Pittsburgh City Council approved a $500,000 federal funding increase for the PJ McArdle Roadway Bridge preliminary design and reduced authorized spending on the city's fleet management contract by $988,402.29 during its July 7 meeting, both passing 9-0. The actions were among a series of budget amendments, settlements, and appointments council handled over the past two weeks.
\nCouncil voted 9-0 on July 7 to increase federal funding for the PJ McArdle Roadway Bridge preliminary design by $500,000. The same meeting saw a 9-0 vote to amend the city's fleet management contract, decreasing authorized spending by $988,402.29. The Standing Committees had affirmatively recommended both items on July 1, along with STV Incorporated engineering costs for the McArdle Bridge.
\nCouncil approved several litigation settlements on June 30, all by 6-0 votes: $108,296.64 for Robert Mahouski, $70,000 for Thomas and Sarah Bench, $60,000 for Joseph Engelmeier, and $90,000 for Daryl and Karen Luciani. Council also passed a $31,508.90 transfer to the Slope Failure Remediation fund (6-0). An upcoming executive session on July 14 will consider Resolution 2026-0731, a settlement payment to James Hieber and Ogg, Murphy and Perkosky, P.C. not to exceed $100,000.
\nOn June 30, council approved Lori McCartney as Assistant Chief of Police (6-0) and granted a 90-day extension for the Acting Director of Innovation and Performance (6-0). On July 7, council approved Karen Dixon as Assistant Chief of Administration of Police and Zachary Workman as Deputy Director of Mobility and Infrastructure, plus a 90-day extension for the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
\nThe July 1 Standing Committees meeting produced several affirmative recommendations forwarded to full council, including 2025 and 2026 capital budget fund re-allocations, park reconstruction program fund transfers, a Safe Passages youth violence prevention agreement, expansion of Residential Parking Permit Area HH, and Macedonia FACE facility usage at Ammon Recreation Center. A budget approval referendum question was held in committee until July 29, 2026.
\nOn July 8, Standing Committees affirmatively recommended an LA28 event coordination agreement (2026-0687), an ePlus Technology IT support contract up to $95,440 (2026-0682), a Dell Financial Services payment of $58,283.18 (2026-0683), a Julota software subscription amendment up to $276,044.72 (2026-0684), Malady & Wooten, Inc. legislative services up to $264,000 (2026-0685), and ALCOSAN diversion structures at 2200 Spring Garden Avenue (2026-0686).
\nA July 1 Post Agenda discussed Bill 2026-0531, which would adopt the Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Implementation Plan. No vote was taken. The Committee on Hearings and Policy held a July 8 public hearing on Bill 2026-0518, proposing a Neighborhood Improvement District along East Carson Street that would fund street and business improvements through property owner assessments. A July 9 hearing addressed Bill 513, which would rezone three Kelly Street parcels (125-G-13, 125-G-14, 125-G-15) in Homewood West from Residential Single Unit Detached (R1D-L) to Urban Industrial (UI). Minutes for both hearings have not yet been published.
\nCouncil declared July 5 as \"Martyrs Day\" and June 30 as \"Idella L. Michaels Day\" on June 30 (6-0). On July 7, council adopted proclamations honoring Dr. Anthony D. Hall and declaring Younger Brothers Bar Day, and approved an extension for the Planning Commission to act on Council Bill #2026-0609 (8-0, with one member out of the room).
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