City Council
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Bank could split more than $55,000 in federal pandemic money. On April 29, council gave the plan preliminary approval. The money came from groups that couldn't use it in time or had finished their projects. Any remaining grant money must be spent by June 1.
City Council
Tree canopy covers less than 20% of some lower-income Pittsburgh neighborhoods, the city's forestry division says. On April 29, council advanced a 10-year deal for Student Conservation Association volunteers to keep working in parks. The group's spring plan focuses on the tree canopy, its program director said. State money pays for the work, and the city doesn't have to match it.
County Council
Until this month, Allegheny County Jail workers weren't paid at all. Now, they earn $5 a day, and those in educational programs earn $2 per class. A council member said 377 workers got their first payments in early April. Still, people doing custodial work on their own pod won't be paid until a second phase, which has no start date.
County Council
Officers, including federal agents, couldn't wear masks or hide badges on duty in Allegheny County under a proposed law. Introduced April 14, it would punish each violation with a fine up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail. Undercover officers and those wearing medical masks would be exempt. For now, council has referred it to the public safety committee.
Forward Township
As part of ongoing infrastructure needs, supervisors approved a resolution to pursue $500,000 in funding to renovate the Kelly Hollow and Rippel Road bridges.
Forward Township
Supervisor Amy Cline gave an update on four blighted homes slated for demolition using Act 152 funds, a state-authorized program that supports removal of structures meeting blight criteria.
City Council
Drainage problems can stop play on city-owned youth baseball and softball fields. Now, a $300,000 Pirates Charities grant will cover upgrades, such as laser grading, at about 20 fields. On April 20, council also advanced a laborers' union donation for scoreboards at 10 fields. The city is still finalizing which fields will get the upgrades.
City Council
A $5 million University of Pittsburgh grant could fund parks, Main Street programs, public safety facilities, and more. On April 20, council advanced the grant, which is paid over five years. Proposed spending will go into the capital budget for council approval, the chief of staff said. Still, a council member asked for extra spending reports, citing concerns about city trust funds.
City Council
Police and public works overtime for the NFL Draft will cost about $1.8 million, the acting budget director estimated. On April 20, council advanced a $2 million VisitPittsburgh grant to cover approved costs like those. Still, a council member noted the city will collect only parking tax from the event. The finance director said the city might break even.
City Council
A proposed ordinance would keep vape shops at least 1,000 feet from Pittsburgh schools. On April 15, council advanced the bill to a public hearing that hasn't been scheduled yet. Following city planners' advice, it also dropped daycares and religious institutions from the distance rules. A council aide said the original list would have effectively banned vape shops citywide.
City Council
The Bloomfield Pool, the city's second most used according to a council member, relies on a long-closed recreation center. A $400,000 federal grant to study the center expires June 30, and a bill would spend it on demolishing condemned houses. On April 15, council held that bill for a week. Meanwhile, a council member asked the budget office to look for longer-term funds.
City Council
Snow removal contractor A. Folino Construction still hasn't detailed its $481,320 bill to the city. On April 15, council put off approving the invoice for another week. A council member said the public should know what the bill covered, since it's one of the larger ones. The acting public works director said he'd seek details, but Folino hadn't responded.
City Council
Until now, the Pittsburgh Land Bank has sold properties one at a time, directly to owner-occupants. In a second pilot, it's looking to sell bundles to developers and contractors. The director said the land bank will try to favor buyers who commit to reselling to owner-occupants. Council advanced her request to acquire two bundles, in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar and Homewood.
City Council
After years of advocacy, neighbors on lower Dunmore Street in Lincoln-Lemington are set to get a new retaining wall. Council voted to proceed with $134,831 to remove and replace the collapsed wall. The mayor's office had called it private property, but WPXI found conflicting property records. The money comes from an East End development fund.
City Council
The city's healthcare trust fund is insolvent, the budget director said. Three months into his term, Mayor Corey O'Connor wants $28 million more in 2026 spending, partly to restore it. On April 8, council rejected a member's amendments to keep $4 million for new emergency medical vehicles. Next, a public hearing is set for Tuesday, with a final vote Wednesday.
County Council
Allegheny County Council members, the sheriff, and other row officers have no term limits. On March 24, council amended a proposed November ballot question to give them the executive's limit of three straight terms. Two council members, however, want a public hearing before the final vote. The ordinance is back in committee for more discussion.
County Council
Allegheny County's ethics commission could only act when someone filed a complaint. Now council has sent the county executive an amended ethics code, its first overhaul in almost 20 years. A member who said the commission hadn't been functioning proposed an amendment letting it act on publicly identified issues. However, another member said the commission does function.
County Council
Allegheny County renters who organize or report housing problems are now protected from landlord retaliation. On March 24, council approved the ordinance, and it took effect when the county executive signed it March 27. Still, the county's housing standards code covers only lead and asbestos, under certain conditions. Next, a council member said she'll start the process of adding mold.
Forward Township
Cline gave a report on the recent Steel Rivers Council of Governments (SRCOG) meeting. Forward Township is a member of SRCOG, a coalition of 19 municipalities which collaborate on sustainable solutions to shared problems.
Forward Township
Forward Township supervisors approved a resolution to opt into the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, keeping the township eligible to apply for federal funds for the next three years.