Pittsburgh Council approves multiple land‑bank, budget and grant measures; several bond and program commitments advanced

Pittsburgh City Council approved a set of resolutions and ordinances on Oct. 21 that move city land‑bank acquisitions, budget transfers, grant agreements and contract warrants toward implementation.

The actions approved include a resolution designating the Urban Redevelopment Authority as the city’s agent to administer the 2025–2026 HOME Investment Partnerships Program at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $1,986,153.64; multiple Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisitions (listed in council bills 23‑68 through 23‑72) reported as at no cost to the city; and several budget and program adjustments tied to the 2025 capital and community development plans.

Per committee reports and roll calls, council also approved contract warrants and settlement payments, notably: a warrant for Foster & Foster Consulting Actuaries Inc. for up to $7,000 for actuarial services (bill 23‑79); a one‑time payment to Andrew Budo not to exceed $5,000 related to a 2025 settlement (bill 23‑80); and legal services warrants for Dickie, McCayme and Chilcote not to exceed $50,000 (bill 23‑81). Other approved funding actions included authorizations to enter agreements for neighborhood economic development ($720,000 total, bill 23‑86), emergency shelter and related services under the 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant program (up to $1,177,543, bill 23‑89), and a contract with Jewish Healthcare Foundation to administer housing and supportive services to persons with HIV/AIDS at a cost not to exceed $1,401,162 (bill 23‑87).

Council also approved a City Parks restoration project with Tree Pittsburgh (not to exceed $275,257.04, bill 23‑30), and authorized the mayor and budget director to commit future bond funds as the local match for two Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission congestion mitigation/air quality grants for East Warrington Avenue and Murray Avenue projects ($1,104,000 and $1,440,000 respectively, bills 23‑82 and 23‑83). A resolution authorized an agreement with Duquesne Light Company LLC for consolidated payment of arrears up to $204,750.33 (bill 23‑84).

Final passage votes recorded on the floor were captured by roll calls during the meeting. Where roll‑call tallies are reported in the transcript, the measure passed with the recorded majority (for example, bills reported with 8 ayes and 0 nos, or 9 ayes and 0 nos as indicated during multiple final actions). Several bills were read into committee and set for standing committee review when requested by council members.

Council members announced forthcoming committee meetings and public hearings connected to some bills, and the council president scheduled an executive session on two litigation‑related bills. No unexpected defeats were recorded during the final‑action roll calls in this meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the Oct. 21 meeting): • HOME Investment Partnerships administration (designate URA): bill 23‑67 — authorized; not to exceed $1,986,153.64. • Multiple Pittsburgh Land Bank acquisitions: bills 23‑68, 23‑69, 23‑70, 23‑71, 23‑72 — authorized; described as no cost to the city in the resolutions. • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank award: bill 23‑77 — authorized for $200,000 (community development funding). • Neighborhood economic development agreements: bill 23‑86 — authorized; not to exceed $720,000. • Jewish Healthcare Foundation housing/operating agreement: bill 23‑87 — authorized; not to exceed $1,401,162. • Emergency Solutions Grant program agreements (shelter, outreach, rental assistance): bill 23‑89 — authorized; not to exceed $1,177,543. • Tree Pittsburgh restoration (Rising Main 3, Highland Park): bill 23‑30 — authorized; not to exceed $275,257.04. • Duquesne Light consolidated payment agreement (arrears): bill 23‑84 — authorized; not to exceed $204,750.33. • Warrant authorizations and settlements: bills 23‑79 (Foster & Foster, $7,000), 23‑80 (Andrew Budo, $5,000), 23‑81 (Dickie, McCayme & Chilcote, $50,000).

The meeting record shows committee referrals and requests to place two zoning and waste‑transfer‑related bills (23‑84 and 23‑85) on the standing committee agenda for the following day. Council also received communications from the Office of Management and Budget and from the city controller containing a weekly GRAMA status update and a preliminary multi‑year revenue forecast.

Council recorded no formal opposition that defeated a measure during the Oct. 21 floor votes; multiple measures passed by unanimous or near‑unanimous roll call as shown in the meeting transcript.

(For full roll‑call tallies and text of each bill or ordinance, see the council clerk’s official minutes and the city legislative database.)