Council accepts University of Pittsburgh gift but members press for trust‑fund transparency

PITTSBURGH — The standing committee voted to accept a proposed donation of up to $5 million from the University of Pittsburgh for parks, capital improvements, public safety facilities and other initiatives, but council members demanded greater transparency about how the funds will be deposited and spent.

Acting Director Ria Price of the Office of Management and Budget told council the donation will be deposited into a grants trust fund and that, while the university will be consulted, the mayor’s proposed budget and council’s appropriation ultimately determine how the money will be spent. Price said the city would either pay expenses directly from the grant job number or reimburse departments for approved expenditures.

Councilwoman Gross pressed for structural safeguards so that large, undefined trust funds cannot be spent without prior council review. "When we have a large pot, especially one that is completely undefined, the trust fund should be structured so that you cannot just write checks out of it," she said, asking the administration to require significant appropriations to return to council for approval.

Administration staff said the university would work with city departments each year to propose uses within the donation’s broad categories and that proposed appropriations would be included in the mayor’s budget for council review. Officials also said they would provide expenditure reports to council upon request.

Council members requested early reporting and clear language about whether gifts will be used for capital or programmatic purposes and whether any trust‑fund changes are needed to guarantee council oversight. The item passed with an affirmative recommendation.