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Record of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - October 20, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, October 20, 2026
BodyPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:28:35

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

20:37

Good morning, and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026.

Speaker 1

20:42

We're a clerk, please take the role.

Speaker 2

20:44

Mr.

20:44

Charlin.

Unassigned speaker

20:45

Mr.

Speaker 2

20:45

Cocktail.

Speaker 1

20:46

Here.

Unassigned speaker

20:49

Mr.

Speaker 2

20:49

Mosley.

20:50

Here.

Unassigned speaker

20:51

This

Speaker 2

20:51

is Donetro.

20:52

Here.

20:53

This is um Strasberger.

20:56

Here.

Unassigned speaker

20:56

This

Speaker 2

20:57

is Warwick.

Unassigned speaker

20:58

Mr.

Speaker 2

20:58

Wilson.

Unassigned speaker

20:59

Mr.

Speaker 2

21:00

Laval President.

Speaker 1

21:01

Here.

Speaker 2

21:02

Five members present.

Speaker 1

21:03

Thank you.

21:03

For those who are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

21:06

Remain standing for a moment of silence.

Speaker 3

21:09

Pledge

Speaker 1

21:10

of Legion.

21:26

Thank you very much.

21:26

Our next order business is to amend the agenda.

21:29

There's a motion to amend.

21:30

So moved.

21:31

Second.

21:31

All favor say aye.

21:33

The agenda has been amended.

21:34

Our next order of businesses proclamations will begin with Council McConkill.

Unassigned speaker

21:39

Mr.

Unassigned speaker

21:40

President.

Speaker 4

21:48

Thank you, Mr.

Speaker 5

21:49

President.

Speaker 4

21:49

Uh can I have Alicia and her guests up front with us, please?

Unassigned speaker

22:05

Yeah.

Unassigned speaker

22:06

Come

Speaker 4

22:06

on, stand right beside.

Unassigned speaker

22:09

What

Speaker 4

22:09

I do is I'll leave

Unassigned speaker

22:10

it out.

Speaker 4

22:18

I have Alicia here with her steering committee.

22:22

And I don't do a whole lot of procs.

22:24

Uh, you know, um, when they're very special occasions.

22:29

I sought after Alicia to give her this proc and her committees, her steering committee, because I was so impressed with Pride Day up on Brookline Boulevard.

22:39

And you know, when I came to visit that day, I was looking, you know, for your group or a group.

22:46

But much to my disbelief, honestly, um, every business seemed to participate.

22:51

Everybody seemed to participate.

22:52

People were spilling out on their streets, and this is her first year at organizing this.

22:57

So I can't wait to see next year.

22:59

I hope it's going to be an annual event.

23:01

But um, I was just uh oh I was overjoyed with pride and and you know, just it was it was amazing.

23:08

It really was.

23:09

So I sought after Alicia to give her a proclamation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works███████████████15%
Public Safety████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Public Comment█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Human Trafficking█████5%
Racial Equity█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included proclamations honoring individuals and organizations, a will of council regarding the Municipal Courts Building, extensive public comments on various community issues, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of multiple resolutions and ordinances.

Proclamations

  • Council adopted Proclamation 2026-1019 honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Nancy Duckrey Washington, with condolences to her family.
  • Council adopted Proclamation 2026-1021 congratulating St. James A.M.E. Church on its 160th anniversary.
  • Council adopted Proclamation 2026-1022 declaring October 20, 2026, as “TeeJay Johnson Day” in Pittsburgh, commending TeeJay Johnson for his work in communications, arts, and entertainment.
  • Council adopted Proclamation 2026-1024 commending Brookline Pride and declaring September 12,2026 as “Brookline Pride Day.”

Wills of Council

-Council adopted Will of Council 2026-1018 sponsor by Councilmembercoghill, calling on Allegheny County to partner with the city on maintainance and capital costs of the Municipal Corts Building while discussions over itsdisposition continue. Councilmember Coghill later emphasized the building's declinng condition and urged the country to take ownership.

Public Commens & Testimony

  • Nancymaine (Overbrook)v complained about alleged handleassment by police regarding her TNR (trap-nneutr) work and lack of response from city officials.
  • Dr. Ronald Miller (Knoxville) proclaimed 20 October 2026 as Jim Thorpe Day and criticized Council focus on sportsrather than academies, menioning concerns over CTE in NFL players.
  • Elizabeth Schongar (North Side) expressed ppostion to the slosure of the North Side Roots office, stressed need for permanent location for services; also urged full funding of the Housing Oportunity Fund and the Stop the Violence Fund, which she said were being cut by $10 million each in the new budget.
  • Ava Meadows (North Side) criticized the closure of Roots, noted lack of replacement services, and highlighted theneed for city funding for communiy resources; she shared a personal experiencce with free dental care at a mission of mercy clinic.
  • Lindsey Sickler (Beechview) rand about conversation with Corey O'Connor that Roots will not return to East Ohio, and that investors want to make it “restaurant road”; noted low-income housing areas nearby and that food supplies at a community center run out in one hour; called for city support.
  • Zoltan Julk Jakob / Jacob Poole (multiple neighborhoods) claimed he was a victi of human trafficking frm Eastrn Europe and that over100,000 peoplein the Pittsburgh metro are held in secret slavery, unableto speak out.
  • Unique Brown (citywide) delivered a speak on civil rights, arguing that the city celebrates historical rights but avoids contemporary injustice; called for real action rather than symbolic proclamations.
  • Yvonne F. Brown (Mercer Street) critiqued school closures, partrularly the potential closing of a middle school on Bedford, and recounted past inequities in school funding between neighorhoods.
  • Special Agent Sunshine accused the city and council of corruption and voodoo, referenced a health fair where she was denied services due to a suitcase policy, and clamed fine print waived legal rightss.
  • JP Jason Bolton (founder of Invariant Universal Company Limited) announced that his deep tech firm is putting down roots in Pittsburgh and will soon announce a first-of-its-kind methodology addressing AI industry problemms; offered to brief council members.

Dscussion Items

  • Councilman Coghill provided additional comentary on the Municipal Courts Building will, detailing impending costly repairs and urging the county to accept full responsibility for the building.
  • Councilman Mosley reflected on the life of Dr. Nancy Duckrey Washington, noting her wide impact and the recent funeral services.
  • Councilwoman Salinetro moved to schedule cablecast public hearings for Bill 2026-1011 (zoning change for 1070 Banksville Avenue) and Bill 2026-1005 (park renaming). The motions carrie.

Presentation of Papers

New legislation introduced and referred to committees:

  • Bill 2026-1017 (budget transfer for city clerk professional services) – referred to Finance and Law.
  • Bill 2026-1023 (side yard sale program) – referred to Finance and Law.
  • Bill 2026-1000 (sewage plan revision for 139 N Craig St) – referred to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs.
  • Bills 2026-1001 through 2026-1004 (grant agreements and easements for transportation and park projects) – referred to Public Works and Infrastructure.
  • Bill 2026-1005 (park renaming to Randy C. Martini Park/Field) – referred to Recreation Youth and Senior Services.
  • Bills 2026-1006 through 2026-1009 (budget reallignment and legal services agreements) – referred to Finance and Law.
  • Bill 2026-1010 (Food Justice Fund grants up to $250,000) – referred to Recreation Youth and Senior Services.
  • Bill 2026-1011 (rezoning of 1070 Banksville Avenue) – waived under Rule 8 and referred to Land Use and Economic Development; public hearing scheduled.
  • Bill 2026-1012 (agreement with MidAtlantic Solid Waste Consultants for composting initiative, $124,000) – referred to Land Use and Economic Development.
  • Bills 2026-1013 and 2026-1014 (appointments of Moira Egler and Katharine Wettick as assistant directors in DOMI) – referred for interview to Hearngs and Policy.
  • Communications 2026-1015 and 2026-1016 (grants status update and acting pay request) – read, received and filed.

Key Outcomes

  • All committee reports from October14,2026 were read, received, and filed.
  • The following items received final passage, each by a 9-0 vote:
    • Bill 2026-0954: $25,000 settlement for Barbara Klein litigation.
    • Bill 2026-0945: $50 medical direction services agreement with Centerfor Emergency Medicine (five years).
    • Bill 2026-0951: $2,162,761.05 amendment for Homeood Park construction project (increase of $25,678.75).
    • Bill 2026-0952: $3,204,206.96 amendment for Charles Anderson Bridge project (increase of $350,020.85, 100% federally reimbursable).
    • Bill 2026-0953: $8,217,000 amended reimbursement agreement for City Steps Project (decrease of $1,653,000 from prior agreement; municipal share decreased by $26,000).
    • Bill 2026-0980: $8,946.90 warrant for graffiti remediation equipment.
    • Bill 2026-0946: $787,500 grant from Assistance to Firefighters for vehicle training/backfill (city match $71,590.91).
    • Bill 2026-0947: $168,950 grant for IDLH monitors (city match $15,359.10).
    • Bill 2026-0948: Sewage facilities plan revision for 3100 block of Smallman Street.
    • Bill 2026-0949: Sewage facilities plan revision for 733 N. Highland Avenue.
  • Public hearings were scheduled for Bills 2026-1011 and2026-1005.
  • Meeting adjourned after approval of minutes.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026. We're a clerk, please take the role. Mr. Charlin. Mr. Cocktail. Here. Mr. Mosley. Here. This is Donetro. Here. This is um Strasberger. Here. This is Warwick. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Laval President. Here. Five members present. Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Remain standing for a moment of silence. Pledge of Legion. Thank you very much. Our next order business is to amend the agenda. There's a motion to amend. So moved. Second. All favor say aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of businesses proclamations will begin with Council McConkill. Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh can I have Alicia and her guests up front with us, please? Yeah. Come on, stand right beside. What I do is I'll leave it out. I have Alicia here with her steering committee. And I don't do a whole lot of procs. Uh, you know, um, when they're very special occasions.

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