Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting - June 24, 2026

On June 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers, the Pittsburgh City Council held a Standing Committees meeting chaired by Council President Lavelle. The meeting covered agenda items from eight committees, including legal settlements, infrastructure projects, youth programs, tax legislation, and zoning amendments. Nine council members were present. Public comment addressed surveillance data privacy, communication gaps in the Learn & Earn program, and personal appeals.

Consent Calendar

• Legal Settlements (Finance & Law): Approved six litigation settlements totaling $435,296.64: Robert Mahouski ($108,296.64), Thomas and Sarah Bench ($70,000), Joseph Engelmeier ($60,000), Daryl and Karen Luciani ($90,000), Anna Nichols ($40,000), Clinton and Irene Runco ($60,000), Tyrone Perry ($62,500), and Tyrone Perry as administrator of Velva Perry's estate ($62,500). All settlements are for cases in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
• Capital Budget Transfer: Approved transfer of $31,508.90 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund to Slope Failure Remediation for retaining wall repairs on Dunmore Street (Council District 7).
• Carnegie Library Cooperation: Approved a $400,000 cooperation agreement for HVAC and roofing replacement at the Squirrel Hill branch using Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation grant funds.
• Invoices and P-Cards: Approved departmental invoices and P-cards for the period June 9-15, 2026.
• Public Safety Donation: Accepted office furniture valued at $10,190.95 from King Street Productions, Inc. for the Public Safety Admin Office.
• Public Works Infrastructure: Approved grants and agreements for: $40,000 flooring installation at Homewood Healthy Active Living Center; $1,000,000 (80% reimbursable) for Corliss Tunnel preliminary design (city share $10,000); $384,501.50 (100% reimbursable) for East Sycamore Street Bridge preliminary engineering; $378,345.04 (100% reimbursable) for McArdle Bridge preliminary engineering; dedication of Devilliers Street; licenses for shoring/water line at 217 Halket Street and sewer main at Railroad Street; vacation of Edlam Way; and asphalt paving of five concrete street segments in Council District 2 (Cedarbrook Dr, Hayson Ave, Kentmoor Dr, Red Oak Dr, Whitewood Dr).
• Sewage Plan Revision: Approved a plan revision for Simonds Residential Development at 5429 Dunmoyle Street at no cost to the city.
• Surveillance Technology Report Extension: Approved extension of the deadline for the Innovation & Performance surveillance technology report to September 2, 2026.
• ALCOSAN Easement: Approved (as amended by substitution) an easement agreement for monitoring boreholes at two city-owned parcels (121-H-20 and 82-H-1-0-2), dropping a third location pending further review.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rick Smith (North Oakland, D8): Speaking on Resolution 2026-0670, he requested that the surveillance technology report obscure detailed personal information (e.g., names, addresses, phone numbers from petitions) to protect privacy in the age of AI training.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Bedford Hills): Shared personal experiences with stroke recovery and the death of her son Tony. She called for an inquest into her son's death and criticized the city's handling of her request for a letter from the attorney general.
• Billie Vaughn (community advocate): Spoke as a former Learn & Earn participant and parent. She expressed strong support for the program but highlighted that 200 youth are on a waiting list due to poor communication from Partner4Work. She urged the city to provide timely updates to parents and offered to host youth at her nonprofit thrift store.
• Special Agent Sunshine (homeless advocate): Made emotional comments about homelessness, criticized Council Member Lavelle, and referenced a state budget deficit. She also prayed for intervention and spoke about her missing child Serese Taylor. Chair later warned against slander.

Discussion Items

• Learn & Earn Summer Youth Program (Human Resources Committee, Bill 2026-0611): Council considered a $1 million allocation from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund to match a $1 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, expanding the program from summer-only to a year-round pilot for youth ages 16-23. Council President Lavelle and Councilwoman Warwick voiced procedural concerns about not yet having an approved Stop the Violence allocation plan, but both committed to supporting the expenditure. Council Deputy Chief of Staff Matt Singer explained the program would provide paid work experience, career readiness, and credentialing. Councilwoman Warwick also raised questions about hourly wages and equity. The bill was affirmed with a positive recommendation.
• Mechanical Amusement Devices Tax (Land Use & Economic Development, Bill 2026-0544): Councilman Coghill presented the tax as a revenue measure (estimated $2-3 million annually) and a regulatory tool for skill games, which he described as predatory. An amendment capping the tax at 10 machines per class for existing amusement arcades was adopted. Discussion noted pending state legislation that could preempt local action. The bill was affirmed as amended.
• Burgwin Recreation Center Social Services RFP (Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services, Bill 2026-0643): Councilwoman Warwick proposed a $200,000 RFP (amended from $250,000) from the Stop the Violence Fund for after-school and summer programming at the newly renovated Burgwin Rec Center in Glen Hazel. She argued the city has relied on unpaid community groups and that the fund aligns with violence prevention. Councilman Charland and Councilwoman Salinetro raised concerns about equity and lack of a citywide strategy for quasi-rec centers. Councilman Wilson questioned the process and suggested working with the administration. The bill was held for two weeks for further discussion.
• Short-Term Rental Zoning (Bill 2026-0009): Councilwoman Gross motioned to rescind a prior referral to the Planning Commission, bring the bill back, and amend it by substitution. The amendment removes a special exception provision, making short-term rentals not permitted in residential zones. Councilman Wilson highlighted that deadly parties have occurred in short-term rentals in his district, and Councilman Coghill noted the impact on affordable housing. The amended bill was sent to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• Learn & Earn Program Expansion: Affirmatively recommended (1-0 vote) to authorize $1 million from Stop the Violence Fund for a year-round youth employment pilot. The bill moves to final consideration. Council members expressed intent to develop a comprehensive Stop the Violence allocation plan next month.
• Mechanical Amusement Devices Tax: Affirmatively recommended as amended, with a cap for existing arcades. The bill received final passage later in the meeting (8-0 vote) after reconvening from a recess.
• Burgwin Rec Center RFP: Held for two weeks, due back by July 8, 2026, to allow time for broader discussion on Stop the Violence fund usage and citywide rec center programming.
• Brilliant Yard Railroad Crossing (Bill 2026-0414): Held for six weeks (due back by September 2, 2026) to allow continued negotiations with residents and parties (US Army Corps, AVRR) after Right-to-Know requests revealed new information.
• Liquor License Transfer (Bill 2026-0606): Held for a cablecast public hearing, as required by law.
• Short-Term Rental Zoning: Amended and referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation.