OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City of Pittsburgh Standing Committees Meeting Summary – June 17, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, June 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:43
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

A month and a half old Instagram page that will just so happen to need that exact amount of street every week, no matter how few people breathe its eight-foot walls and surveillance drones that will harass neighborhood residents and demand they produce their papers just to get to their homes.

0:19

The best advertisement the organizers could offer yesterday, and I quote, we don't want it to feel like Stalog 17.

0:29

In this House of Freedom, this Temple of Liberty, the yellow-ballied, peace to lanimous pretense of an event to justify a crackdown is a sacrilege.

0:41

This council should say no to Stalog 17th Street.

0:45

Before anything else, it should protect the right of every adult to walk down their streets.

0:52

It should ban age discrimination for adults in accessing the public right of way.

0:58

I will be here every week to make sure you each know about the full adult citizens in my community that are being denied their rights in their own city.

1:09

If you do not fix this, do not ever tell me you didn't know.

1:20

There being no further registered speakers, we will now take comments from those in the audience wishing to speak.

1:38

The political faces and voices for the vulgarity and graffiti field illegal skate park in Panther Hollow.

1:45

They have justified the illegal skate park by saying our playground was not being used.

1:50

However, before any construction began, these fundamental questions should have been asked first.

2:06

Last Wednesday, when I was speaking here about this issue, Charlie began laughing and talking to the council member next to him.

2:15

These actions indicated this issue and its impact on our community don't matter.

2:21

Charlotte's actions and Warwick's continued support underscore one of the fundamental roots of this problem.

2:29

Respecting the dignity of others requires first respecting one's own dignity.

2:34

This truth can be more fully understood when taken to an extreme example.

2:40

A sociopath doesn't respect his own dignity and therefore does not respect the dignity of another.

2:47

For him, taking another person to life is no different than stepping on an ant.

2:53

When I began these testimonies, a staff member for Charling told me to back off because dozens of skateboarders came before this council in support of the skate park, whom Warwick then praised.

3:08

However, that kind of mob mentality with the support of misguided politicians never justifies wrongdoing against our community.

3:19

Five days ago, at around 8 30 a.m., I once again heard the distinct noise of skateboards crashing onto concrete while inside my home.

3:30

I went to the skate park and told the skateboarders that their noise was penetrating my home.

3:37

One of them replied to me, expressing the same attitudes of Charlin in Warwick.

3:43

He said to me, I don't care.

3:48

When politicians do not respect their own dignity, and therefore do not respect the dignity of others, support a mob mentality with all of their wrongdoings, and just don't care.

4:04

We suffer the horrific injustice of the illegal skate park with the resultant shame and moral humiliation to this council, the mayor, his administration, and the city of Pittsburgh.

4:26

Shut down the illegal skate park in Panther Hollow.

4:30

Thank you.

4:37

Next speaker, please.

4:48

Okay.

4:50

My name is Yvonne F.

4:52

Brown.

4:52

I live at 715 Mercer Street.

4:55

Um, that's in uh at the top of Beffrey.

4:58

I've been bringing this sign for years.

5:01

But I want to explain it, if I can.

5:04

Well, you have it.

5:06

Uh we were having politicians in the building.

5:08

Kaylee Rover was tires.

5:10

I didn't know it.

5:11

And as I was walking down the hall, here comes the county council.

5:16

The width Watson.

5:18

He's the beaker, a large black man.

5:21

And I said, hey, sir, you remember me?

5:23

I said, uh, I came to you because we needed the bus to go down to the bottom of the hill.

5:29

Um I said, and you didn't do anything, so he stopped and he's a loud man.

5:34

I said, are you hollering at me?

5:36

But he explained, no, I will call Pat Authority.

5:40

So he goes out the side door.

5:42

He lives across the street from me.

5:44

Okay, so as I come down further, there's a white woman at the door, and she stops me and explained that she's John DeFasio's wife.

5:54

John DeFazio was the president of Colby Council at that time.

5:59

He was running again.

6:01

And when she said it, I said, no.

6:03

I said, because the woman, the woman, I said, he's this, and he's very disrespectful.

6:08

And she said, not my John.

6:10

And I said, yeah.

6:11

So she grabbed me and she ran and we took, I'm talking to John.

6:16

She said one way, I said the other.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness██████████████████████████26%
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████22%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Community Engagement████████8%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Youth Programs███3%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

City of Pittsburgh Standing Committees Meeting Summary – June 17, 2026

The City of Pittsburgh Standing Committees met on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. Nine council members were present. The meeting covered a wide range of legislative items across seven standing committees, including property sales, settlement approvals, intergovernmental agreements, zoning changes, and a package of garden and greenway ordinances. Five members of the public provided testimony. Most items received affirmative recommendations, with a few held or withdrawn.

Consent Calendar

  • Finance and Law Committee: Bills 2026-0592 (sale of 23 tax-delinquent properties), 2026-0593 (rescind sale of 503 Climax St), and 2026-0594 (forfeit sale of 27 properties due to incomplete sale) were all affirmatively recommended.
  • Public Safety and Wellness Committee: Bills 2026-0587 and 2026-0588 (technical corrections to article numbers in two recent ordinances regarding immigration enforcement and protecting community spaces) were affirmatively recommended.
  • Public Works and Infrastructure Committee: Bill 2026-0591 (reimbursement agreement with Verizon for City Steps project, not to exceed $6,500) was affirmatively recommended.
  • Land Use and Economic Development Committee: Bill 2026-0481 (conditional use for Passport Academy Charter School at 1835 Forbes Ave) was affirmatively recommended. Bill 2026-0564 (update to Adopt-A-Lot Program) was affirmatively recommended.
  • Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services Committee: Bills 2026-0562 (grant from Open Space Institute for greenway land acquisition, $25,000), 2026-0565 (City Farms Garden Program ordinance), 2026-0566 (Greenways Program ordinance), and 2026-0567 (update to park property use regulations) were all affirmatively recommended.
  • Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee: Bill 2026-0585 (amendment to Wilson Group lease for managed print services, increase of $270,000 to total $1.87M over 4 years) was affirmatively recommended after discussion of service issues. Bill 2026-0586 (amendment with Cyclomedia Technology for access to street imagery and LiDAR data, increase of $46,590 to total $814,936.75 over 9 years) was affirmatively recommended.
  • Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee: Bills 2026-0589 and 2026-0590 (reimbursement agreements with Pennsylvania American Water Company for City Steps project, not to exceed $5,350 and $3,500 respectively) were affirmatively recommended.
  • Invoices, Intradepartmental Transfer, and P-Card Approvals: The list of departmental invoices (totaling approximately $28,000), an intradepartmental transfer of $100,000 from Professional Services to Operational Supplies and Equipment within the Bureau of Police, and the P-Card report for June 2-8, 2026 (including one item over $5,000 requiring a rules waiver) were all approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dylan James Basescu spoke against a proposed event on 17th Street, comparing it to “Stalag 17” and urging the council to ban age discrimination for adults accessing public rights-of-way. He also criticized an illegal skate park in Panther Hollow and alleged disrespect from Council Members Charland and Warwick.
  • Carleno Giampolo echoed concerns about the illegal skate park in Panther Hollow, stating that noise from skateboards penetrates his home and that a skateboarder told him “I don’t care.” He demanded the park be shut down.
  • Yvonne F. Brown (resident of 715 Mercer Street) recounted an interaction with former County Councilman DeWitt Walton and John DeFazio’s wife, expressing frustration with politicians who make broken promises. She read a poem titled “Ode to John D.” and criticized Mayor Gainey and Council Member Gross for not sending a police chief to her community.
  • Special Agent Sunshine (Cherise Taylor) delivered religious testimony, referencing Proverbs and calling out judges and lawyers who take bribes to pervert justice. She announced a children’s program called “A Night of Sunshine” on the North Side.
  • Unique Brown (founder of Faces of Freedom Pittsburgh) described inequities in veteran banner programs: while some neighborhoods have banners costing $70–$200 that stay up for years, communities like Homewood, the Hill, and Hazelwood are charged up to $500 for only six months. She requested council authorization to use city-owned poles for a banner program honoring veterans in underserved neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

  • Finance and Law Committee – Bill 2026-0595 (Mahouski Settlement): The resolution to authorize a $108,296.64 settlement for litigation filed by Robert Mahouski (GD 25-014112 and EEOC Charge 533-2021-01109) was held in committee for one week at the request of the Law Department. An executive session was held on June 9, 2026.
  • Public Safety and Wellness Committee – Bill 2026-0584 (ROOTS Expansion): A resolution authorizing an agreement with Allegheny County Department of Human Services for up to $800,000 to expand outreach services for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The ROOTS (Reaching Out On The Streets) team currently has 16 staff working Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM. The funding will hire 10 new positions: six full-time weekdays (3 PM–11 PM) and four part-time weekends (1 PM–9 PM). Program managers Ben Talek and Nicholas Hudson answered questions. The contract is for one year with renewal options. Council members expressed strong support for the expansion, noting that the ROOTS team reduces unnecessary police interactions and provides wraparound services. The bill was affirmatively recommended.
  • Land Use and Economic Development Committee – Bill 2026-0609 (Mount Washington Rezoning): An ordinance to rezone 13 parcels (including 1-P-28, 1-P-29, etc.) in Mount Washington from GPR-A (Grandview Public Realm Subdistrict-A) to R-MU (Residential-Mixed Use) and amend the Height Map. The matter was referred to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation.
  • Land Use and Economic Development Committee – Bill 2026-0008 (Short-Term Rental Housing): An ordinance to add a new Chapter 768 regulating short-term rental housing was held in committee for six weeks (due back by July 29, 2026).
  • Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services Committee – Garden and Greenway Package: Council members Gross and Coghill led a discussion on the package of bills updating Adopt-A-Lot (Bill 2026-0564), creating a City Farms Garden Program (2026-0565), formalizing a Greenways Program (2026-0566), and updating park property use regulations (2026-0567). Key points: free leases will be provided for gardening on city property, but gardeners must obtain liability insurance (available through Grow Pittsburgh for $185/year). Existing agreements remain valid. The new rules explicitly allow growers to harvest and sell produce from city parks and greenways, which was previously prohibited. Councilman Coghill noted the success of the Belasco Orchard (now with 70+ native trees) and emphasized that public orchards remain open to all for responsible picking. The bills were all affirmatively recommended.
  • Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee – Bill 2026-0585 (Wilson Group): Council members Gross and Wilson expressed frustration with slow service from the Wilson Group for printer repairs (six-month wait for a replacement). The bill passed but with a warning that future authorizations would be withheld if service does not improve. Councilwoman Wilson also raised privacy concerns about Cyclomedia’s LiDAR data, but Director Jeff Skalican assured that the data is only used for road condition measurement and in-house design work, not for surveillance. The bill passed.
  • Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee – Bill 2026-0412 (Woods Village): A resolution authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire city-owned properties in the 12th Ward (Lincoln Avenue/Mayflower Street) was withdrawn without discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Affirmatively Recommended: Bills 2026-0592, 0593, 0594, 0584, 0587, 0588, 0591, 0481, 0564, 0562, 0565, 0566, 0567, 0585, 0586, 0589, 0590. All invoices, intradepartmental transfer, and P-cards (with rules waiver for over $5,000 item) approved.
  • Held: Bill 2026-0595 (Mahouski settlement) held one week in Finance and Law; Bill 2026-0008 (short-term rentals) held six weeks.
  • Referred: Bill 2026-0609 (Mount Washington rezoning) sent to Planning Commission for report and recommendation.
  • Withdrawn: Bill 2026-0412 (Woods Village Land Bank acquisition).
  • Post-Agendas Ordered: Councilwoman Gross motioned for a post-agenda on gardens and greenways; Councilman Charland motioned for a post-agenda with the City Controller to discuss the recent audit on code enforcement. Both were approved.
  • Reading of New Tax: Legislative Projects Manager Sean Carter read Council Bill 2026-0544, which would impose a Mechanical Amusement Device Tax. Class 2 devices (prize machines) would be taxed $100/device/year; Class 3 devices (darts, jukeboxes, pool tables, etc.) at $10/device/year. Initial estimates project $2–$3 million in annual revenue.
  • Next Meetings: Council regular meeting Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10 AM; Standing Committees meeting Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 10 AM. Juneteenth holiday: council and clerk’s office closed Friday, June 19.

Meeting Transcript

A month and a half old Instagram page that will just so happen to need that exact amount of street every week, no matter how few people breathe its eight-foot walls and surveillance drones that will harass neighborhood residents and demand they produce their papers just to get to their homes. The best advertisement the organizers could offer yesterday, and I quote, we don't want it to feel like Stalog 17. In this House of Freedom, this Temple of Liberty, the yellow-ballied, peace to lanimous pretense of an event to justify a crackdown is a sacrilege. This council should say no to Stalog 17th Street. Before anything else, it should protect the right of every adult to walk down their streets. It should ban age discrimination for adults in accessing the public right of way. I will be here every week to make sure you each know about the full adult citizens in my community that are being denied their rights in their own city. If you do not fix this, do not ever tell me you didn't know. There being no further registered speakers, we will now take comments from those in the audience wishing to speak. The political faces and voices for the vulgarity and graffiti field illegal skate park in Panther Hollow. They have justified the illegal skate park by saying our playground was not being used. However, before any construction began, these fundamental questions should have been asked first. Last Wednesday, when I was speaking here about this issue, Charlie began laughing and talking to the council member next to him. These actions indicated this issue and its impact on our community don't matter. Charlotte's actions and Warwick's continued support underscore one of the fundamental roots of this problem. Respecting the dignity of others requires first respecting one's own dignity. This truth can be more fully understood when taken to an extreme example. A sociopath doesn't respect his own dignity and therefore does not respect the dignity of another. For him, taking another person to life is no different than stepping on an ant. When I began these testimonies, a staff member for Charling told me to back off because dozens of skateboarders came before this council in support of the skate park, whom Warwick then praised. However, that kind of mob mentality with the support of misguided politicians never justifies wrongdoing against our community. Five days ago, at around 8 30 a.m., I once again heard the distinct noise of skateboards crashing onto concrete while inside my home. I went to the skate park and told the skateboarders that their noise was penetrating my home. One of them replied to me, expressing the same attitudes of Charlin in Warwick. He said to me, I don't care. When politicians do not respect their own dignity, and therefore do not respect the dignity of others, support a mob mentality with all of their wrongdoings, and just don't care. We suffer the horrific injustice of the illegal skate park with the resultant shame and moral humiliation to this council, the mayor, his administration, and the city of Pittsburgh. Shut down the illegal skate park in Panther Hollow. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Okay. My name is Yvonne F. Brown. I live at 715 Mercer Street. Um, that's in uh at the top of Beffrey. I've been bringing this sign for years. But I want to explain it, if I can. Well, you have it. Uh we were having politicians in the building. Kaylee Rover was tires. I didn't know it. And as I was walking down the hall, here comes the county council. The width Watson. He's the beaker, a large black man. And I said, hey, sir, you remember me? I said, uh, I came to you because we needed the bus to go down to the bottom of the hill. Um I said, and you didn't do anything, so he stopped and he's a loud man. I said, are you hollering at me? But he explained, no, I will call Pat Authority. So he goes out the side door.

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