Pittsburgh City Council Meeting: December 16, 2025

This regular meeting of the City Council of Pittsburgh, held on December 16, 2025, was dominated by a series of ceremonial proclamations honoring local community champions, including a City League football champion, long-time public servants, and a historic EMS pioneer. The session also featured robust public comment on municipal services and policy, followed by the unanimous passage of multiple bills regarding land acquisition, bridge construction funding, and service agreements. A focal point of the agenda was the formal retirement tribute to Councilwoman Teresa Cale Smith after nearly 17 years of service.

Consent Calendar

• Bill 2647: Adopted a cooperative agreement with Allegheny County entities to manage affordable housing services for the home ARP program at no cost to the city.
• Bills 2648–2652: Authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire various publicly owned properties in the 12th, 13th, 5th, and 24th wards at no cost to the city.
• Bill 2654: Authorized an agreement with Eastern Research Group Inc. for recycling education outreach services (up to $100,000).
• Bill 2655: Authorized permanent access for the Fort Pitt Park Road to a city parcel behind former Fort Pitt Elementary School at no cost.
• Bill 2656: Extended the Planning Commission's deadline for Bill 2025-2250 (Bat Shop expansion) (8 Ayes, 0 Noes).
• Bills 2563 & 2566–2581: Passed committee reports with affirmative recommendations regarding sewage facilities, land condemnation, bridge project funding (28th Street, Charles Anderson, West Carson, Elizabeth Street), easements, and legal settlements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (South Shore): Expressed opposition to the proposed neighborhood boundary changes between South Shore North and Squirrel Hill South. He argued the demography and resources are inequitable, noting South Shore North has only 50 residents compared to 15,000 in Squirrel Hill South, and cited a lack of public input on the new borders.
• Ikahana Halmalkina: Expressed opposition to a proposed tax increase, citing high costs for basic necessities due to Trump's tariffs and utility hikes. She supported Councilwoman Cale Smith for opposing the tax and opposed the appointment of Jason Landon as Police Chief due to recent conduct allegations.
• Max Blair & Ellen Denton: Expressed support for the adoption of a plant-based treaty and advocated for immediate city action on food policy to mitigate climate tipping points, noting animal agriculture's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
• David Beer: Expressed support for designating Westinghouse Park as a historic landmark, highlighting the site's role in the invention of modern electricity and its historical significance to George Westinghouse.
• Chris Morey (Inform Up): Presented survey results indicating mixed positions from residents: 25.5% favored keeping streets fully public (no transfer to Cultural Trust), 29.3% supported funding a new salt storage facility at the current site, and 64% prioritized measurable improvements to city services for PGH Lab startups. Privacy concerns regarding drone startup pilots were noted by respondents.
• Madeline McGrady: Expressed concern regarding potential austerity measures in the upcoming budget. She advocated for maintaining funding for social services, including the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund, and urged consideration of revenue sources from major city players rather than cutting social safety nets.
• Yvonne F. Brown: Expressed strong opposition to the operations of a local food bank, alleging that staff members and their families receive preferential treatment (boxes of food) while struggling residents receive insufficient portions (e.g., one onion for the month). She stated she was denied food despite her husband being disabled.
• Stormy Morris: Expressed concern regarding the impact of civil rights-era community divisions on current Black children in Pittsburgh, blaming the "foolish burning" of communities during that era for current resource gaps.

Discussion Items

• OSU City League Football Championship: Superintendent Walters, Councilman Mosley, and Mayor Ganey celebrated the University Prep (OSU) team's victory. They praised the team's discipline and academic achievements, noting their victory over the back-to-back champion Westinghouse (26-0). Councilman Mosley contextualized the win within Pittsburgh's rich legacy of sports and social advancement.
• Mark C. Johnson Day: Councilman Mosley introduced a proclamation for Mark C. Johnson, a school-based probation officer and founder of MOTU LLC. Johnson emphasized that true leadership requires a "why" rooted in community uplift rather than ego.
• Darnella Wilson Day: Councilwoman Smith and Council President Lavelle presented a proclamation to Darnella Wilson, the first Black female paramedic in the US and a Freedom House Ambulance pioneer. Wilson expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, highlighted the historical significance of Freedom House as the nation's first paramedic program, and thanked her cousin Deborah James Bailey for driving the initiative.
• Westinghouse Park Historic Designation: Councilman Wilson strongly supported the historic site designation, arguing the park's significance transcends recreation due to its connection to modern electricity's invention by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse. Councilman Shayland voted against the historic designation (1 No, 7 Ayes), though voted in favor of all other bills on the card.
• Mayor's Comments: Mayor Ganey praised the OSU team's resilience in defeating a champion and congratulated Coach Lou Barry. He also acknowledged the long-standing service of former Magistrate Kevin Cooper.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations Approved:
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as OSU City Champion Football Day.
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as Mark C. Johnson Day.
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as Darnella Wilson Day.
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as Greater West End Community Alliance Day.
  • December 18, 2025 recognized as Tom Croft Day.
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as Marilyn and Frank Mans Day.
  • December 11, 2025 recognized as Bob Palmasina Day.
  • December 16, 2025 recognized as Teresa Cale Smith Day.
• Legislative Actions:
  • Bill 2296 (Westinghouse Park Historic Site) passed with 7 Ayes, 1 No (Shayland).
  • 80+ other bills passed unanimously (8 Ayes, 0 Noes).
  • Communications from the Office of Management and Budget (Grants status) and Mayor Ganey (Paid Sick Days Act amendment) received and filed.
  • Bill 2667 passed to pause the "Stop the Violet Fund" schedule for budget year 2026, resuming in 2027.
• Councilwoman Smith's Retirement: Council President Lavelle commended Councilwoman Teresa Cale Smith for 17 years of service, mentorship, and leadership as Council President. She stated she would miss the work but urged the council to maintain power and independence.
• Next Steps: A meeting announcement scheduled a special hearing for the 2026 tax budget on Saturday, December 20th, at 11 a.m.