Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – March 10, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – March 10, 2026
The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with a moment of silence for former Councilwoman Darlene Harris and Councilman Khari Mosley's father. Eight members were present (Charland, Coghill, Gross, Lavelle, Salinetro, Strassburger, Warwick, Wilson); Council Member Mosley was absent. The agenda was amended and approved. The meeting included four proclamations, public comments, presentation of new legislation, action on multiple appointments, and final passage of several committee-recommended items.
Proclamations
- 2026-0238 – Declared March 10, 2026, as “Central Outreach Wellness Center Day” in Pittsburgh. Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 88).
- 2026-0239 – Recognized the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and declared March 8–14, 2026, as “St. Patrick’s Day Parade Week.” Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 89).
- 2026-0240 – Commended Arlene Saavedra and declared March 15, 2026, as “Arlene Saavedra Day.” Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 90).
- 2026-0241 – Honored Calliope’s 50th anniversary and declared March 12, 2026, as “Calliope Day.” Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 91).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Deborah Wiley (speaker not identified by neighborhood in transcript) opposed a proposed halfway house on Banksville Road, citing 307 documented crimes per year in that corridor, the presence of a beer distributor, nearby schools, and a counseling center for children and adults in recovery. She argued that the Bureau of Prisons requires a “positive environment free from criminal and drug use activity,” which the site cannot provide.
- Ikhana hal-makina (no neighborhood stated) honored sculptor Daddy Gilmore Mosley (born 1926) and urged the council to eliminate carcinogenic chemicals from food, water, and soil.
- Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow) called for the removal of an “illegal skate park” in Panther Hollow, proposing instead two bocce courts, a playground, and an Italian American museum. He noted a new partnership with the University of Pittsburgh for tree planting and plaques.
- Unique Brown (no neighborhood stated) criticized council members for inattention during public comment (phones, side conversations) and described a situation where a housing voucher offer was rescinded after paperwork was completed, affecting multiple people.
- Yvonne F. Brown (Hill District) apologized for a previous disruption and questioned whether a former council president took a refrigerator from his office when he left.
- Special Agent Sunshine (no neighborhood stated) made religious and personal statements about identity theft, abduction, and homelessness.
Presentation of Papers (New Legislation)
The following resolutions were read and referred to the appropriate committees:
- 2026-0221 (Charland) – Professional services agreement with I/O Solutions for police recruit testing, not to exceed $151,980 over three years. → Referred to Human Resources.
- 2026-0222 (Coghill) – Warrant for Precision Auto Express Repair ($6,347.85) for police vehicle repairs. → Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
- 2026-0223 (Coghill) – Warrant for Major Cities Chiefs Association dues ($7,500). → Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
- 2026-0224 (Mosley) – Easement with ALCOSAN for monitoring boreholes on city-owned parcels at no cost. → Referred to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs.
- 2026-0225 (Salinetro) – Agreement with Peoples Natural Gas for natural gas service at Riverview Park, at no cost. → Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
- 2026-0226 (Salinetro) – Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants for Spring Hill Park as condition of NPDES permit, at no cost. → Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
- 2026-0243 (Salinetro) – Authorizing the Borough of Crafton to take by eminent domain a portion of parcel 39-F-280 within Pittsburgh. → Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
- 2026-0227 (Strassburger) – Warrant for Sargent’s Court Reporting Services ($5,556.40) for transcripts. → Referred to Finance and Law.
- 2026-0242 (Strassburger) – Amending 2026 fee schedule to unify vending fees (Rule 8 waived). → Referred to Finance and Law.
- 2026-0228 (Wilson) – Grant agreement with Trust for Public Land ($25,000) for greenway signage. → Referred to Land Use and Economic Development.
- 2026-0229 (Wilson) – Reallocating $55,692.60 of CDBG-CV funds to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. → Referred to Land Use and Economic Development.
- 2026-0230 (Lavelle) – Appointment of John McClory as Director of Public Works. → Held pending interview.
- 2026-0231 (Lavelle) – Appointment of Jeff Skalican as Director of Mobility and Infrastructure. → Held pending interview.
- 2026-0232 (Lavelle) – Appointment of the Honorable Barbara Warwick to the Equipment Leasing Authority (ELA) for term ending June 15, 2026. → Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 92).
- 2026-0233 (Lavelle) – Appointment of Helen Cestra to the Historic Review Commission (term to expire Jan. 1, 2028). → Held pending interview.
- 2026-0234 (Lavelle) – Reappointment of Julie Asciolla to the Board of License and Inspection Review (term to expire Mar. 1, 2029). → Approved (Enactment No. 93).
- 2026-0235 – Communication from OMB (Grants Office status update). → Read, received, and filed.
- 2026-0236 – Communication from City Controller (Pittsburgh Public Schools procurement report). → Read, received, and filed.
- 2026-0237 – Communication from PLI (amended business licensing and vending rules). → Read, received, and filed.
Unfinished Business (Appointments)
The council took final votes on appointments previously held for interviews:
- 2026-0128 – Shatara Murphy to ALCOSAN board (term to Jan. 1, 2031). Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 94).
- 2026-0136 – Scott Kunka to Pittsburgh Water board (term to Jan. 1, 2031). Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 95).
- 2026-0139 – Darrin Kelly to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 30, 2030, remainder of Steve Mazza’s seat). Amended to correct expiration date, then Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 96).
- 2026-0140 – David Vatz to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2030, remainder of Jean Holland Dick’s seat). Approved 6-2 (Gross and Warwick voted no; Enactment No. 97).
- 2026-0141 – Diamonte Walker to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2032). Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 98).
- 2026-0142 – Gerardo Interiano to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2028, remainder of Monica Ruiz’s seat). Approved 7-1 (Warwick voted no; Enactment No. 99).
- 2026-0143 – Justin Hunt to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2028, remainder of Phillip Wu’s seat). Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 100).
- 2026-0144 – Bob Reppe to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2032). Approved 8-0 (Enactment No. 101).
- 2026-0145 – LaShawn Burton-Faulk reappointed to Planning Commission (term to Jan. 1, 2032). Approved 7-1 (Charland voted no; Enactment No. 102).
Reports of Committee – Final Action
- 2026-0178 – Island Marina stewardship agreement with Three Rivers Waterkeeper ($1/year, 5 years + 5-year renewal). Passed finally 8-0.
- 2026-0208 – Historic district design guidelines for Mexican War Streets and Manchester (contract with Evolve Environment::Architecture, not to exceed $37,500). Passed finally 8-0.
- 2026-0176 – Increasing ELA cooperation agreement by $1,000,000 (new total $28,188,019) for additional vehicles/equipment. Passed finally 8-0.
- 2026-0177 – Pittsburgh Water access to South Side Park for stormwater tank maintenance (Phase 1). Passed finally 8-0.
Key Outcomes
- Four proclamations adopted unanimously.
- All new legislation was referred to standing committees; Bill 2026-0242 was waived under Rule 8 and placed on the next standing committee agenda.
- Two department director appointments and one historic review commission appointment were held for interviews.
- Barbara Warwick was appointed to the Equipment Leasing Authority (8-0).
- Julie Asciolla was reappointed to the Board of License and Inspection Review.
- Nine appointments (ALCOSAN, Pittsburgh Water, Planning Commission) were approved with varied votes; notable dissents: Gross and Warwick against David Vatz; Warwick against Gerardo Interiano; Charland against LaShawn Burton-Faulk.
- Four bills received final passage unanimously (8-0).
- Discrepancy note: The roll call in the transcript indicates seven members present initially, but the minutes list eight members present (Mosley absent). The transcript shows “Mr. Mosley” called without a response; the minutes confirm Mosley absent. The final vote tally consistently shows 8 ayes or 1 absent, consistent with Mosley’s absence.
Meeting Adjournment
The meeting adjourned after motions and resolutions.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. Would the clerk please take the roll? Mr. Charland. Mr. Coghill. Ms. Gross. Mr. Mosley. Mrs. Salonetro. Here. Mrs. Strasberger. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Here. Mr. Lavelle President. Here. Seven members present. Thank you. If you are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence as we both remember our former Councilwoman Darlene Harris, who passed away Friday morning, as well as Councilman Carr's Mosley Father, who passed away recently as well. Thank you. Our next order of business is to admit the agenda to the motion to amend. Second. All in favor say aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations. We'll begin with Councilman Wilson. Okay, uniform. I like it. Good morning, everyone, and thank you to the everyone that showed up for the St. Patrick's Day celebration today. If I was uh here to recognize all the great things that happen on the North side, I'd probably never make it off this podium. But for an acceptable group like uh Central Outreach, I want to make sure that we recognize all the great efforts, and I see the great t-shirts here. This is ten years of care, compassionate community. So I've defin we've all seen uh this organization grow throughout the this this decade, this past decade. So uh with that, whereas Central Outreach Wellness Center was founded in two thousand fifteen with a mission to provide inclusive, equitable health care that fosters wellness for the whole person and removes barriers to care for all individuals. And whereas over the past decade, Central Outreach has grown from its original North Shore location into a vital medical clinic serving communities across Western P Western Pennsylvania and beyond. And whereas the leadership and staff of Central Outreach Wellness Center have responded to the community needs throughout the public health crisis, including testing initiatives during the COVID 19 pandemic and vaccine outreach during the MPX outbreak. Now therefore it be resolved that the City Council of Pittsburgh does hereby declare March 10th, 2026 to be Central Outreach Wellness Center Day in the City of Pittsburgh. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye.
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