Pittsburgh City Council approves recycling contract, budget transfer and multiple zoning and land-sale measures

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a series of resolutions and ordinances involving procurement, budget transfers and land disposition.

The council voted unanimously to authorize a contract with Noble Environmental Specialty Recycling to provide household hazardous-chemical and electronic-waste collection and recycling at a cost not to exceed $571,250 over two years, with three one-year renewal options. The measure, presented by the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, passed on final action without discussion, with the clerk recording an 8-0 vote in favor.

Council also approved a $300,000 transfer within the 2025 operating budget to move funds from the Department of Finance (Debt Services, interest) to the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Facilities, Property Services, for playground upgrades. That transfer passed on final action 8-0 after being reported by the Committee on Finance and Law.

On land use and business regulation, the council cleared multiple measures including: - Bill 21-49, an ordinance amending the City Code (Title 9) to revise rules for outdoor retail sales and accessory uses; passed final action 8-0. - Bill 21-50, an ordinance replacing Chapter 7-19 on vendors and peddlers to update city business licensing and vendor rules; passed final action 8-0. - Bill 24-37, a resolution authorizing an agreement with Connect for work on the Soil Mill PGH common-ground initiative in an amount not to exceed $125,000; passed 8-0.

In committee reports presented by the Committee on Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs, council adopted a package of URA-related resolutions and other measures that passed unanimously. Those included amendments to the city's sewage facilities plan (no city cost), a $2.4 million, two-year agreement with Allegheny County to support children, youth and family programs administered by the county Department of Human Services, and several URA disposition-by-sale resolutions listed by block and lot. Multiple items were recorded as "no cost to the city." All recorded final-action votes in the meeting were 8-0 in favor.

Council members did not engage in extended debate during the final-action votes recorded during the meeting; several measures were described as "reported from committee with an affirmative recommendation" before being presented for final passage. The clerk conducted the roll-call votes for each final action.

The council also received communications from the Office of Management and Budget, including a report from the City's grama office and notice of a donation of audio equipment (valued at $1,260) from the Department of Innovation and Performance to Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts.

The council announced a reconvened public hearing later that day on Bill 20-22 concerning a proposed Pittsburgh Water asset transfer; the hearing was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with speaker registration closing at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting adjourned after routine motions to excuse absent members and approve minutes.