Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting - May 27, 2026

The City of Pittsburgh's Standing Committees met on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a broad range of legislative items including budget amendments, property claims, grant agreements, zoning changes, and new revenue proposals. Several items were advanced with affirmative recommendations, while others were held for public hearings. Public comment featured concerns about transparency, a rezoning in Hazelwood, and senior transportation issues.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller requested legal documentation regarding the city's ability to declare a state of emergency and criticized the mayor and council president for not responding, threatening impeachment proceedings.
• Chief Ikhana-hal makina alleged misuse of public funds by a councilmember and called for that member to step down.
• Lori Kolczynski, General Manager of Republic Services, opposed a rezoning that would affect their recycling facility in Hazelwood. She stated that since acquiring the facility 15 months ago, Republic Services has spent $4.2 million on upgrades and reduced city expenses by $1.2 million through commodity rebates. She argued the rezoning unfairly targets a vital city service.
• John Ashbridge of Allegheny Valley Railroad requested time to review a last-minute amendment to the Hazelwood rezoning before action.
• Yvonne F. Brown addressed senior transportation needs, criticized a county council member's behavior, and thanked Councilman Wilson for extending speaking time from one minute to three minutes for those not pre-registered.

Discussion Items

Finance and Law Committee (Mrs. Strassburger, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0509 (Capital Budget match timing) was discussed at length. The ordinance shifts the requirement to set aside matching funds for grants from the time of application to the time of award, to avoid freezing funds in tight financial times. Councilmembers Warwick and Gross expressed concerns about reduced transparency and potential loss of public input, but after clarifying that 90% of grant matches are already budgeted and council retains approval power, the bill was affirmatively recommended.
• Bill 2026-0515 (Bromberg & Associates communication services) was amended to reduce the contract increase from $120,000 to $75,000, resulting in a new not-to-exceed amount of $778,976. The contract covers ASL interpretation services. The bill was then affirmatively recommended.
• Other finance items (B2GNow account codes, quit-claim deed, claim settlement) were approved without significant discussion.

Public Safety and Wellness Committee (Mr. Coghill, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0499 authorized $16,450 for catering during the NFL draft, reimbursable from $2 million in state funds. Bill 2026-0500 authorized an IRB agreement with the University of Pittsburgh for EMS research. Bill 2026-0501 adopted the Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan, unlocking federal hazard mitigation funding. All were affirmatively recommended.

Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (Mrs. Salinetro, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0300 (emergency snow removal warrant for A. Folino Construction, $481,320) was affirmatively recommended after the Public Works Director confirmed adequate backup documentation.
• Bill 2026-0507 authorized a $1,666,217 EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant to revamp the curbside yard waste collection program. Affirmatively recommended.
• Bill 2026-0508 authorized a $1,000,000 reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for the West End Trolley Trail construction phase, with 80% reimbursement and a city share not to exceed $4,000. Affirmatively recommended.
• Bill 2026-0516 (Petition to keep Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park as pedestrian/bike only) was held for a cablecast public hearing.

Land Use and Economic Development Committee (Mr. Wilson, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0544 (Licensing of Mechanical Amusement Devices) was introduced by Councilman Wilson as a new revenue source. The proposed ordinance would impose a privilege tax: $1,000/year per skill game machine, $100/year per claw/prize machine, and $10/year per jukebox, dartboard, or pool table. Estimated revenue is $2–3 million annually. Councilman Coghill (sponsor) noted the tax is not on homeowners and would help address budget deficits. Councilman Charland expressed caution about gambling addiction. The bill was held for a cablecast public hearing.
• Bill 2025-1993 (Hazelwood RIV-GI to RIV-IMU rezoning) was amended by substitute and affirmatively recommended.
• Bill 2026-0513 (Homewood West rezoning from R1D-L to Urban Industrial) was held for a cablecast public hearing.
• Bill 2026-0518 (East Carson Street Improvement District) was introduced by Councilman Charland. He noted a 24% to 16.4% vacancy rate improvement and 94% survey support. The district would be funded by property assessments and managed by a neighborhood improvement district management association. Held for a cablecast public hearing.

Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services Committee (Mrs. Warwick, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0512 increased funding for the 250th anniversary Independence Day fireworks show by $261,800 (including grant funding) to a total not to exceed $514,000 over three years. Councilwoman Warwick noted the event won a national contest. Affirmatively recommended.

Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee (Ms. Gross, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0502 accepted a $50,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund grant to provide microgrants (up to $5,000 each) for youth-led climate projects. The city hopes to match funding by distributing quickly. The Innovation and Performance team detailed plans to use EngagePGH for applications starting in July. Affirmatively recommended.

Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee (Mr. Mosley, Chair)

• Bill 2026-0503 accepted a $250,000 HUD Economic Development Initiative grant for the Thaddeus Stevens Recreation Center.
• Bill 2026-0504 authorized $27,563 for annual membership dues to CONNECT (Congress of Neighboring Communities).
• Bill 2026-0505 amended a previous resolution for the Former Homewood School Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to increase the total award and adjust the match.
• Bill 2026-0506 adopted a plan revision to the city's Sewage Facilities Plan for 2200 Railroad Street at no cost to the city. All were affirmatively recommended.

Key Outcomes

• Legislative approvals: All bills brought to a vote (except those held for hearings) received affirmative recommendations or approvals, including:
  • Capital Budget language adjustment (local match timing change) – passed.
  • Bromberg contract amendment reduced by $45,000 to a total of $778,976 – passed as amended.
  • Emergency snow removal warrant ($481,320) for A. Folino Construction – passed.
  • Solid waste recycling grant ($1,666,217) and West End Trolley Trail agreement ($1,000,000) – passed.
  • Fireworks contract increase to $514,000 – passed.
  • Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund grant ($50,000) – passed.
  • Various grants, warrants, and invoices approved.
• Items held for public hearing:
  • Serpentine Drive pedestrian/bike designation (Bill 516) – held.
  • Mechanical Amusement Devices licensing (Bill 544) – held, public hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
  • Homewood West rezoning (Bill 513) – held.
  • East Carson Street Improvement District (Bill 518) – held, public hearing scheduled for July 8, 2026.
• Amendments: Bill 515 (Bromberg) amended to reduce contract increase; Bill 1993 (Hazelwood rezoning) amended by substitute.
• Next steps: Council will hold a post-agenda on noise ordinance (May 28), a public hearing on North Side zoning (June 1), regular meeting (June 2), and standing committees (June 3).