Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – June 30, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – June 30, 2026
The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. Six members were present (Coghill, Lavelle, Mosley, Salinetro, Strassburger, Warwick) and three were absent (Charland, Gross, Wilson). The meeting included proclamations, public comments, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of numerous committee-approved resolutions.
Proclamations
- 2026-0672: Declared July 5, 2026 as "Martyrs Day" in Pittsburgh, honoring those who sacrificed for social justice. Adopted unanimously.
- 2026-0692: Declared June 30, 2026 as "Idella L. Michaels Day" in recognition of her decades of service to the city and community. Adopted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Downtown): Discussed employment opportunities and proposed $1 billion per district for "global intelligence centers," opposed AI, and advocated for elected neighborhood councils.
- Bethany Cameron (Overbrook, representing InformOP.org): Presented survey results from 47 readers on budget approaches, youth employment, and violence prevention. 46% favored voluntary payments from nonprofits, 30% wanted larger payments from UPMC/Highmark. 57% of readers valued mentorship in youth work programs. 64% wanted stop-the-violence funds to support broad youth programs.
- Bernadette Mosey (Beechview): Criticized city bureaucracy for blocking young entrepreneurs and a coffee shop, and suggested using retired professionals to save money.
- Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow): Continued opposition to the illegal Oakland DIY skate park, warning of liability and urging council to shut it down. Accused Councilmember Warwick of indifference.
- Patrick Robinson (no neighborhood given): Detailed allegations of discrimination against UPMC following a baby's death, claiming settlement breach, and sought a public hearing.
- Sam Gibson (Homewood, We the People 412): Expressed frustration with Councilmember Mosley, alleging lack of support for Homewood, and pleaded for help improving the community.
- Unique Brown (homeless, Faces of Freedom): Asked for a resolution recognizing a veteran memorial banner program and waiving permit fees, urging more support for underserved neighborhoods.
- Rick Smith (North Oakland): Commented on the upcoming TRID discussion, suggesting improvements like inclusive zoning and public spaces.
- Yvonne F. Brown (Katie Rivers Towers): Praised Idella Michaels, shared struggles of elderly residents dying alone, and advocated for greater attention to senior housing.
- Special Agent Sunshine (missing child advocate): Delivered a spiritual message, accused Councilmember Strassburger of stalking and witchcraft, and made religious pronouncements.
Presentation of Papers – New Legislation
The following new resolutions were introduced and referred to the respective committees:
- 2026-0680: Professional services agreement with Operation Better Block for Safe Passages youth violence prevention ($250,000, one year) – referred to Public Safety and Wellness (Rule 8 waiver granted).
- 2026-0682: Agreement with ePlus Technology for IT support ($95,440, one year) – referred to Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology.
- 2026-0683: Warrant for Dell Financial Services ($58,283.18) – referred to same committee.
- 2026-0684: Amendment to Julota software agreement (increase of $520) – referred to same committee.
- 2026-0685: Professional services with Malady & Wooten for state government affairs ($264,000, four years) – referred to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs.
- 2026-0686: License to ALCOSAN for two diversion structures at 2200 Spring Garden Avenue (no cost to city) – referred to same committee.
- 2026-0687: Agreement with LA28 for coordination of Olympic/Paralympic events (no cost) – referred to Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services.
- 2026-0688: Appointment of Lori McCartney as Assistant Chief of Police – approved unanimously (Enactment No. 391).
- 2026-0691: Extension of Acting Director of Innovation and Performance for 90 days through Oct 2, 2026 – approved unanimously (Enactment No. 392).
- 2026-0689 and 2026-0690: Communications from OMB regarding grants update and acting pay requests – received and filed.
Reports of Committee – Final Action (Consent Calendar)
All items from committees were read and passed finally by a 6-0 roll call vote (three absent). These included:
-
Finance and Law Committee (2026-0673):
- Settlement warrants: Robert Mahouski ($108,296.64), Thomas & Sarah Bench ($70,000), Joseph Engelmeier ($60,000), Daryl & Karen Luciani ($90,000), Anna Nichols ($40,000), Clinton & Irene Runco ($60,000), Tyrone Perry ($62,500 each for two cases).
- Budget transfer of $31,508.90 from Neighborhood Initiatives to Slope Failure Remediation.
- Cooperation agreement with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for $400,000 in Keystone grant for HVAC/roof replacement at Squirrel Hill branch.
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Public Safety and Wellness Committee (2026-0674):
- Acceptance of $10,190.95 donation of office furniture from King Street Productions for Public Safety.
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Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (2026-0675):
- Grant from PA Dept of Aging for flooring at Homewood Healthy Active Living Center ($40,000).
- Reimbursement agreement for Corliss Tunnel preliminary design ($1,000,000, 80% reimbursable).
- STV Incorporated preliminary engineering for East Sycamore Street Bridge ($384,501.50, 100% reimbursable) and McArdle Bridge over East Sycamore ($378,345.04, 100% reimbursable).
- Dedication of a portion of Lot 10-N-357 (Devilliers St) to the city.
- Licenses to PA-PITT HOLDINGS LLC (shoring/water line) and MI STRIP WORKS LLC (sewer main/manholes).
- Vacation of Edlam Way paper street.
- Five resolutions approving asphalt paving recommendations for Cedarbrook Dr, Hayson Ave, Kentmoor Dr, Red Oak Dr, and Whitewood Dr.
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Human Resources Committee (2026-0676):
- Agreement with Partner4Work for Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program ($1,000,000, one year).
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Land Use and Economic Development Committee (2026-0677):
- Amendment to 2026 Capital Budget increasing Facility Improvements-Sport Facilities by $250,000 and Remediation of Condemned Buildings by $163,351, funded by HUD CDBG at no city cost.
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Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee (2026-0678):
- Extension of deadline for Surveillance Technologies report to September 2, 2026.
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Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee (2026-0679):
- Easement agreement with ALCOSAN for monitoring boreholes (no cost).
- Plan revision for sewage facilities for Simonds Residential Development at 5429 Dunmoyle Street (no cost).
Key Outcomes
- Proclamations adopting Martyrs Day (July 5) and Idella L. Michaels Day (June 30).
- Appointment of Lori McCartney as Assistant Chief of Police approved.
- Extension of Acting Director of Innovation and Performance for 90 days.
- All committee reports and associated resolutions were passed finally on 6-0 roll call votes.
- New legislation introduced and referred to committees, including Safe Passages program and LA28 coordination.
- Public comments raised concerns about youth entrepreneurship, Oakland skate park, UPMC discrimination, Homewood conditions, and support for veteran banners.
- Council will hold standing committees on July 1, 2026, and a post-agenda discussion on the Downtown TRID plan.
Meeting Transcript
Also, Talking about it, but it is soon. Sibon y por qué se permitió en el descubriente. No, no, no. Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026. Would the clerk please take the role? Mr. Charland, Mr. Coghill, two thousand twenty six. It's, Mr. Mosley. Here, Mrs. Salonetro. Here. Mrs. Strasberger. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Lavelle President. Here. Five members present. Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence. To the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which is one nation under God. Thank you. Our next order of business is to amend the agenda. So move. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations. We'll begin with Councilman Mosley. I would uh like to ask the folks who are here for Martyrs Day to come up and join me. I'd like to thank Martha for uh bringing this to my attention and asking me to present this proclamation uh as we um celebrate the 250th and anniversary of this country, uh a country that has had a very complicated history, um, as we all know, while it being complicated, uh, you know, very inspirational and um very important to note the 174th anniversary of Frederick Douglass's speech, and there's very few Americans who truly embody the complicated but inspirational history uh of America, like like the great Frederick Douglass. So uh I will uh read this proclamation to commemorate you know truly one of the the great Americans and you know uh a story that truly exemplifies who we are as a nation. And whereas the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776, and we're at July 4th is celebrated annually as a tribute to American ideals of liberty and freedom. And whereas a nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, and whereas July 5th marks the anniversary of Frederick Douglass' historic 1852 address, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? A powerful call to confront the gap between America's founding ideas and this live reality. And whereas throughout American history, courageous individuals have lost their lives in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all people. And whereas Christmas Addicts, the first martyr of the American Revolution at the Boston Massacre to 21st century advocates who have lost their lives protesting injustice. These martyrs represent the continuing American revolution. Whereas members of our community have lost their lives in the struggle for human dignity and equal justice under the law, and whereas it is fitting and proper that we honor their memory and recommit ourselves to the principles for which they made the ultimate sacrifice. Now, therefore, be a resolve that the council of the city of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the fifth day of July 2026 to be Martyr's Day in the City of Pittsburgh, a day of remembrance, reflection, and renewed commitment to social justice and human rights for all. Maybe we have a motion to approve.
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