Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Would Clerk please take the role Mr.

Charlin?

Mr.

Coghill.

Here.

Miss Gross.

Mr.

Mosley.

Miss Salonetro.

Here.

Miss Strasberger.

Here.

Miss Warwick.

Here.

Mr.

Wilson.

Mr.

Laval Chair.

Here.

Five members present.

Thank you.

For those who are able, please rise for the pleasure of beliefs.

Standing for a moment of silence.

One nation.

Justice Raw.

Thank you very much.

Our next order of business is to amend the agendas or motion to amend.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Agenda has been amended.

Our next order of business is proclamations.

We have one with Councilman Coghew.

Okay, thank you.

Can I ask Chelsea and her mom and dad and her family and to come up, please?

You can come up, stand right here by me, okay.

Glad to see Chelsea is a accomplished softball player, and I'm glad she's carrying on the tradition of many, many good ball players from the Beach View Brookline, Carrick and Overbrook in the fourth district overall area.

So this is in recognition recognition.

Chelsea, thank you for being here.

Your family, thank you for being here.

And um goes something like this.

Whereas softball has been one of the biggest influences in Chelsea's life.

It has taught her discipline, perseverance, leadership, and the importance of being something bigger than herself.

Every season has helped shape not only the player she has become, but also the person she strives to be.

And Chelsea's, whereas Chelsea's softball journey began April in 2017 when she joined Brookline Recreational Softball League.

She had the chance to make new friends, learn new skills, compete, and even get the honor of being the opening day representative for the Pittsburgh Pirates and experience standing on the field during that day.

Exciting.

And whereas Chelsea was selected to the All-Star team for four consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2021.

Those years provided her countless memories, but none more than rewarding than July 2021 when her Brookline All-Star team captured the Mayor's Cup championship at PNC Park.

Winning a championship on the home field of the Pittsburgh Pirates is an experience she will always cherish.

And whereas August 2021, Chelsea transitioned to be to competitive fast pitch softball by joining the South Hills Devil Dogs 12U team.

During her time on the Devil Dogs, her team won the May 2023 13U championship, her first fast pitch championship and competed in the World Series in Columbus, Ohio.

And Chelsea joined a newly formed Pittsburgh Power Voltage 14U fast pitch team.

She embraced the opportunity to become one of its leaders while expanding her versatility on the field.

She transitioned into playing catcher outfield and first base, learning the unique responsibilities each positions that demand.

Her team has an outstanding year.

She made the championship in five out of the 12 tournaments they played in.

She finished with the 328 batting average while recording 28 hits, ranking fourth on the team.

She drove in 24 RBIs, which ranked second on the team, and scored 25 runs, placing third.

She is especially proud of leading the team with seven home runs.

Nice.

And Chelsea attends Seatlasau High School, where she is junior achievement student ambassador, amassing over 75 community service hours, volunteering at the Charlie Batch Foundation for Children, member of a book club, participated in two fall musicals, three drama productions, member of a school church choir, mock child team, and flag football.

Where do you get the time for this, Chelsea?

That's what I want to know.

She also received the best witness award during her junior year.

Outside of school and softball, she enjoys cooking, drawing, reading, and novels.

So of course, you know, this is a little side gig for you.

Chelsea's plan, Chelsea's plans to continue playing softball at the collegiate level will while pursuing her education in criminology with an emphasis of forensic science.

Chelsea's plan, Chelsea's plans to continue playing softball at the collegiate level will, while pursuing her education in criminology with an emphasis for forensic science, Chelsea is proud of all her accomplishments.

But what she values most is kindness, compassion, and generosity.

Make a good politician.

And being someone others can depend on.

Whether she is on the softball field in the classroom or spending time with family and friends, she strives to lead by example, hard work, and treat others with respect.

And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Chelsea Averrow.

Is that right?

Everrow.

And be it further resolved that the city that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, to be Chelsea Averell Day in the City of Pittsburgh.

Maybe have a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Congratulations.

I don't know what to say, but uh thank you for the opportunity.

Um I like to build a strong foundation for myself, and I thank my parents for that.

Um being taught to be well-rounded and do multiple things, even when I didn't have the time.

Managing the schedule was hard, even caring uh for my little brother.

I he's here today.

I appreciate him being here.

Uh and I wanted to shout out two girls who couldn't make it today, but there are two teammates on Pittsburgh Power Voltage, Claire and Teagan, both were here since the first day, and they helped me grow.

Claire helped me grow as a catcher, she's already a catcher.

Well, that's really cool.

Um Teegan's my center fielder.

She's always um had my back, she makes amazing plays, and I hope to play the collegiate level with both of them.

And that's all I had to say.

Thank you for listening.

Hi.

Oh wow, this is intimidating.

I'm Miriam, um, Chelsea's mom.

Um athleticism has been in my blood.

I played soccer for 40 years.

Um softball.

I played, oh gosh, skiing, everything.

So several of our children, three out of four, are very athletic, but I think Chelsea surprised us the most.

She um is neurodivergent.

So as an athlete that comes with a multitude of different struggles and challenges and things like that.

And to see her up here, it was something that John and I, I don't think we ever dreamed this much.

And wow, should read for the stars.

I just wanted to definitely thank you, sir, for this uh honor.

And uh I know a big shout-out goes to Steve Flaherty for I wanted to make sure we mentioned Coach Flaherty.

Uh I've had the privilege of working with Coach Flaherty for a little while now, and uh he has been coaching her for three years and helped her proceed, you know, and proceed and grow in the sport.

And uh I can't believe how far she's come with the challenges that she's faced.

So it's been very nice to watch.

I can't wait for the future, though.

I I I hope college goes really well, uh, whether or not she plays softball or not, but uh I'm really happy with what the career field she's choosing to get in because I think people need people like her in the world.

Uh very compassionate uh person, but thank you all to the council for the special award.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you for that.

Uh just sort of play on words, Chelsea.

You knocked it out of the park.

So somebody came up here and wasn't even expecting to speak.

So very, very well done.

You too, Mama Dad.

Can I ask the other council members to come up and uh we take a picture, please?

Thank you.

And I believe we have three to be read into the record.

Councilmember Salonetra presents.

Be it further resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 to be Darcia Ashley Amber Reed Day in the City of Pittsburgh.

Councilmember Lavelle presents now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare August 22nd, 2026 to be Vera May Williams Threat Day in the City of Pittsburgh.

And Councilmember Warwick presents.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Thursday, July 30th, to be Rich Hoffman Day in the city of Pittsburgh.

Maybe have a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second.

All favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The proclamations have been approved.

Our next order of business is public comment.

I would like to remind everyone the rules of council state, the comments are limited to matters of concern, official action or deliberation, which may be forced to the council.

Profanity will not be permitted.

After you recall, please restate your name, provide your neighborhood for the record.

You'll be given three minutes to speak.

Our first registered speaker is Dr.

Ronald Miller.

Zhangwoo, Hong Kong, Highland Park neighborhood.

The HP Housing Society, I think is worthy of this city's consideration.

Call attention to Dr.

Hong Wang.

She has won the Fields Medal for 2026.

She's extraordinary in math.

Also as a candidate for president with the uh Global Intelligence Society for 2028 neighborhoods and allied cities.

No contact numbers.

Is anyone administrating the NCDF in the city elected by anyone from the 90 neighborhoods?

We can find no evidence that there that that is the case.

Thank you.

I think there's already way too much of a focus on improving the aesthetics of downtown when this is a real city that real people live in with real issues going on.

Uh we have among the highest maternal mortality rates for black women in the country.

We have a lot of homeless neighbors struggling to find shelter beds, house prices are going way up.

Um the central business district is a food desert.

Um, and we're trying to spend all this money on like painting the train trestles.

Like there's a quote in the the Wisa article about this where halfway through this paragraph about all the abandoned storefronts downtown, they're like, and there's train trestles unpainted, as if it's like the biggest deal in the world.

Like that's that's not what we need.

Um there are so many things that money could be going toward that would meaningfully improve the lives of people living in this city, and uh none of that is being paid attention to.

Infrastructure doesn't mean painting trestles.

We have plenty of skilled graffiti artists who do that for free.

Infrastructure should mean giving our neighbors the resources they need to thrive in this city.

I urge you to vote against the transit redevelopment uh revitalization, sorry, improvement district.

This is supposed to be a most livable city, not one that papers over its resident struggles.

Let's keep the trestles unpainted and give our neighbors what they need to thrive.

Thank you.

Our next register speaker is Bethany Cameron.

Good morning, council members.

My name is Bethany Cameron, and I'm here again.

Uh I live in Overbrook, and I'm here again representing Inform of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that provides weekly reporting on city council along with survey questions so we can communicate readers' preferences directly to City Council members.

Last week, 46 members completed our survey.

All nine council districts were represented.

Number one, we asked readers which features would build their confidence that the downtown investment plan will help downtown and the folks who live and work here.

One reader from the STIP district in District 1 wrote that downtown needs businesses first, and that office employment is what brings residents back into the middle market.

They pointed to the 2007 20 to 2010 and 2014 to 2018 conversion waves as examples of what worked before.

Number two, we asked readers if council should pass the downtown trid as it is currently written.

63% of readers strongly disagree.

13% of readers somewhat disagree.

21% were unsure, and 3% strongly agree.

A reader from Homewood North uh in District 9 said it is imperative that the mayor provide feedback uh on the trid and explain his position.

Does he have veto power?

Uh as the former county controller, he has the knowledge to make the right decision.

Number three, we asked readers should the city avoid committing future tax revenue to development projects like the downtown trid until the deficits are resolved.

57% of readers strongly agree.

30% somewhat agree, and 7% were unsure.

One reader said borrowing money against future tax revenue and putting the people of this city in debt for 40 years in order to benefit developers uh to make that life better uh is uh insane.

Giving public money away to private companies is insane, and Pittsburgh needs to invest in real Pittsburghers.

Number four, we asked readers if they would agree or disagree that requiring workers to waive the right to strike is a reasonable condition for receiving job protections.

Uh 64% strongly disagree, 12% somewhat disagree, um, and about 18% agree or somewhat or strongly.

A resident from Central Lawrenceville said uh the right to strike should never be bargained away.

Thank you.

We'll send the full report out later today.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Ralph Williams.

Uh good morning, Council.

Thank you, President LaVille and members of council for letting me speak today.

I know I'm not one of the most likable people because two weeks ago I kind of came on here and said you didn't have a backbone.

But you know what?

Uh last week, you guys really, really uh came through when you gave Anthony Chaffee a proclamation of Anthony Chaffee Day last week from the housing authorities city of Pittsburgh.

Thanks a lot.

My crusade to try to get Castro Binion removed as the Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh.

CEO uh has uh, you know, not had a roadblock, but a little bit of a you know, a little bit of a dent in the situation.

You still have a woman sleeping in a tent up in Arlington Heights because uh she needed mold out of her apartment, but that's fine.

Anthony's moved on, and that's good news.

So uh we'll see what what happens with Castor Binion moving forward.

I want to um congratulate Miss Brown for uh her uh receiving her flowers and her award last week and thank her as well for being a uh a participant and listening to my radio show on 1250 the answer, and I really appreciate that by the way.

But uh, you know, the sad part about all this is um I like to tell it like I see it.

You know that already, uh, because of the many times I've spoken here, and I'm gonna continue to do so, uh, despite the setback last week of the proclamation given to Anthony Chaffee and the Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh and uh some of the things that I've been through that nothing was done about, and some other stuff when I lived in one of their buildings.

And it's really sad to see what's going on right now.

Now, this thing here in the strip district downtown in the south side, you know what you're doing is you're you're not including the other neighborhoods.

There's more in the there's more to Pittsburgh than downtown and the strip and the south side, and I get that.

They're the neighborhoods that produce maybe the most uh you know travelers or the most people who visit or the most uh whatever.

But you know what?

You have other neighborhoods that are neglected, other neighborhoods that need the uh public safety, other neighborhoods that need a lot of other things.

That's what you need to focus on.

Downtown is a focus as well, but the focus isn't very good because you still have homeless people destroying bathrooms downtown, brand new million-dollar public bathrooms and much more.

All right.

Uh, you need to focus on some more important things like these uh juvenile takeovers and quit having talks and let's start getting doing some real law and order in this town and stop that thousand dollar uh thing.

You can't arrest a shoplifter unless they uh you know have to uh what they call shoplift for a thousand dollars.

I used to be a store detective.

You know how hard that is to try to try to bust somebody in a business for shoplifting?

All right, some things you need to work on.

I'll be back again.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our last register speaker is Chief Ikahana Hamakina.

Currently on mute.

There you go.

Greetings and good day.

I'm the grand of the AirCar Confederacy of Aboriginal American people.

And today I want to talk about data protection.

Tech companies be held responsible for breaching public trust and violating people's privacy and harming our children.

It has been proven that with prolonged exposure to the internet and social media site.

How did damage to your brain?

Delaney development and the brain of teen and young adult before the front before text is completely downgrown.

The European Union has taken the necessary test to protect its citizens and it's you.

It's evidently our inability to constant their own emotions and decision making.

I like to remind City Council at the D issue or tomorrow's leader.

We must take the necessary steps to protect them from the invisible intangible harm that awaits them on the other side of the internet.

We're proving to be harmful for young children and never adds taken out.

We need to make sure that we're promoting healthy environment for our children and our teams because they do not know the depth and the deepness of the effect of the internet on a growing brand.

But take a closer look at why children are acting out and make sure that we are creating meaningful programming for them, such as coding and holding tech companies reliable for the harm caught.

Well, I just want you know city council to take a closer look at some of these things and the research that has been done surrounding the very topic.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much.

That exhausts our list of registered speakers.

If there's anyone in chambers wishing to speak, please come forward at this time.

Also provide your name and neighborhood for the record.

You'll be given three minutes to speak.

My name is Stave Fisher.

I'm from Wood Street, Cipcode 15221.

I spoke here two weeks ago at this podium about solar energy garden parks for the corner of Penn and Nagley Avenues in East Liberty.

About 10 to 12 years ago, East Liberty was voted one of the 10 most urban redeveloped areas of a city in the United States by USA Today newspaper.

They ran a poll, they had a poll, they voted, they voted East Liberty one of the 10 most urban redeveloped areas of a city in the United States.

Imagine how many different sections of cities there are.

Some stands for the adults, but mostly pollinator-friendly uh solar energy garden parts that would attract beneficial insects.

South of the parkway.

Um West of I-79, that would be a good place to start with pollinator-friendly agri-voltac sites, which are actually ecovoltaic sites.

That's what I'm into.

Eco-voltaics.

Similar, similar to photovoltaics, but with ecology in mind.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Hello, Rick Smith from North Oakland, District 8.

Hello, Rick Smith from North Oakland, District 8, uh, speaking on the resolution 531 for the TRID.

Thank you to you all for digging into it over these last few months to Councilmember Mosley for the post agenda for Councilmember Gross for representing my concerns and Councilmember Strasberger for being my representative and calling the uh post agendas on the climate change and the budget stuff.

It's been great.

Um the TRID.

I wish for a do-over that we can do better.

Imagine a post agenda of perspectives, that planning comes in and shows us how it fits into their comprehensive plan.

The legal comes in and talks about cotermininous boundary, that the controller's office concerns are spoken to us all, not just to you, to OMB's operation in how does it impact their five-year forecasts to OMB Capital for how it impacts the balance sheets by having a loan guarantee on the liabilities versus future trying to go to the markets to get other bonds.

Um and for the URA, the request would be for more diagrams, more examples, uh, illuminate the three parts the diversion, the bond, and the loans to show how money flows through what accounts.

There's been so much that was hand-waved over, as well as giving us a little lesson on finance on how money moves through time, on how future money is at a smaller amount today, and those are equal, that you can't add money across time uh periods, even though the JLL did that in the slide deck in the that the URA provided.

We'll kind of ignore that.

Um that's my wish, but it's not about me.

Um so mostly just a deep thank you for struggling along through this and everything else.

I've learned so much these last few months.

Um, and I give a specific thanks to Yvonne F.

Brown for being a supporter and encourager of me getting it up and saying things.

Uh, I'm gonna switch my attention to the planning departments and the comprehensive plan and some things in my neighborhood, so I won't be seeing you for a while.

Um, but I'll be back.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Good morning.

My name is Yvonne F.

Brown.

I live at 715 Mercer Street.

That's the high rise at the top of Bedford with 192 apartments.

Traveling through the neighborhood, I went to Wilkinsburg.

I had to take my daughter unique there.

She was going for her appointment, and as I walked through the neighborhood, it doesn't look too good.

But I found uh secondhand store.

And I was looking, it had some nice stuff in there, even a wheel, a spinning wheel was in there, and I'm peeping and looking, but the door was locked, nobody was there.

And as I started to walk away, the owner came and she said, I just parked, please don't leave.

I saw you looking.

So I go into her store, and I find out that she just came from down south.

She's been in Wilkinsburg for about six months.

And as we got to talking, she was telling me that she wrote a book.

And this is the book.

What color is that?

And these are her two grandchildren.

She said that the children will be asking about colors and so on.

So she did this book.

She also wrote another book, but she's writing one.

She has 12 or 13 grandchildren.

She's getting ready to write a book, and every one of her grandchildren is gonna be in there.

And she says she wrote the book because a lot of time, we as black people, we don't have they may not write, like they may not write something about color.

And she said they're always asking, what color is that?

Also, I wanted to take in um tell you on Center Avenue at the A Plus.

I went in and I seen a woman cooking.

So she tells me that she cooks like three days a week.

That's down on center.

And she had salmon cakes and she had um barbecued fish.

And I looked at her salmon cake, and I do like good food, and it looked good.

So I got a piece of it.

I have salmon cake and it was delicious.

But I have my grandbaby, I took some home, grandbaby.

Oh, my grandmother give me some, and she ate it.

See, a lot of times kids will say they want something and really don't know what it is, but she said, Oh, this is good.

I wanted to try to explain to you that in our neighborhood, we do have people, community.

We want to be able to make some decision.

Dr.

Miller said that we should have a own committee.

You should be listening to the committee of people, not just me, but my maybe if you come up in the building where I live at and listen to the seniors.

We've been here a long time.

We've been through a whole lot.

We know a lot more than what you do because we experienced it.

You have come and you are an elected official.

You're supposed to be um fighting for our interest, but you just fight for your own a lot of time.

And that's not right.

Okay, I'm going.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Good morning, special agent sunshine, the missing child Ceres Taylor.

How y'all doing?

Nice weather, huh?

God is pissed.

Did you hear the thunder and the light?

You see the lightning this morning?

I'm telling people, stop conjuring up the spirit of lightning, unless you want to get hit by it in Jesus' name.

Thank you, Lord, for using me as a vessel to do your will, not mine.

Today's title of my message is The Blessings of Wisdom.

I'm gonna read to you an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, which states that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.

Did y'all hear that?

Abolish it and to institute new government lane, its foundation on such principles and original originality, it organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness.

We gonna abolish it, y'all.

We have to not working for the people.

I'm like a Paul, I don't stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance because there is no justice for all.

So why would you stand for that?

I will not, and that's why.

Comes from Jeremiah.

We live in the midst of deception.

In their deceit, they refuse to acknowledge me, declares the Lord.

I acknowledge you every day all day, because you're faithful.

You stand on your promises, and you supply me with all of my needs through your riches and glory in Christ.

Never theirs.

They steal from the poor and never offer their plunder.

Have us out here sleeping on the street.

But hey, I'm healthy.

Thank you, Jesus, for letting me sleep on the street.

Healthy, not sick.

A lot of people sick passing away for practicing voodoo.

Keep lighting them candles, that lightning gonna hit you.

I promise you.

Proverbs 2810.

It says, He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Thank you, Lord, for my inheritance.

The ends of the earth.

Computer fraud and abuse act was exalted exacted in 1986 as an amendment to the first federal computer fraud law to address hacking.

Please stop hacking me, because I will sue you in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Next speaker, please.

Seeing no further speakers, we'll move on to the presentation of the papers, beginning with Councilman Shorelin.

Morning.

Councilperson Charlotte presents bill number 773.

Resolution transferring the amount of 200,000 to the Department of Parks and Recreations from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund for Staffing and Supplies to support out-of-school time services and procurant programming at McKinley Recreation Center and Bill 776.

Resolution transferring the amount of 200 270 dollars within the 2026 operating budget from the Office of the City Clerk.

Administrative fees to the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure for the purpose of operational services.

Motion to waive rule eight on both bills.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Both bills.

Sorry, 7073 and 776 will be on tomorrow's sending committee agenda.

That takes us to Councilman Calkill, Chair of Public Safety and Wellness.

No new papers, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilman Gross, Chair of Innovation Performance As Amendment and Technology.

No new papers, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilman Mosley, Chair of Intergovernmental Educational Affairs.

No new papers, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilman Selenetro, Chair of Public Works and Infrastructure.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Salonetro presents bill number 781.

Resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the Department of Public Works to enter into an agreement or agreements with the United States Soccer Foundation for the purpose of receiving grant funds from the Mini Pitch Program Grant and the amount not to exceed 100,000 to install a mini pitch at the Ormsby Recreation Center.

Motion to waive rule 809.

Second.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Bill 781 will be on tomorrow's century community agenda.

That takes us to Councilwoman Strasberger, Chair of Finance the Law.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilperson Strasberger presents Bill No.

782.

Resolution amending resolution 740 of 2025, which provided for an agreement or agreements with Center for Hearing and Deaf Services, Inc.

in Global Wordsmiths by increasing the authorized spend for global wordsmiths by $19,000 for services through January 2027 for new total costs not to exceed 136,000 dollars over five years.

Bill 783.

Resolution further amending resolution 855 of 2011.

Effective December 29, 2011 as amended entitled.

Resolution adopting and approving the 2012 Capital Budget and the 2012 Community Development Block Grant Program and approving the 2012 through 2017 Capital Improvement Program by adjusting various line items in conformance with City Council's 2012 Capital Budget Amendments by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code.

Bill 784.

Resolution further amending resolution 858 of 2014 effective January 1, 2015 as amended entitled.

Resolution adopting and approving the 2015 Capital Budget and a 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program and the 2015 through 2020 Capital Improvement Program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code.

Bill 785 resolution further amending resolution 772 of 2016 effective January 1, 2017 as amended entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2017 Capital Budget and the 2017 Community Development Block Grant Program approving the 2017 through 2022 capital improvement program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code Bill 786 resolution further amending resolution 863 of 2018 effective January 1 2019 as amended entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2019 capital budget and a 2019 community development block grant program and the 2019 through 2024 capital improvement program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code bill 787 resolution further amending resolution 840 of 2019 effective January 1 2020 entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2020 capital budget and the 2020 community development block grant program and the 2020 through 2025 capital improvement program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code bill 788 resolution further amending resolution 647 of 2020 effective december 23rd 2020 entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2021 capital budget and the 2021 community development block grant program and the 2021 through 2026 capital improvement program by reappropriating and reallocating funds closed due to the requirements of chapter 218 of the city code bill 789 resolution further amending resolution 886 of 2021 effective december 27 2021 entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2022 capital budget and the 2022 community development block grant program and the 2022 through 2027 capital improvement program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code bill 790 resolution further amending resolution 924 of 2024 effective december 18 2024 as entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2025 capital budget the proposed 2025 community development program and the 2025 through twenty thirty capital improvement program by reappropriating and reallocating funds closed due to the requirements of

2021 through 2026 capital improvement program by reappropriating and reallocating funds closed due to the requirements of chapter 218 of the city code Bill 789 resolution further amending resolution 886 of 2021 effective December 27 2021 entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2022 capital budget and the 2022 community development block grant program and the 2022 through 2027 capital improvement program by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to chapter 218 of the city code bill 790 resolution further amending resolution 924 of 2024 effective december 18 2024 as entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2025 capital budget the proposed 2025 community development program and the 2025 through 2030 capital improvement program by reappropriating and reallocating funds closed due to the requirements of chapter 218 of the city code and bill 791 resolution further amending resolution 834 of 2025 effective december 21st 2025 is amended entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2026 capital budget the proposed 2026 community development program and the 2026 through 2031 capital improvement program by reappropriating and reallocating funds closed due to the requirements of chapter 218 of the city code president i'd like to make a motion to waive rule eight on bill seven eighty two through seven ninety one so that all bills can appear on tomorrow standing committee agenda second all those in favor say aye aye any opposed bill seven eighty two through seventy ninety one will be on tomorrow's sending the committee agenda that moves us to councilman ward chair of recreation youth and senior services uh no new papers thank you councilman wilson chair of land use economic development i know no papers mr president thank you i have one council president the bell presents bill number seven seventy four communication from rea price acting director of the office of management and budget submitting to city council the attached status update from the grant's office for the week ended July 24th 2026 to re-receive and file so moved second all those in favor say aye aye aye any opposed the bills have been ready received and filed the next order of business is reports of committee for final action beginning with councilman erica strassberger presenting the committee of finance and law thank you mr president thank you council person strasberger presents bill number seven seventy seven reported a committee on finance and law for july twenty sixth twenty twenty six with an affirmative recommendation bill seven thirty one resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of James Heber and his attorneys aug Murphy and Perkowski PC in full and final settlement of a litigation matter in the Allegheny County Court of Common Please filed for an amount not to exceed 100,000 dollars over one year bill 735 resolution transferring the amount of 2073 dollars and seventy three cent within the 2026 operating budget from city council district supplies postage to the department of finance supplies postage to account for the cost of postage meter usage and stamps for the months of January through June you have heard the reading title of the bill is there any discussion on the bill seeing none the bill is now ready for final action all in favor to pass of the bill will vote aye name is called those opposed will vote no with a clerk please take the roll mr charland aye mr coghill aye Ms Gross aye Mr.

Mosley aye Mrs.

Salonetro aye Mrs.

Strasberger aye Mrs Warwick aye Mr Wilson aye Mr Lavelle President aye nine ayes zero no's the bill having received the legally card number vote is passed finally that moves us to councilman Anthony Coghill presenting the committee of public safety and wellness thank you mr president thank you councilman coghill presents bill number seven seventy eight reported a committee on public safety and wellness for july twenty second two thousand twenty six with an affirmative recommendation bill seven twenty two resolution authorizing pursuant to chapter two ten of the city code the mayor and the director of the department of management and budget to accept a donation from Highmark Health in the amount of four million dollars for the next five years for a total of 20 million dollars to purchase resources that medical first responders need with a primary initial focus on Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Vehicles and Bill 723 resolution authorizing pursuant to chapter 210 of the city code the mayor and director of the department of management and budget to accept a donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the amount of five million dollars per year for the next five years for a total of 25 million dollars for emergency medical services vehicles and equipment you've heard the reading of the bill is there any discussion on the bill seeing none the bill is not ready for final action all in favor to pass of the bill will vote aye renewables called those opposed will vote no with Kurt please take the role Mr.

Charland aye Mr Coghill aye Ms Gross aye Mr.

Aye.

Mrs.

Salonetra.

Aye.

Mr.

Strasberger.

Aye.

Mrs.

Warwick.

Aye.

Mr.

Wilson.

Aye.

Mr.

Lavelle, President.

Aye.

Nine ayes, zero no's.

The bill having received the legal requirement of votes is passed finally.

That moves us to Councilwoman Barbara Ward, presenting the committee of recreation, youth, and senior services.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Warwick presents bill number 779.

Reported a committee on recreation, youth and senior services for July 22nd, 2026, with an affirmative recommendation.

Bill 643.

Resolution transferring the amount of 200,000 to the Department of Parks and Recreation from the Stop Deviolence Trust Fund for staffing and supplies to support out-of-school time services and programming programming at Bergwin Recreation Center.

You've heard the reading and titled the bill.

Is there any discussion on the bill?

Seeing none, the bill is not ready for final action.

All in favor of the pass of the bill will vote aye.

Rename is called.

Those opposed will vote no.

Would a clerk please take the roll?

Mr.

Charland.

Aye.

Mr.

Coghill.

Aye.

Ms.

Gross.

Aye.

Mr.

Mosley.

Aye.

Mrs.

Salonetra.

Aye.

Mrs.

Strasberger.

Aye.

Mrs.

Warwick.

Aye.

Mr.

Wilson.

Aye.

Mr.

Lavelle President.

Aye.

Nine ayes, zero no's.

Bill having received the legal requirement of votes is passed finally.

And finally, that takes us to Councilman Car Mose, presenting the committee of intergovernmental and educational affairs.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Lord.

Councilman Mosley presents bill number 780.

Report of the committee on intergovernmental and educational affairs for July 22nd, 2026, with an affirmative recommendation.

Bill 531.

Resolution authorizing the adoption of the downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan and Related Agreements.

Council District 1.

Bill 703.

Resolution authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire all the city's right title and interest, if any, and into the publicly owned properties in the fourth ward city of Pittsburgh, designated in a deed registry office of Allegheny County is block 11K, Lot 45, 2112, Fifth Avenue, Council District No.

6 at no cost to the city.

Bill 724.

Resolution adopting plan revision to the City of Pittsburgh's official sewage facilities plan for 217 Beechnut Drive at no cost to the city.

Bill 725, resolution approving execution of a contract for disposition by sale of land between the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Land Bank for the sell of block 10 in Lot 345, Fifth Ward, City of Pittsburgh, Zero Grove Street, Council District 6 at no cost to the city.

Bill 726.

Resolution amending resolution 619 of 2018.

Effective September 20th, 2018, entitled Resolution Authorizing the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh to acquire all the city's right title and interest of any in and to the publicly owned properties in the 12th Ward City of Pittsburgh, designated in the deed registry office of Allegheny County.

It's block 124 in lots 1991 19615 34 32 29 36 28 14 12 and block 125A Lots 371 375 and block 83S Lots 296 and 301 Council District 9 site assemblage for future redevelopment 159 163 165 Carver Street 118 121 125 130 133 138 146 149 150 154 163 165 and 169 Auburn Street.

Bill 727.

Resolution amending resolution 384 of 2020, effective July 31, 2020 entitled.

Resolution authorizing the urban redevelopment authority of Pittsburgh to acquire all of the city's right title and interest if any and into the publicly owned properties in the 12th Ward City of Pittsburgh, designated in the D Registry Office of Allegheny County.

It's block 125 G, lots 42, 43, 51, and 64, located at the north side of Kelly Street between Fifth Avenue on the west and the railroad right of way on the east and the south side of Frankstown Avenue.

Also between Fifth Avenue on the west and the railroad right of way on the east, Council District No.

9.

Bill 728.

Resolution approving execution of a contract for disposition by sale of land between our urban redevelopment authority of Pittsburgh and Hilltop Villas LLC for the sale of block 70J, Lot 126, 28th Ward, City of Pittsburgh, 2039 Broadhead Fording Road, Council District 2, no cost to the city.

And Bill 729.

Resolution authorizing pursuant to Chapter 210 of the City Code, the mayor and the director of the Department of Management and Budget to accept a donation from Carnegie Mellon University any amount of three million dollars split over the next five years for education and infrastructure initiatives.

You have heard the reading in the title of the bill.

Is there any discussion on the bill?

Councilwoman Gross.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So I'm speaking about the TRID bill 2026 0531.

Last week we had robust debate.

And as some of our people at public comment pointed out, we also had a post agenda, and we had a public hearing as well as the debate at Standing Committee when it was first introduced.

And I feel like I continue to be uncomfortable with the proposal with what I see as its lack of following the statute that is specific to TRIDS in state law.

And even I think there are even more elements as I kind of reread it the statute over the weekend over and over.

I think last week I really spent some time describing that the statute, the state law says that we have to make the capture area the same exact geographic boundary as the investment area, which would mean for this one one of two things that this plan should either invest funds in all of the strip district, North Shore and Downtown.

Or if it wants to only invest in the central business district, it should only capture funds from the central business district.

And then it would be consistent with statute.

I think that is in clear violation of the intent of the statute.

And so I looked back at the East Liberty Trid, which we did.

And the authorization at City Council was some three years before the plan approval.

So City Council, there was literally it's in Legislatar, right?

Like so sit like City Council allocated funds and commission a TRID plan.

The planning took three years.

The plan then got in front of council and then council voted on it.

But that there was a city council resolution and allocation of funds.

Um I think in 2022.

And then the Chateau Plan came, the Esplanade plan came back.

I forgot the exact title of the trid, and then was approved in 2024.

I think that's a two-year span, right?

And so the municipality, this this city council clearly started the planning process.

And then the second step was to approve the plan that's written at this table.

That hasn't happened here either.

Um so I think we really need to do our homework to figure out if we're following the proper procedures to reallocate tax revenue that is clearly, you know, is meant to, and for like hundreds of years, just went into the general fund as property tax.

And here under the trade law, we're doing something different with it.

And I think that um I'm not confident that we're following the legal steps that are required.

Um, and secondly, we got late in the day yesterday two letters reflecting some of the same comments, certainly about the um lack of there being a co-terminus or same footprint of um investment area and value capture area.

Um, one from the strip district business association, and another one from the North Side Chamber of Commerce, North Side Shore Chamber of Commerce, and um is that supposed to be North Side, probably North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

And it they spoth of these letters specifically ask that council take more time and send this bill back to Standing Committee so that any amendments or revisions could be the bill could be amended.

And so I I propose that we hold this for a legal opinion so that we can figure out have we accomplished steps?

I do not think we have.

So with that, I'm going to motion to hold for legal opinion.

Bill 2026 0531.

I need a second.

Second.

Roll call vote.

Do we have any discussion?

Councilman Warwick, do you have submission?

Do you have discussion?

Councilman War.

Yeah, so uh thank you, Councilwoman.

And um, yeah, between, you know, the legal concerns around this TRID, uh the concerns that have been submitted to us by controller Heitzler about the immediate negative impact on revenue.

Um, you know, in the immediate immediate and uh also the sort of lack of a revenue boost, at least in the sort of middle immediate uh you know, longer term.

Um plus the extensive public comment and now also um two uh community groups from you know the the affected areas of the TRID who are asking for more time.

Um it it it really feels like a giving this a little more time, getting a legal opinion seems like the the sort of the the very least we can do.

Um I think it is important, you know, even even if one is supportive, uh that you know council does not work as a rubber stamp, that is not our job.

Um and so, you know, given all these factors together, I think at the very least uh a legal opinion is warranted.

And certainly if uh these community groups um, again, I'm not familiar, but they did write directly uh to our offices, um, are asking for more time, it seems like a a reasonable request to grant.

So that's all for me.

Thanks.

Thank you for the discussion, Councilman Wilson.

Yeah, thank you.

Being as that um, you know, there's been some talk about Councilman Gross, we'll just talk about this directly, uh said that this is uh not legal the way this is happening.

Uh usually I'm not as blunt, but you're wrong.

You're negating um I'm sorry, you're withholding the actual definition of the value capture area.

Uh if you look at the value capture area definition, it actually this is completely in line uh with the law.

You seem to be conflating the investment area and the trid boundary.

So the TRID plan as presented in the TRID boundary and the value capture area are in fact the same, but are not the same as the investment area.

The TRID plan identifies the Golden Triangle Investment Fund Area as a smaller area within the TRID boundary value capture area.

And you know, the TRID has been referred to as the downtown or the gold golden triangle trade, and the actual trid boundary is the full value capture area while downtown is the investment area.

So this is well within the appropriate legal standards of uh what the state has laid out as a trid, or um, I'm sorry, what qualifies as a trid.

And then the conversation about the letters that everyone received.

Uh mind you, this is also letters that we received uh at the end of the day.

And uh they are from two organizations in my area, my area.

I will address this.

Uh, but uh everyone should know that the strip district neighbors uh this was the group that opposed the Penn Avenue bike lane.

It's interesting that some of those uh people that have mentioned this is uh a way to stop trying to revitalize downtown is aligned with this group, and then also the North Side North Shore.

Um a large majority of the people uh that I've been seeing the copy on the email uh have uh oppose the paid sick leave uh up to the highest court in Pennsylvania, as we know we won that.

So uh, you know, the all those organizations should be recognized.

I am very disappointed in them, and uh anyone who associates themselves with uh this vote, you know, or I'm sorry, anyone who agrees with them, you know, to hold this uh for this vote is only trying to, you know, you you don't align with them ever, and you're just trying to use this as one of the ways to stall the vote.

And uh this is been an ongoing issue that I see with people that are opposing this, uh, council members uh gross and warwick uh just not taking this seriously.

It's it's very unfortunate.

Um, continually not told the truth uh to the public.

Uh you've gone online and said that these were giveaways, you didn't you didn't even know they were loans whenever you made the video.

Councilwoman Warwick.

Uh Councilman Gross to say that that 75% of downtown uh being occupied isn't uh an issue.

Clearly uh you're not taking this seriously.

There are hundreds of workers who have lost their jobs.

Uh we have cleaners here in the audience that have lost their jobs and they're very concerned about the uh transition uh that's happening downtown.

Not only the loss of office space that's being cleaned, uh, but also as we move into residential.

Uh it's just um it's just very unfortunate.

I think as an elected official, I think we have the uh full responsibility to be truthful to the public, and that has not happened here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

First round.

Second round on the motion to hold councilman gross.

Thank you, Mr.

Label.

I um I would love to hear it's not a motion to hold, it's a motion for a legal opinion.

Motion to hold opinion.

Yeah, and so it would be great to have a lawyer, specifically the city solicitor, clarify the reading of the statute, which is what I'm asking for, right?

And not Mr.

Wilson or some other council member.

Um so I believe we we definitely need to figure out how to read this state law.

I think it's the job of our solicitor's office to help us figure out how to read the state law as I motioned.

Um I would like uh I think council clearly has a difference of opinions and needs clarification on the boundaries and also the steps that are uh required uh for this body to take.

Um if if there is a step that we need to take before approving an already written plan that was written by our um redevelopment authority.

Again, my reading of the statute would say that we would have had to legislatively take the vote to authorize the redevelopment authority to write the plan.

So I think we need clarification.

And then again, if I'm right and those boundaries need to be the same, um, I believe uh the that the one part that I think is good about the plan is the inclusion of the bargaining rights for SCIU 32BJ.

Um if we expanded the investment district to be all of the downtown strip district and north shore, I think that would be even better for us.

I haven't spoken to the workers about that.

I know that there are some here in the room.

Um thank you for coming down here today.

Um, I think that's one of the the really good parts of the plan.

Um, and I'm I'm not trying to subvert that.

So um, but I do think that I I disagree um that the statute says that these can be two different territories.

Um, and I motioned for a legal opinion for that clarification.

So I again I I hope that council members will vote yes to hold this for a legal opinion.

Still on second round councilman, Councilman Coghew.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh I'm not gonna comment on the legalities and the different things as far as that.

Uh I just wanted to again reiterate why I'll be voting for it.

Again, this is not something we're gonna benefit next year or two years down the road, but ultimately it's an investment.

It's an investment that the URA, the development arm of the city of Pittsburgh is going to help attract many, whether it be retail, whether it be homeownership, you name it, it's gonna increase our tax base.

I've worked with the URA long enough to know on many different projects how important of an arm the URA is to development.

Um, it gives us some sense of control as to what goes there, um, whether it's us helping them financially or through planning or zoning.

Number one, it gives us some sense of control as to what goes there, whether it's us helping them financially or through planning or zoning.

I think we uh also need added protections for our building trades, uh as Steve Mazza and some others have called me from the building trades.

Um you know, a lot of these uh developers are skirting the rules.

And uh it enables us to have more of a grasp on that as well.

Um the other reason, you know, again long term this financially will benefit the city of Pittsburgh.

It will help spark revitalization in key areas that we've identified that are ready for it.

Um what's been overlooked is the jobs that it will create for our building trades, whether you're a plumber, electrician, carpenter, steam fitter, boilermaker, it's gonna be a lot of jobs that are gonna be prevailing wage.

Um again, we need a few extra protections there.

I don't think we can put that in this bill at this current time, but uh I am willing to work with the administration.

I spoke to Chief Gilman on that as well.

So um so yeah, it's uh ultimately a good thing.

I don't like to give up forfeit, you know, future tax taxes, especially at time that we're at in the city of Pittsburgh and our financial situation.

Uh however, again, this is to bolster our financial situation, not hurt it.

Short-term pain for long-term gain here.

And um I I support it.

I think it's bold.

I think it's uh something that needs to be done.

We've been talking about conversions downtown and revitalizing downtown for many years now.

Um I think this gives a URA a seat at the table for what comes in, at least these specific areas, and uh what we feel and the administration feels is best for Pittsburgh.

So I support it and um I wish them all the success and uh and uh you know we'll see how it turns out.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Still on the second round on the motion to hold for legal opinion.

I've got Councilman Wilson followed by Councilwoman Walworth.

The reason I know this hold is uh is not genuine is because when this was questioned on Wednesday, other councilwoman uh could have asked for the legal opinion then.

So I mean, recess didn't start yet, uh as far as I know, could have asked for this last Wednesday.

Thank you, Councilman Warwick.

Yeah, thank you.

Um yeah, so just to to respond to Councilman Wilson.

So, you know, with regard to the community groups, and again, these are not community groups in in my district, so I'm not familiar with um who they are.

However, um I I have multiple community groups in my district who have you know any number of thoughts about things that we are doing here at the city.

Uh sometimes they agree with me, sometimes they don't agree with me.

Uh sometimes I make decisions that make them happy, sometimes you know I take votes that make them unhappy.

That's that's the job, right?

Uh but um but I will say that you know, if if if they write a letter to me or if they contact me, or certainly if they write a letter to all of City Council about a bill that is um going to, you know, that that you know that is talking about hundreds of millions of of taxpayer dollars, uh I would take that seriously.

Uh you know, e even if I disagreed with their position or or whatever they were saying the letter.

So that that's just that's just um uh my perspective on on how I would engage with with my own community groups.

And so, you know, I love a good bike lane.

I I don't, you know, if this group doesn't like the bike lanes in the strip, you know, I think they're great, you know.

That that that is not actually relevant to me uh when when a letter such as this one um uh comes across my desk.

Um as far as the as the workers downtown, you know, I um I am I am very sympathetic to um to our downtown office workers.

They are absolutely hurting right now.

Uh the number of jobs in these buildings is has you know fallen drastically and uh and the property owners downtown have treated these workers horribly, right?

We we have heard from from workers.

Um so uh while you know I'm of course a hundred percent supportive of the amendments, I still don't feel overall on the bill that the way to um that that the sole means of supporting our downtown office workers is to give away hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to the very folks who are doing that harm.

Uh I think that we can do better.

I think that we can do better on uh you know with broader protections, citywide protections.

Um, and that is absolutely a conversation that that I look forward to having.

Um and I would I would also say the same for our for our folks in the building trades.

Um I I guess with that that that's all for me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Second round.

Councilman Sharlin.

Yeah, um so you know, I again I I very much disagree with Councilwoman Warwick's remarks there.

I think you know she is willing to engage with groups when they send a letter talking about you know this kind of funding when it fits her political interests.

Um however, you know, we can look at countless votes last year, earlier this year that that was not the case.

Um moving to a different subject though.

I think what we understand from the projects that are in the pipeline and the the gaps that'll be finding from this.

This is a bill that supports affordable housing downtown.

And a vote against this is to vote against affordable projects that we want to see you know in our downtown to make downtown a mixed mixed-use neighborhood that benefits all of us.

So to vote against this today is to not support that.

Um I think that's something we all need to keep in mind here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And okay, so before we go to third round, I'll simply say for myself.

Um I won't support the whole today for legal opinion because I sit in a slightly different position than you.

This process started for me in January, and I've had legal counsel now, admittedly from the URA, you're asking from our the city solicitor.

Um, but I've had legal counsel this entire time.

I absolutely, based on my readings, I actually went back and read it myself after listening to your sorry to everyone's comments at last week's meeting that we're absolutely within the law in terms of how we've done this.

So I feel confident that legally we're in good standing and we've done everything above board and above approach up until through this now.

So I'm confident legally moving forward, although I certainly wished our solicitor she wished to provide an opinion to certainly do so.

Third round, I saw Councilman Wilson, I believe I saw Councilman Gross.

No, I'm sorry, Councilman Coghill's can go up.

Third round, Councilman Wilson.

Okay.

Um look, I brought the bike line up because I thought it was just evident that you know this group is loose with facts, just like you know you uh council councilwoman work, like you've been with the TRID.

Uh they ran a whole campaign saying the bike lane was gonna come through uh you know 21st Street to 16th Street.

My office received hundreds of emails uh flooded my off like from people that you know, all the suburban people that come in that we that we love, but they literally lied to them and said that this bike lane was gonna come in the middle of the strip uh in front of their business, which it wasn't.

So I don't know.

I thought that was evident that everyone knew that that they ran this campaign and posted it on telephone polls and just completely was totally disingenuous about where the bike lane was actually gonna go.

So I thought I thought everyone knew that.

Apologize.

Uh you know, the second thing is I mean, to align with the argument which these two letters point out that you know where tax money this is this is so crazy.

To a lot to, you know, that where the most tax okay, the argument is and that's why we're taking the capture from where it is.

There's a lot of tax revenue that comes from you know the these types of developments and and different neighborhoods that are uh doing well in terms of you know the value of the property.

So should we just spend so that argument, so we should just give all like should we just make sure that you know Squirrel Hill has more than everyone else?

No, we s we spread the the the taxes around.

We as a body sit down and figure out where it should go.

Your argument is that it should go back into the strip.

Is that what the argument is?

It's just this is it just I can only laugh at at what's going on here.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Councilman Calkill.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I just wanted to add a large part of the reason why I do support this is because uh I feel the national exposure to Pittsburgh has gotten over the last couple of years.

Specifically the NFL draft.

I spent good portion of the time down there just talking to people who've visited Pittsburgh for the first time.

They see the potential.

Uh we know the potential was there.

And I feel like we had a national spotlight on us, and we shined.

We really did in every aspect of the work.

So uh so that that drives me to feel like this is the right time to make such a bold move and to really get a rein on investing in downtown Pittsburgh and to capitalize on the national exposure that we've had.

I've heard a lot of you know giveaway, a lot of talk about giveaway to developers.

You know.

I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder.

I don't look at this as a giveaway to developers whatsoever.

I mean, developers are the ones that are gonna make these projects go, let's face it.

You could call them evil, you could think they're bad people.

You could call it a giveaway.

But for me, this is an investment.

It's not a giveaway to developers.

Um I don't care which developers come in and you know what influence they have on anybody, but um I will tell you that as long as they're building homes in retail spaces and providing extra tax base for us.

That's that's what I'm looking for.

So it's not a giveaway.

I don't look at it as a giveaway.

I think uh that's being short-sighted.

Um I look at it as an investment.

Finally, I'll say, you know, we're committed to $50 million.

Okay, there's a $200 million cap, but we're committed to $50 million.

After this $50 million is utilized and expunged, we will then have a chance to proceed and continue to invest if if if we see uh you know good things happening, then we'll have the chance to not if things aren't happening.

So uh so you know it's not an all-in for $200 million, it's an all-win for $50 million.

I expect good things in development to happen, and I believe the URA is the branch, and I have confidence in them that they will help, you know, shepherd the businesses and the housing and everything we need in this area.

So um, but if after that $50 million is expunged and you know they come back to us and say, look, here's what we've got, and it's not satisfactory, then we we cease on any more loans from the uh from the taxes.

So with that, uh it will have my vote today.

Um, you know, as far as the legalities go, I trust that you know the URA has had that worked out in the administration, and um I'll be supportive.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion on the third round of a motion to hold for a legal opinion?

If not, let me do a roll call vote, Madam Clerk.

Mr.

Charland.

No.

Mr.

Coghill.

No.

Ms.

Gross.

Aye.

Mr.

Mosley.

No.

Mrs.

Salonetro?

No.

Mrs.

Strasberger, no.

Mrs.

Warwick.

Aye.

Mr.

Wilson.

No.

Mr.

Lavelle President.

No.

Two eyes, seven no's.

Thank you.

The motion failed.

Any further discussion on the bills?

Councilman Warwick.

Um, I do just want to um, you know, with this notion of of this being an investment, because it is something that I thought about obviously we've all been thinking about this bill a lot.

And um, you know, one thing, you know, all things being equal, um, assuming that we were not in the revenue crunch that we're in today.

Um, and again, to reiterate that the controller pointed out this will have an the immediate immediate impact like should be negative on our on our revenue.

So that's that's important to note.

But all of that aside, um, you know, I have been thinking like, what could we do?

What what could we do with this money?

You know, if we weren't investing it into downtown into just this very small area of downtown, what could we do eventually with 200 million dollars?

And um one thing that we we could do um for roughly 150 million dollars is um is um over the next five years is that we could uh stabilize and sell basically every vacant and abandoned property in the city of Pittsburgh.

Um eliminating the blight that that causes, bringing those properties back on the tax roll, and um covering every single neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh.

Um also potentially making back 30 to 40 percent on those sales, potentially.

Um so that is something that I would consider an investment.

You know, so be but here an investment, just because you are hoping for an increase in tax revenue, like our taxes are not we're not we're not that that is not not us earning on an investment that we have made, right?

Taxes that we bring in.

An investment would be so so if we were making an investment in these buildings, I just want to be clear about that word.

It would mean that we actually owned as the city of Pittsburgh part of those buildings, and that we would then get you know whatever you know profits made off of those build, just like any other investor, right?

Like an investor that invests in a real estate project is getting um money back out of that real estate project as sort of a partial owner, that is what an investment is.

Uh so I do just want to clarify.

I I I think it's important when we talk about investment that we don't sort of mix that terminology, right?

Like us hoping that that there will be an increase in tax revenue uh as a result of putting these you know these tax dollars today in order to hopefully get more tax dollars tomorrow.

That is not that that's not an investment per se.

Um anyway.

So I I know we're going round and round on this, so I'll I'll I I promise I will leave it at that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Councilman Wilson, followed by Councilman Cockhill, Councilwoman Strasbourg.

Okay.

I'm gonna write it down.

I saw all the hands go up.

So I'll start with Councilman Worlds.

Thanks.

Uh so whatever mental gymnastics we want to do, we're talking about definitions of investment now.

The reality is it's 1.9 million dollar payment a year to pay back a $50 million loan.

That will be our portion of the three tax and bodies.

So I'm very encouraged uh to see uh these uh donations from the uh current administration, which are you know, I think are really helping our bottom line uh every day.

But I feel like it's a feel like it's every day almost at least at least once a week now we're seeing uh you know, at least like a three million dollar deal.

Three million, sorry, three million dollar donation uh coming in to support the city in different ways.

Uh 1.9 million dollars uh I think is going to go a long way on a payment uh where people will be paying uh for income tax uh to the city, uh payroll taxes as they update office space, uh working working families in the city of Pittsburgh, making sh uh having their jobs uh in in buildings downtown.

We're talking uh it used to be a thousand workers, now it's eight hundred workers due to the the decrease in office space cleaning.

Uh those workers uh living in the city of Pittsburgh, spending money in the city of Pittsburgh and and uh and having having great benefits uh to support their family and grow their family here in the city of Pittsburgh.

So uh I I think this is a great investment in uh the city of Pittsburgh.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Calcule.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh I just wanted to be clear to uh Councilwoman Warwick's remarks.

Um quite simply, this is an investment in future tax revenue.

That's what I mean when I say investment.

It's an investment in future tax revenue.

It's also investment to spark development, you know, in in around the area that's specified.

So I sat here last year when we approved a $60 million affordable housing bond, which we yes, it's great that we get affordable housing, but uh there is no return on that investment.

I'm inviting I'm voting for this today because there is a return on the investment that I'm counting on, and that is future tax revenue.

That's it.

Now, will I be sitting in this seat?

I don't know when we actually benefit from that, but I think future generations in the in downtown and the revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh depends on it.

And I don't see any other way.

I don't see investors looking to move into downtown Pittsburgh.

This is also enables us to have some sense of control and some sense of who comes in downtown and what does Pittsburgh want.

So a lot of good reasons behind it.

Is it a gamble?

I don't think it's much of a gamble because after $50 million of it, if it's not working, then we cease.

Um, you know.

So uh so that's it.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilwoman Strasberger.

Thank you.

I wasn't gonna say anything, but yeah, yeah, I wanted to address a similar issue, which is um this this word investment.

Um I can, you know, a larger picture, I can understand the discomfort that some might feel that we think we heard a lot of in the public comments of the um the fact that none of us has a crystal ball, right?

We can't predict the future.

We can't, we won't have full control over what is going to take place downtown.

But I think we're doing as much as we possibly can by putting it in the hands of the URA.

Um one thing is that this 200 million dollars or you know, starting out with 50 million dollars that we'll reap from the first bond issuance wouldn't be there were it not for the trid.

It's a tool to be able to then float that bond to be able to have that money.

And you know, it's just the nature of a trid that we have to um spend it in a TRID area.

There might be other tools similar to the affordable housing bond that could generate money through borrowing that could help us raise money for say vacant lot remediation.

And I would also like to see that happen.

But I think that's different from what we're talking about here.

Um I think that this idea, I think Councilman Coghill captured it well.

It's maybe not an investment in the traditional sense of the word that we have ownership over the properties that we're investing in.

But certainly two things are true.

One is the URA board, of which there are three elected officials who are accountable to the public, uh, will vote on the investment of the TRID money.

So although it might not have been council's control, it will be in the hands of the URB and the URA board.

And second, um I think that part of this is a stop a stop the bleed exercise.

This is not about nice to have.

This is literally about saving the city's ability to have a taxable, a tax-based downtown that is meaningful, that it doesn't continue to spiral downward and that we can then use the money from that investment and that improvement to downtown, uh, what was called vertical blight, which is largely invisible, so most people don't see it, uh investing that revenue back into our neighborhoods throughout the city, um, including for all the priorities that we all would like to see accomplished.

So in that way, I do see it as an investment.

We can quibble about the terminology, but that's that's the return that I see um on this on this um on this proposition that I know uh feels feels feels difficult because economic development relies on you know um hoping that the future planning and and then hoping that what you've planned for actually does come to fruition.

Um and I I do have confidence in our partners at the URA who are we like to other them, but they're really one and the same in the city in a lot of ways um to be able to accomplish this and and make it happen in the way that we hope.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Mosley.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, my vote today will be consistent with my vote on Wednesday, um, understanding the deep complexities with this issue, which I spoke at length about at the post agenda as well as at the table uh numerous times, and I still have a ton of gratitude for the amount of time the URA spent with me wrapping my head around this issue um in and really trying to um you know balance the the need to have a strong downtown, you know, like I mentioned at the table last week, you know, um, you know, I love downtown, I want downtown to be strong.

Um, you know, I've always you know been an ally with the building trades, I've always been an ally with 32 BJ.

I know they're heavily, you know, invested um, you know, in this issue.

I think this is probably the first time I have a vote that hasn't gone, you know, in that direction of of us being on the same page.

And you know, someone mentioned, you know, that happens, you know, that's part, you know, uh of this role, um, but it doesn't change, you know, my commitment to the building trades or my commitment to working with 32 BJ.

My constituents um in District 9 have been loud and clear.

And there's been times when, you know, they've been loud and clear and you know, I haven't, you know, voted, you know, the way they would have wanted me.

Um, but I think they've raised um a lot of uh valid issues, but uh but again, um, you know, as I said before, I think everyone, you know, who's been discussing this issue regardless of what size, what side of the issue, you know, clearly cares about the city, cares about the future of the city.

Um it's just different perspectives and um, you know, and I just you know land as as a no vote today, um, but it doesn't um take away the respect I have for the URA and the administration about the amount of time that they've spent with me uh for me to arrive at the position that I'm at today.

Um I thank Councilman Wilson for the amendment, uh, which I wholeheartedly supported um because I do um, you know, in the event that this passes and goes through county council and the school board, I do want to make sure that the workers of 32 BJ are protected, and that's why I did wholeheartedly support that amendment.

Um but but at this uh point in time I still you know have discomfort in in supporting it.

Um, you know, when uh the future rounds come in, the first 50 million and it comes back and it proves um that I was wrong today.

You know, I'll be happy to support it moving forward, but I also think you know we need to continue to find other tools and other strategies and and and more comprehensive strategy as we continue to invest in downtown.

Um so today, you know, I'm a Novo, but I look forward to working with everyone at this table as well as all the stakeholders involved in this discussion to move forward to have a stronger downtown, you know, and and a city we all can be proud of.

So thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilwoman Salonitra.

Yeah, I just I just want to say that I think a healthy downtown Pittsburgh is a healthy city, and I feel like we need to make this investment to achieve that.

We are not unlike many other cities across our country who COVID really uh injured us in the way that we used to conduct business and how downtown's um it looked.

So we've got to come up with creative ways to uh rebrand uh ourselves, and I think this does that.

I think it gives us an opportunity to do that, and I think that I appreciate everything that the URA had done in speaking with me, the mayor's office, and also 32 BJ uh offering to meet with me and we met.

And I I really think this is a good thing.

So I'll be very supportive of this today.

And I will reiterate with uh Councilman Coghill said is you know, the investment we're doing right now is 50 million.

If it doesn't work to the point where we're not seeing any return our investment, we can always stop.

Um but that's how I feel about it today.

That's all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

If not, I just want to make one point of clarity.

I think Councilwoman Strasberger both last weekend just now summarized my entire position.

So I won't go down that road.

But I will say, because I did receive a number of emails regarding the fact that this is considered a tax giveaway for developers, and I just want to be very clear.

It's actually not a tax giveaway at all.

Developers pay 100% of the real estate taxes that they current pay.

If and when a building is redeveloped, it is then reassessed.

At that time, developers have to pay that new value on the reassessment.

However, a portion of those tax dollars are then diverted into a fund to support redevelopment efforts.

So the taxes are still being paid.

It's just how the taxes are then being used on the back end.

So I just wanted to make that a point of clarity for anyone who continues to reach out to my office.

If there's no further discussion, the bill's now ready for final action.

All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote aye.

Those opposed will vote no.

Mr.

Sharland.

Aye.

Mr.

Coghill.

Aye.

Ms.

Gross.

No on bill 2026 0531.

Aye on all other bills.

Mr.

Mosley.

Yes, on all bills.

No on 5031.

Mrs.

Sal.

All other bills, sorry.

Sorry.

Mrs.

Salonetra.

Aye.

Mrs.

Strasberger.

Aye.

Mrs.

Warwick.

Uh no.

One moment.

Sorry, I just want to make sure every number's right.

531.

No on 531.

Yes on all others.

Thank you.

Mr.

Wilson.

Mr.

Lavelle, President.

All right.

Six eyes, three no's on Bill 531, nine eyes, zero no's on all other bills.

Thank you.

The bills have received the legal requirement of votes is passed finally.

That moves us to motions and resolutions.

Is there anything for members?

If not, meeting announcements this afternoon at 1 30.

Council will hold a cable cast public hearing on Bill 0606 as it relates to liquor license transfer for Silver Ashes Hospitality Group.

Speaker Registration will close at 11:30.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29th at 10 a.m.

Council will hold our standing committee meeting.

Speaker Registration will close at 9.

To register speaker at any of these meetings, please flip the sign up form on the Council Meeting webpage or call the clerk's office at 412-255-2138.

With that, we're all here.

So we need a motion to approve the minutes and adjourn to me.

So move.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

We are adjourned.