City Council
Residents' protections against discrimination could be gathered into one master list in city code. Now, council has moved that bill out of committee, sending it to a vote at a legislative session. It covers housing, employment, and public accommodations. It would also preserve the civil rights agency's power to act against policies that seem neutral but have a discriminatory impact.
City Council
To replace its older, high-mileage vehicles, the city would need about $22 million a year, according to its fleet manager. An Oct. 15 report, the first of its kind, found police, EMS, and trash vehicles are the most overused. The fleet manager recommended speeding up their replacement. Council's budget director suggested a dedicated fleet fund, but council didn't plan any immediate action.
City Council
The Three Sisters bridges, two pump stations, and Schenley Park are close to gaining historic protection. Council gave them preliminary approval, and final designation is expected next week. Separately, a pending nomination already protects the former Office of Municipal Investigations building, which council approved selling in June. Council plans a public hearing on it, though no date is set.
City Council
An effort to require affordable units in large new or renovated developments has stalled again. Council voted 5-4 for an amendment that would instead offer developers tax breaks and faster approvals to include them voluntarily. That sent the bill back to the Planning Commission, which has 90 days to review it. After that, council has 120 days to hold a public hearing before its vote.
City Council
Brookline Memorial Park's busy playground has broken equipment, some of it roped off, a council member said. Now, he wants to spend $415,000 in interest savings on playground upgrades and a garbage truck. Still, a 2023 controller's analysis ranked the park near the bottom of the priority list. Another council member said her district needs playground upgrades too.
City Council
Some city residents went nine days without power after the April 29 storm. Five months later, a Duquesne Light official told council the storm did more damage than the company usually sees in a year. The company will invest $2.7 billion over five years, he added. Still, a state utility commission official said burying most city power lines won't be feasible.
City Council
Since 2018, neighborhood groups have run the community meetings developers must hold for projects that need city commission approval. On Oct. 8, a council member proposed suspending that, saying the city relies too much on nonprofits. The Planning Department wants to run the meetings itself, the council president said. For now, council agreed to the department's request for a two-week hold.
City Council
Snow removal is a long-standing frustration across the city. On Oct. 8, a council member proposed exploring a services swap so Munhall could help plow three harder-to-serve neighborhoods. Another member said the plan threatened the jobs of union workers who plow city streets. In the end, a majority voted against advancing it.
City Council
An overlooked liquid fuels trust fund has money that could go toward new snowplows. A council member proposed moving $750,000 from that fund to the Equipment Leasing Authority. She said that should cover four new plows. Council moved the bill forward on a seven to two vote.
City Council
Sidewalk and bus stop repairs, plus new crosswalks, are part of a mobility plan for the West End, Esplen, Elliott, and Sheraden. The county's redevelopment authority has added another $100,000, doubling its contribution to $200,000. City officials hope the work also draws people to the area's under-used business district. A council member said residents still oppose rezoning but favor this plan.
City Council
Since 2015, a private company has run the city's police promotion exams for sergeant and lieutenant. Council now plans to take up a $74,000 extension so it can run them again next year. The company gives written and oral exams. It also brings in outside officers of the same rank or higher to assess candidates.
City Council
In mid-August, ICE raided two local Emiliano's restaurants and detained 16 people. Nearly 1,500 residents have signed a petition asking council for a hearing on becoming a sanctuary city. That would bar all city agencies from cooperating with ICE. Members indicated they'd hold one, but no date is set, and no action is required afterward.
City Council
Landlords increasingly ask for a housing history, and some reject applicants with gaps or past shelter addresses, a city official said. The city's human relations commission wants to make housing status a protected status in city code. However, two council members worried about an undue burden on landlords and the city. The final vote is set for Sept. 30.
City Council
The city's switch to a new 311 system has drawn confusion and complaints. Now, the city plans to expand it to monitor social media and tie users to their comments. A council member said the city should get trash pickup right before adding capabilities like that. However, council doesn't get a vote on the expansion.
City Council
Following weeks of public comment, City Council is poised to spend $1.8 million on a master plan to potentially build an $86 million public safety training facility in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood.
City Council
After informally working together to try to move tax-delinquent properties back onto the tax rolls, the city has put together an agreement with the land bank, the county and school district.
City Council
The city pays to keep video cameras and related equipment on a Mount Washington condominium roof. Council voted to support a new five-year, $105,600 deal, though it still needs final adoption. A council member said it was the first she'd heard of the cameras. A city official said the cameras there monitor traffic and can't zoom in on license plates or faces.
City Council
Employers often require a driver's license, even for jobs that don't involve driving. Now, a council member has proposed reviving a workforce program dormant for six years. She said its unused $300,000 could fund a pilot helping people in workforce programs get or reinstate licenses. The plan would also create a driver's ed program, which could include commercial license courses.
City Council
Co-response teams pair social workers with police on mental health calls, but only weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also cover just three of the city's six police zones. Now, the Department of Public Safety wants council to approve a $483,000 nonprofit donation for Downtown coverage. The public safety director said it would mainly pay for police overtime.
City Council
Neighbors have wanted a new fire station in Lincoln Place for decades, a council member said. Now, Public Works has asked council for $4.5 million more to move Fire Station 20 there from a floodplain in Hays. That would bring the total cost to $17.7 million. Still, the station will have a small community room instead of the community center neighbors wanted.