This document summarizes the official organization of the 144th Pittsburgh City Council, held on January 5, 2026, at 15:00 UTC. The session marked the swearing-in of three newly elected council members and two re-elected members, followed by the election of council leadership and a presentation by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) regarding the 2026 budget.
Council Reorganization and Leadership Elections:
Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) 2026 Budget Presentation:
Good morning. Welcome and happy new year, everyone. This being the day and hour fixed by the Act of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter for the organization of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh. The one hundred and forty-fourth council will be in order. They are the grandchildren of our newest member, Councilwoman elect Kim Salonetro. Leah is in the third grade, and John is in kindergarten. They both attend the Nishanick Towns Township School District. Leah and John. Thank you, Leah and John. We had a vocalist change at the last minute, but this morning we have with us Miss Marie Hurd, who will now lead us in the singing of the national anthem. Oh say any by the dawn. What so proe at the twigs less gleaming whose brought to rice and brife stars through the pace fight or the rest we soundly streaming and the gives the balms bursting in gay peruse through the night that I fled to them. Oh say that stared way for the land of the free and the home of the invocation will be offered by Pastor Mike Gestrich of the Log Church. So I am uh I am Kim's pastor, and she has confessed all her sins to me. Now Pastor Sam and I are here and great support of Kim. And we've crossed all lines just so you know. So we've been advocating for her all the way, and we are just so proud to see somebody of such moral and great integrity is taking this position. And uh let us buy our heads for prayer. Our Heavenly Father, I thank you for this very sacred moment which we have the great privilege to share together. Father, I pray for Kim Salonetro at this time and her family, her husband Bob. Wonderful family. I pray, Father, that the Holy Spirit of God would anoint her with everything that she is going to need to fulfill this position. Give her compassion for those that are hurting. You would give her the inner strength that she will maybe problems and storms that may come into the future. But now, Father, at this moment. Give her the confidence which she needs. Kendall, thank you so much for an amazing performance. The first order of business will be the presentation of the certificates of election by council district to be read by assistant city clerk, Ashley Robinson. Good morning. Certificate of election from the return board of the County of Allegheny does hereby certify that the election held on the fourth day of November 2025. Kim Salinetro, having received six thousand eight hundred thirty-one votes, was duly elected to the office of Pittsburgh City Council District 2 to a term of four years. Certificate of election from the return board of the County of Allegheny does hereby certify that the election held on the fourth day of November 2025. Anthony Coghill, having received 7,693 votes, was duly elected to the office of Pittsburgh City Council District Four to a term of four years. Certificate of election from the return board of the County of Allegheny does hereby certify that the election held on the fourth day of November 2025. Robert Daniel Lavelle, having received 5,686 votes, was duly elected to the office of Pittsburgh City Council District Six to a term of four years. So when I got here, she pulled me into her office and said, you know, Corey, we have a problem. And I said, well, I know Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but other than that, I would struggle. So I have to say thank you for bailing me out. Um if my first order of duty is to give you a free parking pass so I didn't have to sing. But I'm really here because this is a special place. This is where the work of the people happen. Um we all on City Council, you know, know how important our job is. And you have a difficult job. Each and every one of you have chosen to do this because you love your city, you love your community, you love your neighbors. Some of you I've worked with in the past, some new ones I I look forward to working with you in the future. Kim, welcome. I think you know the place pretty well, so you should be okay. Um, but this is an exciting time for Pittsburgh, and I want to thank you for allowing me to say a couple words. We are headed to our event. Um, but I want to thank everybody for being here.