Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included four proclamations, a will of council on labor negotiations, public testimony on various community concerns, introduction of 16 pieces of legislation, final approval of several committee-recommended items, and appointment of four members to the Housing Opportunity Fund Advisory Board.

Proclamations

• 2026-0942: Council commended Caster Binion for his tenure (2013–2026) as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP). Councilmember Mosley noted Binion managed an annual budget of roughly $200 million, oversaw approximately 2,300 units of low-income public housing and 5,500 housing choice vouchers, and led efforts that created thousands of affordable housing units and secured two Choice Neighborhoods grants totaling $80 million. Binion thanked his partners and staff. Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0943: September was declared “National Service Dog Month” in Pittsburgh, recognizing service dogs and the work of Canine Companions. Councilmember Strassburger noted the need for code changes to better define service dogs. Public commenter Mileen Houston, partnered with a service dog, highlighted challenges with reasonable accommodation. Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0944: October 10, 2026 was declared “Buddy Walk Day” in Pittsburgh. Adopted unanimously.
• 2026-0962: October 7, 2026 was declared “Our Lady of Victory Day” in Pittsburgh, honoring Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church. Adopted unanimously.

Will of Council

• 2026-0961: Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging Duquesne Light Company to return to the bargaining table in good faith with IBEW Local 29, whose members went on strike October 1, 2026 after contract negotiations failed. The resolution cited concerns about staffing shortages, unsafe working conditions, and the use of out-of-state replacement workers. Councilmember Warwick thanked her colleagues for support.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (neighborhood housing advocate) argued that housing problems are best solved at the neighborhood level and proposed dissolving centralized housing authorities into nine district authorities. He credited Councilmember Gross for her work on fair housing.
• Lindsey Sickler (they/them, Executive Director of Proudhaven and co-director of Community Continuum) spoke in opposition to the closure of the Roots drop-in center for unhoused individuals. They stated that the administration closed the lone remaining physical location without meaningful community input, during Recovery Awareness Month and near World Homeless Day. They argued that outreach cannot replace drop-in services.
• Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow) criticized Councilmember Warwick for allegedly ignoring the plight of a legally blind, wheelchair-bound resident affected by noise from an illegal skate park. He called for the skate park to be shut down and for the councilmember to resign.
• Jacob Poole (previously named Olton Jules Levin) alleged that he and others are victims of human trafficking, child abduction, and forced labor from Eastern Europe. He urged council to use Pittsburgh 311 and CrimeWatch.net to document such crimes.
• Nathan Salamaca (East Allegheny, on behalf of Beloved Community Presbyterian Church) described the impact of the Roots closure on unhoused neighbors. He recounted how two years ago he was able to connect a woman to Roots, leading to housing, but now without a physical drop-in center, resources are harder to access. He urged council to seek justice.
• Yvonne F. Brown (Mercer Street high-rise) thanked council for the Binion proclamation but expressed frustration that public was not allowed to speak first on that day. She also criticized the demeanor of council members toward constituents.
• Unique Brown questioned the city’s budget priorities (citing $4,000 for police text messages and over $10,000 for pet resort services) and alleged unequal treatment of Black officials. She stated she is pursuing lawsuits.
• Wander (North Side) spoke in support of keeping Roots open, emphasizing it provides help with housing, health care, and basic supplies. She warned that without a physical location, vulnerable people will suffer in winter.
• Special Agent Sunshine delivered a religious address, making allegations against Councilmembers Lavelle and Mosley and criticizing the Roots organization. Note: The minutes also list Rick Smith as a registered speaker, but his comments are not captured in the provided transcript. The transcript includes Nathan Salamaca, who is not listed in the minutes.

Legislation Introduced and Referred to Committees

• 2026-0945 (Coghill): Medical direction services agreement with Center for Emergency Medicine, $50 over five years – referred to Public Safety & Wellness.
• 2026-0946 & 0947 (Mosley): Two Firefighter Assistance grants – one for apparatus/vehicle training ($787,500 total, $71,591 city match) and one for IDLH monitors ($168,950 total, $15,359 city match) – referred to Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs.
• 2026-0948 & 0949 (Mosley): Sewage facilities plan revisions for 3100 Smallman Street and 733 N. Highland Avenue, no cost to city – referred to Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs.
• 2026-0950 (Mosley): Winter maintenance services agreement with PennDOT, not to exceed $5,094,919 over five years – Rule 8 waived, referred to Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs.
• 2026-0951 (Salinetro): Amendment to Homewood Park construction contract with Studio Zewde, increasing total to $2,162,761.05 – referred to Public Works & Infrastructure.
• 2026-0952 (Salinetro): Amendment to Charles Anderson Bridge contract with SAI Consulting Engineers, increasing to $3,204,206.96 (100% federally reimbursable) – referred to Public Works & Infrastructure.
• 2026-0953 (Salinetro): Amended reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for City Steps project, decreasing to $8,217,000 (100% reimbursable) – referred to Public Works & Infrastructure.
• 2026-0954 (Strassburger): Warrant for Barbara Klein settlement, $25,000 payable over one year – referred to Finance & Law. Executive session scheduled for 1:00 PM that day.
• 2026-0964 (Strassburger): Warrant for Recreonics for lifeguard chairs for Homewood Park pool, $5,849.31 – Rule 8 waived, referred to Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services.
• 2026-0955–0957 (Lavelle): Appointments of Mathew Davis (Fire Chief), Rea Price (OMB Director/CFO), and Sylvia Harris (Innovation & Performance Director/CIO) – held pending interviews.
• 2026-0958 (Lavelle): Extension of acting OMB Director term for 90 days through January 7, 2027 – passed finally 9-0.
• 2026-0959, 0960, 0963 (Lavelle): Communications – grants status update, second-quarter travel reports, and preliminary revenue forecast (2027–2031) – read, received, and filed.

Unfinished Business – Appointments

• 2026-0852, 0854, 0855, 0856: Appointments of DeAnna Davis, Oliver Beasley, Walter Lewis, and John Katz to the Housing Opportunity Fund Advisory Board, each with terms expiring September 6, 2030 – approved unanimously.

Reports of Committee – Final Action

All votes were 9-0.

• Finance and Law (Strassburger):
  • 2026-0895: Settlement of claim for Jerald S. Foresman, $6,197.48 for damage from a city vehicle.
  • 2026-0896: Settlement of claim for Sage Melody Grodin, $3,726.40 for damage from a city tree.
• Public Works and Infrastructure (Salinetro):
  • 2026-0893: Swindell Bridge right-of-way acquisitions (temporary construction easements, aerial easements, permanent right-of-way) not to exceed $90,000 (95% reimbursable).
  • 2026-0894: Close out DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant for Trail Maintenance Master Plan (no cost).
  • 2026-0920: License agreement with Buncher Company for temporary vehicle parking (no cost).
  • 2026-0921: License agreement with Friends of South Side Park for native planting if USDA grant awarded (no cost).
• Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology (Gross):
  • 2026-0891: Firewall upgrade professional services agreement with ePlus Technology, Inc., $47,800 for one year.
• Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs (Mosley):
  • 2026-0892: Sewage facilities plan revision for 929 Liberty Avenue, no cost.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• Council held an executive session at 1:00 PM on October 6, 2026, regarding litigation settlement Bill 2026-0954.
• Standing committee meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM; speaker registration closes at 9:00 AM.
• A briefing on the 2026 NFO draft and its conclusion is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
• All final-passage votes received nine ayes and zero noes.