Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – June 5, 2026

Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on June 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers, 510 City-County Building. All nine members were present. The meeting included four proclamations, public comments from ten speakers, introduction of numerous resolutions and bills, final passage of committee reports, and a motion to schedule a post-agenda on the noise ordinance.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Motorcycle Awareness Month (May 2026): Recognized A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania's advocacy for motorcycle safety (Resolution 2026-0429). Adopted unanimously.
• GIFT 10th Anniversary: Recognized the organization for intergenerational connection, purpose, and care (Resolution 2026-0430). Adopted unanimously.
• Steel City Duck Derby Day (May 9, 2026): Declared the day in honor of Partners For Quality (Resolution 2026-0438). Adopted unanimously.
• Homewood Carnegie Library 116 Years: Congratulated the library on its achievements and education (Resolution 2026-0460). Adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Ten members of the public spoke.

• Harvey Holtz (East Liberty) expressed support for ordinances limiting ICE cooperation and called for additional measures (e.g., barring ICE from private property without warrants).
• Chad (Shadyside) spoke about father involvement in schools and questioned the absence of the mayor and superintendent at recent “Take a Father to School Day.”
• Bethany Cameron (Overbrook, representing Informup.org) presented a community survey (May 1–4, 2026, 66 respondents, eight of nine districts represented). Results: 90% thought prioritizing tree planting in low-canopy neighborhoods was “somewhat” or “very important”; regarding food bank capacity, 35% were unsure, 33% optimistic, 24% pessimistic. Comments from residents highlighted concerns about federal cuts and unused grant funds.
• Bernadette Mosey complained about an ADA-compliant bench at the Oliver Bath House that failed due to 1-inch screws instead of required 3-inch screws, raising safety concerns for seniors.
• Tonisha Long (Crafton Heights) strongly opposed Mayor O'Connor's policy (with PDP) to restrict youth access to Market Square Thursday–Sunday, calling it discriminatory, lacking public input, and an illegal overreach.
• Unique Brown (unheard of neglected communities) criticized the city for closing rec centers and after-school programs, arguing that youth misbehavior is a result of neglect, not inherent problems.
• Yvonne F. Brown (senior, Katie with Iris Tires) urged council to facilitate police collaboration with fathers' groups to de-escalate youth conflicts, and asked for donations to radio WESA 90.5.
• Special Agent Sunshine (name given) made various allegations about surveillance, corruption, and curses.
• Dr. Chancey Alexander called for intentional investment in youth programming rather than increased policing.
• Teaira Collins (Greenfield, mother of five) blamed the city for putting schools downtown, closing after-school programs, and weakening parental authority, leading to youth misbehavior.

Discussion Items

• Violent Crime Data Resolution (2026-0462): Councilwoman Warwick introduced a resolution directing the Department of Public Safety and Police Chief to provide quarterly violent crime data disaggregated by age, single years of age, and location. Rule 8 waived, referred to Public Safety and Wellness Committee.
• City Steps Project Amendment (2026-0446): Councilwoman Salinetro presented a $9.87 million amendment (increase of $7.22 million, 80% reimbursable) for preliminary engineering, design, and construction of the City Steps Project. Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
• Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project (2026-0447): Supplemental agreement with A. Liberoni Inc. for up to $1.87 million (increase of $139,306.84). Rule 8 waived, placed on afternoon committee agenda.
• Zoning Code Deadline Extension (2026-0456): Council consented to extend the Planning Commission's 90-day deadline for Council Bill 2025-2224 (creating a new residential plan district). Passed 8–0 (Council Member Coghill out of room).
• Post-Agenda Motion: Councilperson Strassburger successfully motioned for a post-agenda on Pittsburgh's noise ordinance as it relates to restaurants and bars.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Final Passage (all 9–0) of the following items from committee reports:
  • Amendments to open-end professional services agreements (ITQ-288 Small & Medium, ITQ-287 Small & Medium) – adding 58 or 39 agreements respectively.
  • Settlements: $6,084.75 to Yushan Liu (vehicle damage); $16,275.50 to Exponent, Inc. (litigation services); $101,256.25 to Robert Mahouski (litigation closure).
  • Designation of banks as depositories for 2026–2028.
  • Payment of $90,588.24 to PFM Group Consulting for Act 111 arbitration services.
  • Easement with Duquesne Light Company for pole and anchor on city-owned parcel.
  • Volunteer services agreement with Student Conservation Association (no cost to city).
  • Reallocation of $55,692.60 in CDBG-CV funds to two food banks.
  • Extension of contract with CORE Business Technologies (increase to $500,229.35).
  • Right-of-way license agreement with ALCOSAN.
• Reappointments: Council Member Coghill and Council Member Warwick reappointed to the Equipment Leasing Authority (terms expiring June 15, 2031). Approved.
• Appointments: Janelle Smith as Deputy Director of Human Resources and Civil Service, and Paula Kellerman as Chief of Labor Relations and Director of Human Resources and Civil Service. Approved.
• Communications received and filed: Weekly grants update (May 1, 2026), donation of 1,000 books from Scholastic (value ≤ $3,000), Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY2025, and first-quarter 2026 travel reports.
• Meeting adjourned around 11:15 AM; standing committee meeting scheduled for 1:30 PM.