Public Meetings - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers, City-County Building. All nine council members were present: R. Daniel Lavelle (President), Robert Charland, Anthony Coghill, Deborah L. Gross, Khari Mosley, Kim Salinetro, Erika Strassburger, Barbara Warwick, and Bobby Wilson. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, presentation of new legislation, final action on committee reports, and other motions. Proclamations - Council adopted a proclamation congratulating Tyler Walters on achieving Eagle Scout rank and declaring March 7, 2026 as “Tyler Walters Day” in Pittsburgh. (Enactment No. 81) - Council adopted a proclamation recognizing Women in Construction Week, declaring March 1–7, 2026 as such. Sponsored by Councilmember Gross and all members. (Enactment No. 82) - Council adopted a proclamation commending Aaron Devine and declaring March 7, 2026 [Agenda stated March 7, 2025, but the meeting took place in 2026; this appears to be a typographical error] as “Aaron Devine Day”. (Enactment No. 83) - Council adopted a proclamation declaring March 1–8, 2026 as “Divorce with Respect Week” in Pittsburgh, presented by Councilmember Mosley. Representatives from the Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania (CLASP) accepted the proclamation and highlighted free 30-minute consultations offered during the week. (Enactment No. 84) Public Comments & Testimony Several residents addressed council on a range of issues: - Maddie McGrady (Highland Park, co-chair of Housing Justice Table) and Rhonda Strozier (Fine View Citizens Council/Perry Hilltop Citizens Council) urged council to oppose the appointment of David Vatts to the Planning Commission, citing concerns about his conduct and attitude toward community input. - Bethany Cameron (InformUp.org, Overbrook) presented results from a reader survey: nearly 40% of respondents prioritized faster police/medical response when considering ShotSpotter renewal, 27% prioritized overpolicing concerns, and 27% said both equally important. On the Safe Streets for All project ($400,000 total), nearly 50% disagreed that the benefits outweigh the issue of nonprofits not paying property taxes. - Deborah Wiley (Banksville) strongly opposed the proposed sale of the FOP Lodge 1 building to Dismas Charities for use as a halfway house for up to 100 felons, citing zoning, public safety, and transparency concerns. She requested council vote with the neighborhood against any conditional use application if it comes before council. - Leeretta Payne (Hill District) argued that building more housing is not the solution to affordability in the Hill District; instead, she advocated for cooperative housing, public housing, and a repair program for older residents. She also urged council to examine the “SHIFT directives” framework. - Kurt Colborn (Swisshelm Park) opposed the Vatts nomination, noting Vatts’ leadership role in YIMBY Action (a national lobbying group funded by the building industry) and concerns about conflicts of interest. He asked council to scrutinize the appointment. - Stella Gan (international student at Pitt) shared general appreciation for Pittsburgh. - Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller (Manchester, Tunis) advocated for greater neighborhood control via elected neighborhood councils. - Special Agent Sunshine spoke about the missing child Cerese Taylor, making references to child abduction and alleging bribery and corruption. - A speaker (domestic violence survivor, not named) criticized the Director’s Action Line for lacking independent oversight and authority to challenge agency responses, describing it as a loop with no corrective action. Presentation of New Legislation Councilmembers introduced the following bills, which were read and referred to the appropriate committees: - Councilmember Coghill: Bills 2026-0193 (Group Violence Intervention technology services with Operation Better Block, $300,000/3 yrs), 2026-0194 (license agreement with Buncher Co. for police training warehouse space, 4 days/90 days, no cost), 2026-0195 (license for Gateway View Plaza space for 45 days, no cost). All referred to Public Safety & Wellness. - Councilmember Mosley: Bills for membership dues: U.S. Conference of Mayors ($21,824), PA Municipal League ($52,962.24), National League of Cities ($19,626); three sewage facility plan revisions (2111 Penn Ave, 1717-1719 Cliff St, 544 Lincoln Ave); and an agreement with Stadium Authority ($1) for public safety equipment installation. Referred to Intergovernmental & Educational Affairs or Public Safety as appropriate. - Councilmember Salinetro: Bill 2026-0196 (grant from Automated Red Light Enforcement program, $805,533, for signal replacement at Fifth & Dithridge); Bills 2026-0203/0204 (dedication of two city-owned parcels and vacation of Savoy Street paper street); Bill 2026-0205 (energy evaluation consultant services with Enel X, 6-year term, no cost). Referred to Public Works & Infrastructure. - Councilmember Wilson: Bill 2026-0207 (Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisition of 635 Kirkpatrick St, no cost); Bill 2026-0208 (amendment to contract with Evolve Environment::Architecture for historic district design guidelines for Mexican War Streets and Manchester, $37,500). Rule 8 waived on 0208; referred to Land Use & Economic Development. - Council President Lavelle: Appointments to Public Art & Civic Design Commission: Emily Robinson and Lewis Pell to the Public Art Committee, Joanna Obuzor to the Civic Design Committee. Approved unanimously. - Communications: Quarterly Financial and Performance Report for Q4 2025 and Grants Office status update (week ending Feb 27, 2026) were read, received, and filed. Reports of Committee – Final Action The council voted on recommendations from standing committees, all passed with 9-0 votes: - Finance and Law: Settlement claims: Alayna Griffiths ($2,650 for vehicle damage by EMS), Naeem Martinez/Max Petrunya ($62,000, litigation settlement), Network Deposition Services ($24,538.10 for transcripts), and a $2,500 budget transfer from Council Postage to Office of the City Clerk for professional services. All passed. - Public Works and Infrastructure: Contract with Carnegie Mellon University ($200,000 plus $200,000 in-kind, total $400,000) for Safe Streets and Roads for All project; supplemental agreement with A. Liberoni Inc. for Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project (not to exceed $1,732,504.13, net increase $86,733.76). Both passed. - Land Use and Economic Development: Two amendments reallocating Public Service Grant and Neighborhood Economic Development funds: decreasing Lawrenceville United by $15,000 and $27,000 respectively, and increasing Lawrenceville Corporation by the same amounts. Both passed. - Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology: Ordinance establishing Chapter 173A Housing Data Dashboard in city code (passed finally as amended); warrant for Levy Convention Centers ($9,077.40) for cybersecurity training. Both passed. - Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs: Sewage facilities plan revision for 2402 North Charles Street; renewal of membership in Chartiers Valley District Flood Control Authority ($17,204 for 2026). Both passed. Key Outcomes - All four proclamations were adopted unanimously. - All new bills were referred to committees as noted. - The nine bills from committee reports were all passed finally with 9-0 votes. - Councilmember Strassburger moved to hold a post-agenda hearing on the 2025 Quarterly Financial Report to allow more distributed budget focus throughout the year. The motion carried. - Upcoming meetings announced: Pre-agenda interviews for Planning Commission nominees (March 3 afternoon), standing committee meeting (March 4), pre-agenda interviews for ALCOSAN and Pittsburgh Water nominees (March 4 afternoon), and a cablecast public hearing on rezoning in Hazelwood (March 6).

The Pittsburgh City Council's Standing Committees met on February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers to consider a range of financial settlements, contracts, grants, and policy proposals. The meeting covered the Finance and Law, Public Works and Infrastructure, Land Use and Economic Development, Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology, and Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs committees. All agenda items were approved, including several claim settlements, a supplemental agreement for the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project, a contract with Carnegie Mellon University, and an amended ordinance to create a Housing Data Dashboard. Consent Calendar - Invoices and P-Cards: A large block of departmental invoices and P-card approvals were approved. Notable items included a $2,500 donation to the Elliott-West End Athletic Association for a new fryer, a $250 donation to the Southside Chamber of Commerce for a soup contest, and multiple Azure cloud service overage payments from Crayon Software Experts LLC totaling several thousand dollars for November and December 2025. Council Budget Director Kirsten Walmsley clarified that the multiple Azure invoices were for different months and each was under the $5,000 single-invoice limit. The P-card approvals included a $11,844 payment to Uniform Construction for a quarterly state-required payment by the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI). Discussion Items - Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project (Bill 2026-0179): The committee approved a supplemental agreement with A. Liberoni Inc. for construction costs on the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project, increasing the total project cost to $1,732,504.13—a net increase of $86,733.76. Acting Director of Mobility and Infrastructure Jeff Skellagon stated the increase is 100% federally and state-funded, with no local dollars. Council member Salinetro expressed support but noted community concerns stemming from the now-scrapped Mon-Oakland Connector project. She asked whether the path could later be converted for vehicular traffic. Skellagon confirmed it is designed exclusively for pedestrian and bicycle use, with no sub-base to support vehicles. He also said the path will accommodate both bikes and pedestrians, though he could not immediately confirm the exact width. The project connects Greenfield Avenue to Hazelwood Avenue and is in its final construction stages. - Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Contract for Safe Streets Project (Bill 2026-0119): The committee authorized a contract with CMU for up to $200,000 over three years to support the city's Safe Streets and Roads for All project, with CMU providing an additional $200,000 in in-kind services for a total project cost of $400,000. The city received a $200,000 federal grant, and CMU is contributing a required 50% match. Director Skellagon clarified the project will be citywide, not limited to CMU's campus. Council member Warwick questioned whether direct payments from large nonprofits might be more efficient than project-by-project agreements, but the administration noted that CMU's contribution helped secure a grant the city otherwise lacked. - Housing Data Dashboard Ordinance (Bill 2026-0041): The committee debated and amended an ordinance to create a new chapter (Chapter 173A) in the city code establishing a publicly accessible Housing Data Dashboard. Sponsor Council member Charland stated the dashboard will track newly available housing units—using data on completed units rather than building permits or certificates of occupancy—to provide an authoritative count of new housing. He emphasized starting with a "minimal viable product" focused on raw numbers of new units built, with future refinements to include units coming offline, affordability, and vacancy rates. An amendment was proposed and adopted to clarify the definition of "living quarters" to ensure proper capture of all housing types. Council member Gross noted that years of requests for such data from departments yielded only partial or incomplete spreadsheets, hampering policy-making. Council member Coghill expressed surprise that the city had never centrally tracked new housing units. The ordinance requires the dashboard to be operational by the end of 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - A resident of Panther Hollow spoke against the construction of a skate park in their neighborhood, alleging numerous violations of Pittsburgh municipal codes—including lack of community engagement, no planning commission hearing, no permits, and no certificate of occupancy. The speaker also claimed 11 incidents of harassment by skateboarders and their supporters. They urged the council to "end the shame and shut down the illegal skate park" before hundreds of thousands visit Pittsburgh for the NFL draft. - Unique Brown raised concerns about a lack of independent oversight and conflict of interest in a complaint process involving a city agency's CEO. She stated that the Director's Action Line relayed the CEO's statements without requiring proof or documentation, and that she was directed to send her grievance to the same CEO she was accusing. - Yvonne F. Brown of 715 Mercer Street (Kiley Irving) discussed community engagement, a threat she perceived from a neighbor, and a 30-day eviction notice she received from her housing management over her daughter's visits. She also criticized attitudes of ingratitude at a church food distribution. - Special Agent Sunshine offered a prayer and spiritual reflection, referencing Proverbs 11:29 and Psalm 25:12, and spoke about personal experiences involving identity theft, illegal guardianship, and fraud. Key Outcomes - Approved Settlements: (1) $2,650 to Alayna Griffiths for a 2025 claim of vehicle damage by a City EMS vehicle. (2) $62,000 to Naeem Martinez and Max Petrunya, PC, for settlement of federal litigation (docket 2:21-cv-111). (3) $24,538.10 to Network Deposition Services for legal transcripts. (4) $9,077.40 to Levy Convention Centers for cybersecurity training costs. - Approved Budget Transfer: $2,500 transferred from City Council Postage to the Office of the City Clerk for professional services (Bill 2026-0162). - Approved Supplemental Agreement: $1,732,504.13 for the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project (Bill 2026-0179). - Approved CMU Contract: Up to $200,000 over three years for the Safe Streets and Roads for All project, with $200,000 in in-kind services from CMU (Bill 2026-0119). - Approved Grant Reallocations in Lawrenceville: Decreased Lawrenceville United by $15,000 and increased Lawrenceville Corporation by $15,000 for Public Service Grants (Bill 2026-0120); decreased Lawrenceville United by $27,000 and increased Lawrenceville Corporation by $27,000 for the Neighborhood Economic Development Program (Bill 2026-0124). - Amended and Approved Housing Data Dashboard Ordinance: Bill 2026-0041 was amended and recommended affirmatively, mandating a dashboard by end of 2026. - Approved Sewage Facilities Plan Revision: For 2402 North Charles Street at no cost to the city (Bill 2026-0117). - Approved Chartiers Valley Flood Control Authority Membership Renewal: $17,204 for 2026 dues (Bill 2026-0118). - Upcoming Meetings: Regular Council meeting on March 3, 2026; Standing Committees on March 4, 2026; pre-agenda interviews for Planning Commission (March 3) and ALCOSAN/Pittsburgh Water (March 4); public hearing on rezoning (March 6).

On February 24, 2026, at 2:30 PM in Council Chambers, Pittsburgh City Council convened a post-agenda discussion on the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, whose contract is up for renewal. Council Member Barbara Warwick, who requested the meeting, presented preliminary findings from city data while noting the meeting could not proceed as planned due to the absence of key invited speakers from the Public Defender’s Office. The meeting was recessed after brief remarks from Council Member Bob Charland, with a promise to reconvene at a later date. Public Comments & Testimony - None were taken; the meeting was focused on invited guests and council discussion. Discussion Items - Council Member Barbara Warwick opened by thanking invited guests: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Chief Jason Lando, Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams, Controller Rachael Heisler, Chief Audit Officer Lee Ajang, Office of Public Safety Technology Manager Dan Shak, EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist, and Assistant Public Defenders Carissa Davenport and Andrew Sherman. She stated the meeting was delayed for nearly nine months and that the Public Defender’s Office was unable to present because the county partners wanted more time to understand the information they planned to share before authorizing their attendance. - Warwick reported the city has spent nearly $10 million on ShotSpotter to date. She cited national data from New York City, Chicago, Pasadena, Newark, and Pittsburgh showing that 70 to 90 percent of ShotSpotter alerts lead to no report, no arrest, and nothing found. In Pittsburgh, from 2019 to 2025, police responded to 10,000 ShotSpotter calls with no report. She noted that the number of gunshot calls rose from about 2,000 in 2018 (before ShotSpotter) to more than 3,000 in 2021, a 50% increase, with the caveat that 70–90% of those calls yield nothing. - Warwick stated that response time is about five minutes faster via ShotSpotter compared to 911 calls, but questioned “response time to what” given the high number of unfounded alerts. She also said the city lacks data on calls that had both a 911 report and a ShotSpotter alert, and lacks data on whether ShotSpotter led to faster discovery of shooting victims. She reported that from 2018 to 2023, of 237 arrests from ShotSpotter, less than half were related to gun crimes, implying that officers were arresting people for unrelated offenses after being dispatched to ShotSpotter alerts. - Council Member Bob Charland stated that his neighborhood in Kerrick was recently added to ShotSpotter. He expressed interest in learning the total citywide cost and noted that law enforcement generally considers it a “very valuable tool.” He acknowledged receiving conflicting reports and said he checked with the Office of Municipal Investigations (OMI), whose facts “don’t bear out” Warwick’s claim that many arrests were for unrelated offenses. He said he looked forward to digging into the facts and would speak further with Director Williams and the former acting chief. Key Outcomes - No votes were held; the meeting was recessed via a motion by Council Member Warwick, seconded by another member. - Warwick indicated she would attempt to secure representatives from ShotSpotter (now known as Sound Thinking Inc.) for a future meeting. - The council agreed to reconvene the discussion at a later date, with no specific timeline announced.

The Pittsburgh City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public testimony on multiple issues, introduction of new legislation, and final passage of numerous resolutions and ordinances. All legislative items from standing committees passed unanimously (9-0) except one appointment that had one member out of the room. Proclamations - Two proclamations were adopted: declaring February 28, 2026 as "Lieutenant Commander Barry Budd Day" (recognizing his law enforcement career) and "Ronald Carter Jr. Day" (honoring his athletic and public service achievements). Public Comments & Testimony - Ajmail Matin (Pilot Park neighborhood, startup founder) presented findings from an independent financial diagnostic of Pittsburgh's economic development ecosystem. He argued the city suffers from a "structural capital allocation failure" and urged council to draft three ordinances: (1) use zoning authority to mandate fair-share compliance checks for institutional master plans; (2) impose a moratorium on tax-increment financing for foundation-owned real estate until 10% of endowments are allocated to regional startups; (3) pass an efficiency rider limiting administrative overhead on municipal contracts to 15%. - Ryan Leverett-Ptak (Juneau resident, bike commuter) requested that the city use funds from UPMC to purchase dedicated bike lane plows, noting that protected bike lanes were not cleared during a recent snowstorm, forcing cyclists into traffic. - Dr. Ronald Miller (Brookline resident, founder of Pittsburgh City Ally Network) raised concerns about the inclusion of religious references in government ceremonies, proclamations, and oaths, questioning the meaning of "God" and citing historical genocides and abuse. - Rev. Dale Snyder (Hill District, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church) urged council to return land taken from the church via eminent domain by the URA in the past. He noted the church had a memorandum of understanding with a developer for 125 affordable housing units and a tax credit application due in October, and asked the city to convey the land directly as previously agreed with the Penguins. - Bethany Cameron (Overbrook, representing InformUp.org) presented results from a survey of 2,073 residents across all nine council districts. Key findings: 41% said snow and ice significantly affected their mobility; 1 in 5 could not leave home. For infrastructure spending from the proposed $56 million bond, sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure ranked as the top priority, followed by bridge maintenance and potholes. - Honey Rosenblum (downtown worker) urged council not to renew the ShotSpotter contract, arguing it is ineffective, expensive (Pittsburgh has spent $8.3 million), expands surveillance, and has led to wrongful deaths and incarcerations in other cities. She advocated for community-based violence prevention investments. - Bobbie Fan (former director of Data Justice Project, PRT board member) also opposed ShotSpotter renewal, citing a City Controller report showing ShotSpotter alerts are not more effective than 911 calls, that response times differ, and that the company has reclassified alerts on police request, leading to wrongful charges. - Courtney Meadows (Hill District resident, pastor of Central Baptist Church) spoke in support of equity in housing, economic opportunity, and public safety, and offered partnership on workforce development and violence prevention. - Ikhana-hal-makina (Chief of Grand Incidents Confederacy) opposed ShotSpotter and also criticized recent parking fine increases (from $25 to $40 to $60 downtown) and urged a travel advisory for U.S. citizens in Mexico due to cartel violence. - Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow) gave his 18th testimony on the illegal skate park in Panther Hollow, requesting it be shut down and asking council members Warwick and Charland to identify any long-term residents who support the skate park. - Unique Brown (domestic violence survivor) criticized the Women’s Center and Shelter for not providing adequate help and for allegedly misrepresenting her to the directors action line; she called for accountability. - Special Agent Sunshine (transcript only; name from minutes) delivered a prayer and accused council members of identity theft, fraud, and voodoo, calling for divine intervention and referencing biblical verses. Presentation of Papers (New Legislation Introduced) Several new resolutions were introduced and referred to committees, including: - A warrant for cybersecurity training costs ($9,077.40 to Levy Convention Centers). - An amendment increasing the Equipment Leasing Authority cooperation agreement by $1,000,000 (to $28,188,019). - An agreement with Pittsburgh Water to maintain stormwater tanks in South Side Park. - A stewardship lease for Island Marina with Three Rivers Waterkeeper ($1/year for 5 years, with 5-year renewal option). - A supplemental agreement for the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project ($1,732,504.13, increase of $86,733.76). - An extension of the Planning Commission deadline for Council Bill 2025-2250 (passed 8-0, with Council Member Gross out of room). - Appointment of Chelsea Arthur-Succop to the Public Art Committee (approved). - Informational appointments: Anthony Coghill to Sports and Exhibition Authority; Jacob Williamson and Tom Joyce to Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (received and filed). - A communication from the Grants Office (received and filed). Unfinished Business - Appointment of Eric Sloan as Director of Parks and Recreation: Approved unanimously. Reports of Committee - Final Action All bills reported from standing committees received final passage with 9-0 votes: - Finance and Law: Warrants for Clio Consulting (Beechview historic survey, $5,000), settlement of Benjamin Mayhew litigation ($60,000), professional services agreements with Fisher Phillips ($60,000 for 6 months and amendment to $485,400 over 2 years), and issuance of $56,020,000 in General Obligation Bonds. - Public Safety and Wellness: Grant agreements for trauma bags ($20,000) and EMS training ($9,336) from the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner. - Public Works and Infrastructure: Amended reimbursement agreement for Smithfield Street Reconstruction ($9,890,000, increase of $620,000), supplemental agreement with CDR Maguire for project design management ($4,064,876.91, increase of $1,266,407.21), and amendment for Landforce urban forestry programming (new total $465,500 over 4 years). - Land Use and Economic Development: Zoning text amendment adding definition and standards for Waste Transfer Stations. - Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology: Extension of agreement with OPEX Corporation for document scanning equipment and software ($28,015, new total $164,686). - Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs: Grant agreements for Assistance to Firefighters ($958,712.72 federal plus $95,871.28 city match), Port Security Grant ($96,931 federal plus $32,310 city match), and sewage facilities plan revisions for 7872-7874 Susquehanna Street and 179 Steuben Street. Key Outcomes - Two proclamations adopted (Barry Budd Day and Ronald Carter Day). - Eric Sloan appointed Director of Parks and Recreation. - All 14 resolutions from standing committees passed unanimously (9-0). - Planning Commission deadline extension granted (8-0). - Chelsea Arthur-Succop appointed to the Public Art Committee. - Informational appointments and communication received and filed. - The council announced a special post-agenda discussion on ShotSpotter at 2:30 PM on the same day.

The City of Pittsburgh Standing Committees met on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers to consider a range of legislative items including zoning amendments, financial resolutions, and grant authorizations. Key topics included a proposed waste transfer station setback ordinance, a fleet vehicle fund, and a $56 million bond issuance for capital projects. Public testimony focused heavily on environmental justice concerns in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Consent Calendar - Invoices for departmental expenses totaling various amounts were approved unanimously without discussion. - P-Cards (procurement card approvals) for the period of February 3–9, 2026, were approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony Multiple residents and stakeholders spoke in favor of Bill 2025-2385, which would add a definition and 500-foot setback requirement for waste transfer stations. Speakers included: - Brina Ratangee (University of Pittsburgh medical student, social medicine fellow): Supported the bill, citing health impacts such as asthma, noise, and sleep disruption. - Sebastian Hymson (medical student, social medicine fellow): Emphasized Hazelwood's historical industrial pollution burden and called the setback a preventative health measure. - Palak Shah (medical student): Described waste transfer stations as sources of air pollution, noise, and pests; urged passage. - Mary Ann Majcher (Lincoln Place resident): Supported the bill, stating Hazelwood has suffered enough from industrial waste. - Diane Schenck (owner of Delamato's Market, Hazelwood): Described living 350 feet from an existing recycling center, experiencing rats, noise, and truck traffic; supported the 500-foot buffer. - Lori Kolczynski (general manager, BFI Waste Services, a subsidiary of Republic Services): Opposed the bill, noting the city's need for a transfer station and that Republic Services owns the permitted recycling center in Hazelwood. She argued the bill targets her facility. - Sonya Tillman (executive director, Hazelwood Initiative): Supported the bill, arguing that public infrastructure decisions must prioritize health and environmental equity. - Mary Bridget Bartol (Hazelwood resident): Described poor air quality, traffic, and senior health concerns; opposed a waste transfer station. - Katherine Burk (Hazelwood resident): Cited poor air quality, congestion on Second Avenue, rat problems, and urged not to force the station on Hazelwood. - Yvonne F. Brown (Hazelwood resident): Shared personal experience with dust from a demolition causing asthma; urged council to protect residents. - Special Agent Sunshine (self-identified missing child): Addressed unrelated issues of identity theft and conservatorship; not directly related to agenda items. - Sandra Cole (Hazelwood resident): Questioned why the community should bear additional pollution; urged council to consider if they would allow it in their own neighborhoods. Discussion Items - Termination of Comprehensive Plan Contracts (2026-0006 & 2026-0007): Sponsored by Council Members Coghill, Gross, and Warwick. Council discussed holding for four more weeks to allow Chief Gilman to secure external funds to avoid using taxpayer money. Motion to hold carried. - Fleet Vehicle Fund (2026-0016): Ordinance to create a fund with $20 million annual contributions starting 2027. Council Member Warwick emphasized the need for a sustainable fleet investment. Council discussed holding for four weeks for administration review. Motion carried. - General Obligation Bonds (2026-0111): Resolution to issue up to $56,020,000 in bonds for the 2026 capital budget. Finance Director Jen Gula and advisors explained the competitive sale process. Council Member Gross asked about total debt service (currently $78 million annually, dropping to $46 million in 2027 after this issuance). Council Member Coghill praised the improved debt profile. Approved unanimously. - Waste Transfer Station Zoning Amendment (2025-2385): Ordinance to add definitions and a 500-foot buffer for waste transfer stations. Sponsor Council Member Warwick presented slides showing proximity to homes, noted that 20+ stakeholder letters supported the bill, and moved an amendment by substitution (to clarify the definition excludes recycling centers). The amendment passed, and the bill as amended was approved unanimously. - Right-of-Way Accessibility Needs Inventory (2026-0113): Ordinance to create a data inventory of pedestrian infrastructure after a severe snowstorm. Council Member Warwick explained the need for data to prioritize snow clearance. Held for two weeks. - Housing Data Dashboard (2026-0041): Ordinance to create a housing data dashboard. Council Member Charland requested a one-week hold for minor edits from the Planning Department. Carried. - Smithfield Street Reconstruction (2026-0102): Amended reimbursement agreement with PennDOT, increased by $620,000 to $9.89 million (80% reimbursable). Approved. - CDR Maguire Supplemental Agreement (2026-0103): Increased by $1,266,407.21 for project design management. Approved. - Landforce Urban Forestry Programming (2026-0104): Amended agreement to increase funding from $50,000 to $465,500 over four years. Approved. - Clio Consulting Warrant (2026-0105): $5,000 for historic survey of Beechview District. Approved. - Benjamin Mayhew Litigation Settlement (2026-0106): $60,000 settlement. Approved. - Fisher Phillips Professional Services (2026-0107): $60,000 for labor dispute services. Approved. - Fisher Phillips Amendment (2026-0108): Increased by $275,400 to total $485,400. Approved. - Fire Company & EMS Grants (2026-0095 & 2026-0096): $20,000 for trauma bags and $9,336 for training. Approved. - Assistance to Firefighters Grant (2026-0098): $958,712.72 federal grant with $95,871.28 city match for fire apparatus training. Approved. - Port Security Grant (2026-0099): $96,931 federal grant with $32,310 city match for protective vehicle barriers. Approved. - Sewage Facilities Plan Revisions (2026-0100 & 2026-0101): Two no-cost revisions for properties on Susquehanna Street and Steuben Street. Approved. - OPEX Corporation Contract Amendment (2026-0097): $28,015 increase for document scanning station maintenance. Approved. Key Outcomes - Held Items: 2026-0006, 2026-0007, 2026-0016 (held 4 weeks); 2026-0113 (held 2 weeks); 2026-0041 (held 1 week). - Approved Items: All other listed resolutions and ordinances were unanimously recommended for approval by their respective committees, including invoices and P-cards. Specific votes were not recorded beyond voice votes showing unanimity. - Amendment: Bill 2025-2385 was amended by substitute to clarify that waste transfer stations exclude recycling centers, then adopted. - Next Meetings: Regular Council meeting on February 24, 2026, and Standing Committees meeting on February 25, 2026, both at 10 AM.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers, the City of Pittsburgh City Council held a pre-agenda interview for Bill 2026-0019, which appoints Eric Sloan as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Council President [not named], Councilman Carkill, Councilwoman Warwick, Councilman Mosley, Councilwoman Strassberger, and Councilman Gross (via video) participated. The interview lasted approximately one hour and covered Sloan’s qualifications, vision, and priorities for the department. Discussion Items - Opening Remarks by Eric Sloan: Sloan introduced himself, highlighting his background in corporate organizational development, nonprofit leadership (including youth sports), and volunteer coaching. He emphasized his commitment to collaboration, transparency, empathy, and a service-first mindset. He noted that parks and recreation is personal to him, as he and his wife raise four children in Pittsburgh and have used city parks and rec centers. - Councilman Carkill’s Questions: Carkill asked about opportunities for a recreation center in his district, referencing a meeting with Pastor Wade at Grandview Church. Sloan confirmed a productive conversation about potential spring programming and external partnerships. Carkill also discussed the Brookline Community Center’s 1.3-acre site for a farm and invited Sloan to visit. He noted that Moore Park has a new pickleball court relocation due to a court order for noise, and that the park has the second-largest pool in the city. - Councilwoman Warwick’s Questions: Warwick asked about equitable programming across the city. Sloan said he plans to visit each rec center monthly and hold frequent conversations with community groups and council members. Warwick also emphasized the importance of partnerships with outside organizations (e.g., housing authority, Pittsburgh Public Schools, the symphony, the zoo, Phipps, the Aviary). Sloan agreed and added that internal collaboration within the department is also needed to break down silos. Warwick asked about KPIs; Sloan mentioned tracking participation numbers (kids in rec centers, seniors in healthy active living centers) and conducting user surveys to establish baselines and measure improvement. - Councilman Charlotte’s Questions: Charlotte asked about talent management and building staff capacity. Sloan discussed cross-training, load balancing, and formalized training programs to develop future leaders. He also highlighted the new free flag football league in partnership with Pittsburgh Flag Football, which will include transportation via city vans. He noted that this league is separate from existing pay-to-play leagues and is aimed at increasing access. On girls’ sports, Sloan said he has a daughter and emphasized increasing female participation and adaptive programming (e.g., Top Soccer). For seniors, he acknowledged the success of the Valentine’s Day event and discussed the need for better marketing, transportation, and internal collaboration (e.g., city farms programs at senior centers). - Councilman Mosley’s Questions: Mosley asked about using non-traditional spaces (e.g., churches, community centers like Kingsley Association) in neighborhoods without rec centers. Sloan cited his visit to Grandview Church and interest in formalizing weekly programming. Mosley also raised the idea of creating a neighborhood-by-neighborhood matrix of after-school programming from 3 PM to 10 PM, involving PPS and youth-serving nonprofits. Sloan agreed on the need for proactive, organized programming marketed well in advance. Mosley discussed partnerships with professional sports teams (Pirates, Steelers, Penguins, Riverhounds) to attract tournaments and provide economic benefits. Sloan supported this, noting the city has many underutilized fields. On arts and music programming, Sloan said there is opportunity to partner with organizations like the symphony and dance groups, and to train staff to offer such programs. Mosley also mentioned the Marshall Mansion as a potential cross-neighborhood hub. - Councilwoman Strassberger’s Questions: Strassberger remarked on the opportunity to map out-of-school time deserts and break down silos between city and non-city programs. She suggested using older adults as volunteers for tutoring. She also discussed the need to improve senior programming without building a new $30 million center. Sloan agreed and emphasized internal collaboration (e.g., city farms at senior centers) and better marketing to reach seniors. Strassberger asked for regular communication of upcoming programs to council members for sharing via newsletters and social media. Sloan committed to that. - Councilman Gross’s Questions (via video): Gross discussed the need to adapt facilities to changing demographics, noting that some neighborhoods have transitioned from mostly seniors to young families. Sloan agreed and emphasized feedback from local groups. Gross highlighted the success of the city farms program, which grew from supporting 4 gardens in 2020 to 55 gardens in 2025—a 1,200% increase. Volunteers range from ages 5 to 82. She noted that measuring impact, such as produce output, is important. Sloan agreed on measuring impact quantitatively and qualitatively. Gross also mentioned that all produce from one garden in Westland Park is donated to a local food pantry, providing 50 gallons of produce weekly. - Additional Topics: Councilman Charlotte (presumably) noted that he has had preliminary conversations with Pittsburgh Public Schools about programming at Shanley Field and basketball courts in Manchester, and asked about cooperation agreements. He also mentioned the Ammons Rec Center Hall of Fame jersey program and asked to reconnect with the vendor for the next induction. Key Outcomes - The pre-agenda interview was held as scheduled. No formal vote was taken; the interview serves as a step toward confirmation of Eric Sloan as Director of Parks and Recreation. - Council members expressed general support for Sloan’s nomination and offered specific priorities for collaboration. - Sloan committed to follow up on several items: visiting Brookline Community Park, meeting with the Marshall Mansion stakeholders, continuing discussions with PPS, and reconnecting on the Ammons Rec Center Hall of Fame program.

The Pittsburgh City Council met at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Council Chambers. Eight members were present (Council Member Gross absent). The meeting included proclamations, a resolution on cannabis legalization, public comments, numerous board appointments, and final passage of several grant and infrastructure measures. Proclamations & Wills of Council - Proclamation: Council declared February 17, 2026 as “Denise Johnson Day” in recognition of her community advocacy (Enactment No. 40). - Resolution (2026-0164): Council adopted a resolution urging Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization during the 2026 session. The resolution supports decriminalization, patient protection, veteran access, and economic opportunity. It passed unanimously (Enactment No. 43). Public Comments & Testimony - Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller expressed support for immigration and non-USA astronomers, referencing a previous proclamation. - Bethany Cameron (InformUp.org) presented results from a community survey on surveillance transparency, short-term rental concerns, and property tax agreements for senior housing. Key findings: 63% supported extending property tax cooperative agreements; 46% were not confident proposed short-term rental permits would address concerns. - Tanisha Long (Crafton Heights) opposed the appointment of David Vatz to the Planning Commission, citing his anti-community stance and involvement in doxxing community members through Pro Housing Pittsburgh. - Daniel Shaffer (Downtown) also opposed David Vatz, describing Vatz’s history of discrediting affordable housing advocates, calling the Planning Commission a “kangaroo court,” and advocating for removal of community input from planning. - Yvonne F. Brown spoke about civil rights and Martin Luther King Jr., and urged respect for all. - Chelsea Pizzarello expressed 100% agreement with Councilwoman Warwick opposing a waste transport station in Hazelwood. - Unique Brown requested a future proclamation for her mother, Yvonne Brown, citing her decades of community service. - Special Agent Sunshine (Cerese Taylor) gave a prayer and criticized council for delaying action on certain matters. Discussion Items - Petition (2026-0165): A petition from residents requesting a public hearing regarding documented records tampering and financial misconduct at Pittsburgh Municipal Court was held for a cablecast public hearing before the Committee on Hearings and Policy. - Communications: Council received and filed several communications from the Mayor terminating the terms of Jean Holland Dick (Planning Commission), Kendra Ross, and Sylvia Fields (Allegheny Regional Asset District). Additionally, weekly updates from the Grants Office and Ethics Board were filed. - Appointments and Reappointments: - Approved without interview: - Emily Kinkead to ALCOSAN (Enactment No. 41) - David Onufer to Civil Service Commission (Enactment No. 42) - Linda Johnson-Wasler to Civil Service Commission (Enactment No. 44) - Michael Domach to Pittsburgh Water (Enactment No. 45) - Margaret McCormick Barron to Pittsburgh Water (Enactment No. 46) - John J. Richardson to Zoning Board of Adjustment (Enactment No. 47) - Megan Zeigler to Civic Design Committee (Enactment No. 48) - Held for interview: Over 20 appointments to various boards and commissions, including Shatara Murphy (ALCOSAN), Catherine Blauvelt (Historic Review Commission), multiple Planning Commission appointments (including David Vatz), and others. LaShawn Burton-Faulk’s reappointment to Planning Commission was also held for interview. - Charles Fischer (Public Parking Authority) was referred for interview after being received and filed. - Unfinished Business: - Ivette Mongalo-Winston appointed as Director of Department of City Planning (Enactment No. 49). - Lisa Zeidner Marcus appointed as City Solicitor (Enactment No. 50). Reports of Committee – Final Action (all passed with 8-0 votes except where noted) - Finance and Law: Settlement for Justin Hickox ($10,000) passed 7-0-1 (Warwick abstained). - Public Works and Infrastructure: Multiple grant amendments and bridge engineering agreements: - Emerald View Trail grant (amendment to accept grant, increase amount, reduce match) – total project cost $500,844.42. - Liberty Avenue/Main Street/Bloomfield Bridge intersection planning grant ($533,111). - Lincoln Avenue Multimodal Safety & Accessibility grant amendment ($750,236.69 award decreased). - Herron Avenue Bridge agreement with Norfolk Southern ($25,310, 100% reimbursable). - Elizabeth Street Bridge agreement with Allegheny Valley Railroad ($10,000, 100% reimbursable). - Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs: - Three cooperation agreements for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) for Steelworkers Tower, Lynn Williams Apartments, and I.W. Abel Building, all with NCSC/USA Housing Development Corporation. - Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisition of nine vacant lots in 10th Ward (0 North Winebiddle Street and 0 Rosetta Street) at no cost to city. Key Outcomes - Adopted: Proclamation for Denise Johnson Day; resolution on adult-use cannabis legalization. - Approved Appointments: Ivette Mongalo-Winston (Planning Director), Lisa Zeidner Marcus (City Solicitor), and several reappointments to commissions and authorities. - Held for Interview: Majority of new appointments to Planning Commission, Historic Review Commission, Pittsburgh Water, and others will undergo interviews before final approval. - Final Passage: All committee reports and associated bills (settlements, grants, PILOTs, land bank transfer) received final approval, with the Hickox settlement passing 7-0-1. - Next Steps: Council scheduled executive sessions at 1:00 PM on claims (2026-0121, 2026-0122), a pre-agenda interview for Director of Parks and Recreation at 1:30 PM, and standing committee meetings on February 18, 2026.

On February 11, 2026, the Pittsburgh City Council held a pre-agenda interview to consider the appointment of Ivette Mongalo-Winston as Director of the Department of City Planning. The interview included opening remarks, council member questions, and discussion of Mongalo-Winston's vision, expertise, and priorities. Key topics included affordable housing, the comprehensive plan, zoning updates, community engagement, equity in planning, and interdepartmental coordination. Consent Calendar - The interview was held as scheduled; no consent calendar items were considered. Public Comments & Testimony - No public testimony was taken during this pre-agenda interview. Discussion Items - Opening Remarks and Background: Mongalo-Winston highlighted her architecture and urban design background, her experience in both private and public sectors, and her commitment to transparency, communication, and using the department's professional expertise as a resource for residents. She emphasized a balanced approach to planning and the need to make hard decisions collaboratively. - Role of City Planning in Housing: Councilman Mosley asked about the department's role in addressing housing affordability and increasing inventory. Mongalo-Winston stated the department should serve as professional expertise and a convener, focusing on incremental change, exploring national best practices, and working with partners like the URA and Housing Authority. She stressed the need to serve all residents—including the most vulnerable and middle-class families—without pitting groups against each other. - Certified City Planner Expertise: Mongalo-Winston explained that being a certified city planner provides professional training in city development history and best practices, similar to doctors or lawyers. She argued the department should take more pride in and actively deploy that expertise, rather than remaining passive. - National Best Practices: Citing Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a comparable city, Mongalo-Winston noted the importance of a coordinated approach among planning, elected officials, philanthropy, and universities to create vibrant, connected spaces. - Interdepartmental Coordination and Neighborhood Planners: Councilman Warwick raised concerns about siloed planning among departments, utilities, and other bodies. Mongalo-Winston agreed that the planning department should act as “the glue,” and is working to define the role of neighborhood planners as active advisors, conveners, and interpreters—not just note-takers. She proposed monthly check-ins with council and quarterly cross-departmental meetings. - Agility and Project Management: When asked how the department can respond quickly to council requests, Mongalo-Winston emphasized formalizing procedures, setting clear priorities, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. She noted that her private sector project management experience will help structure workflows. - Affordable Housing and Divisive Narratives: Both Mongalo-Winston and Councilman Warwick expressed frustration with divisive terms like “YIMBY” and the us-versus-them narrative. Mongalo-Winston advocated for using data and facts to ground conversations, presenting economic realities, and exploring a variety of housing tools—such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—to make incremental progress. - Comprehensive Plan: Mongalo-Winston described the comp plan as a 25-year vision that should be economically feasible, aligned with council and mayor’s goals, and based on broad engagement. She acknowledged that previous engagement missed some constituencies and proposed a seven-to-eight-month timeline to finish the plan by identifying missing voices, engaging them, and producing a draft. She committed to monthly meetings with council and clear deliverables. - Zoning Code Update: Mongalo-Winston indicated that the comp plan's policy recommendations would lead to a zoning code rewrite, which could address the current mix of Euclidean and form-based codes. She noted the new zoning administrator is eager to tackle this. - Climate Action Plan: Mongalo-Winston confirmed that the climate action plan 3.0 work, led by DCP’s team, will be integrated into the comp plan's recommendations. - Gender Equity in Planning: Councilwoman Gross raised the need for gender-inclusive planning. Mongalo-Winston acknowledged the issue, noting that women in the department have not been consulted on this. She expressed support for considering lighting, amenities, changing stations, and public restrooms in planning, and for retaining women in the profession. She will ask the department's equity team to examine these issues. - Parks, Greenways, and Community Gardens: Mongalo-Winston expressed enthusiasm for community gardens and city farms, linking them to food access, mental health, and community-building. Councilman Coghill described a proposed 1.3-acre farm in Brookline Community Park, with completed plans and community support, and invited Mongalo-Winston to visit. - Communication and Engagement Norms: Mongalo-Winston stressed the importance of clarity in public engagement: knowing why you are engaging, what you are asking, and setting clear expectations. She noted that DCP now has a communications person and is working to coordinate with the mayor’s office and other departments on consistent practices. - Housing Data Dashboard: Councilman Sharlin asked about a proposed housing completion dashboard. Mongalo-Winston agreed on the need for accurate data to count units built and to base policy on facts. She said DCP will work with the Office of Innovation & Performance to create a dashboard and that the housing needs assessment is due for an update, which DCP hopes to eventually do in-house. - Future Pittsburghers: Councilman Sharlin asked how the department plans for future residents who cannot be surveyed. Mongalo-Winston responded that by making Pittsburgh a great place to live, with high quality of life, amenities, and opportunity, the city will attract and retain people—including university graduates and retirees. - Parking Strategy and Land Use Coordination: Councilman Wilson discussed a parking strategy for Penn Avenue and asked about routing issues to planning. Mongalo-Winston clarified that any land-use-related question—parking strategies, where to put residential, short-term rental rules—should involve planning for strategic solutions, even if other departments handle implementation. - Comprehensive Plan Funding: Councilman Coghill confirmed that the $2 million in legislation for the comp plan has been put on hold while DCP develops a clear process and budget. Mongalo-Winston committed to sharing a list of deliverables, timeline, and budget for full transparency. Chief Gilman is seeking foundation funding; if that fails, council will consider releasing a portion of the $2 million. Key Outcomes - The interview concluded with no formal vote; the appointment was “interview held” per the minutes. - Council members expressed strong support for Mongalo-Winston’s candidacy and vision. - Councilman Coghill agreed to continue holding the $2 million comp plan funding pending a detailed plan from DCP and exploration of foundation funding. Mongalo-Winston will provide a deliverable timeline and budget. - Mongalo-Winston committed to monthly check-ins with council members, clearer communication about neighborhood planners’ roles, and improved interdepartmental coordination. - The housing needs assessment will be updated, and a housing completion dashboard will be developed with the Office of Innovation & Performance. - Mongalo-Winston will engage the department’s equity team on gender-inclusive planning and meet with Councilwoman Gross and Councilman Coghill to discuss the proposed community farm. - No additional council questions remaining; meeting adjourned at approximately 3:30 PM.

The City of Pittsburgh Standing Committee met on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers to consider a range of legislative items including a referendum on budget approval rules, a settlement warrant, departmental invoices, grant amendments for infrastructure projects, and two bills regulating short-term rentals. The meeting also featured extensive public testimony on short-term rental impacts and concluded with approval of multiple resolutions and referrals. Public Comments & Testimony - MJ Shaheen (deaf community member) called for short-term rental accessibility compliance with ADA, including flashing fire alarms, doorbell signals, and closed captioning on TVs. - Callie DiSabato (North Side resident) argued that short-term rentals are an unregulated hospitality industry, not a policing issue, and urged regulation similar to hotels. - Harvey Holtz (East Liberty) supported legislation but proposed limiting short-term rental units to five per person or corporation, not just per building, to prevent investor aggregation. - Maya Fischoff (Squirrel Hill) supported the legislation, citing Airbnb as a case study of profit-driven over-tourism harming housing affordability. - Liretta Payne (Hill District, representing Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance and Hill District Consensus Group) reported five Airbnbs on her street and urged adoption of the SHIFT directives to regulate short-term rentals as part of the financialization of housing. - Kathleen Whitney (East Deutschtown) described her block with four short-term rentals, including a New Year’s Eve party that ended in gunfire, and called for dedicated enforcement officers and platform accountability. - Catherine Brosky opposed grandfathering existing illegal units and emphasized safety concerns, noting a February 8 party with 50 underage individuals removed by police. She also directed comments to the public safety director regarding gun store transparency. - Jake Tovey (Shadyside, board member of Steelstrut, a short-term rental alliance) supported licensing but opposed the zoning changes and building caps as too drastic, urging a data-driven approach. - Chad Wise (founder/CEO of Hostwise, managing 120 properties) supported regulation but warned against overly restrictive caps, noting his company’s local economic contributions: $670,000 to cleaners, $900,000 in tax revenue, and partnerships with local businesses. He proposed requiring remote monitoring technology. - Ellie Howard (Spring Garden, short-term rental operator) questioned why only 3 of 45 properties in a community walkthrough were nuisance properties, arguing the problem is enforcement, not the industry. She highlighted her rental to film crews and urged inclusion of responsible operators in the conversation. - Paul Costello (Highland Park) managed several units and opposed the 28-day maximum and two-unit-per-building limits, arguing they harm transplant patients and visiting families. He supported licensing and mitigation technology. - Richard Mardoyan (Harrisburg) presented allegations of a “shadow system” in the state government and the city’s involvement, referencing a civil deposition and Dutch foreign relations. - Madeline McGrady (co-chair, Pittsburgh Housing Justice Table) supported the legislation, preferring short-term rentals be made a variance rather than special exception in residential areas to prevent streamlined approval. - Mary Babush (Allegheny West) argued short-term rentals should be zoned as businesses, not allowed in residential areas, as they remove housing for families. - Bill Schlacter (Mount Washington) recounted his apartment building being converted to short-term rentals by an LLC and urged the city to follow Denver and Philadelphia’s regulations. - Kelly Bethke (Lawrenceville, short-term rental owner) shared her story of using short-term rental income to build savings and a career, noting that bad behavior occurs in long-term rentals too, but short-term rental operators have stronger incentives to prevent it. - Nicholas Petrillo (president, Brighton Heights Citizens Federation) announced the organization’s support for the legislation, referencing a recent party in the neighborhood broken up by police. - Stephanie West (North Side operator) described her company’s economic impact: top cleaner earning $110,000 (up from $14,000), laundry vendor revenue over $100,000, and 11 employees in recovery. - Carlino Giampolo (Panther Hollow) urged council members to end support for an illegal skate park in Panther Hollow, citing dignity and community harm. - John Hanahan (Fine View) criticized the industry’s opposition, stating that regulations are needed and that the properties owned by industry speakers contribute to nuisance and lost housing. - Teaira Collins (mother of five) emphasized the need for stricter regulations to protect affordable housing and children, citing her home’s value increase from $60,000 to $200,000. - Special Agent Sunshine (self-identified) spoke about identity theft, judicial misconduct, and alleged bribery, requesting attention from the Justice Department. Discussion Items - Finance and Law Committee (Chair: Mrs. Strassburger) - Bill 2026-0039 (Referendum on budget approval rules): Councilmember Lavelle sponsor. A motion to hold for four weeks was carried. - Bill 2026-0085 (Warrant for Justin Hickox, $10,000): Approved with affirmative recommendation after an executive session the previous day. - Invoices and P-Cards: Approved as a block. Councilmember Strassburger noted a concern about the CellHawk software renewal invoice ($2,754) under Bureau of Police, citing media reports about real-time location tracking. The administration stated the software is used only with a search warrant. The invoices were approved. - Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (Chair: Mrs. Salinetro) - Bill 2026-0078 (Emerald View Trail grant amendment): Accepts increased grant ($250,000) with reduced match. Approved. - Bill 2026-0079 (Bloomfield Bridge intersection grant): Accepts $533,111 grant for planning and engineering. Approved. - Bill 2026-0080 (Lincoln Avenue safety project grant): Accepts $750,236.69 grant (decreased award). Approved. - Bill 2026-0082 (Herron Avenue Bridge preliminary engineering agreement with Norfolk Southern, $25,310, reimbursable). Approved. - Bill 2026-0083 (Elizabeth Street Bridge preliminary engineering agreement with Allegheny Valley Railroad, $10,000, reimbursable). Approved. - Land Use and Economic Development Committee (Chair: Mr. Wilson) - Bill 2026-0008 (Short-term rental licensing): Councilmember Gross sponsor. Motion to hold for 12 weeks (past the NFL draft) was carried. Discussion included enforcement and the need to align with the zoning bill. - Bill 2026-0009 (Short-term rental zoning amendments): Councilmember Gross sponsor. Motion to amend by substitute (technical corrections) passed. Then referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation. Councilmembers Gross, Wilson, Coghill, and Warwick spoke in support, noting the need for accountability, the impact on neighborhoods, and the distinction between owner-occupied units (by right) and investor-owned units (special exception). Warwick noted that the bill does not prevent mid-term rentals to traveling nurses or students. - Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee (Chair: Mr. Mosley) - Bills 2026-0074, 0075, 0076 (PILOT agreements for Steelworkers Tower, Lynn Williams Apartments, I.W. Abel Building): All three are senior housing developments owned by NCSC/USA Housing Development Corporation. The agreements extend expiring PILOTs for 10 years. Finance Director Jen Gula explained the properties are tax-exempt but the PILOT ensures some payment. The assessed value of Steelworkers Tower is $6.5 million, but the PILOT is based on a nominal $15,000–$16,000 assessment. Councilmember Gross questioned the lack of transparency in the agreement terms and urged that future agreements be included in the legislative record. All three approved. - Bill 2026-0077 (Land bank acquisition of 9 parcels in 10th Ward, no cost to city). Approved. Key Outcomes - Bill 2026-0039 (Referendum on budget rules): Held in committee for 4 weeks, due back by March 11, 2026. - Bill 2026-0085 (Settlement warrant): Affirmatively recommended to full council. - Invoices and P-Cards: Approved as presented. - Bills 2026-0078, 0079, 0080, 0082, 0083 (Grant amendments and bridge agreements): All affirmatively recommended to full council. - Bill 2026-0008 (Short-term rental licensing): Held in committee for 12 weeks, due back by May 6, 2026. - Bill 2026-0009 (Short-term rental zoning): Amended by substitute and referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation. - Bills 2026-0074, 0075, 0076 (PILOT agreements): All affirmatively recommended to full council. - Bill 2026-0077 (Land bank property transfer): Affirmatively recommended to full council. - Meeting announcements: Pre-agenda interview for city planning director at 1:30 PM that afternoon; regular council meeting Tuesday, February 17; standing committees meeting Wednesday, February 18, both at 10:00 AM.