Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - May 27, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on May 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, presentation of new legislative items, and final passage of multiple resolutions and ordinances from prior committee reports. Council Member Bobby Wilson was absent for all votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Al Jamaya neighborhood) expressed concerns about diversity and inclusion, stating that the city appears more pro-Christianity and Judaism and less supportive of Islam. He referenced the Tree of Life situation and described religious texts.
• Bethani Cameron (Overbrook, representing InformUp.org) presented survey results from 89 residents across all nine council districts on three topics: (1) additional Fourth of July funds – 27% wanted more live music/performances, 22% free food/vendors, 18% accessible viewing areas, 17% family activities, 16% community organization booths; (2) new POGOH bike stations – 34% wanted stations in neighborhoods without current coverage, 21% preferred commercial corridors, 21% near transit stops, 12% near schools; (3) online records – 17% wanted infrastructure records, 17% property/permit history, 15% neighborhood zoning decisions. One resident opposed bike expansion, preferring more fireworks spending.
• Chief Ikhana-hal-makina (Aboriginal American confederacy) urged the council to create meaningful programs for youth, criticized vape stores in neighborhoods, and expressed outrage that the city council meeting video becomes private immediately after adjournment, forcing residents to wait hours or a day to rewatch public comments.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Katie, referring to apartment building at top of Bedford) thanked council for preserving bus route 81 and for extending traffic signal times on Fifth and Fourth Avenues. She complained that Allegheny County Council member DeWitt Watson refused to address her community's need for bus service, instead claiming they need security.
• Special Agent Sunshine (missing child Ceres Taylor) claimed that communications with a family member who served in the military were stolen by persons in the room, and accused council members Mosley and Lavelle of participation. She referenced faith and quoted scripture.

New Legislation Presented and Referred to Committees

• Councilperson Charland: Resolution 2026-0526 authorizing up to $210,000 for the 2025 Neighborhood Employment Program (referred to Human Resources).
• Councilman Coghill: Resolutions 2026-0527 ($8,100 for International Trauma Life Support certifications), 2026-0528 ($103,132.88 for USDA deer management program), and Ordinance 2026-0544 (licensing of mechanical amusement devices, waived under Rule 8, referred to Land Use and Economic Development).
• Councilwoman Gross: Resolution 2026-0529 amending the Granicus website content management contract, increasing approved amount by $394,636.27 for a total of $890,244.27 over six years (referred to Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology).
• Councilman Mosley: Resolution 2026-0530 (sewage plan revision for 1208 Forbes Avenue, no cost to city) and Resolution 2026-0531 (Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan) (both referred to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs).
• Councilwoman Salinetro: Resolutions 2026-0532 ($287,500 total for Manchester Park Rehabilitation grant), 2026-0533 ($287,500 total for Bedford Park Planning grant), 2026-0534 ($1,000,000 amendment for Beaver Avenue Esplanade, 100% reimbursable), and 2026-0535 ($14,883,151.93 amendment for Liberty Avenue HSIP, 80% reimbursable) (all referred to Public Works and Infrastructure).
• Councilwoman Strassburger: Resolution 2026-0536 (amending B2GNow contract account codes, no additional cost, waived under Rule 8, referred to Finance and Law) and Resolution 2026-0537 ($3,151 claim settlement for damage by police horse to business at 1410 East Carson Street, referred to Finance and Law; executive session noted).
• Councilwoman Warwick: Resolution 2026-0538 ($54,950 for Independence Day Festival booking/performance services, funded by Richard King Mellon Foundation) and Resolution 2026-0539 ($50,000 sponsorship from BNY Mellon for Independence Day celebration) (both referred to Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services).
• Council President Lavelle: Resolution 2026-0541 appointing Edward Bigley to ALCOSAN board (term to expire Dec 31, 2030) – approved unanimously; Resolution 2026-0545 reappointing Ashley Robinson as Assistant City Clerk (three-year term to expire May 30, 2029) – approved unanimously.
• Communications: Three items (2026-0542, 2026-0543, 2026-0546) from the Office of Management and Budget and City Controller – all read, received, and filed.

Final Votes on Committee Reports (Unfinished Business)

All final action items were passed unanimously (8-0, with Wilson absent) as follows:

• Finance and Law (presented by Strassburger): Grant agreement with Richard King Mellon Foundation ($25,000 for economic development marketing); warrant for Meyer, Unkovic & Scott legal services ($18,420); repeal of Records Management Advisory Commission (Chapter 179D); addition of records retention schedules (Section 154.03).
• Public Safety and Wellness (presented by Coghill): Grant from NACCHO ($25,000 for post-overdose trauma-informed practices training).
• Public Works and Infrastructure (presented by Salinetro): Asphalt paving of Elwell Street; cooperation agreement with Friends of the Riverfront for Hazelwood Trail repaving ($125,000); sidewalk footings license for HG BLAIR LLC (no cost); balcony license for ALMONO LP (no cost); POGOH Expansion Phase 3 reimbursement agreement ($4,000,000, 80% reimbursable, $800,000 match from Bike Share Pittsburgh, no city cost).
• Human Resources (presented by Charland): Amended MBM Law contract ($165,000 for Commission on Human Relations solicitor).
• Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services (presented by Warwick): Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation ($630,000 for America250 celebration).
• Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs (presented by Mosley): Sewage plan revision for 3634 Penn Avenue; Pennsylvania Municipal League subscription ($52,962.24); RAISE grant reimbursement agreement with Pittsburgh Water ($50,000); POGOH Expansion Phase 3 cooperation agreement with Bike Share Pittsburgh ($800,000 in-kind and cash, no city cost).

Key Outcomes

• All legislation presented for final passage received 8-0 votes and passed finally.
• Edward Bigley and Ashley Robinson were confirmed to their respective positions.
• An executive session on litigation matters was scheduled for 1:00 PM that afternoon, followed by standard committee meetings at 1:30 PM.
• A post-agenda cable cast hearing on noise ordinance related to restaurants and bars was scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 1:30 PM (not a public hearing; no public comment taken).
• Meeting adjourned after approval of minutes and excuse of absent member.