Pittsburgh City Council sent three pieces of billboard-related legislation on different paths today, even as a member of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration asked for a Law Department review of possible "undue influence" by four members.

In a meeting conducted in measured tones that contrasted with yesterday's heated confrontations, council gave tentative approval to a resolution asking for a six-month moratorium on sign approvals. The vote was 3-0 with four abstentions and two members out of the room,

A final vote may come Tuesday, but first council plans to meet privately with Solicitor George Specter, at his request.

Mr. Specter was hesitant to provide a rationale for the planned closed-door session. Under state law, such "executive sessions" can only be held to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining negotiations, the purchase or lease of property, or "pending or threatened litigation." Mr. Specter said he would put it under the category of "threatened litigation," but would not say whether any entity has threatened to sue the city over billboard matters.

Separate legislation that would give council an up-or-down vote on all sign changes was referred to the Planning Commission for review and a public hearing.

Action was postponed for four weeks on Councilman William Peduto's call for a formal investigation of a December decision by the Zoning Administrator Susan Tymoczko to permit a 1,200-square-foot digital billboard on the Grant Street Transportation Center without any public hearings or votes.

That permit spawned council's billboard legislation, which in turn led to at least 65 new or modernized sign applications by Lamar Advertising, Liberty Pacific Media Inc. and U.S. Outdoor Advertising Inc. The companies filed immediately so their proposals would be in the pipeline before a moratorium.

Councilman Patrick Dowd, acting as a private citizen, appealed the Grant Street Transportation Center billboard permit. On March 12, Mr. Peduto, Council President Doug Shields, Councilmen Bruce Kraus and Ricky Burgess filed a very similar appeal in their official capacity.

Today city Chief of Staff Yarone Zober wrote to council saying that because the four members filed their March 12 appeal at around 4:15 p.m. -- 75 minutes after the zoning counter formally closes -- there needs to be an examination of "abuse of power and undue influence issues."

"We need the Law Department to determine whether there has been any abuse of power here, any undue influence, or anything irregular in filing documents with a city department later than the general public would be able to file the same documents," Mr. Zober said in an interview. He said there are no plans to refer the matter to the city's Office of Municipal Investigations, or outside law enforcement.

Mr. Shields called Mr. Zober's communication "a very disingenuous attempt to disallow the representatives of the people access to their legal options." He said City Planning Director Noor Ismail allowed the 4:15 p.m. filing. "What are they afraid of?" he asked of the administration.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment has scheduled a hearing on the billboard appeal for April 10.