OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting - June 5, 2026

City Council — Friday, June 5, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateFriday, June 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:10
Transcript — Verbatim
0:18

Good afternoon and welcome to the Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committee's meeting for Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

0:27

Our first agenda item is roll call with the clerk please take the roll.

0:33

Mr.

0:34

Charlin, here.

0:35

Mr.

0:35

Coghill.

0:37

Ms.

0:37

Gross.

0:38

Mr.

0:38

Lavelle.

0:40

Mr.

0:40

Mosley.

0:41

Here.

0:41

Ms.

0:42

Alanetro.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Mrs.

0:43

Warwick.

0:45

Mr.

0:45

Wilson.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Ms.

0:47

Strasberger Chair.

0:48

Here.

0:48

Seven members present.

0:50

Thank you.

0:50

Our next order of business is public comment.

0:52

I would like to remind all speakers that rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation by counsel.

1:00

Profanity will not be permitted.

1:02

Please state your name and neighborhood for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak.

1:16

Dr.

1:16

Ronald Lynn Miller, downtown neighborhood.orm.com.

1:30

The primary teletext I use in the United States is 412-969-7997, and you can contact me 24-7.

1:42

In the Global Intelligence Society, candidate for president, 2028.

1:48

Initiative three focuses on local government primacy.

3:27

They really are not mathematically or lexically sophisticated.

3:31

And I think they really need to understand mathematically how to deal with an XY coordinate grid.

3:39

Our people are being graduated from the Pittsburgh Public Schools who can't really interpret a graph on an XY coordinate grid.

3:48

This is just basic, not proficient in performance.

3:53

And lexically, how do you how do you de decline a noun?

4:00

How do you conjugate a verb?

4:02

This is something that they find very difficult to deal with now.

4:06

The USA, which includes the PPS performance in the program of international student assessment.

4:15

There are zero for USA and five for Asia.

4:20

We're not doing what we should do with them.

4:24

Thank you.

4:30

Apologies.

4:32

Is Chief Ikahana Halmakina?

4:38

Okay.

4:39

We will move on to our next speaker.

4:41

Dylan James Basiku.

4:47

Hi everyone.

4:48

My name is Dylan Bisescu.

4:50

I live in the South Side Flats District 3.

4:53

I'm here to speak in favor of Bill 0288 and 0289.

4:59

As a member of the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America, we're strongly in favor of continuing the progress that was made by passing Bill 0286.

5:08

Right now, city employees are already restricted from actively cooperating and sharing information with immigration and customs enforcement.

5:17

And these two bills would take this progress further by restricting city employees from granting access to city controlled spaces and would restrict the ability of ICE to stage and carry out immigration enforcement activities and raids and kidnappings on city controlled property.

5:36

This is no different than if a homeowner owning private property said you cannot conduct your activities in our home.

5:43

And the property of the city is the city's private home, and it should not be letting ice into its home.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████33%
Public Safety██████████████████████████26%
Technology and Innovation█████████████████17%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Disability Rights███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting - June 5, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes provided with this task are dated May 6, 2026; however, the metadata specifies the meeting occurred on June 5, 2026. The summary below reflects the content of the agenda, minutes, and transcript, which are consistent with each other.

The Pittsburgh City Council held its Standing Committees meeting, chaired by Councilwoman Strassburger, covering legislative items across seven committees. The meeting included public comment, consideration of resolutions and ordinances, approval of invoices and p-card payments, and a post-agenda motion. Several items prompted detailed discussion, including a resolution on violent crime data, two ordinances restricting immigration enforcement on city property, and a software upgrade for waste collection routing.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Downtown) expressed concern about low mathematical and lexical proficiency among Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates, citing poor performance on international assessments.
  • Dylan James Basescu (South Side Flats, District 3) spoke in favor of Bills 0288 and 0289, stating that as a member of the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America, he strongly supports restricting immigration enforcement in city-owned or operated spaces. He described the impact of fear of immigration raids on local businesses and urged passage of the bills.
  • Bernadette Mosey (Beechview) raised safety concerns about the Oliver Bath House, alleging that ADA shower benches were mounted with one-inch screws into tile rather than studs, leading to falls. She called for inspections and accountability regarding work orders and oversight.
  • Yvonne F. Brown (Hill District) urged council to facilitate meetings between police and fathers who participate in school programs, in order to help address youth violence on buses and streets. She emphasized the need for collaboration and communication across racial lines.

Finance and Law Committee

  • Bill 2026-0450 (Supplemental): Resolution to increase the maximum principal reimbursement amount for General Obligation Bonds while maintaining the approved maximum aggregate principal amount. Moved and seconded; passed unanimously with affirmative recommendation (Enactment No. 291).
  • Bill 2026-0420: Resolution authorizing a warrant of up to $5,000 to Mary Ellen DeMarco-Ruby for litigation settlement (Executive Session held 4/28/26). Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 289).
  • Bill 2026-0426: Ordinance creating a new Chapter 269 for Real Estate Tax Exemptions for Construction or Adaptive Reuse of Buildings on Pittsburgh’s Northside (Council Member Wilson sponsor). Held for cablecast public hearing scheduled for June 22, 2026.

Invoices and P-Card Approvals

  • Departmental invoices totaling $26,147.25 were approved unanimously, including items for donations, bounce house, billboards, landcare, police equipment, parks and recreation supplies, and more.
  • P-card approvals for the week of April 21–27, 2026 (Item 0016-2026) were approved unanimously.

Public Safety and Wellness Committee

  • Bill 2026-0462 (Supplemental): Resolution directing the Department of Public Safety and Police Chief to provide council with a quarterly report detailing violent crime data, disaggregated by age group, single years of age, location and neighborhood, and – following amendments – by gender and residency (city vs. non-city) of both victims and perpetrators. Councilwoman Warwick introduced the bill and noted the need for data-driven policy discussions, especially regarding youth in public spaces. Councilwoman Gross moved to amend by substitution to include gender and residency data; the amendment passed unanimously. The bill as amended was afformatively recommended unanimously (Enactment No. 292).
  • Bill 2026-0288 and 2026-0289 (Deferred): Two ordinances prohibiting immigration enforcement in city-owned or operated spaces and protecting community spaces (sponsored by Council Members Gross and Warwick). Councilwoman Gross moved to amend by substitution, with language developed in coordination with the law department and supported by the Hispanic Development Center. The amendments passed unanimously. The bills as amended were affirmatively recommended unanimously (Enactment Nos. 11 and 12).

Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

  • Bill 2026-0447 (Supplemental): Resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with A. Liberoni Inc. for the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project, increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $139,306.84 (total $1,871,810.97), reimbursable at various rates. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 290).
  • Bill 2026-0300 (Deferred): Resolution for a warrant of $481,320 to A. Folino Construction Inc. for emergency snow removal. Councilwoman Salinetro requested a two-week hold to obtain more detailed invoices. Held by unanimous vote, due back by May 20, 2026.
  • Bill 2026-0414: Resolution authorizing agreements for access to city property during railroad crossing upgrades at Lock Way East and Lock Way West (District 7), at no cost to the city. Councilwoman Gross expressed concerns that property owners were not comfortable with the railroad’s requests. Held for two weeks by unanimous vote, due back by May 20, 2026.
  • Bill 2026-0415: Resolution amending the professional services agreement with Studio Zewde for the Homewood Park construction project, increasing total spend by $48,000 to a new not-to-exceed amount of $2,137,082.30. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 284).
  • Bill 2026-0416: Resolution amending the agreement with Klavon Design Associates for Sheraden Park Phase I design, increasing allocation by $10,945 to a new total of $310,945. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 285).
  • Bill 2026-0417: Resolution authorizing a construction contract with A. Merante Contracting Inc. for Smithfield Street Reconstruction Phase 1, not to exceed $6,672,202.56 (80% federal, 20% local). Jeff Skellican, Director of FERDOMY, provided details: project limits from Forbes Avenue to Sixth Avenue, expected notice to proceed within two months, construction likely by end of summer. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 286).
  • Bill 2026-0418: Resolution accepting dedication of right-of-way on North Avenue and Brighton Road for Norfolk Southern bridge reconstruction. Councilman Coghill clarified the property is being converted from city park to right-of-way for the bridge project. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 287).

Land Use and Economic Development Committee

  • Bill 2026-0008 (Deferred): Ordinance to add a new Chapter 768 on Short-Term Rental Housing (sponsored by Council Member Gross, co-sponsored by Coghill and Wilson). Council Member Gross requested a six-week hold to align with a related zoning bill still at the Planning Commission. Held by unanimous vote, due back by June 17, 2026.

Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services Committee

  • Bill 2026-0419: Resolution authorizing a warrant of $250,000 to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for horticultural and forestry work in Allegheny Commons, August Wilson, Emerald View, Highland, and Riverview Parks. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 288).

Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee

  • Bill 2026-0408: Resolution amending the RouteSmart Technologies contract for trash and recycling routing optimization and navigation software for Environmental Services drivers, increasing total by $113,280 to $360,407 (extending through November 30, 2027). Christopher Mitchell, Project Coordinator for Environmental Services, explained the project: digitizing 20-year-old routes, deploying tablets for turn-by-turn navigation, and enabling future route optimization. The software consists of two components (RouteSmart for routing and SmartSuite for in-cab navigation); confusion over separate billing led to this amendment. The bill passed unanimously (Enactment No. 279).
  • Bill 2026-0427: Ordinance renumbering the Housing Data Dashboard chapter from 173A to 162A to conform to code numbering. Council Member Charland noted it was a correction to earlier legislation. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 13).

Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee

  • Bill 2026-0385 (Deferred): Resolution adopting a sewage facilities plan revision for 3634 Penn Ave. Councilman Mosley requested a one-week hold to obtain required planning forms. Held by unanimous vote, due back by May 13, 2026.
  • Bill 2026-0409: Resolution adopting a sewage facilities plan revision for 217-239 Halket Street. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 280).
  • Bill 2026-0410: Resolution amending a cooperation agreement with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for maintenance of plantings in public rights-of-way. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 281).
  • Bill 2026-0411: Resolution amending a reimbursement agreement with Pittsburgh Water for the Smithfield Street Phase 1 project (up to $123,000, 100% water authority expenses) and increasing the 2025 Capital Budget accordingly. Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 282).
  • Bill 2026-0412: Resolution authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire city-owned properties in the 12th Ward (Block 125-A, Lots 112-118 and 133) at no cost. Held for one week by unanimous vote.
  • Bill 2026-0413: Resolution authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire multiple city-owned properties in the 15th Ward (Chatsworth and Monongahela Street lots and Berwick Street lot). Passed unanimously (Enactment No. 283).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All items that received a final vote passed unanimously. No dissenting votes were recorded.
  • Holds:
    • Bill 2026-0426 held for public hearing on June 22, 2026.
    • Bill 2026-0300 held two weeks (due back 5/20/2026).
    • Bill 2026-0414 held two weeks (due back 5/20/2026).
    • Bill 2026-0008 held six weeks (due back 6/17/2026).
    • Bill 2026-0385 held one week (due back 5/13/2026).
    • Bill 2026-0412 held one week.
  • Amendments: Bill 2026-0462 amended by substitution to add gender and residency data; Bills 2026-0288 and 2026-0289 amended by substitution with law department language.
  • Post Agenda: Councilwoman Strassburger motioned for a post-agenda discussion on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); the motion carried.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome to the Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committee's meeting for Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Our first agenda item is roll call with the clerk please take the roll. Mr. Charlin, here. Mr. Coghill. Ms. Gross. Mr. Lavelle. Mr. Mosley. Here. Ms. Alanetro. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Mr. Wilson. Here. Ms. Strasberger Chair. Here. Seven members present. Thank you. Our next order of business is public comment. I would like to remind all speakers that rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation by counsel. Profanity will not be permitted. Please state your name and neighborhood for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak. Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller, downtown neighborhood.orm.com. The primary teletext I use in the United States is 412-969-7997, and you can contact me 24-7. In the Global Intelligence Society, candidate for president, 2028. Initiative three focuses on local government primacy. They really are not mathematically or lexically sophisticated. And I think they really need to understand mathematically how to deal with an XY coordinate grid. Our people are being graduated from the Pittsburgh Public Schools who can't really interpret a graph on an XY coordinate grid. This is just basic, not proficient in performance. And lexically, how do you how do you de decline a noun? How do you conjugate a verb? This is something that they find very difficult to deal with now. The USA, which includes the PPS performance in the program of international student assessment. There are zero for USA and five for Asia. We're not doing what we should do with them. Thank you. Apologies. Is Chief Ikahana Halmakina? Okay. We will move on to our next speaker.

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