Pittsburgh Standing Committees Meeting - July 1, 2026

The Standing Committees of the Pittsburgh City Council met on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered finance, public safety, public works, land use, recreation, and intergovernmental affairs. A significant portion of the public comment period was devoted to opposition to proposed short-term rental restrictions. Council voted on several resolutions, with most receiving affirmative recommendations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ilnar Akhmedjanov (Bloomfield) opposed caps on short-term rental units per building, stating they would penalize responsible hosts. He supported licensing, inspections, and safety standards.
• Ellie Howard (North Side) opposed the proposed restrictions, arguing they would harm local businesses, tourism, and families visiting Pittsburgh. She supported accountability for bad actors but not elimination of responsible hosts.
• Brigitte Maraszil (North Side) opposed the legislation, noting she manages STRs and has invested in the community. She asked for regulation targeting behavior, not business models.
• Michael T. Sobkowiak (Oakland) opposed the restrictions, stating that 75% of STRs could be eliminated. He argued that current regulations already manage noise, trash, and parking.
• Joseph Ostrowski (Mount Washington, Pittsburgh Police Sergeant) spoke in a personal capacity, urging rejection of the restrictions. He cited a 2022 shooting at an STR but noted police have since adopted a zero-tolerance policy that has reduced violence. He advocated for targeted enforcement rather than broad restrictions.
• Chad Wisw (Manchester, representing Steelstra and Hostwise) argued the bill is not regulation but a “wrecking ball” that would eliminate 75% of STR nights and $350 million in annual economic activity. He called for licensing and enforcement instead of a ban.
• Dylan Basescu (Southside Flats) did not comment on STRs but criticized the security fences used during the South Side street lockdown on June 27, contrasting it with a successful open streets event on June 28.
• Corey Dierthorn (Mount Washington) opposed the amendments eliminating the special exception for existing hosts. He stated his cleaning company supports $1 million in annual payroll and that eliminating 1,500 Airbnbs would remove $15 million in payroll. He argued that regulation should be targeted.
• Carleno Giampolo (Panther Hollow) addressed the Oakland do-it-yourself skate park, urging council members to contact Mayor O’Connor to shut it down. He criticized Councilmembers Warwick and Charland for not addressing graffiti and maintenance issues.
• Sara Wilson (Mount Washington, cleaning company owner) opposed the restrictions, saying they would harm her 28 part-time employees (including students and single moms). She supported safety inspections and noise ordinances.
• Donna Palsic (Southside, optometrist and STR owner) opposed broad restrictions, noting she uses noise monitoring devices and screens guests. She argued that the North Side shooting involved a property listed on an event platform, not a standard STR.
• Dennis Lotzak (Mexican War Streets, historic house STR) opposed the bill, saying it would force him to sell his home. He noted 1,818 five-star reviews and emphasized that guests spend money locally.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Mercer Street) shared a positive experience staying in an Airbnb in Atlanta and argued that most STR owners maintain their properties. She urged police to be more proactive in preventing incidents.
• Special Agent Sunshine made personal allegations regarding identity theft and fraud, and referenced legal statutes.

Discussion Items

• Finance and Law Committee (Chair Strassburger):
  • Bill 2026-0039 (Referendum on budget approval rules): Held in committee for four weeks, due back 7/29/2026.
  • Bill 2026-0654 (Shift $60,000 from play area improvements to public safety equipment): Held in committee for four weeks.
  • Bills 2026-0655, 0656, 0667, 0668, 0669: All received affirmative recommendations. Bill 0655 increases McArdle Bridge design funding by $500,000 (federally reimbursed). Bill 0656 reduces the TransDev fleet maintenance contract by $988,402.29 to $78,260,941.46 over six years, with discussion about PWSA direct billing and non-target maintenance costs. Bills 0667, 0668, 0669 deal with capital budget amendments (Chapter 218 fund closures and reallocations).
  • Invoices, intradepartmental transfer ($56,640 for RouteSmart), and P-card weekly report were approved.
• Public Safety and Wellness Committee (Chair Coghill):
  • Bill 2026-0680 (Operation Better Block Safe Passages program, $250,000): Received affirmative recommendation. Councilmembers Warwick, Lavelle, Mosley, and Coghill praised the program and discussed the need for sustainable funding with Pittsburgh Public Schools.
• Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (Chair Salinetro):
  • Bill 2026-0652 (Agreement with STV for McArdle Bridge preliminary engineering, $997,407.91, 100% reimbursable): Approved.
  • Bill 2026-0653 (Amendment to PennDOT reimbursement agreement, increase $500,000 to $1,250,000, 100% reimbursable): Approved.
• Land Use and Economic Development Committee (Chair Wilson):
  • Bill 2026-0664 (Expand Residential Parking Permit Program Area HH in Central Northside to include an additional address): Approved.
• Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services Committee (Chair Warwick):
  • Bill 2026-0658 (Facilities Usage Agreement with Macedonia FACE at Ammon Recreation Center, no cost to city, two years): Approved. Assistant Director Luanne Haran explained the partnership provides senior services. Councilmember Warwick advocated for increased Parks and Rec funding to expand services citywide.
• Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee (Chair Mosley):
  • Bill 2026-0412 (Land Bank acquisition of multiple lots at 0 Lincoln Ave & 0 Mayflower St, District 9, Woods Village project): Approved.
  • Bill 2026-0651 (Amend Equipment Leasing Authority cooperation agreement: increase $85,000 for an accessible van for OCHS, decrease $1,983,750 for EMS funds reallocated): Approved. Acting Fleet Manager Braunwin Turnage and councilmembers discussed fleet needs, including $62 million in unfunded vehicle requests and the impact of new gifts.
  • Bill 2026-0659 (Land Bank acquisition of lots at 0 Chalfont St, District 3): Approved.
  • Bill 2026-0660 (Land Bank acquisition at 169 Auburn St, District 9): Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Held in Committee: Bills 2026-0039 and 2026-0654 were held for four weeks.
• Affirmatively Recommended (approved by committee): Bills 2026-0655, 0656, 0667, 0668, 0669, 0680, 0652, 0653, 0664, 0658, 0412, 0651, 0659, 0660.
• Approved (invoices, transfers, P-cards): All invoices, the intradepartmental transfer of $56,640, and P-card report were approved.
• Next Steps: Council will hold a post-agenda on the Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization and Investment District Implementation Plan at 1:30 PM on July 1. Council offices closed July 3 for Independence Day. Next regular meeting July 7, standing committees July 8.