Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Council Chambers at the City-County Building. All nine council members were present. The meeting included proclamations, extensive public comments, the introduction of numerous legislative items referred to committees, and final passage of bills previously recommended by standing committees. All final votes were unanimous (9-0).

Proclamations

• 2026-0607 – Declared Thursday, June 18, 2026 as “Henry DeLuca Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 361).
• 2026-0610 – Declared June 14, 2026 as “Reverend Hubert D. Hutcherson Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. Adopted unanimously (Enactment No. 362).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Carrick) – Addressed council regarding diversity, ally sister cities, and the lack of a sister city relationship with India. He referenced his own candidacy for President of the United States and quoted Hindu scriptures, urging council to recognize the Hindu faith.
• Valerie Lauw (former President, Northview Heights Citizens Council) – Expressed frustration that HUD funds for playground improvements have not reached Northview Heights. She presented photos of dangerous conditions and called for courage and commitment from city leadership to provide a new playground for over 500 children.
• Bethani Cameron (representing InformUp.org, Overbrook, District 4) – Presented survey results from 54 readers across all nine districts. Key findings: 72% support expanding the Adopt-a-Lot program to include public art and community gathering spaces (57% strongly, 15% somewhat); 70% of respondents would be willing to volunteer to maintain a protected natural area. She also read written comments from residents about the need for third spaces and better planning.
• Unnamed speaker (via letter) – Complained about an illegal skate park at Panther Hollow playground, citing rats, graffiti, vulgar language, a broken fire hydrant, and noise. He invited council members to visit the site and criticized the city’s inaction.
• Chris (Arthur Kazowski/Manchester resident) – Reported the collapse of 1406 Sheffield Street on June 11, 2026. He expressed concern about vacant and vandalized properties in Manchester, noting that public agencies and nonprofits own 254 parcels valued at $25.6 million. He asked for a meeting with Council President Lavelle to develop a financial plan to restore historic buildings and return vacant properties to productive use.
• Maddie Williams (Manchester) – Described the collapse of 1406 Sheffield Street, which had been condemned by the city in 2017 (nine years prior). She stated that the building’s collapse displaced families and could have killed someone. She called for the city to enforce codes and inspect every vacant and condemned property in Manchester.
• Arthur Kazowski (Manchester) – Provided additional statistics: Manchester has 1,477 parcels; only one-third are owner-occupied; 50 owners (including government, corporations, nonprofits) control 40% of properties and more than half of vacant land; 95 properties are tax delinquent with over $400,000 in liens. He reiterated the request for a meeting with Council President Lavelle to create a financial strategy.
• Rick Smith (North Othing, District 8) – Questioned Resolution 2026-586 (not on this agenda but discussed for the next day) regarding a $46,000 contract for Cyclorama software. He asked about alternatives, risks if the vendor goes out of business, and why a rationale was not included in the resolution. He encouraged adding rationale and risk mitigation.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Hill District) – Spoke about inadequate bus service from K. Leroy Irvis Towers to the bottom of the hill, requiring two buses to reach the hospital. She also recounted a past confrontation with a councilman at County Council and asked for help.
• Anthony Williams – Expressed general support for council and the administration, emphasizing the importance of communication and learning how to complain effectively.
• Special Agent Sunshine – Spoke about the missing child Cerese Taylor and called for justice against oppressors. She also promoted a dance project and recited Bible verses (James 5) warning rich oppressors.
• Iris Gosha Rudolph (Manchester) – Sought help with a contractor who damaged her fence and encroached on her property. She described difficulty contacting city inspectors and requested guidance on whom to contact.

Discussion Items

• President Lavelle’s response to Manchester concerns – Clarified that a condemnation notice does not mean the city owns the property. The collapsed building at 1406 Sheffield Street was condemned in 2021 but was privately owned and sold multiple times. A demolition permit was submitted in 2024, but community opposition at the Historic Review Commission (due to the historic district) delayed action. He acknowledged the neighborhood’s concerns and committed to following up.
• Waiver of Rule 8 for Bill 2026-0609 – Councilwoman Salinetro requested and received unanimous approval to waive Rule 8 to place the Mount Washington rezoning ordinance on the next day’s standing committee agenda.

Consent Calendar & Final Actions (all passed unanimously, 9-0)

Items previously reported out of committee were brought for final passage. The following resolutions were passed:

• 2026-0560 – Increased COMPLETE STREETS by $1,000,000 from additional Federal Highway Administration funding.
• 2026-0561 – Increased STREET RESURFACING by $1,065,795.78 from American Rescue Plan Act allocation.
• 2026-0596 – Transferred $550,000 from FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS – SPORTS FACILITIES to PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS.
• 2026-0554 – Authorized a $6,000 license fee renewal for the PulsePoint emergency services application.
• 2026-0556 – Amended a sub-award agreement with Riverlife to correct the park name (Allegheny Landing Park) and supported renovation with up to $499,900 in grant funds.
• 2026-0558 – Authorized an agreement with Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. for final design of Frankstown Avenue Signals project, not to exceed $404,254.34 (80% reimbursable).
• 2026-0559 – Authorized a reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for construction of East Ohio Street Safety and Streetscape project, not to exceed $2,500,000 (100% reimbursable).
• 2026-0574 – Approved paving a concrete portion of Allegheny Avenue with asphalt per Section 417.06.
• 2026-0563 – Accepted a $10,000 donation from Preservation Pittsburgh for conservation of Soldiers and Sailors Foundation in Arsenal Park.
• 2026-0568 – Authorized an agreement with Batta Environmental Associates for lead dust sampling analysis (up to $35,949.14 over three years) to enforce the Lead Safe Ordinance.
• 2026-0555 – Extended and increased a software subscription agreement with Workiva, Inc. (new total cost not to exceed $339,461.12 over seven years).
• 2026-0557 – Authorized a three-year municipal waste collection agreement with the Borough of Wilkinsburg at a cost not to exceed $3,401,631.99.

Key Outcomes

• All final actions passed unanimously, with nine ayes, zero noes.
• Bill 2026-0609 (Mount Washington rezoning) was waived under Rule 8 and referred to the Committee on Land Use and Economic Development for a planning commission report.
• Numerous other bills were introduced and referred to appropriate committees (see Presentation of Papers in minutes).
• Council President Lavelle pledged to follow up with Manchester residents regarding vacant and condemned properties.
• The meeting adjourned after approval of minutes.