City Council
Urban Farm at Risk of Closing due to Esplanade Development.
A Manchester urban farm that has grown 12,000 pounds of food for residents since 2020 could lose its lot. Ebony Lunsford-Evans wants to buy the lot, and her City lease expires in July. It's in a zone earmarked for affordable housing near the Esplanade development. On May 19, 23 people spoke for her, but Council took no action because it wasn't on the agenda.
Written by Amy Whipple
- Ebony Lunsford-Evans is seeking to purchase a lot in Manchester that she has been using for an urban farm. Her lease with the City’s Adopt-a-Lot program will expire in July.
- Since 2020, Lunsford-Evans has grown and distributed 12,000 pounds of food to residents who can’t access fresh produce
- The lot is near the Esplanade development in a zone earmarked for affordable housing, which Lunsford-Evans said was not made clear to her
- Council President Lavelle later said that Adopt-a-Lot policy needs to be revised to avoid future confusion
- 23 people spoke on Lunsford-Evans’s behalf at the May 19 General Meeting
- There was no agenda item, so Council did not take action. They expressed desire to better support community farms with City resources.
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City Council
Controller Calls for Transparency for the Housing Authority.
Tenants and council members have repeatedly raised concerns about transparency at the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Last week, a City Controller report called the authority's data reporting unnecessarily complicated and vague. It recommends regular public reports to council, clear demographic data, and tenant surveys. Council received and filed the report without discussion.
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City's Land Bank Needs Additional Funding.
The Pittsburgh Land Bank, which sells vacant and tax-delinquent properties, has relied on American Rescue Plan money. It faces a shortfall after 2026, and its acting director said it isn't self-sustaining. Now, a council member has proposed a task force to recommend long-term funding. It would start after council's final vote next week and report in time for the 2026 budget.
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Money for new detective dedicated to investigating car thefts accepted.
Since its dedicated officer retired in January, the police car theft unit has relied on two part-time officers. Now, Council has accepted State auto theft prevention funds for one dedicated detective, plus overtime, equipment, and vehicles. Still, a council member noted a previous similar grant went unused. The acting police chief said an abandoned vehicle cleanup is coming soon.
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Council and community celebrate success of violence prevention in Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Through Safe Passage, some Pittsburgh Public Schools students train to interrupt violence in and out of school. On May 14, council heard from students and adults about its results. A public safety official reported discipline events down 27% and no homicides among 13- to 17-year-olds in 2024. Piloted at Perry High School in 2021, it's now in seven schools.
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Council to continue funding K9 unit with $30,000 over three years.
The police K9 unit's 15 dogs find missing people, narcotics, explosives, and hidden electronics. Council has voted on two bills letting police pick between breeders, with spending capped at $30,000 over three years. Usually, the force buys one or two dogs a year. A council member said it's the only time she sees kids in her district run toward police.
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Fire and EMS Vehicle Fleets Underfunded, Pose a Public Safety Risk.
Most City EMS vehicles and a third of fire vehicles are past service life or mileage limits. On May 6, council members agreed both council and the administration need to find funds. Proper upkeep would take $10 to 15 million a year, the public safety director said. Yet the five-year outlook allows only $3 million a year, a council member noted.
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Federal Grant to Fund Improvements at Homewood Park.
Homewood Park is a priority in the City's push for equity in neighborhood parks. With a $1.67 million federal grant, the City could add a field house, amphitheater, and gathering space there. Still, that covers only part of an estimated $12 to 16 million overhaul. Next week, a committee will discuss the bill to accept the grant.
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New Union Position for Neighborhood Crossing Guard to Help Fill Shortage.
At an April 8 meeting, council members discussed a longstanding crossing guard shortage and its danger to children at busy intersections. Now, a new union contract creates a Neighborhood Crossing Guard position. It lets qualified residents bid on specific local spots, which makes the job more accessible. Council authorized a budget-neutral transfer to match the new union contracts.
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Council Debriefs with Deputy Mayor on the City's Storm Response.
Residents had trouble reaching 911 during the storm because heavy call volume overwhelmed the phone network. Despite early reports, the County's 911 system itself didn't go down. For now, the deputy mayor has given Council early feedback on the City's response. A full review with Duquesne Light and others will follow once the emergency ends.
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City Okays Three-Year, $495,700 Contract for Cybersecurity Advising.
Emerging AI threats are part of why the City wants outside advice on cybersecurity. To get it, council has recommended a three-year, $495,700 contract with Forrester Research. The firm would provide IT research and advice to keep the City current on best practices. Still, one council member worried about approving a large expense during financial uncertainty.
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Declaration of Disaster Emergency Extended Until May 30.
The City's disaster emergency declaration now runs until May 30. It allows waiving contract rules, clearing fallen trees on private property, and documenting the response for possible State or federal aid. Meanwhile, residents can drop off yard waste at City sites for free. A council member worried about misuse, and the deputy mayor promised a public record of all purchases.
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“Tiny Lots” Approved After Spirited Debate.
Minimum lot sizes in Pittsburgh's residential zones range up to 8,000 square feet. This week, council advanced a change shrinking them in every zone, 5 to 1 with two abstentions. It would also drop the minimum unit size for apartments and condos. Still, some questioned voting right after the severe storm and whether zoning changes should come all at once.
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Council asks State for a $117 Million Budget Increase for Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
Without more state funding, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will cut up to 35% of its fixed-route service. Dozens of bus routes would be eliminated, fares would rise, and service would end after 11 pm. Council has now urged the governor and state lawmakers to help. Two council members said the $117 million request should be just the start.
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Riverlife Barge Venue to Dock at Allegheny Landing Park.
A floating public venue could soon dock at Allegheny Landing Park on the North Shore, near PNC Park. Council has recommended Riverlife's request to dock the barge there. Riverlife says it'll host primarily free activities and events, and it's now choosing a concession vendor. The barge is expected to open next month.
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Challenged Historic Designation for Former Gay Bar to Receive Public Hearing.
Donny's Place, a Polish Hill gay bar from 1972 to 2022, served as an AIDS-crisis outreach center. If approved, the site would become Pittsburgh's first LGBTQ+ historic landmark, and the nomination will get a public hearing. However, the Planning Commission voted against it, and the late owner's estate opposes it. For now, no hearing date has been set.
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$40,000 Contract with Law Firm for “Immigration Matters” Authorized.
Council discussed a $40,000 contract for immigration matters in an executive session closed to the public. It then authorized the deal with a global immigration law firm. The contract wasn't presented at a committee meeting before approval. Informup asked a council member's office and the firm for details, but neither had responded by publication.
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Bill to Allow Pollinator Gardens and Natural Landscapes Introduced.
Right now, city code bars native, pollinator, and rain gardens, along with any plant growth over 10 inches on residential properties. A new bill would exempt intentional plantings of native Pennsylvania plants. However, residents would have to register their gardens with the city before planting. A council committee will discuss the bill next week.
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Council Reopens Discussion of the Process to Purchase City Property After a Rescinded Sale.
Buying property from the City usually takes 12 to 18 months, sometimes up to two years. A resident who bought a City house in 2022 asked to cancel the sale, saying it deteriorated during the process. A council member raised concerns about the long process and the lack of property stabilization. Council approved a refund of the buyer's deposit, but no next steps were proposed.
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Untested Sexual Assault Kits to Be Processed.
Police have identified untested sexual assault kits tied to backlogged cases. Now, council has unanimously advanced a request for $37,000 from a 2023 grant, mostly for detective overtime on those cases. The request also sets aside $1,000 for a soft interview room for victims. Still, the number of untested kits wasn't mentioned.
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Proposed July 2024 Contract for Shelter Services Held Another Five Weeks.
A $1.5 million shelter services contract with Auberle has sat in committee since July 2024. It's fully funded by a federal program meant to reduce homelessness. Now, a council member said a federal housing official has reviewed an updated proposal giving preference to homeless families. Still, the amendment process includes a public hearing that hasn't been scheduled.