City Council (Pittsburgh) meeting minutes — May 12, 2026: ordinances on city spaces and multiple public‑works and contract approvals

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA

PROCLAMATIONS

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby honor and celebrate Christopher Hahn for twenty-six years of transformative leadership at Pittsburgh Opera, and recognizes the lasting impact of his vision, artistry, and dedication on the cultural life of our city; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh extends to Mr. Hahn its profound gratitude and warmest wishes for a richly deserved next chapter.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the Kiwanis Club of Sheraden and congratulate them for their 75 years of service; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Sunday, May 10, 2026 to be “Kiwanis Club of Sheraden Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS

COUNCILPERSON ROBERT CHARLAND PRESENTS:

Resolution amending Resolution 116 of 2024, authoring the Mayor and the Director of the Commission on Human Relations, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, to enter into a Professional Agreement(s) and/or Contract with MBM Law, LLP to provide legal representation as the Solicitor of the Commission on Human Relations and providing for the payment of the costs thereof not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000), for a new not to exceed amount of One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($165,000).

COUNCILMAN ANTHONY COGHILL PRESENTS:

Resolution authorizing the Mayor, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Public Safety to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the National Association of County and City Health Officials for the purpose of receiving grant funds from the Post Overdose Training in Trauma-Informed Practices in the amount not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000.00) dollars for training and support of the City’s Office of Community Health and Safety.

COUNCILWOMAN DEBORAH L. GROSS PRESENTS:

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Innovation & Performance to enter into on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh a data sharing agreement or agreements and amendments thereto with Johns Hopkins University as part of the Data Science for Social Good program at no cost to the City over three (3) years

COUNCILMAN KHARI MOSLEY PRESENTS:

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant payable in favor of Pennsylvania Municipal League for one year subscription in an amount not to exceed FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS, NINE HUNDRED, SIXTY-TWO DOLLARS and TWENTY-FOUR CENTS ($52,962.24).

Resolution providing for a Reimbursement Agreement or Agreements with Pittsburgh Water for costs associated with the RAISE Grant project where Pittsburgh Water would be responsible for paying 100% of the actual expenses involved in certain work to be described in the Agreement(s), at an amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, to enter into a cooperation agreement with Bike Share Pittsburgh to provide in-kind services and cash support totaling Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000) as the local match for a City of Pittsburgh Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program grant for POGOH Expansion Phase 3, all at no cost to the City.

COUNCILWOMAN KIM SALINETRO PRESENTS:

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh to enter into a cooperation agreement with Friends of the Riverfront for the repaving of Hazelwood Trail, located between Blair Street and the Hot Metal Bridge. The estimated cost of preparation and completion of work is One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00).

Resolution granting unto HG BLAIR LLC, their successors and assigns, the privilege and license to construct, maintain and use at their own cost and expense, new foundation footings below the sidewalk that will extend into the right-of-way, at no cost to the City, in the 5th Ward, 6th Council District of the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Resolution granting unto ALMONO LP, their successors and assigns, the privilege and license to construct, maintain and use at their own cost and expense, (4) four new balconies that will extend into the right-of-way, at no cost to the City, in the 15th Ward, 5th Council District of the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Resolution providing for a Reimbursement Agreement or Agreements with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for costs associated with the Preliminary Design phase of the POGOH Expansion Phase 3 Project, and providing for the payment of costs thereof, not to exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00), reimbursable at 80%, with Bike Share Pittsburgh providing Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00) at no cost to the City; and the municipal share of Commonwealth Incurred Costs at a cost to the City of Pittsburgh not to exceed Zero Dollars ($0.00).

COUNCILWOMAN ERIKA STRASSBURGER PRESENTS:

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the Richard King Mellon Foundation for the purpose of receiving grant funds in an amount not to exceed TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000.00) dollars for the Economic Development Marketing by the Mayor and the Economic Development team.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Meyer Unkovic & Scott for expert legal services for litigation filed in the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County at GD 25-6555, for an amount not to exceed Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Dollars ($18,420.00) over one year. (Executive Session held 5/12/26)

COUNCILWOMAN BARBARA WARWICK PRESENTS:

Resolution approving the recommendation made by the Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure that the concrete portion of Elwell Street from Mere Street to Pittsburgh City Limits be paved with asphalt in accordance with Section 417.06 of the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances.

Resolution authorizing the Mayor, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the Richard King Mellon Foundation for the purpose of receiving grant funds in an amount not to exceed SIX HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND ($630,000.00) dollars for the City’s United States of America’s 250th Anniversary celebration.

COUNCILMAN BOBBY WILSON PRESENTS:

Resolution approving a Conditional Use Application under the Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning, Article V, Chapter 911, Section 911.04.A.64 to Passport Academy Charter School, applicant, for authorization to operate a School, Elementary or Secondary (General) use at 1835 Forbes Avenue, Block and Lot 11-J-56, zoned “UPR-B” Uptown Public Realm, District B, 1st Ward, Council District No. 6. (Needs to be held for Public Hearing)

COUNCILMAN R. DANIEL LAVELLE PRESENTS:

Communication from Rea Price, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, submitting to City Council the attached status update from the Grants Office for the week ended May 8, 2026.

Communication from Rachael Heisler, City Controller, submitting a summary worksheet highlighting Overtime and Premium Pay budget use in first quarter of 2026, dated May 6, 2026.

Resolution informing City Council of the appointment of Ronda Sherrill as Assistant Director, Secretary and Chief Examiner of the Department of Human Resources and Civil Service.

Petition from the residents of the City of Pittsburgh requesting a Public Hearing before City Council regarding reopening Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park to cars. The Squirrel Hill Historical Society board and the people signing this petition feel that this road was intended for vehicular traffic, including bikes but not trucks, and not intended for pedestrians, who have many nearby trails to walk on that go to the same places. Serpentine Drive is the only road on the eastern side of Schenley Park that keeps traffic inside the park instead of sending it on long, hazardous detours on nearby residential streets, including one that has no sidewalks. Except for the Panther Hollow Bridge, it is the only road that connects the north side of the park with the south side without forcing traffic to leave the park. It is also a safer connecting road to Oakland from the Greenfield Bridge. The Petition is valid in accordance with the Home Rule Charter.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

REPORTS OF COMMITTEE - FINAL ACTION

COUNCILWOMAN ERIKA STRASSBURGER PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND LAW

Report of the Committee on Finance and Law for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Mary Ellen DeMarco-Ruby, for a single payment in 2026 in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), in full and final settlement of litigation filed in the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County, at No. GD 25-004124. (Executive Session held 4/28/26)

Resolution amending Resolution No. 79 of 2026, to increase the maximum principal reimbursement amount of the approved issuance of General Obligation Bonds while maintaining the approved maximum aggregate principal amount.

Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title Four: Public Places and Property, by adding Article IX: Use of City Owned or Operated Spaces, Chapter 495 - Prohibiting Immigration Enforcement in City-Owned or Operated Spaces.

Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title Four: Public Places and Property by adding, Article IX: Use of City Owned or Operated Spaces Chapter 496 - Protecting Community Spaces.

Resolution directing the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the Chief, Bureau of Police, pursuant to § 211 of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, to provide Council with a report detailing data on violent crimes committed in the City of Pittsburgh, disaggregated by age group, single years of age, gender of perpetrator, area of residence of perpetrator, age of victim, and location and neighborhood of crime no less frequently than quarterly.

COUNCILWOMAN KIM SALINETRO PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Report of the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Resolution amending Resolution 866 of 2025, which authorized the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Works to enter into a Professional Service Agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and Studio Zewde for costs associated with the Homewood Park - Construction Project for the Construction Administration schedule extension and transfer of fee from reimbursable expenses; by increasing the total spend by Forty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($48,000.00) for a new not to exceed amount of Two Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Eighty-Two Dollars and Thirty Cents ($2,137,082.30).

Resolution amending Resolution No. 201, effective May 14, 2022, entitled “authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Works, to enter into an Agreement or Agreements, or the use of existing Agreements, between the City of Pittsburgh and Klavon Design Associates, Inc. for the professional landscape architectural services for Sheraden Park I Design. The total cost not to exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00),” by increasing the total allocation by the amount of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Dollars ($10,945.00) for a new total of Three Hundred Ten Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Dollars ($310,945.00).

Resolution providing for an Agreement or Agreements with A. Merante Contracting Inc. for costs associated with the Construction phase of the Smithfield Street Reconstruction project; providing for the payment of the costs thereof, not to exceed Six Million Six Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand Two Hundred Two Dollars and Fifty-Six Cents ($6,672,202.56).

Resolution authorizing acceptance by the City of Pittsburgh for dedication of certain right-of-way in and around North Avenue and Brighton Road in conjunction with the bridge reconstruction thereto at no cost to the City, located in the 22nd Ward of the City of Pittsburgh.

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, to enter into a supplemental agreement or agreements with A. Liberoni Inc., for costs associated with construction for the Sylvan Avenue Multimodal Path Project; providing for the payment of the costs thereof, not to exceed One Million Eight Hundred Seventy-One Thousand Eight Hundred Ten Dollars and Ninety-Seven Cents ($1,871,810.97) a net increase of One Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Six Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($139,306.84), reimbursable at various rates.

COUNCILWOMAN BARBARA WARWICK PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON RECREATION, YOUTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

Report of the Committee on Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, located at 317 East Carson Street, West Tower, Suite 230, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 for the reimbursement for horticultural and forestry work completed in Allegheny Commons, August Wilson, Emerald View, Highland and Riverview Parks in the amount of TWO HUNDRED, FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS and NO CENTS ($250,000.00).

COUNCILWOMAN DEBORAH L. GROSS PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON INNOVATION, PERFORMANCE, ASSET MANAGEMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY

Report of the Committee on Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Resolution amending Resolution 119 of 2025, which authorized the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Works to enter into a Professional Services Agreement or Agreements with RouteSmart Technologies, Inc., which provides trash and recycling routing optimization, for the purchase and implementation of navigation software that will provide turn-by-turn directions to Environmental Service Drivers through November 30, 2027, by increasing the total amount by One Hundred Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Dollars ($113,280.00) for a new total not to exceed Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Four Hundred Seven Dollars ($360,407.00).

Ordinance amending “Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title I, Administrative, Article VII, Procedures, by adding a new Chapter, ‘Chapter 173A: Housing Data Dashboard’.” by amending the Chapter number to conform to the numbering in Article Seven of the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances. The new Chapter shall be numbered “162A.”

COUNCILMAN KHARI MOSLEY PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS

Report of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Resolution adopting Plan Revision to the City of Pittsburgh’s Official Sewage Facilities Plan for 217 - 239 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, at no cost to the City.

Resolution amending Resolution 571 of 2021 in order to authorize the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, to amend a cooperation agreement or agreements with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for maintenance of plantings and other planting related infrastructure in the public rights of way throughout the City of Pittsburgh at no cost to the City.

Resolution amending Resolution 297 of 2025, providing for a Reimbursement Agreement or Agreements with Pittsburgh Water for costs associated with the Smithfield Street Phase 1 project where Pittsburgh Water would be responsible for paying 100% of the actual expenses involved in certain work to be described in the Agreement(s), at an amount not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Dollars ($123,000.00) and further amending Resolution No. 924 of 2024, effective December 18, 2024, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2025 Capital Budget, the proposed 2025 Community Development Program, and the 2025 through 2030 Capital Improvement Program” by increasing Smithfield Street Phase 1 (TIP) by One Hundred Twenty-Three Dollars ($123,000.00).

Resolution authorizing The Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire all the City's Right, Title and Interest, if any, in and to the Publicly-Owned properties in the 15th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh designated in the Deed Registry Office of Allegheny County as Block 55-P, Lots 15 (0 Chatsworth Avenue - Council District No. 5), Lot 16 (0 Chatsworth Avenue - Council District No. 5), Lot 45 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 57 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 58 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 60 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 62 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 64 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 67 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 68 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 69 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 70 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), Lot 71 (0 Monongahela Street - Council District No. 5), and Block 56-B, Lot 37 (0 Berwick Street - Council District No. 5), at no cost to the City.

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCILMAN ANTHONY COGHILL PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELLNESS

Report of the Committee on Public Safety and Wellness for May 6, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.

Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title I: Administrative, Article IX: Boards, Commissions and Authorities, Chapter 179D: Records Management Advisory Commission, by repealing Chapter 179D in its entirety.

Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh City Code, Title I: Administrative, Article V: Legislation, Chapter 154 Records Management Division, by adding a new Section 154.03 Records Retention Schedules.

Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Innovation & Performance to enter into on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh a data sharing agreement or agreements and amendments thereto with Johns Hopkins University as part of the Data Science for Social Good program at no cost to the City over three (3) years

Resolution directing the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the Chief, Bureau of Police, pursuant to § 211 of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, to provide Council with a report detailing data on violent crimes committed in the City of Pittsburgh, disaggregated by age group, single years of age, gender of perpetrator, area of residence of perpetrator, age of victim, and location and neighborhood of crime no less frequently than quarterly.