Allegheny County Council convened Jan. 2, 2026, to administer oaths to newly elected members and to select council leadership. The council swore in Kathleen Madonna Emerling (District 1), Lisa Geiger Shulman (District 3), Michelle MacKerrati Chapkis (District 8), Aaron Adams (District 9) and acknowledged other members who had been sworn in prior to the meeting.

Kathleen Madonna Emerling, sworn in after the clerk read her certificate, thanked volunteers, labor advocates and community organizations and said the election result was a “mandate for change” and a call for “more transparency, stronger accountability, and a county government that works for the people it serves.” Lisa Geiger Shulman said she looked forward to addressing issues “from children and families to very basic traffic and infrastructure issues.” Michelle MacKerrati Chapkis and Aaron Adams each thanked family and supporters and pledged to work collaboratively with municipalities and colleagues across the county.

After roll call confirmed 15 members present, the council opened nominations for president. Councilmember Futures nominated Pat Catena; with no further nominations the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. Every member voted for Pat Catena and the clerk announced, “The council president has been elected. Mister Catena received 15 votes.” Catena, addressing the council after his election, thanked colleagues and pledged to listen, stating that he would “try to listen to my colleagues and try to put myself in their position,” and asked members to challenge him to do better.

The meeting then moved to routine proclamations and announcements. The clerk read proclamations recognizing community events and individuals and listed appointments and reappointments to boards, which were referred to the committee on appointment review for vetting. The meeting adjourned after routine business.