Several speakers press council to schedule and adopt citywide inclusionary zoning.
“The people of Pittsburgh deserve a vote on the housing needs assessment package and the IZ compromise,” says Maddie McGrady, co-chair of the Housing Justice Table, representing more than 180 organizations. McGrady calls postponement a “failure of political courage and willpower.”
Rhonda Stroer, executive director of Fund You and the Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, echoes that urgency. “Our neighbors need housing now,” she says, urging council to “prioritize this, vote on it, and move forward with approving this zoning package.”
Other residents raise concerns about public services and neighborhood conditions. Kea Brown describes being stranded in Youngstown after a canceled Greyhound trip, saying she was told “there is no longer a bus” and left without help for elderly travelers. Reading from a letter to a council member, Carino Jolo alleges “unlawful occupation and construction” at the Oakland DIY skate park, calling it an “illegal construction site operating without permits, licenses, or legal authority.” Lauren Lynch Nvakovic links housing affordability to racial and economic equity, saying “10% affordability is not enough” but calling the proposal “a tiny step in the right direction.” Chief Eahana How Mckina urges council to “put people over profit. Plant more shady trees, and less shady deals,” while David Tessur advocates for “structural solutions” that would create stronger neighborhood coordination among city departments.
After nearly an hour of public testimony, council moves briskly through its agenda.
In the Finance and Law Committee, members approve a three-year subscription agreement for a legal research database used in federal litigation, costing about $17,000. They also sign off on the week’s invoices, internal budget transfers, and city purchasing card expenditures.
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee amends a $200,000 grant plan for the West End, replacing the phrase “transit plan” with “mobility plan” to reflect broader transportation goals. Councilwoman Barbara Warwick explains that residents oppose a transit-oriented development plan but support a mobility plan addressing street and pedestrian needs.
The Human Resources Committee extends a consulting contract with Industrial/Organizational Solutions, the firm that designs and validates police promotional exams. The amendment adds about $74,000 to the current agreement, bringing the total to roughly $350,000.
In the Land Use and Economic Development Committee, council delays an overhaul of the city’s vending rules for four weeks to allow for additional review and public input. The same committee approves new construction at the Pittsburgh Water Campus on Freeport Road and expands a residential parking permit zone in the Central North Side to include an additional address.
The Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs Committee advances payment of the city’s annual membership dues—nearly $64,000—to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the region’s transportation and planning agency.
Announcements close out the session. Council will hold a public hearing Thursday, Oct. 2, on renaming Room 902 in the City-County Building for former city attorney John R. Cibet, followed by a post-agenda discussion on Duquesne Light’s storm response. The next regular and committee meetings are scheduled for Oct. 7 and 8.
Council President Erika Strassburger ends the meeting by wishing those observing Yom Kippur “a meaningful and an easy fast,” noting the unusually quick pace of the session.
While the day’s docket centers on amendments and routine approvals, residents’ testimony keeps housing, affordability, and neighborhood investment at the forefront. “We cannot afford to wait,” Nvakovic says, capturing the sense of urgency that lingers even as council moves on to its next agenda.
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