Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting Summary: April 20, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – April 20, 2026
The City Council of Pittsburgh held its regular meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers, 510 City-County Building. All nine members were present. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of numerous resolutions from committee reports.
Proclamations
- John Geiger Day (April 22, 2026) – Recognizing the Pittsburgh-born designer and entrepreneur. Adopted unanimously.
- Ann Belser and East End Print Day (April 24, 2026) – Honoring the journalist and local print shop. Adopted unanimously.
- National Library Week (April 19–25, 2026) – Proclaimed by Council, with remarks from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh representatives. Adopted unanimously.
- James Snow Recognition – Commending his professional achievements and community service. Adopted unanimously.
- Ed Williams Day (April 20, 2026) – Honoring the DPW Division II supervisor for 22 years of service. Council members shared remarks on his dedication. Adopted unanimously.
Public Comments
- Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Central Oakland) – Expressed concern about CTE in American football, referencing Dr. Bennet Omalu’s discovery and the NFL’s delayed recognition. He criticized the local media and NFL for what he called a “big error” in not informing young athletes about the risks. He also noted his own work at the University of Pittsburgh.
Presentation of Papers (New Legislation)
The following items were introduced and referred to the appropriate standing committees:
- 2026-0383 (Coghill) – Warrant for PFM Group Consulting LLC ($90,588.24) for Act 111 arbitration with FOP.
- 2026-0384 (Gross) – Amendment to CORE Business Technologies contract ($500,229.35 total).
- 2026-0385 (Mosley) – Sewage facilities plan revision for 3634 Penn Ave.
- 2026-0386 (Mosley) – Right-of-way license agreement with ALCOSAN.
- 2026-0387 (Salinetro) – Easement with Duquesne Light for one pole and anchor.
- 2026-0388 (Salinetro) – Amended reimbursement agreement for Smithfield Street Reconstruction ($10,126,000, increase of $236,000). Rule 8 waived; referred to Public Works.
- 2026-0389 (Salinetro) – Agreement with Student Conservation Association for volunteer services.
- 2026-0391, 0392 (Strassburger) – Amendments to open-end professional services agreements (adding 58 agreements each).
- 2026-0393, 0394, 0395 (Strassburger) – Warrants for claim settlements and litigation costs.
- 2026-0396 (Strassburger) – Designation of bank depositories for 2026–2028.
- 2026-0399, 0400 (Strassburger) – Amendments to additional open-end professional services agreements (adding 39 agreements each).
- 2026-0390 (Wilson) – CDBG-CV reallocation of $55,692.60 to two food banks.
- 2026-0397, 0398 (Lavelle) – Communications from OMB regarding grants update and acting pay request.
Reports of Committee – Final Action
All items below were passed finally with unanimous 9-0 votes:
- 2026-0278 – ARPA funding amendment (version 10), amended via motion before final passage.
- 2026-0279 – EMS position reclassification (eliminate District Division Chief, add Assistant Chief).
- 2026-0280 – Parks Trust Fund increase by $500,000.
- 2026-0285 – Operating budget amendments, amended before final passage.
- 2026-0316 – Transfer of $144,100 from litter can upgrades to play area improvements.
- 2026-0317 – Conveyance of two properties (1518 Fallowfield Ave, 136 Bodkin St) with affordability restrictions.
- 2026-0318 – Rescind sale of 2046 Ley St.
- 2026-0319 – Sale of 24 tax-acquired properties (Items A through X).
- 2026-0315 – Easement with Duquesne Light for wires, cable, and transformer at no cost.
- 2026-0346 – Lease amendment with Wood Street Commons Commercial LLC ($502,620.10 over two years).
- 2026-0321 – Amendment to Urban Design Ventures contract (increase by $86,000, total $277,000).
- 2026-0322 – Reprogram $144,100 from play area improvements to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
- 2026-0314 – Realignment of URA ARPA project line items.
Discussion Items
- Councilwoman Gross – Commented on the reduction of the Food Justice Fund from $500,000 to $250,000 in the budget amendments. She emphasized the positive impact of city investments in community gardens, noting that last year the city reached 60 gardens after decades of supporting only four. She highlighted DPW and Parks & Rec resources (compost, fencing, tools) and the recent $130,000 CDBG reallocation to the food bank. She expressed hope for continued collaboration with the administration.
- Councilman Mosley – Congratulated the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on the opening of Arts Landing, mentioning his father’s exhibition “Touching the Earth” and the amphitheater. He encouraged the public to visit.
Key Outcomes
- All proclamations adopted unanimously.
- Public comment heard from one speaker.
- 19 new pieces of legislation introduced and referred to committees.
- 13 resolutions passed finally with unanimous 9-0 votes.
- Rule 8 waiver granted for Smithfield Street Reconstruction (2026-0388).
- Amendments to ARPA (2026-0278) and operating budget (2026-0285) approved before final passage.
- Executive session scheduled for 1:00 PM on litigation items (2026-0383, 0393, 0394, 0395).
- Standing committee meeting scheduled for 1:30 PM.
- Minutes approved and meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
We'll just stand one nation under God. Individual liberty and justice overall. Thank you very much. Our next order of business is to amend the agendas. Or a motion to amend. So move. Second. All those in favor say aye. The agenda has been amended. Cool. Our next order of business is proclamations. We'll begin with Councilman Mosley. Can everybody okay with uh Supervisor Williams and the second division come up and join us? Ryan, you can join us too if you want. You can join us. Okay. Um, you know, it's truly uh honored to be able to present this proclamation today to my good friend Ed Williams. Uh we've only known each other for a couple years, but uh I feel like uh you know we've been kindred spirits over over this time um doing the important work of serving the constituents uh of District Nine as well as Division Two through throughout the East End, and I feel like that the work that we do together is really uh integral into you know restoring people's faith in government, whether it's uh you know a pothole or tree cut down um or the work that you did most recently in helping us uh get legislation passed to address the retaining wall and Lincoln Lemmington on Dunmore Street. So whereas Edward J. Williams, affectionately known as Ed, has honorably served the the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works for 22 years and counting, and is currently the supervisor of Public Works Division II and was previously a Division II truck driver and foreman, as well as a laborer at Shinley Park truck driver at Division One and Environmental Services and whereas Ed grew up in the Arlington Heights section of Pittsburgh, graduated from Southville Tech High School, okay, you're an Oriole and attended Pittsburgh Job Corps. He shares four adult children with his wife of 21 years, Miriam Williams. And whereas Division II supervisor as Division II supervisor of 35 employees, Ed has met many challenges but handles everything with grace and poise. I can't attest to that. He never complains when constituents demand his immediate attention, equipment malfunction, or because he has limited staff. He notes the issue, investigates it, resolves it, as he does with many day-to-day obstacles for the neighborhoods he serves. And whereas Council District 9 greatly appreciates the hard work and public services that Ed and Division Two provide when asked about his favorite part of the job, he stated helping the elderly and handicapped are my number one priority, and I love helping people in the neighborhood. And whereas Ed's unwavering devotion to public service exemplifies the highest standards of character and civic spirit, and now therefore be a resolve that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Ed Williams for his service to the City of Pittsburgh and his community and be a further resolve that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare today, Monday, April 20th, 2026, to be Ed Williams Day in the City of Pittsburgh. Thank you, Leslie. Thank you, Letisha. How are you doing, Erica? Yep. So uh yeah, like you said, I mean I I enjoy taking care of the neighborhoods, especially the elderly and everyone in the neighborhoods. Uh I mean it's just it's just who I am. You know, I I'm I'm definitely outgoing person when it comes to serving the neighborhood. So, you know, I enjoy what I do. You know, I've been doing it for a while and started throwing garbage for the city, and for throwing garbage for the city, you know, you touch every person on every street. So thank you. Thank you, guys, and I appreciate it. Thank you. And uh and before I ask uh, you know, members that come up, I you know I can't attest to that. You know, um I had a constituent gave me a call on a Friday night about 10 o'clock, you know, and apologize for calling me on a Friday night, you know, and said that um, you know, environmental services, uh, you know, missed my house, and in a half an hour, uh somebody from Division Two was up there to pick up our garbage at 10 30. She was like, I was expecting to be waiting until Monday to get the garbage picked up, but it's because of you know your commitment, you know, to the community, and you do a lot to make me look good. So um I I got I gotta give you your flowers, so thank you so much. And I'd like to uh oh uh councilman Strasberger. Well, if I could just add to what you're saying, a recent visit down to Division II, I just found that not only Supervisor Williams, but the entire team at Division II was eager to work, they were happy, they were ready for more work. They're like, what can we do? Get more work, you know, draft is coming, can we get more work? And I was like, that is a sign that not only are you um dedicated, but you've you have an infectious sort of um you know dedication to your work that that that then trickles down to everybody that you work with. And um that's that makes a great um division and it makes a great city. So congratulations on that as well.
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