City Council
With $645 million in debt already, the city wants to borrow $56 million more for bridges, roads, and buildings. On Feb. 18, council met with financial advisors about the bonds. Still, the city's yearly debt payment would drop to $46 million in 2027, since it's paying off more than it borrows. A final vote is scheduled for next week.
City Council
About 3,000 Pittsburgh properties are available as short-term rentals, a council member said. Last month, she reintroduced bills to regulate them, including permits for out-of-town owners. Another member said a New Year's Day mass shooting at an Airbnb revived the issue. For now, the zoning bill heads to the Planning Commission, and the permit bill waits at least 12 weeks.
City Council
For seven years, Pittsburgh police have paid for cell phone surveillance software. On Feb. 12, a council member flagged a $2,754 invoice for the software, called CellHawk. She said the administration told her police request data only with a search warrant. So far, the contract doesn't appear to be publicly available.
City Council
Three affordable senior high-rises pay the city about $150 a year each instead of property taxes. Now the finance department wants council to extend those agreements for 10 more years. Without them, the tax-exempt buildings would pay nothing, the finance director said. Council advanced the request, though one member worried it lets the department negotiate terms without council oversight.
School Board
Some Philips K-5 students will learn while walking instead of sitting through lessons. On Jan. 28, the school board authorized a pilot where students walk indoors while listening to a curriculum-based podcast. A nonprofit is providing it at no cost. The district's academic chief said it's considering expanding the program to other schools over the next several years.
School Board
A plan to close nine Pittsburgh Public Schools buildings is back on the table. After rejecting it 6-3 in November, the board voted 8-0 on Jan. 28 to reopen discussion. That version would have meant new schools for about 6,000 of the district's 18,000 students. Still, the board president said the vote wasn't an approval, and public meetings are next.
City Council
The money set aside for the city's unpaid water bill has come up $1 million short. On Feb. 4, the budget director said only $6 million of the $7 million council approved last year is available. The city still owes the missing $1 million, he said. Next week, council is expected to amend the transfer amount.
City Council
Pittsburgh's EMS fleet is in line for $10 million from UPMC and a $1 million state grant. Next week, council plans a final vote to accept the money. Chief of Staff Dan Gilman estimated the city can buy eight or nine more ambulances and a rescue unit. Still, he said the one-time gift is separate from talks on longer-term partnerships.
City Council
The city is adding snow removal vehicles after 37 plows broke down in one night. On Feb. 4, council gave preliminary approval to a $2 million PNC Foundation gift covering 15 of them. With other funds and retrofitted trucks, the city will have 70 snow vehicles. The mayor's chief of staff said they won't be ready this winter, though they should arrive by next winter.
City Council
On Jan. 28, acting police chief Jason Lando told council the city won't assist federal immigration enforcement. He spoke under oath in a four-hour interview, as council moves toward installing a new chief. He committed to working with leaders, the city's attorney, and affected residents on a plan. Lando also wants to bring in an in-house clinician for officer mental health.
County Council
Allegheny County serves residents regardless of immigration status, but that practice isn't written into county law. Six county council members have now proposed an ordinance to codify it. It would also bar county police and workers from helping federal immigration agents without a federal court order. For now, the bill has gone to the public safety committee.
County Council
Allegheny County's charter limits the executive to three terms in a row, but doesn't bar a return after a break. Five county council members want voters to close that gap with a May ballot question capping the job at three terms total. The ordinance calls that ambiguity undesirable. Next, the bill goes to the government reform committee.
City Council
When ambulances and snowplows sit in the shop, residents' safety suffers, city officials have warned. Now a council member has proposed a vehicle fund, with a goal of at least $20 million a year from 2027. The aim is to keep 70% of the fleet young enough that major repairs aren't expected. But council has held the bill for four weeks.
City Council
Rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania have gone six years without a state funding increase. Now, City Council has called on the legislature to raise funding for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and centers statewide. PAAR served nearly 2,500 people in the past year, about 15% of them children, council's request said. About 20% of its funding comes from the state, the Tribune-Review reported.
City Council
The North Shore could soon get signs the rest of the city doesn't allow, like big screens showing sporting events. On Jan. 21, council advanced a bill creating an entertainment district that includes the stadiums, casino, and museums. Still, product ads and large billboards visible from the highway would be banned. A final vote is expected Jan. 27.
City Council
Nobody knows exactly how many housing units the city has, or how many are available. On Jan. 13, a council member introduced a bill to create a housing data dashboard. Each month, it would show new units ready for occupancy and units no longer available. If passed, it would go live on the city's website by year's end.
City Council
Council has to approve the mayor's pick for police chief, plus eight of his other appointments. That pick is Jason Lando, a former Pittsburgh officer who now leads police in Frederick, Maryland. Other appointees who need council's OK include the city solicitor. Lando is scheduled to meet with council on Jan. 28.
City Council
The city charter requires public hearing notices in a newspaper, but the Post-Gazette plans to stop publishing in May. On Jan. 13, council's president proposed May ballot questions to allow online notices and change the budget process. However, the Trib announced Jan. 14 that it will resume a weekend print edition in May. Both proposals go to public hearings Jan. 27.
School Board
Starting this fall, Pittsburgh Public Schools students must turn in their phones at the start of each school day. The school board unanimously approved the policy on Dec. 17. Students also can't take, share, or view photos or videos of anyone on school property. Still, questions in an earlier draft about how to collect and monitor phones weren't addressed.
InformUp readers will soon get coverage of the Pittsburgh Public Schools board and Allegheny County Council. Each will have its own newsletter, included with existing city council subscriptions. Over the past year, the newsroom said, it shared over 2,500 reader survey responses with city council members. It also shared coverage of December's school board meeting, which approved a 2% property tax increase.