Allegheny County Council to limit attendance, live stream meetings

Allegheny County Council will limit attendance at regularly scheduled council meetings but will accommodate both live streaming and written public comment amid the covid-19 outbreak, council President Patrick Catena, D-Carnegie, announced Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic has forced all of us to adjust our schedules and routines for the safety and health of our residents,” Catena said in a statement. “However, I also believe that we must continue to do the business of council. These measures are being taken to be as proactive as possible to address the safety and health of all.”

Only 10 people will be allowed to attend in-person meetings at the Allegheny County Courthouse in order to comply with federal recommendations for social distancing announced this week, Catena said.

Catena is “strongly encouraging” council members to call in to the meeting.

There are 15 members of council — 12 Democrats, three Republicans.

“This was a decision made by me in the interest of public safety,” Catena said.

At-large council member Sam DeMarco III, R-North Fayette, declined to comment on the changes to meetings when reached by phone Wednesday.

The next county council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at 5 p.m. Upcoming committee meetings will also likely be held by phone but have not yet been rescheduled.

In addition to Catena, a stenographer and a videographer, as well as the county manager, solicitor, clerk and council’s chief of staff, will all likely be present for the meeting, Catena said.

“There’s no easy answer” for deciding who the three remaining in-person attendees could be, Catena said.

“We’re dealing with something for the first time that I never thought we would be dealing with, quite honestly,” Catena said.

Members of the public are also discouraged from attending in person and instead should live stream meetings online.

Public comments can be submitted online through the Allegheny County website or via email to CntyCouncil@AlleghenyCounty.US.

Written comments will be read in their entirety for up to three minutes during meetings, the amount of time typically allotted for each public comment, according to a message posted to the comment submission form on the county website.

Pittsburgh City Council announced this week that meetings will also be closed to the public but broadcast live over City Channel Pittsburgh.

Residents will also be allowed to comment through email.

City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, D-Westwood, and city Clerk Brenda Pree, are the only two people permitted in council chambers during meetings.

Council’s other eight members must participate and vote via conference call.