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.
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.