Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - 4/7/26

Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of city council on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charlotte >> here. >> Mr. Cogill, >> Miss Gross, >> Mr. Mosley, >> Mrs. Salenro >> here. >> Mrs. Strawberger >> here, >> Mrs. Warwick >> here. >> Mr. Wilson, >> Mr. Lavell, President >> here. >> Five members present. >> Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag, United States of America, and to the republic for it stands nationy and justice for all. very much. Our next order of business is to amend the agenda. Is there a motion to amend? So move. Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Any >> opposed? The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations and I have one to present. If all those who are here for the National Community Development Week could please come forward. community development block grant dollars as well as ES ESG dollars are critical to the work of the city of Pittsburgh. Um, critical to this council and we just want to take a moment to acknowledge the team that does critical and superior work with the uses of these dollars. What I will say, it's unfortunate that while we do recognize this, our the amount of CDBG dollars that we have gotten over the years has slowly dwindled. Um, it's still significant, but it's not nearly. It's less, probably less than half than when I first came to the city council. And so, I thank you all for doing a whole lot more with even less. Um, with that, whereas the week of April 6th through 10th, 2026 has been designated as National Community Development Week to celebrate the community development block grant program and other federal community planning and development funds. Whereas the CDBG program provides annual funding and flexibility to local communities to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities to low and moderate income people. And whereas the emergency solutions grant program provides support for city and county efforts to combat and end homelessness. And whereas over the past three years, the city of Pittsburgh has received over 39.6 million in CDBG funding and over 3.4 million in ESG funds which have been used in a variety of ways to directly benefit our citizens and neighborhoods. Whereas Family Links has been a valuable partner to the city using CDBG and ESG funds to benefit city residents in need by providing emergency shelter and prepared meals. And now therefore, be it resolved that the city of Pittsburgh designates the week of April 6th through 10th, 2026 as National Community Development Week in support of this valuable program and has been tremendous contributions to the viability of the housing stock, infrastructure, public services, and economic well-being of our city. And be it further resolved that the council of the city of Pittsburgh urges the United States Congress and the Trump administration to recognize the outstanding work being done locally and nationally with CD with CDBG by supporting increased funding for the program of fiscal year 2027. May we have a motion to approve. >> So move second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Congratulations. >> Thank you. You want to give a mark >> and maybe if each one of you could introduce yourself. >> Sure. I'm Lauren Galleta. I'm the senior development director at Family Links. And at Family Links, we have a whole range of human services, but we are fortunate enough to receive city funds for our docs program, which is our downtown outreach center and shelter. And that is for young adults who are experiencing homelessness. And at that site, we're located on Fifth Avenue in Uptown. We serve about 150 individuals annually. And during that time, it's more than just a safe place and a warm place for them to rest their heads. So beyond the meeting their immediate physical needs, we're also working with them um to meet any physical health needs, emotional health needs, we are really training them to live independently. We're helping them find work. We're helping them save money. We're helping them ultimately find independent housing. And we've got the team with us that helps execute that. And this team is very modest. They are never here for accolades. So this is a real treat for us. So thank you very much. >> Hi, my name is Karen Straoud. I'm the program manager at Docs. Um, while we do this work and we don't do it for recognition at all, um, we are proud to say that we are out here, we're in a community. We're family linking strong. And more than anything, we provide a lot of services. Like he said, we provide meals. We're one of the only shelters that provide meals three times a day. Um, but I've always say more than anything that I would like to put out there, the youth are loved. They can feel the warmth. Anybody who comes in, um, they feel it. We treat people right. We talk to people right. and we're proud to do the work that we do. >> Good morning. I'm Isaiah Williams. Um I'm a housing counselor over at Docs and I just kind of assist with the day-to-day function, some behind the scenes stuff, some clerical things. So, you know, I'm just proud to be a part of a great team. >> Good morning. I'm Yan Ferlin. I'm the contracts and grant accountant. I work at finance. I take care of the grants for the billing and whatever is necessary to complete it. >> Hi, my name is Tabitha Syriak. Um, I am the engagement specialist at Box. >> Good morning everyone. I'm Stacy Vicero. I'm the CEO at Family Links. >> Good morning. I'm Jenna Ward. I'm the chief operating officer at Family Links. >> Want to say something? Okay, I'll just go. Hi, I'm Kelly Russell. I'm the assistant director for community development. I want to say thank family link so much for being here. Lauren, it's finally nice to meet you. You too, yawn. It's always nice to place a face with a name when you talk over email so much. But national community development, slow down. National community development week highlights the significance of HUD funding. Uh the community development uh division is grateful for organizations like Family Links and the many other nonprofits who receive CDBG funding. Uh we want to extend our appreciation and thanks to members of city council. I know at times we hound you about your public service grant decisions, but it's for reasons like this to recognize the groups who do so much on behalf of this city. Um I also want to thank the community development team who they're way there in the back. Uh you guys are awesome. All the work you do. You too, Nathan. Without the without this team here, this department wouldn't what I be what I well this department wouldn't be what I consider to be the best in the city. So, thank you all for your appreciation and everything you do. You guys are loved and appreciated more than you know. Thank you. >> Thank you. All members all members want and We have one proclamation to be read into the record. >> Councilman Cogill presents, "Be it further resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Thursday, April 9th, 2026 to be Stephanie Fox Day in the city of Pittsburgh. >> May we have a motion to approve?" >> So move. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Proclamation has been approved. Our next order business is going to be public comment. I would like to remind everyone the rules of council state that comments are limited matters of concern, official action or deliberation which may be before city council profanity will not be permitted. After your call, please restate your name. Provide your neighborhood for the record. You'll be given three minutes to speak. Our first registered speaker is Dr. Ronald and Miller. >> Um Dr. Ronald and Miller, United States, Pittsburgh, downtown neighborhood. Um, Australia, Melbourne, NAM, the central business district neighborhood. Um, Australia UNY email Australia UN dfat.gov.auu. Melbourne world ad leader is in the Pittsburgh City Ally Network and Naam is in the Pittsburgh City Neighborhood Network and the World Neighborhood Network. All three of which I founded in 2025. Uh I'm the global intelligence society candidate for president 2028 ACE and 1448 ah main uh website global information intelligencetwork.net net uh console concern um is optimal information intelligence. Uh you're pro Pittsburgh adverts and anti- uh adverts that provide misinformation dis information. as I ideally uh one of my concerns is clearly adverts um of information intelligence optimality and I'm a member of the American Physical Society, American Chemical Society and the American Society for Microbiology among other associations. In particular, I'm concerned about uh nuclearity and I'm a member of the nuclear division of the APS. Uh advertisement comes from add to and a verto um to turn in in Latin. Uh advert uh tail African housesa advert one uh all are welcome um is in the um grant street entry of the city count county building anti-advert. This is false. Uh all are not welcome. You welcome criminals. You welcome illegals. Uh Mr. U M Charwell over there. Huh? Off your phone. Stay on your phone. Really rude. Advert. Koku. Uh Asian uh nongo. Advert. Welcome in languages of more than one nation. uh in the entryway to the city county building on the Grand Street side at least. Um the anti-advert is that this is a fraud. The offices of city council and mayor um show flags of uh 16 international cities. these, but there is no communication that I know of over the last three years uh from Pat Matanzas akuba uh in Espanol or from um uh Wuhan uh in uh China in Jang Wen. You really need to change this and offer an alternative and the PC does that in more than 20 different languages. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Ian McDonald. >> Morning. Um here to request they include fire stop and special inspections of PLI. Um in accordance with section IBC section 1705.17 and the IFC and the FCIA, which I'm an organization member and committee member, I'm requesting that fire stopping be added to PLI special inspection requirements. Uh this will ensure that all fireresisted penetration joints are installed, protested and improved systems maintaining buildings fire resisted rating and life safety compliance. Fire stop special inspections are intended to ensure life safety and co- compliance especially in high occupancy or high-risisk buildings. This ensures the following. Manufacturers tested system details according to ULFM or other thirdparty listings. Construction documents are highlighted where fire stopping will be installed including floor wall penetrations and joints. Uh it also includes special uh specifications which goes after ASME814, UL1479, ASME1966 or UL279. Uh the proposed inspection scope would be inspectors required to get IFC or FM training. Uh verify correct system selection, confirm installation matches, manufacturers tested system details, check backing material, seal and depth and annular space, and document all inspections with photos and reports and report to the AHJ. Life safety importance. Fire stop systems are critical passive fire protection measure that prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases through penetrations and joints. Improper installation can compromise compartmentalization, reduce evacuation time, and increase risk to occupants and first responders. Documented inspections ensure code compliance and reduce liability for owners, contractors, and design professionals. I would like to work together as a member of the FCIA to meet and review the details that are required in this request. I believe that the process starts at education, which is a task group that I will be leading from my organization at the FCIA. This includes involving special inspectors at the beginning of the project instead of bringing them on as an afterthought in the project has already started. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your guidance on incorporating this since the approved inspection plan. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Khan. Good morning, council. It's a pleasure to be here today. Um, I'm here to speak on uh bill 0286, I believe. Um, the resolution um to uh end all future cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. >> Yep. Give us your name and neighborhood. >> My name is Ilas Khan. IS um and I live in Point Breeze. Um, I think all of us here know very well that this is a city of immigrants. That it has always been a city of immigrants. Whether you are coming from somewhere else in the United States or from somewhere else in the continents of the Americas or if you are coming from somewhere else in the world. Um, all of us have a story that goes to somewhere else. um and for terrible reasons. But we are here now and we must accept that this is a city of immigrants and that each and every one of us is a part of that fabric. Now when we are faced with an administration that consistently tells us as Americans that in fact uh people who are coming into our country to become a part of that fabric have no place here anymore, do not belong here anymore. We must understand and see that rightfully as a threat against ourselves because we are that fabric. We are all from many many places and that is what makes this city important, valuable, beautiful and strong. I would encourage each and every one of you to vote yes on passing this ordinance to keep this city important, valuable, beautiful, and strong because this fabric of Pittsburgh, this rich and diverse tapestry is everything to all of us. And the moment we start to unravel those threads by allowing organizations like Immigrations and Customs Enforcement or uh Border Patrol to come in to rifle through our private information um and to expose families to expose communities to violence and harm. What we are saying to these families and communities is that this tapestry is now exclusive. You are no longer allowed into the weave of Pittsburgh. And then we begin to pull threads. Who gets to be a part of that weave? Is it now that all Latin Americans are excluded? Is it now that everyone who's a first generation person is excluded? How far are they willing to go? When we begin to question people's fundamental right to be a part of this tapestry, we have lost everything that makes this city what it is. So, please vote yes on this uh ordinance and keep Pittsburgh exactly as it is. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Bethany Cameron. >> Good morning, council members. My name is Bethany Cameron. I still live in Overbrook and I'm here again representing inform.org, a local news nonprofit which reports weekly on public meetings, asks readers to weigh in on what matters, and delivers that feedback back to their elected officials like you. Uh, our community survey ran from April 3rd through 6th and 109 readers responded. All nine districts were represented. I'll cover three issues today. Uh, ICE non-ooperation, the police firing range, and surveillance technology priorities. Number one, regarding ICE non-ooperation policy, and community trust. We asked, which of the following best describes how the non-ooperation policy affects your sense of safety or trust in a city? 82% of respondents said the policy makes them feel uh safer or that makes them feel the city supports their community. 13% felt the city is putting itself at political risk. A resident from Dukane Heights said, "I would feel more comfortable with language that discussed specific tactics that we will not engage in rather than not engaging with an entire government agency." A resident from Homewood said, "I find it interesting that civil rights and liberties are being talked about now, but I question the authenticity of council's concerns." Number two, on police firing range relocation, the question we asked was, "Should moving the police firing range to an indoor or offsite location still be a priority for the city?" 65% of respondents somewhat or strongly agreed that the relocation should remain a priority. 23% somewhat or strongly disagreed. A resident from Morningside said, "As a staff member who works at ECS, that's Environmental Charter High School, uh, in Morningside, the gun range noise is very alarming some days and raises concerns being in a school." Uh, number three on surveillance technology concerns, we asked, "Which concern about city surveillance technology matters most to you?" 81% of readers cited civil rights or data privacy concerns like how data is stored and whether or not it can be sold. 6% focused on whether the technology is effective or worth the cost. Um, let's see. A resident from Squirrel Hill House said all blanket public surveillance should be known to the public. Uh, no one should have access to that data except with a judicial warrant and all data should be deleted within 15 days. A resident from Central North Side said some use of technology can help civil rights such as automated speed and traffic light tickets that rest uh that reduce police using stops as a pretext to search. Uh but too often the tests for shot trackers make the neighborhood feel unsafe. As always, we will send the full report around to your offices later today. Thank you so much for listening. Thank you. Our next speaker is Ikahana Ha Malina. >> Greetings. My title is Chief Eahana Ma. I am the grand Inca of the Aqua Confederacy of Aboriginal American people. I would like to report on Pittsburgh, fall from grace, a report detailing how Pittsburgh went from being one of America's most livable cities to not being considered at all. It has been said that the way to determine how a society values its people is to look at the way they treat and make space for the youth. Well, I stopped by to inform you that you're you have a failing grade. I also stopped by to tell you that our children deserve better. You took away woodworking, screen printing, mechanics, driver's ed, welding, brick laying, and a host of other skills. Giving these children hope and preparation for a brighter future. If you give them the tools to thrive, they will. Instead of pumping their feeds on social media with violence and early exposure to sexual content, instead open up a robotic center at Liberty Green Park, will where children of all ages, especially the children over 10, can learn while they play. Collectively, we must prioritize our investment in our youth. They are our future leaders. Give them the outlets that they are crying out for. push back against giant tech firms who want to be in this city that don't want to make a difference and do not invest in a positive program for our youth. For instance, Google has a headquarters here just a short distance from Liberty Green Park, a common meetup space for youth where they gather looking for something to do. Perhaps Chief Gilman, Mayor Okconor, President Lavel, and public safety safety director Sheldon Williams can put together a comprehensive plan for our youth. How about you all invest instead of arrest them? Moving on to another topic of concern, the creation of these parking wars being waged against the people of this city. And now out of now uh Bobby Wilson is using his position as council member to push project 2026 agenda. Just be because you can doesn't mean you should. People who visit this city will be blindsided by an unexpected enormous parking expense that most likely will impact their overall experience here during the NFL draft. Then to add insult to injury, you had the audacity to make sure you maximize the extortion by extending your erroneous fees for parking till Monday when most folks will be leaving and Pittsburgers will be returning to work. What are the lasting impacts? >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Maya Leman. Is Maya Leman with us? If not, our next speaker is Rosanna Alana Guika. >> Good morning. My name is Rosanna Alena Gernika. I'm a thirdyear law student at the University of Pittsburgh from District 1 downtown. Um, and I'm speaking today in my individual capacity. I first want to say I'm encouraged to see so many of you supporting the non-intervention ordinance. It reflects a clear and responsible separation between local and federal resources and priorities and helps ensure that city resources are used in a way that builds trust rather than fear. Today, I want to focus my comments on the proposed resolution requesting a report on the city surveillance technologies. At first glance, these two issues may seem unrelated, but in the current national climate, they are deeply connected, and they give us every reason to approach surveillance with caution. When government creates new powers, we have to think not just about how they'll be used today, but how they may be used tomorrow. The people sitting in your seats will change, the priorities of enforcement will change, and laws themselves may change. Civil immigration is one recent example, a recent and harrowing example. People who have been in this country legally for decades suddenly weren't under the administration's reinterpretation of federal statutes. Uh I'm sorry, I lost my place. Okay. Um, a few months ago, the Department of Homeland Security issued administrative subpoenas to Google, Reddit, and Meta to identify US citizens criticizing ICE. My understanding is is that they complied. Although, if I'm incorrect, please correctly correct me. Because of these actions, among others, so many of my peers do not feel safe speaking at council meetings, um, emailing you, or signing a petition, lawfully residing US citizens. Some may feel that the surveillance tools today are neutral and the response I have to that is that what feel may what may feel neutral today can become an instrument of harm in a different context. Although I have to say that based on my professional experience in the criminal legal system uh these tools are not currently neutral. If you look at where this these surveillance technologies are placed, you will find them disproportionately placed in neighborhoods which with predominantly people of color reside. Their placement is informed by a criminal legal system that has historically and presently criminalized one's skin color and regardless of one's color, one's income. And that is why transparency is so critical. These technologies pose a real threat to exasperating the painful effects of racial policing in our community. And we should be especially cautious when these technologies implicate our constitutional rights. The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is foundational. And here in Pennsylvania, our state constitution provides even greater protections than the federal baseline. So what other cities may be okay with may not be appropriate for ours. Whether license plate readers, facial recognition, or data sharing systems. >> Thank you. >> Surveillance technologies can cross that line. I appreciate your time and the opportunity to speak today. >> Our next speaker is Tanisha Long. I don't know why I'm always surprised when you guys say it's my turn, but whatever. Uh Tanisha Long, Craftton Heights. I'm here to speak uh in favor and support of Deb Gross's bill um authorizing the city to create a report on surveillance technologies. I'm also here to speak in favor of Barb Warick's bill banning cooperation with ICE. I think a lot of us are aware of an incident in Armstrong County where people a website error directed people to go to the DMV and they were then ambushed by ICE agents. 13 people were taken away. What struck me about that was in the article about it, a neighbor had was quoted as saying, "I noticed a lot of people at the DMV that day and many did not speak English, so I caught ICE. I couldn't get through, but it was okay because the police were already on it. And that type of cooperation would be a big deal a couple years ago. But we have gotten used to it. We've gotten used to seeing overreach of our government. We've gotten used to seeing abuse and abduction of our neighbors. And a lot of times people talk about how we were in unprecedented times. We're not in unprecedented times. We've seen what happens before when civil and human rights are stripped away slowly from citizens. We've seen what happens before when we ignore government overreach. And we are quickly barreling towards a situation in which we no longer have rights. We no longer understand what a human and a civil right is. And we no longer view our neighbors as neighbors. I'm really proud to live in the city of Pittsburgh. I moved here intentionally um from Craftton, from Craftton to Craftton Heights, not very far because I wanted to be a city of Pittsburgh resident. I believe the city of Pittsburgh to be one that is welcoming even if it is not the best for black women. But I believe that I can make a positive change. And I believe that that's possible because I live in a city where I have diversity of thought, diversity of opinion, and diversity of people. I think it's important that we protect that. We know for a fact that city of Pittsburgh police officers are finding ways to cooperate with ICE, even if the mayor claims they are not. You can't control every person, but we can control what council says is acceptable. And that is our responsibility. It is our duty and that's the right of council to do. What council should be doing is reflecting what the people of Pittsburgh need and what they are asking them to do. when right now the people of Pittsburgh, the vast majority of the people of Pittsburgh are asking you to protect us from government overreach to make sure that our very stretch tax dollars are not going to aiding the federal government in ICE enforcement activities. And me as a black woman would very much like to know what surveillance technologies are being used against me. I do not believe I do not live under the disillusion that I'm not on several types of lists for my political comments and my beliefs about the president, but I would like to know how the city of Pittsburgh is aiding and abetting that. And I would like to know that the city of Pittsburgh is protecting our our most vulnerable neighbors. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our last registered speaker is Nicole Norman. >> Good morning. Uh, my name is Nicole Norman. I'm a resident of Craftton Heights. I spoke here, I think it was last week. Um, I'm also the CEO of Las Arenita's immigrant resource fund. I mentioned that because the the namesake of that the reason that that translates in Spanish to English as Little Sisters. This organization was named after two twins was a set of twins obviously two people um from Honduras. And I want to share a story about what not passing this legislation can enable. I've heard a lot of people speak about ICE is coming. What if we are the next Minneapolis? That's already here. Um there are hundreds of ICE agents across the city in in various hotels and Airbnbs. I was I'm also a graduating law student um in my fourth year of law school. And in February, shortly after establishing my nonprofit, I received a text message from the twins who are very much like my little sisters. Um the I it was a Ring camera footage and I immediately said, "Is that your is that your house?" Because there was a police officer going in their backyard looking in their vehicles. and I immediately left my bar prep course to go there because I'm trained as a legal observer and I wanted to understand what was going on. Now, the the police that were there were investigating a string of crimes that was happening in that area. Um so, they were doing their jobs as law enforcement, but because they're so often interconnected with these ICE agents, they were terrified. So, and these are two, this is a family of three people, um, two sisters and one of their husbands who are thriving business owners. They are small businesses that our neighbors and our residents rely on on a regular basis. They probably pay more in taxes than my wife and I do. I don't make nearly as much as my wife does because I'm in law school. But even still, they contribute to the to the very system that they will never be able to reap the benefits from unless they naturalize as a citizen. When I was there to make sure that they felt safe, there was movement on their Ring camera. This caused one of the sisters to flee into another room and c and and crouch. She was crouching out of fear because and it ca it turned out to be an animal movement on a Ring camera which is ironic because what I saw was someone in fear as if they were being hunted like an animal. This is someone who is these are people who have been here for nearly 20 years who are following the civil immigration system by hiring an attorney and working towards it. But not passing this legislation is only going to breed more of this. Thank you. >> Thank you. That exhausts our list of register speakers. If there's anyone in chambers wishing to speak, please come forward at this time. Provide your name and neighborhood for the record. >> Uh good morning. I'm Jacob Pool. Present name present name previous name Zultan Jolt Yakob from Eastern Europe from American operated child slave trading eugenics camps in the 80s and 90s next to the Ukraine border and next to Yugoslav wars where American churches and organizations set up massive camps to capture 4 million people fleeing the Soviet Union from Ukraine and Yugoslavia during the conflicts. And I was in a camp with thousand children for years and years going through eugenics document manipulation by American organizations and par military and paramilitary or organizations bringing us to America to Pittsburgh. So I'm here and uh isolated for almost 30 years barely minimal human contact. I passed through giant eagle for a few years, University of Pittsburgh for 10 years in slavery conditions, being exploited, using my foreign name for diversity and all sorts of things. Medical operations were done to me. Uh for false medical records were created for me, police records, everything to justify captivity. And I am one of 100,000 people in the Pittsburgh metro who American paramilitary human trafficking child trafficking slave trading gangs operating slavery eugenics child slave breeding sites in Eastern Europe in conflict zones bringing us to Pittsburgh. So I want this council to create a flyer to hand out to every single person in Pittsburgh so international criminal criminal rights international rights can be upheld. It's international criminal criminal to hold 100,000 people captured from Eastern Europe and Europe captive in the Pittsburgh area for 30, 40, 50 years without access to police, basic rights, enforced marriages, forced labor, University of Pittsburgh, Universal Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms, every corporation. I've been passed through three or four major corporations in the last 20 years in the Pittsburgh area since I've been here. And I have no access to police. I've been to police zone, police station, zone 4, zone 3, zone 5 trying to file police reports in the last 5 years. They laughed at me. So, I want the Pittsburgh 311 system, the website, to put on a flyer and hand it to every 100,000 people abducted here from Europe so they can be they can file police reports so that the human rights and international laws upheld because they're not in marriages if they're held captive without police access, without basic human rights access. There it's not a marriage. It's forced slavery and captivity. So, I want a flyer in every person's hand who's here from Europe like me with forced medical records, medical devices, captivity, so they can file police reports finally after 50 years or 30 years or 20 years. Thank you very much. Next speaker, please. Do I just press the >> Okay, >> you just have to start and give us your name, neighborhood. It'll turn on. >> Hi. Um, my name is Mayion Harris. I'm from Squirrel Hill. I don't have a lot to say. I just wanted to say that I'm in full support of a full report on all the surveillance technology happening around the city. Um, and also in support of the non-co cooperation with ICE, I think that we've already passed some legislation at the county level. We still see just massive amounts of violence coming from uh people who are part of ICE, working with ICE, doing it as a hobby. It's just the levels of um dehumanization and lack of humanity are off the charts. They're happening right here. They're happening around the corner. They're happening at the courthouse. The amount of times that people are being detained from people who are working with our sheriff's department, and that's from testimony I've heard at the county council meetings. the things I've heard from um lawyers who are working here are just kind of it's hard to articulate. I also did not plan anything to say because I didn't sign up in time. But the the violence we're seeing with immigration, with people who are perceived as immigrants, with people who are with people who are in relationshipship with them um is directly tied to the surveillance technology. Obviously, we are all at risk. the um flock cameras that we have around those. There are so many videos like how to hack those in 30 minutes. Anybody can get access to this information. It's not just the government. It's not just these companies. We don't know where it's being sold. And um if if anybody's at risk of any sort of um just violence or anybody who is worried about their own safety, is worried that somebody could hack into the cameras and see when they're walking down the street. Oh, they're alone. Like we have um so many people to protect and we are spending an enormous amount of money putting more people at risk. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. My name is Unique Brown. Good morning, Council of Delayed Responses. I'm here today as a mother. Before anything else, not just as a resident, I'm watching what we all are watching. Something build up downtown that is dangerous and preventable. After school, these young kids, middle school children, and younger are getting bus passes. That's supposed to help supposed to help them get to schools, programs, and home. But what's really happening is they're gathering downtown with no supervision, no structure, no guidance, and it's turning into fights, chaos, and people being afraid to even walk through town. My problem is I have children the same age, but when my kids get on the bus, I'm going to get on the bus with them because I refuse to let my children get caught up in something that could ruin their future in one bad moment. But other parents don't have the same option. And once I start working again, I won't have the same option either. So when I speak, I'm not just guessing. I'm seeing it in real time. And if they were gathering around here, I'm sure something probably would have been done a little faster. But y'all give them access to these bus passes and just abandon their responsibility. And let's talk about the part that people don't want to talk about unless they're online. A lot of these kids are black and because of that, the fear is spreading. People are saying protect yourself like downtown is a war zone or something to survive. That's dangerous because fear doesn't just remain calm. Fear reacts and fear escalates. I'm standing here today trying to stop a killing or some or even kids going to jail and ruining their lives before this happens. Because when you mix fear with no supervision and no real world guidance, anything will follow. Where's the liaison? Where's something somebody that can stand downtown? I'm sure y'all can pay somebody some a group of people like talk to the organizations, talk to the schools. I'm sure there's some type of structure that can happen other than these kids just gathering down here. I had a bus pass when I was in high school. They gave my 13-year-old a bus pass and think she's supposed to just ride the buses. The little boy that attacked the lady or whatever was nine nine or 11 or whatever. Why do they have bus passes? Kids that young are not going to do what they're supposed to do if nobody is there talking to them. So, y'all need to focus on or look into that, fixing that before it becomes even more dangerous than what it is. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. >> Hello. Hello. My name is Brendan. Um I live in Oakland. Um so, uh sorry I didn't register, but I wanted to say that I am in support of the ordinance to um end or stop prevent cooperation with ICE. I think what we've seen across the country, including in the city of Pittsburgh, um is abhorrent. people being taken taken with no with no criminal history. Not they've done nothing wrong um being taken from their homes or being taken off the street and no nobody knows what happened to them. Recently in the last couple of weeks we've seen someone die um as consequence of um ICE as part of a possible consequence of ISIS actions. Their last last place that had custody or had any supervision of them was ICE and they let them out in freezing temperatures with shorts and um that was Daffy Daffy Mitchell that died in the southside um near Station Square. Um so yeah, I think it's important that we do something about this to prevent this from continuing. We cannot allow the city to be complicit in this. Um the city needs to do more to protect its residents. After all, our city is trying to re push itself as in the draft as part of this push itself as um a city of education, a city of healthcare, a city of of um that's that's uh and a lot of that has been universities trying to reach out to international students and trying to uh have a more diverse community. We cannot have that if that diverse community is constantly under threat. Um yeah, also I also wanted to add I think these Z meetings should be in the evening because the number of people that are here compared to the number of pe people at our county council is really tiny. I think working people should be able to make these meetings. So yeah, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. My name is Javon F. Brown. I live at 7:15 Mercer Street. Uh that's at the uh highrise up on Beford Avenue was 190 apartments in that building. you know, um I was talking to some neighbors uh last week or even yesterday about coming to city council because you have people that know I come and say they're going to come and but they don't. But they were um talking to me and asking me uh why do I go? And I tried to explain to them that um I had been taught by my father that if you have a question, then if you have a a question or a issue or a problem with something someone has done, you need to tell them what the problem is in order that if they can correct it, it can be corrected. Now, when I was thinking about some of the um things that have happened to me, I thought about Margaret Latimer. A lot of you remember Margaret. Margaret worked here in the city of Pittsburgh in your personnel department. Now, me and Margaret worked at neighborhood legal services up in the Hill House up on Center Avenue when doc when m Mr. Jame Henry was the executive director. But what had happened was that they had um we worked at neighborhood legal services and they were getting ready to cut the budget and Margaret was sitting there and when they said it I mean she bust out crying and she was saying I'm a single mother. I cannot have my money cut. I have a Kevin he's still a baby and so on. Now she was making at that time $10,000 a year. I was making I was the reception secretary. I was making $6,000 a year. But anyway, we found out that they were having convention. So, someone said, "We must go to the convention." When we went to the convention, you had there was a man that started the convention. He was a a small man, talked very softly, but he was saying he was pushing us that we had to go back to Pittsburgh and tell them we have to have our budget cut. And when he said it, I I automatically I said, "No, I cannot go back to Pittsburgh and tell him about the cuts." Everybody turned around and told me to shut up for the be quiet. But he answered it. He ended up saying um that we will talk about it. They ended up changing it where they didn't we didn't get cuts. In fact, we did get a raise because I spoke up. I come down to tell you if there's something wrong then you if you can help you should listen and you should try to help. We get disappointed and I am. I'm very disappointed. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker please. >> Good morning special agent sunshine sice Taylor the missing child. I return to sender all voodoo hexes and curses sent towards me 100 trillion googlex and whoever is sending it Lord throw them into 100 trillion degrees of fire to burn eternally in hell. It's amazing. Witchcraft was impolished in the 1700s and right now today in this building in this room we have witches, wizards and warlocks. Y'all masks coming off. God see y'all. I ask him to open my eyes every day and show me my enemies every day. And he does. Thank you, Jesus. He keeps screaming this Ecclesiastes 8 uh chapter 8 verse 8 to me. No man has power over the wind to contain it. So no one has power over the day of his death. As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one is discharged in the time of war. So wickedness will not release those who practice it. If you're practicing witchcraft, God is destroying you and your entire bloodlines. Please keep lighting those candles and doing those rituals. Please keep abducting children and stealing their inheritances and their trust fund money to live off while you force them to be homeless. This is my story. This my story. They forcing me to be homeless because they're living off my trust fund money. And if they're not, they know who is. Imagine that. My communication is being blocked. I don't have a phone. But God leads me and guides me to everything I need in Jesus name. He led me right here to y'all all the way from Atlanta. It's amazing that I'm standing before you still standing on his promises to supply me with all of my needs through his riches and glory. The wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 2:15. It says, "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare." Here's the lies. Power of attorney. Somebody has power of attorney over me. illegal conservatory ship guardianship. Somebody is claiming I can't take care of myself. And they're getting a check for that in my name. The real one. My identity was stolen by somebody in this room. And if it wasn't, they know who it is that did it in Jesus name. Computer fraud. Every computer device I get on, I'm hacked. Please keep hacking me because now there's so many eyes that see every hacker and cyber bully in the world. My story has reached the world. Donald Trump knows who I am in Jesus name. Gangstalking the MK Ultra program. The CIA created this program. I'm some type of test dummy or something. They doing some kind of study on me. Really? What is my What type of DNA do I have? What am I made of? Thank you, Jesus, for using me as a vessel to do your will, not mine. Amen. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. Next speaker, please. Seeing no further speakers, we'll move to the presentation of papers, beginning with Councilman Charlotte, chair of human resources. >> No new papers, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilman Coco, chair of public safety and wellness. >> No new papers, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilwoman Gross, chair of Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Madam Clerk, I've got um a resolution for an extension to planning commission. Thank you. Councilwoman Gross presents a resolution authorizing council's consent to an extension pursuant to 92205D of the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances of the deadline for the planning commission to act on bill 2026009. >> I believe we can do a roll call vote. >> Mr. Mr. Charland >> I >> Mr. Cogill >> I >> Miss Gross >> I >> Mr. Mosley >> Mrs. Salenro >> I >> Mrs. Strawberger >> I >> Mrs. Warwick >> I >> Mr. Wilson >> I >> Mr. Lavel, president. >> I >> eight eyes, zero nos. >> Thank you. That moves us to the council Mosley, chair of intergovernmental educational affairs. >> Counciloman Gross for Council Mosley. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilman Mosley presents bill number 314, resolution amending resolution 501 of 2023, which authorized an amended agreement or agreements with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for the completion of projects approved in the city of Pittsburgh's American Rescue Plan by realigning project line items to ensure spending deadlines are met. and Councilwoman Salonro, chair of public works and infrastructure. >> Thank you, Council President. Thank you. >> Councilwoman Silent Metro presents bill number 315, resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of finance to enter into an easement agreement or agreements with Dukane Light Company for the installation of certain wires, cable, and pad mount transformer on city-owned parcel ID 184E80 council district 5 at no cost to the city. and council chair chair finance and law. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Council person Strawberger presents bill number 316. Resolution further amending resolution 886 of 2021 effective December 27th, 2021. entitled resolution adopting and approving the 2022 capital budget and a 2022 community development block grant program in the 2022 through 2027 capital improvement program by reducing litter can upgrades and monitoring by $144,100 and increasing play area improvements by $144,100. Bill 317, resolution providing for the conveyance by the city of Pittsburgh of certain properties to qualified city residents subject to affordability restrictions. Items A, 1518 Field Avenue, Council District 4 and 136 Bodkin Street, Council District 4. Bill 318, resolution repealing an item in resolution number 862, effective December 23rd, 2025 in order to resend the sale. Bill 319, resolution providing for the sale of certain property acquired by the city of Pittsburgh at tax sales, items A through X. Item A, 2114 Forbes Avenue, Council District 6. Item B, 0 Forbes Avenue, Council District 6. Item C, 530 Janilla Street, Council District 6, 4811 Columbbo Street, Council District 9, 4813 Columbo Street, Council District 9, 6313 Dean Street, Council District 9, 6315 Dean Street, Council District 9, 6319 Dean Street, Council District 9, 6355 Dean Street, Council District 9, 1309 Pollson Avenue, Council District 9523 Shhatland Avenue, Council District 9, 6940 Hartman Lane, Council District 9, 721 Singer Place, Council District 9, 7936 Tyogga Street, Council District 9, 318 Renova Street, Council District 5, 2367 South 18th Street Extension, Council District 3, 317 Millbridge Street, Council District 3, 315 Milbridge Street, Council District 3, 412 Belle Avenue, Council District 3, 78 Climax Street, Council District 3, 0 Street, Council District 2, 850 Spring Garden Avenue, Council District 1, 305 Dunlap Street, Council District 1, and 518 West Prospect Avenue, Council District 2, and Bill 323, resolution authorizing an extension of the term of the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget for 90 additional days to run through July 11th, 2026. and Councilwoman War. Oh, sorry. Bill 323 is an extension. So, we can do a roll call vote. >> Mr. Charland, >> I. >> Mr. Cogill, >> I. >> Miss Gross, >> I. >> Mr. Mosley, >> I >> Mrs. Salinro, >> I. >> Mrs. Strawber, >> I >> Mrs. Warwick, >> I >> Mr. Mr. Wilson. >> I. >> Mr. Lavell, President >> I. >> Nine eyes's, zero nos. >> Thank you. The bill has passed. That moves us to Counciloman Warbert, chair of recreation, youth, and senior services. >> Uh, no new papers, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilman Wilson, chair of land use, economic development. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Councilman Wilson presents bill number 320. Resolution further amending resolution 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 reducing facility improvements, recreation and senior centers by $400,000 and increasing remediation of condemned buildings by $400,000. Bill 321 resolution amending resolution number 191 of 2019 effective March 28th, 2019 which authorized a professional service agreement and or contract with urban design ventures for services relating to the administration of the city's community development block grant emergency solutions grant and housing opportunity for persons with AIDS programs for some not to exceed $191,000 by extending the term through the second quarter of 2027. 7 and increasing the amount by $86,000 for a new total cost not to exceed $277,000 over 9 years in bill 322 resolution further amending resolution 863 of 2018 effective January 1st 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 to reduce play area improvements by $144,100 and increase the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by $144,100 and authorize a subsequent agreement or agreements >> and for myself. Council President Lavell presents bill number 331, resolution authorizing an extension of the term of the acting director of the Department of Innovation and Performance for 90 additional days to run through July 4th, 2026. >> Uh, roll call vote. >> Mr. Charlotte, >> I. >> Mr. Cogill, >> I. >> Miss Gross, >> I. >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Salenro. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Strawber. >> I >> Mrs. Warwick. >> I >> Mr. Wilson. >> I >> Mr. Lavell, President >> I. >> Nine eyes's zero nos. >> Bill has been approved. And now for our other two. Bill 324, communication from Ria 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 April 2nd, 2026 and bill 325, communication from Sushila Numani Stanganger, executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, submitting the Affordable Housing Bond 2025 annual performance report dated March 31st, 2026. Six >> and need a motion to receive and file. >> So move second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Bill, receive and file. Our next order of business is reports of committee for final action beginning with council person Erica Shashberger representing the committee of finance and law. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Council person Strawberger presents bill number 326 reported to committee on finance and law for April 1st, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 281, resolution amending resolution 60 of 2026 authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Justin Hickox and their legal council Stalin Law P LLC for single payment in 2026 and an amount not to exceed $10,000 and full and final settle full and final of an employment matter. >> We've heard of the bill. Is there any discussion on the bill? Seeing none, the bill is now ready for final action. All in favor of passage of the bill will vote I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charland. >> I >> Mr. Cogill. >> Hi, >> Miss Gross. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Salenro. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Strawber. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Warwick. >> I >> Mr. Wilson, >> I >> Mr. Lavell, President, >> I. >> Nine eyes's zero nos. >> Bill having received a legally required number of votes is passed finally. That moves us to Councilman Anthony Cogill presenting the committee of public safety and wellness. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Councilman Cogill presents bill number 327 reported to committee on public safety and wellness for April 1st, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 286, Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code Title Six Conduct, Article One, Regulated Rights and Actions by adding a new chapter 630A, non-intervention with respect to immigration enforcement, to place certain restrictions on the collection and use of information related to citizenship and immigration status, place certain restrictions on the use of city assets, prohibit certain forms of discrimination in city services, and perab for remedies for violations, all under certain terms and conditions. You've heard the reading entire bill. Is there any discussion on the bill? Councilwoman Warwick. >> Um yes. Thank you. I have an amendment here. Um so I wanted to thank the law department for um so just to to sort of summarize the amendment. Members have it in front of them. Uh the majority of the changes are just numbers and formatting. Um sort of an adjustment about where it should go in the code. Um there's some addition of uh some language around enforcement just to clarify uh how enforcement of this would work both uh within the various departments and also in a way that uh aligns with our um our collective bargaining agreements. And um then the one change that is substantive uh is um the removal of um the requirement that we include this non-ooperation and deed um as as a deed restriction in sales of city properties. That was something that, you know, we really tried to go for with my team and the law department um was you know we we sort of swung for for the rafters but the law department was like no we really are not able to do that indeed restrictions. So um that you know that's that's what is here in front of us. It's it's a lot of little changes. Um I do want to thank the law department. I know that this bill um you know lawyers tend to be naturally cautious I think and this bill makes um our solicitor and her team a little bit nervous which I I understand I appreciate you know it's their job to protect the city and make sure that all the eyes are dotted and uh the tees are crossed and so I I really appreciate their effort here to um you know really go through in detail on this bill and um get it to a place where they too um are comfortable. And um you know, after this vote on the amendment, I just want a huge thank you to to my team, to Laura Bo, and everybody on my team for for all their incredible work. This this bill would not be here in front of us today without uh without their efforts and also the efforts of the team of um Council Member Strawberger's team and Councilwoman Gross's team as well. So, >> thank you. So, there >> So, oh, motion to amend. Yeah. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> The bill has been amended. Any further discussion on the bills? >> Council Strawber. >> I just wanted to thank Council Member Warwick for her and her team's work on this as well and for and for working with the law department to ensure that we have the strongest possible bill that we can firmly stand on and feel confident about um when speaking to even the most skeptical member of the public. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, the bill is not ready for final action. All in favor of the passes of the bill will vote I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charlotte, >> I. >> Mr. Cogill, >> I. >> Miss Gross. >> I. >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Salenro. >> I. >> Mrs. Strawber. >> I. >> Mrs. Warwick. >> I. >> Mr. Wilson. >> I. >> Mr. Lavell. President. >> I. >> Nine eyes's zero nos. The bill having received the legal legally required numbers of votes is passed finally. That moves us to Councilman Anthony Co presenting the committee of public safety and wellness. >> I don't think you have any bills, do you? >> No, I think I already >> I think that was that bill. >> Oh, that was I'm sorry. >> I apologize. >> I don't have any new more papers. >> Thank you. That moves us to Councilwoman Kim Celinetro presenting the Committee of Public Works and Infrastructure. >> Thank you, Council President. Councilwoman Salinetro presents bill number 328 reported to committee on public works and infrastructure for April 1st, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation bill 203 resolution authorizing acceptance by the city of Pittsburgh of the dedication of two city-owned parcels 49500 and 49R296 located in the 9inth war 7 council district at no cost to the city. Bill 276, resolution amending resolution 240 of 2025, effective April 17, 2025 entitled authorizing the mayor and the director of the department of public works to enter into an agreement or agreements for the use of existing agreements between the city of Pittsburgh and Pashek plus MTR for the professional geotechnical remediation plan and engineering services cost not to exceed $415,170 by increasing the total allocation by the amount of $26,257.50 for new not to exceed amount of $4414 and $4441,427.50. Bill 277, resolution authorizing the director of the Department of Public Works on behalf of the city of Pittsburgh to enter into certain permanent and temporary construction easements in order to advance the storm water management and noise control improvements to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police firing range project at no cost to the city. >> You have heard the reading of the bill. Is there any discussion on the bill? Seeing none, the bill is not ready for final action. All in favor of passage of bill I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? Mr. Charland, >> I >> Mr. Cogill, >> I >> Miss Gross. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Salonetra. >> I >> Mrs. Strawber, >> I >> Mrs. Warwick, >> I. >> Mr. Wilson, >> I >> Mr. Lavell, President >> I. >> Nine eyes's, zero nos. >> The bill having received a legally required number of votes is passed finally. That moves us to Councilman Bobby Wilson, presenting the committee of land use economic development. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Councilman Wilson presents bill number 329 reported to committee on land use and economic development for April 1st, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 312, Ordinance Amending and Supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title 5, Traffic, Article 7, Parking, Chapter 543, Parking Meetters, and Chapter 549, Residential Parking Permit Program to implement temporary enforcement and penalty provisions for specified areas during the NFL draft. >> You've heard the reading and the bill. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the bill is now ready for final action. All in favor of the passage of the bill I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charland, >> I. >> Mr. Cogill, >> I. >> Miss Gross. >> Hi. >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Salenro. >> I. >> Mrs. Strawberger. >> I. >> Mrs. Warwick. >> I. >> Mr. Wilson. >> I. >> Mr. Lavell. President. >> I. >> Nine. I's zero nos. >> The bill having received a legally required of votes is passed finally. And finally, Councilwoman Deborah Gross presented Committee of Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Gross presents bill number 330 reported to committee on innovation, performance, asset management, and technology for April 1st, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 287, resolution authorizing and instructing the Department of Innovation and Performance to publish and submit a report on surveillance technologies. >> You've heard the reading of the bill. Is there any discussion? Counciloman Gross. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to acknowledge um the cooperation of the administration on helping council and the public to understand um just what new technologies are capable of. Right? I think this is a time where we're facing really really rapid change in the capabilities of um some of the technologies maybe that we've maybe we discussed 5 years ago or 5 years before that but what is available in the marketplace now and what kinds of technologies um are available and um as I said the data and privacy that is at risk for our citizens I think is is really Um it it's it's very important for us to discuss. I will be proceeding with the report from innovation and performance. I'll be talking to them later today. Um but it will probably also I've had experts reach out as well in these technologies both from universities and um also I have some references from even private companies. Um, and so I I I I'll go ahead and motion now for a post agenda on privacy and surveillance technologies. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? We'll work with your office and the clerk to get that schedule. >> Thank you. I appreciate it, Mr. President. >> Any other comment? Seeing none, the bill is now ready for final action. All in favor of the passes of the bill. We'll vote I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. When the clerk, please take the role. >> Mr. Charlotte. >> I. >> Mr. Cogill. Miss Gross. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mosley. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Celinmetro. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Strawber. >> I >> Mrs. Warwick. >> I >> Mr. Wilson, >> I >> Mr. Lavel, President >> I. >> Nine eyes's zero nos. >> The bill having received a legal requirement votes is passed finally. That takes us to motions and resolutions. Anything for members? If not, that takes us to meeting announcements. Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8th, at 10:00 a.m. Council will hold our standing committee meeting. Speak registration will close at 9:00 a.m. To register to speak at this meeting, please fill up the signup form on the council meeting web page or call the clerk's office at 4122552138. And then tomorrow at afternoon at 1:30, council will hold the line item vote on the amended 2026 operating budget. With that, everyone was here. So, a motion to approve the minutes and adjourn the meeting. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. I >> we are journed.