Pittsburgh Standing Committees Meeting - June 10, 2026
Pittsburgh Standing Committees Meeting - June 10, 2026
This meeting of the Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees was held on June 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. Seven members were present (Wilson, Salinetro, Charland, Warwick, Lavelle, Gross, Mosley) and two were absent (Coghill, Strassburger) according to the minutes, though the transcript suggests Strassburger was present for the Finance and Law portion. The meeting covered a wide range of legislative items including budget amendments, public safety technology, infrastructure projects, and a major "stewardship package" of five bills updating urban agriculture and greenway programs. A new tax on amusement devices was also announced.
Consent Calendar
- 2026-0560: Approved a resolution increasing the Complete Streets capital budget by $1,000,000 from additional Federal Highway Administration funding.
- 2026-0561: Approved a resolution increasing Street Resurfacing by $1,065,795.78 using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
- 2026-0554: Approved a $6,000 warrant to PulsePoint Foundation for renewal of the emergency services application.
- 2026-0556: Approved a correction to the park name in a sub-award agreement with Riverlife for Allegheny Landing Park renovation (grant funds not to exceed $499,900).
- 2026-0558: Approved an agreement with Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. for the Final Design phase of the Frankstown Avenue Signals project ($404,254.34, 80% reimbursable).
- 2026-0559: Approved a reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for the Construction phase of the East Ohio Street Safety and Streetscape project ($2,500,000, 100% reimbursable).
- 2026-0574: Approved paving a concrete portion of Allegheny Avenue with asphalt per Section 417.06 of City Code.
- 2026-0563: Approved acceptance of a $10,000 donation from Preservation Pittsburgh for conservation of the Soldiers and Sailors Foundation in Arsenal Park.
- 2026-0568: Approved a three-year contract with Batta Environmental Associates, Inc. for lead dust sampling and analysis related to the Lead Safe Ordinance ($35,949.14).
- 2026-0555: Approved an amendment to the Workiva software agreement extending one year and increasing the amount by $61,493.31 (new total $339,461.12 over 7 years).
- 2026-0557: Approved a three-year waste collection agreement with the Borough of Wilkinsburg at a cost not to exceed $3,401,631.99.
- Invoices and P-Cards: Approved as listed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dora Walmsley (Grow Pittsburgh): Strongly recommended council approve the stewardship package, citing expanded lease terms and increased community food security. Stated urban agriculture is a critical part of the food safety net.
- David Breingan (Lawrenceville Together): Expressed support for the stewardship package, noting that housing and urban agriculture are mutually reinforcing for community development.
- Chief Ikhana-hal-makina: Spoke about the lack of affordable housing and urged council to address housing concerns for children.
- Meera Velu (Trust for Public Land): Supported the stewardship package, stating it provides a strong foundation for long-term investment in green spaces and could serve as a national model.
- Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow): Continued complaints about an illegal skate park in Panther Hollow, accusing the mayor of ignoring community concerns and harassment from park users.
- Unique Brown: Criticized council for differential treatment of residents based on race, and requested information on permits to display photos of soldiers at polling places.
- Stephanie Danko and Thomas Getner (Landforce): Spoke in favor of the stewardship package. Danko described three community garden projects that would benefit. Getner highlighted Landforce's workforce development program (228 trainees, 85% success rate) and urged streamlining community stewardship processes.
- Yvonne F. Brown: Requested a direct bus route from the Hill District to Mercy Hospital, noting ongoing lack of public transit access.
- Special Agent Sunshine: Made religious declarations and alleged witchcraft and death rituals in the building, and called for enforcement of the 25-foot smoking ban.
Discussion Items
- 2026-0596 (Finance & Law): Council Member Warwick explained a $550,000 transfer from sports facilities (Bergwin Tennis Court renovation) to play area improvements (Lewis Playground in Hazelwood) due to contractor cost increases. Warwick expressed frustration with cost overruns but called it "robbing Peter to pay Paul." The item was affirmatively recommended.
- 2026-0414 (Public Works & Infrastructure): A resolution to allow access to city property while railroad crossings at Lock Way East and Lock Way West are upgraded. A motion to hold for two weeks passed.
- Stewardship Package (five bills: 2026-0562, 2026-0564, 2026-0565, 2026-0566, 2026-0567): City Planning Deputy Director Andrew Dash, Principal Environmental Planner Isabella Gross, and Senior Planner Mackenzie Muskovic presented the package. Key elements:
- 2026-0564: Updates Adopt-A-Lot Program to expand allowed uses (e.g., public art, community space) beyond gardens. Leases remain one-year with three-year renewals, but toolkit will include removal from sale for active lessees.
- 2026-0562: Accepts a $25,000 grant from Open Space Institute to acquire tax-delinquent land to improve greenway connectivity.
- 2026-0565: Creates a City Farms Garden Program to allow urban agriculture on permanently city-owned property (parks and greenways) with longer lease terms.
- 2026-0566: Formalizes the Greenways Program (informal since 1980) to authorize stewardship agreements, leases, and licenses for activities like invasive removal and trail building. Specific parcels will come as separate legislation.
- 2026-0567: Amends Park Property Use Regulations to allow removal of natural resources (e.g., fruits, vegetables) from parks and greenways to facilitate garden and greenway programs.
- Council Member Warwick raised concerns about greenway maintenance, noting that simply designating hillsides as greenways does not address litter and invasive species unless the city provides ongoing cleanup. Staff noted partnerships with Landforce and DPW volunteer programs but acknowledged this is a post-legislation priority.
- Council Member Gross highlighted the city's progress in supporting urban agriculture, including a halftime farmer, wood chipper, and technical assistance to 60 gardens in 2025. She noted the need to protect existing adopt-a-lot lessees through right of first refusal and longer leases.
- Council Member Lavelle questioned the path to ownership for adopt-a-lot lessees and the 30/90-day termination notice. Staff explained that provisions are in the toolkit (not yet published) and that removal from sale can be requested. Growing tension between long-term stewards and planned housing development was discussed using the Charles Street Valley example.
- Council Member Wilson asked about notification to council offices when lots are adopted; staff confirmed this will be in the toolkit.
- A motion to hold all five bills for one week (to allow Council Member Coghill to participate) passed by voice vote.
- 2026-0531 (Intergovernmental Affairs): The Downtown Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan was held for a public hearing (June 25) and cablecast post-agenda (July 1).
- Mechanical Devices Tax Announcement: Council read a statement about a new tax on amusement devices (Class 1: $1,000/device, Class 2: $100/device, Class 3: $10/device) projected to raise $2–3 million annually.
Key Outcomes
- All five stewardship package bills (2026-0562, 2026-0564, 2026-0565, 2026-0566, 2026-0567) were held for one week, due back by June 17.
- Bill 2026-0414 (railroad crossing access) was held for two weeks, due back by June 24.
- Bill 2026-0531 (Downtown TRID) was held for public hearing and post-agenda.
- All other new resolutions and invoices were approved with affirmative recommendations or direct approval.
- The Mechanical Devices Tax legislation was announced as having been introduced (Council Bill 2026-0544).
- Next meetings: Briefing on Pittsburgh Community Services (June 10 afternoon), public hearing on Passport Academy Charter School (June 15), regular council meeting (June 16), standing committees (June 17).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, and welcome to the standing committee meeting for Wednesday, June tenth, two thousand twenty-six. Uh our first order of businesses roll call. Please take the roll. Excuse me, Mr. Charland, Mr. Cockhill, Miss Gross, Mr. LeBelle. Here. Mr. Mosley. Here. Ms. Salonitra. Miss Warwick. And Ms. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Miss Strasberger. Five members present. Thank you. Our next order of business is submitted agenda. There's a motion to amend. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is public comment. I would like to remind all speakers with the rules of council of state that comments are limited in matters of concern, official action or deliberation, which maybe before city council profanity would not be permitted. Please restate your name, provide your neighborhood for the record. Thanks to Council for having me here today. Subsidies for adopt a lot growers, a twice seasonal material grant program that expands and supplements the work of city farms by providing tangible resources like fencing and soil, an annual educational programming that provides a myriad of topics for growers to learn and expand their agricultural knowledge, among many other things. In addition to the direct support we provide, Grove Pittsburgh continues to advocate for policies that improve neighborhood food access and food system resiliency. This advocacy has allowed for continued partnership with the City of Pittsburgh as we've worked alongside partners and city staff last year to make improvements to programs that increase community food security and resilience. The changes included in the stewardship package that city planning is presenting to you all increases community food security and resilience. The changes included in this stewardship package will provide greater clarity on protecting and maintaining our city's greenways while also expanding lease terms for adopt a lot growers, among other changes. Grow Pittsburgh is grateful for this continued and meaningful collaboration, and I am delighted to stand before you all today to provide my strong recommendation that council approve the stewardship package. We hope this will be a first step for this council and mayoral administration to work to better understand the opportunities that exist within urban agriculture for the City of Pittsburgh. Food insecurity remains a challenge for residents and one that is not easily solved by a silver bullet solution. Urban agriculture and community-based food projects are not hobbies. They make up an important part of our food security safety net. As food challenge, food system challenges persist, we must seek and continue to support collaborative and sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of our neighborhoods and ensure equitable and land access, equitable land and food access for all. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is David Bernigan. Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes, we can.
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