Topic
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
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.
City Council
About 1,000 traffic calming requests are waiting, and the city can only complete 10 a year. Now, council is considering spending $130,000 to unlock $1.3 million in federal funds. The grant would pay for three demonstration sites and a design guide for 10 high-need corridors. Projects are prioritized using crash data, nearby schools, and other factors.