City Council
A City Department of Public Health.
The City's own health department closed in 1957, when the Allegheny County Health Department was created. On June 10, a council member introduced a bill to bring it back. It would sit under Public Safety, led by the chief of building inspection, who could appoint a certified public health deputy. Next, a committee will discuss it at a future meeting.
Written by Amy Whipple
- At the June 10 General Meeting, Councilperson Kail-Smith introduced a bill to re-establish a Department of Public Health for the City of Pittsburgh.
- The Department would come under the Department of Public Safety. Its Director would be the Chief of the Bureau of Building Inspection. The Chief would be able to appoint a Deputy who is a trained and certified public health professional.
- Councilperson Kail-Smith introduced the legislation alongside other bills in order to streamline development.
- The City’s previous Department closed in 1957 at the creation of the Allegheny County Health Department.
- More information to come after discussion at a future Standing Committees meeting.
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- City Council · June 10, 2025
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City Council
$40,484 reallocated for Bedford Park planning.
Plans to remake Bedford Dwellings in the Hill District include a new public park, Bedford Park. Council has advanced moving $40,484 left over from finished projects, like Bloomfield Pool upgrades, toward it. That covers the City's $37,500 match for a $250,000 State grant Public Works will seek.
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$150,500 match for Fort Pitt Playground Project.
A community-led master plan calls for renovating the 3.8-acre playground at Fort Pitt Park in Garfield. To help pay for it, council has advanced a $150,500 City match. It goes with Public Works' application for a $250,000 State grant. Citywide, 38 of 176 parks have improvement projects underway or recently completed.
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DHS to receive $3.8 million to support job training.
People receiving cash assistance or food benefits must meet work requirements, and education and job training count toward them. The Department of Human Services will now have access to $3.8 million in State grants for those services. In the 2023-24 program year, with the same grant amount, 436 people in Allegheny County took part.
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Lot sale sparks tense discussion about Council’s rights.
A City building in the Strip District has sat unused for 10 to 20 years, the council budget director estimated. Council has affirmed selling it to the URA for $1. Unlike the City, the URA can weigh a buyer's plans along with price. However, the one member who voted no said State law required public hearings for similar sales.
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Additional paid sick days for City-based employees.
A 2015 city law gives people working in Pittsburgh paid sick time. Council has now affirmed changes so workers earn it faster, with higher yearly caps starting Jan. 1, 2026. At businesses with 15 or more employees, the cap rises from 40 to 72 hours. To help small businesses, the council president said council will seek grants and loans.
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Urban Farm at Risk of Closing due to Esplanade Development.
A Manchester urban farm that has grown 12,000 pounds of food for residents since 2020 could lose its lot. Ebony Lunsford-Evans wants to buy the lot, and her City lease expires in July. It's in a zone earmarked for affordable housing near the Esplanade development. On May 19, 23 people spoke for her, but Council took no action because it wasn't on the agenda.
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Controller Calls for Transparency for the Housing Authority.
Tenants and council members have repeatedly raised concerns about transparency at the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Last week, a City Controller report called the authority's data reporting unnecessarily complicated and vague. It recommends regular public reports to council, clear demographic data, and tenant surveys. Council received and filed the report without discussion.
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City's Land Bank Needs Additional Funding.
The Pittsburgh Land Bank, which sells vacant and tax-delinquent properties, has relied on American Rescue Plan money. It faces a shortfall after 2026, and its acting director said it isn't self-sustaining. Now, a council member has proposed a task force to recommend long-term funding. It would start after council's final vote next week and report in time for the 2026 budget.
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Money for new detective dedicated to investigating car thefts accepted.
Since its dedicated officer retired in January, the police car theft unit has relied on two part-time officers. Now, Council has accepted State auto theft prevention funds for one dedicated detective, plus overtime, equipment, and vehicles. Still, a council member noted a previous similar grant went unused. The acting police chief said an abandoned vehicle cleanup is coming soon.
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Council and community celebrate success of violence prevention in Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Through Safe Passage, some Pittsburgh Public Schools students train to interrupt violence in and out of school. On May 14, council heard from students and adults about its results. A public safety official reported discipline events down 27% and no homicides among 13- to 17-year-olds in 2024. Piloted at Perry High School in 2021, it's now in seven schools.
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Council to continue funding K9 unit with $30,000 over three years.
The police K9 unit's 15 dogs find missing people, narcotics, explosives, and hidden electronics. Council has voted on two bills letting police pick between breeders, with spending capped at $30,000 over three years. Usually, the force buys one or two dogs a year. A council member said it's the only time she sees kids in her district run toward police.
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Fire and EMS Vehicle Fleets Underfunded, Pose a Public Safety Risk.
Most City EMS vehicles and a third of fire vehicles are past service life or mileage limits. On May 6, council members agreed both council and the administration need to find funds. Proper upkeep would take $10 to 15 million a year, the public safety director said. Yet the five-year outlook allows only $3 million a year, a council member noted.
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Federal Grant to Fund Improvements at Homewood Park.
Homewood Park is a priority in the City's push for equity in neighborhood parks. With a $1.67 million federal grant, the City could add a field house, amphitheater, and gathering space there. Still, that covers only part of an estimated $12 to 16 million overhaul. Next week, a committee will discuss the bill to accept the grant.
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New Union Position for Neighborhood Crossing Guard to Help Fill Shortage.
At an April 8 meeting, council members discussed a longstanding crossing guard shortage and its danger to children at busy intersections. Now, a new union contract creates a Neighborhood Crossing Guard position. It lets qualified residents bid on specific local spots, which makes the job more accessible. Council authorized a budget-neutral transfer to match the new union contracts.
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Council Debriefs with Deputy Mayor on the City's Storm Response.
Residents had trouble reaching 911 during the storm because heavy call volume overwhelmed the phone network. Despite early reports, the County's 911 system itself didn't go down. For now, the deputy mayor has given Council early feedback on the City's response. A full review with Duquesne Light and others will follow once the emergency ends.
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City Okays Three-Year, $495,700 Contract for Cybersecurity Advising.
Emerging AI threats are part of why the City wants outside advice on cybersecurity. To get it, council has recommended a three-year, $495,700 contract with Forrester Research. The firm would provide IT research and advice to keep the City current on best practices. Still, one council member worried about approving a large expense during financial uncertainty.
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Declaration of Disaster Emergency Extended Until May 30.
The City's disaster emergency declaration now runs until May 30. It allows waiving contract rules, clearing fallen trees on private property, and documenting the response for possible State or federal aid. Meanwhile, residents can drop off yard waste at City sites for free. A council member worried about misuse, and the deputy mayor promised a public record of all purchases.
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“Tiny Lots” Approved After Spirited Debate.
Minimum lot sizes in Pittsburgh's residential zones range up to 8,000 square feet. This week, council advanced a change shrinking them in every zone, 5 to 1 with two abstentions. It would also drop the minimum unit size for apartments and condos. Still, some questioned voting right after the severe storm and whether zoning changes should come all at once.
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Council asks State for a $117 Million Budget Increase for Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
Without more state funding, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will cut up to 35% of its fixed-route service. Dozens of bus routes would be eliminated, fares would rise, and service would end after 11 pm. Council has now urged the governor and state lawmakers to help. Two council members said the $117 million request should be just the start.
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Riverlife Barge Venue to Dock at Allegheny Landing Park.
A floating public venue could soon dock at Allegheny Landing Park on the North Shore, near PNC Park. Council has recommended Riverlife's request to dock the barge there. Riverlife says it'll host primarily free activities and events, and it's now choosing a concession vendor. The barge is expected to open next month.