Pittsburgh City Council tentatively approved historic designation of a former men's social club on the North Side today, over the objections of its owners, the Salvation Army.

The approval was issued over strenuous complaints from Councilman Ricky Burgess, a minister, who argued the designation violated the Army's religious rights. Under a 2003 city ordinance, churches are exempt from historic designations.

But council voted 8-1 in favor of protecting Malta Temple, largely to support efforts by North Side community groups to rehabilitate the neighborhood and save its old structures. The city Law Department also issued an opinion saying the facility -- which houses a medical clinic, chapel and homeless drop-in center -- is not protected by the 2003 bill.

The Salvation Army plans to demolish the 1927 building in the Mexican War Streets and build a new facility.

A final vote is set for Tuesday.

In other actions, council also preliminarily approved:

• Refinancing $77 million in bonds from 1998, triggering an estimated $3 million in savings.

• Selling the Municipal Courts Building on First Avenue to the state for $9 million. The city built it for $15.1 million years ago, but city court functions have since been taken over by the state. The city will forward $1 million to Allegheny County to take over maintenance of the facility, which is linked to the county jail.

• A ban on placing handbills on vehicles in public rights-of-way, like they are banned on public utility poles. Councilman Bruce Kraus pushed the ban -- which would include fines of $25-$300 -- to cut down on litter in his South Side district.