Pittsburgh council approves multiple resolutions, extends planning‑commission deadline and introduces new device tax

Pittsburgh City Council on June 9 approved a slate of resolutions and ordinances across finance, public works and other committees and introduced a new proposed Mechanical Amusement Device Tax.

Council voted 8–0 to approve Bill 605, an extension for the planning commission to act on council bill 2026‑00009, following a roll call that the clerk recorded as "Eight I's, zero nos." Other committee reports also resulted in final actions that passed by recorded roll calls during the meeting.

A notable approved item was an amended reimbursement agreement for the Liberty Avenue Highway Safety Improvement Program (Bill 535), which the meeting record shows with a revised total cost authorization not to exceed $14,883,151.93 (an increase of $1,977,595.93 from prior authorization), with reimbursement terms and a small municipal share described during committee remarks.

Council also approved smaller warrants and payments, including a warrant in favor of 1410 East Carson LLC for $3,151 in settlement of a damages claim (Bill 537), as well as agreements for events and sponsorships: an Independence Day Festival contract not to exceed $54,950 (Bill 538) and a $50,000 sponsorship from Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (Bill 539).

Separately, the legislative projects manager introduced council bill 2026‑0544, the Mechanical Amusement Device Tax, defining three classes of devices and new per‑device annual levies: Class 1 (poker/video sweepstakes/video slot types) at $1,000 per device; Class 2 (machines offering physical prizes) at $100 per device; and Class 3 (jukeboxes, pool tables, pinball and similar devices) at $10 per device. Council staff projected initial revenue in the $2 million to $3 million range per year from the tax.

What happened next: Council announced upcoming executive sessions and briefings (including a session on litigation and briefings about automated red‑light enforcement and community services) and adjourned the meeting; several measures approved at the meeting will move forward to implementation steps or require further administrative agreements.

Votes at a glance: Bill 605 (extension for planning commission) — approved, roll call recorded as "Eight I's, zero nos"; Bill 535 (Liberty Avenue reimbursement increase) — approved; Bill 537 (settlement warrant to 1410 East Carson LLC) — approved; Bill 538 (Independence Day contract) — approved.