Cable Advisory Committee - Regular Meeting

Good morning and welcome to the Standing Committee's meeting for Wednesday, September 16th, 2026. All council meetings will be live streamed on the City's website and for guest speakers, please do not turn off your microphones. Our first order of business is roll call. Will the Clerk please take the roll? Mr. Charlin.

Mr. Coghill. Here. Ms. Gross. Mr. LaValle. Here. Mr. Mosley. Ms. Salamatro.

Here.

Ms. Warwick. Mr. Wilson. Ms. Strasburger, chair. Here. Five members present.

Thank you. Our next order of business is to amend the agenda. Can I have a motion to amend?

So moved. Second.

Discussion? All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Agenda is amended. Our next order of business is public comment. I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council, and profanity will not be permitted. Please state your name and neighborhood for the record. You will have three minutes to speak. Our first registered speaker is Dr. Ronald Lynn Miller. I see Dr. Miller. We will move on to Dave Fisher.

When I begin, right? No?

You can proceed.

Solar energy garden parks for the corner of Penn and Naigley in East Liberty would benefit East Liberty and the Pittsburgh area in more than three ways or so. Microclimates are involved, lessened crime also. a better electrical means of getting electricity, some of it from solar energy, the solar energy garden parks. And that's a good thing for East Liberty at the current time with the students over there from Pitt Duquesne CMU and high schools that I've contacted trying to get them involved in maintenance or setting up or getting the whole situation together. The solar energy garden parks for East Liberty. At the corner of Penn and Nagley, that land has been a wasteland for over a dozen years. I believe in USA Today newspaper did have a poll about 10 to 12 years ago saying East Liberty is one of the 10 most urban redeveloped areas of a city in the United States. Now think of how many different districts and cities there are in the United States than there was a decade ago. They knew what they were talking about because CMU is there, Pitt is there, they're there, they're present. So is the Pittsburgh Public Schools, so is Central Catholic is in the area, so is Shadyside Academy, and all the other amenities that East Liberty has going forward, including gymnasiums, which I've dealt with, and... The park could have a solar energy field for soccer and football for the youth, and an adobe school room for children and adults that take some kind of classes, maybe one or two rooms within the confines of Penn and Nagley. Also on a different subject, I-79 highway corridor, agrivoltaics. If Allegheny County could start it off, in the southwestern sector of Allegheny County, there is plenty of good land. I'm talking near Washington County farmland. The colleges and universities, again, would take part. Metal products could be brought in at a cheap cost. I mean, because they'd be shorter and stuff, the poles to hold the agrivoltaics. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick might just agree, because I've tried to ban neonics in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through their Erie County office.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Chief Ikohana Helmikina. I don't see Chief with us today. We will move on to those in the audience wishing to speak.

Good morning. Carlino Giampolo, Panther Hollow. I have spoken in front of this Council about the illegal Oakland do-it-yourself skate park in Panther Hollow nearly 40 times with a total of over 10,000 words in the last 14 months since July 15, 2025. This issue is a synergy in which the whole is more than the sum of its parts. It is more than the multiple code violations of no notice to long-time residents or homeowners, no community engagement, no development activities meeting, no planning commission hearing, no zoning board of adjustment hearing, no plans submitted to the city, no permits issued, no city inspections, and no certificate of occupancy. It is more than... The excruciating pain of the skateboards crashing onto the concrete permeating our homes and throughout our neighborhood. It is more than the pain and suffering of our community. It is more than the police receiving a dozen harassment incident reports. It is more than the vulgar graffiti inside the skate park advocating underage drug use and underage drinking. It is more than rats nesting inside the skate park. It is more than changing the name of our playground without notification. It is more than an affront to one of Pittsburgh's first Italian neighborhoods. It is more than my great grandparents and grandparents' generations arriving in the 1880s and making tremendous sacrifices that made us all proud to be Italian. It is more than my parents' generation who triumphed over those who sought to destroy the neighborhood with an ill-conceived 21st century research park. It is more than my own generation who triumphed over those who sought to destroy the neighborhood with an ill-conceived Mon Oakland connector project. We are deeply grateful for the support of those whose dignity is awake and have wisdom and understanding of this issue. They have respected their own dignity and the dignity of our community. However, for those who continue to support the injustice of this illegal skate park, we say once again, Councilmember Charland and Councilmember Warwick, awaken your dignity. We will keep on keeping on until the illegal skate park is shut down. We will triumph. We will triumph. We will triumph. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, please.

My name is Javon F. Brown. I live at 715 Mercer Street. That's in the high rise, upon the top of effort. It's 190 apartments. Now, I come down to speak because I live up in the high rise, and the citizens in the high rise, the elderly citizens, are being harassed, being beaten, We had Rashida that had beaten the mother and the daughter with a hammer. The mother has since died. She was dying of cancer. We have a man that was standing out in front of the building, and Rashida,

walks up, goes under the tree, gets a big branch, and comes and knocks him in the head a couple times. The resident that was standing there said she almost hit him, and he almost hit her, and he's hollering, why did you do this to me? I went to the manager because she was threatening me. I went to our tenants' counsel when I said, what can I do about her threatening me? He said, we have nothing to do with that. I went to the manager and I said that she's threatening me, harassing me, following me. She's saying things to me. She says she don't talk to me like this. I left the office because she didn't care. I came down here because I don't know where else to go. You are our elected officials. And if we have a building where old people are being beat with hammers and sticks, and I can come down and tell you that they're afraid to even come to tell you, they're afraid. I'm afraid for my life because she's threatened me. She was standing in the... In the building, went in when my husband let me in, she went in and I said, hey, you're not supposed to, she's been banned since 2020. My daughter, my oldest daughter, we went up to Arbor in 22. These are 26. Her mother just recently moved, and she's back out in front of the building. I'm telling you this because the policeman said that Arbor and Petit is dropping the ball. Now, this woman walks into the manager's office. She chokes her, and they're rolling on the floor. She don't go to jail. She comes back. Back to the building, if you tell the manager, the man said, she's knocking on my door, somebody's letting her in. She said, oh, let that go. Because Rasheeda said that that's her friend. This is the way she puts it. She said, she used to buy my stuff. Rasheeda was selling crap in the building. Well, she would go sit outside where I got to get on the elevator. We have no cameras in the elevator. She cut a woman's granddaughter in the elevator. I go to Freddie and say, I said, Freddie, if she goes in your apartment, I'm going to the manager. I said, because she's threatening me. Well, April fools, I heard her out there knocking. And she's saying, Freddie, it's me. He said, get the hell away from my door. I'm not going to be put out. I'm telling you, I've come to you because you asked the officials to help us. We can't do it ourselves. I'm not a fighter. I do a lot of talking, but I run. Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Good morning, Special Agent Sunshine. Y'all are under judgment with God. Do you think you can escape his wrath? Really? Lightning is real, Mosley. Every time you see it, that's God. Every time you hear thunder, that's him screaming at people like you. who think they are going to continue to steal from this chamber and go to the racetrack. You will not. You will not get another building to continue to give out drugs, paraphernalia, for people to die. Needles. That's what said drop-off centers. Needles. And because they're clean, they think that's okay. No, it's not. Lord, please continue to use me as a vessel to do your will, not mine. This city needs to be sued for identity theft fraud. You steal identities, trust funds, houses from children. You sacrifice animals for rituals. You do voodoo. Yes, you do. God knows. That's why he sent me to be his voice. Thank you, Lord, for using me. The wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 28, 27. It says, those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. You guys are cursed. Why? For touching my inheritance. It was cursed. Whoever left it to me, my grandparents, my ancestors, whatever's in it, my trust fund, I'm a trust fund baby. Y'all living off my trust fund? Really? U.S. Department of Justice? Please take notes right now for these numbers I'm getting ready to give you. They want $50,000 for a warrant in favor of Vibrant Pittsburgh for a one-year membership, not to exceed $50,000. Really? While I sleep on the ground? You got me messed up. Here's another one, a warrant for $2,961 in favor of Regina Stewart. It's several warrants out here, but the one I want to get to, the money that I want to get to, It's a lot, you guys. And where's it coming from if the budget was already in deficit when the mayor was hired? The budget was already in deficit. You got $481,320 for Department of Public Works. They wanted to go from professional service to operational supplies. It's a no. $100,000 for refuse. $30,000 from recording, filing fees to operational supplies for departments that permits license and inspections. It's a no. Where's this money coming from? My inheritance. You will not keep stealing my money and spreading it all around while I'm homeless. In Jesus' name, curse them all. Ancestors, thank you, Lord.

Are there any other speakers? You will not. Are there any other speakers? Seeing no further speakers, we will move on to our Standing Committee's agenda. Our first committee is the Finance and Law Committee, Deferred Papers, Bill 16.

Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh code of ordinances title to fiscal article five special funds to add a new chapter to 39 fleet vehicle fund to create a fleet vehicle fund to fully fund the city of Pittsburgh's fleet needs and establish the purposes for which monies in the fund may be used.

Second.

Discussion? Yeah, a motion to hold 12 weeks, please. Oh, sorry.

Yeah, no, no, that's fine. We have a motion to hold 12 weeks. Is there a second?

Second.

Discussion? Seeing no further discussion, all in favor of a 12-week hold for Bill 2026-16, please say aye. Aye. Bill will be held for 12 weeks. Thank you. New Papers, Bill 847.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant payable in favor of Vibrant Pittsburgh for one-year membership dues in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Motion to approve.

Is there a second? Second. Discussion? discussion does anyone know what this is what vibrant pittsburgh is that's a good question vibrant pittsburgh is an organization that aims to build diversity among our businesses throughout the city of businesses and organizations throughout the city of pittsburgh i don't know the details of what a membership gets us but i do know that that is their mission okay um

I guess, is there a way that we could ask for more clarity by final vote?

Yes, I'm happy to do one of two things. One is to put a pin in this, come back to it later in the agenda so we can hopefully get someone to speak to it today at the table or find more clarity by the end of the vote.

Why don't we do that? Why don't we see if somebody can come today and if not, before final vote.

We will move on to our next bill then without a vote and come back to Bill 847 and move on to Bill 848.

Bill 848, resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Regina Stewart in an amount not to exceed $2,961.34 over one year in full and final settlement of a claim for damage to her parked vehicle near 1029 Finley Drive from a city fire vehicle on or about November 17, 2025. Motion to approve.

Second.

Discussion? Second. Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 848, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation, Bill 849.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of James Matthews Jr. in an amount not to exceed $7,615.61 over one year in full and final settlement of a claim for damage to his parked vehicle near 104 East Woodford Avenue from a City DPW Salt Truck vehicle on or about December 3, 2025. Motion to approve.

Second discussion. Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 849, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation, Bill 850.

Resolution authorizing the issuance of a warrant in favor of Anthony Rollins in an amount not to exceed $5,869.98 over one year in full and final settlement of a claim for damage to his parked vehicle on Ken Burma and Cape May Avenue from a city DPW vehicle on January 12, 2026. Motion to approve.

Second. Second.

Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 850, please say aye.

Aye. Affirmative recommendation.

That moves us on to invoices. Is there a motion on invoices? So moved. Second. Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of invoices, please say aye. Aye. Invoices are approved. That takes us to transfers. Is there a motion on transfers? So moved.

Second.

Discussion? Council Member Warwick. Yeah, I do have one quick question. So on page 8, is it page 8? There's a transfer to cover costs associated with a new lease for a roots hub. I wanted to ask, just because we've had folks coming, so is there a new hub? I don't know if that's something that we can answer.

I can start, and then I'm happy to have anyone answer further, but we did ask OCHS. This is so that they can provide additional services out of 611 2nd Avenue.

Oh, so this is not the one on, I guess, East Ohio Street. Correct. Okay, understood. That's all.

Yeah, that's fine. Further discussion on transfers? Seeing none, all in favor of departmental transfers, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Transfers are approved. That moves us to P cards. Is there a motion on P cards?

Motion to approve. Second.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of P cards, please say aye. Aye. P cards are approved. That takes us to Public Safety and Wellness Committee, chaired by Councilman Coghill.

Bill 839, resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh and the Office of Management and Budget to apply for a grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County's Community Economic Development Tourism Fund for the Pittsburgh EMS Hazardous Material Medical Group project. The grant proposal includes an ask not to exceed $179,826.11 for this stated purpose. Motion to approve.

Second. Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 839, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation, Bill 840.

Resolution authorizing pursuant to Chapter 210, acceptance of gifts to the City of the City Code, the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Public Safety to accept a donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center of 229 trauma kits, associated training and ongoing supplies to restock the kits with a value not to exceed $100,000.

Motion to approve. Second.

Discussion?

No, I just really wanted to say thank him for putting those up. I think it's a valuable thing for our first responders to have.

Yes, agreed. Further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 840, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. That moves us to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Salinetro.

Bill 845, resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh and the Office of Management and Budget to apply for a grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County's Gaming Economic Development Program. tourism fund for the shenley heights pavilion at robert e williams memorial park the grant proposal includes an ask not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars for this stated purpose motion to approve second discussion

Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 845, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. That moves us to Bill 846.

Resolution authorizing the taking, appropriating, and condemning by the City of Pittsburgh of certain property rights in temporary construction easements and public right-of-way Necessary for the completion of the comprehensive rehabilitation project for the Swindell Bridge in the 26th Ward for public transportation purposes through eminent domain and further authorizing the payment of just compensation and necessary and incidental acquisition costs related thereto and amount to be distributed amongst property owners that in aggregate shall not exceed $5,400, reimbursable at 95%. Motion to approve. Second.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 846, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. That moves us to Land Use and Economic Development Committee, chaired by Councilman Wilson.

Deferred Papers, Bill 768, resolution for the amending Resolution 840 of 2019, effective January 1, 2020, as amended, entitled, resolution adopting and approving the 2020 capital budget and the 2020 community development block grant program and the 2020 through 2025 capital improvement program by reducing various organizations by adjusting various line items funded by the community development block grant in program year 2020 and authorize subsequent agreements.

Motion to hold three weeks. Second.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of a three-week hold for Bill 768, please say aye.

Aye.

Affirmative recommendation. Excuse me. Bill will be held for three weeks. Bill 769.

Resolution further amending Resolution 647 of 2020, effective December 23, 2020, as amended, entitled Resolution Adopting and Approving the 2021 Capital Budget and the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Program and the 2021 through 2026 Capital Improvement Program so as to identify specific public service grant projects in City Council District 7 and authorize a subsequent agreement or agreement for operation, administrative expenses, maintenance, purchase of equipment, and or rehabilitation of neighborhood facilities on behalf of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of a three-week hold on Bill 769, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Bill will be held three weeks. That moves us to Innovation, Performance, Asset Management, and Technology Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Gross.

Deferred Papers, Bill 811. Resolution further amending and supplementing Resolution 362 of 2025 as amended, entitled Resolution further amending and supplementing Resolution 539 of 2016 as amended, entitled Authorizing the Mayor city clerk and or director of the Department of Innovation and Performance to enter into a contract or contracts or agreement or agreements with Granicus Inc. for software upgrades, server hosting services, and annual maintenance of Ledger Star agenda management and video streaming in order to extend the contract an additional 12 months for an additional cost of $64,087.63, for a total cost not to exceed $562,175.70, in order to extend the contract an additional three years for an additional cost of $233,343.04, for a new total cost not to exceed $795,518.74.

Discussion.

Sure, this is. This is an extension of our Granicus contract for three years. The first portion of the bill is actually what we did in 2025, so it's bringing that entire title forward to then add the last sentence, which is now to extend that same contract for three years.

Any further discussion? Thank you very much. All in favor of Bill 811, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. New Papers, Bill 841.

Resolution amending Resolution 579 of 2025, which authorized the City of Pittsburgh to extend a professional service agreement with STR Grants LLC for software services relating to the eProperties Plus profiling system by extending the term by one year at an additional cost not to exceed $62,542.61. Motion to approve. Second. Discussion? seeing none all in favor of bill 841 please say aye affirmative recommendation bill 842 resolution amending resolution 410 of 2024 authorizing the mayor and the director of the department of innovation and performance on behalf of the city of pittsburgh to enter into an agreement or agreements or amendments thereto with social pinpoint for Engage PGH online engagement platform subscription with enhanced translation by increasing the total amount by $10,672 at a cost not to exceed $124,972 over five years, subject to future appropriation by city council. Question to approve. Second. Discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 842, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. Bill 843.

Resolution amending Resolution 664 of 2025, authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Innovation and Performance on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh to enter into an agreement or agreements or amendments thereto with change agents training for access to their learning management system and consultative assistance to adapt the City of Pittsburgh Gold Belt Workshop for e-learning by increasing the approved amount by $18,000 for an amended total cost line to exceed $108,000 over six years. Question to approve.

Second.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 843, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. That takes us to Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee, chaired by Councilman Mosley.

Supplemental Papers, Bill 875. Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, to enter into an agreement, agreements, and or a memorandum of understanding with the University of Pittsburgh on behalf of its Center on Race and Social Problems at the School of Social Work at the David C. Frederick Honors College for the purpose of hosting university students as part of a civic engagement internship program at no cost to the city.

Motion to approve. Second.

Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of Bill 875, please say aye. Aye. Affirmative recommendation. That takes us back up to the top of the agenda. We will return to the discussion on Vibrant Pittsburgh. I believe we have Mr. Cohn who will come and answer some of our questions. So we were back at Bill 847. We have a motion and a second. you want to introduce yourself thank you for operating in special revenue and I think the float with the floor was with councilmember Charlotte yes I was just curious what what this is for fairly significant amount of money

To the extent, and I apologize, I'm not an expert on how we use this, it is budgeted in OMB. This is a network for professional sharing of best practices for inclusive workspaces. So I believe we have access to lunch and learns, professional development opportunities, and so forth.

So we as the city take advantage of it? Like we're a participant in it? We are a member, yes. Okay. Yeah. Do we take advantage of that?

I can follow up with you on details of what we, like what number of participations we take part in. From what I can tell...

they pitts vibrant pittsburgh offers us multiple opportunities i can't speak to the moment of what we take advantage of yeah could you get back down that 50 000 is like a good amount of money if we're not sure if it's not something that we're taking full advantage absolutely council member warburg followed by councilman cockhill

Yeah, I agree with the councilman on this. I mean, 50K, we've just been arguing about 200K to open rec centers, so 50K, that's a lot of money. I'd be open to motion to hold for a week. I'd even, I mean, yeah, I'm definitely curious, too, about what... whether we're using it and if we are using it, if our staff feels like they are benefiting from whatever.

Yeah, I will absolutely get more details for you.

Okay, great.

Councilman Coghill.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, Elizabeth, I echo the sentiments of my colleagues. I guess really what I'd like to know is like what they're attending. I know you don't know this right now, but what events they're attending and who is attending from the city of Pittsburgh or, you know, exactly who's to benefit. So I'm open to at least a one-week hold if members agree. So thank you.

Thank you. Let's see, any comments online? I'll just say for my part, I agree with the sentiment that we need to be careful with every single cent here during these times. That said, this is just the nature of how it comes to us, right? This is one, and then we get another membership and another membership, and I would hate to target... This one, just because it's before us today, and not take a holistic approach to what our memberships are. So actually what I'm going to request, and certainly to the extent that you can please, but also like I called the administration as well, a report to council as to all of our memberships. This includes ones that we readily approve every time, National League of Cities, Connect, training for workplace intimate partner violence type of trainings. They're all great organizations, and I think we need to take a holistic look at them so we're not unfairly targeting one versus another and maybe have a bigger conversation about an assessment of what we need to do for the coming year, this year and the coming year, and yeah, maybe not single out one. So I'm in favor of a one-week hold, but I'd love in that time frame to get that feedback from the administration as well. Okay. Any further discussion? Yeah, Councilman Caldwell.

I think that's an excellent idea. I'd love to see an overview of all of our memberships and what advantages that the city of Pittsburgh is getting from them, and then we could go on from there. And I also agree with you. We don't want to single out the first one that we're throwing a red flag up but uh put it on a list i hope of i don't even know how many memberships we have but it's significant i think but uh so yeah i think it's a good idea thanks i support that thank you council member warwick and just some is just um you know for these organizations and again that you know we're sort of landing on this one but um you know if

Pittsburgh taxpayers are going to hand over fairly significant amounts of money. If it would be nice, even individually when these memberships come up, if there could be like a representative from the organization, even online, just to be like, hey, this is what we do, and this is how Pittsburgh has engaged with us in the past. You know what I mean? Just to kind of understand, because conferences are great, those types of things are great, but also, you know...

we're in belt tightening season so thank you all right so the motion on the table do we have a motion a one-week hold motion i don't think we oh sorry so motion to hold for one week second second discussion all in favor of a one-week hold on bill 847 please say aye aye bill be held for one week Thank you very much for coming to join us. Thank you. That exhausts our standing committee's agenda. We do have meeting announcements. Tomorrow, Thursday, September 17th at noon, Council will hold a cablecast public hearing on Bill 2025-2224 as it relates to zoning changes for Banksville Golden Horizons. Speaker registration will close at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. Next week, on Monday, September 21st at 10 a.m., Council will hold a virtual cablecast post-agenda discussion on surveillance technologies, chaired by Councilwoman Deborah L. Gross. Again, please note this post-agenda will be virtual only. Also next week, council will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd, and standing committees meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd, both at 10 a.m. Speaker registration will close at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. To register to speak at these meetings, please complete the sign-up form on the council meeting webpage or contact the clerk's office at 412-255-2138 by the applicable registration deadline. Is there anything from members? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the minutes and adjourn the meeting?

I move. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Meeting is adjourned.