Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included over a dozen public comments, introduction of several new bills (including immigration protection ordinances and a surveillance technology report), final passage of multiple committee-recommended resolutions, approval of two board appointments, and introduction of a resolution for intergovernmental cooperation during the 2026 NFL Draft. All votes on final passage were unanimous (9-0). Two executive sessions were announced for later that day.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Madeline McGrady presented data on councilmember lateness and urged focus on youth literacy, noting that over 70% of Westinghouse High School students cannot read and replicate a graph on an XY coordinate grid.
• Antoinette Caldwell (Brighton Heights) discussed police use of pepper spray on juveniles on March 24, 2026, and called for third places (community centers not tied to religion or fees) and better transportation for youth.
• Bethani Cameron (InformUp.org) reported a community survey (120 responses, all 9 districts represented). Findings: 75% of respondents were uncomfortable with police use of license plate readers; top priority groups for comprehensive planning input were residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and young people (under 31); and emergency vehicle upgrade priority was fire/EMS first, then garbage collection.
• Ralph Williams (Bloomfield) expressed strong support for ICE cooperation, argued against sanctuary policies, and criticized juvenile crime and public safety ahead of the NFL Draft.
• Lais Alexander (Penn Hills, immigrant and psychotherapist) spoke in full support of legislation protecting immigrants, noting that some patients are avoiding therapy and hospitals out of fear of ICE enforcement.
• Bernadette Mosey (Beechview) supported immigrant protections and youth investment, citing the need for a downtown rec center and noting that Beechview has the second largest Latino community in Pittsburgh.
• Mark McCune (9th Ward) opposed the immigration legislation as a quasi-sanctuary city policy, argued it violates the rule of law, and expressed support for federal immigration enforcement.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Mercer Street) criticized ICE for killing American citizens and urged a fair system; also paid tribute to a deceased community member.
• Zoltan Jacob Poole (Eastern European immigrant) alleged widespread child trafficking and slavery in Pittsburgh, involving forged medical documents and police inaction.
• Holly Nicoling (East Carnegie, Executive Director of Global Switchboard) thanked council for the immigrant protection legislation, stated the proposals are constitutional, and cited the death of a Haitian immigrant released from ICE custody.
• Special Agent Sunshine (missing child advocate) alleged fraud and corruption in government, theft of her trust and estate, and called for justice.

Discussion Items

• Introduction of Surveillance Technology Report (2026-0287): Sponsored by Councilwoman Gross, a resolution to direct the Department of Innovation & Performance to publish a report on surveillance technologies. Referred to the Committee on Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology.
• Immigration Protection Legislation (Three Bills):
  • 2026-0288 (Gross/Warwick): Ordinance prohibiting immigration enforcement in city-owned or operated spaces. Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
  • 2026-0289 (Gross/Warwick): Ordinance creating Chapter 630C – Protecting Community Spaces. Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
  • 2026-0286 (Warwick, co-sponsored by Gross and Strassburger): Ordinance adding Chapter 630A – Non-Intervention with Respect to Immigration Enforcement, restricting collection/use of citizenship/immigration status data, city asset use, and discrimination in city services. Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
• Consulting Contract Extensions (2026-0274, 2026-0275): Resolutions to extend federal and state government affairs consulting contracts (Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and Malady & Wooten, Inc.) with increased funding. Waived under Rule 8 and referred to Intergovernmental Affairs.
• Geotechnical Remediation & Police Firing Range Easements (2026-0276, 2026-0277):
  • 2026-0276: Increases allocation for Pashek + MTR contract from $415,170 to $441,427.50 for geotechnical remediation at the Police Firing Range. Referred to Public Works.
  • 2026-0277: Authorizes easements for stormwater and noise control improvements at the Police Firing Range (no cost). Referred to Public Works.
• ARPA Funding Update (2026-0278): Resolution to update approved projects in the ARPA reappropriation (Exhibit A, version 10). Referred to Finance and Law.
• EMS Position Reallocation (2026-0279): Eliminates one District Chief and adds one Assistant Chief in the Bureau of EMS. Referred to Finance and Law.
• Parks Trust Fund Increase (2026-0280): Increases 2026 Parks Trust Fund spending by $500,000. Referred to Finance and Law.
• Employment Settlement (2026-0281): Warrant for Justin Hickox and counsel for $10,000 in full settlement of an employment matter. Executive session held. Referred to Finance and Law.
• 2026 Appropriations Amendment (2026-0285): Amends the 2026 operating appropriations. Referred to Finance and Law.
• Communications Received and Filed: Grants Office status report (week ending March 20, 2026), Pittsburgh Land Bank 4th quarter 2025 financial report, and Tax Abatement Programs fiscal report (March 2026) – all read, received, and filed.
• NFL Draft Intergovernmental Agreements (2026-0290): Introduced on motion to amend the agenda, then waived under Rule 8 to appear on the next standing committee agenda. Authorizes cooperation agreements for police and public services during the 2026 NFL Draft.

Key Outcomes

• Board Appointments Approved Unanimously:
  • Lew Irwin appointed to Pittsburgh Water Board (term to Jan 1, 2031) – Enactment No. 145.
  • Jesse Ainsman appointed to Pittsburgh Land Bank Board (term to Jan 1, 2027) – Enactment No. 146.
• Final Passage of All Committee-Recommended Bills (Votes 9-0):
  • Warrant for Sargent’s Court Reporting Services ($5,556.40) – passed.
  • Warrant for Precision Auto Express Repair ($6,347.85) – passed.
  • Warrant for Major Cities Chiefs Association dues ($7,500) – passed.
  • Ordinance creating Right-of-Way Accessibility Needs Inventory (Chapter 174) – passed.
  • Agreement with Peoples Natural Gas for Riverview Park natural gas service – passed.
  • Declaration of Restrictions for Spring Hill Park/Playground (NPDES condition) – passed.
  • Authorization for Borough of Crafton to take eminent domain over parcel 39-F-280 – passed.
  • Agreement with I/O Solutions for police recruit testing ($151,980 over 3 years) – passed.
  • Agreement with Trust for Public Land for greenway signage grant ($25,000) – passed.
  • Reallocation of $55,692.60 in CDBG-CV funds to two food banks – passed.
• NFL Draft Resolution (2026-0290) introduced and waived to appear on March 25 standing committee agenda.
• Executive Sessions Scheduled: Two sessions at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on litigation matters; also a public hearing at 1:30 PM on Bill 165 (municipal court records).
• Upcoming Meetings: March 25 pre-agenda interview for Historic Review Commission (9:30 AM) followed by standing committee (10 AM); post-agenda discussion on 4th quarter 2025 financials (1:30 PM); March 26 pre-agenda interview with John McClory for Public Works director (11 AM).