[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6508812,"mediaKeyId","5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe","parentId",5460788,"title","Speakers urge council to act on homelessness; advocate seeks fiscal review of 'coerced removal' policy","audioSeconds",585,"startMs",362000,"endMs",947000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe&start=362&end=947","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe/thumbnail_362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508812/Pittsburgh/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Speakers-urge-council-to-act-on-homelessness-advocate-seeks-fiscal-review-of-coerced-removal-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508812-01d71c33bcc6cb4e8c0c592a7761b53e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847769&Signature=e1l5MYKBBDrMu3R1asW8M68grVgjSGi6NxlMmzlYVE7KBojRHEay-G5hEivHxq6xrC5gYzlPf95UO2qGb5zqwcohXYDHvMW0S3s-wnpDfuhT9fvPxrI-oGjukeRIhaKEQWNNpNZ9yMd9Xj92koUHVi2sIfgiyuXnk2EqE9pt3XPbaXPv5QcGANrgLJktENlDICOKanoD6i437x1P3f221WPlJfIOrg5XlPV3NIELBuJ6~VQsvj1RmwsFlE4YTlkIJab6bmxxAQDVgVVfSZO~hmfCNcrbgaxP0Zy-8PetpYafU-R90wsFkeWlyaCKNlvoJ3FZVSHRmqmyhMOB2v7h~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pittsburgh City, PA","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","During public comment at the July 22 Pittsburgh City Council meeting, a registered speaker identified as Jason described a series of problems he attributed to homelessness policy and enforcement practices and urged the city and county fiscal officers to analyze a legislative proposal he said could reduce deaths, injuries and shelter entries.

Jason, who spoke from the floor, said someone had broken into his home and that he had experienced personal safety impacts while pursuing reforms. He told council that a policy change could \"save 35 lives annually,\" prevent about 140 injuries in the county, keep roughly 480 families out of shelters and stop about 1,200 \"coerced removals\" per year. He said doing so would save about $14 million annually and asked that the city controller and county controller perform a fiscal and fiduciary scoring of the proposal to determine whether the city \"can afford not to\" implement it. He left a one‑page summary in council members’ boxes and said he was seeking legislative partners.

Also during public comment, Yvonne F. Brown of 715 Mercer Street (a senior housing address she provided) spoke about dignity and the needs of people experiencing homelessness and praised volunteers and sorority members who had listened to and helped people on the street. Her remarks emphasized the health and mobility challenges facing unhoused residents and urged continued council attention to the issue.

Neither speaker presented a formal policy text on the council floor; Jason asked staff and fiscal officers to analyze a proposal he is preparing. No council motion or formal action on the specific proposals was recorded during the meeting. Council members acknowledged the public comments but did not take immediate action on the requests during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pittsburgh City Council Regular Meeting - 7/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter said coercive removals and related policies are harming residents and called on city and county fiscal officers to score a proposed legislative solution he says could save lives and millions in public costs.","taxTitle","Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2965,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508816,"Resident accuses council member of authorizing unpermitted skate park in Panther Hollow, asks council to rescind renaming resolution",185,561000,746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe&start=561&end=746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe/thumbnail_561000.jpg","/articles/6508816/Pittsburgh/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-accuses-council-member-of-authorizing-unpermitted-skate-park-in-Panther-Hollow-asks-council-to-rescind-renaming-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508816-47624d3d1b56b5efc3054f774a7f500a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847769&Signature=PLsIfqHLW~6~~tw5QnJX~llTsgzHy8ItNCnqi2fRrWNkbPIvp5t~NxGT6WxCTPsvJopfvgsx8lZG2fQ7OsPvkgq1nA~yGTFKKy7cAXJjyZwl92PIudqhVcD1hvl0mm1DrbV6oiESTYBmqEhLGKiRhEeC7dPaZyKkOc1~EChZ4OAy3WWZlVaeU7QlKD4RQVIuygcl8I9h-~V6WnIrz33R5vN71Ywng5NRB8~stXVLBxZVDYxnjd0cCtUA2VrrdmL3NBxYpD4Tjc~uu0mGb6htjJJgo78r-m6W0jUfDcLzF5H21skEjbzIVa4NYKFCx5eFXJIhZoH9gS2cRXRpEQnSrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment portion of the July 22 Pittsburgh City Council meeting, resident Carlino Gianpolo of Panther Hollow urged council to rescind Resolution No. 351 of 2025 and raised multiple concerns about a skate park constructed in the Panther Hollow playground.

Gianpolo said the skate park was built \"without notice or permits\" and accused Council Member Warwick of authorizing the work. He said the construction was not performed by city union crews but was led by an individual identified in his testimony as AJ Hammond, a student at the University of Pittsburgh. Gianpolo said no plans were submitted to the city and that the city archives have no record formally naming the playground \"Bondy Street playground or park.\" He said Council Member Warwick later persuaded other council members to rename the site \"Oakland Do It Yourself Skate Park.\" Gianpolo said Resolution No. 351 of 2025 (the renaming resolution) is \"disgraceful, dishonest, shameful, and flawed\" and asked that it be rescinded.

There was no formal council response or action recorded on that comment during the meeting. Council did not vote on rescinding the resolution that day; the item remained a public comment and was recorded in the meeting minutes. The clerk’s record and the city archives were referenced by the speaker as sources for his claim that there was no formal record of a previous name for the playground.

No city staffer or council member on the record during that session disputed the specific factual claims presented by the speaker; the transcript records the speaker’s allegations and his request that colleagues \"stand tall\" and press to rescind the resolution. The public comment concluded without a motion by council to act on the request.","A Panther Hollow resident told council during public comment that a playground skate park was built without permits and without notice to neighbors and urged council to rescind Resolution No. 351 of 2025, which renamed the playground 'Oakland Do It Yourself Skate Park.'",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508821,"Council approves $1.65 million in Food Justice Fund awards after debate over priorities and eligibility",291,2322000,2613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe&start=2322&end=2613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe/thumbnail_2322000.jpg","/articles/6508821/Pittsburgh/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-165-million-in-Food-Justice-Fund-awards-after-debate-over-priorities-and-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508821-49176a9b5d54ef88b315a7d33d6198cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847769&Signature=kZXB5x7DFFIZQKeyXld3DxFDUrkfErUffxjiMobhzgDwzbb-BPYuszJUFPVNKQAjj4w~wrGV0x~Vi~GfAwBD72JfGETSExX8DVH-byUwb4x3sJpUaOAa3MuKihlhfj5~INODVEB43khQz88tjEb5jO9ks0iGfRs-bdV2Hxt9~fED4BX0-Y~Jhyoo1BZgyE~AkFzWE~3UG0hfQB~rG5cDWxnUKJcD1cVgiEvsSHm0ZT503Jz~SaQ~8NVqmONjNeWl1Uth~xg19A0bF4CT82ZBM0g~TbR4w-O-eLcOnHVNFIiMY~IgKEZqCUdg1LLQTsInOuSSCdV0-nViUwuKUx0HOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pittsburgh City Council on July 22 approved a resolution naming grant recipients and award amounts under the Food Justice Fund, with total awards not to exceed $1,650,000. The funding is part of a program administered by New Sun Rising and was presented by the chair of Recreation, Youth and Senior Services.

The resolution drew discussion from council members about the intended focus of the fund. Councilwoman Kale Smith said the immediate priority should be getting food into communities where people are currently struggling and announced she planned to pursue an amendment or identify alternate funding to ensure programs such as Save a Life Today and Parent Place — which she said feeds 324 families every month — are supported. She said she was concerned some organizations that feed people did not receive timely access to the grants and that she would seek to correct that.

Councilwoman Gross defended the broader approach to building food system capacity, noting the Food Justice Fund is a small share of the city’s American Rescue Plan allocation and that investments in business capacity and local food infrastructure can create jobs and longer‑term resilience. Gross said the city received $335,000,000 in ARP funds and that the Food Justice Fund asked for $3,000,000 overall, with the awards discussed at the meeting totaling $1,650,000.

After discussion, the council voted to approve the resolution (final roll call recorded 9 ayes, 0 noes). The resolution amends Resolution 5‑68 (02/2024) to name specific grant recipients and award amounts selected by the Food Justice Fund governance committee and confirms New Sun Rising as manager of disbursements.

The council’s discussion emphasized two points: some members urged prioritizing direct food distribution to households in need, and others argued for investments that build local capacity and jobs. Kale Smith indicated she would pursue amendments or identify other funding to address any eligibility or timing issues that excluded safety‑net food providers.

Next steps: the Office of Management and Budget and New Sun Rising will implement the grants and report back to council according to standard grant administration procedures.","Council passed a resolution authorizing $1.65 million in Food Justice Fund grants managed by New Sun Rising after members debated whether the money should prioritize direct food distribution over business and capacity building.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508825,"City Council approves multiple resolutions, forwards dozens of bills to committee in July 22 meeting",154,1714000,1868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe&start=1714&end=1868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460788-f9ab4f9ef6570147847c07dc78be2cbe/thumbnail_1714000.jpg","/articles/6508825/Pittsburgh/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/City-Council-approves-multiple-resolutions-forwards-dozens-of-bills-to-committee-in-July-22-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508825-c317334e2d7c04e1a012bc5381a13101/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847769&Signature=VStfZSmJzbyKpz0uYmxf9HFIOfYWKrubAkLEbLhvatz~fLnjXthvsp7Z7eRjqTaqcId4bSwiYOXvKLYB9djojx9hQadqzPnFTzhH6can5sSAGVKgByQaNTcAqSZJJiufd7vyXo3HDU3k4OHBYospN5W15~sOecnitLnzHh0RmEwlbTCJv5kmi6cU578w0DICD0rkVCoDMTdcJ6olAdNNQdaRornXkBzS7rsRlOXu6Wi3DuEjYA62QO3Q4zxpU0lthftfs0nxClk2jGXgjC3AHWsCZ-fS6kVHtDLVOEd8GumMfWDZoUHExWFivu55nvtitJFQ5FmwNQ0Z8bK0bcnbeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pittsburgh City Council on July 22, 2025, approved a slate of resolutions and ordinances and sent a number of items to standing committees for additional review. Major final actions included an insurance vendor name update and extension (Bill 2,083), an increase in PennDOT reimbursement for the Maple Avenue Bridge preliminary and design phases (Bill 20‑25), and awards under the Food Justice Fund (Bill 20‑51). Several land dispositions, Pittsburgh Land Bank transfers and zoning matters were also voted; other items were carried to committee for further consideration.

The votes matter because they move city contracts, land transactions and program spending into effect or toward committee review. The council recorded several unanimous and near‑unanimous roll calls for final actions and took procedural votes to waive rules and place items on committee agendas for the next day.

Council members passed Bill 2,083, which updates a professional services agreement for insurance consulting and extends the term by one year at no additional cost to the city (roll call recorded 8 ayes, 0 noes). Council later passed Bill 20‑84, a package that includes an increased PennDOT reimbursement for the Maple Avenue Bridge project to a total not to exceed $1,100,000 (reported with an affirmative committee recommendation and final vote 9 ayes, 0 noes). The council approved a contract for professional services with Cosmos Technologies Inc. for renovation work at Kennard Park, with a not to exceed amount of $582,946.80 (final vote recorded 9 ayes, 0 noes).

On land use and economic development matters, council advanced a series of resolutions and conveyances handled in coordination with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Pittsburgh Land Bank. Multiple sale and disposition resolutions were approved at no cost to the city, and the council recorded affirmative final votes on the set of URA and Land Bank transfers listed during the meeting (roll calls indicated passage of the listed land disposition items).

Council also handled procedural motions to waive rules so that bills could appear on tomorrow’s standing committee agendas (for example, Bills 20‑91 and 20‑93; Bills 21‑01, 21‑02, 21‑03). Several bills were explicitly scheduled for committee consideration the next day rather than being voted on that morning.

Votes at a glance (selected items noted in the meeting record):
- Bill 2,083 — Resolution amending professional consulting vendor name to Artec’s Risk Solutions and extending term; passed finally (recorded 8 ayes, 0 noes).
- Bill 20‑25 — Resolution increasing PennDOT reimbursement for Maple Avenue Bridge preliminary/final design and right of way phases to an amount not to exceed $1,100,000 (increase of $650,000); passed finally (9 ayes, 0 noes).
- Bill 20‑26 — Resolution authorizing agreement with Cosmos Technologies Inc. for Kennard Park renovation, cost not to exceed $582,946.80; passed finally (9 ayes, 0 noes).
- Bill 20‑51 — Resolution amending administration of the Food Justice Fund (naming grant recipients, total not to exceed $1,650,000); passed finally (9 ayes, 0 noes).
- Multiple URA/Land Bank conveyance and disposition resolutions (Bills listed under intergovernmental/education and land use sections) were passed as presented; roll calls in the record show affirmative tallies on the listed items.
- Several bills were waived to committee or placed on standing committee agendas for the next day (e.g., Bills 20‑91, 20‑93, 21‑01, 21‑02, 21‑03, 21‑04, 21‑10).

Many items on the agenda were routine or procedural (receipts and filings, communications from the Office of Management and Budget and the city controller) and were received and filed. Several items were explicitly noted as having no cost to the city (land transfers and certain URA dispositions).

The meeting recorded both final votes and procedural actions; where final roll calls were recorded the clerk’s roll was read aloud. Several members recused themselves from specific land‑use items where conflicts were noted during the roll calls. Items scheduled for committee will be discussed at the council’s standing committee meetings the following day.

A full list of bills and resolutions introduced, moved to committee, or passed is included in the official council minutes and the clerk’s packet for July 22, 2025.","Pittsburgh City Council on July 22 passed several resolutions — including insurance vendor updates, bridge reimbursement increases and food grant awards — and referred many bills to committee for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers urge council to act on homelessness; advocate seeks fiscal review of 'coerced removal' policy

Resident accuses council member of authorizing unpermitted skate park in Panther Hollow, asks council to rescind renaming resolution

Council approves $1.65 million in Food Justice Fund awards after debate over priorities and eligibility

City Council approves multiple resolutions, forwards dozens of bills to committee in July 22 meeting