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

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.

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.

Budget Planning Hearings Held for Every Major City Department.

Some city ambulances have broken down on the way to calls or with patients inside. In budget hearings with every major department, council heard that underinvestment in vehicles is driving up maintenance costs. The city's $665 million operating budget is $31 million smaller after tax shortfalls from appealed downtown assessments. Even so, it's balanced.

Slag Remediation and Improved Plastics Recycling - City Council Weeks of November 3rd and 10th.

It has been a lighter couple of weeks on the Council as last week was the election and this week had Mayor Gainey's State of the City address to the Council. Of note:

Council Interested in Revisiting Community Banking Requirements for Banks Doing Business with the City.

Banks that hold the city's money are scored partly on how much they invest in the community. A bank needs an average score of at least 3 out of 5 to qualify. Council will let the mayor extend contracts with those banks. Still, members said they want to revisit the criteria and raise the bar on community investment.

Councilman Charland Called a Special Meeting to Discuss the Mayor's Agreement with (Now Retired) Police Chief Larry Scirotto.

The mayor let the police chief referee 40 NCAA basketball games on his personal time off, without telling council or the public. After the news broke, the chief retired early. This week, a council member called a special meeting with top city officials, but the chief didn't attend despite an invitation. Several council members said they now have no trust in the mayor's office.

Council Is Ready to Suspend the Program Allowing for the Purchase of Neighboring Lots for $200.

Council is suspending the Side-Yard program, which let residents buy city-owned lots for $200 if they didn't build on them. Over several meetings, members couldn't agree on its future, so it's on hold until they settle on an alternative. One question was whether only adjoining property owners should qualify. For now, residents can still buy city property, just without the discount or the building limit.

Public Hearing on Zoning Changes to Allow Very High-Density Housing on Negley Ave. in East Liberty.

A zoning change would allow 264 new housing units on Negley Avenue in East Liberty, north of Penn. At a council public hearing, housing affordability advocates backed the project. Nearby residents, however, raised serious concerns about the added cars. They worry the neighborhood's infrastructure can't support them.

Council Expressed Support for the City to Own Proposed Solar Farm in Summerset at Frick.

A canceled housing site could become a large solar installation, with the rest joining Frick Park. The Summerset at Frick plan was dropped over its roughly $40 million infrastructure cost. This week, council voted to support ending the tax program meant to fund it. Members also discussed who should own the solar array and whether it could power nearby homes.

Fair Housing zoning changes, Public EV charging - City Council Week of October 14th.