Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting and Public Hearing – July 29, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council convened on Tuesday, July 29, 2026 (noted as July 28 in official documents) at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers for a regular meeting and a separate cablecast public hearing. The regular meeting included proclamations, introduction of new resolutions, and final action on committee reports, including major donations from healthcare organizations and a contested Downtown Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) plan. A public hearing on an intermunicipal liquor license transfer was also opened and continued.

Proclamations

• 2026-0772: Recognized Darcia Ashley-Amber Reed and declared August 4, 2026 as “Darcia Ashley-Amber Reed Day.” Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0775: Declared August 22, 2026 as “Vera Mae Williams Threet Day.” Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0793: Declared July 28, 2026 as “Chelsea Averell Day.” Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0794: Declared July 30, 2026 as “Rich Hoffman Day.” Adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Regular Meeting: Nine individuals (Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller, Rosalyn Tosh, Bethani Cameron, Ralph Williams, Chief Ikhana-hal-makina, Dave Fisher, Rick Smith, Yvonne F. Brown, Special Agent Sunshine) provided public comments. The minutes list no details on their statements.
• Public Hearing (Bill 2026-0606): Council President Lavelle opened a cablecast public hearing for Bill 2026-0606, a resolution requesting approval of an intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license from McCrossen's Landing Pub LLC (Monongahela) to Silver Ashes Hospitality Group LLC (Pittsburgh). The hearing was adjourned with a statement that Council will extend the 45-day deadline and schedule further action after the August recess. No testimony or vote occurred.

Discussion Items

• Reports of Committee – Final Action (all from committee meetings of July 22, 2026):
  • Litigation Settlement (2026-0731): Authorized a warrant of up to $100,000 to James Hieber and his attorneys to settle a Court of Common Pleas case (GD 23-000245). Passed 9-0.
  • Postage Transfer (2026-0735): Transferred $20,793.73 within the 2026 Operating Budget from Council Districts Supplies to Finance Supplies for postage costs. Passed 9-0.
  • Highmark Health Donation (2026-0722): Authorized acceptance of a $4 million/year donation over five years ($20 million total) for medical first responder resources, primarily Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire vehicles. Passed 9-0.
  • UPMC Donation (2026-0723): Authorized acceptance of a $5 million/year donation over five years ($25 million total) for Emergency Medical Service vehicles and equipment. Passed 9-0.
  • Burgwin Recreation Center Funding (2026-0643): Transferred $200,000 from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund to CitiParks for staffing and supplies at Burgwin Recreation Center. Passed 9-0.
  • Downtown TRID Plan (2026-0531): Resolution to adopt the Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan and related agreements (Council District 1). A motion to hold the item for a legal opinion failed 2-7 (Council Members Gross and Warwick in favor). The resolution then passed 6-3 (Council Members Gross, Mosley, Warwick opposed).
  • Pittsburgh Land Bank Acquisition (2026-0703): Authorized the Land Bank to acquire 2112 5th Avenue (Block 11-K, Lot 45) at no cost. Passed 9-0.
  • Sewage Facilities Plan Revision (2026-0724): Adopted a plan revision for 217 Beechnut Drive at no cost. Passed 9-0.
  • Land Sale to Land Bank (2026-0725): Approved sale of 0 Grove Street (Block 10-N, Lot 345) from URA to the Land Bank at no cost. Passed 9-0.
  • Site Assemblage Amendment (2026-0726): Amended a prior resolution for properties on Carver and Auburn Streets in District 9. Passed 9-0.
  • Kelly Street Properties Amendment (2026-0727): Amended a prior resolution for properties on Kelly Street in District 9. Passed 9-0.
  • Land Sale to Hill Top Villas LLC (2026-0728): Approved sale of 2039 Broadhead Fording Road (Block 70-J, Lot 126) to Hill Top Villas LLC at no cost. Passed 9-0.
  • Carnegie Mellon University Donation (2026-0729): Authorized acceptance of a $3 million donation over five years for education and infrastructure initiatives. Passed 9-0.
• New Resolutions Introduced (all waived under Rule 8 and referred to committees):
  • 2026-0773: Transfer $200,000 from Stop the Violence Trust Fund to CitiParks for McKinley Recreation Center out-of-school programming. Referred to Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services.
  • 2026-0776: Transfer $270 within the operating budget from City Clerk to Mobility & Infrastructure for operational services. Referred to Finance and Law.
  • 2026-0781: Authorize grant from U.S. Soccer Foundation (up to $100,000) for a Mini Pitch at Ormsby Recreation Center. Referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
  • 2026-0782: Increase spending for Global Wordsmiths language access contract by $19,000 (new total $136,000 over five years). Referred to Finance and Law.
  • 2026-0783 through 2026-0791: Capital budget amendments to remove/re-appropriate unencumbered funds from prior years (2012–2026) per Chapter 218. All referred to Finance and Law.
  • 2026-0774: Communication from the Grants Office status update received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Four proclamations adopted unanimously.
• Public hearing on liquor license transfer (Bill 2026-0606) opened and continued; Council will take action after August recess.
• Downtown TRID plan passed 6-3 after a failed 2-7 motion to hold for legal opinion.
• All other final action items passed unanimously (9-0), including acceptance of $20 million from Highmark, $25 million from UPMC, $3 million from CMU, and several land transactions.
• New resolutions were waived under Rule 8 and referred to appropriate committees for further consideration.