2017

PITTSBURGH, PA (March 20, 2017) Tomorrow, Pittsburgh will join cities across the country in proclaiming the Cities' Immigration Day of Action declaring solidarity with our immigrant families and asserting our welcoming values. The nationwide action is being organized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Pittsburgh fosters welcoming and safe communities for all its residents, regardless of who they are or from where they come. Immigrants and citizens live and work together in the same communities and neighborhoods, and the City wants to protect an atmosphere in which every child will be born in a healthy environment, all young people will have access to a quality education, and all residents continue to be able to contribute to the City's economy.

What:

Press conference by Mayor William Peduto, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and immigrant community leaders.

Why: 

The City of Pittsburgh will join other cities across the country in proclaiming the Cities' Immigration Day of Action declaring solidarity with our immigrant and refugee community, and asserting its welcoming values. Cities across America have called on the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform and enforce the nation’s immigration laws in a humane manner that does not separate families; and, in the absence of substantive and humane federal immigration reform, cities seek strategies to protect and secure all their residents while ensuring that local law enforcement is focused on community policing.

Who:

Mayor Peduto, Exectutive Fitzgerald and other community leaders, including UPMC, Thar Technologies, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Cuzamil Restaurant and Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.

When:

3 p.m., Tuesday, March, 21, on the City-County Building Portico.

Additonally, interested reporters may wish to listen to a noon conference call tomorrow led by four mayors from around the nation.

U.S. Conference of Mayors leaders Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will host a bipartisan press conference call with reporters at 12 noon EDT to kick off the Day of Action.  On this day, mayors will come together with residents and stakeholders for a variety of activities, including community meetings and press events, to demonstrate their cities' support for immigrants and to underscore their value to both the national and local economies.

To join, please dial Conference Call Number:   888-609-5701  |  Passcode:  2940526. Reporters may RSVP to Elena Temple-Webb: etemple@usmayors.org

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.

Portions of Grant Street will remain closed at least through midday Tuesday as crews continue to assess the cornice of the Frick Building Downtown.

This morning structural engineers contracted by the building's owners inspected the corner of the building where a large piece of granite became dislodged over the weekend. They are also checking other parts of the cornice to see if they are structurally sound.

Ownership may be forced to build a 21-story scaffold at the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue to protect pedestrians and allow for repairs.

Building management and engineers will meet again Tuesday with officials from the city departments of Public Safety and Permits, Licences and Inspections to review ongoing work on the building and to determine when Grant Street can be reopened. It is likely that the inbound lanes of the avenue -- which are those fronting the Allegheny County Courthouse, across the street from the Frick Building -- will reopen first.

Motorists traveling Downtown should plan accordingly for traffic disruptions caused by street closures around the intersection.

PITTSBURGH, PA (July 31, 2017) A section of Grant Street in Downtown Pittsburgh is closed after a large piece of stone fell from the historic Frick Building over the weekend and smashed onto the roadway below.

To ensure safety for pedestrians and vehicles, Grant Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues will remain closed until repairs are made.

A report was lodged with Pittsburgh Police at approximately 2:45 a.m. Sunday that stone had fallen onto Grant Street from the Frick Building facade. Crews from the Department of Public Works barricaded the street and sidewalk, and inspectors from the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections found that a piece of the building's cornice had fallen off onto the street below. They ordered the area remain barricaded until structural engineers could inspect the damage and formulate a plan to repair and stabilize the structure.

Engineers were on-site Monday morning.The timeline of the street closure is unknown, pending study by the building's engineers.

The section of stone that fell is on the southwest corner of the building at Grant Street and Forbes Avenue.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.

Portions of Grant Street will remain closed at least through midday Tuesday as crews continue to assess the cornice of the Frick Building Downtown.

This morning structural engineers contracted by the building's owners inspected the corner of the building where a large piece of granite became dislodged over the weekend. They are also checking other parts of the cornice to see if they are structurally sound.

Ownership may be forced to build a 21-story scaffold at the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue to protect pedestrians and allow for repairs.

Building management and engineers will meet again Tuesday with officials from the city departments of Public Safety and Permits, Licences and Inspections to review ongoing work on the building and to determine when Grant Street can be reopened. It is likely that the inbound lanes of the avenue -- which are those fronting the Allegheny County Courthouse, across the street from the Frick Building -- will reopen first.

Motorists traveling Downtown should plan accordingly for traffic disruptions caused by street closures around the intersection.

PITTSBURGH, PA (July 31, 2017) A section of Grant Street in Downtown Pittsburgh is closed after a large piece of stone fell from the historic Frick Building over the weekend and smashed onto the roadway below.

To ensure safety for pedestrians and vehicles, Grant Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues will remain closed until repairs are made.

A report was lodged with Pittsburgh Police at approximately 2:45 a.m. Sunday that stone had fallen onto Grant Street from the Frick Building facade. Crews from the Department of Public Works barricaded the street and sidewalk, and inspectors from the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections found that a piece of the building's cornice had fallen off onto the street below. They ordered the area remain barricaded until structural engineers could inspect the damage and formulate a plan to repair and stabilize the structure.

Engineers were on-site Monday morning.The timeline of the street closure is unknown, pending study by the building's engineers.

The section of stone that fell is on the southwest corner of the building at Grant Street and Forbes Avenue.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017:

All lanes of traffic around the Frick Building Downtown will remain closed for at least two weeks to promote public safety, existing traffic detours, and the erection of scaffolding and safety walls around the site.

Engineers hired by the building's owners are still writing a report on the condition of the Frick Building's cornice, where a large section of granite was dislodged early Sunday and fell onto the street below, and plans to stabilize it.

With the long-term closure of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue that is necessary to complete the work, city crews will soon erect stronger barriers to keep pedestrians and vehicles away from the area. Many pedestrians have continued to pass under cordoned off parts of the streets and sidewalks around where the granite fell, however, so Pittsburgh Police warn that they will cite pedestrians for trespass if they enter the restricted area.

Parking restrictions around the area will stay in place.

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 1, 2017) Grant Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues remains closed today while studies continue on the masonry of the Frick Building Downtown. 

A northbound Grant Street lane closest to the Allegheny County Courthouse may reopen Thursday, August 3, but southbound lanes closest to the Frick Building will likely be closed for weeks. Building management has to build a wall within the southbound lanes to enable the construction of a 21-story scaffold to ecapsulate a corner of the building from which a 1500-pound piece of granite fell early Sunday morning onto the street below.

Once the scaffolding is built on the sidewalk at the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue the wall will be dismantled and some measure of traffic will again be able to travel southbound on the major Downtown artery.

Operations Chief Guy Costa, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and Permits, Licences and Inspections Director Maura Kennedy urged Downtown visitors and workers to be patient with upset traffic patterns, but said they were necessary to assure safety while protective measures are put in place.

Forbes Avenue between Ross Street and Cherry Way remains closed but a portion between Ross and Grant may reopen Thursday.

Director Hissrich noted that Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers were in place by 6:45 a.m. this morning to help traffic flow, which was much improved since Monday.

Building engineers are generating a report on the construction of the wall and the scaffording, as well as remediation efforts on the Frick Building cornice, which will be reviewed by PLI.

Further updates on the matter will be issued when necessary.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017:

All lanes of traffic around the Frick Building Downtown will remain closed for at least two weeks to promote public safety, existing traffic detours, and the erection of scaffolding and safety walls around the site.

Engineers hired by the building's owners are still writing a report on the condition of the Frick Building's cornice, where a large section of granite was dislodged early Sunday and fell onto the street below, and plans to stabilize it.

With the long-term closure of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue that is necessary to complete the work, city crews will soon erect stronger barriers to keep pedestrians and vehicles away from the area. Many pedestrians have continued to pass under cordoned off parts of the streets and sidewalks around where the granite fell, however, so Pittsburgh Police warn that they will cite pedestrians for trespass if they enter the restricted area.

Parking restrictions around the area will stay in place.

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 1, 2017) Grant Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues remains closed today while studies continue on the masonry of the Frick Building Downtown. 

A northbound Grant Street lane closest to the Allegheny County Courthouse may reopen Thursday, August 3, but southbound lanes closest to the Frick Building will likely be closed for weeks. Building management has to build a wall within the southbound lanes to enable the construction of a 21-story scaffold to ecapsulate a corner of the building from which a 1500-pound piece of granite fell early Sunday morning onto the street below.

Once the scaffolding is built on the sidewalk at the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue the wall will be dismantled and some measure of traffic will again be able to travel southbound on the major Downtown artery.

Operations Chief Guy Costa, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and Permits, Licences and Inspections Director Maura Kennedy urged Downtown visitors and workers to be patient with upset traffic patterns, but said they were necessary to assure safety while protective measures are put in place.

Forbes Avenue between Ross Street and Cherry Way remains closed but a portion between Ross and Grant may reopen Thursday.

Director Hissrich noted that Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers were in place by 6:45 a.m. this morning to help traffic flow, which was much improved since Monday.

Building engineers are generating a report on the construction of the wall and the scaffording, as well as remediation efforts on the Frick Building cornice, which will be reviewed by PLI.

Further updates on the matter will be issued when necessary.

Order supports qualified contractors and job training efforts

PITTSBURGH, PA (July 26, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today signed an Executive Order to support the local construction industry and new job training opportunities in Pittsburgh.  

The Responsible Contracting order calls for a creation of a labor-management task force that will study ways to: 

• Assist new businesses that want to invest in the city 
• Support redevelopment in under-served neighborhoods 
• Connect reputable contractors with local construction opportunities 
• Connect local residents with the training necessary to find good-paying jobs in the construction industry 

The Mayor was joined at a press conference today announcing the Order with members of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania and local developers. 

The Order says in part: 

WHEREAS To ensure public health and safety, safeguard City resources and investments and protect consumers of construction services from unqualified and disreputable firms, Pittsburgh would benefit from developing effective licensing, procurement and economic development policies, including the use of clearly defined technical qualification and contractor responsibility standards to address the unique challenges of the industry and ensure participation by competent, law-abiding contractors and properly trained craft workers. 

As for training, the Order states: 

WHEREAS, Pittsburgh, like that of many other municipalities, is facing serious skill shortages in construction due to shifting demographics, mass retirement of baby boomers and other factors; and such shortages will become increasingly worse without proactive policy solutions, which will severely undermine the City’s ability to ensure a sufficient pool of competent contractors and an adequate supply of skilled labor to meet project needs; and 

WHEREAS, This Administration also recognizes that, notwithstanding generally strong economic trends in Pittsburgh in recent years, there are still a substantial number of under-employed and unemployed residents who, with proper education and training, could help the City meet its demand for skilled workers on future projects. 

A copy of the full order is available here.

Call with Evon Onusic

Time: 10 a.m.

Interview with Tom Smith

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Call with Kateri Callahan

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting with Director Haller

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Interview with David Bernknopf

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Interview with Jennifer Beahm

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

City Intern Closing Celebration

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Personnel Department

Pa State Association of Boroughs Dinner

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Hotel Monaco

Learn and Earn End of Summer Celebration

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: 7120 Kelly Street

Speaking to the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees 

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Double Tree Hotel and Convention Center

North Side Industrial Development Company Announcement

Time: 12 p.m.

Location: 4107 Willow St.

Meeting with R. Henry Reese

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Interview with Eric Moncrief

Time: 2 p.m.

Meeting with Ed Barca

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Marching in Soul Stepping Parade for Harambe Black Arts Festival

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: 7120 Kelly St

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 4, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that weeknight lane restrictions on I-376 East (Parkway East) -- in the vicinity of the Greenfield Bridge -- will begin on Monday, August 7, 2017.  

PennDOT has approved the restrictions for weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. starting August 7, through September 5, 2017. Inbound and outbound single lane closures between Greenfield/Squirrel Hill and Oakland exits on I-376 East will be intermittent depending on weather and contractor schedule. Motorists using I-376 East should expect delays and drive with caution when overnight lane restrictions are in place.   

Lane restrictions are necessary to ensure safety for commuters and crews while work on the Greenfield Bridge reconstruction project continues, including painting and the removal of any remnant bracing pieces and equipment over the Parkway East. 

Additional information on the Greenfield Bridge Project can be found on the Oakland Transportation Management Association’s (OTMA) community outreach website (http://greenfieldbridge.otmapgh.org/).   

Questions concerning the overnight restrictions should be directed to Aaron Pickering, Project Manager of Michael Baker International, at 412-269-6423, or via e-mail to Apickering@mbakerintl.com.  

Interview with Kevin Gavin

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Bob Ewanco

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Lunch with Rep. Gainey

Time: 12 p.m.

Meeting with Councilwoman Kail-Smith and Pastor Coleman, White Lily Baptist Church

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Joan Haley

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

ITTSBURGH, PA (August 11, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure and Public Works advise that the installation of bike lanes on portions of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard in North Oakland will begin on Tuesday, August 15, 2017.  

Installation is expected to last one to two weeks and is weather dependent. Streets will remain open to traffic but road users should expect changing traffic patterns. Port Authority bus stops will remain active through the work area.  

Forbes Avenue is currently a 4 lane, one way road with heavy traffic and lacks a safe route for cyclists comminuting through the university campuses. The Forbes Avenue project will add bike lanes in both directions on Forbes Avenue from Bigelow Boulevard to Craig Street, connecting the University of Pittsburgh, Schenley Plaza, the Bayard Street bike lanes and Oakland’s two business districts (Forbes Avenue and Craig Street.) City of Pittsburgh officials, including Mayor Peduto and District 8 Councilman Dan Gilman, have been working closely with PennDOT, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and other community stakeholders to ensure that ongoing improvements to the Fifth/Forbes Avenue corridor will create a safer environment for all residents and roadway users. 

Adjacent to Forbes Avenue, Bigelow Boulevard between Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue is a block-long gap in the existing bicycle network. The City of Pittsburgh has been working closely with the University of Pittsburgh on the short-term and long-term designs for this block. The 2017 installation of bike lanes and reconfiguration of the street is the first step towards a long term, complete streets vision for this portion of Bigelow Boulevard.  

Costs associated with the Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard bike lane projects are allocated from the 2017 City of Pittsburgh Capital Budget funds. The total cost of materials (pavement marking installation, flex posts) for both projects is approximately $45,000. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2017. Bicycle signals are included in the project but will be installed at a later date. 

The Oakland neighborhood, Pittsburgh’s second largest job center, has a high concentration of people riding bicycles due to its job density, high student population and density of destinations. The added bicycle facilities are part of an overall transportation network plan. 

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Meeting with Mary Winthrow

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Chief McDonald-Roberts and Majestic Lane

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Singh Ajmani

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Director Hissrich

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Howard Fineman

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Kirsi Jansa

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with PJ Lavelle

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

New features include new design, advance search options and mobile compatibility

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 14, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh has unveiled a new design and functionality of the website, pittsburghpa.gov.

The new site was created and developed by the Department of Innovation and Performance (I&P) and is a major milestone for the city's primary digital resource. The last significant update to the website occurred in 2011. The new design incorporates features that will significantly improve the user experience:

· The responsive design will work on all devices, including computers, tablets and phones.

· A powerful search function will allow users to easily find the information they want without having to click through unrelated content to reach their destination.

· The new interface will make it easier for users to navigate the site with an emphasis on user experience and accessibility.

Today's website launch is just the beginning of a series of upgrades and improvements planned for pittsburghpa.gov. In the coming months the I&P Web Team plans to enhance and upgrade the website with new features and usage data to ensure that the most popular content is easily found. The new interface was specifically built to enable designers to adapt and make improvements over time based on user preferences and industry standards. The next phase of upgrades is expected to include:

· Additional mapping technology to improve the display of information

· Dedicated pages for immigrant/refugee communities in multiple languages

· Social Media Center that will further enhance the connections between city government and residents

User feedback is an essential element to continually improve functionality of the website over time. The I&P Web Team created a "Feedback" button on the main page and requests that the public submit comments pertaining to the new website. To access the feedback form, click the "Feedback" button in the bottom left corner of the main page.

The new website was created inhouse by I&P employees. There are no direct costs associated with the website or launch.

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PITTSBURGH, PA (August 14, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto issued the following statement today in response to the announcement of a protest scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh this Saturday:

"We have been monitoring social media and intelligence reports regarding potential right wing protests this weekend in Pittsburgh. However, we have not received any event permit requests nor confirmed whether any such protests will actually occur. We are preparing our public safety resources and are engaging with our community stakeholders. As Pittsburghers, we have zero tolerance for violence or hatred, and we will do everything in our power to keep our city's residents safe. While we must respect First Amendment rights, let me be clear: those spreading hate, fear and violence are not welcome in our city."

WDVE Morning Show

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Meeting with Rev. Natalie Hall

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Lunch with Grant Oliphant, Scott Izzo, and David Roger

Time: 12 p.m.

Meeting with Stephanie Haugan

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Summer School Children from the Turkish Cultural Center

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Rick Stafford

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Chief McDonald Roberts and Majestic Lane

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Interview with Reid Frazier

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 16, 2017) This afternoon, Mayor William Peduto will provide an update to members of the media on the status of a protest that had been announced in East Liberty this coming Saturday. The update will follow a meeting the Mayor is holding with Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and Police Chief Scott Schubert.

WHERE: Mayor's Conference Room, 5th Floor, City-County Building

WHEN: Approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 16.

Only credentialed members of the media are invited to attend.

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 17, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is welcoming all to a "Prayer for Pittsburgh, Prayer for Peace" event at noon Friday, in front of the City-County Building.  

The event, featuring remarks from several religious and community leaders, will be on Grant Street between Forbes and Fifth Avenues, which is currently closed due to repairs to the cornice of the Frick Building.  

The family-friendly event will also feature food and music. 

"It's time for the community to come together and pray for Pittsburgh and pray for peace. It's an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together and to share, like we do in Pittsburgh," Mayor Peduto said. 

The event was proposed by the Mayor's Chief Urban Affairs Officer Valerie McDonald Roberts. 

"We're going to have a peaceful time where Pittsburghers can come together in an ecumenical fashion and a Pittsburgh-based fashion – to come together, to talk to one another, and to understand more about Pittsburgh and its peace and tranquility," she said. "Peace is not just the absence of chaos. It's creating tranquility within yourselves in the midst of chaos." 

Office Hours

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Call Into the John McIntire Show

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Interview with WAMO 100

Time: 2 p.m.

Office Hours

Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

25th Annual Cookie Crusie

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: Gateway Clipper Fleet 

August 19

Building Community to Protect and Empower Youth and Families

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

August 20

No public events scheduled

Latino Community Center Opening

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Catholic Charities

No One Left Behind Pittsburgh Chapter Meeting

Time:7 p.m.

Location: Point State Park

Morningside Crossing Groundbreaking 

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: 1802 Jancey St.

Call with Brad Keywell

Time: 11 a.m.

Call with Meg Cheever

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting with Chief Schubert and Director Hissrich

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Professor Kostas Pelechrinis

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Gloria Forouzan

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Set Visit for Gone

Time: 5 p.m.

Summer Event for the The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC)

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Omni William Penn Hotel

Hilltop Farm at Former St. Clair Village Ribbon Cutting

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: 700 Mountain Avenue

Call with Shari Shapiro

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Pitt Students Career Day

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Personnel Department

Meeting with Congressional Representatives and Allegheny State Officials

Time:  3 p.m.

Location: 345 Sixth Avenue

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 24, 2017) – The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has announced the following overnight lane restrictions on I-376 East (Parkway East) in the vicinity of the Greenfield Bridge:

• Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 10:00 p.m. until Friday, August 25 until 6:00 a.m.
• Friday, August 25 from 10:00 p.m. until Saturday, August 26 at Noon

During the overnight hours listed above, outbound traffic on the Parkway East will be reduced from three lanes to one lane. When traveling outbound, the lane restrictions will being approximately 1,500-2,000 feet in advance of the Greenfield Bridge overpass and end shortly after passing under the bridge. Access to all exits and entrances of the Parkway East Inbound and Outbound, as well as the Squirrel Hill Tunnel will not be disrupted. All overnight lane restrictions have been approved by PennDOT.

The closure is necessary to allow Mosites Construction Company, the project contractor, to paint the overhead arches of the Greenfield Bridge. Inbound traffic lanes will not be restricted. Work is not scheduled Saturday or Sunday nights. All construction work is weather permitting.

When travelling through the work area, drivers are advised to use caution and expect delays.

The work is being performed by Mosites Construction Company. Questions concerning the overnight restrictions should be directed to Aaron Pickering, Project Manager of Michael Baker International, at (412) 292-7265, or via e-mail to Apickering@mbakerintl.com.  

Additional overnight lane closures are anticipated and will be announced at a later date.

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 24, 2017) IMG, the advisory firm chosen in April to study operations of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, will present its initial observations Monday in a meeting with Mayor William Peduto's Blue Ribbon Panel on authority issues. 

The firm has been engaged in its first phase of information gathering on a possible restructuring of the PWSA and will discuss its initial impressions of the authority with the panel. 

IMG will provide an update on their work to date; provide a high-level summary of initial observations; and introduce a briefing book for panelists, which will be uploaded to the city website for sharing with the public. 

This is the first public session by IMG since it started its study. Future public sessions are planned for September 12 and November 8, when the firm's final findings will be released. 

WHAT: IMG presentation on initial findings regarding PWSA operations 

WHEN: 10 a.m., Monday, August 28, 2017 

WHERE: Pittsburgh City Council Chambers, 5th Floor, City-County Building 

The meeting will also be televised on City Channel Pittsburgh. 

Call Craig Schweiger

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Meeting with Director Torres

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Solicitor Sanchez-Ridge and Director Gastil

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Honoring Local Police Officers Bravery with Congressman Doyle and County Executive Fitzgerald

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Gold Room, County Courthouse

YWCA Stand Against Racism Vigil

Time: 12 p.m.

Location: Wood Street and Third Avenue

Interview with John Mitchell

Time: 1 p.m.

Meeting with LaShawn Burton-Faulk

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office, 414 Grant St.

Meeting with Lucas and Jack Piatt

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: 260 Forbes Avenue

August 26

African American Heritage Parade

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Webster Avenue and Watt Street

Save My Care Bus Tour

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: Schenley Plaza

August 27

No public events scheduled

August 26

African American Heritage Parade

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Webster Avenue and Watt Street

Save My Care Bus Tour

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: Schenley Plaza

August 27

No public events scheduled

Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

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Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

###

Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

###

Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

###

Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

###

Advisory Firm Delivers Initial Review of PWSA Challenges to Blue Ribbon Panel

In its first public session IMG highlights work done to date, provides initial observations on PWSA troubles, and provides materials on various ways water systems can be restructured

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 28, 2017) The advisory firm tasked with studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority held its first public session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts named by Mayor William Peduto.

The authority is faced with enormous challenges including crumbling, 100-year-old infrastructure; massive debt; lead in service lines; and poor organization. The City, PWSA and the Blue Ribbon Panel in April selected Infrastructure Management Group (IMG) to study those issues and recommend ways to solve them.

Today was the first of three public sessions scheduled through the remainder of the year. IMG – led by chairman Steve Steckler -- described its work to date, its initial observations on the PWSA's shortcomings, and a list of restructuring options used by other cities and utilities, with accompanying backup materials.

Today's session was an introductory look at restructuring options. Another session will follow September 12 to take a deeper look into the PWSA's finances and operations, and a final session will be held where IMG will issue its final findings.

Materials issued to the panel are available for review here.

The materials include an overview of eight common restructuring options for officials to consider.

"The restructuring options for PWSA range from modest to extensive, and from public to private. It is fair to assume that each has their unique advantages and disadvantages for Pittsburgh’s water and sewer ratepayers," reads a summary of the options.

"As the Panel reviews these options, it is important for it to separate PWSA’s enormous organizational problems from the physical problems of its water and sewer system. They are two different but related issues. The latter will require more money than Pittsburgh’s water ratepayers are likely to grant to any restructuring partner until the PWSA’s organizational problems – governance, management, staff, systems and procedures -- are addressed. Moreover, the quality of the organization -- public or private -- strongly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital program: high-performing utilities are consistently better asset managers, with consequently lower water and sewer rates for the same level of service.

Accordingly, they are more respected stewards of their ratepayers’ money. Pittsburgh’s water rates will increase over the coming decades, but the size of the increases, like the cost of the long-term capital improvement program, are not invariant. The restructuring option chosen by the Panel will make a big difference."

The options are:

• Transfer to/Creation of a Private Non-Profit Utility
• Transfer to a Local Regulated Investor-Owned Utility
• Transfer to an Existing Regional Government Entity
• Aggressive Internal Improvement
• Outsourcing of Selected Services
• Short-Term Internal Improvement, Eventual Regionalization
• Operations and Maintenance Contract
• Concession Lease

"The PWSA is at a crisis point after decades of neglect and mismanagement, and bold action is needed to save this asset and preserve safe drinking water for Pittsburgh residents for generations to come," Mayor Peduto said. "We're not running from these problems any longer. This work by IMG, with support by the PWSA board, City Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel will find the solutions the public deserves. We are far from finding the right solution for Pittsburgh but today marks an important first step."

Further information and resources for the public on the work by IMG and the Panel will soon be available online. That work will be detailed at a later date.

###

PWSA Press Conference

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room

UPDATE: Three additional water distribution centers have been opened this afternoon. The additional locations are listed in RED below.  

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 29, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) have announced the following operations plan for the deployment of potable water resources during the current precautionary flush and boil advisory issued to PWSA customers northern neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh, the Borough of Millvale and Reserve Township. A copy of the PWSA Precautionary Flush and Boil Advisory issued on Monday, August 28 can be found here. 

Seven facilities throughout the affected boil water area (map) will serve as water distribution centers for and will be equipped with 2,500 gallon water buffalo tanks.  

Millvale
Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Millvale, PA 15209 
Reserve Twp. 
Reserve VFD, 33 Lonsdale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 

City of Pittsburgh 
Pressley High Rise, 601 Pressley Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 
Pennsylvania Bidwell, 1014 Sheffield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 32, 900 Spring Garden Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15212 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 33, 3284 Central Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 34, 3914 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15214 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 35, 1519 Orchlee Street, Pittsburgh PA 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 37, 1124 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 38, 198 Essen Street, Pittsburgh, PA 

Water buffalo tanks are expected to be accessible to the public by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017. Water distribution centers are available for the exclusive use of residents and business affected by the water advisory. Containers will not be provided. Residents should bring sanitized, portable containers to transport potable water from the distribution center.  

City of Pittsburgh residents that are unable to access water distribution centers should contact the 311 Response Center for assistance.  All calls to 311 are answered by a live operator from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In the City of Pittsburgh, dial 3-1-1.  Outside of Pittsburgh, call 412-255-2621. 

Schools, restaurants and businesses in the affected city neighborhoods should continue to comply with the terms of the advisory, and only provide pre-boiled PWSA water or bottled water.  The Allegheny County Health Department has provided the following guidelines for food preparation safety during a water supply interruption. 

The PWSA Customer Service call center will be operating on extended hours from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. daily.  

PWSA Customer Service  
412 255-2423  
Info@pgh2o.com 

Updates on the status of the boil advisory will be provided by PWSA as information becomes available.  

### 

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 31, 2017) City of Pittsburgh offices and facilities will be closed Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day.  

There will be no refuse or recycling collection Monday and all collections will be delayed by one day for the balance of the week. 

Six Citiparks swimming pools around the city will be open for the final day this summer. Those pools are: 

• HIGHLAND PARK, 151 Lake Drive, Highland Park 
• JACK STACK, 600 Brighton Woods Road, Brighton Heights 
• MOORE, 1801 Pioneer Avenue, Brookline 
• REAM, 321 Merrimac Street, Mt. Washington 
• SCHENLEY PARK, Overlook Drive, Oakland  
• SUE MURRAY, 301 Cedar Avenue, North Side  

The Mellon Park Tennis Center will be open Monday but all other Citiparks facilities will be closed. 

There will be no Pittsburgh refuse collection Monday.  Residents normally serviced Monday will have their trash collected Tuesday. Those with Tuesday collection will be serviced Wednesday, and so on through the rest of the week. 

The 2017 Labor Day parade will commence at 10 a.m. Monday and streets around the Downtown parade route will begin closing at approximately 7 a.m. The route this year is Centre Avenue at Washington Place, onto Sixth Avenue and then Grant Street, and finally onto the Boulevard of the Allies. The parade ends at Stanwix Street by the United Steelworkers headquarters. 

Please note that Port Authority bus routes in the area will be impacted by the street closures. Streets are expected to reopen by 2 p.m. 

International Overdose Awareness Day

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: Trinity Cathedral

Meeting with Marimba Milliones

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: 2015 Centre Avneue

Officiating Wedding Ceremony

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

International Overdose Awareness Day

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: Trinity Cathedral

Meeting with Marimba Milliones

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: 2015 Centre Avneue

Officiating Wedding Ceremony

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Interview with Timothy Ameye

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Flag Raising Ceremony at Steelworkers Tower

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: 2639 Perrysville Avenue

Meeting with Chief Ashbaugh

Time:11:30 a.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Chief Acklin

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Chief Lestitian and Director Leger

Time: 12:45 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Director Ricks

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Director Hissrich

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Director Gable

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Meeting with Director Griffin

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mayor's office

Union of African Communities in Southwestern PA Diversity Awards

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Rivers Casino

Test article for Press Release.

Saturday, September 2

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, September 3

No public events scheduled.

Monday, September 4

SEIU Rally

Time: 9 A.M.

Location: Freedom Corner, Centre Avenue at Crawford Street 

Marching in Labor Day Parade

Time: 10 A.M.

Location: Fullerton Street at Centre Avneue

Saturday, September 2

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, September 3

No public events scheduled.

Monday, September 4

SEIU Rally

Time: 9 A.M.

Location: Freedom Corner, Centre Avenue at Crawford Street

Marching in Labor Day Parade

Time: 10 A.M.

Location: Fullerton Street at Centre Avneue

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 5, 2017) Mayor William Peduto released the following statement regarding the decision by President Donald Trump to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children from deportation:  

"President Trump's decision today is pathologically cruel and a tragic repudiation of fundamental American values.  

The President's decision is ethically, legally and economically wrong. It puts the futures of nearly 1 million people at risk, more than 90 percent of whom are valuable members of the nation's workforce. It further squanders two centuries of trust in the American ideal, and the unalienable rights of all to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is reckless and unforgivable. 

It sets a very dangerous and chilling precedent. Those in DACA came forward and voluntarily registered with the federal government, and they are now facing the fact that federal officials may use that personal information against them.  

Despite this action I want all immigrants living in Pittsburgh – working here, studying here, raising a family here -- to know that I and others will do all we can to protect you. Our city was built by generations who came before you, and you will help us grow and thrive for generations to come. This is your city, and you are welcome here. 

Pittsburgh is a member of the Dream Coalition, a nationwide effort of government officials, CEOs, faith leaders and others working to preserve and protect DACA and Dreamers. The City will join in legal and legislative efforts to preserve this program, and the promises the United States have made to undocumented immigrants brought here as children. This fight is not over." 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 5, 2017) – The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has announced the following update to overnight lane restrictions of the inbound lanes of I-376 East (Parkway East) in the vicinity of the Greenfield Bridge. Overnight lane restrictions will again take place tonight, Tuesday, September 5, 2017, from 9:00 p.m., until Wednesday, September 6, at 5:00 a.m.

During the overnight hours listed above, inbound traffic on the Parkway East will be reduced from two lanes to one lane. The single lane restrictions will begin as inbound motorists approach the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and end shortly after motorists pass under the Greenfield Bridge.

Additionally, the Squirrel Hill entrance ramp to I-376 Parkway East inbound will be closed. Inbound ramp traffic will rerouted via a posted detour.

The exit ramp immediately after passing through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel inbound (to Squirrel Hill and Homestead) will remain open as well as all other outbound exits and entrances for the Parkway East.  

All overnight lane restrictions have been approved by PennDOT. The restrictions are necessary to allow Mosites Construction Company, the project contractor, to paint the overhead arches of the Greenfield Bridge. All construction work is weather permitting.

When traveling through the work area, drivers are advised to use caution and expect delays.

The work is being performed by Mosites Construction Company. Questions concerning the overnight restrictions should be directed to Aaron Pickering, Project Manager of Michael Baker International, at (412) 292-7265, or via e-mail to Apickering@mbakerintl.com. 

###

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 5, 2017) Representatives from Infrastructure Management Group Inc., which is studying possible ways to restructure the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, will hold its second session with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts next Tuesday. 

An introductory session was held August 28. Like that session, next week's event will be open to the public, and held in Pittsburgh City Council Chambers at 3 p.m. 

The agenda for the September 12 session is as follows: 

1. Preliminary report from the IMG legal review team, including an initial assessment of the legal issues surrounding each of the PWSA restructuring options. 

2. Preliminary report from the IMG financial review team, including an initial assessment of PWSA’s financial condition and its internal controls. 

3. Report on continuing community outreach efforts.  (A public forum on PWSA matters and IMG's work is tentatively scheduled for the first week of October. More information will be available at a later time.) UPDATE: A website to follow IMG's ongoing work and to get backup information has been launched at pwsablueribbon.org/.

4. Presentation by Daniel Evans, President of the Board of Trustees of Citizens Energy Group.  Citizens Energy is a non-profit charitable trust founded more than 100 years ago to own and operate Indianapolis’s gas works. In 2011, Indianapolis transferred its water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy.  Prior to 2011, the city’s water and sewer system was owned by the City of Indianapolis and operated by two large international water companies. 

5. Presentation by Lauren Brookey, member of the Board of Directors of the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA).  Ms. Brookey is also chairwoman of TMUA’s 4-year Utility Enterprise Initiative (UEI), which has transformed Tulsa into a Best-In-Class water and sewer utility through advanced management technology, organizational restructuring and business process reform enacted through a contractual arrangement between the TMUA and the City of Tulsa. She will be joined by Eric Lee, director of finance and staff manager of the UEI. 

IMG will hold another session November 8 to give the Panel its final recommendations for restructuring PWSA. 

After that session it is expected more public input will be taken on the recommendations, and they will be taken to the PWSA board, the Peduto administration and City Council for consideration.

More than 16,000 participants expected to compete in the 10K and 5K races for the 40th edition of Pittsburgh’s largest fall road race on Sept. 24 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 5, 2017)  - The City of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce a partnership with Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R) to produce the 2017 Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and Dollar Bank Junior Great Race. 

"The Great Race is one of the city's longest running traditions and is a fitting tribute to one of Pittsburgh's great mayors," said Mayor William Peduto. "We are thrilled to partner with P3R to make this event even more special for the 40th anniversary and beyond." 

Following a 39-year run as a product of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation, the City of Pittsburgh issued an RFP soliciting bids for a professional organization to assist the city with race operations, planning and execution in an effort to grow and uphold the longstanding traditions of The Great Race. P3R, the nonprofit organizers of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and other running events, was awarded a multi-year contract to produce the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and Dollar Bank Junior Great Race. 

“P3R is honored to carry out the historic tradition of the City of Pittsburgh Great Race," said Patrice Matamoros, P3R CEO. “The spirit of the event is truly community-oriented, and this year is even more special with the celebration of the 40th anniversary.” 

The Great Race, scheduled for Sunday, September 24, will celebrate the 40th running and feature 16,000 runners in a 10K run, 5K run and 5K fitness walk. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Great Race, race organizers are introducing a finisher medal for each participant as well as runner shirts featuring custom artwork designed by Pittsburgh native Burton Morris. 

The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race featuring a Family Fun Run, Tot Trot and Diaper Dash, is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, at Point State Park. Celebrating its 22 anniversary, the Dollar Bank Junior Great Race will feature gift bags, raffle prizes, keepsake photos and interactive activities for children 12 years of age and under. 

Proceeds from The Great Race will continue to support the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund,  a fund held by the Pittsburgh Foundation and dedicated to supporting medical research. Amyloidosis is a rare protein disorder in which one or more organ systems in the body accumulate deposits of abnormal proteins known as amyloid. Each year the City of Pittsburgh donates $1 from every Great Race and Junior Great Race registration to the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund. 

Registration for The Great Race (Sunday, Sept. 24) is $40 and for the Dollar Bank Junior Great Race (Saturday, Sept. 16) is $10. For more information or to register, visit: www.RunGreatRace.com. 

Get updates from The Great Race on Social Media on Twitter (@greatracepgh), Instagram (@greatracepgh) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GreatRacePGH/ 

ABOUT P3R: 

In a 9-year span, P3R has grown to become one of the preeminent lifestyle brands in Pennsylvania through its development of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler and the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile.  

Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R) is a non-profit organization which promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events open to a wide variety of ages and ability levels. Our events will consistently serve the needs of our participants and our sponsors; will engage and reward our volunteers; will enhance the economic well-being of the Pittsburgh region; will partner with public and private entities to create the best possible event experience and partner with appropriate charitable organizations to give back to the community. See more at: www.pittsburghmarathon.com/about-us 

FACEBOOK: DSGPM     TWITTER: @PghMarathon     INSTAGRAM: PghMarathon      

HASHTAGS: #PghMarathon #GameOnPGH 

###

Welcoming Glasgow Delegation
Time: 10 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Mike Lee
Time: 11 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Interview with MJ Slaby
Time: 11:30 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Chief Debbie Lestitian
Time: 2 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Director Lee Haller
Time: 2:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Director Ray Gastil
Time: 3 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Director Maura Kennedy
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Speaking to Pitt Dems Meeting
Time: 9 P.M.
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning

City of Pittsburgh & Allegheny County Foundation Meeting
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Location: Centre City Tower

Sharing and Caring Boat Ride for Hospitalized Veterans
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Location: Gateway Clipper Fleet, Station Square

Call With Jeff Sonnenfeld
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Weekly Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich and Chief Scott Schubert
Time: 2 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Chief Sam Ashbaugh and Director Jennifer Presutti
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting with Director Ray Gastil and URA Director Rob Rubinstein
Time: 3 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Delivering Opening Remarks at National TREA Conference
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: Sheraton Hotel, Station Square

Speaking At Opening Session Of Pittsburgh Civic Leadership Academy
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (Thursday, September 7, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh Art Commission’s public process on the future of the Stephen Foster statue in Oakland begins tomorrow, in advance of two October hearings on the future of the statue.

Mayor William Peduto has asked the Art Commission to review the 1900 statue – which features the Pittsburgh-born composer and an African-American slave. The statue is owned by the City and is on City property, and its placement comes under the purview of the Art Commission.

The Art Commission will hold a special hearing on the matter on Wednesday, October 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the first floor hearing room at 200 Ross Street. After a brief presentation on the statue by City Archivist Nick Hartley, those interested are invited to speak to the Art Commission. A court reporter will be present. No formal Committee action will be taken.

Prior the hearing, and beginning September 8, the Commission will host a comment section on its website to collect written testimony of up to 500 words in length. The form will have the options stated under Chapter 175.04 of the City Code -- including removal, relocation, or alteration of City-owned art -- in order for the public to express their opinion on how the Art Commission should proceed.

Following the October 4 Special Hearing, the Art Commission will hear additional public testimony, prior to taking action on the Statue, at its regularly scheduled Hearing at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25. A summary of comments and a final report on the Statue will be provided followed by final recommendations regarding the statue’s placement.

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Meeting With Alison Judge
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Councilwoman Darlene Harris, Mark Fatla, & Mark Masterson
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Bill Hunt
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Pittsburgh Promise Director Saleem Ghubril & Betsy Magley
Time: 2 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Karen Lightman
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Cameron McLay
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Reed Smith's 140th Anniversary Celebration
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Location: Reed Smith Centre

Wines Under Glass Gala
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Location: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Schenley Park

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 7, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh plans to compete for the new site of AmazonHQ2, a second headquarters location announced by the Seattle-based company this morning. 

Amazon plans to invest $5 billion in the headquarters and hire some 50,000 workers in the winning city. 

"With an unmatched portfolio of technological talent and intriguing development parcels, Pittsburgh is uniquely positioned to submit a winning bid for Amazon's facility. This is a transformational opportunity unlike any that we've ever seen," Mayor William Peduto said. 

The Peduto Administration has already been working with County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Economic Development and corporate, university and foundation stakeholders to begin planning, and has strategy sessions already set tomorrow and early next week. 

The City will likely build upon existing work it has already done with such stakeholders through the Smart City Challenge application it submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation last year. Pittsburgh was a finalist in the nationwide challenge. 

At this early stage no parcels, incentives or any other details on Pittsburgh's bid are yet identified.  

More information will be released at a later date. 

Friday, September 8, 2017

Day off.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule September 11, 2017

Speaking at Congressional briefing "How Can Cities Become More Resilient to Extreme Weather?"

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Room 122, Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C.

Mayor William Peduto Featured Speaker at Congressional Briefing on Resilience and Extreme Weather 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 11, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Washington D.C. today, where he will speak at a Congressional briefing on resilience and extreme weather. 

The afternoon briefing is being hosted by the National League of Cities and the Environmental and Energy Institute. The Mayor will speak on the resilience strategies Pittsburgh has adopted since being named one of the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities in 2014. 

"In Pittsburgh, resilience means planning for long-term threats to our residents, whether they be environmental or economic, and the short-term threats that increasingly face cities nationwide. We must do all we can to study and prepare for the shocks that come with climate change and economic disruption, and particularly their out-sized impacts on our most vulnerable neighbors," the Mayor said. 

The City's ONE PGH Resilient Pittsburgh strategy document is available here. 

Today's briefing, entitled "How Can Cities Become More Resilient to Extreme Weather?," is being held from 3-4:30 p.m. in Room 122, Cannon House Office Building. It is set for live-streaming at www.eesi.org/livecast. 

The Mayor and two other panelists – Flagstaff, Ariz., sustainability manager Nicole Antonopoulos Woodman and Sustainable Cities Institute program director Cooper Martin – will discuss ways cities can reduce their vulnerability to extreme weather and the impacts of weather events. 

The main audience for the briefing is Congressional staff, federal agencies, public interest groups, industry leaders, academics and others.  

NLC/EESI describes the panel this way: 

Mayors are on the front lines when natural disasters and other catastrophic events threaten lives and property. The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invite you to a briefing about what cities throughout the United States are doing to protect their communities by investing in resilience. Infrastructure dollars are only part of the story. Equally important is funding for planning that accounts for new weather patterns with more severe impacts than we’ve seen in the past and preemptive action to keep people and structures safe and functional. Coordinating land use; updating building codes; and strengthening social networks, lifelines and communications are just a few examples. These investments are resulting in additional community benefits: lower monthly expenses for households, businesses, and the city itself; the protection and restoration of natural resources; and local economic growth and job creation.  

The United States is experiencing more heat waves, more heavy downpours, more floods, and more droughts, according to the 2014 National Climate Assessment. Tropical cyclones cause the most damage—more than $580 billion since 1980, followed by droughts ($232 billion), severe storms ($200 billion), and inland flooding ($118 billion). More than 9,600 Americans have lost their lives in the 212 largest weather disasters since 1980.  

About the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI): 

EESI is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path. We work on a wide variety of topics including climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, forestry, transportation, urban planning, and buildings. The funding for our highly acclaimed Congressional briefings comes primarily from foundations, with some general support provided by private donors.  

City Launching Public Safety Multicultural Liaison Unit to Work with Immigrant and Refugee Communities 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 11, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh is launching a Multicultural Liaison Unit to help build trustworthy and sustainable relationships between Department of Public Safety workers and members of the city's immigrant and refugee communities. 

The unit will translate police, fire and medic materials into several foreign languages, hold educational events for immigrant communities, and provide multicultural training for Public Safety recruits. 

The MLU is a community policing recommendation in the Welcoming Pittsburgh plan released by Mayor William Peduto in 2014. It will be comprised of members of the Mayor's Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment, the Department of Public Safety and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. This team will work closely with members of the Welcoming Pittsburgh Advisory Committee to ensure consistent community input and community-driven solutions.  

Legislation to accept $50,000 in grant funding to underwrite the MLU is being introduced to City Council Tuesday. 

The MLU will focus on 3 major initiatives: 

1. Communication and Language Access 

2. Outreach and Education 

3. Multicultural Trainings 

Communication and Language Access: Public Safety literature will be translated and distributed as well as “Watch and Learn” videos that will explain basic laws and protocol in various languages and will feature Public Safety employees from Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Both the videos and documents will be translated into the 5 most common foreign languages in the city. They are: 

• Arabic   

• Chinese 

• Nepalese  

• Spanish  

• Swahili  

Outreach and Education: Both outreach and education are seen as vital for Public Safety employees to build connections and trust within the community. Events such as “Know Your Rights Sessions,” “Immigrant and Refugee Public Safety Academy” and more will be held within the region of the specific immigrant and refugee populations. 

Multicultural Trainings: Multicultural training will be incorporated into the new recruit training for each of the Public Safety bureaus. These trainings will help first responders effectively address and support the public safety needs of residents with various cultural backgrounds and limited English language skills. The objective is to help officers understand, respect and appropriately respond to cultural norms when interacting with immigrant and refugee community members.  

The MLU will also conduct community discussion forums and social engagement events in different parts of the city.  

The launch of the MLU was made possible by a generous donation by the Heinz Endowments.  

For more information about the MLU initiative, please visit the Welcoming Pittsburgh Facebook page.

Contact: Commander Eric Holmes at eric.holmes@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-323-7814, or Assistant Director of Public Safety Shatara Murphy, shatara.murphy@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2374.

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 12, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure and Public Works, in partnership with the Buhl Foundation, are pleased to announce that the installation of a two-waycycle track around Allegheny Circle in Allegheny Center (Northside) is scheduled to begin the week of September 12, 2017. The cycle track will connect existing cycling infrastructure on Federal Street, East Ohio Street, and Ridge Avenue and is the first phase of the proposed reconstruction of Allegheny Circle.

"The failed design of Allegheny Circle as a four-lane, high speed ring road has needed improvements like this for decades," said Mayor William Peduto. "This redesign will further enhance the ongoing transformation of Allegheny Center into a hub for 21st Century infrastructure and development in the Northside. Phase One is a great start and next year we will bring federal funding to the table to complete the transformation of the 'circle' to a multimodal, pedestrian friendly urban street." 

Allegheny Circle is currently a four-lane, one-way ring road circling the mid-century redevelopment of Allegheny Center. In 2016, the City of Pittsburgh engaged several stakeholders in the process of planning the conversion of the Allegheny Circle into a neighborhood-scale street that fits more in line with the residential and park infrastructure in the surrounding area.

“This has been a dream of Northsiders for decades,” said Diana Bucco, President of the Buhl Foundation. “The partnership between the City, One Northside, the Northside Leadership Conference and a host of community folks to bring this dream to reality is just another indication that the Northside is on the rise.” 

Construction on the project will take place in two phases. Phase One is scheduled to begin this week with the installation of two-way bicycle cycle track on the interior lane of Allegheny Circle. All public parking will be shifted to the exterior curb lane of the circle. This work will include: painting, installation of flexible delineators, parking signage, and signal timing improvements. Work is scheduled to be completed by September 22, 2017. 

During installation, commuters should anticipate intermittent lane restrictions and temporary "No Parking" zones throughout the project area starting the week of Tuesday, September 12. The project area includes: Allegheny Circle (North Commons, East Commons, South Commons, West Commons); East Ohio Street from East Commons to Cedar Avenue; Federal Street from North Commons to North Avenue; West Ohio Street/Ridge Road from Merchant Street to West Commons. No permanent closures or detours are required during this Phase.    

In 2018, as part of a SMART transportation grant, the project will be completed with the conversion of the Circle to two-way traffic, demolition of traffic islands, replacement of three traffic signals with stop signs and related pedestrian accommodations, including upgrades to the pedestrian crossings at intersections. The goal of the reconstruction project is to transform the highway-like roadway to a more appropriate neighborhood street that reconnects the community and its schools, churches, entertainment facilities, and recreational assets including the city’s bicycle network.  

“These improvements will be truly transformative for the entire community on the Northside,” noted Jeremy Leventhal, Managing Partner of Faros Properties, the development firm redeveloping the Allegheny Center. “Allegheny Center has long been isolated by a four-lane highway. We’re thrilled that the community and city have worked to reconnect the streets for pedestrians and bikers with thoughtful and collaborative urban planning.”  

The completion of the two-way conversion project will include a series of future public meetings with private and community stakeholders through the course of the next eight months. 

The City of Pittsburgh is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Buhl Foundation, Faros Properties and several community stakeholders on the reconstruction project. 

The total cost of this initial phase is $80,000. All work is weather permitting.  

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PITTSBURGH, PA (September 12, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that Shaler Street --  from Well Street to Minnotte Square -- in Duquesne Heights will be closed on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  

Crews will be performing seasonal maintenance along the roadway during the closure. 

###

Meeting With Bruce Katz

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Announcement Of The Brookings Pittsburgh Report

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Energy Innovation Center

Weekly Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Borough Of Sharpsburg Manager William Rossey

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Skype Interview With Jim Lokay

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Intellectual Series

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: Senator John Heinz History Center

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 14, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works advises that overnight lane restrictions of the inbound lanes of I-376 East (Parkway East) in the vicinity of the Greenfield Bridge/Squirrel Hill Tunnel will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017, and last until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2017.  

During the overnight hours, inbound traffic on the Parkway East will be reduced from two lanes to one lane and the I-376 Squirrel Hill west bound entrance ramp will be closed. The single lane restrictions will begin as inbound motorists approach the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and end shortly after motorists pass under the Greenfield Bridge. Inbound ramp traffic be will rerouted via a posted detour. 

The exit ramp immediately after passing through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel when traveling inbound (to Squirrel Hill and Homestead) will remain open as well as all other outbound exits and entrances for the Parkway East.   

All overnight lane restrictions have been approved by PennDOT.  The restrictions are necessary to allow Mosites Construction Company, the project contractor, to mill and pave the road surface. All construction work is weather permitting.  When traveling through the work area, motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays. 

The work is being performed by Mosites Construction Company. Questions concerning the overnight restrictions should be directed to Aaron Pickering, Project Manager of Michael Baker International, at (412) 292-7265, or via e-mail to Apickering@mbakerintl.com.   

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Welcoming Remarks At The Pennsylvania Society Of Professional Engineers Conference

Time: 8:00 A.M.

Location: Sheraton Hotel, Station Square

Brookings Seminar

Time: 9:30 A.M.

The Heinz Endowments, EQT Plaza

2018 Capital Budget Meeting

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Institute Of Politics Elected Officials Reception

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Sheraton Hotel, Station Square

MEDIA ADVISORY

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 14, 2017) – The Office of Mayor William Peduto, City of Pittsburgh Department of Innovation & Performance, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Housing Authority of Pittsburgh (HACP), and the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) will host an Inclusive Innovation Meetup featuring PGH Lab Startups on Friday, September 15, at 3:00 p.m.

The Inclusive Innovation Meetup will celebrate the culmination of the second cycle of the PGH Lab program. During the most recent cycle, the City of Pittsburgh and participating organizations tested a variety of new technology solutions ranging from 3D mapping to water quality sensors to smart clothing for women in the workplace. 

WHEN:          Friday, September 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.         

          3:00-4:00 p.m. Program

          4:00-5:00 p.m. Networking

WHERE:       City- County Building Portico, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

WHO:             

Speakers:

• Dan Gilman, City Council, District 8, City of Pittsburgh

• Valerie McDonald-Roberts, Chief Urban Affairs Officer, City of Pittsburgh

• Tom Link, Director of Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, URA

Special Guest Organizations:

• Startable Pittsburgh is a free eight-week summer program that teaches students ages 16-18 entrepreneurship and maker skills. Students develop, design, prototype, build, brand, market and sell products of their own creation by partnering with local retailers. Students earn a program stipend and keep all profits from the sale of their products.

• All Start Code empowers young men with the skills, networks, and mindsets they need to create new futures through technology. We work towards building a world where every young man has the confidence to dare greatly, the safety to celebrate failure, and the freedom to tell his story.

PGH Lab Companies:

• CleanRobotics makes TrashBot, a robotics waste bin that automatically separates landfill waste from recyclables.

• Cognowear aims to create intelligent attire that optimizes the wearer's comfort. Cognowear first product has adaptive sensing technology that interprets the wearer’s environmental and body signals, and translates them to ensure the most comfortable temperature for the wearer.

• MellonHead Labs designs, manufactures, and distributes advanced sensors used in the measurement of water quality. CATTfish is a loT product that provides large data sets for the home or office. FlaminGO is a sensor node system for use in rivers, streams, or ponds.

• Flywheel helps organizations understand and improve the way they work by designing processes that enable human beings to work better together, supporting productive, engaging work environments.

• Kaarta easily and accurately transforms the real world into actionable 3D digital models. Kaarta’s hardware and software enables generating as models while moving to scan a site while walking, driving or flying and displays the information in real time. This has extensive application in projects such as remodeling, construction, asset management, civil planning, security, and forensics.

Additional details can be found on the meetup event page: here. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WeInnovatePGH #PGHLab

CONTACTS:

Annia Aleman, Innovation & Performance, 412-478-8814, Annia.Aleman@pittsburghpa.gov

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Honoring The Military's "Hidden Heroes" With Senator Elizabeth Dole & Veteran Affairs Secretary Shulkin

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: VA Hospital, University Drive, Oakland

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 15, 2017) The Office of the Mayor and the Public Safety Department have been actively engaged with District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala's office since Mr. Zappala raised concerns about cooperation with Pittsburgh Police in July. 

Mr. Zappala wrote a letter regarding his concerns about use-of-force investigations to Mayor Peduto's Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin on July 24. The same day Mr. Acklin responded by email saying he would like to hold a meeting to resolve the issues. 

That meeting was held August 2 at the District Attorney's office. Present from the City were Chief Acklin, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and Police Chief Scott Schubert. They met with Mr. Zappala, his Chief of Staff Rebecca Spangler, attorney Lawrence Claus, President Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, and District Attorney's office detectives. The meeting lasted an hour. 

Since then officials from the District Attorney's office, the Allegheny County Police and Public Safety have been working on a Memorandum of Understanding on police-involved critical incidents. Those are any incidents in which a police officer is involved in an official capacity in an incident that leads to serious bodily injury or death. 

The MOU is finished and going through a final legal review. A meeting is expected to be held in two to three weeks with County Police, the Allegheny County Police Superintendent, the Pittsburgh Police Bureau, city Law Department and the Fraternal Order of Police to discuss and finalize the MOU. 

Saturday, September 16, 2017

No public events scheduled. 
 

Sunday, September 17, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Meeting With Rich Stanizzo
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

WESA Interview With Kevin Gavin
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Bob McGann & Bob Cranmer
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Filming Interview With Miranda Frum & Michael Reich
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Kanak Iyer
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Welcoming Delegation From Richmond Kentucky & Eastern Kentucky University
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Janet Evans
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

2018 Budget Meeting
Time: 4:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Great Race 40th Anniversary Reception With Family Of Mayor Richard Caliguiri
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Frick Environmental Center, Frick Park

Mayor in Denver and New York to Tell Pittsburgh Story to International Audiences

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 19, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Denver today for the Rail~Volution conference, in which national and international experts are convening to learn best practices in promoting, planning and implementing transit and development projects. 

The conference is coming to Pittsburgh in October 2018, and Mayor Peduto will deliver a welcoming message to participants on the final day of the conference tomorrow. He will also speak at a panel called "Innovation: Tackling Global Challenges at the Local Level." 

VisitPittsburgh expects Rail~Volution 2018 will be attended by 900 people and account for $790,000 in direct spending in Pittsburgh.

On Thursday the Mayor will be in New York City as part of events for the United Nations Climate Week NYC, and the launch of the Climate Action Leadership Network, which is convening to drive climate action initiatives in advance of 2020, when national governments will meet as part of the international Paris Climate Change Agreement. 

All of the Denver and New York City travel expenses are being covering by event organizers. No city tax money is being spent. 

In New York the Mayor will twice give addresses to international audiences on Pittsburgh's leadership in environmental and resilience efforts, and the ways such initiatives are boosting the city's economic growth and visibility on the world stage. 

On Thursday morning the Mayor will speak at a panel entitled "Global context, countries and cities," moderated by Janos Pasztor, former UN Assistant Secretary General, Climate Change. 

Thursday afternoon Mayor Peduto will speak at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, a group of more than 600 business, civic and academic leaders from around the world. 

As part of Climate Week NYC Pittsburgh has become a member of the Under2 Coalition, a global network of governments committed to supporting the Paris agreement and the goal of keeping the rise in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius. The coalition includes 187 jurisdictions across six continents, and seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions to two tons per capita or 80 to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Mayor Peduto returns to Pittsburgh Thursday evening.

Mayor in Denver and New York to Tell Pittsburgh Story to International Audiences

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 20, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Denver today for the Rail~Volution conference, in which national and international experts are convening to learn best practices in promoting, planning and implementing transit and development projects. 

The conference is coming to Pittsburgh in October 2018, and Mayor Peduto will deliver a welcoming message to participants today urging them to attend next year's session. He will also speak at a panel called "Innovation: Tackling Global Challenges at the Local Level." 

VisitPittsburgh expects Rail~Volution 2018 will be attended by 900 people and account for $790,000 in direct spending in Pittsburgh. 

Conference organizers describe today's Innovation panel this way: 

As governments around the world struggle to deal with globalization and shifting social politics, focus has turned to cities as the problem solvers of the future. Cities are capturing the imagination of entrepreneurs, planners, and technology and creative industries. “Smart” hubs – punctuated by driverless vehicles and transit, instant connectivity and network efficiency – are driving innovation at the local level. Yet problems persist. For example, threats to health and security from climate change hurt some people more than others due to systemic structures in local planning and land use. 

What can leaders at the forefront of city ingenuity teach us about resiliency and prosperity? About overcoming the legacy of racial discrimination and marginalization that leaves underinvested communities more vulnerable? About clean transportation and infrastructure and energy efficiency? About affordable housing and access to opportunity? Visionary leadership is critical to these investments. Hear from an acclaimed national community development leader and three mayors about the dynamics facing cities and how their cities respond with vision. 

Besides Mayor Peduto the panel will include: Dan Bartholomay, Chief Executive Officer, Rail~Volution, Minneapolis; Moderator: Maurice Jones, President, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), New York; Michael Hancock, Mayor, City and County of Denver; and Libby Schaaf, Mayor, City of Oakland. 

Tomorrow the Mayor will be in New York City as part of events for the United Nations Climate Week NYC, and the launch of the Climate Action Leadership Network, which is convening to drive climate action initiatives in advance of 2020, when national governments will meet as part of the international Paris Climate Change Agreement. 

All of the Denver and New York City travel expenses are being covered by event organizers. No city tax money is being spent. 

In New York the Mayor will twice give addresses to international audiences on Pittsburgh's leadership in environmental and resilience efforts, and the ways such initiatives are boosting the city's economic growth and visibility on the world stage. 

Tomorrow morning the Mayor will speak at a panel entitled "Global context, countries and cities," moderated by Janos Pasztor, former UN Assistant Secretary General, Climate Change. 

Tomorrow afternoon Mayor Peduto will speak at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, a group of more than 600 business, civic and academic leaders from around the world. 

As part of Climate Week NYC Pittsburgh has become a member of the Under2 Coalition, a global network of governments committed to supporting the Paris agreement and the goal of keeping the rise in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius. The coalition includes 187 jurisdictions across six continents, and seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions to two tons per capita or 80 to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 21, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in New York City today, where he will give two addresses to international audiences on Pittsburgh's leadership in environmental and resilience efforts, and the ways such initiatives are boosting the city's economic growth and visibility on the world stage. 

This morning the Mayor will speak at a panel entitled "Global context, countries and cities," moderated by Janos Pasztor, former UN Assistant Secretary General, Climate Change. 

This afternoon Mayor Peduto will speak at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, a group of more than 600 business, civic and academic leaders from around the world. 

The New York speeches follow the Mayor's attendance of the Rail~Volution conference in Denver, in which national and international experts convened to learn best practices in promoting, planning and implementing transit and development projects. 

The conference comes to Pittsburgh in October 2018, which VisitPittsburgh expects will be attended by 900 people and account for $790,000 in direct spending in Pittsburgh. 

All of the Denver and New York City travel expenses are being covered by event organizers. No city tax money is being spent. 

The Mayor is in New York City today as part of events for the United Nations Climate Week NYC, and the launch of the Climate Action Leadership Network, which is convening to drive climate action initiatives in advance of 2020, when national governments will meet as part of the international Paris Climate Change Agreement. 

As part of Climate Week NYC Pittsburgh has become a member of the Under2 Coalition, a global network of governments committed to supporting the Paris agreement and the goal of keeping the rise in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius. The coalition includes 187 jurisdictions across six continents, and seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions to two tons per capita or 80 to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.  

The Mayor returns to Pittsburgh this evening. 

Amazon HQ2 Team Pittsburgh Issues Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for potential sites

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 21, 2017) County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor William Peduto announced today that Amazon HQ2 Team Pittsburgh (“HQ2PGH”) has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest, seeking potential sites in Greater Pittsburgh to include in our region’s formal response to Amazon’s request for proposals for a second headquarters location (“HQ2”).

“We’re looking for partners who share our desire to leverage this opportunity towards not only securing a significant investment and economic driver for the region, but helping to advance our goals of equity, inclusion, and broad economic growth,” Mayor William Peduto said. “This represents a unique opportunity to implement our p4 framework – people, planet, place, and performance – with a forward-thinking company firmly aligned with those goals.”  

Respondents or teams of respondents must ensure their site(s) meet Amazon’s requirements, as outlined in their HQ2 RFP, referenced above. Any response will need to include approximately 500,000 square feet of space by 2019, and up to 8 million square feet beyond 2027 through greenfield sites, infill sites, existing buildings, or a combination of these options. Respondents to the RFEI should only suggest sites and/or buildings over which they have site control and demonstrate how those sites meet or exceed Amazon’s criteria as well as the additional criteria put forth by HQ2PGH in the RFEI.

“Other companies from around the country and around the world have recognized the specific advantages of locating in our region, from the unparalleled talent coming out of our universities and colleges and the research partnerships that make us a test bed for emerging technologies, to our competitive cost of living and overall quality of life – it truly is a great time to be doing business in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.“With the potential for 50,000 jobs and billions of dollars of investment on the line, we are looking for partners to present creative solutions that offer not only the best options for Amazon, but for our region. Those partnerships have allowed businesses and organizations, including technology companies and start-ups, to excel and thrive here and we want to see that same success for Amazon.”  

All inquiries regarding the RFEI should be directed to AmazonPGH@pittsburghpa.gov. The deadline for responses is 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2017. The RFEI is available here.

HQ2PGH is a partnership of government, business, university, non-profit and community organizations to formulate a winning proposal to Amazon’s HQ2 RFP for the Pittsburgh region.

Contacts:

Amie M. Downs, Communications Director, Office of County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, amie.downs@alleghenycounty.us, 412-350-3711 (office), 412-327-3700 (cell).

Timothy McNulty, Communications Director, Office of Mayor William Peduto, timothy.mcnulty@pittsburghpa.gov, 412-660-1999 (cell).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to naturalize 20 new citizens

MEDIA ADVISORY

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 21, 2017) — In recognition of Citizenship Day, observed on September 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh will host a naturalization ceremony and resource fair at the City-County Building on Friday, September 22, 2017.

USCIS will naturalize 20 new citizens on Friday, September 22 at Noon in the Council Chamber of the City-County Building. USCIS Field Office Director Michael Horvath will administer the Oath of Allegiance to America’s newest citizens and Larry Scirotto, Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Pittsburgh, will join USCIS in welcoming the new citizens. Honored guests for the special naturalization ceremony will also include County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Mayor William Peduto Pittsburgh City Council President Bruce Kraus, and Carnegie Library President and Director Mary Frances Cooper. One new citizen will share his path to citizenship and City Council President Bruce Kraus will issue a proclamation to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) recognizing the CLP Welcome Centers across the region.

A Citizenship Day Resource Fair will also be held in the City-County Building Lobby from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22. The Resource Fair will offer several resources to residents seeking more information on becoming a U.S. citizen, including: free legal advice, naturalization interview preparation guidance, conversations with local service providers and financial resources.

The 19 citizenship candidates originate from the following 10 countries: Australia, Bhutan, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Syria and United Kingdom.

This ceremony is part of USCIS’ annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week, being recognized this year from September 17 – 23.  USCIS will welcome more than 30,000 new citizens at more than 200 naturalization ceremonies during this week-long observance.

We invite new citizens and their families and friends to share their experiences and photos from the ceremonies on social media using the hashtags #newUScitizen.

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PITTSBURGH, PA (September 22, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure and Public Works advise that the installation of bike lanes on Negley Avenue – from Howe Street to Stanton Avenue spanning the neighborhoods of Shadyside, Friendship, Garfield and East Liberty – is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 25, 2017.  

The Negley project design will include bike lane and shared lane markings along designated portions of Negley Avenue. Shared lane markings begin at the intersection of Howe Street and Negley Avenue and extend to Centre Avenue. Bike lane markings extend from Centre Avenue to Stanton Avenue. A map with example photos of the of the project infrastructure can be found here.

Residents and businesses along the project route have been notified in advance of the project through public meetings, informational flyers, community newsletters, social media posts, bike advocacy groups and posters in grocery stores and gathering spaces.

Construction of the Negley bike lane project is weather dependent and is currently scheduled to last through the months of September and October and to conclude by November 1, 2017. Some preparatory work may begin in advance of Monday. Major pavement marking improvements are anticipated to occur Monday, September 25, through Friday, September 29. Residents should obey all posted parking variances. During installation, motorists should expect delays and intermittent lane restrictions. No detours are required.

Construction costs for the Negley Avenue bike lane project are approximately $387,870. The project is fully funded by the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives Program. 

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Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 22, 2017) Members of the public and the media are invited to the formal reopening of the Beechview Senior Community Center this coming Monday morning.  

WHO:    Mayor William Peduto  

City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak  

Chief Operations Officer Guy Costa  

Citiparks Director Jim Griffin  

Community members  

WHAT: Grand Reopening for Beechview Senior Community Center  

WHERE: 1555 Broadway Ave, Beechview  

WHEN: 10 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2017  

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 22, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety and Office of Special Events have announced the following street closures on Sunday, September 24, 2017, for the 40th running of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race.  

This city-wide event attracts 16,000+ runners & walkers annually. The 5K has a start time of 8:00 a.m., and the 10K event will be held at its traditional starting time of 9:30 a.m. Street closings for both the 10K and 5K are divided into four zones. Zones C & D will be closed at 6:30 a.m. Zones A & B close at 8:30 a.m. Each zone will open at different times.  

The Great Race 10K/5K time-line is as follows: 

ZONE A – 8:30 a.m. Closure 

Start Line at Beechwood Blvd. to Forbes and Morewood Avenues will close to traffic at 8:30 a.m. and open at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017. 

ZONE B – 8:30 a.m. Closure 

Forbes and Morewood Avenues to Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd. will close to traffic at 8:30 a.m. and open at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017. 

ZONE C – 6:30 a.m. Closure 

Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd. to Fifth Avenue & the ramp to Blvd. of the Allies (at Robinson Street) will close to traffic at 6:30 a.m. and open at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017. 

ZONE D – 6:30 a.m. Closure 

Fifth Avenue & the newly constructed Oakland ramp to Blvd. of the Allies to Commonwealth Blvd. and Liberty Ave. will close to traffic at 6:30 a.m. and open at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017. 

Residents and businesses owners along the course route should be advised that this major city-wide event is taking place and that they may encounter some minor inconveniences when traveling on race morning. 

The 10K course starts at Frick Park on Beechwood Boulevard near Forbes and Dallas Avenues. It follows Forbes Avenue through the Squirrel Hill business district to Morewood Avenue. A right turn on Morewood Avenue leads runners to a left turn onto Fifth Avenue through the University/Oakland area. Runners proceed onto the Boulevard of the Allies via the access ramp at Robinson Street. The final stretch down the Boulevard of the Allies leads to a left onto Wood Street, right onto Ft. Pitt Blvd., and a right onto Commonwealth Place. Runners enter Point State Park at Penn & Commonwealth and finish just inside the front of Point State Park, in downtown Pittsburgh. The 5K will begin at the 3.1 mile mark of the 10K, on Fifth Avenue near the Atwood Street intersection in Oakland. It then follows the 10K course to the finish-line.  

A map of both the 10K and 5K routes can be found here.  

Emergency vehicles have permission to cross the race course until runners & walkers arrive and depart or when safe to do so. 

Get updates from The Great Race on Social Media on Twitter (@greatracepgh), Instagram (@greatracepgh) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GreatRacePGH/) 

This year P3R, the nonprofit organizers of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and other running events, was awarded a multi-year contract to produce the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and Dollar Bank Junior Great Race. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (September 22, 2017) Mayor William Peduto and the Office of Management and Budget today submitted a $555 million 2018 budget to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, as well as the City's updated five-year spending plan. 

There are no tax increases in the 2018 operating budget. The budget will be subject to ICA review before it is submitted to Pittsburgh City Council on November 13. Council must finally approve a balanced budget by December 31. 

"This budget and five-year plan highlights Mayor Peduto's continued commitment to developing a long-term financial sustainability plan, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations for the benefit of city residents and employees, and strengthening financial management practices," the City's Chief Financial Officer Sam Ashbaugh said. 

Total projected 2018 revenues are $560,676,492 and expenditures $554,765,921. 

Budget highlights include: 

Emphasizing the Mayor’s priorities for enhancing the delivery of core municipal services and improving the quality of life throughout neighborhoods 

• Allocates funding for three Police recruit classes and one Firefighter recruit class.  

• Includes funding for a citywide deployment of the Shotpotter system.  

• Maintains a commitment to increase funding for police vehicles to $1.6 million a year to improve the overall condition of the fleet. 

• Allocates funding for additional inspectors in the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections to handle the increased permit workload. 

• Maintains the City’s increased investment in Learn & Earn Program through a $1M allocation for summer youth employment. 

Continues efforts to modernize city government and implement leading practices to provide taxpayers with an efficient, effective, transparent, and more accountable government 

• Allocates resources to support the build-out of the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) by realigning staff resources from the Departments of City Planning and Public Works, respectively. 

• Establishes a Bureau of Facilities within the Department of Public Works to enhance facility operations and construction project management.  

• Continues efforts to modernize the City’s licensing and inspection system. 

• Invests in city employees through improvements to the city health and wellness program as well as employee training and development.  

• Continues a multi-year effort to overhaul the City’s tax collection systems.  

• Expands efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the City’s procurement function through improvements in policies, processes and technology. 

The 2018-2023 Capital Improvement Plan includes $640 million in investment in capital projects over the next six years across all funding sources. The 2018 Capital Budget allocates $105 million for capital projects next year and continues the Mayor’s commitment to developing a long-term maintenance and investment plan for the City assets.  

The 2018 Capital Budget: 

• Increases funding 8% over the 2017 Budget to allocate $16 million for street resurfacing, providing for an estimated 65 miles to be completed.   

• Includes $2.25 million to support a multi-year plan to replace the existing security camera inventory and infrastructure and support a 30% expansion.  

• Includes $5 million for capital equipment acquisition for new vehicles and heavy equipment. 

• Allocates $2.6 million for the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Development (ATCMTD), which leverages external funds to improve mobility and enhance safety for users of all transportation modes in our right of way.  

• Increases funding for audible pedestrian and traffic signals by more than 100%. 

• Provides funding for the multi-year Four Mile Run integrated stormwater management and connectivity plan for Four Mile Run and Schenley Park to the Monongahela River.  

• Allocates $4 million for a multi-year reconstruction and repair of Smallman Street.  

The budget provides a fiscally responsible path to address legacy costs and position the City for long-term financial stability: 

• Allocates an additional $241 million to the pension fund over five years beyond the state mandated minimum municipal obligation (MMO). 

• Reduces the City’s debt burden from 13.4% of general fund expenditures in 2018 to 10.4% in 2022.  

• Continues to add $2.5 million in annual contributions to the other post-employment benefits (OPEB) trust fund.  

• Maintains a minimum unassigned fund balance of 10% of general fund expenditures. 

• Continues the City’s efforts to reduce overall worker’s compensation costs, which have decreased for five consecutive years.  

A copy of the 2018 operating budget is available here, and the capital budget here. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 22, 2017) Mayor William Peduto released the following statement after the Pittsburgh field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced it is reviewing an arrest performed by Pittsburgh Police outside the PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, September 19: 

"The City of Pittsburgh welcomes this review by the FBI, as it provides yet another investigatory layer to this incident. There is now an internal investigation by the Office of Municipal Investigations and another external review by the Citizen Police Review Board. We will support whatever it takes to get all the facts on this matter, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will cooperate and provide any assistance necessary to the FBI during their review." 

Meeting With Sargent Electric President Rob Smith
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Jeff Koch
Time: 11:30 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

City Of Pittsburgh Citizenship Day Naturalization Ceremony 
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

SCI Pittsburgh Meeting
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Cheryl Hall-Russell
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Speaking In TechnoVation Stem Week Panel
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Renaissance Hotel, Downtown

Speaking At "Not One More" Awareness Vigil
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Arsenal Park, Lower Lawrenceville

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

Tree Pittsburgh Arbor Day Celebration
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Carrie Furnace, Swissvale, PA

We're Glad You're Our Neighbor Picnic
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Location: Lake Elizabeth - Allegheny Commons West Park, Allegheny Center

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Awards Ceremony For Richard S. Caliguiri City Of Pittsburgh Great Race
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Point State Park, Downtown

Meeting With Barbara Mann 
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building 

Southwestern PA Commission Meeting
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Two Chatham Center, Downtown 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 25, 2017) After years of work the City of Pittsburgh today celebrated the reopening of the Beechview Senior Community Center. 

The center, at 1550 Broadway Avenue, was under reconstruction for more than two years and has been completely rehabilitated. 

"It took some patience but seniors in Beechview now have one of the nicest community centers in the city, which they richly deserve," Mayor William Peduto said. 

Rebuilding the center was a top priority of Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak. 

"I'm incredibly proud of all who worked so hard to see this project through to completion. It was a labor of love, and much labor was needed to keep the process on track despite several hurdles. Seniors, teens, and all Beechview neighbors now have a beautiful, historic, safe, and practical community space," she said. 

Demolition, abatement, elevator work, new windows and masonry restoration were performed at the site from the start of construction in April 2015 and completed in July 2016. Phase two, which included further renovations to the site and 3 ½ floors of the building, began in September 2016 and were fully completed in August.  

The construction cost was $3.3 million. 

 "This beautiful new facility will model how Citiparks' Healthy Active Living program will operate in the future as a vibrant multi-generational and multi-cultural destination for the communities it serves," Citiparks Director Jim Griffin said. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 25, 2017) Legislation is being introduced to Pittsburgh City Council tomorrow authorizing a lease for a new Downtown police substation near Market Square, and a new fire and medic station alerting system. 

Mayor William Peduto, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and other law enforcement personnel have been in talks for months with Downtown business, cultural and residential groups regarding plans to establish a new Downtown substation for police. Legislation will be introduced to council tomorrow to lease the Lantern Building at 600 Liberty Avenue for that purpose.  

The five-year lease with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the building's owners, will be for $1 per year plus an upfront security deposit of $5,000, along with an agreement that the City will cover utility expenses. 

According to Director Hissrich the inside of the building is in move-in condition but it will need some additional security upgrades before Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers can fully occupy the substation. It should be in full working order by Light Up Night, Friday, November 18. 

The Mayor and the Public Safety Department are also introducing legislation for a contract with Purvis Systems for the installation of new $2.3 million Fire and Emergency Medical Services station alerting system. 

The alerting system will supplement the current radio dispatch system by sharing 9-1-1 call information digitally in addition to via radio. Firefighters and medics will be able to respond more quickly to calls for assistance and improve the accuracy of the information shared between the caller, the call taker, the dispatcher and the members of the two bureaus. 

The upgrades should also reduce day-to-day stress for firefighters and medics. The current radio system broadcasts every call citywide to every fire and medic station; the new system will alert only those stations needed to respond to a specific call, and thereby allow them to be quieter. 

The existing radio alert system will stay in place as the new digital system is phased in over a roughly 12 month period. Even once the new system is operational, the current radio system will remain functional for communications once units leave the stations, and as backup in case of station alerting system failure. 

UPDATE: The work on Woodruff has been completed early, and the street will not be closed on Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 25, 2017) The Department of Public Works advises that Woodruff Street between Route 51 and Merrimac Street will be closed tomorrow, September 26, and Wednesday, September 27.

The Mt. Washington street will be closed so DPW crews can perform landslide cleanup and other route maintenance.

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 26, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today issued the following statement in support of the Clemente Museum's organization of a Pittsburgh relief effort to aid Puerto Rican people devastated by Hurricane Maria: 

"Roberto Clemente gave his life to support others. Pittsburgh owes it to Roberto and his family to do all we can to help the people of Puerto Rico," Mayor Peduto said. 

Below is a press release from the Clemente Museum released today: 

The Clemente Museum Raises Funds and Supplies for Puerto Rico 

*Sunday, October 1st, 2017, 11:00am-6:00pm at The Clemente Museum 3339 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 
*September 26th, 2017 (Lawrenceville, PA)— The Clemente Museum is having an Open House on Sunday October 1st to support the relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. 

The Clemente Museum, along with UPMC and Restaurant Depot are collecting supplies in the Restaurant Depot parking lot at 100 35th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. We are asking for items such as bottled water, batteries, baby diapers, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, etc. 

You can also join us at the Museum to make a momentary donation to help aid relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Guests will be granted access to the Museum by making a minimum donation of $21.00 to help the cause. 

If you are not able to attend in person, but would still like to make a donation, you can do so online on our website at clementemuseum.com 

Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-1972. He was the first Latin American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemente was tragically killed in a plane crash on December 31st, 1972 while taking relief supplies to Nicaragua from Puerto Rico to deliver aid to earthquake victims. Every year, the MLB gives out the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award in his honor. 

The Clemente Museum is housed in historic Engine House 25, located in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh to showcase the world’s largest exhibited collection of baseball artifacts, works of art, literature, photographs, memorabilia, and related materials which focus on Roberto Clemente, his teammates, personal life, and humanitarian causes. The Clemente Museum works to fulfill the mission of honoring Roberto Clemente’s memory and promote the humanitarianism he accomplished in his life.

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PITTSBURGH, PA (September 26, 2017) The Department of Public Works is announcing that this weekend the westbound lanes of the Parkway East will be closed in the vicinity of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and Beechwood Boulevard (Greenfield) Bridge. These closures will require inbound traffic to detour off I376 at the Wilkinsburg Exit. Local traffic can proceed to the Edgewood Exit. In addition, the I376 westbound on ramps from Edgewood/Regent Square and from Squirrel Hill will be closed. The closures are scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, and last no later than 5:00 a.m. on Monday, October 2.

In addition, outbound lane restrictions are scheduled to begin Thursday night, September 28, in the same vicinity. It is anticipated that there will be two outbound lanes restricted both Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. until Friday, September 29, at 5:00 a.m., and Friday night at 9:00 p.m. until Saturday, September 30, at noon. Then a single lane will be restricted from Saturday at noon until Saturday evening.

These closures/restrictions are needed to complete roadway resurfacing of the Parkway East inbound and outbound.

The detour routes will be the same as for the previous closures. Signage will be provided to direct motorists. The westbound (inbound) detour will begin at Wilkinsburg Exit 78B. Inbound traffic coming from the east will be directed to the posted detour starting at Exit 78B. Local traffic traveling westbound will be able to use the Edgewood/Swissvale Exit 77 off-ramp. The Edgewood/Swissvale and Squirrel Hill/Homestead on-ramps to I-376 inbound will also be closed. Motorists seeking to proceed west toward downtown are advised to take Beacon off Murray Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies and access I-376 westbound using the Boulevard of the Allies entrance ramp. Maps of the official detours are available on the Oakland Transportation Management Association’s (OTMA) community outreach website (http://greenfieldbridge.otmapgh.org/).

A map of the westbound detours is also available here.

Off-duty police will monitor key intersections to assist motorists along the detour route and help minimize travel times.

Motorists traveling from the east are encouraged to use the regional detour route via the SR 28 interchange to the PA Turnpike. Motorists traveling from the west should expect delays and consider alternate routes.

If you have any questions concerning this closure, please contact Aaron Pickering, Project Manager of Michael Baker International, at 412-269-6423, or via email to Apickering@mbakerintl.com.

Meeting With West Virginia University Vice President Alsop
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Ron Gaydos & Majestic Lane
Time: 2:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Veronica Edwards
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Meeting With Rob Gleason
Time: 4:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 27, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Cambridge, Mass., today to speak to Harvard Business School's first-ever course on Public Entrepreneurship. 

The class follows Pittsburgh being selected for the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership sessions the Mayor attended in New York in July, and assistance the city has received from the Harvard Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. 

The Mayor was invited to speak by Mitchell Weiss, professor of Management Practice at HBS. The class is populated by students who have worked in government or industry for 3 to 5 years before attending the business school, and who want to bring innovative practices to governments and civic institutions around the world. (Approximately a third of the students are international.) 

All costs are being paid by the university. No city tax dollars are being used. 

Professor Weiss will do a Pittsburgh case study with students, then turn over the session to 45 minutes of questions-and-answers with the Mayor. One of the main subject matters of the class will be Pittsburgh's relationship with automated vehicle research and businesses. 

The Mayor returns to Pittsburgh Thursday morning. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Wednesday, September 27, 2017 

Speaking to Public Entrepreneurship students 

Location: Aldrich Hall, Room 208, Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Mass. 

Time: 1:15-2:35 p.m. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 28, 2017) In recognition of the need for swift, coordinated and innovative action to address the impacts of a changing climate and provide for economic, social and environmental resilience, the City of Pittsburgh is launching the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0. The plan was introduced to the City’s Planning Commission for review on Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0 outlines Pittsburgh’s ambitious, visionary goals which the City will strive to achieve by 2030 in an effort to improve local air quality and mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance environmental quality. The Plan, developed with residents, and community, university, non-governmental and private sector organizations. The Plan prioritizes actions that are scalable, achievable and which provide a multitude of benefits in addition to accomplishing the 2030 Goals, as announced by the Mayor during the Paris Climate summit:

• 100 Percent Renewable Electricity Consumption for Municipal Operations
• City Wide Zero Waste Initiative to divert 100 Percent of Materials from Land Fill
• Fifty percent emissions reduction city wide
• Development of a Fossil Fuel Free City Fleet
• Divestment of the City's Pension Assets from Fossil Based Companies
• Fifty percent water consumption citywide
• Fifty percent transportation emissions reduction city wide

Stakeholder engagement has been an integral part of the development of the Climate Action Plan. In an effort to ensure an equitable and actionable plan, the City is releasing the Climate Action Plan for public comment.

The Climate Action Plan draft can be found at www.pittsburghpa.gov/onepgh. Comments or questions regarding the Plan can be sent to: climate@pittsburghpa.gov through October 6, 2017. The plan will go back before the Planning Commission on October 10.

Contact: Chief Resilience Officer Grant Ervin, 412.627.4785, or Grant.ervin@pittsburghpa.gov

Healthy Ride - Port Authority Press Conference

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: Market Square, Downtown

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 28, 2017) County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor William Peduto are pleased to announce that twenty property owners and developers have filed Expressions of Interest in participating in Amazon HQ2 Team Pittsburgh's response to Amazon's request for proposals for a second headquarters location.

The formal response by Amazon HQ2 Team Pittsburgh ("HQ2PGH") must be filed by October 19. HQ2PGH – a partnership of government, business, university, non-profit and community organizations – will review all the proposed properties over the next three weeks and judge which will create the strongest bid to draw Amazon HQ2 to the greater Pittsburgh region.

• This process is just one more way that Pittsburgh distinguishes itself from other regions,” said Fitzgerald. “Our ability to work together and bring folks from varying interests to the table for a common goal is a unique part of our fabric, and one that will set us apart in this effort. The interest in this process and this bid has been substantial, and we are excited to see so many coming together to work collectively on this response.”
• This is a tremendous response and confirms just how serious Pittsburgh is about landing this headquarters. I want to thank everyone who expressed interest today – if we are going to land this transformational project it's going to take the full support of every stakeholder in the region, and this proves we have that," Mayor Peduto said.

HQ2PGH issued its Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI)  on September 21. It asked respondents to ensure their sites meet Amazon’s requirements, as outlined in the HQ2 RFP referenced above. Responses had to include approximately 500,000 square feet of space by 2019, and up to 8 million square feet beyond 2027 through greenfield sites, infill sites, existing buildings, or a combination of these options.

Respondents had to suggest sites and/or buildings over which they have site control and demonstrate how those sites meet or exceed Amazon’s criteria as well as the additional criteria put forth by HQ2PGH in the RFEI.

The respondents had until 10 a.m. today to file proposals with the HQ2PGH offices in Two PNC Plaza. Responses came from locations across Allegheny, Fayette and Washington counties.

The respondents are not being identified for competitive reasons.

"We're thrilled at the response today, which will help us put together the strongest possible HQ2 proposal for Pittsburgh. I'm sure the other regions competing against us would love to know all the properties we have in our arsenal, and we're not going to give them that advantage," said Kevin Acklin, Mayor Peduto's Chief Development Officer. 

Inquiries from interested parties regarding the work by HQ2PGH can be directed to AmazonPGH@pittsburghpa.gov.

Contacts:

Amie M. Downs, Communications Director, Office of County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, amie.downs@alleghenycounty.us, 412-350-3711 (office), 412-327-3700 (cell).

Timothy McNulty, Communications Director, Office of Mayor William Peduto, timothy.mcnulty@pittsburghpa.gov, 412-660-1999 (cell).

Meeting With Sala Udin

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Mayor's Office, City-County Building

Interview With Huffington Post "Listen To America" Road Trip

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Schenley Plaza, North Oakland

Pittsburgh Bureau Of Police Promotion Ceremony

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Saturday, September 30, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

No public events scheduled.

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 3, 2017) The annual Bloomfield Halloween Parade will be held as scheduled later this month, following an emergency fundraising effort by several Bloomfield and Pittsburgh-area partners. 

The Bloomfield Citizens Council announced last week that the parade was being cancelled due to high costs. Mayor William Peduto and others – including Little Italy Days and Columbus Day Parade organizers – led a fundraising drive to make sure the family-friendly parade will be held as scheduled the evening of October 26. 

"This is a nearly 50-year-old tradition beloved by generations, and there was no way we were going to let it end," Mayor Peduto said. 

Bloomfield resident Shannon Lyons led community efforts to revive the parade after the BCC announced it was being canceled. Little Italy Days president Sal Richetti and Columbus Day Parade chairman Guy Costa have collected funds to pay the Halloween Parade's expenses, which include funding for entertainers, insurance and permit fees. (The City of Pittsburgh charges a $500 fee for weeknight parades.)  

"Shannon was instrumental in keeping this family-friendly tradition alive, which means so much to the Bloomfield community," Costa said. 

Supporters of the fundraising effort included Sen. Jay Costa, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, City Councilwoman Deb Gross and City Councilman Dan Gilman. A major donation was made by Highmark, Allegheny Health Network and West Penn Hospital. 

The 32nd annual Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade will be held in Bloomfield this Saturday, October 7, at 11 a.m. The Liberty Avenue parade begins at Baum Boulevard and ends at the Bloomfield Bridge. 

Meeting With Superintendent Hamlet & William Hileman

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With AECOM Vice President Edward Reese

Time: 11:00 A.M. 

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

New Granada Square Meeting

Time: 1:00 P.M. 

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Speaking At Point Park University Pioneers In Leadership

Time: 5:30 P.M.

Location: Lawrence Hall Ballroom, Downtown 

StarKist 100th Anniversary Celebration

Time: 7:00 P.M. 

Location: Senator John Heinz History Center, Strip District

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 3, 2017) The office of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto reminds residents and other interested parties that a special hearing will be held tomorrow regarding the Stephen Foster statue in Oakland.

The hearing by the city's Art Commission will be held at 5 p.m. in the 1st Floor Hearing Room at 200 Ross Street Downtown.

The agenda is as follows:

• I. Call to Order (5:00 PM)
• II. Roll Call
• III. Correspondence
• IV. Definition of Chapter 175 by Rachel O’Neill, Law Department
• V. Materials of Sculpture
• VI. History of Sculpture by Nick Hartley, City Archivist
• VII. Public Comment
• VIII. Next Steps by Chair Indovina, announce deliberation/recommendation on October 25th, regular Art Commission meeting
• IX. Adjourn

Another hearing will be held at the Commission's regular meeting October 25. More information is available here. The Art Commission's website is here and hearing schedules (including a public comment form) are available here.

Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 3, 2017) Mayor William Peduto will hold a press conference on Wednesday. October 4, regarding the city's ldraft Climate Action Plan. 

WHO: Mayor William Peduto and Chief Resilience Officer Grant Ervin

WHAT: A review of the City of Pittsburgh's Climate Action Plan 3.0, which is currently before the City Planning Commission.

WHERE: Mayor's Conference Room, 5th Floor, City-County Building

WHEN: 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Grand Opening Of Phillips Innovation Center
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Schenley Place, North Oakland

City Of Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan Press Conference
Time: 11:30 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Office Of The Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting Regarding Almono
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: The Heinz Endowments, Downtown 

Meeting With Jesse Dylan
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Interview With Alexander Kaufman, The Huffington Post
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Leaving For Pennsylvania Municipal League 118th Annual Summit
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 5, 2017) Mayor William Peduto, the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, will travel to Erie this evening for the 118th Annual Summit of the group of elected and appointed government officials from across the state. 

The two-day summit will focus on best practices and strategies to promote sustainable and healthy communities statewide. 

"The Pennsylvania Municipal League has long performed some of the most important, nonpartisan work for residents across the Commonwealth. I look forward to listening and learning with my many colleagues as we tackle issues facing all of us, from municipal pension reform to challenges facing our utility systems and other matters," Mayor Peduto said. 

Officials attending this year’s PML Summit will share resources and innovative ideas, discuss issues of mutual concern, and attend educational and professional development sessions, as well as mobile workshops designed to address the ways and means of meeting the pressing challenges of municipal management and good governance.   

Speakers will include: Keynote Speaker: David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast; Leadership Speaker: Captain Larry Brudnicki, Coast Guard; Featured Guest Speakers Auditor General Eugene DePasquale; Lisa Soronen, Executive Director, State and Local Legal Center and Councilman Matt Zone, Cleveland, OH, NLC President. The host for the summit is Erie Mayor Joseph E. Sinnot. 

The summit begins this evening and runs through Saturday. The Mayor has meetings in Pittsburgh today then travels to Erie this afternoon. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Thursday, October 5, 2017 

Meeting With Jesse Dylan 
Time: 10:00 A.M. 
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building 
 
Interview With Alexander Kaufman, The Huffington Post 
Time: 11:00 A.M. 
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building 
 
Travel to Erie for Pennsylvania Municipal League 118th Summit 

PML Board of Directors Meeting 
Time: 3:30-5 p.m. 
Location:  
Courtyard Erie Bayfront, 2 Sassafras Pier, Erie  

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 6, 2017) Mayor William Peduto, the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, is in Erie today for the 118th Annual Summit of the group of elected and appointed government officials from across the Commonwealth. 

The two-day summit will focus on best practices and strategies to promote sustainable and healthy communities across Pennsylvania. 

"The Pennsylvania Municipal League has long performed some of the most important, nonpartisan work for residents across the Commonwealth. I look forward to listening and learning with my many colleagues as we tackle issues facing all of us, from municipal pension reform to challenges facing our utility systems and other matters," Mayor Peduto said. 

Officials attending this year’s PML Summit will share resources and innovative ideas, discuss issues of mutual concern, and attend educational and professional development sessions, as well as mobile workshops designed to address the ways and means of meeting the pressing challenges of municipal management and good governance.   

Speakers will include: Keynote Speaker: David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast; Leadership Speaker: Captain Larry Brudnicki, Coast Guard; Featured Guest Speakers Auditor General Eugene DePasquale; Lisa Soronen, Executive Director, State and Local Legal Center and Councilman Matt Zone, Cleveland, OH, NLC President. The host for the summit is Erie Mayor Joseph E. Sinnot. 

The summit began yesterday and runs through Saturday.  

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Friday, October 6, 2017 

All locations at Sheraton Bayfront Hotel, Erie 

Welcome Breakfast with Rick Schuettler, PML Executive Director; Mayor William Peduto, City of Pittsburgh, PML President; Governor Tom Wolf (Video Message); Eugene DePasquale, Auditor General & Councilmember Matt Zone, NLC President  

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  

Keynote Session | West Ballroom David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast David Cohen will discuss internet essentials and the importance of technology in governance.  

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  

Sustainable PA Cyber Café | 140 AB Jim Price, Sustainable Community Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh  

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  

Resolutions Committee Meeting | 130 Mayor C. Kim Bracey, York, PML 1st VP 

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon  

Blackford’s Municipal Pension Recovery Program/ Lease Leaseback: A Financial Alternative to Selling Off Municipal Assets | 100 Mike Brubaker, CEO, Blackford Ventures  

Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. 

Planning for Your Next Major Construction or Technology Project | 100 William W. Warren, Jr., Esq., Partner, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr  

Time: 1:15 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. 

Leadership Secrets from the Perfect Storm: 7 Steps to Making the Right Decision Every Time | East Ballroom Captain Larry Brudnicki, Coast Guard Against the backdrop of “The Perfect Storm,” this keynote provides the perfect balance between inspiration and application.  

Time: 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  

Concurrent Sessions: Session #1: Cybersecurity Framework for Municipalities East Ballroom Steve Reichard, CEO & Founder, TechWorx Today’s municipalities are vibrant centers of modern life and modern economies, which increasingly depend on technology for information and communication. 

Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.   

President’s Reception 

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 5, 2017) Mayor William Peduto, the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, is in Erie Saturday for the 118th Annual Summit of the group of elected and appointed government officials from across the Commonwealth. 

The two-day summit focused on best practices and strategies to promote sustainable and healthy communities across Pennsylvania. 

"The Pennsylvania Municipal League has long performed some of the most important, nonpartisan work for residents across the Commonwealth. I look forward to listening and learning with my many colleagues as we tackle issues facing all of us, from municipal pension reform to challenges facing our utility systems and other matters," Mayor Peduto said. 

The summit began Thursday. The Mayor returns to Pittsburgh Saturday night to attend the Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 50th Anniversary Banquet at Station Square. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Saturday, October 7, 2017 

All locations at Sheraton Bayfront Hotel, Erie 

Awards Breakfast | East Ballroom Mayor William Peduto, City of Pittsburgh, PML President Josh Shapiro, Attorney General (Video Message)  

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.  

Legislative Update | East Ballroom Amy Sturges, PML Director of Governmental Affairs  

Time: 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

Lunch & Annual Business Meeting

Time:  12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  

Board of Directors Reorganization Meeting 

Time: 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. 

Concurrent Sessions: Session #1: Establishing a Vibrant Sustainability Program Using Goal Setting and Effective Planning | 140 Aftyn Giles, Sustainability Coordinator Peel back the steel curtain and take a look into the process of developing the City of Pittsburgh’s Division of Sustainability and Resilience. Pittsburgh’s Sustainability Coordinator will give their candid perspective of the successes and challenges Pittsburgh has encountered on its road to resilience.  

Time: 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.  

Return to Pittsburgh 

Time: 4 p.m. 

Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 50th Anniversary Banquet 

Time: 6 p.m. 

Location: Sheraton Station Square 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Sunday, October 8, 2017 

No public events scheduled 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 9, 2017) As a result of structural engineering report finding the Division 4 Public Works facility is unsafe for both workers and machinery, the facility on Bausman Street in Knoxville will closed at the end of the month and then demolished in mid-November. 

Snowplowing, salting, street cleaning, pothole patching and other services to city residents within the division will not be impacted. All employees are being retained and will deliver services from the bordering 3rd and 5th divisions instead. 

Previous condition assessments by the Massaro Corp. of the storage shed and salt dome at the site at 414 Bausman Street had called the facilities an "eyesore" and rated the buildings to be in critical to fair condition. A more recent report filed in August by structural engineers Walter P. Moore Associates found "potential life safety hazards" at the facilities, causing the Department of Public Works in conjunction with the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections to call for the closure of the buildings.  

In advance of the winter season all employees will be moved to the 3rd and 5th Divisions by the end of October. Demolition is expected in mid-November. 

The Walter P. Moore report found: 

The overhead roof structure presents a structural concern that it may not be able to support the code-required snow loads in its present condition, WPM has concerns for a occupant safety beneath the roof structural systems at the building. Pedestrian safety is also a concern due to the deteriorated state of the face component and potential for overhead hazards. Overall, the building is in poor condition and in need of extensive repairs to correct potential life safety hazards that currently exist. 

The second level garage framing and load bearing walls are showing signs of distress, the corrosion is a sign that there may be more underlying conditions. The steel beams are currently supporting the street cleaners and small pickup trucks, deflection was not observed, only corrosion and deterioration. This means that the floors can support the current equipment; however, larger equipment may cause deflection. That said, we don't advise applying any additional loading which could be in the form of but not limited to: more vehicles, larger vehicles, or using the garage for additional storage. 

The report estimates repairs would cost $1.27 million. A copy of the summary report is here. 

Eleven workers will transferred to the 3rd Division and ten to the 5th Division. Two foremen, a clerk and a supervisor will also be transferred. 

PLI is contracting for an asbestos study of the facilities, after which it will seek bids for demolition, which will likely occur in mid-November. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 9, 2017) Today, the City of Pittsburgh outlined additional public input opportunities for the City’s Climate Action Plan.   

In order to continue to enhance public engagement and provide for robust community input, the City presented the Climate Action Plan to the City Planning Commission on September 26th. The purpose of presenting to Planning Commission is to integrate the Climate Plan into future considerations made by the Commission. The City is seeking the Planning Commission to accept the plan and provide a recommendation for approval to Pittsburgh City Council.   

The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for October 10th, 2017. Following the planning commission’s recommendation to City Council there will be additional opportunities for public input by enabling City Council’s legislative process.   

Citizens can continue to provide on-line comments to climate@pittsburghpa.gov throughout this process.  

Like all resolutions before City Council, Council will introduce the resolution, have the ability to host a public hearing and/or post agenda educational session, convene a preliminary vote and host a final vote.  

At each point in the legislative process, citizens will have the ability to provide input. The City Council legislative process take several weeks once it is initiated.  

The City welcomes more comments and suggestions on the plan during that period and beyond the legislative process. The Plan is not intended to be a static document, but and adaptive strategy that help guide city-wide efforts to address climate change.  

FAQ - About the Climate Planning Process:  

Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0 builds on prior climate action versions organized by non-governmental organizations by increasing the technical rigor, incorporating professional evaluations of recommendations, enhanced community engagement and incorporating the City’s planning approval process through engagement of the Planning Commission and City Council.   

The development of the Pittsburgh Climate Plan by the City of Pittsburgh has been a 3-year, thoughtful, civic engagement process. The purpose of the plan is to identify the primary sources of local greenhouse emissions and work with the key contributors of those emissions and technical experts to develop strategies for emission reduction.   

The deliberative civic engagement effort included contributions from hundreds of residents who volunteered their time, and over 90 organizations from Pittsburgh’s business community, non-profit sector and local, state and federal government based in Pittsburgh. Over the course of the last three years the City representatives have hosted or participated in over 100 community meetings, workshops and events to help gather input and content for the plan.  

The plan is available for review here.

Why Develop a Climate Action Plan?  

The City of Pittsburgh is taking action on a global crisis to help set the course for a cleaner, more prosperous and healthy future for the residents and businesses of the City.  Local governments work to help provide for the health, safety and welfare of all of their residents.  The Plan identifies key strategies to improve both the local environment, but also build equitable and innovative local economic opportunities across the city.  

What is in the plan?  

The plan provides a series of thoughtful and logical strategies and recommendations to reduce GHG emissions that originate inside the City of Pittsburgh.  Suggested strategies range from encouraging energy efficiency in commercial buildings to encouraging ways to allow for more walking, biking and transit trips in the transportation sector, plus many more.  

Who developed the content in the Plan? 

The Pittsburgh Climate Plan has consisted of an open sourced framework through the partnership of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI), a collaboration of community, university, and local government partners.  The City of Pittsburgh has helped to coordinate members over the last 3 years.  

The chapter framework in the Climate Plan were developed by a combination of citizen representatives and City of Pittsburgh employees. Content was developed through a series of workshops and deliberative civic forums facilitated community volunteers, university staff, the CMU Center for Democracy, National Academies of Science and City of Pittsburgh.  

Content was identified by residents and stakeholders representing sectors ranging from community development, universities, healthcare, commercial buildings, utilities, energy, housing, transportation, industry, research, agriculture and public advocacy.  

Where does all the data and information in the plan originate?  

The plan benefits from numerous research reports, energy systems data analysis, and concurrent community planning strategies undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh, local utilities, local universities – (Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and Chatham University), U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Lab (NETL), International Council for Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), American Geophysical Union (AGU) and local community partners during the 3-year development effort.   

Will there be opportunities for future community inputs in Pittsburgh’s climate activities?  

Yes. Following the completion of the climate planning process, the City will seek to amend the structure of the City’s Sustainability Commission (which currently includes representatives from city departments), to include community representatives similar to the City’s Clean Pittsburgh and Shade Tree Commission.  The mixture of local government and citizen representatives will be charged to oversee the implementation of the Climate Plan’s actions, allow for advisement on data collection and fostering partnerships to help achieve the Plan’s objectives.  

Contact: Chief Resilience Officer Grant Ervin, 412.627.4785, or Grant.ervin@pittsburghpa.gov

Lunch With Blair Jacobson
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Location: The Rivers Club, Downtown Pittsburgh

Meeting With Dutch McDonald & Katie O'Malley
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Monthly WESA Interview With Kevin Gavin
Time: 2:30 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Welcoming Oracle CEO Mark Hurd to Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh Technology Council Breakfast
Time: 8:15 A.M.
Location: Sheraton Hotel, Station Square

Lunch With Dan Booker
Time: 12:00 P.M. 
Location: Union Standard, Downtown Pittsburgh

Meeting With Sean Luther
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Ricks & Rails To Trails Conservancy
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Location: Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, City-County Building

Meeting With City Clerk Brenda Pree
Time 3:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Envision Downtown Meeting
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Tower at PNC Plaza, Downtown

Dinner With Steve Wozniak 
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Location: Carnegie Music Hall, North Oakland

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 10, 2017) Mayor William Peduto released the following statement today after the outcome of federal jury deliberations in the Leon Ford lawsuit against two Pittsburgh Police officers: 

"Nothing, including this suit, could ever erase the tragic circumstances Mr. Ford, the officers and their families have been through the past five years. Obviously it has caused great concern among the greater Pittsburgh community as well.  

The city will remain in communication with Mr. Ford, his attorneys and attorneys for the officers to address next steps in the case." 

Bocce Trophy Presentation To Mayor Peduto By Sal Richetti
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building, Downtown

Speaking to Professor Meredith Long's Introduction To American Politics Class
Time 12:00 P.M.
Location: Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, North Oakland 

Lending Home Ribbon Cutting
Time 5:00 P.M.
Location: Nova Place, Allegheny Center

Speaking At University of Pittsburgh Sustainability Kick Off
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, North Oakland 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 11, 2017) Mayor William Peduto's administration and others are working to preserve affordable housing for residents of more than 100 homes in Homewood, Larimer and Garfield who are being forced to relocate due to deplorable housing conditions left unaddressed by an out-of-state landlord.  

The Administration is working with Representative Ed Gainey, Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and others to provide relocation support to effected residents, and on a separate path seek to acquire the properties, improve them, and return them to the affordable housing market.  

"This is a prime example of out-of-state property owners operating decrepit properties, and mistreating city residents, while taking federal subsidies," said Mayor William Peduto's Chief of Staff and Chief Development Officer Kevin Acklin.   

Bethesda Homewood Properties received federal assistance payments from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide subsidized housing in roughly 140 apartments scattered through the East End neighborhoods noted above, of which an estimated 106 are currently occupied.  

Inspectors for HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center found major deficiencies in the Bethesda Homewood apartments and ordered the company to fix them. It did not. On Thursday, September 14, HUD issued an enforcement action against Bethesda Homewood. This was the final action by HUD after attempting to require the owners to return the homes to safe and decent condition.  

"HUD has initiated an enforcement action against the owner of Bethesda Homewood for the failure to comply with HUD’s requirement for maintaining the Project in acceptable physical condition," the order stated.  

Most of the 140 units are in Homewood, with 10 in Garfield and 6 in Larimer.  

As the units are in unacceptable condition, relocation assistance will be provided to residents by HUD and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) to help them find suitable replacement housing. 

HUD is holding meetings with residents to provide an overview of relocation services and timelines, and the Housing Authority will assist residents with obtaining Tenant Protection Vouchers to help pay for new housing.  

The first meeting with residents was held this morning and another will be held at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA.  

The agenda for the meetings is as follows:  

• Welcome, Introduction and Purpose of Meeting – PDD  (HUD Property Disposition Division)  

• Explanation of the Relocation Process – Leumas Residential (Relocation Contractor)  

• Explanation of Vouchering, Unit Inspection, Leasing and HAP Contract Execution Process – HACP 

• Question and Answer Session – Tenants and Respondents  

HUD and the relocation contractor will provide relocation assistance to those who qualify.  Assistance being offered includes:  

• $100 for travel expenses to see units.  

• $200 for application fees, etc.  

• Funding to cover security deposit (with lease presented)  

• Moving costs, following the standard federal relocation cost schedule based on rooms in the current unit.  

• Funding for cost of transferring utilities or for utility deposits if this is required for residents to establish utility service.    

• Preference for a Housing Choice Voucher if they qualify.  HACP will conduct standard eligibility screening.    

The relocation contractor will work one on one with each household, HACP, and other resources to assist in this process. The contractor is also looking to establish temporary office location for ongoing one-on-one meetings with households.   

In the longer term the City is working with housing advocates and community organizations to obtain the properties, return them to suitable condition, and place them back into the affordable housing market. That work is ongoing.  

Google Press Event
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Bakery Square 2.0, Shadyside 

Richard S. Caliguiri City Of Pittsburgh Great Race Awards Ceremony
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Meeting With Esther Bush
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Aurora Innovation CEO Chris Urmson
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Being Honored At Kennedy Lawrence Dinner
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: IBEW Local 5, South Side Flats

Meeting With ARGO CEO & Speaking To Staff Gathering
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Senator John Heinz History Center, Strip District

Performing at Off the Record
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Location: Byham Theater, Downtown

Speaking At Almono Big Tent Event

Tim: 10:30 A.M.

Location: Almono Site, Hazelwood

Participating In Inauguration Of Chatham President David Finegold

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mellon Administration Building, Squirrel Hill North

Attending Longtime Director Pat Hassett's Retirement Party

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Location: PNC Park, North Shore

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Lunch With Dr. Barry Kerzi
Time: 12:30 P.M.
Location: William Penn Hotel, Downtown 

Dedication Of The New Beechwood Boulevard (Greenfield) Bridge II
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Schenley Park & Greenfield
 

Sunday, October 15, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Responsible Contractors Meeting
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Abby Goldstein, PDP President Jeremy Waldrup, PDP Vice President Russell Howard, & Pittsburgh Nighttime Economy Coordinator Allison Harnden
Time: 11:30 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Dutch MacDonald
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Location: Maya Design, Four Gateway Center, Downtown

Meeting With Minneapolis Delegation
Time: 1:30 P.M. 
Location: Energy Innovation Center (Clifford Connelley School), Crawford-Roberts 

Meeting With Consul General Dayan of Israel
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Interview With Monocle Magazine
Time: 4:30 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Vice President Al Gore
Time: 9:45 A.M.
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown

Speaking At Climate Reality Summit
Time: 11:15 A.M.
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown 

ARC Evening Reception 
Time: 5:00 P.M.
Location: Senator John Heinz History Center, Stirp District

VIP Reception With Vice President Al Gore
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown 

 

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 18, 2017) - The regional partnership formed to pursue the Amazon HQ2 opportunity will hold a brief media availability on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., to address questions related to the region's proposal for Pittsburgh to host Amazon’s second headquarters.  

Who:  Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive
          William Peduto, Mayor  
          Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development   
 
When:  Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
 
Where: Mayor's Office Conference Room, City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
 
CONTACTS:
 
Amie M. Downs
Communications Director, Office of County Executive Rich Fitzgerald
412-350-3711 (office), 412-327-3700 (cell)
amie.downs@alleghenycounty.us
 
Timothy McNulty  
Communications Director, Office of Mayor William Peduto  
412-660-1999 (cell)
timothy.mcnulty@pittsburghpa.gov
 
Phil Cynar
Senior Communications Specialist, Allegheny Conference on Community Development  
412-281-4783 ext. 4573  
pcynar@alleghenyconference.org  
 
###

Welcoming Children To Mayor's Office For Pittsburgh Disability Mentorship Day
Time: 10:15 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Tony Ross
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

2018 Budget Meeting
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Weekly Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Participating In Climate Reality Panel On Local Actions
Time: 3:30 P.M.
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown

City-Wide Public Safety Meeting
Time: 6:00 P.M. 
Location: St. Pamphilus Church, Beechview

Filming Interview For Bloomberg Philanthropies
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Amazon Media Availability 
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Filming Anniversary Video For Brashear Association Centennial
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Human Right Campaign Press Conference
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: City-County Building Portico, Downtown

Interview With Jeffrey Sewald
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

All Pittsburgh Fans Asked to Join Effort and Share Why #OURPGHQ2

PITTSBURGH – October 19, 2017 – The regional partnership formed to pursue the Amazon HQ2 opportunity (PGHQ2) today submitted the region’s proposal for Pittsburgh to host Amazon’s second headquarters. The proposal was submitted jointly by City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Stefani Pashman.

The proposal, Future. Forged. For All., is a clear articulation that there is no better choice than Pittsburgh for Amazon’s HQ2, now and into the future. A dedicated project team composed of a broad group of civic, business, university and foundation leaders worked diligently together for nearly six weeks to craft a clear, concise, cohesive message that directly addresses the requirements that Amazon identified in its request for proposal.

“It’s a proud moment for Pittsburgh,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “What Amazon is looking for in cities across North America is already here. We have been preparing for this for thirty years. Our region has tremendous assets that should be appealing to Amazon: a world-class talent pool, high quality of life at a low cost, a stable business environment, and significant capacity to grow.”

“Like Amazon, Pittsburgh thinks big. Like no other place, we can offer the opportunity to build the city and headquarters of the future, together making a lasting, positive impact for all,” said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto. “Beyond a great place to do business, with unique financial and quality of life advantages, our proposal offers unmatched opportunity to address social equity investments in education, infrastructure and housing affordability.”

The PGHQ2 partnership will serve as the Amazon welcome committee and dedicated partner ensuring a soft landing and support for Amazon’s long-term success should the Pittsburgh region be selected. Housed at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, PGHQ2 will coordinate the efforts of all local jurisdictions, businesses, universities, and foundations that have volunteered their support for Amazon’s Pittsburgh expansion. 

“The region was built on collaboration and our collective efforts to attract Amazon are no different,” said Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “Our proposal emphasizes how the community is prepared to activate our powerful public-private partnerships spanning corporate, philanthropic and government entities for the benefit of Amazon and of the Pittsburgh region. PGHQ2 embodies this spirit of cooperation and also builds off the knowledge and expertise that the Allegheny Conference has developed serving as the region’s economic development organization.”

Amazon issued its request for proposals for a second headquarters city on September 7, and final bids are due October 19. More than 400 passionate stakeholders, working alongside consultants from HR&A Advisors, Maya Design and Gatesman, contributed to Pittsburgh’s proposal. The PNC Financial Services Group donated a floor of the Two PNC building downtown to provide a centralized location for this cross-sector effort. Due to the competitive nature of the bid process, specifics from the proposal, such as key sites and economic details of Pittsburgh’s offer, remain confidential under a non-disclosure agreement signed with Amazon.

Representatives of the PGHQ2 team, including County Executive Fitzgerald and Mayor Peduto, are asking Pittsburgh fans to share why Pittsburgh is their headquarters, too. In a social challenge, issued from the new HQPittsburgh.com website, Pittsburgh enthusiasts are asked, “Whether you chose Pittsburgh, or Pittsburgh chose you, share why the Burgh is yours,” and encouraged to post photos, videos, memes or comments to their social channels to tell their story, using the hashtag: #OURPGHQ2.

The HQPittsburgh.com site also shares testimonials from Pittsburgh region small and large  business owners, foundations, community organizations, educational institutions and more. Those interested in submitting a testimonial, or who have questions regarding the work by PGHQ2, can reach out through AmazonPGH@pittsburghpa.gov.

Below are quotes from select PGHQ2 partners reflecting the passionate support for Pittsburgh as Amazon’s second headquarters.

“We’re excited at the prospect of making our proposal – and this new partnership – a reality. Welcoming Amazon’s second headquarters to Pittsburgh would grow jobs, spin start-ups, advance research, leverage highly-skilled talent, and immediately enrich our city’s growing innovation district. This is what our universities are here to support. We welcome the opportunity to work with Amazon.”

Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh

“Pittsburgh has become a magnet for major companies who want to get ahead of the curve, and entrepreneurs who want to make a difference. The computing and data technologies that are shaping this century have their roots here, and the vitality and can-do spirit that gave the world artificial intelligence, driverless cars, and so much more make this an ideal environment for Amazon’s continued development as an innovative disruptor of consumer markets.”

Farnam Jahanian, Interim President, Carnegie Mellon University

“Like Pittsburgh itself, CCAC continues to evolve– providing the region’s business and industry partners with the creative workforce solutions they need to successfully compete in today’s fast-paced and increasingly complex global economy. For innovative companies like Amazon, Pittsburgh offers a workforce skilled in the lexicon of the modern workplace – one reliant on problem-solving, advanced technological know-how and a solid commitment to sustainable growth and development.”

Dr. Quintin Bullock, President, Community College of Allegheny County

“This process, and bid, is about our region’s future. We don’t just talk about a future forged for all, we walk the walk. We know that the collaboration and collective effort put forth will benefit all those in our community. Having Amazon choose Pittsburgh will also mean other indirect investment and, just as importantly, opportunity for all of our residents, new and old.”

Esther L. Bush, President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 19, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today thanked the Human Rights Campaign for giving Pittsburgh its first 100% score in its national ratings system for inclusion by municipal governments, and in a related matter announced new gender affirmation benefits for City workers and their dependents.

The HRC's Municipal Equality Index is the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy, and shows how cities across the country continue to take the lead in supporting LGBTQ people and workers.

"We are very, very proud of this 100% rating from the HRC, which we've been working hard to reach through all four years I've been in office," Mayor Peduto said. “We owe a lot of thanks to Councilmen Bruce Kraus and Dan Gilman for their legislation banning conversion therapy in the city, which was approved unanimously by City Council last year and helped our score.”

The Mayor also announced today that the City is now offering full gender affirmation benefits to all employees and their dependents who are enrolled in the City's medical plans.

For several years the City has offered mental health and hormonal therapy benefits. The City's medical plan is now offering coverage for surgical treatments for gender affirmation as well.

"This proves again the welcoming and open spirit Pittsburgh city government has for its workers and their families. I want to thank the city Personnel Department and our LGBTQIA+ advisory council for all their work on this important matter," Mayor Peduto said.

The City does not have data on how many will take advantage of the new benefit. The cost impact on its medical plan is expected to be minimal.

The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. It releases the Municipal Equality Index each year, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, in order to assess LGBTQ equality in 506 cities across the nation, including 10 in Pennsylvania.

For LGBTQ Americans, legal protections and benefits vary widely depending on location – states and cities have markedly different laws governing discrimination. Twenty states have non-discrimination laws that include protections for LGBTQ people in employment, and 19 states have laws that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in places of public accommodation. But cities are leading the way: since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has increased more than sixfold, and today at least 24 million people live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state.

The average score for cities in Pennsylvania is 75 out of 100 points, which falls above the national average of 57. Pittsburgh joins Allentown and Philadelphia this year in receiving a 100% score.

The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city, as well as a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 20, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Washington D.C. today to participate in the Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency, a group of transportation decision makers and executives from across the United States.

The group is holding its first meeting on improving energy efficiency through regulatory, policy and investment changes that focus on advanced vehicle technologies, electrification and fuel source diversification. Mayor Peduto is one of two mayors participating in the Commission, which has roughly 20 members from industry, government and energy policy organizations.

The Commission will release more information on its work next week.

Organizers are paying for the Mayor's trip and no city tax dollars are being used. He returns to Pittsburgh this evening.

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, October 20, 2017:

Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficency meeting

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Washington D.C.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Schweitzer Fellows Program 20th Anniversary Gala
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Location: Senator John Heinz History Center, Strip District

Sunday, October 22, 2017

No public events scheduled. 

Monday, October 23, 2017

Day off. 

Meeting With Team From Philips Respironics 
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Preparation Call For West Virginia Legislators Forum
Time: 11:30 A.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Clean Cars Birthday Celebration
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Location: North Shore Drive at Art Rooney Avenue

Meeting With Peoples Gas CEO Morgan O'Brien
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With County Executive Fitzgerald & Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room

Meeting With Equity & Inclusion Manager Ricardo Williams
Time: 4:30 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Janet Scullion
Time: 5:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 24, 2017) - Infrastructure Management Group (IMG), the advisory firm hired to manage a possible restructuring of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), will hold a Public Workshop on Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the South Side Market House. 

This workshop is intended to be an informative, accessible, and interactive conversation between the public the city's consulting team to discuss ongoing assessment PWSA.

IMG Public Workshop on PWSA Restructuring Process  

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  

Location: South Side Market House, 49 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh 15203  

Residents interested in attending can register online for the Workshop as an individual or on behalf of a group via the website created to follow IMG's ongoing work: https://pwsablueribbon.org/. Release of the IMG team reports -- Asset Management, Capital Assessment, Executive Summary, Financial Condition, Legal Assessment, Operational Assessment -- to use as reference for the for the November 2 Public Workshop can be found on the website under the Timeline and Materials portion of the page.    

Contact: Jeff George, IMG: 917-399-7637

 ### 

Call With Eden Hall Foundation Executive Director Sylvia Fields

Time: 9:30 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Call With Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Ralph Falbo

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 25, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh is proposing a project to let residents purchase energy-efficient and discounted supplies and services through the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayors Challenge. 

If approved, the initial pilot program would start at $100,000 – funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies – with hopes of winning an eventual $5 million prize to create the program and allow it to function as a sharable program with other cities. 

The City submitted its proposal to Bloomberg Philanthropies on Friday. After reviewing proposals from around the country Bloomberg is set to issue $100,000 to 35 "Champion Cities" to test their ideas and build local support. Five cities will ultimately receive millions of dollars more to fully implement their proposals. 

The submission follows Mayor William Peduto's participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership initiative in July, and his work for years with the Bloomberg Philanthropies on climate change issues. 

"The City of Pittsburgh has pledged to transition to 100% renewable energy city-wide by 2035. As a fossil fuel rich region with some of the lowest energy prices in the country, incentivizing residents to pay a higher premium for local renewable energy is a major hurdle to reaching this target," the City's proposal says. 

"While the city boasts some of the most high performing buildings in the world, an aging and inefficient housing stock has given Pittsburgh the distinction of 6th worst city for residential energy burden. The opportunity is to slash monthly energy bills as a first step to make renewable energy purchase more viable and equitable for all Pittsburghers. . . .  

The solution is to create a platform (think Groupon) that aggregates purchasing demand across the city and challenges the market for high quality products, thus lowering the cost to anyone looking to retrofit or weatherize. An easy to use platform will incorporate all offers from regional nonprofits and utility providers. A mobile van program coupled with DIY workshops will make this project accessible to all, transforming the city's housing and building stock to 21st century efficiency and comfort standards."  

The 35 winners of the first round of submissions is expected to be announced by early next year. 

Meeting With Fred Thieman
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Interview With Gia Hal & Commander Eric Holmes
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Weekly Scheduling Meeting
Time: 4:00 P.M.
Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Bloomfield Halloween Parade
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Bloomfield

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 26, 2017) The new fire boat for the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Fire will have its naming ceremony on Friday, October 27th at 11 a.m., at the Rivers Casino amphitheater. 

The boat will be officially named the Sophie Masloff, in honor of Pittsburgh’s late Mayor. 

“Mayor Masloff was beloved by the people of Pittsburgh and served the City for almost two decades as a Councilwoman and as Mayor. This vessel’s purpose – to restore safety in times of duress – perfectly echoes Sophie’s affection and concern for the people of Pittsburgh,” Mayor William Peduto said. 

In addition to Mayor Peduto, several members of Mayor Masloff’s family will also be in attendance, including her great granddaughter, Scarlett, who is a toddler. Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, Chief Darryl Jones of the Fire Bureau and members of Mayor Masloff’s administration will be present. 

The City purchased the boat in November 2016 at a cost of $560,000.

Members of the public are invited to attend. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 27, 2017) A Consent Agreement has been reached among the City of Pittsburgh, Pennley Park South, LG Realty Advisors, and four local neighborhood groups in regards to key issues surrounding the redevelopment of Penn Plaza, including affordable housing, preservation of public open space, and terms of the development itself. This Consent Agreement resolves the outstanding lawsuits among the parties.

This week’s Consent Agreement is the result of more than 1000 collective hours of discussions, mediation sessions, and negotiations led by Downtown Attorney William Pietragallo II among the City, Pennley Park South, LG Realty Advisors, East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), Friendship Community Group, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, and the Enright Park Neighborhood Association. 

The Consent Agreement establishes the following:

• An East End Affordable Housing Fund to help bridge the gap for financing mixed income housing projects that will provide long-term affordable/subsidized housing as well as moderate income market rate units in East Liberty, Garfield, and Larimer. 

• The Housing Fund will be supported by a 50% TRID (Transit Revitalization Investment District) contribution by Pennley Park South pursuant to a plan jointly developed by the City, the Neighborhood Groups, and Pennley Park South.
• All will be within one mile. 
• All of the projects supported by this dedicated fund are expected to be completed concurrent with the full build-out of LG Realty's new development.

• Enright Park, the City Park adjacent to the development site, will be reconfigured, redesigned, and rebuilt as an improved amenity to the community. As part of the agreed-upon new site plan, the park will connect Negley and Euclid Avenues, acting as a greenway between Friendship and the heart of East Liberty, as well as a buffer between the residences around the site and the new commercial development. 

• An agreed-upon reconfigured overall site plan for the development, focused on retail and office uses, will create a blend of workforce jobs and maximize tax revenue to the city.
• A robust public process will precede plan approval, including two community meetings and review by the City Planning Commission and other appropriate bodies.

No replacement housing is currently planned for the Pennl Plaza site but the Housing Fund created by this agreement should allow many of the roughly 200 residents displaced by the redevelopment to ultimately return to affordable apartments in the vicinity of the East Liberty site.

“While I’m happy this settlement was reached we must remember the many longtime East Liberty residents displaced by this development, which was first announced two and a half years ago,” Mayor William Peduto said. “I want to thank everyone – especially ELDI, Friendship Community Group, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, and the Enright Park Neighborhood Association – for all their hard work on this agreement and its commitments to funding affordable housing and rebuilding the neighborhood’s park,” Mayor William Peduto said.

Lawrence Gumberg, President of LG Realty Advisors, Inc., stated, “William Pietragallo II, Mayor Bill Peduto, and all of the neighborhood groups brought  extraordinary collaboration to come to this Consent Agreement. We thank them for their efforts and look forward to working together to build a signature project for East Liberty and the City.”

Jon Pushinsky and David Toal, Counsel for the Intervenors stated, "This was truly a collaborative effort. We examined every possible means of guaranteeing long-term mixed-income housing at and in the immediate environs of the former housing development. The end result of our efforts will benefit the entire community. New mixed-income housing in close proximity to the former Penn Plaza will create opportunities for low-income residents to continue to be part of an economically thriving East Liberty and East End. We will have an upgraded Enright Park with improved access for the whole community, linking formerly isolated pockets of the neighborhoods, and a vibrant commercial development. We appreciate the hard work of our mediation partners and our tireless mediator, Bill Pietragallo."

Special Mediator Bill Pietragallo said, “The global resolution of these important and diverse individual, neighborhood, business, commercial and governmental issues is one of the most gratifying experiences of my professional career. I am proud to have been of service to the people of Pittsburgh.”

For more information, please contact City Solicitor Lourdes Sanchez-Ridge at 412-255-2015.

Welcoming NAHRO Conference To Pittsburgh

Time: 9:30 A.M.

Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown 

Dedication Of Pittsburgh’s New Fireboat, The Sophie Masloff

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Rivers Casino Riverside Amphitheater, Chateau

Representative Gainey’s 5th Annual Community Police Service Awards

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Headquarters, Chateau 

Department Of Public Works Employee Luncheon

Time: 12:45 P.M.

Location: Department of Public Works Enviormental Services, Strip District

Meeting With Pittsburgh Public Art Manager Yesica Guerra

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Fund My Future Expansion Launch

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: United Way Pittsburgh, Stript District

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 27, 2017) Infrastructure Management Group (IMG), the advisory firm hired to manage a possible restructuring of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), will hold a Public Workshop on Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the South Side Market House. 

Several research materials regarding PWSA's assets, capital, operations, finances and legal matters are available for public review now, in advance of the public workshop, at this PWSA Restructuring website.

The workshop is intended to be an informative, accessible, and interactive conversation between the public and the city's consulting team to discuss the ongoing assessment of PWSA.

IMG Public Workshop on PWSA Restructuring Process  

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  

Location: South Side Market House, 49 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh 15203  

Residents interested in attending can register online for the Workshop as an individual or on behalf of a group via the website created to follow IMG's ongoing work: https://pwsablueribbon.org/. 

Contact: Jeff George, IMG: 917-399-7637

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 25, 2017) Code enforcement officers from the City's Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections will soon be conducting inspections for property maintenance code compliance in the Route 51 corridor, from the Liberty Tunnels south through the city's Overbrook neighborhood. 

The inspections have the support of the offices of Mayor William Peduto, Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak and Economic Development South.  

EDS is issuing letters to property owners along the corridor in advance of the inspections. 

"The Department of Permits, Licences and Inspections (PLI) Code Enforcement Division monitors and insures compliance with various city codes and ordinances. It is through this Division that the City of Pittsburgh is able to ward off neighborhood blight and thus protect the property values, health, safety and welfare of the various neighborhoods throughout the City. Systematic inspections are also performed throughout the City in an effort to keep developing situations from becoming worse," the letter from EDS states. 

"While there are many responsible business owners along Route 51, we need the remaining businesses and property owners to abide by the rules to reduce blight and improve public safety along the corridor. The City is happy to work with property owners to determine how to move forward in good faith in order to create a safe and beautiful route for those who pass through and those who call South Pittsburgh home," Councilwoman Rudiak said. 

EDS is asking property owners along the corridor to pay attention to the following matters: 

• Compliance with the Zoning Code 

• Compliance with Pittsburgh License Regulations 

• Occupancy Permits 

• Property Maintenance Code Violations, including weeds, garbage and debris; sidewalks and parking spaces; rodent infestation; inoperable motor vehicles; and building and electrical violations. 

PLI plans to begin enforcement in December, which will give business owners a month to get into compliance. 

Saturday, October 28th, 2017

No public events scheduled. 

Sunday, October 29th, 2017

No public events scheduled. 

Bank On Greater Pittsburgh Forum

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Federal Reseve Bank Of Cleveland-Pittsburgh Branch, One Oxford Centre

BBC Radio Interview

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Jeffery Romoff, Bob Kennedy, Tom McGough & Scott Baker

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: United States Steel Tower, Downtown 

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 30, 2017) – Mayor William Peduto, the City of Pittsburgh Department of Innovation & Performance, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority today announced the opening application period of the third cycle of the PGH Lab program.

PGH Lab connects local startup companies with the City of Pittsburgh and local authorities to explore new ways to use technology and new services to make local government more efficient, transparent, sustainable, and inclusive. The program provides an opportunity for local startups to test their beta-stage products and services in a real world environment for 3-4 months. Through one common application, startups can propose an innovative solution to test at any of the participating organizations and work with a “city champion,” a department leader that guides them through the duration of the pilot project. 

“Our goal is to keep building partnerships with startups, help them obtain quick feedback, and encourage them to propose new solutions that government can implement in the future,” said Mayor William Peduto.

The City of Pittsburgh and the participating authorities have successfully completed two cycles and engaged with eight local startups that put forth a variety of technology solutions ranging from waste management, artificial intelligence, sensor technology, 3D scanning, bike technology, and management consulting. The “PGH Lab program provided real-time feedback,” said Amee Chaudry, CEO of Cognowear, PGH Lab Cohort 2.

For the third cycle, the City of Pittsburgh and the participating authorities welcome the Pittsburgh Parking Authority as new partner organization that will open its doors to become a testbed for innovation for local startups in the city. “We are excited to be participating in PGH Lab and are hoping to find a partner to help us innovate even more at the Authority,” said John Fournier, Director of On-Street and Metered Parking, Pittsburgh Parking Authority.

Starting in October 30, 2017, startups can propose solutions to complex challenges in the following areas:

• City Operations: further improve City operations to make internal processes more efficient and effective;
• Citizen Engagement: enhance the lines of communication between government and citizens by expanding digital public engagement and increase opportunities for Pittsburgh’s residents to access information and resources;
• Climate Change & the Environment: help Pittsburgh meet its 2030 Climate Action Goals to reduce energy usage by 50 percent by 2030; and
• Other: suggest a project that does not fall under any of the previous categories but will benefit and make a great impact in the City.

Selected startups will be offered coworking space, access to the City’s network, and mentoring and guidance from city affiliates.

Participating companies will be selected through a competitive process. The PGH Lab review committee is constituted by various department leaders that will identify startup companies that best match the City’s priorities and resources. Program eligibility, application form, and legal requirements can be found in the website: pghlab.pittsburghpa.gov.

The application deadline is November 30, 2017 at 5:00 PM.

All local startups are encouraged to apply to this great opportunity.

For news and updates, follow PGH Lab on Twitter at @PghIP #PGHLab

Contact: Annia Aleman – PGH Lab Program Manager at annia.aleman@pittsburghpa.gov

The Alliance to Save Energy chartered a national commission of business, government and civil society leaders that will work together to develop a pathway and recommendations to reduce energy use in the U.S. transportation sector by 50 percent by 2050 while meeting future mobility needs.

The commission, chaired by Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid U.S. President Dean Seavers, includes Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and Fort Worth, Texas, Mayor Betsy Price, along with leaders representing vehicle manufacturers, utilities, federal agencies, environmental and consumer groups, infrastructure providers and public transit. 

Transportation represents roughly one-third of U.S. energy consumption. The sector is undergoing a transformational change – ranging from the increased viability of alternative fuels such as electrification to advanced vehicle technologies, automation and shared mobility – offering enormous opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Improvements in efficiency will create jobs, improve energy security, boost competitiveness, save businesses and consumers money, and reduce emissions.

The Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency (the “50 by 50” Commission) will work through six Technical Committees (Light-Duty Vehicles; Non-Road Vehicles; Heavy-Duty and Freight Vehicles; Enabling Infrastructure; Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Shared Mobility and Automation; and Outreach and Implementation) to develop the regulatory, policy and investment pathways to achieve the “50 by 50” energy use reduction goal. Following an outside peer-review process, the Commission will publish a final report, and engage local, state, and national officials, key stakeholder groups and the public to act on the recommendations.

Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy, said: “Transportation in the United States is changing rapidly and it presents an enormous opportunity to improve mobility and drive economic prosperity while at the same time saving energy and reducing pollution. We’re bringing together experts from across this sector because we need a comprehensive approach to maximize the energy efficiency gains. The response to our invitations has been overwhelming and we’re eager to see this group bring forward consensus-based, aggressive plans that will inspire public leaders, the business community and the public.”

“We’re at a fascinating time in the transportation industry,” said Scott Keogh, president, Audi of America. “The way in which vehicles are powered and how they’re driven is evolving. We’re at an inflection point and we have an opportunity, as an industry and a sector, to leverage that transformation for the benefit of society. I’m proud to join this commission and work with key stakeholders across the business community to see that we fully capitalize on the potential that comes with electric, shared and automated vehicle technologies.”

“As our region shifts its attention to efficiency in the transportation sector, we must be ready to support our customers and communities in that transition with services, infrastructure, and affordable solutions,” said Dean Seavers, U.S. President, National Grid. “I’m proud to be part of developing a path forward that works for the people we serve and moves the dial on the fight against climate change.”

"Pittsburgh has become a global leader on clean energy and smart transportation solutions, but there is still a lot of hard work to do. That's why I'm so happy to be part of this commission and its efforts to bring together government, business and policy leaders from across the country. This is a collective effort to not only bring efficiency to the transportation and energy sectors, but to create the jobs of the future as well," said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.

The initiative’s Commissioners are:

Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America (Co-Chair);

Dean Seavers, President, National Grid U.S. and Executive Director, National Grid (Co-Chair);

Melissa Adams, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, WGL Holdings/Washington Gas;

Valerie Brader, Executive Director, Michigan Agency for Energy;

Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America;

John Di Stasio, President, Large Public Power Council;

Bruce Edelston, Vice President, Energy Policy, Southern Company;

Matt Enstice, President & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus;

Dr. Martin Keller, Laboratory Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory;

Tom Kuhn, President, Edison Electric Institute;

Eric McCarthy, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Proterra;

Mark McNabb, CEO, Electrify America; 

Arlen Orchard, General Manager & CEO, Sacramento Municipal Utility District;

Thomas S. Passek, President, Copper Development Association; 

William Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas;

Gil Quiniones, President & CEO, New York Power Authority;

Rhea Suh, President, Natural Resources Defense Council;

Dan Turton, Vice President, North America Public Policy, General Motors;

Greg White, Executive Director, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; and

Richard A. White, Acting President & CEO, American Public Transportation Association.

The Commission’s Technical Committees and their chairs are:

Light-duty Vehicles. Chair: Robert Chapman, Vice President, Energy and Environment, Electric Power Research Institute

Non-road (e.g., material handling equipment, port electrification, airport ground support equipment). Chair: Robert Horton, ‎Vice President, Environmental Affairs, DFW International Airport

Heavy-Duty and Freight Vehicles (long-haul goods shipments and vehicle mass transit). Chair: Philip Lavrich, Director, Strategy and Advanced Technologies, Ingersoll Rand

Enabling Infrastructure (focusing on fuel distribution, including electricity). Chair: Melissa Lavinson, Vice President, Federal Affairs and Policy, Chief Sustainability Officer, PG&E Corporation

ICT, Shared Mobility and Automation (e.g. automation and the sharing economy). Chair: Johney Green, Associate Lab Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Outreach and Implementation. Chair: Patty Monahan, Program Director, Transportation, Energy Foundation

More information about the Commission is available at: www.50x50transportation.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ben Somberg
bsomberg@ase.org
(202) 530-2223

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 31, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that the following streets/lanes will be temporarily restricted in order to secure, transport, and install the City's Christmas Tree at the City-County Building on Saturday, November 4, 2017.

Transport Route 
On Saturday November 4, 2017, the holiday Tree will be transported from the 800 block of S. Braddock Avenue to the City County Building downtown.  The escorted route will take S. Braddock Avenue to Penn Avenue, to Fifth Avenue to the M.L.K. Jr. East Busway entrance opposite McPherson Boulevard.  From the end of the busway downtown, the route will travel along Grant Street to the City-County Building.

Commuters along the route should expect delays and rolling closures as the tree is in transport from approximately 7-9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4.

Grant Street Lane Closure 
A single lane of Grant Street -- adjacent to the City-County Building from Fourth Avenue to Forbes Avenue -- will be closed from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5. 
 
Tree Lighting Ceremony 
The annual City of Pittsburgh Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at a new time this year during the Light Up Night celebration. This year's ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2017 on the City-County Building Portico.  
 
Contact:  
Lisa Ceoffe, City Forester: 412-665-3626 

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Meeting With Germaine Williams

Time 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Filming Interview For Pittsburgh Opera

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Pittsburgh Penguins President David Morehouse & Chief Operating Officer Travis Williams

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Deputy Chief Of Neighborhood Empowerment Majestic Lane & Early Childhood Manager Tiffani Gorman

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Colonel John Lloyd, Commander Of Pittsburgh United States Army Corps Of Engineers

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Pittsburgh Bureau Of Fire Promotion Ceremony

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Meeting With Will Allen

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building 

Middle Hill Ribbon Cutting

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Kirkpatrick Street, Middle Hill

Meeting With Cecile Maisonneuve & Matthieu Lerondeau

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Speaking At Standing Firm Luncheon

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown 

Interview With Chris Togneri

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building 

Ribbon Cutting For Kaufmann’s Grand On Fifth Avenue

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Kaufmann’s, Downtown

Departing For West Virginia Legislators' Forum On Education & The Economy

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Charleston, West Virginia

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 1, 2017) Mayor William Peduto issued the following statement today after the release of a performance audit of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority by Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale: 

"I want to thank the Auditor General for this detailed look into the PWSA, which confirms many of the issues that have long concerned me about the authority's operations, debt and infrastructure. Deep and fundamental changes are necessary to restructure the authority and preserve the city's water system for generations to come. 

While the audit expresses concern with city government's influence on PWSA, it is my duty to protect this valuable city asset and the safe water owed to the people I represent as Mayor. The city owns this water system after all, and when there are problems with it people come to me to look for answers. 

We will certainly consider some of the other changes General DePasquale has recommended on the city funding and free water the city receives from PWSA, especially if such funds are put back into the authority's infrastructure needs." 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 2, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Charleston, W.Va., today attending an education symposium of more than 70 national and local officials to discuss the best strategies for ensuring positive student outcomes and a strong public education system.

The West Virginia Legislators' Forum on Education and the Economy is organized by the Hunt Institute, founded by former four-term North Carolina governor Jim Hunt.

The Forum describes its work this way:

To achieve our mission for educational reform, we equip and empower policymakers to make a tangible difference. Our signature approach is bringing together leaders for several days of candid, nonpartisan dialogue. In a private setting away from the daily pressures of their positions, they can delve into the most substantive issues in education, sharing proven solutions and learning the latest research. The result: Leaders ready to make real headway toward improving education.

Rather than merely emphasizing trends of the moment, our team tracks issues and resources that will benefit policymakers most. This extensive research helps us determine current issues, anticipate new challenges, and identify the state and national experts most qualified to recommend effective strategies.

The Forum is paying for Mayor Peduto's trip. He returns to Pittsburgh this evening.

Pittsburgh Bureau Of Police Veteran Recruit Graduation

Time: 9:00 A.M.

Location: Police Headquarters, Chateau

Meeting With Operations Chief Guy Costa, Director Karina Ricks, & Director Jennifer Presutti

Time: 10:30 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Speaking At Amen Corner Luncheon

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Sheraton Hotel, Station Square, South Shore

UPMC Announcement

Time: 2:00 P.M. 

Location: UPMC Shadyside Hospital,  Shadyside

2018 Budget Meeting

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With City Planning Director Ray Gastil & Assistant Director Andrew Dash

Time: 4:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Saturday, November 4, 2017

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Emerge PA Brunch

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: The LeMont, Mount Washington

Justice On Both Sides Police Worship Service

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Rodman Baptist Church, East Liberty

Meeting With Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin, City Solicitor Lourdes Sanchez-Ridge, & Chief Financial Officer Sam Ashbaugh

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Interview With Industry Drive

Time: 11:00 A.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Chip Desmone & Andy Masich

Time: 1:00 P.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, Councilman Corey O'Connor, & Council Budget Director Bill Urbanic

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Call With Eden Hall Foundation Executive Director Sylvia Fields

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

2018 Budget Meeting

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Presentation Of Houdini 100 Gift To Mayor By Magician Lee Terbosic

Time: 4:30 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 6, 2017) - The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Office of Mayor William Peduto today reached a tentative agreement that will kick-start $750 million of private investment through a private/public partnership to assure development of the former Civic Arena site.

The two parties agreed to amend the Option Agreement to eliminate obstacles in developing the 28-acre site on the Lower Hill. The amendment will be presented to the URA and SEA board meetings this Thursday. 

“This agreement will pave the way for $750 million in private investment that will be truly transformative for Pittsburgh, creating a dynamic development that the region can be proud of – in addition to jobs, small business opportunities, affordable housing and community programs,” said David Morehouse, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The development will include over 1,000 residential units (20 percent of which will be affordable housing), 500,000 square feet of office space, and 250,000 square feet of entertainment and retail. It will also include the highest levels of MWBE employment opportunities in a Pittsburgh development project. Among other benefits to the community, a LERTA program will generate more than $25 million to be re-invested in the upper, middle, and lower Hill District.

Infrastructure work on roads and utilities continues at the former arena site and is almost completed. The Penguins have retained major national developers McCormack Baron Salazar (retail) and Clayco (office), and have an agreement with a minority developer (for residential) that will be announced soon. The Penguins also are working on destination entertainment development and have worked with internationally-renowned BIG on an open-space plan. Beyond that, a new district energy plant that will service the development is currently being constructed behind PPG Paints Arena.

Under the terms of the deal, the Penguins agreed to forgo receiving the $15 million which was a credit under the original Option Agreement to be deducted as payment for land value – with any net amount payable by the public to the Penguins at the end of the option agreement. The credit was viewed by the parties as a significant obstacle to development, which led to unnecessary delays and difficult negotiations.

In exchange, the Option Agreement will be amended to eliminate the land valuation procedures and revise the internal development deadlines to match current development deals in place.  The Penguins will be obligated to develop 6.25 acres by 2020, or they will forfeit a portion of parking revenue to be deposited in the Greater Hill District Reinvestment Fund (instead of the current risk of forfeiture of development rights under the current agreement). The forfeiture of parking revenue was pushed by the city to move the development forward more quickly, and would align the Penguins more closely with the public to cooperate together to pursue development.

“This has been a complex negotiation, and we reached an agreement that makes the Option Agreement better for the public,” said Mayor William Peduto.  “The Penguins agreed to eliminate the public’s obligation to pay $15 million, and we agreed to reasonable adjustments to allow more flexibility to deliver development on site that builds more affordable housing and creates substantial value for the middle and upper Hill District, and for the entire city.” 

The current option term will be extended by one year to October 22, 2025 and the Penguins retain the ability to pay for an additional two years of extensions. However, there will be no further extensions to the 2028 option termination date or 2023 parking revenue termination date beyond the terms of the current Option Agreement, so all proposed amendments are within the overall time and economic constraints of the original agreement.

The amendment also returns a development parcel to the URA and SEA to build a parking garage of up to 1,000 spaces on the 28-acre site (subject to a parking demand study), which will support the planned development and PPG Paints Arena. The public will retain title to the land, revenue from the net operations of the garage, and air rights to construct additional development on the first floor and on top of the garage. In addition, up to 10% of parking taxes generated by the garage will be contributed to the Greater Hill District Reinvestment Fund.

In addition, there are specific public commitments dedicated to solving environmental conditions on the site, financing additional infrastructure and collaborating with the Penguins on building affordable housing. The parties agreed to jointly prioritize low income housing tax credits for the development, and upon award of such credits, make 20% of the residential units affordable at 60% of area median income, which is a higher commitment than contained in the Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan adopted in 2014.

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Voting At St. Bede's Church

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: St. Bede's Parish, Point Breeze

Meeting With Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin & Steve Steckler

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Lunch With Jeff Zell

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Nicky's, Grant Street

Downtown streets to close Saturday morning for Veterans Day Parade 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 8, 2017) All City of Pittsburgh offices and facilities will be closed on Friday, November 10, in observance of Veterans Day. 

However, there will be regularly scheduled refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection on Friday. Should residents have questions regarding collection they may contact Environmental Services at 412-255-2773. 

Liberty Avenue in Downtown and the Strip District – and its intersections – will begin closing Saturday morning, November 11, in advance of the 2017 Veterans Day Parade. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. 

The parade will form on Liberty Avenue between 10th and 26th Streets, and on 11th Street. The route will proceed on Liberty Avenue to Commonwealth Place, where the parade ends.  

The "Steel City Salutes the Troops" event will follow the parade in Point State Park. The events will feature selected military equipment displays by local Guard and Reserve units, and have displays of historical military vehicles and equipment.  

Highlighting the salute will be recognition by the city of Pittsburgh for the local units that have returned home from deployments in 2017, as well as a signing of support for local employers for the Guard and Reserve components of Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 8, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Bonn, Germany, for the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference. 

Mayor Peduto attended the last Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, in which 195 nations agreed to climate and emissions standards to stem global temperature increases. After President Trump this year withdrew commitments the United States made to the accords the Mayor signed an executive order committing Pittsburgh to climate change initiatives, despite the President's action. 

The UN described the Bonn Conference this way: 

The opening of the conference (COP23, 6- 17 November) takes place against this year’s background of destructive hurricanes, fires, floods, droughts, melting ice and impacts on agriculture which threaten food security. 

“All over the world, vast numbers of people are suffering – bewildered by the forces ranged against them. Our job as leaders is to respond to the suffering with all means available to us,” said newly elected COP23 President, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. “This means to meet our commitments in full, not back away from them.” 

The Mayor's travel costs are being covered by ICLEI, the global network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future.. 

Mayor Peduto returns to Pittsburgh Sunday. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 8, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Bonn, Germany, for the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference. 

Mayor Peduto attended the last Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, in which 195 nations agreed to climate and emissions standards to stem global temperature increases. After President Trump this year withdrew commitments the United States made to the accords the Mayor signed an executive order committing Pittsburgh to climate change initiatives, despite the President's action. 

He and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, wrote an Op-Ed in the New York Times In June on the climate efforts of both cities, and he recently wrote another for Reuters with the Mayor of Bonn, Ashok Sridharan, on how Pittsburgh and Bonn are among the global leaders in climate change initiatives. 

The Mayor's travel costs are being covered by ICLEI, the global network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future.. 

The Mayor returns to Pittsburgh Sunday. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Thursday, November 9, 2017: 

Presentation hosted by ICLEI on Cities in Transition: Industrial Legacy for a Low Carbon Future. Panelists include: Mayor Peduto, Simone Raskob, Deputy Mayor of Essen, Germany; Dr. Wolfgang Beckroge, Ruhr Regional Assoc. Department for Geographical Information and Spatial Planning; Niclas Svenningsen, Strategy and Relationships manager for UNFCCC. Moderated by ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin.  

Time: 11:30 a.m. 

Location: US Climate Action Center, Bonn 

Transition Stories, Industrial Legacy, Sustainable Future, featuring Pittsburgh Chief Resilience Officer Grant Ervin. 

Time: 3 p.m. 

Location:  

US Mayors Welcome Dinner 

Time: 7 p.m. 

Location: Majestic Restaurant, Prinz-Albert-Strasse, Bonn 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 12, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is from Bonn, Germany, where he attended the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference. 

The weekend was marked by the launch of a report on Saturday by America's Pledge, an effort by Michael Bloomberg and California Governor Jerry Brown to track how leaders across the United States are taking effective action against climate change without support from the federal government. Mayor Peduto was a featured speaker at the event. 

Mayor Peduto attended the last Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, in which 195 nations agreed to climate and emissions standards to stem global temperature increases. After President Trump this year withdrew commitments the United States made to the accords the Mayor signed an executive order committing Pittsburgh to climate change initiatives, despite the President's action. 

He and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, wrote an Op-Ed in the New York Times In June on the climate efforts of both cities, and he recently wrote another for Reuters with the Mayor of Bonn, Ashok Sridharan, on how Pittsburgh and Bonn are among the global leaders in climate change initiatives. 

The Mayor's travel costs are being covered by ICLEI, the global network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future.. 

The Mayor returns to Pittsburgh this evening. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, November 10, 2017 

Interview with Deutsche Welle Morning News Show on How Cities from the Global North and Global South Cooperate. Includes Mayor from Mozambique 

Time: 10 a.m. 

Second interview with Deutsche Welle 

Time: 3 p.m. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, November 11, 2017 

America's Pledge event with Michael Bloomberg; Gov. Jerry Brown; U.S. Senator Ben Cardin; Mayor Peduto; Walmart Senior Vice President of Sustainability Laura Phillips; and Rocky Mountain Institute CEO Jules Kortenhorst. 

Time: 10:30 a.m. 

Location: U.S. Climate Action Center, Bonn 

Interview with ICLEI on Subnational Leadership in Driving Climate Action 

Time: 1 p.m. 

Deep Dive into America's Pledge findings with experts from Gov. Jerry Brown's administration and Bloomberg Philanthropies 

Time: 3 p.m. 

Location: U.S. Climate Action Center 

Under2 Coalition General Meeting 

Time: 3:30 p.m. 

Location: Hilton Hotel 

ICLEI USA + 350.org Town Hall. Despite the U.S. federal government’s move away from implementation of the goals in the Paris Agreement, U.S. cities, counties, and states have vowed that “We are Still In”. The U.S. People’s Delegation Town Hall will provide a venue for local elected officials — mayors, council members, and governors — to come together with citizen activists and voters to discuss the road to true climate action and to discuss a vision for what localized implementation should look like in the United States. This event will be in town hall format and citizen activists, policy makers, and delegate members of the U.S. People’s Delegation will ask questions of elected officials. 

Speakers: U.S. Sen Jeff Merkley, Mayor Peduto, Santa Monica council member Pam O'Connor 

Time: 4 p.m. 

Location: Climate Action Pavilion, Bonn 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, November 12, 2017 

Return to Pittsburgh 

Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 9, 2017) Mayor William Peduto will deliver his annual address on the city budget to Pittsburgh City Council Monday morning.

WHAT: Mayor William Peduto will deliver an address on the 2018 operating and capital budgets to Pittsburgh City Council.

WHERE: Council Chambers, 5th Floor, City-County Building

WHEN: 10 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2017.

Reminder: Pittsburgh city government offices will be closed Friday, November 10, but garbage collection will continue as usual. Information on Saturday's Veterans Day Parade is available here.

PITTSBURGH, PA -  The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services will be collecting leaf and yard debris from all residents in a special curbside collection on Saturday, November 18, 2017.  

Yard waste includes:  leaves, branches (4-inch diameter or less), brush and grass. 

Residents should place yard debris at normal collection sites in PAPER BAGS ONLY before 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18. Bags and bundles should weight less than 35 pounds, bundled with fiber twine or natural rope and branch lengths should be 5 feet or less. 

All yard debris materials will be collected by city refuse and recycling crews on Saturday morning and composted over the weekend. Participation in this program helps the environment by diverting valuable resources from the landfill. 

Any yard debris in plastic bags will not be serviced for compost collection during the Fall Yard Waste Curbside Collection. 

The following materials are prohibited: Plastic bags, metal or wire, rocks, blocks, bricks, soil, dirt, gravel, glass, and plastic. 

Questions should be directed to the Bureau of Environmental Services: (412) 255-2773 or (412) 255-2631. 

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Mayor Peduto's 2018 Budget Address To Pittsburgh City Council

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Council Chambers, City-County Building

PWSA Reorganization Meeting

Time: 12:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Recognizing Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Dinner Welcoming Korean Delegation To Pittsburgh With Secretary Dennis Davin, Councilman Dan Gilman, URA Director Tom Link, & Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin

Time: 6:30 P.M.

Location: The Clemente Museum, Lower Lawrenceville 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 13, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto and members of City Council will join the Department of Public Safety, Department of Innovation & Performance, Civic Leadership Academy,  Hello Neighbor, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Welcoming Pittsburgh for the inaugural City of Pittsburgh Hello Neighbor Dinner at the City-County Building on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. 

The Hello Neighbor Dinner is a free, family friendly event where guests are invited to tour the Mayor's Office, Council Chamber and enjoy a meal with Council Members, civil servants and neighbors. Guests are encouraged to participate in discussions about what it means to be a neighbor and will experience tours through the historic council chambers and city council offices translated in six languages.  

City of Pittsburgh Hello Neighbor Dinner 

When: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. 

Where: City-County Building Lobby, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 

Speakers: (Remarks will kick off at 5:45 p.m.) 

• Mayor William Peduto  
• Sloane Davidson, Hello Neighbor 
• Siraji, Civic Leadership participant and poet  

City Council Members: Councilman Dan Gilman, Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, Councilman Bruce Kraus, Councilman Daniel Lavelle and Councilman Corey O'Connor 

In addition to translated tours of the Council Chamber and Mayor's Office, the evening will include a mural project facilitated by Civic Leadership Academy, Welcome Neighbor discussion questions provided by Next Pittsburgh, Vibrant Pittsburgh and The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and food and refreshment provided by Pittsburgh City Council members. 

This event is inspired by inclusive innovation initiatives taking place across the City of Pittsburgh and in partnership with the Welcome Neighbor Dinner spearheaded by Next Pittsburgh, Vibrant Pittsburgh and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. In an effort to involve everyone in Pittsburgh’s transformation the city is piloting new mechanisms to engage, connect and serve residents.  

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Mayor asking State to Remove City from Act 47 Financial Distress Status

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 13, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today submitted his proposed 2018 Operating and Capital budgets to Pittsburgh City Council, and announced he is asking the state to remove the city from Act 47 Financially Distressed status, which the City has been under since 2004.

Parallel to the submission of the budgets, the Mayor will be introducing legislation to Council to cement fiscal reforms learned through the Act 47 process to protect the City from entering distressed status again.

“As a councilman, I was the first member of Pittsburgh city government to call for entering Act 47, and I now call for us to finally exit the process,” Mayor Peduto said. “I do this somewhat reluctantly, as Act 47 oversight has been critical to us regaining our fiscal footing, but the time is right to do so. We need to continue the fiscal discipline we have learned the past 14 years and apply it to the City’s future.”

The legislation will include caps on pension enhancements; standards on debt service; retiring unspent capital projects; maintaining a healthy fund balance; and how budgets will be released post Act 47.

The Mayor is also submitting letters to Governor Tom Wolf and General Assembly leaders calling for a renewed effort to implement statewide municipal pension reform.

He has also issued a letter today to UPMC, Highmark, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh to work with the City to collectively early next year to fund affordable housing, pre-K education and safe water initiatives.

City Council discussion on the budget is set to begin November 20, with departmental hearings beginning the following day. The first line-item vote on the budget is currently set for December 11 and a final vote is scheduled for December 19. By law, the budget must be approved by the end of the calendar year.

A copy of the proposed $554 million operating budget is available here.

Mayor Peduto’s prepared remarks on his budget submission to Council – as set for delivery – are below.

“I am pleased to be here with you today to present the proposed operating and capital budgets for 2018. Today we will highlight improvements in the City’s financial condition since we began Act 47 oversight and discuss some on-going challenges and risks that must be addressed to ensure the City remains on the path towards long-term financial sustainability.

I also want to share some of the strategic investments we have made over the last three years, as well as some key initiatives planned for 2018 and beyond. We have made a lot of progress in restructuring city government and improving the delivery of core municipal services, but there is always room for improvement.  I am happy to share some of my priorities going forward.

When I assumed office in 2014, many thought that the City was ready to exit Act 47. While the City made a lot of progress in getting its financial house in order, two sets of decisions made in 2013 altered the City’s financial forecast. The first was the reduction in the millage rate after the County reassessment, and the other was the actions taken by the pension board to adjust mortality rates and lower the assumed investment rate of return.

Absent any further reforms, these two changes would have resulted in unbalanced budgets every year, and the City’s fund balance would have been depleted by the end of 2018. That was an unacceptable outcome for a municipality that had been operating under Act 47 for a decade, so I asked then Governor Corbett to keep the City under Act 47 oversight until we could implement more financial reforms and continue the progress on overall economic recovery.

In addition, we knew that we needed to contribute more to the pension fund, and that we needed to invest significantly more in our roads, bridges, and buildings.

With the framework of the 2014 Recovery Plan to guide us, the City has produced balanced budgets every year, achieved positive operating results, continued to put more money into the pension fund, maintained a healthy fund balance, and implemented a number of initiatives to improve city government operations.

Due to the progress we have made, I will be formally asking the state Department of Community and Economic Development requesting their approval to exit Act 47 oversight.

Just a few years ago, Pittsburgh faced an uncertain financial future. Thanks to the hard work of city employees, ongoing collaboration with City Council, and a more productive working relationship with the Act 47 Coordinators and new ICA leadership, the 2018 Budget and five-year plan continues our path towards long-term financial sustainability.

The 2018 Budget and Five-Year Plan strike a balance between the need to provide high-quality and efficient municipal services and invest in the City’s infrastructure while also being a prudent steward of the City’s finances. Continuing the objectives of the Act 47 Plan, the 2018 Budget and Five-Year Plan includes balanced budgets every year and maintains an adequate fund balance.

While our fund balance stays above the 10% target every year, we are still significantly below the GFOA recommended practice of 16.7%, so we must resist the temptation to reduce our reserves so we have an adequate amount of cash available to start the fiscal year and guard against emergencies and/or an economic downturn.

In addition to addressing debt, pension, and retiree health benefits, the City continues to pursue cost mitigation strategies for health care and worker’s compensation.

We have slowed the rate of growth in healthcare costs by moving to self-insured arrangement and by increasing our employee wellness program, which also have mitigated cost increases for our employees. 

Through our commitment to workplace and employee safety we have reduced the number of injuries, both those requiring medical attention and those that result in lost time.

Though we have talked about legacy costs individually, it is important to see the overall financial impact of our efforts.

Debt service payments have decreased and workers’ compensation costs remain stable. Without these improvements we would not have been able to increase contributions to the City’s pension fund.

Since entering into Act 47, the City has decreased the size of its workforce by 26% while maintaining and even improving service levels. We have made a lot of tough decisions about programs and services while under Act 47 oversight and employees have been asked to make sacrifices in terms of compensation and benefits.

I am proud of the work that City employees do each and every day to make the City a great place to live, work, visit, and enjoy. Please join me in thanking them for all of their hard work throughout the year.

Though we have made a lot of progress to strengthen the City’s finances and prepare to exit Act 47 oversight, we cannot return to the practices of the past that led us to entering Act 47 in the first place. That’s why my administration will be submitting legislation to City Council to provide a framework for prudent financial management and ensure that we will continue to meet the financial management benchmarks we have achieved while under Act 47.

In a letter I am submitting to City Council I am asking them to approve these reforms by the end of the year so we can continue to adhere to solid financial management practices regardless of who serves on City Council or in the Mayor’s Office.

This budget reinforces our commitment to invest in core city services to provide safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhoods to ensure that Pittsburgh remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

The City has significantly fewer positions than it did in 2000, yet we need to deliver the same core services throughout City neighborhoods. Thanks to the efforts of our workforce, we are able to deliver more efficient and effective services with even fewer employees than before I took office.

Let’s talk about some of our key successes and initiatives we have planned for next year.

Since 2014 and through next year, we will have hired almost 500 police officers, which has more than tripled the amount of recruits from the previous six years. I am proud to say that we are on track to sustain a staffing level of over 900 police officers available for operations in 2018.  While reaching that goal in 2017 was important, we need to maintain a consistent level of staffing going forward given workforce demographics and historical attrition, so we will add three additional recruit classes in 2018.  

In addition to our plan to develop a strategic and long-term approach to fully staffing the Police Bureau, we have consistently added firefighter recruit classes to reach authorized staffing levels and reduce the need for callbacks.

For the period of 2014 through next year, we will have added almost 220 firefighter recruits, which is almost triple the number added for the previous 6 years. As a result of proactive succession planning, with multiple recruiting levels over the last several years, we have reduced the volume of callbacks and overall overtime.

In an effort to sustain a staffing level consistent with our operational needs, the City will add one additional Fire Bureau recruit class in 2018.   

In 2017 we hired our first EMTs to reduce the workload of paramedics responding to basic life support calls. In just a few months we have seen the benefits of the program through the thousands of calls they have responded to, which allow Paramedics to focus on calls requiring an advanced life support response. EMS leadership has also reported a reduction in the number of mutual aid calls required from other suburban departments

In 2018 we will continue our multi-year plan to increase the number of PLI employees, especially inspectors. These additions help the City keep pace with increased development, and provide better service to residents and business owners.

PLI continues to invest in cross-training to allow staff to complete more inspections across different functional areas.

With these additions, I am proud to share that we are seeing a return on our investment. We’ve increased plan review staff from 5 in 2014 to 12 in 2018 which has produced real results. By investing in our workforce, we’ve been able to cut building plan review times significantly. This helps facilitate development in our City, as projects move through the approval process more efficiently.

Investing in PLI has also allowed us to issue more building permits in each of the last four years. During this time, we’ve increased the number of permits issued by over 15% and brought in almost 20% more revenue. This allows us to continue investing in the department and to provide better services to the public.

From 2018 through 2023, our long-term plan will invest an additional $44M for vehicles and equipment to deliver core services. These purchases include police vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, public works trucks, and other equipment necessary to invest in our fleet to provide our employees with the vehicles and equipment they need to do their jobs.

The 2014 Act 47 Recovery Plan highlighted the fact that the City needed to invest more money in its infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. While investing more money in our infrastructure is a good thing, I also knew that we need to establish the proper organization, talent, policies, processes, and technology to ensure those investments were done efficiently and effectively. Several years later, I’m happy to share the progress we’ve made since 2014 and our plans for the next few years.

A few years ago I tasked the Office of Management and Budget with the responsibility for strategic planning and oversight for the development of a long-term investment and maintenance plan for all of the City’s assets. We have also created the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure, established the DPW Bureau of Facilities, and added staff to support both by taking a strategic look at our workforce and prioritizing our needs.

Not only have we added staff, but we are focusing on providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed through the implementation of the Cartegraph asset management system and the current initiative to transform the facilities management function through the introduction of project management and work order processes based on leading practices.

With City Council’s support, we’ve made strategic investments in the facility optimization plan to guide our planning and decision-making for years to come, and are in the process of developing long-term maintenance and investment plans for all of our asset types.

Finally, we also continue to improve our capital budgeting process to ensure that our resources are allocated to high priority projects.

The 2018 Capital Budget allocates over $107M in funding for capital projects across the City.

The 2018 Capital Budget continues our efforts to reform the capital budgeting process and improve our assets and infrastructure. The majority of the capital projects funded 2018 will be targeted to strategic maintenance and investment in our assets and infrastructure, including roads, facilities, vehicles, and equipment.

Through prudent financial stewardship and responsible borrowing we have developed a realistic, long-term capital investment plan. We have seen what happens when we disinvest in our assets and infrastructure. Bridges become unsafe and must be closed or demolished; poor condition roads and sidewalk create mobility challenges; facilities have deplorable working conditions for our employees; and we end up spending more in the long-run to fix things when they break rather than focus on preventative maintenance. We need to invest more, not less in our capital program.

With these efforts we are positioned to responsibly increase our borrowing capacity over the next 6 years to increase investment in capital projects throughout the City and tackle the significant backlog of projects.

Across all funding sources, the six year capital improvement plan presented today includes nearly $647M in strategic investments for the period of 2018 through 2023. The 2018 Capital Budget will fund nearly 200 separate deliverables related to capital projects throughout the City.

There are meat and potatoes projects across all corners of the City – from the Middle Hill (D6) and South Side Flats (D3) to Elliot (D2) and Marshall-Shadeland (D6) – such as laying down new safety surfaces in playgrounds and painting or upgrading play equipment, which will ensure safe parks and play areas for our youngest Pittsburghers and their families.

The Wightman Park renovation project in Squirrel Hill (D8) will include improvements to the sports field and new play equipment as well as investments in green stormwater mitigation.

We will be increasing accessibility with ADA improvements to City facilities such as the Homewood Senior Center (D9), Brookline Park (D4), as well as the installation of hearing loops at Healthy Active Living Centers in the North Side (D1), Glen Hazel (D5), and Mt. Washington (D2).

The budget reflects thoughtful collaboration with community and authority partners on projects that will transform entire neighborhoods.  As part of PennDOT’s upgrades on East Carson Street in the South Side (D3), the City is contributing $1.5M to expand pedestrian safety enhancements.  The City is also collaborating with the URA on a project to reconstruct a large portion of Smallman Street in the Strip District (D7), and with PWSA on large-scale improvements to Four Mile Run in Schenley Park (D5).

The City is also participating in a cutting-edge project to help alleviate congestion in City streets. With $11M in funds from Federal Highway and a multi-million dollar commitment from the state, the city will deploy adaptive signal technology to some of our busiest corridors.  These “smart spines” include technology that allows traffic signals to sense increases in car and pedestrian traffic so green lights can be adjusted on the fly to reduce wait times.  The signals within a corridor or “spine” will also communicate with one another, so a sudden rush at one intersection can be properly managed by the other intersections as well. 

The 2018-2023 Capital Improvement Plan includes $103 million for street resurfacing, with $16.4 million allocated in 2018. I am proud to say that the budget for street resurfacing has more than doubled since I came into office in 2014, but we continue to have a backlog since we should have been allocating $20 million every year to keep our streets in proper condition.

Although not part of the City’s annual paving program, projects such as the reconstruction of Smallman Street and implementation of the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment grant involve significant paving components.

We have accomplished a lot by increasing our investment, improving coordination with utilities, and using technology and data to better plan and manage the paving program to improve the condition of our streets. From 2018 to 2023, our new long-term plan will invest over $214M in improving facilities throughout the City.

Implementation of recommendations from the Facilities Optimization Plan will allow the City to better maintain its infrastructure and provide service delivery to residents. Over $900,000 will be dedicated to sport facility improvements in 2018 such as ballfield renovations, the installation of light activation buttons to aid in electrical usage, and the purchase of ADA-accessible bleachers for our outdoor hockey rinks.

We will continue to financially support upgrades to our recreation and senior centers, including design work to improve ADA accessibility at the Homewood Senior Center, and installing a new roof and elevator at the Warrington Rec Center in 2018.

Another major project on the horizon is a new public safety training facility. The design process for this facility will begin in 2018.

Though we have made great strides to improve the condition of City’s facilities, it’s important that we acknowledge that we continue to have a huge backlog of investment needs. According to the Facilities Optimization Plan, we need to spend $60 million immediately to get all of our facilities in “good” condition. Unfortunately, it will take us at least 5 years to address all of the current needs. I would like to work with City Council to find a way to accelerate this program and make these much needed investments

The structure and operations of city government today are much different than it was just a few years ago, and I believe the changes we have made are having a positive impact on how city government operates for the benefit of our residents, neighborhoods, businesses, and employees.

Before 2014, the Public Safety Department consisted of a Director and staff person. Today, we have a Department with strong, effective leadership that has integrated core functions such as community outreach, planning, emergency management, special events, and finance.

We established the Department of Innovation & Performance to deliver strategic technology services, drive innovation, and facilitate efficient and effective City services through data-driven analytics and continuous improvement.

In 2014 we announced a plan to begin to overhaul the Bureau of Building Inspection with the creation of the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Over the last few years we have restructured the department, implemented new processes, and provided employees with the tools they need to do their jobs and provide exceptional customer service. We’ve made great strides, but there’s more work to do.

The Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment was created to focus on strategies and initiatives in areas such as housing, education, small business development, and diversity and inclusion to improve communities and address the needs of targeted populations.

Building on these organizational changes, in 2018 we will be focused on the transformation and modernization of city government to position the City to meet the current and future needs of our residents, businesses, neighborhoods, employees, and other stakeholders. Some of the key initiatives that are reflected in the proposed 2018 Budget include the following:

• Expanding the role of the newly created Department of Mobility & Infrastructure to improve the organization, planning, coordination, and execution of mobility and transportation projects, processes, and initiatives;
• Transitioning the Personnel Department into a modern human resources department focused on recruiting, developing, managing, and retaining a highly qualified and diverse workforce;
• Aligning the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program under the Office of Management and Budget to centralize all grant management and compliance functions;
• Increasing the number of PLI staff and commencing implementation of the new permitting and licensing system to modernize this important function; and
• Establishing a Bureau of Facilities in DPW to improve the maintenance and operation of City facilities.

Thank you for your help in bringing Pittsburgh back from insolvency. From today forward I pledge to work with you to keep us on the path of fiscal discipline, and continuing the transformation and modernization of Pittsburgh city government.”

Pittsburgh Chosen to Receive Support from Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies to Replicate Proven FEC Public Municipal Financial Counseling Model  

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 14, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh and the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) announced today their selection to replicate the proven Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) model under the new FEC Public national platform.  Pittsburgh will receive technical assistance and a seed grant to bring free, high-quality, one-on-one financial counseling to Pittsburgh residents. The CFE Fund’s FEC Public program is supported by a $7,750,000 investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of their American Cities initiative.  

“This is a key initiative to help make sure Pittsburgh offers opportunity for all. On behalf of the residents of Pittsburgh I want to thank the CFE Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies for this latest charitable contribution to our city,” Mayor William Peduto said. 

“Financial Empowerment Centers are exactly the kind of bold idea that should spread between cities. It is a proven model that helps low-income citizens and we are delighted to be doubling- down on our investment in this initiative,” said James Anderson, head of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies. 

“Local leaders know first-hand the connection between family financial stability and community financial stability,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “Mayor Peduto and the city of Pittsburgh are joining a national movement to bring free, high-quality financial counseling as a public service to their residents; we are proud to partner with Mayor Peduto and Bloomberg Philanthropies on this critical work.”  

The national FEC Public platform promotes scale and sustainability for the growing movement of professional, one-on-one financial counseling as a free public service. The CFE Fund is seeding additional FEC replication multiple avenues of grant support, intensive technical assistance, and a vibrant national learning community, which will help as many as 50 local government partners plan, launch, and sustain free financial counseling for their residents. First piloted in New York City under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2008, the FECs have worked with almost 80,000 clients, helping them reduce individual debt by almost $99 million, and increasing their families’ savings by close to $9 million. In addition, a recent CFE Fund evaluation showed that this program works even for residents with very low incomes and other complex financial challenges. Pittsburgh is one of twelve localities selected to receive a grant and intensive technical assistance to prepare to launch a local FEC program.  

Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) offer professional, one-on-one financial counseling as a free public service. At the Financial Empowerment Centers, professionally trained FEC counselors help individuals and families with low and moderate incomes manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. At the core of the FEC model is the integration of counseling into other social services, including housing and foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, domestic violence services, and more.  

FEC Evaluation Findings 

Earlier this year, the CFE Fund released An Evaluation of Financial Empowerment Centers: Building People’s Financial Stability As a Public Service, a three-year evaluation of the initiative’s initial replication in 5 cities (Denver, CO; Lansing, MI; Nashville, TN; Philadelphia, PA and San Antonio, TX). The evaluation shows that the model worked in a variety of city contexts, and that clients succeeded in reducing debt, increasing their savings, establishing and improving credit, and opening safe banking accounts, despite deep financial challenges.  

The evaluation draws on data from 22,000 clients who participated in 57,000 counseling sessions across the first 5 city replication partners over 30 months. As further evidence of the program’s success, evaluation findings include: 

• FEC clients succeeded. Overall, these FEC clients reduced their debt by $22.5 million, increased their savings by $2.7 million, and nearly a quarter of unscored clients working on credit issues succeeded in establishing a credit score. 

• FEC clients succeeded despite deep financial challenges. FEC clients averaged annual incomes of only about $21,000; they were twice as likely as all U.S. consumers to have a subprime credit score and half as likely to even have a credit score; nearly 23% had no health insurance; and over 60% had no savings.  

• FEC clients meaningfully reduced debt. While FEC clients began counseling with an average of nearly $29,000 in debt —more than half with credit card accounts, 40% with utility debt, and 38% with student loans—over a third of clients who tried to reduce their debt succeeded, with total debt reduction at $22.5 million. 

• FEC clients meaningfully built savings. FEC clients were much more likely than average US residents to have no savings, yet overall, almost a third of clients working to increase their savings succeeded, averaging $1,634 and totaling $2.7 million among just those included in the evaluation. 

• Banking status matters. Unbanked FEC clients had a notably more difficult time achieving financial outcomes, underscoring the importance of a bank account. Compared to clients with accounts, they were less than half as likely to increase their savings, and over a third less likely to establish a new credit score, even working directly and repeatedly with a counselor in efforts to do so. 

• The FEC model worked in a variety of city contexts. The evaluation documents replication success across 5 different American cities. Critical, well-replicated features of the model included programmatic emphasis on public-private partnerships, building rapport and prioritizing the clients’ goals, encouraging return sessions, and professionalism through data-driven management and professional training. 

About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) 

The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund works in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and other generous sponsors to support our work.  For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund.  
 

Media Contact: 

Joel Moore 

joel.moore@hkstrategies.com 

212.885.0468 

Diversity & Tech Summit Fireside Chat With Reed Smith's David Cohen

Time: 9:00 A.M.

Location: ACE Hotel, East Liberty

Greeting Delegation From The Israeli National Firefighting Organization

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Conference Room, John P. Robin Civic Building

Mayor John Fetterman Announcement 

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Braddock, PA 

Meeting With Chief Financial Officer Sam Ashbaugh, Innovation & Performance Director Lee Haller, & I&P Assistant Director Of Services Heidi Norman

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Phone Call

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Monthly Interview With WESA's Kevin Gavin

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Arletta Scott Williams

Time: 3:00 P.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Assistant Planning & Sustainability Director Grant Ervin

Time: 4:00 P.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Speaking At Welcoming Pittsburgh "Hello Neighbor" Dinner

Time: 5:30 P.M. 

Location: Grand Lobby, City-County Building

Allegheny Conference On Community Development Annual Meeting

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: Carnegie Music Hall, North Oakland 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 14, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that McArdle Roadway -- from Grandview Avenue to the Liberty Bridge -- will be closed on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, and Thursday, November 16, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for routine seasonal maintenance along the roadway.  

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Citiparks is proud to announce that the Schenley Park Ice Rink is shceduled to open for the season on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.  

Skating sessions will be open to the public daily. This year’s skating season will offer great events such as: 

• Skate with Santa on December 10, 2017, sponsored by KDKA Radio 
• Mascot Skate on January 6, 2018 
• Valentine’s On Ice, February 14, 2018.  

Fees are $5 for adults, $4 for senior and $3 for kids 17 years old or younger. Skate rentals are $3 and skate sharpening is $5. 

Farmers Markets 

While the Schenley Park Ice Rink is heating up, the Citiparks Farmers Markets are ending their seasons on a high note next week. No holiday table is complete without the fresh farm offerings from Citiparks Farmers Markets. See the schedule below to plan your holiday shopping. 

• East Liberty: Monday, Nov. 20, 2-6pm Station Street & N. Euclid Ave. parking lot 
• South Side: Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2-6pm 18th St & Carson 
• Carrick Dairy District: Wednesdays, Nov. 15 and 22, 2-6pm 1529 Brownsville Rd. 
• North Side: Friday, Nov. 17, 2-6 pm Allegheny Commons East Park, E. Ohio St. & Cedar Ave.  

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PITTSBURGH, PA (November 15, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh and Duquesne Light Company (DLC) will officially kick off the holiday festivities with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 17, 2017, from 5-6:00 p.m. at the City-County Building.

Honored guests for the ceremony include County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, City of Pittsburgh Chief of Operations Guy Costa, City Forester Lisa Ceoffe and DLC President Richard Riazzi.

Brightening the holiday season and beyond, DLC has partnered with the City of Pittsburgh by providing $150,000 for new lighting to commemorate the Centennial of the City-County Building. The building’s front exterior is now outfitted with 34 permanent, programmable LED light fixtures that have the capability to showcase a unique array of color schemes in differing time intervals all year-round.

The first City-County Building tree lighting ceremony took place in 1915, two years prior to the building opening in December 1917. Today, 100 years later, DLC’s President and CEO Richard Riazzi will join Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh in a ceremony to light the building’s exterior during the official City-County Building tree lighting.

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the tree lighting and light display taking place at approximately 5:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the event podium will be set up across the street from the City-County building so guests and spectators can view the celebratory light show.

Performances by the Salvation Army Brass Band, Central Catholic Choir, and Holy Family Academy Choir will bookend the lighting of the tree. Following the show, guests are invited to enjoy some refreshments on the Portico and free tours of the City-County Building. Tours of the historic rooms of City Hall will take place from 6-9:00 p.m. Friday, and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 18.

Following the City-County Building ceremony, guests are invited to continue the celebration during the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Comcast Light Up Night. Complete details for Comcast Light Up Night can be found here: http://www.downtownpittsburghholidays.com/light-up-night/.

Contacts:

Duquesne Light Company: Ashlee Yingling, 412-430-3404, ayingling@duqlight.com  

City of Pittsburgh Contact: Katie O'Malley, 412-925-1990, katie.omalley@pittsburghpa.gov

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PITTSBURGH, PA (November 15, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Charlotte, N.C., today for the National League of Cities City Summit, the yearly gathering of the nationwide leadership forum. 

Last year's City Summit was held in Pittsburgh, drawing thousands of municipal leaders and experts to the city. 

Mayor Peduto serves on the national Board of Directors of the NLC, and was the past Chairman of the Youth & Families Committee. Since taking office in 2014, the Mayor reestablished Pittsburgh as a member of NLC, and through the past four years have successfully directed millions of dollars of grants to the city through our involvement with the organization. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule November 15, 2017 

Finance Committee Meeting 

Time: 3 p.m. 

Location: Westin Charlotte 

Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception 

5 p.m. 

Location: Convention Center 

2017 National League of Cities Board of Directors Dinner 

Time: 6:30 p.m. 

Location: Nascar Hall of Fame 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 16, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Charlotte, N.C., today for the National League of Cities City Summit, the yearly gathering of the nationwide leadership forum. 

Last year's City Summit was held in Pittsburgh, drawing thousands of municipal leaders and experts to the city. 

Mayor Peduto serves on the national Board of Directors of the NLC, and was the past Chairman of the Youth & Families Committee. Since taking office in 2014, the Mayor reestablished Pittsburgh as a member of NLC, and through the past four years have successfully directed millions of dollars of grants to the city through our involvement with the organization.  

Mayor Peduto speaks today on a panel discussing Economic Mobility & Opportunity at 3:30 p.m. 

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule November 16, 2017 

Board of Directors Meeting 

Time: 8 a.m. 

Location: Westin Charlotte 

Board and Advisory Council Luncheon 

Time: Noon 

Location: Westin Charlotte 

NLC Opening General Session with Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly. Other speakers include: NLC President and Cleveland, Ohio Councilman Matt Zone, Nashville, Tennessee Mayor Megan Barry, National League of Cities CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony 

Time: 1:30 p.m. 

Location: Westin Charlotte 

Economic Mobility & Opportunity Task Force Workshop. Speakers include Mayor Peduto; Columbia, S.C. Mayor Pro Tem Tameika Issac Devine; Annie E. Casey Foundation Director of National Partnerships Bonnie Howard; and Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts. 

Time: 3:30 p.m. 

Location: Convention Center 

NLC Roundtable on Partnerships with the Faith Community to Reduce Violence 

Time: 5 p.m. 

Location: Westin Charlotte 

Sustainable Cities Reception 

Time: 5:30 p.m. 

Location: Sea Level Restaurant 

Pennsylvania Dinner 

Time: 6:30 p.m. 

Location: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar 

Reception In Honor of NLC CEO Clarence Anthony 

Time: 9 p.m. 

Location: Ritz Carlton 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 17, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Charlotte, N.C., today for the National League of Cities City Summit, the yearly gathering of the nationwide leadership forum.  

Last year's City Summit was held in Pittsburgh, drawing thousands of municipal leaders and experts to the city.  

Mayor Peduto serves on the national Board of Directors of the NLC, and was the past Chairman of the Youth & Families Committee. Since taking office in 2014, the Mayor reestablished Pittsburgh as a member of NLC, and through the past four years have successfully directed millions of dollars of grants to the city through our involvement with the organization.   

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule November 17, 2017  

NLC General Session, with remarks from Columbia, S.C. Mayor Steve Benjamin; Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke; Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss; Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh; Walls Faro Vice President Mike Rize; Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts; St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano; NLC CEO Clarence Anthony; and Brookings Institute Centennial Scholar Bruce Katz.  

Time: 9 a.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Achieving Equity in Our Communities Through Economic Development  

Time: 10:30 a.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Lunch with Don Baylor, Annie E. Casey Foundation  

Time: Noon  

Get with the Program: Digitalization as a Route to Economic Inclusion and Workforce Development for Youth and Others, with speakers Sophia Davis, Charlotte Youth Employment Program Manager; Brookings Senior Fellow Mark Muro; and Denver councilman Chris Herndon.  

Time: 1:30 p.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Building a Thriving City Through Early Childhood Education, with speakers Tempe Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo; LENA Research President Stephen Hannon; and Scope View President Bill Millett.  

Time: 3:30 p.m. 

Location: Convention Center 

Dinner with NLC Leadership and Staff  

Time: 6:30 p.m.  

Location: Aria Tuscan Grill  

Party For Mayor Mark Stodola  

Time: 9 p.m.  

Location: Westin Charlotte 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 18, 2017) Mayor William Peduto is in Charlotte, N.C., today for the National League of Cities City Summit, the yearly gathering of the nationwide leadership forum. He returns to Pittsburgh tomorrow.

Last year's City Summit was held in Pittsburgh, drawing thousands of municipal leaders and experts to the city.   

Mayor Peduto serves on the national Board of Directors of the NLC, and was the past Chairman of the Youth & Families Committee. Since taking office in 2014, the Mayor reestablished Pittsburgh as a member of NLC, and through the past four years have successfully directed millions of dollars of grants to the city through our involvement with the organization.    

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule November 18, 2017   

Connected Vehicles: Is Your City Ready for this New Technology? Speakers: Egan Smith, Managing Director, U.S. Department of Transportation; Greg Rodriguez, Best Best & Krieger; Joe Waggoner, CEO and Executive Director, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.  

Time: 9 a.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

P3s Impacting Economic Mobility through Afterschool Programs. Speakers: BeIa Shah Spooner, NLC Manager for Expanded Learning; Rashaan Peek, Director of Organizational Affairs, MeckEd; Sally Gambrell, CEO, Gambrell Foundation; Barbara Sipe, executive director Next Up RVA; Jennifer Roberts, Mayor of Charlotte.  

Time: 10:45 a.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Closing Delegates Luncheon with remarks from Magic Johnson  

Time: Noon  

Location: Convention Center  

Annual Business Meeting  

Time: 2:45 p.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Board of Directors Meeting  

Time: 4 p.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

City of Charlotte Closing Event  

Time: 7 p.m.  

Location: Convention Center  

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule November 18, 2017   

Returning to Pittsburgh  

Carnegie Mellon University Mill Building Groundbreaking At Hazelwood Green

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Hazelwood Green - Almono Mill Site, Hazelwood

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Downtown Substation Grand Opening

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Zone 2 Substation - Liberty Avenue at Market Street, Downtown

Lunch With Dan Onorato

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Union Standard, Downtown

Honoring Former City Clerk Mary Beth Doheny

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Quarterly Meeting With Commission On Human Relations Director Carlos Torres

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Human Resources And Civil Service Deputy Director Janet Manuel

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

PA Alliance Dinner With Governor Wolf

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Location: Revel + Roost, Downtown 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 20, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today introduced legislation to Pittsburgh City Council requiring all those receiving major city contracts to pay their full time workers a minimum of $15 an hour. 

The legislation follows on his November 2015 executive order requiring the city to pay all its full time city employees at least $15 an hour. It was phased in over five years, starting this year.

The ordinance introduced today would apply to all those receiving City contracts worth $100,000 or more. 

"Today's legislation shows my commitment to making sure Pittsburgh remains a city in which everyone can afford to live comfortably through sustainable wages," Mayor Peduto said. 

The ordinance covers all professional service contracts let by the City that exceed $100,000 and are paid completely by city funds. It requires employers to maintain records showing their compliance with the wage rule and make the records available at the City's request. 

“With income inequality growing and far too many Americans working for poverty wages under $15/hour, we’re grateful for the leadership of Mayor Peduto, continuing to ensure the city does everything in its power to create good jobs for all Pittsburgers," said Sam Williamson, District Leader 32BJ SEIU. 

Violations of the requirements will be considered a breach of contract and the City will be allowed to seek damages from such contractors. 

The legislation is expected to have no effect on the City's budget. 

A copy of the ordinance is available here. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 20, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today introduced legislation to Pittsburgh City Council requiring all those receiving major city contracts to pay their full time workers a minimum of $15 an hour. 

The legislation follows on his November 2015 executive order requiring the city to pay all its full time city employees at least $15 an hour. It was phased in over five years, starting at the beginning of this year. 

The ordinance introduced today would apply to all those receiving City contracts worth $100,000 or more. 

"Today's legislation shows the my commitment to making sure Pittsburgh remains a city in which everyone can afford to live comfortably through sustainable wages," Mayor Peduto said. 

The ordinance covers all professional service contracts let by the City that exceed $100,000 and are paid completely by city funds. It requires employers to maintain records showing their compliance with the wage rule and make the records available at the City's request. 

Violations of the requirements will be considered a breach of contract and the City will be allowed to seek damages from such contractors. 

A copy of the ordinance is available here. 

Meeting With anupama jain 

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Veteran Homelessness Announcement

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the County Executive, Allegheny County Courthouse

Meeting With Chris Hornstein

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Debra Caplan

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

2017 Hilltop Alliance Summit

Time: 6 P.M.

Location: Alla Famiglia, Allentown 

PITTSBURGH, PA (Nov. 22, 2017) - City of Pittsburgh offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24.  

The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that there will not be any refuse, bulk waste or recycling collection on Thursday, Nov. 23.  

The schedule will proceed as follows:  If your scheduled day of collection is Thursday, Nov. 23, you will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 24.  If your scheduled collection day is Friday, Nov. 24, you will be serviced on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017. 

Questions concerning should be directed to Environmental Services at 412-255-2773. 

Citiparks has announced the following Thanksgiving schedule for recreation facilities:  

CLOSED THURSDAY, NOV. 24 

• Oliver Bath House indoor swimming pool 
• Mellon Park Tennis Center 
• Schenley Park Skating Rink 

CLOSED THURSDAY, NOV. 24 THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 27 

• Citiparks Recreation Centers 
• Citiparks Healthy Active Living senior centers  

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Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services Promotion Ceremony

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Lunch With Ben Woods

Time: 12:30 P.M.

Location: Max's Allegheny Tavern - East Allegheny

Meeting With CitiParks Director Jim Griffin & Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin

Time: 1:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Dag Detter

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Consul General Of Canada Phyllis Yaffe

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the County Executive, Allegheny County Courthouse

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 27, 2017) Infrastructure Management Group today issued its final report on a possible restructuring of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to Mayor William Peduto's Blue Ribbon Panel of water experts.  

The panel – working independently from PWSA and City government – has been meeting to discuss IMG's findings and is expected to provide its recommendations for restructuring the authority to Mayor Peduto by the end of December. 

The IMG "Restructuring Assessment" report is available here. It recommends transferring oversight of PWSA to a Board of Trustees, which in turn would name a Board of Directors to oversee PWSA operations. Both bodies would be independent of City government, through the recommendations keep PWSA ownership and rate-setting within public hands. 

Additionally the report addresses needed reforms to PWSA operations and infrastructure. It recommends that operations be overseen by a public operator (possibly PWSA) that is subject by contract to stringent performance standards, and that the authority's vast needs for infrastructure improvements be overseen by a private partner to keep likely cost overruns from impacting PWSA ratepayers. 

The Restructuring Assessment executive summary states:  

"As this report explains, each of the restructuring options has its advantages, and each has its own viable form of public accountability and quality-assurance mechanisms, some stronger than others. However, PWSA’s organizational problems are large and long-standing, and its infrastructure needs threaten to overwhelm the pocketbooks of the city’s water and sewer ratepayers. Business as usual, even along the current improvement path, is simply insufficient against these enormous challenges. 

IMG has recommended a combination approach, one that maintains public ownership, operations, and rate-setting while selecting the most beneficial aspects of each restructuring option and forging them into a powerful synthesis, one that relies on politically-independent governance and contract driven public and private performance. We believe this 'best of the best' approach will not only solve PWSA’s persistent organizational and performance problems durably and efficiently but also enhance Pittsburgh’s national reputation as a leader in public-service innovation." 

Section 4 of the report addresses community input on IMG's work, including a November 2 public forum attended by 200 people. A workshop at the forum concluded that in a PWSA restructuring, residents most valued accountability, cost and green infrastructure from the authority. 

Mayor Peduto named the Blue Ribbon Panel in March of this year to address longstanding concerns with PWSA water quality, operations and infrastructure. IMG was selected to deliver recommendations to the panel, and the firm began its work in July. 

Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 28, 2017) Pittsburgh City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday evening on the draft Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan. The Department of City Planning Sustainability and Resilience Division will be providing a brief presentation on the plan prior to public commentary. A copy of the draft plan can be found here.  

The Plan was approved by the City's Planning Commission in October with the recommendation for full Council approval. It is an advisory plan for pollution reduction actions within the City of Pittsburgh. 

The hearing will be begin at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers. Persons interested in providing comments are suggested to sign up. A link with information on signing up for the hearing is here: http://pittsburghpa.gov/council/clerk/council-meetings.html

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 28, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) has announced overnight lane restrictions for one eastbound lane of I-376 East (Parkway East) in the next week.  

One outbound lane of the Parkway East will be closed to all traffic from the Fort Pitt Bridge to the Grant Street exit ramp. The overnight closures will take place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 

• Thursday, Nov. 30 from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1 

• Monday, Dec. 4 from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 

The lane closures are necessary to allow for the steel delivery for the Mon Wharf pedestrian ramp.   

A detour is not necessary for the overnight closures.   

Questions should be directed to Chuck McClain, Project Manager of the Bridges and Structures Division, at 412-255-2034.

Meeting With New City Of Pittsburgh FUSE Fellows

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Newton Street Hillside Update

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Tom Joyce & Chief Guy Costa

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Call With Galen Hench

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Reception For Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: The LeMont, Mount Washington 

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 29, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety has launched its Multicultural Liaison Unit, a community policing and immigration integration strategy, Mayor William Peduto announced today. 

The MLU was proposed in the Mayor's 2014 Welcoming Pittsburgh plan and further established through legislation introduced early this year by Councilman Dan Gilman. 

The unit is comprised of members of the Mayor's Office, Public Safety and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, who work closely with members of the Welcoming Pittsburgh Advisory Committee to ensure consistent community input and community-driven solutions.  

The MLU's mission is to build trustworthy and sustainable relationships among Public Safety employees (first responders) and the immigrant and refugee communities through proactive and community-driven strategies. Currently, within these communities, there can be a lack of trust toward Public Safety employees. As a result, crimes and safety concerns are not properly reported; emergency medical care is not requested; and new residents are unable to comfortably integrate into their communities. The lack of protection felt by foreign born residents has allowed this community to prioritize its fears ahead of receiving the required, and deserved, protection and service provided by the City of Pittsburgh’s Pubic Safety employees.  

"Pittsburgh's past was built by immigrants, and so will its future. This unit will be key to making sure all of those in our city feel welcome, especially when interacting with the first responders who so often are the first government faces to come into contact with Pittsburgh newcomers," Mayor Peduto said. 

"I want to thank Mayor Peduto and Public Safety Director Hissrich for acting quickly to establish the Multicultural Liaison Unit, which was created under my City for All legislative package," said Councilman Gilman. "By translating documents into several languages, boosting outreach efforts, and advancing cultural understanding among all public safety personnel, this unit will help officers to more effectively protect and serve Pittsburgh's growing immigrant and refugee communities and build a safer and more welcoming city for all."  

"Pittsburgh is a multi-cultural city. There is value to building understanding between our diverse communities and our Public Safety employees. We look forward to the successes that are sure to come from this important initiative," said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich. 

Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said, "This effort will improve the capacity of our officers to serve the increasingly diverse residents of the City of Pittsburgh and to continue to strengthen community ties in our efforts to reduce crime." 

The Public Safety Multicultural Liaison Unit aims to diminish current fears by actively engaging the immigrant and refugee community members through three essential initiatives: communication and language access, outreach and education, and multicultural trainings. 

Communication and Language Access  

Welcoming Pittsburgh conducted a series of community meetings and through feedback from those meetings, meetings with other stakeholders within the immigrant and refugee communities, and further research. The City was able to conclude that there was a lack of knowledge on Public Safety laws and ordinances amongst the immigrant and refugee community members. A language barrier was identified as the primary reason for this lack of knowledge. 

Although there are many languages represented within the City of Pittsburgh, the unit will focus on the five most common languages among immigrant communities: 1) Arabic 2) Chinese 3) Nepalese 4) Spanish and 5) Swahili. 

Watch and Learn videos will be accessible through the City of Pittsburgh website, our social media platforms, and our national partners (i.e. Welcoming America). These brief videos will feature Pubic Safety employees from Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services simplistically explaining basic laws and protocol, how to request emergency services, fire prevention and any other information deemed important by the Department of Public Safety. The videos will be recorded in English; however, subtitles in the six identified languages will be included at the bottom of the screen. In addition, voiceovers of the six identified languages will be created as well. Each language will have its own series of Watch and Learn videos.  

Public Safety literature will be translated and disseminated at community meetings and outreach events. Translated literature will be available for leaders within the immigrant and refugee community to duplicate and house at various facilities within their communities.  

Outreach and Education  

Outreach and Education initiatives are critical to the success of the Multicultural Liaison Unit, with outreach efforts intended to be immersed in the communities where different immigrant and refugee populations are located. To build connections with the communities the City will plan events within the region of the specific immigrant and refugee populations.  

The programming will include, but not be limited to: 1) Public Safety Community Meetings: These meetings are generally requested by community leaders to cover a selected topic to address a current community need. Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about Public Safety services and ask Public Safety related questions. 2) Know Your Rights Sessions: A collaboration with various City departments, community leaders, community organizations and legal counsel for immigrant and refugee community members 3) Lunch and Learn: Once a week, community members will learn about Public Safety related topics such as traffic safety education, emergency and non-emergency calls, reporting options, how to become a Public Safety employee, etc. 4) Immigrant and Refugee Public Safety Academy: The academy will be a replica of the Citizens Police Academy offered by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. 5) Social Engagements: Police officers will engage with the community by participating in friendly competitions of sports (i.e. basketball, soccer etc.) suggested by the community members. 

Multicultural Trainings  

Multicultural training will be incorporated into the new recruit training for each of the Public Safety Bureaus. These trainings will help first responders effectively address and support the public safety needs of residents with various cultural backgrounds and limited English language skills. 

Multicultural Overviews for each Police Zone will provide information about the various nationalities represented in that zone. The objective is to help officers understand, respect and appropriately respond to cultural norms when interacting with immigrant and refugee community members. Initial outreach efforts will take place in the following communities identified as those with most need: East Liberty, North Side, Northview Heights, Oakland, South Hills (Carrick). 

Timeline 

For the duration of 2017 the unit is working closely with Police, Fire, EMS, Welcoming Pittsburgh Advisory Council and community leaders to design programming and implantation strategies for the three areas of focus. During this time, the Multicultural Unit will also complete a department-wide literature assessment to determine additional Public Safety educational resources to translate. Translated material will be available for upcoming community meetings and social engagement events. 

2018 Quarter 1: 

• Community meetings and social engagement events  

• Lunch and Learn workshops 

• Know Your Rights Session 

• Watch and Learn Videos recorded, translated, edited and published to website for viewing  

2018 Quarter 2 and beyond:  

• Community meetings and social engagement events  

• Lunch and Learn workshops 

• Know Your Rights Session 

• Multicultural Trainings   

Conclusion 

The efforts mentioned above will expand within the Bureau of Police and with other emergency responders. These critically important City employees present the first opportunity to develop more culturally aware and empathetic interactions with immigrants, and provide the language access resources that Federal funding mandates in serving English learners.  

Developing effective programs and working with first-line emergency providers will provide an important first step in expanding awareness and training throughout all City departments and staff. The Mayor’s Office will work to ensure continuing input, improvements, and partnership with employees who will be on the front lines of implementing, participating, and enforcing the program. The expanded practices and training tools will be made available to the public and partners as a means of ensuring broad support and compliance in building accessible, culturally empathetic resources, beyond City government. 

Meeting With Tony Helfer

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Multicultural Liason Unit Press Conference

Time: 1:30 P.M.

Location: Grand Lobby, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich, Chief Scott Schubert, Commander Daniel Hermmann, & Chief Administraton Officer Debbie Lestitian

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Pittsburgh United Celebration

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Location: Energy Innovation Center (Clifford B. Connelly School), Crawford-Roberts

Media Advisory

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 29, 2017) Mayor William Peduto, City Councilman Dan Gilman, Public Safety officials and members of the Pittsburgh community will hold a press conference this afternoon regarding the launch of the city's Multicultural Liaison Unit (MLU).

WHO: Mayor William Peduto; City Councilman Dan Gilman; Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich; Assistant Public Safety Director Shatara Murphy; Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert; Wasi Mohamed of Islamic Center of Pittsburgh; Khara Timsina of Bhutanese Community of Pittsburgh (BCAP); Abdulkadir Chirambo of United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh; Rosamaria Cristello of Latino Community Center; and city policy analyst Feyisola Alabi.

WHERE: Outside Council Chambers, 5th Floor, City-County Building

WHEN: 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 30, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today is in New York City for the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Society.

Founded in 1899, the yearly Pennsylvania Society meetings bring together public servants from around the state. The purpose of the Society is "to promote good will and understanding and to celebrate service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to humanity in general."

Mayor William Peduto's Public Schedule, Thursday, November 30, 2017:

Children's Hospital Reception

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Carnegie Hall, New York.

PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 4, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto is in Chicago, Illinois today, for the inaugural Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit & C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards, a summit uniting municipal leaders from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico to sign the Chicago Climate Charter and commit to addressing climate change at the local level.

The North American Climate Summit is an extension of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, described as "an international alliance of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society." 

The inaugural North American Climate Summit will feature the 5th annual C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards. As described by Bloomberg Philanthropies, "the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards are granted annually in five categories and provide global recognition for cities that are demonstrating climate action leadership."  

Since 2013, C40 has recognized more than 40 of the world’s boldest projects, highlighting the critical role cities play as a leading force for climate action through the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies. For 2017, 93 Cities submitted 174 applications. The applications were evaluated through a rigorous scoring process and an independent jury panel selected the 10 winners. 

Given the increasingly important role cities must play in driving climate action in the United States, the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards 2017 will have a special focus on the leadership of US cities on the global stage. Each category will have a winner from an American city and a city from the rest of the world. 

A schedule of events and agenda for the Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit can be found here. A press release from the City of Chicago announcing the North American Climate Summit can be found here.  

Mayor Peduto's participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit is a continuation of his recent participation in the international discussions on environmental and resilience efforts. Last month Mayor Peduto was in Bonn, Germany, for the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference and earlier this year he presented at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York City. 

The climate summit hosts are covering costs associated with the event. 

About Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy: 

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy consists of more than 7400 cities and local governments from 121 countries across six continents with a shared, long-term vision of a world where committed mayors and local governments – in alliance with partners – accelerate ambitious, measurable climate and energy initiatives that lead to an inclusive, just, low-emission and climate resilient future, working to meet and exceed the Paris agreement objectives. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 5, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto is in Chicago, Illinois today, for the second day of the inaugural Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit & C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards, a summit uniting municipal leaders from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico to sign the Chicago Climate Charter and commit to addressing climate change at the local level. 

Today's schedule includes a surprise Meet & Greet session between attending mayors and former President Barack Obama. Mayor Peduto is also a panelist for a discussion on America's Pledge, highlighting the commitment to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

The North American Climate Summit is an extension of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, described as "an international alliance of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society." 

The inaugural North American Climate Summit will feature the 5th annual C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards. As described by Bloomberg Philanthropies, "the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards are granted annually in five categories and provide global recognition for cities that are demonstrating climate action leadership."  

Since 2013, C40 has recognized more than 40 of the world’s boldest projects, highlighting the critical role cities play as a leading force for climate action through the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies. For 2017, 93 Cities submitted 174 applications. The applications were evaluated through a rigorous scoring process and an independent jury panel selected the 10 winners. 

Given the increasingly important role cities must play in driving climate action in the United States, the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards 2017 will have a special focus on the leadership of US cities on the global stage. Each category will have a winner from an American city and a city from the rest of the world. 

A schedule of events and agenda for the Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit can be found here. A press release from the City of Chicago announcing the North American Climate Summit can be found here.  

Mayor Peduto's participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors North American Climate Summit is a continuation of his recent participation in the international discussions on environmental and resilience efforts. Last month Mayor Peduto was in Bonn, Germany, for the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference and earlier this year he presented at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York City. 

The climate summit hosts are covering costs associated with the event. 

Mayor Peduto will return to Pittsburgh this evening.  

North American Climate Summit - Tuesday, December 5 

(All Tuesday events will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel)  

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.    Registration & Breakfast 

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.    Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.    GLOBAL COVENANT OF MAYORS: Raising the Ambition: A Conversation About Cities Leading Climate Action on a Local, Regional & Global Scale

9:25 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.    GLOBAL COVENANT OF MAYORS: Cities4Action Plenary Panel: Ambitious City-Wide Action Plans

10:25 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.    Chicago Climate Charter Signing Ceremony 

1:25 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.    C40 CITIES CLIMATE LEADERSHIP GROUP: Cities4Tomorrow Plenary Panel: Ambitious Adaptation Plans and Programs

12:15p.m. - 1:45 a.m.    BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES & C40 CITIES CLIMATE LEADERSHIP GROUP: C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards Lunch

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.    Breakout Discussions 

4:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.    AMERICA’S PLEDGE & CLIMATE MAYORS: Together4Climate Plenary Panel 
          Moderator: Antha Williams, Bloomberg Philanthropies 
          Panelist: Mayor Bill Peduto, Pittsburgh 
          Panelist: Mayor Madeline Rogero, Knoxville 
          Panelist: Alastair Child, Mars Wrigley Confectionery 

4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.    Closing Remarks 

About Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy: 

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy consists of more than 7400 cities and local governments from 121 countries across six continents with a shared, long-term vision of a world where committed mayors and local governments – in alliance with partners – accelerate ambitious, measurable climate and energy initiatives that lead to an inclusive, just, low-emission and climate resilient future, working to meet and exceed the Paris agreement objectives. 

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Participating In Panel For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Brownfields Conference

Time: 8:30 A.M.

Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown

Interview With Jessica Gourdon - Le Monde Newspaper

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With David Holmberg

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Fifth Avenue Place

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Alexis Vargas

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Bus Rapid Transit System Update

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Gold Room, Allegheny County Courthouse

MEDIA ADVISORY

PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 7, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto and Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin will go before City Council this morning for the annual Mayor's Office 2018 Budget Hearing at 10:00 a.m. 

Mayor's Office 2018 Budget Hearing 

Who: Mayor William Peduto and Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin 

When: Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. 

Where: City Council Chamber, City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 

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Mayor Peduto's 2018 Budget Hearing For The Office Of The Mayor

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Council Chamber, City-County Building

Proclamation For The Office Of Management & Budget's Retiring Kevin "Slim" Forsythe

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Finance Director Paul Leger & Chief Financial Officer Sam Ashbaugh

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building 

Greeting Crew Ahead Of 33rd Launching Of The USS Pittsburgh

Time: 10:30 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Recording Holiday Greeting For Charity Fundraising Web Series "Spare Change"

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Speaking At International Human Rights Day Press Conference

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: City-County Building Portico, Downtown

Presentation Of First "Pittsburgh Parking Chair" Christmas Ornament To Mayor

Time: 12:15 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Cassie Guerin, Aurora Sharrard, & Damon Weiss of Green Building Alliance

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With University Of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Cathedral of Learning, North Oakland

Annual Monongahela Society Dinner

Time: 7:30 P.M.

Location: Alla Famiglia, Allentown

Interview With WESA’s Kevin Gavin

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Tour Of Surgical Robotics New Vision Institute

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: UPMC Eye & Ear Institute, Oakland

Hillcrest Residences Grand Opening

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: 2848 Brownsville Road, Carrick

Pittsburgh Promise Board Meeting

Time: 11:45 A.M.

Location: 1901 Centre Avenue, Crawford-Roberts

InnovatePGH Leadership Meeting

Time: 1:30 P.M.

Location: NoWait, 122 Meyran Avenue, Central Oakland

Interview With Market Place's Erika Beras

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

City Of Pittsburgh Department Of City Planning Riverfront Zoning Open House

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: 517 South 27th Street, South Side Flats

Pennsylvania Municipal League Monthly Call

Time: 10:00 A.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Station Square East Groundbreaking Ceremony

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Station Square, South Side Flats

Meeting With Director Wendell Hissrich & Chief Scott Schubert

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

OnePGH Meeting

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

City Of Pittsburgh Menorah Lighting

Time: 5:00 P.M. 

Location: City-County Building, Grant Street Sidewalk

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 13, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has issued a Level 2 Snow Alert effective 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017.  

At 3:00 p.m. today, the Snow Plow Tracker was activated for the Level 2 snow event that is expected to begin between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. today. Current forecasts predict that this Level 2 snow event is expected to be a quick moving storm dropping 2” to 4” of snow over a 15 hour period. The Snow Plow Tracker was active until 2:00 p.m. today with coverage information from the previous Level 1 Snow event that began on December 12 and was scheduled to last until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 14. As of 3:00 p.m. today, the Snow Plow Tracker will display coverage for the new Level 2 Snow Alert.  

All crews have been extended to 12 hour shifts during the snow event. As snowfall is expected to overlap with the evening rush hour, crews are actively pre-treating streets with a liquid Calcium Chloride and salt mix. Approximately 70 vehicles equipped with plows and chains will be deployed throughout the city throughout the evening then 60 vehicles will work through the night.  

During a Level Two Snow Alert, DPW has a 32 hour window after the snow event ends to clear the streets before individual constituent calls for service will be addressed. This current snow event is expected to last from 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, giving crews until 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16 to have all city streets treated. DPW will be following the primary, secondary and tertiary plowing routes exclusively until the early morning hours on Thursday. 

Winter Storm Levels & 311 Response Center  

The Department of Public Works classifies storm conditions into  Winter Storm Levels. Levels determine the required response timeframe for a given snowstorm. Based on the storm levels, it will be expected that all streets will be serviced with clearly defined response times. 

Depending on the severity or level of the weather event it can take up to 48 hours to treat the streets with salt and/or calcium chloride after a snow/ice event. 

• Level 1 Event (1 - 3"): Crews have 24 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 
• Level 2 Event (3 - 6"): Crews have 32 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 
• Level 3 Event (6 - 10"): Crews have 48 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 
• Level 4 Event (> than 10"): Calls will not be taken until weather event drops to a Level 3 (6-10"). 

Winter Weather Resources  

The City of Pittsburgh Snow Plow Tracker  is a resource available to monitor the travel history for all vehicles dedicated to snow and ice control throughout the time frame of a snow event.

Residents should contact the 311 Response Center if a street is not treated within the designated timeframe following a storm. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (December 14, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh and Mayor William Peduto will host a ceremony for the "Best Block" award winners of the 2017 Love Your [Resilient] Block grant program on Friday, December 15, at 5:30 p.m. 

2017 Love Your [Resilient] Block 'Best Block' Awards 

When: Friday, December 15, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. 

Where: City-County Building Lobby, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219 

The Love Your [Resilient] Block revitalization program is a collaboration among the City of Pittsburgh, People’s Gas, and Cities of Service, that awards $1,500 grants for block improvement project plans. The award money is issued to winning applicants for the purchase of supplies and tools necessary to implement the projects. Awardees mobilize community volunteers to transform blighted lots into community assets and increase resilience within our neighborhoods. An additional two “Best Block” awards of $3,000 are awarded to the organization that carries out the most successful block transformation, per identified criteria. 

2017 'Best Block' Winners 

The 2017 season of Love Your [Resilient] Block featured projects in 26 different neighborhoods, with 700 volunteers dedicating well over 3,500 total hours towards neighborhood revitalization. The winners of the “Best Block” award for 2017 are Perry Hilltop Citizens Council and Lawrenceville United. Perry Hilltop Citizens Council worked with local designer, Richard Liberto, to create a green space surrounding a mosaic mural. Lawrenceville United held an event for elementary school students that included painting a mural on the surface of a former basketball court and educational lessons on environmental concepts.   

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Harvard-Bloomberg HBX Live Session

Time: 10:30 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council Holiday Party

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Sheraton Pittsburgh, Station Square, South Side Flats

Women's Center & Shelter of Pittsburgh New Building Dedication

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Representative Ed Gainey's 5th Annual Holiday Party 

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Location: Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum, Homewood South

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber Of Commerce Public Officials Reception

Time: 5:30 P.M.

Location: The Duquesne Club, Downtown

Outgoing Public Information Officer Sonya Toyler's Farwell Party  

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: Roland's, The Strip District

Reception Introducing The New Executive Director Of Keystone Progress & Keystone Progress Education Fund

Time: 7:00 P.M.

Location: United Steelworkers Building, Downtown

Meeting With Chief Financial Officer Sam Ashbaugh & Budget Director Jennifer Presutti

Time: 1:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Todd Reidbord & Gregg Perelman

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Buhl Foundation President Diana Bucco

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Jimmy Cvetic

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Love Your Block Best Block Awards

Time: 5:30 P.M.

Location: Grand Lobby, City-County Building

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Welcoming Visiting New England Congressional Delegation To Pittsburgh

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: Alla Famiglia, Allentown

Sunday, December 17, 2017 

No public events scheduled.

Accessible Park Swings Press Conference

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Dan Cohen Playground, Mellon Park, Point Breeze

Speaking At African American Chamber of Commerce Annual Luncheon

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: William Penn Hotel, Downtown

Meeting With University of Pittsburgh's David Miller Regarding CONNECT

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Meeting With Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the County Executive, Allegheny County Courthouse 

Due to a scheduling conflict the DACA Days of Action Press Conference scheduled for this afternoon has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 18, 2017) - Mayor William Peduto will hold a press conference tomorrow with members of the local immigrant community to demonstrate the importance of protecting the 800,000+ Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in the country.  

Through the support of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, mayors across the country have participated in DACA Days of Action, uniting in an effort to protect DACA recipients, urging the President to maintain the program and urging Congress to quickly pass the Dream Act, pending bipartisan legislation that would enable Dreamers to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship if they meet necessary criteria.  

DACA Days of Action Press Conference 

Who: Mayor William Peduto, local DACA Recipients and members of the Pittsburgh immigrant community  

When: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. 

Where: City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 5th Floor Lobby 

More information on the U.S. Conference of Mayor's efforts to support Dreamers and protect DACA recipients, including a joint letter issued to President Trump in July 2017, can be found here: https://www.usmayors.org/issues/immigration/.  

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Meeting With Monessen Mayor-Elect Matthew Sharrow

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-Counnty Building

Ribbon Cutting For Pittsburgh Gateways Corperation Wind Turbine

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Energy Innovation Center (Clifford B. Connelley Trade School), Crawford-Roberts

Meeting With Councilwoman Darlene Harris

Time: 12:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor’s Conference Room, City-County Building

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Press Conference

Time: 1:30 P.M.

Location: Grand Lobby, City-County Building 

Dinner With Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian

Time: 6:00 P.M.

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 19, 2017) Mayor William Peduto today named City Councilman Dan Gilman as his new Chief of Staff, effective on January 3, 2018, the day of Mayor Peduto's inauguration into his second mayoral term. 

Gilman was elected to Council in 2013 and previously served as Chief of Staff to then-councilman Peduto in District 8, representing Oakland, Point Breeze, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. He has long worked with Mayor Peduto on efforts to modernize Pittsburgh government, improve city services, work with business and institutional leaders to develop the city's economy, and bring opportunities to all Pittsburgh families. 

Gilman is set to replace outgoing Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin, who announced his intention on December 7 to return to the private sector in January 2018. 

"Dan is the perfect person to continue my and Kevin's work the last four years to make Pittsburgh a city for all. In fact, he's been integral to that work all along," Mayor Peduto said. "I am grateful to Dan and his family for taking this next step in his public service to the city." 

"I have a passion to continue to serve the residents of the City of Pittsburgh," said Councilman Gilman. "I am thankful to Mayor Peduto for this opportunity to serve the whole city and help deliver upon our City for All agenda."  

The councilman, age 35, lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife Amanda and their almost 2-year-old son. He is a graduate of Shady Side Academy and Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with honors from the latter with a degree in Ethics, History, and Public Policy. He currently serves on the boards of the Sports & Exhibition Authority, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the Silk Screen Film Festival. He also serves on the Board of Fellows of the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics. 

Gilman was selected to join The New DEAL, a national network committed to highlighting pragmatic progressives with innovative ideas at the state and local level. He was also named Vice Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) University Communities Council. He has been recognized as one of Pittsburgh’s “40 Under 40” by Pittsburgh Magazine and Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, as well as one of Pittsburgh’s “50 Finest” by Whirl Magazine. 

Further information on the councilman's legislative and policy accomplishments is available here. 

Gilman was reelected to a second council term on November 7, several weeks before Acklin announced his resignation. The vacancy in the District 8 seat will trigger a special election to be scheduled by the President of City Council. 

"This wasn't an easy decision, especially given the confidence District 8 residents have given me the last two elections. I pledge to take all the lessons they have taught me over the years and apply that experience to making the entire city a better place for all," Gilman said. 

His appointment is not subject to City Council approval. The 2018 salary for the position is $111,323. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 20, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that there will not be any refuse, bulk waste or recycling collection on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 in observance of Christmas and on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day.   

City of Pittsburgh offices will also be closed on both days.  

The Christmas refuse collection schedule will proceed as follows:   

If your scheduled day of collection is Monday, Dec. 25, you will be serviced on Tuesday, Dec. 26.  If your collection day is Tuesday, Dec. 26, you will be serviced on Wednesday, Dec. 27 and so on through Saturday, Dec. 30. 

The New Year's Day schedule will proceed as follows: 

If your scheduled day of collection is Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, you will be serviced on Tuesday, Jan. 2. If your collection day is Tuesday, Jan. 2, you will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 3 and so on through Saturday, Jan. 6. 

Questions concerning refuse collection should be directed to Environmental Services at (412) 255-2773. 

Citiparks 

The following Citiparks facilities will adjust operating hours in observance of the upcoming holidays by closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and News Year's Eve, and remaining closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day:  

• Mellon Park Tennis Center 
• Oliver Bath House indoor swimming pool 

Citiparks' 10 community recreation centers and 14 Healthy Active Living senior centers will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1,  2018. Recreation centers will also be closed on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. 

Schenley Park Skating Rink Holiday Schedule  

• Sunday, Dec. 24   1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  
• Monday, Dec. 25 - CLOSED  
• Tuesday, Dec. 26   1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (adults only) 
• Wednesday & Thursday, Dec. 27 & 28   1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  
• Friday & Saturday, Dec. 29 & 30   1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (adults only)  
• Sunday, Dec. 31 - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  
• Monday, Jan. 1 - 1 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 20, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has announced that the Christmas tree recycling program will be available again this year. Residents can take tress to the following drop-off locations to have the tree composted at no cost.  

For a tree to be composted at a drop-off location, all ornaments, lights and stands must be removed. Trees in plastic bags or netting will not be accepted. Christmas trees set out at the curb for refuse pick-up will be sent to the landfill.  

Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-Off Locations:  

Hazelwood Schenley Park Division -  Open Year Round 
Location: 40 Melanchton St Pittsburgh, PA 15207 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-422-6524 
 
East End 2nd Division of Public Works - Open Year Round  
6814 Hamilton Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (North Dallas Ave. at Hamilton Ave.) 
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-665-3609 
 
West End 5th Division of Public Works - Open Year Round  
1330 Hassler St. Pittsburgh, PA 15220  (Off Herschel St. & Steuben St. near Herschel Park)  
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-937-3054 
 
Strip District Environmental Services Lot - Open January 2018 Only  
3001 Railroad St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (near 30th St. and Railroad St.) 
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-255-2773 

Baum Grove Parklet in Friendship - Open January 2018 Only 
City Sponsored Pilot Drop Off 
400 Roup Ave. Pgh PA 15232 (off of Fairmont Ave.)  
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-255-2773  

Questions? Contact the City of Pittsburgh Recycling Division for more information: (412) 255-2631 

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Please note: 2018 Real Estate tax payments must be received in the Treasurer’s office by NOON on Friday. December 29, 2017. Payments must be made in person by check or cash at the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the City-County Building.

For additional information please contact the Real Estate Division at 412-255-2525.

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 27, 2017) The City of Pittsburgh Treasurer’s office is accepting early payment for 2018 real estate taxes. Payments made today through Friday, December 29, 2017 on 2018 real estate taxes will be credited as a 2017 payment and will be applied to 2018 real estate taxes.

To satisfy the 2018 real estate tax obligation, all a homeowner needs to do is pay the discounted amount of the 2017 tax.

Payments must be made in person by check or cash at the Cashier windows in the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the City-County Building at 414 Grant Street.

For further information please contact City Treasurer Margaret Lanier at margaret.lanier@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2954.

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 28, 2017) - With low temperatures and wind chills persisting this week, the City of Pittsburgh advises that three Citiparks Senior Healthy Active Living  (HAL) Centers will be available for use as warming centers for extended hours this evening and tomorrow, Friday, December 29, 2017. 

The following three centers will remain open until 7:00 p.m. today and be open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, December 29.  (Centers normally close at 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.) 

Homewood Healthy Active Living Center   

7321 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208  

Dec. 27-28, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

412-244-4190  

South Side Market House  

12th St. & 1 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15203  

Dec. 27-28, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Contact: 412-488-8404   

Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center 

720 Sherwood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15204  

Dec. 27-28, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.  

Contact: 412-777-5012  

All Pittsburgh police and other emergency personnel will be asked to check on homeless individuals, advise them of the extreme cold, and if necessary transport them to shelters or warming centers. Animal Control will also enforce city law prohibiting pets from being left outside during the extreme weather. 

Anyone seeking overnight shelter locations should refer to the Allegheny County Department of Human Services website for information on the Operation Safety Net Winter Shelter resources.   

Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution and check on neighbors and loved ones during the extreme cold temperatures. 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (December 28, 2017) The Blue Ribbon Panel named early this year by Mayor William Peduto to study the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority today issued its final report on the possible restructuring of the agency. 

The report is available here.

To ensure independence by the Panel, Mayor Peduto has not yet reviewed its recommendations.  

The report was also shared today with Pittsburgh City Council and members of the PWSA Board of Directors. The Panel will hold a public meeting to present its findings but it has not yet been scheduled.  

"I want to thank the members of the Panel for their hard work over the past year and the public service they have delivered to the entire Pittsburgh community. Nothing is more important than protecting our water and ensuring that residents are provided this precious resource safely and efficiently," Mayor Peduto said. 

Mayor Peduto assembled the panel in March to study the challenges facing the PWSA and to name an advisory firm to help guide their work. The City, with the concurrence of the Panel, chose Infrastructure Management Group as that firm in April. After a series of public meetings, studies of PWSA operations and studies of the agency IMG issued its findings in November. 

It is expected that the review of the Panel's recommendations will be publicly discussed by the Mayor, Council and the PWSA Board starting in January.

Presenting Proclamation To Retiring Finance Director Paul Leger

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building

Interview With Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Bob Bauder

Time: 1:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Council President Bruce Kraus, Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, & Councilman-Elect Anthony Coghill

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Meeting With Councilman Ricky Burgess, Councilman Dan Lavelle, & Councilman Daniel Gilman

Time: 3:00 P.M. 

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Interview With KQV's Elaine Effort

Time: 3:30 P.M.

Location: Office of the Mayor, City-County Building

Weekly Scheduling Meeting

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Mayor's Conference Room, City-County Building 

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 28, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) will host the Western PA Mobility Showcase on Thursday, January 4, 2018.  

The public is invited to the City of Pittsburgh's Western PA Mobility Showcase to explore the wide range of mobility services and systems that are emerging across North America and beyond. The Showcase will be open to the public, free of charge, on Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 12 noon to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm at Alumni Hall at the University of Pittsburgh (4227 Fifth Ave). 

As described by DOMI Director Karina Ricks, "transportation is radically changing. New choices in travel and new technologies make it cleaner and more convenient than ever. New innovations make headlines every week – many of them originating from our own Southwestern Pennsylvania researchers and industries." 

"Technologies to be showcased include mobile applications for trip planning and ride sharing, various public and private transit solutions, autonomous vehicle applications, bicycle systems and services, and more. Mobility is rapidly evolving, and it’s vital that we keep our region’s residents informed about the options available to them now, and the ones that will be coming to them soon," added Director Ricks.

Western PA Mobility Showcase  
Hosted by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure 
Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
Location: Alumni Hall at the University of Pittsburgh , 4227 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 

Contact:  Justin Miller, Principal Transportation Planner, Department of Mobility & Infrastructure 

(412) 255-2517  justin.miller@pittsburghpa.gov 

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 28, 2017) Mayor William Peduto has been chosen to join the Board of Directors of ICLEI USA, Local Governments for Sustainability. 

Pittsburgh and Mayor Peduto have long partnered with the Denver-based environmental organization on climate protection and sustainability initiatives. He will officially join the ICLEI USA board on Monday for a two-year term. 

The Mayor traveled with ICLEI to the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, in November. 

The City of Pittsburgh is a member of ICLEI and receives technical assistance from the organization to implement climate mitigation strategies and other initiatives. 

Pittsburgh is also a founding member of ICLEI's Urban Transition Alliance, a collection of leading post industrial cities from the United States, Germany and China advancing environmental stewardship.  

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 28, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has issued a Level 1 Snow Alert effective 10:00 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017.   

At 10:00 p.m. tonight, the Snow Plow Tracker will be activated for the Level 1 snow event that is expected to begin between 9:00 p.m. and Midnight tonight and last until approximately 9:00 a.m. Friday, December 29. Current forecasts predict that this Level 1 snow event is predicting a 30% chance of ½" or less, including dry snow or possibly ice due to freezing temperatures. 

Approximately 50 vehicles will be deployed overnight during the night turn shift (10pm – 6am) when the precipitation is expected to fall. Rock salt loads will be treated with Liquid Calcium Chloride to make the salt more effective at the low temperatures.  

During a Level 1 Snow Event, DPW has 24 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. DPW will continue to monitor weather forecasts and street conditions and crews will be following the primary, secondary and tertiary plowing routes exclusively until the early morning hours on Saturday. 

Winter Storm Levels & 311 Response Center  

The Department of Public Works classifies storm conditions into Winter Storm Levels. Levels determine the required response timeframe for a given snowstorm. Based on the storm levels, it will be expected that all streets will be serviced with clearly defined response times. 

Depending on the severity or level of the weather event it can take up to 48 hours to treat the streets with salt and/or calcium chloride after a snow/ice event. 

Level 1 Event (1 - 3"): Crews have 24 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 

Level 2 Event (3 - 6"): Crews have 32 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 

Level 3 Event (6 - 10"): Crews have 48 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. 

Level 4 Event (> than 10"): Calls will not be taken until weather event drops to a Level 3 (6-10"). 

Winter Weather Resources  

The City of Pittsburgh Snow Plow Tracker  is a resource available to monitor the travel history for all vehicles dedicated to snow and ice control throughout the time frame of a snow event. 

Residents should contact the 311 Response Center if a street is not treated within the designated timeframe following a storm. 

Warming Centers 

Three Citiparks Senior Healthy Active Living (HAL) Centers will be available for use as daytime warming centers for extended hours tomorrow, Friday, December 29, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Details for daytime warming centers and overnight shelter resources are available here.  

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Update: The Sue Murray Swimming Pool Parking Lot on the North Side has been added as an additional tree drop-off location for the month of January. 

PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 28, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has announced that the Christmas tree recycling program will be available again this year. Residents can take tress to the following drop-off locations to have the tree composted at no cost.  

For a tree to be composted at a drop-off location, all ornaments, lights and stands must be removed. Trees in plastic bags or netting will not be accepted. Christmas trees set out at the curb for refuse pick-up will be sent to the landfill.  

Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-Off Locations:  

Sue Murray Swimming Pool Parking Lot, North Side - Open January 2018 Only (NEW LOCATION)
City Sponsored Pilot Drop Off
Location: 301 Cedar Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (off of Stockton Ave.)  
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-255-2773 

Hazelwood Schenley Park Division -  Open Year Round 
Location: 40 Melanchton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15207 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-422-6524 
 
East End 2nd Division of Public Works - Open Year Round  
6814 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (North Dallas Ave. at Hamilton Ave.) 
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-665-3609 
 
West End 5th Division of Public Works - Open Year Round  
1330 Hassler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15220  (Off Herschel St. & Steuben St. near Herschel Park)  
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-937-3054 
 
Strip District Environmental Services Lot - Open January 2018 Only  
3001 Railroad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (near 30th St. and Railroad St.) 
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-255-2773 

Baum Grove Parklet in Friendship - Open January 2018 Only 
City Sponsored Pilot Drop Off 
400 Roup Ave., Pgh PA 15232 (off of Fairmont Ave.)  
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. 
Contact: 412-255-2773  

Questions? Contact the City of Pittsburgh Recycling Division for more information: (412) 255-2631 

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PITTSBURGH, PA (December 29, 2017) – The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has issued a Level 2 Snow Alert effective 10:00 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2017. 

At 10:00 p.m. tonight, the Snow Plow Tracker will be activated for the Level 2 snow event that is expected to begin between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight tonight and last until approximately Noon to 3 pm Saturday, December 30. Current forecasts predict that this Level 2 snow event is predicting dry snow amounting between 3” to 6” and temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-teens to 20 degrees with periods of drifting and blowing snow, with road problems expected between 10 pm to midnight tonight 

Approximately 50 vehicles will be deployed overnight during the night turn shift (10pm – 6am) when the precipitation is expected to fall. Rock salt loads will be treated with Liquid Calcium Chloride to make the salt more effective at the low temperatures.   

During a Level 2 Snow Event, DPW has 32 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets. DPW will continue to monitor weather forecasts and street conditions and crews will be following the primary, secondary and tertiary plowing routes exclusively into Sunday evening. 

Winter Storm Levels & 311 Response Center 

The Department of Public Works classifies storm conditions into Winter Storm Levels. Levels determine the required response timeframe for a given snowstorm. Based on the storm levels, it will be expected that all streets will be serviced with clearly defined response times. 

Level 1 Event (1 - 3"): Crews have 24 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets.  

Level 2 Event (3 - 6"): Crews have 32 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets.  

Level 3 Event (6 - 10"): Crews have 48 hours after the storm has ended to treat streets.  

Level 4 Event (> than 10"): Calls will not be taken until weather event drops to a Level 3 (6-10").   

Winter Weather Resources  

The City of Pittsburgh Snow Plow Tracker  is a resource available to monitor the travel history for all vehicles dedicated to snow and ice control throughout the time frame of a snow event.  

Residents should contact the 311 Response Center if a street is not treated within the designated timeframe following a storm.