OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting Summary – May 12, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:38:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:53

Also, God is not a problem, but Well, it's not so many debates yet, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, May twelfth, two thousand twenty six.

25:53

Would a clerk please take the role.

26:03

Mr.

26:03

Mosley.

26:12

Mrs.

26:13

Warwick.

26:15

Mr.

26:15

Wilson.

26:19

Here.

26:20

Five members present.

26:21

Thank you.

26:21

For those who are able, please rise for the pleasure of allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence.

26:46

Very much.

27:00

You have one to present.

27:10

Can I get the folks up here for Koanas?

27:35

Whereas, chartered by Kawanas International on May 10th, 1951, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan in Pittsburgh has continuously served children and the Sheridan West uh West Pittsburgh communities for 75 years.

27:50

Its members are residents, former residents, and friends from across PA.

27:55

Each year, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan contributes thousands of volunteer hours.

28:00

Annual events include Easter egg hunt, a health, safety, and fun fair, and a scholarship for community-minded local high school seniors.

28:09

The club also maintains the Sheridan Bulletin Board, neighborhood portal signs, and the American flags and other seasonal flag displays, and oversees the Kawanis Quarter Shelter located at the intersection of Hillsboro and Sheridan Boulevard for community events.

28:25

Whereas the Kawanis Club of Sheridan sponsors five service leadership programs, Action Club with City Connections programs for young adults with intellectual and non-visible disabilities, Builders Club at Langley Pre-Kay and the Pittsburgh Classical Academy, the Key Club at the Upper St.

28:43

Clair High School, and Circle K at Carnegie Millen University, each offering students a community service opportunities and leadership development.

28:52

Whereas major fundraisers include the annual Pancake Breakfast and the Spring Costa dinner offering affordable food and fellowship.

29:00

The Kawanis Classic Golf Outing, featuring a round of golf, appreciation lunch, and prizes and awards.

29:08

And whereas, in celebration of its 75 years of service, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan will commemorate its milestone with a formal anniversary dinner on May 14th at the Lamont Restaurant atop Mount Washington.

29:22

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the Kawanas Club of Sheridan and congratulate them on their 75 years of service.

29:30

And be it further resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare a Sunday, May 10th, 2026, to be Kawanis Club of Sheridan Day in the City of Pittsburgh.

29:40

May we have a motion to approve.

29:42

So moved.

29:43

Second.

29:44

All in favor say aye.

29:45

Aye.

29:45

Congratulations.

29:51

This club does so much for the community.

29:54

They volunteer, they help our kids out.

29:57

They are uh irreplaceable in the community, and there's so many good people involved.

30:02

Um does anybody want to speak?

30:04

I want to give this to you.

30:14

Thank you, President of Council, Council members, thank you, guests.

30:18

Um, we have served the community for 75 years, and um I'm a 35-year member myself, so um, it's a great honor to be here.

30:28

Great honor to be recognized by the city council, and uh we appreciate all you do as well.

30:33

Thank you so much.

30:40

Okay.

30:41

Can we get the rest of council up to um for a picture?

31:53

And we have one to be read into the record.

31:56

Councilmember Strasberger presents, be it further resolved that the council of the city of Pittsburgh extends to Mr.

32:03

Hahn its profound gratitude and warmest wishes for a richly deserved next chapter.

32:10

Maybe have a motion to approve.

32:12

So move.

32:13

All favor say aye.

32:14

Aye.

32:15

Proclamation has been approved.

32:17

The next order of business is public comment.

32:19

I would like to remind everyone of the rules of Council of State that comments are limited to massive concern, official accent or deliberation, which may be for city council.

32:27

Profanity would not be permitted after you were called.

32:29

Please restate your name, provide your neighborhood for the record.

32:32

You'll be given three minutes to speak.

32:34

Our first registered speaker is Farouk al-Say.

32:42

Is Farooq al-Sai with us?

32:45

If not, our next registered speaker.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████████39%
Community Engagement██████████████████18%
Youth Programs███████████11%
Racial Equity███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Homelessness███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting Summary – May 12, 2026

The City Council of Pittsburgh held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of several ordinances and resolutions. Council Member Bobby Wilson was absent; all other eight members were present.

Proclamations

  • 2026-0468: Honored Christopher Hahn for 26 years of leadership at Pittsburgh Opera. Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 275).
  • 2026-0469: Recognized the Kiwanis Club of Sheraden for 75 years of service and declared May 10, 2026 as “Kiwanis Club of Sheraden Day.” Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 276).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bethani Cameron (InformUp.org) presented survey results from 156 respondents across all nine council districts. Key findings:
    • 37% were unsure about enforcement of immigration enforcement rules; 31% confident; 32% not confident.
    • Regarding teen restrictions in public spaces, 65% prioritized input from community members, 58% crime statistics, 54% business input, 53% police observations, and 30% input from teenagers themselves. Comments were polarized.
    • For recycling, 37% were satisfied with current service, 28% wanted increased pickup frequency, 15% reported missed pickups.
  • Jasmine Green and Farooq Al-Said (OneHood Media) invited council to a youth forum on May 16, 2026, emphasizing the need to center youth voices in safety discussions.
  • Donnaray Schilling suggested distributing bus passes to parents to help monitor youth downtown, and called for parent involvement.
  • Chief Ikhana-hal-makina urged the city to create meaningful programs for youth instead of punitive measures.
  • Unique Brown spoke on behalf of Black mothers, stating that the city responds more quickly to white mothers' pleas, and criticized inequities.
  • Mark McHugh argued against attributing youth misbehavior to poverty, emphasizing personal responsibility and parental involvement.
  • Yvonne F. Brown urged men to intervene with youth in public spaces and warned against police confrontations.
  • Special Agent Sunshine gave a religious message and raised concerns about bed bugs on public transit.
  • Rick Smith asked that the Johns Hopkins data-sharing agreement (2026-0472) include clear public explanation of data shared and benefits.
  • A petition (2026-0487) from residents requesting a public hearing to reopen Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park to car traffic was introduced and referred to committee. The petition, supported by the Squirrel Hill Historical Society, argued the road was intended for vehicles and provides a safer connection without forcing traffic onto residential streets.

Introduction of New Legislation

Several resolutions were introduced and referred to standing committees:

  • 2026-0470: Amends legal contract with MBM Law LLP for Human Relations Commission solicitor services (increase from $125,000 to $165,000). Referred to Human Resources.
  • 2026-0471: Accepts $25,000 grant from NACCHO for post-overdose trauma-informed training. Referred to Public Safety and Wellness.
  • 2026-0472: Authorizes data-sharing agreement with Johns Hopkins University (Data Science for Social Good program) at no cost for three years. Rule 8 waived to allow placement on next day’s committee agenda. Councilmember Gross noted it would not lose funding if delayed, and more information would be available. Referred to Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology.
  • 2026-0473: Warrant for $52,962.24 to Pennsylvania Municipal League for annual subscription. Referred to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs.
  • 2026-0474: Reimbursement agreement with Pittsburgh Water for RAISE Grant project (up to $50,000). Referred to same committee.
  • 2026-0483: Cooperation agreement with Bike Share Pittsburgh for $800,000 in-kind/cash match for POGOH Expansion Phase 3 CMAQ grant. Referred to same committee.
  • 2026-0475: Cooperation agreement with Friends of the Riverfront for repaving Hazelwood Trail ($125,000). Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
  • 2026-0476: License for HG BLAIR LLC for foundation footings extending into right-of-way (4612 Lytle St). Referred to Public Works.
  • 2026-0477: License for ALMONO LP for four balconies extending into right-of-way (Eliza St). Referred to Public Works.
  • 2026-0482: Reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for preliminary design of POGOH Phase 3 (up to $4 million, 80% reimbursable, $800,000 from Bike Share Pittsburgh, no city cost). Referred to Public Works.
  • 2026-0478: Accepts $25,000 grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation for economic development marketing. Referred to Finance and Law.
  • 2026-0479: Warrant for $18,420 to Meyer Unkovic & Scott for litigation (GD 25-6555). Referred to Finance and Law. (Executive session held earlier that day.)
  • 2026-0459: Approves paving concrete portion of Elwell Street with asphalt. Referred to Public Works.
  • 2026-0480: Accepts $630,000 grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation for America’s 250th Anniversary celebration. Referred to Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services.
  • 2026-0481: Conditional use application for Passport Academy Charter School at 1835 Forbes Avenue. Referred to Land Use and Economic Development (held for public hearing).
  • 2026-0486: Appointment of Ronda Sherrill as Assistant Director, Secretary and Chief Examiner of HR and Civil Service – approved.
  • 2026-0484 and 2026-0485: Communications from OMB (grants update) and City Controller (Q1 overtime/premium pay report) were received and filed.
  • 2026-0489: Repeals Chapter 179D (Records Management Advisory Commission). Referred to Finance and Law.
  • 2026-0490: Adds Section 154.03 (Records Retention Schedules). Referred to Finance and Law.

Unfinished Business & Committee Reports – Final Actions

All committee reports read and received. The following bills were given final passage (all votes 8-0 except where noted):

  • 2026-0420: Warrant for $5,000 to Mary Ellen DeMarco-Ruby for litigation settlement. Passed 7-0 (Council Member Coghill out of room; Wilson absent).
  • 2026-0450: Amends debt ordinance to increase maximum reimbursement amount for General Obligation Bonds while maintaining aggregate principal.
  • 2026-0288: Ordinance prohibiting immigration enforcement in city-owned or operated spaces (Chapter 495).
  • 2026-0289: Ordinance protecting community spaces (Chapter 496). Both co-sponsored by Council Member Warwick.
  • 2026-0462: Resolution directing Police to provide quarterly violent crime data disaggregated by age, gender, location, and area of residence. Amended to add “gender of perpetrator” and “area of residence of perpetrator” (amendment passed; final vote 8-0).
  • 2026-0415: Amends Studio Zewde contract for Homewood Park construction – increase of $48,000 to $2,137,082.30.
  • 2026-0416: Amends Klavon Design contract for Sheraden Park I – increase of $10,945 to $310,945.
  • 2026-0417: Contract with A. Merante Contracting Inc. for Smithfield Street Reconstruction Phase 1 – $6,672,202.56.
  • 2026-0418: Accepts dedication of right-of-way at North Avenue and Brighton Road for bridge reconstruction.
  • 2026-0447: Supplemental agreement with A. Liberoni Inc. for Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path – net increase of $139,306.84 to $1,871,810.97.
  • 2026-0419: Warrant for $250,000 to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for horticultural and forestry work in five parks.
  • 2026-0408: Amends RouteSmart Technologies contract for trash/recycling routing optimization – increase of $113,280 to $360,407.
  • 2026-0427: Re-numbers Housing Data Dashboard chapter from 173A to 162A to conform with code.
  • 2026-0409: Adopts plan revision to Sewage Facilities Plan for 217-239 Halket Street.
  • 2026-0410: Amends cooperation agreement with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for maintenance of plantings (West End Baskets).
  • 2026-0411: Reimbursement agreement with Pittsburgh Water for Smithfield Street Phase 1 (up to $123,000) and amends capital budget accordingly.
  • 2026-0413: Authorizes Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire 14 city-owned properties in 15th Ward (Chatsworth Ave, Monongahela St, Berwick St) at no cost.

Key Outcomes

  • All final passage votes were unanimous (8-0 or 7-0 with one absence/out of room).
  • The violent crime data resolution was amended to include gender and area of residence of perpetrator, as proposed by Council Member Warwick and supported by Council Member Gross.
  • The Johns Hopkins data-sharing agreement (2026-0472) was placed on the next day’s standing committee agenda after a Rule 8 waiver; further briefing scheduled that afternoon.
  • A petition to reopen Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park was referred to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
  • Council held an executive session on litigation at 1:00 PM.
  • Next standing committee meeting scheduled for May 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Also, God is not a problem, but Well, it's not so many debates yet, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, May twelfth, two thousand twenty six. Would a clerk please take the role. Mr. Mosley. Mrs. Warwick. Mr. Wilson. Here. Five members present. Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the pleasure of allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence. Very much. You have one to present. Can I get the folks up here for Koanas? Whereas, chartered by Kawanas International on May 10th, 1951, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan in Pittsburgh has continuously served children and the Sheridan West uh West Pittsburgh communities for 75 years. Its members are residents, former residents, and friends from across PA. Each year, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan contributes thousands of volunteer hours. Annual events include Easter egg hunt, a health, safety, and fun fair, and a scholarship for community-minded local high school seniors. The club also maintains the Sheridan Bulletin Board, neighborhood portal signs, and the American flags and other seasonal flag displays, and oversees the Kawanis Quarter Shelter located at the intersection of Hillsboro and Sheridan Boulevard for community events. Whereas the Kawanis Club of Sheridan sponsors five service leadership programs, Action Club with City Connections programs for young adults with intellectual and non-visible disabilities, Builders Club at Langley Pre-Kay and the Pittsburgh Classical Academy, the Key Club at the Upper St. Clair High School, and Circle K at Carnegie Millen University, each offering students a community service opportunities and leadership development. Whereas major fundraisers include the annual Pancake Breakfast and the Spring Costa dinner offering affordable food and fellowship. The Kawanis Classic Golf Outing, featuring a round of golf, appreciation lunch, and prizes and awards. And whereas, in celebration of its 75 years of service, the Kawanas Club of Sheridan will commemorate its milestone with a formal anniversary dinner on May 14th at the Lamont Restaurant atop Mount Washington. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the Kawanas Club of Sheridan and congratulate them on their 75 years of service. And be it further resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare a Sunday, May 10th, 2026, to be Kawanis Club of Sheridan Day in the City of Pittsburgh. May we have a motion to approve. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Congratulations. This club does so much for the community. They volunteer, they help our kids out. They are uh irreplaceable in the community, and there's so many good people involved. Um does anybody want to speak? I want to give this to you. Thank you, President of Council, Council members, thank you, guests. Um, we have served the community for 75 years, and um I'm a 35-year member myself, so um, it's a great honor to be here. Great honor to be recognized by the city council, and uh we appreciate all you do as well. Thank you so much. Okay. Can we get the rest of council up to um for a picture? And we have one to be read into the record. Councilmember Strasberger presents, be it further resolved that the council of the city of Pittsburgh extends to Mr. Hahn its profound gratitude and warmest wishes for a richly deserved next chapter. Maybe have a motion to approve. So move. All favor say aye.

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