Allegheny County Council approved a "bad actor policy" last night, but it has nothing to do with Keanu Reeves.

Instead, the so-called "bad actor policy" prevents companies that have violated their air pollution permit in the previous year from obtaining another permit for a new or expanded plant.

"This ordinance isn't going to solve all the problems and clean up the air overnight," said Councilman Ron Francis, R-Ben Avon. "But I think it's a good first step we can take to improve the air quality and force companies to comply with the existing laws."

Council voted 12-0 to approve the bill, with two members absent and President Rick Schwartz, D-Plum, abstaining.

But it is uncertain whether the county Health Department will enforce the policy, which could prevent violators from expanding or relocating in the county.

In May, the county board of health rejected the policy. The board now might sue, using the argument that the council has usurped the Health Department's powers.

County residents who live downwind of Neville Island factories hailed the policy at last night's meeting.

"A lot of companies pay a fine, sometimes they don't, and keep putting poison into the air," said Donald Bryan, of Ben Avon.

Colleen Willison, of Kennedy, complained that she sometimes has to bring her two children inside to protect them from foul-smelling air.

"My kids shouldn't have to breathe that," she said.

Also at last night's meeting, council voted 11-3 to direct county Chief Executive Jim Roddey to take $175,000 from a contingency fund to pay the three law firms that represented council Democrats in reapportionment litigation.

The council Democrats prevailed in litigation filed by the county Republican Party, which had accused the Democrats of illegally gerrymandering the new council districts.

Roddey, a Republican, has balked at paying the outstanding legal bills.