OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Standing Committee Meeting of the City of Pittsburgh - January 21, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:26:21

Transcript — Verbatim
4:41

Good afternoon, and welcome to the standing committee's meeting for Wednesday, January twenty first, twenty twenty-six.

4:48

All council meetings will be live streamed on the city's website, and for guest speakers, please do not turn your microphones off.

4:54

Our first order of business is roll call.

4:58

Mr.

4:58

Sherland.

5:00

Cockhill, Ms.

5:02

Gross, Mr.

5:04

Lavelle.

5:05

Here.

5:06

Mr.

5:07

Mosley.

5:08

Mrs.

5:09

Salonetra here.

5:10

Mrs.

5:11

Warwick.

5:12

Here.

5:13

Mr.

5:13

Wilson.

5:14

Here.

5:15

Mrs.

5:15

Strasberger Chair.

5:16

Here.

5:17

Five members present.

5:19

Thank you.

5:21

Our next order of business is public comment.

5:24

I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council.

5:34

Profanity will not be permitted.

5:35

Please state your name and neighborhood for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak.

5:39

Our first registered speaker is Dr.

5:41

Ronald Lynn Miller.

6:01

This is not a government agency or a government network.

6:04

It is an alternative outside of this government.

6:08

We do not seek your approval for these linkages.gov dot.

6:27

Somalia is on the UN Security Council non-member list.

6:34

It's very important.

6:36

Somali Americans live in the city.

6:50

Something I founded in 19 and 2010.

6:57

This is anti-DPRP framework candidacy.

7:10

Uh that are committed to the use of optimal intelligence and information in the creation of social policy and anti-ideology.

7:19

I'm anti-DP and RP and any other P in that sense.

7:25

A concern of this council, PCC, with local government time expenditure and time frames.

7:33

This is consistent with initiative three, in which, for me, in which I focus on a local government primacy and availability, which I think should be 24-7.

7:46

But it isn't.

7:48

PCC time frame weekly.

7:51

Um councillor claymants, you take the time days off during a five-day week for secular holidays like Thanksgiving, and for um religious holidays, religion of Christianity, Christmas, religion of Judaism, Rosh Hashanah, but not for in the religion of Islam Islam, eight day uh eight defeat, uh, which is 20 March 1448 AH, and um 2026.

8:28

And nothing in Hinduism, no concern for uh Diwali.

8:34

How many hours during the week do you actually spend in engagement with people in person, telephone, text, email, Mr.

8:45

Callgill, as far as I know?

8:47

You don't answer emails.

8:49

You should thank you.

8:55

Our next speaker is Icahana Hamakina.

9:05

We will move on to Ellie Harward.

9:12

Hi.

9:13

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

9:15

I'm here today, really, because I'm exhausted with a narrative that treats people like me as a problem when in reality what we do is create connection, care for homes, and welcome people into Pittsburgh in a way that strengthens our neighborhoods.

9:29

I'm almost 50 years old.

9:30

I'm a small business owner, I live with degenerative back disease.

9:34

Uh my fiance is from Beaver Falls, and together we own small businesses.

9:38

We struggle to afford health care.

9:40

We don't have stability that comes with a corporate or government job, things like guaranteed retirement plans or employer-provided health care.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Rentals███████████████████19%
Procedural██████████10%
Vehicle Procurement██████████10%
Zoning Code██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Religious Affairs██████6%
Housing Data Collection██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Standing Committee Meeting of the City of Pittsburgh - January 21, 2026

The City of Pittsburgh Standing Committee met on January 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of agenda items including finance, public works, human resources, land use, innovation, and intergovernmental affairs. Significant discussion centered on proposed short-term rental regulations and a fleet vehicle fund. Many items were held in committee for further review, while others received affirmative recommendations for full council consideration.

Consent Calendar

  • Invoices: Approved unanimously. Included reimbursements for council expenses, departmental supplies, and services (e.g., $26.50 MailChimp subscription, $108.83 pizza for budget deliberations, $1,126.24 for tennis clinic instruction, $4,226.33 PA One Call System).
  • Intra-departmental Transfers: Approved. $1,000 transferred from Operational Supplies to Furniture and Fixtures for the Mayor's Office.
  • P-Card Approvals: Approved. Weekly council report for January 6–12, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (neighborhood not stated): Criticized city government for not being available 24/7 and for not recognizing Islamic and Hindu holidays. Questioned council member responsiveness.
  • Ellie Harward (North Side): Small business owner and short-term rental host. Argued that responsible short-term rentals create connection, care for homes, and welcome visitors. Opposed broad restrictions, noting that vacant properties and neglect are bigger issues. Called for partnership and careful regulation.
  • Justin Strong (Homewood): Owner of Strong Cleaners, which services short-term rental linens. Reported over $100,000 in sales last year and employs 2–3 people. Supported targeted solutions like noise decibel readers rather than blunt caps.
  • Chad Wise (Manchester): Spoke on behalf of a short-term rental alliance. Argued that the bills use a "sledgehammer" approach. Cited New York City's ban (listings down 90%, rents up 8%) as cautionary. Provided data: Pittsburgh has ~2,200 active whole-unit STRs (1% of housing stock) vs. 27,000 vacant properties; $74 million in booking revenue; estimated $200 million in additional local spending. Requested targeted enforcement, not caps or zoning hurdles.
  • Nick Marchuk (North Side): Co-owner of Mega Clean, managing STR operations since 2018. Employs 20 local residents. Stated that the proposed regulations would effectively eliminate the business. Noted that STRs contribute an estimated $7–11 million annually in hotel occupancy taxes. Asked for balanced regulation with realistic compliance paths.
  • Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow): Continued opposition to an illegal skate park in Panther Hollow. Proposed replacing it with bocce courts, a playground, and a mini museum celebrating Italian history. Referenced a letter to Mayor O'Connor.
  • Cory D. Thorn (West End/Mount Washington): Licensed real estate agent and investor in short-term, long-term, and Section 8 housing. Supported smart, enforceable regulation targeting bad behavior (parties, noise) rather than arbitrary caps. Concerned about vague zoning rules and grandfathering issues. Noted that STR revenue funds renovations that enable affordable housing.
  • Robert Wilson (South Side/Top Gulf): Owner of multiple STRs, long-term rentals, and affordable housing. Claimed his short-term rentals cause fewer issues than other housing types. Supported reasonable registration and enforcement, but opposed excessive fees. Stressed that STRs help improve neighborhoods and attract visitors.
  • Yvonne F. Brown (715 Mercer Street): Protested a Sunday meeting (January 18?) that conflicted with church attendance. Expressed frustration with council behavior and alleged discrimination regarding bus access and police treatment of a Black man. Threatened legal action.
  • Special Agent Sunshine (no address): Delivered a spiritual message invoking Martin Luther King Jr. and biblical verses. Condemned injustice, identity theft, and fraud. Stated she was sent by God to fight evil. Cursed witches and warlocks in the building.

Discussion Items

  • Finance and Law Committee:
    • Resolutions 2026-0006 and 2026-0007 (Terminate contracts with Sasaki & Common Cause Consultants and HR&A Advisors & Urban AC LLC): Motion to hold for four weeks (due back 2/18/2026). Carried.
    • Ordinance 2026-0016 (Fleet Vehicle Fund): Would create a $20 million/year fund for fleet needs. Council Member Warwick explained the dire state of the fleet (ambulances breaking down, snowplow shortages). Chief Procurement Officer Olzinger and Budget Director McDevitt supported the investment, stating it allows longer-term contracts and better pricing. Motion to hold for four weeks to allow new administration to review. Carried. Council Member Coghill supported, noting past neglect.
  • Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:
    • Resolution 2026-0010 (PennDOT Green Light Go Grant): $1,394,029.06 grant with $348,507.27 city match for intersection upgrades at North & James, Interborough & Mifflin, and Steuben & Lorenz. Affirmatively recommended. Acting DOMI Director Jeff Scalikan confirmed signals replacement; Lorenz in 2026, others in 2027. Council Member Warwick thanked community groups.
    • Resolution 2026-0012 (California Avenue Bridge right-of-way): Authorizes acquisition of slivers of property from Allegheny County at no cost. DOMI Director noted preliminary engineering wrapping up, construction bid late 2027/early 2028. Affirmatively recommended.
    • Resolution 2026-0013 (West Carson Street Bridge right-of-way): Similar to California Avenue; involves property from McKees Rocks. Construction bid September 2027. Affirmatively recommended.
    • Resolution 2026-0014 (Elizabeth Street Bridge preliminary engineering with CSX): $19,580, 100% federally reimbursable. CSX will review engineering plans. Public meeting summer 2026, construction June 2028. Affirmatively recommended.
    • Resolution 2026-0015 (Brashear Association license for retaining wall, steps, planters at Bausman & Grape): At no cost to city; no easements required. Affirmatively recommended.
  • Human Resources Committee:
    • Resolution 2026-0005 (Amend contract with I/O Solutions for police job analyses): Increases not-to-exceed amount from $276,000 to $375,000. Affirmatively recommended.
  • Land Use and Economic Development Committee:
    • Deferred 2024-0959 (North Shore Entertainment District signage): Ordinance to allow gateway signs in specific parcels. Council Member Wilson provided background: aimed at helping museums like The Warhol and creating a clearer path for stadium signage. Planning Commission approved after compromise. Signs will be limited to the North Shore, promoting events (e.g., concerts after games), not general advertising. Affirmatively recommended. Council Member Coghill and Warwick praised the collaborative process.
    • New 2026-0008 and 2026-0009 (Short-term rental housing ordinances): Bill 8 adds licensing chapter, Bill 9 amends zoning. Council Member Gross moved to hold for three weeks to brief new administration. Carried.
  • Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee:
    • Ordinance 2026-0041 (Housing Data Dashboard): Requires Department of City Planning to collect data on completed housing units and DIP to host publicly. Council Member Charland argued for legislation to push departments. Council Member Gross supported, noting need for better data. Held for four weeks (due back 2/18/2026).
  • Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee:
    • Resolution 2026-0011 (Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund grant for Warrington Recreation Center): $50,000 grant from Allegheny County. Affirmatively recommended. Acting Public Works Director Chris Hornstein and new Acting Director John McClory answered questions. Council members praised McClory's responsiveness.

Key Outcomes

  • Held in Committee:
    • Finance and Law: Bills 6, 7, and 16 (Fleet Fund) – due back 2/18/2026.
    • Land Use and Economic Development: Bills 8 and 9 (Short-term rentals) – due back 2/11/2026.
    • Innovation, Performance, etc.: Bill 41 (Housing Data Dashboard) – due back 2/18/2026.
  • Affirmatively Recommended for Full Council Approval:
    • Public Works: Bills 10, 12, 13, 14, 15.
    • Human Resources: Bill 5.
    • Land Use: Deferred Bill 2024-0959 (North Shore signage).
    • Intergovernmental: Bill 11.
  • Approved (Consent): Invoices, Intra-departmental transfers, P-cards.
  • Next Steps: Full council meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Standing committees meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Public hearing on January 27 at 1:30 PM for referendum bills 39 and 40.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, and welcome to the standing committee's meeting for Wednesday, January twenty first, twenty twenty-six. All council meetings will be live streamed on the city's website, and for guest speakers, please do not turn your microphones off. Our first order of business is roll call. Mr. Sherland. Cockhill, Ms. Gross, Mr. Lavelle. Here. Mr. Mosley. Mrs. Salonetra here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Here. Mrs. Strasberger Chair. Here. Five members present. Thank you. Our next order of business is public comment. I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council. Profanity will not be permitted. Please state your name and neighborhood for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak. Our first registered speaker is Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller. This is not a government agency or a government network. It is an alternative outside of this government. We do not seek your approval for these linkages.gov dot. Somalia is on the UN Security Council non-member list. It's very important. Somali Americans live in the city. Something I founded in 19 and 2010. This is anti-DPRP framework candidacy. Uh that are committed to the use of optimal intelligence and information in the creation of social policy and anti-ideology. I'm anti-DP and RP and any other P in that sense. A concern of this council, PCC, with local government time expenditure and time frames. This is consistent with initiative three, in which, for me, in which I focus on a local government primacy and availability, which I think should be 24-7. But it isn't. PCC time frame weekly. Um councillor claymants, you take the time days off during a five-day week for secular holidays like Thanksgiving, and for um religious holidays, religion of Christianity, Christmas, religion of Judaism, Rosh Hashanah, but not for in the religion of Islam Islam, eight day uh eight defeat, uh, which is 20 March 1448 AH, and um 2026. And nothing in Hinduism, no concern for uh Diwali. How many hours during the week do you actually spend in engagement with people in person, telephone, text, email, Mr. Callgill, as far as I know? You don't answer emails. You should thank you.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com