Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council convened on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM for a regular meeting. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of numerous resolutions and ordinances from committee reports. All final actions passed unanimously or with one member absent.

Proclamations

• 2026-0491: Recognized the Department of Public Works and declared May 17–23, 2026 as "National Public Works Week" in Pittsburgh. Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0498: Recognized the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Two Pittsburgh (082-07-02) and declared May 16–22, 2026 as "Safe Boating Week". Adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Werder Brown (Watersheds of South Pittsburgh): Opposed the planned reconstruction of the Route 51 salt storage facility next to Sawmill Run. She noted that since 2016, fish counts improved from zero to over 400 fish at two sites due to watershed efforts, and argued the salt facility threatens this progress and continues a history of disinvestment along Route 51.
• Caitlin Mitchell (Westwood resident, works with Watersheds of South Pittsburgh and Three Rivers Wet Weather): Opposed the salt storage site, stating that runoff will still discharge into the stream via stormwater systems, that chloride is not removed by wastewater treatment, and that bioretention ponds will become less effective over time. She asked the city to move the facility away from the floodplain.
• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller: Proposed the creation of a Pittsburgh City Library Network linking with international libraries, and advocated for consistent policies to recover unreturned books.
• Bethani Cameron (Informop.org): Presented results of a community survey (42 respondents, May 15–18). Key findings: 77% of permit applicants had problems, 10% gave up; 59% somewhat or strongly supported formal recognition of LGBTQ+ history; 61% said they would use an online budget tool if input was referenced at a public meeting.
• Howard HP Jackson (Black Political Empowerment Project): Urged participation in the upcoming midterm elections, criticized the current federal administration, and emphasized voting as a source of power.
• Matilda Amar (St. Edmund's Academy, Girls with Goals): Suggested that the city install equipment-borrowing stations at public parks so that everyone can access sports equipment.
• Rick Smith (North Oakland, District 8): Thanked council members for addressing data privacy concerns in the Johns Hopkins data sharing agreement (2026-0472), but questioned whether one of the city’s OneStop platforms permits use for AI training.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Hill District): Shared the story of her son’s death and criticized the process for selecting a new police chief, arguing that community input was not gathered fairly; she also called for greater representation and communication from the council.

Discussion Items

• Extension for Planning Commission (Bill 2026-0517): Council Member Mosley requested a roll call vote to grant a six-week extension for the Planning Commission to act on Council Bill 2026-0009, citing ongoing work on revisions. The motion passed unanimously (9-0).

Consent Calendar – Final Actions (All passed unanimously unless noted)

All of the following items received final passage after being reported out of committee. Votes were 9-0 except where Council Member Gross was out of the room (noted as 8-0).

• 2026-0448: Accepted a $400,000 Keystone grant for HVAC and roof replacement at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill branch. (9-0)
• 2026-0449: Amended the 2023 Capital Budget, reducing PARK RECONSTRUCTION by $143,966.12 and FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS – RECREATION AND SENIOR CENTERS by $82,175.66, and increasing FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS – SPORTS FACILITIES by $226,141.78. (9-0)
• 2026-0439: Authorized a $69,000 over five years maintenance agreement with Leidos Security Detection & Automation for x-ray security systems. (9-0)
• 2026-0445: Supplemental agreement with Toole Design LLC for Phase 2 of the West Pittsburgh REACH Neighborhood Mobility Plan, not to exceed $204,274 (increase of $100,000). (8-0, Gross out of room)
• 2026-0446: Amended PENNDOT reimbursement agreement for the City Steps Project, not to exceed $9,870,000 (net increase $7,220,000), reimbursable at 80%; municipal share of incurred costs not to exceed $46,000. (8-0, Gross out of room)
• 2026-0451: Accepted a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to conduct a City of Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Context Statement. (8-0, Gross out of room)
• 2026-0440: Extended the contract with Euna Solutions for a budgeting and performance management system, increasing by $286,739.58, new total $785,864.58 over nine years. (9-0)
• 2026-0441: Extended the agreement with Policy Confluence (Balancing Act) for online budget engagement tools, increasing by $13,000, new total $52,000 over four years. (9-0)
• 2026-0442: Issued a warrant for a one-year subscription with Euna Solutions, not to exceed $19,980. (9-0)
• 2026-0472: Authorized a data sharing agreement with Johns Hopkins University for the Data Science for Social Good program at no cost to the city over three years. (9-0)
• 2026-0443: Adopted a plan revision to the Official Sewage Facilities Plan for 7606-7610 Tioga St., at no cost. (9-0)
• 2026-0444: Adopted a plan revision to the Official Sewage Facilities Plan for 2695 Winchester Dr., at no cost. (9-0)

Key Outcomes

• All committee-recommended items listed above received final passage.
• A petition from Pittsburgh residents requesting a public hearing on maintaining Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park as a pedestrian and bike-only throughway was read and referred to the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure.
• The meeting concluded with the approval of minutes and adjournment.