Council Proposes New Hiring Process Following Interim Chief Ragland's Departure, a New Downtown Substance Abuse Center, and a Study to Reunite Manchester and Chateau—City Council Week of March 3.

Council Discusses Residents' Frustrations on Snow Removal with No Action Taken, Sidewalk Repair Program for Low-Income Residents to be Made Permanent—City Council Week of Feb 24.

Providing Fire and Emergency Management Services to Wilkinsburg.

The Pittsburgh Fire Department will provide fire and disaster management services to Wilkinsburg under a five-year deal. Council approved the agreement, which has a total cost of about $11.9 million. The two have had these deals since 2011, and the new one is retroactive to January 2024. Services include smoke detector installation and fire code enforcement, but each keeps its own emergency medical services.

Council to Use Future Tax Revenue to Fund Infrastructure for North Side Esplanade (Ferris Wheel) Development.

Most new tax revenue from a planned North Side development would be reinvested on-site and in Manchester. Right now, the area brings in $84,000 a year in taxes, and that's projected to reach $8 million after the project. Council gave preliminary approval to creating the tax financing district, with a final vote next Tuesday. Future apartments and shops will still need separate approvals.

Goodwill Authorized to Receive $200K to Run 2025 Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program.

Youth from low-income households can get summer jobs through the Learn and Earn program. This year, Goodwill of Southwestern PA is authorized to receive $200,000 to run it. The money covers only administrative costs and doesn't pay participants' wages. Over six weeks, participants earn about $7.25 an hour in fields like social services, media, and science.

Public Hearing on Adopting the Manchester-Chateau Transit Revitalization Investment District Phase 1 Implementation Plan.

The North Side's Manchester and Chateau neighborhoods could get apartments, shops, a hotel, and a Ferris wheel. The Phase 1 plan uses a financing district that taps future tax revenue for development near transit. After a public hearing, council will hold a preliminary vote on Feb. 19. County Council and the school board must also sign off.

$2.4 Million Funding for Downtown Ambassador Program To Be Approved.

Downtown has ambassadors who help visitors, respond to opioid overdoses, and call in police or social services. Council voted unanimously to extend the program's funding from $1.2 million over two years to $2.4 million over four years. At the Feb. 5 committee meeting, members praised its work. Several, though, worried whether the funding is sustainable, since other districts could benefit too.

Appointment of Chief of Police Held until Public Hearing.

Christopher Ragland, a Pittsburgh officer for over 30 years, has been interim police chief since October 2024. On Feb. 1, the mayor officially nominated him for chief. Now, council has approved a member's request for a public hearing before appointing him. The member cited concerns from constituents and the NAACP.

Pittsburgh Joining Allegheny County in Supporting Programming for Children, Youth, and Families.

Learn and Earn offers summer jobs to young people ages 14 to 21 from low-income households. Now, a one-year city and county pilot will help fund it and other youth and family programs. The city will put in $4.2 million and expects $5 million from the county. The partnership also opens the door to more state funding.

Three Referendums to Amend the Home Rule Charter Heading to Voters.

Come May, city voters will see three Home Rule Charter changes on the primary ballot. They'd add an anti-discrimination policy, limit the amendment process, and restrict private sale or lease of the water and sewer system. The first two respond to a local divestment group's push for its own referendum. Council members worry that group's measure would hamper the city's ability to do business.

Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh to Receive $2 Million for Professional Services Relating to Eviction Prevention.

Tenants at risk of eviction can get landlord mediation and, if a case is filed, legal representation. Now, the Urban Redevelopment Authority is set to receive $2 million for those services. Last year, council let 20% of the Stop the Violence Fund go to tenant protection. To qualify, tenants must earn at or below 80% of the area median income.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Potential Misuse of the Home Rule Charter Amendment Process.

A proposed charter change would bar using the amendment process to add duties beyond the city's lawful authority. Six council members voted for it, and three abstained. Two abstaining members worried it could freeze the city's scope or limit the power of council and residents. A public hearing is set for Feb. 3, with a final vote Feb. 4.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Prohibiting Discrimination.

A proposed charter change would ban discrimination in how the city conducts its business. Since its first reading on Jan. 22, council has added sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and more to the protected groups. A council member said the new language better matches existing city policy. The measure won unanimous preliminary approval, and a final vote is set for Feb. 4.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Restricting the Lease and/or Sale of the City’s Water and Sewer System.

From 2012 to 2015, Veolia managed the city's water authority. That stretch included inaccurate billing and a chemical change allegedly linked to elevated lead levels. Now, council has unanimously recommended a charter change restricting the water and sewer system's lease or sale to private entities. A sponsor said it could prevent a repeat, and the final vote is Feb. 4.

Continuing Problems with NB Affordable Properties.

Since 2023, tenants of NB Affordable Properties in Homewood, West Mifflin, and elsewhere have reported bedbugs, rats, and no heat. So far, complaints to the company and federal housing officials have had little or no effect. A council member called a meeting with a member of Congress, city officials, and advocates. Speakers discussed inspections, which a council member said residents fear could lead to eviction.

Council hesitant to waive residency requirements to help close staffing gaps in the Parking Authority.

The Parking Authority has only 22 of the 44 enforcement officers it needs, and 33 of 53 garage attendants. Its executive director proposed lifting the city residency requirement as an immediate fix. Several council members, however, want to try higher wages and better recruiting first. Next week, the Authority plans to vote on lifting the requirement.

Council defers acceptance of $1.5 million in federal funds for individual shelter spaces.

People in need could get private, individual shelter spaces instead of group settings under a city bill. It would accept $1.5 million from a federal housing program to build them with Auberle. For now, council has put a four-week hold on the bill. No reason was given for the hold.

Funds allocated for polygraph testing services, despite questions about utility.

The city's Office of Municipal Investigations is set to get polygraph services for the next three years. Council passed a bill paying $25,000 a year for them, with one member voting no. That member questioned polygraph accuracy and the psychological impact on employees tested at work. Another noted that polygraph results don't hold up in court.

Reflecting on 2024.

No one the writer talks to knows about new trash can fines, red light cameras, or the city-funded ambulance service. After months of watching council, the writer says the real discussion happens in committee meetings. Budget hearings also turned up services like two free rodent traps a year. Informup hopes to help close the gap between council and the public.

Smart Loading Zones Pilot to Be Extended with No End Date.

Smart loading zones let drivers park free for 15 minutes, with cameras enforcing charges after that. The pilot is now set to be extended with no end date. The zones aim to keep spots turning over, cut double parking, and improve traffic safety. One council member, however, raised concerns about sharing revenue with private entities.

Public Hearing Requiring City Council Approval for New Community Housing.

The zoning board has the final say on new group homes for people with disabilities in residential zones. A proposed bill would hand that approval to council. It covers homes for 8 or more residents, including people leaving hospital or institutional treatment. However, it's in tension with the mayor's proposed fair housing amendment, which aims to ease building housing.