Search

Topic

Government & Accountability

The latest

City Council

Three Sisters Bridges, Schenley Park and Pump Stations are on the verge of historic designations.

The Three Sisters bridges, two pump stations, and Schenley Park are close to gaining historic protection. Council gave them preliminary approval, and final designation is expected next week. Separately, a pending nomination already protects the former Office of Municipal Investigations building, which council approved selling in June. Council plans a public hearing on it, though no date is set.

Follow the issues:

Preserving Pittsburgh's historyManaging the city property portfolio

City Council

Community groups may be out of the business of organizing neighborhood development meetings.

Since 2018, neighborhood groups have run the community meetings developers must hold for projects that need city commission approval. On Oct. 8, a council member proposed suspending that, saying the city relies too much on nonprofits. The Planning Department wants to run the meetings itself, the council president said. For now, council agreed to the department's request for a two-week hold.

Follow the issues:

Who gets a say in neighborhood development

City Council

West End sidewalk, bus stop repair program gets $100,000 boost from the county.

Sidewalk and bus stop repairs, plus new crosswalks, are part of a mobility plan for the West End, Esplen, Elliott, and Sheraden. The county's redevelopment authority has added another $100,000, doubling its contribution to $200,000. City officials hope the work also draws people to the area's under-used business district. A council member said residents still oppose rezoning but favor this plan.

Follow the issues:

Fixing streets, steps, and wallsWho gets a say in neighborhood development

City Council

City looks to monitor social media for 311.

The city's switch to a new 311 system has drawn confusion and complaints. Now, the city plans to expand it to monitor social media and tie users to their comments. A council member said the city should get trash pickup right before adding capabilities like that. However, council doesn't get a vote on the expansion.

Follow the issues:

Reorganizing and modernizing City Hall

City Council

City could bar landlords from rejecting applicants over housing gaps.

Landlords increasingly ask for a housing history, and some reject applicants with gaps or past shelter addresses, a city official said. The city's human relations commission wants to make housing status a protected status in city code. However, two council members worried about an undue burden on landlords and the city. The final vote is set for Sept. 30.

Follow the issues:

Updating Pittsburgh's civil rights protections

City Council

City is renting rooftops for surveillance cameras.

The city pays to keep video cameras and related equipment on a Mount Washington condominium roof. Council voted to support a new five-year, $105,600 deal, though it still needs final adoption. A council member said it was the first she'd heard of the cameras. A city official said the cameras there monitor traffic and can't zoom in on license plates or faces.

Follow the issues:

Police surveillance tech under review

City Council

Youth Council graduates: new Commission serves young adults.

Teens ages 14 to 18 have advised the city through its Youth Council since 2006. Council has now affirmed a separate 15-member Youth Commission for ages 19 to 30. Members, appointed by the mayor and approved by council, will tell city officials what young adults need. The Youth Council itself must now have at least one member from every council district.

Follow the issues:

Young people's voice in city government

City Council

Additional protections for LGBTQIA+ residents.

Council voted in favor of adding LGBTQIA+ people as a protected class in the city code. The bill also makes it a low priority to enforce state and federal laws that criminalize parts of LGBTQIA+ identities. That includes laws on drag performance, Pride flags, and restroom use. It's a response to growing threats to LGBTQIA+ civil rights at UPMC, in some states, and federally.

Follow the issues:

Updating Pittsburgh's civil rights protections

City Council

Council issues a statement and introduces legislation to protect gender-affirming care.

Last week, UPMC said it will end gender-affirming care for patients under 19. Now, council has unanimously urged Governor Shapiro to affirm trans people's right to affordable gender-affirming care and protect providers from federal persecution. A council member also introduced an ordinance against denying medical care over gender identity or expression. Such care is currently fully protected under Pennsylvania law.

Follow the issues:

Updating Pittsburgh's civil rights protections

City Council

Councilmember Kail-Smith expresses frustration with City Planning and community input.

The Department of City Planning wants to apply for two $250,000 State grants to plan transit-oriented development. Council held the Sheraden Bus Station bill until after a public hearing, as Councilmember Kail-Smith requested. The South Hills Junction bill advanced, with her abstaining. She voiced frustration that City departments work with community groups without involving the relevant council member.

Follow the issues:

Who gets a say in neighborhood developmentReorganizing and modernizing City Hall

City Council

A City Department of Public Health.

The City's own health department closed in 1957, when the Allegheny County Health Department was created. On June 10, a council member introduced a bill to bring it back. It would sit under Public Safety, led by the chief of building inspection, who could appoint a certified public health deputy. Next, a committee will discuss it at a future meeting.

Follow the issues:

Reorganizing and modernizing City Hall

City Council

Lot sale sparks tense discussion about Council’s rights.

A City building in the Strip District has sat unused for 10 to 20 years, the council budget director estimated. Council has affirmed selling it to the URA for $1. Unlike the City, the URA can weigh a buyer's plans along with price. However, the one member who voted no said State law required public hearings for similar sales.

Follow the issues:

Managing the city property portfolio

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.

Follow the issues:

Oversight of the Housing Authority

City Council

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.

Follow the issues:

Reorganizing and modernizing City Hall

City Council

$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.

Follow the issues:

Who's watching city contracts

City Council

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.

Follow the issues:

Managing the city property portfolio

City Council

Open-Ended Professional Services Contracts Add 27 Unspecified New Vendors.

City departments can hire certain outside professionals for jobs estimated at $100,000 or less without a council vote on each one. Now, new legislation adds 27 vendors to that program, but it doesn't name them. Informup asked council for the list but hadn't heard back by publication. One council member worried the system could lead departments to overlook minority contractors.

Follow the issues:

Who's watching city contracts

City Council

Concerns raised about diversity amid changes to the Housing Authority Board.

The Housing Authority's board sets policy for an agency serving over 20,000 residents. The mayor has named three new members and reappointed one, pending council interviews. One council member questioned dropping a West End member, citing his diversity as an immigrant, LGBTQ+ person, and veteran. All four are people of color, and the council president agreed to schedule a discussion.

Follow the issues:

Oversight of the Housing Authority