Hey. >> Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of city council on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 with clerk take. >> Mr. Charlotte >> here. >> Mr. Cogill. >> Miss Gross. Mr. Mosley >> here. >> Mrs. Salinro >> here. >> Mrs. Strawber >> here. >> Mrs. Warwick >> here. >> Mr. Wilson. >> Mr. Lavell President >> here. >> Six members present. >> Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Remain standing for a moment of silence. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America to the >> 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. >> I. >> The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations and Council Warwick. >> Thank you. Can we have everyone come up? Who's here for Miss Denise? Stand darkness. Alrighty. >> Thank you. So, >> I do want to say Denise, you're one of my favorite people in Hazelwood. You do so much. And thank you so much to Edith for this idea, for having the idea to do this. I really appreciate it. It's welld deserved. So, okay, let's read the proclamation. Whereas Denise E. Niece Johnson was born to Harvey and Dolores Wood on February 18th, 1961 and has lived in Lammer, Stanton Heights, and Stone Mountain, Georgia. And whereas Denise graduated from Peabody High School in 1978 and received her bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Dukane University. And whereas Denise now resides in Hazlewood with her granddaughter Latasha, her son Aston, and three of her grandchildren, Bruce, Tashir, >> Tashir, >> Tasher, and Kingston. Denise has four siblings, two daughters, and too many grandchildren to count. She was married to Frederick J. Johnson. And whereas Denise is a born caregiver and advocate, her love for her family and community, particularly her neighbors in Hazlewood and Glenn Hazel, is limitless. Yes, because of her professional medical experience, she has unofficially stepped in to serve as a community health advocate for the many people she loves. And whereas Denise is a born leader who can get things done, she is an advocate for herself as well as her family, friends, neighborhood, city, region, and state. And whereas Denise's sense of humor and wit balances well with her ability to face injustices and stand up for what is right, she is a volunteer for numerous community organizations in Hazlewood and throughout the city of Pittsburgh. She uses her time to advocate for transit, food sovereignty, voters's rights, arts and culture, and environmental justice. And whereas Denise makes the city of Pittsburgh a better place for us all, her advocacy, activism, and love are all exceptional. Now therefore, be it resolved that the council of the city of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, February 17th to be Denise Johnson Day in the city of Pittsburgh. We >> have a motion. Motion to approve. All >> in favor? I >> OKAY, CONGRATULATIONS. Do you want to say a few words? Good morning and thank you all for being here. I'm under the weather a little bit, but I want to give a round of applause for all my friends, family. Without me, I try to do everything I can do for any and everyone. I take every day as a day of service because you don't never know what a person's going through. And I try just try to be there for everyone. I know there's a lot I can say, but at this time right now, I just don't feel good. But I appreciate each and every one of you, and I'm going to give you all a round of applause. All right. Uh, hi. My name is Edith and I've known Denise now for um I don't know, maybe six years. Uh, we both got um caught the same cold or illness at a community party that um Denise helped put together. So, uh if everybody sounds like they have a cold, you kind of know why. But I just I just wanted to make sure that um Denise uh is recognized for her like u tireless work and care. Um she's she's retired from her profession, but I think she's active and working in her calling. Um, and so, uh, I think everyone that's here, she's touched their lives in a significant way, >> and including, um, the na the neighborhood that, um, she lives in. And Hazelwood is not, um, uh, >> you know, it's not necessarily, it's an open place, but, also kind of can be a tough place to crack. And you can see here all these people that are here and some who can be here um who love and support Denise um for all her care and knowledge um and love that she has for them and the neighborhood. So I just want to I want to say thank you Denise. >> Thank you. Um, you know, I'm I'm I think I think more more community leaders like Denise need to be recognized who just do this work because of um who they are. >> And and thanks to thanks to Miss Barb, thanks to the council >> um for recognizing her um on this day. Thank you. Um, hello. My name is Tasher. Um, I'm her granddaughter and I just want to tell everybody that even though like you can tell that she loves them, she loves these people every other day. She used to go out with the group. I'm going with the group. She like, like you said, she um she's been retired for a while. She's never sat down. She always wanted to travel. I grew up traveling with her. All my cousins be growing up traveling with her. She loves doing stuff. She loves going places. She does not sit down. And so whenever she got the group, I love that for her. I love that she wasn't sad and in the house and by herself, especially because like she literally could. She's retired. She doesn't have to do anything. And so that I think that's very strong of her as well because a lot of people do like to just relax and she doesn't. She likes to go out and just do everything. And I've my grandma has been my grandmother my whole life. It's not like a part of my life or a segment. She's always been there. She's always been there for everybody and all my cousins and my siblings. So, I'm just here to tell her that I'm very proud of her and looking at her right here today. I'm very happy for her and that this is a perfect moment for her. And I'm so happy for you, Grandma. I love you. Love you, too. Everybody didn't set everything. Um, when I first met Denise, I fell in love with her. She's a genuine. She's awesome. She's phenomenal. She's great. And every time I call her, she's always there for me. bad situations, good situations, she's always there. And I am so proud today to come here to join her today because she definitely deserves it. She's a beautiful person in our community. She's a beautiful person inside and out. And she does deserve this. And matter of fact, tomorrow's her birthday. >> So this was a very good blessing to her. And she's a beautiful person. Denise, I want to tell you how much I love you. >> How much great of a person that you are and how much a greater person that you are in my life. And I just want to tell you that I love you from the bottom of my heart. Like you're a sister to me and you are a sister from a different mother. >> God bless you, baby. >> Thank you. Hi, my name is Tamika Jones Cuff and I'm a Glenn Hazel resident and friend of Denise's and I just kind of wanted to share something quickly. Of course, I have my phone here because I'm not a public speaker. I said, "Denise, I wanted I wanted you to know that you are a strong pillar in this community. When others stood still, you showed leadership. When we didn't know what was next, you provided guidance. You are alert, aware, and you're always paying attention." For a woman who ha who may sometimes question her own strength, you carry more power than you realize. >> You have the strength to care for yourself while po still pouring into others and support and you support your community and you know when to stay on the porch. You are one of the biggest, most compassionate, most intelligent black women leaders that I had the pleasure of meeting. Good morning everybody. I'm Denise Johnson's baby sister. I'm Kimberly Johnson. Um she's been like a mom to me. >> Okay. >> Big sister. >> I look in the mirror. I see her. I see everything she did for me coming up. She invited me here. I get a chance to be with all her lovely people that I know, met through the years. This is my only sister. She's my oldest sister. But I always act like I'm the oldest. >> She does. >> Um, we we were left here to be here together. And that's what I try to do. In spite of everything I've been through, she been through. She's here for me. I'm here for her. I got my niece, my nephews. I got her people that she's with, which is my people. I see them everywhere we go. Um, you're the best sister. I didn't know I was walking into this today. So, you've surprised me and I'm so surprised. I'm glad you're here. Yep. So, I thank you all for having her here. She's a blessing. Thank you. >> Hello there. My name is uh Kevin Dorm Blair. Uh I am Denny. He's his cousin which also needs to be cousin to a number of people here. Uh when I did not know originally that niece was my family until I actually mentioned that my dad's side of the family used to own a pet shop in East Liberty and from there on we actually come to actually connect a lot more grow a lot more together. She actually he's been there for me through a lot thick and thin. Uh especially after I lost my mom uh this past Christmas about week before Christmas. She she and most of our scersians have been there ever since since then and been looking out for me no matter what. And I would actually like to thank you for for everything that you did for me. Oh, all of you each and everyone who I I'll never forget that and I'm so keep discovering new family members each and every day and I'll and I'll be happy to know everyone no matter what. Thank you. >> Do a picture. Folks, want to come up for a picture? Sit up. Okay, Kevin, look at the camera. Thank you, >> Denise. >> Thank you, Sandra. >> Thanks. All right. >> Thank you. Who called me? >> Okay. Just tell me your number. >> All right, I'm texting right now. Yeah, I just did. >> Yeah. Yeah, no problem. Thanks for the reminder. Next up is a will of council from Councilwoman Warwick >> for the adult youth cannabis. Council person Warwick presents. Whereas the city of Pittsburgh has long supported evidence-based publicly based public policy that advances public health, public safety, economic opportunity, and social equity. And whereas the federal government has taken an historic step by rescheduling cannabis from schedule one to schedule three under the controlled substances act, acknowledging its accepted medical use and significantly reducing barriers to scientific research while expanding access for patients, including veterans who rely on cannabis as part of their health care. And whereas despite this federal progress, Pennsylvania continues to treat cannabis possession as a criminal offense in many circumstances, resulting in ongoing arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration that disproportionately impact our communities of color and lowincome residents. And whereas the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now surrounded by four of its five neighboring states, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Maryland, that have legalized adult use recreational cannabis, creating an uneven regional landscape in which Pennsylvania residents routinely cross state lines to purchase legal cannabis. And whereas this regional disparity has caused Pennsylvania to fall significantly behind other states, resulting in the loss of substantial tax revenue, job creation, and economic opportunities as consumer spending flows out of the Commonwealth each day. And whereas poll after poll demonstrates overwhelming bipartisan support among Pennsylvania voters for adult use cannabis legalization, reflecting a clear public mandate for reform across political, geographic, and demographic lines. And whereas multiple bipartisan cannabis legalization bills have been introduced in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, providing the General Assembly with viable legislative pathways to enact comprehensive adult use reform. And whereas meaningful cannabis reform must prioritize decriminalization, social equity, expungement of prior cannabis related offenses, expanded patient and veteran access, and inclusive economic opportunity for small businesses, workers, and communities historically harmed by prohibition. And whereas delaying action on adult use legalization further entrenches inequities, undermines public trust, and weakens Pennsylvania's competitive standing relative to neighboring states. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby calls on Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act with urgency and pass comprehensive adult use cannabis legalization during a 2026 legislative session. And be it further resolved that the city council urges state leaders to advance legislation that decriminalizes cannabis, protects patients, expands access for veterans, and maximizes economic opportunity for Pennsylvania workers and entrepreneurs. And be it further resolved that the council affirms its support for responsible regulated adult use cannabis legalization as a necessary step toward justice, public health, and economic growth. And be it further resolved that the clerk of council is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to Governor Josh Shapiro, the leadership of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, and the Alageney County legislative delegation. May we have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The will of council has been approved. Next up is 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 before city council profanity will not be permitted. After you recall, please restate your name. Provide your neighborhood for the record. You'll be given three minutes to speak. Our first register speaker is Chief Pomi Chakman Yahelhey who I do not see with us. So our next register speaker is Frederria Dearest. Is Frederria Demar with us? If not, our next register speaker is Dr. Ronald L Miller. center. Uh this is in the uh Pittsburgh city um ally network which I founded. Um the UN email for Kuva >> is Kuva underline that >> o kuan mission.com um are kuans Americans are Icelanders uh Americans uh Europeans? Iceland is in Europe, so they are Europeans and Kuva is in the Americas, so Kuvens are are Americans. Mexicans are Americans because Mexico is in the Americas. You have to have an IQ of 70 if you don't understand this. Council, uh, concerns include immigration, uh, brother cities, uh, and astronomy. Um, are the actions of council and mayor sympathetic to uh, immigration uh, and seeking non-USA astronomers? Uh, proclamation 20241047 by Mr. Lavell. I think that suits it. Um, Spaceberg, I like that very much. Uh I represent um the global intelligence society um for president of the United States 2028. Um, in the early 2000s I became a member of the American Astronomical Society and I teach global astronomical soci studies in the CGSI uh program of education and I have a trumpet band um called the Rondos and we use uh star songs including the John Dangford star uh theme from the movie Darling. Um when uh my two daughters were darlings were younger, I obliged them to once a week read from Far from the Madding Crowd um of Thomas Hardy 1847 um and to review the film, the classic film Far from the Maddening Crowd starring Julie Christie Basta. Um Everdine is the Everdine is the is the key here. Um after um inheriting um a farm um she uh tells her workers, "Now mind, you have a mistress um instead of a master um I shall be up before you awake. I shall be a field before you are up. I shall have breakfasted before you. In short, I shall astonish you all." And I think that all that applies to Dr. Claudia Shinbomb, American u in her actions as the president estados unidos laur dr shinbomb um is pro- intelligence and information for everyone. This is my position and it should be the position in my view of this council and the office of mayor. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Bethany Cameron. Good morning, city council. My name is Bethany Cameron. I still live in Overbrook and I'm here again representing informup.org, a nonprofit newsroom covering local government meetings, asking readers their thoughts on key issues and reporting their responses back to elected officials like you. Our community survey ran from February 13th through 16th. We recorded 141 reader responses. All nine districts were represented. Number one, on surveillance technology transparency, we asked, should the city be required to publish its contracts and policies for surveillance technology so residents can review them? 117 readers responded, 92% of whom somewhat or strongly agreed that those policies should be published. 6% strongly disagreed. A resident from Dukane Heights said, "We need more accountability and transparency regarding surveillance." A resident from ParkPlace said, "All public money deserves public eyeballs on it. You have a budget, dear reader, do you not? And presumably you know where your money is being spent." Well, how is that any different with my tax money? Number two, regarding short-term rental concerns and the proposed permit process, we asked readers to rank their concerns about short-term rentals in their neighborhoods. 104 readers responded and uh the highest or top rank concern was impacts on housing availability and affordability uh followed by noise and disruption and property upkeep. Parking was the lowest ranking concern. As a follow-up, we asked, "How confident are you that the proposed permit for out oftown renters will address your concerns?" 98 readers responded. 38% were somewhat or very confident that the proposed permit would address their concerns. 46% were somewhat or not at all confident. A resident from the Southside Flat said, "I don't think a $500 fine will curb short-term rental landlords much, if at all. At the very least, there should be a system in place to strip these people of their licenses if they violate the law repeatedly." A resident from Squirrel Hill said, "I don't like the now repeated problem of violence at short-term rentals, yet I'm not confident that the regulation proposed actually addresses it." A resident from Brooklyn said, "Requiring short-term rental permits will only encourage property upkeep if code enforcement is part of the permitting process and permits require regular renewals." The last question we asked was on the property tax agreements uh for the NCUSC USA Housing Development Corporation. We asked if readers support the city extending those senior high-rise property tax cooperative agreements. Uh 63% somewhat or strongly agreed on extensions. 32% were unsure or needed more info. 5% strongly opposed. A resident from Alageney Center said, "Property tax in this county is messed up and ineffective. I'd like to see significant changes and improvements in getting businesses and large companies to pay their fair shares. As always, we will send your offices a full report with all results and comments. Thank you for considering residents views on these important issues. Thank you. Our next speaker is Tanisha Long. >> Hi. Thank you. Um Tanisha Long, um Craftton Heights. I'm I'm addressing council today because I saw that Mayor Okconor had put forward um David Bats to be nominated to be appointed to the planning commission. Um, and I want to speak out as a community member who takes issue with that. Um, and I want to make council aware of some of the actions that David Bats has taken that are not only anti-comm community, anti-comm community, but make others unsafe. Um, David Bats has a strong anti- community stance and has posted several times that he does not agree with community input and decision-m processes. And I don't believe that this is someone who should be on our planning commission. Um, comments he's made has been let professional planners, not neighborhood busy bodies, make an educated decision on what should be done. We have no need for public meetings. Um he has said that community input should happen in actual democratic in democratic processes elections. Our leaders should be our voices, not endless community meetings. They're attended by people who aren't representatives of our community. He said that I think community input should be elections and that we should not have community meetings at all. Um more importantly, I speak out as a member of the community who has been a victim of doxing. And David Bats runs a community group, ProHousing Pittsburgh, that has blatantly doxed members of our community. Um, including Nicole Remmer, posting her full address on Twitter when he did not agree with a comment when he she did not when a member of his group did not agree with a comment that Nicole had made. Um, I think that it would be very damaging to our community if we allow David Bats to be on the planning commission. and I am speaking out to oppose it and I will be back before you guys actually vote on this to speak further and in more depth on this issue. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our last register speaker is Daniel Schaefer. >> Morning. Uh Daniel Schaefer uh downtown 15219. So, I am a consultant working with multiple small affordable housing nonprofit and for-profit developers across the city to create approximately 700 new units of housing in our most vulnerable communities uh for our most vulnerable residents. Uh I'm here today to ask city council to oppose a nomination or appointment of David Batch to city uh planning commission. So nearly 10 years ago, I was completing a service year program in the Hill District uh and was asked to help staff part of the city of Pittsburgh's affirmably furthering fair housing task force uh specifically the race and ethnicity committee. Uh together with multiple real estate attorneys and housing experts, we drafted recommendations for the city of Pittsburgh's inclusionary zoning bill. Uh our ultimate goal was to ensure the creation of affordable housing in this city as even back then we were on a path to lose uh to losing lower income residents by the hundreds if nothing changed. Fast forward to approximately 2024 I noticed a newer group had joined the conversation around affordable housing and inclusionary zoning a group that we're all probably familiar with at this point uh proousing Pittsburgh uh which happens to be led by Mr. Vatz. I started following them and quickly realized that they were not proaf affordable housing. I thought maybe this was just a fluke. You know, maybe a few of their members were acting out on social media. I was disappointed to find out that Mr. Vatz himself was on multiple social media platforms discrediting some of the people, myself included, who helped draft early versions of the policies that they now list as part of Pro Housing Pittsburgh's mission. I thought it was odd that someone who claimed to be pro-ousing was actively dismissing the work of people who are directly responsible for the creation of affordable housing in the city for the last 30 years. Not to mention some of the city council persons in this room today who have been strong advocates for affordable housing. When myself and others tried to engage Mr. Vaps uh to bring our real estate experiences and real experiences to the conversation, we unknownly set up a long chain of interactions that culminated in one of the proousing Pittsburgh members publicly posting online the address and personal information of a longtime community advocate as well as another member posting the salary information for different community advocate after the infamous 11-hour planning commission meeting last year. This is the same meeting uh that afterwards when things did not go his way, Mr. Vat referred to the planning commission itself as a quote kangaroo court and a sham and said that it was completely corrupt. He then proceeded to call all of the community members and housing practitioners who provided public comment quote paid activists, adding to his long history of tweets expressing his desire to see community input removed from the planning process entirely. including one in one tweet where in reference to someone opposed to housing development and shady side, he said that quote, "Our society will be a better place if we never listen to these people ever again. Therefore, I strongly oppose Mr. Vatz being on the planning commission as he's repeatedly displayed a lack of respect for the community uh the planning commission works with to ensure they have a voice. He has also regular regularly ignored or tried to discredit myself and my colleagues who are on the ground in the communities building the housing he claims to support. Uh I hope council takes Mr. Vat's behavior in consideration and votes accordingly. Thank you for your time. Thank you. That exhausts our list of registered speakers. Is there's anyone else in chambers wishing to speak? Please come forward at this time. Also provide your name and neighborhood for the record. Good morning. My name is Javon F. Brown. I live at 7:15 Mercer Street. That's the highrise with 190 apartments up on Befford. That's KV tires. I wanted um to remind you that at one time we had a lot of babies, black babies that were orphans or had no one to care for them. So, they started adopting them out to white parents. I wanted you to think about this. When the white adopted mother asked her little black child, "Who was Martin Luther King? He was a man." This is what the little boy said. He was a man that fought for all people that had skin. We look at we we look at him he's fighting for the poor or black or yellow, but he says he's fighting for anybody that has skin. Also, um they were talking about Jesse Jackson died when Jackson was running for president. He came to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He came up to Katie Werever's tires at that time. I was married to my second husband, Charles Gardner. His mother was dying at that end at that time. But when she found out that he came was in the building, she wanted to go down and see him. And she said, I never would believe it, a black man that could be president. When I took her downstairs and Jesse was about to leave, I caught him and I said, "Mr. Jackson, will you please shake hands with my mother-in-law?" And he was fresh. He was a kind of little fresh. The way he said it, you could tell of the things that he was accused of later. But she she was so proud and so happy. She did die about a month later. But I came to tell Yens that when I took her to see Jesse, it was during the time that black people were not well, we did have a woman that ran for president, but black people at that time didn't run. And my my um mother-in-law was so proud she said, "We we will have a black president." Um, I bring that to light because I thought that he was Donna Mike because he went to I was at the civic arena when he was saying I am somebody. That's what a lot of black people we fought for. I mean, we finally we are somebody. We are. Even though you may say we're not, he put a lot of oomph in us that we are people. Even though my skin may be darker than yours, I am. If you cut me, it'll say still come out the same color. Even though you may be white, the blood still comes out the same. See, I I want you to understand that I come for a reason and we must treat each other like human beings. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker, please. Hello, my name is Chelsea Pitzerella. I'm a Hazel resident. I'm here to talk about um the waste transport station that they're trying to put in Hazlewood. I'm just uh in 100% agreement with Barbara Warwick. My anxiety. My anxiety. Um, as a Hazerwood resident, um, I've seen it with the, um, what was it? The, um, what was it before? It was trash before the recycling plant. Um, one, the smell. Two, the rats. three the trucks because they'll come over the bridge down below and then can't get back over or get stuck on a smaller street down below. But um I didn't want to not not say anything. So um I just want to say that I'm in 100% agreement with uh Councilwoman Barbara Warwick. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Good morning. My name is Unique Brown and I'm here today to speak about my mother. Um, I'm not just here as a daughter. I'm here as a witness. My mother's name is Yavon Brown and her life has been a quiet service, a quiet act of service. She not she did not want she did not wait for for permission. She did not wait for recognition. She simply showed up again and again for people who were hurting. She worked as a welfare worker, sitting across from families who felt ashamed for needing help and reminding them that survival is not failure. At Neighborhood Legal Service, she stood beside people who felt small against the system that felt too big. At Lahap office, she helped keep the heat on in homes during the coldest winters, knowing that warmth can mean the difference between fear and safety. But what moves me most is what she did when no one was watching. While attending Carlo University, she brought carrot juice and fresh juices and vegetables to the campus, handing out samples and pamphlets. She made with her own hands her own dime simply because she believed healing could be shared. She brought the same juice to the community events, to neighborhood gatherings, and to wherever people would listen. Long before juice bars, long before wellness became a business, long before health had a price tag, she was already out doing the work. She taught children about safety through the American Red Cross. She didn't just stop at lessons and manuals. She brought juice into school so children could learn what caring for their bodies looked like and watched the children light up, not because it was trendy, but because someone cared enough to nourish them. Today I see business profit from the same ideas my mother gave away for free. And yes, there is sadness knowing she never had the funding and the backing or the platform she deserved. But there is something even more powerful in knowing she never let that stop her. She chose people over profit, healing over headlines, community over comfort. Even now when my mother comes before this council is almost never for herself. She comes fighting for the tenants, for seniors, for families who don't know how to navigate the systems that weren't built to keep them in mind. She carries other people's burdens quietly, faithfully, and without applause. And I'm here today because I believe that that kind of life deserves to be named. And the pro a proclamation will not repay her. It will not equal to her sacrifice, but it will say something important. It will say that this city sees those who gives without asking. And we'll say that compassion matters. And we'll say that her service done quietly still counts. She's been here for over 20 years. And so y'all already know. And this morning I'm asking y'all to honor my mom. I don't know what day. Her birthday is July. Could be then. Whenever y'all feel like it, but y'all know what she do. And not because she demanded it, but because she earned it. So thank y'all. >> Thank you. Next, next speaker, please. >> Good morning, Special Agent Sunshine, the missing child, Sice Taylor. I'm going to start with prayer. Lord, thank you for everything. Every trial, every tribulation, every gangstalker, every thief, every liar, every murderer, every voodoo practitioner right here in this building connected to everybody in this room in Jesus name. Thank you for seeing them, ex exposing them and eventually removing them >> in Jesus name. The wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 5:22 through 23. It says, "The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them. The cords of their sins hold them fast. For a lack of discipline, they will die led astray by their own great falling on injustice." Martin Luther King once said, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never volunteered by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed. Justice too long delayed is justice denied. Is it Jesus? Is it Donald Trump? Is it Congress? Is it Justice Department? The world's about to find out. It is not in Jesus name. Martin and Ketta, dreams do come true. Amen. Stop amending the agenda and do your job. You're putting off for tomorrow what you need to be doing right now. And I promise you, your tomorrows are not promised. It's tick- tock on your tomorrows. Promise you there are uh several acts of privacy I want to bring to your attention. Privacy of the individual individual bodily autonomy. That's privacy like in the bathroom in your own home. It's being evaded in Jesus name by our government. God is using people to do this to be exposed and removed destroyed for abusing their power and the positions that they hold especially in our shelters in this room in our government. Donald Trump please. privacy of communication. Communication is being blocked by people in this room who don't want people to know what's going on. That's why cameras ain't in here right now when I'm speaking, but they going to have to come in here. The bribe money that they took is being exposed. Lavel, privacy of personal data. You're stealing information, personal information to steal people's inheritance, per personal property, houses, inheritance, trust. Is the trust arts mine the veil? Is that the trust you stole from me? In Jesus name, we gonna find out. Stay tuned. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. Next speaker, please. Seeing no further speakers, we'll move on to the presentation of papers, beginning with Councilman Charlotte, chair of human resources. >> No new papers, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilman Cohill, chair of public safety and wellness. >> No new papers, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Gross, chair of innovation, performance, asset management, and technology. She has no new papers. Thank you. Councilman Mosley, chair of intergovernmental educational affairs. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam President. Councilman Mosley presents bill number 117, resolution adopting plan revision to the city of Pittsburgh's official sewage facilities plan for 2402 North Charles Street at no cost to the city. and bill 118 resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant payable in favor of the Charters Valley District Flood Control Authority to renew the city of Pittsburgh's membership into the CVDFCA and pays fees for the year 2026 in an amount not to exceed 17,24 over one year. >> Thank you. And Councilwoman Salinetro, chair of public works and infrastructure. Thank you, Council President. >> Councilwoman Silentro presents bill number 119, resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to enter into a contract with CargI Melon University in an amount not to exceed $200,000 over three years to support the city's safe streets and roads for all project. CMU will also provide inind services in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for a total project cost of $400,000. And bill 162, resolution transferring the amount of $2,500 within the 2026 operating budget from city council postage to the office of the city clerk for the purpose of professional services. >> And Councilwoman Stberger, chair of finance and law. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you. >> Council person Strawberger presents bill number 121. Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Elena Griffiths in an amount not to exceed $2,650 over one year in full and final settlement of a claim for damage to her parked vehicle on Whiteitman Street from a city EMS vehicle on August 18th, 2025. Bill 122, resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Naim Martinez and Max Patrunia PC in the amount of $62,000 over one year and full and final settlement of litigation filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. and bill 123, resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of network deposition services for legal transcript services for an amount not to exceed $24,53810 over one year. >> And Councilwoman Warwick, chair of recreation, youth, and senior services. >> No new papers, Mr. President. >> Thank you. And Councilman Wilson, chair of venues, economic development. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Councilman Wilson presents bill number 120. Resolution further amending resolution 924 of 2024 effective December 18th of 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. so as to decrease Lawrenceville United by $15,000 and increase Lawrenceville Corporation by $15,000 so as to fund specific public service grant projects of city council and authorize a subsequent agreement or agreements and bill 124 resolution amending resolution 792 of 2024 effective November 6, 2024 as amended entitled resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the office of management and budget to enter into an agreement or agreements with various communities community based organizations for the implementation of the 2024 neighborhood economic development program and to provide for the payment of the cost thereof at a cost not to exceed $720,000 so as to decrease Lawrenceville United by $27,000 and increase Lawrenceville Corporation by $27,000 so as to authorize a subsequent agreement or agreements. And for myself, if we could begin with bill 165, which is the petition. >> Council President Lavell presents bill number 165, petition from the residents of the city of Pittsburgh, requesting a public hearing before city council regarding documented records tampering and financial misconduct at the Pittsburgh Municipal Courts Records Section. The petition is valid in accordance with the home rule charter. >> I need a motion to hold for a public hearing. So motion to hold public hearing. >> Need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The bill will be held for a public hearing. If we could now take bills 125 through 168, which are communications >> bill 125, 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 February 13, 2026. Bill 126, communication from Leanne Davis, ethics officer, submitting to city council the attached status update from the ethics board for the week ended February 13, 2026. Bill 166, communication from Mayor O' Conor informing city council of the termination of the term of Miss Jean Holland Dick as a member of the city planning commission effective immediately. Bill 167, communication from Mayor Corey O' Conor informing city council of the termination of the term of Miss Kendra Ross as a member of the board of directors of the Alagany Regional Asset District effective immediately. Am bill number 168, communication from Mayor Okconor informing city council of the termination of the term of Miss Sylvia Fields as a member of the board of directors of the Alagany Regional Asset District effective immediately. and need a motion to read, receive, and file. So move >> second. >> All in favor say I. I. I. >> Bills have been read, received, and will be filed. Our next 25 bills are appointments and reappointments that require a motion to interview or approve. However, I believe six of those are simply reappointments. So, if we could take those first, Madam Clerk. Bill Number 129, resolution appointing David Honifer as a member of the Civil Service Commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill number 130. Resolution reappointing Linda Johnson Wasler as a member of the Civil Service Commission for a term to expire January 1, 2030. Bill number 137, resolution reappointing Michael Dom as a member of the board of directors of Pittsburgh Water for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill number 138, resolution reappointing Margaret McCormack Baron as a member of the board of directors of Pittsburgh Water for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill number 145, resolution reappointing LSA Burton Faulk as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2032. Bill 146, resolution reappointing John J. Richardson as a member of the zoning board of adjustment for a term to expire January 1st, 2029. and bill 149 resolution reappointing Megan Ziggler as a member of the Civic Design Committee of the Public Art and Civic Design Commission for a term concurrent with that of the mayor. >> So these are the reappoints. We need a motion to interview or to approve. Council President, I I I'm assuming that we're going to reappoint. I would like to interview one uh 145. >> That's Lesean Burton fault. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, let's we'll take that one separately. Is there a motion to approve the others? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> You want to make a motion on bill 145, counselor? >> Motion to interview uh 145. Just do that. >> Unders. Understood. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Bill. >> Well, Lesean Burn Faulk, a part of bill 145 will be scheduled for an interview. If we can now read the remaining 19, these are all new appointments. Bill number 127, resolution appointing Emily Concincaid as a board member of the Alageney County Sanitary Authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill 128, resolution appointing Chitaur Murphy as a member of the board member of the Alageney County Sanitary Authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill 131, resolution appointing Katherine Blavel as a member of the Historic Review Commission for a term to expire January 1, 2029. Bill 132, resolution appointing KC Chase Patterson as a member of the Historic Review Commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2027. Bill 133, resolution appointing Luna Frunsgard as a member of the Historic Review Commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2029. Bill 134, resolution appointing Martha Ecler as a member of the Historic Review Commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2028. Bill 135, resolution appointing Lou Irvin Irwin as a member of the board of directors of Pittsburgh Water for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill 136, resolution appointing Scott Kunka as a member of the board of directors of Pittsburgh Water for a term to expire January 1st, 2031. Bill 139, resolution appointing Darren Kelly as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 30, 2030, serving the remainder of the term for a seat previously held by Steve Maza. Bill 140, resolution appointing David Vatz as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1, 2030, serving the remainder of the term for a seat previously held by Jean Holland Dick. Bill 141, resolution appointing Diamonte Walker as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2032. Bill 142, resolution appointing Gerardo Enteraniano as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1, 2028, serving the remainder of the term for a seat previously held by Monica Ruez. Bill 143, resolution appointing Justin Hunt as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1, 2028, serving the remainder of the term for a seat previously held by Philip Woo. Bill 144, resolution appointing Bob Repy as a member of the planning commission for a term to expire January 1st, 2032. Bill 147, resolution appointing Emily Stedge as a member of the public art committee of the public art and civic design commission for a term concurrent with that of the mayor. Bill 148, resolution appointing James Hill as a member of the civic design committee of the public art and civic design commission for a term concurrent with that of the mayor. Bill 150, resolution appointing Kendall Solar as a member of the Civic Design Committee of the Public Art and Civic Design Commission for term concurrent with that of the mayor. Bill 151, resolution appointing Jesse Ainsman as a member of the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Land Bank for a term to expire January 1st, 2027, serving the remainder of a term for a seat previously held by Tamara Dukovich. Bill 152 resolution that >> sorry madam clerk. >> So uh for these we need a motion to interview or to approve. >> Motion to interview. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. Uh uh before we vote discussion I the discussion I do want to point out that um it was brought to my attention by the mayor's office that Emily Concincaid is a reappoint >> to the um Alcasan board and therefore I would suggest removing her as with all the others from the motion to interview. >> I'm completely comfortable doing that. Technically it is a new appointment because her term expired last year. >> Understood. >> But I'm understood that she's still serving in that capacity. So if you want to make a motion to simply approve. >> Motion to approve Emily Concincaid as um Alkasan board member bill 127. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. The >> No, I'll just take it all together. >> Um so the all all the remainings there has been a motion and a second to interview. All those in favor say I. >> I. I >> any opposed. >> We'll schedule those for interview. What I will do is norm these are all technically pre-aggenda pre-aggenda interviews. However, there's no way we're going to sit at 9:30 and be done by 10:00. So, we'll group them together based on their boards and commissions, but then schedule them in the afternoon after one of our council meetings. Now, if we could read, madame clerk, bills 152 through 161. These are all informing appointments. >> Bill 152, resolution informing city council of the appointment of John Welch as a member of the board of directors of the stadium authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 153, resolution informing city council of the reappoint of Stanley Letterman as a member of the board of directors of the stadium authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 154, resolution informing city council of the reappoint of Steve Steining as a member of the board of directors of the stadium authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 155, resolution informing city council of the reappoint of the appointment of Lee Kugan as a member of the board of directors of the stadium authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 156, resolution informing city council of the appointment of Torina Lavalo as a member of the board of directors of the sports and exhibition authority for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 157, resolution informing city council of the reappoint of Michael Quattrini as a member of the board of directors of the sports and exhibition authority for term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 158, resolution informing city council of the reappoint of Bobby Wilson as a member of the board of directors of the public parking authority of Pittsburgh for a term to expire January 1st, 2030. Bill 159, resolution informing city council of the appointment of Charles Fiser as a member of the board of directors of the public parking authority of Pittsburgh for a term to expire October 10th, 2028, serving the remainder of a term for a seat previously held by Kim Lucas. Bill 160, resolution informing city council of the appointment of Casey Monroe to the board of directors of the Alageney Regional Asset District for a term concurrent with that of the mayor. And Bill 161, resolution informing city council of the appointment of Paul Suppowitz to the board of directors of Alageney Regional Asset District for a term concurrent with that of the mayor. >> And for that, we need a motion to read, receive, and vow. >> So moved. >> Good. >> Second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Um that moves us on to unfinished business. >> You can interview if you want. >> Bill 18. >> Resolution appointing Avet Mongalo Winston as a director of the department of city planning and bill number 21. Resolution appointing Lisa Zidner Marcus as city solicitor. >> I need a motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Those two appointments have been approved. >> Sorry, can we go back? Could I could we motion to interview the um the new I think it's just one new parking authority board member. >> Uh that'd be Charles Fischer. >> Is that Yeah, I think that's the only one. Yeah. So I'd like to sorry to go back and motion to interview. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Charles uh Fiser will be scheduled for an interview. >> Thank you. Making sure our clerk is caught up. All right. Our next order of business is reports of committee for final action. Beginning with council person Erica Schrosburgger presenting committee of finance and law. >> Oh, here it is. Thought it was collected. Thank you, Mr. President. Council person Strawberger presents bill 114 reported to committee on finance and law for February 11, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 85, resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Justin Hickox for a single payment in 2026 in an amount not to exceed $10,000 in full and final of an employment matter. >> You've heard the reading inside of the bill. Is there any discussion on the bill? Seeing none, the bill is now ready for final action. All in favor of the passage of the bill will I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charlotte >> I. >> Mr. Cogill >> I. >> Mr. Mosley >> I. >> Mrs. Salonro >> I. >> Mrs. Strawberger >> I. >> Mrs. Warwick. Um, I'm gonna abstain on um the Justin Hickox >> bill. M. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just want to abstain on that one. Thank you, >> Mr. Wilson. >> I >> Mr. Lavell, President >> I. >> Seven eyes, zero nos, one abstension. >> The bill having received a legal required number of votes is passed finally. That moves us to Councilwoman Kim Salinetro presenting the committee of public works and infrastructure. >> Thank you, Council President. >> What? >> Bill number 115 reported to committee on public works and infrastructure for February 11th, 2026 with an affirmative recommend recommendation. Bill Number 78, resolution amending resolution 264 2025 entitled resolution authorizing the mayor, the director of the office of management and budget and the director of the department of mobility and infrastructure to apply for grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program to provide funding for the rehabilitation of Emerald View Trail Project. The grant proposal includes an ask of $250,000 with a match of $250,8442 from the city of Pittsburgh's capital budget for a total project cost of $500,8442 for this stated purpose to accept the grant increase the grant amount reduced the required match and authorized necessary expenditures. Bill 79, resolution amending resolution 522 of 2025 entitled resolution authorizing the mayor of the city of Pittsburgh and the office of management and budget to apply for a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development's multimmoal transportation fund for the planning and engineering of the Liberty Avenue Main Street and Bloomfield Bridge intersection. The grant proposal includes an ask not to exceed $533,111 for this stated purpose to accept the grant, update the grant amount, and authorize necessary expenditures. Bill number 80, resolution amending resolution 521 of 2025 entitled resolution authorizing the mayor of the city of Pittsburgh in the office of management and budget to apply for a grant from Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development's multimmoal transportation fund for the Lincoln Avenue multimmoal safety and accessibility improvement project. The grant proposal includes an ask of $750,2369 for this stated purpose to accept the grant, decrease the award amount, and authorize necessary expenditures. Bill 82, resolution providing for an agreement or agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company for costs associated with the preliminary engineering phase of the Herren Avenue Bridge project providing for the payment of the cost thereof not to exceed $25,310 reimburseable at 100% and bill 83 resolution providing for an agreement or agreements with the Alageney Valley Railroad for costs associated with the preliminary engineering phase of the Elizabeth Street Bridge project providing for the payment of the cost thereof not to exceed $10,000 reimburseable at 100%. >> You've heard the reading and title of 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 before I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charlotte >> I. >> Mr. Cogill >> I. >> Mr. Mosley >> I. >> Mrs. Salinetra >> I. >> Mrs. Strawber >> I >> Mrs. Warwick >> I >> Mr. Wilson >> I >> Mr. Lavell President >> I >> eight I's zero nos >> the bill having received the legal required number of votes is passed finally and finally Councilman Kari Mosley presenting the committee of intergovernmental and educational affairs >> thank you Mr. President. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Mosley presents bill number 116 reported to committee on intergovernmental and educational affairs for February 11th, 2026 with an affirmative recommendation. Bill 74, resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the department of finance on behalf of the city of Pittsburgh to enter into a cooperation agreement with the school district of the city of Pittsburgh, the county of Alagany, and the NCSCUSA Housing Development Corporation to document local cooperation and NCSCUSA Housing Development Corporation's agreement to make payments in lie of taxes for Steel Workers Tower at 2639 Perryville Avenue, Council District number Bill 75, resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the department of finance on behalf of the city of Pittsburgh to enter into a cooperation agreement with the school district of the city of Pittsburgh, the county of Alagany, and the NCSCUSA Housing Development Corporation 3 to document local cooperation and the NCSCUSA Housing Development Corporation 3's agreement to make payments in lie of taxes for the Lynn Williams apartment building at 3710 Brighton Road, Council District Number One, Bill 76, resolution authorizing the mayor and the director of the Department of Finance on behalf of the city of Pittsburgh to enter into a cooperation agreement with the school district of the city of Pittsburgh, the county of Alagany, and the NCSCUSA Housing Development Corporation 2 to document local cooperation and the NCSC USA Housing Development Corporation 2's agreement to make payments in lie of taxes for the IWA Able building at 4720 Hatfield Street, Council District number 7. And bill number 77, resolution authorizing the Pittsburgh Land Bank to acquire all the city's right, title, and interest if any, in the publicly owned properties in the 10th ward, city of Pittsburgh designated in the deed registry office of Alageney County as block 50F lots 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, and 122. 0 North Wind Street and block 50F, lot 123, 0 Rosetta Street, Council District 9, at no cost to the city. We've heard the reading and top of the bill. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the bill is now ready for final action. All in favor of the pass of the bill with I name is called. Those opposed will vote no. Will the clerk please take the role? >> Mr. Charland, >> I. >> Mr. Cogill, >> I. >> Mr. Mosley, >> I. >> Mrs. Salinetro, >> I. >> Mrs. Strawber >> I >> Mrs. Warwick >> I >> Mr. Wilson >> I >> Mr. Mr. Lavell, President >> I. >> Eight eyes, zero nos. >> The bill having received a legal required numbers of votes is passed finally. That takes us to motions and resolutions. Is there anything for members? Council Mosley. >> Yeah, I wanted to just take a moment um to honor the lives of two folks, one internationally known, one locally known, who recently passed away. First starting with Khaled Raheem, uh gentleman who I've known since I was a teenager. >> You didn't know he passed away? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. uh um he he passed away I believe two days ago from a heart attack and just wanted to send my condolences to the family. He's a gentleman I've known since I was a teenager um when he was doing gang peace work um with brother Rashad Bersong um and you know he's had an incredible life grew up in Philadelphia uh being involved in gang activity in Philadelphia many many decades ago and then really committing his life um to Islam but also committing his life to uh making our community safer in the city of Pittsburgh. So, you know, I wish him a peaceful journey um as he joins the ancestors as well as wanted to also note the passing of a giant in the civil rights community, uh Jesse Jackson, who who passed away, I believe, overnight or earlier this morning. and just, you know, wanted to note um the accomplishments that that he's made um around voting rights and civil rights as well as freeing hostages as as an international diplomat and maybe even most importantly, you know, really being the first viable African-American presidential candidate and really laying the foundation for Barack Obama's historic run in um 2008. Um so I just want to send my condolences to both of their families in this difficult time. If we can have a moment of silence for the families of both. Thank you. Anything else for members? If not, our meeting announcements are this afternoon at 1 o'clock, council will hold an executive sessions on bill 122 and 121 as it relate to litigation. Also this afternoon at 1:30, council will hold a pre-agenta interview for Eric Sloan as the director of parks and recreation. Then tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11th, council will hold our standing committee meeting. Speaker registration will close at 9:00. To register to speak at this meeting, please fill up the signup form on the council meeting webpage or call the clerk's office at 4122552138. With that, we need a motion to excuse the absent member, approve the minutes, and adjourn the meeting. >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. I. We are ajourned.