Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026
The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All eight members were present except Council Member Bobby Wilson (absent). The meeting included proclamations, public comments, presentation of new legislation, and final votes on multiple committee reports. A new mechanical amusement device tax was introduced and recommitted to committee.
Proclamations
- Five proclamations were adopted unanimously:
- 2026-0570: Declared May 28, 2026 as “Mary Lisa McVay Day” honoring her decades of service to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
- 2026-0571: Declared May 28, 2026 as “Paul Depp Day” honoring his service to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
- 2026-0572: Declared June 2, 2026 as “Sami Steigmann Day” honoring his resilience and Holocaust remembrance work.
- 2026-0573: Declared June 6, 2026 as “Greenfield Baseball Association Day” for their 75 years of service to children.
- 2026-0575: Declared June 6, 2026 as “The David Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Day” commemorating Private Joseph Caldwell, the last Union Civil War veteran in Allegheny County. Senior Vice Commander John Morgan addressed Council about the plaque dedication ceremony.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow): Criticized the University of Pittsburgh’s offer of funding for an Italian sense of place as a “Trojan horse,” and accused the university of reneging on a 1982 agreement regarding EV charging stations in Shenley Park. He urged Council to assist in determining if the area is part of the park.
- Bernadette Mosey (Beechview): Complained that ADA automatic door buttons at the Beechview Healthy Community Center have been non-functional for years despite prior promises. Also requested parking lot improvements and sidewalk repairs.
- Laurie Colchinsky (Owner, BFI Waste Services, Hazelwood): Opposed the rezoning of Hazelwood (Bill 2025-1993), arguing it was rushed and would create improper spot zoning. She urged Council to vote it down and offered tours of her recycling facility.
- Chris Voltz (Squirrel Hill, on behalf of BFI): Argued the amended rezoning bill creates an unconstitutional spot zoning island and lacks transparency. He asked Council to vote it down.
- Bill Sidig (Representing CSX): Stated CSX does not oppose the amended rezoning and committed to continuing community engagement and granting trail easements despite earlier concerns.
- Brendan O'Donnell (Representing Allegheny Valley Railroad): Thanked Council and Council Member Warwick for amending the rezoning to protect railroad operations in Hazelwood.
- Special Agent Sunshine: Expressed concerns about personal safety and attacks she experienced, and questioned law enforcement response. She urged protection for vulnerable individuals.
- Yvonne F. Brown (Hill District): Raised disparities in veterans’ banner programs across neighborhoods, noting cost differences ($85–$150 in other communities vs. $449 in Hill District) and shorter display periods. She called for transparency and fairness.
- Unique Brown: Spoke about her granddaughter’s birthday and past experiences with public speaking opportunities.
(Also, a summary of PublicSource survey results was read by a representative: 69 readers responded; 92% disagreed with exempting Rivers Casino from the amusement device tax; readers expressed mixed priorities for microgrants and East Carson Street improvement district.)
Presentation of Papers (New Legislation Referred to Committees)
- 2026-0554 (Coghill): Warrant for PulsePoint Foundation ($6,000 for EMS app renewal) → Public Safety & Wellness
- 2026-0555 (Gross): Amendment to Workiva contract extension (+$61,493.31, total $339,461.12 over 7 years) → Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, & Technology
- 2026-0557 (Mosley): Agreement with Wilkinsburg for waste collection ($3,401,631.99 over 3 years) → Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs
- 2026-0556 (Salinetro): Amendment to Riverlife sub-award for Allegheny Landing Park ($499,900) → Public Works & Infrastructure
- 2026-0558 (Salinetro): Frankstown Avenue Signals Final Design ($404,254.34, 80% reimbursable) → Public Works & Infrastructure
- 2026-0559 (Salinetro): East Ohio Street Safety and Streetscape Construction ($2,500,000, 100% reimbursable) → Public Works & Infrastructure
- 2026-0560 (Strassburger): Increase Complete Streets by $1,000,000 (federal funding) → Finance & Law
- 2026-0561 (Strassburger): Increase Street Resurfacing by $1,065,795.78 (ARPA) → Finance & Law
- 2026-0562 (Warwick): Grant from Open Space Institute ($25,000) for greenway land acquisition → Recreation, Youth, & Senior Services
- 2026-0565 (Warwick): Ordinance establishing City Farms Garden Program on city-owned property → Recreation, Youth, & Senior Services
- 2026-0566 (Warwick): Ordinance establishing Greenways Program for stewardship and urban agriculture → Recreation, Youth, & Senior Services
- 2026-0567 (Warwick): Ordinance updating park property use regulations → Recreation, Youth, & Senior Services
- 2026-0563 (Wilson): Accept donation from Preservation Pittsburgh ($10,000 for Soldiers and Sailors Foundation in Arsenal Park) → Land Use & Economic Development
- 2026-0564 (Wilson): Ordinance updating Adopt-A-Lot Program → Land Use & Economic Development
- 2026-0568 (Wilson): Agreement with Batta Environmental for lead dust sampling ($35,949.14 over 3 years) → Land Use & Economic Development
- 2026-0569 (Lavelle): Communication from OMB – Grants Office status update → Read, Received, and Filed.
- 2026-0574 (Lavelle): Resolution to pave concrete portion of Allegheny Ave with asphalt → Public Works & Infrastructure
Reports of Committees – Final Actions
All items below were passed with unanimous votes (8-0 or 7-0 as noted). Council Member Wilson absent; Council Member Gross out of room for some votes.
Finance & Law (Strassburger):
- 2026-0509: Ordinance clarifying Capital Budget language – Passed 7-0 (Gross out of room).
- 2026-0510: Quit-claim deed for 6491 Stanton Avenue to Ironnah for $200 – Passed 7-0.
- 2026-0511: Settlement of $3,600 to Omar Cardenas for police vehicle accident – Passed 7-0.
- 2026-0515: Amend Bromberg & Associates contract extension (+$75,000, new total $778,976) – Passed 7-0.
- 2026-0536: Amend B2GNow account codes at no cost – Passed 7-0.
Public Safety & Wellness (Coghill):
- 2026-0499: Warrant to Common Plea Catering ($16,450 for NFL draft catering) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0500: IRB agreement with University of Pittsburgh for EMS research oversight (no cost) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0501: Adopt Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan as city’s official plan – Passed 8-0.
Public Works & Infrastructure (Salinetro):
- 2026-0300: Warrant to A. Folino Construction ($481,320 for emergency snow removal) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0507: Accept EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant ($1,666,217 for yard waste program) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0508: PennDOT reimbursement agreement for West End Trolley Trail construction ($1,000,000, 80% reimbursable; city share $4,000) – Passed 8-0.
Land Use & Economic Development (Wilson):
- 2025-1993: Rezoning Hazelwood parcels from RIV-GI to RIV-IMU (amended by removing two parcels) – Passed 8-0 after amendment.
Recreation, Youth, & Senior Services (Warwick):
- 2026-0512: Amendment to Starfire Corporation fireworks contract for 250th Independence Day celebration (+$261,800, new total $514,000 over 3 years) – Passed 8-0.
Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, & Technology (Gross):
- 2026-0502: Accept Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund grant ($50,000) – Passed 8-0.
Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs (Mosley):
- 2026-0503: HUD Economic Development Initiative grant ($250,000) for Thaddeus Stevens Recreation Center – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0504: Membership dues for CONNECT ($27,563) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0505: Amend Former Homewood School RACP grant (increase award, adjust match) – Passed 8-0.
- 2026-0506: Adopt sewage facilities plan revision for 2200 Railroad Street – Passed 8-0.
Motions and Resolutions
- 2026-0544 (Coghill): Ordinance to add Chapter 774: Licensing of Mechanical Amusement Devices (a new tax). Council Member Coghill made a series of motions:
- Discharge from Land Use & Economic Development committee – Passed 8-0.
- Remove hold on bill to amend title and chapter – Passed 8-0.
- Amend the bill (adding the word “tax” to title and chapter) – Adopted by voice vote.
- Recommit to Land Use & Economic Development committee and hold for public hearing – Passed 8-0. A legal statement was read describing the tax structure: Class 1 devices (poker, video slots) = $1,000/device/year; Class 2 (prize machines) = $100/device/year; Class 3 (darts, jukeboxes, pool tables, pinball, etc.) = $10/device/year. Estimated revenue: $2–3 million per year. Public hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- All five proclamations were adopted.
- All new legislation was referred to appropriate committees as read.
- Final passage of all committee reports (14 items) with votes of 7-0 or 8-0.
- The Hazelwood rezoning (Bill 2025-1993) was amended by removing two parcels and passed finally.
- The Mechanical Amusement Device Tax bill (2026-0544) was amended, discharged, and recommitted to committee with a public hearing set for June 23, 2026.
- Council Member Bobby Wilson was excused absent for the remainder of the meeting.
- Meeting announcements included a capital budget briefing later that day, standing committee meeting on June 3, and a public hearing on June 4 regarding Serpentine Drive petitions.
Meeting Transcript
Also, God, God, God, God. Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. Would a clerk please take the role? Mr. Coghill. Ms. Gross. Mr. Mosley, Mrs. Salonetro. Here. Mrs. Strasberger. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Coghill. Mr. Coghill. Mr. Lavelle, President. 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. One nation under God. Indivisible liberty and justice. The agenda has been admitted. Our next order of business is proclamations. We have one to be presented by Councilman Conkill. Couldn't do it without that. And I didn't know that Mr. Cromwell was uh from Brookline and one of the last uh survivors of the Civil War. So thank you for uh you know doing what you do, John. So, whereas Joseph P. Caldwell, born 1847 in Allegheny City, presently called the North Side, joined the Union Army at the age of only 15 to fight in the American Civil War, serving in Captain Joseph Knapp's independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery Battery in Hardin's division, 22nd Corps. And whereas in July of 1864, while part of the garrison defending Washington, D.C., Private Caldwell participated in the Battle of Fort Stevens, defending against the final push north to of the Confederate Army. This battle occurring only 10 miles outside the Capitol was directly observed by President Lincoln, as witnessed in person by Private Caldwell. And whereas in 1865, Private Caldwell returned to civilian life, where he worked as a contractor, owned a farm, and with his wife Clara raised a family of seven in Butler County. In 1928, the Caldwell family moved to the Brookline section of Pittsburgh, and the Caldwells spent the next 17 years in Brookline, attending the Brookline Boulevard Presbyterian Church with Pastor Lance, we have Pastor Lance's church today. The final year of Joseph Caldwell's life was spent living with his son on Pinecastle Avenue in Overbrook. And in his civilian life, Caldwell joined the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization open only to those who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. The historic organization at its height had 410,000 members. And as a proud veteran and member of the GAR, Joseph Caldwell did not miss a Memorial Day parade for 80 years, attending the South Hills Memorial Association parade every year until ill health prevented his attendance. And when Private Caldwell passed on in August of 1946, he was the last Union veteran of the Civil War surviving in the Allegheny County, going to his eternal rest in some Summit Cemetery, Butler County. And whereas the Davis Starr Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, as a camp of the recognized successor of the Grand Army of the Republic dedicated to maintaining the memory of these soldiers, has purchased a plaque commemorating his service and status of last Civil War veteran to pass in Allegheny County.
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