OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting – February 4, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, February 4, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:22:22

Transcript — Verbatim
6:29

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Standees Standing Committee's meeting for Wednesday, February fourth, twenty twenty-six.

6:38

All council meetings will be live streamed on the city's website.

6:42

And for guest speakers, please do not turn off your microphones.

6:45

Our first order of business is roll call.

6:47

The clerk please take the roll.

6:49

Mr.

6:49

Charlotte here.

6:51

Mr.

6:51

Conkill.

6:52

Miss Grows.

6:54

Mr.

6:54

Laval.

6:55

Here.

6:55

Mr.

6:56

Mosley.

6:58

Miss Salonatro.

7:00

Here.

7:00

Miss Warwick.

7:02

Here.

7:02

Mr.

7:03

Wilson.

7:05

Miss Strassberger Chair.

7:07

Here.

7:07

Seven members present.

7:09

Thank you.

7:10

Our next order of business is public comments.

7:13

I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are m comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council, and profanity will not be permitted.

7:25

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

10:00

North never almost always does the president of Mexico start her Mañaneras on time, usually at 7 a.m.

10:13

in the morning.

10:14

Another one of these is the head of the present government of Japan, Takahichi Sanae.

10:26

And she rigorously observes what the Japanese consider to be an almost sacred comic K-A-M-I-C commitment to being on time.

10:42

Thank you.

10:42

Next speaker, please.

10:46

Oh, I'm sorry.

10:47

Our next speaker, our next register speaker is Chief Pomaj Chakman Yahalahee.

10:56

Good afternoon, Council President, members, and members of Council, and everyone present.

11:01

My title is Chief Amai Chakmamia Halehi.

11:04

And I'm here today as a strategic independent contractor, an advocacy consultant for upstream Pittsburgh's environmental justice table and the Action Oversight Committee's deconstruction campaign, representing residents and indigenous community members of environmental justice communities.

11:21

And as the executive director of SCJ Ministries of North America, Southwest Pennsylvania, to speak in support of Bills 2026, 0039, and 2026 0040.

11:32

And just as importantly, I'm here to speak in support of the process being advanced through the public hearing at its core.

11:40

Democracy is not only about outcomes, it is about trust.

11:44

Trust is built when residents can see, understand, and meaningfully engage in how decisions are made.

11:51

These proposed referendums acknowledge a significant shift in our city.

11:57

The loss of newspapers in general circulation.

12:00

They respond appropriately by placing this question directly before the voters.

12:07

That approach respects the Home World Charter and it respects the people of Pittsburgh.

12:12

From an environmental justice and faith-rooted advocacy perspective, I want to emphasize the importance of full transparency and sustained collaboration with organizations deeply connected to the pulse of the people.

12:45

Any changes to budget approval rules of public notice requirements must narrow access to participation, especially for residents and community members and aboriginal American workers, as well as elders and families.

13:01

Communities historically excluded from decision making.

13:04

In a post-newspaper reality, transparency must be proactive, multilingual, and rooted in community networks.

13:12

This is not uh simply a communication issue, it's an issue of equity.

13:17

I appreciate that council is not imposing these changes unilaterally, but instead placing them before the voters.

13:24

The integrity of this process will depend on how information is shared, how feedback is incorporated, and how community-based organizations are engaged.

13:32

Between now and the May primary, I respectfully urge council to continue working openly and intentionally with environmental justice table, faith institutions, neighborhood leaguers, leaders, advocacy organizations, as this process must move forward in that way.

13:49

Transparency must be a lived practice, not a procedural formality, and public participation must be meaningful, not symbolic.

13:58

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

14:03

Thank you.

14:04

Our next speaker is Ikahana Halmakina.

14:25

I'm here to inform you that public trust has been breached.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████24%
Procedural████████████████████20%
Budget██████████████████18%
Public Works████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Vehicle Procurement█████5%
Transparency and Accountability███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting – February 4, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council held its Standing Committees meeting on February 4, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting addressed numerous financial, public safety, infrastructure, and administrative items, including a $10 million donation from UPMC for emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles, a $2 million grant from the PNC Foundation for snow removal equipment, and two proposed referendum questions for the May primary. Public comment featured six speakers covering a range of issues from police conduct to environmental justice.

Consent Calendar

  • 2026-0084 (Finance & Law): Ordinance amending property tax discount dates for 2026 due to snowstorm mail delays – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 3).
  • 2026-0051 (Finance & Law): Resolution reducing a water service cost reappropriation from $7 million to $6 million – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 27).
  • 2026-0057 (Public Safety): Resolution accepting a $1 million DCED grant for two ambulances – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 29).
  • 2026-0060, 2026-0061, 2026-0062, 2026-0063 (Public Works): Various resolutions including a $6,000 donation from Michael Baker International for safety programming, a grant amendment for Schenley Heights Pavilion, NACTO membership dues ($35,000), and vacation of Eshelman Street – All Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment Nos. 32–35).
  • 2026-0056 (Human Resources): Resolution for Goodwill of Southwestern PA to administer the Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program ($200,000) – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 28).
  • 2026-0058 (Innovation & Technology): Resolution for IT network support services from Solutions4Networks ($44,835) – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 30).
  • 2026-0059 (Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs): Resolution approving a sewage facilities plan revision for 122-140 Auburn Street – Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment No. 31).
  • Invoices and P-Cards: Approved after amending to strike $5,000 for Clio Consulting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chief Pomaj Chakman-yajalaji (Upstream Pittsburgh’s environmental justice table) expressed support for Bills 2026-0039 and 2026-0040, emphasizing that transparency and community engagement must be proactive and multilingual in a post-newspaper era.
  • Ikahana Halmakina criticized the city for ignoring population decline, cancer rates, and illegal guns, urging council to use Brady United data to hold bad actors accountable.
  • Sheree Jennings (concerned parent) described an incident at a high school basketball game on January 9 where police used pepper spray on youth and adults, including herself, and called for accountability and revised police protocols.
  • Yvonne F. Brown (715 Mercer Street) spoke about democracy, referencing historical and local figures, and urged prevention and attention to community issues.
  • Unique Brown accused agencies and council members of ignoring trauma and homelessness, demanding action rather than silence, and specifically addressed Council Member Lavelle.
  • Special Agent Sunshine delivered a religious prayer and commentary, referencing peace robbers and criticizing Council Member Lavelle for selfishness.

Discussion Items

  • 2026-0084 (Tax Discount Date): Finance Director Jen Gula and City Treasurer Bill Orbanic explained the one-week extension due to mail disruptions from a major snowstorm. Council members thanked the administration for a quick turnaround. Online payment via e-check has a $0.50 flat fee.
  • 2026-0072 and 2026-0057 (EMS Vehicles): Chief Gilman detailed that the $10 million UPMC donation is a one-time gift split over two years ($5M each year). This year, it will purchase 8–9 ambulances and a new rescue unit. The $1 million DCED grant will buy two additional ambulances. Council members Warwick and Coghill praised the partnership, noting that the donation frees up city funds for other fleet needs. Warwick highlighted the need for a $20 million annual vehicle fleet trust fund and ongoing conversations with large nonprofits. Gilman confirmed conversations continue with other partners.
  • 2026-0081 (Snow Removal Equipment): Chief Gilman reported that the $2 million PNC Foundation grant will buy 15 new vehicles, and combined with other funds allows for 50 new snow removal vehicles this year, plus retrofitting 20 existing vehicles for snow capability. The vehicles are year-round and range from small pickups to large dump trucks. Council members noted the timing after a severe snowstorm and praised the proactive donation.
  • 2026-0039 and 2026-0040 (Referendum Questions): Initially held for one week to refine language with the administration. Council President Lavelle later moved to rescind the hold and approve both bills, with amendments to be formalized before the February 10 regular meeting. Both were Affirmatively Recommended (Enactment Nos. for 0040 only listed but both passed).
  • 2026-0051 (Water Service Reappropriation): Councilmember Strassburger clarified the reduction from $7M to $6M because the water utilities line did not have the full million available. Budget Director Peter McDevitt explained the true-up process with PWSA.
  • 2026-0073 (Equipment Leasing Authority): The $20,188,019 transfer funds the 2026 vehicle budget ($21M originally, with $10M from tax increase). Additional funds from UPMC ($5M) and PNC ($2M) will be transferred later. Council members noted the total fleet investment reaches $28M for this year.
  • 2025-2224 (Banksville Golden Horizons): Councilwoman Salinetro moved to rescind the previous referral to planning commission, amend by substitute to change from a special permitted district to a residential planned unit development (RP), and then refer again for report and recommendation. All motions carried.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items were approved unanimously (motions carried by voice vote with no dissenting votes recorded).
  • The one-week holds on Bills 2026-0039 and 2026-0040 were rescinded, and the bills were given affirmative recommendation to allow amendment at the February 10 regular meeting.
  • Invoices were amended to delete $5,000 for Clio Consulting before approval.
  • Bill 2025-2224 was amended by substitute and referred to the Planning Commission for a new report and recommendation.
  • Announcements: A public hearing on a waste transfer station (Bill 2025-2385) will be held Friday, February 7 at 10 AM. The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, February 10 at 1:30 PM, with a pre-agenda interview for City Solicitor nominee Lisa Zeidner Marcus. Standing committees next meet Wednesday, February 11 at 10 AM.
  • Personnel: Council President Lavelle announced that Budget Director Peter McDevitt will become Deputy Controller in two weeks. Council members thanked him for his service, particularly during last year’s budget process.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Standees Standing Committee's meeting for Wednesday, February fourth, twenty twenty-six. All council meetings will be live streamed on the city's website. And for guest speakers, please do not turn off your microphones. Our first order of business is roll call. The clerk please take the roll. Mr. Charlotte here. Mr. Conkill. Miss Grows. Mr. Laval. Here. Mr. Mosley. Miss Salonatro. Here. Miss Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Miss Strassberger Chair. Here. Seven members present. Thank you. Our next order of business is public comments. I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are m comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council, and profanity will not be permitted. Please state your name and neighborhood for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak. North never almost always does the president of Mexico start her Mañaneras on time, usually at 7 a.m. in the morning. Another one of these is the head of the present government of Japan, Takahichi Sanae. And she rigorously observes what the Japanese consider to be an almost sacred comic K-A-M-I-C commitment to being on time. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Oh, I'm sorry. Our next speaker, our next register speaker is Chief Pomaj Chakman Yahalahee. Good afternoon, Council President, members, and members of Council, and everyone present. My title is Chief Amai Chakmamia Halehi. And I'm here today as a strategic independent contractor, an advocacy consultant for upstream Pittsburgh's environmental justice table and the Action Oversight Committee's deconstruction campaign, representing residents and indigenous community members of environmental justice communities. And as the executive director of SCJ Ministries of North America, Southwest Pennsylvania, to speak in support of Bills 2026, 0039, and 2026 0040. And just as importantly, I'm here to speak in support of the process being advanced through the public hearing at its core. Democracy is not only about outcomes, it is about trust. Trust is built when residents can see, understand, and meaningfully engage in how decisions are made. These proposed referendums acknowledge a significant shift in our city. The loss of newspapers in general circulation. They respond appropriately by placing this question directly before the voters. That approach respects the Home World Charter and it respects the people of Pittsburgh. From an environmental justice and faith-rooted advocacy perspective, I want to emphasize the importance of full transparency and sustained collaboration with organizations deeply connected to the pulse of the people. Any changes to budget approval rules of public notice requirements must narrow access to participation, especially for residents and community members and aboriginal American workers, as well as elders and families. Communities historically excluded from decision making.

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