Topic
City Council
The city says its deer herd has outgrown its food supply, and car-deer crashes are up. This year, targeted culling expands from last year's pilot in Frick and Riverview Parks to all Allegheny Regional Asset District parks. Those parks close at night for the sharpshooters. Council advanced about $99,500 for one year of the program.
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
Council members want State help to clear the City's litter and illegal dumpsites. That help could include borrowed equipment, contracts, and funding. Still, some members worried the request could distract from larger issues like the transit funding crisis. Meanwhile, a new City program that hires people leaving incarceration to pick up trash starts this weekend in Homewood.
City Council
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.
City Council
Resolving a trash can complaint in the city takes about three months, and violations end up in magistrate court. This week, a council member led a meeting on proposed fines meant to speed up clean-up. They're also meant to end reliance on the court. Meanwhile, the mayor's draft budget includes money to hire more inspectors.