Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026
The City Council held its regular meeting on April 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All nine members were present. The meeting included adoption of multiple proclamations, public comment from 11 speakers, introduction of new legislation, and final approval of several items from standing committees.
Proclamations
- Council adopted a proclamation declaring April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" in Pittsburgh, commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Council Member Gross and staff highlighted the city's commitment to fair housing enforcement.
- Council declared April 16, 2026 as "Boys & Girls Clubs' Pennsylvania Youth of the Year Day".
- Council declared that Chris Moore has made an incalculable impact on Pittsburgh's journalism, radio, and culture. (Council Member Mosley was absent; President Lavelle read the proclamation.)
- Council declared Sunday, April 19, 2026 as "Friendship Circle Day" in Pittsburgh, recognizing 20 years of building an inclusive community.
- Council declared Saturday, April 18, 2026 as "Frick Environmental Center Day".
- Council declared April 14, 2026 as "David A. Blaner Day" and "Judge Michael E. McCarthy Day".
- Council declared April 14, 2026 as "Arbor Day and Twenty-First Anniversary of Tree City USA Day".
- Council congratulated the Neighborhood Academy Boys Basketball Team on their remarkable achievements, including a 25-4 record, back-to-back WPIAL Class A championships, and PIAA runner-up.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller and Ikhana-hal-makina (Chief): Called for responsible procurement of firearms and stricter policies to keep guns from youth, suggesting a "vision zero" for crime guns. Criticized city enforcement and called for accountability.
- Jacob Poole: Alleged being a victim of child trafficking from Eastern Europe, claiming thousands of people in Pittsburgh are held with falsified records. Asked for help filing police reports.
- Tim Chelsey, Ken Humble, Steve Shreckengos, Patrick Robinson, Eric Dickson, Ray McDonagle, Steve Mazza (all from Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters): Expressed concerns about construction industry tax fraud, worker misclassification, payroll theft, and unfair competition. They noted that at least one in five contractors commits federal tax fraud, costing Pennsylvania $82 billion. They urged stronger enforcement and referenced a 2019 task force that led to legislation but has not been enforced. Steve Mazza read a letter about a Florida contractor who pleaded guilty to a $38 million off-the-books payroll scheme.
- Special Agent Sunshine (self-identified): Spoke about child abduction and fraud, referencing biblical verses and accusing the city of being complicit in covering up her identity and stealing inheritances. Called for an end to exploitation.
- Patrick Robinson (also speaking as Patrick Robinson LLC and Rogue Inc.): Discussed the upcoming NFL Draft, offering to help with traffic congestion using golf carts and parking lots on the Hill District. Also urged action to address youth violence downtown, proposing a film program to engage youth.
New Legislation Introduced (Presentation of Papers)
Several resolutions and one ordinance were introduced and referred to committees:
- Councilperson Charland: Bills 346-348 regarding lease for Pittsburgh Partnership office space ($502,620.10 over 2 years), 2025 Pittsburgh Partnership Employment Program ($320,000), and Joint Jobs Initiative EARN program grants ($3,828,594). Bill 346 was waived under Rule 8 and referred to Human Resources Committee.
- Councilwoman Gross: Bills 349 (InsightSoftware services, $5,499.90), 369 (Allegheny Riverfront Trail Connectivity Planning Project grant, $100,000 total with $50,000 match), and 370 (Capital Budget amendment shifting $50,000 from Facility Improvements to Lower Heths Run).
- Councilman Mosley: Bills 350 (NFL Draft funding amendment – City to receive up to $2 million reimbursement from VisitPITTSBURGH), 351 (Acceptance of deed from PRT for Brookline Memorial Park expansion), 352 (Tree planting and trail access agreement with HACP for $1), and 353 (Land sale to GaiaScape LLC on Rosetta Street).
- Councilwoman Salinetro: Bills 354 (Accept $300,000 donation from Laborer's District Council for youth sports scoreboards), 355 (Accept $300,000 grant from Pirates Charities for youth baseball/softball field upgrades), 356 (Emerald View Park Tree Implementation grant, $500,000 total), 357 (Three Rivers Heritage Trail repaving grant, $500,000 total), 358 (Fort Pitt Park renovation grant, $1 million total), 359 (Accept up to $5 million from University of Pittsburgh for parks and capital projects), and 360 (RAISE grant construction inspection contract, $1,116,034.87, 80% reimbursable).
- Councilwoman Strassburger: Bills 361-364 – settlements and payments: $85,000 to Joseph Knitz (litigation), $17,850 to Foster & Foster (Act 111 arbitration), $11,078.50 to Sargent's Court Reporting, $17,726 to Ronald Talarico (arbitration). Executive sessions were scheduled.
- Councilwoman Warwick: Bill 335 – Ordinance to update chapter number for Right-of-Way Accessibility Needs Inventory (Chapter 162B).
- Council President Lavelle: Bill 365 – Appointment of Mohammed Burny to Ethics Hearing Board (term to April 2029) – approved unanimously.
- Bill 366: Communication from OMB submitting grants status update – received and filed.
Final Action on Committee Reports
All items from the April 8 committee meetings were passed finally by unanimous votes (9-0, per the minutes; the transcript indicates 8 ayes but includes all present members).
- Finance and Law Committee: Bills 297 (transfer of $134,831.25 from Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to Slope Failure Remediation), 303 (increase contract with Block & Associates by $60,000), 304 (warrant for Comber Miller LLC, $17,844.16), 305 (quitclaim deed to Mary Sauer for 708 North Pacific Ave), and 306 (settlement to Karen Williams, $7,496.63).
- Public Works and Infrastructure Committee: Bills 299 (revised payment schedule for Tree Pittsburgh Rising Main 3 restoration, $275,257.04), 301 (TRC Engineers for City Steps inspection, $1,448,949.42), 302 (supplemental agreement for California Avenue Bridge design, $2,205,692.96), 310 (asphalt paving of 7th Street), and 311 (asphalt paving of 9th Street).
- Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee: Bills 298 (access agreement with HACP for Fort Pitt Park parcel), 307 (Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisition of properties on Paulson, Lemington, Broadhead, and Wiltsie streets), and 308 (Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisition of properties on N Murtland, Fielding Way, Idlewild, and Monticello streets).
Key Outcomes
- All 8 proclamations were adopted unanimously.
- Mohammed Burny appointed to the Ethics Hearing Board (unanimous).
- 13 resolutions and 1 ordinance from committee reports were passed finally by unanimous votes.
- New legislation introduced will be considered in committee meetings on April 15, 2026.
- Public hearing on budget reopening bills (278, 279, 280, 285) scheduled for 1:30 PM on April 14, 2026.
- Standing committee meeting scheduled for April 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. Would a clerk please take the role? Mr. Charland, Mr. Coghill, Ms. Gross. Mr. Mosley, Mrs. Salonetro. Here. Mrs. Strassberger. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Lavelle President. Here. Six members present. Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence. Pledge of the questions to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Under the indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Our next order of business is to amend the agenda. There's a motion to amend. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations. We'll begin with Councilman Gross. Thank you. Thank you. May we have everyone up front for Fair Housing Month. We're so fortunate to have city employees who are helping protect our rights on a daily basis. And we are grateful that they protect amongst our many rights our right to fair housing. Thank you all. Whereas April 11th, 2026 marks the 57th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, Title 8 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which as amended pronounces a national policy mandating fair housing opportunities for all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. And whereas on December 16th, 1958, Mayor David Lawrence signed the Fair Housing Practices Ordinance into effect, which, as amended, additionally prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, place of birth, sexual orientation, status as a survivor of domestic violence, citizenship or immigration status, preferred language, hairstyle, or housing status. Whereas a legal barriers to equal opportunity in housing, whether subtle or blatant, diminish the rights of all and violate our community's shared and deeply held values of equality and dignity for all. Whereas the city through its mayor, council, commissions, departments, and authorities still works towards achieving the recommendations of the affirmatively furthering fair housing task force and ending housing inequality for its citizens. Whereas the international community in 2022 and 2023 issued recommendations to public officials in the U.S. calling for improved efforts to address the systemic discrimination that perpetuates poverty and homelessness and disproportionately harms racialized and other vulnerable populations. Whereas the city through its mayor and council reaffirm the commitment to ensuring housing as a human right through its policy implementation and enforcement.
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