Pittsburgh City Council approves package of warrants, grants, land sales and easements

Pittsburgh City Council on April 15 approved a group of resolutions and appointments that city officials said finalize settlements, seek state multimodal funding, fund continued design work at Fort Pitt Park, and clear a set of land dispositions and an easement for utility infrastructure.

The actions passed included a settlement warrant to Allegheny County, a grant application amendment for Penn Avenue lighting, an increased professional design contract for Fort Pitt Park, multiple land-sale and disposition agreements administered through the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Pittsburgh Land Bank, an easement and vegetation/maintenance agreement involving Duquesne Light Company and Pittsburgh Water, and a package of appointments to city commissions.

Council President Pro Tem Strasburger read the committee reports and the clerk called roll votes on the items with members recorded as voting in favor. The items drew limited floor debate; one amendment clarified landscaping responsibility at the utility easement site before that item passed.

Among the specific outcomes: the council authorized a warrant in favor of Allegheny County for up to $13,647 to settle damage to courthouse heating infrastructure; approved a grant proposal amendment that seeks $461,856 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development(multimodal transportation fund) for the Penn Avenue lighting project; and approved increasing a design-services authorization for Fort Pitt Park Phase 1 by $115,170, producing a city cost not to exceed $415,170.

A series of intergovernmental and land-related resolutions were also approved. Council approved a one-year subscription payment not to exceed $52,962.24 to the Pennsylvania Municipal League and authorized payment of $72,500 to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission for delinquent 811 damage-prevention calls. Multiple disposition agreements between the Urban Redevelopment Authority and named buyers or the Pittsburgh Land Bank were passed on motions recorded by the clerk.

Council amended and passed a resolution authorizing easement agreements with Duquesne Light Company and Pittsburgh Water to locate poles, anchors and overhead wires on city-owned property; the amendment clarified that the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority or PWSA will be responsible for landscaping at the Highland Park pump house. The amended easement will allow six poles, five anchors and related overhead infrastructure, at no direct cost to the city, and authorizes DLC and Pittsburgh Water to install, maintain, repair and ultimately remove the assets.

Council also approved four appointments read into the record: Anne Marie Lisonbee to the LGBTQIA+ Commission (term to expire April 1, 2029); Elliot Williams to the Shade Tree Commission (term to expire April 1, 2029); Brian Murray and Clarice Jordan to the Pittsburgh HIV/AIDS Commission (terms and code citations read during the meeting). The council approved two reappointments: the Clean Pittsburgh Commission reappointment (term to expire Sept. 1, 2028) and Janet Evans to the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh board of directors (term to expire Dec. 31, 2029).

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Bill 17-24: warrant to Allegheny County, up to $13,647 — Passed (roll call: Charland Aye; Coghill Aye; Gross Aye; Mosley Aye; Cale Smith Aye; Warwick Aye; Strasburger Aye). - Bill 16-89 (reported via Bill 17-25): Penn Avenue lighting grant application, ask $461,856 — Passed (7-0). - Bill 16-90 (reported via Bill 17-25): increase Pashack Plus MTR design contract for Fort Pitt Park by $115,170 to a city cost not to exceed $415,170 — Passed (7-0). - Bill 16-81 (via Bill 17-26): Pennsylvania Municipal League subscription, up to $52,962.24 — Passed (roll call recorded in meeting). - Bill 16-82 (via Bill 17-26): payment to Pennsylvania PUC, $72,500 — Passed (roll call recorded in meeting). - Bills 16-83, 16-84, 16-85, 16-86 (via Bill 17-26): various URA/Land Bank dispositions and a repeal related to prior URA acquisitions — Passed (roll call recorded in meeting). - Bill 17-23 (via Bill 17-26): easement agreements with Duquesne Light Company and Pittsburgh Water for poles/anchors/overhead wires; amended to clarify landscaping responsibility at the Highland Park pump house — Passed (7-0). - Appointments Bill 17-30 through 17-33: appointments to boards and commissions (Lisonbee, E. Williams, B. Murray, C. Jordan) — Approved (voice vote recorded as Aye). - Reappointments (Bill 2024986 and Bill 20251668): Clean Pittsburgh Commission and Janet Evans to Housing Authority board — Approved (voice vote recorded).

Council members recorded votes by name during roll calls on the measures that moved to final action; the meeting record shows unanimous approval (where recorded as 7-0) on the items taken for final action. No item was vetoed or failed during this session.

The council scheduled follow-up committee work where required; several items were placed on the standing committees agenda for the April 16 meeting. The meeting ended after members offered statements of condolence and brief remarks on public-safety concerns raised nationally.

Sources: Committee reports and roll-call readings during the April 15 city council meeting.