. There's no way she can sit there and craft, you know,

525
00:45:29,380 --> 00:45:38,440
So, single-handedly, put together a $3 billion document that takes into the needs and qualifications of all 15 members of this council as they decide their budget priorities, right?

526
00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:44,920
I would love someone to help with constituents services more, a more specialized person that can establish relationships at the different departments.

527
00:45:45,760 --> 00:45:56,280
I mean, at the state level, at the federal level, your representatives have vast staffs to form those relationships and get problem-solved through constituents services so we don't have that capacity.

528
00:45:56,280 --> 00:46:02,880
There's a lot this body could be doing to act as a true legislative body that we're not because we've decided to not

529
00:46:02,880 --> 00:46:04,380
Give ourselves the resources

530
00:46:04,920 --> 00:46:05,640
Thank you

531
00:46:08,020 --> 00:46:10,960
Councilmember if you told us. No, you've got to love me. This

532
00:46:13,580 --> 00:46:14,080
question

533
00:46:15,640 --> 00:46:22,350
It just reminds me of I mean, what can I say that this is like a Johnny Cash

534
00:46:24,630 --> 00:46:25,490
country song

535
00:46:26,370 --> 00:46:32,030
I'm gonna go on a burn on a ring of fire because this thing's gonna go down and a burning ring of fire

536
00:46:32,030 --> 00:46:35,450
How could you possibly ask a question to the people of this county?

537
00:46:36,430 --> 00:46:38,310
We want as much money as we want to take.

538
00:46:38,590 --> 00:46:40,410
We want to hire as much staff as we need.

539
00:46:42,110 --> 00:46:43,230
That's the way I see it.

540
00:46:43,450 --> 00:46:46,730
And anybody that votes for this, you've got to be out of your mind.

541
00:46:47,610 --> 00:46:48,290
Thank you.

542
00:46:51,640 --> 00:46:52,000
Okay.

543
00:46:52,240 --> 00:46:53,600
Does it look like there are any other comments?

544
00:46:53,800 --> 00:46:54,700
May we have a roll call please?

545
00:46:55,840 --> 00:46:57,400
On the motion approve, Mr. Adams.

546
00:46:59,100 --> 00:46:59,460
No.

547
00:47:00,340 --> 00:47:00,960
Mr. Bada?

548
00:47:01,120 --> 00:47:01,260
Yes.

549
00:47:01,960 --> 00:47:02,700
Mr. Catena.

550
00:47:02,700 --> 00:47:05,800
Yeah, Ms. Filiaggi.

551
00:47:06,040 --> 00:47:06,200
No.

552
00:47:07,420 --> 00:47:08,320
Mr. Fittolas.

553
00:47:08,760 --> 00:47:09,240
Big no.

554
00:47:09,860 --> 00:47:10,760
Mr. Grisbeck.

555
00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:10,940
Yes.

556
00:47:11,500 --> 00:47:12,200
Ms. Hallam.

557
00:47:12,400 --> 00:47:12,900
Big yes.

558
00:47:13,100 --> 00:47:13,760
Mr. Klein.

559
00:47:14,200 --> 00:47:14,680
Yes.

560
00:47:15,040 --> 00:47:16,100
Ms. Madonna Amerling.

561
00:47:16,260 --> 00:47:16,400
Yes.

562
00:47:16,800 --> 00:47:17,660
Mr. Paul Marry.

563
00:47:17,860 --> 00:47:18,100
No.

564
00:47:19,240 --> 00:47:20,380
Mr. Paul Messena.

565
00:47:20,480 --> 00:47:20,700
Yes.

566
00:47:20,940 --> 00:47:21,500
Mr. Rose.

567
00:47:21,880 --> 00:47:22,060
Yes.

568
00:47:22,240 --> 00:47:23,160
Ms. Geiger-Scholman.

569
00:47:23,400 --> 00:47:23,540
Yes.

570
00:47:23,860 --> 00:47:24,440
Mr. Walton.

571
00:47:25,560 --> 00:47:28,480
President Nackeredi-Chapkas.

572
00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:28,760
No.

573
00:47:29,480 --> 00:47:29,800
No.

574
00:47:29,800 --> 00:47:30,100
No.

575
00:47:30,100 --> 00:47:31,060
No sixes, the bill passes.

576
00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:34,260
Okay, next item on our agenda, liaison reports.

577
00:47:35,920 --> 00:47:37,000
Councilmember Helen.

578
00:47:37,580 --> 00:47:39,500
Thank you, President Nackarady-Chapkas.

579
00:47:41,040 --> 00:47:44,060
As the chair of Council's Housing and Homelessness Committee,

580
00:47:44,320 --> 00:47:46,840
I just wanted to give an update for folks for anybody

581
00:47:46,840 --> 00:47:50,740
who's not aware starting this weekend.

582
00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:55,400
The mayor of the City of Pittsburgh has decided to close down

583
00:47:55,400 --> 00:47:57,660
an entire section of this outside, okay?

584
00:47:57,660 --> 00:48:04,340
And now, while that might seem innocuous to some people, I just want folks to think about what that impact actually looks like.

585
00:48:04,500 --> 00:48:08,860
So the details of this are from now until September 12.

586
00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:20,480
So the entire summer, and then a little bit of fall two, from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m., 12 to 18th on Carson Street is going to be complete private area, okay?

587
00:48:20,580 --> 00:48:25,040
The privatization of a public taxpayer funded street, okay?

588
00:48:25,040 --> 00:48:28,240
there's going to be metal detectors at every entrance.

589
00:48:28,760 --> 00:48:30,620
There's going to be security drones.

590
00:48:31,240 --> 00:48:33,960
There's going to be triple the number of police presence.

591
00:48:34,400 --> 00:48:37,400
There's going to be eight foot barriers up on the streets.

592
00:48:38,040 --> 00:48:42,080
Folks are prohibited from bringing large bags or backpacks

593
00:48:42,080 --> 00:48:43,200
into this area.

594
00:48:43,720 --> 00:48:47,580
And there's a mandatory search of even smaller bags

595
00:48:47,580 --> 00:48:50,620
for anyone that goes through this area, right?

596
00:48:51,460 --> 00:48:57,740
anybody who lives in that zone that will be now closed down to the public and

597
00:48:57,740 --> 00:49:01,820
doesn't carry their ID with them everywhere they go won't be able to get in

598
00:49:01,820 --> 00:49:06,780
right you got to bring a utility bill let's say you have an expired ID you will

599
00:49:06,780 --> 00:49:11,400
not be able to get in this area you may not be able to get home let's say you are a

600
00:49:11,400 --> 00:49:16,540
family visiting your Duquesne University student who is 20 years old not quite

601
00:49:16,540 --> 00:49:22,260
21. You guys have an 845 dinner reservation in that radius on the south side. Well dinner's

602
00:49:22,260 --> 00:49:29,240
not over by 10. Private security will have to escort your 20 year old students out of

603
00:49:29,240 --> 00:49:33,880
the area with them. And again, the reason I brought this up in the first place is what about

604
00:49:33,880 --> 00:49:39,600
our on-house populations, the people who live outside in our community, a large portion of which

605
00:49:39,600 --> 00:49:45,900
reside in the south side, they will be having every item that they own, which we know they often

606
00:49:45,900 --> 00:49:47,920
and have to carry with them everywhere they go

607
00:49:47,920 --> 00:49:49,240
to make sure it doesn't get stolen.

608
00:49:49,700 --> 00:49:52,100
Every item that they own is subject to search

609
00:49:52,100 --> 00:49:55,600
without a warrant, just for them existing

610
00:49:55,600 --> 00:49:59,720
in the south side on the weekends all summer long.

611
00:50:00,180 --> 00:50:03,560
I think anyone who doesn't know about this should look into this.

612
00:50:03,740 --> 00:50:05,780
I think we as a legislative body

613
00:50:05,780 --> 00:50:08,160
in which the entire city is within

614
00:50:08,160 --> 00:50:11,380
should really be looking at any actions that we can take

615
00:50:11,380 --> 00:50:14,000
to stop this unconstitutional practice

616
00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:20,460
to protect both the folks who live in Southside, those who want to, you know, explore the economy

617
00:50:20,460 --> 00:50:26,540
of the Southside, and are on house neighbors who very much exist, who very much need and

618
00:50:26,540 --> 00:50:32,500
deserve our protection, and who will inevitably be irreparably harmed as a result of this policy.

619
00:50:32,920 --> 00:50:37,380
And so I hope that we as a council, I know we go on recess soon, but hopefully over the next

620
00:50:37,380 --> 00:50:43,580
couple weeks before that happens, we can explore doing something to intervene to stop this from happening.

621
00:50:43,580 --> 00:50:45,160
So thank you very much, President.

622
00:50:45,260 --> 00:50:45,540
Thank you.

623
00:50:46,140 --> 00:50:47,260
Any other liaison reports?

624
00:50:50,180 --> 00:50:51,300
Councilmember Phileology.

625
00:50:51,540 --> 00:50:52,840
Thank you, Madam President.

626
00:50:53,120 --> 00:50:55,380
I just on a vastly lighter note.

627
00:50:55,700 --> 00:50:58,440
We have the Allegheny County Park Foundation.

628
00:50:58,440 --> 00:51:00,380
I was able to attend my first meeting

629
00:51:00,380 --> 00:51:02,180
on the Board of Directors.

630
00:51:02,800 --> 00:51:06,260
And I just wanted to convey to everyone in the county

631
00:51:06,260 --> 00:51:10,560
that this foundation, which I know everyone's familiar with,

632
00:51:10,620 --> 00:51:13,260
I want to urge everyone to accept the opportunity

633
00:51:13,260 --> 00:51:27,440
to go to the foundation twilight picnic in August, it really is fun, and it's also an opportunity to meet the people that are helping, that are partnering with the county to make the parks into the special place that we all believe they are.

634
00:51:28,720 --> 00:51:43,020
It was enlightening to be able to be there, and it was also happened to be the 2018-2026 strategic plan accomplishments that they rolled out and also moving into the strategic plan moving forward.

635
00:51:43,020 --> 00:51:50,040
and it is a well run organization that has long term plans to make and partner with the

636
00:51:50,040 --> 00:51:56,560
Allegheny County even further and just continue the gems that we have in this county. These are

637
00:51:56,560 --> 00:52:00,920
our greatest assets. So just wanted to give a positive note, shout out, and our directors,

638
00:52:01,260 --> 00:52:07,580
director Swedish from the parks, director Shanley from Public Works. They were there, they participated

639
00:52:07,580 --> 00:52:10,220
and are highlighting some of the good works going on

640
00:52:10,220 --> 00:52:13,160
from the sponsor by the county in the parks.

641
00:52:13,560 --> 00:52:14,480
So we look good, too.

642
00:52:14,620 --> 00:52:19,680
Madam President, yesterday, you and I

643
00:52:20,440 --> 00:52:25,880
had an opportunity to participate in a ribbon cutting

644
00:52:26,560 --> 00:52:26,880
for

645
00:52:30,590 --> 00:52:34,070
low income population

646
00:52:36,150 --> 00:52:37,830
in Turtle Creek.

647
00:52:38,410 --> 00:52:42,070
You indicated to me, and as part of our conversation,

648
00:52:42,070 --> 00:52:46,510
that she went to school there in that building as a child.

649
00:52:47,010 --> 00:52:52,010
I want to say that the work that Richard Stevenson

650
00:52:52,010 --> 00:52:54,930
is doing as executive director

651
00:52:54,930 --> 00:52:58,930
of the Albany County Housing Authority is phenomenal.

652
00:52:59,590 --> 00:53:03,150
Here's a terms of how he's trying to transform the business matter.

653
00:53:03,950 --> 00:53:07,750
How he's trying to bring as creating an environment

654
00:53:07,750 --> 00:53:11,630
that generates economic as well as social justice

655
00:53:12,090 --> 00:53:14,070
for those individuals.

656
00:53:16,450 --> 00:53:20,090
It was a continuation of the things

657
00:53:20,090 --> 00:53:22,430
that I think this county should be about,

658
00:53:22,970 --> 00:53:26,530
how we engage in practices that really transform people

659
00:53:26,530 --> 00:53:30,670
lives and give them an opportunity for real equity

660
00:53:30,670 --> 00:53:34,490
and opportunity to improve the property and the economy

661
00:53:34,490 --> 00:53:38,550
of their lives and the communities in which they live.

662
00:53:39,170 --> 00:53:43,510
And it was a powerful day, and it was a privilege for me to be part of that.

663
00:53:43,910 --> 00:53:48,470
And I say, Kudo, to Richard Stevens, and that would be the county house.

664
00:53:49,410 --> 00:53:50,870
And I would like to second that.

665
00:53:51,030 --> 00:53:55,290
Thank you for mentioning that wonderful opportunity that we all had.

666
00:53:55,390 --> 00:53:59,090
So just this background, this building used to be St.

667
00:53:59,190 --> 00:54:01,030
Coleman's school in Turtle Creek.

668
00:54:01,030 --> 00:54:04,670
It is a beautiful architectural building.

669
00:54:04,890 --> 00:54:10,410
They were able to preserve it, but also transformed it into 26 apartments now for

670
00:54:10,410 --> 00:54:12,730
those who are aging out of the foster system.

671
00:54:12,890 --> 00:54:18,250
So it's geared toward 18 to 24 year olds, again, 26 apartments that will be available.

672
00:54:18,710 --> 00:54:22,130
They'll have a case manager who's working on the social determinants of health,

673
00:54:22,550 --> 00:54:26,310
working with community partners in workforce development.

674
00:54:26,310 --> 00:54:36,010
And it is a fantastic example of how the housing authority is moving forward to self-sufficiency for individuals all across the county.

675
00:54:36,350 --> 00:54:45,250
And I agree Council Member Walton, it was an amazing day and I look forward to seeing the incredible work that continues under the Allegheny County Housing Authority.

676
00:54:45,510 --> 00:54:46,510
But thank you for mentioning that.

677
00:54:55,050 --> 00:54:56,290
Anybody else?

678
00:54:56,290 --> 00:55:26,090
Again, a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing the continued use of Allegheny County owned real property in White Oak Park by the White Oak animal safe Haven as a no-kill animal rescue rehabilitation and adoption center sponsored by the chief executive that will go to the committee on parks 13998-26, a resolution of the County of Allegheny Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supporting McGee Women's Hospital registered nurses and advanced practitioners who are advocating for national staffing standards and urging UPMC to work collaboratively with them to negotiate a fair union contract sponsored by council members Madonna Emerling

679
00:55:26,090 --> 00:55:28,590
Rose, Katina, Halem, and Grisbeck.

680
00:55:28,770 --> 00:55:30,170
That'll go to the committee on health.

681
00:55:31,290 --> 00:55:32,530
Sheriff, please add me that.

682
00:55:33,910 --> 00:55:34,870
Aaron wanted that.

683
00:55:35,190 --> 00:55:35,730
I'm sorry.

684
00:55:35,990 --> 00:55:37,270
Could you repeat that, Mr. Adams?

685
00:55:38,610 --> 00:55:40,630
Can you please add me to that resolution, please?

686
00:55:40,910 --> 00:55:41,170
Can do.

687
00:55:41,310 --> 00:55:41,690
Thank you.

688
00:55:41,770 --> 00:55:42,290
I may do.

689
00:55:42,590 --> 00:55:43,330
Please thank you.

690
00:55:43,510 --> 00:55:44,230
I may as well.

691
00:55:44,650 --> 00:55:45,570
Can I, too, please?

692
00:55:51,950 --> 00:55:53,610
Under new business, any motions?

693
00:55:54,230 --> 00:55:54,330
No.

694
00:55:55,130 --> 00:55:56,130
Notification of contracts?

695
00:55:57,350 --> 00:55:57,650
None.

696
00:55:58,390 --> 00:56:00,070
Public comment on general items.

697
00:56:00,470 --> 00:56:04,230
We have six individuals who signed up timely. First up is Catherine Dickey.

698
00:56:16,410 --> 00:56:21,030
I'm Katie. You know me. Katie Dickey. Wilkins Township, apparently, but like right on the border.

699
00:56:22,130 --> 00:56:28,110
Speaking just for myself today, social worker and Wilkinsburg as well. Okay, so this past year I'm

700
00:56:28,110 --> 00:56:32,070
saying yes to things all the time when I'm invited to them. That's how I ended up here all the time.

701
00:56:32,690 --> 00:56:37,270
It started as a joke about marrying the movement after like a weird breakup, but now it's been like

702
00:56:37,270 --> 00:56:42,250
eat, pray love where every stop is get go all the time. It's kind of great. I'm not going to lie

703
00:56:42,250 --> 00:56:46,550
by the end of it. I'm hoping to have like an organizing degree and ten dollars maybe

704
00:56:46,550 --> 00:56:51,590
and a really good immune system. Okay so I was curious about the Redeemer Church people who've

705
00:56:51,590 --> 00:56:55,850
been coming here a lot and this is just informational and you can fact check this yourself for

706
00:56:55,850 --> 00:57:03,250
elaborate as you see fit. So I met Joe Griffo here. He's their lead pastor. He told me I was going to

707
00:57:03,250 --> 00:57:05,390
burn in sulfur fire, which was so metal that I had

708
00:57:05,390 --> 00:57:09,230
directly professional, but they represent a larger

709
00:57:09,230 --> 00:57:11,930
alt-right movement, and they're not single issue

710
00:57:11,930 --> 00:57:12,210
speakers.

711
00:57:12,490 --> 00:57:13,090
So they're going to be back.

712
00:57:13,090 --> 00:57:14,410
So it's important we get acquainted.

713
00:57:15,230 --> 00:57:20,750
In the 2020 religious census, we have 100, 1,131

714
00:57:21,400 --> 00:57:23,150
religious congregations in Allegheny County.

715
00:57:23,330 --> 00:57:25,670
That would be 87 over your districts if they were

716
00:57:25,670 --> 00:57:26,970
spread evenly, but they're not.

717
00:57:27,110 --> 00:57:27,990
They're kind of concentrated.

718
00:57:28,910 --> 00:57:30,530
This one is in the South Hills.

719
00:57:31,470 --> 00:57:36,930
In their registry on ministry.org, they have just over a hundred people in 2016, they have

720
00:57:36,930 --> 00:57:38,250
an updated that number since.

721
00:57:39,130 --> 00:57:44,390
Their main leaders are Joe Griffo, Luke Griffo, Aaron Pratt and Bill Powell, the names, titles

722
00:57:44,390 --> 00:57:48,150
and photos of all the people who they send to these sorts of events the most are all available

723
00:57:48,150 --> 00:57:51,550
on their website, which is redeemerchurchsh.org.

724
00:57:52,590 --> 00:57:56,510
Some of the doctrines they believe in, I dug into a little bit the Chicago Statement on

725
00:57:56,510 --> 00:58:00,690
Biblical in Erecy states that Biblical truth,

726
00:58:00,890 --> 00:58:02,750
Trump's scientific truth.

727
00:58:04,230 --> 00:58:06,170
Diverse statement excludes women from leadership,

728
00:58:06,250 --> 00:58:07,810
which would be really bad if we wanted to get a vote

729
00:58:07,810 --> 00:58:11,250
here like ever again, and then the natural statement,

730
00:58:11,510 --> 00:58:13,350
they adhere to which restricts Christianity

731
00:58:13,350 --> 00:58:16,330
to only trans-exclusive homophobic churches.

732
00:58:17,770 --> 00:58:20,570
So yeah, feel free to look into each of those by name.

733
00:58:20,830 --> 00:58:23,330
There's so much good stuff online about what that could mean

734
00:58:23,330 --> 00:58:26,550
and for policy and for where advocacy gets concentrated.

735
00:58:28,170 --> 00:58:31,390
Also, well, you're looking really hard for work

736
00:58:31,390 --> 00:58:33,710
that needs to be done and you're walking away a lot

737
00:58:33,710 --> 00:58:35,090
when we come here and talk about it.

738
00:58:35,850 --> 00:58:37,990
The work being done can be found in public comment.

739
00:58:37,990 --> 00:58:40,110
Please stay and stop limiting public comment

740
00:58:40,110 --> 00:58:41,030
on potent topics.

741
00:58:41,970 --> 00:58:44,050
You don't report to the city county relationship

742
00:58:44,050 --> 00:58:46,410
and many of the folks I served don't even live in the city.

743
00:58:46,730 --> 00:58:47,870
So kind of what's going on there

744
00:58:47,870 --> 00:58:50,590
or who we're talking to there does not matter.

745
00:58:50,590 --> 00:58:52,870
the what matters is what's coming from the constituents.

746
00:58:54,110 --> 00:59:02,130
I did just that to be honest, but I know the work feels small when you're not reliably always encountering it and doing it.

747
00:59:02,470 --> 00:59:04,610
Please come talk to some of the social workers in Wilkinsburg.

748
00:59:04,730 --> 00:59:07,510
We would love to talk about more work with the county, could have their hands in,

749
00:59:08,030 --> 00:59:11,530
that could change lives and help transform Pittsburgh's exec seconds.

750
00:59:11,750 --> 00:59:12,590
Thank you so much.

751
00:59:12,890 --> 00:59:13,510
I'll talk to you soon.

752
00:59:13,990 --> 00:59:14,450
Thank you.

753
00:59:15,250 --> 00:59:15,970
Jan Martin.

754
00:59:19,780 --> 00:59:20,180
No.

755
00:59:21,580 --> 00:59:22,380
Brendan Whistinger.

756
00:59:22,380 --> 00:59:24,260
I didn't see that.

757
00:59:24,380 --> 00:59:24,680
No.

758
00:59:26,280 --> 00:59:27,240
Rosalind Tosh.

759
00:59:28,180 --> 00:59:28,840
She's here.

760
00:59:36,020 --> 00:59:38,900
I'm here to tell Pat Katina to resign.

761
00:59:40,000 --> 00:59:43,420
It's been a few weeks since we addressed you Pat Katina.

762
00:59:43,580 --> 00:59:44,340
You're still not here.

763
00:59:45,560 --> 00:59:49,080
But this county does not need a coward who will sit on Zoom calls

764
00:59:49,080 --> 00:59:51,580
in fear of interacting with his own constituents.

765
00:59:52,400 --> 00:59:55,960
This county does not need a coward who will throw a vulnerable community

766
00:59:55,960 --> 00:59:59,200
under the bus in order to try to gain votes.

767
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,760
And this county does not need a coward like you. Trans people among many other marginalized groups are under unprecedented federal attacks right now, as well as attacks to our direct safety from organized and unorganized threats. Our siblings out of state are losing their driver's licenses, trans people in like Tennessee and we're having to deal with our family and our friends who are experiencing this.

768
01:00:29,760 --> 01:00:36,020
And in this state, in this county, people who we know who are younger or who don't have

769
01:00:36,020 --> 01:00:39,940
the same privileges in terms of access to health care are losing the health care that

770
01:00:39,940 --> 01:00:42,720
they need in order to live comfortably and safely.

771
01:00:43,980 --> 01:00:49,120
And these are the people who you pat Katina through under the bus thinking that it would gain

772
01:00:49,120 --> 01:00:49,660
you votes.

773
01:00:50,960 --> 01:00:58,160
I'm mostly interacting with college students since I am a student at CMU and students are

774
01:00:58,160 --> 01:00:58,900
scared right now.

775
01:00:58,900 --> 01:01:03,540
It is a scary time to be a trans person, even though CMU is a relatively safe campus.

776
01:01:04,200 --> 01:01:09,660
People are hearing about incidents like UW, near Seattle, but trans woman, my age, who

777
01:01:09,660 --> 01:01:14,680
probably looked and sounded a lot like me, was stabbed 40 times by someone she didn't know.

778
01:01:15,340 --> 01:01:19,980
And students are hearing about this, they're seeing in this county health care being taken

779
01:01:19,980 --> 01:01:26,820
away for people like them, because many of them are under 19, and again, they have someone

780
01:01:26,820 --> 01:01:30,680
an in-county council who is trying to use them to score cheap political points.

781
01:01:32,040 --> 01:01:36,520
But even though it is a scary time to be any marginalized group right now, I don't know

782
01:01:36,520 --> 01:01:38,640
a single one who was sitting by idly.

783
01:01:39,060 --> 01:01:46,160
All of us are strengthening and organizing and finding how they can go to the governments

784
01:01:46,160 --> 01:01:48,760
that are betraying them and get help.

785
01:01:49,440 --> 01:01:55,420
And part of that is finding people like Pat Katina who are willing to throw us under the

786
01:01:55,420 --> 01:02:04,760
bus, for political gain and not relenting. This county, the state, is not a stranger to

787
01:02:04,760 --> 01:02:09,020
traitors. Has someone who has marched in the street with a thousand people chanting

788
01:02:09,020 --> 01:02:13,780
Fuck John Fetterman. Has someone who has stood outside his office and freezing rain with

789
01:02:13,780 --> 01:02:20,680
my knuckles frozen to a picket sign. I am aware of how long people can continue to push

790
01:02:20,680 --> 01:02:25,840
back against one person and how unwilling they are to forget when they're betrayed by someone

791
01:02:25,840 --> 01:02:31,640
they voted for. And I think that you're going to find yourself in the same position. You already

792
01:02:31,640 --> 01:02:36,900
have found yourself in the same position, given that you're refusing to show up. And so I'm asking you to

793
01:02:36,900 --> 01:02:38,660
resign. Thank you.

794
01:02:40,690 --> 01:02:41,270
Chef Davis.

795
01:02:55,770 --> 01:02:59,310
Hello, I'm Chef Davis of Squirrel Hill. Packet Tina should resign.

796
01:02:59,610 --> 01:03:03,610
All of the members of the council should formally advocate his resignation. I'm going to talk about

797
01:03:03,610 --> 01:03:08,870
what Pacatina did, why his existence on this council is unacceptable, and why and what

798
01:03:08,870 --> 01:03:10,450
you should all do about it.

799
01:03:10,610 --> 01:03:16,590
So, as I'm sure you all know, last month, Pacatina as part of his campaign for the State

800
01:03:16,590 --> 01:03:24,450
House of Representatives mailed advertisements to a targeted group of voters, slurring transwights

801
01:03:24,450 --> 01:03:28,590
organizations as extremists, and saying that people should vote for him because of that.

802
01:03:29,090 --> 01:03:33,330
Literally hundreds of people have spoken in this exact room testifying to the widespread

803
01:03:33,330 --> 01:03:38,470
a heart that this is done, including the Council's general, failure to protect

804
01:03:38,470 --> 01:03:44,270
trans people, a bit national, onslaught, and yet Pat Katina had made zero formal

805
01:03:44,270 --> 01:03:50,750
or material amends at all. And when he sat down as president, he admitted no

806
01:03:50,750 --> 01:03:55,470
guilt or remorse about this issue. And yet he is still here, virtually.

807
01:04:02,330 --> 01:04:03,310
Why does

808
01:04:03,310 --> 01:04:08,790
and outrage to all established norms of political campaign ethics.

809
01:04:08,970 --> 01:04:13,470
The American Association of Political Consultants Code of Ethics, which is a standard for the industry,

810
01:04:13,870 --> 01:04:20,890
explicitly forbids appeals to identity-based prejudice as path to Tina, flagrantly

811
01:04:20,890 --> 01:04:21,470
performed.

812
01:04:22,150 --> 01:04:26,270
Also, I've performed research interviews with dozens of political consultants.

813
01:04:26,270 --> 01:04:31,430
The number one ethical issue that they say is important right now is not saying different

814
01:04:31,430 --> 01:04:33,890
and things to different people based on micro-targeting,

815
01:04:33,890 --> 01:04:35,350
which is what Pakatina did.

816
01:04:35,390 --> 01:04:36,830
At the same time that he sent that mail,

817
01:04:36,890 --> 01:04:39,630
he was also actively courting the favor and approval

818
01:04:39,630 --> 01:04:41,710
of various LGBTQ plus organizations.

819
01:04:41,990 --> 01:04:43,370
This was too faced of him.

820
01:04:44,270 --> 01:04:48,710
And the fact that the council has made no formal advocacy

821
01:04:48,710 --> 01:04:50,510
for him to step down, amount to it,

822
01:04:50,510 --> 01:04:51,410
acceptance of the president,

823
01:04:51,610 --> 01:04:54,090
that any of you can use micro-targeting

824
01:04:54,090 --> 01:04:57,390
to send too faced hate speech to anyone you want.

825
01:04:57,810 --> 01:04:59,010
And you can still be here.

826
01:04:59,010 --> 01:05:02,950
That's the president that you all have basically accepted at this point.

827
01:05:03,430 --> 01:05:08,610
It is absolutely within your power to formally advocate for Pat Katina's resignation.

828
01:05:09,350 --> 01:05:12,750
Moreover, it would be consistent with the council's stated values.

829
01:05:12,970 --> 01:05:15,690
On May 12th, you all lease a statement saying, quote,

830
01:05:15,810 --> 01:05:19,510
attacks on marginalized community, marginalized groups of people,

831
01:05:19,650 --> 01:05:22,650
and service of one's own political advancement is unacceptable.

832
01:05:23,210 --> 01:05:25,170
None of you gave any reason what Pat Katina should remain.

833
01:05:27,560 --> 01:05:29,800
Of course, advocating for Pat Katina's removal

834
01:05:29,800 --> 01:05:35,080
would not solve the problem of him being here, only voters can do that unless he finally

835
01:05:35,080 --> 01:05:42,760
grows a conscience. And of course it wouldn't completely remove your history of throwing

836
01:05:42,760 --> 01:05:47,740
trans people under the bus, but it would at least prevent this flagrant disregard for ethical

837
01:05:47,740 --> 01:05:53,460
norm from becoming president of this esteemed body. You all have it in your power to advocate

838
01:05:53,460 --> 01:05:55,380
his resignation and container resign.

839
01:05:56,160 --> 01:05:56,920
Thank you.

840
01:05:59,720 --> 01:06:00,440
Tom Bailey.

841
01:06:09,680 --> 01:06:10,120
Good

842
01:06:13,830 --> 01:06:14,270
evening.

843
01:06:15,690 --> 01:06:19,570
It's good to see you, Ms. Nakaradhi Chappas, in the president's chair.

844
01:06:20,190 --> 01:06:21,750
I apologize if I mispronounce your name.

845
01:06:22,570 --> 01:06:23,310
My name is Tom Bailey.

846
01:06:23,450 --> 01:06:24,610
My wife and I live in Penhills.

847
01:06:24,850 --> 01:06:28,070
I used to be a board member of Valley Clean Air now in Glassport, and Claireton.

848
01:06:28,770 --> 01:06:31,570
I met with a group of Springdale residents for the past three months.

849
01:06:31,570 --> 01:06:39,830
How do we get any property LLC as the developer who has proposed to build a 340 megawatt artificial intelligence data center in springdale?

850
01:06:40,530 --> 01:06:46,590
On June 11th, the developer filed a subdivision of land development ordinance application with the county's economic development office.

851
01:06:46,870 --> 01:06:52,830
Our group is educating ourselves about the application preparing to give public comment at the upcoming public hearing.

852
01:06:53,330 --> 01:06:59,190
The developer proposes to build a data center in springdale on the site of the former Cheswick Power Station.

853
01:06:59,190 --> 01:07:04,210
In 2025, the county identified Springdale as an environmental justice community of moderate

854
01:07:04,210 --> 01:07:04,590
need.

855
01:07:05,650 --> 01:07:09,570
One reason for this status is the pollution burden they've already suffered.

856
01:07:10,470 --> 01:07:14,690
Economic development will rule in a salto application and compliance with Pennsylvania's municipal

857
01:07:14,690 --> 01:07:15,730
planning code.

858
01:07:16,310 --> 01:07:21,270
As with many issues before the county and this body, when businesses compete with residents

859
01:07:21,270 --> 01:07:24,870
for access to our natural resources, the county wears another hat.

860
01:07:24,870 --> 01:07:29,590
That, of an Article I, Section 27 trustee of our public natural resources.

861
01:07:29,950 --> 01:07:36,770
In my opinion, the Trump and Shapiro administrations do not recognize nor defend this state civil right that we possess.

862
01:07:37,330 --> 01:07:43,350
This body, however, has already recognized the role of Section 27 public trustee that it holds.

863
01:07:43,910 --> 01:07:47,010
In 2022, you forbid tracking in county parks.

864
01:07:47,610 --> 01:07:54,250
I would argue you are the public trustee of all the public natural resources in Allegheny County, not this county parkland.

865
01:07:54,870 --> 01:08:00,090
As a result, all county offices, in my opinion, are Section 27 public trustees.

866
01:08:00,710 --> 01:08:04,730
So that brings me to the sustainability department's climate action plan.

867
01:08:05,170 --> 01:08:11,070
This climate action plan incorporates the hazard mitigation plan prepared by the county's emergency management agency.

868
01:08:11,750 --> 01:08:16,790
Section 4.3.12 discuss extreme temperatures in Allegheny County.

869
01:08:17,410 --> 01:08:23,290
Quote, extreme temperatures will lead to a larger strain on the power grid due to increased usage of

870
01:08:23,290 --> 01:08:28,450
Hating and cooling utilities in response, end quote, that's page 297.

871
01:08:28,630 --> 01:08:37,570
The hazardous materials agency on section 4.327 covered utility interruption.

872
01:08:38,270 --> 01:08:43,690
The past occurrences section reviewed the April 2025 wind and rain storm which

873
01:08:43,690 --> 01:08:46,570
left some county residents without power for two weeks.

874
01:08:47,270 --> 01:08:49,270
We and Penn Hills route for seven days.

875
01:08:49,930 --> 01:08:53,510
Finally, the county health department will be asked to grant an air pollution permits

876
01:08:53,510 --> 01:08:54,110
a developer.

877
01:08:54,650 --> 01:09:01,090
This is the cover and estimated 116 diesel generators to be used to power the facility

878
01:09:01,090 --> 01:09:02,130
if the power is out.

879
01:09:03,410 --> 01:09:07,930
They will operate 24-7 to ensure the developer's equipment does not overheat.

880
01:09:08,910 --> 01:09:15,450
I say this council should require industrial uses drawing this much electricity off the grid

881
01:09:15,450 --> 01:09:19,390
to use photovoltaic panels and battery backup.

882
01:09:20,470 --> 01:09:21,110
Thank you.

883
01:09:21,390 --> 01:09:21,690
Thank you.

884
01:09:23,920 --> 01:09:25,960
We have two individuals sign up late.

885
01:09:26,600 --> 01:09:28,260
Lucy Rose, Ruchio, and Mariah Park.

886
01:09:32,990 --> 01:09:34,070
Here comes one.

887
01:09:34,210 --> 01:09:34,850
I'm going to try to go real quick.

888
01:09:34,850 --> 01:09:35,690
That time we'll allow them.

889
01:09:35,930 --> 01:09:36,310
Is that okay?

890
01:09:36,550 --> 01:09:36,730
Yeah.

891
01:09:37,130 --> 01:09:37,990
So we're going to be real quick.

892
01:09:38,270 --> 01:09:38,410
Yeah.

893
01:09:38,810 --> 01:09:39,350
You won't go far.

894
01:09:39,670 --> 01:09:42,210
It really makes what I'm about to say.

895
01:09:42,570 --> 01:09:42,790
Great.

896
01:09:43,370 --> 01:09:43,930
I'm sorry.

897
01:09:44,030 --> 01:09:44,670
Can you state your name?

898
01:09:44,830 --> 01:09:44,990
Yes.

899
01:09:45,210 --> 01:09:46,610
I'm Lucy Rose, Ruchio.

900
01:09:47,350 --> 01:09:50,250
I live in the South Squirrel Hill.

901
01:09:50,910 --> 01:09:53,390
I'm here to speak out for paid parental leave.

902
01:09:54,070 --> 01:09:57,550
I've worked in the neonatal intensive care unit for over a decade

903
01:09:57,550 --> 01:10:02,290
and for the last five years as a nurse practitioner in the NICU at McGee Women's Hospital.

904
01:10:02,810 --> 01:10:05,610
I'm here as an advocate for my patients, my profession,

905
01:10:05,890 --> 01:10:10,330
and also for my two young sons and myself as we look forward to having our third in the fall.

906
01:10:11,150 --> 01:10:16,210
I think what unites us today and every day is a unique combination of love

907
01:10:16,210 --> 01:10:20,190
for this community and rage at the growing crises we have at hand.

908
01:10:20,730 --> 01:10:24,070
Love and rage is a combination, mothers know all too well,

909
01:10:24,710 --> 01:10:27,410
and it's a combination that I've witnessed for years as a

910
01:10:27,410 --> 01:10:31,430
bedside NICU nurse watching patients struggle to balance the joy of child

911
01:10:31,430 --> 01:10:35,870
birth, the anguish of a NICU admission, and the dread of the timeline to go

912
01:10:35,870 --> 01:10:40,170
back to work. In McGee's NICU we care for babies as early as

913
01:10:40,170 --> 01:10:44,290
five months, weighing less than a pound, and who can stay in the hospital for

914
01:10:44,290 --> 01:10:48,650
over six months before they're ready to go home their parents want to be with

915
01:10:48,650 --> 01:10:54,210
their newborns as much as possible and they should be able to. I see first hand

916
01:10:54,210 --> 01:10:57,670
the intense pressure on parents as they try to balance the demands of caring

917
01:10:57,670 --> 01:11:02,430
for their fragile newborns while trying not to lose their paychecks or even their

918
01:11:02,430 --> 01:11:08,450
jobs and this pressure negatively impacts both children and parents and you see

919
01:11:08,450 --> 01:11:12,650
it show up in Allegheny County's data on infant and maternal health over and over

920
01:11:12,650 --> 01:11:17,870
again. I also experienced this pressure on my co-workers and myself at McGee.

921
01:11:18,290 --> 01:11:25,390
UPMC is the largest private employer in the county and our Commonwealth, 67% of all

922
01:11:25,390 --> 01:11:33,230
hospital staff in Allegheny County that 60,000 workers are employed by UPMC and thankfully

923
01:11:33,230 --> 01:11:39,690
they seem to be doing just fine. They reported 261 million in profits for the first quarter

924
01:11:39,690 --> 01:11:43,190
of this year alone, 10% increase from last year.

925
01:11:44,970 --> 01:11:49,310
The key women's is the most profitable hospital in the entire state, and I'm proud to work there.

926
01:11:49,730 --> 01:11:53,830
But despite all of this, UPNC offers just two weeks of paid parental leave.

927
01:11:54,690 --> 01:11:59,490
I've seen how that pushes nurses away from the bedside worsening, the nursing shortage crisis

928
01:11:59,490 --> 01:12:03,690
that is the worst in Pennsylvania over any other state in the country.

929
01:12:04,110 --> 01:12:08,910
We've heard a lot about the impact on businesses, but studies show that parental leave

930
01:12:08,910 --> 01:12:14,830
We've helped retain and recruit employees, which is good for businesses and strengthens our overall economy.

931
01:12:15,870 --> 01:12:20,450
Costs aside, parental leave is essential for addressing the infant and maternal health crisis.

932
01:12:20,650 --> 01:12:22,830
It's time to put working families first.

933
01:12:23,570 --> 01:12:29,170
That's why I'm urging the City Council to support the passage of paid parental leave for the health of all working families.

934
01:12:29,510 --> 01:12:30,150
Thank you.

935
01:12:30,750 --> 01:12:32,070
All right, boys.

936
01:12:35,810 --> 01:12:36,630
Mariah Park?

937
01:12:36,630 --> 01:12:36,850
work.

938
01:12:39,270 --> 01:12:41,930
And there was one individual who wanted to speak.

939
01:12:53,720 --> 01:12:55,140
I'm sorry, y'all, it's a lot.

940
01:12:59,600 --> 01:13:05,840
My name is Ceres Taylor. I'm the missing child. I just wanted y'all to put a face with

941
01:13:05,840 --> 01:13:12,120
my name because I speak public via city council. God has transformed me into special agent sunshine.

942
01:13:12,120 --> 01:13:17,820
I'm a special agent for God, and I'm out here letting people know that I'm not dead.

943
01:13:19,380 --> 01:13:26,180
I'm part of the identity theft fraud investigation that you may or may not know is 40 years old.

944
01:13:27,420 --> 01:13:29,740
My identity was stolen when I was a child.

945
01:13:29,940 --> 01:13:31,200
Last count, I'm 62.

946
01:13:31,960 --> 01:13:33,120
Last count on paper.

947
01:13:33,720 --> 01:13:34,700
I'm not 62.

948
01:13:35,520 --> 01:13:39,720
My name, everything about me was changed when I was a child.

949
01:13:39,720 --> 01:13:45,560
And everything that was attached to my name, my real name, which I still do not know, was stolen from me.

950
01:13:45,820 --> 01:13:49,840
A house, I'm homeless, not helpless y'all, I'm educated.

951
01:13:50,340 --> 01:13:59,800
I went to CCAC, I'm the 1981 CCAC dance instructor, I went there for engineering, I was also in their flight technology program.

952
01:14:01,040 --> 01:14:07,820
Whoever stole my identity was me dead, somebody in my family, the people that raised me were not my family.

953
01:14:07,820 --> 01:14:14,140
I was adopted. It's so much. I really don't want to get too much into it because it's getting

954
01:14:14,140 --> 01:14:19,900
ready to come out. The truth is getting ready to come out. God used me online to expose what

955
01:14:19,900 --> 01:14:24,740
is happening to me and was being done to me. They're still targeting me trying to take me out

956
01:14:24,740 --> 01:14:31,960
to keep what was stolen from me. Do it. I can't hear the face you because the only way I was able

957
01:14:31,960 --> 01:14:40,180
to get where I am right now, was to face all of my enemies. All of them. Or you, I came

958
01:14:40,180 --> 01:14:48,220
to ask you a few questions. Are you the one who, uh, Daniel Avell sold his soul to? How

959
01:14:48,220 --> 01:14:55,780
do you know me? You know me, don't you? You know my brother, Mark Taylor. You know my

960
01:14:55,780 --> 01:14:59,700
whole family to keep it raised me. The first time I came here.

961
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,080
Which was the last time I was here was the first time I came in this meeting. I wasn't able to speak. But I did say something to the wit in regards to it was like around voting time or something. And I had suggested at the voting polls for entertainment. I'm a female vocalist. I speak publicly, but I also sing. I'm being blocked from praising God in city council. It's not against the law. We are not allowed to swear.

962
01:15:29,080 --> 01:15:42,900
We get three minutes. I praise God. He's blocking me will not let me sing. I was taken outside of the meeting and threatened on camera with a police in the city council meeting that I cannot sing. Why?

963
01:15:43,260 --> 01:15:55,300
Why are you blocking our gifts that the world needs to see? Because they had me dead on paper twice. There was a funeral for me as well. Do I look at any of you?

964
01:15:55,300 --> 01:16:01,720
That's why I came here so that you could see that I'm not. I'm here. Amen. I'm here.

965
01:16:02,360 --> 01:16:08,700
God help me preaching and I'm so grateful to be part of this investigation and how he's using me.

966
01:16:09,320 --> 01:16:13,960
Please pray for me. Pray for Dr. Chilter and that we're. Thank you.

967
01:16:14,100 --> 01:16:16,620
A thousand of them have been abducted right here from you.

968
01:16:16,780 --> 01:16:18,660
So I believe that was the last public comment.

969
01:16:34,240 --> 01:16:45,520
Good evening council members my name is Jan from Lebanon. I wish to address the rapid industrial

970
01:16:45,520 --> 01:16:58,220
The real scale transformation of our region by hyperscale AI data centers are borough by borough zoning might not keep pace with the massive cumulative impact of this infrastructure.

971
01:16:58,800 --> 01:17:11,320
The problem, we're witnessing capacity creep at the developer Elegane DC property site in Springdale, which presented as requiring 180 megawatts.

972
01:17:11,320 --> 01:17:22,940
However, once approved, the infrastructure design suggested a potential requirement of 330 megawatts and industrial load equal to a mid-sized city.

973
01:17:23,500 --> 01:17:31,760
We should not be planning our community's future based on preliminary numbers that the developer himself says he's unsure about.

974
01:17:31,760 --> 01:17:58,360
Furthermore, we're seeing companies such as Keele Infrastructure or BitFarm pivot from Bitcoin mining to AI data centers in Mercer County and Venango counties specifically to occupy our PGM grid capacity because these sites share a regional power grid named PGM, approving them in silos creates a blind spot.

975
01:17:58,360 --> 01:18:06,220
But corporations are drawing massive amounts of power from our electrical grid to fuel their operations while residents bear the consequences.

976
01:18:07,100 --> 01:18:08,420
Public health burden.

977
01:18:08,820 --> 01:18:09,080
Noise.

978
01:18:09,740 --> 01:18:14,200
Developers will promise mitigated noise levels of 60 to 80 decibels.

979
01:18:14,760 --> 01:18:22,480
But raw, unmitigated noise of 124 diesel generators can reach 120 decibels.

980
01:18:22,480 --> 01:18:28,300
If these machines require their employees to wear industrial-grade hearing protection,

981
01:18:28,780 --> 01:18:32,620
why should our community be expected to live with what escapes through the walls?

982
01:18:33,940 --> 01:18:42,780
Air quality, the 124 diesel-powered generators at Springdale will release nitrogen oxides

983
01:18:42,780 --> 01:18:49,480
in very small particulates during mandatory testing cycles, frequent triggers for respiratory issues

984
01:18:49,480 --> 01:18:51,740
and it's known to increase asthma.

985
01:18:52,660 --> 01:18:56,080
Heat. These facilities are 24-7 space heaters

986
01:18:56,080 --> 01:18:59,680
that create data heat islands, increasing ambient temperatures

987
01:18:59,680 --> 01:19:03,760
up to four degrees Fahrenheit for five city blocks.

988
01:19:04,360 --> 01:19:07,540
In closed-loop cooling systems, the stacks release

989
01:19:07,540 --> 01:19:13,260
of 14 degrees to 25 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient temps.

990
01:19:13,940 --> 01:19:18,000
Blowdown. In closed-loop cooling, they add to water

991
01:19:18,000 --> 01:19:22,840
bio-sides, refrigerant, corrosion inhibitors, and scale inhibitors.

992
01:19:22,980 --> 01:19:27,100
How often do they have to do blowdown, meaning drain the waste water?

993
01:19:27,560 --> 01:19:29,460
And where does that blowdown water go?

994
01:19:29,840 --> 01:19:31,220
Will they treat the water first?

995
01:19:32,000 --> 01:19:32,560
Employment.

996
01:19:32,960 --> 01:19:42,820
The Springdale developer promises jobs with major economic studies, including research show that these facilities are among the least labor intensive, full-time employers in our economy by design.

997
01:19:43,040 --> 01:19:44,740
Could you wrap up in a sentence or two?

998
01:19:44,740 --> 01:20:00,620
We're closing, thank you, because of the increase of hyperscale AI data centers in Western P.A., I'm asking this council to establish a regional oversight process that mandates transparency on grid reliability and public health.

999
01:20:01,060 --> 01:20:06,380
I've included my full technical breakdown and citations in written testimony and providing for the record.

1000
01:20:06,580 --> 01:20:10,580
Thank you for your time and your commitment to our shared future.

1001
01:20:10,580 --> 01:20:17,400
sure. Thank you. Okay and that was our last public comment so with that meeting

1002
01:20:17,400 --> 01:20:17,720
Good evening, HR.

1003
01:20:18,500 --> 01:20:19,300
Thank you.