Summary
City Council passes key funding and donation measures
PittsburghJul 28, 20263 min read
At a glance
Quick context to catch up fast.
City Council approved several major financial actions, including a $100,000 settlement, a $20,793.73 budget transfer for postage costs, and three large donations totaling $32 million for emergency response equipment, fire vehicles, and education and infrastructure initiatives.
Projects mentioned
Browse all related coverage for the main local project pages tied to this summary.
Committees mentioned
Open the committee coverage hubs tied to this summary.
Topics discussed
TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationCommerceHousing
Was this summary helpful?
Your feedback helps us prioritize what to improve next.
What this means
Council approved a package of funding and property actions that will affect city services, recreation spaces, and long-term projects. The biggest decisions included a $20 million, five-year donation from Highmark Health for medical first responder resources, a $25 million, five-year donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for EMS vehicles and equipment, and a $3 million, five-year donation from Carnegie Mellon University for education and infrastructure initiatives. Council also approved money for a settlement, recreation programming, a mini pitch at Ormsby Recreation Center, and several land and sewage plan actions.
Key decisions
Follow the major takeaways from this briefing.
- Approved a $100,000 settlement in a litigation matter involving James Hieber and his attorneys.
- Approved a $20,793.73 transfer within the 2026 Operating Budget to cover postage meter usage and stamps.
- Accepted a $4 million-per-year, five-year donation from Highmark Health for medical first responder resources, with a focus on Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire vehicles.
- Accepted a $5 million-per-year, five-year donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for Emergency Medical Service vehicles and equipment.
- Approved a $200,000 transfer from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund to CitiParks for out-of-school time services and programming at Burgwin Recreation Center.
- Adopted a plan to support a Transit Revitalization Investment District implementation plan for Downtown Pittsburgh.
- Approved land disposition and acquisition actions involving several properties in the city.
- Approved a $3 million, five-year donation from Carnegie Mellon University for education and infrastructure initiatives.
Timeline & follow-ups
Action items flagged by the community.
No follow-ups have been shared yet. Add one in the community board below.
Meeting information
Details and records from this meeting.
City Council
Jul 28, 2026, 2:00 PMCouncil Chamberscompleted
Agenda
- 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 recognize Darcia Ashley-Amber Reed for her extraordinary vigilance, compassion, and unwavering advocacy; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, August 4, 2026 to be “Darcia Ashley-Amber Reed Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.
- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare August 22, 2026 to be “Vera Mae Williams Threet Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.
- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend “Chelsea Averell”; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday July, 28, 2026 to be “Chelsea Averell Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.
- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Thursday, July 30th, to be “Rich Hoffman Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.
- PUBLIC COMMENTS
- PRESENTATION OF PAPERS
- COUNCILPERSON ROBERT CHARLAND PRESENTS:
- Resolution transferring the amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund for staffing and supplies to support out-of-school time services and programming at McKinley Recreation Center.
- Resolution transferring the amount of two hundred seventy dollars ($270.00) within the 2026 Operating Budget from the Office of the City Clerk, Administrative Fees to the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure for the purpose of operational services.
- COUNCILWOMAN KIM SALINETRO PRESENTS:
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Works to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the United States Soccer Foundation for the purpose of receiving grant funds from the Mini Pitch Program Grant in the amount not to exceed ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) dollars to install a Mini Pitch at the Ormsby Recreation Center.
- COUNCILWOMAN ERIKA STRASSBURGER PRESENTS:
- Resolution amending Resolution 740 of 2025, which provided for an Agreement or Agreements with Center for Hearing & Deaf Services, Inc. and Global Wordsmiths, by increasing the authorized spend for Global Wordsmiths by Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00) for services through January 2027, for a new total cost not to exceed of One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars ($136,000.00) over five years. (Waiver of Competitive Process Received)
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 855 of 2011, effective December 29, 2011, as amended, entitled “‘Resolution adopting and approving the 2012 Capital Budget and the 2012 Community Development Block Grant Program; and approving the 2012 through 2017 Capital Improvement Program’ by adjusting various line items in conformance with City Council's 2012 Capital Budget amendments” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 858 of 2014, effective January 1, 2015, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2015 Capital Budget and the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2015 through 2020 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 772 of 2016, effective January 1, 2017, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2017 Capital Budget and the 2017 Community Development Block Grant Program; approving the 2017 through 2022 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 863 of 2018, effective January 1, 2019, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2019 Capital Budget and the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2019 through 2024 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 840 of 2019, effective January 1, 2020, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2020 Capital Budget and the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2020 through 2025 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 647 of 2020, effective December 23, 2020, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2021 Capital Budget and the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2021 through 2026 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 886 of 2021, effective December 27, 2021, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2022 Capital Budget and the 2022 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2022 through 2027 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 924 of 2024, effective December 18, 2024, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2025 Capital Budget, the proposed 2025 Community Development Program, and the 2025 through 2030 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 834 of 2025, effective December 21, 2025, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2026 Capital Budget, the proposed 2026 Community Development Program, and the 2026 through 2031 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- 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 July 24, 2026.
- 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 July 22, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.
- Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of James Hieber and his attorneys, Ogg, Murphy and Perkosky, P.C., in full and final settlement of a litigation matter in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas filed at GD 23-000245 for an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) over one year. (Executive Session held 7/21/26)
- Resolution transferring the amount of twenty thousand seven hundred ninety-three dollars and seventy-three cents ($20,793.73) within the 2026 Operating Budget from City Council Districts Supplies, Postage to the Department of Finance Supplies, Postage to account for the cost of postage meter usage and stamps for the months of January through June.
- COUNCILMAN ANTHONY COGHILL PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELLNESS
- Report of the Committee on Public Safety and Wellness for July 22, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.
- Resolution authorizing, pursuant to Ch. 210 (“Acceptance of Gifts to City”) of the City Code, the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Management and Budget to accept a donation from Highmark Health in the amount of FOUR MILLION ($4,000,000.00) dollars for the next five years for a total of TWENTY MILLION ($20,000,000.00) dollars to purchase resources that medical first responders need, with a primary initial focus on Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire vehicles.
- Resolution authorizing, pursuant to Ch. 210 (“Acceptance of Gifts to City”) of the City Code, the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Management and Budget to accept a donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the amount of FIVE MILLION ($5,000,000.00) dollars per year for the next five years for a total of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION ($25,000,000.00) dollars for Emergency Medical Service vehicles and equipment.
- COUNCILWOMAN BARBARA WARWICK PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON RECREATION, YOUTH AND SENIOR SERVICES
- Report of the Committee on Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services for July 22, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.
- Resolution transferring the amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund for staffing and supplies to support out-of-school time services and programming at Burgwin Recreation Center.
- COUNCILMAN KHARI MOSLEY PRESENTS COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS
- Report of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs for July 22, 2026 with an Affirmative Recommendation.
- Resolution authorizing the adoption of the Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan and related agreements (Council District 1).
- 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 4th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh designated in the Deed Registry Office of Allegheny County as Block 11-K, Lot 45 (2112 5th Avenue - Council District No. 6), at no cost to the City.
- Resolution adopting Plan Revision to the City of Pittsburgh’s Official Sewage Facilities Plan for 217 Beechnut Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, at no cost to the City.
- Resolution approving execution of a Contract for Disposition by Sale of Land between the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and The Pittsburgh Land Bank for the sale of Block 10-N, Lot 345, in the 5th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh (0 Grove Street - Council District No. 6), at no cost to the City.
- Resolution amending Resolution 619 of 2018, effective September 20, 2018, entitled “Resolution authorizing the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh to acquire all the City's Right, Title and Interest, if any, in and to the Publicly-Owned Properties in the 12th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh designated in the Deed Registry Office of Allegheny County as Block 124-N, Lots 199, 197, 196, 15, 34, 32, 29, 3, 6, 20, 8, 14, 12, and Block 125-A, Lots 371, 375 and Block 83-S, Lots 296, and 301 (Council District No. 9 - Site Assemblage for future redevelopment - 159, 163, 165 Carver Street , 118, 121, 125, 130, 133, 138, 146, 149, 150, 154, 163, 165, and 169 Auburn Street).”
- Resolution amending Resolution 384 of 2020, effective July 31, 2020, entitled “Resolution authorizing the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh to Acquire all of the City's right, title, and interest, if any, in and to the following publicly-owned properties in the 12th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh, designated in the Deed Registry Office of Allegheny County as Block 125-G, Lots 42, 43, 51, and 64, located at the north side of Kelly Street, between 5th Avenue on the west and the railroad right-of-way on the east, and the south side of Frankstown Avenue, also between 5th Avenue on the west and the railroad right-of-way on the east (Council District No. 9).”
- Resolution approving execution of a Contract for Disposition by Sale of Land between the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and Hill Top Villas LLC for the sale of Block 70-J, Lot 126, in the 28th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh (2039 Broadhead Fording Road - Council District No. 2), at no cost to the City.
- Resolution authorizing, pursuant to Ch. 210 (“Acceptance of Gifts to City”) of the City Code, the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Management and Budget to accept a donation from Carnegie Mellon University in the amount of THREE MILLION ($3,000,000.00) dollars split over the next five years for education and infrastructure initiatives.
- MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
- EXCUSE ABSENT MEMBERS
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- ADJOURNMENT
- Resolution transferring the amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund for staffing and supplies to support out-of-school time services and programming at McKinley Recreation Center.
- Resolution transferring the amount of two hundred seventy dollars ($270.00) within the 2026 Operating Budget from the Office of the City Clerk, Administrative Fees to the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure for the purpose of operational services.
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Works to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the United States Soccer Foundation for the purpose of receiving grant funds from the Mini Pitch Program Grant in the amount not to exceed ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) dollars to install a Mini Pitch at the Ormsby Recreation Center.
- Resolution amending Resolution 740 of 2025, which provided for an Agreement or Agreements with Center for Hearing & Deaf Services, Inc. and Global Wordsmiths, by increasing the authorized spend for Global Wordsmiths by Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00) for services through January 2027, for a new total cost not to exceed of One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars ($136,000.00) over five years. (Waiver of Competitive Process Received)
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 855 of 2011, effective December 29, 2011, as amended, entitled “‘Resolution adopting and approving the 2012 Capital Budget and the 2012 Community Development Block Grant Program; and approving the 2012 through 2017 Capital Improvement Program’ by adjusting various line items in conformance with City Council's 2012 Capital Budget amendments” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 858 of 2014, effective January 1, 2015, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2015 Capital Budget and the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2015 through 2020 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 772 of 2016, effective January 1, 2017, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2017 Capital Budget and the 2017 Community Development Block Grant Program; approving the 2017 through 2022 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 863 of 2018, effective January 1, 2019, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2019 Capital Budget and the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2019 through 2024 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 840 of 2019, effective January 1, 2020, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2020 Capital Budget and the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2020 through 2025 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 647 of 2020, effective December 23, 2020, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2021 Capital Budget and the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2021 through 2026 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 886 of 2021, effective December 27, 2021, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2022 Capital Budget and the 2022 Community Development Block Grant Program, and the 2022 through 2027 Capital Improvement Program” by removing unencumbered funds from projects pending closure pursuant to Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 924 of 2024, effective December 18, 2024, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2025 Capital Budget, the proposed 2025 Community Development Program, and the 2025 through 2030 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution further amending Resolution No. 834 of 2025, effective December 21, 2025, as amended, entitled “Resolution adopting and approving the 2026 Capital Budget, the proposed 2026 Community Development Program, and the 2026 through 2031 Capital Improvement Program” by re-appropriating and re-allocating funds closed due to the requirements of Chapter 218 of the City Code.
- Resolution authorizing the adoption of the Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan and related agreements (Council District 1).
Recent documents
Fresh records from this municipality.
Civic leadership
Know who to contact about the decisions that matter.